"Live Long," The Mutant's God of War's last words sounded more like a curse.
"How can they lose both their Ancestor and Queen?" And "Her" words were an immense burden "She" now had to carry.
Spirituality itself congealed in random areas around the world, negativity and the influence of the Spirit World deepening as all manners of evil creatures descended into the real world. Even the Crimson Moon shining over half of the hemisphere fluctuated—sometimes reflecting the expected pale red colour, while other times it briefly transitioned to silver. However, this didn't last long as the Moon abruptly stabilised, its red colour becoming akin to blood.
The Blood Moon now illuminated part of the world!
Her eyes blinked opened, her back straightening in an instant. She turned and peered through the window, staring at the Moon. Its deep crimson colour was in the process of fading, in contrast to her eyes of similar colouration which grew in intensity. The Moon dimmed sharply at that, but she was already looking elsewhere.
"Olmer…"
Her words embedded itself into the fabric of reality – a melodious tone not even the concepts shaping it could oppose. No, they could only follow "Her" Will as if entranced; so, they did.
The very air around "Her" bed chambers rippled, a striking figure taking shape, already in a genuflected position. Without another word, he pressed his forehead to the carpeted floor.
"Your Highness."
Auernia watched impassively, the bedsheets formed from blood still covering "Her" lower half.
"Report."
"At once," the man—Sanguine replied curtly, returning to his original position.
"The shared maddened state spread throughout our Kin was muddled even during the peak of Crimson. The induced madness was diffused through our connection with the Elves."
"We're part of "His" army now," "She" said, "Part of "His" Order." "Her" attention returned to the Moon which was quite muted now.
Since that day the Sanguines lost their Ancestor, this celestial body had grown more unstable. The Blood Moon also represented the Sanguine Goddess; it granted an elevated state to all "Her" children during its apparitions. Now, it was one they loathed.
Its appearance frequency has been increasing in the past decade. However, one thing is certain: The Ancestor's essence, the Moon's Essence wasn't ingested by any party. "She" still held hope that "Her" mother could be revived, or somehow still lived.
At this, "She" returned "Her" eyes to Olmer, "Her" gaze softening a tad bit.
"My child… It is high time you become a Duke."
Olmer immediately sprang up, still elegant though his posture could barely restrain his emotions. Auernia smiled at the man similar looking to "Her", though lacking the Authority of Beauty.
"Mother—"
"We can not forever let the Sacred Relics collect dust in the Spirit World," Auernia saw through him as the furniture around them moved, the blood morphing into a flowing dark-red gown that perfectly fitted "Her" figure.
"It is time for us to move on…" "She" turned "Her" back to him, a sharp canine bitting "Her" lower lip. "We can't remain in the rear forever. Not when those Cyclopes roam freely."
"Understood," he answered, only for his expression to fall. "…What of the 'Cursed Life'?"
This brought the Sanguine Queen to a pause. Normally, the addition of a relic of the Sacred level into any force was a great boon. But in this particular relic's case, it served as both an unpleasant memory and a burden.
"She" didn't immediately respond, "Her" mind recalling the final moments of the Goddess of Life. A Sanguine Duchess, a Subsidiary God who was directly blessed by Lilith. One whose life force was so overwhelming that "She" could grant New Life to all Combatants of the Sanguine race at once. It was only through this and "Her" sacrifice, that the race could survive from the clutches of the Frenzied Curse spat by the Mutant King.
"Tolzna is still alive," Auernia rubbed "Her" chin as "She" spoke. "I will find "Him" somehow and force the corruption within the relic down "His" throat. After all, that curse came from "His" parent; it is only natural for "His" son to carry it."
Olmer gulped, his dark brows soaking in sweat. Seeing "She" had nothing else to say, he gave a bow and de-summoned himself, leaving the Queen alone.
With Olmer and Alucard that makes two. She began moving, the room shiftinginto blood which flowed back to "Her." Some formed "Her" earrings, others her shoes among other sublime accessories.
Three is a better number… It'll be difficult to hunt down that Creation Artificial Vampire and obtain "Its" essence. But doing that alone would be complicated. As "She" mulled over "Her" options, a bright door filled with mystical inscriptions, shaped itself before "Her" then turned illusory.
A Door of Summoning, but "She" immediately knew it wasn't one made by any of "Her" subjects. At least not directly.
"How bold," a smile parted "Her" lips as "She" stepped through the door, appearing on the edge of a balcony overlooking the clouds. "Has "His" patience and empathy ran out?"
"In a sense," a calm voice sounded from above, a figure who drew Auernia's attention as they descended.
"'Its time for our esteemed guests to actively contribute to our cause,' or so "He" says." Cloaked in a majestic sea-themed robe, the Queen of Calamity, Cohinem, landed before the Blood Queen.
"There's only so much empathy I can idealise for "Him" before "He" shoos me away."
Auernia simply shook "Her" head with a sigh, turning to peer down the clouds. They were vast and dense, flowing with the wind as some coalesced into something deeper – storms for those below.
Cohinem stood by "Her", "Her" eyes blinking as the clouds turned hazy until they vanished. The veritable fog they represented had given way to the vast horizon. Of course, with "Her" senses, Auernia could spot many details; numerous nations underwater; others with the skies beneath them; some on land. They varied in size, and were filled various creatures, most prominent of which were elves of all kinds. Somehow, these settlements all looked intertwined, like a fundamental Order anchored them.
