PATH OF ASCENSION

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 29

"I'm going to need some privacy."

Rafael waved a dismissive hand on the upper floor of his four-story fortress, and at the gesture, his assembled minions protested.

"We're your devoted allies," Hira argued. "Shouldn't we do this together?"

"This is our most important operation yet," Nemai rasped from his wheelchair. "Perhaps if we all plan this together..."

"No need," Rafael said curtly. "I alone am the Shadow League's new leader, and I alone will commune with the gods. Leave me." He glared at his four followers, daring them to refuse further.

It worked. Hira rolled her brother out of the room while Cadoc and Manto sulked out of the room, and they obediently shut the wooden door behind them. Sliding the door's lock into place, Rafael nodded with approval and returned to the room's center.

Afternoon sunlight shone through the dusty window, but the room darkened when Rafael knelt and invoked the attention of two particular gods. The air grew unnaturally thick, almost like water, and the brilliant stars of Nyx flashed to life across the ceiling.

"Good afternoon, lord Erebos," Rafael said reverently. He kept his blond head bowed.

"Rafael," the god of the dead greeted in return. His mournful, horned head gradually phased into view among the stars. He stared down at the kneeling planeswalker with empty eyes. "I have been watching you, and it was with a predator's grace that you overcame the Shadow League. Most intriguing."

"Being what I am, it was only natural," Rafael said smoothly. "The League was strong, but when another, stronger power comes..."

"Yes, I am aware," Erebos cut in. "You may appear ordinary to your fellows, Rafael, but I can see you for what you really are. Your disguise does not fool me."

"I didn't expect it to."

Erebos shifted, almost uncomfortably. "And our fellow joins us."

Mogis' bull-like face appeared opposite Erebos'. "Make this short, creature," he snapped at Rafael. "Enough groveling mortals have pestered me already."

Rafael smiled. "No need to be so short with me, lord Mogis. The Shadow League may have failed you, but I won't. I fully intend to destroy the remaining two poleis in short order."

"What, with those grays and pack masters?" Mogis scoffed. "They are skilled, but Meletis and Akros will not be so easily taken."

"Believe me, they are only expendable assets," Rafael assured him. "When I go on the march, only my closest allies and I will deliver the final strike to crush the poleis. We have the strength."

"Target Meletis first," Erebos advised him. "The Akroans have been forced on the defensive due to the Shadow League's raid some time before. At Meletis, Heliod rules. I need you to topple him."

Mogis laughed, a sound like thunder. "I would rather assault Akros first and have my final triumph over my brother, Iroas. But even I would love to see Heliod unseated and his power shattered. You truly believe that you can accomplish this, creature?"

"I can," Rafael said stubbornly. "And I do have a name, you know. Why not show a little tact?"

"I can see what you are," Mogis said with distaste. "You are an outsider. A freak. And with a face like that..."

Rafael ran a hand over his disguise's princely face. "Don't let my true nature alarm you. With your and Erebos' aid, we can finally complete the Shadow League's mission."

Silence hung in the air as Erebos and Mogis considered Rafael's words. The planeswalker waited patiently, but he already knew that both divine beings would accept his offer. They had to. He was the perfect being that they had both been waiting for.

"Let us see what you can do," Mogis said at length. "I cannot trust you with my minotaurs, Rafael, but my slaughter blessing should help your little grays and pack masters break Meletis' outer wall."

"You have my trust, Rafael," Erebos added. "Carry the trusted ones' power with pride, and I will reward you and your allies. But be warned that if you fail to unseat Heliod, I personally will drag you to my Underworld, from which you could not ever escape."

Rafael loved this. Erebos didn't really care what he looked like or thought, or even that he had conquered Erebos' beloved Shadow League. It only mattered that he had the power and conviction to further the god of the dead's aims. Those who practiced black magic were bound not by loyalty of character, but of power and personal gain.

"Of course," Rafael said. "Erebos, Mogis... your will be done. The sun god's blinding light is about to be extinguished."

Satisfied, the gods of slaughter and the Underworld retreated into Nyx's constellations and the darkness was lifted.

Rafael stood and rolled his shoulders. He had a job to do.

*o*o*o*o*

"Welcome back. It's been months, hasn't it?" smiled Councilor Kero as his niece stepped into the sunlit room. Every member of the council of Twelve took notice as the appointed party entered, including Alexis, Sophia, and the captains of several scout forces.

"It has," Alexis smiled back, tossing her dark hair. "I've learned so much, uncle." Her face fell as a guard shut the door behind her. "And not all of it is good."

"We've felt a strange... energy permeating the landfor the past few weeks," stated Perisophia, the red-robed councilor with the most repute. She leaned forward in her seat, eyes fixed on Alexis. "I presume that you're here to discuss it?"

Alexis stiffened her back. "Yes. Sophia and I have had a harrowing journey back from Setessa when it fell, but we won't be safe for very long."

"Rafael is making best possible speed here," Sophia added. "Akros is no longer a threat; we're all that stands between him and his ultimate victory."

Concerned murmurs swept the room. "Yes, you've mentioned this 'Rafael' man in your courier hawk reports," Kero told his niece. "A strange being who opposed both our forces and the Shadow League. According to your last report, Rafael completely overwhelmed the Shadow League's leadership and gained control of all remaining troops. You're certain that he will turn this power against us?"

"I am," Alexis said firmly. A fire was in her eyes, one that hadn't been there months earlier. "That is why I respectfully request that we recall all available Reverent Army forces to the city to defend it against the inevitable siege."

The concerned murmurs were replaced with indignant babble. "And abandon our outlying towns and trade routes?" an elderly woman scoffed. "My dear, there is a reason that we have forces stationed there! Without our economic support..."

