The Karcist and the Lord

a S.C.P. Foundation Mythos x M.G.E. crossover


Chapter 40: Strong armed Diplomacy, Part 1


As Deborah was helped up by her husband and the Queen of Hearts, the Fallen God walked up to the Grand Karcist. She had a look of anger as she gazed upon the God-Eater.

"What do you mean The Ambassador of Alagandaa is here?" she asked. "Did he follow you here, or did you call him here?" Ion drummed his fingers holding his staff, and growled in annoyance.

Are you really going to start this here? He asked of her, returning her glare with one of annoyed indigence at her. At least until we head to the Temple of the Void-

"I never heard of this Temple before, and I was more then a mere Angel, having worked in building this world with the First Chief God herself. Where is this supposed Temple, that I have never heard of it?" the Fallen God asked. Ion seemed to huff, before replying with a tone that was rather venomous.

Now I'm starting to see why the original Chief God didn't want to choose you as her replacement. Unlike the Current Chief God, you don't have the decorum to at least act the part. The Fallen God scowled, her attempt to get a reaction out of the Grand Karcist backfiring completely. Now, to answer your question, the Temple of the Void is the base of operations for the Void Seraphim, the original Chief Gods' last set of creations before she disappeared. The current Chief God will explain in detail should you ask. Ion summarized, as he opened a portal, which the Mamono and Gods around him sensed was indeed leading into Heaven. The various Monsters, and their Incubi husbands hid, fearful of this unknown and destructive God which had come to their world, who was more force of nature then deity. Deborah in particular winced, as she remembered when her forces that tried to spread her ideals of love and peace were killed by Ion using their own portal against them in Royal Makai.

What kind of beast is Ion, that he could wield such horrific power and strength? She thought. Mikheal then stared at her in worry, as she struggled to compose herself. After she calmed down, the Succubus Lord stood up, and managed to speak with a regal tone. "War-God Ion, as much as I am willing to accept your invitation, how do I know this is not a trap?" she asked. Ion stared at her. "I have been overthrowing the tyranny of the Chief God for over several thousand years, and now she wants to talk, and with you at her side? Give me one reason I should trust you."

I didn't just go and consume you or any of your family members when I had the opportunity to do so, neither have I done that with any of your remaining lap dogs you call gods. The various Gods glared with contempt at the Grand Karcist, who then gestured to the portal. Now, are you going to enter and begin negotiations?

"What about the siege of Lescatie? You said you would cease all military actions against us." the Monster Lord pointed out.

I was already spreading the word by the time I got here. Ion said, splitting into two halves, which then refused into one whole. With that, Deborah nodded her head, and stepped through.


**POV SHIFT**


On the road to Lescatie


As the Keallieo Village army marched to take part in the Lescatie raid, they all stopped and looked up at the sky, noticing it was clearing up, with the sun shining down upon them. Upon seeing a lone figure walking towards them, they saw from the iconography on his robes that he was a Nalkacite. When he stopped, he looked at Illah, who was standing at the head of her fellow soldiers, though they looked more like a mob then anything else. The Sarkic before them seemed to have some strange condition, which resulted in his hair growing out as well as having a canine muzzle and leaving him more wolfish looking then man.

"I come bearing news from the Grand Karcist himself." he replied in a guttural voice, and with a hint of what sounded like anger, he explained. "The Grand Karcist has declared that all attacks on the Mamono lands are to be halted for further orders. As such, you are to head back to your homes, for the siege has been lifted off of Lescatie, and his armies led by Karcist Voltor, who sent me to you, are now heading back to their Kiraak with what loot and spoils of war they acquired."

"Are you kidding me? Why in the hell is he doing that?!" someone screamed.

"Yeah! We didn't get a chance to enter the fighting either!" another one of the mob yelled.

"Silence!" Illah roared, her voice being carried unnaturally over the group. Several rustling noises revealed movement in the bushes as whatever, or whoever, was hiding in the forest road brush were driven away by the outburst. "I'm sure you have an explanation for this." she asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Since you are new to our ways, Voltor has sent me to invite you to come and join us in the coming ceremony." the creature explained, "As it stands, he is also willing to come here as well." After a few seconds, Illah looked at the beastly thing.

"What is this ceremony?" with that, the creature visibly smiled, the lupine grin showing a set of fangs which has recently seen use.

"A kind of feast if you will. Voltor is more then pleased with what he acquired, and there will also be a kind of tournament, known in my peoples tongue as a Crimson Wake, which is held after a great battle like the siege that just occurred. Anyone that is part of the Cult of Nalka can join in, the main difference being is that the prizes of the victors is set and agreed upon the fighters amongst themselves from whatever loot or slaves were acquired during the battle."

