[sub]in collaboration with [@SunsetRoses] and [@Shagranoz][/sub]

[h1][center][u][i]"Annunkai"[/i][/u][/center][/h1]

[color=57FEFF]“Wake up, Scion.”[/color] Ettien called lazily, leaning against Triss’ desk. In his hands he twirled a note from Sousiel, the demon who had been rather animalistic towards him yesterday. He despised that savage, but Triss seemed to have some idiotic attraction towards her. It wasn't his place to interfere, but he would give wise words to Triss, just as he had with Ysera in terms of Alice. 

Ettien’s words broke through the haze in Triss’ mind. The first thing she did was search her bed for Sousiel, but the demon was no where to be found. Triss pulled herself up, not bothering to cover her upper half. She stared at Ettien with a tilted head, almost daring him to be perverse. [color=89fdc5]“Hand me my skirt, would you?”[/color] She asked, pointing at the writhing vines on the floor. 

Ettien grinned, his eyes only falling once on Triss’ breasts before he swept down to pick up her skirt. He tossed it to her, alongside the note from her lover. [color=57FEFF]“Sousiel left that, for you.”[/color] He mumbled, sitting down on the bed and placing his chin in his hand. 

Triss slid on her skirt under the covers, before snatching up the note Sousiel had left. It warmed her heart, and she stared at it for a long time before setting it down on her nightstand. She was surprised Ettien hadn't torn it apart, she was also surprised he hadn't started kissing her yet. [color=89fdc5]“Are you cowering because you're afraid of Sousiel?”[/color] She asked, giggling at the thought. 

Ettien laughed, a booming and melodic noise. [color=57FEFF]“Of course not, Triss. I just respect you, but we mustn't let them know, it would ruin all my fun.”[/color] He winked, helping her out of bed with a steady hand. 

Triss looked quite flabbergasted by this prospect, and she didn't grace him with an answer. Instead, she slid on her knapsack full of mystical toyrs and walked out the door, heading towards Medusa’s office. She had plenty to tell Ms. Bloodrose, and the sooner she did the sooner it was off her chest and passed on to another. 

Ettien followed, with a pop he became a snake and slithered after her. [color=57FEFF]“It would be great if you just carried me, you know that?”[/color] He told her, voice ringing with mischief. 

Triss stayed silent, but when they arrived at Medusa’s door she snatched up Ettien and let him do as he pleased. He began writhing around her body, just like the vines that made up her shirt. Out of respect, he gave a wide berth to her breasts, only using them as a resting place when he couldn't move any longer. Triss entered Medusa's office, surprised to see Phagora there. Her eyes narrowed, singling out Phagora. She needed to leave, the situation had to be controlled and anyone outside of Medusa and Lorelai were not allowed to know. 

[color=89fdc5]“Medusa, might I talk to you? Alone?”[/color] She asked politely, inching towards a seat. 

[color=ed1c24]"Triss,  how was your trip?"[/color]  Medusa smiled up from her tea.  Phagora had been running errands for her recently,  likely in some misguided attempt to shield herself from Lorelai's wrath.

She'd be polite,  kind even,  but what Lorelai decided would come to pass.  She'd given up too much for peace to anger the woman now.  [color=ed1c24]"Please,  take a seat.  Phagora's been helping me lately,  so whatever news you have I'm sure you can share in front of her."[/color]

Phagora had been trying desperately to ingratiate herself to whatever part of the coven's leadership she could. Elizabeth's promise to keep her alive had been a good start, but there was still the threat of maiming, torture, and other fun activities. She glanced at Triss as she entered the room. "Come on in, Triss. I swear to you, I won't bite."

Triss shook her head, taking a seat. Ettien slithered off of her, curling up on an empty spot of Medusa's desk. He stared up at Phagora, mouth open with fangs dripping venom. Triss flicked him, and he relaxed himself. She pursed her lips, and after a few moments of silence she decided to speak up. [color=89fdc5]“The trip was fine, Medusa. I had plenty of fun, there were a lot of new discoveries.”[/color] Her voice was tense, and she wondered if she should just leave and try again at a later time. 

[color=ed1c24]"I see Sousiel didn't end up killing you,  I'm pleasantly surprised."[/color]  Medusa arched at eyebrow at Triss.  The witch wouldn't have asked for a meeting alone to gossip about her expedition,  and the tension in the girl hinted at something noteworthy.  Or at least something Triss thought was noteworthy.

