8th day of Raincrown, 1368
[Quintessence] 11845/16000
Ebonheim stepped through the portal into the Sanctum of the Divine Mandala, blinking away the sensation of vertigo. As her vision cleared, the celestial vista came into focus, with the majestic ceiling painted with stars and constellations. It was even more magnificent than she had remembered.
A year had already passed since then, yet the scene in front of her remained unchanged. Time, it seemed, stood still here—even if the gods went about their busy lives.
As she drew nearer to the center, she could hear the murmur of chatter. It was quieter than she expected, but then again, the auction had not yet begun. There were a few gods and goddesses milling about as they conversed amongst themselves. Ebonheim walked past the large crystal columns and entered the main hall.
She recognized a few of them, mostly from their distinctive appearances. Nephri, the serpentine goddess, lounged against one of the columns, the iridescent creatures swimming within her translucent body occasionally rising to the surface as they scurried about. Another goddess that looked like a towering statue of polished alabaster, stood beside a god with a crystalline body, talking quietly to one another.
As she approached the group, they turned their attention to her. Before she could introduce herself, a loud voice cut through the murmur, and a god, clad in silver armor, strode towards her.
"What's this? A new face I've not seen?" said the armored god as he glanced at her, his eyes shimmering like gemstones within the void of his helmet. "Well met," he continued with a nod, "My name is Syntris. I oversee the nation of Nir'Vash, on the far shores of the Osnuan coast."
"A pleasure," Ebonheim replied as she returned his nod. "I am Ebonheim."
Ebonheim's gaze flickered to Syntris, taking in his form. Syntris' body appeared to be made entirely out of shining silver armor that melded seamlessly into a cloak of shimmering golden silk and a robe lined with flowing trails of diamond dust. When he moved, the gems embedded in his armor sparkled like miniature suns, reflecting the light from the crystals around them.
Syntris seemed to study her as well, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than she liked. "Right, Ebonheim. I shall remember it. Is this your first time being invited to the auction?" Syntris asked, his tone brisk and polite.
She shook her head in response. "No," she replied with a small smile, "I attended last year."
"Ah! How splendid." Syntris clasped her on the shoulder, his grip firm and surprisingly warm despite its cold metallic appearance. "Then you should know what to expect—and who to avoid."
Before Ebonheim could ask what he meant by that, Syntris pointed towards a god on the other side of the room. Ebonheim followed his gaze, her eyes fixing on a deity that stood in the corner.
Clad in a cloak as dark as the void, the deity stood alone, an island of darkness in the sea of celestial bodies. His form was a stark contrast to the grandeur of his divine peers, the frail outline of his body evident even beneath the cloak's heavy drape. The cloak's hood cast a shadow over his face, but the faint celestial light revealed a tangled mop of indigo hair that cascaded over his narrow shoulders. His skin was marked by intricate patterns that glowed with an eerie light, like a sprawling celestial map etched onto his flesh.
But what truly mesmerized Ebonheim were his eyes. They were large and almond-shaped—entirely pitch-black, as if they absorbed all light, radiating an intense depth that was almost unsettling.
The rest of his attire was equally unusual. He wore loose breeches that were tattered and frayed, as if he had been traveling for years and never bothered to repair them.
"Who is he?" Ebonheim asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of her tone.
Syntris paused before answering, his voice dropping to a whisper, "That," he began, "is the most unfortunate vagrant god you'll ever see. I believe his name is...Xellos. Yes, Xellos."
As Syntris spoke, Ebonheim saw Xellos turn around to face them, his dark eyes meeting hers for a moment before turning away again. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "What happened to him? What's a vagrant god?"
Syntris chuckled softly and shook his head. "I had a feeling that you were still a godling," he said, his tone amused and faintly condescending. "Well, it's quite simple. Vagrant gods are the unfortunate ones who have not yet managed to acquire their domain. They wander the mortal realm in search of settlements that they could either subjugate or appease—whatever method they find success in, but ultimately fail in the end. As such, they are left without a divine domain and find themselves wandering aimlessly, trying to gather what scraps of quintessence they can here and there. Poor, pitiful things."
