middleofsomewhere | Fissures of Time: Start

Fissures of Time: Start

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day eight of the month of Poi."
The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image appears...

FISSURES OF TIME: START

... BASE CAMP

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS LANDS CLOSE TO A GIANT OF A FORTRESS SAT ATOP A HILL, A RIVER BORDERING THE WAY TO A NEARBY TOWN. 'Please head to the location marked on your map,' the Voidtrecker Express speaks through the intercoms before opening the doors out.

Passing the threashold, Voidtreckers are welcomed to a mild heat, accompanied by a passing spring breeze; the grass underfoot is a healthy wheat-yellow, with a few unfamiliar flowers dotted about. Checking their maps, they'll see they're at the very far southwest, and their their destination is the fortress - or temple - a small walk from way they are. They'll know they're heading the right direction when two figures dressed in their own military gear meet them halfway, neither human.

'Voidtreckers?' One greets with a nod, then jerks their head to the fortress. 'Follow us. We'll tell you and give you what you need; get you ready for the week you're in for.'

Voidtreckers that follow are led into spacious halls, a Grecian-like architecture with columns carved into flowering patterns, statues of idols lining the walls. There's a faint murmur of activity, but they don't see too many people before they're led into a nearby room filled with containers that close in the space. Even as they enter, a holographic map floats visibly mid-air like the one on their SCAs.

The two people go to either side of it, and it's the one from earlier that speaks again.

'This is Kolokifi's domain- most of it, anyway. Down here where we are is Eilifi's land. Another god, but a history lesson isn't what you need unless you ask for it. All up this way-' the person makes a circular motion in front of the map, leaving a visible mark on it. '--is where time distortions will be happening. The easy explan' of them is that points in the past get pulled into the present - echoes of them. Fragments, moments - Time here got well and screwed up, and tries to bring up points in the past to the present.

'Now, some have a problem with getting rid of the slips of the people that come through, so I'm going to get into that now. Thing is, if they can stick around? They will, but most of them can't. All of this is just Time trying to make a copy of the past appear, so thinking you can leave the distortions alone make everyone whole? Isn't going to work as well as you think. It just makes more problems, and that isn't pretty.' They snort. 'They're gonna fight and sound like people 'cause they are - real unfortunate, unlucky sods. If you're gonna have problems with it, don't deal with them. Leave 'em to whoever with you can, or send a signal for us on the maps. Double tap the area and then get out. There's no point gettin' trauma on top of what's already on your plate.'

Finally they nod to the various containers around.

'But don't worry, it isn't all sad shit. You've got fields to deal with too, open spaces. Boring work, but it's what we're here for. So if you're going, let's get you ready. And you come back here when you need anything.'

GEARING UP. They go through the different roles required, what's best to be done, what does what. They'll be shown how to work an equaliser, how to fit and wear the eye and earpieces - with other designs available if needed - to use the remote-controlled scouting drones.

Take the time to open up an equaliser box yourself, try to work a scouting drone. There are also medical kits, with boxes containing herbal medicine 'blessed by the Spring god here - make sure you can take it,' the Ministry worker helping them warns. There's devices in all of the kits, small scanners to double-check that a medicine won't react poorly to whatever it scans. Similar technology to what the SCAs use, but more advanced.

There's no rush to leave, and the group will also be shown where some spare carts and animals for pulling are outside, for packing up supplies on.

STAYING BACK. But people don't need to go. They can stay with the Voidtrecker Express, use a few facilities in the Ministry base, or wander the immediate area, so long as they don't go beyond the river that down the hill the fortress sits on. There's the train itself that people can stick to, take pillows and their blankets outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Or you could be coming back this way during the mission. The Ministry base has a kitchen free to use, water, and every day fresh fruit and vegetables come in carts from the same figure, flour and oats. If someone wants, they can take some of the food, or use it to make supplies for the Voidtreckers to receive if they come back this way, or other missionaries.

How they spend their time is up to them.

... KOLOKIFI'S DOMAIN

FOR A WEEK, VOIDTRECKERS WILL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SAME TORN, SCARRED LAND. Despite the skies being a clearer silver-grey nearer to the Ministry base, it keeps close to a blood-red as Voidtreckers wander its terrain. Heat clings to them in the dry air, the dirt as parched as the scenery leaves the eyes.