What Order? Auernia rolled "Her" eyes as "She" examined deeper. Certainly, the variety in the nations under the Elf King was commendable, but most could be classified under two types: 'Ongoing Intense Civil Strife, or about to enter such state.' For example, multiple underwater and underground communities in the Sonia Sea were currently burning under a raging azure-coloured fire storm. Another chunk within an archipelago were beaten down by a perpetual storm – and one just got randomly blown across the Stratosphere at supersonic speeds…
"She" followed the disintegrating city that reached their level, before plummeting back.
"…"
"Heh. Strife, Tyranny, War and the randomness of their consequences is how we Elves live," Cohinem uttered, a smile framing "Her" lips. The next moment, a snowstorm manifested in the area around the Subsidiary Gods.
…Its a Miracle you guys haven't self imploded yet. Auernia waved a hand at the snowy air blasting them both – the weather immediately quelled into a pleasant snowfall.
Apart from that, "She" observed the Queen of Calamity, more precisely the bump at "Her" abdomen.
"She" nodded at the sight, "It seems you two have been quite busy."
Cohinem simply smiled, rubbing a hand over "Her" stomach. "He's growing used to the new authorities "He" obtained. Though "He" needed more stability."
This made Auernia recall some details "She" had overheard from "Her" children about the fate of the visitors from the self-proclaimed prosperous, and most Orderly Kingdom the world had ever seen.
All that talk just to get turned into the Tyrant's dinner. "She" held back a chuckle as "She" locked eyes with Cohinem.
"You have greatly improved."
"It is partly thanks to a certain Healer of the Mind," Auernia responded, then "Her" gaze firmed. "I cannot stay wallowing in sorrow forever. Not when I have such expectations to shoulder."
Cohinem's eyes grew dreamy as "She" looked into the Mind World. After a beat, "She" said, "Lilith might still be alive."
Silence took over, as the snow was replaced by rain. The Blood Queen blinked then exhaled. "I take back what I said. Maybe I should really look into getting mental healing from the Dragons."
The opposite Queen laughed hearing this, "Their" surroundings getting replaced by the Mind. "Walk with me and you'll understand." The Sea carried both away, bypassing numerous domains unscathed and undetected. Before Auernia could study the grey collective subconscious in-depth, the duo reappeared in the real world. A greyish white fog occupying most of "Her" vision now.
"She" looked at it for a while more, then turned "Her" focus to the distance.
"New Moon City," Cohinem supplied from the side, "Her" figure and that of Auernia now shrouded in a different type of fog . "Following the Divine War, the humans remaining in the now abandoned Moon City relocated to the eastern edges facing the Endless Fog."
"Is it that Decadent Sun," Auernia said, glancing at the vague Sun overhead. "She" didn't know much about this entity, but "He" left a deep impression on "Her" due to having interacted with "Her" Mother not long before the war.
Cohinem didn't answer as "She" continued staring at the Fog.
"Long ago. In a time preceding the Dark Era and prolific madness."
Hmm? Auernia's ears twitched, "Her" brow raising as "She" listened.
"A certain entity possessed a dream. "He" wished to carve a path for himself and "His" followers. However, 6 Artifacts will eventually stand in "His" way. Entire Worlds formed from these "existences"; the entity looked infinitely puny in comparison."
"But that changed. Even the Artifacts shook before "Their" might. Every being sensed and experienced the shift – but at the same time didn't. But "His" eyes remained razor sharp, laughing through the madness, destruction, reconstruction, and salvation. "He" who had declared war upon the heavens, and was now the last one standing. All Mysteries were unravelled, even the Almighty Sun fell to west. But "His" now Blazing and Tyrannical grip on "His" spear remained, leading "His" people across the ravaged realms."
Auernia's eyes narrowed, regarding the fog again. "Those Artifacts—"
"They're all there. Some having long sipped through."
"There are things even us self-proclaimed higher existences cannot begin to phantom."
…
Behind the Giant King Court, the Waning Forest
Two Giant brimming stood tall, a clear path separating them from the forest ahead. A forest which even to them looked gigantic.
"You're getting old," said one of them, his radiance faint against the True Dusk bathing the forest.
"We both are," the other responded. The Duo resembled pillars, ones having stood through the test of time, but we're beginning to show decay. Even so, they would remain even after they breathed their last – forever acting as "guards" for the king.
"My wife is expecting, and that child will one day become the lead the Court Chasers like his father. Serving the King even beyond death."
As the fully armoured blue giant spoke, he glanced ahead. There, standing at the forest edge and radiating an aura heralding Dawn was the God of Glory, Bladel.
"He" likewise stood sentinel, gazing deeply at the intense light bathing the forest.
"Father, Mother…" the voice resonated throughout the forest, but didn't go beyond it. Aurmir stood grand before the two intimately familiar tombstones, but "He" always felt small before them.
"It seems Humanity will once again rise to the top."
"His" expression, bathed in glory wavered for a moment, before steeling. "He" now regarded the Astral World, at the barrier connecting to "His" essence faintly.
"My end is nigh, but Decay will persist. Till the end of Times."