The sky burned overhead, a stretching expanse laced with trails of fire. Packs of Monoeye occasionally flew by, coming and going as they pleased until a voice of authority pulled them down. Today, that voice would belong to the realm's Queen, Medusa. She stood with staff in hand, a scrutinizing gaze levelled at the ranks that stood perfectly still in her presence as though crafted of stone.
They were organized neatly, faultless rows of countless soldiers stretching far across the courtyard, and standing in deep columns that all but consumed the length of the large rectangular space. Medusa turned and walked before the line established by the first row, her eyes carefully appraising the specimens before her. They were relatively new to her gaze, and a completely new addition to the Underworld army. She had crafted them painstakingly from the embittered souls of the beings who had become and would always be the focus of her hatred.
The first of their kind had been the creature Gaol, and she had used it as a template for those who stood before her now, though in appearance they somewhat lacked the sheer ferocity that Goal's possessed. Their armour was as black as night, streaked with patterns of fire and blood. From beneath a wickedly carved helm, only the vivid scarlet of glowing, dead eyes that would grasp those of the living in a fatal embrace was visible. That suited Medusa perfectly, it would not do for her to merely glance upon these creatures and have her rage kindled at every moment.
She would have much preferred to fill the suits of fearsome armour with shades, but her earlier experimentation with them had shown that the shadow of a human was of far feebler substance than flesh. Beneath the black sheets of metal then was encased the form of a human, cold in pseudo-death. Though she had known her purpose when she had drawn forth souls with which to craft them, a streak of anger had persisted at the surface of her thoughts when she clothed them in flesh and stood them before her for appraisal.
"You", Medusa pointed as she came to a standstill. "Tell me your name".
"I have no name, Majesty", the creature replied in an instant, its voice subtly distorted by the power of the energies flowing through its being.
"You", Medusa pointed to another.
"I have no name, Majesty".
"What is your purpose?" she asked yet another.
"To serve, Majesty", came the distorted, feminine reply. "Without question".
"With whom does your loyalty lie?"
"With you, Majesty", it answered at once.
Medusa indicated to two of those she had spoken to. "Step forward".
They did as they were bid immediately, stepping forwards in a single powerful and synchronised stride and clicking their heels together as they stood awaiting her next command.
"There are no bonds between you", she told them, "no likeness, save for your service to me. Face each other".
They sprang forward when bidden, seeking to pierce through the armour of the other with invisibly sharp spears and hoisting shields to turn aside the other's attack. It ended swiftly and the nameless victor turned back to Medusa in silence, planting their blood-tipped spear to the ground. She commanded it to retake its place in the ranks as the darkness of a particularly large shadow enveloped her own.
"They are marvellously loyal, wouldn't you say, my Lady?"
"Delightfully quick to action, Mistress".
"Responsive to any and all orders! I do say you have outdone yourself, Your Majesty".
Each of the three voices boomed out across the courtyard, intermingling with one another into a noise pre-empting a familiar din as not one of the Hewdraw heads allowed his brother to finish before speaking.
"This is the full regiment?" Medusa asked as she continued walking.
"Yes, Mistress –"
"Most of them, Your Majesty –"
"No, fool. Forgive him, my Lady, this is most certainly the full regiment".
Medusa ignored the argument that sparked almost immediately between the heads. Their voices carried far across the courtyard and the shadow they cast over Medusa and armoured creatures jerked back and forth even as they followed in the trail of her own steps.
"The second regiment?"
The Hewdraw heads, despite the volume of their intermingled voices, fell silent the moment Medusa began to speak.
"Without these walls, Mistress, awaiting your inspection".
"Good. I trust that they are armed and armoured".
"Yes, my Lady".
"Though the armoury was irritatingly sluggish to complete the order, Your Majesty".
"All is well and fair now, isn't it?"
"How many?" Medusa interrupted them.
"A thousand, Mistress".
"In both regiments, my Lady".
"Though a number of them required a severe whipping into shape, Your Majesty".
"Either way, they are here", Medusa said. "And I trust that you recall the strategy we have discussed".
"Of course, my Lady".
"Without question, Your Majesty".
"Well…actually, I seem to have misplaced certain details…Mistress".
"You incompetent fool", cursed one of the heads.
"Your stupidity knows no bounds".
"I do most of thinking for all three of us!"
"If by 'most' you mean laughably little – "
"That goes without saying".
"Now just you wait one moment - !"
"Hewdraw", Medusa said patiently as she reached the end of the row, her eyes holding and piercing deep into the red gaze of the creature before her. "Enough".
