[center] [h2]Cycle 3[/h2] [img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/893548783957315584/895391531521945640/image1.jpg[/img][/center] [hr] The great and mighty Tlanextic, legendary ruler of Chicomoztoc and demon-banisher, had been watched over in his life. Perhaps not his entire life, but once he had banished the first of the demons, he had certainly felt a looming gaze watch over him and his great city. It was as if the indomitable sun, through the stone and night, had never let its gaze fully leave the empire; even in the time of great darkness, when the blackened clouds blocked out the sky itself, it seemed as if the sun had never left him, and, once those demon clouds were cast away, the sun never shone brighter. Chicomoztoc and Tlanextic were clearly the sun’s chosen on the Galbar, for they had banished demons and erected the greatest empire that could be witnessed; for over a century had the divine emperor directed the labors of his seven tribes, and now within the grand and sprawling capital city beneath the volcano, there were a dozen palatial abodes that were each grander and more ornate than any dwarven hole, let alone the hovels that other breeds erected on the surface. Yet, that was so long ago and now Tlanextic had grown old and venerable, the old heat of his youth having left him long ago. The slow-death, petrification, was beginning to set in. On each occasion that he spilt his blood into the flame, as was now custom, the chisels had to bite deeper through his rocky scales, and each time there was less blood, and it was colder. Even now, as the venerable king laid within his chamber, deep in the volcano, the sun never left him. Even as someone approached from around the corner, with skin glowing brighter than any of his kind had seen before, the sun never left his sight. Then, the stranger spoke in a proclaiming voice as if it was a king to a subject, the voice commanded all attention, Tlanextic’s attention. [b][i]”Tlanextic, Mighty Ruler of Chozomoztoc, Banisher of Demons, you have served me loyally for your entire life. You are the only mortal to show such strength against those great pariahs, for that I have come to personally see you, your loyalty demands as much.”[/i][/b] And the First Tlatotoque was not surprised, for he had looked into the molten flows and seen this scene many times before in the prescient visions. He bowed his head, more than a little blinded by this figure who had come into the dark halls garbed in the aura as the sun. [i]”Great Sun,”[/i] Tlanextic addressed the Monarch of All, [i]”thy presence honorest a waning [abbr=’small fire’]Tletzintli[/abbr] beyond words. Perhaps thou hath Seen mine intention: soon my time shall be at end, and rather than turn stone, I would rejoin the flames. With the sacrifice of all the blood that I have left, mayhaps the Smoking Demon may die, or be remit for ages to come.”[/i] [b][i]”But the honor is mine, Tlanextic, for it is no small feat for your kind to match the Smoking Demon.”[/i][/b] The Great Sun’s words ebbed through the chamber as He looked down upon the relieved ruler, glowing eyes scanning the aged form meticulously. The Monarch of All allowed Himself to inch closer to the old one, taking His time to gaze upon Tlanextic in what amounted to a bit of awe. It was only when the Monarch of All was but a mere step away from the First Tlatotoque that He allowed the light of His form to dim so that he may gaze upon the Great Sun. Calmed words, ones of reassurance softly came from the Monarch of All’s form. [b][i]”I am sure your blood would be enough. You will be remembered as someone for having fought until you were naught but mere stone, young one.”[/i][/b] To all of Chicomoztoc, the First Tlatotoque was beyond venerable, his youthful body torrid to the point that it had allowed him many, many more decades than any Achtotlata could rightly expect; any other would have cooled to his present point long ago. It was strange then to be called young, but then even the stone itself must seem a petulant youth to the timeless magma below. [i]”I think that nothing less would be meet. Hereat mine expiry, my demesne must pass to another. I sired many fruit, and all all think such station fain. My final yoke is to anoint the next Tlatotoque; in sooth, it behoof the land to choose ‘tween two, yet I am at a loss. “Pleading for shrift, I would ask only one favor from you, Great Sun. Would thou rede me which be the worthier: [abbr=A name meaning ‘he who is just and wise’]Yolyamanitzin[/abbr] the elder eke hath wisdom past his year and warmth, who conjureth they that built the fire-dikes, or [abbr=A name meaning ‘warrior’, or ‘fighter’]Yaotl[/abbr], he who is stronger, who hath carveth many of these tunnels, who thinketh himself like the heated flame below, who doth swink without tire, yet who doth be the younger.”