In case you've yet to discover them, I recommend King Crimson (not the stand) for some fine music.


Days until Boros arrives: 5

Days until the end of the world: 35

"That stench…"

Deceptively strong thin arms reached for him, making grabbing motions while their owner made kissing noises. "Come on, Trefie, give your mama a kiss~ Chuu~"

Growling, Trefor's features partially shifting, his irises glowing, his back left his stone throne and reaching out with his left hand, his palm wrapped around Abdera's face, halting his mother's momentum.

"Mouuu! Meanie!" with the woman undeterred, continuing to try and get closer, her arms flailing, trying to reach for him.

"Mother," he hissed. Trefor's tone causing the woman to blink, calm down and, grasping his wrist with her arms, to pop her head free and peek from his palm's right.

"Eh? What is it dear? Why so serious?"

He growled, doing his best to keep his temper in check. For that feeling. That aura. It reminded him of—

"That stench," he repeated, his right hand grabbing the arm of his throne, squeezing hard enough to form tiny cracks. "Can't you feel it?"

Abdera blinked and her brows furrowed as she studied him. "What are you talking about, dear?"

"Focus, mother," he growled. "On the surface, near where the new king of our allies fought."

With a shrug, the woman did as asked, closing her eyes, frowning and in just a few short seconds—

"Ah!" a gasp left her lips and Trefor's lips turned into a scowl.

"You can feel it too, then?"

"It's…" the woman's frown deepened. "It's something. It's there, at the edges of my perception. Ethereal. Almost…whimsical and—"

"Familiar?"

The woman's green eyes flashed open at that and she regarded him with a sad smile, slowly pushing down his arm and stepping close, cupping his cheek with her hand.

"Oh honey, you know it's not that. It can't be."

He bit his lip to keep from lashing out at her, at everything.

Yes, intellectually he knew that the chances were slim that the emergence of this new godling had anything to do with that. For one, the new being felt way too weak. And not callous or evil enough. And yet…

Memories of that day flashed through his head.

"It better not be…" he growled, leaning back on his throne as the temperature all around them rose with his fury and a couple steps below, his trusted praetorians nervously squirmed, and one in particular stared at him with clear worry behind her visor.

For the newcomer's sake, that is…

For if the new being had anything to do with that day…

Well, for this? He would break the accords and damn the consequences!


"W-wow! My lord you look, you look…"

As the dark-skinned beauty let go of his arm as they emerged out of the ground and on a small rock outcropping deep beneath the earth, Yuha flashed her a wry grin, the blue-eyed beauty staring at him in surprise still.

For indeed, this time he hadn't felt a thing as Kisha carried him along with her, unlike the previous time she'd played the role of a taxi for him.

When no doubt, and despite his best efforts, something must have shown on his face, indicating that he'd been somewhat affected.

But this time…

Nothing.

Well, ok, not quite. He did feel something trying to press down on him, the sensation as they became one with the loam and traversed through it a bit unnerving still. But, probably due to his God Ki? He felt fine.

He reached out with his right arm, and tickled the girl on the sides of her blue tube top, in between her ribs. Making her giggle, pearl like laughter reaching his ears as the woman squirmed and squeaked.

"M-my lord! S-stop!" she said, pushing and slapping at his arm, and Kisha, took a few steps to the side, her blue loincloth of a skirt swaying with the motion, drawing his eyes for an instant, and causing the girl's blush to deepen, as did her smile.

"Mmh, as you wish, princess," he offered with a wink, causing to girl to huff and cross her arms. "Anyway, shall we?" he asked, nodding towards the nearby capital of…of his people, where the dome like roof continued to resemble the night sky and from small expertly carved and placed holes, small waterfalls continued to stream down, the sound pleasant.

"You did promise me a tour after all, remember?" he asked, winking and grinning.

And causing Kisha to resemble a tomato, the sheltered princess letting out a stammer as her bare left foot drew circles in the dirt and she poked the tips of her fingers together.

Cute.

"-wawawa…" freezing and taking a deep breath, and nodding, Kisha stared at him with intense eyes. "Y-yes, my lord, l-lets!" she said and, taking a few steps, came to stand by his side and threaded her forearm around his right bicep. "N-now, let's go!" she ordered, and he followed her.

"Just one thing."

"Yes?"

"Please, drop the 'lord' part. Just Yuha is fine."

"B-but it's not proper and we're out amongst your subjects and—"

Sighing and rolling his eyes, he nodded. "Fine. But, I expect you to drop the formalities when not in public at least, ok?"

"Y-yes," the girl mumbled, lowering her gaze with a smile and a flush.

