She checked her watch again. And again. And again. He wasn't tired of talking, though. It was like the fucking slideshow from hell. Her hands were freezing off the damn bone already. How long had they been in the meeting? An hour? Two? A year? Ever since her father had started making her sit in on these slow deaths, she'd found a new definition for the word 'boring'. And a face to match.

"And I think this quarter, we can make a real push with R&D's newest project. The people are gonna love it!" A round of applause following the statement prompted DeVian to follow the social cue, snapping her attention back to the speaker. This had undoubtedly been the worst use of her time all week. And it was kind of irritating to have to stick around and shake hands.

She slipped out of the room without wasting another second after she was finished with the formalities. This was her last meeting of the day and the drinks she was looking forward to couldn't come any sooner.

A wave of dread washed over her. DeVian froze in place, her hands white-knuckle gripping the wheel as every muscle in her body just... stopped. It was all so fast. It was how she knew Novevu wanted to talk.

One moment she was turning the keys into the ignition and the next she was falling on her ass in the Void.




"Slacker, slacker, slacker!" came the Ancient of Death's voice, laughing like a hyena, bouncing off of the great nothing that was the Void. He took no physical form at first--it was as though every part of his realm was also him. As if by just being there, one was communicating with him, even if it was in complete silence.

"Nov--"
she started, adjusting her position to kneel before him.

"No, no, slackers don't get to call me by my name. Master, though, master--haha!--that I like." His voice was everywhere around her as if he were circling her, laughing at her, having a jolly good time mocking her. His voice returned to its usual depth, the echo of it making it sound like there were eight of him speaking at the same time. "I will accept a bow."

DeVian did as she was told. It had been longer than it should've been since she last entered the Void. Life in the human realm was... busy. She had a lot on her plate. Being a daughter of Death didn't make any money. It didn't pay any bills or attend any business meetings.

"Master, then. My apologies."


"I expect a lot more in the near future. I have a task for you to finally prove your worth in this house."

"So you're going to hold a grudge forever? Lo siento, okay?"


His laugh rattled her very bones. It was thunderous. "Not sorry enough. DeVian, the task that I am giving you, it must be completed. Do you understand me?" There was no trace of that laugh now.

"Yes, Master."


"How? I haven't even told you what it is yet." That same maniacal chuckle banged at her eardrums. "There is a manuscript in your realm that you will retrieve for me. I am sure I do not need to reiterate how important this is."

Really? He's trusting such an important mission to somebody he considers a slacker?

Her mind began racing. How the fuck was she supposed to fit in looking for some vague manuscript or whatever between her already full schedule? Was he being, like... serious? Was there no one else to ask?

Of course, though, there was no way in hell she was going to say no to his face. Or... Void.

Just as her doubts took a turn for the extremely hesitant, Novevu decided to show himself. It was almost as if there was a light behind him, but just enough to accentuate his form. He was sitting upon a great throne, easily twenty feet high, with his legs crossed, staring down at his descendant in amusement. He was a dark figure with light working just enough to silhouette him.

"For some reason you are making me wait for your acceptance of this mission."

Dev's head shot up, panic surging through her. "I... Yes, Master. I accept."


"Good. I always like to give the illusion of a choice. I am not privy to the knowledge of where in your world the book is, but it reeks of the power of the Citadel. This task is your life's priority. Disappoint me and it will be the last thing you ever do. Do not make me wait so long to see you here again."




"No, no, mon cher, why would I cheat you?"
Evans smiled with all the charm he could muster. When he saw the woman's continued hesitation, he persisted, spreading the cards in his hands out for her. "One more trick, I beg you. Don't you want to see something cool before you go back to your boring trip?"


"Boring?" The woman giggled. "What's boring about New Orleans?"

"Well, I'm inclined to think anywhere I ain't can't be that good of a time."


"Fine. One more time. My girls already left me."

"I always like alone time with a beautiful woman like yourself. Pick a card, sweetheart."
He brandished them for her again, and from the blush on her cheeks, he knew he'd gotten her.

-


Evans whistled amiably to himself as the sun set behind his head and he shuffled through the wallets he'd acquired throughout the day. None of them seemed to be terribly interesting people, judging by the contents. There were a couple of cute pictures of the victims' children, though. Those, he paused at, but ultimately put in the garbage with everything else.

He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and exhaled, rounding a corner and disappearing under a low bridge. No city ever slept, but New Orleans truly embodied livelihood at night. There was no greater feeling than being out on the streets after the sun went down. In fact, as Evans consulted his watch, he figured he'd need to put some pep in his step to make his evening rounds in the Quarter.

The red-headed man settled his hands in his pockets, tripping over a crack in the brick and right into a bright, golden-hued room with only a grand piano at the center. He knew Elysian when he saw it. It was always the 'golden hour' here, but sometimes the setting was different. Today, he supposed, Destodai desired to play the piano.

"Oh, this is just the loveliest thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing,"
Evans drawled, bowing briefly before the Ancient that he assumed had called him.

Destodai didn't acknowledge him immediately. She continued to play a song Evans had never heard, but it was, in fact, very beautiful. Moving, even.

"May I ask what brings me here, madame?"


"You may ask. But I do not answer to you."


"Am I already makin' a fool of myself?"


"Listen."
She continued her playing, her back turned to him the entire time. He waited patiently, despite the fact that it felt like she played for hours before speaking again. "I have something to ask of you."


"Anything, ma chérie."


"I am sure."
Her fingers moved delicately yet languidly over the keys. "There is a book in your world. It is from the lost Citadel. I require it."
A dark note played. "It is imperative that it is brought to me."


"Consider it done, then."


"This is no time for games, Evans. There is no room for charm. I will not accept anything from you other than this book in my hands."


"Mon cher, why would I ever cheat you?"
A confident grin rose onto his features. "That book is yours."


She let him stay in Elysian for a while longer as she played. Destodai never turned to look at him, but it didn't bother him. He was delighted just to be able to listen. At one point, he found himself on the verge of tears as she continued, reaching a sad and slow song. But just as the first tear was teetering on the edge of his eyelid, he found himself stumbling over the brick that had tripped him on his way into Elysian in the first place.

She checked her watch again. And again. And again. He wasn't tired of talking, though. It was like the fucking slideshow from hell. Her hands were freezing off the damn bone already. How long had they been in the meeting? An hour? Two? A year? Ever since her father had started making her sit in on these slow deaths, she'd found a new definition for the word 'boring'. And a face to match.

"And I think this quarter, we can make a real push with R&D's newest project. The people are gonna love it!" A round of applause following the statement prompted DeVian to follow the social cue, snapping her attention back to the speaker. This had undoubtedly been the worst use of her time all week. And it was kind of irritating to have to stick around and shake hands.