"Oh," Ebonheim said as she glanced at Xellos again. That's...unfortunate. Just imagining herself in his shoes made her feel more than a little sympathetic. If things hadn't ended up the way they did during that time, who knows what she might have ended up as?
"Don't feel too sorry for him," Syntris said, his tone playful and taunting. "It's not like he's the only one. There are a few others wandering around, even now. But, as I've said before. It's best that you avoid him. There is nothing to gain from such an unruly acquaintance."
Syntris walked away after that, his attention now on the other gods that had begun to gather, leaving Ebonheim to muse over his words. He didn't seem particularly pleasant, but his warning to stay away from Xellos made her hesitant to approach. So she chose to linger by the columns and observe the scene from afar.
This time, she was sure to participate in the Divine Auction. She hadn't spent much of her accumulated quintessence over the year, so she had plenty to spend today. Rather than trying to purchase those Divine Abilities that she could acquire for a cheaper cost, the six artifacts that were on offer this year piqued her interest the most.
Before she could drift further into her thoughts, Ebonheim almost missed the rhythmic cadence of melodies wafting through the Sanctum. Turning towards the sound, her golden eyes widened in joy as she spotted the familiar form of Ariastra.
As always, Ariastra was breathtaking as she strode through the hall, a graceful blend of musical and human attributes. Her willowy figure was adorned with sparkling strands of gossamer silk, shimmering as the light struck them. The filigree of strings that intertwined her mahogany body produced a musical harmony, vibrating and resonating in time to Ariastra's movements as she approached her.
The stringed goddess lifted a slender hand in greeting, her gesture as graceful as a maestro directing a grand orchestra. Ebonheim returned the gesture with a warm wave and began to move towards her friend.
"Ebonheim, it's delightful to see you again," Ariastra sang, the notes forming words that seemed to dance in the air between them. "I trust you have been well?"
Ebonheim smiled and nodded, "Yes, Ariastra," she replied as she gazed into Ariastra's shimmering eyes. "It's been a while." She looked around and added, "Is Aetheron joining you this time?"
Ariastra shook her head and her musical tone became somber as she replied, "No. Unfortunately, the Akashic System did not select him to participate in this year's auction. No one knows the exact criteria for its selection process, but a few have speculated that the more bids won during the Divine Auction, the likelihood to be chosen for the next one diminishes."
"Oh," Ebonheim said as she pondered Ariastra's words, "He did win a few last time. That's unfortunate. I was hoping the three of us could spend time together again."
"Indeed," Ariastra's tone softened as she nodded, "Perhaps next year. With a little luck."
Ebonheim couldn't help but smile again at the thought and nodded. "I do hope so. So how have you been?"
As they began to walk together towards the amphitheater, Ariastra's body swayed gracefully, her alien physique creating harmonious music with each movement.
"Busy, like always," Ariastra hummed in reply, her body strings vibrating with the tempo of her words. "Byllais has been thriving in the last year. More and more people have flocked to my domain, whether to tour its many marvels or simply to enjoy the arts. As such, I have been putting all my efforts into ensuring the city's continued prosperity."
Ebonheim nodded, her smile widening as she watched Ariastra's animated body and listened to her melodic voice. "It sounds like you've been doing great things," she said, "I can only hope to do as much."
Listening to Ariastra's experiences, Ebonheim realized how different their divine duties were, and yet how similar their goals. Ariastra's focus was on creativity and music, while Ebonheim's centered around nurturing nature and her people. Yet both aimed for their cities' prosperity and their inhabitants' happiness.
As they walked together, Ariastra began to recount her tales from Byllais, regaling Ebonheim with her descriptions of its many marvels and spectacles—of its artistic communities, festivals, and performances, both grandiose and intimate. While listening to Ariastra speak about her city was inspiring to say the least, Ebonheim couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.
