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The Weapons of Destiny

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Dantalian

Dantalian

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Setkul groaned in frustration and sat down. It had been nearly a day since he had returned to the inn, only to find that the majority of the Tenzoku town was beginning to awaken from an unexpected slumber. Setkul had recognized this immediately, and rushed to the inn where he had left Liam... unsurprisingly, the incubus was gone.

Setkul had cursed aloud at finding the empty room. He knew that Mephos had been given a staff by the elder god of sleep; one which could, with a single spoken word, induce heavy drowsiness. Mephos had loved using it upon entering any new village, for it allowed him to pass through unnoticed and unremembered. It should have occurred to Setkul that Liam might have a way to get the staff, and have the knowledge required to use it.

Having realized all this, Setkul had made an inexcusable error. He had assumed that, like Mephos, Liam would grow strained from using the staff and be forced to rest. With this thought, Setkul had made his way down the jungle road at a leisure pace, expecting to come across Liam in a short period of time. However, the incubus either made extremely good time, or strayed off the road. Either way, Setkul could not catch up with him. Finally, exhausted and frustrated, Setkul had found a small clearing by the road, and had sat down on a fallen log to brood over his mistakes.

The first thing he had to admit was that Liam was becoming more like Mephos by the second. Not just in power and knowledge, but in personality as well. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:30:31

Dantalian

Dantalian

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Mephos had always been secretive in nature. This by itself was no surprise, as most Mazoku were secretive when it came to their personal lives. But Mephos took this secrecy to an extreme; even Setkul, who could confidently say he knew more about the child of darkness than any other living mortal, could rarely guess as to what Mephos was feeling or thinking at a given time. Once, in the distant past, he had thought otherwise. In that time, Setkul had believed that Mephos was wrapped around his finger, and was willing to do anything that Setkul commanded. The child of the Void had later learned how wrong that impression was...

On the surface, Mephos had always been a polite, soft-spoken young Mazoku. Eager to help, unwilling to offend, and weak. When he had first met the incubus, Setkul had wondered how he was able to live without someone constantly watching over him. Mephos was indecisive, frail, and on top of all that, had absolutely no backbone whatsoever. Realizing that the incubus was of that rare type that both needed someone to control him, and yet simultaneously had enough power to make controlling him worthwhile, Setkul had approached Mephos and with patience and a firm hand managed to take control of him. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:31:04

Dantalian

Dantalian

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Within a year of doing so, Setkul believed he had complete control over Mephos; the incubus who was noted for showing little more emotion than a muted smile or a mild look of discomfort, would actually laugh and cry while he was with Setkul. The child of the Void grew complacent, the incubus who had shrouded his sole in darkness would lift the shroud for Setkul to peer in. Fully confident that he both understood and controlled Mephos, Setkul failed to noticed that only part of the shroud was lifted, that the darkest and most secret parts of the incubus' soul remained carefully guarded. Thus he deceived himself into believing Mephos was under his control and would remain that way willingly. Setkul played the fool. He would later comment that it was as if he had laid claim to a supposedly abandoned castle, but never even bother to peer into the dungeons, and thus never noticed the dragons who had taken up residence there-in, until they burst forth from their lairs.

Given what he had to face, Setkul later decided he'd rather have gone up against those metaphorical dragons. But in his defense, how could he have guessed that the same person whose self-esteem could have fit in a thimble could simultaneously have an ambition which spanned further than the ocean's expanse? How could he have known that the very heart which bled at the sight of a child losing her favorite toy, or was overcome with sentimentality upon hearing a sorrowful tune, could be cold enough to kill thousands without hesitation, and play entire nations like marionettes? "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:31:39

Dantalian

Dantalian

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Setkul could still remember the day his simplistic view of Mephos had been shattered. Ironically, he had been watching the incubus sleep, wondering if he should wake Mephos when it occurred to him; he no longer knew what was happening in his own empire. Oh, certainly, he was the accepted ruler; his subjects adored him, and ministers lavished gifts and praises on him. But nonetheless, he didn't know who his governors were, and he had only the foggiest idea of what his empire;s current policies and projects were.