She slipped out of the room without wasting another second after she was finished with the formalities. This was her last meeting of the day and the drinks she was looking forward to couldn't come any sooner.

A wave of dread washed over her. DeVian froze in place, her hands white-knuckle gripping the wheel as every muscle in her body just... stopped. It was all so fast. It was how she knew Novevu wanted to talk.

One moment she was turning the keys into the ignition and the next she was falling on her ass in the Void.




"Slacker, slacker, slacker!" came the Ancient of Death's voice, laughing like a hyena, bouncing off of the great nothing that was the Void. He took no physical form at first--it was as though every part of his realm was also him. As if by just being there, one was communicating with him, even if it was in complete silence.

"Nov--"
she started, adjusting her position to kneel before him.

"No, no, slackers don't get to call me by my name. Master, though, master--haha!--that I like." His voice was everywhere around her as if he were circling her, laughing at her, having a jolly good time mocking her. His voice returned to its usual depth, the echo of it making it sound like there were eight of him speaking at the same time. "I will accept a bow."

DeVian did as she was told. It had been longer than it should've been since she last entered the Void. Life in the human realm was... busy. She had a lot on her plate. Being a daughter of Death didn't make any money. It didn't pay any bills or attend any business meetings.

"Master, then. My apologies."


"I expect a lot more in the near future. I have a task for you to finally prove your worth in this house."

"So you're going to hold a grudge forever? Lo siento, okay?"


His laugh rattled her very bones. It was thunderous. "Not sorry enough. DeVian, the task that I am giving you, it must be completed. Do you understand me?" There was no trace of that laugh now.

"Yes, Master."


"How? I haven't even told you what it is yet." That same maniacal chuckle banged at her eardrums. "There is a manuscript in your realm that you will retrieve for me. I am sure I do not need to reiterate how important this is."

Really? He's trusting such an important mission to somebody he considers a slacker?

Her mind began racing. How the fuck was she supposed to fit in looking for some vague manuscript or whatever between her already full schedule? Was he being, like... serious? Was there no one else to ask?

Of course, though, there was no way in hell she was going to say no to his face. Or... Void.

Just as her doubts took a turn for the extremely hesitant, Novevu decided to show himself. It was almost as if there was a light behind him, but just enough to accentuate his form. He was sitting upon a great throne, easily twenty feet high, with his legs crossed, staring down at his descendant in amusement. He was a dark figure with light working just enough to silhouette him.

"For some reason you are making me wait for your acceptance of this mission."

Dev's head shot up, panic surging through her. "I... Yes, Master. I accept."


"Good. I always like to give the illusion of a choice. I am not privy to the knowledge of where in your world the book is, but it reeks of the power of the Citadel. This task is your life's priority. Disappoint me and it will be the last thing you ever do. Do not make me wait so long to see you here again."




"No, no, mon cher, why would I cheat you?"
Evans smiled with all the charm he could muster. When he saw the woman's continued hesitation, he persisted, spreading the cards in his hands out for her. "One more trick, I beg you. Don't you want to see something cool before you go back to your boring trip?"


"Boring?" The woman giggled. "What's boring about New Orleans?"

"Well, I'm inclined to think anywhere I ain't can't be that good of a time."


"Fine. One more time. My girls already left me."

"I always like alone time with a beautiful woman like yourself. Pick a card, sweetheart."
He brandished them for her again, and from the blush on her cheeks, he knew he'd gotten her.

-


Evans whistled amiably to himself as the sun set behind his head and he shuffled through the wallets he'd acquired throughout the day. None of them seemed to be terribly interesting people, judging by the contents. There were a couple of cute pictures of the victims' children, though. Those, he paused at, but ultimately put in the garbage with everything else.

He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and exhaled, rounding a corner and disappearing under a low bridge. No city ever slept, but New Orleans truly embodied livelihood at night. There was no greater feeling than being out on the streets after the sun went down. In fact, as Evans consulted his watch, he figured he'd need to put some pep in his step to make his evening rounds in the Quarter.

The red-headed man settled his hands in his pockets, tripping over a crack in the brick and right into a bright, golden-hued room with only a grand piano at the center. He knew Elysian when he saw it. It was always the 'golden hour' here, but sometimes the setting was different. Today, he supposed, Destodai desired to play the piano.

"Oh, this is just the loveliest thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing,"
Evans drawled, bowing briefly before the Ancient that he assumed had called him.

Destodai didn't acknowledge him immediately. She continued to play a song Evans had never heard, but it was, in fact, very beautiful. Moving, even.

"May I ask what brings me here, madame?"


"You may ask. But I do not answer to you."


"Am I already makin' a fool of myself?"


"Listen."
She continued her playing, her back turned to him the entire time. He waited patiently, despite the fact that it felt like she played for hours before speaking again. "I have something to ask of you."


"Anything, ma chérie."


"I am sure."
Her fingers moved delicately yet languidly over the keys. "There is a book in your world. It is from the lost Citadel. I require it."
A dark note played. "It is imperative that it is brought to me."


"Consider it done, then."


"This is no time for games, Evans. There is no room for charm. I will not accept anything from you other than this book in my hands."


"Mon cher, why would I ever cheat you?"
A confident grin rose onto his features. "That book is yours."


She let him stay in Elysian for a while longer as she played. Destodai never turned to look at him, but it didn't bother him. He was delighted just to be able to listen. At one point, he found himself on the verge of tears as she continued, reaching a sad and slow song. But just as the first tear was teetering on the edge of his eyelid, he found himself stumbling over the brick that had tripped him on his way into Elysian in the first place.

She checked her watch again. And again. And again. He wasn't tired of talking, though. It was like the fucking slideshow from hell. Her hands were freezing off the damn bone already. How long had they been in the meeting? An hour? Two? A year? Ever since her father had started making her sit in on these slow deaths, she'd found a new definition for the word 'boring'. And a face to match.

"And I think this quarter, we can make a real push with R&D's newest project. The people are gonna love it!" A round of applause following the statement prompted DeVian to follow the social cue, snapping her attention back to the speaker. This had undoubtedly been the worst use of her time all week. And it was kind of irritating to have to stick around and shake hands.

She slipped out of the room without wasting another second after she was finished with the formalities. This was her last meeting of the day and the drinks she was looking forward to couldn't come any sooner.

A wave of dread washed over her. DeVian froze in place, her hands white-knuckle gripping the wheel as every muscle in her body just... stopped. It was all so fast. It was how she knew Novevu wanted to talk.

