Session Information

Session Date: 8th Aug 2026
Saga: 9th Saga - Dangerous Deities
Attendance: Sam Gallon,Rowan Hales,Tom Brothers,Caleb Hamlet

Session Summary

The session opened in Blackwall's aftermath, with Viktor proposing a magical solution to prevent Ebis from raising the dead, but Chenris deemed it impractical. That night, Drache dreamed of the Korrigan, who tasked him with finding Marcel in the Deadlands, a favor Drache reluctantly accepted. The next morning, Chenris (still in control of Halfbie's body) secretly altered their teleportation coordinates to the Deadlands instead of Camp Sophia. Upon arrival, the party discovered a church dedicated to Chronovorus containing a massive time rift. Viktor and Chenris peered through the rift, witnessing Marcel's origin story and the brutal history of the Black Cult. Viktor eventually found a hidden chamber containing a tower-crystal, where Terathera's voice spoke to him cryptically.

Chenris revealed his true plan: to become a god and kill Aeloria. He absorbed the crystal's power, forming his own divine domain, and struck a deal with Chronovorus for assistance. Aeloria appeared to confront him, but Chronovorus opened time rifts, bringing Xekai, Niaros, and a young Marcel to the battle. Viktor sacrificed his life force to power a crystal device that forced Aeloria into physical form, allowing Chenris to destroy her. Chenris ascended to godhood, using his new power to resurrect Viktor and Halfbie, but Halfbie woke up disoriented, frantically calling for something called Gil-Galad.

Full Session Notes

The Party sat down in what remained of the Ye Olde Pub Down The Road. They were joined by a few guards covered in bandages soaked in blood. Nonetheless, everyone sat in silence as they mulled over their drinks. Much of the furniture had been destroyed, so the Party had to find rubble that could function as a place to sit.

Chenris returned to the group holding a glass of wine before picking a piece of rubble of his own. Taking a sip, he sneered at the liquid before continuing to drink, as there likely wasn't anything else that had survived the assault. He was the first to break the silence; he acknowledged that it was a bit late to ask, but he wanted to know why he was wearing a short dress. With everything going on, he hadn't had the chance to change into something more appropriate.

Mordecai explained that Halfbie had disappeared for a while. When they returned, they were wearing the dress under a robe they had never seen them wear. Mordecai hadn't questioned it assuming Halfbie was just experimenting with their fashion choices. Drache complemented Chenris, saying it looked good on him/Halfbie. Chenris gave a knowing laugh before exclaiming that they should probably get some rest soon so they could be better equipped to help out later.

As Chenris got up, careful not to flash anyone in, Viktor stopped him. He had been mulling over a theory after seeing Ebis Daro raise half of their army into ash spawn after the fight. He asked if it would be possible to cast the spell Gentle Repose on their army in an effort to stop their corpses from being added to the Ebis' army with the firesoul greatsword.

Chenris pondered the theory for a moment before making a few quick calculations. Once he had finished, he explained that it was possible. Still, the magic required to cast the spell on just their troops would be astronomical, and one would have to be a demigod or some similar existence to do it. He explained that it might be possible if Viktor drew his magic from one of the remaining towers or from a natural well of magic that sometimes formed after large battles or at sacred areas.

Viktor, now slightly dejected, got up with the rest of the Party as they returned to the black tower. Everyone but Viktor returned to their rooms and more or less collapsed on their bed, instantly falling asleep. Viktor visited Cas and Seer's room to check they were ok. Seer did not move from his bed when called, but Cas quickly arose. When asked how they were doing, Cas explained they were aware of what had happened outside and that they were both ok. She excitedly asked if she could go outside and have a look. Unable to say no to her excited demeanour, he escorted her outside, granting some much needed reprieve to the guard who was assigned to her.

Going outside, they slowly made their way through the ruined city. Many of the building fires had been extinguished, so much of the remaining labour was removing and identifying the bodies of those unlucky enough to not escape in time. Cas looked at Viktor and stated that she was going to help, but before he could say anything, she ran to a nearby pile of soot and ash and plunged her hands into it. After a brief moment, the ash began to swirl around her before creating three tornadoes. These black and grey tornadoes then slowly took more humanoid shapes, standing in front of the little girl who made them.

She looked at them and, putting on her best army general voice, she shouted, "Cas orders you to help the people of Blackwall!!" The summons looked at one another before shrugging and turning around to help move the rubble, which was too heavy for regular people. She nodded in satisfaction before shooing Viktor back to the tower to get some rest.

Viktor returned to the black tower. However, instead of going to his room, he went to the library to do some research before quickly falling asleep on his research.

Drache's POV

While sleeping, Drache starts having an incredibly vivid dream; he soon recognised the lush forest he found himself walking through was the Feywilds but kept walking forward anyway, looking for his friend. He soon found himself in a lush pond. He stood admiring the view for a moment before he was interrupted by a large group of frogs that had surrounded him. Before he could react, suddenly a frog larger than him appeared behind him. It stared blankly at him before letting out a large and powerful roar that sent Drache flying backwards and into the pond.

