A Fire-New Council

f********************************

Johnny 'Lead Hourglass' Caldwell

Leaning back in my chair as I crack my knuckles, I take in the sights of the innards of the Nahullo's most grandiose building. The Iced Rampart. At least, that's what we humans call it. To the Nahullo, this is simply their citadel, their capital. And... in the centermost roundtable of their most vital fortress, I am seated with one other.

Ytern, the Stalwart Spine, sits across from me, healed from most of his wounds—the physical ones, at least, as the mental ones linger. On top of that, though, he sports one less eye than before, the left socket now replaced by a pane of ice that covers his brain on the inside. Nevertheless, even on his ass, the man would be taller than me standing. The thought gives me a slim smile as in the corners of my eyes, I see a dozen Councilmembers stock still in front of their Warmaster in their salutes. None speak. None dare to.

I receive glares from nearly every last one, but they don't have the guts to show it before Ytern. The journey here was long, but it had better be worth it. After all... we are expecting two more guests. And a potential third. If she comes, though... It won't be pretty for anyone.

"How does it feel, Caldwell? To be in the heartland of my country? Of my people? Constagia is... cold, but it is ours."

Twisting my lips shortly, I answer the Nahullo, at least one hundred years my senior. I give him honest words, as... we've been through some shit the last month together from the fight with Leviathan that went all the way to the edges of the atmosphere, and then the subsequent fall when the Demigod attracted the attention of something in the darkness between the stars. Of course, that was after I fell unconscious the first time, Ytern saving me for the next round with the Lord.

After that... we had to survive the clash together. Any second now, Leviathan should be taking that final step. Any second now. And it terrifies me. But it also terrifies Ytern and the rest of the Demigods of Mari.

"I do not prefer it over my home, but it is better than the Wilds or the Underworld. Little sun, but at least it's there. The best part is how safe it is. Your warriors police the tundra and taiga better than we humans ever have for our woods."

The Warmaster bows his head, appreciating my honesty. Ytern then continues, waving his right hand to the wall on my left. There, the Councilmembers stand to attention.

"It is rare to see such truth from a human. I almost miss the days of dealing with Eli or Desolation. But... I do prefer this directness. I do not believe there has ever been such... an event between our people, not since the Collapse. In honor of such, how about... we make our treaty formal, Caldwell? My people make such alliances with wives and spouses or whatnot. I do... know that your people are not as open, however. Are you already taken, my friend?"

My head nods upward as I understand what the moved hand was for. Ytern points toward the group of four female Nahullo clad in their Carcasses, the metal armor a work of art to behold. I must continue my nod as I ruin some of his expectations.

"Yes, Ytern. I already have someone who has my heart. Is our friendship not enough?"

The Stalwart Spine shakes his head with dismissal. Then, he leans back in his chair, brushing his temple with his palm. The agony must still be explosive. I, for one, feel the pain in my head nearly every pulsing second. It's become an excellent, if annoying, way to track time.

"What a shame. It is the best way. My houses and families do it all the time to solve internal strife. It is why we are so collected compared to you humans, on average, at least. Nothing lasts without a guarantee. We could also die in the next day."

Councilmembers tremble in anger, fear, or some other unknown feeling as Ytern expresses his mortality. Biting my lip, I delve into consternation before I come up with something that might solve it.

"We don't have to do a marriage trade or anything of the sort. How about I give you a few people to lead, and you do the same? A show of trust."

Ytern nods to this, pointing at his side before calling some names. Three Councilmembers walk to stand behind me at his beck and call.

"Tigris, Karn, Hesen."

Only one of the names is familiar, but as I glance back at the only figure with a weapon among the three, I meet Karn's eyes and the spear attached to his back. He smiles at me, the deal we made so long ago allowing the Virtue to live until now. I must say, I'm surprised he survived Vincent's ascension. Behind him, too, I notice another familiar face. Anodra. And with the collision of our eyes, I realize that she is of a higher Sigil than before. I wonder what made her split up with Timemi and Natos.

Nonetheless, I won't turn down two Powers and a Virtue. Plus, it doesn't matter. She isn't coming with me. In exchange, I offer Ytern a promise.

"I'll send a group of three once I return. I don't have a Virtue to give you, but I'm sure I can manage three Powers. Laura, Primrose, and Richard are their names."

The Warmaster smiles, his pale skin creeping backward to reveal his joy. Then, he places his palms facing upward on the table, the gesture some kind of oath for Nahullo.

"Good. We will have to rely on each other in the coming days. Tonuyn is almost here, but he tells me that the situation in the Underworld has deteriorated massively. He Summoned his daughter back from scouting because it... went to shit. Gods are released, and only the Devil is there to stop the outbreak of Her with all the others already converted or dead..."

