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“It was a silent exchange of threat and message. I understand why many have fallen for the Devil’s charm and lure. They had no idea what they were walking into, nor did they ever decide to prepare themselves against changes in the battlefield. The moment we walked into the shop, for example, was the instant where many things changed. You were wise to point the little girl scurrying upon the bridge – she held the key to our life and death. Didn’t you notice how the devil nonchalantly walked to the side window and gestured? He made it painfully obvious that we were in his territory. I’m scared and excited at the same time – I’ve never met someone able to equal my intellect before. Celestials are weak-minded, bound by tradition for lack of imagination. The council of families will bow to me, I’ll take control of the pawns one way or the other,” the mouth stopped save the thoughts, ‘-I have the blood of the supreme god running through my veins. I won’t allow another to ruin my plans,’ he narrowed, ‘-long as we don’t get in each other’s way, devil, we’ll have a mutually understanding relation.’

Similarly, Igna with head out the side-window, watched the lovely sun settle behind the mountain, “-master,” scurried little Tania, “-is everything alright?”

“Everything’s under control,” he smiled, “-Zeus’s bloodline is part of the hidden upper echelon,” he turned away from the window and leaned similar-sounding clops, and the fumbling of a carriage arrived. From it a younger fellow leaped and pulled into the shop, “-lord Igna,” he gasped with hands on the knees, “-my apologies,” the head rose timidly, “-I’m late. The Committee’s on the way here,” he said.

“A little late for the warning,” he returned, “-the supposed L and the liberal faction have been noticed by the Committee. It’d be wise to relocate and lay low for a while.”

The cautionary words felt naught to the out-of-breath wiseman, “-I beg to differ,” he rose sharply, “-never underestimate the power of a collective mindset. Everyone saw the committee waltz into town, ignoring the pain and suffering – and made straight for the shop.”

Igna simply smiled, “-I’ve handled the affair.” As they spoke, news of the encounter diffused across the town, from open-air to the suffocating underbelly of the earth. Word traveled fast in a tight community, especially for one where the Devil help alleviate famine and hardship. The narrative was so, ‘-the celestials are angry at the devil for granting us free food and accommodation. They came with an ultimatum; the town will be at risk lest the devil leaves or the distribution of food stops.’ Believe it, when matters of an empty stomach and basic live supplies were in question, there was no going against the flow.

.....

“I will believe so,” returned Gustv, “-what’s next?”

A breeze swept through the humble Twin Jelly shop, “-we wait and watch.”

Wait they did for months elapse; growing tension between Celestials festered. Two polarizing factions rose; one inherits to pursue the olden ways – conservatives, and the second, those who suffered most under the regime settled by those in power – liberals/ revolutionist faction. Without influence or strength to rival the stone-cold conservatives – those of the new faction had to get creative. The result – was a wedding, a grand ceremony whereby many parties were invited to celebrate the union of Danio’s and Xinfe’s. Both sides shared their little remaining wealth to host the event – and under the table, Igna supplied the rest.

A guard detail was dispatched to ensure the safe coming of the bond. One sent to monitor the Devil’s activities. On a nicely decorated field – bordered by the generously arranged table upon which laid delicacies from the Twin Jelly shop – the groom made his way to the altar where a member of the Ingyn, familia, goddess of marriage, held a holy book. Igna settled in the background in the company of Tania. Her eyes were upon the delicacies, “-I can’t believe I made so much food.”

“I’ve said it before,” he returned, “-when it comes to magic, even a child can cook,” and not to dismiss her hard work, “-and when it comes to cooking with magic, none rivals thy hand, young Tania.” She simply returned a cordial smile – her attention soon swapped to a ground of children running about the chairs playing tag. Her feet rose, “-go on,” said Igna, “-go play with them. I don’t want to be responsible for depriving thy childhood.”

She scoffed, “-I’m not a kid. I’m an apprentice,” her bunny ears spiked, soon, the lass was none to be found save behind a ground of noisy children. On leaving the girl to her devices, Igna took a small trip towards the nearby bar, grabbed a glass, turned to face against the table, and watched. Both sides filled slowly but surely. For a marriage set to be in a forest, the grass and path were tidy. Town laid little to a few minutes sprint.

Uniformed guards stomped to the table. The leader, a differently dressed gentleman, noticed by the cap and higher rank, broke through the mass and smiled, “-Lord Igna,” he smiled deviously, “-tis a pleasure to see you.”

“If it’s not Yean,” he returned, “-how goes it?”

“Pretty nice,” the regard scanned the entourage, “-a gathering of likeminded individuals.”

“I do suppose there will come the time where thy party and mine shall be interested in the same outcome,” he narrowed on Yean’s signet ring, ‘-an L,’ he exhaled, “-dear me, would you believe there’s quite a commotion in the capital about a slave-camp found at the great Perette Fall. A representative of the Committee had very interesting material to go over. Those of which possibly life-threatening.”

“Lord Azo, yes?” he returned, “-the man’s quite a trouble maker,” the air changed mildly, “-I should focus on rounds,” turned to the mass, “-let’s go.” The guards slammed their feet and continued along – an awkward exchange, one in which Igna sipped and smiled.

“My lord,” whispered the one behind the drinks, “-we’ve detected movement in the northwestern sky. Shall I ready our forces?”

