The structural tenets of a Pantheon are made to destabilize the idea of a united hierarchy that could in turn channel a Divine of said Pantheon. They are temporary organisations from the very beginning, it is innate in the nature. It is a self-preservation method as well, a Divine of a Pantheon would in turn make the Pantheon permanent yet Pantheons are merely temporary alliances. Arascus and his Empire is unique in this regard, for he has a conception of a permanent state of Divines. Likewise, his Empire is organized with him at the very top.

The White Pantheon, on the other hand, cannot effectively disband yet it cannot effectively manage itself either. We are split, by our very tenets, into our own individual wings with their own individual alliances. Fortia & Maisara present a single front, Allasaria has her own, Elassa has hers, the Forces ask for little and do not overstep. If we could live in an ideal world, this system would be perfect. It would be an exchange of ideas, debate from such a variety of minds would ensure that we cover every angle, explore every idea, that we cover every important principle. It should, in theory, be an unstoppable system. At least that how the Pantheon idea tries to portray itself as.

The Reconstruction Authority was not a Pantheon, it was a hidden dictatorship. Officially, we used a method of voting in that structure, in reality, Arascus quickly assembled a power bloc that could force through all his wants and actions into action. I do not even say this to bemoan him, if he did not mastermind the situation back then, then the Reconstruction Authority would have failed. Besides, I agreed with him, I was one of the main actors in that bloc. The Pantheons after the Reconstruction Authority did not follow its structure, or maybe they simply as apt a leader as Arascus.

No matter how it happened, the White Pantheon cannot be united or centralized anymore than it is now. The greatest disaster would be the creation of our own Divine. Leona is adamant that there will never be an “Of the White Pantheon”, I choose to trust and believe in that opinion. Our elite minds, which should have fostered a chamber in which only the most elite of ideas should thrive, have instead descending into an anarchy that is decided through might and blackmail alone.

If the White Pantheon ever did manage to incarnate a Divine, then she would not be some grand being of genius benevolence, she would be a mind wholly ill as it tears itself apart.

– Excerpt from “A Mountain Adored”, written by Goddess Helenna, of Love.

Iliyal put his read the notification on his phone: IoD, KoH, KoW have arrived. He sighed closed his eyes and looked around the newest meeting of the Central Strategic Council. They still had another half hour left to go for the meeting, Arascus would arrive on time. He always arrived on time. But that meant he would arrive on time, at midday perfectly and not a moment sooner.

And no one would be brave or stupid enough to make the Emperor wait, especially not Iliyal Tremali. So he sat in his seat. Generals Beryon and Menith were next to him, the other two elves that helped that been reassigned to managing the Esberian invasion. Tartarus was obviously not bringing a navy at this point, the Second landbridge had reached Esberia, the first one had finally split the Eparika in two. Both were displayed on the map in the centre of the table. Two huge black lines. The fleet was split and trapped now. Tartarus was advancing through Khmet. That nation was in total retreat, civilians were pouring into its eastern neighbours, offers for asylum were already coming to the Empire as well. Maisara had given her orders and returned. Iliyal wished she did not.

Trosk was to Iliyal’s side. And that was the end of the mortal order in this room. Helenna and Malam were in attendance. A meeting never went well when they were here, Iliyal had made sure that he could always have an excuse as to why they weren’t invited. Both in Imperial blacks, both with their caps. Malam was all smiles as she lounged in her chair, every now and then, she would sip from a flask. Helenna was sat straight backed next to her, staring daggers at the pair across the table.

Fortia and Maisara, both had received their Imperial uniforms at this point. White shirts and black coats and caps that bore their emblems. An executioner’s axe and a gallows for Maisara, a shield with a spear behind it for Fortia. Neither said a word, both stared at Helenna as if wanting to start an argument, but both remained silent. Anassa was leaning on the wall behind them in red silks, idly twirling a glass of wine between her fingers. Fer sat between Fortia and the door, although she had bent down to sprawl over her table. Every now and then, the tapping fingers would stop, her eyes would pass to focus on the mortals in the room, her tail would stop waving in the air, she would look to Helenna and Malam, she would huff, and then she returned back to tapping the wood. Even Olephia, next to Fer, was sat drawing something in her booklet. Frankly, she may as well have not even been here, but sometimes Fortia and Maisara would turn to her.

