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Igg Yad I – A New World
As the blinding white light slowly subsided, We regained our vision and saw the Forsaken Coast's ice sheet still in pristine condition. We felt relief come over Us as We felt that Our people were safe. Even so, all is not well, for the amount of magic in the air reminded Us of the Early Ages, when we first emerged from the depths, before the Falling of the Star, the Shattering of the Dark Crystal and the Destruction of the Basalt City. Furthermore, the magic itself felt wrong, with its sickeningly sweet quality. And something else can be felt alongside this strange quality.
It felt similar to the corrupting dominion of R'lyeh. Although, We could not feel the familiar maddening presence of the Void, nor the many beings that call it home. It is strange, but Our own dominion has kept it away from Our people. And speaking of Our people, perhaps, it is time to check on them, and to see what has happened.
With that thought in mind, We floated towards Atlantis, the Ice Citadel on the Coast of Ice and Bones, and the capital of Our people. The moment We arrived, We were greeted by the Angakut, the few Kings of the Deep that led Our people to here. They bowed down at Our arrival.
"We greet you, Pantokrator Igg Yad the Ghost King, God of Atlantis, King of Kings, God of Many Names, King of the Frozen Waste, Patron of Necromancers, and Keeper of the Water Dead," they said in unison, prostrating themselves before Us. Their devotion towards Us is great, as usual. Aside from them, We could feel the others within the frigid walls of Atlantis, and beyond, worship Us. The common Atlantians, the Seal hunters and Tent owners, the Snow Warriors and Snow Captains, the Ice Guard and the Ice Captains, the Mournful, the Arssartut, and the Tungalik all made their devotion known and prostrated themselves. Even the Soulless and the Longdead that forever patrol the Forsaken Coast stopped and bowed towards Us in reverence.
"All rise," We said. Our ethereal voice echoed throughout the frozen land, and they all returned to their duties. We walked into the city, towards Our Palace Temple of Ice and Death and beckoned the Angakut to follow.
"Come, we have much to discuss." Without protest, they trailed behind us, as if in a procession. As we walked through the city, We beckoned the Tungalik, the Captains, and the Tent owners to follow us, as well. It was almost reminiscent of the military parades during the Early Ages, deep below the sea, in the Basalt City.
When we arrived at our destination, We sat upon our Throne of Ice and Bones while the leaders of our people gathered before Us. However, We know that this is not all of them. Whatever the Starspawn of R'lyeh did, it caused a great disturbance to our people. Again.
We gestured towards one of the Angakut. He was the first to find the Coast of Ice and Bones, and the first to eagerly worship Us in order to save our people.
"Tell Us, Qimugkauya, what has happened to us?" He flinched at Our question. There was no doubt within him, but he was surprised by Our inquiry. We do not blame him, for We would have too, if the Great Father had asked Us questions when We were still a mere Basalt King.
Despite the surprise, the Angakok understood Our intention and answered, "Our people are safe, milord, and Atlantis still stands. Yet, the magic feels different and I cannot feel the familiar push of the pretenders we once fought. However, I could still feel the presence of foreign powers."
We nodded in response. Very clearly, there are still foreign divinities around us, and We could feel their influence touching Ours. However, they are far friendlier than the ones we are used to. It would seem that Our prophet has not lost his touch. However, his answer is still lacking. We suppose that We will have to reveal the truth Ourself.
"That is correct," We said, which caused murmurs to sound among the others. With the raise of Our hand, they became silent once more. "However, that is not all. The foul Starspawn of R'lyeh had used their Rift Gate ingeniously, and had sent us far away from home. And yet, all is not lost, for we have arrived at a different world, away from our foes, the Thrones of Ascension, and the Pantokrator cycle."
This time, there are no murmurs, only stunned silence. We gave them the time to compose themselves. Soon enough, one of them expressed their thoughts. It was Yakone the Twiceborn, a member of the Angakut that returned from the grave during his conquest against the C'tis.
