He is neither Souless(Mangora) nor Elder(Dynara) but both, so maybe the rules of "not allowed to do that" don't apply.

Oh... so it was all a scheme for the Fates to have something to do?! I knew those biatches were not to be trusted


seriously, this rocks... gives us more

Oh, they fates are quiet evil. They wanted the divine to be shattered just so they could with the shards they created.

I'm going to mount a revolution in order to DESTROY THEM FATES!

No you wont be.

Can't deny the will of Yudhe.

Hahahahahaha.

Mmm, the Histories rock so hardcore.

I think people need to know more greek mythology...

Serious flaw in that plan.

-pray for salvation
You have reached The Fates. Thank you for calling, but I'm afraid we're unreachable right now. Don't bother trying again. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused, but it was Orti's fault.

Hey.. after I'm done with the fates I will be the first to Heartstop in order to avoid anhy akward moments with griefed people

But what'll you do after heartstopping if there isn't anyone around to rezz you?

Again. No you wont.

And he couldnt be rezzed anyways. He's a Lich, so Celest wont help. Mag probably wouldnt immolate him after getting rid of the Fates, nor would any others.

Taurians are twice as cool for me now. Not only their stats are great (in my opinion), but Tauro is just pure badass.

Forget silly diplomacy and subtlety. Problem? Remove by kicking arse. And he (or was Tauro female? I'll have to reread HELP TAURIANS) shares my view of Tae.

I believe she is a cow rather than a bull.

And certainly not a

Also a doff of my hat for an ancient Greek mythology pun.

I saw atleast two greek mythology refrences.

I saw three, but not sure about one(Keph)..

(the other ones are the Fates and Tauro of course)

Book of Aslarn, anyone?

This had better work...

THE BOOK OF ASLARN

Ah, back in the jungles of Jojobo, I watched Little Sun playing among
the lions and gazelles, chasing one and then the other. I noticed the
lions were becoming agitated by this mischief. I swept Little Sun up
into my arms, because Great Lion Spirit was just beginning to take
notice.

"What you be doing now, Little Sun?" I asked him. "Your big ole body is
way up in the sky overhead, why you send this bitty part of your spirit
down to chase the poor little lions?"

"I'm lonely!" cried Little Sun. "All up in that big sky, there's no one
to play with!"

"Well, that not be true!" I said. "What about Spirit Moon? There she is
peeking up over the horizon!"

"She hardly comes around!" complained Little Sun, though I felt his
curiosity reach out to sense Moon Spirit coming up over the mountains.

"And what about Spirit Night?" I asked, teasing him. "She's just around
the corner!"

"I never see her!"

"I hear she's very, very beautiful, Little Sun! I think you'll like her
if you meet her. Or aren't you fast enough to catch her?"

"Oh, fast I am! I'll catch her!"

The glorious golden body I held, which was Little Sun's projected
spirit, melted away as his consciousness flew back into his celestial
body in the sky. I shaded my eyes and grinned as he began to travel a
little faster across the sky. Chuckling to myself, I made sure the
little lions weren't too upset, but they were washing themselves and
pretending nothing had happened. I sensed Great Lion Spirit was already
forgiving and forgetting Little Sun's antics, as he stretched out to
enjoy the lazy heat of the afternoon.

We'd have to keep an eye out for Sun Spirit. As with many others of the
greater spirits when newly awakened, he tried to play with the lesser
awakened spirits or with the lesser creations of the Seventh Circle.
He'd have to learn to curb himself, though I sensed our hands would be
full with this one. His spirit was both arrogant and
rambunctious--indeed, reminding me when Great Lion Spirit was formed.
These two would eventually either end up being great friends or heated
rivals!

Who could blame Little Sun for wanting to play with the lions? These
great lovely cats created by Lorella of the Seventh were both gorgeous
and arrogant, playful and terrifying, loyal and so full of pride. Oh,
within the jungles there were many fine creations, some of the most
artistic and creative works of the Seventh Circle could be seen in the
many kinds of monkeys and florid birds, the long necked giraffes and
graceful gazelles, the colourful boa constrictors and enormous
elephants, but it was Lorella's great lovely cats that were my secret
favorites.

