The Karcist and the Lord
a S.C.P. Foundation Mythos x M.G.E. crossover
Chapter 39: The Hanged King's Court
Ion stared at the Ambassador and the Jester of the Hanged King. As one of the most powerful beings Earth and Eros had ever seen, he was the Grand Karcist of the Cult of Nalka, Sorcerer-King of Adytum, Slayer and Devourer of Gods. So seeing him look at the two from Alagandda like they had the plague caused the all except the Chief God to stare in fear.
Why are you here, along with your court jester? He asked, his apprehensiveness causing the Void Seraphim to flinch at the sudden and outright hostility Ion put in his words.
"Oh come now, I'm simply here to finish our deal, don't you remember?" the Ambassador asked, a haughty tone accented his words. "We never got to finish it."
Yes, and I remember telling you that I had business to conduct here. Business, mind you, that I also recall saying that it was of no concern to you, Ambassador. Now, if you want to discuss that particular topic, I suggest you leave the premises at once, and I'll get back to you when I have the time. At that, both of the Alaganddians chuckled, their laughter sent shivers down the spine of the Chief God.
"Milord, how bad is this?" a Seraphim asked Seriallian.
"If Ion and the Cult of Nalka on this world means we are buried waist deep in crap, we're now neck deep in one of the most filthy rivers you can imagine." the Arch-Angel replied in response. At that, the Angel stared blankly. "Alagandda is the home of a psychopath known as the Hanged King. He was a tyrant that was killed by his abused subjects for his crimes, made a deal with a being that seeks to destroy everything that exists to be resurrected in exchange for killing said subjects, and now rules his world with an iron fist. If you think Ion is evil, remember he at least is willing to negotiate fairly if one can gain his favor. The Hanged King and his Court negotiate solely to try and screw you over later when they feel like it, and will absolutely attempt to make it as brutal and humiliating as possible." At that, the Jester looked at Seriallian, their mask switched to that of the grinning comedy mask.
"Well now, if you have something to say, why not bring it out to the open, my dear... well, what is your name dear?" the Alagaddan asked.
"Seriallian, and I would recommend not calling me your 'dear' again." the Seraphim said.
"Ah, as you wish, hun." the Jester replied, standing up on the pew they were on to give a mocking bow. Seriallian was visibly agitated, but stopped when the Chief God gave her a look from behind. As the Jester looked up, acid dripped down from the holes in their mask, burning the body of their host, as well as the pew and floor. "By the way, I am most interested in your world. You see, your friend here that is wearing me did seem to consider it a most... fascinating place, and I would most-"
"No, you may not." the Chief God said. The Ambassador then looked at her, and scoffed.
"Oh, and who do you think you are?" he asked.
"I am-"
"Ah ah, don't answer, it was a rhetorical question, Chief God Lileria." the Ambassador interrupted, making the Chief God blush with anger.
"YOU DARE MOCK THE CHIEF GOD BY NAME?!" a Seraphim yelled, then charged at the Ambassador with a spear, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Don't do it!" the Chief God yelled, but was too late as the Void Seraphim stuck her into the Ambassadors body. However, while it went into his stomach, the spear did not pierce through his body and the Ambassadors back, and he looked down at the confused Angel, a prideful confidence radiating from his body language as he did so.
"Oh you sweet summer Angel." he retorted sweetly. "You shouldn't have done that," he continued, as the spear began to pulled in by something. The Void Seraphim proceed to let go, and stared in disbelief.
"What in the originals name?" she muttered, before suddenly the same spear came out of the Ambassadors head, flying at her. One of Ions arms appeared in the air and pulled her to the side, causing the spear to miss and fly out and hit him instead. As he grunted in pain, the ambassador shook his head, and crossed his arms as he tsked at the Grand Karcist.
"Oh my, I'm most terribly sorry..."
Boot licking snake. At that, the Ambassadors hand visibly tightened, but he continued in the same tone of voice he used on his attacker, who stared in shock, finding herself next to him, still held on by her robe.
"...I only meant to punished that lowly wretch of an Angel. I don't see why you would go out of your way to save such a fragile creature as that."
"My my Ambassador, has the Grand Karcist has developed a bit of a soft spot for these Angels and their deity perhaps?" the Jester continued, a mocking melody that continued as though the two were reciting a play. "Methinks this is the case." they continued, circling around Ion and looking down on him. As the Grand Karcist stood up and finally pulled out the spear, he then roughly shoved the Void Seraphim away.
