Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[joshuadim]

Azathor remained still on his face as he listened to Tariun speak of this 'major operation'. If she was here, then he surmised that she had confidence enough in its success in her temporary absence. But what troubled him was that he was not there himself, as he averted his gaze ever so slightly to frown. A sense of guilt washed over him as he felt that he should be there with his troops contributing to the cause directly. Of course, he knew that this too was just as important in the grand scheme of things... not to mention the whispers he had heard of his brother being along with Sazak in these ventures.

Between duty, the gravity of this mission and his own personal quest, he was torn at three fronts between what he wanted to do. "...I see." the demon prince mustered, "I do not doubt the capabilities of my men along with everyone else... but still, I can't help but worry."

 

[Infab]

"...I see." the demon prince mustered, "I do not doubt the capabilities of my men along with everyone else... but still, I can't help but worry."

Tariun smiled. "I know, Azathor. I would do the same in your shoes." she said, reaching over and resting a hand on his shoulder. "But you taught your people well, and they're in capable hands. You need not worry about them. Focus on yourself, and what you can do to put an end to this farce. Your father needs to be stopped, as does the rest of the Icons. Save your brother from their influence."

She gave his shoulder a pat, before removing her hand and looking back to the others. "Please. Make yourselves at home. If you need rooms for a few days, they're yours. Free of charge. You're on an important mission that affects all of us, so its the least I can do." she said, motioning a hand about the inn. She then pointed to the bar, where the Kobold started to wave at them from. "If you'd like a drink, my associate Mr. Khand will oblige. Drinks are on the house."

Claire spoke up, just as Tariun finished. "I have a question." she said, standing near the door with her arms folded. "Louis Buckner. Do you know of him? Where he might be?"

Tariun raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Mr. Buckner runs the tackle shop down the street. You can't miss it. Has a large blue marlin on the sign."

Claire nodded. "Thank you. I'll be back shortly." she said, clutting a glance to the others before spinning about and heading out the oak doors behind her.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou did as he had done so far, just floating off the ground as they traveled the next few days to Peltragow. Trying to do his best to tend to the others and keeping watch so that others could rest, the typical. He struck up conversation when possible, especially with Cassandra, aiding in keeping her mind in peace. Sebastian seemed genuinely more comfortable around him, which made him extremely glad. The peacefulness of the journey had truly calmed the group.

Soon enough, they arrived at Peltragow. The hermit hung at the back as they entered the city, so he couldn't hear what Cassandra and Claire spoke of; not that he would've heard it anyway, being distracted by the sights and the distress present there. As the others parked their houses, he looked at the inn, feeling as though he sensed something familiar within. As he followed the group inside, it became quickly clear what that something, or rather, someone was. It was Tariun, playing the piano! He waved her hello, as he bobbed slightly to the music, before Azathor went straight to business. He watched Sebastian take a seat as Tariun reassured Azathor and offered all of them free drinks, as well as free rooms for the next few days. He genuinely couldn't reduce his smile, things seemed to be going quite well.

The oni wasn't feeling particularly thirsty, so he just stood by as Claire went off. Hopefully whatever operation Tariun has spoken of will have succeeded.

 

[Breadman]

"I would rather avoid another visit from the old man, even if it were to learn." Royland said in an exhausted tone. The last few days were uneventful, but he still felt like he was trampled. "Any news of my kin? Last when we spoke with Lozon, he mentioned he had plans for the wraiths to play their roles in the war effort and left it at that." He crossed his arms "The fact that he rallied them to a banner united as he claimed is surprising, but has it been enough to make any difference?"

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko looked ahead, hearing the words that Cassandra spoke. Uncharacteristically, at least by Rajko's self-evaluations, he accepted the vampiress' offer. He'll mull it over in his head, try to gleam the details from that day. He never thought himself capable of sentimentality; that range of it anyway. The Inquisitor chalked it up to playing along with Cassandra's intentions. If she could feel helpful, in a non-combat way then perhaps it could anchor her psyche.

The trip on horseback to Peltagrow proved quite liberating, relaxing to Rajko. The absence of barbed arguments aided in that, he did not resort to his pipe as well. The Gods know how he loved that thing, but his lungs were thankful in either case. He had a pleasure listening to Takato during his talks with the madness-plagued vampire, not certain of Cassandra's appreciation but he valued the Oni's viewpoints a. The sounds of nature had a calibrating effect, centering his mind for the task ahead. A hint of paranoia and gut-feeling told the Inquisitor that after their brief entrance into Peltagrow they'd run into a devil of a time.

