Chapter 7
The archaic dwelling of statues, Dethos continent
All the preparations had been carefully made, and now this was happening of all times? "Since when did we tell them to act like complete terrorists?" That wasn't supposed to have. Nor were there supposed to be casualties if their plans had gone correctly.
This was the problem with free will and complete nutcases. The first was always a crapshoot, and the second was guaranteed someone would die. There was frustrated aggravation on all sides of the statue hall that waited for the chosen mortals and demi-beasts that were supposed to arrive any day now.
The deities who'd given the orders to apostles were furious at what was happening. "How dare those imbeciles decide to alter the world events? At this rate, even the chosen ones would die before being brought to Dethos.
"How should this situation be handled?" One of the apostles inquired of the deities in their statue forms.
"Obviously, they will have to be transported to another timeline." One of the deities scowled. "I think this binding to one mortal rule won't work."
The other deities nodded. It may depend on what chosen mortals and other demi-creatures appear in the main hall."
The apostles glanced at one another. "With all the deities these worlds' populations have come up with," a senior apostle grumbled, "you'd think there'd be enough chosen for one of each."
The deities shrugged.
An ancient chaos deity pointed out something the apostles neglected to consider. "Be that as it may, you should also consider that the planet you've chosen to draw from had very legitimate reasons for no longer trusting in deities and turning away from that belief in a single one."
The apostles frowned. "What does that mean?"
The deities sighed. "It means that their very existence is a remnant of several civilizations that exterminated each other in the name of religious perpetuation," one female pointed out casually. "Therefore, why would they want to go back to something that almost killed their predecessors into extinction?"
The apostles sighed. "This is what is happening in the ship now." There was a projected image. "As is suggested, we'll have to teleport them, either at the time of death or just before."
Many of the humans weren't asleep on that ship. One group in particular was clearly pondering their situation: "I believe these zealots are the ones who're about to commit a very heinous ritual that goes against what we're all about."
The deities looked at what was going on in horrified consternation. "Oh dear, that isn't good at all."
The apostles simply sighed.
*
Hadronic Ocean, Fleur seaport, Kratom Continent, planet: Makatea, Year: 300
Evidently, if they continued with the ritual, the boat would capsize, and everyone aboard—including them—would die in the process. That was not an optimal solution to what their leader envisioned.
Lady Andra sighed. "There's no going back now." She shrugged.
"I agree," the other two ladies stated.
"Muenster, what is the likelihood of the doom they're predicting?" Parag eyed him dubiously.
Muenster shook his head. "Not really worrisome." He stated at last. "I think they're just worried about the precious brats drowning."
Thomas sneered. "The only other ones on this ship are our comrades. However, they seem to have lost the will to continue onward."
Lady Margo's eyes narrowed. "That will never do."
"Hmph, more sacrifices for the higher success rate of the ritual in that case." Lady Merril surprised all of them. Her eyes glowed with determination. "When you consider it. None of those individuals agree with the cause of having a singular god." She shrugged. "So why should they be allowed to continue living?" Her words reminded them of their mission.
However, the zealots had come too far in what they wanted to accomplish, and they refused to back down in their decision to complete the summoning ritual. Besides, who needed another damn author publishing nonsense about pagan and atheist viewpoints? That was sacrilegious as well as heretical in their eyes. Only a single deity was allowed. Anything else was punishable through a death sentence and prompt execution.
*
Lately, Kaemon's writing has improved tremendously. He'd escaped from his small apartment, which his parents had leased. That had been quite the achievement. Now, he was managing his own life, too? Marron was pleased with that progress, although it mattered naught to Kaemon's parents.
"Damn, I'm not looking forward to this at all." Unfortunately, the reports Marron made were not only for Kaemon's family. He sighed in disgruntlement and for the publishing company Marron reported directly to.
The timing reeked for some of the reports Marron would have to make to both entities by whom he was employed. He far preferred only the publishing company. "Man, this sucks." However, there was no helping it. Times were tough, and his reporting to Kaemon's parents had been snuck into the contract, so he was obligated. Hmm, when was the contract up for renewal again? If it could be modified, Marron would recommend revoking that reporting to the parents clause. He was sure it was illegally included now that he thought about it. "For sure, it does no one any good right now."
There were some good things, though, Marron recalled. He was glad it wasn't connected to Kaemon's family. "They would've buried him long ago in nitpicky edits designed to drive him into despair." He'd run into Kaemon's parents before and recognized what kind of people they were.
Ugh, they were hideous in temperament, if not in appearance, while in public. Marron grimaced in disgust. "I'm surprised Kaemon's lived this long so independently." He muttered. "Demons incarnate" was the only way he could describe them.
Immediately, he cringed and looked around uneasily. Marron sighed and rubbed his temples. "Nope, I can't say that anymore. Not after all the extensive research that Kaemon had made on the species of this world." his shoulders were hunched. "Uhmm, where is the book of notes?"
Bah, no, demons weren't that cruel to their children, Marron remembered. If anything, they were angelic compared to Kaemon Frell's parents. He sighed in frustration. "That's right. The archaic records reported that the demonic entities were neutral and courteous from birth." Marron winced. "Ugh, I need to remember not to say anything negative about any species lately." There was an uproar about being cautious about saying anything.