Dammit... Wyatt, Lennon, Virgil... so many are still down there. I stay quiet despite my worries so that Ytern can finish.

"But... We know how Vincent is. When he shows up, he'll be worth at least thrice his weight if not more. Leviathan should help, too. Despite her... incorrigible wickedness, she doesn't want the world to end. If anyone has reason to hate the one below, it's her. That means we'll have two Gods. Three with that old Devil. Not a lot. Though... it's enough for some hope."

Just as the Nahullo's words come to a pause, a shimmering series of lines appear on the chair to my left. Raising an eyebrow and shifting my hands to my Colts, I prepare to fight, just a move of caution. But Ytern stops me with an open palm.

"It is only Tonuyn. That chair has his Summoning Bestowed into it."

Sinking back into my chair, I observe the oddity in space as Tonuyn and two others come from whatever realm they were just in to find themselves in ours. Tonuyn immediately takes a seat in a chair, making me feel better for my shortness, but the other two with him gag and choke.

Timemi and Natos can barely handle the transportation that they just underwent. Inspecting them with my eyes, I sense greater danger than before. Especially from Timemi. She... she and Natos must be Virtues as well. Impressive. Though, I suppose they are all geniuses of their generations. The Primare only manages to make that strength higher. And if I look closely... she gave it to Natos. Why? Why would she give him something so powerful? Hmm...

Tonuyn only eyes my presence oddly, but Timemi questions my being here with a vaguely veiled threat as she bows to Ytern and the Council.

"What are you doing here, human? Warmaster, is he your prisoner or something?"

Smiling, I listen to Ytern's reply against the hotheaded Pygmy. The Nahullo is more on my side than he is on anyone else's at this point.

"Do not speak to Caldwell that way, Timemi. He possesses strength not unlike your father and I. This is your only warning. Should he challenge you, the Law Of Might reigns in Constagia, and no one will save you."

Personally, I feel as though he is exaggerating, but I won't disagree openly. Between learning Heather's Ether and managing to combine Canyon's with it, I've grown massively. Being able to use Accretion and Dust Plasmic Ether alongside both Ash and Wood allows me a terrifying versatility and volatility. Adding in Glitch and imbuing my weapons with Ashen Rounds... I can deal some severe damage, even to Dominions.

Golden Eye and Excavator also prevent my death. Canyon's skills help keep me alive from being forced to just rewind my death, but I'd be lying if I said I was on par with the Demigods. At most... I can give hurt like they do, but if my eyes run out of juice or I can't react fast enough to use Glitch... I'm a dead man. The good thing is, there are no hands or eyes faster than mine. Virgil is close, but no cigar for him, even if he'd outrun me.

Nonetheless, I sit proudly as Tonuyn nods, waving his hands forward. The chair across from him begins to light up with similar inscriptions and deviously ingenious Ether. With my Virtued eyes, I can see the weave more clearly, but it still throws me for a loop.

"Behemoth might not be so kind to you taking Levi's spot, even if she doesn't want to be here ever again. So... Be quiet for us to explain, Caldwell."

Nodding with complete understanding, as Behemoth is known to be the king of all meatheads, I merely witness his appearance with silence. The inscriptions balloon into a mighty figure of rippling muscle, hair, leather, horns, and teeth as Behemoth's awful figure takes form.

He's close to thirty feet tall at his smallest, the him without his Sirza taking action. Nevertheless, he nearly reaches the ceiling of this grand church-like building. His billowing eyes reach out to all within range as his rumbling voice begins.

"What is this runt—"

Before he gets anywhere, though, Ytern stops him.

"That is Johnny Caldwell. He is now on this Covenant. His strength does not need to be tested. He fought Leviathan and survived with me. Now that she is becoming a God... we have some new things to discuss. Because, well, if she fails, it won't matter."

Listening to learn as much as possible from the figures that used to conspire against Vincent, I shift my head back and forth as Tonuyn takes the lead. Behemoth, the ancient and dreadful demon, sits on the ground where he is, cracking bits of the stone under him.

"Previously, we only gathered for Desolation. There is no need to intervene or find Leviathan as she ascends. There is nothing we can gain, nor would we want to. Devouring a roaming God is no easy feat. So instead... we shall focus on the future."

Tonuyn elucidates the situation in the Underworld and Hell, catching Behemoth up to speed. Then, he starts to formulate some plans once we establish the threat.