No, it was not out of affection or any such emotions. Ion said. I saved her only because of her loyalty to me, something that hopefully even your lot possess to some degree. He retorted, looking the Jester right in the eyes as he did so. Now then, get to the point, clown and diplomat of the Hanged King-
"Jester and Ambassador." the Jester corrected, looking at him with their mask changed to the symbol of tragedy.
As we are guests of this world, I can call you whatever I wish, clown. Ion snapped in reply. Now then, what do you want with the Chief God?
"Ha!" the Jester exclaimed. "Your as much of a guest of Eros as much as Liliera is still the Chief God, War God Ion." they quipped, causing every one else except the Ambassador to tense up at the Jesters' line. "Now then, are you going to continue this charade, or are you going to call the Pantheon to introduce us to your fellow gods of this little backwater?"
"Backwater. An interesting choice of words, given that you and the Ambassador are some of the most influential beings from Alagandda. Last my Void Seraphim checked, you aren't the kind to go somewhere solely on a whim." Liliera said, to which the Ambassador responded to while inspecting his fingers.
"Well, that is true, but my master is not the kind to care for such trivial things. If that means coming to some unimportant dirt ball like yours because my King says so, then so be it." the Alaganddian explained, hubris dripping from every word. Another Seraphim started to draw a sword without drawing attention to herself, but her fellow Angels stopped her from trying anything indiscreetly. The Ambassador then turned in their direction, his head tilted in a manner that made it look as though he was a faceless mannequin staring down at her. "Even so, this world, like many others, just might prove to be... interesting. Now, introductions to the other gods of this realm, if you may, preferably in a neutral realm if at all possible." he then requested, turning his head back to Ion and the Chief God. After staring at each other for a moment, Ion sighed, while the Chief God pulled out a prayer orb which was glowing bright white. Ion placed a hand on it as well, and began channel his mind into it.
Fine, the Chief God and I will try to organize-
"Ah ah, allow me. I'll do the talking here, thank you." the Ambassador interrupted, walking over and placing a hand on the crystal ball the Chief God had, which also had golden filigree running along its equator. As they both felt the various deities of the world establish a connection with the three, they could feel the Ambassadors' presence almost immediately upon replying.
"Oi, are you and Ion finally... hold on, who is with you two? Identify yourself." Poseidon demanded.
"Ok Ion, you better have an explain- who is this? I can feel someone else is with you and the Chief God, and already they're more punchable then you." Vaal snarked.
"Oh ho ho already the feisty ones are here."
"Hey, I pretty sure you heard me when I told you-"
"You're in no position to make demands of me, so listen here young ones, for I-" the Ambassador said, as the other deities connected.
"Ok, who the hell is this?" Hel asked.
"Shut up and I'll tell you."
"What did you just say to me?"
"Shut it, for you are speaking to the herald of the Hanged King, yours truly, the Ambassador of Alagandda."
"Oh by the original Chief God, there's two of them." the Sun God muttered in the background. Her groan of disdain could be felt being shared by the rest of the Pantheon.
"Ah tatatataaa... right now, I'm only interested in making a deal with you all, including you Ion."
I'm literally right here Ion snarled, then he immediately regretted it upon realizing he forgot he could be heard by the other gods. At this, many of the gods of Eros gave their attention to the Ambassador.
"Hold on, did Ion just-"
"Yes, yes he did. Now are you going to listen or not?" at that question, the Fallen God connected her prayer orb to the conversation.
"Ion, I swear I will..." after a few seconds passed, the Fallen God spoke up. "...Ion, tell me you did not summon him of all people to this world." she said. "Get the hell out of my world, Ambassador, and I promise I'll not chase you out all the way to Alagandda myself." at that, the Ambassador scoffed.
"We both know that's a bluff, besides this is not your world, nor will it ever be." the Ambassador retorted. "Last I checked, you are the one to first rebel against your Chief after being passed over, thus why you were named the Fallen God, not Chief God." At that, Ion and Liliera could feel the heat of anger coming from the Fallen God at the Alaganddians insult.
"Don't you dare call me that again."
"Don't you dare call me that again." the Ambassador parroted, as Liliera face palmed. After several minutes passed between the Fallen God and the Ambassador arguing with each other, with the other Gods listening wondering what was going on, Ion finally sent a telepathic 'shout' which finally ended the argument.
Enough! Get to the damn point at hand Ambassador! Ion cried out.