When he opened his eyes, he was no longer underwater but sitting in the large wooden structure that acted as Korrigan's shrine to Lorwyn. Across the table was The Korrigan, giving him a manic smile whilst greeting him. Korrigan stated that Drache must be hungry and summoned a steak that looked like the barbarian in front of him and insisted that Drache had a bite to eat. Drache shook his head, stating he felt weird eating himself. Korrigan then changed the steak to look like Emmeline, and after some hesitation, Drache picked up the food. But before he took a bite, he asked if this was a 'fey thing'. Korrigan shook their head before Drache took a bite. The steak was good. ^[1]

Once he had finished, Korrigan explained that since he had done something for Drache, it was only fair that he would help them out. Drache, now annoyed that he had fallen for Korrigan's trap, eventually relented and asked what Korrigan wanted. They explained that all they wanted was for Drache to go to the Deadlands and tell Marcel that Vaelrith had returned. When Drache tried to ask follow up question about a more precise location or how to find Marcel, Korrigan just gave a small chuckle before waving. Drache awoke from the dream, instantly falling out of bed and landing with a loud crash on the floor.

Mordecai called through the wall they shared, asking if they were ok. Drache said he was ok as he rubbed his bruised shoulder. They proceeded to talk a bit more through the wall, which quickly aroused most people who were sleeping in the area.

Chernis' POV

Chenris's Trance finished in the early hours of the morning as the sun was cresting the horizon. He instantly got off the bed and found the map he influenced Halfbie to keep when the Party all claimed their rooms. Unfurling it on the floor, he used halfbie's knowledge of navigation to plot a point in the Deadlands. For this plan to work, he needed a tower. From his research and calculations, he was sure at least 5 towers were remaining, one in the Deadlands, one at Ember Peak, one in Strixhaven, and two in Ehobel. He decided on the one in the Deadlands as the Party had never gone there before. He was also curious about the followers of Vaelrith who had traveled from there to help Halfbie after they had absorbed Vaelrith's spirit.

He committed the coordinates to memory before doing further the arithmancy calculations needed for his plan.

Soon after he had finished, he heard a loud bang followed by a rather obnoxiously loud conversation between Drache and Mordecai. He waited for the conversation to end before following the two to the kitchen. Two cooks were sitting in the kitchen waiting on a large pot of porridge to cook while they chatted. Looking at the pot, Chenris put on his best impression of Halfbie and exclaimed disappointment that they were not making chicken noodle soup before looking at the newspaper that lay on the table. It was a few days old but notably mentioned that Ember Peak had become unstable and was causing many of the local clans to become restless and even drove some to fight each other.

While Chenris was reading, Mordecai asked the cooks if they were ok to use the spare hob to make fried chicken. They had no idea what it was about. After a short discussion, they got the supplies needed and let Mordecai make the food. It wasn't particularly good, but Mordecai hoped that Seifer would enjoy the gesture as a thanks for all the help she had given.

Viktor awoke in the library with pages of a book stuck to his face. Carefully peeling the parchment from his face, he got up and decided to check in on Cas. He found her asleep on a makeshift bed of leaves and sticks. He picked her up and carried her back to her room before joining the rest of the Party in the kitchen.

He joined halfway through Drache recounting his dream to Mordecai and 'Halfbie' when he mentioned his task with Marcel, Viktor shook his head in disbelief before explaining that the task was impossible, not only was the deadlands a very large and dangerous place, but Marcel was also a Vampire Lord and progenitor of all vampires. Meaning there was zero chance they would find him without him wanting them to.

Chenris, still acting as Halfbie, pointed out that the Korrigan never gave Drache a deadline to get the favour done, so they could probably put it off for a while without any consequences. He suggested that they focus on more important matters. They all nodded, with Mordecai pointing out that they should probably go to Camp Sophia to see Shoni. They all agreed and began making the preparations for the journey.

Drache and Mordecai gathered the supplies. At the same time, 'Halfbie' and Viktor went to the library to plot the coordinates for the journey. As they worked, Viktor noticed his notes from the night before were still out and quickly whisked them away. Chenris didn't see many of the books, but he did catch that one of them was called 'Mixed bloods'.

The two finalised their preparations by going to Caden's grave and casting Word of Recall, as insurance in case the situation became too dangerous. If Viktor cast the spell again, they would all be instantly teleported back to this spot.

After getting the supplies, Mordecai visited the new gods. He explained that the Party were going on another trip; this time they were going to the place they thought might help them with their illness. Mordecai offered for the two to join them on the trip, but they both said no.

Mordecai nudged Seer to see if they were ok since he had not moved from his bed in a long time.

"Everything...why...I...to...on," Seer struggled as they turned to face Mordecai. Mordecai tried to find other ways of communication. Still, Seer was unable to do anything more than a thumbs up or down. Writing anything down or using telepathy still missed out words.

