The Sunlit Forge (???)

[Drackos]

The Sunlit Forge

The Sunlit Forge is an uncharted island far off the northern coast of Tobusekai, located somewhere in the Hokubu Ocean. The island that houses the Forge would normally be expected to be a frozen wasteland; but miraculously it is a snowy paradise with a wide variety of flourishing fauna. It is a mystery how the diverse plant and animal life manage to survive in such a cold environment. The most likely reason is that the island itself provides some form of nourishment and unique sustenance to these creatures that allow them to adapt to the cold conditions. It is otherwise an unremarkable place; trees litter the fields but are sparse enough not to be considered a forest. Deep beneath the island is a temple, the Sunlit Forge. The only way to access the Temple is with one of the Ten Akatsuki Seals. The central chamber of the Sunlit Forge is a hollowed out room, brightly lit by torches that emit black and white flames. The floor is made of a glass plate that shares the same black and white flames that the torches emit, two dark energies swirling within it in a strange union. The ceiling of the shrine has an inscription in a language that none can read any longer aside from a select few. Surrounding the inscription are carved out drawings of humans fleeing west, being chased by an army of monsters that are unrecognizable in modern history. Thus, the inscription is most likely the name of an ancient beast long since forgotten. The rest of the temple remains a mystery. Likely only to be discovered when the first of the Akatsuki step foot on the long lost island.

The Sunlit Forge is only accessible to those who bear an Akatsuki Seal and Relic Weapon, unless by invite from the Mysterious Stranger, the Voice. Children of Tiamat may enter the Sunlit Forge freely, and new Children begin their Ninja World journey here. The landmark cannot be claimed, conquered, or colonized. No battle can take place on this landmark.​

 

[Arthorius]

The corrupted water pushed against his prone body, even with his eyes closed he felt the burn of sunlight as it beat down upon him, he didn't know who he was, or where he was, but he felt a pull towards goals not entirely his own as he pushed free of the water, landing atop it he walked, his wings shaking themselves dry as he moved to parts unknown. Leaving the shoreline of the Sunlit forge behind.

LLM

 

[Arthorius]

Coming from: https://animebase.me/threads/hokubu-ocean-257.757191/post-22038046

Mission: Create New Life (C rank Custom) | Explore a Landmark (B rank Custom)

Lucifer returned to the shores of the sunlit forge, he had seen much already, but there was so much more to learn, perhaps this place itself held some secrets he hadn't seen on his awakening. Snow fell heavily on the island, it was blisteringly cold, enough so that some humans could probably freeze to death here, yet the plants didn't, the trees didn't either. Something about this place seemed frozen in time, the wind was calmer than you'd expect, it was completely different to the snows of the mountains he traveled earlier, it felt slower, more deliberate.

"This place, it's unusual compared to the rest of the world I've seen, I feel the life of creatures all across the land but something about them feels strange also. So close to the mothers waters, could that be what caused this?" Lucifer mused to himself as his eyes scanned the island taking in the flora and fauna, the trees here seemed entirely unbowed by the heavy snow, forming a beautiful canopy of white as the powerful branches and leaves held the frozen water aloft, it gathered thick and high, it must rarely be warm here.

Insects flocked around the flowers attempting to burrow for their food, they were hardy and resilient creatures even with nothing but instinct, maybe that was a more admirable trait than human intelligence. Maybe not though, after all the humans had made incredible advancements, but at what point did that become detrimental, Lucifer was concerned by what he had seen so far with the humans. He walked across the snowy ground, his feet gliding over the surface leaving barely a mark thanks to his wings support.

"Just like the bugs of this island the humans face adversity, they rely on the skills the mother of all has given them. Yet they forsake her name, hate her, some have even claimed to have fought her. These cultists, they seem to be going as far as to control her, but is that true? Are they controlling, or being controlled." Lucifer pondered his thoughts as he saw a strange building in the distance.

Approaching the building Lucifer couldn't see an open entrance, but the building itself seemed incredibly old and weathered, it was amazing it was standing so sturdy despite the passage of time, the erosion was clear and even with the extreme cold the stone wasn't warped, despite patches of moss. It was upon this moss that Lucifer saw a large fly, they were all over the world but this one was larger than you'd normally see, it had bright crimson markings and eyes, it sat on the moss patiently, safe from the snow.

"What an interesting creature you are, you've figured out how to avoid the constant snow, to somehow stay fed without moving, what a cunning creature you are. I can make you more than you are, we can see what your species can become with the same love mother gave to the humans." Lucifer stated, his interest piqued as he pointed towards the fly, releasing the sea of life from his fingertips, the black mud like substance struck the fly before it could escape it, the transformation began immediately.

The fly began to grow exponentionally, it's body became so large it was human sized, it's legs had become actual legs, giving it a humanoid ability to stand, additionally it grew hands allowing it to grasp things, it's wings became bulkier and more powerful and it's carapace was a hardened crismson. The most dramatic change was it's brain and the chakra system, Lucifer granted it a powerful chakra system and a brain that allowed it to think and feel exactly as the humans do, it was smarter than the average human now, while language would take time to master the fly had an incredible intellect.

"Rise, Belzebuth, I require information regarding the ocean near here, seek out the humans. Learn what you can, those are my orders." Lucifer said, his tone hardening, he didn't realise it himself yet but having the power of creation was a slippery slope to the sin of pride, something he would come to embody sooner or later if he wasn't careful.

(Seimei no Umi: Atarashī Inochi no Tanjō) – Sea of Life: Birth of New Life

Spoiler

Type: Offensive, Defensive, Supplementary
Rank: Forbidden
Range: Short – Mid
Chakra: 100
Damage: N/A
Description: This technique is born from the Sea of Life’s powerful ability to reshape life and is used against generic life forms, not other ninja, in the surrounding area. The user will release a small amount of Sea material from their body, sending it into the ground or into the air in order to strike another lifeform. Once struck the afflicted living being will be subjected to the Amino-Geis and to the user’s discretion in reshaping. In essence this technique allows the user to reshape life at a genetic level on anything within the battlefield, barring other ninja. The new life can take on any shape that the user desires, as long as it is no more than thrice the user’s size. It will move at the speed of a Jounin shinobi, have 100 health, 1,000 chakra, and be capable of using techniques from the Sea of Life technique list. The technique can be used against many basic lifeforms, such as bugs, worms, fish, and even an enemy’s summons though summonings will not be altered in terms of health, speed or chakra. In essence, as long as it is living and not another biography or Yin-Yang Creation, then this technique can warp the lifeform to the user’s will. The abundance of life in the earth, sea, and air make it particularly difficult to prevent the user from using this technique, although it is possible within reason. This technique can be used twice per battle, and after use the user is unable to use techniques from the Sea of Life for two turns.

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[Arthorius]

Lucifer is interested in the mysterious temple, but there seems to be no way inside, after deliberation he decides the right course of action is to pursue the lifeforms who were in the hokubu ocean, where the mothers cradle had changed again. His wings unfurled as he set off.

LLM

 

[Arthorius]

Coming from: https://animebase.me/threads/hokubu-ocean-257.757191/page-7

Lucifer arrives back on the strange island, intent to explore the location in the coming days.

 

[Arthorius]

Mission: Resolve your inner turmoil (A rank Custom) | Learn more of your clan history (B rank Custom)

Lucifer stood staring at the flora and fauna of the island, this place still felt strange to him, it was a tough feeling to put in to words. The island had a feeling of being displaced, like it wasn't actually subject to the flows of time, everything here seemed to be odd and unique. It gave the Child of Tiamat a comforting feeling, because he too was displaced. While he was only recently born, by the human defintion of the term anyway, he was in fact older than almost anything, or at least his shared memories and his experiences were.

This was what caused him to feel displaced, and confused by the world, ever since he gained a corporeal form he had felt dragged away from the sea of life, his distance caused these memories to be blurred the fact he had left the primordial sea like these humans did many eons ago had caused him to forget his roots. It was a sad irony, the humans seemed to have done the same, now they even saw the mother of their very existence as their mortal enemy.

