Raiden and Fujin
His face was blank as if in a deep sleep. But inside his mind raged like a storm. The oncoming fate was started by a few but would be shared by all if he did not act.
His eyes were closed yet he saw all. All the realms come together at once. All the realms flung together in Kombat. But there was no tournament to gather them or bracket to confine them. Instead, it was the opposite; unprovoked battles through the barriers that once kept the realms apart. Now they were broken and all within them flung together like a board flipped over and its pieces scattered aimlessly. In their wake of order was pure chaos, of the kind he had not witnessed since the invasion of Earthrealm. And now it was from all sides spilling out from and into all of them.
Though there were old threats he dreaded there was something else; new warriors who had only added more to the karnage. His face twitched and tightened as he remained relaxed. But these thoughts ran wild with terrible premonitions and warnings. He could feel it; the barriers were broken and the state of realms weakening. A great evil had brought this imbalance upon them, but an even greater one was rising from it.
"Raiden." a soft voice called to him, riding on the wind though there was none here and echoing all around snuffing out his thoughts and visions.
Raiden opened his eyes, his vision clouded in the blue hue of the Jinsei he resided it. Embraced by the divinity, its heavenly light was cast all throughout the rounded room at one of the highest points of the Sky Temple. Yet just beyond the light there was darkness, like shadows of an oncoming storm. And within that darkness Raiden saw a shadow stir.
Floating in the Jinsei as if it were water, Raiden eased forward moving through it. A foot was brought out to the world again and the other followed. The rest of Raiden's body slowly moved out, now completely out of the Jinsei and set back onto the ground. Yet his eyes peered ahead, focused on the figure that remained in the shadows. This was the most protected areas of his temple, so for one to make it here they must either be a friend or a strong foe. And it seemed there was no shortage of those these days.
Yet once he was released from the Jinsei, so was this figure from the shadows. Mimicking him a leg appeared first, followed by the other to bring him out of the shadows. And he saw it was more than a friend, but family.
"Fujin." Raiden greeted him.
"Brother." Fujin said as they closed the distance to the other, leaving the Jinsei and shadows behind them. They met in the middle of the room bringing their arms out to grip the others. "I had thought to find you here, mediating on what to do next."
"I have been. Ever since the attack on the Wu Shi Academy." Raiden admitted as they released the other "And what I have learned," he bowed his head to shield his eyes from Fujin from behind his wide hat, but his head hung heavy as did his words "it is worse than what I ever could have feared." Raiden warned gravely "Far worse."
"Then the realms truly are in danger." Fujin realized.
"Yes." Raiden confirmed bringing his head back up "From the moment of attack on the Wu Shi temple, to the strange appearances of these new warriors all over the realms, far from where they belong. This is a catastrophe on a scale we did not foresee."
Which made them even less prepared.
"More will come of this the longer it goes on." Fujin stated just as worried "If anyone could move between realms with ease, what will stop even Shinnok from escaping his fate?"
"The amulet still binds him to the NetherRealm for now." Raiden told with a light shake of his head, though Fujin's fears were right. It may not be counted on forever. But a greater fear was growing in Raiden that he had to voice "Yet he is not who I fear."
"Hm?" Fujin let out as he studied his brothers face, deep in thought and tense. Was it some older darker threat than Shinnok, a newfound great power? Or worse, both.
"I cannot allow this to continue." Raiden eventually said determined.
"Then we will need all the help we can get. I shall go summon the others." Fujin said and was about to step away to do just that.
"No, Fujin!" Raiden shook his head startling his brother.
"What of Liu Kang and the others?" Fujin asked looking back to him.
"For them to venture out may only cause this anomaly to deepen. Too much kombat may only cause the realms to be merged and their barriers broken forever beyond repair." Raiden told. A terrifying prospect. One that made even Fujin question his previous statement. But what could be done then? Surely not to have them wait, for the longer they did the worse it would become. "I will go out and seek out this new power." Raiden declared raising his fist to his chest as it sparked blue.