The minutes soon turned into hours, and, with Kisha leading the way and pointing various things of interest, Yuha learned much about his peoples culture, their way of life and their storied past.

Hell, at some point, the little overly excited and animated bookworm managed to make Yuha actually grow interested in her explanations and truly start paying attention.

Him.

A barbarian philistine!

Actually trying to follow the girl's mini lectures disguised as a tour, as she pointed out statues, buildings, hell, even some ancient and re-purposed bricks did not escape her keen eye and pointed finger.

He chuckled.

"—And this here…" the girl blinked, and flushed, turning towards him and away from the statue of a majestic warrior, carved in the likeness of kings of old, the ancient standing tall, right foot atop a stone, left arm, broadsword in hand pointing at the sky while his other rested on his hip. "M-my king? O-oh," the girl lowered her eyes. "I've been rambling, haven't I? You're probably bored and—"

He shook his head with a smile while his left index finger touched the girl's lips, surprising her and causing her eyes to stretch wide.

"Nothing of the sort and I don't want to see you doubting yourself ever again, ok Kisha?" he asked, tone serious, and the woman gave him a meek nod. Smile slowly returning. "I wasn't laughing at you, no. Rather, I was laughing at myself," he said and lowered his finger.

Kisha cocked her head to the side.

"My lord?"

"You're wonderful, Kisha," he said and as he faced the statue of the seventh subterranean king, he missed the girl's eyes widening. "I'm…as I believe I've already told you before somewhat lacking in culture and interest in history."

The girl giggled, her pearl like laughter causing him to smile. "My king might have mentioned something to that effect, yes."

He grinned and faced her again.

"So, imagine my surprise when you managed to make me actually pay attention to your explanations and try to commit to memory all the things you've told me about? That is impressive, Kisha," he said and, promptly tickled the girl on the ribs again. Making her laugh and squirm.

"M-my King! S-stop!"

Letting go, his grin stretching wider at the girl's pout, he reached out and ruffled the girl's soft long white locks.

"Eep!"

"You have a real knack for this stuff, don't you?"

"History, ruins, and books have always been my passion, yes."

His grin faltered, for judging by the girl's behavior and innocent nature…

Let me guess, aside from your sister, for a long time, those things were your only 'friends'…

But Yuha didn't voice those thoughts. He wasn't that cruel.

Instead.

"Mmh, I can tell. So, and given that you have an obvious passion for the stuff, as well as talent, given you've gotten me off all people interested. Have you considered teaching?"

"Eh? Teaching?"

He nodded. "Yes. Whether among…our people, or up above, I can promise you there are universities that would love to have you."

And no doubt, a lot of students would sign up for her class. Now whether that would be cause of interest in the subject alone…

"Huh…teaching…" clearly the girl hadn't thought about that before.

"Just food for thought, Kisha, no need to decide now," he said with a shrug. "But, this was the last thing you wanted to show me?" he asked, and the girl nodded.

"Yes." Before bitting her lip.

And Yuha could sense a but.

"But?"

Kisha squirmed, flushing again. "I-if you're up for it and don't mind, I have something else to show you."

Blinking, Yuha shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, why not? I'm game."

"B-but, it's quite far." The girl chewed on her lip, looking up at him with worry. "and I would have to carry us both again and—"

"Kisha, I don't mind," he said, interrupting her. "I enjoy spending time with you, so, lead on." Clearly, he'd chosen the right words for the woman's visage blossomed into a radiant smile which made his heart skip a beat.

What a fool I am…why do I go along with this? Cause he did indeed find Kisha to be fine company. Why do I lead her on? What a fool. He knew, knew this couldn't, wouldn't last and yet, on matters of the heart, the brain held little sway. Yet another heart I will have to break once I leaveHe knew. The damn fool. He knew and yet…looking at Kisha's radiant smile, which reminded him of Tatsumaki's own and its innocence, he found he could not deny the girl's feelings.

…nor did he want to.

"V-very well! P-please hold on tight, my King!" Kisha said, blushing up a storm as she pressed herself flush against him, her soft hands wrapping around him, her soft mounds feeling quite fine indeed pressed up against him coupled with the girl's heat and sweet scent, causing him to arch an eyebrow as he gazed at her, Kisha steadfastly avoiding his eyes as she stared to the side and the statue. "C-close body contact reduces the side-effects."

Yuha resisted the urge to snort as under Kisha's will they dived underground and became one with the earth again as they traverse to a place only the princess knew.

