Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 61

[12:57] <Lob> The streets swarmed with hungry gods, both mindless and those with predatory intelligence. Baubles would not save those who had spent too long at tea ceremonies and not enough looking to the reality under their own noses.

[12:57] <Lob> The Maiden of Endings only looked on without expression, away from the Games, in the street.

[12:58] <Lob> "There must be an Ending," She whispered to those who attempted to move her.

[12:58] <dakkareth> "Xcalimon is at the Jade Pleasure Dome itself," Nomoe asks Anshu to confirm the Grand Circle member's definitive statement.

[13:00] <Anshu> Anshu nods. "Yes. Or soon will be."

[13:01] <Shrike> Shrike, as it happens, is following the flying Nomoe and Anshu as best she can

[13:01] <Lob> A sudden gust of wind flew by the Deliberators, suddenly an elderly dragonblood stood poised by them, everything but his ears covered.

[13:01] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I have not yet heard back from my own sources, but ..." His eyes narrow as he looks in the direction of the central building of all Heaven. "Let us makes speed then. If it is some sort of Infernal weapon then even our Lords and Patrons may be bound to non-interference by their oath to the Primordials."

[13:03] <Lob> He knelt down and withdraw a reaper daiklave and unwrapped the covering over his eyes and Nomoe's vision was drawn to an explosion of essence power originating from the dragonblood's optic chakra

[13:03] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "If you follow my lead, Lord Anshu, my Charms will support your movement as well."

[13:06] <Lob> Quickly he cut at what appeared to be empty air, suddenly occupied by formerly immaterial shadowy and sharp gods that crumbled to dust as he moved aside from their attacks, as if he could understand them from a single glance.

[13:06] <Anshu> Anshu nods and moves with Nomoe.

[13:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe gives a passing glance to deciphering the man's essence patterns, concerned only with the possibility of another traitor to Creation trying to impede them. But since this does not appear to be the case it is not important.

[13:08] <Lob> The man continued to cut through those foolish enough to pass his line of sight like wheat before a thresher, his swings echoed by streaks of lightning

[13:08] <Lob> As they passed him overhead

[13:09] <Lob> Anshu started to understand his vision. The Sun in the sky directly above the Jade Pleasure Dome was eclipsing

[13:10] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe's robes ripple in the wind but slightly despite the world beginning to shift around them. He and Anshu seem suspended while the Heavenly City rushes past beneath them at completely illegal speeds.

[13:14] <Lob> They land in front fo the Jade Pleasure Dome, to find Saturn standing outside the door, looking at them.

[13:14] <Lob> Into their eyes.

[13:17] <Anshu> Anshu looks back with equanimity.

[13:17] <Lob> Shrike continues to cut through the seemingly limitless hordes of deiphages. How could there be so many?! Her victory against any one of them is assured, but she still has to use energy

[13:18] * Nomoe_Hideaki does not meet the Maidens' eyes but falls down on one knee, his head bowed. "Maiden of Endings, you know the reason for our unannounced and uninvited arrival. May we pass?"

[13:19] <Anshu> Anshu bows deeply and respectfully to the Incarna, then meets her eyes with equanimity.

[13:21] <Lob> The Maiden nods and turns aside. "Beware though. For there must be an ending. Some things cannot be stopped, even with unlimited power." She said softly to them.

[13:21] <Lob> "Perhaps the events of this day will temper your wisdom for the future. But I may say no more."

[13:24] <Anshu> "Thank you, Maiden of Endings."

[13:26] <Lob> The way to the Jade Pleasure Dome was open, the final mystery to the First Age Exalted

[13:27] <Lob> Shrike noticed a few falling ragged dragons, their mouths foaming with maddened saliva that sparkled like diamonds as their feral eyes rolled into nonexistence

[13:27] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Your advice is received with gratitude, Lady. It is a great honor to have been allowed to meet you." Taking the Incarna's stepping aside as permission and her words as a dismissal Nomoe rises again, eyes still downcast and removes himself from her glorious presence and into the domicile of the Incarna.

[13:28] <Lob> They were being shot out of the sky as fast as they appeared, Crow stood upon the roof to her side and allowed himself time to nod at her and then returned to helping her keep the deiphages from feeding upon the leaders of Heaven

[13:28] <Shrike> Shrike stands her ground before the arena, determined to keep her promise that none of the beasts can slip past her

[13:29] <Lob> There was an empty table and the Unconquered Sun sat upon a plain wooden seat, his head in his hands, and a spot of ash directly in front of him.

