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[Sub].:⋮Deus Ex Inanis⋮:.[/Sub]
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Deep, deep, into the wastelands of the Overcity, far beyond where anyone would normally travel far from anything of note or significance sat a desolate expanse of rock and dust. This place was so far out that the sky was a perpetual shade of hazy gray, the light peeking through the clouds making the dull location even more so.

It was in this far forgotten area that a ragged swirl of space rending power would tear open a portal and deposit Penny. She scanned the surroundings for a quick moment before giving a nod. Normally she arrived early when given the opportunity but this time she had cut it much closer to the actual time she gave.

It wouldn’t do to disrupt the use of this area before she got to use it after all.

A different portal opened, one a lot more controlled-looking, like a perfect incision, a sudden mirror manifesting in the fabric of space, and a person walked through. This person… did not look entirely like Mariette. She did not wear her clothes, at the very least. Too scared of being followed to wear her own clothes. So she’d changed into some robes at school, having momentarily “borrowed” a random green mage’s clothes, and also his hood. She was also a significant distance away from her destination, just in case. Mariette happened to know there was a master of surveillance on her team, and she currently did not want to be surveyed.

After some walking, the girl in green robes that were somewhat too big for her eventually reached the location, looking up with a tense look under the hood to, at the moment, wordlessly greet Penny at the location. A slight nod would do. She was slightly scared of talking, despite knowing she’d have to. She was clutching something, held between her arms that she’d carried all the way over here. It was a potted plant. A small little tree with green branches and leaves growing out of a pot.

The lack of anything of note made it not hard for Penny to take note of Mariette long before she arrived. But she kept silent. There was a look of open calculation on Penny’s face as she regarded Mariette and her offering. After a moment she would give a firm nod before retrieving a partially rusted license plate. 

She’d set it down and gesture for Mariette to place her offering down as well. Once that was done she’d gesture for Mariette to take a step back as she poured Mana into her secondary weapon system. The extra limbs she had stored away would bleed into electricity and flow into her hand in the form of a massive maul.

Once the weapon was summoned she would raise it high above her head. And begin to speak softly. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“He Who Brushes Away The Old. I seek you now.”[/b][/u][/color] With each stanza Penny’s voice would get louder and louder.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You who are the Enforcer of Change. I call out to you now.”[/b][/u][/color] And an unnatural stillness would begin to cover this already desolate place.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“For The Unmaker I leave these offerings. In your name I enact your trade.”[/b][/u][/color] A charged tension seemed to freeze the very air as attention not meant for mortals was drawn over them.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Laat’AlOfann! Your Daughter Demands an Audience!”[/b][/u][/color] With that final declaration screamed to the heavens Penny would bring the maul down on the offerings with all the terrifying might she could muster. Her strike would do more than simply destroy the offerings though. Its impact would send jagged cracks racing away into the very air in front of them.

And with a sound akin to breaking ice the world would fall apart.

And before them towered A God. The God of Destruction. The End of The Cycle.

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Penny wouldn’t be able to withhold the grimace that overtook her features a moment later. Even as she dismissed her summoned weapon she was filled with warring feelings simply looking at the deity before her.

A moment later Mariette would feel the weight of His gaze fall on her. A thing of pointed understanding and weighted measure.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“I Must Say. This Is Not Who I Expected To Be The Catalyst For This Meet.”[/color][/h1] Laat would say. His voice booming through the air like thunder strikes. Even as it was clearly apparent that he was doing nothing more than simply speaking casually. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]”Do I even want to know?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would get through grit teeth. Before forcing a calming breath out. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We both have questions for you, but our topics are not connected.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]”Age dictates that Mariette’s petition is conducted first.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain before gesturing for Mariette to ask her questions.

Mariette stood, wincing a bit with Laat’s giant appearance, her expression worried where she’d bundled up in green robes. Still, she looked down at the destroyed offerings, because, well, she’d wanted to explain.