They emerged into a wide spacious cavern after some time, the only sources of illumination being a few curiously blue glowing stones embedded into the enormous cavern's distant walls, roof, and ground, and in front of them, a couple hundred meters ahead a massive structure stood, while behind it, off to its left and right, near the walls, passages opened up, like massive hallways which no doubt lead to other nearby caverns.

"H-here…we…are…"

Blinking, he turned concerned eyes to the princess.

"Kisha? Are you ok?"

"I'm…I'm fine," the girl said with a weak, tired grin as sweat continued to drip down her face. "Just…a little bit tired is all."

Yuha frowned, and with a burst of insight, he had his answer.

They'd been traveling a good long while now and…

"Carrying someone with you is more straining than you let on, I take it?"

Kisha's eyes widened.

"N-no! M-my king don't—"

He snorted and poked the girl on her forehead, making her go cross-eyed.

"You can call me fat, I'm not offended," he joked, and the girl offered him a weak grin. "Anyway, is this what you wanted me to see?" he asked, nodding towards the pyramidal structure composed of square seeming levels and blocks.

"Y-yes!" the girl said with an excited nod, energy seeming to return to her in an instant, and she tugged on his arm. Bemused, he followed and, with a frown, formed a large ki ball on his arm, throwing it up in the air where it hovered, providing another source of illumination.

"Oh, that helps," Kisha said.

In short order, they arrived at the base of the structure and the steps which time had worn down.

"I suspect this must have been quite impressive once upon a time," Yuha murmured as he took the massive structure in, the whole thing familiar for some reason. Almost maddeningly so. The itch on the back of his skull enough to make him growl with irritation.

"My king?"

"Yuha, please. We are alone, aren't we? And it's nothing. I just get the sense I've seen something like this before…" he said and Kisha, shrugging, urged him on and up the dirt covered steps.

"Come!" she said, smiling. "I've something to show you! I think you'll like it!"

Smiling and following, they quickly climbed to the top and made their way inside the abandoned structure, and as Yuha stepped past the weathered archway and the long gone doors, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow as the stale air mixed with dust hit his nose.

For the whole structure, all but screamed that those who built it did so out of love and with joy in their hearts. And as they stepped deeper into the empty building, the sound of their footsteps the only thing to break the lonely silence and bits of broken vases lined the floor near the walls with their mostly faded murals, Yuha could almost imagine it, once long ago this whole structure would have been filled with people.

No doubt, the whole building covered and painted in gold, incense burning, with torches banishing the night, the building shining under the morning sun as people climbed the steps, excited voices clamoring and seeking the help and wisdom of priests just as sun-kissed as the people they helped, priests dressed in white togas and the men and women manning the temple eager to provide help and the guidance of the mistress of heaven and—

Yuha frowned and paused and once again the faded remains surrounded him. The voices of people and the scent of incense vanishing. Replaced by the lonely silence and the smell of dust and faded parchment.

"My king?" Kisha asked, stopping and blinking back at him with concern.

That was no illusion, nor a product of my own mind. In fact, it felt…it felt, like…memories?

At that, a female sigh reached him, seeming to come from far, far away, and as weak as the smallest gust of wind.

"Did you hear that?"

Kisha giggled.

"Hear what, my King?" she blinked coquettishly at him, a teasing grin on her lips. "Don't tell me you believe in ghosts? We're the only ones here! Now come on~" the girl tugged at his arm and winked. "Stay close to me and I'll protect you from any big bad ghosts~" the woman said with another giggle, and Yuha let her pull him.

But as he did, the same voice sighed again, even weaker, even fainter and he could swear that someone caressed his cheek before that too faded.

The hell?

But Kisha had sensed nothing, heard nothing.

A worried frown spread across Yuha's lips. Does…does this have anything to do with God Ki? For he had little doubt that this structure had once, long ago, served as some kind of temple.

Then that meant that whoever just touched him…

There are other gods? For a moment he panicked before he remembered that he would have sensed them if there were. For God Ki would have allowed him to do so, what with it essentially elevating him to divinity while active.

-rotect…-em…the female voice that'd been sighing said, in a volume so low at first he thought he imagined it.

"There we are!" Kisha said, just as they entered the temple's central chamber and Yuha's heart clenched at its decrepit state. Once, it must have been so beautiful…

"Now, I haven't quite managed to translate everything," Kisha said, letting go of his arm and making for the central dais, picking up a couple of stone tablets she'd no doubt placed there the few times she'd been here before. "But if my understanding of it all is correct, I believe those structures once served as temples and palaces to a long gone culture, and I believe they called them…" Kisha bit her lips and flashed him a nervous grin. "Sorry, but I can't be certain of the translation, it's either, 'mountains of heaven'," the girl said, frowning at the tablet and causing the itching in the back of Yuha's skull to intensify. "Or…or, 'hills of heaven'? But—"

He gasped.

