The voice distorted the air, and for a brief second, came with the heart of a burning sun. The hedges caught aflame, filling the air with the smell of metal and ash. Of course, as the sun god finished setting up his stage for the interrogation, the goddess raised her hand and flicked it outward. The burning flames, just starting to tower into high walls of an inferno, were snuffed in a blanket of cold and darkness.

Aurellion glared, but he seemed too prideful to bicker in front of the mortals. Instead, he released his aura further, turning the ground beneath him into a blackened circle of ash. Lezka started convulsing, while Teddy and Arturous groaned in unison.

The other goddess wasn't affected by the change, neither was the demon. And me… I drew the eye of the goddess and saw her face straight on. Memory flashed—names and faces inside a book given to me so long ago.

She was a deity of cold, cruel night. Illumination of truth by clouding the lies and burning the rest in moonlight. The head goddess of a pantheon worshipped in Luneterra. The second half of a whole, the sister of Aurellion.

Nytherra.

"You have no business here, Chained Ones," Arz'odral sneered.

"You dare? This is my land, my kingdom. Now answer me, demon!"

Aurellion's voice drew out another groan from Teddy. I moved over and slipped the amulet off my neck and shoved it onto Teddy's. Immediately, he started to relax as did Arturous. They were still under divine pressure but their limbs no longer trembled.

"Th-thanks," Teddy coughed.

Arturous butted my knee and moved closer, placing himself partially in front of us and between the gods.

"Answer you? You mistake me for one of your zealots. I'm not beholden to you, sun god," Arz'odral teased. He stood straight, extending his arms outward as he gestured around him. "I may do as I please in these lands. Your deal made it so,"

Deal? What the fuck is he talking about?

Aurellion looked more like an angry sun about to hypernova than man. It was hard to detangle the mental imprint of the mana–no ether–I felt from the avatar before me.

Instead of directing his ire toward the possessed beastkin, Aurellion turned his wrathful stare at the goddess. She floated lazily in the air, entirely unbothered.

"This is not what we agreed upon!"

The goddess's voice was silky, elegant. However it had an air of mystery, and coldness that came devoid of warmth and sympathy. Her chuckle she released was a haunting echo.

"Is it now? We agreed that we'd initiate war between our kingdoms. To raise the banner under the just cause of regicide. As you can see, no promises have been broken, dear brother. None whatsoever."

Aurellion's eyes narrowed. The burning pyre of an aura that screamed around his body narrowed to a fine blade just over his skin.

"I call mediation."

Whatever Aurellion expected from the goddess, he was left bereft of the reward. She continued to languidly smile and merely waved her hand. Arz'odral settled on neutrality, simply waiting, stone-faced.

"We certainly got ourselves into trouble," Teddy laughed.

My eyes flickered over, watching the man wince as he strained to stand. "How're you holding up?"

"Hard to stand. My skin is cold, but my lungs are on fire," he admitted.

He winced again, and I was afraid of drawing the attention of the deities, but they paid no attention to us. I turned my gaze toward the panels and observed our friends still fighting. They'd made good progress, but the demon had done something—bolstered the monsters in some way.

The monstrosity facing Celenae and Eodyne was practically two copies, barely connected by thin tethers. Any time Celenae weaponized her barriers to separate them, they'd instantly reform and lash out in retaliation.

Zog and Igas were fighting a blood beast made of multiple limbs, each one belonging to a different beast in shape. Whenever they smashed or severed one, a bristling pink rune surged forth and created new ones in its place.

Bloody chaos, that fucker.

As for Isaac, his battle was more or less the same, except glimpses of people in the background of his fight shared the same fate as Teddy from before. Those of higher tiers had bodies barely strong enough to remain immobilized, while those of the weaker variety were face-first kissing dirt.

My chest tightened. I felt so useless. I couldn't help them; already, Sturmrorex was cut off but continuously drawing mana.