"Desolation will surely defend the planet after he is done... even if he wishes to be king... And if any of you are unsure what he is doing, Vincent Harvey is attempting to kill Apisirahts. That is why the skies keep trembling as if they are crying. I am hoping he succeeds, as that will strengthen him greatly. This is no time for selfishness anymore. We missed our chance. If we wish for another, Behemoth, Ytern... Johnny, then we must survive this coming collapse of everything."

With awe, I watch as the great Binary Lord, Behemoth, nods his head in acceptance of Tonuyn's wise words. The Pygmy, incredibly intelligent as he may be, surprises me to no end as he manages to get Behemoth to listen. I thought he heard none but Levithan.

Nevertheless, Tonuyn consolidates a plan as the building starts trembling. Whether it is from Leviathan or Vincent, who could say?

"We must stand together. More than we ever have. I even contacted Granulen. After his duties at the Boulevard, he'll come. If you know of a Gate Of Death, please let me know. I can reseal it temporarily. That should hold them back for a little while to buy Vincent some time and us some as well. Surely, they'll be more forgiving with their knowledge in such a dire time."

I tell Tonuyn about the one I have access to in Blackreach, though we cannot close ours. We have men inside it still. Behemoth and Ytern also expose their own in their homes. Not that they've ever successfully used them, though. The two keep one just as the Estates used to, for the growth of Sexton Sigils, as most of those kinds can control and use spirits that may wander their way to the gate.

Again, however, the whole of Constagia begins trembling dangerously. The ceiling creaks as dust falls onto our heads. I turn to Ytern, but the Nahullo is already motioning for Tonuyn to act.

"Take us outside, Mystic Weaver."

The Pygmy doesn't wait for an instant as Ether spews from his hands, forging an intricate weave around all those within the room: Behemoth, Ytern, Timemi, Natos, all the Councilmembers, and even me. Not a second later, space seems to distort before I find myself on the roof of the Rampart with all the others, besides Behemoth, who is standing a ways away.

His head is not much lower than we are as I watch him expand, the muscles bulging further for the demon's eyes to become level with me. I don't give him much attention; however, looking up, I see two distinct phenomena happening simultaneously.

The whole world seems to tremble as the rising sun pauses, the rim of luminance shattering into a wave of light that crests the horizon. I watch as it approaches us while in the skies above, a new constellation appears to form.

It resembles a serpent, only it possesses claws, teeth, and horns as it covers a significant portion of the morning heavens. Despite the sun, it lingers, too, proving just how it's not an actual constellation. It is simply Leviathan.

I don't know what she's doing, but the battle between Vincent and Morning Star is...

The wave of light reaches us, and I immediately duck beneath the heft of it. Ytern strides before us all as a wave of curved ice covers his city. It is translucent yet sturdy while acting as a shield for the radiance that melts much of it instantly, but it doesn't pierce it, instead bouncing off to the heavens above, saving all those south and west of us from its terror. Rain drips down onto us all as Ytern pulls back the icy fortress he conjured.

With the ice gone, the wave of light past us, and the horizon only growing in luminance. I finally see the Frozen Wastes from a vantage point while hoping that Tomas somehow came up with something to help the West from this wave of heat.

What was once nothing but ice and snow is now a sprawling landscape of mud and rivers of brown. That's... that's not ideal. Flicking my eyes to Ytern, I see a brimming smile on his lips.

Well, maybe it's better than I thought. However, I doubt this heat will last forever. Maybe with this treaty, though... Nahullo can move south. I'm not against them living among humans as long as they can control themselves. Better Nahullo than demons, and I've already settled myself to live with the fact that Aniwye stays in our lands. Abraham's only a halfie, but I'd like him no matter what percent he was.

To my left, however, Behemoth instills a different kind of worry. I can never see him walking within Onyx Gate or Gravecross. He'd destroy the road just walking.

My eyes wander as I wonder about the sight of mud until they gaze upward at a falling figure. A cratering God.

"Ytern? She's coming right for us, isn't she?"

The Nahullo Warmaster nods his head solemnly.

"That she is."

Drawing my pistols, I aim upward, remembering the bullets I loaded in this thing with Ash and Wood Ether. Just as practice... I inscribed her name into it.

"Great. I only have twelve rounds. Doubt that's enough for a God."

My friend shakes his head sadly as ice creeps over his skin, hair, and city. Tonuyn backs up a bit, waving at his daughter, while even Behemoth puts effort into his Sirza, proliferating to match the descending God. Hilariously to me, Karn props his spear upward, lowering himself into a stance to fight. The damned maniac. Just like Lennon, only a little bit more reasonable; after all, he can be ordered around.

Shit. This can't be good.

Well, I can always hope she is dropping down for a talk. After all... Behemoth is her... fucking hell... are they even friends?