[color=ed1c24]"Now Triss,  it's painfully obvious that you have something to say."[/color]  Medusa sighed.  [color=ed1c24]"So,  why don't you just say it and be done?  If it's of bearing to the coven Phagora here deserves to know anyway.  Isn't that right Phagora?"[/color]

Phagora had been sitting there, silently watching the other two witches converse. She couldn't afford to open her big mouth here; too much was at stake for her personally. Yet when Medusa addressed her directly, she had no choice be to respond. "Yes. Everyone should know news that affects them, even if it is so momentous that some think it should be kept secret."

Triss shrugged, she supposed they were right, but she didn't want Phagora to be there either way. She would sound like a madwoman, and it would be so much easier if one of the elder witches announced it before a wide audience. They wouldn't be considered crazy, would they? [color=89fdc5]“We have to have peace with the hunters, in order to save the world. That's the short explanation, anyways.”[/color] She said, staring Medusa straight in the eyes and waiting for her reaction. 

Medusa blinked several times,  going over Triss' words,  making sure she'd heard her correctly.  Once she was certain that this was no simple mistake of words she addressed her.  [color=ed1c24]"The short explanation?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I might need the long version Triss."[/color]  Medusa doubted the girl's ability to deliver a premonition that might sway her towards peace.  Too long had her coven lived in the constant shadow of Seren's Folly.  She'd certainly afford her the opportunity to try,  however.

Phagora almost fell out of her chair in shock. Peace with the hunters was implausible at this point, to say the least. And the fate of the world resting on their shoulders?

"We're listening, Triss. But this had better not be some tale you heard from the coven's old biddies."

[color=89fdc5]“I was never talking to you, Phagora, was I?”[/color] Triss snapped, her eyes never falling upon Phagora. She shifted in her seat with a huff, taking her knapsack and clutching it to her chest to calm her. She knew it wouldn't be that easy, she knew Medusa would doubt her. Now she had to win over the technical head of the coven, otherwise this would never work. Lorelai could only sway so many, and while no one would rebel against the dragon, it was much safer with both leaders onboard. The picky witches could die for all she cared.

[color=89fdc5]“I'm not that eloquent, but keep an open mind. Sousiel and I went on a journey to find the Aeon of Love, when we found her she allowed us to ask her a few questions.”[/color] Triss paused, taking in a steady breath. [color=89fdc5]“I asked her about the big thing that was coming, the one the elders were talking about. She gave me the name Annunkai, it's a stillborn universe that craves to be whole. In an effort to achieve that, it will consume [i]our[/i] world. I saw it, all of it. The blood, the monsters.”[/color] 

Medsua paled slightly.  Annunkai,  that was an old word,  for an old nightmare.  If an Aeon had given Triss a vision,  a warning,  then she could hardly ignore it.  [color=ed1c24]"Go on,  Triss."[/color]  She said weakly.

"Annunkai, Annunkai... the name isn't familiar to me." Phagora shifted slightly in her seat. "But I know someone who might know more. Even Lorelai Von'Strauss, with all her might and depravity, is not privy to all the secrets of the Pit. However, my father is. If there is any entity who might have information, it would be him."

Triss clenched her jaw, letting the images of doomsday fade before she shifted her attention to Phagora. For once, her eyes weren't hard, she actually cared about what the woman had to say. It would have to wait just a bit longer though, for now she had to finish. [color=89fdc5]“She said it could be stopped, if we show it our will to live is stronger. The Caretaker said the hunters and witches could beat it back, together. The elders can seal them away. That can't happen if we don't find peace with the hunters. Then, we can all go back to murdering each other if we feel like it.”[/color] She chuckled, knuckles white as she held her bag. 

[color=ed1c24]"This... certainly bears some thought."[/color]  She turned to Phagora.  [color=ed1c24]"Phagora,  could you retrieve Elizabeth and Sousiel?  They need to hear this first."[/color]

"So, we just need to end centuries of hatred, then hold off annihilation. Sounds simple enough." Phagora left to bring the other two to Medusa's chambers, wondering what they would think of [i]this[/i] particular revelation.

