Lord Of The Mysteries: A Slug of Time

Fire, Blood, Curses, Calamity, War.

Lightning creaked, the ground shook, the sky devoid of crimson moon, thousands of vampiric bats flew, covering every inch of it, the illumination of stars, the resplendent nebulae, the faint brown, white and orange planets.

Within a singular moment, the ground split apart, molten lava and steel making their escape, freezing and forming innumerable sharp spikes that pierced the hearts of Sanguines and Vampires alike, causing the land to be dyed in their blood; a blood which immediately evaporated due to scorching temperatures.

These spikes rose up in the air, before exploding into countless sharp fragments raining down on the land, as well as up in the sky, piercing Sanguine, and Mutants alike. After all, it did not matter to the army of the God of War if they were hurt, or even suffered deaths, for all their pain, all their suffering were chained instantly, accumulated into a dark apocalyptic curse that would soon sweep the masses.

Neither did it matter to the Sanguine army. 

A clap in the air resounded. Suddenly, both on the molten land, and in the dark sky, countless Doors of Summoning took form, engraved with mysterious symbols, creaked open as a shrill cry resounded out of them. 

Countless vampiric bats flew out of the door of summoning, flying to every inch of the battlefield, swiftly dodging the rain of spikes, as they gathered together, twisting, merging, taking a humanoid shape. Just as quickly as the Sanguine army was sweeped by the mutants, they replenished again, brimming with spirituality and vitality, facing the war head on.

The battle was essentially paused in an eternal cycle, a repetition of this exact phenomenon. No matter how fierce the Mutant army was, no matter how many times they would wipe the Sanguines off the battlefield, all it took was one clap to undo their work.

Taking note of all this , the God of Miracles, Kotar narrowed "His" gaze, turning some of the Sanguines into "His" marionettes, before discreetly pulling them out of the battlefield. Interestingly, "His" actions went completely unnoticed to both the Symbol of War and the Beauty Goddess silently facing off each other, nor the Goddess of Life hidden deeply within the Sanguine ranks, constantly granting "new life" to the army.

Besides "Him", the God of Death, Salinger's forked tongue moved as "His" piercing gaze landed on the spirit bodies of fallen ones. The spirit body of sanguines and vampires instantly vanished upon death, seemingly consumed by the thick black fog lingering in the surroundings, while the Mutants had their spirit body chained from life, so when death invaded their mortal flesh, their wasted life merely became a husk to empower the curses of the third-in-command, Tolzna and "His" Silent Disciple legion.

Salinger's hollow, and deathly eyes moved, witnessing the display of two sides fiddling with death, one trapped in an eternal cycle of rebirth, while the other suffering even in the solitude of Eternal Sleep. This Subsidiary god did not appreciate this, and thus, "He" expanded "His" Death gaze as well as "His" prepared section of the Underworld, taking control over part of the mutants, turning, instantly making them a part of "His" undead army.

Just like Kotar, "His" actions went completely unnoticed. 

The concept of Darkness itself embraced and empowered their every move, eluding even the senses of the Subsidiary Gods of both opposing armies. 

Naturally, they couldn't take drastic measures for fear that the Gods on both sides would cast their gazes on their erased existences, and thus, they acted rather covertly and conservatively. Occasionally, Kotar will stir probability in favour of one side, while noting the fascinating scenes "He" witnessed, in case "He" ever needed to bring them forth from "His" memories via a miracle. On the other hand, Salinger would focus on increasing "His" ranks, using low and mid sequences of the both armies, while also occasionally sensing the deepening presence of the Underworld in the surroundings.

"We should move deeper in the battlefield. Merely spectating from a distance won't result in anything drastic." Salinger hissed, "His" tail laying itself on the bare ground. The King of Demonic Wolves had long parted ways from them, simply handing out the order to search for the Sefirah Castle's proxy, and to keep a note on this war. 

Salinger suspected that their Lord may have made "His" way towards the two deities, facing each other far away from this land. 

"Do we really need to…" Kotar grunted, but shivered and instinctively wanted to end "His" projection upon locking eyes with Salinger's empty eyes.. This caused the hesitating Demonic Wolf to reluctantly step forward, turning even more Sanguines into marionettes while taking control over a part of the demonic wolf army as well as the marionettes "His" Lord had bestowed. 