"You mean to go alone?" Fujin asked concerned. Raiden's hardened determination softened for a moment. Instead, his eyes went to Fujin who looked to him on what would come next. "To go out while others wait?" Fujin asked when he received no answer.
It was now that Raiden broke his stance and took a step towards Fujin "If there is anyone I would have by my side," Raiden raised his arm to open his fist to place it on Fujin's shoulder "it is you brother."
Like an oncoming storm the wind and thunder gods began their journey through the world.
Gill and Urien
Another page read lead to another page turned. But it all lead to the same conclusion. The prophecy. Of a warrior who would defeat M. Bison. With so many new warriors come to their attention, perhaps one of them was the one this book told of.
Yes, perhaps he was.
But the book told of more wonderous things than that. Of one who would bring about a new age upon the world and save it from itself.
The sound of footsteps approaching did not bring her head up from her reading. Yet the voice that called out once they stopped before her did.
"Kolin." a soft voice graced her like the blowing of a gentle breeze. Looking up from the book, she stared in awe, like she was seeing him for the first time. A white cloak clung over his body, but a face of half blue and half red was looking down to her.
"Lord Gill." she said dutifully rising from her seat and closing the book in one rapid motion. He remained before her not deterred by her sudden movements but watched over her like a Shepard over his flock. For it was time for her service.
"The time has come, my child. You know what must be done?" he asked, and she nodded.
"I will do whatever you ask of me." she said clutching the book tighter in her arms.
"You have your own task." Gill told.
"Yes." she said dutifully "I understand sir."
"Seek out our rivals." Gill instructed "Use him to our ends. Know their movements and plans. And with him take battle to these new warriors who would stand in our way."
She nodded to him, confirming her duty and desire to do it. She would do as he asked whether it involved Shadaloo or not. If it was for the betterment of their goal, she would do it. But a hint of concern came over in her icy eyes.
"And what will you do?"
Gill raised his head as if reveling in a deep thought, yet his mind was clear, and he knew what must be done. But before he could answer, another voice called out for him.
"GILL!" an enraged voice shouted, his voice echoing down from the wall through them.
"I shall have my own help." he told. He turned his head as she looked past him to see another figure emerge from behind them, his fists implanted into the frames of the door denting them. If Kolin was his flock, and he the Shepard then there was the wolf. "Brother." Gill greeted; his voice still calm while Uriens rumbled like thunder. "You've come as requested."
"Pah!" Urien spat and then raised a finger to point to him "Do not make it seem as if you are the one who summoned me here!"
"Yet you have come all the same." Gill moved to face his brother fully, putting his back to Kolin who had no choice but to watch over his wide shoulder at the oncoming and never-ending conflict between the two. "You have been brought here to fulfill your purpose. One we all have."
"Purpose." Urien repeated "Do you think you were the only one who intended to face this? Did you think you would go unchallenged or unnoticed?" Urien rambled as his snarl deepened as Gill's face remained as it was, at peace.
"To go without either was not my intent." Gill replied calmly and never breaking from that tone.
"Then what was your intent?" his voice rising as he felt his brother ignored him.
"Crisis or calamity. We shall be the ones to right is."
Now Uriens snarl lessened if only slightly "We?" Urien repeated curiously, cautious and concerned all at once. Gill stirred from the other side of the room moving back the way he came to approach his Urien.
"We must go together." Gill told him "To go forth and take our rightful place in the world. To prove divinity exists. And it must be done." he explained finishing once he stopped before Urien.
Urien grinned at him. It would be better to keep his brother close, not through a monitor but his own watchful eye. Not only on him but these strange and strong new fighters should any prove a nuisance themselves. Yes, he would use his brother just as he said he would use him. But once he had no more use for him.
"But two cannot share one true goal." Urien growled at him glaring at his brother who started placidly back at him. "Just remember that." In the end once all these other were taken care of and it was just the two of them, that's when Urien would strike. And be victorious.
"That time has not yet come Brother." Gill said remaining calm, but there was a warning in his voice this time "We must first walk the path to get there." In reply Urien turned his face up into a snarl.
