Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"You know, I think you should talk to them." Shilo's ears twitch and she glances at her leader. Lamb's watching the clouds pass by above them, but the smile on their face tells her they're teasing her again.

"That seems like a risky situation." She replies, tucking her hands into her sleeves and relishing at the bell like style they have. Every day she's grateful for her leader's gift. "I don't want it to appear that I am disloyal to you." They snort and wave a hand at her, "Please. I know where your loyalties lie at this point." They lean against her and bat their eyes playfully, "And I also know how attached you've been to them long before we met~"

Shilo ducks her head, ears lowering a little only to yip in surprise as Lamb flicks her nose. "Hey...!"

"None of that, Shi." They scold gently before softening. "You grew up in that cult and They answered you when you cried for help. As much as I didn't get along with them at first, I'm grateful for that, because that meant you could be here." They tilt their head and smile. "Plus, I'm surprised you haven't noticed the glances they've been giving you."

"Huh?" She can't help but perk up causing them to giggle. "Yeah, it's like they're trying to figure out where they know you from..." Lamb falters. Wounds done by gods never fade, so the injury they have continuously makes their memory falter... but just seeing them perk whenever they see Shilo... the cult leader knows somewhere in their mind, they remember her.

"So!" They clap their hands and stand, pulling Shilo to her feet. "As your Glorious Leader, I hearby "order" you to go talk to them! If you don't, you'll be cooking for a week!" Lamb grins as Shilo laughs.

"Noooo! Not cooking! My mortal enemy!" The disciple mock wails before the pair break into giggles. "Alright... alright, my leader. I will go and talk with them."

"Good, because they're over there." Lamb points out the one in question, clearly caught off guard of suddenly having attention on them. Shilo yips in surprise, fur fluffing out, both are bright red. "Did you bring them over before?!" "Yep!" Lamb chirps as they stretch and prance off, "I've got a crusade to go on! Have a good chat!" And they're gone.

Shilo groans softly, pulling her hood over her head even as she hears footsteps.

"Apologies... I would have spoken up sooner, but I find myself at a loss for words." Their voice is so quiet... so different from the voice she had heard years and years ago when she was a kit. The presence is softer, almost hesitant, the divinity gone.

"No... no... it's okay..." She mumbles before taking a deep breath and pulling her hood back to look up at the other. Even as a mortal, they're still taller than her. Hazy purple eyes watch her closely, brow furrowed as if trying to find something that they don't even realize they're looking for. "You're so... familiar... alas... my memory is not what it used to be."

She swallows before replying, "You... helped me... a long, long time ago... when I was just a kit... a scared and hurt kit." She presses the tips of her fingers together as she recalls the plea she had given to the God of War.

"I want to be free." It's a quiet, chilling statement. To them, her voice is overlapped by a child's, frightened and begging. "I want to be safe. And then... I want to take down those who wronged me. I want to wage a battle they cannot win." Terrified sapphire eyes on one so small. They weren't one to answer prayers, not often at least. But they were just a child... just a small lonely and frightened child.

And they had answered, just a small bit of power. To see what they, what she, would do with it. It was a slaughter, it had been glorious.

And then she disappeared and while normally they would have just brushed it off, something kept them wondering. Now they had their answer.

Shilo eeps as arms wrap around her. "It's strange... as a god, I don't think I would have cared less... but seeing you now... fills me with such joy. You survived, you thrived... and I... could not be prouder." Slowly she relaxes in their hold and grips the back of their robe tightly as she trembles.

"Thank you.... thank you Shamura."

Chapter Text

Her ears are ringing.

Above it she can barely make out muffled shouting.

"I already knew she had it! How dare you use my name for such a disgusting act!"

Whatever response is lost to her as she stares at the broken necklace on the ground, the charm bent and dirty from the rough treatment it had gotten.

"Go! Leave us!  You will answer for this later, but now I want you out of my sight!"

The footsteps are rapidly fading away and she feels a presence near her, but she cannot bring herself to look.

"Shit..." The person who had been shouting, it's Lamb she thinks... why does it sound like they're underwater? "I'm gonna touch you Shilo, okay? Just your shoulders..." She can't move, can she even breathe?, but they must have seen something since she feels the lightest touch.

She hears them bark at someone else, another follower? And her mind catches on the last part, "-get Shamura over here, NOW!"

Shamura... what would they think when they see the necklace? The damaged caused to it, just because she wanted to look at it in the sunlight.

She can't breathe, what if they're upset? What if they get angry at her for being so careless? She's never had their anger directed at her before, she doesn't know she can handle it.

"Hey hey, it's okay Shilo, you're okay." Lamb whispers, fighting the urge to grit their teeth. The nerve of those newer followers! The cult leader had long ago seen the necklace Shilo wore with pride underneath her gifted golden skull one. The icon of a spider with an amethyst crescent moon in the center of the body; Shamura's symbol.

"When I woke up from the divine wrath they let me use, it was around my neck." She told them one late night when they were the only two awake. It had been two years since she had joined their cult and curiosity finally prodded them enough to ask about it. She lightly fidgeted with it, "Sometimes I would whisper to it and I swear it would grow warm and I might have heard their voice... I can't be sure." She gripped it tight before wilting and reaching up to unclasp it. "I suppose I should have realized it was an insult to wear it in a cult worshipping a different god, please forgive me leader, I-eh?" She blinked as Lamb put a hand over hers.

"I don't find it an insult." They told her firmly. "I know what the God of War means to you and I do not hold it against you. You're free to wear your necklace, Shilo."

She stared at them, eyes wide before she smiled brightly, "Thank you... thank you! Truly, you are a glorious, generous leader."