Seer began crying, unable to communicate anymore now that his sister was gone. Mordecai tried to console him, but it was no use, and Seer returned to sleep

Turning to Cas, she sat smiling on the bed. She exclaimed that she wanted a pink horse. Mordecai offered to help her dye a horse pink, but Cas shook her head and revealed that she wanted every horse in the world to be pink. Mordecai exclaimed that they didn't have enough dye or time to do that. Cas looked very sad and confessed that she also didn't have the powers to do this, but if she ascended to godhood, she would be able to.

In the meantime, Mordecai gave them the recipe to make a simple non-toxic dye before pointing to Aiden's horse. Cas's face lit up with joy as they rushed to the kitchen to make the dye. Mordecai then met everyone at the Ancient Dwarven Tomb.

Along the way, they walked through Blackwall, which was in surprisingly high spirits as they piled the dead onto carriages to be buried. The townsfolk, although devastated by their losses, were proud that they had successfully defended their city from such a powerful enemy. It caused them all to feel quietly patriotic.

Reaching the Ancient Dwarven Tomb, Viktor greeted Ruldrim, who returned the gesture, and then greeted the rest of the Party. He gestured for them to enter where they wanted to travel to. 'halfbie' approached the command centre and pulled out the coordinates. However, instead of entering the ones for Camp Sophia, he entered the ones for the Deadlands ^[2] when no one was looking.

The tomb began to hum to life as the ancient machinery activated. When the tomb landed at its destination, there was a loud crash and splash. The party rushed for the door to see what had happened. Flinging it open, they found themselves near the edge of a murky swamp. Viktor's jaw was agape as he quickly recognised the Deadlands.

"This... this is impossible. I double-triple-checked the coordinates, as did Halfbie!" Viktor stammered.

The tomb was rapidly sinking as a red warning light began flashing. Ruldrim announced that the tomb would teleport to a safe location once the party had left. Chenris used the control water spell to create an ice bridge to a nearby shore. Everyone but Mordecai climbed onto the bridge as they slowly made their way. Mordecai was forced to swim due to their Mantle of Flames melting the bridge.

Viktor looked at 'Halfbie', who not only seemed calm but quite unperturbed by the whole situation.

"Young Halfbie, do you know what is going on? I am a bit lost?"

"Dr Malkovich, we are exactly where i am meant to be. I may not be great with directions, but i can use a map." Said Chenris, no longer upholding the ruse around his identity.

Drache and Mordecai paused for a moment; not only was the voice and cadence different from Halfbie that last part was very clear talking about Chenris inability to walk in the correct direction. Viktor also quickly got on.

"Oh you fucker!" shouted Mordecai from the water below as they rushed to get to the shore as fast as possible.

Drache and Viktor were momentarily stunned before it clicked; Halfbie had been slightly odd since waking up, but they hadn't been able to figure out how. It had been Chenris the whole time. anger and confusion flared in their hearts as they followed Chenris to shore.

The two bombarded Chenris with questions, but Chenris answered with the same thing: "We're adventurers; why don't we find out. I plotted the coordinates, but even I don't know what to expect." he then pointed to a nearby dilapidated church and suggested that they should start with that building.

Everyone crossing the bridge, apart from Viktor, could feel their bodies and lifeforce weaken as they set foot onto the dead soil. "No wonder why they call it the deadlands", Drache said sarcastically.

They all froze when they looked up at the church. It felt like a lead ball fell to the pit of their stomachs as they saw the emblem above the wooden doors to the building. This was a church dedicated to Chronovorus.

"Well this is unexpected..." said Chenris.

In front of them was a two-story wooden building; the doors were left wide, almost as if they were being invited in. Inside the church, the wood pews and furniture were clearly rotting, with scorch marks and deep gashes in the wood. Chenris casually walked down the centre aisle, observing the ancient place of worship like a historian would a nearly unearth a dig site. Drache and Viktor soon followed after slight hesitation.

The church was covered in a thick layer of dust; clearly, it had stood alone for hundreds of years, forgotten or avoided. Chenris looked at the lectern, picturing the black cult they destroyed near the start of their adventure together; however, this time there was a lot less chanting and sacrificing!

Inside the lectern was a drawer with a few manuscripts inside. Chenris was unable to read them. Still, parts of them seemed legible, and much of the well-preserved document was impossible to work out. He studied it for a moment longer before realising that this must be a form of ancient common, which would take a lot longer to decipher than they had. Especially as they now heard a very angry Mordecai reach the shore.

Chenris flicked open the Orrery Compass, which was still pointing to the nearest source of powerful magic; the minute planets spun in circles, indicating that there was something very powerful above them. The corners of Chenris' mouth slightly curled up as he realised he was close.

He methodically walked upstairs and was confronted with a door with a large plaque of unreadable text on it.