Those with scouting droners would do well to getting used to their new toys while they travel, watching out for what lies ahead. Though just from looking at it, there's nothing but the same drained landscape. Those who can fly may be tempted to do so, to get ahead. Those with superspeed, what's the point of hanging around? But eventually, everyone will learn what happens if you simply wander around here...

WHAT ONCE WAS. Sometimes, the time distortions are innocuous - a glimpse into peaceful times, a view of the world as it once was. A step, one single move forward into a time distortion, and the world around you changes. Gone is the suffering heat and chalky environment, and the world blossoms. Wild yellow-grass sways every-which way, the sky sits with fluffy clouds against and blushed pink than the blood-red.

You can move around, explore for a little while, but up until a point, the world just stops: you run, you fly, you walk, but it makes no difference.

...It also means you can't leave. Well, good thing your SCA still works to ask for help.

These time distortions will be the simplest to deal with, only occupied by a few wild animals, maybe fish in a stream. A good place to practice with the equaliser, and to watch as the scenery fades to the stark reality of the present day.

UNEARTHED WAR. But then, peace isn't what led this land into the state it is. The skies are a lavender and red, and sometimes:

Mother Nature

'Who goes there!'

'You're no warrior of Kolokifi! Come quietly under her mercy, or suffer her judgment!'

( MOD NOTE: Play these scenarios to whatever degree you like; people can be knocked unconscious or situations can't be helped. Choose what is best for yourself or your character. )

IDYLLIC LIFE. Except, it's not a battlefield that is the hardest to deal with. There are the instances of peace, but when it comes with those more aware than just the flowers or animals - but with people.

Sometimes, they might be moved around: a pair on a picnic, or people with tents by a lake, enjoying themselves. Or, you might get asked what you're up to, asked to join them. Perhaps it's a merchant going to the next town. 'Kolokifi may be a blessed God, but you know Silifi's fields bring their best this time of year.'

They may disappear, without knowing what you were doing - or realise something is wrong, just towards the end. Steel your heart.

The hardest are the towns, sections of them, and moving around them, trying to find the best place to set up.

But if an equaliser goes off too early, doesn't get set in the best place (was it because the best place was in a river? Where a house is, with nowhere to set the equaliser?), then fractions of this settlement will start to disappear - and the civillians will notice, and the panic will be quick.

If it becomes too tough, remember: A marker can be set on the maps and a call made for another group - non-Voidtreckers - to do the job.

HEAVY HEARTS IN REST. There will be enough for four separate camps to be set out from the supplies, the tents wide and spacious to put in simple bedding for the stragglers from the time distortions that do make it out.

It's here where they should be brought. Calm them down, reassure them, until you can find someone to take them to the Ministry base. This will be some work, depending on how panicked they are, distrustful. The less care and stealth used when setting Equalisers and getting rid of time distortions, the less reason these people will have to care about what the Voidtreckers have to offer - and they're already scared.

Kids, adults, the elderly - they'll try to make their escape, and sometimes end up in new distortions.

Voidtreckers will need to coordinate well with the different camps, with where their people are going. There's only so many Equalisers, and it is good to keep moving around.

And very likely, this will be a mission heavier on the heart than the body. Speak with one another, share in the weight of this world's tragedy.

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here. Let us know about shenanigans here. NPC requests here, set up a thread here. Rewards go here.

Reminder of goals: Red Team is to deal with the heavier war-time distortions, keeping Orange people setting Equalisers safe, who will also use scouting drones + other methods to locate distortions. Purple Team aids in the smaller, more scattered distortions (includes 'idyllic' distortions), and helping Blue locate misplaced people, keeping them safe. Blue also protects and moves the camps.

NPC fighters: Their skills vary, depending on what you want to come up against. But they have guns, swords, shielding; nature can be particularly vengeful, and even typhoons might be deployed. People will be rewound from where they're going to where they were; and warriors sometimes have their own quick means of healing.