Walking among the little lions who rubbed up and down my legs, I
couldn't help but feel immense pride in the jungles of Jojobo. I was
determined to treasure as much time as I could here before being called
back to Xyl's spires when the mission to the Heralds of Magnora
departed. Though most of First Circle were going on that important
mission, I was not one of them. Unlike Amberle or Meridian, who focused
on the needs of the warriors and hamadhi who roamed through the planar
sheaths, or like Migana or Fain who oversaw the projects of the artists
and thinkers, I chose to oversee the Sixth and Seventh Circles, helping
coordinate and balance the spirits they awakened and creatures they
created. There were only a handful of Firsts who chose this duty, and I
was proud of what I did.

Most of the Firsts would be part of the mission. Indeed, only about two
dozen of us would remain behind. There wasn't a lot for me to do at this
time, which is why I came back to enjoy my time in the jungles. The
other Firsts were being trained by the Second Circle in the risks of
traveling beyond aetherspace and into the void itself. Since Xyl still
hadn't returned from his quest to find Dracnoris, Fain oversaw the Fifth
Circle, mostly Raezon, Roark and Gheasia, construct a crystal prism from
which the mission could be viewed through Meridian's link with Amberle.

None of us knew what to expect, of course. We guessed that the Heralds
of Magnora may harbor some resentment against us, but who were they
really? We hadn't seen them in aeons, and their closest kin, the primal
gods amongst us, were lost in their third circle meditations. Our
emissaries to Dracnoris and Keph still hadn't returned.

The time finally came for me to bid goodbye once again to Great Lion and
Little Sun and all the rest of the spirits and creations of Jojobo. I
was called back to Xyl's spires to the First Circle assembly. I was
rather surprised to see that the mission, of which there were three
hundred and sixty five members of the First Circle, had decided to
travel in a power formation called the Finger of Fate. Though I was no
expert on Second Circle hunting formations, I seemed to recall this was
one of the most deadly formations.

"The Finger of Fate?" I asked Krokano, one of the warriors of the Golden
Circle. "You be leaving nothing to chance, eh?"

"It was a compromise," Krokano said. "Since it was decided that this
mission wouldn't contain any of the Second Circle, we insisted that they
should at least meet the Heralds in a formation that could easily be
defended. Truth be told, I still do not like having none of the Second
Circle on this mission."

"It is out of the question," said Amberle, overhearing us. "How would it
appear to them if we sent warriors as our first encounter? We do not
mean to frighten them."

"We are sending out the almost entire First Circle," observed Fain,
"that's intimidating enough. Besides, I think over 300 of us could deal
with any unpleasantries if it came to that."

"Which it will not," said Amberle.

"Nevertheless, there could be dangers," said Krokano. "The Finger of
Fate will at least offer minimal protection."

"It be prudent," I said.

I could tell that Amberle had argued against even that, but she merely
sighed and nodded. As the rest of us gathered, we grew more and more
festive. The Keepers of the Songs of Creation, a group of the Fourth
Circle devoted to the music of creation, began singing and leading us in
intricate dances.

Then the mission members floated up above the crystal spires. It was an
impressive sight as they sent forth beams of power and began linking
into the formation known as the Finger of Fate, each of them glistening
in robes, some redolent in ornate splendor and some elegant in their
simplicity, some wore crowns or circlets upon their brows, some wielded
symbols of power in their hands, from delicate rods and crosses to
crystal ankhs and orbs of power.

The Finger of Fate formation consisted of six rings, the outer ring one
hundred strong, the next ring seventy-five, and so on until Amberle
herself stood alone in the center. As they floated upwards, connected
with lines of power, Amberle took the lead point while the other circles
lagged behind, forming a glittering cone behind her.

Back in the main chamber of the central spire, Meridian stood alone on a
raised platform. Fain directed the Fifth Circle to empower the crystal
sphere which hung above Meridian. Within that viewing sphere, we could
share Meridian's connection with Amberle, as they were joined by blood
and love, sibling mates. The crystal immediately glowed pink with their
affection, and their thoughts vibrated off the crystal, confident and
determined.

