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A small smile creased Elinor’s eyes as Sari’aél brought them back into her valley to see the colossal city she’d claimed as the seat of her power; the broken wall and gates were already in the process of being repaired by Edmon’s efforts.

It was only the beginning, but her growing court was making strides in her name.  Still, remaining on the defensive in her budding nation would only lead to a slow defeat; they—rather, she—had to go on the offensive.

What a mess we’re in…  My entire Existence was pulled into a blender while Ishtar and I went through our little drama.  As strong as I was as Ereshkigal, I was… lacking—we all were, she internally pondered, vision shifting to her younger sister; her battle against herself would conclude soon.

I hope you’re prepared for the troubles of directing an empire, Ishtar…  Of course, we’ve had 10,000 lives to practice.  Even if we weren’t there for our hosts when they needed us, we learned valuable lessons as mortals.

Sari’aél’s golden irises drifted between Thor, the sleeping teens, Apate, and Kulitta before meeting Elinor’s gaze while talking through the Nexus.  “Empress…  I assume you will be leaving soon?”

Hehe.  Hmm.  Not immediately; I still need to see your match, after all…

“So, you will stay to see my battle?!”  she smiled.

Of course.  I need to raise Orinvia into the Royal Court.  We’ll need all the help we can for what is to come.

“I look forward to the momentous battles.”

Elinor shot her a dubious smirk.  I suspect that is in the hope someone will tie a rope around your wings and swing you around before stepping on you.

“In the mud!”

Her focus shifted to Kulitta, holding Ishtar in their flight, and Elinor shook her head; maybe it was a good thing she’d be separating the two, or was it the right decision?  The tight-leathered songstress was the type her Seraph desired to befriend the most, and a thought played at the back of her mind that could help the angel prepare for her conflict.

Sari’aél interrupted it with soft laughter.  “I did very much enjoy the time I spent with your family; Nungal was a delightful host, and the pools were…  It was the closest thing I’d felt that resembled basking in my father’s light again!”

I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Irkalla; we’ll return in time as we move our conflict beyond the mortal sphere.

Elinor’s focus moved to the Maw below, seeing Thor still thinking about the many things she’d shown him through their journey together; he had been a critical factor in the reason blood hadn’t been shed in their heavenly visit since he was a complete wildcard to Marduk.

Everything had been accounted for, and the strings plucked to set their future path, yet the only turbulent card on the board that could upset that plan was held by the Primordial.  It was challenging, bridging so many personalities; they were needed, though.

It would be foolish to believe herself above allies after everything she’d witnessed; she’d grown to understand her strength alone was not enough, and hubris—a trait not exclusive to mortals—was a trap she refused to fall into.

Ishtar stirred, glowing turquoise irises opening to scan the passing scenery in their flight over the storm they flew through, protected by the Seraph’s light; thunder rolled across the heavens with flashes of lightning, breaking the sound of the wind.

Joyful words were passed between the songstress and Sari’aél to the Queen of Nethermore.

“Thank you.  Hmm.  I see I wasn’t out for long, Sister,” she commented as Kulitta released her for the angel to move Ishtar beside Elinor in their journey.

So, which of your incarnations has taken the throne?

“Heh.”  Ishtar’s eyes gleamed with intelligence as she folded her arms, vision scanning everything around them to take in and process.  “I won’t insult you by assuming you haven’t already surmised that answer.”

The one before last, when you set up this little plan to change me from the inside rather than confronting me head-on.  Welcome to the Empire, Ishtar.

“Mhm…  I look forward to building while you destroy—hmm-hmm… isn’t it what we were destined to do in the first place?  You only became so orderly and strict out of necessity… since I shirked my duties when we were newborns, and you had no other way of keeping a balance to things.”

In all honesty, Elinor hadn’t considered that line of thinking and self-reflection, which surprised her, but it was true.

Ishtar had been born to rule the High Heavens, yet her personality—possibly influenced by Tiamat or some other aspect involved in her birth—had ended with her being the chaotic impulse that influenced the next generation of gods and goddesses to make a mess of the realm.