[13:29] <Lob> It still smoked.

[13:30] <Lob> The table was formed of a perfect synthesis of all Magic Materials, and appeared to be as long as it would have needed to be. Of the other Incarnae, there was no sign.

[13:31] <Anshu> Anshu kneels as they come upon the Sun. "My Lord the Most High," he said. "Having reason to believe you and all of Heaven were in danger, we have come to aid in your defense."

[13:32] <Lob> The Sun looked upon Anshu and his face shocked the Solar

[13:32] <Lob> Virtues warred visibly upon him, and something else...deep inside, something that was...that *must* be kept chained within him

[13:33] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe Hideaki for his part merely kneels, waiting to to be addressed by the Most High. It is not proper for him to speak unbidden to his Lord and Patron.

[13:33] <Lob> "My sons...I am fortunate that you are the ones who have found me, for I would not want the rest of the Bureaucracy to find me in such a state."

[13:34] <Lob> He spoke with utter Conviction, his eyes betrayed unlimited Compassion, the restraint of his hands showed his great Temperance, and the set of his shoulders, Valor.

[13:34] <Lob> Or they would have before, but they could feel that it was not so at this time.

[13:34] <Lob> "You searched for Xcalimon, I believe, yes?"

[13:34] <Lob> He said, softly

[13:34] <Anshu> "Yes, My Lord."

[13:35] <Nomoe_Hideaki> That they have come into His presence immediately upon entering the literally titanic building must be due to His will, Nomoe considers, but even so there is the difference of rank to consider when speaking to his better.

[13:35] *** Virgil has joined #celestialdeliberative

[13:35] <Lob> "He encountered me, and he is destroyed, but I believe that the damage is done. He...spoke of what has transpired since I had turned my face to Creation. What my weakness has wrought."

[13:36] <Lob> "It is too late for me, my sons." and he looked upon them with great shame.

[13:36] <Lob> "But it is not too late for you."

[13:37] <Lob> He stood up. "I have...hidden the Games of Divinity. So that none of the deiphages may claim it."

[13:37] <Lob> "It is mine by right."

[13:38] <Anshu> "It was our weakness, My Lord. If our forebears had not acted as they had, had not failed to live up to - no, had not failed to strive for the Virtues you embody..."

[13:40] <Lob> "Your words give me hope for the future. Please, rise, Surely Refulgent Anshu. I remember speaking to you when you were first Chosen."

[13:40] <Lob> "You as well, Nomoe Hideaki

[13:41] <Lob> "I thank you for your words, but was it not I who took upon myself the responsibility for Heaven after I had led the war against our Slavemasters?"

[13:41] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Bidden by the Most High Nomoe Hideaki rises uncertainly.

[13:42] <Lob> "No, my actions have caused this, or more to the point, my inaction. I am no longer worthy to lead Heaven."

[13:42] <Anshu> Anshu stands and looks into the Sun's face as he considers his words.

[13:43] <Lob> "Saturn has shown me what will happen. There is always an Ending, as she is fond of saying. But an Ending does not always have to mean the end, if you get my meaning. It can also mean change, if we are courageous enough and wise enough to navigate it's course."

[13:44] <Anshu> "If you are not worthy, My Lord, then who is? Even if we were worthy, we Exalted are occupied with Creation, and the other Incarnae are wise and glorious, but they are also not you."

[13:46] <Lob> "You don't understand, do you? Heaven is overrun. But there is still time to save what is most important. Those within it. The Bureaus of Destiny are safe, the spatial rifts are too complex for them to be broken into, as is the Loom, but otherwise, we may have to abandon the city...temporarily."

[13:46] * Nomoe_Hideaki remains almost uncharacteristically silent. It is not his place to speak out against his Lord's words, especially when he has little to no conception of the dimensions of His duty and responsibility.

[13:47] <Anshu> "... Apparently, I do not understand. You mean to return your seat to the Blessed Isle, then?" Anshu asks.

[13:48] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "If I may speak, Most High ..." Nomoe waits for approval to continue.

[13:48] <Lob> "No, I mean to leave Creation. I must contemplate myself, and my purpose. Yes, Nomoe-San, you may speak."

[13:51] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Even if the enemy has struck a surprising first blow, even if the power of the gathered martial gods and the Heavenly Legions as well as the Exalted who can be mobilized quickly is by your appraisal insufficient to the task ..."

