Iliyal raced through a grand corridor. Olonia had managed to patch herself back together, she was no longer crying at the very least, but the elf still had his doubts. Training could be done quickly, but people rarely changed over the span of a night. Divines even more so. He heard a shout from the rearguard, followed by gunfire and a scream. “THERE’S MORE OF THEM!”

“MORE OF WHAT?” Iliyal shouted back.

“MORE DIVINES!”

Kassandora looked down on that wooden platform from her own. The storm of Worldbreaking died down around them as clouds of dusts fell with the failing winds. The ground stopped shaking, it’s fractures stopped expanding as rocks and dirt started to fall and close the ravines, the only fires that remained where the blazing trees in the distance. She moved and as she did, she scanned the environment through the eyes of her men.

Fer’s beastmen were pulling themselves up from the ground, past that rocky plain which had been dragged up to protect from Iniri’s underground roots, it hadn’t done much, but it did serve to delay her offensive during the battle. The mages were gone. Killed by gunfire or swept up by Elassa’s storm, a few small groups, like tiny flocks of oversized birds were visible in the distance. Their blue shields of mana like candles in the night sky, they had managed to put enough distance between them and CR to be out of range, and with how little remained, Kassandora removed them from her list of priorities. They wouldn’t return, and if they did, there was more than enough here for them not to be a danger.

Kassandora turned and saw Elassa. Lying in that blue battledress, the runes that had been pulsing and re-writing themselves now simple adornments of fabric. She curled up into a ball and clutched at her knees, crying. Fer was on the other side of that platform, standing tall, covered in matted hair, fangs extended from her mouth, nails turned into claws, tail whipping from side to side. Hunched over, hungry golden eyes dancing about as they searched for an opening. Kassandora was almost proud, that was the way the Goddess of Beasthood should look.

And Anassa was stood in-between them. Tall and noble, with all the majesty not a queen but an empress should carry herself with. Straight packed, her dress flowing onto the wood around her as beads of sweat burst out on her head. She stood there, grim-faced, scarlet eyes locked on Fer.

And as she fell, Kassandora inspected the damage done to Central Requisitions through the eyes of her men. If the structure had been made of stone and brick, it would have crumbled already, but Iniri’s trees held and walls stood, the many branches still remained now unmoving and silent without a storm to blow them about. Where the ground had split, roots were spreading as Iniri was handling the damages. A few men were hanging off ledges, clinging on for dear life. Vines slowly crawled down walls and wrapped around their torsos, or grabbed hold of hands and pulled them back to safety. Some of the warehouses had been incinerated, Elassa’s mana had ignited the treetops, and anything not bolted down had fallen into the ravines, but the fortress still stood.

Impressive.

Kassandora’s feet touched the platform and she let go of her army. War’s Orchestra came to a close, there was no reason to involve her men in private family disputes. Anassa and Fer stared at each other, unmoving and silent, both challenging the other to make the first move. Children. Children, the lot of them. There was Arascus, there was Kassandora, and then there was a band of children. She had not signed up to be there damn mother. “Calm yourselves, both of you.” Kassandora said, she took a step and her armour disappeared.

The air was refreshing with how cool it was. Her undershirt and shorts were both wet with sweat, she had not taken that suit of black metal off since Anassa’s barrier had gone up. She gave Joyeuse a casual swing, and the blade dematerialized mid-way through its pirouette. “Elassa is too dangerous to be left alive.” Fer growled, her eyes settled back on Anassa. The Goddess of Magic groaned from the ground as Kassandora took a step in between her sisters. Both were taller than her, Anassa by a meagre amount, Fer by so much it wasn’t even funny.

“She did not kill me, I will not allow her to be killed.” Anassa said. Kassandora sighed. Lovely. She wished Arascus was here. She had to reason with these fools, Arascus could just speak and get it over with.

“It is not my fault she made a mistake.” Fer growled. Kassandora leaned forwards and looked past Anassa, at Elassa on the ground. What a miserable little girl, was the breaking of a mere staff really that important to her? “And let us not pretend that she kept you in luxury.”

“She kept me alive.” Anassa said. “I pay my debts.” Kassandora gave no reaction on the outside, but her mind started to work. Anassa liked having debts repaid to her, but since when did she start caring about repaying them herself?

“Your escape proves why she must die.” Fer said as Kassandora took a step around to Elassa. She knelt down by the Goddess. “It is one thing to find a solution.” Fer said. “But it is arrogance to think you can imprison a Divine for eternity, she will break free eventually.”

“I will not allow it.” Anassa said.

“Move Anassa, or I will move you.” Fer growled, her claws clicked against each other.

“You are not capable of that.” Anassa said.

“Am I not?” Fer said haughtily. “Arrogance I can handle, stupidity is cute. But together they are a thoroughly bitter combination.”

