XLII

Kzel went back to the room the Vigilants had offered. He was expecting a ruckus oustide but it did not happen. When he saw Fabian reading a book on a corner, Kzel decided to teach the man how to commune with the Planes of Chaos.

After an hour, Fabian fell on the floor fuming on the mouth. When one of his eyes snapped open, he suddenly shoot up, squealing in delight, "I've opened another Chaos Eye!" Just like that, he went back to cultivating chaos.

A gentle knock on the door made Kzel wary. He pulled it open and saw Mornen on the other side.

"Friend Mornen," Kzel politely greeted with a fake smile. Did the Vigilants found out about what he did to Carl?

"Does Brother Kzel have a moment?" Mornen said in a nervous tone.

"Of course.. Of course!" Kzel went out the door. If they conversed inside, they might disturb Fabian, "Should we go to a secluded place?"

"No.." Mornen raised a brow, "We can discuss it in the open."

There was a flash of disappointment in Kzel's face. Since it was not about Carl, he thought Sulic had a change of heart and sent Mornen. It seems this one needed a little patience...and a little push.

"There's a bit of problem with our Alchemy Lab. We lack the herbs to produce potions." Mornen led Kzel outside the hall. "And most of the Vigilants are not battle able at the time being."

Kzel smelled adventure. He had been stuck for decades reading in the EDGE. Time for exploring.

"Would you be willing to accompany this brother to the Temple of Irsela? The Vigilants and the sisters of Irsela had been in good terms for decades. They might be gracious enough to impart with us some medicinal herbs." Mornen stared at Kzel in anticipation.

"No problem," Kzel answered, "This humble man is willing to accompany Brother Mornen in this noble quest."

Mornen almost laughed. Kzel knew how to exaggerate sometimes. After equipping themselves, they both set out into the night.

The duo encountered some predators on the way. The Brilliant Aura surrounding Mornen scared most but some were persistent. Kzel realized now that the Vigilants have a strong physique. The earth shattered whenever Mornen's mace slammed on it.

After three hours of restlessness, the two were about to cross a river when Kzel saw lights flickering in the distance. The Temple of Irsela was completely meshed with a cliff.

"The sisters of Irsela are indifferent to strangers. Espiacially males. You stay on the hallway while I'll do the talking." Mornen warned and jumped into the shallow part of the river then slowly made it to the other side with carefully placed steps.

-----

Hiris, Plains of Origin

Millions of Eerians gathered in this faithful day. They surrounded a barren land where not a single flora grew. This place is where a portal would appear in every twenty years and connect the twelve worlds.

In the traditions of Eerians before the emergence of the portal, all of the Eight Tribes of Eeree would choose The Twelve Queens. The Eight Tribes' forces would be compressed into 4 and once again divided into 12 forces.

When the portal opened, all crimes of war would be committed by the Eerians. Hence, they are called Scourge of the Twelve Worlds. However, the Eerians did not dare enter the portal for centuries because of a prophecy five hundred years ago until now.

One should be aware that Eerians are very advance in the arcane arts and their physical attributes are very high. Eerian females are very dominating and more powerful and they can choose a partner with the highest quality. They sacrifice some of their lifeforce in giving birth allowing their children to retain all of their qualities. This caused female Eerians to have a short lifespan, leaving the males to pass down the knowledge and traditions to the younger generation.

In an elevated wooden platform beneath a huge Solemn Tree, a robust woman sat on a throne with a cheek rested on a fist. The woman showed no interest to the males paying homage. It was a scheme revealing themselves and hoping that she would take interest. But she had already made it clear in the past that she is not passing down her lineage.

This woman is Omee. She conquered the four clans in the lower plains for less than a year and was qualified to become one of the 48 candidates to become a Queen.

Eerians do not have any interest of conquering other planets, but to desecrate the temples of other gods. They punished other puny mortals that worshipped other lesser deities not related to their Twelve Core gods which the 12 Queens represented. In this process, they would massacre millions of lives. Pillage, murder, arson but never rape. Why would they even touch other mortals that are lower than them?