"Wait, prizes and victors, as in plural?" Illah asked. The Sarkic priest stared for a few seconds, then opened his mouth with a look of realization.

"Ah, that's right, in your culture tournaments end when there is one victor. In a Crimson Wake, each one is organized differently, as they double as a way of settling disputes over who has right to what the two warriors are fighting over during after battle celebrations, and are formed on the spot. Since you are both Adytites by manner of conversation, and did not get the opportunity to lay claim to slaves or anything else during the siege on your way to Lescatie, you are more then welcome to come and use this as a second chance to walk away with something." as the wolf-man explained this, murmurs of agreement and considerations to join in the Crimson Wake could be heard. Illah herself was tempted with the offer that he was making. She then smiled, and nodded.

"I like the idea. Very well, I accept, since you got my peoples' interest." she then reached a hand out to the messenger, who stared blankly before grabbing it with his own. "For a civilization centered around might makes right though, you certainty do have a method to your madness, as this Crimson Wake attests. As a side note, is there any particular rules or someone assigned to keep an eye on said rules?"

"It helps, to use an expression I learned from my time here, that everyone is on the same page. In answer to your question, a group known as the Black Hunter Lodge typically sends one of their own to ensure the terms and rules for a round of combat set by the contestants is followed through, however currently the one Black Hunter that was here is.. preoccupied." the Sarkic messenger said. "Now, where would you like to hold the ceremonial feast?"


**POV SHIFT**


Heaven


As the entourage of deities entered the counsel room where Odin and the Chief God-loyalists were waiting, Ion stepped through first, since they were paranoid he was planning something. He initially considered refusing, then remembered the stuff he pulled on them, and thus did so to humor them. After a second passed, the Monster-loyalist members of the Pantheon filed into the room with Deborah and Mikheal, and for the first time since The War began, the entire Pantheon was altogether in one area, but not in any manner that cause or reason for jubilation like the Monster-loyalists believed, especially when they saw Ion pass by the Throne of Battle, the reminder of their dead companion and co-conspirator Aries' death heavy on their minds, particularly those who witnessed her last moments of terror and pain. As he examined a bronze helmet on the Throne, he then set it down.

Hel in particular clenched her fist, having considered Aries as almost a sister due to how interlinked their domains were before the Cycles. She wanted so much to attack Ion right there, to pull out her scythe and cut him to pieces for what he did. She locked eyes with Odin, who stared with contempt and hate, seemingly not regretting her actions to aid Ion and his servants at Royal Makai and Lescatie. While Vaal and most of the other Chief God-loyalists at least looked away in shame from the stares and glances they got from their brethren, Ion noticed Odin and followed her gaze. Hel still held her glare as he spoke.

Do you have something to say Hel? He asked. As she broke her look with Odin, she spoke.

"You are going to pay for what you have done. Both you and the Chief God, as well as anyone that continues to help you." Ion made a sniffing sound, and turned his eyes towards the Chief God, who had her arms crossed as Vaal and others still on the side lines officially began to shuffle at the feeling of guilt eating away at them.

Well, you're honest, I'll give you that. But if you are going to punish those who are following me, perhaps you should learn how I got here to your world first. It would be a rather good opportunity to reflect on your actions, and to think about the potential consequences. At that, a Valkyrie suddenly dropped down in front of Ion and stabbed him with her sword, which sunk into his chest before anyone could stop her. As the group watched in shock, Ion looked down at it, and then sighed as he turned his gaze at his would-be assassin. As the stunned Valkyrie stared in horror and shock, he pulled the sword out and returned the attack with a mirrored running through of one of the Chief Gods' greatest warriors right there on the spot.

She let out a croaking sound as yellow ichor mixed with the black blood which poured like stagnant tar from the wound, and Ion pulled it out, causing it to flow out and cover his torso for a second. The Valkyrie fell backwards, as her divine yet corrupted equivalent of blood poured out onto the ground as Ion knelt down on one knee. As a tense air filled the room, Ion raised the sword, aiming the tip to be brought down on the angelic creatures' head, before the Chief God let out a noise that caught the attention of everyone else in the room. Ion paused, and looked at her. He then backed up as the Chief God ran to her, holding the dying Valkyrie by the back of her head.

"Edir?" she asked. "Why did you do this?"

"You know full well why." Edir groaned out, as the rest of the Pantheon stared at what was happening in front of them. Deborah started to step forward to offer assistance, but recoiled as Ion appeared in front of her and blocked with his hand.

