Chapter 783 – The Adults In The Room

There are things I see in the future, and I cannot put them together. In this sense, I am sense that I will die eventually, although I suppose we all will eventually. There is no such thing as direct immortality after all. My power is more accurate when it comes to me by itself, when it makes me cough to dodge an arrow, I know to always trust it. When I see a vision of something grander, I have to work off things within the vision. Typically, this is where other Divines or humans come in.

The shadow of a mountain will be accurate, even I do not know what shadow it is. I will see a cavalry charge and it is nothing to anyone. Arascus fields cavalry, the fact it will charge in the future is banal. What is important is the sound of hooves, whether they charge on grass, whether they cross a river or run down a mountain. For this, I have to praise Fortia, Elassa and Helenna for without those three, I would have no truthtellers with which to dissect what is revealed.

I predicted Of Empire, and I knew where she would incarnate because of the silhouette of the landscape and the feeling of which cities were close by. And she has to be Of Empire, even though I am unsure, I only reason it is of Empire because her presence carries a similar presence to Arascus. Although it is always difficult to witness Divinity in its true form, Arascus always appears in a garden, Neneria always in a library, Baalka in a swamp and Anassa as herself. This woman, appeared in comfort, always with a window, and through that window, the Imperial black-red-white always flew high. What am I supposed to consider that but Of Empire?

But it is the visions that surrounded the woman which truly concern me. Her standing on top of towers, looking down at all Arda as the planet destroys itself underneath her. Falling with her into that darkness always made me burst out in cold sweats and feeling as if I was going to throw up. Seeing her be burned by the fury of the sun always made me pass out before I got to the end of the vision.

Ultimately, I never got to see the end of those visions, the sensations she received I would receive and I am certain she is a Goddess more powerful than I. My real body would fall before I managed to see or make out the danger that she was facing.

I know many assume Allasaria to be some sort of debt-collector, although I have never once considered the Goddess of Light to be that sort. I told her frankly, this woman would be on Arda when the world faced its end. And I remember Allasaria sitting down and giving me that slow look she always does when deep in thought. Her question, I will never forget for it haunts me: ‘But which side will she be on?’

I do not know.

Thus, she could not remain on Arda for the planet’s safety but she could not be killed out of the Kassandora principle: there may come a time when the world needs her yet.

- Piece of Goddess Leona’s writing, burned shortly after being written.

“Guess who has arrived.” Allasaria sat up when she heard Irinika’s voice. She had been on this plantation, practically doing nothing but gossiping with Irinika for so long that she didn’t even jump when the woman stepped out of the corner of the room, where the wardrobe was positioned so that the sunlight wouldn’t hit the spot.

“I don’t know.” Allasaria said. It better be fucking Arascus thought. Arascus or Kassandora, she could take. Everyone else, she did not want to talk to. And it better not be any of her compatriots from the White Pantheon. Fortia or Maisara would be terrible, Helenna would be the worst. It had been a blessing that Arascus had made all of them so busy they could not attend.

“I declare that it’s a surprise.” Irinika’s eyes went wide and she smiled. “Not informed that…” And then she skipped a word again. Allasaria just stared at the woman, already working out who it could be. “Is coming here.”

“It’s a he, isn’t it?” Allasaria asked.

“I do declare the guest being a man.” Irinika chuckled, sauntered to the door, and pulled it open. From the very footsteps, Allasaria could place it was Arascus. It was the heavy thuds of a Divine and there was no one else it could possibly be. Irinika practically solved the problem through her own presence, any orders could be relayed through her, there was no reason for someone like Iliyal Tremali to come here. If it was a he, there was only one option.

“Good day.” Arascus said as he entered, Irinika backed away immediately, the darkness that made up her dress swirling around as she beamed a large smile at him. Arascus stepped into the room that Allasaria had not left for months at this point and stared at the Goddess of Light who sat on her bed.

“All pampered and prim as a princess.” Irinika said from behind him.

“Lovely to hear.” Arascus moved to the couch immediately. He had come dressed in his formal suit as if this was going to be a business meeting. Allasaria stepped up without waiting for permission and took the small seat on the other side as Irinika came to stand besides them. “Allasaria, how are you being treated here?”