Slowly, with Salinger flanking "Him", the two Subsidiary gods left the edge of the battlefield and entered. The extreme environment didn't affect them as they were seemingly in their own world. However, they could affect the outside as they further spread their influence.

Suddenly, Kotar's spiritual sense took note of something. Where is… "He" quickly spun "His" head around, resting "His" gaze on the Sanguine Queen. Immediately "He" took note of "Her" shining crimson figure, seemingly in disarray as "She" too had noticed the sudden absence of God of War. 

Yes, the God of War had vanished!

The Sanguine Queen Auernia, analyzed and observed every inch of the battlefield, using "Her" "Inner" reflection of the Crimson Moon and connected to the battlefield within a 500 kilometers radius. Immediately, "She" noticed the change in command of the mutated army, with the Symbol of Strive and Rust, the Calamity Warlock who was originally the second-in-command now at the head of the army. 

Auernia, of course, did not take this as a good sign and discreetly signaled "Her" subjects to remain on high alert. "She" then melted into the surrounding spirituality, her sense piercing the permeating Fog of War, Catastrophic Domains, and Curse employed by the Subsidiary Gods in the mutated army. 

Suddenly, "Her" spiritual intuition was triggered, prompting "Her" to spread her body further, while subtly implying "Her" beauty to calm even the most hostile concepts. Her abundant spirituality soon clashed with an oppressive and conquering aura, which prompted "Her" to use part of "Her" spirituality to form "Her" body, before a gigantic column of purple blaze that had suddenly appeared.

"Already missing me, Goddess of Beauty," the taunting tone was unmistakable, causing Auernia to scoff and fold "Her" arms on "Her" chest. "The Great God of War had to take an emergency leak amidst battle? I almost pitied your soldiers… almost."

Naturally, the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth occuring at every corner of the battlefield, bar where the head of said armies occupied, proceeded.

The Symbol of War didn't immediately respond to "Her" and instead, "His" purple flames acting as a body seemed to tilt to the side as "He" gazed at the carnage occuring everywhere. 

"Unfortunately, nothing can last for all eternity… Well, isn't it the exact fact that makes such thrilling experiences thrilling in the first place?" This Subsidiary God seemed to ruminate to himself as "He" suddenly redirected "His" focus onto "His" enemy.

"I'm a firm believer that for drastic changes to occur, those at the top, leaders, have to make an example out of themselves."

"He" didn't let "Her" immediately retort, and instead, spread "His" flaming arms wide. "This Battle…"

The Sanguine Queen floated closer, clapping "Her" hands as more doors of Summonings took shape all around "Her" and the god of war. "Will end today." She finished "His" sentence, as crimson light radiated out of "Her" body, strengthening the Queen and "Her" subjects while simultaneously depleting the spirituality of "Her" opposition. 

The God of war smiled at this, before breaking into a sudden, stiff laughter, "His" mandibles moving about as more purple flames erupted from them. "He" then settled himself, seemingly grinning as "He" conjured a purple sword, while gazing at Auernia. "That it will."

Pausing, "He" pointed "His" sword at "Her", while "His" blazing skull became brighter illuminating the crimson dyed land. "But who do you think would be the victor? You or I?"

Suddenly, Auernia felt "Her" spiritual intuition repeatedly trigger alerting "Her" of extreme danger. "She" readied herself, clapping "Her" hands, as even more doors of Summonings took shape around her. The Sanguine army quickly began to gather, approaching the middle of the battlefield while the mutants did the opposite taking a step back. 

The concealed Demonic Wolves noticed the sudden change in the air, with Kotar and Salinger swiftly acting, spreading their marionettes and undeads far and wide into the battlefield, now affecting the some demigods under the God of War and the Sanguine Queen.

"You ought to be familiar with how the souls of those that die on this battlefield are only chained and accumulated to empower our devastating curses, right?" "He" spoke, "His" tone maniac in a sense with extreme frenzy. The blazing sword that was pointed at Auernia, suddenly made a turn, now pointing at himself. 

"Now what if that was to be done on a larger scale?" Behind the God of War, the mutant army gathered together taking a barrier formation with the many Disciple of Silence at the forefront, the thorny vines in their body spreading out randomly, covering the entire barrier, acting as a shield for the rest of the army. 

Auernia's spiritual intuition was at an all time high, causing "Her" to dictate the Sanguine army to adopt a more defensive approach. "You mean…" "She" uttered "Her" gaze becoming weary, while the god of war held the blazing sword pointed at "Him" slowly bringing it towards "His" chest. 

