- Soren Monroe, Loyalty Wavering - Lord Raiden's Villa -
It seemed like all was not well, nor would it get better anytime soon. King Alderon was extremely displeased, downright offended at the suggestion of their years of work to enter the Overworld going to waste due to the words of Queen Shiva. Lord Raiden was extremely worn out, weary and desperate to get the Human King to understand his reasoning, not to mention this scandal of his comrades being murdered by what appeared to be Alderon's own men exacerbating things further.
Soren's own internal plight had gone unnoticed, but after many more words were exchanged between the rulers, he decided that his own issues would need to be secondary to what was happening in the now, so he cracked his neck and shook off a little bit, composing himself before beginning his approach towards Raiden and Alderon.
"If I might interject, my lord, your majesty." Soren spoke his words calmly, addressing Lord Raiden and King Alderon by their appropriate forms of address respectively as he strolled towards them, his hands behind his back. "I will be honest here. I don't pretend to know the inner machinations of Queen Shiva, much less our ever hospitable Lord here, nor do I quite know...where I in particular stand right now." The Sentinel admitted without shame, lightly extending his arms from his sides in a low shrug, his approach slowing as he got closer to them. "What I do know...is that you, I and Raiden, are very similar, your majesty. We have our visions for both worlds. You wish to save yours from it's impending death, Raiden wishes for co-operation and co-existence between us once more. I am much the same as Raiden in that respect." Soren stopped between them, a suitable distance from both royal men and looked to Alderon in particular.
"You came here, in a ship and used Isopolis as a, gateway, of sorts, due to the weakened barrier. Finally, your plans and ideals were coming to fruition...but now, Raiden is showing you the door. It is most unfortunate to see. Queen Shiva is bound by tradition, the last will of her late father and old ideals...on top of that, I've never agreed with her when it comes to our worlds." The demonic fey spoke freely to Alderon, a small smile formed on his otherwise gruff and stern face. "Your own efforts are to be applauded, I am truly impressed. But I do not believe your work will go to waste, your majesty." Soren then looked to Lord Raiden. "You're in a difficult position here, I know that, yet, it surprises me that Shiva is so lenient here...I'm wondering what happened that caused her to consider such...an interesting turn..." His expression then returned to a gruff, now solemn and concerned frown.
"I have to ask; Do you trust Shiva, my lord? Do you believe she will keep to her word? I don't wish to overstep myself here, but, her offer strikes me as...too good to be true, especially for someone so hellbent on keeping the Underworld in a chokehold." Soren tried to keep his respectful tone, but as he uttered his final words, anger overtook him, if only mildly, but the growl in his voice could just be heard when he touched upon the World Below's situation and inevitable demise.
- Meksis, The Chaperone - His Tomb, exiting with Maxis -
The Chaperone was disgusted with their creators decision, shaking his head as Maxis told him what had occurred. "It only took a few armours...makes you wonder if they even believed in us in the first place." He mused, a solemn undertone to his words.
His mood improved quickly however as the Armour of Illusion mentioned that Shiva would be pleased to see him, his response to Maxis was positively beaming: "Well, I will be glad to see her too!" Maxis of course elaborated upon the Queen's character, which intrigued Meksis, figuring that she was indeed brave, strong, yet her heart tends to guide her, sometimes true, other times she wouldn't be so fortunate.
After his complaints, Maxis suggested seeing someone named "Ivany", as to give insight into what might be wrong with Meksis. "Good to hear you give a damn, friend." Meksis snarked, chuckling afterwards but still rubbing his neck. "If she knows anything about this, then I'm more than happy to see her. Willing to bet she's a Witch Doctor, Plague Doctor, whatever they call them these days, but that's just me. Lead the way, Maxis!" He concluded, catching up a little and sticking close to his comrade.
