The door to Susa's quarters, nestled alongside other important living places, was one of the many extravegant pieces of Lifprasil's palace. It was rectangular, the edges clipped with carefully imagined designs displaced by Ilunabar's hand in Alefpria. It slid open without a hand to press into its cool surface, welcoming Lifprasil inside. Before he could step inside, however, he caught himself upon realizing that this may be a breach of privacy. Lifprasil stepped back two paces, and then awkwardly extended a hand to knock on the door frame. [color=orange]"Prosit."[/color] was his fumbled greeting. 

The sound of someone stumbling around could be heard even through the thick walls of the palace. Not too soon after the door opened and Susa showed up wrapped in a sheet. She looked very tired, to an extent Lifprasil hadn't seen since they fought against the horde. 

[color=c0783b]"Lif...? Uh, did I miss a meeting? I... Can't remember any at this time..."[/color] the thought of just casually meeting a friend had fled the huntress mind thanks to the constant pressure of imperial life.

[color=orange]"No. I just wanted to speak with you,"[/color] responded Lifprasil, still standing in the doorway. [color=orange]"About the world, amongst other things."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Oh, nice, I like the world."[/color] she half-smiled. [color=c0783b]"Alright, do you want to come in or...?"[/color]

Lifprasil crossed his arms. [color=orange]"I would prefer somewhere fresher - the brick and structure doesn't agree with me,"[/color] suggested the emperor. [color=orange]"Aesthetic choice aside: you exude stress."[/color]

She felt like bantering about exuding but she knew she was too tired to have the wit to do so [color=c0783b]"Right... Okay, should I get dressed then?"[/color] she waited for half a second before shaking her head. [color=c0783b]"Of course I should, what am I saying... I will be back in a moment."[/color]

After a good while, she opened it again. She was wearing her green and yellow military uniform, she grew to like the piece after the whole long sleeves debacle, it was lean and swift, especially in its sleeveless form. 

[color=c0783b]"Done. Sorry if I took too long"[/color] now she was already more awake than before, one could still easily spot the tiredness in her eyes, but she was no longer half asleep.

Lifprasil nodded silently, and drifted down the hall with Susa in tow [color=orange]"It is not an issue. There are things to discuss; but we will take them to the globe room."[/color] he alluded as he floated down exuberantly decorated steppes to the main hall.

[color=c0783b]"Oh, that room, huh..."[/color] she smiled, that was one of her favorite places in the palace, especially thanks to the illusory biomes it was capable of forming.

Perusing the confines of the palace, Lifprasil eventually navigated his way to the bulbous, illusory room, its semi-circular structure was squared off by great marble walls, the entrance was then blocked by a circular vault. With the command of Lifprasil, the vaults complex, divine structure unraveled to yield to a grayness and bleekness comparable to the bottom of the ocean. Lifprasil stepped into the cold, apparent vacuum of the room, but felt no death, bringing Susa with him.

[color=orange]"The room emulates the surface of one of Galbar's celestial bodies, a satellite if you will,"[/color] Lifprasil explained to the Hero tailing him. [color=orange]"Nothing thrives in these places unless it is willed, as you and I are only created by those up-above."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"It feels a bit disappointing."[/color] she looked around to the deserted bleakness that supposedly ruled the lunar lands. [color=c0783b]"The tales about the moons seem more exciting than the thing itself."[/color]

Still, it was something new that she had never seen before. [color=c0783b]"I didn't know we could copy places out of Galbar in this room. I thought it just reflected this planet."[/color]

[color=orange]"I've imagined the surface - but gaze upon that distant orb,"[/color] Lifprasil told Susa, before he motioned to just that: an orb in the distance, much more vibrant in its color than their surroundings. [color=orange]"That is Galbar as it was millions of years ago."[/color] he told Susa. With that notion, the pairing snapped to an infinite ocean of purple sand, when the shoulder of the world was burdened by a primordial, crimson sky.

[color=orange]"Our planet wasn't much different before the age of mortals from its own moons, as there was no will to change it, and make it suitable to gestate life."[/color] explained the demi-god, a hint of nostalgia in his voice as he gazed at the hypothetical petri dish before him.  

Susa was silence by it for a few seconds, gazing upon the planet at its primordial form made on feel no different than the beasts grazing mindlessly in the fields.

[color=c0783b]"It is a bit humiliating if I had to say it."[/color] she looked tense [color=c0783b]"To think we are so dependent on gods who are as flawed as the human... I mean, mortal, nature."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Just like this moon, it makes me miss the stories I heard when I was young. It doesn't matter if it were the tales of perfect gods or the ones where life was independent from the will of the divine people."[/color]

[color=orange]"Nothing can be so perfect as the idelogical imaginings of mortal creatures, Gods and the like are just as impassed by conscious shortcomings as you or me,"[/color] Lifprasil started. [color=orange]"Ah - there's nothing to be humiliated by, it is much like a child to a parent, just like that."[/color] he then said as reassurance, and set a hand on Susa's shoulder.

Starting with mild bafflement at Lifprasil, she took her time to answer it. [color=c0783b]"Parents have small control over their children. Mothers oftenly give birth to beings different from the ones they imagined. I do not think it is comparable to the situation of the gods. If anything, it feels similar to being toyed around."[/color]

She turned around and looked to Lifprasil. She had perhaps placed too much sympathy on his figure, he was a god still, he understood things from a different viewpoint. [color=c0783b]"But that is only if the system is truly as statistic as you make it sound, if all things are indeed tied to the will of conscient creatures. I do not know if that is the case."[/color]

[color=orange]"You could say that, but the love expressed by some of the gods in the pantheon can be equivocal to a parent. Some may create creatures as toys, whereas some may create creatures out of love for their very existence,"[/color] Lifprasil retorted, his positivity waining slightly.

[color=orange]"Some may even be mistakes."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"The issue isn't the love or indifference of god, as that one sounds moralistic. I question if our subjection to the will of other beings is a natural and unavoidable one, or simply something born from a difference of power."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"In my culture, the highest god is a mindless beast, we are thought life itself is moved on causality. Of course, living here in Alefpria and listening to you gives one a higher vision of things. At first, I simply ignored the previous idea, but recently I started thinking about the phrase we always use.[/color]

She did her best to copy Lifprasil's style of talking and to perfectly quote what he said. "Nothing can be so perfect as the idelogical imaginings of mortal creatures, Gods and the like are just as impassed by conscious shortcomings as you or me,"

[color=c0783b]"Wouldn't that mean gods, including you, hold faith and superstitious as much as the next mortal? The difference is how much you perceive and know, but still, your own phrase implies the shortcomings of one's worldview."[/color]

Lifprasil blinked. He couldn't remember the last time Susa spoke so much.

[color=orange]"Yes, that's precisely what I mean. Even now there are beings more powerful than the gods, and as far as I can tell, the gift of Divinity was merely thrust upon them by higher deities, with little knowledge of the truth outside of the universe they created."[/color] he said, crossing his arms, [color=orange]"I have heard of these higher deities, but never met them in the flesh. All I can say, thanks to their existence, is that subjegation in this universe is based on power, considering that even gods higher than ourselves may fear and respect their word, my inquisitive Susa."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"I'm aware that power is what sets up the food chain, the question is the nature of it..."[/color] hearing the last bit of the sentence, however, sent her on the defensive. [color=c0783b]"Hey, I'm just curious, knowing things is the key to survival."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"It is just that... just like when I first visited Alefpria and got a taste of the wider world, now I feel like a lot of what I have been told here isn't an exact mirror of reality either. Or at least that is what I have been thinking since I started to travel around again..."[/color] she stopped for a few seconds. [color=c0783b]"Around the capital that is. Anything else would shift my focus."[/color]

[color=orange]"You're not a very good liar,"[/color] Lifprasil chided [color=orange]"You're feeling nervous."[/color] he then rebuked.

[color=orange]"Have you been travelling?"[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Eh? Traveling? Maybe... a little bit.[/color]

Lifprasil chuckled, transporting the two to an ancient forest: the Venomweald.

[color=orange]"No need to be so secretive - I actually wanted to ask you about the world."[/color]

Susa looked around at the odd jungle forming, while it was still a blurry form it was not much different from the rain forests of the Mesathalassa. That changed as the defining features of the location became clear, the venomous aura, the trees that did their best to hide the sun.

[color=c0783b]"Huh, what is this place?"[/color] she whispered. [color=c0783b]"Too swampy to be the deepwoods...[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Ah, sorry, I got distracted. So... it is okay that I travel? I thought you wanted me to focus on the army training.[/color]

Lifprasil nodded.

[color=orange]"As far as the might of my mortal armies go, you've been doing quite well, as have Lakshmi; and with the acquisition of the Father Dominus - we can take mortal power to explosive new heights."[/color] he reassured her.

[color=orange]"As for this place, it is the Venomweald. It does not take kindly to most things."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"I like the concept of what the Father does, yet, there is always something odd about those... uh... the word is Jvanic right?  I still can't pinpoint my issue with it, outside of the odd looks.[/color]

[color=orange]"Those...? Would you mean the ArkSynth?"[/color] Lifprasil asked, intertwining his hands behind his back as he took in the view. Susa nodded.

He nodded in understanding. [color=orange]"Jvan's aesthetic choices are... Questionable, but I do hope that our artists can make our Knights more bedazzling to better display the worldliness of Alefpria,"[/color] Lifprasil chuckled. [color=orange]"After all, judging by the pairing I've made, they can afford to stick out. Their resilience to mortal weaponry is very impressive."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"It is truly impressive, I mean, if I had that power I would be a happy woman. Yet, typically the armorer hammers the armor to fit the user, in this case, the user is changed to fit the armor."[/color] she pondered [color=c0783b]"Compare it to Chroma, who can change her shape freely to fit her will and situation".[/color]

Lifprasil nodded again. [color=orange]"Many of the people from outside of Alefpria who have lost much were willing to change themselves in such a way after seeing the Twins - along with our own soldiers. The concept of power is something that sometimes outweighs one's own being in such a powerless position, many are even greatful to be modified, taken by ArkSynth's immortal splendor."[/color] was his admittedly long-winded response. 

[color=c0783b]"I understand those decisions, but even you seem to assume there is a possible better deal than what they get."[/color]

[color=orange]"I suppose I do,"[/color] Lifprasil sighed [color=orange]"If such exuberance were easier, all of Alefpria would have the utopic power of immortality unchanged - to not suffer like so many must. Consider these Knights the first step to achieving my goal of an exalted world."[/color]

Susa nodded. [color=c0783b]"I didn't really want to question your decision, I'm sure you want to do the best you can. Yet, I also felt it was necessary to voice my discomfort with the way those things are done, even if there is no other way right now."[/color]

[color=orange]"I didn't make you a champion of Alefpria for you to blindly follow, your input is welcome."[/color] Lifprasil reassured her.

[color=orange]"In fact, that is what I called this private meeting for."[/color]

Susa relaxed upon hearing those words, the weight of the hierarchy felt lighter on her back. [color=c0783b]"Right. You wanted to discuss some issues with me, right?"[/color]

[color=orange]"The world: particularly what you were familiar with, my scouts have been dilligent thanks to your training in mapping most of the world with the help of Ilunabar's Almanac. They've pulled in thousands of refugees from the Realta crisis to bolster our population and our military efforts, but they can only go so far,"[/color]

Lifprasil took a dramatic pause, and they were soon on Julia Island, overlooking the fractal sea.

[color=orange]"I plan to expand Alefpria, to unite Galbar under one glorious banner so that we may share our prosperity and the fruits of our labor through alliances and treaties. Xerxes and Amartia isn't just something to destroy to me, but to gentrify after conquership, and the people of the Mesathalassa region to ally."[/color]

Those words needed to be reflected upon. [color=c0783b]"Perhaps your sight is too high for you to notice the details underground, from up there, I imagine even plebes can look like a single rock."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Before I can say anything, let's say you want to conquer Mesathalassa, what are your opening moves?"[/color]

[color=orange]"Ask you for guidance."[/color] Lifprasil responded, simply.

Susa tilted her head, and moved towards the globe. [color=c0783b]"Well, that is smart. But I feel like you avoided the question. I do not think as a conqueror so I do not know what you want to do."[/color] she touched the globe and with swift moves painted the region. [color=c0783b]"Green are the human, fishing based city-states. Orange and pink are the human tribes. Dark blue are the wild Hain population and light blue the hain villages.[/color]

[color=c0783b]"What do you do? What is your plan to get all these people under your banner."[/color]

Lifprasil paused, and tapped his chin. [color=orange]"Learn the language, arrange talks with their rulership, and offer to increase their quality of living through Alefpria's various faculties, I would suppose,"[/color] he said, crossing his arms. [color=orange]"I understand human nature to the extent of manipulation, but I find bonds made through genuine talk are often stronger than mental slavery."[/color] Lifprasil explained, motioning to Susa as an example.

She nodded. [color=c0783b]"But do you really think all men will bow? Do you think the interests of the fisherman of a southern harbor kingdom is the same as that of the hunter of the north, or that the hain tribesman has the same worry as the potter of the coastal village?[/color]

[color=c0783b]"What will stop the hunter lord from feeling like your rule is unjust after he has basked in the glories of Alefpria? What could the shaman of the deep rainforest possibly win from destroying his own lifestyle for the sake of a deity foreigner to his religion?[/color]

Lifprasil stood by Susa, looking over the globe. [color=orange]"I suppose not, no. What do you suggest?"[/color] he asked, looking for an alternative from his general.

She pondered, staring at the globe for a while. [color=c0783b]"Well, you could always kill everyone who opposes you, but that would create all sorts of issues and would isolate you from people. The question always relies on how much you are willing to destroy.[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Beyond that, a lot of it is cultural. Mesathalassa's human side, for example, don't take very kindly to kings who start to abuse their power. In the harbor towns, the king is merely providing a service, one time, in the village of Iganan the king got a bit wild and started to demand a large share of the fish the fisherman got... The people outright killed him and, depending on who you ask, ate his family to give an example."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Thankfully for you, I sense the culture there entering in an era of turmoil very soon. I observed the effects of certain techniques like agriculture outside of that region, and I can see how the effects of such practices will change people there. Even more, the climate is going wild there, something happened in the Darkened Spires and due to that thing are slowly, but surely changing in the region..."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"I imagine it would be wise to send some mission there first, get the Lifprasilians used to the region and the region used to them. Though I'm still curious, let's say the turmoil never happens, how much would you be willing to do to assert yourself there?"[/color]

[color=orange]"Whatever may be necessary to bring the Mesathalassa Region under my vassalship, I would suppose,"[/color] Lifprasil leaned in to get a better look at the region on the globe, milling over all the towns and villages. [color=orange]"You said that the kings provide a service, correct? With our resources, I could provide a supreme service while attempting to keep the Mesathalassic way of life intact through your 'mission'."[/color] he elaborated, already corroborating the idea in his mind.

[color=c0783b]"Eh, you can try, but that sounds impossible."[/color] she sighed and carelessly rotated the globe around. [color=c0783b]"And even if it was, it is not just Mesathalassa, as this region is one of dozens and dozens. You will have to do the same, with as much care, on each and every corner of Galbar."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"I do not have the mindset of a military person, I admit, I can't really see how these conquests can work. I'm trying to study that, though."[/color] she stopped the globe and touched a region west of the Darkened Spires.

[color=c0783b]"This region for example used to house a large number of nomads, but now life there is becoming impossible for reasons I do not know, it won't be too long before they flee north and south in a wave of conquest."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"One that might be perhaps similar to how Humans first arrived in this region, fleeing the great floods. I have explored ruins across the region and I think I have proof that other cultures used to live there before they were overpowered by the many people fleeing their sinking lands. Many were Hain, for example, but those are gone from the west side now."[/color]

Lifprasil frowned. [color=orange]"Then I suppose I can just go with your mission idea until this prophecized era of turmoil."[/color] he said, clearly vexed by the apparent impregnability of the region of Galbar. [color=orange]"Are you implying fleeing nomads will bring chaos to the region?"[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Oh, even without them I think the current changes in climate and technology would open enough doors for you to enter. They, however, will be a good example to see how conquests work socially and culturally. I'm personally grooming the southern group to take a very different take from the belligerent conquest the northern group will probably partake in. Maybe that will provide some insight for both of us."[/color]

In his usual fashion, Lifprasil thought some more.

[color=orange]"So, you're ideal method for conquest of the Mesathallassa is to take advantage of the confusion in these changing times?"[/color] Lifprasil asked Susa.

[color=c0783b]"Well, I imagine confusion is a universal opportunity,  not only in Mesathalassa, but anywhere. It would be great for you if you had as much information about everywhere in the world. Ilunabar could easily provide it, from what Salassar tells me, but maybe it would be safer to go with homegrown agents.[/color]

 [color=c0783b]"All things considered, I'd even suggest getting some people to survey Mesathalassa who aren't me, after all, I'm biased."[/color]

Lifprasil nodded [color=orange]"I should pay a visit to Ilunabar, we haven't spoken in some time since the creation of Father Dominus - and there are other regions closer to the north that I would like to probe past Xerxes."[/color] he said, navigating the globe as he talked.

[color=orange]"After Xerxes, I would like to look into colonizing the Ironheart Ranges, and then from Xerxes building a road to the Valley of Peace, which from that location I can push into the Venomweald without having to cross mountain ranges. To the south, scouting legions can probe into the Hilt, and the Metera Valley, but aside from these two things the only other landmark is the World Mountain at such a low height."[/color] Lifprasil explained, and as he did the room changed its shape to match every region mentioned, morphing on a whim in an epic display of illusory power. 

The huntress barely noticed the nearby changes as she was immersed in her own thoughts. [color=c0783b]"You will fail if you move that slowly"[/color] she said.

[color=c0783b]"You can do that, but at the same time, try to send settlers to our direct north, south of the ranges and the Venomweald. With our technology, we can also probably establish small bases in the colder southern areas where people mostly live a nomadic and dispersed life. Try to get people to join your cause before your main troop reaches their area. Angels for example could be good."[/color]

[color=oranges]"Yes, I suppose that steady momentum in the progression of our plans would be good, how soon would you say that we should act upon these ideas? If we really wanted to; I could consult with the most recent diagrams of the regions we've explored and have locations to build upon in the Ironheart Ranges planned out by tomorrow. The Metera Valley and the unoccupied regions at our immediate south included."[/color] Lifprasil suggested.

[color=c0783b]"We will have the people to do that while we are also preparing for the war? I guess some expansion would be good, but the focus of the manpower should be on taking Xerxes."[/color]

Lifprasil smiled. [color=orange]"That reminds me - you and Lakshmi will soon need to focus on picking out the proper soldiers for our war march on Xerxes. I've already commissioned five thousand Cosmic Knights from Dabbles, so you may want to speak with the Twins on how you would like to approach this battle, as our army will also have Father Dominus' air superiority at its disposal,"[/color] he told Susa before he ruffled her hair. [color=orange]"I will join you to confront my brother Amartia during the battle as well, which reminds me again."[/color]

His tone took on subtleties of level-headed scrutinies and seriousness rarely seen by Susa, and his unconscious body language certainly changed as well. [color=orange]"Much like my confrontation with Grot, I may die in this confrontation. I've been told, and read in the almanac, that Xerxes is led in conjunction by both of my siblings, the other one being the demi-godess of pain, Keriss. Regardless of these things, my point stands that I trust both you and Lakshmi to remedy leadership in Alefpria, care for Tira, and by proxy hide the god-killer in the event that I do not survive this encounter between the two."[/color] Lifprasil instructed Susa, anxiously laying out her hypothetical responsibilities.

Tension etched on her face. [color=c0783b]"Seriously? Me?"[/color] she looked around nervously. [color=c0783b]"I'm no leader material, I can keep Lakshmi safe, but I can barely see myself working as part of the imperial bureaucracy, imagine as one of its heads."[/color]

[color=orange]"You've been part of the bureaucracy ever since you arrived here in Alefpria, you're very ready in such an event. In fact, you displayed your competence just now with your consultation on my part."[/color] he reassured her.

[color=c0783b]"Man, are you trying to make me take an arrow for you or something?"[/color] she huffed [color=c0783b]"Just don't die."[/color]

Lifprasil laughed, relieved by Susa's brash dialogue. [color=orange]"That's my intent."[/color] he chuckled. [color=orange]"Don't die either, Susa."[/color]

[color=c0783b]"Not in my plans. Can't leave Galbar alone with you lot in charge."[/color]


[hider=Da Summary]

Lifprasil has 20 might.

Susa had 15 khookies, got 10 from the collab, and used 14 khookies to level up to level 8.


-Lifprasil goes to wake up Susa for an impromptu meeting and realizes his manners

-The two go to the Globe Room of Ilunabar's creation

-They discuss creation and the history of Galbar, along with how mortal folklore compares to the reality of things

-Banter is had, and the discussion evolves into conquest

-Lifprasil asks Susa questions about the Mesathallassa Region and how to conquer it

-She hints that the dark spires are bringing climate and technological change that will soon open the door to conquership, so Lifprasil settles to send a mission to the region and wait until the perfect moment.

-Lifprasil then details his plans to probe and conquer the regions surrounding Alefpria and Xerxes, primarily he discusses settling on the Ironheart Ranges, building a road between the soon-to-be conquered Xerxes and the Valley of Peace, pushing into the Venomweald, taking the unclaimed territory south of Alefpria, and colonizing the Hilt and the Metera Valley.

-Susa urges him to keep a steady momentum in his expansion.

-Lifprasil then says he has commissioned 5,000 Cosmic Knights from Dabbles, and is satisfied with the now-transformed Twins.

-Lifprasil further goes on to detail his proverbial will to Susa, telling her to take control of Alefpria alongside Lakshmi in case he dies in the Xerxes battle, shortly after telling her to prepare her troops properly for the confrontation.


[/hider]