"How exactly did you survive that curse?"
Lilith eventually broke the stare down and pouted, leaning forward. "And why should I answer truthfully?" "Her" words barely above a whisper, but nothing an Archangel under Darkness couldn't pick up. But before this Dark Knight could retort, she paused.
The scenic bar began to distort, but a force seemed to resist the change as it returned to its original state.
"Don't mind it," she heard Lilith say as the Sanguine Ancestor rubbed "Her" temples. "This world reflects not only a select past state, but also my current state of mind."
You mean your mind is churning for a response? Amanises found her lips curl before she could finish her musing, and the red-eyed Ex-True Deity seemed to sense it as "She" looked at "Her."
"Oh, yes. I'm thinking of an adequate response that will only leave you with more answers," "She" returned the smirk.
You're not Klein! Amanises stopped herself from bitting her lip in frustration by indulging in her cocktail. She had to take a few more sips before the bar fully stabilised, while Lilith's grasp was now occupied by a glass containing blood-red wine. "She" drank from it.
"Hmm… As spiteful and deceitful as that Cyclops King is, there's no denying the quality of the Wine "He" exports…" The glass was unceremoniously drained like all others before it.
"Back to your question," "She" turned and tossed the utensil away, only for it to be caught by the bartender who melted back into the background. "She" then crossed "Her" legs and steepled "Her" fingers over a knee, staring straight into Amanises.
"The vast world… Earth, is full of creatures at all levels. Subsidiary Gods even, aren't so rare in the grand scheme of things. Heh, at least in my eyes, and that of all other "Deities" who stood atop this world."
"To the trifles, "They" are insurmountable walls, not so different than those at the top. But to us, only a handful are worth mentioning."
"Of course," "She" spread "Her" arms, "Those exceptions truly stand apart from rest. The Cyclopes Queen for example, or the Queen of Calamity. The latter can be especially fierce when Soniathrym let's "Her" represent some of "His" authority. But in the end, only those at the top can threaten each other."
Lilith's hands went limp as "Her" head hung low, a sigh escaping "Her" lips. "Then imagine the shock my old, arrogant self felt when "She" started clearly perceiving something beyond "Her" reach." "Her" head snapped back, the light in "Her" eyes further highlighted by the soft, blonde curls framing "Her" face. Lilith sighed and put "Her" arms against her voluptuous chest.
… I am a little distracted… Against her own thoughts, Amanises couldn't help but be mesmerised by the beauty and body at play, causing Lilith to grin, revealing a sharp canine. "A level beyond… Frankly, my arrogance continued in a way with my occasional periods of rationality. I'd… cope. Heh, yeah. Deluding myself into believing only I realised it. But well, it seems everyone and "Their" progenitors had also grasped this crucial secret."
Amanises hid the laugh threatening to erupt by finishing her drink. Now that she thought of it—damned near every single True Deity in this world had a connection to, knew about, or utilised a Sefirah.
Flegrea knew of Sefirah Castle, and definitely the River of Eternal Darkness… I wonder about the situation of the Dragon of Imagination and the Elf King. Just as she placed her empty cup on the table, it was immediately cleared by the attendant. She reflectively thanked his retreating figure before refocusing on Lilith.
"You believe at that level, Above the Sequence, the same logic will apply? Only those at similar level can truly face-off?"
Lilith clicked "Her" tongue, spun on "Her" seat while readjusting the position of "Her" plump legs as "She" leaned "Her" arms back onto the table. "I'd have believed you if you said your companion force-fed you some of that Giant authority."
Amanises's mood remained playful though her mind went through key details. Kvastir, blessed/cursed by the Tenebrous World, and Lilith with either the Brood Hive, or that one on the actual Moon. Flegrea was going to die even without Klein's interference…
She had suspected this since hearing of the absurd reach of the Sequence 0 Moon's Summoning Authority. Surely, Lilith didn't need to go through all the way, right? What if "She" simply asked for some sort of blessing through that connection? Of course, with a corresponding price enacted.
Given how "She" instinctively knew of not to interact with the one on the Moon, I'm guessing its the Brood Hive then. What else could have been obtained through this? Curiosity blazed in her eyes, but it was ruthlessly extinguished by Lilith who waved dismissively.
"That's it. Don't expect me to drop feed you everything." "She" continued without looking. "I'd have normally proceeded with a nice meal, but you shameless couple drained me of my hospitality."
Amanises felt her smugness grow as she stood and courtesied, turning around as she walked away. Her steps soon fading into the now "opened" background. Lilith didn't turn the entire time, "Her" attention drawn beyond the bar's fading boundaries. "She" stared deeply at the vague, but present bottomless pit that was now featured in "Her" World, courtesy of the Fool.
"Whatever remains of my hospitality is quite strained here," despite "Her" words, "She" felt a smile form.
"It seems we're neighbours again, Farbs."
…
His Fate-guided wandering eventually brought him to familiar sight.
Klein looked around—an avenue, if you could call it that. Rather crude in terms of unique designs, only a few of the infrastructure surrounding the space could be called an actual building. However, the area was filled with life. Sweat drenched men, women, and children alike paced around. Their attire plain—some even going topless under the heat. Their voices ringing out amidst their labour.