Good was the immediate answer, and it was the answer she did not want to say. Sitting here and gossiping with Irinika about the entire family was more pleasant than all her time in the Pantheon. Irinika wasn’t even annoying, she liked talking, and she liked listening to Allasaria complain about the other Divines too. Allasaria answered the question with a flat glare. She wasn’t going to perform this humiliation ritual that being his prisoner was more comfortable than her own queen. Irinika, however, had no such grievances. “We sit and gossip.” Irinika said.

“Sit and gossip.” Arascus said. “Very well.”

“Is there anything I can do actually?” Allasaria asked.

“We’ll get to that later.” Arascus said, watching her as Allasaria thought about whether she should share some of the gossip. It simply didn’t seem like the moment for it. This was their first meeting and she was supposed to question him on his personal life?

“I would prefer to do something now.”

“Being here and being on call is enough.” Arascus said, he put the suitcase on the table between them. “I’ve divided the duties, you’re in the reserve.”

“Am I in any plans?”

“Not the ones you want to be in.”

“You mean about the Second Arc.” Allasaria said.

“I mean exactly that.” Arascus replied. “Currently, there’s three Divines relevant to that operation. I’m one of them.” The other had to be Kassandora and Elassa. Elassa was useful for everything, and someone had to mastermind it. Allasaria pursed her lips and nodded to the suitcase.

“What is that about then?”

“There are things we have to discuss and there is not much time for me to discuss them.” Arascus said. “But firstly.” He flicked it open, back to her, and leaned back on the couch and stared her down. “The formal dissolution of the White Pantheon.” Allasaria stared at him.

“Excuse me?” She asked. Wasn’t the White Pantheon dissolved already? She did not hear anything about the Divine Mountain on the news. Without Kavaa, Maisara and Fortia, they had lost every Order bar Allasaria’s, without Helenna and Iniri, they didn’t have any sort of diplomatic pull. “The White Pantheon still exists?”

“I don’t leave things half-done.” Arascus said slowly. “I want you to dissolve the White Pantheon formally, on national news. Tell everyone you’re leaving it.”

“But to who?”

“To Arda as a whole.” Arascus said. “It attracts Imperial dissidents, Ciria goes on endlessly about it. We formally close the topic, you’re the last one.”

“What about Zerus or Theosius or Alkom?” Allasaria asked.

“Relics that stay in their retirement home.” Arascus said. “They still hide behind you.” As he spoke, he opened the suitcase on the table and brought out papers. “Here.” Arascus said, he passed her a sheet of paper, a letter. Allasaria took it in her hands and read, it wasn’t long.

The White Pantheon has been sanctified by Allasaria, her Seekers are still here. And I am still here too, you may attack us, if you wish for war Arascus. In that sense, I am under no assumption that I shall win. Fortia’s analysis published in Spectator of the Surface War, that the Empire is now the sole world power is correct. We cannot fight against you.

And likewise, the Divine Mountain serves no purpose to conquer bar symbolic. We are both men who understand symbolism, however we are both practical enough to know that there is no such thing as a price which can always be paid. The Seekers still operate, I still am alive, Alkom is alive, as if Sceo. Olephia and Irinika are faster, but they are not us. You will not catch us as easily as you think we will.

I demand nothing, because I am in no position to make demands of you. Likewise, you may demand everything, and you are in no position to expect a response. The fact that your rebels and insurgents wave the White Pantheon flag bothers me not. It is an Imperial issue, not one for me, and I am under no burden to offer my assistance to you.

As long as the Seekers remain on the Divine Mountain, and as long as Allasaria heads the White Pantheon, then I shall stay here. A war between us would be far too costly for you to consider making a move. The fact the Divine Mountain is surrounded by the Empire is irrelevant to me, the White Pantheon is an independent entity. I have no intention to fight for your Empire after I spent a century fighting to defeat it.

That is all to be said on the matter.

- Zerus, of Lightning.

Allasaria put the letter back down. “The world is ending, what the fuck is this idiot doing?” She asked and Irinika chuckled.

“He’s your co-worker, not ours.” Of Darkness practically cooed with delight.

Arascus nodded to his daughter. “That is more or less correct. Zerus has authority from age. He won’t lead an insurrection himself, but that doesn’t matter if an insurrection leads him.” Arascus nodded to Allasaria. “A proclamation from you would end the matter before it starts. Dissolve the White Pantheon and order the Seekers off the mountain, then Kassandora integrates them into the Imperial Army.”

Allasaria blinked in horror. “What?”

“I know you heard me.” Arascus said.

