亚洲综合中美

“Break already?” the tongue clicked; “-I’d like to know why I was transported unexpectedly.”

“Follow me to the castle,” *Snap,* beautifully inlaid structures and works of art stood against a lonesome pillar. “-Look at that,” complained Gophy, her side-glance towards Athena, who also followed the group, “-she’s decided to make the Shadow Realm her storage place.”

“Well then,” back to his feet, “-the whim couldn’t have been at a greater time,” closer inspection of the paintings tugged on the heartstrings, no matter one’s knowledge of art, the pieces were beautiful and attracted attention from the start.”

Two deities approached from the back, the first, a lady bearing a golden chest plate layered by white clothes of which reached her feet. Perhaps ornamental or perhaps real, an owl of symbolic value perched atop her plated shoulders, a rounded shield nicely fitted her back. Aside from war and wisdom, her hobby of arts and craft stapled her station in the world of the upper beings. The facial features were very foreign, long hair of which curled at the tips was allowed freedom along with the shield, the sightly tanned complexion and menacing yet gentle stare would either make or break a person’s trust. Most of her accessories were gold, a color befitting her station and grace.

Next to her, the rather inconspicuous Nike, a goddess many know as having fallen for Zeus’s whims. Compared to her friend, her robes were short above the knees and simple. Most of her definition hailed from medium-sized white wings, a golden laurel and symbol of a torch displayed her identity. The goddess of speed, strength, and victory. Them both as pair would ruin any chance of winning a peaceful contest or otherwise. Her hair parted and curled into a tangle at the back. The emotions, akin to rock, were hard to grasp.

“Good to see you, pops,” said a vibrant voice.

.....

Footsteps scattered to a leap, “-long time no see,” he replied to catch the energetic brat. Saniata followed in at a normal pace accompanied by her griffin. The gathering of companions was one to admire.

“I ought to supervise the tournament,” said Gophy, “-come on Miira, Intherna, let Lilith handle things here,” and so, as her meaningful look scattered beyond giant doors, Igna heavily inhaled. ‘Where’s Lilith?’

“Up here,” came a whisper, “-I’m trying out new spells,” a swing and she landed, “-I know Gophy told me to watch over...” her eyes narrowed, “-I’ve sort of misplaced Beelzebub...” in a single motion, Draconis and Saniata followed her lead. The tension built, the guests were unknown and unjudged.

“Finally,” said Athena, “-the room’s cleared a bit,” the golden shield hued periodically as she stretched or had major movements, “-Igna Haggard, the reincarnation of Staxius Haggard. Your daughter, the Librarian of Nexsolium has been very generous in recounting the countless adventures. The record is very impressive, and I see the Shadow Realm is nothing to laugh at either. A mere amber in a sea of flames, and amber fueled by strange powers. I also know about the betrayal; I know how my father allied to the demons in order to steal the symbols of power. My dearest friend, Nike, seems to have taken a great liking to you,” in when those words echoed, the goddess in question, inched to stand behind Igna, “-she’s picked her side. I understand her actions fully, a betrayal by father, he who she lovely cared and stood by, suddenly slew her for speaking to Death.”

“Quit with the baseless words already,” sighed Igna, “-are you friend or foe, no scrap that, how did you enter?”

“By asking Lixbin,” she shrugged, “-that god is a shrewd piece of work. I know not his allegiance or motives – I but had to ask nicely and a temporal pathway opened to the realm. The immensity of the power has fueled Nike’s soul to be reborn, goes to show, anything is possible with the right about of power.”

‘My other self,’ the eyes shut, ‘-my body chills at her words, the aura and way of speech are familiar, I can’t help but be impressed. Please, come forth and take the reign, I wish to rest, and think of precautionary measures.’ *thud,* crimson bleached to crystal white, “-greetings Athena,” said he smugly, “-what business has the two-faced dog of Zeus wish with me?”

“Origin...” her brows rose, “-father as beckoned thy aid so many times, and thee chose that thing as the successor?”

“Yes, and please,” the face boldly said to keep quiet, “-don’t insult me or my companions. He everything to embrace my whim, a wish I’ll never forget. So, does the two-faced mutt have a scheme in mind?”

“Not really, I came on a whim. Father’s gone insane at the moment; he’s relapsing from having slain demons. The supreme realm waits till he reawakens. Without orders or entertainment, I sought out to find Death or his heir. Even if I want to cause chaos, the dominion is under four high-tier being’s control. One is enough, but four, tis jest for surely, no great being would stoop low as to serve you.”

“In the greater world,” voiced Origin, “-nothing matters. Gods have no sense of right or wrong, their actions are selfish and truly meant to satisfy their needs. Reverence is a reason enough. The human heart has the power to manifest their greatest desires, a weapon god or demon can never understand.”

“And what does it pertain to me?” she paused.

“What I mean to say is, gods have no concept of reality, they’re too busy wandering the skies above and passing judgment on the weak. The four who’ve willingly given Igna their support have lived and embraced the mortal realm. They can live as gods, extradite their powers as deity, granted tis the Shadow Realm alone, and visit the mortal realm for a home visit or plain ol’ harassment. Goddess Nike’s sure to join our family, we bear no allegiance to gods or demons, our sole purpose is the safeguard of our family. Hurt one of us, and face the wrath of us, and everyone in the Shadow Realm. This, obviously, includes the realm of monsters.”