The Infernal, the domain of the dead—her realm—was supposed to be a place of order in chaos.  A power structure where power ruled all with her at its head, yet because of Ishtar rejecting the Wellspring of Eternities, she’d been forced to take on a more responsible role to not allow creatures to bypass her authority.

Twins of creation, they were supposed to act in tandem, yet, their forefathers had pitted against each other since the beginning.  Now, it was clear why they wanted both realms to be in a state of chaos when Marduk returned—another hero moment for him to shine.

Hmm.  Let’s put the past behind us, Ishtar.

She caught her sister’s incredulous smile, making her giggle.

Yes, I know that sounds rich when I still hold authority over you, but—as you said yourself—you were hardly the picturesque visage of a Supreme Divine Creation Deity.  Consequences always follow actions, regardless of the station of your birth.

“Fair,” Ishtar sighed, possibly reflecting on her past youthful rebellion before the woman’s eyes narrowed.  “Mother told me of Gugalanna and Nergal’s disappearance.”

Elinor’s jaw tightened as they drew closer to Nethermore, focusing on the slick water falling down its high black walls.  Nergal has many names, Erra being one of them, and one of our current enemies is High Mesopotamia from Thor’s Great Existence…  Erra sat on the throne of Irkalla.

Her sister was silent for a time as she pondered the connection.  “You believe our Nergal is connected to their Erra…  Perhaps they made some kind of contract when everyone in the Heavens and Irkalla was focused on this Crimson Tide?”

It’s possible, Elinor mumbled, fingers tightening at her back.  I cowed Nergal in our Existence, clipping his wings swiftly as I understood his penchant for destruction and chaos… in addition to his appetites for the younger goddesses.

“Hehe.  The need for you to exert order and law within your domain after my rebellion…  You had a war on your hands, yet you brought all its monsters and denizens under your heel.  I heard stories that the early days of your rule were quite… combative.”

Indeed, they were.  However, Nergal and Erra share similar essence in temperament, and I believe he’d want to punish me for the humiliation he suffered when he tried to challenge my rule while I was young.

They started to descend, Sari’aél and Kulitta speaking to one another as the songstress gained a better grasp on their nation’s current position through the Nexus; Apate was clearly looking forward to having a bit more freedom and getting away from the God of Thunder as he decided his next move.

“So… he led your husband into a trap?  I find it difficult to believe Gugalanna would be so easily deceived.”

A sad smile lifted Elinor’s lips as the image of her adoring husband came to mind; she was the goddess of death that had fallen in love with a mortal.

A tad unfortunate, but Gugalanna is the romantic type and isn’t that well versed with those of Irkalla since he was a mortal… before you killed him.  Haaa.  And it all happened because Gilgamesh rejected you…

Her radiant sister gave a helpless shrug.  “I was young and in love.”

Hah!  More like lustful and embarrassed.

“Humph…  He was the only man ever to reject me, and I felt it was my duty to… never mind.  As for your husband, I do wish you victory and his safe return.”

Appreciated, Sister, hehe, but I’d be happier to see everything not burning when I return.

Ishtar read her underlying tone and showed a melancholy smile as they prepared to touch down on the walls of Nethermore.

“In my struggle against all my past incarnations, I learned a lot…  I’m sure you conceded some grounds, considering you were up against every version of… well, heh, you.”

A smirk twisted Elinor’s mouth.  Only Elinor and Irkalla were a match for one another, and only because she was already on the throne; still, you’re not wrong, there were pacts and single-combats made between Irkalla and other versions of myself in that internal war.

“Always the boastful one,” her sister mused.  “In any case, I gained more wisdom from my actions and tactics when used against myself than during our conflict.  There is a place I have in the cosmos that needs to be filled, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy myself in it.”

They touched down on the battlement, Noa’s happy face birthing from runes to greet them as Sari’aél introduced the surprised songstress; they seemed to tell Elinor and Ishtar were talking, so they bided their time until they were finished.

Ishtar observed the chatty three while concluding her thoughts.

“I used to think of responsibility as a cage to trap me in, but now I see purpose in it… a direction to focus my efforts to cultivate something rewarding.”