Thus, the Finger of Fate launched itself into the aethers, intent upon
their mission to the Heralds, while the rest of us gathered in the
central chamber to view the progress through the viewing sphere. Most
everyone was gathered from all the circles, and we were filled with hope
and excitement.

The journey was uneventful until they approached the Void. Here, they
slowed and the crystal viewing sphere darkened slightly, reflecting
Amberle's trepidation. The Void was a vast emptiness, devoid of even the
energy that flowed through the aethers, impenetrable in its vast
isolation. The Void was often described as cold and harsh, but those are
only the most pale of metaphors. The Void has no physical temperature,
neither hot nor cold, nor comfortable. Furthermore, it is vaster than
imagination, for that which does not exist far exceeds that which does.
The Void itself is anathema to existence, for it is that which is
nothing and a painful place to even travel through, for form and spirit
rebel against existing in a place where they do not belong.

Perhaps the greatest mystery is why that which is empty is not empty,
for as the Second Circle knows more than any of us, there are beings
that inhabit the Void. We call them the Abominations. Perhaps some are
cast off creations of Dynara, perhaps some are improbable manifestations
of the Void itself. Many certainly are mutated half-formeds who traveled
into the Void and became undone and remade in their insanity. Rarely
would we willingly travel deep into the Void, except perhaps to chase a
renegade half-formed or perform some research project.

Back in the main chamber of Xyl's spires, we collectively experienced
the Void through Meridian's link with Amberle, feeling waves of her pain
and nausea, though blunted through the viewing sphere. We helped
Meridian send Amberle strength, and felt her resolve harden. Thus, she
led the mission into the depths of the Void.

The journey itself took months, and none of us left the chamber, sharing
the travails of our siblings through Meridian's link with Amberle.
Without that link, they would have been lost to us, as their trail back
to reality faded away. I know not what it must have been like for them,
none of us had ever experienced such a long time in the Void before.
Just traveling with them vicariously through the viewing sphere was
exhausting and draining enough.

Finally, they approached that dark spot where Xyl first saw the Heralds.
If it wasn't for Xyl's devices that he constructed to prove the
existence of other realities beyond the Void, I doubt we would have
noticed the Heralds until they breached into aetherspace and were
encountered by a Second Circle patrol.

The viewing crystal reflected everything seen through the eyes of
Amberle, and we now saw the Heralds up close. They were ablaze with a
swarming darkness, much larger than we had imagined, almost dwarfing the
glittering Finger of Fate. Within the center of the mass were about a
dozen gargantuan beings, clearly the leaders of the Heralds, and they
moved forward and hovered near the Finger of Fate. Amberle was not
deterred and allowed the great alien beings to study the Finger of Fate.

"Greetings," said Amberle, projecting peaceful intention through her
thoughts. "We come in love and friendship. We know you reach towards the
First World, called Lusternia, and bid you welcome."

For those of us back in Xyl's spires, Amberle's confidence shown through
the viewing crystal as a deep amber. We watched and waited as the horde
of Heralds kept spiraling around the Finger of Fate, like curious
animals circling around an unknown stranger. An uncomfortable silence
stretched as we waited for their answer.

Finally, one of the Heralds unleashed a blast of mental images:
amusement, curiosity, hatred, and most of all hunger. A great gnawing
hunger that shot through Amberle, and was reflected through the viewing
sphere at us as a wave of voracious blackness that brought many of us to
our knees.

Before Amberle could reply, other Heralds struck out at the rings with a
suddenness that none of us suspected. Shouts erupted in the chamber as
we demanded to know what was happening. Was this communication? An
attack? Did they think we were here to harm them? Amberle's own
confusion ricocheted mentally around the chamber.

