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[center][h1][b][color=fdc68a]Consecrated Conspiracy[/color][/b][/h1]
[h3][i][color=f9ad81]Anath Homura & Family[/color][/i][/h3][/center]
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	The shadows receded and vision slowly returned for her, but her limbs had yet to begin regenerating, and even the slightest motion caused the cracks that had spread throughout her entire being to creak and complain in agony. Her thoughts were clouded with an excruciating pain, and so she struggled to even stay aware of her surroundings. There was the sight of divine blood that had been splattered across the floor and walls, and the suppressed sounds of the whirling winds outside the Citadel.

	Desire still sensed the presence of her wounded sister, and arose by levitating herself towards where Harmony lay in the center of the vast chamber. Harmony had awoken, but lacked the strength to slightly shift herself at all, only capable of conjuring strange sounds around her to emulate distorted speech. [i]“InJuriEs imPaired CoNtrol. CanNot moVe. SaCRifice. SUccEss. StRateGy. DatA. TiMe to rEgeneRate. DesIre?”[/i]

	“You’re the one that looks awful…” Desire rasped wryly as she tenderly alighted beside her mutilated twin, and glanced around once again with a scrutinizing look. “We’ve won this battle, I suppose - since we’ve not died yet. As for data; she beat the blood and bone out of us. She hit me hard enough to punch through my protection easily twice, if not thrice! We’re going to need so much stronger defenses to stand against her brute strength.”

	Her words were followed by Harmony coughing up ichor and orange sludge, as the gaping scar that stretched from her chest to her head still glowed searing hot, and burned the unfortunate skin that remained too close. [i]“DeteCt shaRdS: ZErO. ArK is RemAInder. TWo caGEs - KinG?”[/i] The maimed goddess asked after she had ceased coughing.

	“I’m still uncertain. She could be hiding some somehow, or she could’ve stored them somewhere else. As for the two cages… I’ve got nothing. Maybe she sundered the King in Heaven, and separated the two pieces? I don’t know, but what I do know is that we’re not strong enough to break either.” Desire remarked nonchalantly, as she fought against the lingering pain that prevented her from repairing the damage to her body.

	The twin goddesses sensed the arrival of their sisters as the Archai delivered the two of them to the Citadel. Desire wanted to curse her idiotic mother, considering the gruesome scene she left behind, but concentrated on creating an illusory veil that would conceal the blood that clung to the walls and floor, as well as concealing both the broken bodies of herself and Harmony - replacing them with fully intact illusions that could interact with their sisters for the time being.

	“What happened?” Pride quickly asked, as she was gently placed afore them alongside Fear. Neither of their sisters could see through the illusion, and though there was concern upon both faces of the other two daughters of Homura, the result was the duo were not as alarmed as they would be - which Desire and Harmony were appreciative of. The conjured clones behaved accordingly, perfectly imitating their mannerisms and conversing with Pride and Fear in an attempt to alleviate their anxiety.

	“We had an argument with mother, but I don’t think our points pierced through that callous disregard she has. Eh, it’s either her stupidity or her stubbornness, but either way, we couldn’t make it work, I’m afraid. Now she’s sulking outside beneath a shroud, or something.” The echo of Desire explained with a tired sigh and an oblivious shrug. Desire felt an inward shiver of embarrassment when she realized that she had caused the illusion of Harmony to happily nod along in blithe agreement with what was said. It was definitely a poor portrayal of the actual Harmony, and she hoped her twin sister would refrain from mentioning such.

	“We’re trying to tolerate each other, not fight each other… I can’t believe how childish the two of you acted! Imbeciles! You’re supposed to be more mature, more sensible.” The smallest sister said, simultaneously scolding the two goddesses while lecturing them, and evidently enraged after being sent away. While Pride erupted like a little volcano and then swiftly simmered, Fear remained rather reticent, though her stance suggested she was suffering from fatigue. The sight of the two of them, familiar and so close, caused a silent chuckle to soothe Desire with its surprising warth.

