Credit has to be given where credit has honestly been earned. Without Allasaria, we would have never won the Great War. We would have not even held on long enough for Tartarus and Paraideisius to come and save us. It is as simple as that. The inclusion of Irinika as his first daughter mandated that Allasaria had to be part of the White Pantheon simply to serve as a counterweight to the Goddess of Darkness.

  The settling of the frontlines, fifteen years into the war, was more akin to a slowing down of the war. A new generation was coming into adulthood at that point who knew only of the Great War and nothing else. Patterns had settled by then, winter naturally brought about a halt on advances, summer required farmers to toil the fields. Imperial forces would dig in every year, they would regroup, reorganize and then march on offensive only when the massed levees of farmers returned from their toil during the early spring and late autumn offensives.

  With Iniri feeding our armies, the White Pantheon could strike during the summer. Strategically, Atis would be sent to deal with Fer, Zerus and Sceo would cause devastation to pull away either Olephia or Anassa. Elassa and a battalion’s worth of mages would chase Neneria and force her out of battles. Fortia and myself could be deployed wherever we needed to be.

  Yet the main “front” became a no man’s land more a hundred miles wide because of Irinika and Allasaria. Months were spent as the pair of Goddesses clawed trails of destruction north and south, always trying to pull the other deeper into friendly territory so that support could be brought in to overwhelm the other. Without Allasaria, we would have had no way to stop Irinika. For a single Goddess, she is too fast and too powerful to be meaningfully engaged. For me to engage her would be for me to try and engage Olephia or Neneria. Likewise without Irinika, the Empire would have no way to respond to Allasaria scorching their cities from existence. Allasaria’s Light is simply too powerful, even Sorcerer Barrier’s do not last long before her.

  Yet it did not matter that Allasaria could break through a city’s shielding in a matter of a day if it took Irinika a matter of hours to reach her. Likewise, Irinika venturing too deep into our lands was much the same, Allasaria matched her, with the assistance of Elassa, she would be killed.

  The fortresses we held descended into a stalemate, the actual frontline was anything but.

  - Excerpt from “An Unordered Century”, written by Goddess Maisara, of Order.

  “She may be trouble.” Kassandora said quietly. “Stay close to me.” Kavaa instinctively took another closer to Kassandora. Behind them, the army was slowly marching. Immayoi had put them down so that the final distance could be crossed on foot. Kassandora said it would simply look better if they weren’t carried before Irinika like an offering.

  “Excuse me?” Kavaa whispered, her voice quiet as she stared at the shadows in the gleaming patterns of the wall. They were getting close, the scratches in the stone had started a while back. Then those scratches became small ravines, as if a dragon had been awoken and tried to write something in the floor, the walls, or the ceilings. And it was easier to stare at the cracks in the walls instead of the masses of bodies.

  Demons and their animals, anything from a measly little imp that barely reached to a man’s knee to the Greater Demons that could be as large as a barn. It was not the death itself, nor the puddles of congealed blood in the air. It was simply the scale of the violence. The jagged peaks of crumpled bodies, torn limb from limb, that only seemed to grow higher as they got closer to the junction where Irinika had been planted. “She may be trouble.” Kassandora replied coldly. The highway had begun to heat up with the return of the World Core, Kavaa still felt a shiver go down her spine at Kassandora’s words.

  “Trouble?”

  “I doubt she’s changed.” Kassandora said. “But don’t worry, I’m here. She listens to me.” Even though there was no change in her tone, no tremor in her voice or tell to talk of doubt, Kavaa couldn’t help the fact her feet were getting heavy. Her grey eyes flicked to Kassie’s face. Was she saying that for Kavaa’s benefit or her own?

  “If you want, I can stay behind so you can meet in private.” Kavaa said.

  “No.” Kassandora replied. “That will waste time, I want to get back to the surface.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “It’ll be better if we just rip the band-aid off.” Kassandora replied.

  “Do you think…” Kavaa trailed off. She could say a lot to Kassandora, that was true, but could she really ask if her sister was still sane? “She’s… you know…” To think that the best doctor in the world was lost for words. “Still…” Well, as Kassie had just said, sometimes, it was better to just rip the band-aid off. “Sane?”

  “She’s fine.” Kassandora said replied dryly.

  “You sure?”

  “I do not think there is anything that could make her lose sanity.” Kassandora said. Kavaa didn’t pester her friend anymore. It was obvious that Kassandora wasn’t fond of meeting her sister once again. Immayoi would have crossed the distance already… Kavaa blinked as she realised Kassandora was delaying. And was she slowing down? Here? Now? Of all times? Kavaa set the pace to maintain what they were currently walking at. The pair reached the junction, the mechanical army of Levhen behind them. Kassandora looked around. Forward, towards more bodies. Right, where the entire Highway had been slathered with a gory paint so thick that even the light of the glowstone was dimmed. Left, towards the Core Holds. Untouched completely. “She’s not here.” Kassandora said and sighed. “She’s gone back then, when the lights turned back on.”

  “Shouldn’t you look around at least?”

  “You can’t hide here.” Kassandora said and pointed to some of the bodies closer. “And those obviously have been dead for only a short time so she’s still alive.” Kavaa only needed a glance. Down here, there were no insects to aid with natural decomposition but there were still signs of telling. The eyes were still there, and they were sharp. Or as sharp as they could be when a creature died. The muscles looked as if they not finished to unwound either. The smell was terrible, of gore and refuse, but that was predictable.

  “You should call out for her.” Kavaa said. Kassandora opened her mouth, took a step forward, no sound came out. And Kassandora closed her mouth. She looked to Kavaa. She shook her head.

  The Goddess of Health only narrowed her grey eyes and took a step forward. Everything finally clicked together. The delaying, the hesitation, the slowing down. The fact that this moment had been left for so long. “You’re scared of her.” It was a declaration and an accusation wrapped into one, without leaving room for questioning.

  Kavaa was sure Kassandora lied to her all the time. She was certain in fact. She was so certain that the woman told at least one lie a week that she would put money on it. And yet this reaction, no amount of lying could cover up. Kassandora closed her mouth, her eyes, as crimson as her hair, shone and she sighed heavily. “She throws me off.” An admission like that was basically saying Kassandora couldn’t sleep at night because of her older sister.

  Kavaa adopted her usual grumpy, scolding tone that she used for almost everything at this point. “Fer and Ana throw you off. This is not that.” Another accusation that left no room for argument. Well if Kassandora wasn’t going to do it then Kavaa would. She took a step forward, looked up at the ceiling with its glowing geometric patterns and raised her voice. “IRINIKA!”

  And immediately, she wished she didn’t. The feeling of eyes on her back, as if they could see through her clothes and strip her bare in the middle of that junction was instantaneous. Kassandora froze as Kavaa’s ears were hugged by a voice that soothed and twirled like a silken scarf hiding garotte wire. “I’m right here.” Kavaa took one step forward, spinning on her foot and instinctively reaching for the sword on her hip. She knew there was no point in drawing it but even then, she couldn’t stop her fingers from curling around the hilt to steady herself.

  Irinika stood there, taller than Kavaa, taller than Kassandora, easily as tall as Neneria or Allasaria, wrapped in perfect darkness that hugged and curled and waved around her as if it was traces of smoke. Her black hair fell down and melded into shadows which spiralled and swirled on the ground like a halo around her legs. Those though were hidden entirely by the darkness so colourless it hurt Kavaa’s eyes to stare at. It was as if she was witnessing a spot in which reality simply stopped existing, if she stepped onto that shadow, she would probably fall in. “Kassandora.” Irinika said, that voice was like a claw scratching its way down Kavaa’s spine. And Irinika turned her gaze to the other Goddess. “Kavaa.”

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  It was simple acknowledgement, nothing else. “It’s been a long time.” Kassandora said.

  “It has indeed.” Irinika replied. The two stared at each other. Kavaa blinked and took a step away so that she could watch the scene. Did they hate each other? This certainly wasn’t the sort of reunion she expected to witness. She had expected to be a third wheel to something of course, but not this… whatever it was. Irinika’s eyes pulled away and to the ceiling. “I see you turned the lights back on.”

  “Olephia and Iniri did.” Kassandora replied.

  “Iniri too?” Irinika asked herself, looking to Kavaa. “My my, things have indeed been happening.”

  “You were guarding this location.”

  “I was indeed.” Irinika said. “I assume you have met Malam already.”

  “She has informed us of the situation down here and where you were.” Irinika’s lips twisted into a smile.

  “My my.” She said again. “How grand is that? Did she forget of me?”

  “She said you were crucial in this chokepoint.”

  “You know the maps.” Irinika said. “The Core Holds are a few days march behind you. The Highway to the north has been collapsed after the next junction, this is the one they gave me.” Irinika spoke slowly. “I would say it was boring.” Her hand extend behind herself. “But entertainment was provided.”

  “You did well.” Kassandora said.

  “I did what I do.” Irinika replied, her tone and eyes not changing a single bit. “I would report, but considering you have the automata with you, I assume you’ve been caught up already.” Kassandora nodded.