Drache slowly followed the wizard up the stairs. As he did so, he activated his divine sense. He instantly nearly threw up as he found an incomprehensible evil presence surrounding them. He covered his mouth to stop the vomit before telling Chenris it was not a good idea to open the door in front of them. Chenris casually looked over his shoulder with a calm smile, "Don't worry, it's not trapped"

Before Drache could react, Chenris pushed over the heavy wooden doors. They screeched open almost as if they were resisting Chenris' thirst for knowledge. Inside, they were greeted by a spacious room lined with bookshelves from floor to ceiling. In the middle was a rather ornate desk.

Then behind the desk was something that was there, but wasn't. It somehow shimmered and absorbed the light around it at the same time. It pulsed with the energy of a thousand suns and the first steps of a baby. The space around seemed to wrap around what could only be a Time rift double the size of Drache, the biggest they had ever seen.

Chenris, Drache and Viktor stood motionlessly in the doorway for a moment, listening to the eternal background noise of the universe emanating from the rift. The silence was only broken by an angry Mordecai taking two steps at a time. On the way, they hadn't even registered the effect of feeling weaker nor the Chronovorus emblem, as they had been so angry at Chenris. However, just as they were about to punch the wizard, they stopped, as it became apparent why this room was significant.

The ruckus made by Mordecai's entrance was enough to snap Chenris and Viktor out of the awe induced stupor. Viktor was the first to attempt an investigation by casting the Mislead spell and allowing the illusion to walk into the rift.

On the other side of the rift, Viktor walked out into the same office; however, this time there was not a spec of dust anywhere. Where the rift had stood before was a large, ornate stained-glass window of chronovorus. A man in a black hood sat at the desk, writing, surrounded by numerous children playing around him; however, it was very clear they were trying their best to keep their distance from the man while they played. Viktor stood in the corner of the room, spectating; it seemed like none of the occupants could see him.

Viktor was starting to think the scene was quite pleasant until a child burst through the doors. In between breaths, the child explained that 'they' were coming. The Priest nodded, arising from his desk and approaching the child. Many of the children watched in expressionless as the child was hoisted up by one hand before having his neck snapped by a thumb.

The Priest then orders the children to get ready to defend their home before marching with purpose into a bookshelf. As he approached the bookshelf, he suddenly disappeared as if walking through an invisible wall. After a few moments, he returned wearing a set of ebony armour and a matching sword.

Viktor watched the scene in stunned silence; it was only once The Priest started to exit that the study got a good look at the man's face. He looked slightly different to his historical sketches and portraits, but there was no mistaking it; this man was Marcel, the Vampire Lord.

The edges of Viktor's vision began to dull before falling to black, where he found himself back in the present day, standing next to Chenris again. "Neat spell", Chenris remarked before asking Viktor what he had seen. Viktor explained the scene in detail; however, he left out the part regarding the child.

Once he had relayed the story, he very confidently walked into the same bookshelf; however, this time whatever secret passage allowed Marcel to walk through did not activate, leading Viktor to cry out in pain as he clutched his nose. He tried approaching a few more times from different angles or while focusing on various parts of the vision. however none of them worked.

Chenris approached the spot Viktor was trying to walk through and cast detect magic. There was definitely magic involved with the bookshelf. Interestingly, it was divine in nature; however, the issue remained that they were unable to get through. Chenris turned to face the rift once again; he wondered if going through might reveal more of the story that would give them some clues on what to expect.

He opened their spell book and summoned their manifest mind. He smiled slightly upon seeing the face of his old professor slowly form in front of him above the book. He then focused on the task at hand as he sent the manifest mind through the time rift.

Inside the room, Chenris watched as a large scuffle began between those a part of the black cult and an incredibly large group of farmers and local villagers brandishing rakes and pitchforks like they were ready for war. Individually, it was clear that the cult members were a lot stronger. Still, due to the number of villagers, they were slowly being overwhelmed.

The fight was vicious and almost animalistic, and the fury of the villagers screamed threats and disdain for the actions of the church. The members of the church did not respond; instead, they cut, slashed, and shot anyone who dared come close to the doors. One of the villagers held a large torch, which quickly fell to the ground, setting some of the pews alight with flames; this revealed the villagers' animosity. The cult members were now blocked in as the flames quickly spread around them as the fight carried on.

After a battle that was as brutal as any war that Chenris had read about or fought in, Marcel was cornered. one of the villagers could no longer contain their fury and broke from the crowd and tried to plunge a large kitchen knife into the man. However, the villager was stopped by who seemed to be the one leading the assault on the church. He claimed that a quick death like that would be much too good for a criminal as vile as Marcel. Murmurs rippled throughout the crowd behind him.

Before they answered, the man took a knee and began praying; the villagers quickly joined in. Marcel howled in pain as he clutched his heart like it was about to fall out. His body began violently convulsing as if a spirit or demon had possessed him. His black hair grew darker until it seemed like light was no longer able to escape its clutches. The whites of his eyes soon followed suit as skin began to rip and tear from his rapidly growing nails and clawed at his face in an attempt to stop whatever was happening to him. Marcel fell to the floor with a loud thud.

