[centre][h3][colour=goldenrod]Chakravarti - The Matripatrihierarch[/colour][/h3]
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[h2]Two Mothers and a Father[/h2]
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Ahtziri hovered in the sky, gently rubbing her hands over the rest of her wounds that were yet to heal. Pazuzu nosed at them with a downturned expression of concern, a gargling whine coming from his lower maw as he looked up into her eyes.

[color=#B5D295]"Why did he try to kill you?! Why didn’t you just walk away?!"[/color] he growled, his voice equal parts concern and fury.

[color=#644194]"Shh, my love... Think only of the mercy that we are still together."[/color] Ahtziri began, taking a hand from a still-oozing burn on her midriff to pet his snout affectionately. She winced as he practically slammed himself into her with concern, but quickly composed herself and tousled his sinewy fur. She looked down upon the land, musing upon the words that they'd shared, and resolved to come to peace for the sake of her children, and for his. Even now, after a near-death experience, some bare fragments of that earlier hypocrisy remained seated within her psyche--stubbornness or intrinsic nature? She wasn’t sure.

[color=#644194]"Lonn… Perhaps we are not so different, you and I. Monster and Man… Let us give them a chance at parity, then. Let us leave them to their choices and their opportunities."[/color]

Ahtziri gathered herself, calling forth the power of the divine ichor within her once more. A wreath of lilac flames flickered into being around her head, quickly catching and spreading over her body. Pazuzu whined with concern again, but after looking into Ahtziri's eyes knew that she would not be swayed from whatever it was she was going to do and swooped down towards the ground to await her. As the flames overtook her she kindled them with her magic, the lilac darkening and becoming a deeply sinister shade of purple that seemed to grow around her. In an instant the flames expanded enormously into an enormous sphere with her at the centre, and its baleful light shone across the entire shard, growing and intensifying as she focused, until she was almost like a blazing moon within the sky. Then she spoke, and all mortals and monsters touched by her light would hear her voice swimming in their minds, a sinister and guttural whisper that resonated within their skulls:

[center][h2][color=#644194]"I freely give you the choice: monster or man. Whatever you choose, you shall be loved. You shall be free.”[/color][/h2][/center]

Then, just as quickly as it had spawned, the light was gone and the magic was cast. Those who wished for her fecundity would be welcome to it, any sincere prayer answered with a mote of pure life that may or may not become monstrous--a choice guaranteed. Each monster, similarly, would be given the opportunity to embrace mortality--to free themselves from the mirrored shackles of their condition and make the same choices man could, to react to the same opportunities.Her work done, Ahtziri descended from her flight and rested a palm atop Pazuzu's head.

[colour=goldenrod]”H-hello? Are you alright?”[/colour] A distant yell followed by approaching steps hailed the arrival of another, the appearance of a many-armed humanoid growing clearer on the grasslands. It approached with great speed, seemingly drawn by the commotion. [colour=goldenrod]”Who goes there?”[/colour]

Ahtziri and Pazuzu both turned to react to the figure approaching them from the distance, momentarily shocked at the chances that another being was so close to them--but given what she'd just done, she knew that she was going to draw attention to herself in one way or another. She simply had not expected it to be so... immediate. As soon as the form of the many-handed being entered her field of vision, she once again [i]knew[/i] that they were divine as she was, and she prepared herself for combat once again, claws outstretched and teeth bared. Her tail's head remained curiously reticent, not opting to snap in the direction of whatever god was coming, and Pazuzu looked up at Ahtziri and nudged her hands with his nose.

[color=#B5D295]"They mean no harm, mother..."[/color]

Ahtziri took a deep breath in and retracted her claws, instead resting her hand atop her faithful child's snout and looking down at him with what was first a scowl, but then quickly a smile.

