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[COLOR=silver][sup][b]The Judicator | Lord of the Underworld[/b][/sup][/COLOR][/center][hr][INDENT][sup][COLOR=silver][b]TIME:[/b] [i]Present Day - Late Morning[/i] | [b]LOCATION:[/b] [i]Neberziel - The Old God's Cavern[/i] | [b]INTERACTION:[/b] [i]None[/i][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT]
[COLOR=black][b]"Back so soon, God of Souls?"[/b][/COLOR]

The voice oozed out from the darkness as a whisper, greeting Azhriel as he materialized just beyond the entrance of the hidden cavern. Even despite the mystical, emerald-flamed torches burning at either side, no light seemed able to penetrate very far into the mouth of the cave. The sound was becoming all too familiar to him now, a fact he'd rather not be true. This was the third time in the last century he'd come to this place looking for answers, the previous visit occurring just a mere decade ago. As a Divine Being, destined to live forever, a hundred years isn't that long at all.

[COLOR=black][b]"And to [i]what[/i] do I owe the pleasure this time?"[/b][/COLOR] It spoke again, another question asked. 

[COLOR=green][b]"My brethren, they are beginning to learn of your existence."[/b][/COLOR] Azhriel replied, finally. This Soul had been kept a secret for centuries, its' very identity lost to the annals of time. Not even Iva'Krorh, God of Knowledge, knew of them. Though Azhriel had begun to suspect the opposite. Or at the very least they were on course to finding out. It was something he had to prevent at all costs. But how far would his fellow God go to find out the truth, he was quite literally mad about knowledge after all.

[COLOR=black][b]"Is that [i]worry[/i] I sense from you?"[/b][/COLOR] The voice inquired. Though it remained surrounded in unnatural shadow, Azh could feel them smiling back at him.

[COLOR=green][b]"Not for [i]your[/i] sake."[/b][/COLOR] He snapped back, clearly agitated by what they'd implied. [COLOR=green][b]"You and I [i]both[/i] know why your existence must remain buried!"[/b][/COLOR] His final words echoed out as he finished. The silence that followed remained uninterrupted for a few lingering moments before the voice spoke again.

[COLOR=black][b]"You already [i]know[/i] the answer you seek. Use [i]them[/i], it's what they were created for. They will grant you the power to keep your secret [i]safe[/i]."[/b][/COLOR] The voice seemed to want to entice him but Azhriel was left disappointed with the answer he'd been given.

[COLOR=green][b]"We've had this discussion, already. My answer is [i]no[/i]. The balance [i]must[/i] be maintained."[/b][/COLOR] The Judge began turning his back to the cavern entrance, clenching his fist as he did so.

[COLOR=black][b]"Then you will fail to keep me hidden and in turn lose [i]everything[/i]!"[/b][/COLOR] With that the voice began to laugh, quietly at first before increasing in volume to become a deafening roar. Azhriel had already left by then.

[hr][INDENT][sup][COLOR=silver][b]TIME:[/b] [i]Present Day - Late Morning[/i] | [b]LOCATION:[/b] [i]Neberziel - The Canyon[/i] | [b]INTERACTION:[/b] [i]None[/i][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT]
As the Lord of the Underworld arrived back at the Canyon, he was met by Lyssa one of the three Ashen Guards. Dead, yet powerful guardians whose task remained to protect Neberziel from any outside dangers. Lyssa had been a half-God in life, detested by the rest of her kin both Human and Divine alike. All except for him, who had appeared before her during an attempt to take her own life. Despite her initial refusal to believe his offer of friendship, Lyssa had been his most loyal disciple for several decades now. She had always remained virtually emotionless but Azh could tell from her expression something was amiss. [COLOR=green][b]"What is it, Lyssa?"[/b][/COLOR] He asked, his earlier annoyance still lingering.

She took a moment to steel herself before speaking, [b]"My Lord, it's Ragnagedon. He has awoken from his slumber."[/b] She responded gravely. The news shook him from his foul mood almost instantly.

[COLOR=green][b]"It can't be."[/b][/COLOR] He said to himself. [COLOR=green][b]"Quickly, you must tell me everything that has happened."[/b][/COLOR]

[b]"When he awoke, Verzak shook violently. The rumble of the earth could be heard even from the Pit of Ahael. It wasn't soon afterwards that ash and fire filled the horizon. Then, out of nowhere, a battle ensued-"[/b] 

[COLOR=green][b]"A [i]battle[/i], who could possibly stand against him? Unless it was Sveiand?"[/b][/COLOR] Azhriel interrupted before she could finish.

[b]"It was a [i]dragon[/i], my Lord."[/b] She corrected.

[COLOR=green][b]"A dragon?!"[/b][/COLOR] The Judge repeated, almost amused by the answer. [COLOR=green][b]"And what became of this...dragon?"[/b][/COLOR] He inquired.

[b]"It fell. Though it seemed as if there were more of its' kind who answered to the Destroyer."[/b] Lyssa informed him. Azhriel's shock swiftly subsided, just as his anger had, as he slouched back onto his throne. 

[COLOR=green][b]"A creation of Ragnagedon, huh?"[/b][/COLOR] The God of Souls pondered, a wry smile creeping across his masked face. [COLOR=green][b]"Bring it before me."[/b][/COLOR] He commanded. [COLOR=green][b]"It's high-time we recruit another Soul into the Ashen Guard."[/b][/COLOR]

[hider=Summary]
Azhriel meets with the Old God to search for answers in order to keep the secret of its' existence hidden from his fellow Gods. Upon returning to his throne, one of his disciples informs him of Ragnagedon's awakening and the death of one of the Fire God's creations. Azhriel intends to recruit the Soul of the fallen dragon into the Ashen Guard.
[/hider]