- Nergal, Empty Remnant of Meksis - Kilkis Seres, far, far outside Shiva's Palace -
A cool wind blew through the lands of the Overworld, their relaxing and even cleansing effects could be felt by any passer by...well, save one in particular. The plants and grass around the landscape swayed in the air, the footsteps of an approaching man sounded in the distance, growing louder as they approached a cliffside. This cliffside faced towards the prestigious and glorious residence of the Monarch of the Overworld; Queen Shiva de la Alexandria, ruler of Kilkis Seres. Her residence was extremely far away, yet easily seen from this sheer drop into an abyss none would survive a tumble down into. The man who approached had much presence and yet, at the same time, none at all. He felt nothing from the wind, his white robe clad body seemed so elegant in the wind...yet he was far from beautiful, though if one could see his face behind the mask, he is rather handsome to behold and still, he is not to be admired.
His hollow presence brought dread to all he passed, his aura would reek of the Void itself, the power of Nothingness was all over this empty vessel, discarded many eons ago, left to wander for eternities passing. He was not meant to be alive, much less exist in this realm, but as fate would have it, he did. His heart did not beat, but he was very much a living being, despite being colder than ice inside and more hollow than the promises of evil men. The robed and masked man knelt down to the ground, cupping a Rose in his hand and gently plucking it from the soil before rising once more. The crimson plant, in a strange occurrence, seemed to flourish in his hand, its blossom wider and more brilliant as he held it. A soft voice could be heard, slightly muffled by his mask. "Hmm.." His lack of admiration for this spectacle would be disconcerting at the very least, but as he let go and watched the plant seem to gracefully float away into the abyss below, this person, regarded as an abomination by all, including himself, turned his dull gaze towards Shiva's Palace.
"The Monarch lives here...the woman who perpetuates a dead man's wish ever still. The man is dead, why bother...? Why even rule over these worthless husks?" His inflections were unnatural at best, nonexistent at worst, the man spoke with a voice that would send strange feelings up any Fey's spine, it was laced with an overtone that something was amiss, his voice and tone was...just...not right. Though this should all be expected from the discarded body that once contained the soul of dear old Meksis in Gladeus. A body, that came back to life and walked away of it's own volition, without identity and seemingly without purpose. The "Hollowing" was a rare occurrence, but when it did, the empty vessels usually just...wander. Not this one. He once sought purpose, meaning in his life, but thousands of years kept passing him by with little results...
Now, he stands before the grand structure containing a Sovereign in its walls, the sole forbearer and last descendant of the name Nergal, the first and only member of his family. His body once that of a noble man, the bones stronger than steel to accommodate the steadfast will of that man. Same flesh, same bones, yet he was so very different. His initial optimism was devoured by the night so long ago, everything good was consumed by the void and as he watched the sun fall on the last day of his nameless days, he gave up all hope to claim a new birthright. This shell of a man now feeds off of hope, denounces compassion as a pitiful display, spits in the face of idealism, sees no point in the creation and sustaining of civilizations or structures when they'll only be destroyed or the clinging on to life when all should know that they will have to die and believes the concept of mercy to be completely worthless. Oft-times, he has trouble telling if he is of the Void or of the Dark, they're both so similar to him in the end.
Nergal stared at Queen Shiva's home, his expression beneath the mask was...one of longing, his words a hoarse whisper. "I'll put an end to these sad stories...and I think I'll start...with...you, your highness. Oh yes." He had made his decision. Where better to start his decimation and destruction of everything than with the Monarch of Kilkis Seres? It was so perfect, the man could cry if he was able to muster the required emotion from his dead heart. He did however allow a soft, empty chuckle, as he just knew, he could feel it in the air that the time would come: Queen Shiva was to die soon...and he wanted to be the one who did it so very badly, his extended open hand slowly forming into a soft fist that gradually clenched. From his perspective, it was as if he were crushing the palace in his hand, wanting it to crumble into dust that would flow freely from the gaps between his gloved fingers...
"I'll be seeing you very soon...your majesty."
(Take Nergal's desire to kill Shiva however you wish, Mystics, perhaps it can be discussed in private. But either way, thought I'd introduce him finally!)