Firm taps on the back of my neck drew my attention. Áine pushed a wave of mana through me, filling my nose with the brief scent of berries and grass.

No, that's right. I'm still here, I can do something.

Arz'odral's back was turned. In the face of the gods, we were forgotten; little more than ants to the tyrannical viscount.

Teddy squeezed my shoulder, giving me a nod. "Whatever you plan on doing, I'll follow."

More damn memories flooded in, of times when a stubborn girl followed me around to do all sorts of reckless, stupid things. No matter how much it annoyed me to have her around, she followed me everywhere—even when faced with the scolding of a lifetime from parents and teachers alike.

They came and faded in a blink, leaving me cold. I desperately wanted to yell at the fool to run, to leave now while they were all distracted. But Teddy's grip remained firm, and his eyes never dimmed.

I clamped my emotions down and nodded back. Now or never.

Teddy's mana rippled as light shined across his armor. His plate took on a steady golden sheen, and glowing runes extended down his limbs. Arturous growled—the sound silent despite the air quaking around him.

Then Teddy's aura extended onto me, filling me with added strength.

Quickly, while the demon's back was still turned, I raised my spear and coiled into a crouch.

I glanced to Teddy, and he signaled.

One.

Two.

Three!

A spectral mace appeared above the demon's head. It rocketed down, but the demon sacrificed an arm and zipped to the side. Arturous roared, and golden runes flashed around the demon's chest, but a quick swipe of his claws tore them away, creating a shower of golden sparks.

The initial attack failed, but that was fine. It was all a distraction. Under the guise of Teddy's illusion and using the distraction of their attacks, I charged.

Arz'odral's eyes burned red, leaking fat droplets down his cheeks as he frantically scanned the area for another attack. I came at an angle, so I aimed my spear low and splayed my claws.

Five meters, three, eventually down to a single meter between us.

Arz'odral deflected another attempt to bind him, when his eyes snapped in my direction. The illusion cloaking my approach started to fizzle, so I channeled Magnus's skill and pulled. In the split second of having the air around my limbs shimmer, the light magic was sucked into my arm and redirected.

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There was no time for skill or fancy illusions. I used the stolen mana and repurposed it, changed it. Down to its base form and the sole instinct of the mana's nature.

My fingers exploded as dots of light prickled and shot out in a narrowed cone. Bright white light blinded the demon, earning a satisfying screech. I had no doubt that that would only impair him for a moment, if even that. But it was all the time I needed to stab my spear through his chest.

The blade sank into furry flesh underneath the ribs. The acrid venom hissed on contact, clearing away a sizeable hole as the blade struggled to push through the empowered meat before it. Whatever the demon had done to the beastkin's body between the rift and now, it was reinforced beyond what I knew of the beastkin's physical defenses from before.

Arz'odral caught the spear and halted my momentum.

So I simply released my grip and aimed my claws for his face. Time seemed to slow, a crawl as adrenaline rushed through my veins.

I caught the cold-silver eyes of the goddess. Her expression shifted to that of cruel delight as she smirked.

My claws pierced through the demon's head without resistance. In fact, there was no resistance, no gore, nothing. My fist punched through, as did my arm and my shoulder. Before I could stop myself, my momentum carried me through Arz'odral and out the opposite side.

I used my tail to stab into the dirt and redirect my roll so I would face the demon, but then a remorseful voice entered my ear.

"I am sorry, child. Unfortunately the rules are set. Forgive me."

It was strange. I could feel the gods' auras, their mana. Their very presence was a weight that pulled at reality, even in their subdued forms. It was unmistakable. But it didn't affect me. Not like the others.

I was mostly immune to the supposed weight that locked your limbs and squeezed your chest and veins in its immeasurable grip.

But this time? I felt it. The world slowed to a crawl in truth. A speck of rock and a small cloud of dust kicked up from my landing froze mid-air. The surprised expression on Arz'odral's face morphed into one of savage delight.

Knowledge flooded into my brain, connecting the dots as I realized what had just happened.

