While the Council’s agents took advantage of their brief respite, a peculiar figure roamed the Citadel’s hallways. The thump of padded feet and a soft, constant murmur like a pelt being dragged over the castle’s stone floors announced its arrival, and the high pitched laughter of Watchers greeted it in some of the corners he turned before the specters faded away to attend to their duties.

The Hellhound stood on its hind legs as it walked, shoulders hunched forward. A dog bed much too large for even a bear was held on his right claw, dragging along the floor. Its other claw held two equally-large bowls, the material dented where he held it. Fenn wordlessly carried the absurd items throughout the Council Agents’ headquarters.

Soon enough, the beast shouldered the gates open and stepped out to the Core. 

His slow march brought him to the edge of the path leading to the Citadel, where lava pooled like a boiling sea. A lazy motion saw the bed and bowls thrown into the lava, and the dog watched motionlessly as flame engulfed them as they sank.

One of the dog’s ears twitched. What had been nearly torn off from his head during his previous assignment had grown again with little trouble, leaving only a small notch at its top that would be filled in time.

“Do you see something interesting, mage?” Fenn rumbled.

Nearby, another of the Council’s agents worked tirelessly at the edge of the magma pool. Akoni held in one hand his new book, pilfered from the cursed cathedral, while in his other he made the necessary gestures for the summoning process. Though the Council’s blessing prevented him or his belongings from being broiled by the ambient heat of their realm, he preferred to practice this new, dark magic where the excess heat of the pool would weigh on his concentration. A literal trial by fire. Besides that, if any of the things he summoned went out of control it would be significantly easier to destroy them in this setting.

A small portal, quite similar to his own gates yet altogether different and strange, tore open through space to reveal an enormous reptilian eye. From this small tear in space a tremendous howling emanated, and Akoni closed shut the portal. Only then did he turn to face the enormous demon hound and reply.

[color=dodgerblue]”I would hardly call oversized pet accessories ‘interesting.’”[/color] he replied, largely uncaring. Whether these things had belonged to Fenn or not, it made no difference to the old mage. Bringing his focus back to the eldritch magic he had taken upon his soul, Akoni’s eyes glowed with power, but not the usual bright blue. Instead it was something dark and murky, like the depths of the ocean. A small mass of bloodied, green, rotting arms erupted from the ground, but very much alive and full of vigor as they flailed around in a failed attempt to grasp anything within reach.

“Good. To my chagrin, others would not share that thinking.” The ambient light of the lava and magic reflected off the dog’s eyes as he beheld the sinister spectacle. “It seems the watchers and the Imp have seen fit to make light of me,” he droned on. “So be it. I hoard grudges like coin, and there shall come a time to spend them.”

Fenn fell to all fours, and began to plod closer to the man. “But this is an opportune moment. I would talk, mage.”

As Fenn approached Akoni, the murky light faded from his eyes and the mass of limbs faded from existence. He briefly glanced to the hellhound and gave a curt but affirmative nod. [color=dodgerblue]”So long as you do not mind my multitasking.”[/color]

He uttered a word, alien and unknowable, as the light returned to his eyes. Between the two a mouth with tentacles for teeth and mustard brown in color formed along the surface of the ground. It began to babble incoherently, speaking words that were not words, but impossible to drown out. “Nktchlu aoivtz challnu-akt vwenqkt talla-” And Akoni forcibly dispelled the apparition.

[color=dodgerblue]”... Apologies. Not the sort of talk you had in mind, I would assume.”[/color]

Fenn’s flattened ears raised at the removal of the offending object. “Nay. I already am at the mercy of enough incomprehensible babble in my day to day without the need to seek it of my own will.” He gave an irritated grunt. “Rather, I would ask about your thoughts on your situation. Your thoughts on the Council.”

Akoni thought about attempting another partial summon, but stopped himself mid-cast. The murky blue glow dissipated from his eyes and he instead turned to give Fenn his full attention. [color=dodgerblue]”Curious,”[/color] he began, sincerely a bit interested. [color=dodgerblue]”I would not have guessed that you would have been interested in the opinions of others. Or at least the thoughts of a human.”[/color]

“I find myself in need of a different perspective,” the dog admitted. “The Watchers would know more of this, but they will not speak freely.” His eyes narrowed. “Or rather, they will speak too readily, but not of anything I care to hear. Alas, a mage will have to do.”

