hadriel | ✤ One. (voice;)

[The Network. As useful as it may be, Regis is quite hesitant to use it. Why? Well, there's plenty of reasons 'why' but none any better than the fact there's depraved criminals lurking about. How depraved? Those twisted enough to devour the corpse of their victims for all to behold. His brief conversation with one of these killers completely stamped out all of Regis' desire to converse with others in his realm.

That is until now.

After speaking with Faith regarding this sinful realm and the deities who rule it, Regis decided now was the time to seek an audience with the alleged "Gods". Though, how is he to speak with them? It's not as if they broadcast themselves on here often. Since Regis has arrived, these so-called deities been silent, oddly so. Still quite anxious about using this Network as a means of contacting these False Gods, Regis eventually does speak after a moment of deep contemplation.]

I humbly beseech any and all who knows of the "Gods" to speak plain and true.

[His voice is quiet but not without certainty. He's a king after all. Hesitation isn't permitted even in strange matters such as this.]

The last several weeks have been quite daunting to plenty and many who've endured great hardships. Bonds have been broken and friendships lead askew by murderous endeavors of those who perverted the good image of many. With this known to all of us here, I think now would be the time for the Gods to speak.

Is it in hubris alone that 'Fear' and 'Hope' would steal others away from their rightful worlds for the sake of this war of attrition? If so, there's much to discuss and I'm willing to do so in private if the public channels ill-suits any who speaks.

[He ends the recording with that for now. It seems as good a place to end it. Now the wait begins...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As it is on my world as well. We call it the Force. It's abilities are genetic. Only a few can access them, and fewer still have any true skill.

[The ones that do tend to be feared. Again, she remembers the Inquisitor. She wonders what's become of him. No doubt he's dead by now. A man like that was hardly alive in the first place.]

I am not one of them, though I served with a man who had such abilities.

[Maketh sips her coffee, now free of the shield. The magic is almost poetic. She's never seen anything quite like it.]

The difficulty lies in forcing the gods to show themselves. Only Delight has done so. We have already tried destroying their temples and a previous attempt to draw them into the open was....ill-advised.

"The Force...?"

[Genetic abilities? How odd. Regis cannot fake disinterest in this mythical 'Force'. He's quite intrigued with Maketh now.]

What was this man like? The one you used to serve. Was he...a lord or an emperor?

[He's curious. Woefully curious about the world or rather the universe where Maketh hails from.]

Ah, so the Gods would expect us mortals to try again to attack them after a failed attempt.

[Maketh rubs her thumb along the edge of her mug to center herself. Still her mind. Be objective, be thorough. Finally she looks up, sadly.] We called him the Inquisitor. If he had a name, it was taken from him a long time ago. He was barely a man. Powerful, certainly. One of the strongest fighters I ever encountered and an efficient strategist. But not much of a man.

[The smile she gives Regis isn't gentle.]

He took great pleasure in executing my lieutenants.

[She has nightmares about his smile, sometimes.]

Indeed. Something more subtle is required.

[Regis interest in this Inquisitor wanes just as quickly as it began. He bows his head in respect for Maketh's fallen lieutenants and for Maketh herself. It seems she knows well of cruelty.]

My sincerest condolences. [His condolences may come far too late but he is apologetic nonetheless.] Often do men with power use it recklessly upon those who cannot match them.

[Then suddenly it dawns upon him why Maketh looks at him with such distrust. Regis stares at her for a long moment once the recognition hits him but he doesn't dare speak on it. No wonder she's been so hostile...

Regis feels like such a fool.]

Then instead of us attempting to wage war against them, let us find a means to gain their trust before setting a glaive upon their necks.

[Maketh eyes him curiously, not sure what to make of his response. Regis didn't know her men. He wouldn't have liked them if he had.]

They were incompetent fools. But they were mine.

[She was responsible for their lives and they died in front of her.]

Perhaps you can understand that.

[She watches him a moment, silently.]

You surprise me, Regis. I would have thought such tactics would be too dishonorable for your liking.

I understand all too well.

[Truth be told, Regis and Maketh would've found themselves on the opposite ends of the battlefield had it not been for their predicament now. They couldn't be more different, almost night and day. Regis is far too honorable for most of these cutthroat tactics but he has a family to protect and protect them he will.]

Many perished because of my endless honor. I cannot...afford to make a second mistake, not on my son's life.

[Of course. Family. That changes things for most people. Parents will do extraordinary things to protect their children - or so she's been told. Maketh doesn't remember much about her parents. They died while she was still in training. But she's grown close to Emily since coming here and that, perhaps, is as close a bond to mother and daughter as Maketh will ever know.

So she understands, in the end. She'd do anything to protect the people she loves. Unlike her lieutenants, who are long dead now, Maketh cares for the people here. She feels it like a physical ache in her chest and sometimes the intensity of it scares her.]

A practical sentiment in this place. Hope especially likes to proclaim his benevolence, but the truth of it is never far from the surface.

[She finishes her coffee and sets the mug aside.]

I have family here too, family of my choosing. So you understand there is nothing I will not do to protect them. We understand each other, don't we, Regis?

[To set aside his pride and honor now for the sake of winning this war against the deities almost pains him. Regis is a man who lived his life honorably. He looked to the Gods for guidance and allowed their will to temper his own. Regis tried his best to walk a righteous path for the sake of justice. He done well during his time as king, probably the best out of all his ancestors.

It's just a shame that he was dealt such a losing hand. Poor Regis didn't know that his rule would be the last of the Lucian line. The poor man knew nothing of fate until his darling son was born screaming in the night.]

All too well, Maketh. [His expression is one of gloom but there's determination in his voice.] Finally.

We have common ground.

[That's quite the expression. Maketh tips her head to the side.]

You don't like me very much, do you?

[Perhaps the double can be blamed. Perhaps it goes deeper than that.]

It's quite all right. As you said, we've found common ground. And we are both well motivated to see this venture through.

[The question actually wins quite a chuckle from Regis. He shakes his head gently as he brings up his mug. There's still a few sips of coffee left.]

On the contrary, I actually...find myself growing quite fond of you.

[The old king smiles some as he sips. He's not lying. He's oddly fond of this obstinate woman before him. Hell if he understands why but something about Maketh honestly makes him smile some even if there's clear animosity there.]

For those who have naught else to gain other than ensure the freedom of those we hold dear; we both must be ready to sacrifice ourselves whenever the time comes.

You are an odd man.

[But one she can work with, in the end. She smiles just a little.]

But we do understand each other, you and I. That's good. I'd rather you not die needlessly. It's not without pain in this place.

Well, I do wield "magic". I'm supposed to be odd.

[Wait was that a joke at his expense? A little smirk settles briefly on Regis' face as he sets aside his mug. He actually has the taste for another cup of coffee but he knows better. Caffeine gets him too jittery.]

Of course, I don't exactly plan on dying but it's quite possible I might. For all my magic and might, I do realize my body is weak. I shall do my best to assist you, Maketh.

Is that so?

[Maketh huffs.]

Hmm. So long as we are on the same side. I've come to care for these people.

[She watches him a moment. It's a quiet expression, thoughtful.]

Perhaps it's best we met like this. I've grown tired of collecting enemies.

✤ One. (voice;)

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