Ishtar turned, giving her a smile Elinor had never seen on the woman.  “Thank you for being patient with me, Elinor…  For putting your trust in me… after everything I’ve done.  Hehe.  Even if it is out of necessity.  I want to succeed.”

Elinor’s stomach shook with laughter as she walked over to hug her surprised sister, who hesitantly returned the embrace.

I’m not so embarrassed or cold to not welcome my sister back with open arms…  We both had our faults, but now we can stand united.  In essence, your tantrum in subjugating heaven was no different than me… when I first brought Irkalla to heel.  We all go through growing pains…  Welcome home.

Her sister’s throat was thick as she fought back tears.  “It feels like a welcome… something I didn’t feel in the heavens until all the deceivers left with Marduk.  He may have rejected our fractured heavens… but I won’t.  I want to rebuild it, and I’m just… confused about what my purpose should be in it?”

Elinor nodded, understanding her plight in trying to understand what place she had—yes, she had one—but it wasn’t entirely so defined since they didn’t operate as a typical pantheon of ‘Heaven’ and ‘Hell’ since Irkalla was somewhat reflected as both in their Existence.

Why don’t we talk, but before that…

Turning to her angel, the hybrid runic A.I., and songstresses, Elinor drew their attention; it was time to execute her previous thought.

“Kulitta, Sari’aél…”

“Yes, Empress?”

“Empress?”

Unsure how this would play out in practice rather than theory, she motioned between them.  “Sari’aél is a divine being of music and song… and so are you, Kulitta.  Why don’t you enjoy each other’s talents for the day?  She can show you around, Kulitta, before we leave in two days.”

“I would love to hear more of your voice,” the Seraph chirped, wings flaring with delight before lowering slightly while looking back at Elinor and speaking through the Nexus to those connected nearby.

“Does this mean… I will not be accompanying you, Empress—am I, not your Warlord… and are you not going to war?  I do not understand.”

A sad puff of air streamed through Elinor’s nose.  You are my Warlord, but there is such a thing as a war on multiple fronts.  Regrettably, we are in such a position, and I understand your desire to take part by my side, but you will be needed here if my fears come true.

I haven’t been able to inform you of every piece of information to set the stage, but I will tomorrow, after your battle; we are stepping into dangerous waters…  Our actions must be precise if we are to confront these rising threats.

Her wings drooped further for a second with her golden irises before rising again and smiling.  “I will not fail your expectations, Empress.  I… suppose my weakness has caused this problem to arise.”

Ishtar shook her head, causing Noa to glance between them in confusion; clearly, a tad frustrated she wasn’t invited into the conversation, which was mirrored by Apate.

“Do not think it is your fault, Sari’aél.  It is simply circumstance.”

Elinor scratched her neck with a short chuckle.  That’s not her concern, Sister…  Sari’aél, your desire to feel weak is not hindering my goals.  Continue to enjoy yourself as you please, so long as you are victorious in the end, and it aligns with your morals and my direction, you are free to pursue your love.

A curious beam lit in Kulitta’s light-green irises as she changed her posture to put a gloved hand against her exposed hip; the slit in her white leather dress shifted with her hip ornament at the movement.

“Desire to feel weak?  Interesting,” she hummed, eyes narrowing while studying the happy Seraph.  “You wish for us to be better acquainted, Empress, and she enjoys the song?”

Hehe.  Indeed.  I expect you two to have… quite a bit in common.

Ishtar lifted an eyebrow while shifting her gaze to Elinor.  “Oh?”

I’ll leave you in Sari’aél’s care to explore Nethermore and acquaint yourself.

Noa straightened as she drew Elinor’s gaze; naturally, the Seraph and songstress would leave once directed since the stormy elements would overshadow them without their support.

“It’s time to go our separate ways…  Thor, I assume you want to speak personally to Sal, Valentina, Alisa, and Adoncia when the teens awake before deciding if you’ll journey with me or go your own way?”

