Chương 63: Chapter 62 - Saintess

Atzi blinked in disbelief.

"What?" Then she pointed over at the Saintess.

"The Saintess is right over there!" Everyone turned towards the bandaged-wrapped figure beside Malus. The Serpent's laughter stilled as all three of her watched intently. The 'Saintess' flinched.

"Just… take off the bandages..." Malus said, disaffected. Defeated. The Saintess raised a hesitant hand, before gripping the back of her bandages, then slowly began unwrapping them. Atzi crept closer, curious. The woman below looked human. She had extremely light brown eyes, at the corners of which tears formed. Then she reached up to her scalp and pulled back, removing the long black hair woven into two large braids. Her actual hair matched the color of her eyes, and was cut short.

"... You don't look much like a God..." Atzi said. The woman spoke. There was a white bead pierced through her tongue, and her voice was quiet and fearful.

"... I'm not." Atzi turned her head to Malus.

"You're... joking, right? You're telling me- I'm- I'm the prophet of the Saintess?"

"I'm the Saintess?" asked the goddess in Atzi's head. She sounded uncertain.

"The Saintess died." Malus rested her head into her palms.

"When?" asked the Dragon, fire spewing with the question.

"How?"

"In the explosion at Novae," Malus admitted.

"She was there." The Ancestor creaked forward in his seat. The prophet of the Star spoke up, "Explain this."

"... Was it you that blew up Novae?" Atzi asked.

"No!" Malus looked up, angry. Atzi flinched a little.

"S-sorry, I saw you blow up Sostra in a vision and it looked the same, alright? I just assumed it might be you that time, too." Atzi looked thoughtful.

"But the Cthargicthans don't think they did it either. So who did?"

"The Saintess had a large amount of fire gems with her. I don't know who ignited them, but it wouldn't have been her." Malus shook her head. Not just the prophets, but even the gods began to murmur. Atzi snapped her claws.

"This is why no-one knew who I was describing. Cause you're the only one that's seen what she really looked like!"

"The undead this lizard accused you of harbinging," the Crow spoke in her multitude of voices, every one a different tone of anger.

"The Saintess 'returned'. Was this an attempt to revive her from death?" Malus was silent, and then sighed.

"Yes. It failed. At least, I thought it did." She looked forlorn.

"I didn't know she would return to someone other than me." The Crow's expression remained angry, the two-headed crow on her shoulder cawing in fury as it flapped its wings.

"Impossible," the Shapeshifter hissed the word. The Demon laughed, the noise like a pack of dying animals.

"Wait. Failed? You already did it?" Atzi asked.

"Yes. At the end of last week."

"That is why you called upon my council," remarked the Water. So it was them. Atzi realized something.

"That's the same time I- why did she latch onto me? I'm no-one!"

"I don't know," Malus replied bitterly.

"Well, good news, she's not totally gone. I can talk to her." Malus reached forward a hand.

"Please, does she remember me? At all?" The Serpent snickered.

"Yeah, does she?" Atzi noticed that Elliot must have been communicating with the Star telepathically, so she decided to try to do the same with her goddess."Saintess?" She asked within her head.

"That sounds familiar, right? Do you remember anything now? Do you remember Malus?"

"It feels… fuzzy. Like I remember vague feelings," the Saintess replied.

"She says she can't remember details but she remembers you," Atzi said. It's fine to bend the facts a little.

"I'm sure she does," the Serpent added. Arch Priestess Malus smiled pathetically. Atzi felt like Malus was on the verge of a total breakdown. But I can learn a lot here if she doesn't immediately flip out and kill me.

"Um, the bad news is that the empire really is gonna be overrun with the dead soon."

"I know. I had hoped you were crazy. But if you're with the Saintess, then you must be telling the truth." Malus wiped her face.

"When the ritual went wrong it… did leave something behind. Beneath the city is now a gate to the underworld. The dead are trying to force it open from the other side. The Pomarian necromancers I had perform the ritual are working tirelessly to keep it closed, but it's getting stronger every day."

"You are unworthy of your position," the prophet of the Star declared with contempt.

"Why didn't you tell us-us-us?" asked the Shapeshifter. Malus stood her ground, even in the face of the assembled gods' anger.

"I had to preserve the Saintess's position of power."

"But" - Atzi shook with worry - "if it's already happening, doesn't that mean that the city's doomed?"