The old mage took a moment to twist his neck, popping the joints, then continued. [color=dodgerblue]”My situation is much the same as it had been for the majority of my life. The purpose is different, and there is a more clearly defined and attainable goal to be certain, but the road is the same. Angels, demons, anything in between, it doesn’t matter. Their lives are forfeit if they choose to threaten the balance.

“As for the Charred Council…”[/color] He trailed off a moment to look in the direction of the council statues, then around for any potentially hidden Watchers. [color=dodgerblue]”I do not like them, nor do I trust them. Something of a standard policy of mine. However I cannot deny their power, and I [i]do[/i] respect them. At the end of the day, I will defend the Third Kingdom to my dying breath. Especially since everything just got interesting.”[/color]

That final word had the sharp impact of a knife. He had placed an unnatural emphasis on it. Few could stand in the middle of this insanity and call it “interesting” as a manner of excitement, but here he was. The old mage then cocked his eyebrow, as if to gesture the hellhound for his own thoughts.

“Balance…” Fenn chuckled, laughter rumbling in the demon’s throat. “I do not comprehend the meaning the Council attached to the word. I suspect it differs from yours. Or mine.

“I came here seeking only a good battle, not to involve myself in the matters of the realms.” The hound sat, letting his rump fall on the stone as he looked down at the small human before him. A more comfortable position for protracted conversation. “Still, my curiosity is piqued. There are certain things I held to be true about this Charred Council, but seem doubtful now. Tell me, if you will, of the missions you have been sent on, and their objectives.” 

Akoni couldn’t help but crack the smallest of grins at Fenn’s own motivations. A good battle, now that was definitely in line with what he had expected from the demon. Well there would be fewer ways to get the challenges sought than by joining this event, that was for sure. It was a simple desire, but one that the mage understood too well. 

[color=dodgerblue]”I’ve only been on one mission for the Council as of now. I had been teamed with the sage, the blacksmith, the Order girl, and the youngling demoness to recover what knowledge we could from the Ancient Library. That is how we brought back the whereabouts of the Seal hidden in the Undersky. We also met the being possessing Sevrin there as well.”[/color] Akoni left out how he was able to at least partially peel back the veil hiding the creature within Sevrin’s body. The omission was largely irrelevant, at least in his opinion. 

“Do you not find it odd?”

Akoni felt himself become irritated at the interruption, but made no mention of it. [color=dodgerblue]”That the Charred Council, who are supposed to be the highest governing creatures in all the realms, who ordered the Seals of Armageddon be forged and watch over them, need agents to locate these cosmically important artifacts? Yes I do. As I said, I respect them, but I do not trust them.”[/color]

“Ah, the mage is not blind. I may gain some insight after all,” Fenn drawled. White glinted at the corners of the demon’s mouth. “What do you make of it?”

[color=dodgerblue]”I will choose to take that remark as a compliment,”[/color] Akoni shot back. [color=dodgerblue]”In any case, it could mean any number of possibilities. Perhaps they hold an ulterior motive? Maybe the Seals were hidden by others they delegated to, and in the endless eons have lost track of them. Or, maybe, it is simply a prime example of an incompetent government on a cosmic scale. Regardless there is much going on as every different faction within the Three Kingdoms attempts to use the End War for their own gain. When one loses focus, he cannot see even the simplest of goals.”[/color]

The dog nodded. His gaze left him, and instead turned to the pools of lava that surrounded the path. Difficult to read as his animalistic features were, he seemed disappointed. “Aye, such ideas have crossed my mind as well. That said, I do not find them to be satisfying answers. Incompetence would not allow for an entity to sit at the center of Creation no matter the power they wielded, and certainly not for as long as this Council is rumored to have existed.” Fenn’s slitted eyes sharpened. “I shall take it as a personal insult should I find that to be the case. Neither do I believe them capable of entrusting the location of something important enough to move them into action to other beings. To lose them, too, and only attempt to find them when one is destroyed seems… Heh.” 

Fenn bared his fangs. “I expected the Seals to reside on Earth, mage. Was that foolish?”  

Akoni shook his head. [color=dodgerblue]”None of those options are satisfying for myself either. But as to whether or not it was foolish to think all the Seals would be on earth… Short-sighted, perhaps, but it is an understandable expectation. After all, earth is where the End War is to take place. The battlefield the Seals protect. It would make some level of sense. Yet it also makes sense to spread them out as far as possible in order to ensure they are only destroyed when the time comes.”[/color]

“Short-sighted, you say…” the dog hummed, the sound reverberating in his throat. Something seemed to settle over the demon’s eyes. “Perhaps it is as you say.”

The mage looked back out over the lava. The landscape around felt eerily calming. Such a strange sensation in such a Hellish land. Odd that he felt so at peace here. Moreso than he ever did in that damn bar anyway. Once he had taken a moment to reflect he turned back to Fenn. [color=dodgerblue]”Of everyone here, only Souta shares my mortality, and he has the advantage of youth. To be perfectly frank, I am far less likely to survive to the end of this war than you or any of our other peers. Whatever comes from this engagement, I won’t have to deal with the results for very long. I’ve no family, and exceptionally few friends to speak of. Yet here I am. I could say that I am protecting the greater good of all, but the reality, Fenn, is that it is something to do.”[/color]

He then shook his head in great frustration. [color=dodgerblue]”Bah. I do not know why I am even babbling about this. Either way, you have my thanks for listening. I will keep an eye out for the Council’s hidden agenda and pass along anything I find.”[/color]

Fenn stewed on the offer for some time, as though his mind was elsewhere, but eventually nodded his head.

“A human that knows respect is a rare thing. The magpie could learn from you,” he said gruffly in acceptance. “I shall let you in on my suspicion, then. I have been told that the Seals’ purpose is to herald the End-War, but only at such a time that the Third Kingdom has achieved the strength needed to participate. I am certain this is no new knowledge. However, because of that I also assumed that the Seals would be placed on Earth, a realm separated from the others, for humanity to destroy the seals and announce their readiness. If that is truly their purpose, to have them elsewhere implies that humanity was not to be the ones to judge, advertently or not, when the right time would come. However, if the Council itself lacks information on the Seals and its safeguards, it would seem that they are not in fact interested judging themselves, or in enforcing this purpose. That they would only bother collecting this information once a Seal has been destroyed is stranger still. 

“This makes me think that the Seals may not have the purpose we think. It is possible the Seals were not even forged by Council. Perhaps, even, the destruction of one or two Seals is something permissible, even beneficial to them. After all, it has already allowed them to gather a second team of enforcers to act on their behalf within the laws they themselves have set.” Fenn rolled his shoulders and gave Akoni a sidelong glance. “But these are simply wild guesses, are they not? Feel free to dismiss them as the ramblings of a short-sighted fool.” The dog nodded and stood, stretching in a strangely feline manner before he turned towards the Citadel.

Akoni listened very intently, then stretched himself out as Fenn stood, having felt his joints stiffen up due to the lack of movement. He gave a grunt of pain and annoyance, but followed it up by stopping Fenn before the demon took off. [color=dodgerblue]”You may give yourself too little credit. In all earnesty you have provided some points I had not considered. You’ve a keen set of instincts that serve you well. Trust me, I do [i]not[/i] pay such compliments easily. You may feel free to utilize my ear whenever the desire strikes you.”[/color]

The dog paused to regard the man. “I might consider it if you spare me the flattery. It suits neither of us.”

The mage was about to head back to the Citadel himself, no longer desiring to practice his new spells, when a watcher appeared before the duo from the very ground they stood upon. “Oy, lewk at yew gits awl makin’ merry togetha! Yew gots anutha mission, so quit wankin’ one anotha off, yeah?”

The watcher turned around to fly off, but quickly twisted back to face them. “Oy, wot’s all ‘is then? The pup an’ the ‘ermit? Very peculiar, yeah?”

The dog began to walk again. “Aye, peculiar,” he grumbled as he made for the Citadel.

Akoni did not give the watcher as much acknowledgment as even Fenn did, opting instead to ignore the creature completely. He strolled right by without so much as a glance, intent on getting to the Citadel expediently. Thus he made use of his Surge technique, flashing forward with tremendous speed and out of sight.

“Oy, ye rood geets! ‘Ow ‘bout some respekt to your frienlay messenga, ah?”