Lamb snaps to attention at a quiet gasp, "Shilo!" and soon they move so Shamura can take their place. They stand, watching as the former bishop coaxes their disciple through breathing, Shilo clearly focusing on their voice as quiet as it usually is. 

"What the hell happened?" Lamb's ears flick at the hard tone from the normally quiet follower. They glance over to see Shilo, firmly but comfortingly crushed against Shamura's chest as they stare at the cult leader. The fox seems to have lost her shock but she's in tears as she silently hides against them and trembles.

"...Some new followers saw the necklace you gave her centuries before she joined the cult and assumed she was a spy or dissenter or worse, both." They reply quietly, the taste of ash in their mouth in rembrance of seeing Shilo in the panic while those followers seemed so fucking proud of 'revealing' the spy. "You have my word they will be punished, if not exiled if they do not repent."

"Good." Shamura sounds far more aware than they usually do and for a moment Lamb feels the pressure the former God of War used to carry when they were angry. Truly, even if Shilo had been a spy, her god was right here, more than ready to tear someone apart with their bare hands for hurting her. Why were those fools so stupid? Lamb shakes their head, perking as they speak again.

"...I have a favor to ask of you, Lamb."

"Yes?"

"The silk in my temple.... it is nigh unbreakable... can you harvest some?" They falter a little, looking down at Shilo and tighten their hold, mind set. "...as well as lend me your strength... The charm is damaged, but can be repaired... but as a mortal, I can't do it alone." Shilo jolts in their arms but tightens her grip on them causing Shamura to pat her head gently, hushing her softly. 

If the atmostphere wasn't so low, Lamb would have smiled at how protective they are over her. 

"It would be my pleasure to help. For now, why don't you two settle away from the bustle. I don't want anyone else to bother you."

"An excellent idea..."

And if a few-day crusade and a few nights of work later Shilo is hugging both her gods in thanks as a new charm bracelet sparkles on her wrist, well no one dares say a thing.

Chapter Text

She's imperfect, but she tries

Shilo beams up at Shamura, taking their hands. "I tried my best... I'll work harder on it!" They chuckle softly, squeezing her hands as they look over the various scrolls she had been working on. It was so much work, but she was doing it for them and honestly... it made their heart flutter, even if they wouldn't admit it.

"The fact that you're trying at all means the world to me."

She is good, but she lies

"I'm okay." She promises, hurriedly wiping her eyes. "It's nothing to worry about. Just a heavy conversation with Lamb, that's all." Shamura sighs softly, reaching out and gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to tell me, Shilo... but please, do not lie to me either. Just tell me that it's a bad day, I will not judge you." Shilo's expression crumbles and she clings to them as they pet her head gently.

She is hard on herself

"Stupid!" Shilo snaps at her reflection. "How could you make a foolish mistake like that?! Is it any wonder that...! That-!" She lets out a wordless cry and slaps the water, ignoring the droplets that spray onto her. She flinches however when someone sits next to her and wraps an arm around her shoulder. Slowly she turns and presses against them, trembling heavily. "I'm sorry I'm such a fuck up..."

"Hush now... you are no such thing."

She is broken and won't ask for help

"Are you sure you don't want any assistance?" Shamura asks in concern, watching as she stumbles. Shilo laughs, the sound softer than it used to be, but still gentle and warm. "I'm not old and gray yet! Let me have my fun!' The former bishop huffs softly. "I didn't claim you were, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Later when they drag her to the medbay because she aggravated injuries that she didn't tell them about, Shamura folds their arms and stares at her. "Now what did we learn?"

"...ask for help when I need it." She mumbles and they huff, nodding. "...thanks, 'Mura."

"Anytime. I mean it."

She is messy, but she's kind

Shamura sighs softly with a fond smile as they seen an exhausted but extremely satisfied Shilo chatting with Lamb, having finally convinced their dear leader to let her join them on a crusade. It had been a week and they came back the night before. Shilo had passed out in their arms in moments and yet here she is, chatting and giggling away and proving her role as a disciple had been an excellent choice, not that Lamb doubted that after years of her loyalty.

When Shilo catches their gaze, her smile widens and she waves at them excitedly causing them to chuckle and wave back at her before getting back to work.

She is lonely most of the time

"There you are... why are you hiding all the way up here?" Shilo's ears flick as she lifts her head from her arms as Shamura joins her on the roof. "I would have thought you'd be down there celebrating with everyone."

She sighs softly, staring up at the starry sky. "I... I don't feel like I should. It feels off... like I don't belong. Things just... I don't know. They don't feel right." A small laugh escapes her. "But nevermind me, you should go back and join them yourse-eh?" She blinks as she hears shifting and soon she finds the other laying beside her, also staring up at the sky.

"Sometimes I feel like I don't belong there either... so maybe we can not belong there together?" Shamura glances at her with a soft smile and Shilo flushes before she smiles back.

"Yeah..."

She is all of this mixed up
And baked in a beautiful pie

"No.. no... no..." They whisper, feeling numb despite the chaos around them. They knew the years were passing, that her body grew weaker and her spirit less tethered to the earth, that time was dwindling.

But it still didn't prepare them for seeing her collapse during a celebration causing shouts. They're frozen in place as Lamb darts forward and kneels down, pressing their fingers to her neck even if their expression told Shamura they didn't expect to find anything. They bow their head in respect and mourning and something in Shamura shatters. Their knees buckle and it's only due to the quick movements of Narinder that they don't hit the ground. Words don't escape them as their eyes burn and tears roll down. The cult leader looks up at the pair, tears beading in their own eyes even as they gently pick her up to take her away for burial. They manage to reach out with shaking hands. "Pl...please.." 

Lamb's expression crumbles in understanding as they gingerly hand her over. She's so still in their arms, so fragile... they had forgotten how frail mortals could truly be. They cradle her close and silently follow the leader away.