“They’re an independent order. They’re my Order.” Arascus stared at her as if she was being stupid. “What do you mean? You don’t expect an argument.” Arascus looked around the room as Irinika took the piece of paper out of Allasaria’s hands to read Zerus’ letter herself.

“No, frankly.” Arascus said. “I expect an argument or I expect negotiation if you were going to join us, but you’re not in that position right now. You came to us because Arda is under threat.”

“And if it weren’t for me, then you would still be sitting about and doing nothing about it! We know the Second Arc is inbound because of me.”

“It is why I said integration and not dissolution.” Arascus met her gaze and Allasaria pulled away. “At this point, Olephia is waiting on stand-by. The Divine Mountain can be removed from existence tomorrow if it proves a threat.” She believed him. That was the worst part, she truly did believe him. “And even if Olephia is missing, there are stockpiles of nuclear missiles. I will order a strike on the Divine Mountain the moment Zerus thinks of pulling any stunts.”

“But…” Allasaria said. “It’s my Order still.” Negotiation then, just as she did in the White Pantheon. “I will still be the leader. You’re not sending recruits to me to bless that I don’t pick.”

“We have bureaucracy for this.” Arascus said and looked to Irinika. “This would be easier if you spent less time gossiping about triviality you know.” Irinika practically shrunk from that mild scolding. Allasaria watched the exchange with nothing but envy, when she led the White Pantheon, she would have to raise her palms and charge them with her cleansing light before anyone so much as broke their gaze. And even after that, there were still those like Fortia and Maisara who stood.

“Sorry.” Irinika said quietly.

“It’s not an issue.” Arascus said. “Well I’ve not brought the relevant documents for this, someone will come soon to explain this to you. Nevertheless, the dissolution of the White Pantheon is non-negotiable.”

“You want me to sign into something without even knowing what I’m joining?”

“The last time I told you, declined the offer.” Arascus said and it was Allasaria’s turn to hunch her shoulders tomorrow. The last time he offered something, she declined him and started the White Pantheon in response. “So no, I will not explain and you are wrong. You know what you will be joining.”

“What?”

“The Empire.” Arascus said.

“I know that but as what?”

Arascus narrowed his eyes. “Do you expect me to besmirch everyone here by offering you some meaningless title?” He asked. “Because that is the only position you can have for now.” Allasaria pulled her gaze away and stared at the back of his suitcase as he sat there. That cut right to the issue of it, didn’t it? “No Allasaria, you’re not going to be made the Royal Goddess Emissary or Representative of Light and Goodness in this world, and you’re not taking a bureaucratic position like an environment or cultural minister. You are joining as Allasaria, Goddess of Light.”

Allasaria felt her mouth go so dry she was lost for words. She had once thought that the millennium of Pantheon Peace would prepare her for this meeting. That all those arguments were just preparations for this one. And Arascus did not insult or besmirch, he just talked as he always did. It was for the same reason she couldn’t deal with him back then. “You will join as the Goddess of Light and be given a station befit of the Goddess of Light because I do not care for your imprisonment, nor mine. The war started, the war ended, and now we sit here with multiple generations of Divines between that time and now. It does not matter to me that I lost.”

“Well of course not.” Allasaria said. “You’re sitting here now, telling me what to do, so why should it matter to you?”

“The reason I’m sitting here is precisely because it doesn’t matter to me.” Arascus said, he held his hand in the air and pinched his finger and thumb together. “Because after being this close to uniting the world a thousand years ago, I decided to do it again. You had a thousand years to build your world, I’m not even going to sit here and make a judgement call on its morality or principles. I will simply that your world got overthrown and it’s time to adapt to a new reality.”

So reasonable. So blunt. So… so correct. Allasaria didn’t even have a word of counter argument. That is what it came down to after all, Arascus, with nothing but his daughters, managed to defeat the White Pantheon when they had everything. Not through morality or argument but through pure skill. “I…” Allasaria said. “What am I supposed to say to that?”

“Nothing.” Arascus said. “What can you say?”

“What would you say?”

“I would immediately start planning how to overthrow me.” Arascus said dryly. Allasaria tried to think of this farce. Would he though? How? The Empire was the single most powerful nation on Arda. Its army was untouchable, it had countless Divines. It was capable of defeating Tartarus on its own. It reversed Ashen Skies. All hope for the salvation of Arda now rested on Arascus’ shoulders.

“How can you even say that?” Allasaria asked.

“Because that is who I am.” Arascus said. “And it is the difference between us and it is something I should have told you long ago, when I first met you. No, there is no equality in this room. In this game, I am better than you.”