Play with whatever obstacles you want! As ever you don't have to stick to the prompts we write, this is a setting where a lot of wildness can happen so feel free to write your own distortions to take down! Also, again: For anything traumatic, you can have your characters miss anything too distressing for them. There are a lot of time distortions in very ordinary settings.

Further Prompt Ideas: Click!

Blue Team:

You're dealing with a misplaced person, and how agreeable are they? Did they run off on foot? Or use the cart animal in the night? Now you're looking for them - and either with or without them, you've ended up in a time distortion.
The camp's moving, and you're setting up for the first time, packing away for the second. Are you used to the heat? The repetition?
You've got food from the train to work with for meals, but the Ministry has packed everyone a mix too. Some ration foods that you add water to, but also an orso-like pasta and types of chicken breast (at least, it tastes like chicken), cooking sauces, pita breads. Does your character know how to cook?
You just want a change of scenery, and someone in the camp is going to one of the time distortions. Maybe you go along, just to bring out some food, or just out of curiosisty.
There's nothing stopping you from using a scouting drone - actually, being in one place makes it easy. You can speak to people through the drone. How much can you help from afar?

Orange Team:

It's your job to set up Equalisers. How confusing are they to you? Do you get unlucky? Does it jam at a bad time?
You have to set up an Equaliser in a settlement. And if it wasn't bad enough, there's nowhere good to put them except in someone's backyard/right in front of a shop stall. These people aren't pleased. They're going to get suspicious!
This distortion is too big for the amount of Equalisers you and the other person have with you. Do you realise this? Even when it's a peaceful distortion, this can be tricky - you have to pack one up and move it! Or the worst happens when you set them off, and only erase half the place - and people notice.

Red Team:

Fire burns around you as war rages. The equalisers need to be set but to get them in place the fires need put out. Tricky when there are a whole bunch of soldiers currently lighting them.
Red's job is to deal with the obstacles of the more physical-demanding distortions, but that doesn't mean they're easy to find. You end up in scenic landscapes - and you're not the person with an equaliser.
Sometimes - or most of the time - the fighters are not match for your strength. But sometimes, these warriors have skills that can manage to get you defenceless, maybe even nullify your powers.
Do you care about murder? Sometimes, it's simple self-defence - they're attacking first. But not everyone in a war time distortion is an attacker - sometimes they're normal civillians caught up in the chaos. Maybe they even help you, take your side - and you know they're soon going to disappear.
Even Red Team needs a break now and then. Wandering around at random just drops you into distortions that you can find a way to deal with. Or are you seeing what you can do? Maybe there's more that can be done than just waiting on Orange Team.
But even so, there are camps moving around - you should head back to one. Or will you risk sleeping out where a distortion might hit?

Purple Team:

Whilst helping in a town based distortion so thing goes wrong. The market has vanished and people have noticed. Specifically these angry traders, heading towards your team with the intent to stop them in their tracks.
People aren't the only problem. A distortion has spooked a heard of animals and they are stampeding. This makes it very difficult to place Equalisers.
You stumble upon a couple of chatty locals in this distortion. The equalisers still need to be set without causing suspicion so someone needs to be a distraction. How do you make small talk with people you are about to erase from time?
Often it is the terrain that makes things difficult. Clear trees or rockfalls or find a route across a difficult river.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Zagreus and Thanatos have, among their meager possessions, precisely eleven bottles of Ambrosia between them. And Zagreus knows precisely what to do with them, here.

As he approaches the structure that he instantly recognizes as an adyton, the prince immediately notices the disconnection found in the shrines to the gods Herios, Kolokifi, and Sylnis. Sleeping, or missing, or... no, he'd best not think on it too long.

Instead the prince starts at the center, carefully cleaning each statue of dust and other grime. He's not about to make the God of Death do this, not when it was his idea to offer the Ambrosia in the first place. Thanatos is a little busy, anyway.

Once done, Zagreus pours into borrowed cups a libation of the Ambrosia, offering it at the foot of each statue, before placing the remainder of the bottle with stopper next to the cup. The generic prayer he offers to each is thus: "In the name of Hades, God of the Dead and Lord of the Underworld, I greet you. I bring you Ambrosia, the drink of the Gods, favored by my kin on Mount Olympus; may it slake your thirst and invoke your fondest memories. It only obtains its savor when given freely, and we offer it gladly in your name."

