Aki

The three of us looked at Eurydon confused. Caei still didn't seem to have believed him. It was Savri who finally voiced our thoughts.

‘But the Archpraetor said that…’ Sav began but Eurydon cut her off.

‘Are you implying that Lord Sun has to abide by the Archpraetor’s wishes, Master Sergeant?’

‘No, sir.’ Savri replied with a stiff salute. ‘I was merely confused as I assumed the Archpraetor was voicing Lord Sun’s commands, Lord Praetor.’

I was surprised at Sav’s sudden demeanour change from casual to professional. I would have not been able to do it. Eurydon simply returned her salute and said:

‘Very well. Follow me, Sav. I am to bring you too.’

‘If I may ask, sir… why?’

‘I was told by Lord Sun to bring you. I dared not question him. Right now it would… inadvisable.’

Savri nodded and we all went to meet a god. Eurydon led us there alone. The entrance to the god’s chambers was imposing. It was a massive metal door with scenes of a shining figure slaying both monsters and men alike. To the left of the entrance, there were three red plush armchairs positioned around a round wooden table. To the right, there was a blue couch. Lilyth was lying on it, her feet on the armrest. I noticed that her clothes were bloodstained and there was a hole in her shirt around where her heart would be.

‘Someone didn't get the memo that I don’t have internal organs,’ she explained, seeing my gaze. ‘I delivered it in person.’

One of her knives flashed in her hand.

‘Someone tried to kill you?’ Sav asked horrified.

‘Try being the keyword,’ Lilyth shrugged. ‘I assumed they wanted to stage an escape attempt. Unfortunately for them, the only thing that ended up on the floor was the guy's intestines. ‘Don’t worry. He’s getting treatment. A life mage arrived a minute later with the guards and started healing him. I assume he was sent to ensure I would be alive to meet the Sun. I don’t think the guy bought my story that the man just fell down some stairs, though’

‘We might need to install a bannister on those,’ Eurydon, who until now had been silent, said. ‘Someone else could get hurt. And, while I understand the futility of the measure, can I ask you to leave those knives outside here?’

Lilyth nodded and left them on the table.

‘No problem, Praetor Eurydon.’

Her sudden politeness took us all a moment to register.

‘Who are you and what have you done with the real Lilyth?’ Caeileera asked.

‘I give people as much respect as I think they deserve. Praetor Eurydon is the only person in power here so far that did nothing to aggravate, deceive or insult me. At least as far as I know. So why should I be the one to start a fight?’

‘I’m sure you being almost assassinated by the one you pissed off before I took over handling you had nothing to do with it,’ Eurydon gave us a forced smile and pushed the door open. ‘But thank you, I suppose. Now. Our Lord awaits.’

He pushed the door to the chamber open. What awaited us on the other side was a dark featureless room with a white stone floor. In the middle of the chamber, there was a throne that looked to have been carved of the same rock. Before it, a man sat on his feet with his eyes closed. His skin was almost liquid with blue and red light substances constantly shifting inside of it. His hair was so long it reached the floor and was deep purple with pinpricks of light showing up here and there, and then disappearing. The god was handsome, with slightly feminine features and a small straight nose. The Sun’s ears were pointed and glowed slightly with white light. He wore dark blue pleated wide pants, a light blue front-wrapped shirt with wide sleeves and an open black vest. In front of him, there was a sheathed curved longsword with an ornate handle and a handguard that looked to be some rune.

The man was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

‘Greetings, my friends,’ the man said with a warm melodic voice and started to rise, picking up the sword with his left hand.

His skin solidified to a light red colour, and he opened his eyes revealing the irises to shine with purple light. We all, including Eurydon, knelt before him on one knee.

‘Rise,’ the Sun continued. ‘Eury, you may leave us.’

The Praetor bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

‘What… not what you expected?’ the Sun That Burns No More said to Lilyth who was staring at the deity quizzically.

‘I don’t know, Lord Sun. My theory was you were like… a neutron star with a face or something.’

I looked at Lilyth in confusion.

What is a nootron star?

Caei similarily had no idea what our girlfriend was talking about. Savri seemed more absorbed by her god than anything else.

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To my surprise, the Sun laughed at Lilyth's statement.

‘I can see how you could reach that conclusion. Though judging by your companions’ expression you will have some explaining to do. Again.’

Lilyth sighed and said:

‘I don’t think there is enough alcohol in the world for that one.’

The god suddenly stopped being next to the throne and appeared a few feet in front of Lilyth. She flinched slightly but said nothing. The slime just began staring at the deity impassively.