"Of course", they said solemnly, and they did not speak again as Medusa turned away from the armoured creature and retraced her steps. Gaol stood waiting, its arms clasped behind a broad back. The Hewdraw followed in her wake; it had always fascinated her that she held patience for the beast's nonsensical chatter. She would tolerate it from no other. Perhaps she simply understood that the Hewdraw's nature was the Hewdraw's nature. She could no more deny it than deny her own, curse-afflicted as she was.
She drew level with Gaol, the hem of its crimson cloak lifted by a quiet wind as she turned back to face the ranks. Upon her return to her seat in the Underworld, she had immediately resolved to craft an army that was worthy of her intent to grace the world of Man with chaos. She had cast her eye over the creatures that had occupied her previous army and her lips had curled in disgust.
They were weak and pathetic, falling like rain before the accursed angel's blade as though he had merely wished death upon them. They would not serve her purpose now. They did not deserve the honour, truly. She would only make use of them for the time being until she had built up the numbers of her newest creations.
"Hewdraw", she said, turning to the creature, "you are to take these Reavers and proceed to Gaol's castle. From there, you will march towards the northern city and regroup with the forces there. From there, march east. Tear down all that stands, and burn the Temples of the Goddess of Light to ash".
"It will be done", the Hewdraw heads answered as one.
"Of course", Medusa said, turning her eyes slowly to hold each of theirs. "You will not fail me".
"No, Mistress".
"Never, my Lady".
"Our victory is certain, Your Majesty".
"Let it be so. Gaol", she turned as spoke, starting towards the archway that would lead her from the courtyard.
"The second regiment of Reavers will be transported to your castle once Hewdraw has passed beyond the gates. You are to remain here, however. The Gatekeeper has been charged with the defence of the castle in your stead".
Gaol turned sharply on its heel and remained three paces behind Medusa's shoulder as she made for the archway. "If I may ask, Majesty: to what purpose?"
"I am making a visit to my once home", Medusa answered shortly. "Your responsibility now is this fortress. Post Twinbellows at the gates immediately".
"It will be done", Gaol echoed the Hewdraw trailing behind it.
"Be ready to report to me at a moment's notice", Medusa commanded both them. They responded in the affirmative – the Hewdraw's triply concrete – as she passed beneath the archway.
xXx
Ivorie led Phosphora through the long, narrow corridors of the Temple, the pair making headway through the numerous angels that occupied them. Phosphora's nostrils twitched as she picked up the smell of warm, scented water yet again; it seemed there were hot springs built into every crevice of the vast Temple. No doubt those who adored the relaxation the springs offered were spoilt for choice. Pit had been such a one, she recalled.
They turned another corner, and an archway at the end of the corridor gave way to the outside world, golden light filtering down into the Temple as one's eye was graced with the edge of the gardens. Ivorie led her companion with purpose towards the exit. When they finally stepped out into the light of the day, a trio of floating islands came fully into view. Phosphora took briefly to the air and followed Ivorie to the central platform. They found themselves not alone, though the presence of other angels was sparse, most merely attending to the needs of the garden.
"Here", Ivorie spoke. "It was here".
Phosphora cast her eyes about, but could find no trace of the battle that was said to have occurred here, or of the Goddess of Darkness who had poisoned the grounds around them with death. Of course, truly she did not expect to. Viridi had stood where she now did several days before she had joined the Goddess in Skyworld, and the mere influence of her presence was spectacular.
"Lady Viridi transformed this garden", Ivorie remarked. "It was beautiful before, but now…now she has brought it to life".
"She generally has that effect", Phosphora said with a small smile.
Ivorie looked down at her sandal clad feet. "I did not think life would return to this place. Perhaps, Lady Viridi could also have returned his life, if he had remained here".
Phosphora's smile dipped a little; the angel had made more than one mention of this and despite her attempts to cheer Ivorie, she was quick to sink back into her melancholy. If Phosphora had not noted the angel's behaviour around Pit during her visits to Skyworld, it would certainly draw her suspicions now. She would wonder why Ivorie seemed to have been hit so hard by the angel's death.
She had confessed it to neither of them, but through her actions and the indirectness of her words, Phosphora had been able to deduce that Ivorie held feelings in her heart for Pit. She did not wish to insult her friend's memory, but Phosphora allowed that Pit wasn't necessarily gifted with the same acuity of mind as herself. Ivorie had made the unfortunate mistake of waiting for too long, and now she mourned not only the loss of Pit's life but her own failure to act upon her feelings. It was difficult to comfort her, and at times difficult to be around her.