Arriving at their destination, their liaison to the rebellion against Taranoch's forces had acquired herself a quaint, if expensive inn known as the Obsidian Lighthouse. Rajko thought not much of it, until he actually met the woman in question. He had assumed this Tariun would be your middling demoness, not expecting one of the de-facto inheritors of the demon throne.

"Presumptuous of me to say this, at the moment anyway, but what do you intend to do once—or if Taranoch and his worms are deposed from their office?" He meant no ill will towards Tariun's decisions and though Rajko may be a tad ignorant of the intricacies of demon politics, even he can see the line of ascension in regards to the throne.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian leaned in, taking interest in Rajko's question. "Far be it from any of us to question how the Abyss is governed, but given that Taranoch has had a major hand in causing the catastrophe we're all facing here in the mortal world, I hope that Kaizen's followers are more interested in making Hell Hell again and leaving the rest of us alone."

 

[Infab]

"Any news of my kin? Last when we spoke with Lozon, he mentioned he had plans for the wraiths to play their roles in the war effort and left it at that." He crossed his arms "The fact that he rallied them to a banner united as he claimed is surprising, but has it been enough to make any difference?"

Tariun nodded. "Indeed, they've helped tremendously. Numerous strikes and operations have been executed, some of them with the Wraiths at the tip of the spear among our more powerful forces. In fact, they were involved with the operation I'm currently waiting to hear word about in the land of Greed." stated Tariun, giving Royland a smile. "They're proving quite vital to the rebellion."

"Presumptuous of me to say this, at the moment anyway, but what do you intend to do once—or if Taranoch and his worms are deposed from their office?"

"Far be it from any of us to question how the Abyss is governed, but given that Taranoch has had a major hand in causing the catastrophe we're all facing here in the mortal world, I hope that Kaizen's followers are more interested in making Hell Hell again and leaving the rest of us alone."

Tariun glanced to the two, and smiled again. "My intent is to return the Abyss to a sense of proper order, like we had when my lord Kaizen was in power. The wicked of this realm whom have passed on to ours will be justly punished for their sins, as they should have been all along. Demons will not be allowed to cross the threshold between realms unless for a proper reason, such as maintaining contact with representatives of Heaven or for those of the mortal realm who wish to seek necessary council with us."

She motioned towards the front door with a wave of her cane. "The mortal realm will be left to its own devices, under the care of its own rulers. I've no wish to conquer it, or influence its citizenry. I simply want to restore the true Kingdom of the Abyss. My Icons, whom I intend to select shortly for the different dominions of the Kingdom, will want the same."

 

[Dmaster]

It had been quite easy for Camille to stay reclusive throughout the days' travel to Peltraglow, the matter with Cassandra having been momentarily put to rest yet still making her anxious of the possibilities. At the very least she had the stunning vistas of the rolling green hills to occupy her mind as the group rode onward, and she was not so disconnected from the group that she would outright refuse conversation during their camping. In some ways she was surprised that she had almost forgotten this route's natural beauty, her memory of the Inquiry having been stained by the trials and tribulations it comprised of yet even more so by its aftermath. Like Sebestian, she was hopeful this calm respite would last up until their arrival. For once, that actually seemed to have been the case.

The familiarity of the inn was a welcome sight, though by now she was aware of Tariun's demonic nature. Hudson did share some details of that, and she did recall briefly interacting with the ascended demon when she first stayed here. Camille provided Tariun with a passive nod and then lingered by Sebestian's table, though not out of earshot of the conversation. The war effort within the Abyss was of mild interest to the huntress, but she was far more worried about what was taking place in the realm of the living. Claire making an exit for what was surely enforcer business caused her to raise a brow with curiosity as she watched the enforcer leave, but Camille spoke nothing of it.

Tariun speaking of her goals finally got the huntress to chime in, though her commentary was brief and surface level. "A return to normalcy certainly sounds ideal, oui. However I suspect that things will be far from a utopia. Even under your master's rule there were still agents of hell that would make their way here now and then, I do not see that changing even with you at the helm."