[color=#644194]"As you say, Pazuzu. I am Ahtziri."[/color] she called out the latter sentence, not electing to wave in greeting but shifting her stance and posture from one of aggression to one of cautious wariness. She did not make any moves towards the entity, opting to wait for them to approach her more fully, and still steeled herself in case she needed to act: if they reacted poorly to what she had just done, she would need to be ready at an instant's notice.

The entity slowed as they came closer, adopting a wary stance as well. In two of their arms, they held a human child; two more arms caressed a slightly curved belly; and the last two were held in midway between a guard and a cross over the chest. Their golden eyes scanned the forms before them and bowed a polite greeting. [colour=goldenrod]”Forgive me, my lady,”[/colour] it said with a calm voice. [colour=goldenrod]”I was in the area and heard a terrible cry of pain - the kind only kin can shout for its kin. To think my instincts were right - a worthy son wept for his wounded mother.”[/colour] Lilac tears formed in the corners of their eyes. [colour=goldenrod]”Beautiful - simply beautiful. What parent can ask for more?”[/colour]

As the figure spoke of parental love, of the bond that Ahtziri shared with her firstborn, her expression immediately softened. The protectiveness was gone in an instant, blown out like a candle in a storm, and a smile crept its way across her animalistic features. 

[color=#644194]"Ah, Pazuzu... my firstborn. There is no deeper love than that between parent and child, no force more wondrous or powerful in all of creation."[/color] Ahtziri replied, her head turned to look deeply into Pazuzu's eyes. He gave her face a lick with both of his long, now-serpentine tongues and let out a gurgling growl that could only signify true love and adoration. After a few seconds of the affection Ahtziri turned her attention back to the newcomer, her presence suddenly warm and affable, and looked down upon the many-armed deity's own child, cradled so closely to their pregnant belly. Subconsciously she, too, ran a hand over her own pregnant belly (though she was considerably further along) before stepping forward slightly to look at the child.

[color=#644194]"Ah, who is this? Your own firstborn?[/color]

Gone was the monstrous aspect of Ahtziri's voice as she looked upon the child, her voice instead filled with the overwhelming love of a mother for their child--though she had plenty of reason to distrust mortals when she awoke, her conversation with Lonn and the clear love the many-armed figure had for this child disarmed her completely. She did not approach further than the single step she took, but the more she looked at the child cradled in its mother's arms the more tears began to well in her own eyes, and she took a deep breath suddenly to bring her focus back to the one before her. 

[colour=goldenrod]”Oh, yes,”[/colour] said the entity and smiled, presenting the baby for the goddess to behold. The black-haired baby boy, free of prejudice, regarded the Mother of Monsters with the same curiosity as he regarded all things. The entity giggled. [colour=goldenrod]”His name is Ossurman, but I call him mostly Oss. He’s my firstborn son, and he is everything to me.”[/colour] A hand ruffled the baby’s hair. [colour=goldenrod]”Yours is beautiful, too. Pazuzu, was it?”[/colour]

Ahtziri's eyes lit up as Ossurman regarded her, and she drew a hand up to gently stroke his cheek with the back of her finger. As she moved it, the bestial aspects of her form slipped away into the ether, becoming completely humanoid, and she cooed gently at him as she lavished him with her affection and her attention. So engrossed by the child was she that she did not even respond to the deity's question, and Pazuzu answered in her stead:

[color=#B5D295]"That's right, Pazuzu! Mother saved me from a band of attacking humans, and changed my form so that no mortals would be able to strike me down again if they tried!"[/color] the great Abiktu boasted, puffing his enormous chest out as he spoke. Two of his eyes regarded the figure before him, and the other two remained locked on Ahtziri, watching over her while she was distracted by the child before her. Ahtziri suddenly stopped and paused, looking up at her deific kin, and asked a question: 

 [color=#644194]"May I bless him...?"[/color] her tone was cautious, even sheepish--she was very much unused to working her magic on those not inherently monstrous, but the purity and innocence of the child had truly touched her in a way even she had not expected. In that moment she knew that she could, perhaps, come to love this child as she loved Pazuzu--that, if the conditions were right, her love could extend to mortals. It did not shock her as she felt it, but her face still betrayed the immensity of the moment, even if one lacked the necessary context.