He didn't have to look far to know who did know these things. The very person was sleeping right in front of him; his eyes shut and partially hidden by his silken silver hair, and his delicate chest expanding and contracting rhythmically.

With the realization came conflicting desires; part of Setkul wanted to grab Mephos' fragile neck and snap it in two, while the other part of him argued vehemently that Mephos was still valuable; perhaps more-so, now that he had shown an ability to manage affairs of state.

Setkul spat on the ground in disgust. He couldn't believe that even after learning about Mephos, he still allowed himself to over-simplify another person. However, he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. After all, Mephos wasn't the only one who could keep secrets.

Standing up, Setkul closed his eyes and called up a power from deep within himself. To his happiness, he felt it bubble up on command. Exhilarated, he called up more of his power; heat radiated from his body, and red lighting crackled around him. The lightning arched from him, to a nearby tree. Immediately the tree withered; it's leaves turned brown and fell to the ground, its trunk rotted, and its branches drooped. Still, Setkul forced his power to arise, and more of the land began to die. Other trees were affected much like the first, while smaller plants withered and became a sickly grey. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:32:03

Dantalian

Dantalian

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While all this happened, armor appeared upon Setkul; it was black and red in color, and took the form akin to a skeleton. Once it had appeared, a helm in the shape of a horned skull appeared on Setkul's head. Satisfied with this new equipment, Setkul allowed his power to die down before tearing open a rift to the Void. He then conjured hellfire and dragonite, and with these formed five bodies, each the size of an adult human. Reaching into the Void, he forcibly yanked five demons from the infernal planes and forced them into the bodies he had created.

He gave the demons a few moments to brush off their confusion. Once they were looking at him in a mix of annoyance and curiosity, he made a slight motion with his hand. Immediately all five demons were lying on the ground, screaming in agony.

“Remember this pain,” he told them nonchalantly, “It will be the price of disobedience or failure.” With his, he made another motion and the howling stopped. The demons once again looked at him, but this time with utmost fear; to them he looked like an incarnation of Akyros, the god of evil, whose only wish is to destroy all that is.

“Search this land,” Setkul commanded, “Find me the incubus who goes by the name 'Liam' and bring him to me... alive.”

“M-master,” ventured one of the demons, *What if he or some with him try to resist?”

Setkul rolled his eyes. “I require that incubus to be alive and without any permanent damage. I care nothing about what happens to any others you happen to cross.”

Hearing this the demons grinned at one another.

“You may have your fun,” sighed Setkul, “But make sure you get that incubus to me in all due haste.”

“Yes, master,” replied the demons, each bowing slightly before dashing headlong into the jungle. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:32:30

Dantalian

Dantalian

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Blissfully unaware that someone he had once counted as a friend had just sent demons after him, Liam slept peacefully. Exhausted by maintaining his spell upon the inhabitants of the small village he had left behind, he remained asleep despite the jostling of the wagon he was lying in.

Near to him, Seth looked at the incubus with a mixed expression upon his face. If not for his honor, he would have plunged his blade into Liam's chest the moment the Mazoku had fallen asleep. As it was, the Tenzoku was still tempted to do such. After all, a voice within him argued, how is this different from smashing the eggs of a viper? Certainly, Liam is not Mephos' equal, but he's getting there, and after all, he most likely would end up being the key to Mephos' revival.

As he thought this, Seth was startled to see Liam's eyes open, and stare at him with amusement.

“Planning on killing me while I was unable to defend myself?” Liam asked sleepily.

“I would never be so dishonorable,” retorted Seth.

Liam made a visible effort not to laugh at this response, then, sitting up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“How close are we?” he asked softly.

“To the capital?” said Seth, “Another day at least.”

“And yet, you haven't left yet,” Liam observed.

“Why would I?” questioned Seth.