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at Tariun's vague suggestion that "necessary council" be excuse enough for mortal contact with the Abyss under her oversight. He took out a cigarette and lit it, quietly mulling over her response further. While her pledge to prevent demons from meddling directly in the mortal realm was a positive note, it would only be meaningful if she could actually enforce such a rule. It was Sebastian's understanding that, with the binding broken, that the passage between realms was akin to a swinging, loose barn door. Perhaps Tariun would seek the assistance of the mortal realm or even Heaven to help keep her kind where they belonged.

That same moment, the supernatural among the group would sense the sudden arrival of two other demons, seemingly from within the interior of the inn. The auras were staggeringly powerful, and in fact it would be alarming if not for the fact that most of those present could quickly identify both, just before the auras dimmed to near total suppression. It had only taken a moment, and immediately afterwards, there was a distant sound, like a door unlocking, and muffled cry of dismay.

Cassandra could hardly contain herself- she nearly jumped out of her skin. "Mariette!?" she cried out.

Tariun quickly turned to the bar, an amused look on her face as she swept past the tables in the middle of the room. "So it seems," she replied, slipping past the bar top and around a corner. A moment later, the muffled conversation became loud enough to be heard. Rajko, in fact, could understand each speaker clearly, even if he did not know their identities yet.

"You didn't tell me-" Mariette spat, quickly interrupted by Xager.

"How should I have known? You should calm yourself."

A fist crashed against a doorframe. "Calm myself!? Madame, to be seen by her like this, now-"

"She won't see you as you are," Xager replied, tiredly.

"Sight has nothing to do with it. She will know me as I am now." Mariette replied. "Madame Tariun, je suis désolé. I am just... overwhelmed."

By this point, Cassandra had rushed up to the bar in a flash, knocking over a chair and frightening the kobold away. The trio of demons reappeared a moment later from around the corner. Xager had occupied her vessel much like Tariun, of course, but Mariette had apparently disguised herself with nothing more than an illusion, and appeared exactly as she did prior to her death. Even for a vampire, she looked pale, however, as a deep and genuine terror gripped her from the moment she entered the sight of the travelers- or rather, it seemed, just one.

Mariette raised her head, her eyes sweeping a direct arc past Cassandra, whom was standing right in front of her, and instead locked on to Camille. Mariette stood there frozen, a mixture of anguish and shame gripping her, until she suddenly broke from it and shook her head. "What's wrong...?" Cassandra asked her, looking back over her shoulder at Camille in confusion briefly before rushing to her lover's side. "Are you okay, love?"

"Oh, Cass!" Mariette replied, grabbing Cassandra and embracing her, burying her face into her lover's neck. Only in direct contact did Cassandra feel the presence of Mariette's true, demonic form, and how it had grown more powerful and monstrous since they had last held each other. She closed her eyes and told herself that it didn't matter.

Mariette did the same, but for a different reason.

"Such a fortuitous coincidence that you should both be here at this moment," Tariun spoke. "I'm sure it will make your visit more worthwhile, Mariette. Of course, you and Cassandra will have the use of a private suite, but first I must ask you of your fortunes at Erebos."

Xager crossed her arms. "Among our kind, she will be using the name Lisykna, now," she said.

Mariette glared at her. "Here, we are not 'among our kind,'" she hissed. "Madame Tariun, Monsieur Azathor," she quickly spoke, her gaze darting between them and the others nervously. "We took the city. Keggoth's force was a paper tiger meant to lure us into a trap. Knasus, Trzichnar, and Kyrend had entered into a suicide pact to extract their souls into blood crucibles, which would be combined within a warding kettle to create a blast which would presumably kill us all. Kyrend betrayed that pact and opened the gates to our forces, and paid with his life. Neroph and I drained the kettle of Trzichnar's essence while Knasus returned with all that was left of Kyrend's soul. Annen located and freed the seraph, Sariel, who came to our aid in time to break the stalemate with Knasus."

Xager nodded. "It could not have gone better for us. Mariette and the others organized the operation so keenly that it became a slaughter even before we pierced the gates. Keggoth's army is utterly shattered, and whatever units that weren't in the city have scattered to the wind. Greed is ours," Xager concluded.

Mariette did not seem so outwardly proud, and she didn't stay to receive praise for the accomplishment. She hastily took Cassandra by the hand and led her past the entire group toward the inn suites, without even looking in Camille's direction again.