"So what are your orders, milord?" he asked. Ever since his return from beyond, his voice had become ethereal and gravelly. And, of course, his body had decayed. Despite that, his soul is intact, and his newfound immortality had only made him stronger.
His question was precisely the one everyone else in the room had in mind. Despite the fact that we have been thrown into a different world, my people have not fallen to despair. Perhaps, the experience of having our home destroyed twice has made us far more resilient than other races. This made Us happy.
And so, We began to give out their first duties in this world.
"Tent Owners! Gather your parties, scout the area and find food for our people."
"Snow Captains! Your retinues will march once more, and secure our borders."
"Ice Captains, the Ice Guard will fortify our cities."
"Qimugkauya, you will lead the Tungalik and transmit Our will throughout our territory!"
"Yakone, you will gather the Arssartut and the undead; you will be joining Us as Our retinue."
"Finally, Irdlirbirisissong, you will lead the rest of the Angakut in researching the strange magic and properties of this new world."
With Our orders given, the leaders of Our people went off to do Our will. Meanwhile, We sank into Our throne for a bit. We finally went out after gathering Ourself for a moment. And as We walked the streets of Atlantis, We looked upon the faces of Our people. In them, behind their unblinking eyes, We can see the Atlantian spirit—the spirit of determination that allowed us to survive, even after Father Dagon was vanquished and our Dark Crystal and Basalt City were destroyed; even after the Coral Towers collapsed and Ogotai the God-King died together with the collapsing Second Empire.
It was this spirit of determination that spurred Us to strengthen Our soul and return from death to lead Our people as the God of Ice and Death. By the Late Ages, the only place we had in the world was the Coast of Ice and Bones—the Forsaken Coast; the Frozen Waste. Even so, that did not stop us from subjugating the world in its entirety and claiming the Thrones of Ascension—allowing Us to ascend and take the title of Pantokrator.
Even those who did not come to Us after the collapse of the Coral Towers did not lose their determination. Instead, they hid themselves and learned the ways of Mother Hydra, the last of the Basalt Queens and the Consort of Father Dagon. With Our incarnation and awakening as the God of Atlantis, they had pledged their selves to Our cause, and wielded their coral armaments once more, so that We may lead them into glory and defeat our mortal foes: the Starspawn.
Although, now, we have been flung to a different place, and there are no Starspawn to contend against. Perhaps, at last, we may have the chance to finally achieve peace. However, that is not for us to decide, but rather our neighbors. In fact, We can already feel them encroaching upon Our territory.
"It's best not to let them wait," We thought. And so, We regrouped with Yakone, the Arssartut, and the undead.
The undead Angakuk in question stood outside the city. With him is Sialuk the Kivigtok riding upon his Tupilak, as usual. Clad in their bone helmets and cuirasses, the Arssartut stood in attention wielding their bone glaives, enchanted by the power of death and by Our blessing of Frozen Weapons. Behind them are the countless Soulless and Longdead that came from the corpse fields they tend to.
"Come, my faithful," We said with authority befitting of Our status. "Let us meet the foreign deities of this world."
And with that, We willed the horde of Soulless to walk towards the sea. The Longdeads followed after them, formed into ranks, akin to how they used to, in life. Closely behind them are the Arssartut, also marching in well-organized ranks, with their glaives at the ready. We floated behind them, with Sialuk and Yakone flanking Us.
Soon enough, we arrived at our destination, at the shore where the Coast of Ice and Bones and the Boateater Sea meet. We floated to the front of the horde and saw the underwater fort built by Our sea-dwelling kin. We can also see Mother Hydra with her retinue of Unsleeping Shamblers and Atlantian infantry escorting what appear to be tritons or mermen. The Titaness leading them is, without a doubt, one of the foreign deities that wished to meet Us.
They surfaced together, but Mother Hydra alone came to the shore and prostrated herself before Us. She said, "I greet you, Pantokrator Igg Yad the Ghost King, God of Atlantis, King of Kings, God of Many Names, King of the Frozen Waste, Patron of the Necromancers, and Keeper of the Water Dead. With me is Poseidon, God of the Sea, and her retinue of sea bishops."