The gargantuan Heralds drew back, and the smaller ones rushed forward,
letting out of a collected fetid breath before pouncing upon their prey.
And their prey was Amberle. The viewing sphere suddenly bathed the
chamber in cascading ruby light, angry and bright. Amberle's scream
scorched the crystal of the viewing sphere as the Finger of Fate
inverted to protect her. The Finger of Fate was no longer in a cone
formation but rather the outer rings were gyrating around Amberle,
cutting off the relentless attacks on her. A cheer went up from the
Second Circle, who were congratulating themselves on their foresight in
instructing them how to use the Finger of Fate formation.

The other Firsts in the chamber with me looked stunned and shaken. Fain
had retreated into the arms of his mate Lisaera, while Meridian was
certainly in no shape having fallen prone upon the dais. Someone needed
to take control of the situation, so I stepped forward and took charge.

"LISTEN TO ME!" I roared, my voice causing the crystal to vibrate.
Silence followed and I pointed to Meridian who was kneeling and panting
on the dais but no longer writhing in pain.

"We have been struck, the psychic link has whiplashed us all," I said,
"but we will not dissemble! Meridian maintains the link and our brothers
and sisters have repelled the attack. Second Circle, step forward and
report!"

"The multiple rings are part of a defensive formation," said Terentia.
"The spherical shield is almost impossible to breach."

"But they cannot hold that for long," said Morgfyre. "Eventually they
will tire. They need to retreat!"

"They're surrounded," said Krokano, "They must begin the daath
sequence!"

The rest of the Second Circle collectively gasped in shocked. I looked
around and they were staring incredulously at Krokano. Meanwhile,
Amberle and the others still held the spherical shield, deflecting the
attacks that were sent relentlessly at them. But for how long?

Slowly Hajamin nodded and said, "Daath."

"Is there no other way?" asked Morgfyre.

"What is it?" I asked, impatient at this uncharacteristic uncertainty
among the Seconds. "What is this Daath sequence?"

"You may know it as the Breaker of the Cosmos," said Hajamin, who looked
down at his feet as if embarrassed for them all.

Of course, I had heard of the Breaker of the Cosmos, a formation so
powerful and deadly that it was only ever enacted once by the Second
Circle who vowed to never use it again. It was a dark time in our
history. A cosmic plane had been discovered that was so foul and
corrupt, it was determined that we could no allow it to exist. The
Second Circle had developed a new formation called Breaker of the
Cosmos, which was used to annihilate the entire plane and everything
living there. Debate still raged over the ethics of that event.

"Can they do it?" I asked softly.

"When it was done before," said Terentia, "it took two hundred of the
Second Circle. They have over 300 in the Finger of Fate. It should be
possible!"

"Could they destroy the Heralds?" I asked.

"It is the ultimate offense," said Krokano confidently.

"Meridian!" I shouted, coming to a decision quickly. "Tell Amberle to
begin the Daath sequence! Have her pass instruction to the others!"

I wasn't sure if he heard me, for his eyes were closed as pain and agony
literally steamed off his skin. But eventually he gritted his teeth and
nodded.

"Daath sequence!" he repeated, and the Second Circle began a chant with
him, "Daath! Daath! Daath!" Their chant pounding Meridian with mental
instructions on what to do.

Meridian gasped and was able to pull himself up to his knees. He shook
his head and opened his eyes, staring beseechingly at me.

"Amberle refuses to order it," said Meridian. "She thinks the Heralds
misunderstood our intentions. She wishes to try to communicate one more
time."

"Is she insane? We cannot allow it!" I said.

But we saw on the viewing sphere that the spinning gyrations of the
rings were already slowing. Amberle was once again preparing to
communicate with the Heralds. Back in the chambers, the Fifth Circle now
surrounded Meridian, raising crystal grids around him to blunt the
psychic connection with Amberle to protect his mind. Meridian was able
to breathe easier and shakily stood up, though tears still streaked down
his cheeks.

"Please, Amberle, don't do this," he sobbed. "Come back to me, my love!
My heart! Do not do this!"

The image of Amberle magnified in the viewing sphere and she smiled. Her
magnificent violet eyes filled with love and compassion.