A heavy puff of air shot through his lips as he nodded.  “I am grateful for the hospitality and transparency thou hast given me, Lady Irkalla…  I have much to contemplate.  Still, my brothers require rescue; thou wouldst have my answer by the end of the day.”

“I can accept that.  Noa, could you transport them to where Gwen and Lucky are managing those requiring aid so the teens will have somewhere to rest?”

“Of course, Empress!”

She could see the heavy look on the Primordial’s face; traveling with a bunch of dubious women was far more of a barrier than Elinor had predicted, and Apate was a hard spot for him, yet a Trickster of her caliber, background, and knowledge was something she did require.

It would help that he could see himself as a hero, defending the God-Touched from any possible schemes Apate or any of the others they journeyed with from tempting the poor mortals; Elinor had carefully shifted things into place to bridge the gap between the morals of their shaky party—it was a balancing act.

“What about me, Mistress?”  Apate brightly asked, hopping forward with a spring in her step as the Primordial and God Touched were carried away.

“Hehe.  You have the freedom to wander as you please within my city… excluding the prison, the Throne Room, and the human areas—explore the city and perform your innocent, non-harmful jokes to your heart’s content—we wouldn’t want you to bump into Thor again.”

Wine-colored eyes filling with excitement, she swiftly bobbed her head and gave her a swift curtsy.  “I will not betray this trust you’ve placed in me!”

“More like she can’t,” Ishtar mused in private to her after seeing the chains around the Trickster’s Core.

Haha.  Let her have her fun; being able to act in the open within limits is far more appealing to her than having to skulk in shadows and fear for her life.

“I suppose.”

Noa sent the beaming woman to the palace to wander, and once she was gone, Elinor gave the Runic A.I. a tight smile.  “Watch her… closely.”

“Yes, Empress!”  she saluted, throwing Elinor off for a second by the Nalvean gesture that she’d probably learned from Finila, the Undead Nalvean girl that had befriended her.

“Now, take Ishtar and me to my tower—ah, and Kulitta, Sari’aél, before you wander…”

Her Seraph instantly nodded.  “I will go collect the other women and girls to return and deliver to Gwen; we have so many new children to play games with!”

“Hehe.  I’m happy for you.”

Light surrounded them as her orders were followed, and the three gave their respectful gestures—the hybrid A.I. fumbling between motions, unsure if she should follow the Seraph’s bowed head or songstress’ curtsy.

The thick glass of the upper tower came into focus as the runes left them, Ishtar moving to stand behind her; a curious twinkle came to her sister’s blue eyes.  “What’s this about your little six-winged angel being a masochist for Kulitta to enjoy?”

Not a ‘true’ masochist, to be fair, Elinor returned, knowing what her sister was imagining.  Sari’aél doesn’t have the same sexual deviancy as the context promotes; she’s an innocent girl that simply finds joy in feeling weak.  It’s just the closest word to describe it… if you take away the erotic context.

“Hmm?  Hehe.  Doesn’t that defeat the point of the word?”

Don’t go corrupting her, Sister, Elinor frowned, shooting a tight look at the smiling goddess—she did take on the aspect of fertility—and was the highest form of creation deity.  Children of the Sun come from a completely different type of Existence, and we do not need to make a mockery of their lifestyle.

Head tilting to the side, Ishtar returned her gaze with a devious twist.  “What if it is she who wishes to move in a more… intimate direction?  I do not know anything about her culture or Sari’aél ours, it seems…  Shouldn’t she be educated?”

Elinor rolled her eyes.  I suspect she has seen and understands reproduction but doesn’t grasp the emotional attachment side of things, which is why I’ve already assigned her an instructor.  You needn’t worry about that, but you should be concerned about offending her father, who could destroy you and me at our strongest with a blink of his eye.

“Oh…”  Her sister’s lips drew in at the revelation.  “I’ll keep that in mind.  She does seem to be a rather innocent soul for a Warlord.”

Her power is the real deal, Elinor returned.  I believe it can grow still through being attached to this Seed and us; her father is a very vengeful entity called a Transcendent, and he chose to entrust his… unique daughter to me because we could offer her the growth she requires that he couldn’t facilitate.