After the introduction at each is finished, Zagreus prostrates himself while he greets them individually, with proper respect that a mortal would give to the Gods of his world. He works his way from the center, back and forth until he reaches the edges. He doesn't have the voice of Orpheus, or the musical talent to sing their praises, but the prince is good at praising his Olympian family when they come to his aid. He thinks he can improvise well enough for each of them.

"Hail, Lord Sylnis, God of Time and Order, Lord of the Gods of Praeus. I don't know if you can hear me, but I pray to stop the corruption of both your domains of Order and Time. Whether you are gone or you're merely sleeping, please know that... I will fight for your sake. I know what it's like when the natural Order is disturbed over a whole world, and I cannot let this world stay the way it is. If there is a way to return you, you have my word I will do it."

"Hail, Lord Krios, God of Chaos and Judgment. I pray for your blessing in this troubling time, both for the Chaos needed to adapt at a moment's notice, and the discernment of your Judgment to protect this world, its Gods, and its people. If you are anything like the Master Chaos of my world, the progenitor of all things, then I know we'll have a good working relationship. I am at your service."

"Hail, Lady Kolokifi, Goddess of Summer and Giver of Life. I... pray that you can hear me, somewhere. I come from a world where Life is in constant peril, and Summer has not existed for some time. I really hope that isn't the case here, also. I hope to restore the balance of this world, so that you too might return and bless this world with your great gifts. I honor your domain as long as I am in it, and any strictures you may have in your lands, I will follow your honored words."

"Hail, Venerated Nypsia, God of Night and Change. As I was raised by the Goddess Nyx in my world, I have a fondness for Night and the stillness it can bring. I still carry her Blessing, with me. I pray for your watchful eye over me and my friends at Night, and the power to bring positive Change to this world while I'm here. Praeus cannot continue as it has been. I have to help you all make this right while I still have the chance. If you need anything of me, name it, Master Nypsia."

"Hail, Lady Chemilica, Goddess of Winter and Rest. Similar to my world, where Winter has reigned for longer than I've been alive, this world is in dire need of change, of a return to the cycles of the Seasons and Time. I pray for your return soon to this parched land, in the hopes of providing much needed Rest to the people, and to the land as well. I pray also for my friends, that they too can find Rest out in the field, among the time distortions. If I may offer my services to you, Lady Winter, please reach out to me. I will see it done."

"Hail, Lord Herios, God of Weather. I honor you in your many forms, of warming Summer sun and nourishing Spring rain, of Autumn clouds that shade and snowfall that covers the ground in Winter. I also know of the destructive power you wield, with thunderbolts and floods, devastating blizzards, and the like. In my world... the entire surface is covered in snow, and has been for longer than I've been alive. It's devastated the mortals that live there, and destroyed most of the fauna and flora as well. I don't want that for this world. I want to fix it, to bring the world back into harmony, for Time and the Seasons to flow as they should. I pray for fair Weather while we are on Praeus."

"Hail, Lord Merios, God of Death. I see you've already spoken with Thanatos, but I'd like to speak to you too, if that's all right. I know these distortions of Time, of the upheaval of the Order of things, have probably made your workload very heavy. I'm sorry, that this had to happen in the first place. But I want to return things to balance while I'm here. I want to help you all restore this world, for not only the sake of its people, but for you as well. If there is anything I may do to help you, Lord Merios, consider it done. Thanatos and I will make sure of it."

"Hail, Venerated Skonisica, God of Autumn. To be honest, I don't know much about Autumn, but I've had it described to me by my Master, Achilles. He spoke of the Harvest, of the many vibrant colors of the leaves and the cool breeze, and the death of plants as the world transitions from Summer to Winter, to bring room for Rebirth in the Spring, for new Life in Summer. I pray for this transition, and soon. You are every bit as important as the other Seasons, though I've never seen your glory in person. I pray one day I may be able to, Master Autumn. Pray watch over my companions as you are able, and I hope to return you to your place in the Cycle soon."

