Amdirlain's PoV - Qil Tris - Osaphis

Amdirlain had returned to the guest bedroom when she heard Gilorn's and Rachel's theme arrive on Qil Tris. A concealed flare of a summoning circle had Azadi join them a minute later. Gilorn morphed into her crystalline elven form while the pair changed into steel blue Catfolk in silken greenish-blue robes. Azadi loomed with the appearance of an evolved male with a lion's mane, and elongated eye-teeth. Within Rachel's theme was an evolution of a melody that Amdirlain knew well: Protean. What she'd done to push it to Grandmaster and then evolve it, Amdirlain wasn't sure she wanted to know.

Has Rachel been pushing her True Song that hard that she's been tearing herself apart? And I can't forget to call Azadi by her new name. It would be embarrassing to slip up and use Ilya after Rachel's long campaign to get Azadi to choose a new name.

Rather than assume she had permission to invite them over, she scoured the city. She shifted to an empty suite in another high-rise, spoofing the security that monitored the vacant rooms. The place was devoid of the most rudimentary furnishings, and a film of dust on its counters showed a prolonged vacancy. Mentally warning them, Amdirlain established a True Song shield to avoid triggering the city's spatial detectors before opening a Gate to the trio's arrival point.

Rachel charged through the Gate to embrace Amdirlain while the others followed more sedately.

Amdirlain wrapped Rachel in a warm hug. "I didn't expect you to come here to help. When you first arrived, I thought you'd given Azadi the slip."

Rachel laughed. "No, I'd get in trouble if I did that. I've an agreement with Azadi that I won't go alone to a world where the trip has potential hazards."

"What counts as a hazard?"

"Kittens with magical weaponry, for one," Azadi murmured as she scanned the dusty apartment. "Nice place."

"We're squatting." Amdirlain cleared the apartment of dust and created deep couches in the living room. "How are the children?"

"They're doing fine, though it's more suitable to ask how the family is; they're adults after all," Rachel said, squeezing her tight. "I'm so glad you're back."

Azadi grinned. "Yeah, you sent us messages here and there, and she took all that calmly. Then you gave her a load of work. Her reaction was to squeal like she'd won a prize."

"Sharing is caring," Amdirlain and Rachel chorused.

"I don't think sharing work counts," Azadi drawled.

"I knew Am was stable if she was back to working," Rachel protested. "Her sharing work means she's taking proper care of herself, so it's good."

Azadi leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

Gilorn came through the Gate, and Amdirlain closed it behind her. "This world needs attention in many places."

"Tinu has a list of the songs to effect repairs."

"Your daughters had fun taking care of those worlds you made before the plinth, and the rest are pumping out raw materials for solar systems." Rachel stepped back, holding Amdirlain at arm's length. "You're okay, aren't you?"

"Yes. While I've got some scars to show for the process, it's now more my past lives needing time to get along, and working here has helped my progress on that journey."

"Another journey to the west? Don't be here too long. I'm sure your Dragon misses being ridden."

Amdirlain coughed. "Brat."

"Yes, mum!"

"What?" Amdirlain spluttered.

"Well, you created my Soul the first time, and then recreated it," Rachel said, a sly gleam giving away the game. "You're fine to call me a brat, mum."

"I veto that idea. It reeks of a complete lack of fun. Then I'd have to be the responsible person and moderate my ways."

"Like not announcing your name to this world? You know how the forest lady could sense when you and Cuineth created the forest on that desolate world?"

"Yes." Amdirlain tensed warily.

"Well, Mister Shiny Scales heard you dramatically announcing yourself. He found us first, said he'd have a chat with Sarah, and then come here to put a flea in your ear about due care."

If he heard me, how many other primordials did? Yet I only mentioned the Titan.

"Oops. How?"

Rachel shrugged helplessly. "He didn't give me the details of how he heard you."

"Then it's a problem for another day," Amdirlain said. "I've still only relived a tiny sliver of my memories as Orhêthurin. Thank you for taking the time to work with Tinu. I worry she's going to push too hard."