Through the glass, the sun was quietly pushing towards midday in the blue sky. The city of Ilan pushed on with its life. Skyscrapers that bore green bushes still bustled with activity of the daily work. The trains still ran, even though most of the traffic was bound for the southern Rilian front from here. Cars still drove on the great bridges that went over the highway, that was blocked off with metal fencing to dull its sound. Iliyal knew that the traffic would be heavy around the building, both from vehicles and foot. Practically the entire leadership of the Empire had been called to receive their orders on how to handle the war in Epa.

And it would be decided here, amongst these people. Iliyal had been in encirclements and seen defeats where the air was easier to breathe than in this room. The slam on the door did not help. The slow twist of the handle, the crack that gave through no light and the immediate haughty laugh made him want to sigh, although he somehow managed to contain it. “Citizens and subjects of the Empire!” Irinika’s mighty tone, as if she was an angel that had descended from the sky to bestow good fortune upon peasantry. “I have returned!”

The Goddess of Darkness walked through the doors, Goddess Kassandora behind her, Kavaa at her side. They wore the same uniforms that formality entailed. Standard Imperial black that fell low, with a belt and caps and white undershirts and tall boots. Save for Irinika, she was exactly as Iliyal had remembered her. Her hair fell low, how low, no one really knew. At her waist, it slowly became a void that would put the colour black to shame. That void curled down to her hide her feet or shoes or whatever she wore, and crept back up in a bodice that was obviously proud of itself.

All eyes landed on Irinika. Anassa smiled, her wine still swirling, Olephia and Fer both stood up. Malam leaned so far back on her seat it was a marvel it did not fall backwards. The mortals, Iliyal included, all stood up and saluted. And Helenna, Fortia and Maisara had the blood drain from their faces. They had not known. “We are back.” Goddess Kassandora said in a dour tone.

“Well well well.” Anassa cooed, Fer moved first though. She sniffed the air and took a tentative step towards Irinika.

“Iri?”

“I am back Fer!” Irinika declared loudly, full of herself. That was the permission given, Fer came close to her sister a hug. For a moment, darkness embraced both of them, until only Of Beasthood’s golden mess of hair was visible. Kassandora saluted to the men, Iliyal returned the salute, the rest followed his action. They all sat down.

Fer finally broke away and Olephia stepped forward. It wasn’t a hug, it was a handshake though. “How emotional.” Malam commented as she tipped her head back and drank so loudly that everyone in the room could hear.

“The town drunk makes her appearance once again.” Irinika said. Olephia went to sit down, the page was flipped, she started writing. Kassandora patted the seat next to Maisara for Kavaa, then took the one further along.

“Have you quit?” Fer asked.

“Quit?” Irinika asked.

“Smoking.”

“My precious Fer.” Irinika said, Fer smiled at the term, her ears practically bounced on her head. “There is no tobacco down in the underground and our little Kassie has set such a tight schedule I could not procure a pipe.”

Fer chuckled and Malam pulled out the seat next to her. Kassandora and Irinika would sit next to Arascus when he arrived. The last and the first. Anassa had a spot next to Olephia, although she didn’t move yet. She wouldn’t until Arascus told her to actually sit down. Irinika did not move though. Once the greetings between the siblings were done, she stood at the foot of the table and looked at the map, then at Fortia, at Maisara and at Helenna. The Goddess of Love shivered under that gaze. Malam, as usual, had a comment. “Come on Iri, you’ll scare my bedwarmer.”