Triss watched Phagora leave, before slowly turning back to Medusa. [color=89fdc5]“I don't know how we'll accomplish it, Medusa, but we have to try. It may be a lot to get past, but if we don't we'll all be dead. Those monsters, I can't describe how horrific they were...”[/color] 

[color=ed1c24]"I'm sure."[/color]  Medusa stood and moved to her tool cabinet.  [color=ed1c24]"The horrors of the outerdark,  twisted things that never were,  that never could be.  I don't envy you Triss,  but I thank you for your service."[/color]

She turned back towards her desk with a strange basin in hand.  It was cast of a strange silvery material,  and strange phantasms danced across its surface like half remembered dreams or nightmares.  She set it carefully on the desk between them.  [color=ed1c24]"This,  Triss,  is a Dreamer's Lexicon."[/color]

A whispered word brought the basin to life.  The phantasms glowed purple as the inside filled with a luminescent milky fluid.  [color=ed1c24]"I'd like you to place your vision in here,  so that none can deny its veracity.  Can you do that for me?"[/color]

Triss stared at the fluid, watching it fill up the bowl. She glanced up at Medusa, shrugging. [color=89fdc5]“Sure, I can do that. Better to share the pain than keep it inside, right?”[/color] She laughed, trying to avoid the fact that she didn't know how to use a Dreamer’s Lexicon. 

Ettien sighed, sliding up Triss’ arm and fishing through her hair to find her ear. [color=57FEFF]“Think of the vision, then put your finger in it, it should suck it out of you.”[/color] He told her, whispering the advice so Medusa wouldn't know. The poor child was a lost cause, and was lucky to have a Fae around.

Triss gave Ettien no thanks, mustering up every image that had come along with the vision. She dipped her finger into the milky substance. It was cold to the touch, but it felt unlike any liquid she had ever touched. It was similar to a gas, licking her skin. Triss was about to pull out, when the liquid did its work. With a gasp, Triss found the vision flooding out of her. It was like it had been sucked through a straw, flowing from her mind to the bowl. She drew up the images, still there, but ghosts of their once vivid selves. She didn't know if she was supposed to be disappointed or glad, but she looked at Medusa with a smile. [color=89fdc5]“Okay, that's done.”[/color] 

At that moment, Phagora returned, with Liz, Sousiel, and Bo all in tow. "You should hear the details from Triss. She's the one who had the vision, after all." 

[color=92278f]"Oh... are we really going to do that whole 'save the world' thing?"[/color]  Sousiel smirked as she strode into the room,  finding an empty wall to lean against.  [color=92278f]"Sometimes I think you guys really want to doom me to live forever."[/color]

She sighed.  [color=92278f]"Fair enough,  I've heard the details,  although Elizabeth probably needs filled in."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Yes,  Sousiel,  we don't particularly like it when the world threatens to end.[/color]  Medusa frowned at the demon,  who shrugged unapologetically.

She pushed the Lexicon towards Elizabeth.  [color=ed1c24]"Let's save a little time and have you recieve the vision directly.  Dip your finger in here if you would."[/color]

Elizabeth strode into the room, Bo at her side. The others had tried to come along, but she hadn't want the room to be crowded. Bo had insisted, because he claimed he was the smartest of the group and he deserved to know all the details. She smiled at Medusa and Triss, before straightening herself and moving onto business.

[color=magenta]“So! The end of the world, I suppose we can add that to my to-do list.”[/color] Elizabeth stated nonchalantly. She knew she would probably worry about this when she wasn't under so many eyes, but for now she strode tall with controlled movements. Her finger reached out and dipped itself into the milky liquid. For a moment, she stood waiting, then she was pulled into the vision. 

It started out in a grassy field, children playing with their porcelain dolls and chasing each other without a care in the world. There was a shadow, drawing Elizabeth's eyes to the sky above. She stood, unable to move or to help as the seam split open. Monsters fell from the hole, beastial and alien. They painted the ground red, feeding on everything. Everything was taken, and before long she stood in a plane where nothing was left. Time didn't carry on, there was no breeze, or color. It was all empty. 

Elizabeth pulled her finger out of the substance, brows creased. Though she worried about this happening, she found herself incapable of fearing it. It made her feel sick, that she couldn't find the capacity within herself. She strode over to Bo, and the cat placed a paw on her shoulder in comfort. [color=magenta]“How will we find peace, Medusa? The only idea I have is to show them.”[/color] 

"And they won't exactly accept an engraved invitation." Phagora paused for a second in thought. "Short of enslaving their minds, I can't come up with anything. And I doubt that's a suitable solution." The witch shook a blonde ringlet out of her eyes. "Elizabeth, do you have any way of contacting them? Since you were a former hunter and all?"