[/i] [b][i]"The answer is clear to me, Tlanextic: Yaotl, for he will carry all that you have built. He would grow to dislike the - nay! Yaotl would hate Yolyamanitzin! Know that Yaotl will grow wiser over the years, but Yolyamanitzin shall not grow stronger."[/i][/b] The Great Sun’s answer was swift and uncompromising, for He knew that His choice was the correct one; thus was His decree. The God’s eyes had reached the blood that Tlanextic had drawn with an unmoving gaze, only shifting when a drip slowly came. It was a moment of silence, as the Great Sun continued to study the great elder, seemingly hesitant on passing a judgment, before a smile came across His lips. Yet, still, He said nothing more. Tlanextic had briefly contemplated the answer; the Monarch of All sensed that this had not been what Tlanextic had expected to hear, or what he likely would have done, but apathy and deference to authority were more than enough to make him see reason. [i]”In wisdom, I rise,”[/i] the Tlatoani quoth as his eyes lifted up from the floor and slowly, his gigantic form began to shudder and move. [i]”Thy will be done.”[/i] The Monarch of All stepped out of the way of Tlanextic, moving an arm to gesture towards the door and bowing His head to the venerable leader. It was He who understood to bow to another in their domain, for it was their place to rule; He would follow behind Tlanextic until his sacrificial end. The Great Sun spoke once more with a soft and gentle voice not afforded to even many of the gods, affirming to the king that all would be well. [b][i]”Know, O great Tlanextic, that your rule was just and that your heirs would eagerly seek to follow in your footsteps. You will be missed by many, hallowed by many more. This will be a sad day for your empire, though they will be happy knowing that you shall sit by the Great Sun’s side.”[/i][/b] That last statement had finally roused the Tlatoani’s attention; perhaps the sun’s light had been too bright for him to have Seen such a fate. [i]”Be that the place whereinto all fare, eftsoon expiry?”[/i] The great Ruler of the Gods shook His head, dismissing the assumption that all would join Him within the Divine Palace, by His side amongst the other gods. He continued to speak softly, though with a voice that carried with it a modicum of pride as His words graced the Tlatoani. [b][i]”No, your destiny is much greater. As such is the fate for those as mighty as yourself, dear Tlanextic, that you would be the first to earn a seat at my side within the hallowed Halls of the Gods. I know you shall understand.”[/i][/b] Tlanextic nodded, and in that moment the shuffling scrape of a dozen claws upon stone echoed from a passage outside. It was time; his escort had come, and so they followed after their ruler’s gradual gait. The Monarch of All walked with them too, and even the base guards who lacked the Sight could sense His power. They knew then that this must be a great sacrifice indeed, to draw the attention of a divine; not even they knew that it was to be Tlanextic’s final such rite, though. It was in the sweltering heat of the volcano’s open caldera where all had assembled. Two suns illuminated the shadows of the pit: the one overhead, and the Great Sun among them. And the red-glow of the Galbar’s blood was overbrim in the bottom, a feverish lake of fire, and its red glow likewise banished darkness. The air itself simmered from the calidity. Tlanextic lumbered to a ledge imminent above the bubbling lava. Aides made to bring whetted granite chisels and an obsidian bodkin, but the Tlatoani reared up to stand on only four claws, and used one of his foremost to wave them away. No more bleeding. [i]”Hist! Hear ye?”[/i] the lord quoth, and thousands of salamanders affirmed with cheer or roar. Inly Tlanextic began to grow afeared, but the Great Sun’s assurances helped to banish the seeds of those poisoned thoughts before they could sprout. [i]”My time is forby,”[/i] he declared suddenly, a statement that shocked them all into silence. The bubbling of the lava and hiss of its volcanic gases were all that sounded. [i]”Ye rejoice; meseems not one but two spirits grace us,”[/i] he continued, one molten eye flickering to spot the silhouette of Ea Nebel where she had stood in one of the few shaded alcoves. The maiden stood silent, then revealed herself with dignity: a slim Tletzintli, her face covered with fibreglass woven as finely as tetlacuicitl-wool, and bright bangles of moonstone on her