Anassa chuckled from the edge of the room, Maisara’s eyes widened as she looked to Malam, then to Helenna, then back to Malam. Of Love didn’t even comment on it, just sighing and shaking her head. “That is disgusting.” Kassandora replied. Iliyal agreed with her, Divines shouldn’t speak like that.

“I am only following example.” Malam’s eyes focused on Kavaa. Kassandora’s eyes narrowed. Kavaa just met Kassandora’s gaze.

“We’ve dealt with this on the entire way here Malam, don’t bother.” Kavaa said, tilting her head towards Irinika.

“Oh you did.” Irinika said, still standing at the edge of the table. “Who here knew that Kavaa and Kassandora are in love?” Kassandora collapsed onto the table immediately, her cheeks going rosy. None of the mortals so much as took a breath. Iliyal listened to his mind play an error message. The rest of the Divines, save for Maisara and Fortia who kept their eyes fixed on Of Darkness, all glanced at each other as Kavaa sighed.

“Iri that is old news.” Fer said, chuckling. “It’s the sweetest thing ever, isn’t it?” She rolled her head onto the side. “Look at how our little Kassie has grown.” Kassandora put her arms around her head to cover the blush on her cheeks. Kavaa just sighed and rolled her head.

“So it is, it is news to me.” Irinika said. “Thus I have declared it.” Anassa chuckled again.

“I love how you speak like that.” She said. “Never change Iri, never change.” Olephia ripped off a piece of her notebook and handed it to Irinika. Dark eyes scanned it quickly.

“Olephia, that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She leaned over to pat Olephia on her head. Fortia and Maisara grew even paler. “You are just the most precious.” And then she leaned back. She stood straight and her eyes settled on Of Order and Of Peace once again. “So will someone be so gracious as to explain the presence of the two elephants in the room?”

Anassa burst out in laughter. Fer was immediately put on edge, she sat up, her back to Fortia by her side. Olephia turned to look at Of Peace and Of Order. Malam chuckled and took another swig of her flask. Helenna let out a sigh that she was not the elephant Irinika took issue with. And of all of them, it was Kassandora who answered as she picked herself up from the table. “They have joined the Empire, that is that.”

“I see.” Irinika said slowly. “I see that very well little sister, I do not think anyone would be stupid enough to wear the black without permission. But I did not ask that, did I?”

Fer leaned back and bumped Fortia with her elbow. “Go on, say hi.” Malam chuckled again, Helenna watched the interaction, Iliyal caught the moment of realization on Fortia’s face too. Fer had prepared them obviously.

“I…” Fortia said. Irinika made a dry expression and Fortia trailed off. Maisara stood up behind her, Fortia realised her mistake and stood up too. Anassa chuckled from behind them even as she sipped her glass. “We have joined the Empire.”

“We use the royal we?” Irinika asked. “Impressive for even I do not.” Malam burst out in laughter and Helenna smiled in satisfaction. Fortia opened her mouth and then closed it. Iliyal understood the feeling. Speaking to Arascus was dangerous in the mind, but the God had a way of talking. Irinika’s darkness hurt the eyes, it was as if the sheer null void around her simply devoured existence and one could fall into her dress. Of all the Princesses, she was the one that Iliyal had biggest issue giving orders to.

“Plural.” Fer came in to save them. “There’s two of them.”

“I see.” Irinika cooed. How she acted did not help either. “I see indeed. Then I ask for what reasoning was used.”

Iliyal felt a lump on his throat when Fer turned towards him. This wasn’t his job to explain. He didn’t… He saw Goddess Kassandora nod, her red eyes pushed him forwards. He took a breath and simply pretended the Goddess of Darkness wasn’t there. “Fortia and Maisara were invited by Emperor Arascus himself.” He tried to keep it plain and impossible to argue with. The logical reasoning could be picked holes at.

Irinika turned her dark gaze towards him. “It is good to see that you are alive General Tremali.” Irinika said. “Kassie has spoken a great deal about you.”

Fer chuckled. “He is her favourite elf.” Iliyal tried to ignore that comment, he utterly hated that term.