"Hail, Venerated Imersica, God of Age. I know it's a little weird for me to be speaking to you, of all people, since I'm sort of stuck in a body like this for all eternity. But everything in the world must come to an end, from the short lives of mortals to the cycle of the seasons so that another can start anew. I pray for your wisdom to guide me, Master Imersica, that I may return this world to an Age of prosperity for Gods and Mortals alike. If you have need of me, I shall be your humble servant, Master Imersica."

"Hail, Lady Eilifi, Goddess of Spring. My Mother, she-- she is Persephone, Goddess of Spring and Verdure, but not the Persephone that has already spoken to you. You may sense some of her in me, though I'm afraid I have no say in her Domain. I hope my being your son from another world hasn't made this awkward, or anything. But I know what your return would mean to this world of Praeus, to this land. The Seasons must be put back into balance, and Time must be returned to its rightful path, or else this world can never find peace. As I sought to right the natural Order in my world, so too do I seek it here. I pray for your blessing in my endeavors, my Lady. If I may do something for you, I will do so with gladness. Just tell me what you need of me."

"Hail, Venerated Silifi, God of Nature. My Mother, Persephone, Goddess of Spring and Verdure, is not the Persephone that has already spoken with you. You may sense some of her in me... unfortunately I hold authority over none of her Domain. I know you must be struggling right now, and I hope I can restore the cycle of Seasons and the flow of Time so that your power might once again flourish. Though Nature is wild, Chaotic even, there is some logical Order in it too; and so I ask you to help me nurture the world around me, and provide a place for you to thrive in this dying world. I cannot let what is happening on my World continue on this one; not while I have the chance to stop it. If I may do anything for you, Master Silifi, call on me."

With all of his prayers done, Zagreus waits for the call, from any of the deities who have need of him. He hopes at least one of them answers.

For all divinity that has been stripped from the other halls of the temple, the adyton-like room indeed keeps its respects. Honouring each of the gods than simply Eilifi alone, though it is her blessing that still lingers in the concrete of many of the rooms, if masked by technology, waned by misuse. Or, more specific, allowed to wane to be anything else than a temple in her respect.

But that it is her sanctuary is why the drink of ambrosia rises first from where it has been set, but unseen hands: and then she can be seen, formed as a manifestation of Spring, flowers budding and coming into bloom. Pinks, golds, and yellows colour her form, and a mask set in smiling serenity.

"I accept your offering, gods' kin from another realm," speaks Eilifi voice soft. "I find no discomfort for your presence, but I hope for the Goddess of Spring of your realm that she will have her child returned to her soon." She holds the drink in hands sculpted by soil, of winding plant stalks that tip her fingers with tiny blooms. The drink then disappears, and the long sleeves of the yellow-pink robe drape down her hands.

"I will prepare a blessing while giving this floor to my other Gods."

Her head bows, and the manifestation disappears, along with the ambrosia. It is Silifi's cup that raises next, as a toast, in a hand of bark. They sit before the figure of their statue lazily, in comfort, draped in furs and with a body sculpted by a rich wood, with small pink and yellow flowers blossomed around them. Their mask shows an expression of pride and confidence.

"I like a proper offering," they say with a husk, an underlying amusement. "I accept your offering, gods' kin of another realm. Lands may struggle, but 'tis the same for any life, for anything: it either dies or thrives. Or, so is the natural Order... but who knows now what is Order? Banish it, and I would lay claim to Kolokifi's domain without a second thought - truly, I am Kolokifi's kin."

There is a laugh to the end of those words, and they raise their cup.

"Perhaps I will add a blessing to my dear Eilifi's."

They disappear. But before they have barely done so- "Silifi, always a show-off."

The voice is an older gentleman, and indeed, sat upon the base's edge of Skonisica's statue is an older man, beard long and showing weathered but strong skin in robes rolled up for work. They have the cup and are drinking from it already (pressed to their mask), downing it in one gulp. They raise the empty goblet.

"Offer accepted, ye kin of gods! What an unusual delight. Not my time right now, but I'll come always to pick up goods. Now, Imersica, would you leave a bad impression of our dear Silifi to this young lad?"