[color=magenta]“I could contact them, yes. I have plenty of contacts that I could write to or meet with. The hard part is getting them to respond, or not having them kill me.”[/color] Elizabeth shrugged. [color=magenta]“I could always write to my dad, see if he'll meet with me in private. He may have disowned me by now, but you never know. If I know him, he wouldn't trust a rumor until he saw me himself.”[/color] 

[color=ed1c24]"Hmm... Isn't the hunt being lead by Robert Flint and the Digard boys?"[/color]  Medusa thought for a moment.  [color=ed1c24]"Perhaps,  if their primary quarrel is wit-"[/color]

[color=92278f]"I swear to something Medusa,  if you finish that sentance,  I'll give you a dick,"[/color]  Sousiel glared at the woman.  [color=92278f]"Just to rip it off."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Oh hush demon."[/color]  Medusa seemed largely unconcerned about the hellspawn's threat.  [color=ed1c24]"If we can sacrifice Lorelai for peace,  and save the world therein,  don't we have a responsibility to consider it?"[/color]

"We do, Medusa." Phagora's face turned firm. "But we also have a responsibility to consider what the hunters will do to Lorelai. I see her lashed to a silver cross while lavender is poured down her throat. We may need the hunters to stop this threat. But we'll need Lorelai too, and they'll kill her long before we can explain ourselves. No. Deal. There has to be a better option."

Suddenly, an idea came to Phagora, but she didn't like it. She [i]really[/i] didn't like it, yet it seemed like her best card to play. "Medusa, is that Dreamer's Lexicon portable?"

[color=ed1c24]"Of course,  the whole idea was to arrange the agreement before Lorelai returns."[/color]  Medusa sighed.  [color=ed1c24]"We show them the vision,  and promise Lorelai to them in exchange for mutual aid."[/color]

Elizabeth moved to lunge at Medusa, hand finding the whip at her side, but Bo stopped her by placing a paw on her stomach and reminding her of what she had to lose. She cursed the fragile child in her stomach, and fell into Bo’s embrace. [color=magenta]“She's not going to be used as a bargaining chip, Medusa. If they don't side with us once they see the vision, they won't side with us after Lorelai is theirs. They'll kill her, and go straight back to war efforts.”[/color]

Triss nodded, jumping on board with General Blondie. [color=89fdc5]“Besides, Lorelai is too valuable to spend in that way. If we hand her off, one of our major assets will be slaughtered. If the hunters decided to attack after that we would have a small chance of holding our ground.”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Lorelai and her damned cult,"[/color]  Medusa groaned.  It was a simple matter of pragmatism.  Reguardless of the tension between them she wasn't eager to see the woman executed either,  but there were more things to consider.  [color=ed1c24]"Fine,  I'll perish the thought."[/color]

She looked at Elizabeth.  [color=ed1c24]"But that means all of you will need to find something else to offer them,  some way to calm their rage long enough for them to see what we've seen."[/color]  She turned her chair towards the window.  [color=ed1c24]"If any of you see wisdom,  come find me.  Otherwise,  I expect you all have work to do,  no?"[/color]

"My god. I've been thinking of ways for others to contact them, but I know one I can get an audience with for sure. Mat." Phagora shuddered. "He hates my guts, but I can offer him something in exchange for showing him the vision: his father's soul. If I can get an audience with him, in front of the other hunters..."

Elizabeth drew into herself, thinking of another idea. Her mind lingered on her father, but pushing past that she found herself drawn to a couple reports she had received. A woman matching the description of her dear old pal, Ashlynn. Her mind cleared as she went to speak her part to the others. [color=magenta]“I have a friend, her name is Ashlynn. She's a Hospitaller, and she would be a perfect contact. I'm sure she'll meet with me, if I seek council with her.”[/color] She looked around the room to see the opinions of the others. A Hospitaller would have cast influence over other hunters. Liz wondered just how well Ashlynn could fight, she was quite good at wrestling when they were children. 

[color=92278f]"Great,  so we've got two,  plenty more to go."[/color]  Sousiel pushed off of the wall.  [color=92278f]"Seems to me like the best bet may be to spread this vision in small groups,  and let the hunters figure things out.  Less likely to get killed that way."[/color]

[color=92278f]"With any luck,  any who see it will start spreading the need for peace.  Like a cancer it will spread,  until their war collapses beneath them."[/color]  Sousiel grinned.  [color=92278f]"Of course,  not all prophecy bearers need to be old friends or enemies.  If you all [i]really[/i] insist on saving the world,  I suppose I'm in too.  Besides,  forceful prophecies are a form of violation right?  Sounds fun."[/color]