[color=077ae6]‘In a different dimension… vegetation is the dominant life form on the planet. The humans there have taken to worshiping special trees, who have been growing there since before their recorded history, at least 10,000 years old. I… took one of those trees. I hope it was to your liking,’[/color] Mariette said… and also felt a bit ashamed. She took the oldest thing she knew about, but also something important to the people of that dimension. … But seeing it from another direction, that planet was conquered by Asengav, its inhabitants slaves, so they wouldn’t be able to complain very much.

[color=077ae6]‘Is this… secure? There’s no chance someone’s eavesdropping, right?’[/color] Mariette asked. She somehow hadn’t imagined Laat’s appearance to be so… giant.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“It Is Always Nice Encountering Pieces Of The Eternal Tree.”[/color][/h1] Laat would state, his tone mild. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“My Sister Was Quite Fond Of That Creation Once Upon A Time.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“And I Can Ensure That None Can Overhear Or Oversee Anything That We Discuss.”[/color][/h1] He would confirm for Mariette. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“So Long As My Realm Is Connected To This Point, We Three Are All That Will Be Aware Of Aught At All.”[/color][/h1]

Mariette was a little taken aback by the “sister” line. Though, as much as she wanted to ask, she had more important matters at hand. So, Laat confirmed they’d be safe. She’d simply have to trust his word and nod. Then…

[color=077ae6]‘I am currently bound by contract to the shadow that creeps through dimensions, one whose visage is sometimes seen in the corner through a mirror, who endlessly seeks to expand his shadow empire throughout many worlds. His true name is not pronounceable by my mouth, but we call him Asengav,’[/color] Mariette summarized. She didn’t know if she needed to use fancy prose, but it felt appropriate.

[color=077ae6]‘I had the opportunity to leave his service before. But I stayed, because in my position I might have the chance to do something others cannot. I come before you seeking your counsel in the matter. I…’[/color] she took a deep breath. [color=077ae6]‘I seek to destroy Asengav,’[/color] she spoke with finality, looking up at the god. 

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Ah, I Know Of The One Of Which You Speak”[/color][/h1] Laat would say as he moved to sit so that neither girl needed to crane their neck so much to look up at him. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Its Kind Are Difficult To Truly Harm, They Exist Less As Things, And Oft More As Ideas Or Thoughts. If You Speak True In The Fact That You Have Slipped The Chains Set About Your Neck. Then You Are Well Placed To Inflict As Vile A Wound As It Can Suffer From.”[/color][/h1]


[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Death Does Not Truely Stick, For Few Can Truly Kill An Idea. And The Consequences Are Always Wide Spread. But That Same Nature Leads To Other Weaknesses.”[/color][/h1] Laat would state leaning forward. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Ideas Can Be Contained And Symbols Can Encapsulate Them. And Those, Those Can Be Destroyed. And When So Bound To Said Relics That Physical State Will Mandate Itself Onto Them.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“To Do So, Will Require You To Betray Its Trust In Totality However. And Should You Fail.”[/color][/h1] The God would trail off, before giving a slight shrug. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“You Would Well Know The Price Of That. But Should You Succeed? You Would Be Capable Of Witnessing Them Shatter And With Them, The Taint That They Have Spread Into Each Crevasse They Have Found.”[/color][/h1]

Mariette watched steadily as Laat spoke, and, also, kind of had a blow to her confidence. Perhaps she didn’t know quite as much about Asengav as she thought. What if he’d just recover from the collective imagination of those who thought they knew of his existence, or something? He’d certainly be back with a vengeance. However, it did sound like he had an idea, of some kind. And yes… yes, she knew the consequences of failing.