[13:53] <Nomoe_Hideaki> This is as far as he will go to express his incredulity, after all the Most High is the greatest leader there ever was. Any difficulty on his own part to grasp the situation is clearly due to his own inadequacy.

[13:53] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Once the Exalted are fully mobilized, won't there be no way that these 'deiphages' will be thrown back? [13:54] <Lob> "This need not be forever. But things will not be the same. Now come, I will walk as King of Heaven one more time. Follow me." Sol Invictus told them as he rose from his seat and gathered his panoply.

[13:54] <Anshu> "My Lord - I took the liberty of adding the deiphages within the city, to the Roll of Reviled Darkness. Surely even if the day would otherwise be lost, you can take up your spear and end them swiftly?"

[13:55] <Lob> "Would that I could, but my Virtues...my power...I have failed them."

[13:55] <Lob> "yet still I will not allow them to continue unopposed. I will fight alongside you."

[13:57] <Anshu> "Oh." Anshu looks shocked and dismayed by this news. "I believe I see why you feel you must retreat to contemplate yourself, My Lord. But it will be an honor to fight alongside you today." He hesitates. "Have you considered appointing a viceroy?"

[13:59] <Lob> "To be honest, I hadn't given it much thought. Things have changed so much so quickly."

[13:59] <Lob> Meanwhile...

[14:00] <Lob> The sky overhead grew heavy, then light, then Shrike and Crow found themselves being drawn upwards by a new gravitational field

[14:00] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Revered Most High, please grace me with understanding of the strategy you mean to implement. Obviously my grasp of the situation, of enemy capabilities and our own is completely inadequate if things are as dire as you say."

[14:00] <Shrike> Shrike grabs hold of the arch of the arena's entrance with one hand, continuing to swing her blade with the other

[14:01] <Lob> the source...A Solar System in miniature, but still large enough for each "planet" to take up a city block. houses and tiny gods were drawn up to be devoued as they touched them

[14:01] <Lob> "DON WUMAK RETURNS...!!" Went the shriek of the crowd, and a great sigh of despair went through the panicked mass

[14:02] <Lob> "We will draw the evacuees through the Heavenly Gates into Creation, then close them, boxing in the deiphages. They will devour each other, and after a few months, will be ripe for an organized retaking of Yu-Shan."

[14:02] <Lob> Sol said with great authority.

[14:03] <Lob> "We might possibly be able to destroy them now, but not without massive collateral damage. We would destroy the very prize we seek to defend."

[14:03] <Lob> He spoke as he walked

[14:03] <Lob> a deiphage attacked the succulent Incarnae, and he parried and stabbed it a dozen times without breaking stride.

[14:04] <Anshu> Anshu nods his understanding as he walked alongside his patron. "If I may, I would suggest that you consider Five Days Darkness. He has been a friend and mentor to the Solar Exalted since our return, and I do not believe he would do anything to disappoint you."

[14:04] <Lob> "Be not afraid, the Daystar will remain."

[14:04] <Lob> "I will consider my Shadow, although choosing my shadow as viceroy after I go into self-imposed exile seems a trifle...egotistical."

[14:04] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe follows behind, taking the position to the left of the Most High. How could the deiphages have reached so far into the heart of the Heavenly City in so short a time?

[14:07] <Lob> Crow shouted at Shrike to make his voice heard over the destruction. "I'LL KEEP THIS PLACE CLEAR, BUT WE NEED SOMEONE TO DESTROY THAT THING"

[14:07] <Shrike> Shrike looks up at the approaching miniature solar system - and grits her teeth, nodding to Crow, before letting go of her grip on the arena gate, pointing her Daiklave ahead of her as she rises.

[14:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Once the safety of the evacuees is seen to, would not a counter strike be feasible, my Lord? These deiphages may represent a threat to the lower ranks of the Celestial Bureaucracy, but even against an Exalted host as reduced and pathetic as we are today they cannot possible stand?"

[14:09] <Lob> "No."

[14:10] <Lob> Sol said simply, not interested in arguing the point further.

[14:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe bows his head, submitting without resistance to the wisdom of the Most High.

[14:11] <Lob> Shrike had never had a moon swung towards her, but then, she was having a lot of new experiences today.