“Then I apologize for how bitter I am.” Anassa argued back. Kassandora put her hand on Elassa’s shoulder and rolled the Goddess onto her back. She coughed and spat some blood out of her mouth, then rolled away from Kassandora. Utterly defeated, she had seen it in soldiers before. Damage that left the body intact but scarred the will, she had always thought the major Divines were immune to it.

“Kassandora will agree with me.” Fer shouted. Kassandora only rolled her eyes, she knew she’d be dragged into the argument eventually, she always was.

“I do not care if all of you are against me. I will not plead or beg Fer. Elassa will not die here.” Anassa said coldly and Kassandora looked up at her sisters. Fer was right. Fer was correct. Anassa may be the more intellectually gifted of the two, but only fools called Fer stupid, she was far smarter than most people gave her credit for, frankly, Kassandora held Fer’s advice in higher regard than Anassa’s. Anassa had knowledge but… that was the issue here. Anassa had knowledge and Anassa was cold and bitter and arrogant. Anassa wouldn’t lift a finger if she didn’t get some self-indulgent pleasure from it. And Anassa now was standing on the side of a White Pantheon member as if it was Irinika, or Olephia, or Kassandora or Fer herself lying on the ground behind her.

Anassa had knowledge she did not share.

“No.” Kassandora said as she stood up. What Anassa knew could be gleamed later, it would be gleamed later. But not now. “Elassa is stopped.” Fer cracked a smile.

“Stopped?” Fer asked. “Stop-start-stop-start-stop. Kill and be done with it.” And Fer was correct again. Elassa should die because Kassandora would need to spend a thousand years with Elassa before she would willingly place any trust in that woman. But then…

“Elassa is done.” Kassandora said. There was no point arguing petty moralities here, the evil of killing and so on. All of them had lived long enough to be done with such trite. And maybe someone like Malam or Baalka would care for principles. But Anassa? But Fer? But Kassandora herself? What did they care about such things? There was defeat or victory; death or survival. War, Beasthood and Sorcery had little in common, but they all followed the law of the jungle.

But that was why Kassandora was so curious as to why Anassa would go to such a length now.

Anassa arguing her way out of a paper bag was impossible. The woman had strength, and that was all she had. Kassandora sighed as she took a step in-between them. And Anassa was stubborn, there would be nothing to gain from questioning her now. Anassa, like the petulant, annoying, childish little girl she was, had to be accommodated. “Fer, we do not have to kill her yet.”

“Do we not Kassie?” Fer’s expression softened. “Do we not? How long until she wakes up and recovers her power?” Elassa moaned from the ground as if she was in agreement with Fer trying to kill her. Kassandora wanted to skewer that woman, didn’t she realise she was making herself harder to defend?

“She’ll be useful for diplomacy.” Kassandora quickly replied. That was true, there was no one who would deny such a claim. Fer smiled sweetly, her fangs revealed themselves and her eyes grew large.

“Her death will set a better example to the Pantheon and the world.” Fer said. “Sparing her is not mercy, it merely makes us seem weak. Will you let her go? What will your troops say when they have to repeat this theatre again?”

And Anassa, like the moody little teenager she was, answered before Kassandora could get a word in. “I’m glad you’re on my side Kassie, but there-“

“Shut up.” Kassandora merely growled, Fer gave Anassa a taunting smile but the Goddess of Sorcery did, in fact, shut up. “What do you want Fer?”

“What I want is her death.” Kassandora sighed as Fer took a step to the side. Anassa moved with Fer. “Everyone here knows I am correct. Unless you give me a proper reason, then…” Fer trailed off as her ears shot up and turned. Iniri and Kavaa slowly rose from behind the edge of the platform, carried by a massive branch that moved them up. Kassandora stared at the two. What did they think they were doing?

Kavaa was a nice girl, but she was a healer. Kassandora treated her nicely because she was needed to be treated nicely. Iniri had been excellent in the battle, but neither of the two were part of the leadership. This wasn’t some farce at diplomacy, this was Kassandora’s army. If she wanted to see them, she would have called. “I overheard the conversation.” Iniri said. Kassandora’s eyes scanned the platform, then she stamped her foot on the wood. Good to know that the woman could listen even if sunflowers weren’t about. Kassandora wouldn’t have given information like that away. “And I agree with Fer.”

“Iniri.” Kassandora said, then changed course immediately. Treating her in the way Allasaria had treated her would only result in morale breaking. A turn-cloak once, a turn-cloak forever. As long as the Pantheon existed, Iniri had a way out as a spy. “Kavaa.” She made sure to include them both. “This is a family discussion.” Kassandora made sure her tone was apologetic even though there was nothing to apologize for. “I appreciate the sentiment, but…” She made the tone on purpose and crushed her pride. “Well, you must understand all three of us are rather defensive about this.” Fer smiled and took another step. Anassa once again matched her, to stay in between of Beasthood and Of Magic.