Allasaria collapsed into her chair. What was she going to say? To bring up her own role as champion and herald of the White Pantheon? Or maybe the Goddess who sold Arda to other worlds? That was her legacy? And she knew the faults better than anyone. It wasn’t that the White Pantheon imposed Pantheon Peace, or that it was dependent on Leona. The issue was that it was a static organisation, built as a mirror to the Empire, to defeat Arascus. She could never reform it, she could never rule Arda as he ruled the Empire. Her allies were not his allies, and by the time everything ended, Allasaria didn’t even know how to get about consolidating power. The best she could do was end an argument with her magic. “What will…” Allasaria said. “What does joining the Empire look like?”

“That is for you to decide.” Arascus said. “Fortia and Maisara consider it a plantation, Irinika considers it running her plantation. I am the worst person to ask that question because I am the one soul on this world that will never have the decision of whether I should join the Empire.”

So reasonable as always. Allasaria hated him. She just hated him. She should have killed him back then. Just so that they wouldn’t be sitting in this room and having this conversation. Allasaria had no response, Irinika opened her mouth and Arascus raised his hand. Then she fell silent. And Allasaria brewed in herself. No taunting, no humiliation, no joy, no help, not even a mild scolding. Nothing. “And if I don’t?” Allasaria asked. “Join the Empire, or disband the White Pantheon?”

“Then nothing changes.” Arascus said. “Tomorrow, no one will raise the white and gold, next week, no one should raise it. Maybe in a year, we will see movement from the mountain. Maybe we won’t. But when we see movement, the way it ends is in Imperial victory and everyone in the world knows that. Zerus is not waiting us out, Zerus is waiting to be swept up in something again. Just as you are, and I will not give you that.”

Allasaria hated him forever. Never had she met a colder soul than his. “I will…” Allasaria said. “I will think on it.”

“Then do.” Arascus said. “Nevertheless, there is something else to discuss.”

“What?” Allasaria had no more energy left for this.

“Do you have a sword above your head?” Arascus asked. Allasaria went through one level of confusion, then another, then a third. Excuse me? A sword above her head? She looked up, stared at the wooden ceiling and then shook her head.

“No?” Irinika took out her pipe as Arascus twisted his head to the side and stared her over again.

“We should have brought Fer.” Irinika said.

“We should.” Arascus said. “You don’t?”

“No…?” Allasaria said. “What sword.”

“Have you signed the King’s Pact then?” Arascus asked and Allasaria opened her eyes wide. How did Arascus no about that? He had never left Arda in the first place.

“You mean the stone monolith in the world of black?” Allasaria asked.

“After the room.” Arascus said. “With…” He lowered his head, raised an eyebrow and motioned for her to continue.

“With the Watchers.” Allasaria said.

“Watchers?” Arascus said as Irinika let out a cloud of smoke.

“We call them elders but watchers fits better.” Of Darkness said. “Why do you not have a blade above your head?”

“I genuinely don’t even know what you’re talking about.” Allasaria said.

“Very well.” Arascus said. “Forget we mentioned it. What did you sign?”

“A treaty to be given passage to other worlds.” Arascus turned to Irinika and the two stared at each other, speaking silently with nothing much tiny changes in their faces. Irinika’s dark eyes eventually settled and she shook her head. “What is crazy about that?” Allasaria said.

“So you can leave Arda?”

“Of course.” Allasaria said. “I mean… I do?”

“And how many times have you met them?” Arascus asked.

“Once.” Allasaria said. “The first time, after I left for Paradeisius.”

“And how did that go?”

“I explained…” Allasaria trailed off. “The Great War and what was happening.” She at least would have the decency to give them a dirty look. “And then the angels and Leonifer both vouched for me.” Irinika stood there as if she had forgotten her pipe. But Arascus did not look taken aback in the slightest, if anything, his lips curled upwards.

“That’s so fucking stupid that I believe you.” He said. “Do you know anything about them?”

“The Watchers?” Allasaria asked. “No, just that they’re here to watch over Arda. They were fairly secretive about themselves.” Arascus closed his eyes and leaned back.

“You’re a moron.” He said lightly and Allasaria raised an eyebrow, she felt her mouth try to smile. Moron? Why exactly? “No, well done Allasaria. You signed a pact in stone with creatures you know nothing about against people you share a world with?”

Well of course it sounded bad when he put it like that.