 

[Dmaster]

Perhaps she found herself infected by her husband's cynicism when it came to the matter of demons finding their way to the mortal realm. She knows of the grim work of a demon hunter through him, not only vicariously but accompanying him on a few hunts after they had first met. Even if the Abyss were restored, fanatics would still conduct sick rituals to get those dark beasts to invade, even if they only offer themselves up as mere vessels to twist and corrupt into monstrosities. In a sense she could be assured that there would always be work for her and Hudson to do, even after all of this is over, yet it was hardly a comforting thought.

Before Camille could rephrase her skepticism, the supernaturals of the group seemed momentarily overwhelmed with something she could not place. Cassandra outwardly shouted the name of one of the new arrivals. The huntress was stunned, standing rigid as the pureblood rushed to Mariette's side for a loving embrace. Mariette's decision to keep her true form an illusion was wise, yet the huntress still was unsure of how to feel or act as she just stared at the vampire wide-eyed. So it was true, she was in love with the madwoman.

The startling revelation came from a slip on Xager's part, a demon that she was partially familiar with from Hudson's interactions with them. "Your kind?" Camille repeated, completely beside herself that she had forgotten to even greet Mariette. What was there even to say? The huntress could not really get in a word edgewise as Mariette was quick to exposit their victory in the hellish war taking place. And once she was done, she whisked Cassandra off out of view.

Camille scoffed, "I suppose death is losing its meaning these days," she relented bitterly. "Between Cassandra getting a pass to be among our ranks and... Lisykna somehow gaining a lofty position as a demonic agent, well, I cannot imagine what boons I might gain if I were to perish on this mission." Her lip twisted with a slight sneer as she crossed her hands over her chest. The fact that Mariette had forsaken her mortality and perhaps even her past was not so much an issue, the real sting Camille felt was Mariette's shame or perhaps fear to disclose the truth to her. Did she expect her to draw her blades and wish her dead, curse her name back to the Abyss? Maybe she would have at one point, but Camille felt that she herself had grown beyond that.

Perhaps it was outside the scope of a mere mortal's comprehension.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko nodded along to the future monarch's intentions. It is certainly agreeable with the inquisitor. But as he was skeptical of his leader, Saint Rebecca, he is with Tariun. A ban and cessation of dimensional traversal would nice de jure, but the fact is that it won't be easily enforced. When she mentioned Icons, Rajko cupped his chin with intrigue. "Icons - What are they exactly? I'm privy to their general purposes, but under the hood, they're a mystery. Can anyone or anything, regardless of origins, become an icon?"

Just as Rajko asked, a shiver sent down his spine and a foul stench entered his nostrils. More akin to brimstone or sulphur mixed with the aromatic smell of freshly cut grass. It only lasted a second before being smothered by an invisible blanket.

He saw Cassandra's excitement and heard the conversation between the unknown figures. It did not take long for him to connect the dots and identify one of them. This must have been Cassandra's partner. The way she rushed sealed his conclusion. Rajko rolled his eyes, overwhelming is right. Despite his dismissive outwardly appearance Rajko felt... Content about the ordeal. He got up and righted the fallen chair with a thump. "Apologies for that," he muttered to the kobold or whoever was closer. "excitement tantalises the best of us." With the comment over, Rajko returned to the conversation.

The unknown demon informed the group that Mariette had acquired a new moniker, one that she did not seem fond of in the slightest. A debriefing later, Rajko had been impressed by the level of tactical organisation exhibited by the rebels. They had even taken a city/domain.

He'd offer no praise, but does offer a question. "And now? Your plans will be..." He rolled a hand to allow her to continue.

He looked to Camille's rhetorical question about boons from death. He put his hands together in the shape of a shadow bird and wagged his fingers in a flapping motion. "An avenging raven stalking the deepest depths of the Abyss for the most heinous wrong do'ers." Rajko did this in jest mostly, draw attention for the moment to him. "Still, fortune won't be as kind... Or unkind, if some here would prefer, to grant perquisites to everybody."

 

[Dmaster]

"An avenging raven stalking the deepest depths of the Abyss for the most heinous wrong do'ers."

Another bitter scoff leaves her. "My husband had such ambitions. Feeling his life as a sinner to be of little worth, he felt that charging headlong into the Abyss and interning himself there to fight in an endless war would be his only path to atonement," Camille explains, her eyes drifting toward the ground. "But what good is a life of perpetual battle and torment? I do not fight for glory or atonement, I fight for those who cannot protect themselves. I hope there will come a day where my services as a hunter will no longer be needed, if I am to be honest. Yet I know that is all just a mere fantasy."