[14:15] <Shrike> Seeing the approaching moon, Shrike grits her teeth, and aims her sword for it - and the instant the tip of the Daiklave touches its surface, she almost pole-vaults around the offending celestial body, spinning in the air nimbly.

[14:15] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I am yours to command, Most High."

[14:17] <Lob> "Nomoe-San, can you co-ordinate the evacuation effort? Anshu, as my Priest, you are a legitimate representative of me. Both of you carry authority and you will be heard."

[14:17] <Anshu> Anshu nods. "Command me, Sol."

[14:18] <Lob> Volcanoes suddenly appeared upon a planetoids surface and launched blazing meteoric rocks at Shrike as she hung in the air above it, passing above clouds.

[14:19] <Lob> A pulsing red star hung in the middle of this orbitting storm, pulsating rhythmically like a heart.

[14:24] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "For ideal conditions this will require messaging, reconnaiscance and tactical support staff, of course. Either way I will of course do all I can, my Lord."

[14:25] <Shrike> Shrike dodges the volcanic blasts with ease - and, spotting the pulsing red-star heart, points her Daiklave directly at it, frowning and tensing as she approaches.

[14:27] <Shrike> "No evil shall escape my sight," the redheaded Solar mutters, glaring at what she assumes to be the core of the beast. "You may not spread your domain here, not when the Solar Exalted stand against you. You attempted to kill Yu-Shan. Prepare to die!"

[14:32] <Lob> The heart was pierced by Shrike's Holy attack, cutting through the armour of the recently-declared Creature of Darkness

[14:32] <Lob> It shrieked loud enough to make Shrike's ears ring, and flares of plasma blasted around her from it's surface.

[14:40] <Shrike> Shrike doesn't wince from the plasma blasting around her, driving her sword deep into the beast's heart of darkness.

[14:40] <Lob> The burning heat of it's surface scorched Shrike to the bone

[14:47] <Shrike> She keeps her sword between her and the plasma inferno, not crying out as the heat scorches against her skin.

[14:47] <Shrike> "You...die...here today! Return to the Mafean depths from which you came, and take no more lives forever!"

[14:52] <Shrike> She twists her sword as it penetrates the throbbing heart of the beast, a shiver passing through the Solar's figure as she concentrates, then releases her sword, pushing it forwards, and herself back away...

[14:56] <Shrike> flipping into a backflip away as her Reaper Daiklave slams to the very center of the star's core

[14:56] <Lob> The heart gave one last pound that almost knocked her off her feet, then shrunk and froze...literally, becoming an ashen cinder that hung in the sky, not even alive enough to fall.

[14:57] <Lob> The planets simply blew away into dust. Shrike had destroyed the maddened god of Celestial Alignments.

[14:58] <Shrike> The Solar, scorched, tumbles to the ground, barely able to land on her feet

[14:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> A short while later ... "Gate number 38 has been secured and evacuation has begun," reports the mantis-headed scribe-god hovering behind Nomoe as the Lawgiver glides down a large, sapphire-paved street, seemingly annihilating scores of deiphages by his mere presence.

[14:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Gods close to Deliberator Shrike's position report that there's no need for further assistance as the Deliberator has has engaged the most potent enemy personally," a second god continues.

[14:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "The War-Gods near the northers circumference have acknowledged your communication and will follow the wishes of the most high as communicated by yourself and Lord Anshu."

[14:58] <Lob> A hawkman caught her in mid-air and placed her on the ground. He gave off a palpable aura of death and wore a massive bird's skull over his head

[14:59] <Lob> "That was some amazing fighting, lady!" He said, holding a soulsteel daiklave towards yet another solid horde of deiphages circling them.

[14:59] <Lob> "Awaiting Orders, Deliberator Nomoe!"

[15:00] <Shrike> "Thanks...I just did what I had to do," Shrike confesses, her usual bravado wilting a bit as the magnatude of her effort kicks in

[15:01] <Lob> "Hey hold on a sec. Just stand by there. I can't heal you, or the Neverborn get all pissed off. He pointed to his bleeding hawk's eyes. "But I can kill the shit out of these guys. Feel free to join in if you want."

[15:01] <Shrike> "Oh, I think I can handle that," Shrike observes with a grin, her anima essentially iconic by this point.

[15:01] <Lob> Final Flight's sword erupted into pyreflame and he cut like a thresher as only an Abyssal could. A swing of his sword, and suddenly it was as if he had really stabbed a dozen in the heart simultaneously."