wrists. Under the veil, none could see her alien eyes which did not shine, nor that they faced not the crowd, but the Great Sun. [colour=gainsboro]“By the grace of the Highest God, let the sacrifice proceed,”[/colour] she said, and all heard her river-soft voice. The Great Sun let loose a warm smile as Ea Nebel let herself be known to the masses, His head giving her an affirmative nod before the almighty gaze shifted over those under Tlanextic’s reign. When He spoke, the voice boomed and yet was soft, all within the Empire could hear and all would be graced by the Monarch of All’s words as the gentle words swayed within the breeze that carried it. [b][i]”Know, children of Yoliyachicoztl, that you have prospered under Tlanextic’s rule, for it is he who had banished the Smoking Demon. Know that it was he who fought where others could not. O’ mighty Tlanextic, may your sacrifice keep the great beast from awakening for generations to come, and may you serve by my side forever longer as you ascend to the Sun.”[/i][/b] [i]”Let my yearn be discovered,”[/i] Tlanextic boomed, [i]”I hight lief Yaotl as Tlatoani; rule hence, rule well. Take my last sacrifice – this gift – and inscribe my name, and forget not my rede.”[/i] And then Tlanextic cast himself from the ledge, down into the brimstone. The lava did billow as his massive stony form fell upon it, but then there was nothing as he sank and his once-formidable body returned to flame. Only once the body was no more did the Great Sun look into the air, before reaching out to pluck something out of the rising gasses. There was an iridescent orb sitting within His hands, a soul, Tlanextic’s soul. Aloft He held it so that all present may witness it, to bask in its radiant glory before extending a hand to Ea Nebel and beckoning her to join Him at His side. With nary a tremble, the young goddess approached, and laid her salamandrine hand in His claw, turning once more to the people. Her form wavered, like a reflection on rippled water, and for a moment they saw her embodied as a woman in imperial regalia. Then she was one of them once more. [b][i]”Yaotl, as Tlanextic’s chosen heir, may you strive in his great footsteps and lead this empire to yet further heights!”[/i][/b] With that proclamation, the Great Sun and the Shrouded Maiden disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Yaotl to pick up where the First Tlatoani had left. In the sky, the sun had shifted from its zenith to pronounce the end of the monumental event for Tlanextic’s empire. [hr] Upon a grassy knoll, the Monarch of All looked over Ea Nebel, His true form, albeit not as mountainous as it truly was, still stood over the Lady of the Grave. His eyes looked over her before dismissively looking away, offering not a word before speaking to the soul He held within His hands. Only when He released it to go to the Divine Palace did the Monarch of All turn back to face Ea Nebel, once more in natural form, and speak to her. [b][i]”Good day, spawn of Iqelis. It is a bit early for us to be meeting. Though, that is not an issue. Pray tell, why were you in Tlanextic’s empire?”[/i][/b] [colour=gainsboro]“Sire,”[/colour] Ea Nebel curtsied in her gown and held the pose. [colour=gainsboro]“I wanted to see what happens when a demi-god dies.”[/colour] The Monarch of All let out a cruel laugh, almost mocking the assumption that Tlanextic had truly been of the divine without holding a shard. The four arms of His form each grew long claws as He stepped towards the smaller goddess, casting a long shadow over her form. He let out a nearly frustrated sigh as He could not bring His true menace to bear against one who did not deserve His ire. The claws slowly receded back into His hands. He spoke slowly, His voice carrying with it a neutrality as His supposed animosity subsided. [b][i]”Tlanextic was not a true Demi-God. He was surely powerful, and soaked in divine energy, but he was not one such as yourself.”[/i][/b] She nodded slowly. [colour=gainsboro]“You honoured him very highly. His reign must have been great...”[/colour] She looked up and held the innumerable nameless colours of His eyes firmly in her gaze for the first time. Only for a moment. Only through the veil. [colour=gainsboro]“Who else on this Galbar could possibly have earned such a privilege?”[/colour] [b][i]”None have proven themselves enough. Tlanextic has done a great service for me and my realm by banishing one of my ancient enemies. No mere mortal could perform such a feat. Yet…”[/i][/b] The Monarch of All looked away as a pang of guilt overtook Him and He spoke in a saddening tone filled with that same guilt. [b][i]”I am sorry that it is you that must answer for your father’s crimes.”