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[h3]Level 4 - MP: 14; FP: 3[/h3]

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Logos, the God of Order
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The Valley of Peace never seemed to change. Winter, summer, autumn; always it was filled with warmth and calm winds. The setting sun cast long shadows across the overgrown plains, and its light was swallowed quickly on either side. Gnarled trees choked with moss and vines crowded them. In the distance, in the quiet haunting gloom, something large moved through the grey mists.

For Logos, the Valley was a benign but unfamiliar foe. He could feel the bands of the Geass tighten around him, grasping onto his actions and intentions. It would be some effort to break free. But the price was one he was unwilling to pay.

The several dozen Realta following him, however, had never, to Logos’s knowledge, set foot in the Valley. Their heads was on a swivel, spinning around to face each little crack and whistle in the forest and valley around them, and Logos's own ears twitched like flags in a fierce wind. It was a wonder they had made it this far, really. They had been out here, unaffronted, more than most sensible beings would consider prudent.

They flew together in silence. Behind them, the world receded into the distance, its sounds and scents lost in the hush and earthy loam of the vale. The sky to the west burned with a brilliant orange radiance as the sun fell below the horizon, and just as quickly dusk overtook the world, bleeding it of color and form. Only vague dark outlines remained.

“You have been here?” a Realta asked. Its lightvoice was quiet, almost inaudible above the droning dark. “The Vale?”

Logos shook his head. To the east a fat, bloated moon slowly crept above the trees, painting everything in its silver light. Charcoal clouds rimmed in white floated across the sky. 

The night had started with a chill, but as the moon rose into the sky the valley seemed to grow warmer. Whether that was another manifestation of Niciel’s general weirdness, or simply a high pressure system moving in, Logos couldn’t say. Even the wind around them was merely balmy, rather than biting at their forms like it had just hours ago when he collected the last of his children. It could easily have been an early summer evening rather than the last night of the war.

A flash of light, and Niciel was back in the Valley of Peace, along with the Angels who had gone to Alefpria. Considering the current danger in the world, Niciel thought it best to bring them back herself.

"[color=ec008c]Thank you, Mother Niciel. I'm sorry we had to bother you with this,[/color]" Falas said, bowing deeply. Loth and the rest of the Angels followed suit, equally grateful as Falas.

"[color=fff79a]Not at all. I'm glad I could help,[/color]" Niciel said warmly, smiling. "[color=fff79a]Go on and get some rest now. You all must be quite tired after all the excitement.[/color]" Some Angels were and flew back to their homes for exactly that, but the rest were still very energetic and flew off in groups, excitedly chatting about what they were going to tell the others about their time in Alefpria. Soon, it was just Falas and Loth left. Falas was about to do the same, but Loth firmly placed a hand on her shoulder. "[color=00aeef]Before we go, we would like to ask something.[/color]"

Falas was confused, but Niciel was more attentive, asking, "[color=fff79a]And what would this be?[/color]" 

"[color=00aeef]It's about Falas' weapon, you see,[/color]" Loth continued. Falas could guess where this conversation was heading and was about to interject, but something made her stop. To be specific, a powerful force that came into their range of detection. The two Angel Heroes had not encountered this force before, but Niciel recognized this particular feeling.

"[color=fff79a]We shall speak of this matter another time,[/color]" Niciel said. "[color=fff79a]Hurry back to your homes, you two.[/color]" While Falas was more than willing to listen to Niciel, Loth had oter plans. "[color=00aeef]If I may be so bold as to ask,[/color]" Loth began. "[color=00aeef]A God has come, hasn't he? Can we not meet him? At the very least, we should-[/color]" That was as far as Loth got before Falas interrupted him. "[color=ec008c]Loth, it is far too dangerous to do that. We have no idea what this God is capable of, nor his intentions. We are going back home.[/color]"

"[color=fff79a]I'm sorry, but you must listen to Falas. Go back home. I will handle this matter myself,[/color] Niciel said. Before either Angel could say more, Niciel began to radiate light, and with a flash, she was gone, teleporting to meet Logos face to face. 

Another flash of light appeared at the horde of Realta. It quickly faded, revealing Niciel where it had originated. With a smile and a bow of her head, Niciel greeted Logos courteously, "[color=fff79a]Hello, Logos. Welcome to the Valley of Peace. To what do I owe the pleasure for this visit?[/color]"

A few of the more flightly Realta suddenly flashed brightly at the goddess's sudden appearance, and made to interpose themselves between the Lord of Order and the encroaching diety.