“I see…”

Elinor saw the distant look in her sister’s eyes and swapped to the topic that was distracting her.  Ishtar…  I know you’re struggling to find your place in how to model your new heaven, but I think it’s reasonably straightforward.  I have power over the afterlife, and you, creation—you are the budding chaos of life…  Enjoy the fruits of it.

“Hmmm.  I can see that outlook,” she whispered.  “It’s just… hard trying to reconcile a more frivolous lifestyle of ‘life’ as you called it with a more responsible means of going about it…  Nature is blind, yet I do wish to hold compassion for those I foster.”

It seems you are already on the path you desire, Elinor chuckled.

“I suppose so.  Huh.  So, leaving the lighter topics to the side…”  Ishtar laughed, vision narrowing as she scanned the land she now governed.  “You expect us to be embroiled in three wars simultaneously, which is why you have chosen to leave Sari’aél here?”

Perceptive, Elinor sighed, fingers tightening against her back.  I’ve learned a lot through interacting with these races, and there is much more we can gain from working with them.  You require belief in your current state to build your Seed.  I do not.

“Therefore, haaa…  I am to be the political face for these treaties for the masses to see and interact with as you battle in the shadows—I suppose my accursed attention needs are why this Seed developed this way.  Oh, well—nothing can be done about it now.”

Their wandering eyes drifted between sections of the city as they began slowly circling the colossal, open room; the sewage and draining system seemed to have been completely fixed at this point, efficiently handling the flood of water pouring onto the black-stone metropolis.

“So, what part do you want me to take in these coming wars?”

Elinor’s mind returned to Becdeth’s warning and smoky symbol as he prophesied the impending eldritch threat.

I suspect a powerful host of eldritch entities—ones in opposition to Becdeth’s faction—are preparing a method to tunnel through the barriers Thor spoke of to assault the inner world, and they need a staging ground for it…

She drew Ishtar’s focus to the thundering heavens overhead, dark clouds swirling in the tempests that carried them.  We are at the edge of this maelstrom of collected Existences—the Outlands—and it is likely by design.  Someone wishes to thin the herd of Supreme Deities, have us act as a deterrent for these entities, buy time, or waste our energy fighting each other to finish the job.

“Hehe.  All of the above?” Ishtar snickered.

That’s my conclusion.  We’re dealing with something very cunning and powerful that knew what was coming and managed to maneuver multiple—and very powerful—pantheons into acting as a stopgap for these Eldritch forces…  I suspect not many are left—Irkalla may be the last Underworld in its way by the title Becdeth gave me.

Ishtar looked down at the long streets that connected the center of Nethermore to the outer walls, cupping her chin.  “That doesn’t mean all of them are gone, but all those that they managed to force into these Outlands.  I assume these other gods still have some semblance of their Existence… still struggling against this Crimson Tide?”

Possibly.  Although, I suspect those that couldn’t will be looking for a new place to conquer to act as a new staging ground.

“Irkalla…  You believe Nergal and Erra are plotting to take it as their new staging ground?  It would make sense,” her sister hummed.  “It has shown itself to be resilient against the Crimson Tide due to its connection to Tiamat and you.  If that’s the case…”

Elinor forced a smile.  Mhm…  Tiamat is far stronger than we initially thought, proving why Marduk was forced to trick and seal her and Abzu, using their own powers and feeding on their strength rather than simply killing his parents outright.

“So…  These Celestials that Apate mentioned are something special and come from outside of Existence…   Well, they’re more like creators of the beings that give rise to Existences—apex creation entities?”

It seems that is the case, but they clearly have their weaknesses, seeing as Apate hinted that Primordial Odin killed theirs with Primordial Olympus doing the same.

Ishtar slowed to a halt before turning her questioning gaze to her.  “Does that make the first Old Gods Primordials?  I didn’t sense that same energy with them, but they had mixed their essence with Abzu’s.”

Elinor’s eyes tightened while turning to face her sister.  We can’t be sure about anything at this point.  We know that we are different due to how we were created, and Tiamat knows all the secrets we need to unlock to carry on to the next stage.