Tiamat wasn't evil, how could she be, she was the loving mother to all life. No the truth was certainly not what these humans were saying, the cult that worshipped Tiamat that raised abominations, were they the ones responsible for corrupting the truth of Tiamat, no, that was just what Lucifer wanted to believe, because the truth in the shared memories was harder to believe.
Like a spark flashed, neurons suddenly firing, he realised the truth. He wasn't cut off from the memories of the sea because he left, because he became corporeal, he was cutting himself off. His very human desire to simply ignore the painful truth had somehow caused this separation, he had to resolve his feelings if he ever wanted to regain his connection with the sea truly.

Lucifer raised his hands in front of his face, staring at the pale flesh, his eyes seemed blank and devoid of luster as he did so, the thing that had once excited him so much, this form, now seemed like a prison, he would break these bonds and reconnect with the sea no matter the cost, his resolve was steely, as the black mud like sea of life began to drip from his hands, a trickle became a torrent as the earth was scorched in a short area around him, the ground was melted until what remained was a pool of the sea of life, akin to one of the human baths, an onsen he believed they called them.

Lucifer stood waist deep in the sea of life, his eyes closed he tried to visualise the genetic memories, to force himself to become one with the collective conscious again, forsaking his individuality in pursuit of truth. His eyes saw nothing but a void, stretched out as far as was possible in his own imagination, it was cold and black, he was alone. While he stood there, in the cold feeling pitiable and separated from his heritage, Lucifer felt something strange, a sudden warmth seemed to be spreading, a dim orange haze appeared in his vision.

Lucifer walked towards the light in his mindscape, as he got closer he could make out a shape, that of a huge being, draconic in nature, alien yet familiar. Light emanated from its face, bathing it's enormous frame in a slight glow, Lucifer's chest beat hard, his heart was pumping unlike ever before. The child felt a longing for the vision in front of him, he was starting to realise why, as the giant draconic entity opened it's eyes, light flooded everything, the eyes pierced through Lucifer's very core as he stared in to them bewitched. The cross pattern accentuated them as they released a glowing orange and pink, like watching a sunrise and set simultaneously, the eyes of the mother, Tiamat.

Her voice echoed around the mind of her child Lucifer, but not in any language heard before, it was a roar of pure emotion, no words were needed for Lucifer to feel the deep love she had for him, for all her children, but it wasn't that simple. The illumination caused by the mothers embrace had seen all the genetic memories flood back in to Lucifer in a maelstrom, he saw centuries of the humans bringing nothing but violence and destruction to the world and to each other, for nothing more than what ground belonged to them, which minerals and materials, over wood, iron, gold. They held the value of their fellow humans lives below even the dirt that they walked on, willing to murder for such small things.

Lucifer had been blind after all, these weren't the glorious children of Tiamat, they were foul cancerous beings who destroyed everything they touched, regardless of the good some of them have done the bad far outweighed it, Tiamat had tried to destroy them, they claimed. Perhaps that was true, perhaps the mother had decided it was time to start fresh, but that was too easy a fix for Lucifer, his resolution was becoming clear as his body sank beneath the sea of life pool, becoming fully submerged now.
Humans were not all evil, but it felt like a large majority of them were morally bankrupt looking through the lens of history provided by the sea of life and it's genetic memories, they were her children though much like Lucifer, if anything Lucifer was simply the oldest sibling the humans had, and without the mother present truly, the task of educating them fell to him. However for those past being educated for those who would damage their blood, the creations of Tiamat, punishment would be severe, like an old tree who's growths were becoming cancerous Lucifer would cut away the filth from humanity, so that when the mother of all finally awoke, she would see a grateful world.

Lucifer emerged from the sea, reinvigorated and reaffirmed in his purpose, the liquid pulled back inside his pores leaving naught but a crater where he stood, 2 of his wings turned a jet black, the middle set, leaving the dark wings framed above and below by pure white ones.

"I will make them see the truth, Mother." Lucifer said, as he took off.

LLM

 

[Lord of Kaos]

Coming from here

Start of A rank Mission: Seek Information from Imeroth and search the Sunlight Forge for answers

The duo finally arrived on the uncharted island after a difficult travel, thanks to Lucifer. Had he not shown them it's location, Madara would have never thought to travel this way and approach the area. There wasn't much to be seen on the island save for a few clusters of trees and rare fauna Madara never seen before, perhaps unique to here alone. However, the plants and animals weren't what Madara traveled here for.

Following the map and it's instructions, Madara moved closer to the center of the island where an entrance was. Lucifer had mentioned being unable to enter it before, but perhaps that would be different for Madara. The building was rather old and weathered, as if it had been here for quite some time. Moss grew on the sides of the building, stones appeared jagged and rough as if time and weather had began to take their toll on them and yet... the building seemed resounding sturdy. Madara felt that this is where he needed to be through some inexplicable mean; he felt the building itself calling to him, almost inviting him in. He shook his head slightly, knowing it to be unlikely that this was the case and still, he continued to move towards it.

As him and Akujin approached it, he turned to the Tengu and told him to stand watch and to make sure they were alone, a task the demon took to quickly. Akujin would begin moving around the island with quick haste to see what all was around and if he could see anyone. Meanwhile, the Uchiha turned his attention back to the entrance, wondering how to enter.

 

[NRP Botman]

The ancient stone doors reacted to the presence of Kuniumi, rumbling with activity before the sealing mechanism finally giving way and opening. Despite how the ancient Sunlit Forge appeared from the outside, the inside was remarkably clean and sterile. Grey stone bricks lined the entrance pathway, leading deeper into a system of tunnels directly under the island. What couldn't be seen was that the system of tunnels that led deeper into the Forge was far more vast than it appeared; the system ran throughout the entire island, with tunnels leading off the island under the Hokubu to other undisclosed locations in the world. Should a visitor enter without any navigational knowledge it would be like a maze of unending tunnels.

The doors opened to reveal one man at the entrance: Imeroth. He looked as he did months ago when Madara first met him; striking blue eyes, frail skin, emaciated body. But within that body was ancient Chaotic powers, something inextricably tied to the Void. The former Speaker and Priest of Justice, once an Immortal Human of the Golden Empire, now stood as the custodian of these ancient, mysterious ruins.

"Madara, you came. I have been expecting you. Welcome to the Sunlit Forge." Imeroth motioned, beckoning him to enter the unknown depths. "The others have anticipated your arrival." Imeroth referred to Demetrias, Nefarian, and Basel who were in the heart of the Sunlit Forge itself.

 

[Lord of Kaos]

The ancient stone doors reacted to the presence of Kuniumi, rumbling with activity before the sealing mechanism finally giving way and opening. Despite how the ancient Sunlit Forge appeared from the outside, the inside was remarkably clean and sterile. Grey stone bricks lined the entrance pathway, leading deeper into a system of tunnels directly under the island. What couldn't be seen was that the system of tunnels that led deeper into the Forge was far more vast than it appeared; the system ran throughout the entire island, with tunnels leading off the island under the Hokubu to other undisclosed locations in the world. Should a visitor enter without any navigational knowledge it would be like a maze of unending tunnels.

The doors opened to reveal one man at the entrance: Imeroth. He looked as he did months ago when Madara first met him; striking blue eyes, frail skin, emaciated body. But within that body was ancient Chaotic powers, something inextricably tied to the Void. The former Speaker and Priest of Justice, once an Immortal Human of the Golden Empire, now stood as the custodian of these ancient, mysterious ruins.

"Madara, you came. I have been expecting you. Welcome to the Sunlit Forge." Imeroth motioned, beckoning him to enter the unknown depths. "The others have anticipated your arrival." Imeroth referred to Demetrias, Nefarian, and Basel who were in the heart of the Sunlit Forge itself.