"Peace," commanded Logos admonishingly as he drew forth from their number. "The Geass of Niciel commands all here; even myself. She is last to break it."

He stood before her and bowed his head in greetings. "Niciel; Jvan is bested. My work is finished, if incomplete. Enough blood has been shed this night. I would seek your protection of my children for one night, so that I might finish the deeds I have set into motion." 

"[color=fff79a]I have no love myself for bloodshed,[/color]" Niciel said. "[color=fff79a]And I would gladly protect the Realta if it meant an end to that. However, the Realta have caused quite a bit of damage already.[/color]" Niciel turned to the side, her expression grim. "[color=fff79a]Innocents have been hurt, killed even, by them. I have no desire to see my Angels suffer the same fate, and I cannot in good conscience allow them sanctuary here when they have caused so much misery.[/color]" 

Turning back to Logos, Niciel asked, "[color=fff79a]Why? Why have you allowed your Realta to do this? Why have you allowed the inhabitants of Galbar to suffer at your hands?[/color]"

If Logos seemed affronted by her accusation, he did not show it. Instead, made the faintest of gestures with his hand to the Realta. Like fireflies in the dark they scattered away from the two gods, finding places of rest elsewhere in the mists of the valley. Logos kept his eyes on Niciel, as if offering her the chance to challenge the brazen gesture. His wings folded around him like a cloak, the patagium folding under his throat. 

"Your Angels are safe. They will not be harmed, unless you give aid to Jvan," he raised a hand, as if silencing any protest from her. "You know lying is beneath a being such as myself. If I had intended violence, there would have been violence."

His feet touched the grass beneath the deities, and Logos looked up at the Lady of Light with indifference. If anything, the Lord of Order seemed [i]bored[/i]. 

"You give insult to yourself by questioning my actions. I am merely the solution to cosmic error of your own permittance. When a limb is poisoned in the flesh with rot, it must be amputated. Only by making the cut into the healthy tissue does the action ensure all of the rot is removed," he remarked slowly, speaking as if to a small child. 

Niciel's expression became one of disapproval after Logos gave his explanation. It was clear she did not see eye to eye with him. "[color=fff79a]And who are you to judge this 'error'?[/color]" Niciel retorted, following Logos' descent onto the ground. Looking him in the eye, Niciel continued, "[color=fff79a][i]You[/i] decided not to take part in Galbar's formation and left for a world beyond. As for Jvan, while I admit I have not seen much of her work, I cannot find fault in what I [i]have[/i] seen.[/color]"

With that out of her system, Niciel let out a sigh. "[color=fff79a]I do not wish to fight you, Logos, I really don't,[/color]" Niciel admitted. "[color=fff79a]I do not agree with your methods, but I can see that you do not have malevolent intentions. Please, Logos, help me understand you. Help me understand why it is that you deem Jvan's influence to be this great error.[/color]"

Logos was silent for the longest time, and Niciel grew to think he remained silent to simply spite her. Then at last, the God seemed to shrink in on himself, and the deity who claimed himself King [i]sighed[/i].

"In the Dawn, I saw the corruption. The Rot which would consume all, nibbling at it throughout the cosmos. Until all eventually collapsed. Vowzra knew this, and he trusted me alone with the task."

"The others will claim their labors are to build a heaven, yet their heaven is populated by horrors. Like a worm she slipped through the cracks of the last, to torment me still here. Perhaps this world was meant to not be made. Perhaps nothing has been made. A clock without a craftsman. A watchmaker without a watch..."  

Logos shook his head. "We were never meant to act; only observe. The system of Galbar is broken. It must be repaired. You ask me who I am... I am that I am: Order, and the caretaker of Time."

Niciel looked down, thoughtful of Logos' words. She was silent for a long time as she attempted to make sense of them. Finally, Niciel looked back up at Logos and responsed, "[color=fff79a]I still don't understand. The Rot? The Dawn? What are they? And our purpose to only observe instead of act? That doesn't sound like what Fate had in mind for us. We were all brought to this world for a reason, even Jvan, surely.[/color]" 

Before the two, they could see energy flashing off of... Niciel didn’t know what, some type of orb that was rapidly disintegrating. The color wasn't anything she could describe. 

Logos seemed to age an aeon staring at that orb. A loud roaring sound filled the Vale; a horrible sound. A sound that every fiber of Niciel's being found abhorrent, deep in her immortal soul.