"Of course she would. Your daughters want to prove themselves to you. I suggest you first consider safeguards when you're giving them opportunities. They push themselves far harder than they should, and don't properly consider physical risks."

So they take after me.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"We'll stick around for a while, keep an ear on things and ensure Tinu does not get herself in trouble."

"Identities will be an issue."

Rachel waggled an identity chit. "We just smiled sweetly at some of Jinfeng's students and told them you needed our help."

"Looks like I'm well behind."

"I'm sure you'll find trouble on worlds we know nothing about," Azadi said. "So we'll use this place to plan, and in the morning we'll find the apartments that belong to our friends."

"Let's talk about the choir size for the Orc biospheres," Amdirlain said. "How do we balance level growth and stretching their current Skill and Power levels?"

"You said these worlds are going to be for the orcs. What will we do about the elves suffering from the Formithian incursion?" Rachel asked.

"I'll handle the orcs' relocation first, but you'll be creating the biomes for the elves while I do that move. Once we've got both groups safe, I'm going to teach the Formithian pantheon to play nice."

"I'm not sure that is possible," Gilorn murmured.

Amdirlain sighed. "It's got to be possible, or else things will get worse."

"I remember talking to a Formithian queen, superior narcissist bitch is the nicest classification I can give." Rachel glanced at Azadi. "They're not a hive mind, but they're all obsessively hive-focused, and sure that since their race was first, all they do has the Songbird's blessing. Since you don't have the strength to smack their deities yet, what's your fallback?"

Azadi nudged Rachel towards a couch, and she dropped onto it casually, giving it a testing bounce.

"I'm not sure yet. It'll need to be something their pantheon's nature will oppose them reversing, so my first move is to find their weaknesses."

"Orcs," Rachel muttered. "Itching at the back of my mind is a memory of the main orc pantheon loathing the bugs, but I can't remember if it was just in a single situation. I take it you will not chat to Ms War about them? She used to be heavily involved with them."

If Laodice hadn't screwed around, I would have.

"She was manipulating me before the corruption from her release occurred. Though trapped, her personality hadn't suffered distortion; she abandoned me when I needed friendly support."

"Yeah, I get it. She's forgiven for screwing with you, but not on the team. What's your next option?"

"I'll talk to the oldest Orc Pantheon after I'm done on this world. I've fragments of memories about them, but I won't name them here."

"You'll need to provide a fresh kill of something impressive for them to grant you an audience," Gilorn advised. "They don't get along with elves, whom you favoured."

"That makes it another future me problem," Amdirlain nodded, and settled into the couch across from Rachel. "Let's talk about the demonstration."

"We've stockpiled materials for hundreds of solar systems, beyond the stuff stored in your hydrogen demi-planes. That should help." Rachel offered.

"That's good. Creating it from scratch wouldn't be a fast enough show for the level of impact I wanted. I'm going to let their sensors sweep across the materials in the different locations, and then coalesce the clouds into stars and planets."

"All while performing your concert, and seeing if anyone tries to swat you?"

Amdirlain winked.

"You know it's two birds with one stone, not three, right?" Rachel sat forward.

"I was going to do the demonstration before the concert, and there might not be any attempt on me."

Azadi and Rachel exchanged glances, while Gilorn just laughed. "And upset hornets don't sting. What do you want us to do?"

"Just want to discuss my thoughts on the division of labour, for both creating the systems and the planetary biomes. I want the Enyalië, Anar and Lómë to have as many opportunities as I can to help their growth."

Rachel straightened. "You're layering plans aren't you?"

"Nicholaus and the aspects will keep making complete worlds according to the original plan. I'm looking to create worlds outside the plan to transform long-term problems into new opportunities."

Gilorn clapped sharply. "Then let's get our first steps figured out. I want to put a cap on the Formithian expansion, and give more chances to other species."