[/i][/b] Ea Nebel blinked, stiffened a little. [colour=gainsboro]“I… understand that he has slain the god, Aletheseus. I can only imagine that it was in his nature.”[/colour] She tugged a little on the wide skirt of her gown, fingers curling in against the black lace of her glove. [colour=gainsboro]“It was before I was- born. I only know what I’ve been told.”[/colour] It was then that He let out a small sigh, looking to the skies and trying to speak more about why He had done what He had to Ea Nebel. Yet, none of His years of rulership had made Him ready to face what He was currently dealing with. For once, the great Monarch of All was stuttering over his words before two for His hands went to rub the sides of His head. Knowing that He had to tell Ea Nebel to free Himself of the feeling, He spoke in a slow voice. [b][i]”I have imposed a punishment upon Iqelis, one which would ultimately determine your fate, for that crime. I know that you do not yet know of what I speak, but in due time you will. I will not tell you what it is that you must do. What I have required of Iqelis to do to you.”[/i][/b] Ea Nebel’s hands tightened into fists on the silk of her gown. She could not unclench them. [colour=gainsboro]“Very- Very well. Sire. My father and I will suffer his just punishment together. I trust that your judgement will be both fair and wise.”[/colour] A bead of milky sweat like candle-wax had formed on her forehead. [colour=gainsboro]“Is there anything else that I should know?”[/colour] Within a moment, the Monarch of All was sat upon one knee with His eyes gazing sadly upon Ea Nebel, unable to meet her gaze. Raising an arm, He tore loose a length of fabric from His own cloak, just large enough to fit around Ea Nebel’s form. It was there that He threw it around her, only then able to meet her gaze. [b][i]”Know that while I cannot tell you of what you might face, you can be prepared for it. This- it will allow you to make even the fiercest and most vile of creatures enjoy your presence, so long as you bear no hate in your heart.”[/i][/b] Ea Nebel shivered a little as the shawl settled on her shoulders, lifting its edge to her gaze with trembling hands. The entire surface was like a portal into a kaleidoscope world of many-coloured forms and patterns. Every angle of it showed a new parallax of hue, even as she moved. [colour=gainsboro]“Thank you,”[/colour] she said, feeling oddly exposed under the cover of a garment so bright, [colour=gainsboro]“Grandfather.”[/colour] [i]Grandfather.[/i] That was a title that the Monarch of All did not think that He would have heard from the likes of someone whom He felt had been wronged. He froze, unable to know what to think of the word, unable to accept family from someone so below His station. Family had been forfeit for Him since He had taken up the name and station that was the Monarch of All. Yet He spoke not against the word- [i]‘Grandfather’-[/i] truly not knowing what to say. He knew not of whether or not to consider Ea Nebel as family, as He knew not of whether or not to even consider the gods themselves as His family. The Monarch of All rose away from Ea Nebel and spoke to Her. [b][i]”I- I shall be watching over you, Ea Nebel.”[/i][/b] For her part, she could only nod, and then, of course, curtsy. It would soon be time for her to depart. And so the Monarch of All returned to His hall and climbed atop the Jade Throne with a troubled brow. Finally, He cleared his mind, and called out, "Arvum, your works have not gone unnoticed; you, who Taught Man to Toil, are to be honored. I would give offer unto you a courtyard in my own palace, if only you will cultivate it into a worthy garden. And Zenia, Soul of Joy, I would like to see you in these troubled times." [hider=Titles] Zenia - Soul of Joy Arvum, who Taught Man to Toil [/hider] [hider=Vigor] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/302062776967364618/918297966660427796/IMG_1664.png[/img] [/hider] [hider=Summary] Here we have Tlanextic upon his death bed, he is visited by Moneo and given respect as a fellow king and ruler. Tlanextic asks Moneo which of his sons should rule and Moneo says “Ayy lmao put the tough warrior dude in charge,” and Tlanextic goes, “Sick, now let me yeet myself into a volcano.” Tlanexitc points out that Ea Nebel is there before yeeting himself into the volcano. Moneo abducts Ea Nebel but feels bad about how she might die during Iqelis’ punishment, so he gives her a sick tie-dye cloak that totally does not clash with her goth aesthetic at all. :D Moneo then leaves after being called ‘Grandpa’ because responsibilities are for NERDS. [/hider]