The ceremony is beautiful... they hate it. They always knew they'd outlive her.. but they never wanted it to happen. 

The ritual is stunning... watching her spirit fade, being taken somewhere they could never reach, somewhere where she'd be safe and happy. Their eyes meet one final time and the smile she holds is so sad and so full of... of love that their heart shatters all over again. At least... at least she will be at the peace she deserves.

Years later Shamura kneels by her grave. The pain feels just as fresh as it did that day. They press a hand to the gravestone and shudder, covering their mouth as a fresh wave of tears roll down their face.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I love you Shilo..."

She is gone, but she used to be mine

Chapter Text

When Shilo is brought to the Cult, she's shaking and crying, flinching away from Lamb's touch. She's terrified of them and they understand why. If what she said is true, they just murdered her spouse in front of her. They didn't want to, they didn't! But it was supposed to be the only way to free The One Who Waits.

She doesn't speak to them for days... weeks... months... until one day she sits beside them quietly.

"Narinder." Lamb's ears perk and they look at her in surprise. She's watching the fountain before the two of them, expression blank. "His name is Narinder... and... and he would never want his siblings dead. That thing... those strings... they tightened their grip over him..."

And Lamb feels sick as they listen to her talk. About a family of six and a shadow that followed them and clung to the second oldest, warping his mind and forcing him to fight the others. The mere seconds he was able to break free to beg them to seal him, he didn't want to be the cause of their deaths!

She twists the ring finger on her left hand, a ring of fur a different shade compared to the rest. Apparently when her spouse died, the ring shattered. 

"I'll fix this." Lamb vows firmly and she finally looks at them. "I promise, no matter how long it takes. I will fix this."

Shilo gives them a tiny smile, "I don't know why... but I believe you. Thank you, Lamb."

--

When the portal lights up and familiar dark furred figure is revealed, Shilo's on her feet and rushing forward.

"Narinder!" Despite the heavy swaying, his ears visibly perk and he lifts his head.

"Sister..." Is all he manages to get out before his eyes roll and he passes out making her yelp as she catches him.

"I'm taking him to the med bay!" She barks at Lamb who nods, looking worse for wear themselves. They yelp as she manages to nudge them as well.

"Move your tail, 'leader'! You're just as hurt!" Even while carrying the unconscious former god, she manages to shepard Lamb into the medbay with them.

If in the next few weeks Shilo has a quiet, protective shadow following her, Lamb just smiles at the questions they get about it. One down...

--

The next time the portal activates, it causes Shilo and Narinder to perk. Something about this time is different, they can tell.

It's when they hear angered (frightened) cursing and shouting that they rush over.

"Leshy!"

"Breathe little brother!" Falling to their knees on either side of the inconsolable regent of chaos, curled in a ball and clutching his head. Shilo reaches out and gently touches his head causing Leshy to jerk back with a hiss, bandaged gaze shifting to her sharply. She doesn't get another warning before teeth sink into her hand causing her to wince.

"Shilo!"

"Hey let her go!"

"Stay back!" Narinder snaps at the nervous, but upset followers. His ears flick as he hears a muffled sharp inhale and then a shaky. "...L-little sister?"

"I'm here..." Shilo murmurs, petting his head with her uninjured hand. "Nari's here too." She smiles as said cat moves over to take one of Leshy's hands.

"We've got you, little brother. You're safe here."

A shudder runs through Leshy before he yanks both of them into his arms and cries, clinging tightly. 

--

"The cursed Lamb should be back from Anura soon." Leshy mumbles, staring at his hands and flexing them lightly. His eyesight would never be what it once was, but it was better than being completely blind. "...do you think...?"

"I think Lamb has done a good job in keeping their word so far." Shilo murmurs as she places a flower crown on her brother's head. Narinder rests against her wearing one of his own, he hums quietly in agreement as his tail flints. "...they have not failed yet. Let's not borrow trouble." He mutters causing soft sounds of agreement from the younger pair.

"If they come back today, perhaps we should make a feast... I'm sure Heket would like that."

It turns out she did like that, very much. Considering the woman was nearly starved the moment she arrived. With her brothers making sure she didn't choke herself from eating too fast and her little sister (and oh, the much remembered thrill she is not the only female in the family) mumbling theories to herself as she leaned against her in a grounding way, Heket felt safer and more content than she had in centuries.

Things are slowly on the mend...

---

"MEDBAY NOW!" Lamb barks sharply at the siblings causing jolts. None of them had realized they had arrived back at the cult, the portal hadn't gone off! Was the battle against Kallamar unsuccessful?

"What-"

"When did you get back...!"

Shilo tenses, piecing together why Lamb is so riled up. "Wait... fuck! Lamb, was my theory right?!"

"Yes! I forwent the portal and used the escape charm instead." They spell it out for the rest of them, "Your brother is severely ill and his fever is sky high making him damn well delirious! Move, now!"

Shocks and swears run through the group before they chase after the cult leader. The medbay is thankfully empty apart from the head healer and the flushed and obviously feverish mortal form of their brother, who is shaking like a leaf as he cries out for them.

Leshy pushes past everyone to reach out and grab his hand, "We're here Kall... we're here!" Heket moves to the healer to find out what she (and they) can do with Narinder joining her side and Shilo following Leshy, taking Kallamar's free hand. 

"You're gonna be okay, we're gonna take care of you."

It's touch and go for awhile as they're fighting against a nasty plague, one that had been a particular favorite of the former bishop's when he was in power. But when the sky is lightening Kallamar's fever finally breaks and he seems exhausted, but more aware of what's going on around him. He can't sit up from the weight on him, but he can see four of his siblings passed out around him (or in Leshy's case halfway on him, so that's what's causing the weight) so he slowly slumps and passes out, knowing whatever else happens, he's at least got family nearby.