One moment she was turning the keys into the ignition and the next she was falling on her ass in the Void.




"Slacker, slacker, slacker!" came the Ancient of Death's voice, laughing like a hyena, bouncing off of the great nothing that was the Void. He took no physical form at first--it was as though every part of his realm was also him. As if by just being there, one was communicating with him, even if it was in complete silence.

"Nov--"
she started, adjusting her position to kneel before him.

"No, no, slackers don't get to call me by my name. Master, though, master--haha!--that I like." His voice was everywhere around her as if he were circling her, laughing at her, having a jolly good time mocking her. His voice returned to its usual depth, the echo of it making it sound like there were eight of him speaking at the same time. "I will accept a bow."

DeVian did as she was told. It had been longer than it should've been since she last entered the Void. Life in the human realm was... busy. She had a lot on her plate. Being a daughter of Death didn't make any money. It didn't pay any bills or attend any business meetings.

"Master, then. My apologies."


"I expect a lot more in the near future. I have a task for you to finally prove your worth in this house."

"So you're going to hold a grudge forever? Lo siento, okay?"


His laugh rattled her very bones. It was thunderous. "Not sorry enough. DeVian, the task that I am giving you, it must be completed. Do you understand me?" There was no trace of that laugh now.

"Yes, Master."


"How? I haven't even told you what it is yet." That same maniacal chuckle banged at her eardrums. "There is a manuscript in your realm that you will retrieve for me. I am sure I do not need to reiterate how important this is."

Really? He's trusting such an important mission to somebody he considers a slacker?

Her mind began racing. How the fuck was she supposed to fit in looking for some vague manuscript or whatever between her already full schedule? Was he being, like... serious? Was there no one else to ask?

Of course, though, there was no way in hell she was going to say no to his face. Or... Void.

Just as her doubts took a turn for the extremely hesitant, Novevu decided to show himself. It was almost as if there was a light behind him, but just enough to accentuate his form. He was sitting upon a great throne, easily twenty feet high, with his legs crossed, staring down at his descendant in amusement. He was a dark figure with light working just enough to silhouette him.

"For some reason you are making me wait for your acceptance of this mission."

Dev's head shot up, panic surging through her. "I... Yes, Master. I accept."


"Good. I always like to give the illusion of a choice. I am not privy to the knowledge of where in your world the book is, but it reeks of the power of the Citadel. This task is your life's priority. Disappoint me and it will be the last thing you ever do. Do not make me wait so long to see you here again."




"No, no, mon cher, why would I cheat you?"
Evans smiled with all the charm he could muster. When he saw the woman's continued hesitation, he persisted, spreading the cards in his hands out for her. "One more trick, I beg you. Don't you want to see something cool before you go back to your boring trip?"


"Boring?" The woman giggled. "What's boring about New Orleans?"

"Well, I'm inclined to think anywhere I ain't can't be that good of a time."


"Fine. One more time. My girls already left me."

"I always like alone time with a beautiful woman like yourself. Pick a card, sweetheart."
He brandished them for her again, and from the blush on her cheeks, he knew he'd gotten her.

-


Evans whistled amiably to himself as the sun set behind his head and he shuffled through the wallets he'd acquired throughout the day. None of them seemed to be terribly interesting people, judging by the contents. There were a couple of cute pictures of the victims' children, though. Those, he paused at, but ultimately put in the garbage with everything else.

He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and exhaled, rounding a corner and disappearing under a low bridge. No city ever slept, but New Orleans truly embodied livelihood at night. There was no greater feeling than being out on the streets after the sun went down. In fact, as Evans consulted his watch, he figured he'd need to put some pep in his step to make his evening rounds in the Quarter.

The red-headed man settled his hands in his pockets, tripping over a crack in the brick and right into a bright, golden-hued room with only a grand piano at the center. He knew Elysian when he saw it. It was always the 'golden hour' here, but sometimes the setting was different. Today, he supposed, Destodai desired to play the piano.

"Oh, this is just the loveliest thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing,"
Evans drawled, bowing briefly before the Ancient that he assumed had called him.

Destodai didn't acknowledge him immediately. She continued to play a song Evans had never heard, but it was, in fact, very beautiful. Moving, even.

"May I ask what brings me here, madame?"


"You may ask. But I do not answer to you."


"Am I already makin' a fool of myself?"


"Listen."
She continued her playing, her back turned to him the entire time. He waited patiently, despite the fact that it felt like she played for hours before speaking again. "I have something to ask of you."


"Anything, ma chérie."


"I am sure."
Her fingers moved delicately yet languidly over the keys. "There is a book in your world. It is from the lost Citadel. I require it."
A dark note played. "It is imperative that it is brought to me."


"Consider it done, then."


"This is no time for games, Evans. There is no room for charm. I will not accept anything from you other than this book in my hands."


"Mon cher, why would I ever cheat you?"
A confident grin rose onto his features. "That book is yours."


She let him stay in Elysian for a while longer as she played. Destodai never turned to look at him, but it didn't bother him. He was delighted just to be able to listen. At one point, he found himself on the verge of tears as she continued, reaching a sad and slow song. But just as the first tear was teetering on the edge of his eyelid, he found himself stumbling over the brick that had tripped him on his way into Elysian in the first place.

She checked her watch again. And again. And again. He wasn't tired of talking, though. It was like the fucking slideshow from hell. Her hands were freezing off the damn bone already. How long had they been in the meeting? An hour? Two? A year? Ever since her father had started making her sit in on these slow deaths, she'd found a new definition for the word 'boring'. And a face to match.

"And I think this quarter, we can make a real push with R&D's newest project. The people are gonna love it!" A round of applause following the statement prompted DeVian to follow the social cue, snapping her attention back to the speaker. This had undoubtedly been the worst use of her time all week. And it was kind of irritating to have to stick around and shake hands.

She slipped out of the room without wasting another second after she was finished with the formalities. This was her last meeting of the day and the drinks she was looking forward to couldn't come any sooner.

A wave of dread washed over her. DeVian froze in place, her hands white-knuckle gripping the wheel as every muscle in her body just... stopped. It was all so fast. It was how she knew Novevu wanted to talk.

One moment she was turning the keys into the ignition and the next she was falling on her ass in the Void.




"Slacker, slacker, slacker!" came the Ancient of Death's voice, laughing like a hyena, bouncing off of the great nothing that was the Void. He took no physical form at first--it was as though every part of his realm was also him. As if by just being there, one was communicating with him, even if it was in complete silence.

"Nov--"
she started, adjusting her position to kneel before him.

