To expand on this topic, many times have I been asked by fellow Divines and by certain high-ranking mortals on why I do not even bother wearing the cloak that is nobility around my troops. On a very base reason, I can say that I am noble simply through existence, the Goddess of War does not adorn herself with nobility, nobility adorns itself with warfare. To try and pose as a prim lady when I very obviously am not would be like a wolf trying to hide himself in sheepskin: the attempt is farcical if the wolf is simply too large.

For two though, and tying back into the previous point, this is the inspiration of loyalty that has already been discussed in the chapter. Whereas some will not do it, for they find it humiliating to have common soldiers witness their drinking or their bad habits, others will naturally lend themselves to play such a character. It is important to know what one is and to be that. The greatest ability of the mind is to perceive snakes and snakes are the antithesis of loyalty. Every man who walks under my command knows exactly what I am like from the very moment they meet me. There is not a hint of subterfuge in there. My generals, even though they may assimilate parts of my character, fundamentally understand never to compare to me for I am a Goddess who is entirely devoted to the art of warfare. They may challenge each other but the gap between myself and them is visible from the very beginning. I do not need to “prove” myself to them for my life consists of that proof.

The loyalty of troops should not be assumed. Plenty of generals that have served under me and tried to use my name to cover up their failures have been removed. The loyalty to one’s family or one’s king does not immediately mean that a soul is ready to give itself up in a battle far away from their home. There needs to be an deeper level of loyalty, from soldier to commander, to truly make sure that they do not run in battle.

Ultimately, it is a matter of experience. Loyalty has no tests to it. It cannot be measured like fitness, it cannot be tracked like health, it cannot be counted like arms and it cannot be supplied like food. An experienced commander will simply know.

Yet this untraceable quality is one that will turn men into monsters should it feel threatened.

– Excerpt from “Philosophy of War”, written by Goddess Kassandora, of War

“Bastard.” Fortia said as she stood to the door of Theosius’ little den. The Guardians and Paladins that had just raided Leona’s temple with their Goddesses formed a perimeter, a half-circle, gazes pointed outwards. Some of Theosius’ smiths, those who remained on the grey mountain, kept their distance as they warily watched Of Peace and of Order take the steps down to Of the Forge’s private quarters.

“I know.” Maisara said, she stopped at the door and looked to Fortia. Immediately, the other woman understood what was going on, it was impolite to knock and Maisara upheld politeness wherever she saw it. The Goddess of Peace pushed through the door, Maisara entered. The jingle of two sets of scale-mail skirts immediately silenced Theosius’ ringing. Maisara’s silver and Fortia’s bronze armour turned almost gold as they entered the warm chambers of Theosius Forge, fires danced in the great smelting forges.

And Theosius himself stood in the centre of that room, his chest bare, only a set of dark trousers on him. His hands were dirty, he was covered in sweat, he had obviously just been working. Fortia came to a stop, Maisara by her side. The three Divines looked at each other as the silence stretched on, only broken up by the fire’s crackling which now seemed to retreat in their presence. “I thought you would have not come to visit again.” Theosius said, his voice a slow rumble. Maisara just stared at him. Fortia cast her gaze around the room.

“We are not here for a pleasant conversation.” Fortia said. “We need to know the location of Alice.”

“Alice?” He said. Fortia bit her lip. Maisara stepped in.

“Don’t lie Theosius.” Maisara said. “Claiming of ignorance is the sort of self-stroking that is beneath even Helenna. You are very well aware that there is only Alice that could be relevant to us right now.” She crossed her arms. Fortia took a deep breath. Alone, she had been outmatched when the God started pushing her buttons. Together though, with Maisara by her side, she stared down her nose at the fellow. Her gold-bronze eyes settled upon him.

“What of Luck’s maid?” Theosius asked.

“What do you know of her?” Fortia asked.

“I know her name is Alice and that Leona found her as a babe at the mountain’s foot.” Theosius said. “And that Alice is just the name Alice has given her.” Fortia’s brow creased, everyone knew that. But her mind worked faster, it had clicked just as Theosius had said it. Alice was found as a babe, her home was up here. Even Helenna had not been able to find the woman’s original parents.

Stateless then.

Fortia blinked in shock: Then Leona needed to find a passport for her or secure some sponsor. Her eyes grew wide for a moment: Or Alice had not left in the first place. “Before Leona was killed, what did she do with Alice?” Fortia asked. “Was she sent off somewhere? Has Allasaria gone to send her off? What happened to the girl is a matter of Ardan safety.”

“A bargaining chip against Arascus you mean.” Theosius said. Maisara tutted.

“An ace.” Fortia rephrased it.

“I told you already, I do not care for your war against him.” Theosius crossed his arms.