[15:02] <Lob> A monster the size of a house brought a fist down towards Anshu, only to find it stopped by a familiar blazing figure. "Holy shit, I can't even go on a fucking vacation!" Brazen snarled.

[15:03] <Lob> "Now let me be straight with you, Deliberator Anshu, this was *not* my fault. So don't bother letting Ziyad pin anything on me!"

[15:04] <Lob> He said this as he blasted a stream of destroying light from his mouth into the beast's face, then let the headless body fall casually.

[15:04] <Anshu> "The possibility had never crossed my mind," Anshu answers.

[15:05] <Shrike> Shrike brings her own sword around, determined to match her current companion's kill-total

[15:05] <Lob> "Ah, good"

[15:05] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "We need more information on the status of gates 14 through 19," Nomoe speaks in clipped tones while sending a blast of air that flenses divine flesh from bones down a side street. "Coordinate with the Aerial Legion, they were ordered to keep an overview."

[15:07] <Shrike> "Bet you can't kill as many as I can!" she cries, shouting a challenge

[15:08] <Lob> Some dog-like gods are crushed in Master Bear's jaws, adn then with a flick of his wrist, he throws a note to Nomoe, indicating that Gates 35-36 have been secured, all this while also fighting off a pair of skeletal gods of death. Former gods of death, that is.

[15:08] <Lob> "You're on!" Final Flight said, and so the killing began...again.

[15:08] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "How many Exalts and martial gods of significant statue have responded to our communication and are contributing to our efforts by the latest count? Also redouble your effort to establish communication with the Bureau of Destiny and any Sidereals they have on active duty."

[15:09] <Lob> A Messenger appeared to Nomoe Hideaki. "This is Unfortunate Si, Deliberator. Awaiting orders for co-ordination of evacuation."

[15:09] <Lob> Meanwhile, Brazen asked Anshu how he could help.

[15:10] <Shrike> The redheaded Solar quickly becomes a blur of motion, her blade - blackened but not bowed - flashing as she backflips and spins, each motion sending another enemy to its doom.

[15:12] <Shrike> no motion is wasted, her anima swirling and flaring iconically as one deiphage after another after another gets cleaved in twain

[15:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Return communication," Nomoe orders. "Lady Si, it is good to hear of you and I welcome your help assuming the situation at the Forbidding Manse and the Loom are in hand."

[15:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Simultaenous to his spoken communication a steady stream of messages passes through his hands, leaving with quickly penned instructions to his staff. Never, not even during Sanken's liberation has he coordinated the logistics for action on such a scale.

[15:17] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Thankfully there are Lord Anshu and his supporting staff of tactician gods to make the tactical decisions while he himself concentrates on making things run smoothly.

[15:17] <Anshu> Anshu shouts over the Heavenly City: "I am Anshu, Surely-Refulgent. By Decree of the Most High, all those still faithful to the Divine Order, saw the strongholds of the Bureau of Destiny, must withdraw from the city in an orderly manner under my command."

[15:21] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Well, that and - "Lord Nomoe, the forces securing the paths of refugees toward Gate 19 report massed opposition threatening to overwhelm them, but there's no one within support range to help them."

[15:21] <Anshu> The Solar magic carried on his words drew all listeners to organize themselves into fighting units as Anshu continued: "The Sun fights with us, and gates are even now being secured to allow a fighting, disciplined retreat. We shall return to cleanse this city of these ravening beasts, but we must do so from a position of strength. All who are faithful, let us fight for a new dawn! To me!"

[15:22] <Lob> Anshu's words had an immediate effect on morale. A great cry of "GLORY TO THE MOST HIGH" was the response throughout the Heavenly City as those who could fight, did so with redoubled vigor, even driving back the deiphage horde in shock.

[15:23] <Shrike> Shrike redoubles her efforts at hearing Anshu's words, sometimes slicing two or even three deiphages at a time

[15:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> At a gesture from Nomoe sheets of paper materialize in the air before him and he fills each of them with instructions before it has time to drift to the ground. "Report to me again once you have all this." And in a heartbeat the street is empty, the train of scribes, the cloud of flying messengers, and the ranks of divine milita all disappeared in the blink of an eye.

[15:23] * Anshu looks at Nomoe, then around at the gods that have already collected around him in response. "I will take these and head for the nineteenth gate, collecting reinforcements and refugees as we go."