Start of A rank Mission: Speak with Imeroth and gain new Information

---

Almost as if on cue, the doors parted and opened to reveal a pathway unlike that of the outside of the building. The contrast of seemingly new stone and marble with the decaying moss filled ruin like pillars on the outside momentarily stunned Madara but not as much as the appearance of the man who stood behind the doors, Imeroth himself. Taking a step back at how sudden the man seemingly appeared, Madara quickly regained his composure and realized his request for an audience must have been heard. The man spoke as he motioned for Madara to follow him into the building itself, saying the others were waiting.

Madara followed the path, his breathing getting more labored as he descended quickly. He eventually came to a large chamber. Though the chamber wasn't empty, Madara's eyes first went to the decorated and lit walls, torches of black and white flames - similar to the very energy swirling about in the tip of Kuniumi. Looking around the walls and ceilings, Madara saw above him several images of wild creatures chasing people away, creatures he had never seen before; could they be animals of old, long extinct? How old was this place? In the midst of the images was something inscribed that he couldn't decipher with the image of a gigantic beast behind it. He recognized the monster though he didn't understand the language. It was the very same one Imeroth had shown him to persuade him to join him. The Mother Goddess herself... Tiamat.

As he looked, he suddenly became aware of three others present with him and Imeroth in the room, quickly snapping his eyes to them. Imeroth had said the others were anticipating his arrival but he assumed it to be others with the Relic Weapons. His eyes paused on each, the first two men he hadn't recognized before. As his eyes traveled to the third one, he narrowed them at the realization of who he was seeing. They had met once before and he had waved Madara off when he asked him questions and after his encounters with Strix and Emiya, he began to realize who the man was. One of the Voidlords themselves, Demetrias, who had been searching for the God Child much like Madara was but apparently their reasons for doing so were not the same. Madara was prepared to approach him as the staff manifested itself in his hand, the Sharingan mirrored in his eyes.

"Demetrias....who are you? What are you doing here? What are the Voidlords and their purpose?"

It was a blunt and direct question and one he assumed the Voidlord would likely respond as he did last time as Imeroth likely had other things to discuss but the questions Madara had in mind faded away when he saw the Voidlord in front of him. He had nothing but time ahead of him and he wished to get some answers to all of his questions before he left.

 

[NRP Botman]

Start of A rank Mission: Speak with Imeroth and gain new Information

---

Almost as if on cue, the doors parted and opened to reveal a pathway unlike that of the outside of the building. The contrast of seemingly new stone and marble with the decaying moss filled ruin like pillars on the outside momentarily stunned Madara but not as much as the appearance of the man who stood behind the doors, Imeroth himself. Taking a step back at how sudden the man seemingly appeared, Madara quickly regained his composure and realized his request for an audience must have been heard. The man spoke as he motioned for Madara to follow him into the building itself, saying the others were waiting.

Madara followed the path, his breathing getting more labored as he descended quickly. He eventually came to a large chamber. Though the chamber wasn't empty, Madara's eyes first went to the decorated and lit walls, torches of black and white flames - similar to the very energy swirling about in the tip of Kuniumi. Looking around the walls and ceilings, Madara saw above him several images of wild creatures chasing people away, creatures he had never seen before; could they be animals of old, long extinct? How old was this place? In the midst of the images was something inscribed that he couldn't decipher with the image of a gigantic beast behind it. He recognized the monster though he didn't understand the language. It was the very same one Imeroth had shown him to persuade him to join him. The Mother Goddess herself... Tiamat.

As he looked, he suddenly became aware of three others present with him and Imeroth in the room, quickly snapping his eyes to them. Imeroth had said the others were anticipating his arrival but he assumed it to be others with the Relic Weapons. His eyes paused on each, the first two men he hadn't recognized before. As his eyes traveled to the third one, he narrowed them at the realization of who he was seeing. They had met once before and he had waved Madara off when he asked him questions and after his encounters with Strix and Emiya, he began to realize who the man was. One of the Voidlords themselves, Demetrias, who had been searching for the God Child much like Madara was but apparently their reasons for doing so were not the same. Madara was prepared to approach him as the staff manifested itself in his hand, the Sharingan mirrored in his eyes.

"Demetrias....who are you? What are you doing here? What are the Voidlords and their purpose?"

It was a blunt and direct question and one he assumed the Voidlord would likely respond as he did last time as Imeroth likely had other things to discuss but the questions Madara had in mind faded away when he saw the Voidlord in front of him. He had nothing but time ahead of him and he wished to get some answers to all of his questions before he left.

Demetrias was no longer cloaked, as he had gone for so long; he wore his traditional attire, though Basel and Nefarian remained shrouded in their black and grey cloaks. Imeroth stood by, staying silent as Madara asked his question; and it was Demetrias, his own Sharingan still activated, to quickly respond. "An older generation of Uchiha that became exposed to the transformative powers that exist within Tiamat's domain. I am one who has crossed the boundary between human and non-human and exists in both worlds." He stopped there, knowing that the second half of Madara's questions were for Imeroth to answer, and not him.

It was Imeroth to speak now, with Basel and Nefarian remaining silent. Though underneath their dark shrouds one could make out two pairs of eyes: one a fiery gold and the other a void of darkness. "That is...a complicated question, Madara." Imeroth motioned toward the pictographs on the surface of the walls within the Sunlit Forge. "They are my champions. Extensions of my will. Manifestations of both what is to come, and what was." It was somewhat of an arcane and abstracted answer. Madara was no Voidlord, nor had he lived for eons.

 

[Lord of Kaos]

Demetrias was no longer cloaked, as he had gone for so long; he wore his traditional attire, though Basel and Nefarian remained shrouded in their black and grey cloaks. Imeroth stood by, staying silent as Madara asked his question; and it was Demetrias, his own Sharingan still activated, to quickly respond. "An older generation of Uchiha that became exposed to the transformative powers that exist within Tiamat's domain. I am one who has crossed the boundary between human and non-human and exists in both worlds." He stopped there, knowing that the second half of Madara's questions were for Imeroth to answer, and not him.

It was Imeroth to speak now, with Basel and Nefarian remaining silent. Though underneath their dark shrouds one could make out two pairs of eyes: one a fiery gold and the other a void of darkness. "That is...a complicated question, Madara." Imeroth motioned toward the pictographs on the surface of the walls within the Sunlit Forge. "They are my champions. Extensions of my will. Manifestations of both what is to come, and what was." It was somewhat of an arcane and abstracted answer. Madara was no Voidlord, nor had he lived for eons.

Madara listened to the answers, or rather the non-answers, that Demetrias gave him. Though he answered his questions, he did little to actually clear up what he wanted to know. Much like the last time he questioned him, the answers only annoyed him and left him wanting to know even more. He scoffed, his already low temper rising as he stepped forward. However, before he could respond, Imeroth spoke slowly, deliberately choosing his words it seemed. Madara hesitated as he gestured towards the walls, offering a small explanation to him.

"They are my champions. Extensions of my will. Manifestations of both what is to come, and what was."

The statement, though shorter than what Demetrias had offered, was enough to placate Madara and his anger. He paused as he glared towards Demetrias, recalling what he had learned from Strix and Lucifer, recalling the name Lucifer called him. Sai... Madara looked towards the other two who stood beside him and sized the two of them up, taking in their appearances. He hadn't paid much attention to them when he first entered but he noticed they were much different from the Uchiha. One of the two men had scale like skin, gold plates stretching across half of his face down into the cloak, presumably over his entire body. It reminded Madara of the Wyverns he had once encountered though only a bit. The other one had an odd appearance, with bulging pitch black eyes with contrasting snow white hair peaking from the grey cloak. If Madara hadn't known better, he'd have assumed the eyes were the void itself staring back at him. Slowly turning away back towards Imeroth, Madara looked over the images Imeroth had pointed to.

Different beasts were painted across the wall along with what Madara could only assume to be fire, streaks of lightning and other natural phenomena as the largest beast stood grand above them all. He knew it to be Tiamat from what Imeroth showed him directly, and he could only begin to piece together others from what he had started to learn. Since his last meeting with Imeroth, there had been much going on in the world that Madara questioned and even more that he needed to learn about. Turning back to Imeroth, Madara began to speak.