Chakravarti cocked their head gently to the side with a blink and then revealed a broad, heartfelt smile. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh, what fortune; what friendship! Of course! If my son would be so lucky to be blessed by an exemplary mother like you, then he would be all the better for it.”[/colour] The god held the baby out to her, two arms gesturing with open palms for Ahtziri to do as she would please.

Ahtziri's finger moved up to the child's forehead, and the same purple glow that she had cast upon the land moments ago danced upon his skin. She then removed her hand, and placed a tender kiss upon the glowing mark only for it to settle into him and vanish completely.

[color=#644194]"All monsters shall love you, Ossurman, as they love me. Never shall they harm you or those born of you; never shall they refuse a heartfelt request so long as it is spoken with the love that I have for all of my children, and that your own mother has for you."[/color]

Then she stepped back, and the monstrousness overtook her hand once more. She looked at it fondly, and then to Pazuzu, and then finally back to Chakravarti.

[color=#644194]"My children are... incompatible with mortalkind, for the most part. To become a monster is to reject the premise of mortality... but I think that which unites us is our love, and our family: at our best, we care for our kin above all else. At worst, we shame our legacy and the love that nurtures us. In this, I suppose, we are united."[/color] Ahtziri spoke, her voice gentle and whisper-soft. She looked almost distant, her mind swimming with thoughts and revelations, and it took her a few seconds to snap back to reality.

[color=#644194]"May I ask your name?"[/color] she asked, suddenly cognizant that she did not actually know the being before her's name or purpose.

[colour=goldenrod]”I am Chakravarti,”[/colour] said the god sweetly in a simultaneously masculine and feminine voice, hoisting the little baby boy into a better seat in their arms. Their eyes looked Ahtziri up and down with a golden glow and spoke, [colour=goldenrod]”And I have never before seen this dedication, this maternity, displayed in anything else on this world. What a joy it must be to be a child of yours.”[/colour] Three hands extended out and scratched Pazuzu lovingly under their two mouths. Little Ossurman cooed and stretched his little arms out to the monster, fingers grabbing the air eagerly. Chakravarti giggled and brought the boy up to touch the Abiktu, his fingers playing with the needle-like fur around his two muzzles. [colour=goldenrod]”Incompatible? Nonsense, I have never seen such filial loyalty; such respectful discipline. Why would they be incompatible?”[/colour]

[color=#644194]"A pleasure to meet you, Chakravarti."[/color] Ahtziri began, before being interrupted by Pazuzu loudly growling and panting as Chakravarti paid him attention. His tongues lolled out of his muzzles and all four of his eyes closed, his enormous frame heaving with the rhythmic trill of a guttural and bestial purring. He leaned in further, slightly tilting his head to the side, before his upper muzzle began to speak.

[color=#B5D295]"Ohhh, that's nice... Mother can't quite reach those spots, ahhh... She only has two hands! Oh, hello little one..."[/color]

Pazuzu's tail scythed in great swings, needle-sharp clumps and clusters of matted and torn fur falling to the ground and being caught in the smallest eddies of wind before resting on the dust and sand beneath them. Ahtziri turned to him, eyes practically ablaze with jealousy, but as soon as she saw his reaction to the attention she could not bring herself to hold on to the feeling for very long at all--and her motherly aspect practically overflowed with the joy of watching her child play with Chakravarti's.

[color=#644194]"Ahh, my children are not all as devoted as my beloved Pazuzu. They are wild, bestial things--the darkest essences of mankind's nature, twisted into abhorrent shapes. Many of them act solely on instinct, still incapable of thought or reason... slaves to wild impulses. It... it is simply who they are. To endow them all with intellect would spell an end to humanity, I am certain--many are cruel, wicked things that cannot be persuaded or charmed."[/color] Ahtziri's voice took on a contemplative tone, weighing each of the words very carefully before she spoke them. Even after they had left her mouth, her serpentine tail's tongue tasted them in the air to be certain of them, snapping and hissing all the while.