The villagers' prayer was about to continue before a deep black cloud began to form at the altar. Chronovorus's laugh rang out through the church, echoing more than it should have in the space. His laughter caused the villagers to freeze in fear, like a doe being hunted. emerging from the darkness of his being came putrid tentacles that seemed to have existed before the dawn of time and would exist much longer than the universe would. The tentacles slithered across the church before touching the mob. Every villager cried out in pain as their lives were slowly drained from them. Chenris watched in horror as once healthy 20 and 30-year-olds began rapidly growing long, wiry white hair and wrinkles that should have marked the adventures they would now never be able to take.

Marcel saw the opportunity and ripped up the floorboard, bending him before systemically breaking every bone in his body to crawl under the foundations of the church. He slowly dragged his broken body though creating the foundations with edges of his broken bones and blood. Seeing that his champion had escaped, chronovorus let out another maniacal laugh before disappearing into himself.

The villagers, seeing that they were now no longer in a position to fight, decided to make the long journey back home. Many knew they would not make it; their bodies were now so old and frail.

The rift had finished showing them everything it needed to and spat out the manifest mind back to Chenris. The process of standing this close to the rift for an extended period of time had caused the party to age at least 9 years noticeably. Seeing the effect of the rift on Mordecai and that Chenris was done exploring it, Mordecai told Aiden to close the rift and with a nod, he did so.

Those most affected by the ageing, Drache, Mordecai, and Aiden rushed to leave the room. Chenris wasn't too far behind, although he didn't seem to leave the church like the others. Instead of passing through the gate, he stopped by the door where Marcel had been cornered in the past to investigate the floorboards. He quickly found a set of loose and damaged ones; upon lifting them, he found an empty passageway that the spiders and insects of the area had long claimed. However, there were clearly deep grooves that the broken body of one Marcel had cut out.

Chenris wasn't expecting to find the man himself down there. Still, he wasn't going to verify at least the information the rift had shown him. Once he had finished, he joined Drache and Mordecai outside. Mordecai was now too distracted by what was happening to remember his anger, for Chenris began pacing in a circle outside the two ancient and burnt doors. They suddenly stopped to ask, "Where is Viktor? We cannot have a repeat of yesterday"

Before anyone could answer, they stormed back inside to find Viktor still in Marcel's study as he attempted to translate some of the notes still in the ornate desk. The documents mostly contained documents regarding the daily running of the cult. Marcel was kidnapping children from the local area and sacrificing large chunks of their lifespan to chronovorus before keeping the adult children as members of the cult. Other documents seemed to track the length of time each kid was left in front of the time rift, with the name of the child, date, years stolen, and time in front of the rift all being recorded in immaculate handwriting.

Interestingly, Viktor managed to find what seemed to be a diary from Marcel from when he was younger and before he led the black cult branch in the area. It detailed the story of a large meteor crashing in the area. Marcel managed to be the first person to reach it and found a large purple crystal that seemed to hum with a powerful but strange energy. Much of the rest of the diary is the various tests and studies Marcel conducted with the crystal before it eventually left his possession.

Eventually Viktor looks up as it dawns on him the solution was very simple. He yet again approached the bookshelf; however, this time he focused his mind solely on Chronovorus and this time he was allowed to pass through unimpeded. Viktor now found himself in a grand room, many times bigger than the church. At its centre was the large crystal similar to the ones found at the core of the towers. Surrounding it were 20-30 or so wraiths that, as soon as Viktor entered the room, began whispering amongst each other. Viktor curiously approached the crystal. The wraiths moved out of the way but continued to stare at him as he got closer.

Outside, Chenris and Drache were playing their dice game. Upon Chenris winning his 20th game in a row, Chenris stood up and muttered, "Those two have been in there for a rather long time" his eye narrowed as he began to reenter the church. Drache soon followed him, unwilling to be left out of any more plans or schemes.

Inside the study, he found Mordecai sitting at the desk, fiddling with the Tomentum Vitreum ring. When asked where Viktor was, Mordecai pointed towards the bookshelf. Having had time to think, Mordecai had remembered his anger for Chenris, but before they could unleash it on the wizard Viktor stepped back into the room.

### Viktor's POV

Viktor was now close enough to touch the crystal as it hovered in the centre of the grand room. He reached out and, with an opened notebook, felt the ancient voice of Terathera wash over his mind and soul.

"Ah, Viktor, friend, you stand before me, A curious soul for eyes to see. Through blood and bone, through stitch and scar, I sense you've travelled very far. So greetings, doctor, healer, friend, May this not be our end. Come closer now, and have no fear— Terathera sees you. Welcome here."

"Where are we, and why are you here?" asked Viktor.