"Perhaps all we gods here could combine our powers, and stop it," the Water suggested. Atzi looked around at the gathered gods, hopefully. The Ancestor stood.

"This threatens all people of the Empire." The Serpent rolled her eyes.

"I suppose." Another of her bodies clacked her sharp teeth.

"We will go," the Crow commanded in her multitude of voices. No god voiced disagreement.

"... Then I will lead us there," Malus said. She trudged her way to the room's large double doors and opened them. All the gods and prophets followed her. The Demon shrunk down, smaller but not less headache inducing to look at. The false Saintess was left behind. Stunned by everything that was happening, Atzi followed along. This is it, right? This is what I've been searching for. And... Hemm and Marco are dead, and it was my fault, and that's permanent now. If this succeeds... Did she want it to succeed or fail?

She felt like an idiot even wanting to go back and try again, but... Malus lead the group out the hall. Several guards and servants stood stock still, watching as the massive procession of the gods and prophets walked through the temple. Atzi ran past everyone else in the group and approached Malus at the front. There was one thing she needed to ask her in case things went wrong. Many things, really. Malus looked towards her. Her expression shifted between several emotions before stilling.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I lied about seeing the future," Atzi whispered.

"It's more complicated than that. When I die, I go back to that moment when you did the ritual. Waking up in the street. The same morning. I've done this... a lot of times now. If this doesn't work, there's still a chance, but I need to know how to, um, explain this to you. Again." Atzi folded her arms.

"You killed me, before, when you heard me telling people about what the Saintess looked like. I didn't know that's who she was so I just thought you were... well, someone I couldn't trust." Malus looked at her.

"I would have killed you this time, if the others weren't around," she said as if it were a natural thing to admit.

"She can't be with me if she's with you."

"Oh. Oh..." The group turned down a hall.

"We loved each other," Malus said with conviction.

"Love each other. Even if she doesn't remember me. She said I was her first in thousands of years." Atzi was silent. Ah shit.

"L-look, is there any way to... pass being a prophet to someone else? When she's back for real you can have her. I mean, shit, I mean I'm not gonna get between you two, I just wanna live a normal life!" Malus gave a sad smile.

"A prophet does not lose their power until they or their god dies. Though it took a bit for mine to fade." Stolen novel; please report. Atzi swallowed.

"G-great. So even if time repeats again, I shouldn't tell you this." Atzi raised a claw.

"Because um... I've died a lot. I don't think it's as simple as that." They entered an expansive dining room. Malus turned right, taking everyone down with her into a cellar. The entrance was large enough to fit even the Crow. She was looking away from Atzi as she said, "I don't know. I- I am happy just knowing she's back. And depressed she's not with me. And terrified at what I have done trying to bring her back."

"Sorry for thinking you were doing all this on purpose. Getting burned alive really… w-well, I didn't think the best of you, but you can't blame me."

"I would do it again." Malus said.

"Knowing she's back. I would do it again. Knowing the consequences." Ah. She is fucking insane. She quickly changed the topic, "So how do you get prophet powers anyway? Or, maybe I don't have them because she's still not back for real?" Malus pulled a lantern off the wall, and the entire wall shifted to the side, revealing a wide and steep passageway. It was entirely dark except for the light the ex-prophet held.

"As her prophet, you should have her powers. If you do not, that is… strange."

"Nothing, as far as I know. Unless you could go back in time." Malus shook her head.

"Perhaps it is related to how she came back. I know she did not come back physically. So it may just be her soul."

"The Serpent said it was weird, like there's just no power there. She made me a priestess even though that shouldn't be possible. Whenever I see her it's in a void. Between dying and coming back again. Just darkness and darkness and more darkness, and her. She usually just sleeps."

"We will figure it out later. After this is over, as her new prophet, we can figure it out as I mentor you." Malus's head was raised high, as though she still retained any dignity or power. The group wound their way through the brick-lined tunnel. After many twists and a long way down, they emerged into a straight stone passageway. On the bottom of the ground was some sort of dried sludge.

"These are the old sewers," remarked the Ancestor in recognition. As they continued to walk, Atzi realized something important.

"Wait... am I... in charge of Sostra now...?" A mansion! Servants! All the gold I can eat! The Star's prophet gave a short, mirthful laugh.

"A funny joke. This is already farce enough as is." When did she get so close to us? How much did she hear?