‘I am sure you will figure something out. Humour me about something else, for I would like to know your heart. Why are you so… deferential towards me? Based on what I’ve seen of you this seems out of character.’

‘I have been, probably truthfully, accused of recklessness. But that does not mean I am stupid, my Lord.’

‘You are a reckless woman, Lilyth. Yes. But apparently not incapable of learning.’

The god moved on to Caei, who was next in line.

‘Ah. Caeileera. The Blood’s defiant daughter. Did you know you are the first of your kind to visit the Abyss in over two thousand years?’

‘I did not, my Lord,’ she gave him a curt nod as she took a few steps back not being able to take in his presence.

‘And how does my home compare to the Badlands?’

‘I cannot say, my Lord. We haven't been able to see much.’

‘Fair enough,’ the Sun laughed mirthlessly and walked up to Savri.

The girl looked absolutely terrified.

‘Savri. I am so sorry you had to get caught up in all of this. Don't worry. We will find a solution to this problem.’

Then things started happening at a pace that left me and Caei paralyzed with fear. The Sun started to reach for the hilt of the sword with his right arm. Lilyth, who must have sensed something was wrong, once again acted without thinking. The moment the god began his move she pounced towards Savri and tackled her to the ground milliseconds before the blade swept the place where her neck just was. I saw the corner of the god’s mouth rise.

Oh no. He was letting her do it.

‘You dare defy me in my own chamber, Terran?!’ he exploded at her.

‘If by defiance you mean “not letting you kill an innocent woman” then you can go fuck yourself, sunny boy.’

No.

‘You will pay for your insolence, slime!’

The Sun’s left arm turned into a semi-liquid tendril and extended itself towards Lilyth. She tried to scramble away, but, this time, the god did not let her get away. The tentacle wrapped itself around her throat and lifted Lilyth so that she was face to face with the Sun.

No.

There was no fear on Lilyth’s face. She looked into the god’s eyes with abject indifference.

‘Did you ever wonder why Varyag was so insistent on killing you?’

‘I guess it is because I told him that he cannot join our girls-only club. Not sure if that is Aki’s policy though.

Ignoring Lilyth’s joke the god continued.

‘What Varyag is afraid of is not you. It’s the concept you represent. You are an outsider. You do things no one should because you don’t know any better. Even if told not to do something you still would likely try. In essence, those few of you Terrans who live on Dwynveia are a living embodiment of the phrase “Hold my beer”. So he’d rather see you removed.’

‘And you are in cahoots with him,’ she said.

‘No. But I happen to agree with him.’

No.

‘I understand,’ the look of resignation I knew very well by now appeared on Lilyth’s face.

‘Do you really, mortal? DO YOU?’

Lilyth did not answer him.

‘Bah,’ the Sun spat. ‘Any last words?’

No.

‘A request actually. Hold my beer, motherfucker.’

Lilyth

My knives appeared in my hands just as I hoped.

‘What?’ the Sun asked, confused at my words.

I immediately stabbed the limb that was holding me with Sol and…

‘RAAAGH!’ the god screamed in pain and let me go.

A few drops of his starmatter blood splattered on my arm and started burning me, but at the time I had bigger issues. I immediately pounced towards him and plunged the blades deep into his stomach. The god staggered back and dropped the sword he was holding. I wanted to leap towards him to finish him off, but the god snapped his fingers, and, with a flash of light, we found ourselves standing on a stone block platform apparently floating over some bubbling dark blue liquid. There was a glowing circle underneath our feet. I looked around and the whole chamber was built out of the same stone blocks as the platform. On the walls, there were two sconces with torches lit inside of them. I could see a single exit out of the place - a wooden door in one of the walls with a bridge of light leading to it. A series of notifications popped up in my vision.

Warning: The Sun That Burns No More views you as a massive threat. He currently believes you dead, but any actions noticed by the Abyss will have dire consequences.

Notice: The Madness That Dwells Outside welcomes you into its realm. Prove its interest in you was well-deserved. Succeed and you will be rewarded. Fail and the stay of your execution will be revoked.

Quest Cancelled: The Daughter of the Abyss

Type: Faction (Epic)

Difficulty: Very Hard

Description: Due to your actions you are no longer welcome in the Abyss. Serious style points though, sister. If there ever will be a “Fuck-up Hall of Fame” what you just did will end up there. Mad respect.

New Quest Acquired: The Labyrinth of That Which is Betwixt

Type: Delve (Legendary)

Difficulty: Deadly

Description: You really shouldn't be here.

Objectives:

* Survive

* Find the exit

Rewards:

???

Well… Fuck