"Rafael doesn't care about that!" Alexis shouted. She stomped an impatient foot. "He is not waging a war of conquest or attrition. All he wants is to level the city and wipe Heliod's influence from our world. Meletis is the only target. Only this city!" She spread her arms to encompass the panoramic view outside the windows.

Alexis' outburst shocked the Twelve into silence. Finally, Kero said, "It seems that Jaina has really gotten to you, Alexis." But he sounded amused, not angry.

Alexis flinched, then turned to Sophia, who grinned and nodded. "You both have really learned from each other," Sophia muttered.

"Do you suppose that Rafael and his army will simply bypass the towns and trade routes?" Perisophia said cautiously. "You're certain that he won't attempt to starve us into submission? This is a serious gamble by withdrawing all forces to the city wall."

"I've seen his methods. Rafael only cares about complete domination. He feels no hesitation or fear," Alexis said boldly. "Based on that precedent, Rafael will attempt to subdue us with as much force as he can muster. Which is a formidable amount."

Once again, silence fell in the room, but this time, it was a thoughtful one. Alexis and Sophia stood patiently, praying that the council would agree.

Perisophia took a deep breath. "What is the approximate time frame for the assault, Alexis?"

"I cannot know for certain, but based on my agents' reports, within a week."

"Not all Reverent Army forces can arrive at the city wall in that time," Perisophia said simply. "And others are already involved in conflicts that we cannot abandon. However... all other available forces, and all mercenary squads in our employ, will be recalled to the city to mount a defense. Naturally, the guard towers and statues will be activated as well."

Both Alexis and Sophia knew what that meant. Meletis didn't have a giant warrior statue like the guardian colossus in Akros, but a number of hoplite statues in the city could be animated to defend the city with Ephara's blessing. Ephara, the god of the polis, would be critical in the city's defense.

Alexis dipped her head. "Thank you. You are most generous."

*o*o*o*o*

Chari sank to her knees, panting with exhaustion. She and several other oracles had been meditating in a temple near the city bay, and the soothing waters of Thassa were known for boosting blue mana here. But even with that mana and the guidance of Meletis' experienced oracles, Chari felt overwhelmed by the duties placed on her.

"Up you go," an oracle urged her, gripping Chari's arm and helping her up. "We're not done yet."

"I know," Chari huffed. She trembled. "But I've never seen this far into the future before, or from this distance." She wished Rikko was here with her, but he was helping the Reverent Army mount its defenses.

"This is the single most important time for the Meletian people in living memory," the oracle scolded her. "You have the power to help us, Chari, and I need you to try harder. Link your mind with ours and we will un-cloud the future."

Chari nodded, her heart racing in her chest. "O-okay." She stiffened her posture and linked arms with the other oracles. "Let's keep trying."

*o*o*o*o*

For the first time in months, Jaina knelt on the cool, marble floor of a temple dedicated to Heliod. Unlike the last time, many others were here too, absorbed in deep prayer with the sun god. For her part, Jaina closed her eyes and steadied herself, willing her heart and breathing to slow. She had to relax.

The stars of Nyx bloomed to life around her, an array of living constellations. Heliod's imposing, antlered face loomed over Jaina, his unreadable eyes watching her with an impassive air.

"Heliod, master of justice and honor," Jaina intoned. She tried to hide her churning anxiety and desperation, but she doubted that she could hide it from Heliod. "In this most dire time, I humbly request your aid. Our enemies are great. We must be greater."

"Hmmmmmmmm..." Heliod considered the mortal's words. "The last time you wore my power, it was to destroy a follower of Erebos, a certain Alexander. Is your purpose this time the same?"

Gratitude flooded Jaina's mind. He understands me! "Yes, great one. A strange man known as Rafael threatens everything we hold dear. He's already leveled Setessa, and Meletis is next. You and Ephara are our noble guardians. We need your guidance and strength."

"So, your mission is one of destruction?"

Jaina tried not to flinch. "No, great one. Rafael is the one who wants to destroy us. I have to stop him first."

"You want me to give you power in order destroy another being. You wish to have me turn you into a weapon."

"Yes."

"I will not."

"What!" Jaina blurted. "Heliod, I..."

"This is not why my followers come to me," Heliod told her sternly. "I govern justice, order, purity, the light. I am not your weapon. I am not a sword with which to strike others down."

Jaina couldn't believe her ears. "But when you helped me destroy Alexander..."

"Do you not remember what you thought during that battle?" Heliod asked sharply. "Your purpose? Your drive?"

"I don't understand. I needed the power to stop Alexander and Madam Apolla then, and I need it now to stop Rafael. I need to be the warrior I know I need to be!"

"I refuse to help you in this endeavor."

"I..." Jaina floundered. This couldn't be happening! She had waited so long for this, done so much to prove herself, and still Heliod scorned her? "You don't understand! If we don't do this, then -"

"Do not presume to know what I know," Heliod cut in. "Jaina, I have heard enough. You are not worthy to wear my favor."

"I was when I was at Madam Apolla's mansion," Jaina argued bitterly.

"And if you did not learn your lesson from that battle's outcome, then we have nothing more to discuss." Heliod's face sank back into the constellations and vanished.

Jaina didn't move. She stayed in her kneeling position, hands clenched into fists on her lap. It was over. Heliod had left her, and Rafael was still coming.

I'm not worthy. Jain felt tears leak down her cheeks and her breath caught in her throat. She had been so sure that her quest with Sophia, Alexis and the others would prepare her for this, but it hadn't. She had lost, and Setessa and all its people had paid the price.

Now the Meletians would do the same.