Omee followed the path of the god of War, Rredum the 9th. She would need to compete with other three candidates that represented the same deity before being declared as The Queen of War.

On the right side of Omee, Naevnir showed an irritated look. She unsheathed her swords and chased away the unending waves of males.

There was no dispute that Omee will take the seat as the Queen of War. She had surpassed the 5th Stage of Mortality and is now threading the Immortal Path of her deity. Naevnir was able to reach the 4th Stage due to Omee's guidance. However, the future Queen of War trembled at how fast Naevnir advanced and refused to teach her further. In Omee's mind, the heaven defying learning ability of Naevnir will no doubt allow the young woman to reach the 5th Stage in just a few days with the right guidance. Her twenty years of hard earned experience on the Stage of Mortality would become child's play.

"Omee! Fight me!" Naevnir came back running.

'Are you mad?' Omee flinched on her seat and protested inwardly, 'I'm a candidate for the position of The Queen of War. You can't challenge me in the open!'

"If you won't teach me how to reach the 5th Stage. Then fight me!" Naevnir was dubious that Omee was losing her face.

"Give it a rest, Naevnir." Luckily, Ilaz who was reading the books that they pillaged interjected but quickly returned to reading.

'Is that it? Is that all you can say? Quick! Quick! Contain this silly idiot!' Omee stared at Ilaz with hopeful eyes. But Ilaz' consciousness already left the material plane and entered the learning plane.

The Eerians around did not mind at all. In their eyes, this is just a bonding between teacher and disciple.

Greetings, Mistress!" One of Omee's most trusted Captain arrived and immediately delivered his report, "The Queen of Chaos had been decided. She is the wife of a man called Xendan."

"Hmm. Xendan. The self proclaimed Face and Voice of Calar." Omee scratched her chin, dubious to the startled faces of Naevnir and Ilaz.

"There's a very good news, Mistress!" Captain Esfeel, commander of the Torned Wing, revealed a satisfied smile.

"Go on. Out with it!" Omee raised a brow, eyes filled with curiousity.

"The three other candidates you must compete with have all withdrawn from the contest. You are now the undisputed Queen of War." Esfeel proudly announce before adding, "The elders are seeking your presence."

"Pfft!" Omee had a dissatisfied expression, "The portal will not open for awhile. There's no need to rush and receive the elders blessings."

Esfeel was a bit puzzled by this response and scratched his head. He then excused himself.

Naevnir who had lost her interest in challenging Omee went to a corner and began sharpening her swords. In a minute, she was bored and suggested, "Omee. Why dont you gather your bandits..? Let's go and rob some caravans!"

Omee rolled her eyes. Suddenly, she started visioning the future, "What world should I desecrate?"

She accidentally spoke it louder than she intended and the two girls immediately stood up and suggested at the same time, "Gaia!"

"Gaia?" Omee held her stomach as she bursted into laughter, "That mediocre world is not even worth mentioning! Their knowledge in the arcane is so low and Gaians couldn't even put up a fight in the songs of old. What can we possibly profit in desecrating that planet? We might as well be the one who is going to be desecrated! Haha-haha!"

Omee violently tapped her throne to channel some of her excessive laughter. However, she noticed the two girls standing firm and resolute. "Heh?"

"Why are you two suddenly so interested in that lowly world?" Omee suspiciously whispered.

"Our husband is currently establishing a faction of Chaos in that world! We might be able to hasten his progress if we invade that world." Naevnir eagerly explained like a little girl.

'Our husband?' Omee repeated in her head before she finally understood, "Wait! You two have one husband?! And he's from the Chaos Faction?"

The two nodded.

Flashes of concern appeared on Omee's face. 'Did these two rushed one of the most crucial decision of an Eerian woman and just randomly chose a mate?'

'Wait! That's not right! Ilaz have greater insights than me and would rarely make mistakes while Naevnir would beat a man to death before realizing his true value unless that man defeated her.'

Countless of thoughts swirled in Omee's head. With a final consultation with her own self, she declared, "To Gaia then!"