"Let me tell you something. For a fact, you won't be winning this battle. All this time, countering and waging war on you guys, gave me enough of a realisation to know, to whom I should direct this final attack towards." Immediately, Auernia felt almost every single Door of Summonings around them having been conquered! Quickly, "She" tried to dissipate these doors and conjure new ones but the Conqueror proved slightly faster than "Her" when it came to using their respective abilities. 

"You have killed countless of my soldiers, over and over, afflicting them with immeasurable pain. Their suffering, desire to kill, madness and their very souls having been chained should result in a devastating curse, no? What if this was to be done by the very Chained God?" 

Before Auernia could even think of a reply, the God of War stabbed himself with "His" own purple blazing sword, letting out a maniacal laugh while doing so. "Hehe, You won't be winning this battle for your little cycle of life and death, with that pesky Goddess of Life is about to be broken!" Stabbing himself deeper, the flames at "His" body began to turn black in colour, while the fog of war that lingered about began to sway violently, covering every inch of the battlefield, even enveloping the Sanguine Army as well premating within the Doors of Summonings. 

The black flames at God of War's body began to stretch outwards, with Auernia attempts at stopping them turning futile nonetheless. It was now the realisation that was hitting "Her", the real plan of the Mutants.

"I, The Great Symbol of War."

Far away from this battlefield, where the crimson had descended, a figure cloaked in darkness moved about, observing the countless chains that swayed and crackled, trying to bind the voluptuous female humanoid figure that had taken shape in front of the crimson moon. 

Hmm, oh? The figure cloaked in darkness, the Evernight demonic Wolf, suddenly witnessed as the thorny chains that swayed about, suddenly began to contract back within the chained figure, encircling "His" entire body, digging and piercing deep within "Him". 

"His" reaction was shared by the crimson moon—the Sanguine Ancestor Lilith halted "Her" approach. 

"Become a Channel for the Chained One's abominable essence." 

The chains binding the figure grew tighter, turned corporeal, threatening to destroy the body it constrained. The two deities had the relevant dangerous scene conjured in their minds as they prepared to use their various methods to depart

However, the chained figure suddenly radiated an incomprehensible charm, instantly mesmerised these two divine beings for a fraction of a second, halting their retreat.

The chained figure, an abomination scarecrow representing all the chained desires of the Mutant King, all "His" pain, all "His" suffering, all his longing, began to shake under the violent pressure applied by the thorny chained drilling into "His" flesh, bringing it on the verge of explosion. 

This Abomination Scarecrow was an essential replica of the chained god, a medium that allowed "Him" to release his most devastating curse yet, without actually being present on the battlefield. As the one that held authority over desires, over the concept of "Restraint" itself, "His" scarecrow acted as the perfect replica, eluding the senses of even "Fool" as well the penetrating gaze of the Crimson Moon. 

"To Release the result of your suffering, Our suffering. To bestow this land, with your blessing, and a Curse to our enemies."

As the sacrificial chant echoed in the air, the God of War's body began to shake violently as the Sanguine Queen took a step back. Quickly "She" turned around, controlling the concept of spiritually, forming massive barriers curtaining the entire Sanguine army, yet it was too late. 

The Abomination Scarecrow, far from the battlefield, incapable of withstanding the pressure of the chains any longer, exploded. 

In a singular moment, crimson disappeared. The Demonic Wolves that had been tucked away in Darkness, concealed from this world, became visible. The Fog of War that enveloped the whole battlefield turned Black. The entire Sanguine Army was killed in an instant, leaving a stunned Beauty Goddess. 

A devastating curse was released on the land. On the battlefield, covering every inch of it. It was a curse so potent, it followed the Sanguines even after their death. Penetrating within the Door of Summonings, reaching the Goddess of life. 

Quickly, "She" began to give birth to the Sanguines again, so as to replenish their army, yet the life that came to be, melted into a pool of black almost instantly. It was then that "She" realised that this particular curse, infected the very soul body to a point of corrupting and chaining it. No life could sustain such a curse, let alone a newborn. 

Hence, "She" had to make a decision. If the army wasn't replenished, the mutants would be able to penetrate within the Moon City, with even the Queen incapable of stopping them. If that were to be the case, with the Ancestor suddenly having disappeared, something "She" took notice of due to the sudden disappearance of the Crimson light, this would imply their loss in the war, and the outcome unknown. 