"I've always aimed to make a difference with my short and fragile life. Call me pompous but I do not see myself as so important or virtuous that I need live forever to do my duty..." Perhaps there was some underlying scorn to her words.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou continued to lean back and listen to the others speak with Tariun, before he felt a sudden, abrupt demonic aura appear in their vicinity, two in fact, before they diminished. In any other context, this would be concerning, but the moment he sensed them, the hermit recognized who they were. Before he could even question whether or not it was genuinely them, Cassandra rushed to her feet, crying out Mariette's name. The oni merely nodded in impressed surprise, with a brief wave welcoming them - Xager and Mariette joining them if ever briefly was a pleasant surprise, though he felt conflicted on the latter given the nature of the party. But he clearly noticed the difference in Mariette's aura, she had undergone even further demonification compared to when he last saw her when departing the Abyss, which seemed to be affirmed when Xager spoke of 'our kind' and the name Lisykna; she had fully demonified.

Xiaòzhou listened intently as the operation Tariun had mentioned was discussed. Though all the associated names sans Keggoth were foreign to him, the main point anyone could draw from the report was that the operation in the land of Greed was a success. He thought back to when they rode the train to arrive in the land of Gluttony, and learning not just of Yinjian in the northern parts of Greed, which had a substantial oni population, but also of the oni village located within the Land of Dead Kings. He had seen the latter, but hardly knew much of the former, and he thought about what the success of this operation taking Greed meant for the region. Before speaking his mind, the hermit opted first to listen to what the others had to say, given that Mariette's presence was sure to inspire discourse before anything related to the operation - and he was certainly right about that, even accounting for Rajko's attempt to ask what they'll do next below.

A discussion on virtue, belief and intent soon emerged - Xiaòzhou looked to the others who've yet to speak their piece, allowing them their turn first.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian was dumbfounded by the scene unfolding around him. Like anyone else who hadn't recognized her, Sebastian gathered that one of the newcomers was Cassandra's damned lover, but most of what she had to say to Tariun was nonsense to him and had gone by so quickly that he only realized that she was a disguised demon when Camille repeated the words "our kind."

Just as quickly as she appeared, Mariette stormed out of the room with Cassandra, leaving the hunters around his table to joke about the inconsequence of death. Sebastian sighed. "So, that is the punishment awaiting the wicked...?" He grumbled quietly so as to not be overheard by the demons. "Maybe it'll be Cassandra's turn next to join their kind."

His expression soured, badly, and he turned to the barkeeper. Holding up his thumb, he ordered- "Ein Bier bitte!"

 

[Worthlessplebian]

"I've always aimed to make a difference with my short and fragile life. Call me pompous but I do not see myself as so important or virtuous that I need live forever to do my duty..."

"A noble endeavour, Camille. And of course, everyone longs for the day when their tools be put down; be it gun, blade, sickle or spade, pick and or pen. As for differences... I believe you've already made a thousandfold. Arrogant as this may seem, the nature of our duty forces us to sashay into people's lives and then disappear in the next moment. As brief as the flicker of a candlelight shadow, but our actions will remain with them. For good or bad." Rajko reclined down into a chair, having said his piece. Importance or virtue was never the name of his game even this task gifted to him by Adona's selection as Rebecca would have them believe is merely a conceit that he could do without.

His ears picked up the grumbling of their resident soldier, who is rightfully tired of this whole affair. Rajko turns in his chair to face him. "I believe there's an expression for this, it goes: Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift."

 

[Breadman]

"Indeed, they've helped tremendously. Numerous strikes and operations have been executed, some of them with the Wraiths at the tip of the spear among our more powerful forces. In fact, they were involved with the operation I'm currently waiting to hear word about in the land of Greed." stated Tariun, giving Royland a smile. "They're proving quite vital to the rebellion.

"Then there's hope for them yet." The knight said with some relief in his voice. "Now I wonder if Lozon is merely switching sides in the hopes of a better position in the new hierarchy or if he is intending for redemption." His musing was interrupted by the arrival of two other demons. Unsurprising as that sort of thing was expected for an establishment ran by a resistance leader. Probably how she receives news from the front. What was curious was that one of the two was in fact lady Mariette herself. Not exactly the way Theodore described her in his reports, but the Abyss changes most in some way. She came bearing good news from the front. Coincidently making him feel more confident in the other wraiths if they role was as big as Tarium eluded to.