Phosphora had loved Pit dearly, but as nothing more than a friend. She had no desire for a relationship of a more intimate degree. Her memories of him were joyous and pleasant, but it was easy for Ivorie's sadness to cast a gloom over them, to make her wonder if Pit had indeed known of the angel's feelings. Sometimes it made her wonder if he had not received them because his own heart was set on another. It cast a shadow of ambiguity over their relationship that hung at the edge of her mind.
But there was little to do about it, except for her to turn both of their minds to the more pressing matters at hand. Phosphora had asked Ivorie to give her a tour of the Temple, so that she could assess its value, its tactical advantages and disadvantages. Viridi was certain that Medusa would make her move on Skyworld soon, and so she was tasked to prepare its defence.
As one of Palutena's royal guard, Ivorie would know areas of the Temple that other angels were perhaps not privy to, especially considering her rank. In Pit's absence, she had been raised to the position of captain, though the purpose of the royal guard was somewhat uncertain at the present moment, for Viridi did not request their presence around her.
Phosphora had initially sought to make use of them by posting them in positions of authority in the fighting force she intended to forge of the Skyworld denizens. It had turned out however, that Palutena's royal guard was not necessarily appointed in the interest of her protection.
"The majority of our number are not truly built to fight", Ivorie had admitted when Phosphora had presented this idea to her.
"You form a royal guard. Of course you are built to fight".
Ivorie shook her head. "In more recent times, Lady Palutena's guard was meant merely for the sake of decoration".
Phosphora raised her brow at this. "In more recent times? So, before then…?"
"Lady Palutena and Medusa used to frequently hold tournaments between themselves. Three able-bodied angels would be chosen to fight under the banner of one of the Goddesses, and then from the three that emerged victorious, the respective Goddess would pick one from the number who impressed her eye most. That angel would be granted the honour of spending a day at the Goddess' right hand. In fact, that was how Lady Palutena initially met Pit".
This had all but fascinated Phosphora; she had never thought to ask the angel how exactly he had come to be his Goddess' most favoured. It often seemed as though he had simply been born into her favour, such was the nature of their relationship.
"But surely the Goddess did not simply pluck you from the streets and set you at her side".
"There are a number of us who can actually wield the weapons we bear with competence", Ivorie said. "In truth though, my Lady never did require a personal guard".
"Except for twenty five years ago", Phosphora had said. "Except for now".
"Yes", Ivorie had agreed quietly.
With that, Phosphora began to understand why it was the Goddess of Light had frequently sent out Pit alone into situations that almost certainly would have killed him were it not for his brilliant streak of luck and skill with a blade and bow. Palutena did not understand battle as did Phosphora, and she did not truly know war like Viridi. Palutena would set Pit in command over the fighting force of Skyworld because she saw that he possessed the skills for combat she sorely lacked. She could guide his blade with her wisdom, and in tandem with her in this manner, Pit had forged himself into a fearsome opponent for a single foe or a great number.
"Despite her power, Lady Viridi is not gifted in soulcraft", Phosphora reminded Ivorie gently. The angel did not reply, or rather was not given the moment in which to do so for before she could speak another voice rang out across the gardens.
"Lady Phosphora!"
She and Ivorie turned. An angel emerged from the Temple, his face lined with concern as he hurriedly approached them.
"Just Phosphora", she reiterated wearily to the angel when he came within earshot.
"Ah, my apologies, La – Phosphora", he quickly and evidently with some difficulty corrected himself.
"What is it?"
"Lady Viridi has requested your presence immediately", he reported. "The Underworld is launching another attack".
It would have been better for him to not have revealed that information right where they stood, but Phosphora could afford no time to worry about it. She allowed the messenger to lead the way, though eventually she ended up jogging passed him as they turned the corridor that lead to the Temple's observational room. The 'room' was unconventional in its appearance; when Phosphora stepped into it, it was though she had stepped outside once more.
Small raised hills were punctuated between by thin roads of stone and earth winding through a natural carpet of grass. A number of pedestals were studded along the length of the room, atop each of them perched a wide bowl that contained miniature scale cities and large towns. Phosphora expectedly found Viridi at the centre of the room, standing at the edge of large, patterned bowl and leaning forward to peer into its contents. Shimmering light danced across her cheeks as intensely focused eyes gazed deep into the reflecting pool.
"Lady Viridi", Phosphora announced herself. The Goddess looked up as she approached.
"What is the situation?"
