Fallacy of supposed land of dragons

When the morning of the second day came, the guests invited by Mercy took this great opportunity to go see the marvels of Cruxbel during its festive period.

For those people who live in the higher realm, they could come to Cruxbel whenever, so it wasn't that special outside the festivities. 

And since people from the lower realm are able to come to the higher realm whenever, they also can just come whenever, but during the festive period of the grand banquet of Cruxbel, the sights were worth visiting even for the locals.

For the people of the middle realm, this was once in a lifetime opportunity. For starters, they get to bask at the higher realm's culture they so adore, but they also get to see all of it during such a once in a lifetime event.

Lud was invited to go see all the stalls that were out there with the Embershthir family. He accepted and together they saw many things.

As for Tifa and Toki, they decided to go see things together as a mother daughter couple. Though you wouldn't hear Tifa ever describe it as that.

But as for Mercy, she had other matters to attend to. A guest she didn't anticipate to visit had come to her palace for a meeting. Here is how it went.

Mercy said "I didn't expect to see you again, Witsurs. What brings you all to the land of the living?"

Mira says "I apologize for our abruptness, but Mathews here seems oddly motivated to join the tournament held on Thursday. Could you allow him to enter said tournament?"

Mercy says after taking a sip of tea "I see. So it has come to this. I was already anticipating to set the tournament into two parts due to gods being here as well, but now I have confirmation that it needs to be done. I'll ask someone to add Mathews Witsur to the roster of the god class. Would that suffice?"

Rena says "If it is alright, then I'd like to join in too."

Then Thia gets excited, raises her hand and says "Me too! Me too!"

Mercy says in a moment of amusement "Of course you can. Would you like to join in as well, Miranda?"

Mira says "Oh please. I'm not like these meatheads here. I will gladly stay on the sidelines if I can help it."

Mercy says "You truly haven't changed after all this time."

Mira remembers something and says "We also have an aspiring death knight who we think will fit the mortal class."

Rena is surprised and asks "Are you sure? We granted her this opportunity just to motivate her further, but isn't it too soon for her?"

Thia says "You mean Weiss? She has some training to do to get to our level, but I think she would enjoy the mortal class. What do you say papa?"

Thews is silent as he is deep in thought.

Mercy says "He is surprisingly so deep in thought he is barely paying attention. When was the last time this happened?"

Mira answers "I think it was when he became the king of death that he was as deep in contemplation as he is now."

Rena jabs at Thews and says "Come on Thews. Pay attention."

Thews gets out of it and says in some confusion "Oh… Right… Whatever Mira said."

Thia laughs and says loudly "Haha! Papa is being weird again! Hahaha!"

Mira jabs at Thia sternly "Quiet. Papa is going through something now, so be a little more sensitive."

Thia laughs even louder as she says "Hahahaha! Papa?! Going through something?! That is hilarious! Hahaha!"

Rena asks Thews "Seriously, what is going on Thews? Care to share a bit with your big sis?"

Thews is silent for a moment before saying "This is a personal matter that I must do and do it alone."

Mira says to Thews "You know that we are family and family helps each other. Don't tell me you are going back to your roots again."

Thews says "It is not that. It is just… Something important to me."

Rena pats Thews' back and says "If you ever need us, you can just come and ask."

Mercy puts the cup she was drinking during the emotional conversation between the Witsurs back on the plate and says "It is really a pleasure to have you all here. But are you sure the afterlife can handle all of you being here?"

Mira reassures Mercy by saying "Don't worry. While it is not their primary job, we have appointed people to handle things that we usually do to handle things when we are absent. The ruler of the afterlife doesn't need to be there that much in retrospect anyways, so I think those handling things now are capable."

Mercy says "Well if you are the one saying it, then I suppose I can trust your judgement."

Rena gets a serious look on her and asks Mercy "By the way. Has there been any word on the Bloodstained One?"

Mercy shakes her head and says "Unfortunately, no one has seen them act for quite some time. I did ask Perkele about them. However…"

Rena finishes that statement with a "He speaks a lot but says nothing about the subject."

Mercy says "Unfortunately so."

Thews asks "Will Perkele be joining the tournament?" To which Mercy answers "As far as I'm aware. Are you curious about him?"

Thews answers "It's nothing." and begins to leave the room.

Mira asks "Where are you going?"

Thews says as he closes the door "Meeting between two evils."

The rest in the room can hear Thews walk away somewhere and Rena gets up to say "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to follow him and see where he is headed."

Thia says "Haha! Aunty worried about papa again. Papa will be fine. There is no one who can beat him here."

Rena says calmly "Yes. But there are people who can get Centipede out. I know I can trust that the swords around him will make sure to keep an eye out, but as his sister, I can't sit idly by."

With that, Rena leaves the room as well and the rest can hear her running to catch up to Thews.

Thia asks "Who is this Centipede you all sometimes talk about?"

