- Lucifer and Gwyn -
"We'll leave tomorrow," Lucifer spoke into his echo.
Peter's groans of objection did little to sway Lucifer's opinion. Peter conceded but did warn that if Lucifer wasn't done by tomorrow he would drag the two out of the hidden warehouse.
"I have something to add to the bloodrite theory," Gwyn said while holding a book titled "Bloodrite". "I believe the strength of the being whose blood is being consumed does play a part in how soon the bloodrite activates. Even with Yvere's substantial consumption, the timing is still off, that is unless she was regularly drinking the blood of higher ranked beings."
"Not as simple as we thought," Lucifer said. "Still doesn't help with the others."
"The yuki," Gwyn said putting one book down and picking up another, "what unique thing or things has he experienced in his life that could have activated his ability?"
"A lot," Lucifer sighed. "He's one of the oldest living yuki, far more well-traveled than the average member of his clan, and more well-trained," he shook his head. "I can't even confirm when he got the power. Best guess is...after he joined Hell," he hummed. "Most likely happened in Hell, given how slowly the news of it spread."
"The half-yuki?" Gwyn questioned.
"I don't know much about her," Lucifer stared off in contemplation. "But...her having the power must mean the ability is related to battle, it's the only similarity she would have with Shiri. Do any of the poems you can remember about the yuki relate to battle?"
"Let's see," Gwyn said. "To the shattered ice that forms anew--no," she started mumbling, "The pale hands that guide into the sheer white mists--no. Even flames..." She stopped mumbling and turned to Lucifer. "Have you ever battled Shiri seriously? Enough so that he would be severely burned in the process?"
"Yes, but" Lucifer sighed, "he had obtained the power before that match. How long before, no idea. I assume you're thinking that the activation trigger is related to a yuki being burnt?"
"It's all I can think of," Gwyn shrugged. "Fire and ice have their various relationships throughout the mythos."
The two continued their discussion, going over multiple books, and presenting theories and names for the potential powers. While the two were attempting to find connections, the topic of Lucifer's wings came up.
"I think it's unrelated," Lucifer said. "The wings have no real downside other than their manageable heat and, more importantly, it's permanent. Your abilities with the bloodrite fade temporarily if you go without blood, Shiri's frostbite has to be activated. I know two examples are hardly enough to start creating consistent rules but they seem different to me."
"What about your eyes?" Gwyn asked. "What caused that yellow ring you had to form?"
"I don't know," Lucifer lied. "It happened at the same time as the wings. I think for now," he made a pile of books, "I'd rather just focus on lycans. I can maybe find an answer to the yuki ability if I ask Shiri or Kija about their pasts, but the others..." he tapped his finger on his cheek. "I think trying to find an answer with nothing to go on would be maddening."
Gwyn pointed to her neck. Lucifer nodded as he held out his arm.
"Once you're done drinking, can you tell me anything about Vázo that might be less common knowledge?"
Gwyn lifted her head, releasing her fangs from Lucifer's arm and sighing with satisfaction. "Fuck that's good," she wiped her mouth. "Despite Mara's relationship with Vázo, there's almost nothing I know about him that isn't common. Truthfully, the only unique information I have is in regards to the more physical aspects of his time with Mara."
Gwyn continued, "I'm guessing you assume Vázo's magic-eating ability is a rite?"
"Possibly," Lucifer shrugged. "None of his many, many children have shown that they have the same ability. While chaos magic does have an exceedingly low chance of passing down, in Vázo's case I feel as though at least one of his offspring should have had the ability."
Gwyn made a look of concern. "Are you planning on telling Fensyr about this?"
Lucifer spoke confidently, "I'm more than capable of hiding intentions when it comes to information gathering."
- Peter, Yvere, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi -
Peter pointed at Tsukuyomi while speaking to Yvere. "He'll be yer responsibility. I'll be handlin' Fensyr, Luce has Amaterasu."
"Why am I getting Tsukuyomi?" Yvere asked.
Peter shrugged. "'Cause yer the most patient of the team. Patience works for Tsukuyomi, whereas Ama and Fenny will probably need a stricter hand."
Amaterasu scoffed, "You and Lucifer keep talking about my brother and me as if it's preordained that we're going to start a fight with Fensyr or vice-versa."
Peter looked at Tsukuyomi. "How was the journey to Hell? S'a long trip, must have had a lot to talk about with each other?"
"Actually," Tsukuyomi cupped his hand around his chin, "Fensyr was busy practicing what to say to Lucifer, and my sister and I were focused on carrying and protecting the crates of black sand," He shrugged. "Little was spoken during the travel."
"Mmm," Peter hummed while casually staring at Amaterasu.
- Lucifer and Fensyr -
Lucifer had finished what research he could with Gwyn. The group were preparing their carts to leave Sangmara. Lucifer pulled Fensyr aside.
"Have you experienced any physical changes recently? I don't have much knowledge of non-humans with contracts and I'm curious if there's any notable changes."
Fensyr picked at his teeth. "Other 'an my fur changin'," he stopped picking at his teeth, "can't say there's much. 'Parently lycan fur is closer tied to our mana than most beings' hair, so it changes color when I activate my contract."
Fensyr started picking at his teeth again.
Lucifer questioned, "Your teeth okay?"
"Just itchy," Fensyr continued picking.
"Is that common for lycans?" Lucifer asked.
Fensyr scoffed, "Just the ones that have teeth."
Lucifer narrowed his eyes before shaking his head. Fensyr stopped picking his teeth and sighed.
"Figured you'd already know most of what's to know 'bout my kind? Hell's libraries are renowned enough that even the illiterate in Vázoluna know about them."
Lucifer shrugged. "I'm not an expert on every single group in this world nor do I try to be. It's simple curiosities caused by my own...let's call them "complications"."
"Mmm," Fensyr doubted. "...Sorry."
"It's fine," Lucifer assured.
- Lucius and Gwyn -
Gwyn spun around in her blue backless dress. "Are you sure my back isn't too muscular for this?"
Lucius responded as his eyes scanned the letter in front of him, "Dear, the only ones who would dare say that are liars or the blind."
Gwyn leaned over Lucius' shoulder. "To think our territory would ever reach tier three status again," she scowled. "What are your thoughts on this, as a former soldier?"
Lucius kept repeatedly reading the letter as he spoke, "You were a soldier as well."
Gwyn hugged Lucius' arms. "We weren't the same type of soldier," she tightened her hug. "You know what I'm asking."
Lucius put the letter down. "They won't invade, not unless it happens again," he placed his hand on Gwyn's and exhaled through his nose. "Which it most likely will. The World Council wouldn't do this otherwise. Whatever happens," his hair turned crimson red, "We will not allow what we've built to be destroyed."
Gwyn rested her head on Lucius' shoulder as her hair turned the same shade of red.
- Zeus and Hades -
Zeus punched a hole clean through the stone wall of Hades' palace. "TIER TWO! TIER FUCKING TWO ALL BECAUSE OF POSEIDON'S TREACHERY! BECAUSE THE FUCKING MINOTAURS REBELLED AND LEFT THE TERRITORY!"
Hades motioned to nearby guards to fix the wall. "I think the bigger concern here is that a World Council meeting is on the way. Tier changes have always signaled such in the past."
Zeus stomped his foot through the rug he was standing on, cracking the floor. "WHY ARE YOU SO FUCKING CALM ABOUT THIS!"
Hades sighed as his eyes narrowed, "Because one of us has to be."