[color=077ae6]‘… I’m small and young. As far as I can see, this world would not miss me if I was gone. In the grand scheme of the world, I matter little. However, if I even have the chance of taking out a dark entity that [i]does[/i] matter…’[/color] Mariette swallowed a little. [color=077ae6]‘I’m aware of the risks. I’m willing to take the gamble. May I ask you for your guidance?’[/color]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“All People Matter,”[/color][/h1] Laat would say in a softer tone, one that merely rumbled across the plains rather than boom and shake the heavens. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“The Size, The Age, The Acts You Have Carried Out. All Are Inconsequential In The Face Of The Fact That You Are. Every Loss Will Be Missed. WIll Be Mourned. Even If It Seems Otherwise.”[/color][/h1] Mariette could feel the god’s gaze rest on her, heavy with concern.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“You Seek My Guidance.”[/color][/h1] He would say in his original booming tone after a moment. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Seek My Helping Hand In Bringing About The Destruction Of An Abomination Of Uncountable Age.”[/color][/h1] Both witnesses got the sudden, dreadful, feeling that Laat’AlOfann was smiling. A crazed blood thirsty smile. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Ask Your Questions, Tell Me Of Your Plan, Spell Out To Me Your Ideas. I Shall Endeavor To Hone It Into As Strong A Weapon as Needed To Fulfill Your Desire.”[/color][/h1]

Mariette listened to the part about all people mattering, albeit she didn’t feel she could relate to it. She had a hard time thinking that, even if there was people who would mourn her, that it would matter that much in the long run. Anyways… as for her plans…

[color=077ae6]‘I am… currently going to school in the Overcity to learn sealing. I don’t believe that what they teach me alone is enough to seal Asengav, but it sure could help. Otherwise, I have the Black Mirror in my possession, granted to me by Asengav himself. It is a powerful magic item, favoured even by Asengav, and I believe that if I were to seal him anywhere, that mirror would be the most secure location. However, it would not work on its own. Asengav it too powerful, so I have been seeking… alternative sources of power,’[/color] Mariette said.

She reached into her clothing, and brought out two things. One was a Black Coin, the method of payment of the Ebon Mint. The other was a White Coin, the purifying coin of the Beacon. Mariette held both together between two fingers. 

[color=077ae6]‘I have discovered a secret of the Black and White coins. They are conduits, leading directly to the source of power of the Ebon Mint and Beacon respectively. Usually, they simply impose their power on the one who uses the coin… but I am reverse-engineering them. I believe they can be turned into weapons. Open a pathway directly to the hearts of Ebon Mint and Beacon. I… haven’t told them I can do that, but with their powers combined, they should be able to overpower and trap Asengav. So my current plan…’[/color] Mariette took a deep breath.

[color=077ae6]‘Trick Asengav into the Black Mirror. Open a pathway directly to Beacon and Ebon Mint on either side of the mirror, effectively trapping him. Even dimensional traveling requires exiting the mirror. Before the two patrons I abuse close the path, I put the seal on the Black Mirror. If I can crack the mirror, I would also turn it into Asengav’s bane. Surrounding it with lit candles and broken mirrors would probably help. And that’s… I hope that will be enough.’[/color]

She glanced sideways at Penny to check if she’d reacted any particular way before looking back to Laat.

Penny had a thoroughly gobsmacked look on her face. But she kept her thoughts to herself for the moment. Though she did seem to have shifted her attention away from Laat and onto Mariette because of that announcement.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“An Auspicious Plan.”[/color][/h1] The God would say as he contemplated the information. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“The Duality of The Coins Might Not Be Exactly What You Expect However. The Black Does Not Invoke Corruption Inherently, That Is Merely A Byproduct Of The Unchecked Magical Growth It Brings About.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“That Is Not To Say That The Conflicting Energies Will Not Be Dangerous, If Anything They Are More So In This Case.”[/color][/h1] He would go on. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“You Will Need To Shield Yourself From That Conflux To Ensure You Are Not Dragged Into Your Own Trap.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Off Setting The Coins by Only A Fraction Of Time Will Be More Impactful, But Also Shall It Be More Dangerous. As Their Energies Will Cascade Off Each Other In That Case.”[/color][/h1]


[h1][color=9e0b0f]“As Their Chosen Champion, Your Seal’s Will Reach Deeper And Hold Stronger Than Anyone Else’s. For Added Metaphysical Strength, Invoke a Name For His Prison. Declare The New Truth Of Their Predicament As You Lay The Final Rune. Name’s Hold Power. Wield That Power For Your Own, For It Is One Of The Few Things That Hold A Deeper Sway Than Ideas.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“As For Making It Into A Bane. I Can Offer A Boon That Can Assist, If You Are Willing To Do So.”[/color][/h1]

Mariette had thought of her own safety. She nodded to that. Offset by some time? Okay.

