Staying near the crackling sound of their bonfire, Akatosh couldn't resist his curiosity. And with a direct point to his partner, he asks.
"Hey boss, could you tell me some cataclysmic event that happen in this world."
"What for?"
"Well, the night is still young. And I'm curious, what happens when a god is killed or a demon lord is overthrown."
"Fine after this, I'm going to for a fish. When a god is either killed or absorbed at the hands of a rival god or mortal. The vanquisher shall take his place or we called it 'portfolio'. If you can't understand it then let me explain, example is if you are the god of magic and I'm the god of destruction. Assuming that I killed you, choices are to take your place or let the other gods decide to either resurrect you or replace you as a new god of magic. Since the physical appearance of the gods is nothing more than a vessel. However, if I take your throne, I will have control over your realm, your power adding me as the god of magic, making me the god of magic and destruction. The downside is, I must take your duties as the new god of magic. In short, the more gods to kill, the more powers to take, and the more realms to conquer. But most importantly more additional jobs to manage. Also taking many gods would lead to madness and death. I know for a fact since there was a god who tried collecting as many portfolios as he can but subsequently succumbed to insanity, discord you name it."
"What happens if you don't carry out the task of the past god?"
"Chaos erupts if I take over the god of magic and didn't keep the duties of being the new god of magic. Magic wouldn't work, or become unstable. Just like what happen to that goddess who didn't do her duties because of some fucking love affair. No matter, I gave her a dose of her medicine. As regards the abysmal and nether gods with their lesser deities are just complicated. The same goes for the Aether realm, still and all I'll have to go for fishing. I need to amass quantities of fire for our next journey."
As regards, the stillmage reinstatement to his place, and Akatosh dabbles with his inventory. Studying every item and at the same time inquiring about Amaragnum's book. The night went on for the restless travelers as they prepare themselves for a new place to venture.
Whilst the travelers are on the road Azageis in a blink of an eye emerges at the cave where Amaragnum was once imprisoned. A single tap of his staff brought him deeper into the cave it was there he already knew what had happened. A drift through to a realm he where, the place where Amaragnum was imprisoned in dimension but what baffles him was how exactly his old rival escaped.
Seconds after elevating the place, he turns around walking towards the darkness, and soon there was silent. The archsage returns to the young heroes, conveying their next journey.
"The world tree?!" Implores Liza in a stuttering voice, "do apology archsage Azageis but-- I think we're not fitted to--"
Before she could continue her words in a distraught way, a hand grabs her palm. And from there was her partner smiling with encouragement and faith.
"I don't know your connection with the world tree but no matter how dire the situation is, I am-- no, we're here for you," Roland said just as his companions did the same way the young hero gave an impact to his elven partner.
A moment of relief sends a smile on the archsage, which Azageis brings a smile. "Well then... it seems my apprehension is still conventional as for a parting gift here take this," Azageis says giving the party a very peculiar gem the size of a tennis ball.
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"A rift stone!" Riza exclaimed in disbelief intently looking at the rift stone that glimmers in different colors spinning sometimes violently and sometimes calmly. However, her excitement would soon follow in disappointment. "Do forgive me for imploring this still, even if we have such a powerful item in our pocket. It would only be useless to the ones who aren't keen nor proficient in using a such prominent relic."
Stroking his beard Azageis then said, "Well, but that doesn't mean I'm the only one who can use its potential. knowledge, skill, mastery doesn't come to those who turn away from it, for it welcomes to those who challenge it." After his words, Azageis felt something in the air which distorts their conversation. "Do apologize young ones for our short meeting, I have something to do." He continues magically giving the party a scroll not sealed but tied through a strand. "This will give you all access to the kingdom of Alther"
Just as Azageis exists for his private meeting with the young heroes, he was met by the sea queen.
Before saying a word, Izura bowed in respect which her two companions followed. "Pardon our frightful intrusion archsage Azageis. I'd overheard your conference, and it enthralls me why our great archsage sends the young heroes to Alther rather than an esteemed one."
"It seems formalities aren't my good choices, and oh-- I'm just helping the youngsters on their journey. Well, do excuse me madam Izura but I have an attendance to make." Azageis calmly implores and with a step passing Izura, the archsage suddenly vanished.
"What now my queen," one of Izura's servants said.
*Sigh* "I want you to follow the young heroes and send reports even if the slightest situation occurs. If ever the chances of slight information about archsage Azageis send it to me, even if it's a mere rumor."
"As you wish my lady."
The rapture's outbreak drew powerful and influential people. Like irons drawn to one magnet inquisitive, questioning not only to themselves but to their gods. And through the aftermath, a great banquet was prepared for the people who came to visit.
While the influential people do their things, Chifya was in isolation meditating in front of an ancient tree. Through the teaching of the druids, she was able to do astral projection. Parting from her physical body, Chifya in astral form faces the tree. And the world she where was like water reflecting the material world.
A slight touch and movement cause the world to sway, but after a short second, it quickly returns to its original form. Chifya smiles and begins stretching her arms toward the tree trunk. The moment she touched its bark, she was hoovering to a different plane. A realm of strings connected to one orb-like sun. And like a moth drawn to a fire, she floats closer, and there she felt a call, not a voice but a sensation.
Chifya felt a question as to why she came to this plane. To her, she responds in her honest answer, "To find a certain man, a man whom I'd share with."
In its response, is 'why' which Chifya quickly responds in an outburst. Reasoning to retrieve once what was lost to her, to demand an answer, to give him a good beating yet all her answers didn't pass. All she could receive was 'why'.
Frustrated, she musters as many reasons as she can, bringing the man to justice. Until she came tired and spoke her last response.
"I don't know" Chifya despondently said, "I don't know, I'm lost... I-I-- he was right. I'm lost-- like that of a caged bird who's set freed but neglected by the vast world. All it could do was follow the one who freed her from her cage."
Moments after her assessment, a wave of light erupts from the orb sending her back to her physical form along with a gained ability.
Placing her palm on the tree, her visions suddenly scattered all around the world, overloading her senses and forcing her to end the spell.
Drained and tired she tries again three more times until she falls to her knees. Unknown to her, Chifya's eyes were crying in blood so was her nose oozing in blood. But her persistence came up with another way, and that was to finalize their past unfinished matrimony.
Having her energy drained but her will standing strong, she mustered up her last remaining strength to do one last strive. Kneeling calmly even when her eyes and nose are oozing blood. And when she stabilized her body, the mark on her chest symbolizes the wedlock between her and Akatosh hue in moonlight so too when she opens her eyes.
Without wasting another second, she quickly reiterates and when she does, her vision led her to the person she was seeking. Beyond the clusters of trees, there she saw Akatosh lying beside a log, resting clutching, and embarrassing an unsheathe kriegsmesser. To his front was a dying bonfire a little no less to warm him. When suddenly her vision flew her to the world tree.
Consuming only seconds, Chifya was knockback one meter away from the tree paralyzing her and consuming all her energy. But before the blurry vision close, she notices a person in armor jogging towards her. Unable to move a muscle, all she could do is watch the person picking her up till unconscious claimed her.