--

"If you don't stop wearing a hole in the ground I'm going to get Heket to sit on you." Narinder deadpans earning a soft scoff from the female in question. Shilo ignores him, gripping her arms tight.

"Honestly Nari!" Kallamar scoffs, shoving his brother. "Have a heart! We're all worried about this." The cat hisses softly and swipes at him, more of a bap on his arm than anything else

"I'm not saying we're not! But staying up every night pacing in front of the portal is just going to end up with Shilo collapsing until who knows when!"

"Would you rather she went after Lamb to Silk's Cradle instead?" Leshy asks, cocking his head with a grin as Narinder growls at him. "Yeah, I didn't think so. Let little sister do this. It's better than her having a meltdown and crying until she dehyrdates herself like a few days ago." That had not been fun.

"I swear to-" Whatever Narinder was going to say is cut off by the portal activating. All their attention snaps to it and Shilo's stock still, watching sharply until a familiar form appears before her. They're so much smaller, they're injured, but they're so familiar it makes her eyes tear up.

"Sh-Shamura..." She reaches out shakily as they tense up from her voice, eyes snapping open to reveal the bright red of dissention, but before anyone else can do anything, they grab her hand and suddenly yank her towards them, clinging tightly.

"Shilo... My Shilo...! If this is a dream, I do not want to wake up!" They bury their face against her shoulder and she sobs, clinging to them tightly.

"Not a dream...! I'm here... you're here...! You're alive!" Shilo trembles, not even wincing as Shamura's claws dig into her. Her spouse is here, living, breathing, her family is closing in, crashing into the pair and toppling them over in a pile of bodies, and when she can finally face them, the red is gone, revealing the deep violet she loves so much. 

Everything else can be sorted later... for now, she just wants to lay here with them.

Chapter Text

Day in...

"Miss Shilo's so sweet and innocent!"

Day out...

"Doesn't have to worry about a thing, that lass. Not with her being our great leader's disciple and being watched over by that there ex bishop."

Shilo presses her hands together, eyebrow twitching in irritation. They don't mean anything about it, most of them. She knows she's well liked, it's one of the few ("Many Shi! There are many!") reasons that Lamb had chosen her as one of their immortal disciples.

But there are those who are jealous... those who whisper behind her back. They think she doesn't hear, they think that she wouldn't harm a fly.

Don't they realize who her closest friend is? Why wouldn't she take a few traits after them?

Well this wolf gets to be the unlucky winner as she slams her fist into the tree next to them, abruptly cutting off the mocking laughter that had been escaping him moments earlier.

She looks up with a hollow gaze, lips pulling back to reveal sharp teeth. She doesn't know until Lamb tells her later, but her eyes gain a violet hue when she gets like this.

"You know..." She says nonchalantly, pulling her hand back and glances at the damage before flicking her eyes back up at him. 

"You talk big game for someone who has lived his entire life in this cult with no worries." She cocks her head. "If you had been in my shoes... and you had grown up in a cult that was erased by a child..." She huffs in amusement before shrugging, "You'd probably be dead!"

"Is that a threat?" He growls and she puffs a soft sigh of exasperation.

"No... this is." She steps closer before her hand shoots out and she grabs him by his shirt, yanking him down so they're eye to eye as she withdraws a curved dagger and presses it to his cheek.

"Drag me away to mock me again... mock me again at all and I will cut out your tongue and leave you to bleed." Shilo shoves him away hard and tucks her hands back into her sleeves, the dagger nowhere in sight. 

"Glad we had this talk!"

"Shilo, I have need of your assistance!" Her ears perk at the sound of Shamura's call and she turns with a bright smile.

"Coming 'Mura!" She trots away, leaving the wolf trembling in fear and confusion.

...what the fuck just happened?

Chapter Text

Option One

"Lamb?"

"Yes Shi?"

"...why is there another person here with a crown?" The disciple's eyes narrow as she takes a step forward, fur visibly bristling. "Why does this heretic have the Crown of War?"

"Get back here." Lamb sighs in amusement as they pull her back. "This is Goat. He's from a different dimension."

"...what." She looks at them in bafflement, ears flicking as the newcomer speaks.

"You weren't kidding, Lamb! She's quite protective." He chuckles softly. "Si, yes, I'm not from here. Your own God of War is just fine."

"I mean they were killed and revived, but we can go with that." Shilo sighs as Lamb's cheeks puff.

"You said you didn't hold that against me anymore!"

"And I don't, doesn't mean I can't be petty." She bleps at them causing a huff.

Option Two

"..." Shilo stares at the newcomers as she clutches Shamura's hand. Said former bishop of war is just as confused as she is, considering right across from them is another former bishop of war holding hands with a goat dressed in purple with a very familiar crown.

"...hey 'Mura?"

"Yes dear Shilo?"

"Am I hallucinating?"

"If you are, I fear I am too."

Option Three

"We're so glad you could make it to visit!" Lamb presses their hands together as they beam at the pair. Their ears twitch as they hear footsteps and turn, brightening when they see their disciple. "Ah, perfect timing! Shilo, there's some people I'd like you to meet! They've come all this way from another world!"

"Is that so, my leader?" She tilts her head as she stops beside them and perks at a shaky gasp.

"It... it really is you..." She looks over at the pair and stops when she sees their guests... a goat whose jaw has dropped in shock and...

"Shamura?" She tilts her head again in confusion at how they look ready to cry as their mouth is covered with their hands. "Is everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Lamb smiles softly, "Shilo, would you show both of them around?" She blinks before nodding and bowing to her leader before they left.