This so-called God of the Sea and her followers certainly looked the part. She and her retinue reminded Us of the mermen and tritons of Pelagia—and later, Erytheia. Although, all of them appeared to be women. All of them had the upper body of a human woman, and the lower body of fishes. Poseidon herself is beautiful, with her upper body decorated with the bounties of the sea and long sea green hair. The scales of her tail, too, has the same sea green color as her hair, and had the luster indicative of healthy fish. Naturally, her followers looked similar to her, but were unadorned and instead wore simple clothing.
Despite her beauty and the gentle smile on her face, We could see that she is powerful. During Our days as a mere pretender, she would have been equal to Us, but now as the Pantokrator, Our strength is above hers. Even so, We could tell that she is adept with the coral trident that she is wielding. And judging by the power radiating from it, that is an artifact imbued with the power of the sea.
With her greeting and introduction finished, Mother Hydra moved to the side. Her retinue did not join her, and instead, stayed near the foreign god and her retinue. Poseidon seemed to take this in stride and came a bit closer, with her kind smile ever present on her face. Although, that faltered a bit when she got a good look at the undead behind me.
Once she reached near the shore, she bowed and greeted Us, "Greetings, Pantokrator Igg Yad the Ghost King-"
"There is no need for you to greet Us with all of Our titles, Sea God," We interrupted. That seemed to surprise her, and simply nodded in response as We continued, "As you have come without hostile intentions in mind, We welcome you into Our domain."
"I thank you for your hospitality, Pantokrator Igg Yad" she said with a smile. "Then, may we discuss the sudden appearance of you and your people?"
"We shall, in time," We replied. "It would seem there is another that wishes to speak to me, as well."
A moment of silence passed, and there was no response. Seeing this, We decided to bring out my power over death.
With power in Our ethereal voice, We said, "We suggest you stop sneaking about, foreign god who reeks of death. We do not appreciate actions that can be considered hostile to Our people."
That was when a female human child with a pale complexion wearing a black and white dress manifested itself together with her own retinue of undead. Unlike their deity that favored the form of a child, the black and white clad undead are akin to adult human females.
The small deity spread her skirt and gave a curtsy. With an apologetic tone, she said, "My apologies. I am Hel, Goddess of Life and Death. I did not mean to offend you, Pantokrator Igg Yad."
"Your apology is accepted, Goddess of Life and Death," We said with a nod. "Just keep in mind that sneaking about in Our domain is hardly inoffensive to Us."
Then, with a thought, We manifested three thrones made of ice facing each other. We gestured towards them and said, "Please, have a seat, you two."."
The two accepted the offered seats, and We, too, sat on one of the thrones. With all of us seated, We turned towards Poseidon once more.
"What did you wish to discuss, Sea God?"
"I would like to know if you and your people will be... hostile to anyone."
We let out a sigh and said, "You wish to know whether Our people will go to war against you or the land dwellers?"
A nod. There is no doubt that this Sea God is a pacifist. A very naive one. However, there is no reason for Atlantis to go to war, so We will humor her for the time being.
"We have no quarrel with you nor the land dwellers, Sea God." Elated expressions came from both. Interesting.
"However," We said, causing their happy expressions to falter. "If Our people are attacked, that is a different story."
Poseidon nodded. "I understand. Then, at a later date, I would like to invite you to Heaven to discuss shared dominion over the oceans, seas, and the creatures that live in them."
"I, too, would like to invite you to Heaven," added Hel. "You and I are both aspects of death, so it would be best to discuss shared dominion over that, as well."
"Very well," We said. "Give Us a month to take care of matters."
After that, the three of us conversed a bit about this world, but soon enough, they went away. Although this world is not our own, it is not a bad place to be. It is far more peaceful than what we are used to, but that only means my people will have a bit of respite, after three ages of constant war.
However, I can already feel that this would not last for long.