"... I've encountered many people along my travels since we last met and have learned a lot. I've seen the death of Athos, though not personally, and have heard that he was tasked with protection the land as well as knowing when and who his end would come from. The Gods seem to know much and their divine sight extends far beyond our own...." He paused, pondering if they knew when his own end would come, an inevitability that he would have to come to terms with at some point... but not now. "I've met with other Relic Weapon holders though only one has managed to unlock it and helped me to understand what the first Core I met was.... she claimed to have gained her own Core from Phetra, ruler of the Underworld. If what she told me is to be true, then Phetra is likely behind the dead invading the land and the death of Athos, who was protecting the land, allowed her the ability to do so."

Madara stopped again, turning back towards the images on the wall, pieces of the ever moving puzzle sliding into place. If Strix was speaking truth, the Gods must have known this day would arise and Phetra would be able to unleash the dead upon the world. The dead that roamed were unlike any Kinjutsu he had witnessed, the telltale signs of Ninjutsu not present anywhere. He was nearing his questions but he needed to verbalize everything to help himself understand everything more before he reached the end.

"I've heard of how... Sai failed to capture the God Child and ran away from the battle after losing, unable to fight the Child and his protector. I've since met Emiya and learned that the God Child has now joined another for better protection against the Voidlords, and by extension, you.

"With all of this information at present, I have a few questions to ask: You claim these people to be your Champions and they presumably did your bidding in the past and do it now, meaning Sai was searching for the Child on your command. I can only imagine Phetra to be working either with or for you as well, though it seems her reach expands further than the others. This probably means you understand what she is up to and why, releasing the dead upon the world but for what goal?

If this Child is so powerful that you sent him to retrieve him, then why do you need my help? How does the Child tie into bringing Tiamat back to this world, which itself brings up a more important question.... since the God Child recently appeared, does that mean the other Gods are still alive in hiding? Where did he even come from? What happened to the Gods and the rest of their children like Athos?

Madara knew he asked many questions and didn't believe he would receive immediate answers but they were critical to his mission and his role in what was happening or what was to happen. He couldn't help Imeroth how he wished for the Uchiha to help him without knowing these things. He knew that calling the Voidlord by the name Lucifer called him would likely do nothing to help with this information, but he was going to continue to do so anyway, his anger not having dissipated completely.

 

[NRP Botman]

Madara listened to the answers, or rather the non-answers, that Demetrias gave him. Though he answered his questions, he did little to actually clear up what he wanted to know. Much like the last time he questioned him, the answers only annoyed him and left him wanting to know even more. He scoffed, his already low temper rising as he stepped forward. However, before he could respond, Imeroth spoke slowly, deliberately choosing his words it seemed. Madara hesitated as he gestured towards the walls, offering a small explanation to him.

"They are my champions. Extensions of my will. Manifestations of both what is to come, and what was."

The statement, though shorter than what Demetrias had offered, was enough to placate Madara and his anger. He paused as he glared towards Demetrias, recalling what he had learned from Strix and Lucifer, recalling the name Lucifer called him. Sai... Madara looked towards the other two who stood beside him and sized the two of them up, taking in their appearances. He hadn't paid much attention to them when he first entered but he noticed they were much different from the Uchiha. One of the two men had scale like skin, gold plates stretching across half of his face down into the cloak, presumably over his entire body. It reminded Madara of the Wyverns he had once encountered though only a bit. The other one had an odd appearance, with bulging pitch black eyes with contrasting snow white hair peaking from the grey cloak. If Madara hadn't known better, he'd have assumed the eyes were the void itself staring back at him. Slowly turning away back towards Imeroth, Madara looked over the images Imeroth had pointed to.

Different beasts were painted across the wall along with what Madara could only assume to be fire, streaks of lightning and other natural phenomena as the largest beast stood grand above them all. He knew it to be Tiamat from what Imeroth showed him directly, and he could only begin to piece together others from what he had started to learn. Since his last meeting with Imeroth, there had been much going on in the world that Madara questioned and even more that he needed to learn about. Turning back to Imeroth, Madara began to speak.

"... I've encountered many people along my travels since we last met and have learned a lot. I've seen the death of Athos, though not personally, and have heard that he was tasked with protection the land as well as knowing when and who his end would come from. The Gods seem to know much and their divine sight extends far beyond our own...." He paused, pondering if they knew when his own end would come, an inevitability that he would have to come to terms with at some point... but not now. "I've met with other Relic Weapon holders though only one has managed to unlock it and helped me to understand what the first Core I met was.... she claimed to have gained her own Core from Phetra, ruler of the Underworld. If what she told me is to be true, then Phetra is likely behind the dead invading the land and the death of Athos, who was protecting the land, allowed her the ability to do so."

Madara stopped again, turning back towards the images on the wall, pieces of the ever moving puzzle sliding into place. If Strix was speaking truth, the Gods must have known this day would arise and Phetra would be able to unleash the dead upon the world. The dead that roamed were unlike any Kinjutsu he had witnessed, the telltale signs of Ninjutsu not present anywhere. He was nearing his questions but he needed to verbalize everything to help himself understand everything more before he reached the end.

"I've heard of how... Sai failed to capture the God Child and ran away from the battle after losing, unable to fight the Child and his protector. I've since met Emiya and learned that the God Child has now joined another for better protection against the Voidlords, and by extension, you.

"With all of this information at present, I have a few questions to ask: You claim these people to be your Champions and they presumably did your bidding in the past and do it now, meaning Sai was searching for the Child on your command. I can only imagine Phetra to be working either with or for you as well, though it seems her reach expands further than the others. This probably means you understand what she is up to and why, releasing the dead upon the world but for what goal?

If this Child is so powerful that you sent him to retrieve him, then why do you need my help? How does the Child tie into bringing Tiamat back to this world, which itself brings up a more important question.... since the God Child recently appeared, does that mean the other Gods are still alive in hiding? Where did he even come from? What happened to the Gods and the rest of their children like Athos?

Madara knew he asked many questions and didn't believe he would receive immediate answers but they were critical to his mission and his role in what was happening or what was to happen. He couldn't help Imeroth how he wished for the Uchiha to help him without knowing these things. He knew that calling the Voidlord by the name Lucifer called him would likely do nothing to help with this information, but he was going to continue to do so anyway, his anger not having dissipated completely.

Imeroth, Demetrias, Nefarian, and Basel remained respectfully silent while Madara slowly pieced together much of the events that had taken place in the world over the past six months. But that silence was abruptly shattered by Basel, who slammed his left foot on the ground, shaking the antechamber of the Sunlit Forge somewhat and bursting into laughter. "Bahahahahahah! I like this one, Imeroth! He's far more entertaining than that Ashikaga!" He stepped forward toward Madara, lowering the hood of his grey and black cloak slightly to reveal his face; half of his pale countenance covered in golden scales, with sharp, fiery golden eyes peering directly into Madara's only a mere three feet away now. "I can't wait to learn more about you...." He had sharp, distinct facial features with prominent cheek bones and a somewhat pointed nose. Among the Voidlords Basel was regarded as the least human, though human nonetheless. Though like his close comrade Nefarian, his powers were largely a mystery. In the background leaning up against the cold stone walls of the chamber, Nefarian giggled quietly as a thin grin formed on his own face. Though he remained shrouded in mystery, cloak still donned on his body. The Engineer of the Red Fever seemed to have nothing to say, at that particular moment at least, but he did enjoy Basel's jovial antics.

Basel stepped back, his laughter subsiding as he looked down at Demetrias. "Seems he heard about your old name? Though we all know by now that name is meaningless." Demetrias, also uncloaked, shifted slightly as Basel walked by. He wasn't uncomfortable necessarily, not even annoyed. But he was curious. It felt like yesterday that Demetrias, once Sai Uchiha, walked the same path as Madara; head of the Uchiha clan, inheritor of eyes far stronger than most of his bloodline.