Just in time to be suddenly hugged tight by their visitors. She squeaks and looks at both of them in confusion.

"Is everything alright...??"

"...L-Lo siento, we're sorry." Goat pulls away, gently tugging Shamura back as he swiped at his eyes with his free hand. "See in our world, we... we had you there as well. You were our corazon, our heart and..." He falters and both jolt as Shamura whispers quietly.

"...we lost you... t-to heretics. And the revival ritual refused to work, we don't know why." Shilo's heart breaks at the heartache in their voice. She hesitates, then smiles faintly, opening her arms.

"I'm so sorry... I'm not her but... can I at least hug you?" She barely finishes her question before she's crushed between them and does her best to cling to both of them as she hears more than sees the breakdowns these two have been obviously holding back for quite some time.

Her ears flick and she lifts her gaze to catch eyes with her (not hers, but yes hers, don't think too hard Shilo) Shamura who looks understandably confused. She manages to mouth, "Otherworldly guests." to them and that at least clears most of the confusion. Lamb coming by soon after and gesturing to the trio while talking to the former bishop quietly cleared the rest. The cult leader smiles and ushers her friend off, turning to wave to her before following after them. She's probably going to be here for a while, but if it lightens the weight on their hearts even just a little, she doesn't mind.

Chapter Text

"Hey Shilo, I have to ask..." Lamb starts causing her ears to perk as she looks over.

"Yes Lamb?"

"How did you end up married to the God of War? Was it..." They trail off uncertainly and she smiles at the clear concern. Others might mean it as an insult, but she's heard the tales of those forced to marry other gods. Her family certainly never even touched that idea despite what others thought.

"No no... I wasn't forced." She assures them gently, watching them wilt in relief. "Shamura asked me themself. We'd been dating, courting, whatever you wish to call it, for a quarter of a century. I asked them about it once and they told me if it felt right... when it felt right..." She leans back on her hands and chuckles. "And after that? Well, our siblings would continuously poke and banter about when we would get married, much to their chagrin. It was funny." They look at their hand where the ring had been for so long, a replacement had yet to be made but that didn't matter to her. In her eyes, in Shamura's eyes, in their family's eyes, they were still wedded and always would be.

"Can I ask how you met?" The cult leader questions and the fox hums, picking a flower and twirling it lightly.

"I ran away from home. I was but a kit, hurt, lost, scared of the people who were supposed to raise me, but instead harmed me. I ran and ran as if the spirits of hell were nipping on my heels and maybe for a moment they were. I ran until I ended up in Silk Cradle and stumbled upon their cult. I just escaped a cult, I was terrified... but wouldn't you know it? The cult of the War God had a soft spot for kids." One of her ears flicks and she gives a wry smile to the withering look in their eyes. "Go on, ask."

"Where is your... blood family now?" They ask slowly, not surprised she noticed their anger right away. She's always been in tune with moods.

"Dead." She replies simply, tucking the flower behind her ear. "Left to wander aimlessly until the end of time, denied proper rest and thoughts filled with nightmares, minds filled with chaos, stomachs filled with hunger never to be sated again, sickness that is incurable for death has already come for them." She laughs at the satisfied expression. "My brothers and sister are very protective... even if they can't match my spouse's overprotectiveness."

"Is that why they're watching us from a distance?"

"Probably, but if they didn't like us talking, they'd interfere." She shrugs lightly. "Any other questions?"

"Favorite sibling?" Lamb grins and Shilo laughs, pushing them.

"Mean Lamb! How could you think I could ever choose?"

"Oh come on! Everyone has a favorite sibling!"

"Not me! They're all incredible in their own ways. Each having tales I could tell all day and still not be done!" Shilo gestures widely. "For instance, one time I was in Darkwood and listening to leader of the Chaos Cult give a sermon... I didn't know something that's supposed to be about chaos could be so boring! So I got up and left and apparently they treated that as a grave insult." She gives a dry smile. "There was an uproar and I booked it. They wouldn't hurt me, but I didn't want to listen to a lecture either so I ran and then, literally, ran into Leshy. He learns what happens and of course, finds it hilarious. When we heard them getting closer, he just picked me up and ran.

I lost track of where we were, but we ended up in a small field. It was... dare I say it, peaceful, compared to the chaotic filled woods. It had so many beautiful flowers. We just laid down and watched the clouds and just... talked. It's one of the few times I'd ever seen Leshy so calm. He's such a gremlin most of the time."

"I can't imagine Leshy being calm." Lamb mumbles causing her to laugh.

"Give him a mug of camellia tea and he'll calm down real fast. Don't, though. He only prefers it on days his mind is too loud." She hums lightly.

"More stories?" They ask and she looks over to see the curious stars in their eyes. Even the silver eyed crown on their head has stars causing her to huff in amusement.

"I suppose I can go down the line...." She taps her cheek in thought. "You know, most people look at Kall and just see a coward right? However false that image is..." She mutters in irritation before clearing her throat. "He used it to his advantage once in my defense... let's just say it's a great way to make people put their guards down."

"Elaborate, pleaaaaaase?"

"I'm getting there, patience." Shilo pokes them in the nose. "See, not everyone liked the idea that a mere outsider had such an in with the bishops. Which, I suppose I could understand it, I wasn't of any of their cults, mine was an outside one, but anyway... I got cornered by some higher ups, witnesses before the current ones. I'm pretty sure they were both Shamura's and Narinder's, but it's been so long..." She shakes her head and continues. "Well Kall sees them harrassing me and interrupts and these witnesses have some steel nerves or false bravado since they're on him about his supposed cowardness in moments, he's a healer, what would he know about hardships etcetera... Fools." She scoffs. "Clearly they didn't remember he's the God of Pestilence, not just a healer, but he sure reminded them. I don't think even their corpses stopped bleeding for at least a week from the harshness of the plague they recieved." She scratches an ear. "...and then he dragged me to the medbay because I may or may not had gotten hurt from the confrontation before he got there and told me off for not calling for help."