For some moments, the abomination of reproductive organs stood silent, before its surface began to turn black in colour, its surroundings began to shake, as it gave birth to new life. New fit life, that was able to sustain itself, yet significantly weakened by the effects of the curse. 

More and more life was birthed over and over, as they walked out of the door of Summonings, in their hands a potion that was used to resist curses and diseases. Eventually, the entire Sanguine army was replenished. At a cost. 

The Goddess of Life had borne the brunt of the terrifying curse, "Her" body turning into a pool of black as he" collapsed into chaos of endless possibilities. New life tried to sprout, before ultimately making peace with the end, ending within the pocket dimension, alone. 

Within the battlefield, Auernia's vision cleared, as "She" coughed violently, using "Her" spirituality and the authority of new life, raised at the Beauty Goddess level to give birth to the remaining curse within "Her". "She" then noticed the God of War, almost completely destroyed having acted as a sacrifice for the release of the curse, flashed a maniacal grin, taking pleasure in seeing "Her" panicked and weakened form, while "His" body slowly reduced to ashes. "Live long." 

"He" uttered, before "His" body completely exploded into flames. And thus, the god of war perished. 

Auernia fell into a disarray. Instantly, "She" felt the death of the Goddess of Life, remembering the words of the God of War, realising the Cycle of Rebirth was now broken. Auernia gulped as Crimson cracks appeared from "Her" body, illuminating and bathing the entire land, as she flew up into the sky, using her abilities to fight off the curse that was applied on her. 

The crimson that erupted from "Her" body not only stirred spirituality empowering the Sanguines but Auernia also enveloped it with vitality of a life giver, helping "Her" soldiers recover from their Affliction. They could no longer bear death or losses, as there was no way for the rebirth empowered by their ancestor and the Goddess of Life to occur. And with the sudden disappearance of the Crimson Moon, Auernia couldn't act as the substitute. 

"She" noticed the Mutant army, mostly unaffected by the curse, changed their formation now under the dictation of the Calamity Warlock, second in command having been promoted to the absolute ruler of war. The sky began to be filled with dark clouds, lightning striking across the sky as various calamities took shape, curses, abominations, flames, steel, venomous black snakes and the dead and undead, the entire Mutant army began to approach in full force, taking back their offensive stance with the sole goal of eradicating the Sanguine army at any cost. After all, they were no longer "immortal". 

It was at that moment, both the armies, Sanguines and Mutant took note of the sudden appearance of Demonic Wolves on the battlefield. Now fully exposed, Salinger and Kotar became alert and quickly acted, as Kotar cleared "His" throat, replaced "His" curse-filled projection with a new one, while "His" True body repeatedly substituted and resisted the action of the remnants of the curse. 

However, "His" projection swiftly acted and proclaimed, "I wish for the Affliction on the Demonic wolves faction to be minimised to a controllable extent!" This Miracle Invoker reasoned that focusing on dissipating the curse made by a True God, even its remnants, wasn't ideal. Instead, "He" focused on controlling the Affliction suffered by "His" comrades. 

Immediately, "He" fulfilled "His" wish, creating a Miracle! Almost instantly, the demonic wolves felt their condition somewhat restabilise, while Salinger quickly took control, spreading "His" influence, and "Killing" the remaining curse. 

The Darkness embracing us vanished… master! Salinger looked towards Kotar, the latter staring at "Him" intensely, as if "He" too had reached this conclusion. Salinger suddenly heard Kotar's voice in "His" inner ears, which said, "Master… something has happened." The voice suffered a pause as Salinger quickly controlled the demonic wolf army, waging war on Sanguine and Mutants. 

"I can no longer sense "Him". The connection born from blood has disappeared!"

Flying in the skies, Auernia looked over, gazing far away to a certain spot where the Crimson moon previously had descended. 

Yet nothing was there, the crimson moon, the thorny chains, the entire land was barren, empty. 

However, mirror fragments littered on the entire plains. 

…

Sitting in her room, Amanises gazed at the starry sky, devoid of crimson moon. Her deep dark eyes reflected the resplendent stars, while her beautiful looks were accentuated by it. 

Suddenly she felt a weird sensation curl her body, causing her to stiff back, take a deep breath and relax. 

"Has the opportunity arrived?"