“Yes please,” returned a joyful jingle. Minutes passed, seats filled, the groom walked the aisle to the altar and kept a strong face. Pressure on the youngest head of the family was palpable in an adorable way. Between the kind expression, flushed cheeks, and noticeable hints of joy and embarrassment – younger ladies swooned at the cuteness.

A noticeably intense presence arrived in the company of a lovely middle-aged woman, “-pleasure to finally meet the infamous Devil,” added the very charming woman, “-I do hope my husband and son haven’t caused much trouble.”

“Please, it’s no problem,” returned Igna, “-the past remains the past, the present and future is ours to control. Please,” he gestured to the front-row, “-have a seat whilst the bride’s ready.” The charming lady nodded and scurried forth.

“Master Igna,” murmured the intense presence, “-what should I be doing?” blinked Lord Fife, “-ever since stepping down, I’ve lost the purpose of life. My wife’s gone insane in her spending and lavish lifestyle – the family feels separated and the pain of shooting an important member of my daughter-in-law’s family stabs deeply.”

“Lord Fife,” returned Igna, “-the way forward is to forget the past. The trauma thee suffered was for the betterment of the family. See,” he pointed at the same relatives at the pub, “-she’s here alive and well. Ravish for Marinda moves into a new age.”

Uncertain, the middle-aged man lowered his brow, emptied the heavy aura, and shuffled to his wife’s side. After them, came a familiar face, shaven white-hair, and a pitifully somber expression. Lady Vive, dressed in full-black, locked onto Igna, immediately turned for the bride’s side and ran. The husband, Lord Vilian – a stout figure of a warrior took few steps and dropped his blocky forehead upon Igna, who simply returned a noncaring cheer. “-Lord Vilian, I’m glad to see the half-complete Danio family. The stunt thee pulled; I’m assuming it no longer lingers? I don’t care what thee thinks, the Danio’s are under my firm grasp. Move against me and I’ll have thy family’s dirty secret exposed to the whole of Marinda.”

The large shoulders eased into a mundane stare, “-Lord Devil, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Since the loss of my boys, my wife and I no longer have the strength to endure torment in this cut-throat world. I hope you’re happy, I hope thy consciousness isn’t guilty of ruining my family forever. Allow me and my wife to enjoy the remnants of happiness we can muster, please,” he took off his hand, bowed respectfully, and moved forward.

‘I don’t buy it,’ narrowed Igna, ‘-I killed their children, I’d be vowing for vengeance or salvation. Forget the latter, tis the former – Danio is God of the Fallen age, an entity representing chaos and desolation – precisely how the family should currently feel. By strength of Militia, my army ranks in the top two. The committee’s joint alliance and Lombart’s reserved forces,’ a sudden call to action by the priest sucked the collective crowd. “-We gather here today...” the speech carried into one of unity and peace between the factions wherein the fathers were called to the altar and asked to exchange jewelry as a sign of understanding between both familias. Igna sat restlessly, the lack of emotion from the Danio side was troubling. A century-old rivalry was not so easily settled.

In the sky northwest, a massive shadow wrapped the ceiling of tall trees; mammoths in size and intensity. Ropes lowered, shapes dropped one after the other, “-it’s here,” passed through a rudimentary communication channel – one birthed by magical circles layered around the vicinity. A special force of skilled fighters muddled through the thicket. Scouts with scopes to their eyes locked onto the crest, “-the crest of Lombart,” jolted across the circles.

“Listen to me,” spoke across the rivaling’s channel, “-targets are the Xinfe’s head, Djen, the father, and the mother. Shoot on sight, we’re moving per the will of the supreme god. Our cause is just, and by the support of the Committee, we shall prove the strength of our pious relation to the olden ways, the true way of life.”

The pieces fit, Igna looked at the Danio’s side and saw no trace of the bridge, “-I expected an ambush, not of such small case.” Suddenly, reports came from around the cardinal points, “-we’re being surrounded,” no orders to shoot was issued.

The bartender side-stepped to Igna’s seat, “-master, the more time’s wasted, the risker grows this wedding. What are thy orders?”

“Well, there’s but one order,” he exhaled, ‘-Azo, you didn’t think I’d anticipate an attack?’ a murderous look sparked, the attendant knew what it means and soon rushed behind the counter.

Stood in the caged island of Rehn, a second biggest floating castle in Marinda, a feisty scholar stared upon a free-floating map. “-Dear Mariane,” he said, casting a leftward glance, “-too bad you allied with the devil,” he grinned. Chains bound her feet, arms, and head to a metallic frame, “-so much for being in love and trusting evil. They’ll soon realize the true terror of facing the olden teachings,” an equally ominous spark loomed, “-we do some bad crazy shit too,” he cackled. A voice whooshed through a scroll, “-the battle’s begun, we’re being shot from unknown locations.”

“Carry on,” he said, “-we’ll lose a few men but gain ground. Have the casters place the summoning spells when the safe-zone’s are captured. We’ll take this fight even if it costs us our lives. Kill or be killed, my fellow comrades; FIGHT!”

Meanwhile, at the altar – Xinfe’s waited to no avail, “-lord Vilian,” called the lady of Xinfe, “-might I ask to where young Mariane is?”

“She’s on her way,” he replied, “-my daughter has to look the prettiest she’s ever been.”