[colour=goldenrod]”That is family, is it not?”[/colour] chuckled Chakravarti and added yet another hand to the scratching of Pazuzu. A fifth hand reached over to gently land on Ahtziri’s shoulder and the god spoke, [colour=goldenrod]”Despite all their flaws; despite all their wrongdoings - we have no choice but to love them. They will destroy your reputation, ruin years of toil and hard work in a single day, but in the end, they are yours - they are your pride and your reason to be.”[/colour] The hand on the shoulder gently flowed down Ahtziri’s torso and landed on her swollen belly. [colour=goldenrod]”But this you already know. You have known it since you birthed your first.”[/colour] Golden eyes fixed into hers. [colour=goldenrod]”You truly are a perfect mother.”[/colour]

Ahtziri returned the gaze with equal intensity, bringing her own hands up to press against Chakravarti's belly. Even now she could feel the radiant energy of a life swelling within, the sensation of it causing her hands to tingle. She smiled, rows of razor-sharp teeth glinting in the light, as she drew in a shaky breath. For the first time in her short existence, she did not know what to say: she tried to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth. She turned to look at Pazuzu, and then down at little Ossy, and finally back to Chakravarti, somewhat composed:

[color=#644194]"That is... very kind of you to say. To know such qualities exist in another, one must possess them themselves--you, too, are a wonder beyond wonders. If mortalkind has you at its head, well... perhaps they are not irredeemable."[/color]

As she spoke, Pazuzu turned his head to look at her and gave her cheek a quick lick before burying his snout in the crook between her neck and shoulder. No words needed to be exchanged between them for the meaning of the gesture to be clear: this line of thinking was the way forward, the only way to ensure that his mother would be safe from the predations of other divines who might not be so understanding. She brought a hand up to his neck, stroking it gently, and brushing over one of Chakravarti's hands. She turned back to face the eight-armed god, skin clearly flushed beneath the fur.

The family god gasped as though they had choked and descended down onto one knee. They took the hand that had been on their belly in a gentle hold and looked up into the goddesses’ crimson eyes with a pleading look. [colour=goldenrod]”My lady,”[/colour] said Chakravarti in a small voice, [colour=goldenrod]”I cannot hide these emotions any longer. Hearing your poetic love for your children despite their flaws… It has stirred something deep inside of me. Would you, dear lady Ahtziri, do me the honour of becoming my wife?”[/colour] A halo of light and lotus flowers surrounded their silhouette and a soft melody played on the wind. The little baby boy seemed somewhat upset, as though he had seen this display too many times.

Ahtziri's initial reaction to the display was confusion, plain and simple--she had no concept of this idea of marriage, or what Chakravarti could possibly be proposing to her. The nature of civilisation was something Ahtziri barely understood, the closest she had gotten to reconciling the idea of what it was being similar to a pack, or a family--but such a notion was insufficient for her to process precisely what was being offered to her. She understood the emotion of the gesture, certainly, but otherwise all that played across her face was a lack of understanding. Seeing this, Pazuzu huddled next to her and spoke in a gentle whisper--though, of course, not so quiet as to go unheard by a god.

[color=#B5D295]"I think it's... mating partners? Over a long period of time? Ossy says that they've said as much to all of the other gods they've met, even... him! Lonn!"[/color]

Pazuzu's four eyes narrowed conspiratorially, and he pawed at the ground in front of Chakravarti just enough to attract attention and interrupt the scene.