He had no interest in coming between her and Camille, while the tension was there, it wasn't his place to intervene. Not like it would do anything. Instead he chose to listen to the others.

An avenging raven stalking the deepest depths of the Abyss for the most heinous wrong do'ers.

"You jest, inquisitor, but I know of one other wraith with the same look as you describe. The less said about her, the better."

So, that is the punishment awaiting the wicked...? Maybe it'll be Cassandra's turn next to join their kind.

"If it helps, most of us are not granted the same boons. Myself and many others are damned to never see the light of heaven less it destroys us due to the sins we committed while alive and the pact we signed with the demon who granted us our boons. Then there are the countless others who don't even come close to what we have." He tried to assure the soldier, but he wasn't so sure of it himself given the ongoing war in the Abyss. But platitudes is all he had for him. "If what Tarium says is true, then we may see a return to that on a grander scale."

 

[Dmaster]

"So, that is the punishment awaiting the wicked...? Maybe it'll be Cassandra's turn next to join their kind."

"I hesitate to call Mariette wicked, much as she might be expecting me to..." Camille retorts with a frown. "Though the way of the world seems to favor the wicked, at least at a glance. Perhaps the Abyss is no different. I'm sure the countess of old has her reasons for walking this path, strange as it might seem to me."

Royland's explanation of his damnation and eternal servitude did put a dour view on things, but she personally found it to be stating the obvious. Clearly there were downsides to demonic pacts and fighting in an eternal war, Camille's statement was merely drawing light on how the finality of death or consequence was losing its grasp on many people she's known.

Rajko's take on her words gets her to loft an eyebrow, soon finding herself chuckling dryly at them once he was done speaking. "You're quite the learned man, Rajko. I would think you a philosopher or poet before a Tsavanian werebat and hunter," the huntress compliments. After that she takes a seat at the table with Sebastian and Rajko, gesturing toward the barkeep. "I shall have a glass of wine, s'il vous plaît. I remember it being quite good here."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

"You jest, inquisitor, but I know of one other wraith with the same look as you describe. The less said about her, the better."

"The likelihood would not be low." Rajko remarks before quietly listening to Royland explain the suffering he and his kind, the wraiths Rajko assumes, have to endure because of their eternal service and condemnation from Heaven. This and Camille's earlier words pressed an amusing thought to the inquisitor's forefront. If he were to die, then where would he end up? Would there be a special place in the Abyss waiting for him? Or would he take up service alongside the rest of the divine. He puffs out a sigh, realising just how futile that type of wondering is at the end.

He hears Camille's compliments and evident by his expression is surprised. "Thank you," His surprise melts into a soft smile. "That is unexpected praise, Camille." Voiced Rajko. He snapped his fingers then raised one at the barkeep. "A glass of whisky for me, would you kindly" He figured that he may as well order something since Sebastian was partaking in beer and Camille in wine. "My parents were Tsavanian. Me, I'm from the Highlands." He paused before going... "But I keep touch with both sides, da?" with a light Tsavanian accent and a quiet chuckle after.

 

[Infab]

As Khand, the Kobold, moved about and handed each of the group their respective drinks, Tariun and Xager returned to a table near them. Xager remained standing, folding her arms behind her back as she stood behind the chair that Tariun chose to take. She set her cane across her lap, folding her legs just so as she rested a hand on the table next to her. Her eyes moved between the members of the group as each spoke, taking in their words and thoughts. Once they were done, she spoke.

"...Mariette didn't willingly become a demon. Hudson must have kept a few details from you regarding his final days and hours among the others in the Abyss." said Tariun, glancing down at her fingernails. "In order to defend themselves from the Icons while in the Abyss, I pushed for them to utilize the tools of fallen Icons and Kings. Items crafted within the Abyss, they were made from dark materials that, with extended use, corrupt the mortal soul faster. They would find themselves forced to remain in the Abyss if their souls are too corrupted. Everyone except Hudson utilized a tool of that particular type. Hudson utilized the weapon of a fallen angel turned Icon, so he was spared any corrupting influence. And Takato is part demon, so he was also spared corruption."

She looked to Camille. "It was necessary for them to use such tools, otherwise they would have likely been slaughtered. I saw no other way to keep them alive during their journey. And Mariette, sadly, was corrupted during the endeavour by the armor she wore. The others were close to the same, save for Hudson and Takato. All were able to leave the Abyss, except for Mariette. That is, of course, before the binding was broken by Taranoch."

She then motioned in the direction Mariette and Cassandra had gone. "Mariette is a victim of circumstance."

She then turned her attention to Rajko. "Since you asked two questions, I'll fill you in on both. To begin, you have several classifications of a demon on the demonic power chain. You have Imps, Flesh Demons, Succubi, Incubi, and other assorted demons at the base level. They each have their own rankings among themselves, so I won't get into that." she stated, "Above them are what we've deemed archdemons. More powerful demons, above the base level. Demon Mages and Elementals tend to fit in this level, as do other special cases. Wraiths, like Royland here, have proven to be more or less on a similar level to an Archdemon."

"Above them are Demon Princes and Princesses. We are some of the higher level demons, having acquired power over centuries to ascend to a level over the base ranks. I am a Demon Princess, as is Xager here and most of my lieutenants. Above us are the Icons of the Abyss. Icons are members of the Demon Princes and Princesses that are selected and granted even more power by the current Demon King. Others can also be chosen to become an Icon, such as fallen angels and mortals who prove themselves. Those selected are deemed worthy enough to represent a select Sin and rule over that Sin's dominion. The Demon King is next, reigning over all at the top of the food chain. He rules the Abyssal Kingdom, and all within it."

She then waved a hand to the side. "There are also Abyssal Titans, leagues more powerful than the Demon King and even Archangels, but there hasn't been a Titan in millennia. Really since the days of Adriel, the first Demon Queen and a Titan herself." she added, "As for your second question, my plans now are to take the lands of Gluttony and Vainglory. Take each land one by one, install a temporary governor in each, and finally hit the capital, Dis. If we can capture all of the Kingdom, we rob Taranoch of any allies he has in his own realm. And he will be far more vulnerable than he is now."

 

[K0mori]

"If it helps, most of us are not granted the same boons. Myself and many others are damned to never see the light of heaven less it destroys us due to the sins we committed while alive and the pact we signed with the demon who granted us our boons. Then there are the countless others who don't even come close to what we have. If what Tarium says is true, then we may see a return to that on a grander scale."

Sebastian slouched in his seat, giving the kobold a grateful nod when the beer he asked for arrived at the table. Unlike his cigarettes, which he took in greedily, Sebastian showed his drink a bit more patience, mulling the taste as he slipped it slowly. "If," he countered, when Royland had finished talking. He glanced back to Tariun, who began to justify the favorable treatment shown to Mariette.

To hear the "demon princess" tell it, Mariette had been blighted with corruption while doing as Tariun directed, and the same fate awaited Hudson and the rest of his expedition into the Abyss had he not located a less dangerous item to bring against the Icons, and had they not completed their mission quickly enough.

A victim of what circumstance, save that which you created?

It bothered him, not for Mariette's sake, but for the sake of themselves and everyone else now reliant on Tariun's involvement, that the vampire trusted her and was repaid with poison and servitude. After she had finished explaining the intricacies of demonic hierarchy, a discussion which rather bored him, she finished with a promise of future conquests which would pull Taranoch's attention back to the pit he crawled out of. "Gut. Wunderbar," he grumbled.

He looked to Camille over the edge of his glass as he took another sip, trying to gauge whether she felt as much distrust for their host as he did in the moment.

 

[Dmaster]

After nodding in appreciation at their vertically challenged bartender, Camille gingerly sipped her whine as she listened to Tariun's explanation, her finger swirling at the glass' rim whenever she was not nursing it with the smallest tips imaginable. Seems as though she was savoring the flavor while the situation was explained to her. Her face proved somewhat difficult to read for Sebastian, quite neutral as she stared up at Tariun.

"Perhaps Hudson was less than willing to disclose her demonic corruption to me, yet it is not as if I choose to resent her for her circumstances. There are... certain choices that I cannot quite condone, but I am far from her keeper." The huntress was no doubt referring to Mariette's choice to share a bed with a deranged madwoman she had always despised. "Gods know I could not serve as her executioner, even if she were deserving of it," she states. One might argue that she had a duty to slay Aleister for the monster he had become, but he and his fanatical island were quite outside of her jurisdiction. What could she even do to Mariette? Even then, there were fires that were blazing much brighter that needed putting out.