"Do not fear for me, blessed Meridian," she answered. "You are the soul
of my soul, but you know we must at least try. It is the moral thing to
do. And if we have no morality, what else do we have? Is it not our
righteousness that defines us?"

The thoughts of the other Firsts in their rings formations echoed back
and affirmed Amberle. I sighed and bowed my head in humility at her
grace. The rings stopped gyrating and again they pulled into an inverted
cone, with Amberle at the tip, projecting peace and love.

Just at that moment, the southern back wall of the chamber blew out
backwards. There were screams of astonishment. Were we under attack here
in Xyl's tower? But, no, hovering in the center of the hole was the
massive head of Dracnoris. Tae, Xyl and Bollikin were perched on his
shoulder and jumped into the chamber.

The Dragon God was always a fearsome sight to behold, fire leaking from
his nostrils and his teeth glistening like swords. Unlike the rest of
us, he was a primal god, closest kin to the Heralds. He was one of the
first few who Dynara chose to keep by her side, one of the oldest souls
in creation and certainly one of the wisest.

And his eyes were wide with fear and dread.

"Call them back!" Dracnoris roared. "You cannot speak to the Heralds!
They only have one desire and that is to consume! I can sense my sister,
a Herald herself. She is nothing but a fathomless hunger. Her very
spirit is a psychic leech, and she laughs. They all laugh! They can
think of nothing but to destroy us. Call back the Star Gods!"

Meridian's face fell, as he began relaying Dracnoris' message to
Amberle. The Dragon God narrowed his huge eyes, quickly taking in
everything that was happening in the viewing sphere. Quickly realizing
that he was too late, he shrank back, his ears going flattening back
against his head, reminding me of how lions looked look when threatened.

Whether Amberle heard the warning or not, she was already reaching out
towards a huge amorous blob of gibbering madness. I suspect she would
have tried to communicate regardless. We will never know for at that
moment they attacked in force.

Massive colours of darkness wrapped around Amberle, pulling her forward.
The rings tried again to gyrate and protect her but this time the
Heralds were ready. They leapt forward, like a starving pack of
scavengers and tore into the rings, breaking them apart. Of course,
these rings were made up of hundreds of the First Circle, and what we
were watching was their utter decimation.

Two rings managed to begin their gyrations but it was too little and far
too late. Amberle was screaming, her agony breaking through the crystal
dampers and sending Meridian once again to the floor on the dais,
writhing in pain.

We watched helplessly through Amberle as the creatures tore into our
brothers an disasters, maws opened with dripping fangs, their minds
unleashing waves of unfettered hunger and malice. The Finger of Fate was
broken as dozens of lesser Heralds threw themselves at the rings of
power, breaking them apart through their sheer mass. Then the greater
Heralds came forward, stripping away flesh to bare the spirit beneath,
then shattering the inner souls like brittle glass.

"Break the link!" screamed Raezon, "For the love of Yudhe! Break the
link!"

Roark met Raezon's eyes and nodded. Together, they shattered the
transmitter and left Meridian screaming and flailing on the ground.

"Amberle! Amberle!" Meridian screamed over and over, as blood flowed
from his eyes.

Though Amberle's screams were echoing through the chamber for what
seemed eternity, the viewing sphere was broken. The Third Circle hamadhi
healers rushed to Meridian, blanketing him with soothing energies. We
were all stunned, myself included. Lisaera was cradling Fain's head
against her bosom. Most were sobbing and screaming in sympathy. The
Fourth Circle was practically dissembling. Only the Second Circle were
galvanized, preparing for battle and planning strikes, but there was no
order or organization and their fractious plans had no reason.

All I wished to do was run away, back to the jungles of Jojoba, to play
with the great cats and help teach Little Sun what it was like to be
awakened. But none of the other Firsts were in any shape to lead, and
the Second Circle was preparing to rush off without plan or reason.
Would I ever see beloved Jojoba again? I gritted my teeth against
despair and roared.

Eyes turned to me, the Second Circle standing at attention. The other
circles gathered around, looking beseechingly at me, hungry to know what
to do. And so I did what I had to do, what duty demanded of me.

I prepared the gods for war.

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