"Never have I journeyed here, nor crossed a road, nor drawn it near. No step of mine has touched this ground, for I am all that lies around. The stone beneath, the roots that creep, the caverns dark, the mountains deep. You stand within me as you roam— This "here" you name has been my home. So ask not when I came to be, Nor how I reached this place you see. I did not come. I did not steer. For, little ones— I am the here."

"Was it Marcel who imprisoned you here?" asked Viktor.

"Oh, gleaming shard of ancient light, I know thy glow, I know thy bite. Though ages pass and stone may fall, I know the hand that shaped it all. The first they raised, the first they bound, The first great chain driven into ground. Its crystal drank what once was mine, And fed the cage they called divine. Yet this was more than chain or wall, A thought before the towers tall. A model born from Uti's mind, To test the cage that came behind. Here calculations first were made, Here every future bond was laid. Each tower raised beneath the sky Was first imagined where you lie. I know the shape, the measured art, The cruel design, each careful part. For Uti planned what this would be— A perfect prison made for me. But stranger still, though this I know, I cannot name who built it so. The mind was Uti's, that is clear, Yet other hands have laboured here. I felt its roots beneath my skin, I felt the theft that did begin. Before the others touched the sky, This tower taught the world how I could die. So hold that crystal, bright and cold, A piece of chains from days of old. For though to you it softly gleams, To me—it shines in wounded dreams."

Viktor turned to leave, explaining that he intends to come back soon and to him.

"The river swears it travels straight, Yet meets itself beyond the gate. A seed may mourn the fallen tree, Whose roots have yet to come to be. The bell may ring before the sound, The foot may fall before the ground. You count your moments, one through nine— How strange, to think they form a line.^[3]"

Returning to the church, Viktor eyed Chenris with a deep suspicion. "Mr Tallfellow, behind that bookshelf is a large crystal... the same kind used to power the towers. What is your plan with them?" Viktor's voice was stern and laced with a dangerous curiosity

Chenris went very quiet for a moment as he looked around the room at the various books and trinkets. As he considered his words very carefully, "Dr Malkovich, I wish to become a God and kill Aeloria." Chenris spoke in such a casual and unassuming tone that it took a few moments for his words to register their meaning. Viktor's eyes slowly widened as the gravity of Chenris' desire made itself apparent.

Viktor was the only one who managed to find their voice again. "And what of young Halfbie? If you become a god, will they be left alone in their body?"

"If all goes to plan... yes", Chenris said with a crafty smile, "it's a win-win."

Ignoring the others, Viktor explained that, for his own plans, he needs an untainted crystal; in return, he would tell Chenris how to pass through the secret door. Chenris knew better than to ask what the crystal was going to be used for. "Unfortunately, I am unable to promise you such a material. I would, but as I said during your interrogation, this is uncharted territory. I can say if the crystal will be left after."

Eventually they come to a deal that Viktor would receive all of Chenris' research notes on the realm of mana and Chenris would help Viktor to the best of his ability with his plan. As Viktor is considering the plan, he gets the strong urge that he can trust Chenris implicitly to uphold his end of the deal.

Upon shaking hand Viktor told the room how to get the bookshelf before turning on his heel and entering himself. He was followed closely by Chenris, who did not hesitate to make his way through. Mordecai was so overwhelmed by the situation that the war psyche had retracted back and Seifer had taken over control. She slowly approached the hidden room before noticing Drache trying to leave. She grabbed Drache by the shoulder and, with the power of a demigod, pulled him into the room.

"We're not leaving our tank behind; a soldier does their duty. What would Emmeline think of this bad soldier?" she said with venom on her lips.

"Don't you dare use that name." Drache snarled.

"Emmeline Emmeline Emmeline", Seifer said as if it were a nursery rhyme.

Drache loses his rage and punches Seifer as they both fall into the secret room.

Inside, the Wraith's activity grew like they were almost excited as they whispered among each other how there were now more humanoids than before.

Chenris approached the crystal with neither fear nor reverence. He looked at it with the satisfaction of someone whose plans had gone exactly as they envisioned. He outstretched both of his hands towards the crystal. Above each of his fingers appeared floating magical circles which began to rapidly grow and combine into one large circle, creating complex geometry with hundreds of symbols. The power of the spell began creating large gusts of wind, causing his cloak and hair to billow wildly. The magic circle was now twice as big as the crystal. Chenris then suddenly spread out his arms so they stretched as far as they would go. The various rings and sections of the magic circle instantly flipped open, making it a sphere of arithmancy and power that enveloped the whole structure.

Chenris then conjured another set of magic circles from his hand before two powerful arcs of magic connected Chenris to the crystal as he began absorbing the power of the crystal. The arcs began lifting Chenris high into the air as the room around them began to shift and warp in grotesque ways before everything fell silent. The arcs of magic disappeared before an Earth-shattering sound rang out as the crystal disintegrated. This caused a shockwave that sent the party flying back and hitting the walls of the building they were in.