"No, no, slackers don't get to call me by my name. Master, though, master--haha!--that I like." His voice was everywhere around her as if he were circling her, laughing at her, having a jolly good time mocking her. His voice returned to its usual depth, the echo of it making it sound like there were eight of him speaking at the same time. "I will accept a bow."

DeVian did as she was told. It had been longer than it should've been since she last entered the Void. Life in the human realm was... busy. She had a lot on her plate. Being a daughter of Death didn't make any money. It didn't pay any bills or attend any business meetings.

"Master, then. My apologies."


"I expect a lot more in the near future. I have a task for you to finally prove your worth in this house."

"So you're going to hold a grudge forever? Lo siento, okay?"


His laugh rattled her very bones. It was thunderous. "Not sorry enough. DeVian, the task that I am giving you, it must be completed. Do you understand me?" There was no trace of that laugh now.

"Yes, Master."


"How? I haven't even told you what it is yet." That same maniacal chuckle banged at her eardrums. "There is a manuscript in your realm that you will retrieve for me. I am sure I do not need to reiterate how important this is."

Really? He's trusting such an important mission to somebody he considers a slacker?

Her mind began racing. How the fuck was she supposed to fit in looking for some vague manuscript or whatever between her already full schedule? Was he being, like... serious? Was there no one else to ask?

Of course, though, there was no way in hell she was going to say no to his face. Or... Void.

Just as her doubts took a turn for the extremely hesitant, Novevu decided to show himself. It was almost as if there was a light behind him, but just enough to accentuate his form. He was sitting upon a great throne, easily twenty feet high, with his legs crossed, staring down at his descendant in amusement. He was a dark figure with light working just enough to silhouette him.

"For some reason you are making me wait for your acceptance of this mission."

Dev's head shot up, panic surging through her. "I... Yes, Master. I accept."


"Good. I always like to give the illusion of a choice. I am not privy to the knowledge of where in your world the book is, but it reeks of the power of the Citadel. This task is your life's priority. Disappoint me and it will be the last thing you ever do. Do not make me wait so long to see you here again."




"No, no, mon cher, why would I cheat you?"
Evans smiled with all the charm he could muster. When he saw the woman's continued hesitation, he persisted, spreading the cards in his hands out for her. "One more trick, I beg you. Don't you want to see something cool before you go back to your boring trip?"


"Boring?" The woman giggled. "What's boring about New Orleans?"

"Well, I'm inclined to think anywhere I ain't can't be that good of a time."


"Fine. One more time. My girls already left me."

"I always like alone time with a beautiful woman like yourself. Pick a card, sweetheart."
He brandished them for her again, and from the blush on her cheeks, he knew he'd gotten her.

-


Evans whistled amiably to himself as the sun set behind his head and he shuffled through the wallets he'd acquired throughout the day. None of them seemed to be terribly interesting people, judging by the contents. There were a couple of cute pictures of the victims' children, though. Those, he paused at, but ultimately put in the garbage with everything else.

He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and exhaled, rounding a corner and disappearing under a low bridge. No city ever slept, but New Orleans truly embodied livelihood at night. There was no greater feeling than being out on the streets after the sun went down. In fact, as Evans consulted his watch, he figured he'd need to put some pep in his step to make his evening rounds in the Quarter.

The red-headed man settled his hands in his pockets, tripping over a crack in the brick and right into a bright, golden-hued room with only a grand piano at the center. He knew Elysian when he saw it. It was always the 'golden hour' here, but sometimes the setting was different. Today, he supposed, Destodai desired to play the piano.

"Oh, this is just the loveliest thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing,"
Evans drawled, bowing briefly before the Ancient that he assumed had called him.

Destodai didn't acknowledge him immediately. She continued to play a song Evans had never heard, but it was, in fact, very beautiful. Moving, even.

"May I ask what brings me here, madame?"


"You may ask. But I do not answer to you."


"Am I already makin' a fool of myself?"


"Listen."
She continued her playing, her back turned to him the entire time. He waited patiently, despite the fact that it felt like she played for hours before speaking again. "I have something to ask of you."


"Anything, ma chérie."


"I am sure."
Her fingers moved delicately yet languidly over the keys. "There is a book in your world. It is from the lost Citadel. I require it."
A dark note played. "It is imperative that it is brought to me."


"Consider it done, then."


"This is no time for games, Evans. There is no room for charm. I will not accept anything from you other than this book in my hands."


"Mon cher, why would I ever cheat you?"
A confident grin rose onto his features. "That book is yours."


She let him stay in Elysian for a while longer as she played. Destodai never turned to look at him, but it didn't bother him. He was delighted just to be able to listen. At one point, he found himself on the verge of tears as she continued, reaching a sad and slow song. But just as the first tear was teetering on the edge of his eyelid, he found himself stumbling over the brick that had tripped him on his way into Elysian in the first place.

She checked her watch again. And again. And again. He wasn't tired of talking, though. It was like the fucking slideshow from hell. Her hands were freezing off the damn bone already. How long had they been in the meeting? An hour? Two? A year? Ever since her father had started making her sit in on these slow deaths, she'd found a new definition for the word 'boring'. And a face to match.

"And I think this quarter, we can make a real push with R&D's newest project. The people are gonna love it!" A round of applause following the statement prompted DeVian to follow the social cue, snapping her attention back to the speaker. This had undoubtedly been the worst use of her time all week. And it was kind of irritating to have to stick around and shake hands.

She slipped out of the room without wasting another second after she was finished with the formalities. This was her last meeting of the day and the drinks she was looking forward to couldn't come any sooner.

A wave of dread washed over her. DeVian froze in place, her hands white-knuckle gripping the wheel as every muscle in her body just... stopped. It was all so fast. It was how she knew Novevu wanted to talk.

One moment she was turning the keys into the ignition and the next she was falling on her ass in the Void.




"Slacker, slacker, slacker!" came the Ancient of Death's voice, laughing like a hyena, bouncing off of the great nothing that was the Void. He took no physical form at first--it was as though every part of his realm was also him. As if by just being there, one was communicating with him, even if it was in complete silence.

"Nov--"
she started, adjusting her position to kneel before him.

"No, no, slackers don't get to call me by my name. Master, though, master--haha!--that I like." His voice was everywhere around her as if he were circling her, laughing at her, having a jolly good time mocking her. His voice returned to its usual depth, the echo of it making it sound like there were eight of him speaking at the same time. "I will accept a bow."

DeVian did as she was told. It had been longer than it should've been since she last entered the Void. Life in the human realm was... busy. She had a lot on her plate. Being a daughter of Death didn't make any money. It didn't pay any bills or attend any business meetings.

"Master, then. My apologies."