“I do not believe you.” Maisara said and Fortia wished she had not. Theosius narrowed his brows at her and tightened his posture.

“Why are you protecting her then?” Fortia asked.

“I am not. I had no relations with Leona save for us both being Pantheon.” His eyes went from Maisara’s to Fortia’s and back again. “Unlike you two with yourselves.”

Fortia did not take the bait. “So is it to purely spite us then?” She asked as Maisara sighed from her side.

“The feelings were mutual.” Theosius said. “Leona could provide me with what exactly? And what could the certainty of arms give to a woman who had fate bow itself before her?” He shrugged, his shoulders bulging. “It is these special relationships that destroyed the Pantheon, just so you know.”

“The Pantheon was long lost before we became friends.” Maisara snapped back at him. “Is that all Blacksmith?”

“Should I give more?”

Fortia re-joined the conversation. “You are the only man on Arda who would abandon it out of sheer envy.”

“I am not selling out this world.” Theosius said. “I told you before Fortia, what changes for me whether it is Allasaria or Arascus or the two of you that stand at the top?”

“Coward.” Maisara said.

“Am I?” Theosius asked. “For realising I have nothing to gain and nothing to lose? Is it better to be one’s antithesis Fortia? Where is the peace you propagate?” Fortia opened her mouth and felt no sound came out.

“Need I remind you that Pantheon Peace lasted for an entire millennium?” Maisara asked. “Not since humanity walked this world have we had such an era.”

“A copy of Arascus’ Age of Heroes.” Theosius said and Fortia felt her teeth clench. It was not but she knew what the man meant. Arascus had been strong enough to define an era by just himself and Paramethus. Here, they had needed an entire Pantheon to do it. Maisara just chuckled.

“The Age of Heroes ended in Worldbreaking!” Fortia needed to say something. “Pantheon Peace has finished but the world stands.”

“For how long?” Theosius asked. “Tartarus is invading already. Paraideisius will come again. We will get a re-run of the Great War. The only thing I hope for is that it does not last a century this time.”

“That is what we are trying to stop!” Fortia shouted. “So we come to you because you’re the only one who could even know anything?”

“Am I?” Theosius asked. “You search for Of Empire. You need a spymaster, we both know of two.” Who Theosius was referencing was obvious: Malam and Helenna, both working for Arascus now. Both doing… whatever they could do.

“They’re Imperial!”

“Then the world is not at stake if you still decide to old loyalties.” Theosius said. “The Pantheon is dead. Humble yourself Fortia and bow before him. I am sure both of you will be welcomed with open arms.” He smiled. “But we both know that neither of you will do that. The world is so at stake that you two are out here plotting your insurance for when you deal with Arascus.” He shook his head. “So do get me involved with talks of necessity.”

Fortia felt the strength in her arms give out. She hated this God before her. She just utterly hated him because she didn’t know what to press or what to say. “We simply need to know of Leona. I know you cared little for her. We need to find Alice. That is all and then we leave.”

Theosius’ smile drowned in its own self-satisfaction. “It is true that I cared little for Leona.” He began slowly, as if salivating over each word. “Her maid I only knew through osmosis. As I said before, the feelings were mutual. She did not bother me.” He leaned back. “We all know her and Allasaria got along though. Do you know who else did though?” The chuckle was downright ecstatic. “Who else Fortia? Maisara?”

“Who!?” Maisara demanded.

“Who was there, right at the start?” Theosius said, he turned around and sat down. Fortia watched him as she tried to think, at the start? It was Allasaria and Fortia and Maisara? She turned to her friend… Well, it obviously wouldn’t be Maisara. It wasn’t her… Who? Elassa? Impossible. Her eyes settled upon Theosius once again. The heavy chest seemed to ripple like disturbed water, each muscle moving. He slapped the table. “So? What do I get?”

“Get what?” Fortia wished she had not snapped.

“I held you in higher regard.” Maisara said and Theosius chuckled.

“Amazing.” He said. “I’m honoured that you hold me in high regard precisely when you need me.” Fortia was about to speak when she felt Maisara’s hand on her forearm. The Goddess of Order took a protective step forward, separating Fortia from Theosius.

“Is this what it amounts to Theosius? You’re sorry and apologetic that we didn’t come to visit?” And another, her boot sliding pieces of iron away. “So you play word-games with Fortia instead? Is that the punishment you give her?” Fortia blinked, her cheeks going red as she realised Maisara was defending her. “Well? Speak up man!”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“No.” Maisara said. “You have nothing to say to me not because I am good or noble but because there is nothing you can say to me. Peacebringer you called her. Peacebringer.” The word rolled out of Maisara’s mouth in disgust. Theosius’ eyes darted to Fortia.