"No. No! No damnit! We were so close!" I screamed back at the old man who materialized to my side.

Albrus. Albrus Fentrel, wearing the same cream-colored robes and sporting the grandest beard of snow. His runes were darkened now, made of a blue so deep it could have been mistaken for black. The lines and sigils sagged and drooped across his skin, matching the frown on the old man's face.

"By official decree, this mediation has commenced, called upon by Aurellion of the Solunaria Pantheon. As this is a private affair, the ground has been sanctioned. No physical actions are to be taken," Albrus said.

Ether flooded into the space around us, creating a bubble large enough to cover the gods. Time slowed—because we were now in dilated time, like that of a dungeon.

Arz'odral attempted to pull the spear from his body, but it remained.

He snorted and licked his lips. "You'll pay for that, fledgling. Just you wait."

Aurellion glowered at the old man, his arms crossed. "Why are you here, Albrus? Where is Eraztis."

"Sir Eraztis holds dominion over the gods' mediation betweeen gods and the world spirits. He is unneeded for this meeting," Albrus replied.

"Unneeded?" Aurellion's brows furrowed. "This is between me and Nytherra. Why would he be unneeded?"

"Respectfully, sir. Your mediation is not between you and her. No rules have been broken, no deals unmade. You are currently interfering with the lives of mortals. As the mediator between divinity and the mortal ken, I am present."

"Preposterous!"

"Now, now, brother. It's as I said. I've told no lies, and kept up my part of the bargain. You wanted war and strife through the king's death, and I have provided." Nytherra said, voice smug. "I must thank you for providing such an interesting welp for my kingdom. The empress needed new blood for daughters. I'll make sure to use it to it's full potential for the upcoming war. Have no doubt."

"The destruction of my capital was not part of the bargain!"

Flames racketed up, and a burning sun started to appear behind Aurellion's back. Wings of light joined his avatar, sprouting like petals of a flower that served as a cloak. His fingers' golden skin turned molten as light began to shine through fine cracks along the avatar's limbs.

Teddy buckled again, and Arturous whined.

Albrus cleared his throat. "Excuse me, sir Aurellion. I'll have to kindly ask you to restrain yourself. There are mortals here. As they are not worshippers nor hold any position of official ranking, they are to be unharmed. Failure to do so can subject you to censorship."

"You have no right," Aurellion snapped.

"You are correct. Censorship and other punishment will be declared by sir Eraztis. But for now, these mortals are under the rules of the mediation. Harm them at your own peril."

Aurellion finally turned his scornful gaze our way. His eyes widened as if he had only just now noticed that people other than Arz'odral existed. Lezka looked over without pause, while Teddy and Arturous caught his eye momentarily. However, when he looked upon me, he froze.

I could only recoil at the sudden explosion of sunlight glaring into my mask. Aurellion stood before me, not as a titan but of something only slightly larger than Teddy.

"You. You're familiar. Why?" he demanded.

I leaned away, resisting the urge to slap him with my tail. I didn't know the full rules, thanks to the small influx of knowledge that seeped in before Albrus appeared, but I knew enough. Hitting the god, even in avatar form would give up my protection. Not even Albrus would be able to protect me from Aurellion.

That thought brought fire to my veins. I had fought against a god before. Stole a fragment of divinity twice over. This man, this being demanded my answer.

"Fuck you," I growled.

Aurellion's eyes widened further and he raised a cracked finger. The golden hue and bright sunlight from within were dimmed, turned grey. Slowly he raised his head, and bared his teeth.

"You are of the fox's kin."

The words were softly spoken, no louder then a polite whisper. But the effects on the environment were profound. The sun was back, and it surged with flames that turned pointed and hard. Light morphed around the god's hand and I felt the surge of his aura, his authority seer through my aura.

The feedback was like being punched by a titan. I dropped a knee, tasting copper.