“I think Iniri is welcome to join, she is a Divine too after all.” Fer said, her face all smiles. Kassandora looked to Kavaa, her eyes motioned to Anassa and Elassa, and the Goddess of War prayed that Kavaa would understand.

Kavaa did in fact understand. “I do not wish for needless death.” And Kassandora wished that Kavaa had never even opened her mouth.

“Death is death.” Anassa said. “Elassa will stay alive because I wish for her to stay alive.” Kassandora sighed as Kavaa’s tilted her head to the woman.

“You do understand I’m arguing for you?”

“I do not need help in this argument.” Anassa said coldly. “Kassandora, Kavaa…” Anassa grit her teeth. “Thank you” She had to force those words out of herself, but Kassandora knew she meant it. “For your support, but your help isn’t needed.”

“Are you alright?” Kavaa asked and tapped her finger against the top of her grey-silver hair. “In the head I mean.” Fer snorted in laughter.

“Excuse me?” Anassa said.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t understand me.” Kavaa said. She stepped forwards and took a stance next to Kassandora, Iniri backed Fer.

“I did not ask for either of you two to defend me.” Anassa said.

“Well if you want me to list a hundred reasons I think Elassa should die, then I can!” Kavaa shouted at Anassa. Both Kassandora and Fer looked at her, crimson and golden eyes blinking shock. Kassandora a step in between Kavaa and Anassa, and Fer closed the distance between the Goddess of Health and herself. Anassa’s expression said everything that needed to be known. The Goddess of Sorcery was a delicate violin you did not force. You could play it to sing a tune, but the strings were delicate, and they had a tendency to snap more often than not.

“Who are you to speak to me like that?” Anassa said. She rose into the air, Fer and Kassandora quickly shared a look. This wasn’t common, but it wasn’t unheard of either. Irinika had usually done it in the past, but sometimes, Anassa really did deserve a knock on the head to have some sense beaten into her. Kassandora got ready to draw her upon Joyeuse and don her armour. Once she did that, it would be over, someone would end up needing healing.

And Kavaa stepped forwards, arms on her hips, bent down as if she was talking to a little girl. Frankly, there was something in Kassandora that was extremely satisfied by that. “Am I even going to entertain that question?! You know exactly who I am, Ana.” She said.

“You do not kno-“ Anassa said and Kavaa cut her off. Kassandora blinked in shock.

“Oh I know I’m talking to.” She extended an arm to Elassa. “A hundred rational reasons for why she should die Ana. A hundred, a thousand even! There is no way to argue for her survival. Even a moralist would have to admit she is so dangerous that it would be better to kill her and wait for an incarnation that wasn’t tainted with Worldbreaking.” She made her tone light. “But there is one reason, they should listen to you.” Kassandora still didn’t see it. Did Fer? What was even Kavaa aiming at? She saw Kavaa’s silver eyes land on her, then shine with pure disappointment, then settle on Fer.

“What?” Fer asked cautiously.

“Because Elassa is obviously important to Ana. And because you’re family.” Kavaa said gently. And Anassa, even though she was being argued for, had her stupid little response ready. Kassandora wished she could just cut out that woman’s tongue.

“That’s two.” Anassa snapped.

“Did I ask for your input?” Kavaa barked. She didn’t even turn her head to bite back at Anassa, her voice full of snark. Kassandora’s pragmatic mind tried to find a method of reasoning. She simply did not see it. Anassa needed to be gently guided through everywhere, every time. She should be tricked for her own good, because she herself was terrible!

But what Kassandora did not see, Fer must have. The Goddess of Beasthood chuckled for a few moments before speaking. “Well, you heard her Ana.”

“I will not beg you.”

“And neither will I reason with you.”

And Kavaa shouted at Anassa. She actually raised her voice and wagged her finger! “STOP BEING A CHILD AND ASK! SHE’S YOUR SISTER! I’D SAY FOR DIVINE’S SAKE BUT YOU’RE THE DIVINE!” Anassa dropped back to the ground. She opened her mouth. She closed it. She opened it again. She got angry. She calmed down. She let out a sigh. She began with a wordless sound. She stopped herself. She sighed. Her arms dropped to her sides.

“Will you spare Elassa’s life?” She didn’t even have the decency to look at them, instead her stared at her fingers as they fiddled with one another. And she added the quietest “Please” ever uttered on Arda, Kassandora would missed it if she wasn’t a Divine.

And Fer howled with laughter. The gap between them was closed, and Fer picked Anassa up in a hug. There would definitely be cracked ribs, but Kassandora, nor Fer, nor Kavaa, nor Iniri, nor Anassa herself cared at that point. Kassandora just stared at the display in awe.

To subdue Anassa like that…

Amazing…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep