Before we start I'd like to say three things:
1.THANK YOU FOR THE +90 REVIEWS!
2.THANKS FOR HANGIN' IN THERE!
And…
3.SORRY FOR BEING LATE AND FOR ALL THE LIKELY SPELLING MISTAKES IN THIS CHAPTER! I wanted to bust it out quick for you guys so I'll go over it later and do a repost.
Responses!
Feifiefofum/Feefaifoefum Why the heck do you need to Id's? Whatev, here yah go. I sent you a heads-up email so there ain't much to say, enjoy! And thanks for being so enthusiastic about my story. Savor this; I don't want you going through any more withdrawals. They are more dangerous than you think. Believe it. Review again!
MageQueenYay a new reviewer! Glad you like my story. Next time, slap out an email and I'll give you a response right away. I saw all your reviews but I couldn't really say anything in response to them. Toss me your email address and I'll send you a personal response like I did with Fei up there. Hope you enjoy and I look forward to more reviews to come!
Ace Ryn Knight, Yeah I really try to stay away from Mary Sue-ness. Sometimes their good for a laugh or the plot's good enough you can pass over it, but for the most part they really annoy me. And you thought it felt like you were reading a real book? Awesome! Thanks for the compliment, that's always what I'm shooting for! And I'm glad you like my attempts at humor. I know I laugh but it's also true I laugh at almost anything. You know what I mean, I've said it before. Thanks for reviewing and being a steady reviewer form the very beginning! Here yah go!Allisarte cookie yay! I think this will have errors. I wanted to get it out but I'll go over it later and do a repost. Enjoy!
Numair's Lover yup double! I was going to do a double post this time too, but I wanted to get this out so you at least had something. Seriously, Discord and Violence show up at the worst times. They are Fluff-killers and should be punished. Hope you like it! Read and Review!
Ivory Nightshade ha ha. Oh just so everyone knows, I don't endorse premarital sex, but it's different in literature, because at this time period/universe it isn't considered wrong or immoral. Just so you know. And if you do have sex before your married, use protection, like Ivory said.
Nativewildmage Aww, man sorry to make you guys wait. It got left on my other computer while we were doing remodeling and the computer got unhooked. But I said screw and decided to retype it. So be happy everyone. Thanks for reviewing Nwm! Review again, happy reading! Thank you all!Oh yeah. And Looking into a Beta reader, now that I have email. 'Course I've never had one. From what I understand they proofread your stuff. If you have info or think your up to the job send me an email and/or review and we'll see how things go!
Providence SmilesBy LGR
Part III: Living Fire
Lynn instinctively stepped back towards the gate as Discord's gaze burned a zealous gold. She oozed from the dark miasma, wafts of darkness clinging to her person, and undistinguishable from her formfitting, flowing black dress.
"You." She accused, and Lynn's senses witnessed as the Goddess's mind lashed out at her. Lynn automatically flinched and braced herself, hoping that her feeble attempt at a mind-shield would be enough, though in truth she knew she hadn't a chance.
There was a booming crackle, flash of light and gust of wind. Lynn's eyes slammed shut and she flung up her hands to block the light but it seemed to stream through her fingers, through her eyelids. Her senses blurred as her ears popped from pressure, and her eyes itched and watered. She was nearly knocked back from the rushing air.
A white-sheathed, black shaft of lightening enveloped the Goddess of Discord's mental attack. A blood-curdling shriek, both physical and mental ripped through Lynn's brain as the light and pressure died to reveal Gainel standing directly in front of her. His black clothes and hair seeming deeper than ever with a hard, glowing white edge. She could see the super heated air around him, stretched and rippled like water. She didn't try to touch him.
As it was, she only came up to a little past Gainel's shoulder, and he easily blocked her from view. Lynn managed to peak around him and saw Discord lying half-hazard on the ground, her eyes bleary and dazed as white smoke rose from her body as if it had been scorched although she looked as if untouched.
"That was for kidnapping and attacking Lynn, you bitch." He said, his voice like a thunderclap. This was what Lynn had seen those many years ago, this was Gainel the Great God. Lynn blinked, and nearly missed a bolt of white-sheathed black static as it traced itself across her inert form. "Is she…"
Lynn began but the slight shake for Gainel's head told her that the Goddess of Discord was not deceased. "No, I cannot break the laws of Mother Flame and Father Universe. She is not dead, but it will be a very long time until she is recovered: weeks, possibly months or years. She was foolish to strike alone—," Gainel said.
He was not strong enough to break the Laws of his Mother and Father. But only Gainel knew how close he had managed to bend the rule. He had nearly managed to destroy her mind, even if her body was mostly intact. One could not live without the other, and gods did live, even if it was a strange existence, with little change or growth.
But he had changed, and he felt that he had grown, this felt like a new existence; he wouldn't be letting anyone down. He glanced at Discord's motionless body.
Well, he might be letting Discord down. But Gainel thought he could live with it.
"It's funny how we get the things we want the most…" A voice like the spattering of blood oozed, "At the most inopportune time. Wouldn't you say Gainel?"
Taking her eyes from Discord's smoldering body, Gainel's gaze fell on a heavily muscled man covered in scars; his clothing was layer upon layer of bloodstained tatters. The only attire in somewhat decent shape was a worn leather strap around his right leg that housed an ivory, gold inlayed, long bladed dagger in its sheath.
Painfully short-cropped auburn hair was little more than stubble that continued down his chin turning into a five o'clock shadow. Half his teeth were cracked, chipped, or missing entirely as he flashed a maniacal grin that seemed plastered to his face, and his eyes flashed red-irised, wide and bloodshot.
"I've been hoping that Discord would screw up enough that I'd receive authority over her, but she just had to do it now, and leave me alone to face you, I'm a little worried." He chuckled derisively. Despite his claims of anxiety, Violence looked nothing of the kind, his fanatic grin hadn't changed and his hands looked like they were itching to whip out his dagger.
Gainel narrowed his eyes at the brawler and snuffed, "You should be worried, you've caused too much trouble to gain any pity from me at this point. And just as a warning, I wouldn't try controlling Lynn again, if I were you."
Violence cackled, "Pity? What do I need pity for?" Violence sneered, his tone slick and oily, and pulled his dagger from its sheath. The Blade was shaped like a tongue of forked flame, and burned white, orange, red as if pulled straight from a forge. It looked like a true piece of flame.
Gainel recognized that blaze.
"How did you get that?" He demanded. That was a piece of the Living Fire; it must have been stolen from the heart of the Mother Flame herself, she would never give such a thing away. When, he couldn't guess, but the truth of the matter was that it was there, before very his eyes in the possession of Violence. It would explain some things.
"None of your business. It's good to see you know what it is, though. Most of the other Gods wouldn't realize, Did you know you're the only one who ever visits that old goddess? You're her favorite you know." Violence chuckled.
Uusoae had the roads to The Mother's hearth watched. That was the only way Violence would know such a thing. Not even one of Uusoae's clever Sendings or Constructs like Envy, or Greed could have snatched a piece of the Living Fire while the Ancient Goddess was tending it. They must have managed to steel it while she was away.
But the Goddess was almost never away from her hearth. The last time had been…
"The trial," He realized, "When Mother Flame and Father Universe condemned Uusoae to Chaos, after the Immortal's War, or so it is called in the Living Realms. That was when you struck. And that is how Uusoae is still managing to wreak havoc. You cut her free."
"I didn't cut her free," Violence said almost defensively, "Slavery did. She's the only one stupid enough to do it. If it had been my choice, I'd have kept the knife and ruled chaos myself, thank you very much. But Slavery had stolen the knife, and the first thing she did was cut My Mistress free. And here we are today, Any Questions?"
Gainel snuffed again, "You just don't want to be held responsible for freeing Uusoae, or for you're lawless actions in the coming trial, and there will be a trial, you can be sure of that."
"I'm no Discord to spread deception, it's all quite true. But Yes, I really am covering my own skin here just in case this all turns bad. However,"Violence held the knife up to his face and the tongue of flame cast long shadows across his face. His eyes burned crimson in the shadowy crevasses of his features. "With this, I don't think I have anything to worry about."
The blade rippled like the flame it resembled then shot out in a rush of heat. Gainel had just enough time to grab Lynn and roll to safety before the flame erupted in a great pyre, stopping just before it hit the Chaos gate, then dissipating into sparks and embers.
"That's right Gainel, keep her safe, we still need her to gain our freedom."Violence said, his expression even more insane, if possible, "I doubt I'll be thinking of her safety before much longer, I really do go berserk, you might say." He cackled as his eyes pupils shrunk to pinpricks and the whites could be seen all around his eyes.
The Gate of Chaos began to shake and vibrate as a Metallic ring cut into the air in pulses. Violence's aura pulsed in synchronization, as did Discord's body.
He was gaining power from the presence of the Gate, and his fellow gatekeeper. What a time for a power boost, Gainel thought, as if a Dagger made of the Living Fire of Mother Flame wasn't hard enough to combat. But then again, the presence of the dagger might be used to his own advantage…
The Flames of the Living Fire had the characteristics of Mother Flame: it could be used to break any of the rules set by Mother Flame or Father Universe, and contained the elements of Fire, Purity, Death and Creation. Mother Flame and Father Universe were the Parents of the Great Gods, she had brought Gainel into existence, and he was thinking the dagger might see this in him, and be less likely to harm him. But then again, it might also seek him out, because of that attraction, it might try to strike him.
Either way, he thanked The Balance that Violence wasn't much of a Mental-fighter. Gainel didn't know how he was going to manage to fight him and shield Lynn from all the energy that was going to be shot around. He also thanked his lucky-stars Discord had decided to go Rogue right at the beginning, Gainel hadn't really incorporated that dagger into his calculations and he knew for a fact he would have lost if Discord were well enough to fight right now.
Gainel hastily slapped a shield on Lynn to keep most of the energy from affecting her. When he'd leapt away, he'd nearly dropped her and he couldn't be carting her around if he wanted either of them to survive this. With that dagger, Violence really could kill him. Now that he thought of it, Gainel figured was likely Uusoae's purpose in giving the dagger to Violence. Gainel wasn't on the top of Uusoae's Buddy-list right now.
"Stay here." He said, and set Lynn down, she nodded looking worried for him, but in her eyes burned her own fire. It told him she knew he would win.
If Gainel had anything to say about it, she'd be right.
"Hopefully, I don't forget myself and burn her up!" Violence screamed wearing his crazy expression, before rushing him.
Violence, due to Gainel's previous ceasefire deal with Uusoae, had never faced Gainel before, and hadn't particularly known what to expect. Sure, he was a 'Great God' and all, but Violence had fought many a Great God, and at the level he was right now, with both the power of the Gate, Discord, and the Dagger enhancing his power, one would be an even match at best for him, and he'd probably even overpower them.
But Gianel didn't fight. God's didn't get rusty, and most of their abilities were inborn, which lead most of the young Gods to believe that Gainel couldn't fight at all. Of course Violence wasn't a young God, even if he wasn't one of the First.
He didn't consider himself the thinking type, because he wasn't, in fact, when he was fighting he hardly gave a thought to anything at all except how to utterly deal out as much pain as possible to his opponent while receiving the least amount himself.
But this did leave him to wonder what Gainel might do in return. The Gods all had their strengths and weaknesses. Mithros had strength, and he always went on the offensive taking an enemy down in a single stroke. The Great Mother Goddess had resilience and was usually on the defensive, to wear out an opponent. The Black God had stealth, striking when least expected. Apfel had charm, often managing to create distractions that led to her victory. Kyprioth had tact, using weaknesses to his advantage. What did Gainel have? What faculty did the third child of the Ancient Gods wield? He was about to find out.
Violence crashed up to Gainel, dagger in hand with every intension of using it to slice as many wounds his body could managed before it was only so many mangled bits. He felt a brush on his mental shields but only that, it was probably a probe. Gainel didn't attack, only stood his ground as Violence made a mad slash at the Great God's neck; a killing stroke.
A killing stroke that never hit.
Gainel's eyes, so often covered in shadow it was almost strange to see them clear for all and any to see, flashed to white, silver, blue and black swirls of color as he shifted around the blazing dagger, quick as lightning, his body a black shaft of electricity outlined in white.
The Dream King dodged the dagger like it was coming at him in slow motion, and his left hand shot up, slamming the lesser god in jaw with his palm, then with same arm, jamming his elbow into the God of Violence's joint as he made another mad jaw blow with the palm of his hand then grabbing at Violence's face with his right hand, and scratched down like the claws of a great cat, before leaping out reach of the dagger to lash out with powerful mental attack.
Violence had shrieked at the scratches left on his face, they weren't ordinary wounds; they'd been seared like Gainel's hands were rods of hot iron. Luckily, he had masterfully strong shields, or the Dream King would have had him. Discord was a weak shielder, but a strong mental striker; he was her opposite, strong at shielding, weak on the mental attack. Violence rode out the mental barrage, before casting the dagger in a horizontal slash that sent a heat wave that sped out from the dagger's flaming blade on a straight course for the Great God.
He didn't wait for Violence's slash to hit him; it was a fast attack, the God of Violence had made sure of that. Gainel ducked the heat wave as it broke on the dome surrounding the area that housed the Chaos Gate, and the miasma of black fog swallowed it whole.
This time Violence was ready for the attack, the heat wave had only been meant to slow him down and give Violence a chance to prepare. He slashed, but Gainel snaked out of the way, using a swung right arm to give him the momentum he needed to dodge far enough to Violence's right, then changing the arms direction to chop at the Gatekeeper's neck.
Violence hadn't planned on Gainel dodging, let alone turning his dodge into a means of attack. But when the chop knocked him to the ground, he reflexively slashed and kicked madly with hand, feet and dagger. He would have taken off the Great God's leg, if he hadn't leapt away to send another mental barrage. Violence winced as he held off the attack; he needed to be wearier of those in the future, they weren't weak, by any means.
It seamed Violence had found was Gainel's main strength was: speed, maneuverability, unpredictability, and adaptability. Not to mention a strong mental attack and superb martial skills. But then again, as fast as he was, it would matter if he left himself wide open, the dodging factor let him get away unscathed every time. Violence hadn't landed a blow yet, Gainel had landed several, albeit not overly powerful attacks, they had really hurt though, even if they weren't overly damaging. Lightning jolts and a burning touch would do that.
Lightning, was an element of chaos.
Well, at least that explained why Gainel was still on an even footing with him, Violence really should have realized earlier. Gainel wasn't just any Great God; he was the Dreamer that straddled Chaos and the Divine realms. He wasn't disadvantaged here, because Gainel was born of chaos, just as he was.
But he still wasn't any match for the Dagger of the Living Fire.
Violence used some of his energy to heal his wounds as The God of Dreams continued to pound on his mental shields. Eventually he'd break through, but Violence would have beaten him by that time. The gatekeeper could always heal himself, until he grew tired and ran out of energy, but a wound dealt by the Dagger of the living flame, was permanent.
All he needed was one disabling blow and it wouldn't matter that he was a God; he'd go down like a mortal, like an animal, even.
Gainel knew it, too. That elbow in the joint earlier had been meant to make him release the dagger, but Violence hadn't dropped it. Gainel was fast, but speed didn't count for much if you couldn't hit someone hard enough to take them out; eventually you wore out and your opponent would have his turn.
And Violence would have his turn to dole out the pain.
The Gatekeeper, just managed to throw up a magic shield to block the lightening strike the lashed out from Gainel's hand. The shock of the energy temporarily blinded his magical senses, and from out of nowhere, something latched around his throat then flung him with tremendous force into the Chaos Gate where he went numb and collapsed hard on the ground.
Lynn hadn't protested when Gainel had erected upon her, a shield identical to the one placed on Lynn when Equitus, Herald of the Gods, had lead them through the divine realms into the Court of the Gods.
She was glad she hadn't. Darkness enveloped every feature and the ground was gone, faded into a flat facsimile that put to her mind the dark miasma she had trudged through not even hours ago. But she could still see.
Gainel and Violence shown like twin suns, aura's clashing as their bodies did battle. Gainel was so fast; she could never match that speed. He dodged every attack, landed every one of his own, and generally stayed one step ahead of Violence at all times, but even with all of that, Violence wasn't slowing down, he didn't seem fazed in the least.
Strangely she could also see Discord lying not far away. She could here her too, muttering curses in a husky voice, but her eyes were still glazed over. Gainel had struck her mind, rendering it useless for the time being; she couldn't move, probably couldn't even think properly.
Lynn drew her gaze back to the fight, and flinched as Gainel loosed a lightning bolt that was blocked by Violence's shield. With his other hand, Gainel spread his fingers flung them wide, leaving a glowing trail that turned into a five-tailed whip of lightning. Hand on the handgrip, the five-tails lashed around the Gatekeepers neck and flung him into the Gate, which rattled, sending another bought of Ringing that penetrated the brain.
Violence was still for a moment then leapt forward, healing the many broken bones in his spine, then grabbed the tails of the whip, paying no head to his burning hands, he pulled trying rip it out of Gainel hands, but a surge of magic passed along the whip, electrocuting the Gatekeeper.
He brought the flaming dagger down upon the whip, cutting it, and the five-tailed whip disappeared as the energy dissipated. Violence rushed Gainel again, but this time Gainel couldn't get away quick enough, He dodged, but Violence kept slashing. Gainel was fast, but that dagger…it seemed like it sought him.
The forked dagger let loose a gush of flames that nearly singed the Dream King, the embers not even inches away. But the dagger was there to meet him as he evaded the flames, and it struck him in his right eye, leaving a long, bleeding slice down his brow and cheek.
"Gainel!"
Lynn didn't think, she just jumped up assist her Patron and Love, but was immediately sent sprawling on the ground as something grabbed her foot. She turned and saw Discord's hand around her ankle, her eyes still in a daze.
"Don't, it is The Eternal Balance, The Time of Chaos will come, it is only fair that we have our own chance. It is only fair," she said, her voice void of all emotion.
Lynn kicked herself free and stumbled to her feet. Discord abruptly collapsed back on the ground, motionless.
Crossing the ground in seconds, she pulled back her fist to punch him in the head, but before she could react, Violence turned to stare her right in the eye, his expression fanatical, and brought the dagger up to strike.
She couldn't do anything, she couldn't react fast enough to dodge, and even if she could, Lynn couldn't match the speed of a God.
Simultaneously, Gainel's hand shot out to grasp Violence's wrist, and a dark presence blasted through her mind.
I GAVE YOU THE DAGGER, VIOLENCE, BECAUSE YOU PROMISED YOU'D TAKE MORE CARE THEN DISCORD WITH THE GIRL. IT SEEMS ONCE AGAIN, YOU TWO DISAPPOINT ME.
The Balance was helpless to act as the forces of the elements, destiny and fate, clashed with the factor of choice. What was to come was unknowable, even by Providence, the holder of the Celestial Scales and the hand of The Balance in the Realms. A choice was made, how many more would be made before the climax of the age? None could know the truth…