She heard Sebastian's tone and could pick up on his thick skepticism, a slight smirk curling on her face as she was reminded of certain details that Hudson did share about the Abyss. He never liked Tariun much. "Either way, we shall stick to our task and hope that your war goes well. I call it optimistic to expect a full restoration of the Abyss, but anything will be better than the current state of things, I wager."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The Atracan nodded as the half-pint bartender delivered onto them their requested alcohols. The taste, from the few slothful sips taken, proved indeed to be of Rajko's fancy. However, as Tariun explains his questions, he sets down the glass and rotates it by the rim with his fingers.

The explanation of the intricacies in demonic hierarchy fascinated Rajko, he would be taking down notes if he still carried a journal or a book of some kind, alas he must choose to commit it to the worst record keeper imaginable; a man's memory. But within the excitement, grapes of paranoia grew unfettered. There are always consequences to demonic dealings, but the way the demon princess revealed, it was like they didn't know of the risks? This could be the paranoia, but it did not sit well with the inquisitor.

Once Camille expressed her side of the events, Rajko began drinking to assuage the fear in his heart. The cold grip of the glass edge grounded the bat onto the table in front. He noticed the skepticism-dripping soldier next to him, choosing to reply with a sideways grin and: "Long live the Monarch, you know." Rajko took another sip to cheekily disguise the sarcasm of his tone.

 

[Infab]

"Either way, we shall stick to our task and hope that your war goes well. I call it optimistic to expect a full restoration of the Abyss, but anything will be better than the current state of things, I wager."

"One should hope it does go well. If we lose the war, that will result in our problems becoming your problems extremely quickly." responded Tariun. "If we lose, Taranoch and his Icons can focus completely on this realm. And if he and the Icons should perish, and we still lose, then the Abyss will descend into anarchy. Anarchy that will last a very long time, until another demon appears that is strong enough to take the Abyssal Crown for themself."

"And where do you think these demons will gain power from, in their wars for the crown?" said Xager, chiming in. She then moved one of her hands, pointing her index finger straight down at her feet. "Right here. In this realm. They will consume the souls of the living, across every continent."

Tariun nodded. "So there is a lot at stake with our rebellion. Just as there is a lot at stake with your fight against Taranoch and his Icons." she finally said.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou watched and listened as the conversation continued on, keeping his thoughts to himself for the most part. His eyebrows did raise in slight surprise as it was revealed that the reason he escaped corruption was not because of his mysticism and virtuousity, but rather purely due to his being of demon descent. Though fortunate in any case, it did sadden him somewhat, enough so that he could hear Zazriel assuring him in his head.

The conversation had resolved in such a way enabling him to put his piece forward though: "If the question is appropriate, given the fall of Greed in your hands, how will your chosen temporary governor maintain the peace in the region such that the people there see you as more favorable? Greed, last I recall, is quite vast, and has at least one sub-region in the form of Yinjian, where you might find favor among the Douean and oni living there, but also possible support for the maintenance of the status quo from others there..."

 

[Infab]

"If the question is appropriate, given the fall of Greed in your hands, how will your chosen temporary governor maintain the peace in the region such that the people there see you as more favorable? Greed, last I recall, is quite vast, and has at least one sub-region in the form of Yinjian, where you might find favor among the Douean and oni living there, but also possible support for the maintenance of the status quo from others there..."

Tariun nodded. "I have considered it, honestly. Currently, we've been working with elements within each dominion that wish to see the current government toppled. Each of the governors that I select will be demons of the particular dominion I task them with, so they will know the issues to focus on and how to handle those that dwell in those lands. For example, my lieutenant Neroph will be assuming the governor position over the land of Greed. He knows the land, its troops, and its people. He knows how to handle the average Greed demon and how to pull them over to our side against Keggoth and Taranoch. Annen will govern Gluttony once we take control of it." she replied, "I will, however, pass word along to him regarding the Oni in the Yinjian region. Neroph would likely appreciate the assistance, considering he'll be dealing with the clean-up of Greed's capital and its surrounding area as well. He'll need help maintaining the peace in the capital region."