Chapter Text
The first situation room was packed with all the constellations, the moon-facing plans were coming together but the gods remained plotting. It could be thought that the moon-facing plan was undergoing further evaluation but that theory was doubted upon thought.
The gods, although they all possessed quite the eccentric temper. They all performed spectacularly in each of their individual fields of work. For example; The God ‘Redmars’, who manages the finance of both the hall and oversees the management of financial changes over Avartin.
Another example would be Dark book with the task to understand and maneuver the political situations of the mortals also coordinating with Redmars to maximize the outcome results while maintaining the faith resources and minimizing expenses.
The apostles spoke amongst themselves. They felt as though they were being left out during an important decision. Each and every apostle has dedication for their work and God, more or less depending on the species and the time spent as an apostle, this was not always exact to the amount of faith one had to their god though. Even if an apostle spent less time with their god, it doesn't completely mean their faith is lacking.
Of course, some of the believers of Night sky are more enigmatic in a way that may be categorized as blasphemous by many of the mortal priests.
They lack the faith one expected to see between an apostle and Divine being. This does not mean that they disregard Night sky but in place of faith, it is trust.
This more casual ‘trust’, differs from ‘faith’. To easily understand, The wizard Mazdari only became a faithful believer after Night sky helped him achieve the freedom he desired and protected the small percentage of mages back then. And even after Mazdari started to change his view on God and worship, most importantly, Night sky. He never gave the blind prayers of fanatics. He understood the intent of the sky and collaborated under his own conditions even though he resisted the rule of faith.
It wasn't that he believed in God, but more as he trusted God's intent.
He did convert to the church of Night sky in the end, and whether that had an impact on what the Gods referred to as ‘faith points’, he didn't know. But it was certain that Night sky was pleased by that fact and even extended an invitation of apostlehood.
Currently, Mazdari would be the third apostle. Renovation and research of the Rasdasil ruins was his duties, frequent check-ups were needed whenever times of turmoil were upon them. Time was tight, but he trusted Night sky — he now called ‘Returner’ — would help them achieve what they needed. After all, he has yet failed.
The hall remained in this tense and alert but increasingly efficient state for the entirety of the time they rushed to reach a suitable level of technology on Avartin to fight off the evil god on the apocalyptic weapon that settled behind the known moon.
Waiting outside of the situation room, was a tall, large, golden armoured Lizardmen — with a thick tail that thumped occasionally, impatiently. Hardly a rare sight but this one was no ordinary lizardmen to be causally standing outside a room strictly for the Gods. This was none other than the first apostle, Lakrak.
Mazdari softly thumped his staff on the pristine floors of the Pantheon to help Lakrak break out of his reveries. The Lizardmen’s tail stopped its ceaseless swaying and the head of said Lizardmen lifted to meet the eyes of the Garuda.
“Ah, Mazdari. You're here.”
“Yes I am, The hidden Rasdasil research facility is operating well. At the rate of our advancements, we would be able to act according to the scenario as planned by the Gods.” The wizard spoke confidently and calmly, unlike the warrior’s distant eyes and tone hinted with something the wizard understood and sympathised with.
That was the feeling of unease. In Lakrak’s situation, it would most likely be because of the increased time that Night Sky spent in the sanctuary and focusing on his plans. Though the situation needed the full attention of the Gods, it bothered the Lizardmen that the Returner limited interactions to a minimum or none and placed his full attention towards Avartin.
Or perhaps it wasn't that, it wasn't only Lakrak who felt a shift in the air. Other apostles shared a premonition that the gods have planned something far from pleasant.
Lakrak looked quite solemn as he continued the conversation. “I don't believe that God will fail. I also don't believe that God wouldn't have a plan for everything…”
Mazdari sensed the implications in his words, knowing Lakrak's unwavering devotion for his God would obstruct the remainder of the sentence, the wizard completed it for him.
“But you do believe that the Returner's secondary plans may not come with the best outcomes.” Mazdari then added, “After all, a backup plan only takes course when the first has failed.”
The Lizardmen stayed quiet, not refuting but neither confirming.
“Do you believe your hunch more than your god?”
“Hmph, of course not.” Lakrak said with his usual confidence which drew a laugh from Mazdari.
The two apostles chatted for a while until the soft voice of Bion sounded in their minds. The gods were summoning them.