[15:24] <Lob> A cleansing blast of green fire shot through an entire street, utterly clearing it as Ligier moved casually to the nearest portal back to Malfeas, in the office of the Heavenly Warden of the Prisoners, Verumpira. This was the problem of the usurpers, let them deal with it.

[15:24] <Lob> Brazen followed Anshu, keeping the path in front of him clear with suddenly materializing blades and other things of glowing energy, changing them as whimsy struck the Blazing Light of Heroism.

[15:25] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I will bring you there for immediate relief if you'll allow, Lord Anshu."

[15:26] <Anshu> Anshu nods.

[15:26] <Anshu> "Make it so."

[15:26] <Lob> The Sun flashed through the sky, with his spear in front of him, shooting this way and that as quickly as a beam of sunlight

[15:26] <Lob> dispatching the foes of Heaven without stopping for a breath.

[15:29] <Lob> Panicked divinities followed the warriors under the Exalted wherever they were. Not just Nomoe and Anshu, but Shrike, and the other participants of the games

[15:29] <Lob> As well as numerous Sidereals whose heroism should be all rights have been written here, if only time and space allowed

[15:29] <Shrike> Shrike motions for those joining her to form up and defend those who cannot defend themselves even as she leads the way in slice-and-dicing

[15:29] <Lob> Jeremiah appeared suddenly where an enemy stood, dispatching handfuls at a time with killing silvered dust, then disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

[15:29] <Anshu> In a flash, Nomoe arrived at Gate 19, with Anshu and his unit carried along in his wake. "Thank you," Anshu said, then turned his attention to directing the forces against the deiphages, pushing them back and establishing a perimeter so that noncombatants can make it through to safety.

[15:31] <Lob> "Leave this to me, Deliberator." Brazen barked

[15:31] <Lob> Then stood at a narrow point to funnel the deiphages in. "GO GO GO, I'LL DEAL WTIH THESE GUYS."

[15:31] <Lob> "BUT WHEN YOU MAKE A STATUE OF ME, REMEMBER TO MAKE ME HANDSOME."

[15:32] <Lob> Walls of fire burst around the deiphages, corralling, burning, and crushing them, orchestrated by waves of Brazen's hands.

[15:32] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe Hideaki takes to the sky again, surrounded by cloud of support staff, a nexus of communications with messengers arriving and racing off in all directions.

[15:33] <Lob> A Celestial Lion shot towards Nomoe. "Deliberator. We believe we have located the nexus point of where this disaster began. We would like you to accompany us, if you may."

[15:34] <Lob> "Anshu, you might want to get some soldiers on the other side in case some deiphages get through!"

[15:35] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Only occasionally, when flying deiphages come too close, unguarded refugees or scattered forces are spotted in the streets below, or a massed clump of deiphages present themselves as targets of opportunity Nomoe takes the time to display the martial power of the Exalted as well as his supernal organisation skills.

[15:36] <Nomoe_Hideaki> On those occasions he is a a hammer of light falling down on execrable traitors, annihilating them utterly.

[15:36] <Lob> As more people clumped around Shrike and Final Flight, they started loosing cohesion

[15:37] <Lob> "We need to join up with the other groups. That Anshu guy seems to be on top of things. How about you take the back and keep the deiphages off our rear, and I'll carve up anything in the front, and we'll try to get these guys to safety?" The beastman suggested

[15:38] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Does it remain a focal point of enemy strength," Nomoe inquires. "Or is there reason to believe that a victory there may sap the enemy's momentum?"

[15:38] <Shrike> Shrike battles eagerly and desperatly to defend everyone in her charge.

[15:38] <Anshu> Anshu nods and sends a messenger through the gate to find some soldiers to hold the other side.

[15:38] <Lob> The messenger nodded, his pale face drawn and tired from all that had happened, but dutifully ran as fast as he could

[15:40] <Lob> "No...my apologies Deliberator. We will investigate it ourselves and send a report to the Bureau of Destiny and the Deliberative Council, as per protocol."

[15:42] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe nods. "Do so. If you find anything to suggest tactical importance add the appropriate riders so that it comes to my eyes directly."

[15:43] <Lob> "That's all of them Deliberator Hideaki. We recommend that you go through a gate soon, because the closing rituals will begin in about 10 minutes."

[15:43] <Lob> A Messenger sent the same thing to Anshu, Shrike and Brazen

[15:44] <Shrike> Shrike will try to steer her and Final Flight in the direction of Anshu's group

[15:45] <Anshu> Anshu signals to begin a retreat in good order, allowing most of the combatants to go through, leaving only a token force to hold the gates until the last possible moment.