Her sister bit her bottom lip with a wry smirk and a nod.  “And what does she want?  Freedom and vengeance.  So, you’ve set things up for her to obtain that while putting us in a position to get better acquainted with her as Adoncia’s patron deity.  It’s a good plan.”

Heh.  Well, there are flaws, Elinor sighed, glancing in the direction of the prison, where the shadow entity trapped in their planet resided.  I can’t plan for everything, Ishtar…  I don’t know enough about the board, despite opening the heavens themselves and meeting my children.

“Haaa.  Yes, they seemed even more clueless than you…  The Crimson Tide is keeping them locked behind their gates; I’m sure Nungal is going stir crazy, hehe, wanting to fight it.”

Elinor lifted her eyebrows with a nod, knowing her daughter.  Without a doubt.  She’ll do anything to prove herself to me.  Still, I learned a lot and prevented further damage by doing so.

“And gained a handsome new ally!”  Ishtar grinned.  “For all we know, he could be single after his Existence fell apart.”

Ishtar…

“It’s a possibility!”  she said, expression falling.  “As difficult as that might be—and I don’t wish ill on his wife—what will come of our relationship with him if that is the case, or if these Primordial factions turn against us?”

It was a valid point, and Elinor tucked under her own bottom lip before studying the weeping heavens.  Thor is honor bound to defend Asgard, yet he will also honor his bond with us as long as it remains positive.  There is a complicated relationship the Primordials share with one another.

Ishtar scratched her temple.  “Heh, which is why we need Apate to give us unfiltered insight into how their culture deviates from the Asgard we knew.”

Indeed.

Silence ensued as they pondered the information, and after several minutes, Ishtar streamed out a long puff of air.  “So, you want me to look out for this eldritch incursion and take point in that as Sari’aél handles another?”

We’ll learn a lot from it… and I suspect they have some connection or can manipulate the gateways that brought us to this world—keep a close eye out for them—that is where I want your attention when it appears.

Sari’aél can handle any typical warfare, but against these creatures…  I’m not sure what caused her to be slain the first time.  Anything involving these Crystals, I want to be cautious of when it comes to her.

“I understand,” Ishtar whispered, shooting a soft smile her way.

What…

“You have changed…  In more ways than one.  I like this new version of you, Sister.”

Hmm-hmm-hmm.  Yes, well, I like who I am, too… but we need to get stronger.

“Then we get stronger!  This time, as sisters,” she added, flashing her teeth before holding out her arms for an expectant hug.  “I look forward to working for you, Empress!”

Hehe.  When were you a hugger?  Elinor mumbled, closing in to embrace her.  Also, you don’t have to call me ‘Empress’ when we’re not in public, Sister.

“Hmm,” she cooed, squeezing her tightly; Ishtar was surprisingly warm.  “Sister…  I’ve always been a hugger, but we just never ran in the same circles.  Hehe.”

Learning more about her sister as the day went on, eventually, the storm passed, leaving a partly cloudy sky and spotted showers.  They went over contingencies and where Elinor saw their journey taking them.

After a time, she moved toward all the information she’d discovered and needed to impart before she left in the coming days; to Elinor’s surprise, the exchange was far more pleasant than she would have thought, and Elinor found she had far more in common with her sister than she expected.

When night came, she let Ishtar go to mingle with Tal’tamine as she waited for Thor’s arrival; her sister would be able to cure anything the Nalvean princess was afflicted with, and it would be better for her to bond with her celestial counterpart to further bridge their kingdoms.

The teens had awoken by now and were getting used to being connected to the Divine; of course, Adoncia had a totally divergent experience.

Being connected to the Nexus, she could sense the girl’s emotions and hear her thoughts to a minor extent if she invaded her privacy; Tiamat’s presence was beyond words or scale, making the young maid feel like a speck of dust before a universal entity that towered over her.

Still, having the comfort of the Nexus and Elinor’s own power to fall back on and knowing she wasn’t alone was enough to help her through the initial shock of Tiamat’s titanic claws against her essence; it was only the beginning of her climb, but she had survived the impossible part.