"Shilo you're supposed to call for help when you're in danger."

"I didn't think they were going to get physical and by the time they did it was moments before Kall arrived, give me a break!" She throws her hands in the air causing Lamb to laugh. "Kall already whacked that lesson into my head, I don't need you lecturing me years after that!"

"Alright alright, next tale?"

"Lemme think... Ah, Heket has a wickedly dark sense of humor and can be just as chaotic as Leshy. There had been a rumor that heretics would become her meals if found. False; she admits she tried the meat once, but aparently because they're heretics, the taste of the meat is spoiled so no, she won't eat them, but she never difused the rumor. Now this is when I was just settling in as a friend to them, mind you. I didn't exactly know them like I do now. So you can imagine I'm terrified out of my wits of appearing any degree of a heretic because I did not want to be eaten." She waves her hands, fond exasperated amusement on her face. "And what does this woman do? She pranks me by inviting me to lunch, first almost implying that I would be said lunch and then after that was revealed as a joke, making me think the meat we were eating was actually heretic meat. It was not, it was just regular pork but oh the terror I felt." She snorts. "Don't get me wrong, she did later apologize. She just wanted to mess with me. We bonded pretty fast, being the only two girls who mingled with her brothers at an equal level, not that I considered myself to be at their level."

"Sounds like favortism to me~" Lamb singsongs playfully, laughing as Shilo shoves a hand in their face.

"Hush you, she is not my favorite."

"Fiiiine!" They drawl before perking. "What about Nari?"

"Narinder is the one who got it to sink in that I was family long before Shamura and I started courting." She chuckles. "I'm sure you've seen it already, the way I keep most people at an arm's length. Even now I still just... fear, that if I open my heart fully, I will be hurt again, I will be chased away again. Sure, the family I have no have long ago proven that I'm not going anywhere, that they are not going anywhere, but those outside of it? How can I trust their intentions?" She shakes her head to clear her thoughts. "But back then, I thought I was just a novelty. A follower from the outside that they'd eventually grow bored of. They were gods after all, why waste their time on a silly traumatized mortal?

And Narinder called me foolish one day. I was confused, I hadn't done anything recently that I was aware of. He bapped me, on the nose, you know how cats are when they're annoyed. Told me to stop hiding, to stop lying. He wanted to hear what I thought was happening. He could have read my mind, they all had that ability, but he demanded to hear me say it.

And... to this day I still don't know if there was compulsion in his words or if I was just ready to get the rejection done and over with, but I broke. I yelled at him, I told him how I knew it was all just fun and games to them, that I knew it was pity with how kindly they treated me, a poor little abandoned, abused outsider. That I was so tired of being a toy, just waiting for the day they'd discard me, the day that I'd be abandoned again. I begged for him to just get it over with, to stop playing with me, just break me already so I can try to put the pieces back together again." She reaches up and wipes her eyes, smiling as Lamb places a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

"And you know what he did? He didn't yell, he didn't get angry, he didn't laugh or confirm my thoughts. He got down to my level and grabbed me, I thought for a moment he might hit me, but instead he hugged me. Told me I was wrong, I wasn't their plaything, I was a friend, I was family. He asked me how many others I had seen joking darkly with Heket and was able to get near when she was more hurt from the rumors than she let on, who else Leshy allowed to run their fingers through his leaves and was able to know when his mind became too loud, who else had Kallamar revealed the truth about the persona he put on and introduced to his many spouses as someone to not be messed with, who else was allowed in Shamura's personal library without the bishop in question there and made them laugh even after the rough battles, and who else did he, the God of Death, grace with the golden skull without anyone asking for it first?

They cared, he cared and I just cried. I hadn't felt loved in so long... the cult I had been raised in since I got there, they raised me proper, sure, but there wasn't love like there was with them." She looks up at the sky.

"Every day I feel blessed that I ran away, because it led to me finding a family that could love me, that does love me, brothers, a sister and a spouse that hold me as dear to them as they are held to me.." Sighing softly, Shilo pushes herself to her feet and stretches.

"I think that's enough story time for today! I'm gonna go check on the farm."

"Hey wait!" Lamb scrambles to their feet. "You barely spoke of Shamura!"

Shilo laughs as she starts trotting off. "What's there to know? We're in love and married!'

"I want details!' The cult leader chases after her, laughing despite themselves, "Spill!"

"Gotta catch me first!" At that Shilo really takes off running.

"Shiiiiii!"

Chapter Text

"Question, Lamb." Shilo comments as she stitches a tear in one of the many fleeces her leader had gain over the years.

"Answer, Shilo." They hum in response, twisting the twine on the new scarecrow they were working on.

"I've seen the crown's eye blink and look around. Is it sentient?" She asks, waving her needle. Lamb tilts their head in thought and hums.

"I think... to some degree? I mean it has spoken to me before, but only once. Narinder might know, he's had it far longer than I have."

"Don't drag me into your conversations." Said cat deadpans, not moving from where he's resting against a tree and writing something down. Probably a new sermon. "But yes, the crown is sentient. That's why it can agree to having two owners, otherwise it would have been a fight to the death for one of us to permanently wield it."

Lamb shudders at that, "Can you imagine us fighting to the death? ...I feel I might have made that choice if I hadn't asked you what would happen if I was sacrificed."

Narinder's ear flicks at that and he glances up, "Knowing your stubborn nature, yes, it most likely would have happened that way."