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

By the next morning, news on all the caster stations had exploded with news of the colony worlds' transformation. The readings and plant samples taken by the residents of the domed cities continued to stir heated debate. While their work continued, Amdirlain listened to the receivers in cities to the east, where the sun had already risen. Every show featured different arcane and scientific talking heads speaking on the impossibility of the changes. Not only the atmosphere and biomes, but the appearance of a magnetic field spoke of adjustments to the planetary cores.

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It still didn't drown out her appearance at the council chambers, with her appearance and stroll through reception being the only footage the news stations got. She had hoped that would be among the minor points on the scrolling ribbon that showed occasionally.

What appeared among other snippets was the slaying of eleven members of the Northern Spike's assembly, including the Alpha Speaker. That city's news stations were split between blaming Amdirlain's followers and disgruntled locals.

The hospitality Demi-Plane had seen multiple groups follow up on the messages and dreams that she'd sent out, utilising the facilities for their gatherings. However, far more curiosity seekers had explored its corridors and surrounding parklands than those who'd utilised its gathering spots. Yet, besides what they brought with them, no food or drink beyond water fountains were on the premises.

The novelty will wear off.

Rachel had opened gates to new stellar sites and worked with Gilorn, along with choirs of the Enyalië in the Outlands; they'd already created trillions of tonnes of metal ore to be combined into planetary cores. While they continued working on the denser materials, Amdirlain had shifted a mix of hydrogen and helium from the storage demi-planes into clouds at the different locations.

I'll need to ensure the choirs create the biomes so they receive the experience surges.

As dawn rolled around, Amdirlain received a Message from Tulne. "Did you send us dreams last night?"

Amdirlain waved to the others before she joined Tulne at her kitchen table. "I tried. What did you see?"

"I was listening to music in a massive stadium, and felt like I was looking forward to tonight. The sky looked like that new Demi-Plane, but I didn't see a stadium there."

"It's currently blocked off, so the stadium would be a surprise. Although it's first in best dressed for showtime, so don't be late. Given the dream you received, would you have gone there tonight?"

"Absolutely. Could you tell me more about what's going to happen?"

"I'm going to perform all the new songs Jal'krin composed."

"Some people would look to hear you before the old ones as well," Tulne offered.

"I'll consider it. Anyway, part of the purpose of the Demi-Plane is to provide a safe space for everyone. There will be another piece of fun at the same time as I'm performing to serve as bait. I'm going to hire the Southern Sports Complex in Osaphis and make it appear full."

Tulne shivered. "You believe they'd attack a stadium full of people?"

"You think someone won't if I'm on a stage in the centre?"

"I don't know," Tulne whispered. "I'd hope after the glacier and you showing them the creation of the realm that they'd have more sense."

Amdirlain winked and adopted a nasal tone. "That was just an illusion, and she's a fake, right?" She patted Tulne's arm reassuringly and let her voice return to normal. "What other comfortable lies do you think they'll tell themselves?"

"The ability of people to lie to themselves and believe known liars continually disappoints me," Tulne sighed. "The stadium was massive, its seating stretched off into the distance. How many people does it seat?"

"It isn't a round number. The place is bigger than some cities and will handle all my current followers from Qil Tris, with a few million seats left over. However, given the number of worshippers I gained recently, I might have cut it too fine."

"Magic is good at overcoming engineering issues. I'm going to go check on a few teams today. I'll see you tonight."

"I don't know how many people will show up, since it's such short notice and for some people it will be the middle of their night."

Tulne's ears perked up, and she smiled widely. "I bet a lot of folks called in sick today, or had a family emergency."

"Maybe I should have staggered this out."

Tulne laughed and dashed around the table to hug Amdirlain. "I'm excited. I only got tickets to one of your shows."

"It won't be the same as it used to be. My powers have changed, and I no longer have the same sensual vibe going on."

"You've got plenty going on, don't you worry." Tulne patted Amdirlain's shoulder and headed off to get ready. "I'll have to try out the ability to hop directly. What did you grant to us?"

Amdirlain winked. "Despite the name, it's a lesser version of Planar Shift, restricted to locations whose appearance you know."