Leave her.

"But she took a direct blow that could have pierced her internal organs."

Not my problem.

"Are you that empty of mercy and cold hearted Ion?! At least Lineras' predecessor had the capacity to forgive every once in awhile you bastard!" Mikheal exclaimed.

In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm not the First Chief God. Now, as patient as I can be at times, I don't have time for this. Linera, step away from Edir. As a few seconds passed with the Chief God holding onto Edir, she steeled herself and began to heal her. Ion stared in annoyance, but then saw that the Chief God had opened the portal to the Temple of the Void.

"Go, I'll be there in a moment." Ion turned around and ignored it, not in the mood to deal with this at the moment as he had the Pantheon go through.

When he stepped through the portal, the various Gods and the Monster Lord and King stared out at the chapel of the Temple of the Void, the Seraphim who watched over it flying around back and forth in the air or watching from a distance. When the Arch-Seraphim Seriallian floated over to Ion, the Grand Karcist returned the bow he gave.

"Milord, the Ambassador awaits thee and the Pantheon in the agreed upon room. As per your formal request, he did not bring the Jester, also known as the Black Lord of the Anguished Mask to the negotiations, and instead has chosen a Lord known as the Red Lord of the Mirthful Mask."

Ah, so he actually listened for once.

"Who is this Ambassador?" Poseidon asked, brushing aside a feather that landed on her shoulder. The God of the Oceans and Seas normally took on a form akin to that of a Mermaid, but with features that would make such creatures pale in compression in terms of beauty, or so many claim of the various Gods of Eros. Currently she was able to walk on land by turning her fish tail into a pair of legs with a skirt that went halfway past the knees, another difference between her and the Mermaid. Ion himself found it to be comical how the Pantheon is always made out to be these gorgeous and flawless beings, even above that of the average Mamono, yet they literally could blend into a crowd of them, since the Monsters are basically had flawless skin, and luscious hair. The only real deciding factor is what appeals to the individual Incubus the most in terms of sex appeal, as in the end they all were practically clones of each other.

He is an entity that has been traveling from world to world when I was young. Officially, he is a diplomat for another known as the Hanged King, who rules over Alagandda, and wanders around the universe for no particular reason. In truth, he is the Hanged Kings' eyes and ears, the hands of a being whose purposes not even I know.

"Ok, and how did you learn about this?"

I encountered what could be considered the Wandering Scholar of my universe, and the two of us had an interesting conversation about the universe we were in, among other topics. When we parted ways, the Ambassador had been around Adytum for some time, and he left for the Ambassadors' home of Alagandda, as it provided an opportunity for him to enter without being noticed. Ion explained, recounting his conversations with Ickis the Wandsman. Now that he thought about the Wandsman, he was now curious about what became of the bird-like creature, who despite its fear of him had managed to leave quite the impression on Ion which he left. It also caused Ion to send a Karcist and his former Daevite sister into the realm, where they acted as spies and sent a wealth of forbidden and esoteric knowledge, which Ion researched every chance he got. After they stopped sending him scrolls of a thousand languages, and tomes and grimores of curses and spells both terrible and great, the God-Eater Ion learned a great deal during that short time frame before they eventually stopped sending him anything. He later learned they succumbed to its temptations, and thus knew that Alagandda was not to be trifled with.

"If it would not trouble you, the Ambassador is waiting." Serillian reminded the Pantheon, which then continued moving through the hallways and stairs to their destination. After about an hour or so of awkward silence, they came upon a room with a set of doors made of marble with the symbol of the Order of the Chief God carved upon it. As the doors opened, it revealed a room bathed in pale purple light, then brightened into a whitish lavender color as the Ambassador stood up and walked over to the Pantheon, along with the Red Lord.

While the Ambassador bowed in a manner similar to that of a circus performer, the Red Lord simply gazed silently at the Pantheon, eying the God of Love in particular. If Ion recalled correctly his knowledge about the Hanged Kings Court, it was no coincidence the Red Lord was chosen to come here. Eos in particular seemed to have been unnerved by the way the Red Lord gazed at her. He wore a mask similar to that of the Black Lord, but it was made with an exaggerated and toothy grin, and had no eyes. The Red Lord was also wearing a masquerade costume which was crimson to the point of looking like Human blood, and Ion could smell a similar scent wafting over to him. The Pantheon were also clearly disturbed by the two figures before them, as the Ambassador spoke.

"Welcome, dear Gods of Eros. I am the Ambassador, alongside me, the Red Lord of Alagandda, Wearer of the Mirthful Mask." The crimson clad being knelt as well, but not to the degree of the Ambassador. "Now then," the Hanged Kings' servant said as he stood up "where is the Chief God?"