"Oh… B-but I at least get a nice place to stay right? A mansion? A-and silver plates and comfy beds and all the jewel beetles I can eat and-" Malus shook in anger.

"It reviles me to know so base a creature is my goddess's new mouthpiece." Atzi went quiet and slinked lower. Everyone walked through the sewers. - After a long journey, Atzi heard howling shrieks, as though people were dying ahead. Her tail raised in fear. Were she not with the gods, she wouldn't have gone in at all. They emerged into a large chamber, what might have once been a central area. There, floating in the middle of the room, was a black iron door large enough to fit the Demon's original size.

Its threshold was lined with skulls. It repeatedly banged, over and over, like a drum underneath the screams. Every time it banged, the door opened slightly, only to immediately be pushed back in. From within that opening swirled a terrifying energy, like a miasma. Where it licked the air, color itself seemed to drain. The gate to the underworld. Atzi stared at it. She recognized the terror she felt as matching when the city fell, but less intense. It mixed with her anticipation, creating excitement.

I can't believe it. This is the cause. This is the source of all this. Around the gate, the Pomarian necromancers she'd seen long ago worked tirelessly in a ritualistic chant. They were standing at points of a complex runed circle drawn on the ground, channeling a different dark energy, purple in color, to keep the door closed. In the back of the room stood Head Marshmaster Saera, impossible to miss from her distinctive green scales and smoking pipe.

The only reaction she made to all the gods entering the room was to eye them.

"You told them?" Saera asked Malus. Malus replied.

"I would not have. Perhaps foolishly. But circumstances."

"Your deal still stands," Saera said. Her voice was raspy and without doubt.

"Can your divine magic assist?" Malus turned around and addressed the assembled gods.

"Piece of cake!" the Serpent said. The other gods didn't waste time on words. They all surrounded the circle, further out than the necromancers, as though they instinctively knew what was to be done. Those with hands raised them. The Demon raised his head. An immense amount of bright energy flowed out from each of them. It reminded Atzi of when she blessed herself, or when Andrew cast the spell over the undead, but so much stronger. Realer. She stumbled back from the sheer force of it.

"So beautiful," the Saintess said inside her head.

"Is it? It's good news though, right? You're the Saintess. Maybe we can even figure out how to get you a body again."

"I wish… I could bathe in that divine light," she breathed the words with excitement.

"Would it... help?" Atzi asked.

"It would make me happy." I'll take that as a 'maybe'. All the energy poured towards the gate. It began to twist and weave together, taking shape. In seconds, it had formed into the figure of chains, which wrapped themselves so tightly that the gap in the door closed with a loud clanking noise. Immediately the room felt far less terrifying.

"Did it work?" Atzi asked. A necromancer looked up at the door. Large boney horns protruded from out under the cloak, and her eyes seemed to glow.

"It is sealed," she said.

"The door is still here. But it's sealed." Atzi stared at the gate, dumbfounded. I did it? A smile teased the corner of her lips.

"Yes!" She started laughing to herself.

"I don't have to die anymore, I did it, I did it!" She rolled on the ground, laughing like an idiot.

"No more burning alive, no more rocks falling on me, no more falling off walls. No. More. Undead!" Malus looked down upon her in contempt.

"Get up.."

"Eh? Ah, um.... right." Atzi pulled herself up, a little embarrassed. Right, actions have consequences now. Atzi could hardly believe she had definitely solved things, this time. But she had. It was the final loop, the end of her suffering. She followed everyone back up. The gods, the prophets, necromancers, and the head of the Pomarian council. - The Prophet of the Star led the group back into the grand chamber.

"Let us conduct the vote. We will skip the ceremonial decorations of intent." Everyone once again gathered around the circular table. Even Malus, though the false Saintess was gone.

"I vote for the Ancestor," the Water declared.

"I vote for the Star," said the Crow. Next was the Serpent. Atzi looked towards her. The Serpent looked back at Atzi with three pairs of eyes, expectantly.

"I get a vote?" Atzi asked. She realized the weight of her new position. Just then came a knock at the heavy double doors into the room. The prophet of the Star looked towards them and announced, "Enter!" Two different couriers rushed into the room.

"Important news! The frost giants have attacked Vinovia!" the first one declared.