Through vision that refused to focus, the party watched as Chenris hung in the air. Viktor, Mordecai and Drache watched as what seemed to be a tear in the fabric of the universe began to form over Chenris' body as his own divine domain began to form around him. If he were unable to shape it properly, then his body would shatter, and much of the continent would die from an explosion like that.

They then felt it. The impossible weight of Chenris' existence leaking from his puny mortal body. The gravity of his being forced anyone brave enough to stand to be pulled back to the ground and kneel. No amount of strength or will could let them fight the rules of their reality. All they could do was watch as Chenris widened the scar of his existence with cold and calculating arithmancy.

Chenris was balancing the final group of equations when time around him stopped, and a familiar smile alongside manic laughter appeared in front of him. Chenris took a deep breath, regarding the God with mild annoyance of a teacher telling a student off for talking in class.

"Hello Chenris, i know what you're doing..." he said in a sort of sing-song voice.

"Indeed, I'm trying to kill your cunt of a sister." Chenris sneered

"Yes, yes, and that's why I've come to help you"

"Why should I trust the God of manipulation and lies?" Chenris asked matter of factly.

"Because I am the only one who can set the stage up just right for you to win. Even with how powerful you are right now, you've only grown from an ant to a wasp compared to her."

"What assurances can you give me that I won't become your subordinate if I take your deal?"

"I want my sister dead and you present a very good opportunity to make that happen since i can't do that myself"

"I am aware of your hatred for your sister, but you never answered my question: if i take your deal will i become your subordinate?"

"As you said, I am the God of manipulation and lies; I will never be able to convince you. Your choice is to trust me now or die against her," Chronovorus then became very quiet as he waited for Chenris's response.

Chenris thought back over everything he knew about this God and could conclude three things. Chronovorus was incredibly selfish; he hated his sister, and he existed outside of Time and Space, meaning he could do quite a lot to help Chenris.

"...The enemy of my enemy is my friend", said Chenris, "I'll accept your help, but refuse to join you as a subordinate."

"Good~~~" Chronovorus said, practically drooling with anticipation, before he faded away with a laughter that did not have a point of origin Chenris could detect.

As soon as he had disappeared, the room was filled with a blinding golden light. When the party's eyes adjusted, Aeloria floated in front of Chenris and stood at almost 50 feet tall. Her face was an ever twisting knot of rage and disbelief. Chenris met her gaze as if they were equals, and with his arms folded, he said, "Ah i see the bitch doth reveal herself at last." He said with a sneer

"YOU DARE DEFY ME, BOY? YOU INSOLENT WHELP!" she screamed, "IF YOU THINK YOU'RE SPECIAL ENOUGH TO REPLACE ME, I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY!! You mortals like to fight by taking turns to attack, I'm gracious enough to let you land the first hit"

Chenris studied her for just a moment; he wished for nothing more than to see her bleed like an animal in the slaughterhouse.

"I would love nothing more...Between the heavens and the Earth, you alone are the one I hate the most. There is not a level of hell I would not willingly descend to if I were told you would have to join me there." Chenris said as his face twisted into the same knot of hatred he saw before him "and when I am through with you, I will reduce you down to nothing, but a fun fact whispered amongst bored co-workers because I will have broken you in such a beautiful way that you would have thanked me for it. I'll see you in hell."

And with that, he raised his arm. He chanted "xy-u-nat-lo-intix", a spell he quickly crafted to make the most of the magical energy he currently had at his disposal. A beam of golden light shot right at Aeloria with enough power to level Dawnhaven; however, when it reached her, there was zero effect.

She let out a callous laugh as she said, "see you're nothing more than a flyer that is caught in a web. Let's see how you deal with this... I know how much you love learning new things."

Without even raising her hand, Chenris's head was filled with eldritch knowledge that none should know. He felt a warm liquid fall out of his nose, which he instinctively wiped away, only to find it was blood. Through the piercing headache that rocked him to his core, he focused on Aeloria, trying to understand why his attack did not affect her. It was then he realised that he was not physically in the room. She had projected herself here, so any attack on her would do nothing.

While he thought of a strategy, Viktor managed to get himself to his feet and cast a healing spell on Chenris. Drache and Mordecai did the same, slowly rising to their feet and toughing out as much healing as they could muster.

To buy himself more time, Chenris lifted his hand again and chanted "xy-u-nat-lo-intix" at Aeloria. The spell had no effect causing the goddess to almost fall into a fit of laughter. "HOW CAN YOU DREAM OF BECOMING A GOD IF YOU CAN'T EVEN LEAVE ONE SCRATCH ON ME?!!"