“He’s the Grand Marshal now.” Malam said. “Generals are the ones besides him.” Irinika did not comment as Of Hatred took the liberty of introducing the others. “The human one is Wilhelm Trosk, Head of Internal Affairs Bureau.” Trosk sat up straighter as his name was said.

“Internal Affairs?”

“Master of State.” Malam said.

“How very modern.” Irinika cooed, she looked at Trosk for a moment and then back to Fortia and Maisara. “But I am interested, how did you purchase your way in?” Maisara grew pale. Fortia opened her mouth. Fer’s ear raised and she smiled at Irinika.

“Is how and why important?” She asked. “I don’t think you’ve ever been questioned on it either?”

“Curiosity and idle thoughts.” Irinika said. “Yet we, plural and singular, look to have time.”

“I would rather not speak of it.” Fortia said and Malam chuckled. So did Anassa. Helenna just narrowed her eyes.

The Goddess of Love broke the silence that stretched on a few moments too long. “That makes it seem like you did buy your way in.”

“We did not.” Fortia said. “But I would rather not speak on it.”

Malam burst out in laughter. “Well aren’t you his type?” That was the step too far for everyone bar the mortals, who just tried to shrink away from whatever this form of Divine gossip was. Kassandora sat up straight, her eyes shooting daggers at Malam. Helenna turned red, from her face to her hair, hers and Kavaa’s mouth fell open. Olephia slammed her fist into the table and shook her head. The darkness around Irinika stopped moving. Fer bared her teeth and growled, her tail had shot up, her ears pounced and aimed directly behind Malam. Anassa disappeared from her location and reappeared behind Malam, her hand already moving in a slap.

The sound of a palm hitting a cheek was followed by Of Sorcery’s admonishment. “You do not speak of our father like that Malam.” Fortia and Maisara just in pure silence, Maisara finally managed to pull her eyes away from Malam to gaze at her friend in a new light. Anassa pointed a finger at Fortia. “And you do not get any ideas, whatever garbage comes out of Malam’s mouth should enter in one ear and leave through the other.”

“I…” Fortia shook her head in a panic. “No, of course not. It’s….” She trailed off. “It’s not my place.” Olephia nodded at that as Malam rubbed her cheek and smiled.

“Don’t act like a jealous little girl Ana.” Malam said. Iliyal wanted to close his eyes and pretend this scene was not happening in front of him. At the same time Iliyal could not pull his eyes away. “I’d slap you back but I’d know you’d like it.” Anassa disappeared from behind Malam and returned to her position at the wall, shaking her head.

“It is beneath me.” She looked to Irinika, who had not moved, as if seeking some sort of approval.

“No, I declare Malam is correct.” Irinika declared, the localized black hole that was her dress began to wave again. Anassa’s glass fell out of her hand, it was caught by a strand of red sorcery at the last moment before it crashed onto the ground. Fer turned slowly, teeth still bared but no longer growling. Olephia leaned back and crossed her arms. Kassandora just sat in silence. The ex-White Pantheon Goddesses all turned slowly towards Irinika. Fortia had started going red, still shaking her head.

“Explain yourself then.” Kassandora said coldly from the end of the table. “What sort of idiocy has been cooked up in your head?”

“Our most noble father obviously prefers the grand and the powerful, I think we can all admit Fortia is grand and powerful, only a fool would put her in the ranks of lesser creatures.” Fortia shook her head and leaned back towards Maisara. Irinika did not stop though, she moved theatrically, her dress moved with her to lower its neckline. A pale hand landed on skin. “This is why I am the favourite.”

Kassandora leaned back, shaking her head as Malam cackled with laughter. Helenna took a deep sigh of relief at how Irinika had utterly drained the tension in the room. Olephia shook her head with displeasure, Fer rolled her eyes and turned back to Fortia and Maisara. “You can sit down now.” The reaction Iliyal disliked the most though was Anassa’s. Of Sorcery was standing there, the glass of wine had returned to her hand, her crimson eyes were narrowed, she was obviously taking notes.