"Hasen has landed an army on the Mediolanum coast, declaring full-scale invasion!" the second one shouted right after. Oh. Oh that's not good at all. The Dragon roared. It echoed through the building. She transformed, her body staggering into a great height the room could not hold. She returned to her giant winged form as her roar grew in volume. At the same time, she flew up, her body smashing through the ceiling. Limestone debris fell, threatening to crush those below. The Ancestor leapt.

Mid-air, he sent out a single kick. The force of the wind he generated impacted the debris, sending it flying against the far wall. Nobody was harmed.

"We must send aid to my home at once," the prophet of the Star declared. She waved a hand, dismissing the couriers.

"Finish the vote quickly." She looked expectantly at Atzi.

"Oh. Uh. The Saintess votes for the Serpent." Wouldn't make any sense to not vote for her after all this, really. I am still her priestess. The Serpent smiled sweetly. Then she said, "I vote the Star." Around the table it went. Every other god voted for the Star, even the Dragon through her prophet, except the Ancestor, who voted for himself. Must be a pretty cool god. Too cool to even show up and wins anyway.

"The Star graciously accepts the decision of the godscouncil and will guide Sostra well." his prophet said.

"For those of you new," she looked towards Atzi, "my name is Elliot. As the first order of business, the Star believes we should retreat our forces from Cthargictha and send them east to protect Mediolanum."

"We cannot," Malus spoke up.

"If this is about the gem bounty there we were looking to reap, that is far less important than the security of the Empire. Not that you should have input," Elliot replied.

"It's more than that. The Saintess took fire gems in the first place to conduct a ritual to protect the world. Even if you will not elect her, at least listen to her words she shared with me! We need those gems lest all is lost."

"Wait... the world's still in danger?" Atzi asked.

"Even if I did not love her - and I do, with all my heart - her powers are needed to…" Malus trailed off, sheepishly, then tried to continue.

"She never explained the details, but I know she would not lie to me. The ritual was of the utmost importance, such that we emptied the coffers of most fire gems to provide for it." She put a hand on the table.

"Four hundred fire gems. That's what she took with her."

"F-four hundred?" If one gem is worth three thousand gold... Her brain stalled.

"The cavern we scouted in Cthargtha... there's all the gems we need there! And the Saintess is back! Even half-dead, I'm sure she could perform the ritual." Atzi asked her mentally, "You know anything about any of this?" The Saintess replied, "I don't know." Atzi decided to keep quiet about it for now. This is not good though. There's more problems besides the undead? I should be on a victory lap, not dragged into more troubles! I deserve a mansion!

"We must respond regardless," Elliot countered.

"If we do not retrieve our main force, we must call on the provinces to provide theirs, and draft from Sostra. We shall hold a vote. Do we retreat our forces and use them to deal with Hasen, or call a draft?" Atzi looked at Malus.

"What do I vote for? I don't know anything about armies!" Malus replied.

"We need those gems. We should call a draft. We can't let those hundreds of fire gems rot in a cave."

"If the whole world's in danger, why couldn't we just explain that to Cthargictha and work something out?"

"Perhaps we could, if there was enough gold in the treasury. That is, assuming they would be willing to deal for them."

"But... they live in the world too, this threat's bad for them too, right?"

"Maybe. That anyone here is even willing to consider my words... is a result of what I've built, ruling this place on behalf of the Saintess. If we were to tell them, without details we cannot give because my goddess never told me, and does not remember enough to tell you, do you think they would believe us?"

"... I guess not." Sorry, Park. Atzi voted for the draft. The vote was split five to four in favor of the draft, the dragon's prophet voting for draft on her behalf, on the provision her own soldiers were left alone to fight the frost giants. The others in favor were the Ancestor, Demon, and Crow. Elliot nodded.

"Then I shall issue the draft at once. And with that, we conclude the vote of the gods, and the start of the rule of the Star!" She laughed.

"Um... congrats." I have no idea what to say in a situation like this. - After the vote, everyone got into the details about the war. Atzi was dismissed and given her own room upstairs and told she would receive instruction come afternoon. She was led there by a maid who was swift to decline an offer to get to know each other. The room was quite fancy, with a large lacy bed with multiple sheets and pillows, several fancy wooden cabinets and armoires, a long mirror, and a pull-rope to bring in service.

Atzi rolled around on the bed like an idiot. I have it made! There's some minor bad news on the horizon, but so what? The empire's lasted forever and it'll last forever just fine. She eventually drifted off to sleep.