Her village didn't have anything like Byllais did. Sure, they had their festivals, feasts, and performances—but nothing on Ariastra's scale. There were times when she had wondered whether her people needed more from her, whether she was providing enough to satisfy their wants and needs. Ariastra's stories seemed to validate her worries and give them weight.
Ariastra and Ebonheim found their seats, their arrival signaling the start of the Divine Auction. As they settled down, Ebonheim stole a glance around, studying the other deities that had gathered.
From the corner of her eye, she could see Xellos standing in a far corner—the only one who seemed to be entirely alone. A pang of sympathy coursed through her again and she looked away. As Ebonheim watched him, Xellos turned to face her again, and their eyes met. Once again, he did nothing more than stare at her for a moment before turning away again.
Stolen story; please report.
As the Divine Auction began, Ariastra shifted her attention to the stage as well. Ebonheim soon found herself following suit as she focused on the scene that unfolded before them.
An Akashic projection manifested before the stage, with large glowing screens floating above its surface, their light casting the whole hall in a gentle glow.
[The Divine Auction will now commence.]
[Fifteen Divine Abilities and six artifacts will be offered.]
As the message faded, the stage began to glow, the golden radiance emanating from the crystals on the floor illuminating the platform. One by one, screens with glowing words appeared on the stage as well—one for each Divine Ability on offer.
Ebonheim noted their names and descriptions. Even though she wasn't planning on bidding for any of them, just reading what they were all about could be useful in the future.
As the bidding commenced, Ebonheim watched as a number of gods bid on each one of them. It went on for a while before Ariastra finally raised her hand and bid on one of them. As Ariastra's quintessence trickled into the Akashic System, she won the bid and received the Divine Ability in question.
One particular ability caught Ebonheim's attention—not because of how powerful it seemed, but because no god bid on it:
[Name] Aura Inversion
[Effect] This ability swaps the percentile of your remaining health with your Divine Aura's.
[Target] Self
[Duration] Instant
[Cost] 40 Essence
[Requirement] Lesser God - Ascendant Stage
How peculiar. It seemed like a good way to replenish the aura. If she paired it with some form of health regeneration for herself, it could be useful. So, why were they not interested? Maybe they already had it. Well, she didn't and the cost to purchase it through her usual method was only a hundred quintessence, so she'll acquire it later. Something tells her that it could be useful.
After that, Ebonheim lost interest as her mind began to wander again—until an unfamiliar voice coming from what she thought had been an empty seat next to her caused her to turn around.
"Why are you not bidding?" Xellos asked with a hushed and raspy tone. His expression remained inscrutable, but the pitch-black pools of his eyes were fixed on Ebonheim as she nearly jumped out of her seat in surprise.
What the—When had he moved there? And how had she not noticed him? She shook her head and replied, "Um...because I wanted to buy an artifact or two this year, not a Divine Ability," she explained, doing her best to keep her tone even despite the shock still coursing through her body.
"Why?" Xellos asked, his voice incredulous as he leaned towards her, his dark eyes fixating on hers with an intensity that made her shiver. "Abilities offer so much more than artifacts," he added, his voice soft but insistent. "Not all gods seem to be aware of this truth."
Ebonheim could only nod in agreement as she turned away from him and tried to ignore the uncomfortable sensation in her chest as he leaned in so close to her. She wasn't exactly sure if she wanted to entertain his inquiry or not—if she even wanted to engage with him at all—but his insistence and inscrutable gaze compelled her to say, "Because my...powers are enough to protect my village."
A lie, she could tell that Xellos was unconvinced, but thankfully, he seemed to let it go, nodding his head slowly as he sat back in his seat. "I see," he replied as he turned away from her again and began to study the abilities on display. "If that's what you wish to do, then I won't question your choice—no matter how foolish I find it."
Ebonheim forced herself to maintain her composure and pretend that she had not heard those last few words—but the urge to reply was stronger than she liked. Fortunately, Xellos didn't seem to notice her reaction and turned his attention back to the stage.