A low rumble came to Elinor’s throat as she sat on her silky throne, turning to the side to see the valley and chair across from her.  Elinor stroked Masmu’s smooth scales; the little, white spiritual serpent was such a treat to have nearby.

Yet, her mind shifted gears as Noa brought the Primordial to sit across from her; Masmu moved up to circle around her neck to appraise the God of Thunder.

“Welcome, Odinson.  How are the mortals?”

Thor dropped into the seat, expression tight as he leaned forward to rest his elbows against his knees, studying her demeanor.  “Thy children appear to be taking great care in their transition…  Adoncia struggles.”

“Naturally.  I am closely monitoring her progress as one of my maids.”

A short pause came as Thor debated on how to ask his next question with her in front of him; she could see this was important and would need to be answered if they were going to continue forward.

“Wherefore hath thou chosen these children to channel thy own?”

“Hmm.”  Elinor sat back, nodding at the implications.  “In essence, what plot is there in putting these children down this dangerous and somber road of pain and conflict…  I assume you don’t like involving mortals in the affairs of gods?”

“Supplying courage to mortals and showing them how to be warriors of word and deed is not the same as what I have experienced from Primordial Olympus and how they treat those under their care.”

“Fair,” Elinor sighed, running her fingers through her now unbound locks.  “What was my purpose in selecting them?  Hmm, let’s see…

“Their parents care nothing for them.  One.

“They desire to push beyond where they are to protect something they care for.  Two.

“Adoncia is my maid, while also having a connection to Sal and Alisa, which will further strengthen their wills and help them when times grow tough.  Three.

“The budding love of Sal and Alissa will strengthen with their trials, forming a stronger bond to push beyond tribulation.  Four.

“Valentina’s parents weren’t brought through the gate, and she is alone.  Five.

“The girl has a Seed already and desires to roam, yet needs guidance since she is still a child.  Six.

“All of them have at least some characteristics that can resonate with those they’ve connected with.  Seven.

“I need my children to function in Irkalla to provide stability while supporting me here.  Eight.

“I… begrudgingly realize that I am not strong enough to accomplish this quest alone, no matter how powerful I know I am and can become… there are things I cannot accomplish, which is why I have ultimately selected specific individuals to make this journey.”

Taking a deep breath, she let it go before leveling with the God of Thunder.  “Are you telling me you believe you are strong enough to handle your brothers’ rescue alone?  We both know you’ve stayed to vet me because you know I will be a capable ally in saving your brothers…  And I need people I can rely on in the likely possibility my husband has been taken.”

She let the statement speak for itself as she waited for his answer.  It took several more minutes of silent study before Thor closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his mane of flaming locks.

“All-Father, help me…  I have seen thy heart through thy family and subjects.  Thou art true to thy word; thus, I find myself in alignment with thy quest, yet… Sif, help me, I fear for how this tale will end with thy selection in companions.”

Elinor returned with a helpless shrug.  “What do you want from me, Thor—we both know every one of them will be invaluable to the cause in their own unique ways—and I’ve already bound Apate so she can’t trick you.”

“Her snide remarks and devious eyes are enough,” Thor grumbled, crossing his legs and glaring at the city below.  “Hmm…  I shall be thy hammer on this journey, but I will not sit idle to that which I find offensive.”

“Hehe.  Feel free to speak your mind as often as you wish—call Apate Hera’s Harlot however many times you please—yet, to be fair, I believe everyone should be seen equally.”

“Aye…  I accept that she may speak her mind.”

“Without the worry of a crushed skull?”  Elinor pressed with a short snicker.

“Mmgm…  I cannot give thee my word, but… I will restrain myself.”

“Wonderful!”  Elinor clapped.  “We have a few things to handle before we leave, such as the bug and artifact problem below the valley and my angel’s battle.  We can leave before dawn in two days.  Acceptable?”

“It is.”

Reaching forward, Elinor held out a hand.  “It will be a pleasure slaughtering with you, Thor.”

“I hope the same, Lady Irkalla…  I pray to my wife I keep my eyes unscarred.”

“Hehe.  No promises!”

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