[color=077ae6]‘So… unleash one a bit before the other, did I understand that?’[/color] Mariette asked, just to be sure. Then… [color=077ae6]‘A name… I understand,’[/color] she then nodded. Then… for the offering of a boon…

[color=077ae6]‘Is there a reason I would not desire it?’[/color] she asked, because it sounded like it would cost her, or something.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Indeed You Understand Correctly.”[/color][/h1] Laat would affirm. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“The Off Set Should Cause The Powers Of The Coins To Chase After Each Other, Much As An Orobors Does Its Own Tail. At Least Until Your Breach Is Noticed.”[/color][/h1]

Mariette nodded. It made sense.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“And A Reason Why You Might Not Want Such a Boon Is Simple. A Divine Gift, Be It An Object Or A Simple Blessing, Has A Presence. Subtle Though I Might Be Able To Make It, Invisible It Shall Never Be. Accepting It Might Make Your Chosen Path Harder, Not Easier.”[/color][/h1] He would Explain. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“That, And I Will Need A Tiny Sample Of Your Power In Payment. Both To Know The Mold Of Your Enemies Power And As Offering For My Service.”[/color][/h1]

[color=077ae6]‘I see…’[/color] Mariette considered the matter. [color=077ae6]‘Is it possible for me to request the boon at a later time? Until the time comes to pull off the seal, I won’t be needing it, and I absolutely need to wait for the opportune moment. Until that moment comes, I won’t benefit. I am decently confident I can spin a story about why I have the boon of a god, so if it can’t wait I will accept it now. But if it can wait…’[/color]

Asking a deity to wait for a later time was maybe a little conceited of her, but she’d take any advantage she could get.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“I Could Perhaps Hold The Boon Until Later,”[/color][/h1] Laat would say with notable amusement at the audacity of Mariette. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“But Tell Me Young One, How Would You Call To Me When You Were Ready For It? I Am Here Now Under Rare Circumstances, Most Who Seek My Attention Do Not Obtain it.”[/color][/h1]

[color=077ae6]‘Oh, okay. So I couldn’t copy the steps Penny just did to summon you, then? And I could not otherwise find where to go via Absolute Direction and dimension-crossing abilities?’[/color] Mariette asked, a bit discouraged.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“You Could Follow The Steps, But You Are Not My Child, Nor A Cleric Of Mine.”[/color][/h1] Laat would reply. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“And You Could Find Your Way To My Home, But I Am Not Sure You Would Survive It.”[/color][/h1]

Before Mariette could get discouraged further the God would go on. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“The Idea Of Holding It Elsewhere Has Merit. But You Are Too Narrow In Scope, You Have An Ally That Could Hold It For You Until You Have Need Of It Do You Not?”[/color][/h1] He would ask with a tilt of his head, his gaze cutting over to Penny for a moment before returning. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“The Boon Will Take A Physical Form After All, A Blessing Would Cause You More Than A Slight Amount Of Discomfort To Be Sure.”[/color][/h1]

[color=077ae6]‘Oh…’[/color] Mariette made a small, disappointed noise, guessing it was impossible… but then Laat brought up that she could have an ally carry it instead. Mariette looked over towards Penny, then back to Laat. [color=077ae6]‘… Well… Yes. That would be really good, if she’s willing…’[/color] She looked back to Penny. [color=077ae6]‘… Please?’[/color] she asked, a bit unsure how to ask.