“It’s the sound I think, that’s the worst of it. Not the smell, not even the sight of it, although that is horrible enough, but that sound. Nothing should be able to make a sound like that, wouldn’t you agree?” Logos asked at last. The weight of his voice surpassed the roar of the dying orb. "We are viewing the radioactive decay of carbon-14 in the upper atmosphere of Galbar. You claim Fate has a reason for us? I would like to contest that hypothesis."

Logos reached a finger out to touch the image.

" 'Fate' is a self defeating paradox," he countered. "I acknowledge a being of power greater than myself for the time being. I reject the notion of Fate. The same way that I reject Jvan. And Vestec." Here his eyes darkened considerably. "I ask you now, what is Fate? If by fate one means that life is predetermined, then no one has a will that is free to make choices. Many factors are involved in choosing, the circumstances that lead to a choice, cirumstantial predilection and the history of the individual considering the choice. Though it may appear that these determine what choice will be made, the innumerable factors that converge on a moment introduce a level of randomness that allows a person to reflect upon previous situations and their results and to envision desirable results that have the potential to be realized should different choices be made in similar situations."

The light of the orb faded into darkness. "Fate gave us a command. Paradoxical it would some of us to shirk, abstain, or even fail in our tasks."  

Niciel was silent for a long time, stunned over what had just occurred. Never did she think that such would have experienced such a thing. Logos' answers served to further confuse her, making her question almost everything she knew. Fate was what brought everyone to this world, and the universe was created as a result. How could Fate be anything but..... but... It occurred to Niciel that she knew almost nothing about Fate, despite everything that has occurred throughout her life as a Goddess.

Was Logos right? Was this confusing mess of uncertainty what Fate intended? It just... didn't make sense to her. If Logos was right, was there a point to what anyone was doing? Was there a point to anything? Niciel had many doubts in her mind. Shaking her head to free her thoughts, Niciel looked at Logos and said, "[color=fff79a]I can't tell if you're right or not. I just don't know enough to make that judgement. I still believe, however, that you should rethink your course of action about Galbar and Jvan. Even if you do end up achieving your goal, are you aware of the possible consequences? Regardless of our purpose or Fate's directives, we now have powerful presences on this world, and doing anything to change that could mean a disastrous future. I would also like to mention that no matter who you are or how powerful you are, you are still only one being, and not even an army of Realta is going to change that.[/color]"

Logos simply nodded. "Hypocritical as your words are, the deed is done. No more blood will be shed from or by my children unless in self-defense," he promised. There was a certain weight to his words: the bindings of a divine promise. His own nature would prevent him from breaking that promise. Then, in an act that would have shocked any God or mortal familiar with his head, the Lord of Order actually [i]bowed[/i] his head to the Lady of Light.

"You are the bane of all corruption, yet corruption has spread throughout this world. But your words now have absolved you of all sins from your inaction," he commended, and though his voice was flat and emotionless, his words spoke of respect. When he rightened his gaze towards her, she could see a new light in his eyes to her.

"You alone of this cycle have shown the capability to understand my Natural Order, though you know it not."

Niciel lowered her head slightly in shame, reminded of her inaction for the world. She had promised herself multiple times to be more active, but she never did, having preferred to stay in the Valley of Peace and support her Angels instead. Niciel quickly raised her head back up as Logos continued. This was no time for dwelling on past mistakes,after all; it was the present and future to worry about now. 

"[color=fff79a]Understand your Natural Order?[/color]" Niciel repeated. "[color=fff79a]Perhaps. As for capability, that might be too harsh of a description. Maybe... 'willingness' would be a better way to describe it.[/color]" There was a small pause, then Niciel continued, "[color=fff79a]Regardless, I thank you for your time. You have given me much to think about, and I have to make sure my Angels are not distressed by the Realta.[/color]" 

The portal flashed into existence.  Logs turned to address his sister for the last time.

“This war is at an end, for my Realta, and for you all. Once they have rested, my children will leave this world. But it is a step I cannot take just yet.  In return for this peace, there is one final test this world must face," he warned her. 

With a rush of wind, his wings stretched outward before him, and the crown of white flames once more adorned his brow. 

"This will be the final night of War... or Order."

[hider=Summary]
-Logos visits the Valley of Peace with his Realta. 
-Niciel intercepts him, exchanging pleasantries and asks him the reason for this visit. 
-Logos replies that he merely wishes for safe haven for his Realta for the time being.
-Niciel questions his motives for coming to Galbar and f*cking everything up.
-Logos answers that he must set things back into Order.
-The two begin to argue, and weird shit happens during this.
-Eventually, the two agree to keep the peace, and Logos declares the coming of the end of the war on Galbar.
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