Meetings Abound

By the time Serilda arrived at the dinner everyone else had already gathered. She opened a portal into the restaurant where they had agreed to meet and it didn’t take more than a quick glance to see the others already seated. Serilda approached the group with an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry I’m late, everyone.” She gave Gren a familiar hug when he stood up to approach her, a wry smirk overtaking her face as he complimented her. “If I’m glowing it’s only because I’m fresh out of the shower. Alexia is an adorable little ball of mischief, as she always is. Naomi has a small fever, though, poor thing. She made a little bit of a mess on me right before we were getting ready to leave. We gave her some medication and she seemed to be feeling better by the time I left, though I admit Julian had to coax me out of the door. It’s always hard to leave when one of them isn’t feeling well.”

Dorian also stood and greeted her, and Serilda’s smile returned. “Dorian, it’s so good to see you. I was relieved to hear you were alive and well. I know Chishan was worried about you.” She gave him a firm but friendly handshake.

As she returned to the table with the men, Serilda didn’t make any effort to avoid looking at Mythal’s sister, though the woman seemed hesitant to meet her gaze. It was understandable that there would be some tension between them, but while the noblewoman certainly wasn’t about to be as friendly and familiar with the other woman as she was with Gren and Dorian, she also wasn’t about to turn her nose up at her or go out of her way to make things more awkward than they needed to be. “It’s good to see you, too, Vriko,” Serilda said as she sat next to Mythal. “I am glad you were willing to come tonight.” If she noticed Vriko scooting a bit away from her, she didn’t make any indication of it.

Gren elected to get things started, thanking them for coming to meet and admitting that he had been a bit vague with the details of what had been going on lately, but only in the interest of making sure he had all the facts straight. He explained that there had been developments with Vriko recently that neither of them had answers to, though the former Rune Knight had a feeling it was related to Faera. It was that mindset that had prompted him to reach out to Dorian, hoping he could provide some insight that might send him in the right direction. Much of the stuff about the Sins and Divines had been kept by the two, now in shambles, shadow organizations, but one artifact of interest had been stolen some time ago: the odd looking book that Gren had set on the table.

Serilda frowned in thought, studying the strange tome without picking it up, even as she continued to listen to Gren’s story. He described the history of the book as being written by a prior vassal of a Divine that was given a blessing of wisdom and knowledge in honor of his loyalty. He wanted to put everything to word to help humanity, but that did not sit too well with the other Divines. Ultimately, he completed the book and enchanted it with a special lock that could only ever be opened with the corresponding key, giving one to the Order of Souls and one to the Dread Masters. The Voidwalker raised a brow, curious over the choice, but did not interrupt.

Both sides, unsurprisingly, attempted to gain possession of both pieces only for both to be stolen from under their noses by an unknown third party. It took an immense amount of research to even find a description of the book, but eventually they had and it was Dorian that had recalled seeing it at the Palace before Genesis had taken over. This, in turn, led into the events of Dorian and Vriko being there the same night that Mercury, Scourge, Ruzatz, and Agatha had gone to confront the homunculus.

When Mythal asked if they were looking for help finding the key, Gren admitted they already had it. It was something Gren had already owned for some time, and was one of the few things that hadn’t been lost in the fire that had killed him so many years ago. He confirmed they had already opened it, and when they had the information in the book was magically deposited into their minds, answering the question they had been asking. Mythal prompted for more information, and Gren first provided a little context. The moment he mentioned that they had been attacked by the Sons of Faera, Serilda sat up straight in her seat, a heavy frown of concern on her face as she leaned forward to give her full attention.

The attack had been moderately successful, the Sons hurting a lot of people in the area while Gren attempted to fend them off, but it wasn’t just any members of the Sons there; one of them was a member of the Immortal Thirteen. In fact, the only reason Gren hadn’t been killed was because Vriko had shown up and somehow miraculously negated the attack, transmuting the energy into butterflies, of all things. As a result, Astri – the member of the Thirteen – had been cleansed of Faera’s corruption. Mythal questioned how that was possible, and it was then that Gren revealed it was because Vriko was also a vessel for Faera.

Serilda gaze flicked curiously back and forth between Vriko and Gren. “Her ‘original’ power… I presume you mean from before she was corrupted by Kingdom Darkness?” Assuming one of them confirmed that, she would sit back and share a thoughtful glance with Mythal. “So all this time you were both vessels… but because Faera’s current form isn’t compatible with Vriko’s body, Faera and Archimedes assumed the second ritual hadn’t been successful.”