Mercy asks Mira "You mean you haven't told her?"

Mira says "It is a family matter. We will tell her when it is necessary. Now about the commendations we will have during our stay…"

Somewhere on the outskirts of Cruxbel city. Perkele is meeting up with some unsavory individuals. As he walks by them, all bow before him and dare not say a word.

A high ranking woman from the group is offering a chair for Perkele without saying a word, and Perkele takes up on her offer and sits. The seat in question? Slaves.

As Perkele sits down, he asks the leader of the group "So… why have you summoned my presence this time? I was having a somewhat enjoyable time in the city now that I can walk among the masses without worry. Speak. Idril."

The leader of the group, a dragon in a humanoid form, says to Perkele "We have come to ask what you wish for us to do during the week. However…"

Perkele gets annoyed from the hesitation and repeats "Speak."

Idril says "We didn't expect you to come to our hideout personally."

Then, as she was afraid she had offended Perkele, she blurted out "B-b-but your presence is always welcome, our dear god of savages."

Perkele says in an annoyed tone "I have been granted this opportunity to walk among the masses without worry because I made a promise to not cause any trouble. Do you get what I mean, Idril?"

Idril asks "What is it, our dear god?"

Perkele sighs and says in disappointment "You… You are as meek as you've always been. Ever since you took charge of Bloodscales, you haven't even once shown what a true savage is made out of. Amongst you all, even Timothy, an angel for crying out loud, shows more promise than you have in a century or however long you have been in charge."

Idril says "M-my apologies."

Perkele sighs once more and says "Look. I get that you want to make the Bloodscales a semi-righteous group, but if you wish for my grace, then you have to let go of your ideals when you are getting on the action every once in a while."

Idril says, continuing to bow before Perkele "I-I understand. I'll see through it that we won't disappoint you, your grace."

Perkele raises up and says "So what I'm getting at is that you won't cause trouble during this event. Or if you do, don't do it in my name. Or else…"

Perkele throws a crude knife at Timothy's forehead that kills him. Then he says "You'll end up like old Timothy there and end up in the dark world. A world where there is no resting for the dead."

And with that, Perkele leaves, all of his followers still trembling for a while longer even after he was gone.

One of the men asked while still terrified "Wh-why did he kill Timothy? Didn't he praise him just now?"

A woman shouted "You cur! How dare you question our dear god Perkele! He must have had his reasons! And even if he didn't, it isn't our place to judge the father of the dark!"

Another woman shouted "Per-perhaps he wanted to show that no one, even the best of us, are exempt from his whims!"

A man shouted "Yeah! That must be it! All hail Perkele!"

And the bandit group called Bloodscales shouted in unison "All hail Perkele! The god of savagery!"

All but one, Idril, who was still contemplating on how she could please Perkele, while at the same time, make sure to hurt as few people as possible.

After that, Perkele entered an open bar that was as festive as everything else in the city. He offered people his godbrewen drinks to spread the jolly mood across the town. There he would drink until he saw at least double.

Meanwhile, Toki and Tifa were out shopping for clothes. Tifa was never really into shopping, but she let her child drag her around. The bad mood from yesterday was almost gone from Toki's mind, until Pere entered the boutique. There, Pere was about to show herself out, but Tifa did little of her magic to make puppet Pere talk to Tifa while fully aware.

There, Tifa, puppeting Pere, asked Toki "Would this piece work on your violet eyes and white hair?" Pere's body grabbed a dress that seemed to suit Toki as far as Tifa was aware of fashion.

Toki was a little confused, but when she saw Tifa, in her own body, give a thumbs up and skedaddle somewhere else in the boutique. She did release Pere from her control, to which Pere cursed at her in her head, but now that the flow between the second mother and daughter came, she took the opportunity.

Toki would soon realize that Pere, although beautiful, didn't really like girly stuff. It was obvious Pere really didn't care for the looks, as long as she looked dignified. The dress Pere was wearing yesterday was gone and now Pere stood with mostly manly wear.

Toki did suspect that Tifa had a hand in making Pere come and talk to her at first, but brushed it off as it did give her the opportunity to slowly be able to be in the presence of Pere.

But on other news, Li, Sisu and Serene, sat at the same dining table as Sisu's old voicetress and the Alisisius stand-in. Sarah was enjoying the food of the city somewhere else.

Li takes a hold of his tea cup gracefully, blows to it to cool it off a bit, and then drinks some of it.

Voicetress says "You dare to invite us after the humiliation you caused. What say you, human bootliker?"

Li doesn't even open his eyes as he says "I find your lack of respect towards me rather unpleasant. Wouldn't you say so… Alisisius?"

The voicetress is about to say something, but after meeting with Mercy briefly, Sisu could say in her own sweet sounding voice that "The queen's voicetress doesn't necessarily have much authority if the queen herself can speak for themselves."