“Going back to that palace means accepting your rightful place once more,” observed Liam. “Are you ready for that?”

“What do you mean?” demanded Seth, “I've already accepted my rightful place. If I still had my power than I-”

“IF you still had your power?” asked Liam.

Seth didn't miss the emphasis Liam placed on the first word.

“What would an Asura know?” Seth snapped in reply.

“Far more than you,” replied Liam, “We are not content to let secrets lie. We delve deep into the darkness in our search for them, while you Daeva will pretend something is not true if it is convenient to do so.”

“I will not be talked to like that from one of your kind!” exclaimed Seth. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:33:14

Dantalian

Dantalian

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“One of my kind?” Liam repeated, grinning, “Like your wife?”

Seth turned ashen as he realized what he had just said, and turned quickly to the front of the wagon, where Hekate was busy trying to annoy Ayumu. Thankfully, she didn't seem to have heard the exchange between Seth and Liam.

Sighing, Seth turned back to Liam and said, “I could kill you easily.”

“You were always stronger than me,” replied Liam, “The times I won any dispute, it was not from my strength...”

“You outsmarted me,” finished Seth.

“You let yourself be deluded, chosen of Aither,” replied Liam. There was no malice in his voice, and his tone wasn't that of one who gloated.

Noting this, Seth said in an even voice. “Explain yourself.”

“You grew up as the prince of a wealthy kingdom, adored by subjects and advisers. You were everything they wanted in a ruler; charismatic, chivalrous, and honorable. Not wanting you to suffer in any way, your subjects, servants, and parents kept the less savory side of the world hidden from you. You believed it easy to tell good from evil, and never allowed yourself to believe that one could masquerade as the other, or that the two could be mixed.

In your mind, of course, your race was good, and mine evil. As such, you were blind to the treachery from within your own race. Looking outward at us, you never noticed the knife that plunged into your back,” said Liam.

Groaning in frustration Seth asked, “Why do you Asura insist on speaking in riddles?”

“Because when you ponder over something you learn more than if it is told to you bluntly,” replied Liam, “Think it over, Seth. We have until we reach the palace for you to come up with the answers... wake me when we get there.”

Seth looked on in disbelief as the incubus lay back down and was soon once again fast asleep.

“I'll never understand him,” Seth sighed. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

25-Jan-2011 05:33:43

Alchimous
Aug Member 2006

Alchimous

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Very nice add, always happy to know a bit more about Seth. Setkul helped me with an idea I was working on too, so a great add over all. "There is no Good or Evil, no Light or Dark, Order or Chaos. Just knowledge and your own ability to know when to stop. And if you knew when to stop, you'd never achieve the impossible."

02-Feb-2011 03:34:01

Dantalian

Dantalian

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Wow, it seems that my readers haven't left after all. You all are more loyal than I deserve...

At any rate, here's the add that was meant to go up last Sunday. (It was ready then, but I thought no one was still reading ^^; )

Before you read it though, a few things.

As some of you may remember "Asura" and "Deva" are alternate names for the races that have recently been referred to as "Mazoku" and "Tenzoku" I am extremely inconsistent with which name I like best (and with my display name, as some the older readers must have noticed.) and as such have used those names for them again.

Related: an Asurenda is an Asura who has "transcended" her original power. They are said to be immune to the affects of aging, and much more powerful than your average Asura. A Mahadeva is the Deva equivalent of an Asurenda. The twelve lords of Muspellheim are all Mahadevae.

Incidentally, an "Arch-Asurenda" is an honorific bestowed upon the four Asurenda who are said to be the strongest (under the Asura Empress of course) Namely: Seima T. Kurokami, also called "The Black Sun"; Mephos N. Nidhogg, also called "The Deathly Miasma"; Kutheostra G. Marubhumi, also called "The Ebon Fortress"; and Nepthys K. Espera. also called "The Sable Eye". "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

03-Feb-2011 07:15:37 - Last edited on 03-Feb-2011 07:20:21 by Dantalian

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