It was clear she was at a loss for words. Thankfully, the waitress took that moment to show up again, providing Gren and Dorian their drinks and asking Serilda what she wanted. The noblewoman ordered a glass of wine, her thoughts returning to the situation at hand as the woman left once more. “Wow, so you actually have magic, then.” She looked over to Vriko once more, her expression thoughtful. “I imagine that’s been… an adjustment. In the interest of not making assumptions, I guess I’ll ask if we should be looking at this as a positive thing, or something to be concerned about? The ability to purify Faera’s corruption sounds like a real boon, but given your desire to separate yourself from all of this, I imagine you may not view it as much of a blessing. Did the book give you any more information..?”

Serilda attempted to discern Vriko’s thoughts and feelings on the situation, the dark haired woman glancing up to meet her eyes briefly with an unreadable expression before Gren took over once more. He informed them that there was more information, and from his tone it wasn’t necessarily good. It didn’t take him long to explain that the power of a Divine’s blessing – or that of a Sin’s – could only be used in small doses by mortals, as too much exposure could kill the user. With some training she could learn to use it to a small degree without too much worry, but therein laid the problem: getting her proper training.

It seemed he had already reached out to Ruzatz, which Serilda agreed was the most logical first step. The prime Sin explained that for a short time Kessicia had been able to use Ruzatz’s blessing. Or rather, the demon equivalent called a Curse. Serilda sat forward with interest. “Kess was given his Curse?” Her friend had never told her that. Then again, Serilda hadn’t gotten to spend a whole lot of time with Kessicia after the woman had followed Serilda’s advice to seek out Ruzatz in the first place. And not long after that she had joined Dies Irae and perished in the very battle that wound up freeing her of the hold the Curse had on her life.

Before Gren could get much further into the dialogue, Vriko cut him off, apparently no longer able to contain herself in silence. She reiterated that she didn’t want anything to do with Faera or the fight against her, explaining how she’d spent her entire life being a tool and a weapon for parents that only cared about how they could use her. And in so doing, she had learned to fuel her hatred toward Mythal, seeing him as the source of her pain and jealousy. Vriko was practically shaking as she spoke, her anger undeniable, and yet neither Serilda or Mythal interrupted. The Voidwalker merely watched with a patient and unreadable look as she gave Vriko the time the woman needed to put her thoughts together. Both of them had been more than prepared for his sister to start a confrontation at some point in the night.

Yet it was to both of their surprises when Vriko told them that she’d been wrong. She recognized that Mythal hadn’t wanted to be a part of it anymore than her, and that all he’d ever done was try to get away and protect himself, and it was their parents that had manipulated his actions to make Vriko learn to hate him. And in the shocker of the century, she apologized, if haltingly, looking them both in the eyes and admitting that she had done things that she shouldn’t have, and she regretted it. Even as Gren reached over to give the woman an encouraging rub on the back, Serilda subtly moved her hand beneath the table to take Mythal’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was sure he would need time to decide how he felt about this sudden and unexpected change in his sister, but in the meantime she understood that a gentle touch from her to remind him that she was there was usually all he needed to get him through heavier conversations – of which this was quickly turning into.

Finally, Vriko admitted that she didn’t want to be a part of the fight, but had accepted that she had no choice, and convincing herself otherwise would be a lie. Faera and her lackeys would stop at nothing to hurt them all, and if Vriko wanted to survive she would have to prepare herself for them going after her too. As far as she figured, the best way to do that was to look further into the Blessing and see if she could turn it into a tool for her own benefit, and by extension the rest of them as well. It was quite the profound speech that left nearly everyone at the table at a loss for words. Gren elected to fill the awkward silence by showcasing his pride in how far she had come during their time spent together, to which Vriko immediately snapped at him about something she was apparently still upset with him over.

Serilda’s brows moved in tandem with Mythal’s. “Love triangle?” she asked at the same time. Her gaze turned from confused to suspicious after Gren brushed the inquiry off without acknowledgement, moving on to inform them more about what the book had passed on only to him: knowledge about a living weapon that could not only kill Faera but steal her power enough to ensure no one else could replace her. A weapon that supposedly could do the same of all the Divines and Sins, that had once upon a time been known as Ataxia’s Vengeance, though these days they were certain it was the Ark. Serilda nodded slowly even as Dorian questioned the Ark’s shared existence between Vandrad and Scourge. It made sense. They didn’t know much about the Ark, but what they did know was the history of its origins, which was in line with the description Gren had given.