The voicetress is in shock and has her mouth open without being able to say anything.

Sisu decides to say, as the voicetress is silent, that "Then again, it still is rather painful to speak since I've only become able to do so just 10 hours ago."

The voicetress smirks and says "And who are you supposed to be? I don't believe we've met before. But to imply that the title of voicetress isn't powerful is an insult I cannot abide. And since you resemble draconian, I believe that you called Rythcoth your home once, no?"

Sisu says "Yes. That was indeed that land that I was born and raised in. But if you try to threaten my place there, then once I rule that place again, I'll make sure that you suffer."

The voicetress scoffs and says "And now you are threatening me? The queen has told me just now that you have been banished from Rythcoth henceforth."

Sisu says "I see." and has a little somber look on her eyes for a moment. Then she raises her head and says "Then… If the queen herself says so, then I suppose my song will no longer be needed."

The voicetress says "Ah. Your song? Why would we need a nobody's song when we have the real deal here? You and your funny stories. Elysium really is a place for trash."

Sisu smiles and says "Then… I suppose that you have heard how the tournament on Thursday will end."

The voicetress asks "I beg your pardon?"

Sisu says "The end of the tournament is celebrated by the singing of the song of dragons."

The voicetress is stunned to hear this, but acts as if she isn't taken aback by this and says "If that is the case, then I suppose there has been a mixup. We haven't been called to hold such an event."

Li butts in and says "Oh my. Do you, THE voicetress of Rythcoth, say that someone from Mercy of Absolution's staff has made a mistake by sending the invitation to the wrong person? Mistaking someone as high ranking as Queen of Rythcoth to a mere commoner in Elysium? My, oh my."

The voicetress says "Th-that is not what I mean! I-I-I…"

Then Trix pops out from out of nowhere and asks "Whacha all doing here?"

The voicetress stands up in shock and says "You-Your holiness Trixtitkitus! I-I-It's pleasure to see you again! My-my apologies. I wasn't mentally prepared to meet you so soon. I hope that yesterday's impression is more memorable than this."

Trix says "Yeah, yeah. Don't mind me really. But I'm surprised that lil Alis is having a conversation with lil Elim. Kinda funny, don't you think?"

Li comments "Oh? So you call Ms. Sisu her with respect when you are alone with me, but act friendly when there are more people? I see you, Ms. Trixtitkitus."

Elim says "Yo-you must be mistaken, Lady Trixtitkitus. The queen cannot speak. The real queen is right next to me telling me so."

Trix looks at the stand-in, gets right on her face and asks her "I was letting it go yesterday since I didn't want to cause a scene. But now, do you swear, in front of the god you worship, that you are Alisisius Sinnerreign."

The stand in stays silent for a while, sweating a little and then a little harder.

But soon she cracks, gets off the chair and bows in forgiveness. She says "I'm sorry lady Trixtitkitus! I only did this to support my family who happen to look a bit like our dear queen!"

Trix just munches a corndog she has on her and says "No worries. How could I be mad at someone for being a stand-in. Eliminates Altertonge on the other hand…"

Elim gets on her knees and says "Your grace. I'm only doing what is best for Rythcoth. It was SHE who disappeared out of nowhere. How else was I supposed to keep everything going as usual? I prayed day and night for you to guide our queen back to us, but you never answered. Please, our dear god Trixtitkitus, why?"

Trix eats the rest of the corndog she was eating earlier and says "Of course you go blaming others when you are cornered like this. Well, you could be more cornered if I spilled it out yesterday, but Peretasha suggested otherwise for the sake of my future son-in-law, so I let it slide that time. This time is different."

Elim grabs Trix by the knee and asks "How can you blatantly call a human your son-in-law and without disgust? He is a human. A disgusting member of a species that disgusts us all like no other. Why do you sully the name of the great dragons, our dear god Trixtitkitus? Why?"

Trix's mood shifted noticeably to an angry state and she glared at Elim with a scorn that she has been holding on to for a long, long time.

Trix says, barely being able to hold out from shouting "You… You and your kind treat those of the lower realm with such disrespect that you ruin my appetite. If you all weren't creations that we took pride in once, then I wouldn't mind smiting the whole dang Rythcoth."

Elim's grip loosened and she became fearful. Trix continued "But…" with her mood softening "Little Alis was able to look past the race and became friends with my future son-in-law. This brings hope that one day, you draconians will find it in your hearts to accept humans as equals."

Elim is confused and mutters "No… that's…"

Trix finishes with "But I know that you can't do it as everything stands. And ideals cannot be forced so lightly upon others. Maybe… Just maybe one day, there will be more of your kind like little Alis. One day. Hopefully."

Trix hands the last of his corndogs to Serene and pats her head. She has a weak smile, but she feels that thanks to Serene being there, there might be some change in Elim that day that might grow on becoming her being able to accept humans. Even if it's only a little.