Though somewhat uniform and banal, one thing stood out among them. A clear and distinct feeling.
Happiness.
Klein's face brightened as he pulled out a matching hat from the historical void and wore it. His steps light along stones making up the road, effortlessly blending with the people.
Tingen, as he had named it. It had been a few years now, but the region had unmistakeably grown. From a collection of basic settlements created from the snap of his fingers for the hundred or so he saved from the clutches of the Demonic Wolves, to the radiating periphery he now walked on. This growth was organic, made solely through the collective efforts of the masses.
Directly wishing for it is nice but, He stopped as a few teenagers skidded past him, splashing over a puddle along the way. The complaints of those drenched sounded in his ears as his smile grew. Having the people grow, learn, improve under the right push will always top that. Divinity... Beyonder powers can also achieve a simulation of this, often through convoluted means. But Humanity simply needs to have a task, and a collective mindset.
He truly observed the people using various techniques to move around large building materials, working in synchrony.
Through his and Amanises's initial direction, a few from these survivors managed to stand out, learning what they could, and spreading it to the people. Word spread—whether mystically or in mundane ways . More people "wandered" into this budding community. By now, the hundred and a handful turned to a few hundreds working together to build something greater than their individual selves.
I should probably make another feast for the people. The thought randomly occurred to him as he returned to his walk. Will have to discuss it with Ama. Speaking of…
He stopped before a wooden bridge that led through a river. Ena was what they called it, crossing through Tingen and effectively separating it east to west. The structures ahead looked more complete than the ones before, but he did note that some progress in terms of colours to prevent dullness could be made.
Natural resources are quite abundant in this region of the Northern Continent. He turned his back to the more organised looking market stalls ahead, approaching a walkway—a proper one. It wasn't anything fancy, but the natural greenery flanking the road led to two prominent structures relative to their surroundings. Unlike most buildings on the eastern side of the river Ena, this one was also organically made, sporting deep wooden frameworks blending with stone arches that provided support for more to come. Incomplete as it was, these twins were clearly made with special care.
We don't exactly need a grand place of worship though, Klein didn't even need to ask, nor rely on any ability to know what it was. Cathedrals. Moon City, as grotesque as it was, featured architecture that the people who had trans-located from there kept to heart.
Scenic views keep gracing my eyes, he glanced at the river, sparkling under the sunlight, then looked out, past the people moving about. His gaze settled on a single person.
Well, she wasn't exactly on her lonesome.
Seated on a bench on the low steps leading to the cathedrals, a few children clambered around Amanises. One on her lap, one leaning sleepily on her shoulders, and another slowly putting a crown of flowers on her head.
Quite the contradictory sense—both the gravitas of the plaza, but also concealed enough for most, bar a given few to recognise her. Only a faint melody seemed to direct the crowd around, drawing Klein as he nearest. Then the melody stopped.
"Eavesdropping isn't nice," her words came out smooth, causing the children around her to move in attention, turning to Klein who made his face recognisable.
"Oh, Mr. Merlin!" The one on Amanises's lap, Arianna, immediately perked up as she jumped and ran to Klein, only to slow down. He smiled and bent to one knee, ruffling her hair as the others came along. Naturally, he recognised them all—children who were once miserable, but could now smile and look healthy.
"Wait, Aria!" The chestnut haired boy, shorter than the other girls tugged Arianna's sleeve. "We have to go to Maria, you know!" He seemed to only speak out loud, causing the girls to shoot him venomous looks. Feeling troubled, he looked around and pointed at a large sundial at the plaza's centre.
"Look! It is… eh…"
"3 in the afternoon, Hermes. You're so…,"
"4 actually," Amanises nonchalantly interjected from the distance, still seated on her bench. All kids eyed each other at that before the boy, Hermes, stuck out his tongue and ran away; the girls in hot pursuit.
Klein stared at the scene. To be honest, Arianna's composed and nonchalant form tried to superimpose on her younger self a little too much for his liking. They were quite a world apart. There was also Hermes. A single glance at boy cued Klein to the immense supernatural life ahead of him. Though none of them were beyonders yet. As chaotic as the world could be, he wanted these children to enjoy whatever remained of their childhood before slowly introducing them to the mystical world.
It's inevitable. His eyes fell back on Amanises who returned the favour. Her expression was even brighter, her posture relaxed.
"You're staring more than usual," a few dark strands of hair fell over her shoulders as she leaned forward.
"Does that make you uncomfortable?" He asked, letting his hat fade into nothingness.
"Hehe, I've been stared at by a damned Dual pathway insane True God on "His" last legs. Surely I can handle this." She observed as he now stood before her, reaching out to seat only to be denied by her shooing him away.
"Hey, my bench!"
"Our bench," Klein extended a hand towards her, only to retract it with speed as her teeth were met with air.
He stared at her for a moment, then shoke his head with a frown. "That's not good for your image, My Dark Knight."
"Cool, but you're still standing."
"…"
This woman… He felt his lingering tension evaporate.