[h3][center] [u]Ivellios[/u][/center][/h3] Aarem was concern. As with all times he was concerned, the God of the Nox retreated to his realm and was determined to figure out the solution. In the dim, blue light Aarem’s figure was laid across his throne seat. His left arm was draped upon the crumbling stone support and in his right, he was examining a physical representation of the Nox held within his slender fingers. He tilted his onyx black hair that seemed to absorb all light. The god’s grey, stormy eyes flickered with dangerous thoughts and aggression over the object held firmly in his right hand. Cautiously he twisted it in place before his gaze while he examined it deeply for subtle, hidden flaws that didn’t seem to exist. Someone was messing with what measly power he was allowed by influencing the Nox, denying him what was rightfully his. A fact he wasn’t happy about and intended to fix. After several moments, Aarem sharply inhaled, lingering over a spot when his hand paused then tighten his grip. Immediately he crushed the physical representation of his realm then slowly rose upright, his feet stepping down from the eternally decaying throne. It wouldn’t be long before his brother would summoned him and with a bitterness enveloping him, the dark god faded from his realm into the plane of Ivellios. Moments later, he materialized from the shadows of a large palm tree. Bracing himself for the irritation to come, his foot lead him out of the shade and into the brilliant light causing him to raise an ashen hand to shield his eyes. Part of him hated being here, his sight was busy darting between the various gods toying with their own selfish affairs over mortal kind and gradually lead himself toward the long forgotten game board sitting in the middle of the courtyard. His slender fingers reached out to brush the hard surface when he noted an interesting scene budding into delightful violence between two siblings: Duuri and Xiah. When within range, he heard Duuri immediately break out in a giggle over Xiah’s predicament. “You’re going to be out of the game if you don’t chose another pawn… and quickly.” Her head was propped up by her hands, her ponytails swaying back and forth from her rocking motion. Unusually straight and white teeth were shown through a widen smile at her sister’s stress, drawing a venomous look from the older goddess. Aarem hung back to watch the eruption sparks happening between them with a mischievous smirk on his features. Naturally, Xiah had a retort for Duuri as her usually pretty face wrinkled up into a sour looking frown and seemed about to slap the little red head. “I’ve got higher standards than you. I won’t just pick any ugly little mutt off the board and call him or her mine. It’s insulting.” “If you don’t pick, your only pawn is about to walk away from the college.” Duuri poked Xiah with the truth. [i] ‘Just let the whore’s only piece leave and be done with it!’[/i] Xiah retracted as if the younger sibling had actually physically smacked her and in the worse way, her hand brushing off Duuri off. Sighing, she leaned back over the board. Her eyes frantically scanned the courtyard then wound about the several different rooms. Her eyes fell on Meirin at least twice, but inwardly felt the setback as Duuri already had laid pawn rights to her. She skimmed her finger along the next choices and finally settled on the best option, E’nasha. Touching the little teenager on the head, she announced her choice out loud. The student, unknown what caused it, would feel a very faint tingling starting from her head top then travel down her spine before vanishing. It could easily been mistaken as merely a shiver from the wintery cold outside since several students chose then to march into the mess hall. Duuri smirked then pointed at Baulder. “He’s my next pawn.” “You already have two, that makes three!” Screeched Xiah, her voice gaining an octave and clearly insulted by this. The redhead just stuck her tongue out in reply instead of uttering a verbal retort. Xiah had been about to smack her hand across the child’s face when she felt pressure on her wrist and a firm grip preventing it from moving. Slowly she turned her head to meet Ren holding her hand in place then spoke in a quiet, warning tone. “I advise you to rethink your actions Xiah.” Her figure stiffened when she jerked her hand away, freeing herself from king’s grip. “Just because she’s your favorite, doesn’t give her the right to abuse such power!” With those words echoing in her wake, Xiah abruptly took off to cool her embarrassment and let her humiliation die down. Ren idly watched her retreat around the main hall then turned to Duuri. His thick arms crossed over his and head tilted, his expression stating he wasn’t pleased with her either causing Duuri to glance away. “Duuri, you really need to stop provoking her that way.” “B-but it’s fun,” Duuri admitted, her eyes still unable to meet her older brother’s gaze. Hearing his sigh, she changed a glance and found herself regretting it. “I’m sorry, Ren.” She immediately hugged him, letting the embrace hold then skirted off to play. Relieved she might listen, Ren’s eyes looked right at Aarem and his hiding place. The evil god merely stood there like he expected something but didn’t voice it. Guessing his brother’s demands, Ren briefly touched a pale, albion boy’s head (Leith) and turned his attention to something he noticed about his brother. “I suppose you’re bent on solving the Nox issue yourself?” “Yes.” Was the short, blunt reply Aarem gave. His figure moved away from Ren, drawing a fairly large space between them, and turned to face the King with subjective glare. “I can handle this myself.” “Can you? In your weakened state and limited power level?” “You might be the King of the Gods, but [i]who[/i] made you that way?” Aarem’s mention seemed to caused Ren pain as the younger brother turned away, his head bowed in what seemed to be shame. The darker god took this cue to leave while he turned on his heel, letting his painful words linger, then vanished back into the Nox waiting for the alignment ceremony.