Penny’s gaze was locked onto the God and she couldn’t help the narrowed glare she sent at him. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, I can carry it for as long as you want me too.”[/b][/u][/color] She would reply to Mariette without looking at her. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Just give me a heads up if you find someone else you’d prefer to hang onto it.”[/b][/u][/color]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Such Distrust.”[/color][/h1] Laat would note with audible amusement.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Because I know you well enough to know you’re scheming.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mutter in reply, before shaking her head.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Seeing As That Has Been Resolved.”[/color][/h1] Lasst would state returning his attention back to Mariette. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Is There Ought Else That You Wish For Me to Give Counsel On Before I Give My Boon And Your Petition Is Concluded?”[/color][/h1]

[color=077ae6]‘Er…’[/color] Mariette turned a bit unsure by the reactions here. [color=077ae6]‘If you’re uncomfortable with it, I could instead ask… Ronin and Miko, I believe they would be willing to cooperate?’[/color] Mariette asked, because Penny didn’t seem super-happy. She’d wait with replying to Laat until after Penny answered.

Penny forced herself to take a breath before dragging her glare away from Laat, and giving Mariette as close to a reassuring simile as she could. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’ll be fine with me either way.”[/b][/u][/color] She would lie. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Ronin and Miko are good people, and they deserve the trust.”[/b][/u][/color] She continued on honestly.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I just don’t trust him”[/b][/u][/color] She’d add, gesturing towards the God off to the side. [color=9e0039][u][b]“His boon will help you, that I don’t doubt, but what else it might cause in the meantime is what I’m sketchy about. That and I’m trying not to delve too deep into the ‘I know, you know, I know’ mindgame trap at the moment.”[/b][/u][/color]

Mariette stayed quiet for a moment, looking towards Penny. Eventually…

[color=077ae6]‘If so, I would rather leave it with you. I am more confident that you'd be able to handle whatever it might cause, if you're alright with my reasoning.’[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah I’m fine with that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I feel the same to be honest.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=077ae6]‘Thank you,’[/color] Mariette said and nodded her head, her tone one of deep gratitude. She then turned back towards Laat. [color=077ae6]‘I believe… that will be all, then. Go ahead,’[/color] Mariette requested, taking a step back as she assumed Laat would grant his boon.

As the smaller girl stepped back the God of Ends would reach behind himself to grasp onto one of the cracks that lined the air around him. And with a deceptively simple motion, ripped a fragment of the planes off. In the gap left behind one could see an endless expanse of erupting stars. The God was uninterested in that however, and was focused on the fragment in his hand.

With slow, methodical, movements he would close his hand into a tight fist. A roaring sound of cracking ice, and a violent quake would spring up in response to this act. But thankfully it would not last more than a few moments. As at that point he had extended his hand off in front of him and without any ceremony or fanfare he opened his hand and let his work fall from his hand.

It fell as a glowing streak of light, looking as if a minor star falling from the heavens. But it would never reach the earth. It would come to a sudden and abrupt halt in front of Penny, its glow fading so that both girls could see it clearly. It looked like an ice pick, or perhaps a thin chisel. Its handle was black as night, and its blade looked like flowing, melted, glass. And it held a muted sense of power, like a dam about to burst.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“And Thus Our Dealings Are Concluded. This Boon Shall Bring Anything It Is Struck Against To The Very Edge Of Devastation, Before Locking It In That State. To Further Destroy Such A Cursed Object Would Require Effort, But Nowhere Near The Magnitude In Which Would Be Needed To Repair It.”[/color][/h1] He would explain. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“But Take Care, Two Offering Were Brought, Thus Two Uses It Has. After Which It Will Shatter Into Nothingness.”[/color][/h1]

Penny would give the Artifact a hard look before carefully picking it out of the air and holding over for Mairette to get a clear look and feel of it.

Mariette stabilized herself with some tentacles from the quaking, and held her hands over her ears for the sound. The glow meant she briefly thought she’d have to close her eyes, too, but that seemed safe. An… ice pick, or a chisel. As Penny held it over, Mariette would briefly and carefully grab it to hold, swallowing a bit. So, for the final stage, she’d have to swing this at the mirror… 

As she held it she would feel it resonate with her magic, and for a short moment she would feel cold and out of breath. But both sensations would pass swiftly.

[color=077ae6]‘Okay. I… Thank you,’[/color] she said, before holding it back to Penny.