"What exactly happened in the Land of the Dead anyway?" Shilo cocks her head. "I remember seeing you two chatting before Lamb was..." She trails off and grumbles as she pricks her finger. 

"Distractions lead to injuries, Shilo." Shamura reminds softly from where they're sitting across from her and working on their own project. "Best to focus on what you're doing." They chuckle when she pouts at them.

"Oh, I asked him what would happen after I sacrificed myself." Lamb replies easily. "If I would stay dead and he said no."

"Why the hell would I let the best follower I've had in centuries just die like that?" Narinder rolls his eyes, "A foolish choice. No, I told them it'd be like any time they died on a crusade. I would revive them and finally escape that place." His ears flatten, "I may be a bastard sometimes, but I am no monster, no matter who thinks what."

"We know Nari." Lamb smiles before tilting their head thoughtfully. "Hey, do you think if Shamura had their crown still, would it be shared between them and Shilo?"

Shilo squeaks while Shamura gives them both a flustered and unamused look. One that shifts to their brother when he chuckles.

"It's possibly, the overprotective nature of them would certainly be sensed by the crown and what better way to protect a loved one than with a powerful relic such as that?"

The fennec fox ducks her head bashfully as they huff, "Would you two kindly stop talking as if we are not here?"

"You're not correcting me." Narinder smirks at his oldest sibling, noting the slightest flush forming.

"...there is nothing to correct. Still, mind your manners, Little Cat."

"Yeah yeah..." He waves a hand, going back to writing. "In any case, no point in thinking about it now. The Crown of Death is the only one that remains. At least for now."

"For now?" Now Lamb looks even more curious.

"Famine, Chaos, War, Pestilence, it will always exist along Death as well as Life." He responds. "That's the reason there were gods. Maybe they won't be around for thousands of years, but the crowns will reform and new gods will come to be."

"So you did pay attention to my lessons." Shamura comments in amusement and Narinder huffs at them.

"How could I not when you'd put me in a web bundle until you were done?" Annnd there goes the siblings into good natured bickering.

Shilo and Lamb share looks before giggling quietly and getting back to their projects.

"...I think... if there was Crown of Peace to match the Crown of War, it'd fit you well." The cult leader muses and Shilo hums softly despite the blush on her cheeks.

"...Likewise, with you and a Crown of Life."

"We'll be living a long time, who knows?"

"Yeah... who knows."

Chapter Text

"Absolutely not." Shamura deadpans, staring at the puppy-eyed Lamb.

"Aww why not?" They whine, lightly bouncing in place. "She'd absolutely swoon if you did!"

"You don't know that, little Lamb." They sigh, waving a hand in the same way an elder sibling would to wave away their younger sibling's nonsense.

"I know that you two are pining so hard for each other that even Narinder is ready to lock you both in the temple until you end up in the ma-!" Lamb's cut off by their own muffled laughter as Shamura nearly visibly steams and covers their mouth.

"Be silent!" They order in a fluster. "Vulgar lamb!"

Lamb snorts softly, pulling the former bishop's hand away. "You're just mad cuz I'm right! The whole cult knows you've got feelings for her and she for you."

"You read far too much into things that aren't there." Shamura denies. "Shilo is a friend, a very important friend, but just a friend."

"Riiiiight." Lamb drawls, flopping across their lap and staring up at them as the count on their fingers. "That's why you both go so red when your hands brush against each other-"

"It's just startling to touch so suddenly." They defend and the cult leader rolls their eyes as they continue counting.

"-why you get so frustrated whenever someone else confesses they have feelings for her-"

"It's not my business, but I don't think they truly feel as deeply as they claim!" Lamb continues as if they didn't hear them.

"-why you're always together during celebrations, never dancing with anyone else-"

"It's comfortable to be around each other, besides you have no room to talk as you always drape yourself over Narinder!"

"The difference" Lamb stresses as they sit up and gently, but firmly squish Shamura's face. "Is Narinder is my lover! We're possessive over each other, stay close together, are constantly touching each other because we are in love! Fuck's sake, Shamura, get it through your repaired skull! You're. In. Love. With. Shilo. And. She. Loves. You. Back." They huff and hop up.

"...I'm not gonna force you." They say at last. "I know I'm pushing, but it's been centuries Sha. At some point one of you is going to give up and you're both going to regret it for the rest of eternity."

"...how can you be so sure we feel that way?" The other asks in a whisper and Lamb softens, putting a hand on their shoulder.

"Because you two are some of my dearest friends and have been around for a long time. I'd be surprised if I couldn't see it."

Chapter Text

"Hey Mom... hey Dad..." Shilo whispers, taking in the sight of what was once her family chained to the ground by multicolored energy. "Do you remember? You used to call me such a burden, you said you wished you drowned me at birth, you said I'd never amount to nothing..." She steps forward, a manic grin crossing her face as she spreads her arms. She can barely feel Famine curl around her right while Chaos wraps around her left. Pestilence drapes around her neck while War rests on her head, all eyes bright with malice.

"So... how you like me now?" Her grin widens at the muffled curses escaping them, the chains firmly around muzzles. Her gaze shifts around the rest of them, members of the cult, of the so called family she was supposed to be apart of when she was a kit. "I hope you enjoyed your temporary win~" She giggles softly, perking as War whispers to her and her eyes gain a violet hue.

"Oh not yet... no... no... it's not time for their deaths just yet... Where's the fun in that?" She steps forward and crouches down, a mocking look of sadness on her face.

"Truly... you really tore me down those years ago... took me down, tried to keep me down, but unfortunately for you, you didn't finish me off." She grabs the robe of her father and drags him closer.

