In the nether Craftus had returned happily to his throne room. It was expanding quite nicely, Xeo had his own smaller throne which he was lazing on, beside him of course was Airabella, who was sitting quite stiffly on a chair, bound tightly so she could not rise. Xeo smiled at her periodically.
Balyn of course sat on Craftus's other side, she had a wide grin on her face as well. Across from them they kept several smaller cages, with iron bars ringing them. Inside sat their prisoners, many of whom were refusing to look upon the Enderdragon.
Neron was sitting on Xeo's side, they were waiting for the return of Ilodeena and Amos and Sonnis.
Craftus was getting impatient, the tip of his tail clicked against the floor.
Ilodeena came in with Amos drifting at her side. Neron sat up immediately waiting for Sonnis to follow. But she did not. Ilo seemed quite pale in the face.
"Where is-" Neron started but was silenced.
Craftus addressed Ilodeena, "I see you have returned with one less." He sounded displeased.
Ilodeena cast a frightened look at him, "we were unexpectedly attacked by Maiguh."
"You were unsuccessful I gather?" Craftus said more sharply.
Ilo gave a small nod of her head. "It wasn't our fault!" She stammered. She painted the scene, they had Onicent at sword point and there was no one to help him, then suddenly the Enderman came, and they were outnumbered.
Neron looked more and more frantic.
Ilodeena explained her escape.
"Where is Sonnis?" Craftus asked her.
Ilodeena repeated the numbers and the surprise attack, and added more quietly that she knew not what became of Sonnis.
"I am most displeased daughter, I expected much better from you. Thankfully my other has delivered most excellently."
Balyn beamed at the compliment.
"The last of their fighters have gathered together into a single village where they plan to defend. They will be easily outnumbered. Then we shall deal with Maiguh and the pesky End creatures." Craftus told them.
Airabella gave a sudden jerk, but could not move. The other gods and goddess's seemed to become more alert as well as they listened.
Xeo spoke, "what of the goddess who holds a resistance to the north?"
"Yes, Enisia as I have found her called, she does put up a good fight," Craftus said.
"She has killed the monsters we have sent against her."
"Patience, in doing so she has been reduced to a single place of standing, we shall keep her there, unable to do anything but defend her and her people, then when the other pockets of resistance have been crushed we shall deal with her."
"Allow me to," Xeo grinned, "it would be an honour to crush out my future daughter." He gave Airabella a long stare as he said this. "A shame isn't it that she's such a fighter, thankfully we still have the sons." He reached over and brushed the hair out of her face.
"We shall first destroy the village resistance," Craftus told them.
"Allow me," Balyn said with excitement.
"You have been of great help to us, but I need you for a different task. I myself shall destroy the village. They shall tremor under my wrath. Balyn you are to go beneath the sea and gather the rest of our forces, I have a different task for you as well. Xeo you are to stay here in the palace with the prisoners, to ensure there is no trouble. Ilo is under your watch do as you may. Neron, I will leave you here as well. Their final stand shall be crushed."