Taking the boon back Penny would turn to Laat as she stored it away. [color=9e0039][u][b]“With Mariette’s petition concluded. It is now my turn, correct?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask a warry tone to her voice.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Indeed It Is Penny.”[/color][/h1] Would come Laat’s booming confirmation. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“I Must Admit To Some Curiosity As To What It Is That Finally Drove You Too Seek Me Out. Following Sirkkeli’s Demise I Assumed You Would Want No Further Contact With Me.”[/color][/h1]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You're not wrong about that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would grumble quietly before standing at attention and focusing her gaze on the face of the god before her. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I seek answers, answers that only you can provide.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d state clearly. [color=9e0039][u][b]“They revolve around my condition, the consequences inherent to it and your role in it.”[/b][/u][/color]

There would be a moment of heavy silence after that declaration, one in which more than a minor note of fear could be seen stealing its way across Penny’s face. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Am I correct in the assumption that I am devolving into The Beast?”[/b][/u][/color]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Ah, You Are Perceptive. Especially For One Who Has Not Seen That Creature.”[/color][/h1] Laat’s reply was solemn. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Regardless, The Answer To Your Question Is Yes.”[/color][/h1]

Penny flinched as if she had been struck when she got her answer. Pained resignation flitting across her features as she waited a breath to see if he would say anything more. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Is this the end for all of your Champions?”[/b][/u][/color] She would then ask, her face stoic and more robotic than Mariette had ever seen before. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Or was it simply an accident?”[/b][/u][/color]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Both. The Beast Is An Outcome That Hangs Over Each Of My Champions, But You Are Far From Normal. Your Rate Of Decay Is Beyond Any That Have Come Before You. In Part Due To The Nexus, But Also Because Of How You Came To Be.”[/color][/h1]

This information does nothing to reassure Penny. And for a moment the only sound is a metal latching being thrown over and over. Laat offers no further information, content it seems to wait for Penny to work though what thoughts are flying through her mind.

Eventually Penny speaks once more. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Is this to be my End?”[/b][/u][/color]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“I Do Not Know.”[/color][/h1] Laat answers, the truth in his statement catching Penny off guard. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“It Has The Potential To Be. But So Was The Red Coin, And The White Coin Before It, Or The First Time You Took Full Control. You Have Brushed So Close To Your End Countless Times In Your Short Life.”[/color][/h1] He would go on to explain, his voice softening as he spoke.

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“Your End Could Be To Succumb To The Decay, It Could Be To Surpass It As Others Have. It Could Be Something Else Entirely. I Have Long Lost Sight Of What Will Happen To You My Child, I Only See Potentials For You Now. There Are Ends That See You Gone Forever, Others That Will See You Rise To Great Heights. I Know Not Which Will Come To Pass. Though I Have My Hopes, Much As You Do.”[/color][/h1]

[h1][color=9e0b0f]“There Is A Deadline Encroaching, Sooner Than You Might Anticipate, And An End Comes For You With It. But You Know, Better Than Most, That Not All Ends Are Final.”[/color][/h1] He would say as he stood once more. [h1][color=9e0b0f]“Take Heart And Stay True. And You Might See My Sister On The Far Side Of It.”[/color][/h1]

When he finished speaking his titanic form shattered into countless motes of stars and dust which started to flow back into and through the cracks in the air that Penny had caused at the culmination of her calling the God. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Fucker”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would curse softly as she watched the cracks mend before her.

Mariette had stayed quiet as she listened to what Penny and Laat were talking about, partly feeling like she was hearing something she wasn’t supposed to hear. That said, they hadn’t kicked her out, so she kept quiet. At the end, after the disappearance of the god, Mariette approached Penny.