"Failure? Yes," It was Demetrias's turn to speak now, responding to Madara directly. "My mission was to scout, and to learn more about one of the few entities that Imeroth's eyes cannot see. Though I think you underestimate this child as you call him. A Divine being is still a Divinity. If you think you can perform better than I can...well...you're welcome to try." A reply earnestly made, challenging Madara to succeed where he had failed. He ignored his old name, seemingly unbothered by it in the same way that Solomon calling him served only to irk him slightly.

"Enough of that, both of you." Now Imeroth snapped, his ancient voice seemingly able to move mountains as he raised his hands to silence the youngest of the Voidlords. "You've deduced much, with a lot of the information you've gathered connecting together well. But you've only glimpsed at small pieces of a much larger design. The Voidlord you know as Phetra serves as the Ruler of the Underworld - a title that carries with it as much power as it does weight. Upon my command she unleashed her armies into the world of the living in the East as part of a campaign to uncover the lost Armory of Marzan. The blade that Demetrias once wielded...the Blessings from the End of the World...was a blade that was forged by the Divine Forger Marzan. There is much to understand when it comes to the Immortal Marzan...but in short it was under my word that he was taken into the Underworld by Nergal thousands of years ago as part of a strategy to disarm humanity in the Great Civil War between the gods. But why? What weapons could Marzan forge that could threaten gods?" It was an honest question that Imeroth posed to Madara; the gods, beings that held Divinity, could not be harmed by traditional human weapons or even chakra. They were outside that plane of existence as part of their innate connection to the Void.

"The God-Slaying Tools, of which that sword was one. They were Marzan's greatest creations - weapons that could equalize the playing field between a human and a god. Or, at the very least, make it as close as it could be. Divine beings still hold immense power, but at least it removed their greatest defense: their own Divinity. It was by my command that Phetra search for the armory, not because we wanted their weapons but because we do not want humans obtaining them. If she failed to find it, then no human would be able to. Because there is no greater force capable of such an inexorable search than an army of the dead."

Imeroth paused, turning his back to Madara and motioning toward the inscriptions on the walls. "All excellent questions, Madara. Enkidu's arrival in the world was...unexpected. How to explain this.... If we were to place the Divine beings we know of in tiers it would follow like this: Tiamat, a Primordial Goddess. The original Pantheon, her children and the first Gods and Goddesses: Marduk, Nergal, Enlil, and Inanna. Beyond that are the tertiary tier of Divinities; beings like Ereshkigal, who briefly inherited Irkalla after Nergal's demise, and her siblings. I commanded Demetrias to find Enkidu, and if possible to capture him. But if I were to place Enkidu into one of those tiers based on his Chaos and Divinity...well he is likely a god within the same realm of power as Marduk and Enlil. It makes Enkidu a critical threat to our design. And one that will, in time, be addressed. As for the fate of the Gods, then one only needs to understand the end of the Great Civil War to know their fates. The gods are, as far as Divinities can be, dead. And it was so very simple. I have felt no greater pleasure in the world than watching the highest Divine beings slaughter themselves over nothing more than a lie." A sinister grin dipped in venom spread across the Voice of Tiamat's face. His explanation ended there, leaving some aura of mystery to what he claimed: that the Great Civil War that saw to the end of the Golden Age of Marduk's Pantheon, was based on a lie. That the gods destroyed themselves. "Though there is much you have yet to fully grasp, do not lose focus on your task. You must inherit the power of one of the Twin Pillars to take the next step toward becoming the Body of Tiamat."

 

[Lord of Kaos]

Imeroth, Demetrias, Nefarian, and Basel remained respectfully silent while Madara slowly pieced together much of the events that had taken place in the world over the past six months. But that silence was abruptly shattered by Basel, who slammed his left foot on the ground, shaking the antechamber of the Sunlit Forge somewhat and bursting into laughter. "Bahahahahahah! I like this one, Imeroth! He's far more entertaining than that Ashikaga!" He stepped forward toward Madara, lowering the hood of his grey and black cloak slightly to reveal his face; half of his pale countenance covered in golden scales, with sharp, fiery golden eyes peering directly into Madara's only a mere three feet away now. "I can't wait to learn more about you...." He had sharp, distinct facial features with prominent cheek bones and a somewhat pointed nose. Among the Voidlords Basel was regarded as the least human, though human nonetheless. Though like his close comrade Nefarian, his powers were largely a mystery. In the background leaning up against the cold stone walls of the chamber, Nefarian giggled quietly as a thin grin formed on his own face. Though he remained shrouded in mystery, cloak still donned on his body. The Engineer of the Red Fever seemed to have nothing to say, at that particular moment at least, but he did enjoy Basel's jovial antics.

Basel stepped back, his laughter subsiding as he looked down at Demetrias. "Seems he heard about your old name? Though we all know by now that name is meaningless." Demetrias, also uncloaked, shifted slightly as Basel walked by. He wasn't uncomfortable necessarily, not even annoyed. But he was curious. It felt like yesterday that Demetrias, once Sai Uchiha, walked the same path as Madara; head of the Uchiha clan, inheritor of eyes far stronger than most of his bloodline.

"Failure? Yes," It was Demetrias's turn to speak now, responding to Madara directly. "My mission was to scout, and to learn more about one of the few entities that Imeroth's eyes cannot see. Though I think you underestimate this child as you call him. A Divine being is still a Divinity. If you think you can perform better than I can...well...you're welcome to try." A reply earnestly made, challenging Madara to succeed where he had failed. He ignored his old name, seemingly unbothered by it in the same way that Solomon calling him served only to irk him slightly.

"Enough of that, both of you." Now Imeroth snapped, his ancient voice seemingly able to move mountains as he raised his hands to silence the youngest of the Voidlords. "You've deduced much, with a lot of the information you've gathered connecting together well. But you've only glimpsed at small pieces of a much larger design. The Voidlord you know as Phetra serves as the Ruler of the Underworld - a title that carries with it as much power as it does weight. Upon my command she unleashed her armies into the world of the living in the East as part of a campaign to uncover the lost Armory of Marzan. The blade that Demetrias once wielded...the Blessings from the End of the World...was a blade that was forged by the Divine Forger Marzan. There is much to understand when it comes to the Immortal Marzan...but in short it was under my word that he was taken into the Underworld by Nergal thousands of years ago as part of a strategy to disarm humanity in the Great Civil War between the gods. But why? What weapons could Marzan forge that could threaten gods?" It was an honest question that Imeroth posed to Madara; the gods, beings that held Divinity, could not be harmed by traditional human weapons or even chakra. They were outside that plane of existence as part of their innate connection to the Void.

"The God-Slaying Tools, of which that sword was one. They were Marzan's greatest creations - weapons that could equalize the playing field between a human and a god. Or, at the very least, make it as close as it could be. Divine beings still hold immense power, but at least it removed their greatest defense: their own Divinity. It was by my command that Phetra search for the armory, not because we wanted their weapons but because we do not want humans obtaining them. If she failed to find it, then no human would be able to. Because there is no greater force capable of such an inexorable search than an army of the dead."

Imeroth paused, turning his back to Madara and motioning toward the inscriptions on the walls. "All excellent questions, Madara. Enkidu's arrival in the world was...unexpected. How to explain this.... If we were to place the Divine beings we know of in tiers it would follow like this: Tiamat, a Primordial Goddess. The original Pantheon, her children and the first Gods and Goddesses: Marduk, Nergal, Enlil, and Inanna. Beyond that are the tertiary tier of Divinities; beings like Ereshkigal, who briefly inherited Irkalla after Nergal's demise, and her siblings. I commanded Demetrias to find Enkidu, and if possible to capture him. But if I were to place Enkidu into one of those tiers based on his Chaos and Divinity...well he is likely a god within the same realm of power as Marduk and Enlil. It makes Enkidu a critical threat to our design. And one that will, in time, be addressed. As for the fate of the Gods, then one only needs to understand the end of the Great Civil War to know their fates. The gods are, as far as Divinities can be, dead. And it was so very simple. I have felt no greater pleasure in the world than watching the highest Divine beings slaughter themselves over nothing more than a lie." A sinister grin dipped in venom spread across the Voice of Tiamat's face. His explanation ended there, leaving some aura of mystery to what he claimed: that the Great Civil War that saw to the end of the Golden Age of Marduk's Pantheon, was based on a lie. That the gods destroyed themselves. "Though there is much you have yet to fully grasp, do not lose focus on your task. You must inherit the power of one of the Twin Pillars to take the next step toward becoming the Body of Tiamat."