“Are you not the enf-“

Maisara’s low tone was the rumbling of a hungry wolf. “You are speaking to me now, not her.” She took another step ahead. “Go on.” Maisara said. “Throw it at me. What have we not heard before? Enforcer? Authoritarian?” She chuckled. “Spare the children’s insults, go straight to my worst titles: Imbecile.” Maisara bit the word of. “Brute.” And another one. “Exterminationist. You throw nothing at me because we both I am a wall you wouldn’t break down if you had a thousand years to do it.”

Theosius’ eyes narrowed at Maisara. “I have nothing to say to you because what are you Maisara? No one argues with children.”

Maisara burst out in raucous laughter at him. She took another step forward. Even though the man was slightly taller and more than twice as wide, he seemed to shrink from her. Her tone was a whispering hiss. “If I am a child, then what are you?”

“Tired of you.” Theosius replied.

“What a dodge.” Maisara said. “Tired of me yet not tired of Fortia? How very interesting of you.” Maisara took a step back. “No Theosius, you are made out of the same material we are all made out of. You simply don’t have what it takes to stand in the same league as we do.” She let the silence hang for a moment, probing for a reaction.

“A league where the game is treachery and betrayal and argument?” Theosius raised his voice. “I will not participate in your games so now you look down on me? You stand on a pile of shit Maisara and everyone knows it.”

“The shit I rule over is the shit that buries you.” Maisara said. “You think if Fortia and I were to be removed from the Pantheon that you would all hold hands and sing in a circle? Sit on grass and pass daisy-chains to each other?” To that, Theosius had no response. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. “You sit in your little hovel and proclaim that the lions battling outside don’t let you sleep, that it would be better if they were gone. The only reason you’re still here is because there’s lions outside. Are we terrible? Yes. But it is only because of us that the lion of Allasaria did not turn her gaze on you.”

“Endless competition.” Theosius said. “Allasaria would-“

Maisara cut him off before he could finish. “Allasaria is no better than me or Fortia. Do you think we’ve not complained about your apathy to each other? Even Elassa looks down upon. Even Elassa, of all people. What is she? Half your age? Less even? She’s four times the Divine and that’s me saying that.”

“Elassa is a child.”

“Call her a child all you wish. She is not even here to hear it. We both know you would not say it to her face.” She cast her hand back towards Fortia. “But we both know that Fortia will not kill you, will not even cut off her tongue.”

Theosius kept his eyes locked on Maisara. “I do not fear you Maisara.” He said, slowly leaning back.

“No.” Maisara said. “You fear nothing Theosius.” Her tone dropped. “You fear nothing and you demand nothing because you are such a deity that others tremble before your coming.”

Theosius’ eyes hardened, his brows furrowed, he leaned even further away from Maisara. “We both know that is not true.”

“Is it not?” Maisara asked. “Because at this point, who am I to say? The Goddess of Order died and the Goddess of Order was the first one to be resurrected. The untouchable divine right to die turned out not to be so untouchable after all.” And then, Fortia’s eyes grew wide as she watched Maisara dropped to a knee. “There are men out there who will see death and laugh in its face, who have an soul that burns so brightly and a will so completely unshatterable that they decide to tear up even the natural laws of our world.” Maisara hissed. She put her other leg down. “And you, who panics when a Goddess gets on her knees before him, are not that kind of man Theosius.”

“Maisara!” Theosius said. “Stop.”

“Why Theosius? Is this not what you wish?” She finally broke gaze from him, putting her face only an inch from the floor as she bowed before him. “There you go, how does it feel Forge-God? Is it not a grander conquest? Or do you still want to pick on Fortia? Make her cry why don’t you? She deserves it, does she not? The Peacebringer in a world of endless conflict. That is the one you should look down your nose at.”

“Stand up!”

“Oh grand Theosius!” Maisara said mockingly. “Oh great Forge-God! I humble myself before you! In this moment, all Order and everything it reaches, from the state to the family, from games to science, bow as they acknowledge the sheer irreplaceability, the vital importance, the utter power of the Forge.” She lay there and Theosius’ smile dropped, and yet Maisara still continued. “What would we have done without you Theosius?! I humbly apologize for my misdeeds. I hope that your magnanimity can, in all its wisdom, acknowledge and intuit why exactly I failed to find the time to take shelter under your wing!”

“Maisara.” Theosius snapped. “Stop.”

“But no, I should acknowledge, there were truly things that I did not and most likely still not value or hold of importance. Your good favour for one. Who would have ever expected the grand Goddess of Order to make time for the God of the Forge? I apologize for thinking you beneath me. I apologize for not dragging you into the White Pantheon plots. I apologize for expecting at least one member of this noxious concoction of companions had any sort of standards and decency about them.”  