"Ion, do not interrupt me-"
Shut it, this is not the time, nor place to bandage your wounded ego. You will have your opportunity after the Ambassador tells us and the others what he wants, right Ambassador? Ion said, not letting the Fallen God finish her sentence while turning and looking at the creature he was referring to. After making a 'hmph' sound, he addressed the Pantheon as a whole.
"Now then, as I was saying, Ion was right. As it stands I intend to speak with you about this world. My master has an interest in the Mamono, and sent me as his representative. As five hours from now, I expect us all to be together in one place. You will discuss amongst yourselves where to go until then, and I will expect an answer by then. As a side note, I want an end to all hostilities for now, because it can be quite distracting to discuss politics whilst in the middle of a war after all." After a few seconds passed, Ion could feel all eyes on him. He then sighed under his breath as he 'spoke.'
Alright, I'll cease all military and political attacks against the Mamono Lord and her subjects, on the condition that the herself also calls for a truce as well. The Grand Karcist conceded. There is be to be no trickery from either party attending this meeting, especially you Ambassador, and only one adviser is to be brought to the meeting. In exchange for this, I'll personally inform the Mamono Lord of what is going on, and if she agrees, she'll be brought along as well.
"Well now, that sounds like a good bargain. Want do your fellow Gods say?" The prayer orb proceeded to let out a chattering noise as the Pantheon went and communed with each other. The Chief God, Grand Karcist Ion, and the Ambassador waited for their response. During this the Jester hummed a tune of some kind, as the Void Seraphim that was taken over by him melted further and further. When they finally answered, the answer was unanimous and given by the Fallen God.
"So be it."
"Ah great. Now then, where is a neutral zone with which we can meet at? The Temple of the Void maybe?" at that, the Void Seraphim, the Chief God, and Ion visibly tensed up, realizing he just gave away the existence of the Seraphim.
"What's that?" the Fallen God asked with suspicion.
"You'll find out after asking Ion and your Chief God about it. Now, for my adviser, I suppose my masters Jester will-"
Will not be a part of this meeting. He is manipulative enough that he counts as you bring an ace up your sleeve. Ion said. The Jester perked up at this.
"What was that? I assure you, I will-"
"Not be involved in our affairs." The Chief God interrupted this time, gaining no small amount of satisfaction from the way the Jester stared at her. The Ambassador sighed, then waved him away.
"Go, they aren't going to negotiate this." with a indignant huff, the Jester walked toward a shadow that extended. Upon stepping on its edge, he pivoted by his vertical axis into the shadow and disappeared. One of the Void Seraphim opened her mouth to speak, but the Ambassador cut her off with a gesture of his hand.
"You are about to ask how he teleported away, the answer lies in the fact you are not within the confines of the Barrier. Now then Ion, how about you go and spread the news, yeah?" With a grumbling noise, Ion left the Temple of the Void, and back to Eros to find the Monster Lord.
Considering the amount of crap I've done to her, better be ready for a fight. He thought. When he appeared back in the counsel room where several Gods had gathered, Vaal and Odin approached him.
"Who the hell does this Ambassador think he is?" Odin asked. Ion then recalled that she destroyed her prayer orb, and thus likely only got a summary of the conversation that happened.
Someone even I say you should be cautious around. Ion said. Right now, I require you to calm down the storms over Lescatie, while I'll begin pulling out my troops. I'm sending another avatar to Monster Lord Deborah, and call for a cease fire with the war. Ion explained, as a pustule formed on his torso. After growing to about a third of his body mass, it was split open, and a fully clothed Ion in his Human fell out, covered in fluids. The Gods that saw this give visible looks of disgust, as the doppelganger got up, and after Ion went through a quick look of Eros and find the Mamono Lord, teleported away. As the open sore closed and healed, Odin spoke up as a tongue emerged and licked up the fluids that were left on the floor. Several of the Gods seemed to look sick at the display, Odin included.
"Um, does that hurt, and is that a fully separate being you just created?" Ion placed a finger under his chin, eyes narrowed in thought.
Hmm, I usually feel a little sore after making a body like what I just did, but after that it goes away. As for the body being sapient, it is not, think of it as a puppet I can control from across dimensions with my mind. Technically I can create other life forms, but I am not that strong. Yaldabaoth was known to seed entire worlds whenever she consumed one of her fellow Gods back in the universe we are from, but it was a side effect of exhaling their remains in a type of space traveling spore. Ion answered.
"Wait, there is a second God-Eater out there?" the Sun God asked. "And is she worshiped at all by your people?"