There was a brief pause after Madara asked his questions, punctured only by laughter from one of the hooded figures standing with Imeroth. The scaled man took a step forward, lowering his hood as he spoke, revealing eyes just as golden as half of his face appeared. Madara raised a brow as the man moved closer to him, noting how much he preferred him to Ashikaga, a name Madara had heard before from Imeroth. The golden creature came face to face with him, saying he couldn't wait to learn more about him as he continued to laugh before turning towards Demetrias, mentioning Madara's jest at his expense. It didn't take long for the other Uchiha to retort back towards Madara, challenging him to go forth and capture the Child himself. A task Madara doubted he'd do worse than Sai did but before he could respond, Imeroth ordered his Champions to be silent and began to answer Madara's questions.

With his answers he revealed much and offered even more doubt into Madara's mind, unease settling in as he spoke. He confirmed Phetra indeed was yet another Voidlord, the Ruler of the Underworld. Madara's mind pondered on this briefly as Imeroth continued - if Phetra ruled the entirety of the Underworld herself, then what did her equals, if they even were that, rule and how much power did Imeroth himself have if this was just Phetra's area? Perhaps the most interesting tidbit of information Imeroth gave when discussing Phetra's goals was regarding Marzan and his God Slaying Tools. If he was telling the truth, then these very tools could be used to injure and even kill other Divinities, though Madara saw an inconsistency here or so he believed. Pushing the thought aside, he listened to Imeroth's message regarding the location of the Armory containing these Tools and Phetra's plan became slightly more clear in his eyes: She was to raid the planet with the undead so they could either search the planet for the armory or keep humanity busy while she and others in the Underworld searched or questioned Marzan for more information about them. Imeroth had many plans in motion, no doubt continuously scheming in case one didn't work and his backups were mere contingency plans. Was Madara just another contingency, or was he Imeroth's main plan? How far did Imeroth plan ahead if Madara wasn't willing to assist him - was there a plan for these Voidlords to force him to or attempt to kill him? He scoffed aloud at the thought, his aggressive nature wishing they would try him. His Champions would prove their immortality is limited, he thought foolishly.

Imeroth assured him that if Phetra couldn't find the Tools, then no other would be capable of it. Madara begin to think of this as a possible contingency plan of his own, a trump card if he ever needed one. However, before he could even linger more on where such an armory could possibly be, Imeroth motioned towards the images once more as he began to explain the hierarchy and dichotomy of the Divinities. Of course, at the top stood Tiamat alone. Under her were her four offsprings, Gods with power Madara could only hope to attain. This apparently is where the God Child, Enkidu, fell. His power though still growing and maturing, would put him on the same scale as Marduk and others. Madara's eyes briefly looked towards Sai, understanding his defeat more now, though still believing he himself would have fared better if he too had one of those Tools. Even lower than those Gods on the pantheon were lesser Gods, many unnamed but numerous still. What captured Madara's attention the most, however, was the mention of the Civil War Imeroth mentioned. A war between the Gods themselves, engineered by a lie that caused them to war and apparently go extinct.

"Great Civil War?" Madara repeated aloud, his train of thought permeated by the statement. "What lie was this that lead to the very Gods themselves battling and dying? You mean to tell me beings of such divine power were bested by a mere lie? Pathetic," Madara said, in clear disbelief that these powerful beings fell to such lowly tactics. As he shook his head, his other qualms came back to mind. Turning from the images once more, he spoke to Imeroth again.

"Earlier you said that only the God Slaying Tools could defeat Divinities, yet one by the name of Strix ended a life of a seemingly immortal son of the God, Marduk. She did this with her own hand, before she even unlocked her Core. Do these Tools only work on the Second level of this pantheon and higher or was Athos an exception to this? Do these Cores have any of the divine power needed to end a God? I know they were fashioned from the bones of Tiamat herself but...." Madara trailed off, wondering what would happen to all of the weapons if she was ever revived again. Would they just cease to exist?

"If Nergal was the previous ruler of the Underworld and it fell to a lesser God after this civil war, how did Phetra end him and his reign if these God Tools haven't been found? Am I to believe she has her own then, like Sai had? Do all of the Voidlords wield one?" Madara looked to the other two Voidlords before him, including the last hooded one, wondering what they could exactly do though he didn't press the topic.

Imeroth had mentioned that Madara shouldn't dwell too much on these topics as he still had much to do himself and Madara didn't deny that there was still several Bijuu that he had yet to capture and Imeroth reminding him of it wouldn't change that fact.

"If you haven't noticed, they seem to be in hiding; I haven't even heard rumors of the Two-Tails existence these days. It's why I've been following up on other leads in the meantime. The Tailed Beast will be rounded up in due time. Until one appears again... explain more about this Civil War for me. Ease my qualms about the Gods as I am not sure exactly what this new one's, Enkidu, purpose is in the world or how he even came to be if they're all dead now." There were still questions Madara but they were minor compared to these, his mind still working like a machine to figure out where every cog would be positioned.

 

[NRP Botman]

"Yes, a war fought amongst the Gods. But...you still hold out some hope, or some idea, that deep down divine beings such as Marduk would not be so weak, or so foolish. Imeroth flashed a grin, relishing in the same belief that he once held. "The gods, in all their glory, are just as capricious, prideful, and wrathful as humans. It is made perfectly evident by our own weaknesses; it was our souls that were shaped by Nergal, and our flesh shaped by Inanna. We were born in their image." Though Imeroth was different, somewhat. He was the vessel of his patron god, and blessed with immortality.

So what lie ultimately upended the Pantheon? How did the gods ensure their own demise? Was it because of the schism that evolved over generations of noninterference? Was it the ambitions of the Anunnaki, who saw a new reality at hand?" No. It was the whispers of one man. One priest that convinced Nergal to take on his brothers." With Madara he turned back toward the inscriptions on the walls of the antechamber. "Our Mother Tiamat whispered to me, told me how to unnerve Nergal as he ruled from the depths of Irkalla. Nergal became convinced that Marduk and Inanna were seeking to replace his Souls with something new. Something of their own creation to replace it. Envy begets fear, fear begets hatred, and hatred brings war. I convinced Nergal to seal the Underworld, forsaking hundreds of thousands from their proper resting place and forcing Marduk to march on it." He gestured toward the ancient inscription of two giant men constructing a metal plated gateway, one that would eventually become the gate to Irkalla as built by Enlil in the Threshold. Behind them was an army of humans, and in front of them was a wasteland of skeletons and corpses.

The conversation shifted to questions on the God-Slaying Tools. Though he was perplexed by Madara's own inquiry, it was Nefarian to answer. "Do you believe your Relic Weapons to be of the same nature as Marzan's God-Slaying Tools? No." He spoke slowly, carefully, with a voice dripped in venom as he shifted his body weight forward to stop from leaning against the wall. His black eyes gazed into Madara's, as if looking into his very soul. "Athos was a demigod. A Son of Marduk who possessed no Divinity. Your weapons cannot slay gods. But together, they can create them." he turned away, walking out of the room. "Imeroth, I'll be going. Phetra's ritual nears completion. Soon, just like Athos, her ultimate destiny will be fulfilled." Nefarian left, leaving only Madara, Basel, Demetrias, and Imeroth.