“I…” Fortia said. “Can we not speak on it please?” She said. “I cannot… It’s…”

“We know how he operates.” Kassandora said. “What you say to him and what he says to you stays between you.” Iliyal allowed himself a tiny nod, of course Goddess Kassandora would say the right thing. Malam just chuckled.

“Oh really?” She asked.

“Share your story if you want to.” Kassandora replied flatly, she met Malam’s pitch black eyes. “But we both know you won’t Malam, there’s no material gain in it, leave them alone.”

Maisara spun in her chair to Kassandora. “Are you actually defending me?”

“Should I not?” Kassandora said. Kavaa crossed her arms and shook her head. “What’s your job?”

“I…” Maisara said, Iliyal held his breath. He knew exactly what was coming the moment Of Order’s grey eyes landed on him. “Iliyal promoted us to general-Divine.” And just like that, every Divine landed on Iliyal. He sat there, for a moment wishing Olephia would come and bring annihilation upon him. Every single one of these creatures was larger than him. Helenna was the shortest, and she was almost half again his size. Fer and Irinika, Maisara and Fortia, were practically giants in this room.

“It was a matter of haste.” Iliyal explained himself in as simple a fashion could be done. “And there was no better option, it has been talked over with Emperor Arascus beforehand.”

It was the right choice of words. The other reactions did not matter, Goddess Kassandora smiled and made a slow nod as she continued. “Then Maisara, I am responsible for upholding your honour from enemies you cannot possibly hold to defeat.”

“How noble of you Kassie.” Malam said with a smirk. She looked to Maisara and Fortia. “Building a harem, are we?”

Kassandora just sniffed humourlessly and shook her head. Irinika spoke up. “Very well Fortia, Maisara, I had thought things where different but General-Divine is an acceptable position.” Her eyes went to the map of Epa. “In fact, it understandable why you are here if we are going to be discussing the defence of Epa.”

“Do you have ideas?” Anassa asked.

“None whatsoever.” Irinika replied. “It is the first time I see the state of affairs. The Ashfront, I have been shown on through telecommunication device.” Kavaa sighed and rolled her head. Fer, Olephia, Malam, Helenna and Anassa all immediately turned to look at Kassandora. The Goddess of War only shrugged as if this was not her fault and she was getting blamed for something out of her control.

“Well that is what it is.”

“It’s a phone.” Fer said as she pulled out her phone. “This you mean?” She asked Irinika.

“Kassie has one.”

“I tried to tell her.” Kavaa said, sighing.

“Call it a phone like everyone other normal person, even Kassie calls it a phone.”

“That is slang.” Kassandora said.

“Indeed, slang is beneath Divinity.” Irinika agreed, to the displeasure of everyone in the room bar Kassandora.

Malam nodded bumped her elbow against Helenna and the Goddess of Love finally moved. “We have prepared one for you actually.” She said, her hair a nervous grey now. She pulled one out of her pocket and put it on the table.

“Oh?” Irinika said. “Well it is a mighty gift but I would prefer tobacco.” She stared at the black rectangle on the table. It was a phone twice as large Iliyal’s entire palm, fingers included, but it would Irinika’s grip.

“I’m working on that.” Malam chuckling. “Do not worry big sister, someone has to look out for you.” Iliyal did not know why they just didn’t print a sheet of rolling paper and bring tobacco in a sack for her. It was such an easy answer although he supposed that his mind always tried to find a material solution.

“If you need help working it out.” Fer said proudly as she pointed to the device on the table. “Then I’m the best at it.”

“I did indeed think you would be.” Irinika said, although she made no move to reach for it. Fer excitedly unlocked her own device and started scrolling through the pictures. Olephia leaned over to look. Fortia, on the other side of Fer, look shocked. Iliyal already knew why, Fer’s gallery was so terribly normal that one would never think it belonged to the Goddess of Beasthood.