--Their voice wasn't the one that spoke, and indeed, at Imersica's statue sits a figure of a mortal child, dressed simply, mask shaped as a skull. The deep, aged voice comes from them:

"Silifi needs no help from I. Gods' kin," they continue, without any pause, "we Gods still play our roles. The ruin to Order is kept within Kolokifi's old domain, and we work around it and the weakened presence of Summer and Life, Time and Order, Weather. Nypsia will always ensure the cycle of Life as it exists; I will ensure Growth in life, and Merios will ensure their decided End, leading them to Chemicila's Rest." Underworld, the word also translates to. "Even if the body doesn't age, there is much more to Age. Let age bless you with wisdom."

"Now who's the show-off?" comes an amusedly cheery voice from Skonisica, who then laughs.

"I am doing my duty, at least."

"Yes, yes. Gods' kin, come to my time of Autumn for a proper good drink!" They're having fun, raising the empty cup for a second before bringing it back down. Then, on a sobering note, voice hushing a notch: "Don't mind Merios. Losing Herios... 'tis been a difficult time on them. Death won't like me telling you so."

"We shall allow Death to speak for themself," says Age, and Skonisica hums. The two disappear.

There is silence that follows, Merios and Herios's cups still. An emptiness in the room beyond the divinity from the statues.

And then:

"I thank yee for thou offering." The voice is low, quiet - reserved. It comes from Merios, where slowly, there is a solemn air that fills into the room.

"I leave it to honour Herios, my half, who should never drink alone. I shall consider the offer in thou's words."

Then the presence leaves, without form or face, quieter than any before them.

A quiet comes about the room again.

"Young one." --A sharp voice breaks the silence. A chill, and the room feels suddenly much larger - Zagreus much smaller - than it is. "Your offerings have been noticed. Rest will come to those that sleep within the shelters blessed by Eilifi. But if your people should fall, I will take them into a deeper Rest. Desecrate us, and I will not allow Merios to end their lives before I do."

For the sharpness of their presence (though unseen), there is no aggression: only the cold hard truth, as spoken by Chemilica. The chill does not leave, but the cup of ambrosia is gone. The room then darkens, though the statues of the revered can be seen naturally.

You have the blessing of Night. There is a stillness, and this voice holds no particular afflictions; the words as much heard as they can be seen, though not physically. As if they simply are, pressed into Zagreus as one accepts what they see, they know.

Praeus will not continue as it has, but what is Preaeus's fate cannot be decided by any but Time. You and the ones with you are not enough to change what is: intentions alone are never enough. I watch the progression of Time; Time is still with us. Time has a plan... but do you know what ensures the right Time? It is more than simply Night or Day, the Seasons...

The room has become smothered in darkness, beyond the statues. A vast darkness with the glittering of stars everywhere, out of reach.

Child. I will allow you a blessing here - it is not often I get to feel another Night. Call upon my name, and you will bring Night around you for a time. But night is no toy, as you know. Those you deem worthy will see, but not the lost. Kolokifi was never fond of me, for I watch over the change of Seasons. Summer would reach through time and destroy any who shortens its days.

In a blink, the room returns as it once was; the cold left by Chemilica only on Zagreus's skin, light in its natural order. Five cups continue to sit before the statues where Zagreus left them: Herios, Merios, Kolokifi, Krios, and Sylnis.

Quiet once more - and then Zagreus will sense them before they appear, a magnificent presence that gives no form to themselves, but comes from the statue of Krios.

"I have heard your call for change. Your promise of aid. You put yourself before my judgment. Speak now if you are unwilling to the task, and your punishment shall be less than should you buckle after accepting."

Where Eilifi's presence was always within the walls of the room, there is little trace of the God of Spring - of any of the Gods - as Krios speaks.

Zagreus is overwhelmed by the response. He didn't genuinely expect any answers, except for perhaps the Gods of Death and Spring, given who and what he is. But to feel them all, to speak to each in turn, fills him with reverence and wonder in equal measure. Is this what it's like on Mount Olympus? Joking, drinking, enjoying one another's company? Discussing the finer points of existence with your Godly kin? How he wishes he could witness it himself. Be a part of it, even. But he never will.