She let out a long breath and slumped into her own seat. One glance towards Ariastra, who sat on the other side of her, revealed that her friend's attention was still focused on the stage, so she too returned her gaze to the scene unfolding before them.
As each Divine Ability was sold off, the screens on the stage vanished one by one until only one remained. Xellos' body tensed as he sat up straight and stared at the remaining screen with undisguised intensity.
[Name] Irresistible Influence Mantra
[Effect] This ability allows you to weave your words with an almost irresistible force of persuasion. When this ability is activated, your arguments, requests, or commands carry a compelling power that can sway even the most stubborn minds.
This could make social interactions more favorable for you by compelling others to agree with your perspective or comply with your requests. It could be particularly useful in situations where persuasion is key, such as negotiations, interrogations, or commanding subordinates. Bonus: +24 bonus to all Social actions.
[Target] Self
[Duration] One hour.
[Cost] 60 Essence
[Requirement] Lesser God - Ascendant Stage
Xellos raised his hand and spoke his bid. "Four thousand!"
Ebonheim's eyes widened. Xellos must have had a lot saved up to be able to make a starting bid like that—four thousand quintessence was an astounding amount, especially for a god who didn't even have a domain yet. Wait...then how did he acquire that much quintessence in the first place?
Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment longer as she studied him. Despite his ragged clothes and bedraggled hair, there was something about Xellos that caught her attention, a certain indefinable quality that she couldn't quite place. Perhaps it was his dark eyes, or perhaps it was the faint glow of his strange markings that revealed an endless depth, but something about him left her unsettled, as if something was lurking behind his still exterior.
No one else had bid after Xellos. Ariastra had given him an uncharacteristically long glance before shaking her head and turning away, as if she knew exactly why Xellos wanted that particular Ability. As a result, Xellos was the one who had won the bid.
The screen floated towards Xellos before fading away as he placed his hand over it. There was a flicker of emotion in his dark eyes as he closed them, and a satisfied smile crossed his lips—the first Ebonheim had seen from him.
"You must have really wanted that," she said, finding herself speaking before she even realized she had opened her mouth. Xellos' gaze snapped up, his eyes meeting hers again.
Ebonheim hesitated, her words catching in her throat as he regarded her with a piercing stare. After a moment, his expression softened again as he nodded and replied, "Of course I have," his tone was confident as if he was stating something obvious. "With this, I'll finally be able to acquire a domain."
With that said, Xellos rose to his feet and exited the amphitheater. Ebonheim turned to watch him go, and he did not look back even once, his stride purposeful and swift—like someone who had only one goal in mind and refused to deviate from it.
She thought about the ability he had just acquired. While she didn't know its full effects, she had a feeling she understood why he had been so determined to win it. He was probably going to use that ability to help him influence others so that they'd accept him as their deity.
A frown crossed her face, and she turned back to watch the rest of the auction. Using such power to convince others to accept them, no matter how necessary it might be, was an act of manipulation. Did Xellos not recognize that? Did he not realize he was taking advantage of others by using that ability for his own needs? Or was she merely assuming he was using it for such purposes? Perhaps he had a different goal in mind...
Ebonheim sighed and turned her gaze towards Ariastra, who seemed lost in her own thoughts as she gazed at the stage, her delicate fingers playing with the filigree on her body.
Before long, the next phase of the auction began, and six artifacts appeared on the stage.
This was it—the moment that Ebonheim had been waiting for all day, and yet now that the moment had arrived, she couldn't help but feel nervous. After all, this was her first time acquiring a divine artifact, and she had been excited about it all week. Still, she forced herself to sit upright in her seat and pretend like she was completely calm and collected, despite the growing flutter in her chest.
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Ebonheim left the amphitheater with a triumphant smile on her face, clutching the two artifacts in her hands, one on either side. The excitement still pulsing through her body made her bounce on her feet as she turned to Ariastra, who walked beside her.
"I did it," Ebonheim said, the words bubbling up out of her like a stream in the spring, "I got my first two artifacts!"