"That explains the dreams. Are you busy side-stepping people's attempts to cause problems?" Tulne called back.

"I'm just being creative."

Soon dressed and equipped with her battle gear, Tulne gave Amdirlain a cheery goodbye and left for the local trial.

Rather than waiting for Jal'krin to start his day, she teleported to a distant location. Perched on a mountainside, she enjoyed the fresh air and sounds of the wilderness while checking on the various legislative bodies and their heated arguing over her.

When Amdirlain heard the office at Osaphis's southern stadium open, she appeared in the vehicle lot. Her silver-furred Catfolk form wore casual azure attire, comprising a loose shirt, tight pants, and toeless boots that allowed her claws to grip.

The white walls of the stadium loomed high over the parking lot, which had only a scattering of magi-tech vehicles in the staff parking areas. On her first visit, every car had been an artistic tailoring of machinery and enchantments. Although the enchantments remained individual, the body of the vehicles now felt closer to a modern production line product. Casters mounted on poles in the parking lot swivelled to track her movements. When she slipped inside the reception area, behind the counter was a male with a tabby colouration. His eyes had heterochromia, his condition characterised by a mix of blue on the left and amber on the right.

"I'm here to pay for an event reservation for tonight."

The staff member brought up the booking and nodded calmly. "Were you advised that because of the overnight booking, it requires payment for two days? There is also a non-negotiable cost for cleaning staff?"

"That's fine, as long as the cleaning staff get paid, no matter the condition of the stadium."

His brows furrowed in tight confusion, wrinkling his nose. "What do you mean?"

"We'll clean the place magically. However, since I'm paying for it to be cleaned, I don't want someone in management just pocketing the funds. When the staff turn up tomorrow, I insist they should get paid for a full shift and not just sent home with a token amount."

He smiled. "There are regulations that need to be followed. The staff will need to conduct a walk-through of all seating areas and perform a wipe-down in case of unseen spillage or residue. If the place is clean, then it's done faster, but they're paid for the full day. Payment method?"

Amdirlain motioned to the Mana receptor on the counter. "I'll pay in Mana."

"We prefer direct credit."

"Yet Mana it is," Amdirlain said, and waited for him to set up the option.

The clerk nervously licked his lips and waved to the induction plate. "Touch your Mana container to the contact point. It's best not to make partial payments from multiple sources."

Amdirlain smiled and pressed her fingertips to the plate. "I can manage fine."

Suddenly, the lights in the foyer brightened a notch as the building's grid struggled under the rush of power caused by Amdirlain's overpayment; a million Mana in under a second. The clerk swallowed hard at the heated plate. His gaze flickered between it and her face, widening at the colouration of her attire. His mind raced, trying to understand the lack of presence she was giving off.

He connected the colour, but thinks I'm just one of the faithful. Still, if he blabs it about, that should attract extra attention to my bait. We'll see if someone bites.

A seamless entry touched the world's ley lines, and Amdirlain heard Bahamut's song unfold into the Material Plane.

"There aren't any dragons on Qil Triis." Amdirlain projected. "Did Sarah enlist your aid?"

His mental rubble bounced with amusement. "Some locations represent law and stability. Just as Danu can hear echoes within forests, I can hear special events in such locations, especially when said event is being repeated in hundreds of them at once. You stirred up a lot of fear as well, so I'll be on the lookout for what others you signalled to this place with your proclamation. Though most who know fear are wise enough to avoid the predators who invoke it rather than feel it."

Clouds over a distant mountaintop formed into a Dragon's muzzle and elongated neck, before a diffuse net of energy ringed the planet. With that, the cloud formation dissolved.

"Are you putting on a show?"

"That was too fast for mortals to detect, so perhaps for the spirits. I'll leave the mortals to you. Various entities within the ley lines have been trying to gather prayers, though it seems the locals are too cynical to crystallise their progression."

"Do you want an introduction to some locals?"

"I'll stick to my dragons. Like you, I need no Mortal attention. I've come only to support you."

"In Qil Tris's region of Judgement, there were many who would admire one with your natures."