"I expect a lot more in the near future. I have a task for you to finally prove your worth in this house."

"So you're going to hold a grudge forever? Lo siento, okay?"


His laugh rattled her very bones. It was thunderous. "Not sorry enough. DeVian, the task that I am giving you, it must be completed. Do you understand me?" There was no trace of that laugh now.

"Yes, Master."


"How? I haven't even told you what it is yet." That same maniacal chuckle banged at her eardrums. "There is a manuscript in your realm that you will retrieve for me. I am sure I do not need to reiterate how important this is."

Really? He's trusting such an important mission to somebody he considers a slacker?

Her mind began racing. How the fuck was she supposed to fit in looking for some vague manuscript or whatever between her already full schedule? Was he being, like... serious? Was there no one else to ask?

Of course, though, there was no way in hell she was going to say no to his face. Or... Void.

Just as her doubts took a turn for the extremely hesitant, Novevu decided to show himself. It was almost as if there was a light behind him, but just enough to accentuate his form. He was sitting upon a great throne, easily twenty feet high, with his legs crossed, staring down at his descendant in amusement. He was a dark figure with light working just enough to silhouette him.

"For some reason you are making me wait for your acceptance of this mission."

Dev's head shot up, panic surging through her. "I... Yes, Master. I accept."


"Good. I always like to give the illusion of a choice. I am not privy to the knowledge of where in your world the book is, but it reeks of the power of the Citadel. This task is your life's priority. Disappoint me and it will be the last thing you ever do. Do not make me wait so long to see you here again."




"No, no, mon cher, why would I cheat you?"
Evans smiled with all the charm he could muster. When he saw the woman's continued hesitation, he persisted, spreading the cards in his hands out for her. "One more trick, I beg you. Don't you want to see something cool before you go back to your boring trip?"


"Boring?" The woman giggled. "What's boring about New Orleans?"

"Well, I'm inclined to think anywhere I ain't can't be that good of a time."


"Fine. One more time. My girls already left me."

"I always like alone time with a beautiful woman like yourself. Pick a card, sweetheart."
He brandished them for her again, and from the blush on her cheeks, he knew he'd gotten her.

-


Evans whistled amiably to himself as the sun set behind his head and he shuffled through the wallets he'd acquired throughout the day. None of them seemed to be terribly interesting people, judging by the contents. There were a couple of cute pictures of the victims' children, though. Those, he paused at, but ultimately put in the garbage with everything else.

He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and exhaled, rounding a corner and disappearing under a low bridge. No city ever slept, but New Orleans truly embodied livelihood at night. There was no greater feeling than being out on the streets after the sun went down. In fact, as Evans consulted his watch, he figured he'd need to put some pep in his step to make his evening rounds in the Quarter.

The red-headed man settled his hands in his pockets, tripping over a crack in the brick and right into a bright, golden-hued room with only a grand piano at the center. He knew Elysian when he saw it. It was always the 'golden hour' here, but sometimes the setting was different. Today, he supposed, Destodai desired to play the piano.

"Oh, this is just the loveliest thing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing,"
Evans drawled, bowing briefly before the Ancient that he assumed had called him.

Destodai didn't acknowledge him immediately. She continued to play a song Evans had never heard, but it was, in fact, very beautiful. Moving, even.

"May I ask what brings me here, madame?"


"You may ask. But I do not answer to you."


"Am I already makin' a fool of myself?"


"Listen."
She continued her playing, her back turned to him the entire time. He waited patiently, despite the fact that it felt like she played for hours before speaking again. "I have something to ask of you."


"Anything, ma chérie."


"I am sure."
Her fingers moved delicately yet languidly over the keys. "There is a book in your world. It is from the lost Citadel. I require it."
A dark note played. "It is imperative that it is brought to me."


"Consider it done, then."


"This is no time for games, Evans. There is no room for charm. I will not accept anything from you other than this book in my hands."


"Mon cher, why would I ever cheat you?"
A confident grin rose onto his features. "That book is yours."


She let him stay in Elysian for a while longer as she played. Destodai never turned to look at him, but it didn't bother him. He was delighted just to be able to listen. At one point, he found himself on the verge of tears as she continued, reaching a sad and slow song. But just as the first tear was teetering on the edge of his eyelid, he found himself stumbling over the brick that had tripped him on his way into Elysian in the first place.

‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’

“Alright Alright Alright! Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off!”
waving her hand, the newly bought alarm clock that sat on the nightstand soon found itself broken on the floor having being smashed into the wall repeatedly. Once the noise was gone; Vivian opened her eyes and cursed. Her head pounded, her eyes were spinning and her ears were too sensitive; she licked her dry lips; until now she hadn’t noticed the male body next to her, by the time it had clicked as to where she was she scrambled out of bed butt first.

But it seemed the male next to her was too out of it to care or notice that she picked up her belongings, dressing herself as hastily as possible and stepping out. The share house was a disgusting mess and she tried her best not to dry heave; how drunk had she gotten last night? Her arms were covered in the scars of numerous injection sites but they healed remarkably well and no one, not even her employee at the florist she worked at thought to ask her about her habits outside of work.

She looked, reeked and smelt like sex and alcohol and she reminded herself to step into the shower before going to work, she swayed from side to side on the road in broad daylight, a car that had been driving along the road, full of men slowed the car whistling and cat calling she ignored them deciding to walk faster; they persisted in following her. Sick of their voices - which did nothing to help her head she flicked her wrist causing the vehicle to go flying back; the men screamed and she shrugged.

-Meanwhile in London-




Stephani has been making breakfast and listening to the radio when an announcement caught her attention; it went as follows:

Archeologists in Brazil have discovered an unusual, glowing sword of unknown origin, the sword believed to be older than human civilisation itself has caught the attention of none other than renown occult historian Professor Phillip Pickering. He says that finding such an artefact in this day and age is not only highly unlikely but practically a miracle.

Stephani’s jaw dropped and she found herself having to switch off her stove to process the news, a feeling of dread filled her stomach, it was as if she knew for certain that the swords that humans had found was one of three swords capable of killing her kind, erasing their existence from the planet. She shut her eyes breakfast would have to wait; stepping back from the stove she took a deep breath and allowed herself to fall into the fires of the Forge.

As she rose from the flames; she looked around trying to locate Evyette… it didn’t make long because the sounds of moaning and groaning alerted her; as she approached Evyette she heard the ancient’s voice. “What is it Stephani.”
“The humans have found one of the three fabled swords.”
there was silence before Evyette screeched. “You dare come here to tell me such news when all I want to hear is about your progress and the book. The humans have no use for the sword. Leave and do not come back unless you have the book!”
She was forced back into the mortal realm she was back in her apartment standing in front of her half-cooked breakfast. She’s impossible I swear.