"Very well." Urien agreed "Then let's not waste any more time than we have to!"
Fight Your Rival! Edenian Desert
The sands shifted in the winds, moving about like a dirty brown tide only to wash everything away again and hide it for another millennium. Among the sands were ruins of a bygone era. Of a peaceful Edenia before Shao Kahns invasion. The statues broken, buried and forgotten nearly like the realm itself. Only able to peek out from the hand to be hidden again by a gust of wind to be hidden forever.
"A shame of what's become of this place." Fujin lamented as he passed by the giant monument of Sindel that lie fall across the sand.
"Such will befall all the realms if we do not correct this." Raiden told in a warning, one of many he spoke of lately. The road had been tough already. With no barriers to contain the realms they very much found themselves on the move at all times, often falling from one realm to ease into the next with no warning or respite. On top of that many strange new warriors had crossed their path no matter where they ended up. It worried both of them the more they encountered but hardened their resolve all the same "Come Fujin. We must make haste." he urged his brother with him, and he followed dutifully. Yet unbeknown to the two of them, they were being watched.
Up ahead, Gill stood high above them, atop another ruin. One of the once great King Jerrod. But Gill was above such relics. They were the past and he was the future. His arms crossed and his posture was that of a stoic deity. Beside and beneath him was his own brother kneeling on Jerrod's crooked nose as Gill stood on his forehead. Urien snarled beneath Gill, crouching on his knees as he peered down at the two gods who made their way through the desert sand.
"Pah!" he spat "Is that truly what we've come all this way for?" he asked mockingly "What your so worried about?" he asked but keeping his eyes down onto them.
"Those two and more." Gill spoke, turning his head up but keeping his eyes down at the two gods. "They are false gods, who must be cast aside for the new."
Urien's sneer widened "Then let's be done with them!" he shouted and leapt down from the stony perch leaving Gill behind and heading straight for battle.
Fujin caught up to Raiden and began walking by his side. The two continued on ahead yet found only more sand and hidden sculptures awaited them from the desert. The desert seemed to go on forever, but so did their duty. To protect each realm and each other.
Fujin gazed ahead as the sand circled in the air. Flying up from their mounds only to be placed atop of others, to take away and disperse elsewhere just like so many lost in this conflict. In other places small tornadoes formed as the wind swirled around and remained in place.
Yet in one space now, he saw something else. A forceful gust being picked up as if some great force had thrown itself at them. And heading right for Raiden. He could not speak when he saw it, so he acted.
Seeing the wind lash out, Fujin lashed his arm to slash before Raiden.
"Fujin!" Raiden cried in shock but went silent as he saw Fujin had grabbed a fist that was about to be planted into Raiden's face. Fujin turned his head to come face to face with Urien. The two grilled each other down as they were so close. Fujin then pushed forward, but the arm he grabbed slipped out of his grip as Urien then did a flip avoiding a kick from Fujin and landed away from them.
Fujin steadied on the ground before Raiden, looking to Urien who continued to glare back at him. This development was not lost on Raiden nor what was coming next. For just as Fujin saw this oncoming attack so did he.
Diving behind and around Fujin, Raiden caught the blue wrist, stopping an oncoming assault to Fujin. The man who it belonged to hid his face behind a mane of yellow hair, but it titled ever so slightly towards Raiden so that he saw in it a half blue and half red face, fixed with impassioned eyes that stared at him. As one hand held him by the wrist, the other moved. Raiden's other hands sparked blue before he lashed out with a bolt of lighting firing it at the man he held onto.
Snapping out of Raiden's grip just as Urien had, Gill dodged the blast of lightning to slip back to stand across from them and beside Urien.
Fujin and Raiden readied themselves for another assault, but Gill and Urien braced themselves across from them.
"Too soon Urien." Gill scolded softly as he crossed his arms.
"You said they have to go." Urien spat in response "If they are in your way then they are in mine." he spoke of their shared goal, though neither of them seemed to enjoy that aspect.
"And now they are aware of us." Gill turned from his brother whose anger was clearly growing at him and towards the two across from him "But they are here now and must be dealt with." he said as if resigning himself to it, not absolving Urien of putting them in this position unavoidable as it was.
The scolding of Urien and his attention to them didn't unnerve the two gods. But they knew from their actions and words that they were no doubt a threat. Yet to one of them they were foreign and unknown.
"What is this?" Fujin asked turning slightly to Raiden as he kept his eyes on them. His brother gritted his teeth as he gazed at them.
"False gods." Raiden told as he grilled them.
"It is you who are false." Gill told "Your transgressions and failures have proven too catastrophic to not only your realm but all of them." Gill declared raising his forearm before himself and clenching his fist.
"It is you who does not belong!" Raiden refuted "We battle for the good of Earthrealm. Your battle for domination and control. It cannot stand!"
"You won't be standing when this is all done." Urien flexed. He was more than ready for what was to come.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Raiden and Fujin
The ending of that last battle did not mean there was not more to come. The sand and winds swirled once more though this time centered around a specific sand dune and what was rising from it.
"Brother!" Fujin said noticing it first and readying himself for an attack, Raiden did the same. After the encounter with Gill and Urien, they could not take any chances.
Yet what rose from the sand was neither of them but was no less terrifying. Blood red with hair that hung and writhed like snakes and a voice that felt like an approaching death.
"What is it?" Fujin asked as hateful eyes were cast on each of them.
"A disciple of gods. One who serves their will just as Geras did Kronika."
"I can only imagine what gods he serves." Fujin said contemptuously as he eyed him "What does he want?" Hearing that Necalli answered in a writhing voice.
"Your souls..holy..sacred.. are mine."
"No different than Shang Tsung." Raiden barked back.
"This disciple shall fall!" Fujin declared. But their declarations did not faze Necalli who roared right back at them.
"Not even the thunder and wind from gods can h-" he paused and then hacked the ending "halt my attack."
In reply Fujin swung down slamming his hands to the ground as Raiden spread his arms allowing the lightning to connect the two.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Gill and Urien
They may have cast aside those other gods, but that did not mean their shared journey was over. For others still stood in their way, though now it was only one. Standing together in the desert they watched the oncoming figure trudge towards them across the sand.
Gill stood facing him while Urien looked over his shoulder.
"What is this?" Urien asked tired of distractions. Necalli took a step off of the sand and onto the stone pavement.
"Another one whose will is set against hours." Gill told all knowingly "For he serves other deities."
"They will fall as well." Urien said taking a step forward leaving Gill behind and putting himself closer to Necalli "You! Troglodyte!" he shouted, and Necalli stirred if only to allow Urien to know he acknowledged his voice "Returned for me?!" he asked as he knew if he wanted the stronger it was Urien he wanted and not Gill "Or to pledge yourself to my services."
"I cannot allow a strong soul to escape not even one.. Gill..." his acknowledgement of his brother and not him only angered Urien so he offered one final act of mercy.
"Kneel before me or fall!" he commanded.
"You will fall.." he hissed "into the pit of my stomach"
Lashing out Urien went forward into battle, and Gill went with him.
Raiden and Fujin Ending
The two gods have come a long way and there still seemed to be an even longer way to go. For every moment the realms remained together, the longer it became.
The two walked together, crossing an open field with nothing in sight except for each other. A good sign, but it didn't make them any more at ease. The continued on sharing the same placid expression, but suddenly Raiden's stern face turned to shock. His eyes widened and his mouth agape. He came to a sudden stop mid step and hung back in place as Fujin continued on.
Yet it was not long before he realized he did so alone. He turned back to see Raiden had stopped dead in his tracks and his face changed now to that of concern when he saw his brother.
"Raiden?" he called to him in a voice to match his expression. But Raiden did not answer him. He looked up to the sky, as if seeing or hearing something so far away yet feeling so close. "Raiden?" Fujin called again but it was like Raiden did not hear him.
"Liu Kang." Raiden said softly as if in awe.
"Where?!" Fujin asked darting his head around, but just like before no one was there.
"Far away." Raiden spoke softly as he turned his head upwards. The sky had become darker in some places and lighter in others, semblances of each realm plastered across it as if they were clouds in the sky and not the further proof of a merging "But I can feel his presence." he paused only for a moment and the softness in his voice grew deeper as he spoke of it "And he is in danger."
Fujin steadied back onto Raiden "All are in danger." he said before a brief pause "What are we to do?"
Raiden dropped his head hiding his face under the wide brim of his hat. Silently contemplating his next move. The realms were in danger, whether it was by Gill, Urien, Shao Kahn or this dreaded presence he felt with Liu Kang, the Dragon King. Liu Kang was out there fighting now, and he needed his help. He could end it all. Wherever he was. All Raiden had to do was go there and aid him in this fight.
He brought his head up and saw Fujin looking to him.
"I know what I must do." he told. But what he said was specific. It was different than what was said this entire time. And sounded as if his mind was made up.
"You?" Fujin questioned understanding his meaning. "Alone?"
Raiden nodded solemnly "I will give Liu Kang my power. So, he may overcome this threat."
"Your power," Fujin repeated, and alarm grew on his face "but to do so will-"
"I know the risks." Raiden nodded as if resigned to his fate already. As it had just dawned on Fujin, it had already been settled to Raiden.
"There must be another way!" Fujin pleaded.
"There is no time." Raiden told him, his fate dismal but his voice reassuring.
"But to have come this far-" he cut short "to lose you like this-"
"I will not be lost." Raiden said soothingly as he brought up a hand to Fujin's shoulder. Mimicking him, Fujin raised an arm, crossing it over Raiden's to do the same. "My task may be done, but yours is not." Fujin perked up. "When all is done, return to the Sky Temple. Lead Earthrealm from there." Raiden requested of him. Fujin opened his mouth to say something. A final retort perhaps but he stopped short of it. A saddened look washed over his face preventing him from saying anything else. Instead, his eyes locked onto Raiden's and instead all he could do was nod. Resigning him to his own fate just as Raiden was his. "This journey will not be for naught Fujin." Raiden said raising his hand from his shoulder "I promise you."
"Brother-" Fujin finally spoke reaching out a hand to him, yet Raiden had already disappeared from it allowing him to only grab at where he once was. He had left Fujin behind while he went to give all his aid to Liu Kang.
Everything had fallen silent in the aftermath of that final thundercrack. To Fujin that last one sounded as if it was cut off, etched out at the last moment. Which to Fujin only confirmed the worst. That Raiden was now truly gone.
The hand that stretched out for him remained there as if waiting for him to come back and take it. Yet it never did, and he never would.
So, it fell back to Fujin's side.
His task was before him now. He did his brother and fellow gods final bidding. He would return to the Sky Temple where their journey began.
On his journey back Fujin saw that whatever Raiden had done it was successful, for the realms were back to being separate again making his journey shorter but no less lonely. And the warriors that prowled through waiting for a fight were nowhere to be seen.
Finally making it back he floated atop the wind to reach the top of the sky temple. It was as dark as when he left it. The storm still raged above it and the wind still blew around it. But there was room for only one God on it now. But looking around, he could see it was clear; the realms had returned to their natural state. Separated and distant. The journey was not for naught just as Raiden had promised.
Now there was nothing left for Fujin to do but the task assigned to him. To pick up the pieces.
He heard something now, coming from the steps behind him. Turning around Fujin looked to hear the sound grow louder. He could tell whatever it was, it was coming in pairs like everyone else was. It could be anyone, but his recent experience had given him to think it would be who he least expected it.
He saw two distinct figures finally reach the top of the stairs. He expected any assortment of people. Liu Kang and Kung Lao, Bo Rai Cho and Shujinko, Cassandra Cage and Jacqueline Briggs, the leaders Sonya Blade and Sub-zero come to report on their findings. But they would be coming for Raiden, not for him.
But the two who appeared was none of them. It was two men who he did not know.
Fujin touched his feet to the ground and the two men turned to him. One was an elderly man with a beard and turban who floated over the air as Fujin had though with no use of the wind. The other was a younger man in a white garb and long beard and the wind swirled around him. The two stopped before him and it was Fujin who spoke first.
"Who are you? What brings you to the Sky Temple?" Fujin asked slightly on edge. Was it still possible? More invaders. Perhaps they were displaced and remained here to stir up more trouble.
The younger of the two bounded forward on feet and with jumped with such floaty movements that almost made it seem like he could fly.
"I am Rashid of the turbulent wind." he announced in an amicable voice. "I've come to strengthen my wind powers."
Fujin's eyes went towards the older of the two. Whose limbs stretched as he introduced himself, his elongated legs hung beneath him to reach the ground "I am Dhalsim." he said in a voice much calmer and less boisterous than Rashid, but full of wisdom and strength all the same "I've come to learn and to spread enlightenment."
Fujin's blank eyes widened at the two before he settled down himself.
"Then," Fujin began as he took in a deep breath "you have come to the right place." he smiled warmly as he greeted them.
He would do just as Raiden asked. If this was his task, he would see it through.
Gill and Urien Ending
The journey had taken them through many realms. Each a steppingstone to their final goal. Yet here they were now, far from them all, above the rest. To a place truly of his equals. The realm of the elder gods.
Gill raised his arms and held them outwards as if giving a sermon to those most worthy to hear it. He stood at the base of the massive gods, basking in the glory of his victory, the completion of his journey. Beside him, his brother was a far different sight, restless and unconvinced. Urien turned and lashed his head from side to side.
"Is this it!?"
"Yes." Gill told him as he lowered his arms "And where your part in this comes to an end."
"This!" Urien snarled "This was your plan all along!" he snapped "Fool!" he spat "It is what it was always destined to come to. You!" he pointed to Gill who was not faded by him still looking over his shoulder to him "And I!" Urien slammed a fist to his chest "Only one of us shall rule!"
"What will happen is what must happen." a tranquil woman's voice beckoned to them from all around. Urien stirred, breaking the deadlock between the two and began looking around for the source of the voice.
Gill raised his head as if taken in the deep breath of a calm tranquil breeze. Both looked to their sides as a third came to join them. A woman, dressed in green leaves, with pale skin, every step she took grass sprouted to life beneath her feet, despite the fact she walked on solid stone. Her gaze was only on Gill as he zeroed in on her, both of them acting as if Urien wasn't there at all.
The distance between them lessened, and she brought her hands up to match them with Gills, and he took her hands in his.
"Cetrion." he spoke.
"Gill." she replied saying his as she came to a stop before her. Uriens eyes darted from one to the other, seemingly left out by the Elder Gods sudden introduction. But he would not be forgotten. No! He would be triumphant.
"What is this?!" Urien raged.
Now the two finally turned to him acknowledging he was there though they shared the same look of pious distain, like he was beneath them.
"What must be." Cetrion told answering first. Gill then took a step forward to speak his turn.
"The Elder Goddess of Light sees what is to come." Gill told "The era I usher will be under her watchful eye and mine." he told raising a hand up high, only to paus and bring it back down along with his sight to look at Urien "But there is no room for you in it." The reverence he spoke of what had not come to pass only enraged Urien more.
"Your new era?! I thought I told you brother!" Urien said spitefully "Don't make me repeat myself. It comes down to you and I-"
"Your part has been played brother." Gill cut him off "There is no more required of you." Beside him Cetrion nodded. Gill then raised his hand "So I shall send you to a place where you belong."
"You send me?!" Urien shouted "I shall send you on a one-way trip to Hell!" Urien charged forward ready to finally be rid of Gill forever. Elder God approval or not, he is the one who would reign and not Gill. It would be his time, his new era!
Yet in a flash of a red hand all turned black.
Urien opened his eyes and found he was not where he last was. Instead, he was far away from where he thought he was. No pillars of gods or great deities surrounded him now. The stone he lay on was scolding hot as was the air around him. Picking his head up to look around he saw a hellish landscape. Lava and fire swerved all around him. Hardened black rock was all he had to sit on and to hold everything else up. The sky above him was no sky at all but the volcanic ceiling of this realm. Fuming, he looked side to side but didn't see any sign of Gill or Cetrion.