Bahamut's mental contact deepened. "You have changed, Amdirlain. You established Judgement as a place of rest and had no concern about the Mortal souls spending aeons there."

"If the civilisation on a world dies, then the souls there fade, without a chance to progress further. I'd appreciate it if you gave some a chance to grow and transform into higher beings."

"I'll consider it. I've noticed your tendency to avoid thanking others. Are you taking after the fey now?"

"There are many who misused my promises in the past, and promises made that hurt me." Amdirlain acknowledged the surges of grief but kept them from the connection. "In many cultures, the phrase 'thank you' has an implicit promise of a debt owed. I'm avoiding the implication of obligation."

"Your actions are why I'm here. Asmodeus knows the individual called Amdirlain is more than a former Anar. His daughter conveyed the Songbird's demonstration using Hades's Domain. Once the first Hell-damned Soul who dies here falls into its pits, he'll know you are here and have your proclamation to make the connection." Bahamut's concern surged across their mental link.

Amdirlain's thoughts bounced about for a long millisecond, unnoticed by the typing office worker. "How do you know that?"

As she responded, she tweaked the pools to the Astral Plane to filter the outbound souls through Atonement first before allowing the non-damned to move onto Judgement.

"I've spies in Hell."

"I'll be more careful on future worlds."

A burst of warm support washed over her awareness; within it was a strength that surpassed the bedrock of a mountain. "Has this involvement with mortals been helping at least?"

"I've been refining all my natures. Are you sure I can't persuade you to help here?"

"Since this world is helping you, I'll help it with law and stability here. Can I get you to help my dragons on another world?"

"If I get to pick the nature of my involvement."

"Agreed. You are a significant factor for change, Amdirlain. Did you consider our natures might clash?"

"My natures are no longer what they were. Among other things, you'll call those people who cherish law and stability, and you'll still bring about changes in their lives and souls while doing so. I'll campaign around creating a caring society."

Gentle laughter flooded his mental touch. "Once, you would have been setting up opponents to obstruct me."

"More balance than obstruct, and there will still be some redirection at least. Laws can cause stagnation, especially when the powerful abuse the legal framework. Is there anything more you want to scold me about?"

"Not at this time, but please ease your recklessness. I'll investigate this world for myself. Given that Sarah is here, it could be fun."

Amdirlain's focus returned to the stadium administrator, who was still calling up the reservation.

"What is the event for?"

"Just a family gathering."

He looked down at the still glowing plate, his body trembling nervously. "I hope it's a nice, quiet gathering for all concerned."

"You never know, we might have a blast." Amdirlain headed for the doors into the complex. "You can have the staff open the gates at five and leave if they don't want to be here. We might have uninvited guests gatecrash, but I'll ensure the complex is still exactly as it is now in the morning."

Behind her, the clerk scrambled for his trace unit, and the conversation with management grew intense. Yet no one chased after her, so Amdirlain made it through the entrance and into one of the lower tiers of seating. The field for the local ball game was an oval, two hundred metres long down the middle, with eight scoring nets of various sizes along the outside.

Amdirlain created a hovering stage in the middle of the field and started to have fun decorating the place.

Come for this sparkling, shiny bait, and get a newspaper across your snout.

"Mor'lmes, let me know when your teams have their survey equipment ready for deployment. They won't be coming on site, instead I'll teleport the gear to the gates and push them through so they can verify the spatial threshold and the materials beyond." Amdirlain projected.

"They were expecting to do the deployment themselves, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't make it obvious that we got advance notice."

"I don't think that would be a safe idea, but I'll assess the situation. Can you do me a favour? Have your network of observers leak information about suspicious activity related to the faithful of Amdirlain at the Southern Sports Complex."

"Are you painting a target on your people? We've relatives who are among them."

"None of them is going to be at the complex. Those who want to can watch me sing from a nice, safe location, far from here." Amdirlain's tone grew steely. "I want to flush out the most ruthless opposition early. Anyone who would attack a stadium full of people isn't someone I want to leave to plan further."

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