-In Rome Italy-


A beam of light erupted in broad day light, as a woman landed in the centre of the colosseum, a woman with hair as white as snow; a fierce glowing surrounded her and it was if time was both fast and slow at the same time; no one was entirely sure but her arrival had caught the attention of everyone who was anyone.

“I have a message for the claimants of each core line. The time is now to find the book I have left, in a place on this mortal realm, find it and you may be given your house’s only chance of remaining as this realm begins to collapse. Make haste and fight well. I will be waiting within the Citadel.”

As soon as she had appeared the woman in white disappeared; the only person to have caught her message was a group of tourists who were quick to upload the video of her message onto the internet; and so the news spread like wildfire, as new outlets all over the world began to ask the question: who was the woman? What did she mean that the realm was collapsing? What on Earth was the Citadel? Who were the Claimants? What was a core line? It didn’t matter, Echowix had sent her message. The race was on and time was running out.

-Brasília Dig Site-




“Why I shall make a fortune out of this, I say, I say. We will be rich. This sword, if there are more why we’ll have all the money in the world and people we treat us as Gods! Gods!”
the older man laughed and joked to the Doctor who was taking down notes as he monologued; there on his desk wrapped in cloth was the sword they had found mere hours ago. He would have said more in his moment of glory but was interrupted as Dr. Green read the news articles “Strange woman appears in a beam of light in the Colosseum. Sends a message to people known as Claimants.”


“Why! Why this must all be connected! We must make haste! We must find this book this woman speaks of, find the other swords if there are others! Oh how bountiful my career will finally be put down in history! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!”
the older man reached into the box of his Russian Cigars and lit one, placing it to his lips inhaling the smoke as his assistant turned away and faced the door as to avoid the smoke her employer and mentor breathed in those vile sticks of death. “Well from the sample we took from the sword, a signature was detected in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Then we’ll head there! There we shall go! Another sword! My oh my! We shall rule this realm and all the other realms there are! Oh blessed be! Oh Blessed be!!!”

‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’

“Alright Alright Alright! Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off!”
waving her hand, the newly bought alarm clock that sat on the nightstand soon found itself broken on the floor having being smashed into the wall repeatedly. Once the noise was gone; Vivian opened her eyes and cursed. Her head pounded, her eyes were spinning and her ears were too sensitive; she licked her dry lips; until now she hadn’t noticed the male body next to her, by the time it had clicked as to where she was she scrambled out of bed butt first.

But it seemed the male next to her was too out of it to care or notice that she picked up her belongings, dressing herself as hastily as possible and stepping out. The share house was a disgusting mess and she tried her best not to dry heave; how drunk had she gotten last night? Her arms were covered in the scars of numerous injection sites but they healed remarkably well and no one, not even her employee at the florist she worked at thought to ask her about her habits outside of work.

She looked, reeked and smelt like sex and alcohol and she reminded herself to step into the shower before going to work, she swayed from side to side on the road in broad daylight, a car that had been driving along the road, full of men slowed the car whistling and cat calling she ignored them deciding to walk faster; they persisted in following her. Sick of their voices - which did nothing to help her head she flicked her wrist causing the vehicle to go flying back; the men screamed and she shrugged.

-Meanwhile in London-




Stephani has been making breakfast and listening to the radio when an announcement caught her attention; it went as follows:

Archeologists in Brazil have discovered an unusual, glowing sword of unknown origin, the sword believed to be older than human civilisation itself has caught the attention of none other than renown occult historian Professor Phillip Pickering. He says that finding such an artefact in this day and age is not only highly unlikely but practically a miracle.

Stephani’s jaw dropped and she found herself having to switch off her stove to process the news, a feeling of dread filled her stomach, it was as if she knew for certain that the swords that humans had found was one of three swords capable of killing her kind, erasing their existence from the planet. She shut her eyes breakfast would have to wait; stepping back from the stove she took a deep breath and allowed herself to fall into the fires of the Forge.

As she rose from the flames; she looked around trying to locate Evyette… it didn’t make long because the sounds of moaning and groaning alerted her; as she approached Evyette she heard the ancient’s voice. “What is it Stephani.”
“The humans have found one of the three fabled swords.”
there was silence before Evyette screeched. “You dare come here to tell me such news when all I want to hear is about your progress and the book. The humans have no use for the sword. Leave and do not come back unless you have the book!”
She was forced back into the mortal realm she was back in her apartment standing in front of her half-cooked breakfast. She’s impossible I swear.



-In Rome Italy-


A beam of light erupted in broad day light, as a woman landed in the centre of the colosseum, a woman with hair as white as snow; a fierce glowing surrounded her and it was if time was both fast and slow at the same time; no one was entirely sure but her arrival had caught the attention of everyone who was anyone.

“I have a message for the claimants of each core line. The time is now to find the book I have left, in a place on this mortal realm, find it and you may be given your house’s only chance of remaining as this realm begins to collapse. Make haste and fight well. I will be waiting within the Citadel.”

As soon as she had appeared the woman in white disappeared; the only person to have caught her message was a group of tourists who were quick to upload the video of her message onto the internet; and so the news spread like wildfire, as new outlets all over the world began to ask the question: who was the woman? What did she mean that the realm was collapsing? What on Earth was the Citadel? Who were the Claimants? What was a core line? It didn’t matter, Echowix had sent her message. The race was on and time was running out.

-Brasília Dig Site-




“Why I shall make a fortune out of this, I say, I say. We will be rich. This sword, if there are more why we’ll have all the money in the world and people we treat us as Gods! Gods!”
the older man laughed and joked to the Doctor who was taking down notes as he monologued; there on his desk wrapped in cloth was the sword they had found mere hours ago. He would have said more in his moment of glory but was interrupted as Dr. Green read the news articles “Strange woman appears in a beam of light in the Colosseum. Sends a message to people known as Claimants.”


“Why! Why this must all be connected! We must make haste! We must find this book this woman speaks of, find the other swords if there are others! Oh how bountiful my career will finally be put down in history! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!”
the older man reached into the box of his Russian Cigars and lit one, placing it to his lips inhaling the smoke as his assistant turned away and faced the door as to avoid the smoke her employer and mentor breathed in those vile sticks of death. “Well from the sample we took from the sword, a signature was detected in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Then we’ll head there! There we shall go! Another sword! My oh my! We shall rule this realm and all the other realms there are! Oh blessed be! Oh Blessed be!!!”

‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’

“Alright Alright Alright! Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off!”
waving her hand, the newly bought alarm clock that sat on the nightstand soon found itself broken on the floor having being smashed into the wall repeatedly. Once the noise was gone; Vivian opened her eyes and cursed. Her head pounded, her eyes were spinning and her ears were too sensitive; she licked her dry lips; until now she hadn’t noticed the male body next to her, by the time it had clicked as to where she was she scrambled out of bed butt first.

But it seemed the male next to her was too out of it to care or notice that she picked up her belongings, dressing herself as hastily as possible and stepping out. The share house was a disgusting mess and she tried her best not to dry heave; how drunk had she gotten last night? Her arms were covered in the scars of numerous injection sites but they healed remarkably well and no one, not even her employee at the florist she worked at thought to ask her about her habits outside of work.

She looked, reeked and smelt like sex and alcohol and she reminded herself to step into the shower before going to work, she swayed from side to side on the road in broad daylight, a car that had been driving along the road, full of men slowed the car whistling and cat calling she ignored them deciding to walk faster; they persisted in following her. Sick of their voices - which did nothing to help her head she flicked her wrist causing the vehicle to go flying back; the men screamed and she shrugged.

-Meanwhile in London-




Stephani has been making breakfast and listening to the radio when an announcement caught her attention; it went as follows:

Archeologists in Brazil have discovered an unusual, glowing sword of unknown origin, the sword believed to be older than human civilisation itself has caught the attention of none other than renown occult historian Professor Phillip Pickering. He says that finding such an artefact in this day and age is not only highly unlikely but practically a miracle.

Stephani’s jaw dropped and she found herself having to switch off her stove to process the news, a feeling of dread filled her stomach, it was as if she knew for certain that the swords that humans had found was one of three swords capable of killing her kind, erasing their existence from the planet. She shut her eyes breakfast would have to wait; stepping back from the stove she took a deep breath and allowed herself to fall into the fires of the Forge.

As she rose from the flames; she looked around trying to locate Evyette… it didn’t make long because the sounds of moaning and groaning alerted her; as she approached Evyette she heard the ancient’s voice. “What is it Stephani.”
“The humans have found one of the three fabled swords.”
there was silence before Evyette screeched. “You dare come here to tell me such news when all I want to hear is about your progress and the book. The humans have no use for the sword. Leave and do not come back unless you have the book!”
She was forced back into the mortal realm she was back in her apartment standing in front of her half-cooked breakfast. She’s impossible I swear.



-In Rome Italy-


A beam of light erupted in broad day light, as a woman landed in the centre of the colosseum, a woman with hair as white as snow; a fierce glowing surrounded her and it was if time was both fast and slow at the same time; no one was entirely sure but her arrival had caught the attention of everyone who was anyone.

“I have a message for the claimants of each core line. The time is now to find the book I have left, in a place on this mortal realm, find it and you may be given your house’s only chance of remaining as this realm begins to collapse. Make haste and fight well. I will be waiting within the Citadel.”

As soon as she had appeared the woman in white disappeared; the only person to have caught her message was a group of tourists who were quick to upload the video of her message onto the internet; and so the news spread like wildfire, as new outlets all over the world began to ask the question: who was the woman? What did she mean that the realm was collapsing? What on Earth was the Citadel? Who were the Claimants? What was a core line? It didn’t matter, Echowix had sent her message. The race was on and time was running out.

-Brasília Dig Site-




“Why I shall make a fortune out of this, I say, I say. We will be rich. This sword, if there are more why we’ll have all the money in the world and people we treat us as Gods! Gods!”
the older man laughed and joked to the Doctor who was taking down notes as he monologued; there on his desk wrapped in cloth was the sword they had found mere hours ago. He would have said more in his moment of glory but was interrupted as Dr. Green read the news articles “Strange woman appears in a beam of light in the Colosseum. Sends a message to people known as Claimants.”


“Why! Why this must all be connected! We must make haste! We must find this book this woman speaks of, find the other swords if there are others! Oh how bountiful my career will finally be put down in history! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!”
the older man reached into the box of his Russian Cigars and lit one, placing it to his lips inhaling the smoke as his assistant turned away and faced the door as to avoid the smoke her employer and mentor breathed in those vile sticks of death. “Well from the sample we took from the sword, a signature was detected in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Then we’ll head there! There we shall go! Another sword! My oh my! We shall rule this realm and all the other realms there are! Oh blessed be! Oh Blessed be!!!”

‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’

“Alright Alright Alright! Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off!”
waving her hand, the newly bought alarm clock that sat on the nightstand soon found itself broken on the floor having being smashed into the wall repeatedly. Once the noise was gone; Vivian opened her eyes and cursed. Her head pounded, her eyes were spinning and her ears were too sensitive; she licked her dry lips; until now she hadn’t noticed the male body next to her, by the time it had clicked as to where she was she scrambled out of bed butt first.

But it seemed the male next to her was too out of it to care or notice that she picked up her belongings, dressing herself as hastily as possible and stepping out. The share house was a disgusting mess and she tried her best not to dry heave; how drunk had she gotten last night? Her arms were covered in the scars of numerous injection sites but they healed remarkably well and no one, not even her employee at the florist she worked at thought to ask her about her habits outside of work.

She looked, reeked and smelt like sex and alcohol and she reminded herself to step into the shower before going to work, she swayed from side to side on the road in broad daylight, a car that had been driving along the road, full of men slowed the car whistling and cat calling she ignored them deciding to walk faster; they persisted in following her. Sick of their voices - which did nothing to help her head she flicked her wrist causing the vehicle to go flying back; the men screamed and she shrugged.

-Meanwhile in London-




Stephani has been making breakfast and listening to the radio when an announcement caught her attention; it went as follows:

Archeologists in Brazil have discovered an unusual, glowing sword of unknown origin, the sword believed to be older than human civilisation itself has caught the attention of none other than renown occult historian Professor Phillip Pickering. He says that finding such an artefact in this day and age is not only highly unlikely but practically a miracle.

Stephani’s jaw dropped and she found herself having to switch off her stove to process the news, a feeling of dread filled her stomach, it was as if she knew for certain that the swords that humans had found was one of three swords capable of killing her kind, erasing their existence from the planet. She shut her eyes breakfast would have to wait; stepping back from the stove she took a deep breath and allowed herself to fall into the fires of the Forge.

As she rose from the flames; she looked around trying to locate Evyette… it didn’t make long because the sounds of moaning and groaning alerted her; as she approached Evyette she heard the ancient’s voice. “What is it Stephani.”
“The humans have found one of the three fabled swords.”
there was silence before Evyette screeched. “You dare come here to tell me such news when all I want to hear is about your progress and the book. The humans have no use for the sword. Leave and do not come back unless you have the book!”
She was forced back into the mortal realm she was back in her apartment standing in front of her half-cooked breakfast. She’s impossible I swear.