His gaze first turns to Eilifi and Silifi, whose forms draw a soft breath from his lips. Seeing the growth of Spring, the verdure inherent in Nature, never ceases to amaze him, no matter how many times he's seen it now. "You honor me with your presences, Lady Spring and Master Nature. I hope that I can see my Mother again, too, but that is up to forces beyond my control. But she's strong, my Mother, in more ways than one. If I'm even half as persistent as she is, then I trust her to keep going until I can return to her."

His gaze next goes to Skonisica and Imersica. Zagreus would have expected their visages to be reversed, and the difference causes him to curiously tilt his head at the pair. But now is not the time to ponder over it, as they are likely awaiting an answer. "You honor me with your presences, Lord Autumn and Master Age." He grins a little at Autumn's jolly demeanor, which reminds him of a certain God of Wine. "I'll definitely have to take you up on that if our vessel brings us back to Praeus, Lord Skonisica!" His thoughts turn to Imersica's words, then, and he ponders their deeper meaning. So the other Gods are taking on the domains of their missing kin while they slumber? At least the cycle of the mortal soul seems to remain intact - for now. "Thank you, Imersica, for your words. I have grown, and learned, despite my bodily form. I hope to continue to do so, even here. It... it must be hard for you all, to take on extra responsibility while you keep your own. If I can ease your burdens in any way, I'll do so. You need naught but ask."

The last bit of Skonisica's speech before Merios' appearance leaves him in shock. Losing Herios? Is he gone, for good, and not slumbering? It leaves him with pity for the poor God of Death, whose grief hangs in the air even as brief as their exchange is. "I'm... I'm sorry to hear about your twin, Master Death. Thanatos, he... my God of Death, he has a twin brother also. Hypnos, the God of Sleep. They're not as close as you seem to be with your twin, but even I think Thanatos would be devastated if something were to happen to Hypnos. Your sorrow must be... immeasurable." Zagreus moves from his place to carefully place the saucer from each of their cups over the lip, to guard the liquid inside.

"If there is truly no way to bring Lord Herios back, then I would like to mention that Ambrosia has a way of bringing to mind happy memories. The good times, your favorite smells and tastes, little fond half-memories that you'd mostly forgotten, things like that. No one I know has ever been sad after drinking some of the stuff. If even a drop might grant you a moment of reprieve, Master Death, I'd ask you to try it. Surely Lord Herios wouldn't mind if you took a little sip?" It's meant as a way to lighten the mood, a little joke that draws forth a weak little half-smile that quickly fades. "If there is aught I can do for you, Lord Death, please ask. And if there is a way to return Herios to you, I'll stop at nothing to see it done."

The brush of chill wind on his neck is nothing new. He feels it every time Lady Demeter blesses him with one of her Boons, and every time he steps out of the Temple of Styx. He's used to feeling spiritually small, particularly around his Olympian kin, and Lady Chemilica appears to be no exception. Her words make his brow furrow - Desecration? Had something happened? "Lady Winter, if the mortal people of this world have violated your shrines, or dishonored your icons in any way, I would see it made right. Is there a rite that's not being performed as it should, or is our presence here the cause?" As much as he wants to help, if Lady Winter herself tells him he's not welcome, he's returning to base camp and staying there. He wouldn't want to anger the Gods further when they are already dealing with so much loss.

Nypsia's presence, much like the all-enveloping Night of his world, is a welcome one. The enigmatic wisdom of Nypsia's words, even being called Child, reminds him so much of Nyx that for a moment, he pictures his foster Mother's form in his mind's eye, unbidden. He quickly tries his best to focus on the God in front of him, no, all around him, within him. "It is through her power and her generosity that I live and breathe," he answers simply, keeping his gaze to the statue of Nypsia while he speaks with them. "Intentions are nothing without action, I understand this. But I am committing to action, Master Night. I know what happens to a world whose cycle of Seasons is discarded. I may not be able to alter the flow of Time, but I can make sure that Time is not disturbed any further. And if I can right any wrongs of the Past, I will do so for a better Future." He bows before their statue, feeling their power soak into his very essence, mingle with the blessing of Night already there. "Thank you for your blessing, Master Night. I will use it well."

The cold still prickles against his skin as the twin presences recede, the light making Zagreus squint for a moment against it.