  “Malam explained the situation down here.” Irinika just stood there for a few moments. She clicked her tongue.

  “That was invitation for you to explain what you’ve been up to.”

  “We’ve destroyed the White Pantheon.” Irinika’s lips cracked, her eyebrows darted downwards. “Allasaria is still alive though, but Leona is dead. Kavaa, Iniri, Helenna & Elassa have joined our side. Epa and Arika have been conquered, the other sisters have been found, Tartarus is on the surface, we expect Allasaria to return anytime soon with Paraideisius.”

  Irinika’s lips twitched again. “I’m the last one then?” She asked.

  “You are.”

  Of Darkness took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, the shadows around her swirling as if she stood in the middle of a storm’s chaotic whirlpool. “Fitting.” And that was that. Irinika just stood there as she stared down at Kassandora. Kavaa felt as if she needed to say something, the very air between the two Goddesses felt as if it was about to crackle with electricity. The hairs on Kavaa’s neck stood up. She wanted to speak.

  And she said nothing. Kassandora once again had to thaw the creeping silence that was beginning to freeze them. “There’s a war up above.”

  “You said already.” Irinika replied. “Is Arascus there?”

  “He is.”

  “Do I need to be here?”

  “I’ve come to get you.” Kassandora replied and Irinika finally took a deep breath.

  “I assume this junction will no longer need protection then?”

  “The suns are lit.” Kassandora said. “The Holds can hold themselves now.” She gestured her head to the automata and golems that had fallen still and silent in watch. “Levhen’s troops. We’ve cut them off. They spill through the ring around the Core.”

  Irinika closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “So my watch has ended. How is it above? Has Rhomaion been rebuilt?”

  “It’s…” Kassandora trailed off. “It will be easier to just show you.” Irinika’s only answering was opening her eyes. They weren’t like Malam’s which were entirely black yet so full of a mischievous glare as if Malam was constantly laughing at a joke only she knew. Irinika’s dark eyes passed from Kassandora to Kavaa and once again, Kavaa felt as if her soul was being weighed.

  “Why are you here Kavaa?” Kavaa felt blood rush to her cheeks and turned to Kassandora. The look on Of War’s face said this was a test she would have to pass alone.

  “I…” Kavaa was suddenly lost for words. It was worse than reporting to Fortia or Maisara, it was worse than reporting to Allasaria. Allasaria at least was always full of emotion and Irinika? She was it… She was the first one to measure up to Arascus’ impossible standards. She was not the Goddess that had been recruited to manage the war, like Kassandora, or the population, like Malam. She was the blueprint for them. The trial. If he could get her, he could get anyone. And now Irinika stood before her like a judge. “I helped Kass escape from Olympiada.”

  Irinika just stood there, her lip curled up as if she found something. Her eyes flicked back to Kassandora. “Kass?” She said. “My my, pet names sister?”

  “I have a long name sister.” Kassandora replied.

  “Very long.” Irinika murmured, smiling to herself. “And marching with Kavaa by your side? Have the Clerics switched as well?”

  “They are Imperial.” Kassandora replied.

  “How surprising.” Irinika did not sound surprised whatsoever. “I am sure you will catch me up.” Kassandora answered with a slow inclination of her head. Irinika’s gaze once again settled upon Kavaa. “Why?” Kavaa felt her body freeze. For once, a dour reply that fit her weathered grey hair did not materialize.

  “Why for what?”

  “Why did you free little Kassie?” Irinika asked. And Kavaa just stood there, unsure of what to say. It had happened so long ago that she didn’t even know what to say. How would she explain it? Where to start? Leona? Allasaria? Fortia and Maisara starting it? The plots? The internal divisions?

  But under a gaze like that, how could she remain silent? “Leona was burning out, she kept Olephia asleep, and…” Kavaa shrugged. “I do not know. Leona held a Pantheon made for a war together for a thousand years of peace.”

  “The grandness of the White Pantheon kept together by luck.” Irinika chuckled. “Who came up with that? Maisara?” She shook her head. Kavaa just went red. She had no counterargument. “Why are you down here with Kassie?”

  “I called for her.” Kassandora said. Irinika did not even turn her head at the flat out lie. Kavaa had inserted herself into the operation.

  “Kassie, do not lie like that. It should be Fer at least with you. You said I’m the last one, where is Neneria? Olephia I understand, since you said she was relighting the Core. What of Ana then? Even Elassa would make a mightier guard.”

  “I…” Kassandora trailed off as Irinika’s gaze shut her up.

  “I’m not a guard.” Kavaa said. “I did not want Kassandora to die so I came.”

  Irinika’s smile was that of a wolf’s finding an injured sheep. “You can call her Kass, I did not forbid it.” Kavaa’s cheek went red again and Irinika’s smile grew wider. “My my.” She cooed in that voice of hers that like a silken scarf. “What a sweet girl you are.”

  “Don’t say that.” Kavaa replied involuntarily and realised she had been baited. Irinika gave no taunting reply like Malam, not any grand declaration like Anassa. She just stood there, eyes narrow, and smiled at Kavaa as if the Goddess of Health was on trial.

  “I see how it is.” Irinika said as if everything was simple even a child could see it. “No, it is nice that you have made a friend Kassie. It is nice indeed.” The fact she was correct was even worse. Kavaa’s felt her cheeks burn up with terrified embarrassment. Irinika once again made that knowing chuckle to herself as if she had worked everything out. Kavaa could believe her. “Have you brought tobacco?”

  Of all the things that Irinika could have said, it was not that. Kavaa felt her eyes bulge as the Goddess of Darkness stood there, a void of emptiness spilling down from her hair and waist and pooling on the ground. Kassandora sounded scandalized, that finally broke the tension in the air. It came crashing down so suddenly that Kavaa almost got whiplash. “You’ve still not quit!?”

  “Eight hundred, thirty-two years, eight months, fifteen days.” Even Irinika’s tone changed, becoming lighter and more jovial. It was still magnanimous, still haughty, but the dangerous edge as if she was going to explode was gone.

  “Then you’ve quit!” Kassandora said.

  “It’s impossible.” Irinika replied, the shadows swirled around her. “I cannot quit, I am hopeless.”

  “That is quitting!”

  Irinika didn’t even bother arguing. “So you haven’t brought any?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Do you actually smoke?” Kavaa asked as carefully as she could. She knew that Irinika smoked, every now and then, they would find one of her pipes in the aftermath of a battle. But to actually get addicted to it?

  “Everyone knows I do.”

  “I thought Divines couldn’t get addicted.” It simply did not line up. That did not happen to Divines. It was… It simply went against every rule of biology that Divinity had. They healed on the spot. Only the most minor of spirits would develop compulsions and then those would be swiftly dealt with. Certainly not major Divines. Certainly not Irinika of all people.

  “Do you drink?”

  “Not compulsively.” Kavaa answered.

  “Well I don’t compulsively smoke.” Irinika replied. “I savour the rush it brings. Do you have any?”

  “But you know the exact number of days?” Kassandora asked.

  “I don’t smoke.” Kavaa answered the question.

  “Disappointing.” Irinika said with a heavy sigh. She looked past Kassandora to the army of automata. “Well I know they don’t smoke.”

  “You’re not going to push for thousand at least?” Kassandora asked.

  “For what reason?” Irinika asked. “I am in a sour mood Kass. I know of a way to fix it. It has never failed me before. So I will indulge, that is what Divines do.”

  “Terrible.” Kassandora said.

  “The worst.” Irinika replied, chuckling. “This, I am actually angry at you for.”

  “What? Not bringing you a smoke.”

  “Mmh. I don’t care you left me down here or anything like that. You finally come see your big sister and you don’t even bring her a gift. A total lack of respect and hospitality to those around you. No wonder you’re a rancid little creature who can’t find love.” Kassandora opened her mouth, Kavaa felt her cheeks start to colour. Grey eyes met crimson eyes. Two sets of cheeks began to blush. And Irinika burst out in a low laughter that managed had all of the warmth of a queen issuing a decree of extermination. “My my, I knew there was something.”

  She collapsed into the shadow. The ground simply swallowed her in an instant and Kavaa froze when she felt the chill of eyes behind her. Kassandora’s eyes looking at Kavaa, then going behind and up was just another confirmation. “So?” Irinika replied from behind the Goddess of Health, she fired off question after question into Kavaa’s ear, her tone quick and still indulgent. “How is my sister treating you Kavaa? Have you got bored yet? She’s miserable, isn’t she? But she is pretty, do you like her? What do you like about her? It’s the hair and the eyes, isn’t it? Like blood. Does she squeal when you touch her? Or have you not gotten that far yet?”

  “Kavaa don’t answer that.” Kassandora said immediately, turning away to hide the fact her face putting her hair to shame with how red it turned. “Iri, stay away from her. We’re going back.”

  “It’s a long march back.” Irinika said, her voice already in a different position. She reappeared, simply rose out of the ground by Kassandora’s size as quickly as a flash of lightning from a pool of darkness that swallowed the light. “I’m sure you have plenty to tell me about.”

  “I’m dreading it already.”