-Excuse me, Night sky has requested the presence of every apostle. Please be at the third conference room as soon as possible.
Lakrak glanced at Mazdari who shrugged and pulled back his wings slightly. Mazdari then tapped this staff on the floor and a magic circle encircled their feet, it quickly brought them to their destination.
The apostles naturally sat around the circular table meant for apostles, while the gods took the remaining, higher seats. But Returner wasn't, he stood unbothered as the gazes of every pair of eyes in the room focused on him.
The Returner started; “As you all know already, an Evil God is situated on Loom and plans to take care of that problem are starting already.
“If anyone is unsure about their roles in the plans or wants to suggest changes, your only chance is now.” The Returner waited but no responses were given.
“Now, for the second part of the Moon-facing plan against the old gods…”
Then he unceremoniously announced to the entire room.
“As part of Operation; Secondary Moon. All apostles within the pantheon will be obsolete.”
Perhaps it was because of the blunt way Nebula spoke, but his statement met no objections. Majority of the apostles were too shocked at the revelation. So he continued explaining;
"During my time in the sanctuary, Kyle and I deduced that the Old Gods will soon come and invoked the ‘Fall’.” Kyle, who was also in the room nodded.
“The Fall will come with difficulties. Fortunately, with our current level of abilities, we will be able to get through without too much loss.” The other players all stayed quiet, some managed their screens and others looked tried.
"The effects of the Fall will be dealt with by us directly, A part of the imperial army will have the task of protection while the majority will proceed as planned. Even if the moves of the Old Gods aren't able to be predicted due to lack of data…”
Nebula extended his hand towards the apostles, “None of you got to this position from brute strength alone. I trust you will act accordingly.
“So the plan is…” Wisdom sat back in his chair as Nebula explained. Nebula is a busy person, even if the Pantheon cares not of hierarchy, Nebula is the master of the Pantheon as supported by the system. Thus, he suggested that he be the one to directly explain the strategy.
The plan required that everything went as per scenario. If there was something that didn't go as planned… it would fall apart. No one doubted the abilities of the Nebula, but Gods can make mistakes.
Due to this, they had plans for plans and readied protection programs for whenever a situation occurred that was entirely unpredicted.
For this current situation though, there was something not so pleasant about the backup plan, so called the ‘safety net’. Though the apostles rarely opposed the players, it was hard to predict what they might think.
Wisdom also believed that it might be dangerous, the plan was only be used if there was no other alternatives. The few ways to fulfill causal debt, is to utilize faith, or give up something equal to balance the scales.
Lakrak respected his God and his piety for his God surpasses many. He could be categorized as a ‘Fanatic’, but he didn't mind. God was the one who fed him, saved him, healed him, lead him to everything he had current and continued to reach out and point him in the right direction from when he was nothing. His worship is fully justified.
So when God explained the disbanded of the apostles, Lakrak thought that was the source of his unease, but it continued to plague him.
After God explained the tasks of each apostle, he was to be stuck in a junky rocket. He didn't like it but didn't oppose it either.
‘Why am I feeling so… scared?’
It was extremely unusual. Lakrak knew that he could sometimes be scared, but that feeling ceased whenever he was consoled by his God.
This time though, God was the reason he felt so nervous. It was truly peculiar to him. Was the Old Gods truly threatening enough to harm his God? Or was it causality? That could be a possibility…
After God finished explaining, he asked; “Does anyone have any questions?”
Many of the apostles exchanged looks, whenever there was a situation high in difficulty, the Pantheon always had additional plans to be a safety net and give a sort of equally desirable outcome — minimal loss and maximum profit. This could be that the Pantheon was greedy for the best and perhaps couldn't settle for less but the apostles liked mindset and adapted it for their own. But this time, the ‘safety net’ plan was omitted during the briefing.
No one seems to want to ask about it though. The state of the Pantheon was quite… stale, due to the spike in workload.
But Lakrak wasn't like that. As long as he asked properly, God would answer, or at least reaffirm him. Maybe that was why he spoke up, for the reassurance he craved. The ease of his heart.
“…Forgive my impious, Night sky. But what of the —”
“Ah, you wish to ask what if all our plans were to fail?”
Night sky spoke simply; “Currently, I am recalculating the causal debt caused by The Old Gods. Causality seems affects us differently from them, so we'll need to wait until for further information to calculate it properly.