He has felt the presence of Chaos before, and the smallness he felt with Chemilica remains here in greater measure. Zagreus stands before Krios, humbled, but not cowed.

"In my world, this would be the part where the great hero would list their accomplishments, their worthiness to undertake the task before them. But I'm not a hero, so I'll try to keep my story short. My Mother left her home on Mount Olympus without telling her mother, my Grandmother, our Goddess of Seasons. She blamed the mortals for her daughter's disappearance, and covered the whole world in snow. It's been this way since before I was born. Thanatos has never seen a world without winter, and he's lived longer than I have. In addition, the Fates of my world decreed my Father would never have an heir, and yet they tried for me, so I was stillborn. My Mother, in her grief, fled the Underworld, and my Father hasn't spoken with her since. It's only through the re-weaving of my Fate and the generous sacrifices of Nyx, our Goddess of Night, that I stand before you today. But I've been escaping from the Underworld every chance I can get, fighting through my Father's forces so I can convince her to return home. So that we can find a way to move forward together, to work something out as a family, to convince Lady Demeter to let Spring return, and spare the mortals from another generation of starvation and sickness and war. The only reason I haven't convinced her yet is that I was taken from my world by the Voidcraft that brought us here. I wish I could say I've solved everything. I probably haven't. But I've realized how broken this whole situation is, and… we're all Family. We're stuck with each other, for all eternity. We should be helping each other, not warring against each other."

The prince waits for his (quick) summation of his story to sink in, then he continues. "If anyone can understand how messy Godly politics can get, or how out of hand family drama amongst the Gods can be, I think it'd be me. And I'm committed in my world to fixing the mistakes of my Father, and of Lady Demeter, as well intentioned as both of them might be. Of my Lord Uncle Zeus, who won't stand up to my Grandmother and make her return the world to its rightful state. Of Mother for not telling Lady Demeter that she's alive and ending this endless winter herself. And I've made mistakes along the way, too, but I've done something about them, and I've amended for them where I can. Lord Krios, I will not let this tragedy happen on your world any longer, if there is anything I can do to change it. This has to end. The cycle of Seasons has to start again. The mortals can't endure it, and I suspect your pantheon can't endure it for much longer, either. I believe I'm up to this task… though I'll let you be the judge of that, Lord Chaos, Judge of Praeus."

Eilifi and Silifi will leave without needing more, allowing their fellow gods to continue their responses, as well as Skonisica and Imersica. As Zagreus insists more with Merios, there is a longer lingering, but it is a breath, an unhappy thing.

'I have no need for happy reminders. I am content.'

He is as grave as his duty, it seems. Likely, a soul still suffering from a twin lost so long ago.

Each of the gods have their time, until it is finally Krios who is left. They stay in silence as Zagreus speaks, but not unknown, not without presence despite none but a statue standing tall in front of Zagreus. A presence that speaks of both Chaos and Judgment.

And speaks deeply, once it does again.

"The Divine Punishment of this realm cannot be ended by a single being. I witnessed the Chaos that would be, and I accepted it as Judgment for those who would approve its meddling - but what came was even beyond I. I expect no success from you, but I shall accept your attempt. Very well - you will be responsible for all blood and death, and everything beyond it. Heed me well, Youth: Bring forward chaos. No Change will be found without Chaos. I sense Spring, Death, Nature, Life, Weather, and More amongst those here.

What Chaos will you bring to us? Mindless, or with Purpose? Even I was tempted by the Chaos that continues to linger in the depths of this realm's existence. It touches Rest and Solace." The Underworld and Olympia, to Zagreus's ears. "It holds so many possibilities... few see the beauty in it as I do."

A cursed world on the verge of utter ruin - so few would appreciate it.

"I expect results," the voice continues to boom, and even joyously: "I await the thrashing of an ill existence! Suffer the consequences, Youth, both should you succeed or fail. You have decided to play a part in our realm."

And Zagreus's actions - and inaction - shall be judged.

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Fissures of Time: Start

All, I am so sorry for the length of this post sldakjgalskjdg

it's ok! [1/2]

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2/2 spoiling the whole plot of Hades

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