“Rise Maisara.” Theosius said, his tone dry. “There is no need to mock.”

Maisara picked her head up off the ground. “No Theosius.” She said, her tone low. “Do you wish to roll around on the ground with us? I saw cowardice and apathy and I apparently mistook it for honour and decency. How dare I have hopes for at least one of us to live up to the title of Divine? How dare I look at you hammering at way in your forge, making your trinkets, and leave you to it?” Her words turned into the hissing of a snake. “How dare I?”

Theosius moved out of his chair and leaned down to grab Maisara by the arm. Fortia just watched as the God moved to force her out of bow, his huge hand curled underneath her shoulder, his back strained, his chest rippled once again with everything that the man had developed working at his forge and… Maisara did not move. “No Theosius.” Maisara said, not even looking at him. “You will accept my apology whether you wish to or not.”

“RISE MAISARA! PICK YOURSELF UP!” He shouted.

“Is this not what you wanted?” Maisara asked. “A humiliation? For us to prostrate ourselves before you and bow down to your wisdom?” His other arm hooked around Maisara’s other shoulder and he strained as if lifting an entire mountain.

“Rise Maisara. Stop this.” He said again, he managed to move the Goddess of Order slightly, his legs straightened, her knees lifted off the ground as she held herself steady. Theosius managed it to for all of two moments and then dropped her, falling back into his seat. Finally, Maisara sat up.

“The difference is not one of strength.” Maisara said. “All know that the category is Fortia, Fer and myself but it is merely combat prowess: speed and intellect play just as much a part there.” She took a deep breath, easily rolling her shoulders. “I am not as heavy as you just made me out to be and we know it, we have fought before, you have moved me before. The difference is one of personal pride.” She spat on the ground. “This is what I think of your state.”

Theosius sat on his seat, defeated. “Of course you would say that.”

“We have just proven it.” Maisara said. “You fundamentally cannot imagine moving me. You are incapable of such an action when it matters.” Still kneeling before, easily laying on her lap, Maisara had taken control of the room. Even the flames in the forge seemed to dance in a more uniform manner, always reaching the same height in the exact pattern. “But do share your wisdom, what does the Forge God know of Pride?”

He just took a deep breath and shook his hair. The firelight danced along his stubbled chin. “Now you sound like Arascus.”

“No.” Maisara said. “I sound like Maisara.”

“A tyrant then.”

“Call me what you wish.” Maisara said. “It changes nothing Theosius. We did not fail you, you failed yourself. Why keep the seat? Do you seriously believe that the Pantheon would have denied you exit? I for one can swear on my life that had you asked, I would have supported your exit. Who relied on you? Who needed you? A Forge-God destined to be Divinity’s armourer, nothing more, nothing less.” She turned to Fortia. “Would you have stopped him?”

Fortia shrugged. “I wouldn’t care.” She said. “If you wanted to leave then you would leave.” She did not even look at the deity in his chair.

“So this is what it comes down to?” Theosius asked. “We return back to the ages of bickering and might?”

“Then sit here and weep your soul out.” Maisara bit back. “I will not pray for you.”

“I do not expect you.” Theosius said.

“Your expectations do not matter in the slightest.” Maisara said. “A gerbil is more deserving of my prayers than you.” She stared him down. Fortia took a deep breath as she watched her friend loom over the sitting deity. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “The way we organize ourselves has never changed. It has always been like this, it will always be like this. You’ve managed to dodge the crossfire for so long you forgot what it tasted like to get hit.”

“Maisara…” Theosius said. “Please.”

Fortia stepped in. Maisara would not let him go. She made her tone softer now after Maisara had all but broken him. “Who else had contact with Alice? Who would know where she went?”

Finally, Theosius did break. He fell down in his chair, Maisara somehow managing to look down upon him even from her kneeling position. “At the start.” Theosius said. “Of this Era. Who was there?”

“You think yourself a God because you speak in riddles?” Maisara snapped back.

“No.” Theosius said. “I can’t prove it, I don’t know anything.” He took a deep breath. “So I do not even know if I am correct.”

“Then be wrong you swine!”

“When Alice came to report Leona’s weakening energies, she got stopped by Whiright of Planes.” He stared at Fortia. “The fool was in charge of receiving mortals on that day. He thought she was skipping the line and wanted to throw her off the mountain. Two Divines came to save her.”

“Leona and Allasaria?” Fortia asked.

“No.” Theosius shook his head.

“Allasaria and Zerus.” The words hung in the air for a few moments as the God of the Forge looked, utterly defeated, from Fortia to Maisara and back again. The two Goddesses turned to each other. Maisara’s eyes wide, her mouth in a circle. Fortia released a mirthless laugh at the sheer absurdity of it.

Of all the Divines it could be, why him?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep