At first dawn two soldiers came from the capital. Reporting to Lucian about the collapsed area just outside the capital. The guards had been warned away by Duke Randal's men who were already excavating the area.
Randal pretended to pick at his ears when Jaxon glared at him. The mountain man had realized he was the only one not adopted by one of the wee beasties, so he'd gone out hunting. He now had a sac large enough for three grown men to fit inside, full of beast cores.
"Come wee birdie, I've many tasty treats. I be able ta feed ya fer all me days. Do ya not want such ah capable pet?" The mountain man coaxed. He was really anxious, all of them had been adopted to varying degrees…
The wee beasties all looked everywhere but at the mountain man. The mage snickered as he fed his wee beastie a treat. He'd taken on his wee human form, lifting his mask to eat the beast core while kicking his feet.
Estell noticed the little birds were less friendly this morning. They still kept her company, but they didn't try making her happy or tease her.
Jaxon wanted to order the men to take the birds away. Unfortunately, they were currently the strongest creatures in the room.
Mitt hid in the Ranger's sleeves, peeking out long enough to steal a snack, then hid away again. The mountain man had tried bird napping him this morning! Bad mountain man!
Kokono snickered as she sat on her favored human's shoulder. Happily accepting his snacks. She was hungry after playing with him before dawn! His hammer was so fast! He was getting faster after each prayer! What a fast learner.
Lucian took a deep breath, "What have your men found at the collapsed sight Duke Hammer?"
Randal glanced up with obvious disinterest, "Oh? Nothen yet ye majesty. Tis only been two days. We be thinken it will take half a month ta find anything." He wasn't lying. The library the Ranger described had to be three miles deep. For now, his focus was mapping out the catacombs. They had to lead somewhere. Hopefully to others so he could get more answers.
Leonard's eye twitched seeing the giant mountain man on his hands and knees trying to coax the birds. No matter how they hopped about he followed them. Pet of a bird? Really?
"Your majesty, the populace has begun rioting. Every day more of the catacombs are unearthed, dozens of groups have started sneaking out at night to try destroying the smaller enchantments in private property." The soldier reported as he side eyed the giant crawling about like a babe on the floor.
"There have also been several attacks on the guards. Majesty… the council implores you to return with all due haste. Many decisions need your approval, and the capital mage relay is being flooded from all over the empire." The soldier explained pulling out a dozen sealed letters.
Leonard brought the letters to his majesty. Most were confidential. Returning to the capital to allay the citizens would be best for the empire… if beasts weren't showing up every other day.
Jaxon saw Lucian's hesitation, "Dismissed, we shall have a private council." Most left the room as they opened the letters to reed the latest news from the empire.
Mass panic over the beast gods. The catacombs. The collapse of tunnels had alarmed the council enough that they spread their already sparce forces thinner to investigate. There had been some headway on deciphering some of the new enchantments. The priests investigating were able to work backwards to trace the history of the holy enchantments so they expected to have new information in the days to come.
Duke Hammer had remained to listen, but didn't express his opinions. Duke Carlos was much the same, though his pensive expression was far from reassuring.
"Thoughts Duke Carlos?" Jaxon asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Problems were piling up like a mountain. One push would create an avalanche.
Sebastian eased back into his seat, "Honestly, the civil unrest will not be quelled so easily. Even for a warring nation, walking over a road of bones is not something everyone can stomach. I believe returning to the capital would be in his Majesty's best interest."
Nix watched the rising sun. The imperials were packing up, getting ready to return to the capital. It was a pity. The hiding beast was now ready to make his move. Stalking the groups, staying just out of sight.
Caius's hackles were raised. Something was watching them. Every few seconds she could feel it. Looking past the morning mist, she searched… whatever was here could hide from a sin beast. That meant it was on par with her, or stronger.
Nix started to pet Caius's tails. "This morning another. One who comes to do harm. Rather than wait, shall I toss out some yarn?" It would appear Alaina was more desperate than she'd let on. Under the cover of mist were more than a dozen. All waiting for a signal.
Caius's fur bristled as she bared her teeth. "Who dares?" She demanded stepping out of the nest. Using her tails, she sent a blade of wind to part the mist.
Zane glanced up, the imperials had informed them they would be returning after the morning meal. He'd thought Lord… or Lady Caius's irritation came from learning Nix also planned to return.
Rommel was already pulling his sword close. The last few beasts had been nothing to sneeze at. He doubted anything weaker than a guardian grade beast could put Lord Caius on edge. At least with his sword and armor he might survive the aftershocks of any battles that took place.
Zane glanced around, several were already dawning their armor. Few even looked surprised.
Jantje didn't need an invitation. They all circled up, preparing for whatever guest had arrived.
Neolani gripped her spear; the silence was eerie. No bird song, no passing wind, not even the rustling of leaves could be heard. The damp air was like a blanket of unease settling over the camp grounds.
"I'm a bit offended, to lay over my own. Not even a greeting, or does wrath attack reason's known?" Nix asked as he sat up. Waving his hand he removed the mist.
Zane paled as he saw Lord Mishi. Lady Alaina's son, and a sin beast of wrath. Lord Mishi was a giant water panther. His body was nearly invisible; Zane had to focus to see his outline against the still destroyed forest.
Mishi's scales reflected the world around him, making him especially hard to spot if you didn't know what to look for. His dorsal fin spines were capable of flattening along his spine, when raised they were the faintest hue of red. The spines continued all the way to the tip of his flattened tail. There were more spines on the back of Mishi's legs. Mishi's spines and webbed claws carried trace amounts of venom, but his bites were deadly.
Using his muscled tail to express his displeasure, Mishi whipped the ground leaving a crater. The crater was large enough to be a grave for a large fox.
"Well, who'd have thought. A drowned phoenix daring to challenge Lady Alaina. You didn't really think we'd let that slide, did you?" Mishi snarled as his claws left man deep gouges in the earth. The sealed sea goddess just needed one little push, then she'd be free. While she was technically his great, great grandmother he'd never met her.
That didn't stop him from receiving her blessings. Nix, a fallen beast god dared try to rise from the ashes? As if they would allow such a thing. No, after the sea goddess was released, it would be their time to remove the sun god. Nix was just the first step. As soon as they had his heart… the rest of their plans could proceed.
Nix tilted his head, "Me? Challenge a fish? What reason could I have, can she grant me a wish?" Mishi's heart's song was so full of hatred and rage. It was a mystery he had any reason left. Nix only half heartedly wondered what Alaina said to make so many hate him without ever having met.
Mishi readied himself to pounce. Lady Alaina had made it clear; he need only kill one Nix protected. That would be enough to break Nix's heart, then they could take it. Fighting Nix directly was a waste of time.
Nix tilted his head when Mishi showed no signs of answering. "You come to my nest, declare war in earnest, you've come to kill… who's blood are you looking to spill?"
Caius had grown thrice her usual size to match Mishi's. Her fur bristled, she was ready to fight this barnacle to the death. She didn't even care if no one else joined. Today, for the first time in fifty years, she had a chance for revenge.
Caius let flames flicker around her paws, tails, scruff and ears. Drawing in all the available mana. Today one of them would die.
"Oh pretty fox, this kitten won't answer, what should I do… how about a courtship gift, one from me, to you?" Nix asked as he stood up. Silver flames condensing into armor.
Caius's heart skipped a beat… was… was her Pretty birdie willing to kill Mishi? Caius felt butterflies in her stomach. "I'd love a courtship gift Pretty Birdie, what did you have in mind?" She asked without letting Mishi escape her sight. She had no doubt that a single moment of inattention and the barnacle would escape.
Nix formed a flame in each hand. "I am not a fighter, I am more support, but I can trap him, make sure he can't escape before you settle your score."
Zane shivered, had Lord Mishi just… looked at them? Was he expecting them to help kill Lord Nix or the imperials?
Rommel felt every battle instinct go on full alert… if he didn't know better, he'd think Lord Mishi… was targeting them.