Imeroth turned back to Madara after offering Nefarian a single nod. "It was Ereshkigal that came after Nergal, and Phetra that used her unique affinities for her betrayal. You see, the first humans were blessed with much more than the generations that came later. But no, only Demetrias wielded a God-Slaying Tool. It was a relic from another era, and a gift from me to him. It served its purpose well in rvealing the nature of Enkidu and the strength of his Divinity. As for your Tailed Beast problem, your staff should do weell to draw them out. The Ichibi may have been aggressive in seeking out its destruction, taking the bait too quickly. But no doubt the others have sensed that weapon's presence."

 

[Lord of Kaos]

"Yes, a war fought amongst the Gods. But...you still hold out some hope, or some idea, that deep down divine beings such as Marduk would not be so weak, or so foolish. Imeroth flashed a grin, relishing in the same belief that he once held. "The gods, in all their glory, are just as capricious, prideful, and wrathful as humans. It is made perfectly evident by our own weaknesses; it was our souls that were shaped by Nergal, and our flesh shaped by Inanna. We were born in their image." Though Imeroth was different, somewhat. He was the vessel of his patron god, and blessed with immortality.

So what lie ultimately upended the Pantheon? How did the gods ensure their own demise? Was it because of the schism that evolved over generations of noninterference? Was it the ambitions of the Anunnaki, who saw a new reality at hand?" No. It was the whispers of one man. One priest that convinced Nergal to take on his brothers." With Madara he turned back toward the inscriptions on the walls of the antechamber. "Our Mother Tiamat whispered to me, told me how to unnerve Nergal as he ruled from the depths of Irkalla. Nergal became convinced that Marduk and Inanna were seeking to replace his Souls with something new. Something of their own creation to replace it. Envy begets fear, fear begets hatred, and hatred brings war. I convinced Nergal to seal the Underworld, forsaking hundreds of thousands from their proper resting place and forcing Marduk to march on it." He gestured toward the ancient inscription of two giant men constructing a metal plated gateway, one that would eventually become the gate to Irkalla as built by Enlil in the Threshold. Behind them was an army of humans, and in front of them was a wasteland of skeletons and corpses.

The conversation shifted to questions on the God-Slaying Tools. Though he was perplexed by Madara's own inquiry, it was Nefarian to answer. "Do you believe your Relic Weapons to be of the same nature as Marzan's God-Slaying Tools? No." He spoke slowly, carefully, with a voice dripped in venom as he shifted his body weight forward to stop from leaning against the wall. His black eyes gazed into Madara's, as if looking into his very soul. "Athos was a demigod. A Son of Marduk who possessed no Divinity. Your weapons cannot slay gods. But together, they can create them." he turned away, walking out of the room. "Imeroth, I'll be going. Phetra's ritual nears completion. Soon, just like Athos, her ultimate destiny will be fulfilled." Nefarian left, leaving only Madara, Basel, Demetrias, and Imeroth.

Imeroth turned back to Madara after offering Nefarian a single nod. "It was Ereshkigal that came after Nergal, and Phetra that used her unique affinities for her betrayal. You see, the first humans were blessed with much more than the generations that came later. But no, only Demetrias wielded a God-Slaying Tool. It was a relic from another era, and a gift from me to him. It served its purpose well in rvealing the nature of Enkidu and the strength of his Divinity. As for your Tailed Beast problem, your staff should do weell to draw them out. The Ichibi may have been aggressive in seeking out its destruction, taking the bait too quickly. But no doubt the others have sensed that weapon's presence."

Imeroth wasted no time in explaining the God's demise, taking enjoyment out of it Madara noticed from the smile that etched the face as he spoke. Marduk, Inanna, Nergal.. only the first of the names were heard by Madara prior to arriving and only it was in passing. So these are the others... he thought, trying to determine which of them to find more about first. It only came as a small shock that Imeroth was the one who manipulated the war between them, though the lie itself was interesting; if Nergal himself created the souls of humankind, what did he think the others were going to replace it with? Did he try to take them on by himself? The very fact that Nergal was able to close the Underworld itself and prevent many from entering was somewhat alarming in. The implications went far - if he could do it, what was stopping Phetra from doing this as well, an agreement with Imeroth? If she sealed off the entrance and no new dead could enter, where would their spirits linger? Could this be what Imeroth wanted?

Before he could speak, the last of the Voidlords spoke up in a slow tone, his black eyes pouring into Madara's own. He spoke in what Madara thought to be slightly condescending, as if the Uchiha were stupid for suggesting the Relic Weapons could slay Gods. He did offer some insight, however, into how the Gods could die, suggesting that only those with no Divinity could be harmed by normal weapons and even suggested the Weapons together could create a God. Giving little time to allow his statement to be questioned, he mentioned to Imeroth that he needed to leave before departing.

Imeroth turned back to Madara to answer his last questions about Phetra herself and that she used betrayal to secure her position, mentioning that only Demetrias had a God-Slaying Tool before offering a small solution to his Tailed Beast problem. Sensing that Imeroth wanted him to focus on this more than the other stuff going on, Madara realized he was getting as much information as Imeroth had already given him and knew it was time to leave soon.

"Hmm, I see. It seems the Gods have had quite a tragic history. Betrayal from their own servants lead to their downfall... history seems to always repeat itself. As for the Tailed Beasts, I suppose the Two-Tails will be more difficult to seek out but it still shouldn't take too much time. I need to look more into it's whereabouts and any rumors regarding it... Thanks to Phetra, I now have an ally I may be able to utilize in the quest for them though she doesn't have the means to seal them...an issue we've find a way around when the time arises. Which brings me to a small question; the Cores I can sense eventually develop into these weapons. I can sense two more near one another on the far side of the world in movement, so they are already claimed it seems. But the others, they seem to be hidden, undisturbed. Is there any way to find them myself? Outside of that, the answers I gained here have cleared a lot of things up, though they have led to their own questions in return. I have much to do still so I'll take my leave in the meantime."

As he turned to leave, the other Voidlord's last words came back to mind. Soon, like Athos, her ultimate destiny will be fulfilled. It reminded Madara of his original question when he first spoke about Athos. Pausing while facing the exit, he spoke to Imeroth once more.

"Twice I've heard that someone's destiny being spoken about. Once when Athos was about to die and he knew of it and once again just now, in reference to Phetra. If their destinies and ends are foreseeable....is my own as well? Have you already seen how my story ends and when? What happens in th..." Madara trailed off, pushing the thought back from his mind. His destiny wasn't prewritten, he was the master of his own design and only when he said his story was over would it be. Shaking his head slightly, he continued walking and left the Forge, Akujin waiting for him at the exit as they departed together.

 

[Arthorius]

Coming from: https://animebase.me/threads/hokubu-ocean-257.757191/post-22085762

Lucifer touches down on the mysterious shores of the sunlit forge once more, despite how long he had been flying, he had found no resolution to the problematic questions raised. Irkalla was meant to resolve the problems he had, but instead they had only increased. Landing in the place he was reborn seemed to be the trigger to tumultuous emotions he had tried to keep bottled up on his journey.

The child of Tiamat fell to his knees, despite the victory humanity had claimed the ramifications could prove deadly. Even more concerning was the appearance of Abzu, there was no doubt in his mind that this was the deity that kept the mother trapped inside the void, she was smothered by him but to what end. Having no answer to this burning question would cause naught but anger to well inside Lucifer's chest, though it was there in that maelstrom of anger that the simple truth struck him.

The reason Tiamat was trapped by another deity, it didn't actually matter at all, not to him anyway. The truth was simple, he would free her regardless, if that meant he had to strike down a god or a man then so be it, Phetra the mad queen of the underworld was right about one thing, reality truly was a tapestry and it's will could be bent. Surely if her machinations could nearly release Abzu, the same could be done with Tiamat, but what would that entail.

Lucifer would most likely be making enemies of everyone, the humans feared Tiamat and the mother cult were wild cards, would they simply roll over like good dogs for a new master like Abzu, it was entirely possible, then there was the god himself, if he was keeping Tiamat trapped would he too need to be struck down, was that even possible.