Yes, there is indeed a second God-Eater, however she was contained by a God known as Mekhane, who defeated her mainly due to the fact he was not made of flesh that could be consumed, but at the cost of the prison that holds her captive to this day being made from his very body. As for worshiping her, she was deemed weak after I fused myself with a piece of her flesh, gaining an albeit weaker version of her powers, as well as modifying how I used them to suit my needs.
"Like what?"
Creating the Akuloths, which are these here. Ion held a hand, and a silt formed on it. A white larva with a human face then came out of it, only for Ions' head to split into a vertical mouth as it was dropped into it and eaten whole before his face fused together. Vaal and another deity, Baal as she was named Ion believed gagged and left the room. The Sun God and Odin looked at him with wide eyes. Suddenly Ion jerked and grabbed his face, and the mouth on his chest made a rumbling sound as he grabbed at it as well. Gah!
"What happened?"
Take a look at Wonderland.
**POV SHIFT**
Castle of Hearts, Wonderland
Deborah closed her hand, and inspected her nails. That damnable beast of a God Ion had the gall to send a servant which appeared in the bedroom of her daughter, and was now getting up after being slapped through the window and onto a statue of one of the Cards, impaled on its spear shaped to resemble a spade. As she saw it look at the wound and then at her when she looked out of it, Deborah jumped down as the Queen of Hearts followed down with Mikheal, having just gotten dressed.
The Queen shrieked when he appeared in her room, and Deborah and Mikhael happened to be passing by to speak with her. Upon seeing the Sarkite, the Mamono Lord immediately slapped him mid sentence. As the Human was already being pulled off by the squadron of Cards surrounding the statue, the three noted that the hole regenerated almost instantly.
"You are quite heavy hitter, Deborah." he snarked, then grunted as the rope being tied around his wrists was tighten. "I supposed I deserved that."
"Who the hell do you think you are strutting into my daughters room like that?" Mikheal growled. "Some twisted variation of the Chief Gods' Heros?" the Human then laughed darkly. When he turned his face halfway into that of the bone plate that was depicted as being part of Ion, the Cards backed up. Suddenly the Human stood up, and revealed his hands were free, the rope laying on the ground as his face went back to normal.
"Not quite little King, as it happens this is more a puppet made in my image." as it set in what he was saying, the Mamono Lord had a look of anger on her face.
"You..." Deborah snarled. She then approached the God that caused so much suffering in the world and her family, and was the source of everything going wrong for her plan to implement peace and love for all she knew. And when she saw the look on his face, her blood boiled with fury at the murderous and evil God-Eater before her, ignoring the tense looks that followed her. Ion did not have such a look.
"Yes me! Now, how is Emmalis?" he asked, earning a second strike to the face that sent him flying through the air, and then looked over to see the Succubus leader flying at him at supersonic speeds... and smiled sadistically despite the incoming attack much to her anger. Deborah grabbed the Grand Karcist, and threw him violently into the ground. Ion smashed into the stone courtyard, which exploded into dust and debris, and the Mamono then scattered as the alert went out of the fight between their lord and the War God.
Of course much to their expectations, from what they and the Monster Lords family that was there could see, the Mamono Lord was winning, as Ion climbed out of the impact crater that was made when Deborah threw him with the force of a cannon. The Succubus in question then slammed into the ground in front of him as he pulled out his body, huffing with exertion as he stood up. The Mamono Lord then kicked him in the knee, driving the War God Ion to down. Grabbing his hair, she then force him to look at her. A few seconds passed as she glared down about him, she spoke.
"War God Ion, Grand Karcist of the Cult of Nalka, I hereby charge you with mass murder and torture, for afflicting pain and suffering upon untold millions throughout the world, and for planning to condemn the world into going back into the Cycles, where all who live who do so under your hand, unable to fulfill the desires from love and happiness that lie deep in their hearts. How do you plead?" Ion looked around at the various Mamono who were watching, clinging to their husbands and at the Monster King, who smiled in approval that justice was finally being done. Then, he started laughing. As the crowd looked at him and the confused Mamono Lord, he spoke. When he looked into Derborah eyes, she paled, both in the bloodthirsty look he gave her, and at his words.
"Guilty. And I do not merely plead myself guilty," he said, and began to laugh even harder, sending chills down the spines of all who heard him as he continued. "I declare that am guilty of all that and more, and proud of it! I and my followers revel in chaos, for it is the true end of things. You proclaim that I am imposing my will, and suppressing your peoples desires? YOU UTTER FOOL!" he yelled. "I'm not suppressing your desires, I'm partaking in what gives me and my followers happiness. The peace you crave a mere lie! Civility is a lie, and me and mine live by one creed, Lord Deborah!" Ion spat, making the Mamono Lord look at the madman God with a look of shock and horror, as fear chilled the Mamono watching and listening to his speech.