Chenris was rushing through his mind palace, searching for anything that might help him in this situation. He began rapidly rereading and replaying every book, every research paper, and every conversation he had ever had. His mind settled on A Chronicle of Akin Netch - The Man of Many Faces, the book he had read at The All-Father Temple. He remembered the passage as clear as day "Akin Netch ‡, having foreseen this day, had prepared for a final act of defiance. The legends say that he stood atop the Ember Peak, a mountain said to be the gateway between worlds. The peak was no ordinary mountain; it was a living embodiment of elemental fury, a place where the boundaries between planes grew thin, and where the gods themselves could be trapped—if the right sacrifice was made. In the dead of night, with the world on the verge of destruction, Akin Netch ‡ stood alone at the summit, gazing into the roiling abyss of fire that churned within the peak. He knew what had to be done. In a final act of courage, Akin cast off his many faces, revealing the true essence of his soul. With a prayer not to the gods, but to the realm itself, he threw himself into the molten heart of Ember Peak, his body consumed by the flames. This was no ordinary death. Akin's sacrifice sealed the veil between the divine and mortal realms, trapping the gods beyond the Ember Peak's flames. His essence, bound to the fires of the peak, became the eternal guardian of the realm, preventing the gods from ever again crossing into the world of men."

Chenris needed a way to close the distance by either going to her or bringing her to him. He wouldn't be able to go to Ember Peak in time, so he would have to bring her here. As he was pondering how he would do that, two time rifts opened up outside of Aeloria's periphery vision; Chronovorus was trying to bring something or someone here. Before he could comprehend Chronovorus' plan Aeloria unleashed another brutal attack, burdening him with eldritch knowledge.

The rest of the party continued to back him up by casting healing magic in an attempt to outheal the damage he was taking. Chenris looked over his shoulder and smiled, unleashing another blast of raw divine energy at Aeloria; he knew it would have no effect, but he had to delay as long as possible for whatever was coming to aid him.

Chenris and the goddess traded blows back and forth, Chenris frantically hurling bolts of pure energy which poisoned his mind with knowledge that could not be from this realm.

Chenris was just about to run out of options when suddenly Xekai and Niaros walked through one of the rifts and a very young-looking Marcel walked through the other. Viktor, Mordecai and Drache quickly ran over to the eclectic group. Niaros and Xekai looked just as confused as the party did. They explained that they were just on their way back from the Sundering after sealing Ignatus, and now they were here.

Viktor approached Marcel, who was clearly holding the crystal. Terathera's words regarding this place's strange relationship with time rang out in his head. This was most likely Marcel when he first found the Meteor. He turned to Niaros and asked if he had a way to defeat a God. Niaros was stunned into silence for a while. Xekai watched in silent anticipation.

Viktor took the crystal from Marcel, showed it to the dragon, and explained that these crystals have a strange effect on the gods. Niaros nodded, only half following the party members. He proposed that there must be some activation requirement for the effect to take place. Viktor turned to the centre of the room where the apparatus for the previous crystal was. They both ran over to it; Niaros gestured for Viktor to place the crystal onto the machine. Viktor nodded and placed the crystal. Instantly, it began humming cosmic power and draining his life force rapidly. Viktor looked up at Chenris, contemplating the burdens and guilt he had carried for so long, and understood his purpose. He placed his trust in the soon-to-be God and actively gave the crystal his life force.

It took everything from him as he collapsed to the floor with a knowing smile. Niaros looked at the scene for a moment before it finally registered, "I see...it requires a sacrifice to work..." he muttered to himself before starting the activation sequence. Suddenly, a powerful shock rippled through the room, sending everyone but Chenris and Aeloria flying back into the walls.

Aeloria's manic laughter suddenly halted as the shockwave flowed through her, and the energy had somehow forced her actual body into the space, making her vulnerable. her eyes widened in fear as she met Chenris's gaze. He did not hesitate as he chanted "xy-u-nat-lo-intix", pouring everything he had into one final beam of magic. It tore through Aeloria's body like a knife through paper.

In her final moments, she wasn't filled with anger or sadness; she could show only confusion, as the goddess of knowledge did not understand her own defeat. Her body began to break down like sheets of paper flying on a summer breeze. "How... is this...possible...? I am Aeloria... goddess of all knowledge... hope and... enlightenment... A mere mortal cannot kill me" Her body soon disappeared alongside her Celestial Plane. She looked at Chenris in her final moment and said: "You will never live up to my name!"

"I don't want to, I intend to exceed it... as I said, see you in hell", Chenris said.

Chenris looked up to the heavens, where space was now missing a constellation. A constellation that was now calling out for a new owner. He looked back at his friends, no... his family, as he gave them one last smile before reaching his hand to the universe, and the universe looked back at him. Golden chains shot down from the heavens as large manacles wrapped around his hands and neck as they pulled him up to his new position amongst the Gods.

Chenris looked down upon his family and used his newfound powers to resurrect Viktor and Halfbie.

Down in the mortal realm, the party watched as a new body began forming out of light and divine energy to form Halfbie. the body was gently placed on the floor before both Halfbie and Viktor gasped for air.

Halfbie jolted upright before exclaiming, "Gil-Galad, I need to find Gil-Galad!!"

Footnotes