	“We’re all to blame - we know. We’ll try to do better, Pride.” Desire replied softly, forming a mischievous smile with her echo, but the lack of sensation through the illusory form was missing much of the appeal. Her anger towards the one that broke her body was reignited, but she didn’t allow it to show, especially since the source of that anger had just stepped into sight.

	[b][i]“Your actions were foolish, but I forgive you. I wish to reconcile with those that I have hurt, those that I had seemingly forsaken temporarily, those that are dearly beloved to me. That is my intention.”[/i][/b] Anath Homura proclaimed, her voice echoing in the vast chamber as she strode forward, and Desire detected the shroud that her mother used to conceal the prominent and strange strokes of divine blood across her body. Desire chose not to openly display her amusement at the fact that she and Harmony had smeared the visage of Anath Homura, and it seemed that nothing could be done to amend the appearance of her mother.

	“I forgive you for now - though perhaps you could help heal those you have hurt, you know. Show us you’ve changed, and won’t just leave us for whatever reason.” Desire rebuked, letting a lie mingle with her frustration as her illusion spoke aloud for her. Unlike the majority of the Heralds of Honor, Desire was capable of intentionally deceiving those around her, and considering that her mother intensely stared directly at her and Harmony instead of their talking phantoms, Desire wondered whether that was meant to be or not to be. They were both liars.

	[i]“DesIre. rEqueSt. TIme.”[/i] Harmony intoned, her voice remaining hidden from the hearing of Fear and Pride. Desire winced with reluctant understanding, and attempted to nod at her mutilated sister. The temptation to tease Harmony was washed by the agony the two of them felt, and that excruciating pain paradoxically cleared and clouded her mind, making the task ahead both easier and more arduous. Desire began puppeteering the illusion of her sister, but she was aware that her skills with impersonation and ventriloquism was mediocre even as a deity, so she hoped she did not alert the others with the charade.

		“Mother, I have a request...”

	Despite her grievous wounds, Harmony continued to provide a semblance of guidance with brief distorted words. [i]“FaiTh. NevEr ForGiVe. REquIRes prOmISe. THe rEturN oF faMilY. AttAiN foRgiVeneSS TheN.”[/i] Desire deciphered the meaning of the words and hastily translated them aloud through the illusion so that even Fear and Pride could listen in their conversation. Desire felt that even with her rudimentary ability to mimic the demeanor of her reserved sister, there were no immediate issues with this method of communication. She thought that she at least deserved a small reward as well after all of this was over and done.

		[b][i]“So be it.”[/i][/b]

	Accompanying the decisive words of Anath Homura, Desire felt a wave of healing energy spread swiftly throughout her being, bringing an immense amount of relief. In a rush, Desire invisibly pulled upon the numerous pools of viscera and broken bones that belonged to her and were widely scattered throughout the interior of the citadel, including the shivering streaks upon her mother. Her body began to quickly regenerate with all of the gathered pieces, and soon she was complete once more as the cracks that covered her shape wrinkled one last time before becoming seamless and smooth again.

	Desire glanced at Anath Homura with a melding of amusement and annoyance, as she watched while the ancient goddess called upon the elements of the cosmos to come and coalesce into four familiar forms close to her. The sacred song of sorcery resonated throughout all of Keltra, and many among the archai assembled along the edges of the massive chamber to witness the reincarnation of the first children of the Creatrix, as otherworldly hands shaped and sculpted the quartet into figures embellished with very recognizable and identical features.

	[b][i]“Courage! Kindness! Curiosity! Wanderer! The world awaits your return - now awaken! See your new home and rejoin your family!”[/i][/b] Anath Homura announced as the four simulacrums arranged in a simple circle around her finally arose from their long slumber…  

[hider=Summary]
Desire and Harmony recover from their fight with Anath Homura, and speak with their sisters. Anath Homura returns, and Harmony makes a request. Anath Homura reincarnates Courage, Kindness, Curiosity, and Wanderer.
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[hider=Might]
No Might is expended.
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