[15:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Message received," confirms Nomoe, then begins laying out the instructions for the staggered retreat of the remaining forces and his own staff through the next gate.

[15:49] <Lob> Those who go through the gates find an organized military force of Terrestrial officers and well-drilled and equipped mortals standing by to make sure no hostiles get through the gates

[15:49] <Nomoe_Hideaki> */Bright Snow? Can you hear me?/* As he has every half hour or so since she disappeared Nomoe tries to contact Bright Snow through the empty bond link.

[15:50] <Lob> they are immediately escorted to shelters

[15:50] <Lob> */I...h..ear y...u N...oe/*

[15:53] <Nomoe_Hideaki> At his instruction layer by layer his staff peels off to depart through the gate until Nomoe is alone circling over the chaotic streets around the arena where Bright Snow disappeared.

[15:53] <Lob> Deserted, except for more Deiphages

[15:53] <Virgil> With a pop an exhausted Snow falls from whereever it was Li abducted her too.

[15:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He may not be an expert on whatever strange effect Li used to abduct her, but it stands to reason that she will re-appear in the same place if - no, he corrects himself - when she returns.

[15:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> So he will wait.

[15:55] <Virgil> Scars cover her, but she seems alert. Landing on her feet amongst the deiphages. She sighs, her spear twirling in her hands. "How tiresome."

[15:56] <Nomoe_Hideaki> All the gods with him are safely through the gate, and the deiphages won't be able to touch him even if the gates are closed on him.#

[15:57] <Lob> Drooling with hunger, their eyes empty, they rushed at Snow, denied almost all of their prey

[15:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> But it seems that such drastic measures aren't necessary.

[16:00] <Nomoe_Hideaki> There is a blurred something falling down from above, a clear, pure note like a silver bell being struck and then dead gods all around.

[16:00] * Snow wobbles on her feet for a moment, just after the first of the deiphages attacks, neatly bisecting it, before keeling over, as they close in for the kill

[16:04] <Nomoe_Hideaki> For hundreds of meters all around no movement remains. */Bright Snow./ warmth, relief*

[16:04] *** Virgil is now known as Bright_Snow

[16:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "My apologies for the state of things here," his tone is dry, a bit of military humor to mask his worry. */Are you alright?/ deep concern*

[16:10] <Bright_Snow> Now that he is closer, she is seriously hurt. In fact... it is unclear how she is still functioning

[16:15] <Bright_Snow> "Here is better than there", she says giving him a smile with a cough of bloody froth. "Perhaps someday there shall be a childrens story about when the Lunar tricked the Ebon Dragon. */It would be wise perhaps to get me to a healer/ her mental tone is weak, horribly so*

[16:16] *** Bright_Snow is now known as Virgil

[16:19] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He is no physician, but the combination of her own appraisal and those wounds ... with a shock Nomoe realizes just how hurt Bright Snow is. He hadn't thought it possible, hadn't really considered the possibility before that she might actually die.

[16:22] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *tumultous emotions, concern and worry dominant along with determination /Hold on. You can't die, you can't./* Carefully, very carefully Hideaki lifts Bright Snow up from where she lies, for once not caring about staining his clothes.

[16:23] *** Virgil is now known as Bright_Snow

[16:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> A small measure of strength flows into her out of what reserves of strength he himself has kept. "I ... " he begins, looking at her but doesn't seem to find any words beyond that. What he feels he can't grasp much less say. But there is something he can do, thanks to the wisdom of the Most High who made the bond such that strength can be shared.

[16:27] <Nomoe_Hideaki> But more importantly - and the arena is empty entirely, both Exalted disappeared in the direction of the nearest gate.

[16:29] <Nomoe_Hideaki> The warzone that has become of the Heavenly City spins under them, silently burning and rioting in the distance. It doesn't matter.

[16:36] *** Bright_Snow is now known as Virgil

[16:37] <Lob> A WEEK LATER

[16:38] <Lob> The Sun took the centre of the Deliberative, packed to capacity for the first time the Unconquered Sun had actually addressed the Exalted host since the end of the Primordial War.

[16:39] <Lob> "I will be brief, even though I know that there is likely much you wish to ask me."