But someone who was there took notice of him.
"What is this?" a voice thin and menacing asked from behind him "Who has been banished?"
The sound of the word angered Urien who shot up to his feet and was ready to lash out at one who dared mock his predicament.
"Banished?!" Urien grinded his teeth and turned to see a man with a pale face approach. Atop his head was some horned ornament as if a crown. His regal stance added to this. He looked sickly but carried himself as if he bore a great power. Urien paused to look him over "Fool!" Urien shouted to him as he faced him fully now "I am not banished. I am the future!"
"There is no future here." the pale faced replied, as if amused "What did you do to deserve such a place as I have?" he asked. His voice soft like silk but brimming with violence.
"Only what is rightfully mine."
"Or so you thought." he said just as calmly but seemed to enjoy the continued rise it got out of him. Urien was growing tired of this nonsense. "This is the NetherRealm." he stated "My dominion." he followed with extra emphasis.
"Keep it!" Urien lashed at him waving a disregarding hand "I am not long for here."
"So, they all say. But rejected, sent, or banished. All who come here belong here. Tainted with the impurities of evil."
"It was my brother. My lesser who put me here!" Urien stomped his foot cracking the ground beneath it "While he dares to take his place among the Elder Gods!" the pale face scrunched up in anger at the sound of that. Something Urien took notice of and thought he now could turn the tables, to use this pale man for his own doing.
"So, you would have vengeance as well?" the pale face surmised.
"I would have what is mine!"
"As would I." he said in a voice filled with the evil he just spoke of but sounding as if he was coming to an understanding with Urien.
"And what do you say to that?"
"That you cannot prosper on your own, lest you'll be sent back here as I have been before." he advised cautiously.
"What would you propose then?" Urien asked gruffly.
"A joining or our purposes." he said brining his open palms together to close them.
"With you! Pah!" Urien spat disinterested "Have you not failed already?"
"Only as much as you it seems."
Urien's face churned "Then what would be done with you? Joining your cause with mine, what would that bring me?"
"The satisfaction that comes from the death of our now shared enemies." he told "The realms remained broken, yet I am still bound here. But with united power I will not be for long.. then they shall see the wrath of my vengeance. And yours. If you truly intend to face the Elder gods, then it would be to your benefit to have a Elder God of your own on your side."
"You! En Elder God!" Urien shouted, his voice echoing throughout the realm as it seemed this one was among his new enemies.
"Fallen perhaps," he admitted calmly "but still very much so." he said letting his resentment burn through.
"Hm." Urien let out. If even he called himself fallen, he was nothing to be concerned with "I am the only god."
"Then perhaps the time has come for us to rise up again..together."
Urien paused to mull it over but already had his answer "Very well." he agreed but was still working out how to use this to his advantage. And for that he had a personal grudge no different than this man "But I warn you like I did my brother. It comes down to only one in the end."
"It always does." he said with no disagreement and smiled at him, the etches in his face forming something sinister.
"As long as we understand that of one another." Urien said and the man nodded, his horned cap dipping down as he did "Then we shall do better than my brother. And once I am free of this place, I shall take my revenge of my brother Gill and those who aided his coup against me."
"You have many enemies it seems." he commented coolly.
"It is gods that I face. Just as Gill is meant for defeat at my hands. So is the one who aided him! The elder god Cetrion." The pale god stirred at his mention of her. Urien took notice of his change in demeanor. The anger returned to him, but it was hidden under a strange familiarity in his face. A mix of anger, surprise and amusement in it all at once. One Urien noticed as it turned up into a small semblance of a smile. "You know her?"
"You say she is the one who has taken up with your brother?" the fallen elder god asked instead of answering.
"Yes," Urien lashed back and once he confirmed it the pale elder gods face changed "What are you grinning at?" Urien snarled.
"I was just thinking" he said as a grim smile came over his face "siblings are often such a burden, aren't they?"