“If for whatever reason causality is still unfilled, it could very much dwarf everything. But we do have a plan for that…”
He paused then spoke without hesitation. “We will give away our one way ticket to ascend.”
And he continued before Lakrak could ask another question. “As you all know already, when the new system is established, we will subsequently become members of the new system. But if causality is unfulfilled, that card will be forfeited to satisfy causality instead.
“So, we will be mortal for an indefinite amount of time.”
Causality… is a fearful thing, mortals have spent 40,000 years in suffering to pay for what the Old Gods did. If causality still wasn't satiated after all of that… What would be needed to truly fill it?
Lakrak didn't want to go back to the time they had nothing, wandering the desert as his shoulder was practically rotting, the sun scorching his scales dry, food as scarce as water… but he also didn't quite like the plan.
Lakrak finally found his voice. “But my God, doesn't that mean you could die?”
Lakrak spoke his mind; "The people of Avartin are able to reside in the afterlife… but didn't you say there was a condition that those beings have to be born on Avartin, have immigrated for atleast a thousand years or be recognized as the true owners of the world…”
Night sky nodded and Lakrak continued with a sort of confused tone, "A human doesn't usually live longer then 80 years, 100 at most. A 50 to 60 additional years to your nearly 300 years of life here is not enough to fufill the third condition. And as mortals, the second condition is impossible to complete..."
“Consequetly, we cannot come to the afterlife, yes.” God confirmed calmly. “And when we become humans permanently, the secularist will object to having luxury granted to us and will have a high chance of success when convincing those with guilt or hatred towards our rule to rebel.
“After all, a God without divinity is no God. The Pantheon has popularized efficiency so if any of us…” He gestured to the other gods, then pointed to himself. “Demands a luxurious lifestyle, it would be like wanting to be spoon-fed everything every mortal desires. In other words, it could be seen as receiving everything without giving anything in return.
“And we can't have that especially with our doctrine encouraging hard work, we also don't want it either.” God said while tapping on the table.
A new voice entered with a question of their own.
“Even as Gods and with the system and all, the effectiveness and advancement of civilization is all because of the Pantheon’s non-stop watch and careful guidance." Mazdari spoke up, “Doesn't that amount to something?”
Night sky turned to Mazdari, he tilted his head but not in the; ‘What do you mean?’ type of way, more like; “What do you think?”
Mazdari stayed quiet and slowly nodded. “I see.”
The other apostles seem to understand well. Lakrak also understood what God meant, but it didn't ease his heart. But there was one that didn't, that apostle raised his short arms, waving them around to make sure he was noticed. “I don't really understand...”
That platy apostle said quietly as if a bit shy and embarrassed that he was the only one that didn't yet understand. “Wouldn't the priest of the Pantheon and the Empire object?”
“Correct, they would.” The one who answered was Binding God. “But ultimately, the secularist will win in this debate.
“Just about 30 years ago, the Empire engaged in a war with the Union kingdom that caused many to be destituted, orphaned, and suffer great losses for almost a century. And not long before that, during Kyle's reign, there was an intercontinental war. They can frame this as 'the Gods playing for their view of victory'.
“Using this fact, they can uncover the hidden negative emotions of people and Fanatics. Causing some to harbor ill intent, and some to agree that the Gods-turned-mortals should start off like humans without ties to the wars nor technology we inspired. So we will have to start over with basically nothing.”
Toolbo already looked horrified then Kyle added; “There will be some restrictions caused by Causality, for example; the Gods will not be able to be taken as apostles or helpers of the new system by their previous followers...” He specified, “meaning us.”
Binding God truly did not exaggerate, they would have to start over from nothing. It was either they climb their way up to qualify under the name of the new system or they will live without chance of a liberal end. A look of understanding dawn on the platy’s face. Then, Toolbo's beak fell open uselessly as he gasped, “Oh no! What to do????”
The Gods will fall upon the earth without authority, stripped of past achievements, without protection, only with some glimmering grudge from the past and the straining pressure from society and non-stop evaluation from the others. And if they don't handle it properly, it could affect the faith income to the new system.
“This only applies if we provide no use as mortals…
Night sky smirked under his mask and nonchalantly answered.
"So, we must simply earn it.”