-In Rome Italy-


A beam of light erupted in broad day light, as a woman landed in the centre of the colosseum, a woman with hair as white as snow; a fierce glowing surrounded her and it was if time was both fast and slow at the same time; no one was entirely sure but her arrival had caught the attention of everyone who was anyone.

“I have a message for the claimants of each core line. The time is now to find the book I have left, in a place on this mortal realm, find it and you may be given your house’s only chance of remaining as this realm begins to collapse. Make haste and fight well. I will be waiting within the Citadel.”

As soon as she had appeared the woman in white disappeared; the only person to have caught her message was a group of tourists who were quick to upload the video of her message onto the internet; and so the news spread like wildfire, as new outlets all over the world began to ask the question: who was the woman? What did she mean that the realm was collapsing? What on Earth was the Citadel? Who were the Claimants? What was a core line? It didn’t matter, Echowix had sent her message. The race was on and time was running out.

-Brasília Dig Site-




“Why I shall make a fortune out of this, I say, I say. We will be rich. This sword, if there are more why we’ll have all the money in the world and people we treat us as Gods! Gods!”
the older man laughed and joked to the Doctor who was taking down notes as he monologued; there on his desk wrapped in cloth was the sword they had found mere hours ago. He would have said more in his moment of glory but was interrupted as Dr. Green read the news articles “Strange woman appears in a beam of light in the Colosseum. Sends a message to people known as Claimants.”


“Why! Why this must all be connected! We must make haste! We must find this book this woman speaks of, find the other swords if there are others! Oh how bountiful my career will finally be put down in history! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!”
the older man reached into the box of his Russian Cigars and lit one, placing it to his lips inhaling the smoke as his assistant turned away and faced the door as to avoid the smoke her employer and mentor breathed in those vile sticks of death. “Well from the sample we took from the sword, a signature was detected in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Then we’ll head there! There we shall go! Another sword! My oh my! We shall rule this realm and all the other realms there are! Oh blessed be! Oh Blessed be!!!”

‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’
‘Bzz’

“Alright Alright Alright! Fuck off! Fuck off! Fuck off!”
waving her hand, the newly bought alarm clock that sat on the nightstand soon found itself broken on the floor having being smashed into the wall repeatedly. Once the noise was gone; Vivian opened her eyes and cursed. Her head pounded, her eyes were spinning and her ears were too sensitive; she licked her dry lips; until now she hadn’t noticed the male body next to her, by the time it had clicked as to where she was she scrambled out of bed butt first.

But it seemed the male next to her was too out of it to care or notice that she picked up her belongings, dressing herself as hastily as possible and stepping out. The share house was a disgusting mess and she tried her best not to dry heave; how drunk had she gotten last night? Her arms were covered in the scars of numerous injection sites but they healed remarkably well and no one, not even her employee at the florist she worked at thought to ask her about her habits outside of work.

She looked, reeked and smelt like sex and alcohol and she reminded herself to step into the shower before going to work, she swayed from side to side on the road in broad daylight, a car that had been driving along the road, full of men slowed the car whistling and cat calling she ignored them deciding to walk faster; they persisted in following her. Sick of their voices - which did nothing to help her head she flicked her wrist causing the vehicle to go flying back; the men screamed and she shrugged.

-Meanwhile in London-




Stephani has been making breakfast and listening to the radio when an announcement caught her attention; it went as follows:

Archeologists in Brazil have discovered an unusual, glowing sword of unknown origin, the sword believed to be older than human civilisation itself has caught the attention of none other than renown occult historian Professor Phillip Pickering. He says that finding such an artefact in this day and age is not only highly unlikely but practically a miracle.

Stephani’s jaw dropped and she found herself having to switch off her stove to process the news, a feeling of dread filled her stomach, it was as if she knew for certain that the swords that humans had found was one of three swords capable of killing her kind, erasing their existence from the planet. She shut her eyes breakfast would have to wait; stepping back from the stove she took a deep breath and allowed herself to fall into the fires of the Forge.

As she rose from the flames; she looked around trying to locate Evyette… it didn’t make long because the sounds of moaning and groaning alerted her; as she approached Evyette she heard the ancient’s voice. “What is it Stephani.”
“The humans have found one of the three fabled swords.”
there was silence before Evyette screeched. “You dare come here to tell me such news when all I want to hear is about your progress and the book. The humans have no use for the sword. Leave and do not come back unless you have the book!”
She was forced back into the mortal realm she was back in her apartment standing in front of her half-cooked breakfast. She’s impossible I swear.



-In Rome Italy-


A beam of light erupted in broad day light, as a woman landed in the centre of the colosseum, a woman with hair as white as snow; a fierce glowing surrounded her and it was if time was both fast and slow at the same time; no one was entirely sure but her arrival had caught the attention of everyone who was anyone.

“I have a message for the claimants of each core line. The time is now to find the book I have left, in a place on this mortal realm, find it and you may be given your house’s only chance of remaining as this realm begins to collapse. Make haste and fight well. I will be waiting within the Citadel.”

As soon as she had appeared the woman in white disappeared; the only person to have caught her message was a group of tourists who were quick to upload the video of her message onto the internet; and so the news spread like wildfire, as new outlets all over the world began to ask the question: who was the woman? What did she mean that the realm was collapsing? What on Earth was the Citadel? Who were the Claimants? What was a core line? It didn’t matter, Echowix had sent her message. The race was on and time was running out.

-Brasília Dig Site-




“Why I shall make a fortune out of this, I say, I say. We will be rich. This sword, if there are more why we’ll have all the money in the world and people we treat us as Gods! Gods!”
the older man laughed and joked to the Doctor who was taking down notes as he monologued; there on his desk wrapped in cloth was the sword they had found mere hours ago. He would have said more in his moment of glory but was interrupted as Dr. Green read the news articles “Strange woman appears in a beam of light in the Colosseum. Sends a message to people known as Claimants.”


“Why! Why this must all be connected! We must make haste! We must find this book this woman speaks of, find the other swords if there are others! Oh how bountiful my career will finally be put down in history! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!”
the older man reached into the box of his Russian Cigars and lit one, placing it to his lips inhaling the smoke as his assistant turned away and faced the door as to avoid the smoke her employer and mentor breathed in those vile sticks of death. “Well from the sample we took from the sword, a signature was detected in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Then we’ll head there! There we shall go! Another sword! My oh my! We shall rule this realm and all the other realms there are! Oh blessed be! Oh Blessed be!!!”