Viridi beckoned her to the edge of the bowl. She stood close and looked down into the waters of the pool, at first seeing nothing more than the undulating reflection of the ceiling above before something stirred them and gradually, the world below came into focus. Her eyes took on the intensity of her Goddess' as she was granted the view of a large, fearsome castle whose stone walls seemed to drip with darkness. A human army had gathered before it, locked in fierce combat with the hordes of the Underworld.
"Where is this?" Phosphora asked, already assessing the situation at hand and noting that the Underworld's unrivalled air superiority was costing the human army severely. She scoured the ranks carefully and spotted the units of archers dotted amongst them. Their numbers were far from enough and their aim wild as the fury of battle washed over them.
"I've been keeping an eye on this castle", Viridi told her. "The humans' army has been marching towards it for the last two weeks, and they have been engaged with the Underworld forces for a day. But something is amiss here".
Viridi gestured towards the Underworld forces. "Look: their numbers are far beyond what could reasonably be contained within that castle. I cannot tell how Medusa is transporting such forces to and from Overworld. But, right now there are more pressing matters".
Phosphora glanced up at the Goddess. "There's something else?"
Viridi nodded, touching a fingertip to the surface of the pool. "There appear to be two armies, and for the time being, we will have to remove our focus from this one".
The waters rippled and the image upon them changed, a murky palette of colours blurring together and slowly reforming into a new image. Phosphora watched as the second of the Underworld's armies kicked up the dust of a well-worn road, though unlike the first, this one gave her reason to pause as she cast her sharp eye over them.
"My Lady, unless I am mistaken, those are human soldiers", Phosphora said quietly.
They were gathered at the centre of the army's number, spears grasped in one hand whilst a large oblong shield was hefted in the other. Unlike the multitude of Underworld creatures around them, these marched with purpose and order, their strides taken in perfect unison.
"I was under the impression that Medusa despised them", Phosphora said as Viridi remained silent.
"I can only assume there is more at work here", the Goddess said eventually. "I think it best not to waste our time questioning their origin".
"How is it that the human army did not encounter this one?"
"The humans marched from the east towards that castle; their paths would not have converged".
A large shadow was cast over the marching army before Phosphora could think to speak another word, and in the next moment a vast form flew over them, its purple hide a stark colour against the dark armour of the strange soldiers below it.
"I have no idea", Viridi answered pre-emptively.
She touched the surface of the pool once more, and Phosphora reeled as her sight was suddenly drawn backwards, expanding outwards so that she could now see vastly more of the army and its surroundings.
"My apologies", Viridi said as Phosphora swayed. The Goddess reached out, clasping a hand around her wrist. Steadied, Phosphora leaned forwards once more and took stock of the image before her. Viridi pointed to the small form of the city that was now in view.
"The army is about a day away", she said. "In accordance with my agreement with Palutena, I'm required to protect these creatures".
She stood up, glancing one more time at the pool before moving over towards one of the other pedestals. Phosphora followed in her wake, standing at the Goddess' shoulder as she looked over the model of the city threatened by the Underworld forces.
"I hope they are competent enough to hold until you get there", Viridi said. "Assuming they haven't emptied their walls already".
"It should take at least two days to gather our forces, but that will mean leaving Skyworld weakened as well as our own realm".
Viridi waved a hand dismissively. "Cragalanche will be able to hold in the rare event that the Forest is discovered, and I will be able to defend Skyworld. In the case of the former, you are to withdraw your forces to our realm".
"Understood, my Lady".
The Goddess drummed her fingers at the edge of the bowl for a moment. "I did not think Medusa would delay in seeking to retake Skyworld. I had counted on it".
"We could direct our forces from here", Phosphora said after a moment, sensing Viridi's underlying meaning and offering her own just as subtly.
Viridi shook her head. "I want that Underworld army crushed. I would prefer Medusa's attention to be focused solely in one direction, and if she does not already know that I have taken Skyworld's seat, she will soon enough".
"You want her to pledge her full strength against you", Phosphora said.
"Sooner rather than later", Viridi said. "She has already spent too long in the Underworld; her strength is more than replenished".
"If it were it possible, I would suggest a full-scale attack on the Underworld", Phosphora said. "It is likely Lady Palutena is being kept there".
"I would agree with you", Viridi said as she turned away from the pedestal. "The Underworld is closed to all but its master, however."
The Goddess sighed as she briefly closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"There is nothing we can do about it at present. Ready yourself, Phosphora. I don't think Palutena would thank us were she to return to find her precious lands in ruin".
Phosphora inclined her head respectfully to Viridi before turning on her heel and making for the doors.