[color=077ae6]‘Are you alright? Tell me if there’s anything I can do to help, I will gladly do it,’[/color] she said, feeling oddly eager to give something back to Penny… albeit, she wasn’t sure what.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, I’m alright.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she ran a hand over her face. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Or as alright as I can be at the moment. He didn’t mean to make me, and there have been some complications because of that that are starting to get impossible to ignore.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Right now I’m not sure what can be done long term, but if you’ve got any ideas on how to help mend soul degradation, or stabilize paradoxical existences I’m all ears.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=077ae6]‘…’[/color] Mariette kept quiet for a bit, but then spoke. [color=077ae6]‘I can look for a solution. I’m currently enrolled in the Overcity College of Magic, if I ask all the professors there I could find someone with an idea. In my organization, there’s also a person who has been around for eternity and has a hobby of collecting knowledge and contacts. If there’s anyone who would know, it would be her. … Albeit… she’s the most fanatical follower of Asengav there is, and she despises me…’[/color] Mariette’s eyes trailed away a little, as she thought of how to possibly get what she wanted out of Lea.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Don’t risk yourself too much on this.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would caution. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve got a friend of my own looking into it. She’s a Horror expert, which as you can imagine has some overlap in regards to this. If the college has a network I wouldn't mind borrowing your login for it so I could do some poking around myself.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d mention. [color=9e0039][u][b]“If you need some coverage, using this as a bargaining chip over the Queen of Penrose might buy you some leeway from this follower who despises you though.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=077ae6]‘Oh. That could work,’[/color] Mariette blinked in realization of the last suggestion. [color=077ae6]‘… Albeit, she might decide to use it against you. Which I… wouldn’t like,’[/color] Mariette considered the risks and rewards for that possible situation. [color=077ae6]‘Right. But the login, I can absolutely give you. It shouldn’t be too bad. You’ve helped me a lot, so I absolutely would like to do something for you, too,’[/color] she said, giving Penny a determined expression.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Something I learned from him”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say gesturing at the cracks that had nearly finished fixing themselves. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Is that some deals are broken from the start. Unless this follower can detect lies I’m not too worried about dealing with them.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d give a shrug. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But that’s only if we need that route. For now though I’ll happily take the login from you.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d reach into her leg compartment and pull out her flip phone and tap at it before handing it over to Mariette with a note app opened up.

[color=077ae6]‘I meant, like, she might instead find something to break your soul apart further to use as a weapon…’[/color] Mariette noted. She took the phone and, after retrieving a note with log-in information from her hammerspace handbag portal because she couldn’t for the life of her remember it herself, typed it in. Slowly. Peering between the note and the phone between every letter and trying to figure out how to do the special letter they for some reason included in her password.

Eventually the information was written down, the Special characters appearing on a side menu as she was looking for them helped speed things along, and Mariette nodded to her. [color=077ae6]‘Alright. I guess that’s all for today,’[/color] she remarked.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ah”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would take a moment before nodding, [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah that would be bad. And her simply knowing would be all she’d need to start looking for something to do that.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d agree as she waited for Mariette to finish punching in the login information. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“So it is, figure you’ve got classes to get too?”[/b][/u][/color] She’d ask with a raised brow as she stored her phone away. Before Mariette could answer, both of them would feel a sudden bout of vertigo and sharp sense of déjà vu. Looking around the cracks in the air had vanished, and above them a storm seemed to be rapidly brewing if the dark clouds and rumbling thunder were any indication.

[color=077ae6]‘I do. Thank you,’[/color] Mariette confirmed. … [color=077ae6]‘Do you… want a ride home?’[/color] Mariette asked, while opening a portal next to her.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“No need”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, though it would take a few moments before a harsher portal opening would occur next to the mechanical girl. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Still jealous about how clean yours are, but I’ve got a system of my own now.”[/b][/u][/color] Through the portal Mariette would see the inner corridors of the Earth Bastion. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Appreciate the offer though.”[/b][/u][/color]

Mariette tilted her head at the rough portal, curious how it worked. But, like, seeing how she didn’t really understand how her own magic worked, that probably was a lost cause.

[color=077ae6]‘No problem. I will see you later, then.’[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Catch you on the other side”[/b][/u][/color]

With that, the girls had said their goodbyes, and left through their respective portals. 

As their portals closed the storm that rolled in started to rain. A situation that hadn’t happened for decades at least. And unseen by either of them, were the dozens of seeds that lie lingering in the cracks of the crater they left behind.