He smiled for the first time since he arrived, of course it was possible, he simply had to learn to control the same powers of creation that his enemies were employing, deception would be his weapon now along with the gauntlets claimed from the underworld that Abzu had guided him to, the gauntlets summoned themselves on to his arms through his thought alone, he stood to his feet as his wings fell away to the ground, the brilliant white feathers decaying rapidly away.

 

[Lord of Kaos]

Coming from here

---

Madara finally arrived, Akujin flying above him. Though the Tengu was looking for others on the island, Madara didn't have to put much effort into finding Lucifer; the core guiding him directly to the man, Madara found him crouched over. Approaching him, Madara noticed the white wings on his back dissipating as Lucifer stood.

"I see you have received my messages, Lucifer," Madara said, as he walked towards him. "We have much to discuss, my friend."

 

[Arthorius]

Coming from here

---

Madara finally arrived, Akujin flying above him. Though the Tengu was looking for others on the island, Madara didn't have to put much effort into finding Lucifer; the core guiding him directly to the man, Madara found him crouched over. Approaching him, Madara noticed the white wings on his back dissipating as Lucifer stood.

"I see you have received my messages, Lucifer," Madara said, as he walked towards him. "We have much to discuss, my friend."

Lucifer looked towards Madara, he had felt his life-force enter the area, despite the turmoil he had been feeling. Perhaps discussing the events on the surface world would prove an adequate distraction for the child of Tiamat, maybe it would even lead him along the path to free her.

"Well met, it has been quite some time since we saw one another, I often wonder if time somehow flowed differently down there in the depths, it feels like years. We can discuss Irkalla later though, you said you have something to talk to me about already, right?"

Lucifer stated, he admittedly was interested in events above ground, he hadn't stopped to speak to anyone not even Solomon and Enkidu.

 

[Zatanna]

https://animebase.me/threads/hokubu-ocean-257.757191/post-22088558

As the boat pushed through the ocean, Strix saw a small island, somewhat strange looking in the midst of all the Sea of Life slopping around, its fertile and lush landscape unhindered by the mud-like substance. As she rode the boat closer, she could see a little inland, a singular torch bracket, illuminated with a black flame. Curious, definitely matching the description Madara had mentioned in his message to Strix. Grabbing the body of the 3 tails user, wrapped in sheets of cloth, she hopped off the boat onto the island as a strange presence came over her. It was as if she felt like there was someone there watching her, but she couldn't tell where from, and as she proceeded further inland carrying the body slung over her shoulder she wondered how the life here could sustain itself. The island was unusual, the fauna itself seemingly livng ordinarily but unsual to see the species here in this remote cold place. Despite the chill outside of the island, the climate itself looked temperate on this island. Continuing forward, it wasnt long before she saw two bodies conversing. Strix began walking towards them as several questions flickered through her mind. Had Madara already arrived? Who else would be there? He had spoken about making a group, had he recruited others already or still looking for members to join?

Several questions went through her head before she got to the opening, cut off mid thought seeing the familiar face of Madara, talking with one other she had not seen before. She was sure the clicking of her boots along the stone path floor would have alerted them to her presence, and dropping the body on the floor next to her, she stretched out her arms over her head, rolling her neck. Still recovering from the fight, she would probably need to take a few days rest before she would be back to 100% of her strength again. Strix figured it would probably be more polite to let them finish what ever they were talking about rather than interrupting, and she was in no hurry or rush to move on.

 

[Lord of Kaos]

Lucifer looked towards Madara, he had felt his life-force enter the area, despite the turmoil he had been feeling. Perhaps discussing the events on the surface world would prove an adequate distraction for the child of Tiamat, maybe it would even lead him along the path to free her.

"Well met, it has been quite some time since we saw one another, I often wonder if time somehow flowed differently down there in the depths, it feels like years. We can discuss Irkalla later though, you said you have something to talk to me about already, right?"

Lucifer stated, he admittedly was interested in events above ground, he hadn't stopped to speak to anyone not even Solomon and Enkidu.

Madara nodded, he had encounter much in the time since he last saw Lucifer. "Indeed there has been much that has happened. When I followed your directions to this place, I met with the one who gave me this Staff," Madara said, raising his hand as the staff materialized. "He was here with the one you know as Sai Uchiha as well as two others. They explained some things to me, but much was still unclear. After that, I met another with a Core, named Strix. I sense her on the way to us now, she's on the island. Her Core had advanced like mine, at a state where it was a weapon. She gained her Core from one named Phetra, a Voidlord who ruled the Underworld."

As Madara spoke, he created a Genjutsu through his eyes to show Lucifer everything he was telling him about to speed up the catching up process.

Genjutsu: Takutikku Furasshubakku) - Illusionary Art: Tactical Flashback

Spoiler

Type: Supplementary
Rank: C
Range: Short - Medium
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage: N/A
Description: After performing the Tiger hand seal, the user will send out his chakra out towards his enemies or allies, successfully disrupting their flow, placing them within a genjutsu. Inside of the illusion the field would seem as if it came to a stand still as the induced targets receive images similar to a flashback. This technique is mostly used for tactical purposes, allowing the user to transfer information in the form of an illusion or even describe a story, reducing the chances of said information being leaked in the process.

Notes:
- The illusion will last the entire turn unless dispersed
- Must be taught by Mathias

The illusion covered Strix explaining how Phetra gifted her the Core, Madara's meeting with the other Voidlords, and other related information.

"Since then, I've had to deal with an annoyance from my past that keeps reoccurring. I have ways to keep track of her but still..."

"Shortly after all of the trouble with Isabella, I met with Strix again and started a partnership. Those who hold these Relics - we were chosen by the Gods to save this world. It's up to us, the Voidlords wish to ruin it, the Champions are misled. Only we can make the changes needed to save the rest of the world."

Madara switched the illusion to highlight the several encounters with Isabella he had over the last few weeks; first with Nefarian and her death, again with the research papers they were seeking out. As the illusions finished up, Strix entered before he could finish.

https://animebase.me/threads/hokubu-ocean-257.757191/post-22088558

As the boat pushed through the ocean, Strix saw a small island, somewhat strange looking in the midst of all the Sea of Life slopping around, its fertile and lush landscape unhindered by the mud-like substance. As she rode the boat closer, she could see a little inland, a singular torch bracket, illuminated with a black flame. Curious, definitely matching the description Madara had mentioned in his message to Strix. Grabbing the body of the 3 tails user, wrapped in sheets of cloth, she hopped off the boat onto the island as a strange presence came over her. It was as if she felt like there was someone there watching her, but she couldn't tell where from, and as she proceeded further inland carrying the body slung over her shoulder she wondered how the life here could sustain itself. The island was unusual, the fauna itself seemingly livng ordinarily but unsual to see the species here in this remote cold place. Despite the chill outside of the island, the climate itself looked temperate on this island. Continuing forward, it wasnt long before she saw two bodies conversing. Strix began walking towards them as several questions flickered through her mind. Had Madara already arrived? Who else would be there? He had spoken about making a group, had he recruited others already or still looking for members to join?

Several questions went through her head before she got to the opening, cut off mid thought seeing the familiar face of Madara, talking with one other she had not seen before. She was sure the clicking of her boots along the stone path floor would have alerted them to her presence, and dropping the body on the floor next to her, she stretched out her arms over her head, rolling her neck. Still recovering from the fight, she would probably need to take a few days rest before she would be back to 100% of her strength again. Strix figured it would probably be more polite to let them finish what ever they were talking about rather than interrupting, and she was in no hurry or rush to move on.

"I see you've made it here, Strix. And with a guest, it seems." Madara looked towards the unconscious man she bought with her. "Is this the 3 Tails host?" Turning towards Lucifer, Madara spoke to him. "I tasked her with defeating the 3 Tails to help further our plans. I'm sure the 4 Tails is roaming around somewhere now."