She is... occupied with something at the moment. One of her Valkyries turned and tried to assassinate me. The Ambassador burst out laughing at that. Deborah and Mikheal in particular were shocked at the reaction.

"What in the hell do you find funny in murder?!" Mikheal exclaimed. The Ambassador looked at the Human.

"Why, it's not the act itself, its the reactions that it gets. For example, when I do this." he then waved a hand at the Monster King, whose scream of pain was cut short as was somehow turned inside out to the shock of his wife and fellow deities. Ion reacted quickly, and reversed the change, causing Mikheal to cry out as his body went back to the way it was. The Ambassador continued laughing as Ion turned to him.

"What in the hell was that?!" Deborah screamed.

Got it out of your system yet Ambassador? Ion snarled in annoyance. Do that again, and the Chief God'll have you banished from this world.

"Ah yes, quite so Grand Karcist. Speaking of which, looks like she is here right now." the ambassador said, gesturing to the deity in question as she walked in. "So, I heard about the attempt to kill Ion. How is the offending parties health?"

"She'll recover." the Chief God said, brushing a lock of hair away from her eyes. "So far, Ion didn't hit any vital organs, and I have an Angel cleaning out any infections she has received from exposure to his blood." the Ambassador nodded his head.

"Ah, so I guess you'll take care of it later I suppose." he said. "Now, shall we?" he requested, as the Pantheon took their seats.

The table was made to form a semi-circle, in the center of which the Chief God sat, with Ion on her left, followed by Odin, Vaal, Basset, the Sun God, with those who also declared themselves loyal to the Chief God. On her right, the Fallen God sat, alongside Dorborah and her husband, Hel, Poseidon, and the others were declared themselves to be on the side of the Monster Lord. In the center, the Ambassador and the Red Lord sat a podium, and gazed out upon their... hosts for want of a better term.

As several Void Seraphim flew about and hid within the shadows, the Chief God stood up and spoke.

"A cease-fire has been officially declared, and has been followed through, Ambassador of Alagandda, as was your request. Now, as we have taken the time to listen to you without distractions, are you ready to engage in diplomatic relations?" the Ambassador and Red Lord stared at each other, and turned to look at the Chief God.

"What about the Mekhanites? I have heard rumors of one their armies is marching towards Lescatie." at that, the Monster-Loyalists and their Lord began to look in nervousness.

"I have sent an envoy to try and speak with them about halting their attacks. Currently, as we don't know how they will react, we are currently taking the time we have until they get here to discuss terms of your visit on Eros, anything you would like to request such as an escort and so forth." the Chief God said. Ion looked over as the Monster Lord stared in shock before she got up.

"What?! What about Lescatie?! I can't just leave them there while another army is coming." she then ran for the entryway, before suddenly running into a black barrier which barred her from leaving. She turned and saw that it was Ion that made it, holding up a hand. "What is the meaning of this?!"

I'm sorry Deborah, but there is a process that must be taken if you plan to leave, and consequences will have to be levied upon you. For example, if you do, the Ambassador can demand one your daughters be taken away to Alagandda while you are gone, and I can assure you, they will not enjoy their stay there.

"Now now Ion, we have started just yet. Plus, she is new on the scene, and thus didn't know." the Ambassador said in a chiding voice. After a moment of exchanged looks between Ion, the Chief God, and Alaganddan diplomat, the Grand Karcist dropped the barrier. "Milord, you may leave, but do hurry now. While having Mikheal take your place if things happen and we decide to move along without you, I cannot guarantee what will happen concerning any policies that only affect you and the Royal Lilium, as the Gods are not allowed to speak on your behalf." picking up on the implied threat, the Monster Lord paled, now stuck between deciding to help her subjects, and staying here. Thankfully, Mikheal stood up.

"I'll leave and carry her warning concerning the Mekhanite army to Lescatie." he said. The Ambassador looked from him, and back to the Monster Lord while the Red Lord snickered malevolently at what was happening.

"Do you accept?" he asked. After a brief nod from Mikheal was given, Deborah calmed down. At least, she calmed down on the outside, while her heart was pounding heavily from how things nearly derailed for her side.

"I do." she said finally. As Mikheal got up, he placed a final kiss on her cheek, and left the room. As she sat down, she looked at the Chief God, who merely returned her stare with an impassive glance before turning to the Ambassador.

"Shall we proceed?" she asked. With a chuckle, the Ambassador responded.

"Yes indeed we shall."