[color=#B5D295]"Ossy says that you offered Lonn the position of... prime something? Whatever that is, Mother deserves it too! I'll only agree if she gets at least what he got!"[/color] he said, a brief flash of defiance and protectiveness glinting in his eyes. Almost immediately after he said it, however, he seemed to realise that he'd effectively made a demand of a deity and immediately bowed his head, a small whine escaping his muzzle like gravel being poured onto the ground. Ahtziri rested her left hand upon his head, petting him in his favourite spot (behind his right ear, just above at the bottom) and raising an eyebrow at Chakravarti as she did so, waiting for a response.

The other god frowned briefly and looked down at Ossurman with a scowl of disappointment. They opened their mouth briefly as though to say something, then closed it, and opened it again, saying, [colour=goldenrod]”You are very right, Pazuzu. Some time ago, I took Lonn as my First Consort, and it is his child I carry in my belly as we speak.”[/colour] Two hands caressed the golden skin of the slight protrusion of their abdomen. They straightened themselves up somewhat and donned a somewhat serious expression. [colour=goldenrod]”You are most lovely, my lady Ahtziri, and I would love nothing more than to make you my wife; however, First Concubine is not a title I can grant to just anyone - not even Lonn received his for free. A wife is for spawning offspring, but a Prime Concubine must be displayed before everyone, as well - she must possess a certain… Character and status, if you will. Now Pazuzu, I mean this in no disrespectful way, of course, but does your mother possess any sizeable lands? Has she done any mighty deeds? Will she take the time to learn the etiquette of the court so she may rule beside me?”[/colour]

Pazuzu tilted his head to the side, lower muzzle letting out a small bark as he began to speak again.

[color=#B5D295]"Well... Mother hasn't taken any lands yet, and I'm not sure what you mean by mighty deeds..."[/color] the Abiktu started, eyes narrowing as he thought about what he was saying.

[color=#B5D295]"Oh! She has the allegiance of all of her children! We'd all fight and die for her, so she has the biggest army! And she can make more of us, and then we can make more of ourselves, and I bet we could overrun the whole world if Mother wished it!"[/color] Pazuzu turned to look at Ahtziri as he barked out the last part, clearly seeking her approval. She gave him a nod and his fur a tousle, and he turned back to Chakravarti with his tail wagging behind him even faster than it had been previously.

[color=#644194]"How many divinities are there, that such parading is necessary...? Well, if it is sufficient for you to collect concubines and consorts in this manner, it means that I must play this game whether I like it or not--and... well, I would very much like to spend more time with you. To have another that understands what it means to be a parent is... well, it is not something I thought would happen. A grand unification of the families of monsters and mortals, an undying dynasty the likes of which have never been seen before and shall never be seen again; an emperor to rule it, and a faithful Abiktu at his side to safeguard him and love him. Our lands need not fear the monsters that will undoubtedly plague the others--are these things enough for you?"[/color] Ahtziri then knelt, and took two of Chakravarti's hands in her own. She looked at them with a steely conviction in her eyes, a pledge of loyalty and love upon her lips, and deep within her an ambition began to take root.

The family god lifted a backhand to their forehead as though close to swooning and two more hands closed around Ahtziri’s grip as well. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh, what devotion; what pledges!”[/colour] Their halo of light and lotuses brightened and thickened, and their final free hand cupped itself over their chest. [colour=goldenrod]”Soothe yourself, o beating heart! Alas, her oaths are too much! How can I, o how can I, Chakravarti, turn down such an unmatched will to join my dynasty? How can I, Chakravarti, deny this most gracious and necessary gift to my legacy and my house? This most benign and benevolent contribution?”[/colour] They pulled loose all their hands and whichever weren’t holding Ossurman took the Mother of Monsters into an embrace, saying, [colour=goldenrod]”Your love for your children and care for our house have rocked me to my very core, beloved lady Ahtziri. Nay, lady Ahtziri [i]vur[/i] Chakravarti, First Concubine of mine. For yes - my emotions can no longer be tamed! I must have you, and I must have you close to me! Be mine, o Ahtziri, be mine!”[/colour]