"You are Zuldraea's lost Reborn. You are the reason why the fate of my kingdom is muddled. The damn fox's little kit, brave enough to hide under my sight? You dare!"

Albrus coughed, raising a hand covered in pure black. It radiated a malice that pushed through even the raging thoughts in my head. "If you proceed, do so knowingly, Aurellion. There'll be no taking it back once the line is crossed."

Silence blanketed the space. Nobody moved, not even the sneering demon. Aurellion's hand held a blade I had not seen, a sword massive enough to make Igas' look like a toothpick. It radiated white-flames and shined as the gold of the metal drew in light.

Seconds drew on, and Aurellion's gaze sharpened. The fury of his kingdom, the anger at the goddess, and Arz'odral paled in comparison to what burned behind his gaze now. He raised the blade and I readied my claws, unsure if they'd survive coming into contact with the blazing metal.

It was Arturous who broke the silence first. His roar was pitiful, but defiant. All eyes snapped in his direction but it was Teddy who command the stage.

"You would strike down what you'd consider a child? Because of a grudge? Aurellion, the Lightbringer, the Burning Blade. Illuminator, Justice Under the Sun. Grand Protector of Solunaria. " Teddy said. He rose to his feet and leaned on Arturous for support. "Solar King. You are the god that protects Solunaria?"

"Lightcrest. Bite your tongue," Aurellion commanded.

Teddy shook his head. "Why? Why would you set your kingdom on fire? For what gain, do you use your people's lives?"

"You are too young to lecture me, boy. The duties of a god extend far beyond what you think you comprehend. Silence yourself before you continue to make yourself a fool."

Authoritative, and commanding. Aurellion's aura spoke of authority that knew no equal, that accepted no disagreement. Already he was starting to look away from Teddy, giving him all the importance of a child dismissed.

Teddy's voice extended as he channeled mana into his throat. His aura shined outward, enveloping his companion and me without touching anything else.

"You are no god of mine. I am not for you to command."

Albrus smiled. "As you can see, sir Aurellion. These mortals are not under your purview. The rules stand."

Once more, Aurellion blinked away. His form was back to being titanic, but the blade was gone. He stared beyond us, past the building and more. His eyes gracing the barrier with the intensity of a spear.

The avatar's skin started to flake that started a cascade up his arm. Only sunlight remained, revealing a golden light deep from within the golden flesh of the body.

"This isn't over, Nytherra. Bring on the war, but know I'll raze your precious kingdom, soul by tortured soul. There won't be surviving this time. I won't stop until your mantle sits pretty on my throne," he declared. His eyes flicked my way before snorting. "And you little kit. I suppose I have an answer now. Why Ysanna returned. Why the Weave stilled our planet. Run as far as you can. If I find you inside my kingdom again, I'll have you flayed and your head delivered to the fox."

Laughter ensued, once more drawing the god's ire.

Nytherra wiped a silver tear from her cheek and smiled. "And risk the wrath of that god? You think you'd survive the calamity that ensued? Have you forgotten who's bones and ashes you stand upon, dear brother? What a pathetic farce."

Aurellion said nothing and in the next blink he was gone.

Without his presence the space shifted, becoming darker and colder. Bright silver filled the sky, but so did clouds of black that hid reality in a covering of the void.

Nytherra straightened to her full height.

"Goodbye, daarlings. You have provided the more entertainment then I had in centuries. For you little Reborn, I can't wait to see what strings you tear apart. May it be bloody!"

Like her brother, the goddess left.

Albrus's expression soured as Arz'odral started to stretch. The demon didn't move, but he remained confident even as Teddy and Arturous circled around him.

Albrus faced at me, and my heart sank. It wasn't warmth nor kindness. Only the forlorn expression of one forced to deliver tragic news.

"With that, the mediation is concluded. I shall take my leave. Goodbye, children."

So too was Albrus gone. The pebble that hung in the air started to shift, the cloud of dirt began to sink.

The mediation was done, and Arz'odral cackled in delight.

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