"You told me seeing me made you sick..." The violet hue switches for a cool teal as Pestilence reforms to a crown and switches with War, the latter curling around her neck like a choker.

"Well... why don't we make that a bit more... literal?"

"Shilo!" Her ears perk as she lets go and turns, "Lamb?"

"There you are!" The cult leader skids to a halt at the sight before them, their disciple's eyes tinted a deep shade of teal, surrounded by bound bodies and being... cuddled? They can't think of another word that three of the Crowns are doing. Death shifts on their head and they hear the unearthly voice grumble.

"She's coherent, Crown bearer, but barely. My siblings are protective."

Protective? Over Shilo? Right, they can think about that later. They need other answers.

"What is going on here?"

"Oh just a chat with my ex family." She drawls, dropping her father to the ground. Lamb swears they hear growling coming from the rest of the Crowns, their thoughts proven true as Death snaps at them in a dead language. Pestilence wiggles in a sulky manner and War hisses in response.

"Siblings." Lamb blinks at the deadpan yet fond tone from their Crown. 

"Right... What were you going to do to them, Shi? Not kill them, I hope?" Shilo's ears droop and the rest of the Crowns wilt in response.

"You don't think I should?" She asks, fumbling with her sleeves. Now that's the disciple they know and care for.

"Well, not without witnesses." Lamb feels their lips curl in amusement, the feeling echoed by rumbling purrs of Death, so similar to Nari.

Speak of the devil.

"You should have told us you found them, damned Lamb." The god huffs as he steps beside his beau. "What's all this?"

"Shilo's run into that awful ex family of hers. Seems your siblings' old Crowns are fond of her and want revenge."

"Oh? How fascinating." He rumbles, placing a hand on their shoulder as all three eyes flash at the mere thought of watching the slaughter of those who harmed his sibling's beau-to-be. "As long as their deaths aren't quick."

"Whose deaths?" The trio of the cult don't even flinch unlike the chained group as Leshy pops up from underground. "Did you find lil sis yet? Pretty sure Shamura's ready to go on a rampage through the other lands."

"I'm here Leshy!" She chirps as Chaos cackles catching the attention of his former bearer.

"Ohhh so that's where he went!" Leshy pushes himself up, shaking the dirt out of his leaves earning grumbles from Narinder and chuckles from Lamb. "Guess I'm not surprised. But what are we talking about anyway?"

"Your old crown plus the other three want to slaughter Shilo's ex family. We're just waiting for everyone else." The cat replies flatly, lips twitching as Leshy perks and with a crack turns his head sharply towards the fearful, but furious chained group.

"Oho? So that's who I've been sensing?" He cocks his head with another crack, grin sharpening at the fear he can practically taste. "How'd she even find 'em?"

"No idea." Lamb replies with a shrug, "We'll talk the details after this is over."

"Well! We gotta wait for Kall, Heket and Shamura! They'd never forgive us if we let them miss the fun!" He cackles, the sound far too similar to Chaos.

Chapter Text

Shilo stares at the lamb before her.

This is not Lamb, this is not the cult leader who treats their group like family. Who shares secret smiles with Narinder and managed to slowly and painfully work through everything with the former bishops.

This... is a blasphomer. A wolf in sheep skin that makes her mind alight with fury she doesn't understand. 

She pulls out her dagger, bringing it up and running a finger over the blade.

"I feel this is the first time we met, but I can already tell I don't like you, false god." She tells the other who blinks and raises an eyebrow.

"And who are you to call me such?" She, for her voice, her eyes, the way she carries her self, asks, shifting defensively.

"There's something about you that sends disgust down my spine." Shilo replies, not answering her question out of blatant disrespect and pressing the pad of her finger to the tip of the dagger. "Is your ego? Is it you think yourself a goddess for defeating a chained god? I'm not sure..." She looks back at her. "All I know is Death is not yours and never will be yours." She smiles at the insulted look on her face.

"I won the Crown, by right it's mine."

Shilo snorts softly, shaking her head, "No, Death will always belong to Narinder. You will pass and you will rot and Death will return to his rightful companion." For a moment she hears the ancient voice rumble in her mind and smiles when she notices the lamb pale.

"Who... are you?" She whispers, despite her best effort Shilo can see the fear in her eyes. The fox smiles as she spreads her arms, she can feel the warmth around her, she can feel the presence of her two gods even if they are not with her right now.

"Me? I'm just a simple disciple. Enjoy your time in the living realm, little ewe. I don't think you'll have it much longer." Without letting her respond, she turns on her heel and walks off, the echo of Death's amusement and the bitch's horrified realization bouncing around behind her.

---

Shilo is definitely still not in her world? Realm? Who knows. This cult is full of brainwashed 'followers', she has to fight the bile rising when she sees the former bishops. It when she sees the Lamb of this cult, that the rage boils.

They don't get a moment to speak to her as she charges forward, her whip singing as it winds around them much to their shock. Death doesn't move from their head even though she's sure they tried to use him.

"Sickly beast!" She snarls, yanking them forward and slamming them down onto the ground. The Lamb wheezes as she presses her foot against their chest and leans down, hatred written all over her face. "Drugging the people who come for safety and comfort!" Her pupils become slits as she hears the ancient voice once more. "You dare lay your twisted fantasies upon them?" She presses harder on them, taking pleasure at their cry of pain.

"Wh-who are you?!" They manage to get out and she snarls.

"Your worst nightmare. The Mystic Seller will be hearing about your disgusting methods! Not even they would agree to this!" She meets Death's eye and sees the morbid fascination the crown has for her. "Don't take too much longer, would you Death? Narinder, the others... they don't deserve this."

The Lamb stares at her like she's insane but before they can respond, the Crown chuckles lowly.

"I suppose the clock can tick a little faster."