Kiyora had parted ways with William shortly after she was sure they were out of the woods. She hadn't dread again for several nights. The truth was that with all the adventures she'd been having these past few months, she was sick of them.
However, she knew she couldn't stay away from Seathorius forever. Sothing might have happened while she was gone, and she did rule the place. So she dread again. The trees looked much the sa as they usually did. However, their spirits were a bit more lethargic. She ca to a door as she walked beneath the shadow of the woods. Of course, it was a Nakmar door, which looked like a hillside, but she'd learned to walk through those years ago.
She passed through the halls and found King Houndslasher. The King of the Nakmar was practicing with a broad axe and clad in his mail. As she entered, he looked up. At once, the black-haired dwarf returned the weapon in its rack and looked at her.
"Dreaming Goddess, I am glad you are here," said Houndslasher. "Things have not been the sa without you."
"Believe , I know the feeling," said Kiyora. "Have there been any invasions?"
"No," said Houndslasher.
"Demonic possessions?" asked Kiyora.
"No, nothing of the sort," said Houndslasher.
"Odd," said Kiyora. She'd been expecting Arraxia to start all kinds of trouble now that she had the Void Stone and the Axe of Fortenex. "Oh well, is there anything you need
for?"
"No," said Houndslasher. "We have minded our affairs." He paused. "But the woods..."
"Yes?" asked Kiyora.
"They've been very quiet and silent," said Houndslasher. "They haven't moved at all. When our sorcerers communed with them, they claid they were exhausted."
"Yeah, I had to use a lot of power in a foreign land," said Kiyora. "Long story. It will be a while before I can do any more miracles. You guys will have to handle things without ."
"I understand," said Houndslasher.
Kiyora considered Arraxia. She had no idea what the demoness was up to, but she really should find out. "Hey, I've got to talk to soone."
"I understand," said Houndslasher. "Before you go, however, I should tell you. So of the less faithful are... concerned. We've beco so used to you doing things for us. Now that you've stopped appearing so often, it has downed spirits.
"So say you have abandoned us."
"I didn't abandon anyone," said Kiyora. "And hundreds of years of good deeds earn a little loyalty."
"Be that as it may," said Houndslasher, "it would be well if you did a few minor miracles. Just to remind others that you are still watching over them."
"Okay," said Kiyora. "I'll see if I can make ti. But I've been swamped, so no promises." Then, she teleported herself again.
This ti, she appeared outside Baltoth's Retribution. The great fortress was now nearly rebuilt. Its black walls towered over the surrounding woodlands. The illusion of benevolence was gone, and several satyr villages had sprung up around it. Kiyora focused and then appeared within the great stone hall of Arraxia.
It was mostly empty. The pillars now had symbols of monsters engraved on them. The ceiling seed to have gotten higher. The bonfires were burning with an unholy light. At the far end of the room was a throne. And on that throne, Arraxia was lounging.
The voluptuous demoness had her long legs crossed over the side of the throne. Her dark hair fell across the armrest. The Void Stone was gripped in the palm of one black-skinned hand. Looking at it was as horrible as ever, and she leaned on the Axe of Fortenex. The red axe did not radiate suffering as it once had; the power had been used up.
"I bet you think you've been clever?" asked Kiyora.
"Well, yes," said Arraxia. "I have the Axe of Fortenex and the Void Stone. lchious has been banished, and I am stronger than ever at no real expense on my part. With their power, I may easily bend you to my will through our connection."
"You know your sister might be dead?" noted Kiyora.
"I doubt it," mused Arraxia. "lchious wouldn't kill Zigildrazia's pets. Necrophilia is one of the few depravities in which Demon Queen doesn't engage. And if he did, I suppose he's saved
the trouble of breaking her, if nothing else."
"Well, either way, I think I should let you know I'm not going to let you use those," said Kiyora. Arraxia laughed. "Let ? And who are you to disallow ?!"
"The Dreaming Goddess," said Kiyora.
"A re title to disguise a foolish child playing at divinity," said Arraxia.
"I've done a pretty good job of stopping you so far," said Kiyora.
"A montary inconvenience," said Arraxia.
"What exactly are you going to do with the Void Stone and Axe of Fortenex anyway?" asked Kiyora.
"Is it not obvious, dear?" asked Arraxia. "With the unbridled power of both, I shall... I will... I..." She paused. Then she sat up straight. "My plan was..." Arraxia looked very thoughtful.
"You didn't plan this far ahead, did you?" asked Kiyora.
"I did," said Arraxia. "I was planning to subdue Seathorius using the Axe of Fortenex. I would have used the Void Stone to create an army of the walking dead to overrun all my neighbors.
"But right now, I'm almost allied with the surrounding regions. I could break the truce and attack them, but I am not so shortsighted."
"So you don't have a plan anymore?" asked Kiyora.
"I seem to have outsmarted myself," admitted Arraxia.
"I think you an Vanion has outsmarted you," noted Kiyora. "Out of curiosity, could you create an army of the walking dead with the Void Stone? Or were you just joking?"
"Oh, of course," said Arraxia. "All those souls trapped inside it have been festering for hundreds of years. I need only to break them to my will and then implant their souls into the corpses of the dead. Then I could unleash them upon the neighboring regions."
"Right," said Kiyora. "So, what are you going to do now?"
"I have no idea," admitted Arraxia. "I suppose I shall continue to strengthen my holdings in Seathorius. So I'll maintain this alliance for a while more.
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