"Ziggurats."

And drew Kisha's eyes. "Eh? What's that?" the girl asked with a blink, before shrugging at receiving no answer and continued reading from the tablet in her hands.

But Yuha no longer paid attention, his heart feeling ready to burst out of his chest and the peaceful temple's walls seeming to close in around him. For it now rather reminded him of a tomb.

"-venge us," the almost spent voice said again, and this time, being ready for it, Yuha could feel the tattered broken wisps of divinity around the entity near him, the being less than the world's feeblest gust of wind.

"In fact, If I'm reading this right," Kisha continued as a hand more imaginary than real touched Yuha's cheek. "This here temple was dedicated to…a Queen of Heaven?" Kisha shuddered. "Best not let auntie hear that one, I think…"

Ishtar?!

"Avenge us, my priest…" the voice said again, and for a moment the ghost's touch seemed to solidify and ethereal lips planted a kiss on his cheek, and Yuha gasped as he felt a burst of something enter him. Causing his control over his God Ki to strengthen some, and for the briefest of moments, the red aura around his limbs took and the faintest of pink hues. "Protect them…and avenge us. Goodbye…"

Just as Yuha turned and opened his mouth to speak, the faded divinity seemed to shatter. Its presence vanishing, and the comforting, if sad, embrace that he'd only just now realized had been surrounding this temple and the nearby caverns went with her.

"Huh, Y-yuha, did it get cold here all of a sudden or is it my idea—My king? Are you crying?!"

Indeed, tears streamed down his cheeks before he shook his head.

"Kisha."

"Y-yes?"

"We're leaving."

"Huh? Why?"

"It's no longer safe here," he said, somehow knowing that.

The princess cocked her head to the side, before smiling. "No need to worry, my King, I already told you, there are no ghosts here and besides, I've been here plenty of times before and—"

"No." He shook his head.

"My—Yuha?"

"You're wrong about this, trust me. Let's just say this place had a…guardian. A faded, near death one but still present. And now…now she's gone…"

"She?"

"Not important, but, and I pray I'm wrong, we need to go, now."

Seeing the seriousness on his face, Kisha nodded slowly before placing the tablet back where she'd left it before and came to his side, following him as they all but run out of the Ziggurat.

So…there were gods here. Emphasis on were. But…if that's the case, then…what happened to them? Who killed them?

"Y-yuha, slow down," Kisha cried, panting as she runned after him and they emerged back at the temple's entrance, the steps below them and the wide spacious cavern all around them.

All seemed well. All seemed normal.

And yet, his instincts, the ones that came with this…divine form and the accompanying senses, all but screamed at him that to remain here for much longer would be perilous. That it would spell certain death.

Not for him necessarily. After all, there were few things that could hurt him anymore. But Kisha…Kisha, who, if he understood these new senses and instincts correctly, to said new senses and instincts, the princess read as a 'faithful', a 'believer', and thus they urged him to do as a 'god' should and protect his people.

He took the steps down two at a time and then felt it.

A tremor.

And to his enhanced senses what seemed to sound like someone howling from afar.

"Slow down Yuha—was that a tremor?"

Another followed, and then another and another. Two more howls joining the approaching first as the tremors quickened and the ground shook.

"Oh no…" Kisha said, voice terrified, and as he turned, he saw the girl, still at the top of the stairs, had paled, turning wide eyes towards him. "It can't be."

"Kisha come on," he said, beckoning the woman closer. "We need to leave."

A sob left the woman as she slumped down to her knees. "It's too late…we're doomed. They're too close and I can't outrun them," the girl said, whimpering and as she did from the walls of the cavern, near the massive openings leading to nearby caverns two humongous worms burst through the walls, their skin seeming to be made of brown dark stone plates and the creatures themselves massive, girthy, their diameter easily over fifty meters.

And then, from behind Yuha and near the spot where they'd first emerged into the cavern a couple hundred meters back another worm emerged, a good deal of its lower half slithering out and leaning over Yuha and Kisha both, destroying Yuha's hovering ki ball in the process, and the three massive stone like flaps covering its mouth opened up, revealing a dark maw and rows upon rows of gigantic needle-like teeth.

"Rockworms…" Kisha sobbed as the creature's cinnamon like smell smashed down into Yuha, making him stagger, his head spin, and almost causing him to fall down. "We're doomed!"