"We found out about a plot."
Kain's brows creased. "What's new? There's always someone plotting away to their deaths."
"No no this is completely different. It's more…sinister."
They continued on despite Kain's silence.
"The smoke we used was made by a herb. A herb that can maim…god kind."
The glass clutched on Kain's hand shattered. The other hand formed cracks on the metal table.
"I presume you are aware of your crimes. So how would you want to die? Due to our long history together I will make your deaths as painless as possible."
"No! We didn't even know that the herb could do it. We ourselves recently found out about it! Claudina you should have explained properly!"
"Then you do it!"
A hand slammed on the table. They nearly forgot about the angry god in front. Claudina audibly gulped. "We were investigating about this plant. Chronos, do you remember Lord Uranus sending a distress call for the other gods to assemble at 'Fort Pierre Plateau' in my timeline?"
"Yes? What about it? The distress call was sent by mistake."
"It wasn't. That distress call was real. Uranus later on confirmed it."
"What…?"
"If you remember when the call was received I was still in the frontlines. When returning I wrote a letter saying I would take a detour and went to the Lord Uranus' Nation. There I saw him and…"
"Go on."
"Lord Uranus was…missing his eyes and his right arm. Mostly importantly he was not able to regenerate from his injuries."
Kain was shocked. "That is…impossible." His breath was caught in his lungs. "Why didn't you say anything when you came back?"
"Chronos I was going to but I was suddenly transported back in time. I was in the academy writing a letter asking an audience with the King and you. And I didn't say anything until now because I assumed if we change a few events in the past it will greatly affect the future."
"I…understand." For a long time he didn't speak. The things he heard so far had his core trembling. "I will continue," Claudina said awkwardly. "I was worried for my kingdom so I asked Lord Uranus about his injuries. As I was the Saintess of time he entrusted me with confidential files something I could not risk sending over with mere letters."
"After I left Lord Uranus on my way I was attacked by assassins. The ones who had tried to kill him were after to silence me. As such I stayed in the frontlines for a year getting rid of them. After coming back in time using the things Lord Uranus told me I went to every black market and gave commissions to brokers in the underworld guild."
Claudina paused. "After the brokers came back, they told me someone was targeting the gods. And that this has been planned for nearly a hundred years. So Sylvester and I, we investigated it. A group called 'The Arbitrary Abstractions' came up numerous times. It was group of antique collectors on the outside that met monthly. In the inside it was a group well know in the underworld. A group of heretics and heathens that worshipped the dead god Ri'sh. Other than that they practice cannibalism, infanticide, blood rituals and other heretic actions."
"Afterwards we got clues on who were part of the group; nobles and commoners alike from different Nations and continents," Sylvester tentatively continued for Claudina. "That plans we dug out would be high treason to put it lightly. They created weapons and poisons that are able to kill gods or render them vulnerable. The smoke bomb we used was something that we brought from the groups' auction. We were supposed to show it you today since at first we didn't fully believe their claims." He paused "…Sire the plans…had ways to destroy the world and to create it from scratch again. These people willing became vessels of demons."
Kain didn't speak. The stormy weather was still carrying on. It got worse as they now could hear the guttural howls of Chronos' beasts. They were being affected by his rage through their mental link.
Claudina furiously tapped her index finger on the table. "The rebels of your war are still alive. And they are advancing. What do we do?"
"Chronos this is a force that neither Sylvester nor I have ever faced. They were able to almost defeat the five gods. Humans with the highest blessing from their gods would be no match for them if a fight breaks out. We need to contact the Lord Uranus and the other."
Chronos said nothing. He stood up and retained his original form. With a gust of the wind he vanished leaving behind the distant tick tocks of a clock.
It was late at night when Chronos heard a timid knock come from the door. The room was unlit and cold. The only from of light was from the pale full moon coming through the open glass door.
He rubbed his temple. He looked at the mess he created on his table. Empty bottles of strong liquor, alcohol were spilled on the table as small puddles, a half full glass filled amber whisky and a blow of ice.
He deeply signed. He rarely indulged in alcohol yet he ended up drinking in great quantity. The events of the morning were still weighing heavily on his head. The poor Deacon will be frightened. "Come in."
He was surprised to see Claudina and Sylvester hidden in the shadows of the door. Their faces were filled with caution.
"I believe it is past your curfew. Why are you still up?" he asked. They stepped back probably from his tone.
He signed again. He didn't mean to take his anger out. He beckoned them to come inside. He glanced back at the table and swished his hand on the mess. A steaming pot of tea and cups were now on the table. He lifted his hand and the candles on the mantle place were ignited.
"Sit." They sat down averting his stern stare. "I am not mad at you. Just a…bit disappointed."
"That's even worse in my opinion," Sylvester muttered while taking the teacup. He saw it was milk instead of tea. "We are not children…" Regardless both he and Claudina sipped it.
"I am disappointed that rather than keeping it to yourself you should have told me." "We were going to! We just didn't the time t-" "I am the god of time. There is right or wrong time for me. You should know that. You didn't tell me because you took matters into your hands seeing untrustworthy I am."
"That's not it…" They hunched over.
"Well, continue with the morning's talk." Claudina looked at Sylvester before saying "As we stated earlier they are rebels of your war. We need to tell the others about it. If we wish to survive."
"Any notable people in the group?"
"Yes. The King of the northern country, the nomadic tribes of south, some from our kingdom which includes Count Seria, Marquis Flor and the temple's archbishop, Lord Nyx's closest aide, Lord Uranus' Pope and the third princess and Lord Gaia's people in the outer court with the ringleader Viscount Sher and Duke Haithim and Makia …and the emperor of east, Ezra Cramadilis. These are the ones that have come to mind but there are more"
Chronos leaned backwards. "We love humans yet they continue to betray us. Gaia would be heartbroken to hear this. She loved humans more than any of us."
Silence again filled the room. "I will discuss the matter with the others tomorrow. Thank you for all your trouble."
"…Should we continue to dig up more information?"
Chronos looked like he wanted to tear off Sylvester's head. His face relaxed. "Do whatever suits you. However if there is even a shard of danger you will withdraw."
After that not a word was said among them. Claudina's usual proud sneer was nowhere to found neither Sylvester's somber yet kind words.
Chronos was equally disturbed and concerned. He wanted to comfort them but they need to understand their mistakes so he said nothing. They meant well, he knew. Whatever they did it was for his sake. Yet he couldn't bring himself to say a word.
They sat through the night without sleep. Chronos didn't bother them and they kept to themselves. Claudina and Sylvester only left when the first cracks of dawn crept in. The gongs of bell echoed throughout the temple signaling the hour for morning prayers.
They stood up and left without bidding Chronos goodbye.
A little voice in his head rang out "This is why they didn't trust you. You keep them close but lash out when they do something for you."
'Shut up.'
Chronos came back near three in the morning.
The meeting with the other gods lasted longer than he anticipated. Gaia had nearly erupted the nearby volcanoes hearing about the betrayals. Afterwards she made it rain for hours which caused three villages to flood. And Nyx…when did he last saw Nyx looking so mad? Was it during the war? During the war someone close to her betrayed her as well. She had released her True Form and laid waste to fifty kingdoms.
He walked the cold hallways of the temple. He reached his door. He was surprised to see light coming out from underneath as well as voices. He had expected everyone must have fallen asleep.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Oh he's back." Claudina and Sylvester were sitting in front of the fire playing cards.
"What are you two doing here?" He walked inside. He took of his outer coat and threw it on the bed.
"We were waiting to know the aftermath. As well as give new information."
'So they did go scouting. No wonder I couldn't find them.' He went towards them.
Sitting between the pile of cards was a flask of malt whisky. 'I shouldn't drink in front of them.' He sat down in an empty seat.
"And what makes you think I will tell you?" "Well you wouldn't have sat down and just went to bed. Second you entered the room with your left foot a clear sign that the things you heard are needed to discuss with us. And third you really don't think we would allow you to sleep now do you?"
"You are right Claudina. But as a god I don't require sleep so your argument is invalid."
"Then we will stay up all night," Sylvester said and they went back to their game. Occasionally the whiskey bottle was passed between them.
He eyed the game; Claudina won most of the matches but only because she was cheating. Sylvester scratched his head each time.
"Do you want to tell us now?" she suddenly asked.
"No."
The cards crumpled on Claudina's hand. "Alright. Let's make a bet."
"A bet?"
"Yes, you play a game with me; if I lose I will stop asking you but if I win you will tell me everything. Deal?"
Chronos assessed it. It sounds reasonable. "Very well. However I will choose a game. You will cheat at cards." "You said you wouldn't cheat!" "We will play a game of Chess. You can't cheat in that. Rather I will make sure you don't cheat." Claudina looked as if she very much wanted to cheat in it as well but she agreed regardless.
"Be careful Chronos. I have never lost a game of chess. The King would call for me for a friendly match now and then though he always lost."
"Children who gloat have always lost their humility. No matter. This god of time will engrave the word humble in your bones with your first ever defeat."
"Is that a challenge? I do hope you are ready to eat your words."
"We'll see."
'When did it became a competition instead of a bet?' Sylvester thought.
The table was cleared and a chess board was placed. Chronos picked white while Claudina took the black pieces. Sylvester choose to stay as witness.
They started the hours long game of chess.