[color=#644194]"There will be those who will not see the fruitfulness of our union, those who are unwilling to join our family... But they are not worth our time, my love--let them sink beneath our notice like the vermin they are, let our children inherit the earth!"[/color] Ahtziri proclaimed, returning Chakravarti's embrace with all of the passion she could muster. Pazuzu let out a great howl of excitement, loud enough to vibrate the earth gently beneath their feet, and with a great beating of his wings flew up into the air. His tail continued to wag furiously as he looped around himself, circling the three below, and gentle pants punctuated the air as Ahtziri finally extricated herself from her partner's grasp. She turned her gaze up into the air, at the happiness of her firstborn, and tears once again welled up within her eyes.

[color=#644194]"To see them happy, loved... it is worth every trial they put us through. I would endure a beating from every other god on this shard, even lay down my life if I must, just to see him happy."[/color] the words tumbled from her mouth without thinking, said to no-one in particular, and her gaze only returned to the ground when Pazuzu came crashing down upon it a good distance away, bounding across the craggy hills towards the pair. 

[color=#B5D295]"So what do we do now, Mother? Oh!"[/color] he began, before turning himself towards Chakravarti with a quizzical, lopsided grin on his face (insofar as was possible for an Abiktu), [color=#B5D295]"Should I call you Father? Mother? I'm just not sure![/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Either will do, my son,”[/colour] Chakravarti declared and gave him a gentle pat. [colour=goldenrod]”Now, as one house, we must do our best and spread our influence across the world. I will remain here, my love, and continue shaping our son’s land into a worthy grounds for his empire to prosper. I request, therefore, that you and our son Pazuzu remain until you are healed before journeying out to secure our dynasty more land, wealth and respect. We are in this together, my lady Ahtziri, and together, we will conquer this Shard for our children and our children’s children!”[/colour] To celebrate, the god flexed an arm and raised a triumphant obelisk from the grass beside them, its faces covered in depictions of themself alongside Ahtziri and Lonn on respectively their left and right hands, and Celvanya beneath them. [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c6/dd/9c/c6dd9c381f3264ef19d72a83af565c1a.jpg]Monsoon water that had formed many brooks through the grassland was laid into rivers into a bridge leading to the obelisk, then a stone-toss away, a great temple arose, its walls and levels filled with statues of all sorts of creatures, mortals and monsters.[/url]

Ahtziri smirked at the raised pillar, her body reacting to the carving instinctively and beginning to crackle with her particular amaranthine glow. Her remaining wounds soothed themselves in its presence, knitting themselves together as they had before, and she looked upon the carved stone pensively as her regenerative magic did its work. She had no desire to ever meet [i]him[/i] upon the battlefield again, that much was certain, but she was grateful for what had happened. For what his conviction had shown her, no matter how painful the lesson was; for the revelation that they were, ultimately, perhaps not so different. Now they were joined as family, and a small part of her was apprehensive of how he’d react to the news--but she had faith that, ultimately, it would work out in its own way. Opportunities would present themselves for a clean path forward, and she only had to humble herself to take them. She would not let her children go unloved, or die unclean deaths, for the sake of pride. Not after last time. Her eyes glanced over to the temple that Chakravarti had created, perusing its many carvings and stone-wrought likenesses, and turned back to the Obelisk once more content to rest and wait. There would be new lands to conquer soon enough--for now, she had only to bide her time.

[hider=Summary]Ahtziri is licking her wounds after having her ass both metaphorically and literally handed to her by the God of Mortals, and she takes some time to reflect on the valuable life lessons she’s learned. Then she gets totally seduced by the other mother (not the nightmare one) and they get married (to the surprise of absolutely nobody). The event is commemorated, things are made, Ahtziri takes Prime Concubine and the rest of you bitches are left in the dust. Fin.[/hider]

[hider=MA]who cares it’s turn 0[/hider]