The older man admitted that the book didn’t give much more of an explanation about the name of the power, but the assumption was that it was a superstitious name to represent the comeuppance that the rest of the pantheon was due for what they had done to Ataxia. Either way, it seemed that Vriko and Vandrad both had the means to offer great aid in the fight against Faera, and it would be unwise to not take it. Presuming, of course, that both were willing. They just needed training, and it was in the hope of brainstorming that problem that they had agreed to meet with Serilda and Mythal that night.

“Well, if I know anything about Vandrad, I’m sure he has been doing what he can to train with the Ark already. Mastering his magics is his biggest drive and passion. And after that fight with Faera before… I would be surprised if he hasn’t committed himself to being fully involved from here on out. Not only to protect his family, but also because I think he can’t resist the challenge.” She gave a small, wry smirk. Vandrad was a man very dedicated to his craft, and when it came to his fighting ability he could be a bit on the cocky side, though not irritatingly so.

“As far as training goes…” Her voice trailed off as she thought, taking a sip of her drink. “Kessicia herself may be willing to help. I don’t know how much practical training she can impart, but surely her personal exposure to the process could at least lend some valuable insight. I don’t know what her free time is like these days, what with the whole… being a vassal to two Divines and all… but she is a kind woman with a good heart, and a very dear friend. I am sure she’d be willing to help in any capacity she is able to offer…”

For a moment she looked as if she might say more, but she stopped, Serilda’s gaze looking off slightly in the way it typically did when she was speaking to the other woman inside her head. The noblewoman’s head turned briefly to give a peripheral glance around the room. With a sigh, she looked back at the group. “Victoria wishes to speak.” Presuming no one voiced an objection, Serilda’s features altered, her body morphing until it was Victoria in her seat, the old and yet ageless woman looking to each of them in turn.

“Gren. I am pleased to see you are doing well. It has been too long,” she greeted the man with a small but friendly smile. Dorian was also given a nod of acknowledgement, as the two had met though they hadn’t really conversed too much with one another after the fight with Faera. “It is good to see you as well, young mortal.”

Finally, her eyes set upon Vriko. “Hello again, child. I trust your time out in the world and with Gren has been… enlightening. Tell me: did he speak to you at all about who my brother and I are?” Presuming Gren had not, the woman nodded. “I am a nephilim; half angel and half demon. My brethren and I are known as the Seals of the Apocalypse, created for the purpose of someday heralding the end of the world. We have lived for eons since the dawn of humanity, and we share souls with the descendants of our original hosts. Currently, I share a soul with Serilda, just as my brother Lux – the other Seal you met – shares a soul with Mythal.”

She gestured briefly to the man beside her. Whether or not Lux chose to make an appearance was up to him, and there was never any way to predict if he would, so she carried on for now under the assumption that he would choose to remain hidden for the time being. “If you are intent on mastering this Blessing, then I believe I am the right person to train you. The Blessings and Curses are, above all else, meant to be used against creatures of divine and demonic origins. Seeing as how I am both, it would be most effective to practice your arts against myself, and perhaps my brother if he elects to participate. The other reason I think it would be wise for me to train you is because of your heritage. You are half angel, and there is no knowing how that will affect your ability to use Faera’s blessing. In the process of your training you may begin to develop other skills or have certain reactions or responses that would be best understood and recognized by one such as myself.”

Opening her attention to the rest of the table, primarily Gren, she continued “Truthfully, I have intended for some time to extend this same offer to Vandrad, and potentially Scourge as well. Being bearers of the Ark is all well and good, but they will never be able to use it to any effectiveness by training on their own or against other mortals. Vandrad was barely able to hold his own against a weakened form of Faera during her brief possession of Mythal’s body. If he has any hope of holding his own against the real deal, he needs to exercise his powers against a being whom it was intended to be used against; same as Vriko.” She turned her gaze fully to gren with a deepened smirk. “As I recall, I also requested a spar against you some time. Though you are only mortal, you have proven yourself a force to be reckoned with against Faera as well, and I think you, too, would benefit from honing your skills against someone such as myself.”

But, at the end of the day Gren was not the reason they had all gathered. Victoria turned her golden eyes back toward Vriko. “Would this arrangement be acceptable to you?”