*Gasp,* her face froze, “-r-realm of m-monsters?”

“Yes, the world the God-slayer has worked thick and thin to safeguard and evolve. Guess what, the inheritor of Scifer’s will is none other than Igna himself.”

“Spanner in the works,” she mildly stepped back, “-he bares the will of Time, Death, and Origin....” her hand moved erratically, “-I want answers on how a man can garner such clout.”

“I can’t answer that,” he chuckled, “-perhaps it’s being written by a higher being, someone who controls the very fate of this world or just plain coincidence. As a watcher, I can say but one thing, events happen for a reason, and those reasons are either good or bad. How about the conversation moves along, I don’t want this to last forever.”

“Fine, fine,” she paused, “-bring out Igna.”

Bled to red, “-you asked for me?”

“Yes, I did,” she stepped forth, “-Origin must have a recount of my countless betrayal and vindictive personality. I admit, when war is up for debate, I’ll do anything to win the battle, patricide, homicide, nothing matters, all to bring the victory home. In a perfect world, Nike stands by my side. Alas, tis far from perfect, she’s in thy entourage.”

“Can’t we cut the mellowness,” he sighed, “-Goddess Athena, I don’t mind the company. I don’t expect much nor do I care what you do and think. If Goddess Nike wishes to share thy company without external interference, then, who am I to interject. Friends must never be torn apart by differing factions. From where I stand, Goddess Athena hasn’t acted maliciously towards us. Zeus’s in deep slumber and the divine realm is at a standstill. Why not spend the time of peace in our company, I won’t promise trust, but I can promise entertainment.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll betray you?” *Snap,* a sharp gust blasted their faces, the battleground stood below, spells and weapons were fired without limits.

“I was already betrayed by Cleopatra,” he said so decrepitly, “-things are different now. I’ve made peace with who I am and what I have to do. The ultimate goal has yet to show itself – there isn’t an end of the world scenario. Life isn’t hyped, the description of great talents and strength of bonds doesn’t feel the same when applied to our realm. The world scurries along regardless of what happens. Gods are the same in a way, empty craters, dormant volcanoes waiting to explode. I don’t ask much,” he matched her stare sincerely, “-no need to switch sides or do anything that’d make you uncomfortable. Instead, follow me to the mortal realm. The art pieces are boundless and without limit, come and experience what the world has to offer. What’s the godly realm, a place of happiness and fluttering angels? Come experience the woe and deception, the struggle and pain of failure. The Shadow Realm is a secrete domain; as a watcher, I must exile potential threats. Daughter to Zeus, thou art a menace.”

“Heh,” she facepalmed, “-so much for the speech of never separating friends.”

“Oh, you have it wrong, lady Nike will follow us. Odgawoan has plenty of space, do as thee wishes, I won’t interfere. Consider me thy landlord and the manor to be the apartment. From there, the sky is the limit or heaven since thou art a god.”

*THREE DRAGON ROAR* an eruption of energy blasted out the roof, the brightness burnt, the smell of roasted hair solicited a gag, “-what say you,” inquired Igna nonchalantly ambling to the pillar, “-want to know what it’s like to be a human?” he plunged his arms and clenched, the energy dispersed with a ‘poof’.

“COME ON! cried Kaleem, “-MASTER, OUR ULTIMATE FINISH....”

“Shut up,” fired he, “-the chaos ghouls are dead anyway,” what stared down was a man with arms on his hip, in a way, he seemed like the overly protective mother. Thus, came to pass the trial of Gophy. Three fallen heroes were assigned to guard and protect the Shadow Realm. An arrangement they agreed to inside the throne room. Four seats held the four greats, Gophy, Intherna, Miira, and Lilith. Chaos, else order, Fire, else strength, Time, else wisdom, and Joker else wildcard. They each represented a faction under which the growing population would join. Atop them stood Igna, else, the watcher – he who rules and waits. The fallen heroes were each assigned to a faction, Cora to Gophy, Kaleem to Intherna, and Yuria to Miira. Lilith had the homunculus, else renamed as Starix.

One knee to the ground and face to their leaders, the ceremony ended with much applause and welcome.

Each arrival of fighters garnered a festival in the soon-to-be populated capital. “Asmodeus has brought in many ladies from the other worlds,” commented Adete.

“Hey there first progenitor,” smiled Igna, “-how are the people’s morale, do they enjoy the life?”

“The crowning of four great generals as ruler was a masterful idea. I heard from Lilith, Beelzebub has taken refuge in Dorchester, the desert befits him nicely. The boy enjoys making monsters of which serve to train the army.”

On said note, after a brief meeting, Igna left for the real world. Draconis, Saniata, Athena, and Nike would follow. In a sudden twist, Athena changed her name and appearance to that of a young man, Thena, who is what he called himself. Nike followed suit, the visage remained identical, as for the hair, it shortened.

“We’re finally home,” leaped Draconis, “-come on Saniata,” she flung the griffin and darted to the skies, “-pops, we’re going to kill monsters...”

“Return before night.”

“ALRIGHT!” the new addition stood bemused at the strange manor, ‘-interesting craftsmanship figured Thena.