Ariastra hummed, and her strings hummed with her as she nodded and said, "That's wonderful," her musical voice bright and sincere. "I'm sure they will come in handy."
Ebonheim nodded enthusiastically as she turned her gaze to the items in her hands: One was a pair of gauntlets with intricate engravings in the steel, while the other was a chalice, carved from a single, transparent crystal that glimmered like a starry night sky.
[Gauntlet of the Storm Giant]
Drawing upon the power of storm giants, this gauntlet grants the wearer the ability to summon and command tempestuous weather. Thunderstorms, lightning, and high winds can be wielded at their command, making it an excellent tool for gods who wish to control the elements or unleash nature's fury.
[Chalice of Eternal Nectar]
A goblet made of pure crystal, filled with an ever-flowing, golden divine nectar. This chalice can provide life-enhancing sustenance to a god's most loyal followers, granting them vigor and prolonged life. The nectar glows with divine power, embodying celestial vitality.
The bid for the gauntlet had been intense, fortunately, she had won it at what seemed like a fair price—three thousand quintessence. When the chalice had come on offer, she knew she had to win it. Everyone in her village would benefit from its use. She had started the bid at a generous one thousand five hundred quintessence...but no other deity placed a bid afterwards. No one seemed interested in the chalice at all.
Why not? Why didn't they vie for the chalice's use? It seemed like a valuable item, not to mention the symbolism of such a gift.
She turned to Ariastra, her smile wavering slightly as she asked, "I'm puzzled, Ariastra. Why did the others not contest more fervently for the Chalice? It offers so much to their followers."
Ariastra seemed to ponder the question before replying. "It is not the lack of value, Ebonheim," she began, "The Chalice is potent, but to us, it is more nuanced than it appears."
Ebonheim looked at her, waiting for further clarification.
"It grants prolonged life, yes," Ariastra continued. "But it can cause rifts among followers, create imbalance, give rise to greed, jealousy, even violence. The substance of extended life can become a destructive force if not used wisely. Many gods fear this potential for chaos among their worshipers."
Ebonheim looked at the Chalice in her hands, the golden nectar inside flowing like a river of light. "But surely, it's about how you guide your followers in using it?"
"Indeed," Ariastra affirmed, "it is about the right guidance. But many deities prefer to provide their followers with tools that demand less intervention, less moral and philosophical complexities. They fear the consequences of misuse, the potential disharmony it could sow, and perhaps the threat it could pose."
Ebonheim frowned at Ariastra's words. Was that really why no one else had contested for the Chalice? Was it because they thought they could never control its use among their followers? Maybe they were being too overly cautious—but maybe they had a point. Yet, she was undeterred. This was a chance to benefit her followers, and she would navigate the rocky path that lay ahead.
There was another artifact she had wanted to get—a staff that could calm the weather a certain amount of times per year—but the bidding had been so intense that she didn't have the courage to continue bidding until it was too late. Oh well…at least she got these two. Good enough.
"Ebonheim, why don't you join me in my city?" Ariastra said, her melodic voice pulling Ebonheim back into the present. "Byllais has a great many marvels, and I'm sure you'd love to see them. I did promise to take you there last year, didn't I?"
Ebonheim's smile widened as Ariastra's words reached her ears. She had almost forgotten about that! Ebonheim had been curious about Ariastra's city ever since their talk a year ago, and the idea of exploring a place like that was a tantalizing one—especially considering what Ariastra had said about Byllais' musical culture and vibrant artistic communities.
"I'd love to!" Ebonheim exclaimed, nodding her head enthusiastically, "Yes, of course!"
Ariastra's musical laughter sounded as she reached over to pat Ebonheim on the shoulder. "Wonderful!" Ariastra replied as her body strings vibrated with the tempo of her words. "Follow me then, I shall conjure a portal back to Byllais."
With a snap of her fingers, Ariastra summoned a swirling portal in the middle of the hall, its vibrant surface shimmering with an ethereal radiance. Ebonheim followed Ariastra through the portal, and as she stepped through, the Celestial Plane melted away…