Then a portal open, and from it, the Grand Karcist, Sorcerer King of Adytum. and Emperor of the Deathless Empire known as Ion strode out of it, causing confusion and disbelief as both Ions spoke to the crowd, both in their minds and out to their ears.
"Desire is the measure of all things. Be unbound from moral tethers. Do as you will, to whom you, whenever you will." Suddenly, the Ion that the Mamono Lord was holding onto started to make choking noises, and she turned to see him choking on blacken blood, making her let go in shock. he then fell over, and exploded into a slurry that made her jump away. After overcoming the initial shock, she then turned to the Ion that had appeared. Creating a fire ball, she threw it at him. He deflected it casually with his staff, sending it flying at a Hell Hound that screamed as it burned her fur. A Cheshire Cat tried to sneak up on him as she appeared over his head, only for a tentacle that come of his back, and stabbed her in the chest. As the feline looked in shock, the prehensile limb ripped its way out of her, the barbed stinger on the end taking her heart out with it. Deborah froze in horror, as Ion did not even glance at the dead corpse left behind, which grew to shock and terrified disgust as he then grabbed the now still organ, and made a mouth which ate it in full view of those around him. She then threw another punch at the Grand Karcist, who then caught her fist. She then made a groaning sound, falling to her knee as he squeezed it, and Mikheal ran forwards with a war cry, smacking Ion in the head with his Demon Realm Silver mace. After turning his head slowly to look at the stunned Monster King, he let go to backhand the Mamono Lords husband away, and made a grunting sound as he slammed into a wall.
"Father!" the Queen of Hearts cried out, running towards the downed man. As they looked up, it was to see the Mamono Lord being held by her neck, the fingers of the God-Eaters' hand practically wrapping around fully, and her legs kicked at his chest, aiming for the upside Y-shaped scar. It then opened, revealing rows of sharpen teeth in a space that was bigger then it should be inside the Grand Karcist, and saliva dripped from the now-opened mouth. Deborah screamed in fear, just barely saved her legs from being chomped off as the flaps of skin closed, a coating of the saliva getting on her legs, which bubbled and blistered as it was burned by the substance. As she screamed in pain, Mikheal got up, enraged at what he saw.
"NNOO!" he yelled, getting Ions' attention. He then ran at Ion, and swung his mace again, only for the God-Eater to catch the weapon and shake his head. As the man stared in anger, Ion yanked it out of his grasp, and tossed the injured Monster Lord to him. After catching his wife, he looked down in confusion. "Wha-"
Now then, do I have your attention now? Ion said, interrupting Mikheal. Upon receiving silence in response, Ion said, Good, because due to political reasons and other factors that have sprung up, I'm calling for a temporary ceasefire... and right now my forces in Lescatie should be leaving, much to their chagrin.
"And why should I believe you?" Mikheal demanded. "You came to this world, caused untold suffering, and admitted to doing even worse crimes."
Do you want to keep fighting me knowing it is useless and die knowing that I'll continue causing chaos, death and destruction, or do you want to take the chance I am telling the truth? In return, you are to order your armies to cease all efforts in converting those loyal to the Chief God to your side for as long as I do the same and do attack your lands, and I will do the same in kind? Ion responded in kind, impatiently tapping his staff. Do you accept my terms? Deborah groaned, and then muttered out her response.
"I accept." she said hoarsely. Mikheal then looked at her.
"You can't be serious..." he whispered.
"I accept." Deborah repeated, louder this time. Ion made a rumbling noise, then knelt down and inspected her leg, which had scars and open wounds. His hand grew a slimy substance, which made her wince as it was rubbed into the wound. Mikheal held back the urge to attack Ion, who retracted his hand. After a few seconds, her wound began to heal. It was then that multiple portals opened up, and all the Gods loyal to the Monster Lord appeared, many with their weapons drawn. Ion walked past the nervous deities, and turned to the Fallen God as he opened a portal to Heaven, who glared at him. As the Mamono Lord was helped up to her feet, Ion spoke.
Your lucky she said yes to my offer, Fallen God of Pandemonium. Otherwise, it would've been far too little, and far, far too late to stop me. Now then, it's about time we speak with the Ambassador of Alagandda, and figure out what his master wants with your world...