“Look at this.” She slid her own phone to a picture of a fox. “That’s a Rilian fox.” It was indeed a picture of a cute fox looking up at the camera. Small and almost yellow, rather than orange. She slid pictures to a train station, Iliyal saw the bird nest after a moment, built into a gap between the roof and the wall. “That’s a nest, you see it?” Fer zoomed in as she began to talk excitedly. The rest of the room leaned in, even Irinika did. Even Iliyal found himself at ease. Fer’s joy was infectious. She showed them different images of animals she had seen.

“Go back.” Helenna said. Fer immediately went back to the one picture that was different from the others, not of an animal but a ship. Iliyal knew what it was immediately. The Imperial flagship that was the Kassandora. Fer had snapped a photo of it in dock, a selfie with herself smiling and making a peace sign with her fingers, the pride of the fleet dominated the entire background as it loomed over her.

“Oh I had to take a picture of this.” Fer said.

“What do I gaze upon?” Irinika asked. Anassa laughed from behind Fer, Irinika took no notice. Olephia slid a piece of paper towards the phone: The Kassandora. “The Kassandora?” Irinika asked. “My my little sister, I did not take you for being so full of yourself.”

“It wasn’t my idea.”

“Iliyal has one too.” Fer chipped in.

“It’s an aircraft carrier.” Iliyal tried to defend himself. He fucking hated that aircraft carrier. The request from Tull docks to name the ship had seemingly landed on every desk bar his.

“That does indeed sound like you.” Irinika said and Iliyal kept his mouth shut. It was out of place to argue back, but he didn’t even have to ask whether Irinika even knew what an aircraft carrier was: he knew!

Fer, very obviously, did not care about what the ships were called. She went to the next image, this time of a pack of wild Doschian wolves. “These I met when I was stalking you two actually.” Fer bumped her elbow into Fortia’s. “Look at them! Cute!”

“Very.” Fortia said, more out of politeness than anything.

“What’s your favourite animal by the way?” Fortia took a moment to reply.

“Are you asking me?”

“I am.” Fer said. Fortia thought for a moment.

“Whales.”

“Oh I like them too!” Fer said. “But bears are my favourite. What about you?” She leaned forward to at Maisara.

“Are you serious?” Maisara asked.

“I have to know.”

“Horses.” Maisara said.

“Paida likes horses too!” Of course Paida did, she was from Rancais. That country was famous for its chivalrous knights. Fortia looked around at the rest of the Divines.

“Is this normal?” She asked, then turned to Fer. “I mean, you seriously just asked me for my favourite animal?”

“I know everyone’s favourite animal.” She pointed to Irinika. “Wolves.”

Irinika nodded and smiled. “Same as Arascus.”

Fer didn’t even engage, she just went around and did the same for everyone present. Olephia liked the hummingbird, Malam the raccoon, the cat for Kavaa, dogs for Helenna, butterflies for Anassa. “And guess for Kassie.”

“Oh fucking hell.” Kassandora said. “It’s not something crazy.”

“Oh it is.” Fer said.

“Wait you have a favourite animal?” Kavaa asked in shock and surprise.

“Of course I do!”

“It’s the most stereotypical, most Kass answer ever, guess.” Maisara replied instantly.

“Ants.”

“Fucking hell.” Kassandora shook her head.

“Damn right.” Fer said it in a tone as if she was terrified. “Sick mind Kassie, you have a sick mind.”

“It’s fine, it’s ants, they build things and are organised.” She extended an arm to the other side of the table. “She likes raccoons.”

“Little creatures that dwell in garbage.” Malam explained herself. “Highly relatable.”

“SHUT UP!” Kassandora said. “Don’t explain it!”

Iliyal had nothing to say. Nothing whatsoever. If this conversation was happening at any table but one with the most powerful Divines in the Empire, were most of them outranked him, he would shut it down and make them wait in silence.

Arascus could not come soon enough. 

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep