[h2][color=FDF5E6]Heaven[/color][/h2][hr]All throughout the camp, the remaining divine children of Ilias sat and murmered in a solemn hush, not daring to disturb the fragile atmosphere that was hanging around the entire encampment. [color=FDF5E6][i][/i][/color], huffs the reclining figure in the center of the crowd as she examines the remnants of her tattered host. Were she in her complete form, she would disintegrate the lot of them for dishonoring Heaven with this... barbaric display of failure. [i][color=F0FFF0]"Unacceptable. Can't you see that your whining is affecting God's mood?" [/color][/i]Pointing out towards the shimmering border of light that designated the edge of Ilias's sanctuary, she barks her orders to the rest of the Angels on the ground.[i][color=F0FFF0] "I don't think you've patrolled the perimeter nearly enough times. Another one thousand rotations ought to suffice. Go, and leave your Goddess in peace, lest she strike you down where you stand!"[/color] [/i] The Angels sulked, but perhaps out of an even mix of loyalty and fearfulness, they lift up from their various resting places and head out to the light boundary, eyes scanning their surroundings. At the rear of their ranks, an armoured figure nods her head one last time in deference and flies out to meet with her subordinates outside. And finally, her space was quiet. Letting out a lengthy sigh, Ilias gets up from her position on her makeshift throne [i](Eden's lap)[/i] and moves so that she was at eye-level with the Node's lowest branches. She does not speak, appearing deep in thought about matters only a Goddess should be concerned about. Uncomfortable with the silence [i](partially because she felt it was her fault)[/i], Eden addresses the tree-like structure musingly. [i][color=F0FFF0]"Whatever heretical energies fuel this... "Node", I am glad that we came across it when we did. I would not like to be stranded in this strange, forsaken realm without the slightest touch of your Divine radiance. This,"[/color][/i] she gestures to the surrounding field of light, [i][color=F0FFF0]"will at least keep you safe, my Goddess. Until we can muster the strength to purge this world of those Monsters once and for all-"[/color][/i] [color=FDF5E6][i]"Eden."[/i][/color] Ilias speaks firmly, silencing her subordinate in an instant. Then, thinking better of it, she turns to Eden with an expression of affectionate guidance. [color=FDF5E6][i]"Come closer, and listen to the special task I have decided to assign to you."[/i][/color] Beckoning the divine general closer, she lightly caresses the side of Eden's face with carefully disguised disgust.[i] [color=FDF5E6]"You will personally lead your scouts to the lands of the humans that were spotted nearby. I would like for you to impress upon them the grace and divine might of Heaven. Do not return to me until they have praised my name aloud. Do as I say, and I will forgive your... difficulties, earlier."[/color][/i] Eden pauses for a minute, savouring the sensation of her God's hand upon her cheek, before pulling away and faithfully pressing her hands together in prayer. [i][color=F0FFF0]"You honour me with your mercy, my Goddess. I will go, and be the herald of your arrival to the humans. I swear on my name that I will not fail you in this. Thank you."[/color] [/i] And with this Eden, too, departs from the radius of light that surrounded Ilias's seat of power. Finally alone, Ilias punches the side of the Node in frustration. It was [b]pathetic[/b]. All of them were pathetic. Of all the servants she could have been blessed with, she got that [b]stupid, worthless Third[/b]. And Promestein. She just [i]knew[/i] that at this very moment that filthy heretic was plotting behind her back. The only reason they weren't at each other's throats already was that Promestein was [i]hopelessly[/i] outmatched. And Ilias intended to keep it that way. No matter how much that child begged, she would never give up the Node to her, not even for a second. It was her only remaining trump card, amidst the [b]garbage[/b]. So absorbed as she was in her fuming, the Goddess barely noticed in time that somebody else had entered her sanctum. Righting herself before her outburst could be noticed, she turns to face her new visitor with a serene smile on her face... [color=FDF5E6][i]"Ah, Promestein. Just who I was looking for."[/i][/color]