Empire of Souls 171 Shadowy affairs 1

Among the gods, there are those belonging to every alignment. There are those who are evil, neutral, good, and chaotic. These gods have their own agenda and purpose. Of course, these are just simple labels. No being can so easily be placed into one category or another and these labels are only a general disposition for their followers. Gods themselves were either once mortals or were beings that were birthed by the worlds themselves. Their understanding and comprehension of laws, along with the development of their own souls, was what allowed them to ascend. 

In the case of gods, these alignments usually are determined by the Laws that they have manifested their divinity through, and not necessarily what constitutes their character. However, it isn't so easy a thing to escape these labels either and a god's disposition will affect those that follow them. This manifests in the most devout of followers and would only have a minor effect on the average worshipper or perhaps even none at all.

As their actions and words change, their alignment may shift and those who worship them with great fervor will be affected whether they wish to be or not. These changes come subtly without even the beings themselves noticing. One who was once rational, following the letter of the law, may soon find themselves justifying irrational and questionable behavior. Or perhaps those who once killed for amusement may find themselves possessing a conscience. It isn't something immediate, but something that happens over time with it first beginning in their deepest subconscious through the connection of their soul to the god they worship.

When this happens, those who notice or become aware may choose to change the deity they worship, which no longer represents their beliefs. Those who are too attached would either be completely unaware or no longer able to break away. This is unfortunate, because the results of such changes, if drastic, could be quite severe. 

A young woman with sun-kissed golden hair was screaming while clawing her own face. It was a deliberate and violent act as if she wished to rip off her face. She lashed out in anger at her own reflection in a mirror as her face bled profusely from the torn flesh. Behind her, an old wizened man looked at her with pity. He was no longer a strange to such a sight and had seen this happen already a few times. The downward spiral of this young woman was truly a pity to watch and there were implications far above just her. This caused the wizened man to consider many things.

"Shelise, my mission is complete and I will be leaving. It is truly a shame to leave you here like this, but there is nothing more I can do for you. Unless… is there anything you haven't told me? This is your last chance, only then could I possibly help you. I can't help someone who will not share anything with me."

Although the old wizard waited for an answer, he wasn't very hopeful. This had been going on for days already without any change in the girl's mental state. It was very strange what was happening to her and he couldn't fully understand it.

"I see.. Then, goodbye."

"Kill him!" Shelise shrieked before turning around to give the wizard one last ghastly look. 

The blood was pouring down her face and her beauty had been completely marred by the wounds all over it. It was a sickening sight to see and the girl seemed to feel no pain, only rage. The old wizard only shook his head and sighed before turning and leaving the bedroom which Shelise was currently staying in. She continued to yell the same thing over and over until he could no longer hear her voice. 

After he left, Shelise fell to the ground and sat there in a daze. She hadn't completely lost her rationality, but she was suddenly overcome with intense grief which had now replaced her rage. Tears mixed with her blood steadily fell to the floor and the wounds which had marred her face began to heal once more. The blood dried and the wounds closed, returning her face to its previous beauty. The dried blood and the tear stains could not change that fact.

Shelise stared at her reflection once more, but she was disgusted by it. Others may find her beauty irresistible, but to her it was only horrid and detestable. The words that the monster who stole her brother's life said continued to repeat in her mind.

"Liar, you are a liar. It is not true! I won't believe it! You are a monster, a devil, you must die!"

Her words were shaky, almost as if she didn't even believe them herself. Her faith had been shaken and she lashed out at herself for her weakness. There was no turning back, she had already sold her soul years ago, for the sole price of revenge.

"Shelise.." A disembodied voice called out.

Shelise fell desperately to her knees when she heard the voice and immediately prostrated.

"My god! You finally speak to me, I have been desperately waiting for you to give me guidance. What do I do now?"

"Do not worry, the time will come. I shall grant you one last chance, but before that there is something I need you to do."

Shelise quieted her sobbing, "Anything my god!"

"Kill Eneran with this.."

A shadowy dagger materialized in front of her. It gave off an ominous bloody aura.

"A dagger of the Church of Murder?" Shelise gasped, "But aren't you and Mythras allies? Why kill him? I don't understand."

"Eneran failed us, he failed you. If not for him, the monster would be dead. It is not your fault, it is his fault. Kill him, this is all for your revenge. Or have you given it up?"

Tihr's words seemed to have a special power as they sunk in. Shelise was confused at his order at first, but listening to him calmed her. His words were the truth, it was all Eneran's fault. He was the reason she failed, if not for him, she would definitely have succeeded. Or at least, these words convinced her of such. She became determined once more.

Shelise rose from her position and shook her head vehemently, "I will never give it up!"

"Good, then complete your mission and Justice will be served."

The dagger continued to glow ominously as it floated before her and Shelise stared at it for a moment before taking it in her grip, "I will do as you say."

_________________

By the time Eneran had his last meal and settled his affairs in Kordusk, night had set. It had been a fruitless endeavor, the entire thing, and he was quite flustered about it all. The words his goddess told him and the events related to that young girl had revealed something secret, something dangerous. However, Eneran hadn't been able to get to the bottom of it all and even his goddess wasn't aware of what Tihr's true intentions were.

"There is some secret about those siblings, that man especially. It can't be as simple as I was told, but what could it be? If only I had been able to get some information from the girl, but my mission is done. I can finally leave this place and relax a bit. There was that research I was knee deep in that I really want to get back to. I should be rewarded well for this even if the mission was mostly a failure. I did my part regardless."

Eneran walked through the streets of Korduk while he quietly contemplated the events of the past few weeks. He couldn't help muttering to himself a bit and seemed somewhat in a daze. He had placed his hood over his head and didn't stand out much in the dark of the city streets. He was just an old man, not much different from an old beggar. Only those with a similar level of power could possibly see the abnormal aspects of the man, anyone else wouldn't find anything special about him. He wasn't carrying anything and appeared to have no possessions. All that he owned was within a spatial domain that all Legendary wizard's possessed.

Even though he was acting somewhat absentminded, his senses were constantly on alert. Only someone skilled at stealth or of equivalent strength could possibly hide from his senses, so he wasn't worried much. Who could possibly threaten his life in this place? He didn't believe there was anyone, but he didn't let down his guard regardless.

He had no idea that someone with ill intent was closely following him. Her movements were surprisingly lithe and shadowy, leaving no trace at all. She was almost entirely hidden, except if one looked closely, they would see a strange dim blue light emitting from her eyes. 

If Eneran had wished it, he could have easily have used his magic to quickly leave this city. However, he had intentionally taken his time in order to clear his thoughts and to ponder a few things. He didn't consider that his life would be in danger and so had decided to walk the city streets and leave the city normally. This was the last mistake he would ever make.

He suddenly felt something sharp pierce the back of his neck through the hood. It was swift, without mercy, and left him with no chance to defend himself. A strange evil power immediately invaded his body and he dropped to his knees. He could feel the blood gurgling in his throat as he attempted to breathe and the pain of having his throat pierced. In his last moments, he saw the gentle figure of a young woman standing before him, her eyes glowing dimly.

A voice that was clearly not the young woman's own came from her lips.

"Do not fear, your death will not be in vain. Loose threads must be cut, and your death will serve me well."

Chapter end