[16:40] <Lob> "Yes, Yu-Shan has been temporarily evacuated...and I must take responsibility for it." At this the room erupted into denial and shock

[16:40] <Shrike> Shrike sits quietly, bandaged a bit from her bout with killing a star, but somehow with her fancy dress undamaged, and listens.

[16:40] <Anshu> Anshu, who had known some of this was coming, sits calmly as well.

[16:40] <Lob> "Please, please. It was my laxity of duty and my weakness that allowed this to come to pass. Thus, I wish to inform you that I will be temporarily abdicating my position as the King of Heaven, effective immediately after this speech."

[16:41] * Nomoe_Hideaki is silent, his expression grave. He had wished for this, wished for his Lord to speak to the Deliberative, to make them back into what they should be. To unify them. But not under these circumstances, not for *this*.

[16:41] <Lob> "I will be leaving Creation, to consider my future and my past, and my purpose, in solitude. I would ask that you not attempt to pursue me. But do not fear for me, for my other self, the Daystar, shall remain within Creation as it has for millenia, as a reminder that I shall return."

[16:44] <Lob> "I know that I had previously turned my face from Creation because of the actions of the Deliberative of the First Age, but I also saw many of the Deliberators here acquit themselves with courage and loyalty during the sudden attack on Yu-Shan just a week ago. That gives me hope that perhaps this one will succeed where your predeccessors failed. As before, I will leave Creation's fate in your hands, all that I ask is that you treat the divine refugees with compassion, and to reclaim what is rightfully theirs promptly."

[16:48] <Lob> "I will be appointing Luna, the Silver Maiden, as my viceroy to rule in my stead."

[16:45] <Lob> "Thank you. Now I must go. I wish you all good fortune, and that you rule Creation with wisdom."

[16:46] <Lob> The Sun wordlessly left the Deliberative Hall to a trail of shouts and questions, some demanding and others pleading

[16:46] * Shrike stands and starts applauding as the speech is completed

[16:46] <Lob> It was like a father disappearing for many of them.

[16:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> It's not his place to judge the decisions of his betters, but he can't help but feel ... abandoned perhaps, by the one entity who is absolutely greater than him, who should have been eternal."

[16:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> -"

[16:46] <Lob> Some applaud like Shrike, but the rest are largely simply shocked

[16:47] <Anshu> Anshu applauds sadly.

[16:47] * Nomoe_Hideaki neither applauds nor says anything.

[16:50] <Lob> IN MALFEAS...

[16:50] <Lob> The Ebon Dragon pondered the death of it's pawn.

[16:51] *** Virgil is now known as Bright_Snow

[16:51] <Lob> The First Age study of the Ebon Dragon could fill entire libraries, much as works are often written about the actions of the infamous throughout history and worlds. Perhaps trying to rationalize or find the one secret fact that would unravel the entirety of the mystery of their actions and motivations

[16:52] <Lob> The Deliberative was brilliant, yet had not managed to scratch the surface of how alien the Shadow of All Things truly was. It did not think in any way that could be considered human, or perhaps even sapient.

[16:53] <Lob> For example, right now, it was not thinking of a possible victory. The Dragon did not comprehend anyone having victories, only the losses of others. Thus, it's deep-cover agents had managed to make the usurping gods lose Yu-Shan. The Ebon Dragon did not win this, it thought. It only made others lose it.

[16:55] <Lob> and yet, it had managed to lose both pieces of the true Broken-Winged Crane due to the surprising...loss of Li Jin Gang to what was supposed to be his inferior student, and the destruction of Excalimon. Although the abandonment of his hated/loved reflection from the leadership of Heaven and Creation brought the closest thing to joy it could possibly comprehend.

[16:56] <Lob> The Ebon Dragon did not think of itself. Paradoxically, it was selfish, yet selfless for there was no self underneath, like a caddisfly larvae, it simply created a shell of a personality and layered it with more and more actions, and now it's ramshackle personality was opposed to the Deliberative, and thus had definition. For without an enemy, the Ebon Dragon would be mindless, formless, more dead then the Neverborn.

[16:58] <Lob> It came to a conclusion though. "The time for direct confrontation is over. This proves it. Yu-Shan will be retaken and their prison will not fail yet. Actions must be based on those around them, for the Exalted Host has waxed too mighty now." As it thought these false thoughts, like orbitting debris around a dead planet, it reminded itself that they would fail eventually.

[16:58] <Lob> "All things must End."

[16:59] <Lob> THE END