Winter break

*Morpheus pov*

For the first time in a while, I was at a loss of what to do. Winter break wasn't short nor was it long meaning I had no time to do something that would take a great deal of time.

Currently, I sat in my parlor drinking some wine while I thought about what I could accomplish during this break. As if knowing my boredom and coming to save me Negary flew in with a letter.

"Thank you," I said with a small smile watching my familiar take flight once more

Opening the letter I was met with an important letter, the Angel representative was set to arrive at Gringotts tomorrow and they wanted me to attend.

This could go one of two ways either the goblins betray me and this is a setup or the goblins are truthful and stand by me. I best be prepared for both occasions. Although my visions tell me the goblins are truthful I should still be prepared as they are quite sneaky.

Stretching my legs I got up from my seat and set my glass of wine down and then began the short walk to my ritual chamber.

"Ah, the tub," I murmured walking to the storage room on the left

Opening the door I opened a large normal chest with preservation charms. Inside was a tub made of stone with hundreds of small intricate symbols engraved on the polished body.

Lifting the deceptively light tub I carried it back to my ritual room and set it in the center. Standing back I made sure the runes on the ground were correct.

"Need to fix this one," I mumbled to myself while taking some chalk mixed with bone

After about an hour I finished writing the correct sigils on the ground, a feeling of exhaustion washed over me but I still stood to finish my work. Writing the sigils was exhausting as I had to concentrate my magic with every stroke of the chalk.

Walking over to the tub I took a ritual dagger and sliced my palm and watched as my blood dripped into the tub. After a short thirty seconds, I stopped the blood flow and began to chant softly.

My blood began to boil and grow thinner before my eyes the small amount of blood I drained into the tub became enough to cover the bottom entirely.

Next, I took some herbs and laid them in the four corners of the tub, and began to pour in a small amount of human blood generously donated by mundane blood banks.

Sighing I continued to add various ingredients throughout the night. Some rituals were much like cooking where you had to add certain things at certain times.

Finally, after hours of working the tub was now half full and seemed to glow with a blue sheen above the light red pool. Some of the carvings on the tub glowed a faint green light.

With a small nod, I made my way out of the chamber and headed to my bead. I might as well rest before the meeting.

***

Waking up early I got dressed in my normal robe, making sure I had the pills, a dagger, and other necessities I might need hidden away.

With everything ready I took my time eating before heading to Gringotts.

Walking through the bank's main floor I spotted a goblin gesturing me to follow him. I ignored the stares from curious wizards and witches wondering why I didn't need to wait.

Traversing down through the bank we made it to the carts that were set to take us to the meeting. The cart moved at a slower speed than usual allowing me to see the various vaults, some had dragons guarding them while others seemed to be guarded by nothing but I could tell they were the most dangerous.

The cart slowly came to a halt, "Follow me," the goblin said with a grunt

The goblin led me to the entrance before a different goblin took over, "I will take him go back to work," the new goblin uttered

The goblin that led me to this point grunted in acknowledgment before turning around and heading away.

I followed my new guide to a room different than the last, as the doors opened a hall was revealed with a table in the middle. The council sat in their seats while a man sat before them at the head across from Grommash.

"Ah it seems I am the last to arrive," I said with a bright smile my eyes not leaving the angel

"What is he doing here!" the angel yelled in anger

"Morpheus is an old ally of ours," Grommash said calmly

The angel's face scrunched up, "An old ally? So you side with him still after everything he's put your people through!" the angel slammed his hand on the table

"They would rather fight with me than be enslaved by you," I replied stepping closer to the table

"I didn't come here to kill you, just talk this time," I added with a small smile taking the empty chair next to Grommash

The angel ignored my words and continued to look at Grommash, "This is your stance?" the angel asked

"Yes," the goblin king replied swiftly

"They will not be pleased," the angel replied darkly

"Let them be upset," I interjected

"You!" the angel said darkly, "What stops me from killing you now?" he asked in anger

I chuckled, "Please give me an excuse to gut you where you stand, just attack, please," I said with a small smile

My words only angered him more but I saw him visibly calm down. What an interesting creature able to go from his rage to calm tranquility.

"Talk then," the angel spat

"What's your name?" I asked

He scoffed, "Like I would tell you I know who you are,"

I frowned, "I meant what you go by not your true name," I replied

Names can be used in rituals most beings are paranoid about sharing their full name. But, then again you would have to be well-versed in rituals for it to even matter.

"Fallin, is what I go by," he answered

"Well, Fallin. I was hoping to discuss your plans for invasion," I said with a warm smile

He scoffed, "Are you a fool?"

I shook my head, "I'm no fool, I know you will invade soon but, I can't figure out why. It's a desperate attempt at victory. Why not live out the rest of your miserable life behind the veil," I said

"Desperate? Which one of us has held a grudge for all these years, we just want everyone to be happy. We just want to live! While you convince and manipulate forming armies to battle us, for what revenge? Who is the desperate one here?" Fallin retorted

"Seeing as you are all joining forces I would say you are desperate, I wonder have you all decided who will take what if you win? I can't imagine that will go over well. Perhaps another war will spark,"

I saw him tense, so they haven't. That could be useful.

Very useful.

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