Lords of Creation (Story Thread 3)

[Tsubasa & Wen Tien]

"Very well then, I condemn this item to destruction."

As she draws upon her powers, Mina casts mortal spells using enough power to destroy sink a country into the sea upon the chest's contents in a resounding display of shadows, light, fire and ice.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

Crav coughed as the air cleared and choked out a response, "A tad excessive don't you think? Though it did serve as a bit of excitement to these gatherings. Speaking of which, Waverider, do you have any other business that you'd like to discuss now that the matter of that mysterious artifact is....ahem.....resolved" As he spoke the last word, he gave a sidelong glance at Mina.

[Zaleramancer]

As the cloud of smoke vanished, a cloaked figure stepped forward. It stood beside Waverider.

"I was told, to my surprise, that something new was living in the ocean. Smart little creatures, thousands in number."

The figure pulled back the cloak to show an angular, reptilian, black-scaled face with silver eyes.

Waverider continued, "They have no culture, knowledge, or even language to speak of. No real instincts either. Most of them can breathe, but everything else had to be carefully taught."

She glanced from god to god.

"I'm going to gut whoever dumped the poor things like this. Absolutely helpless."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"What in the world?" The Watchman starts.

"I don't have enough staf-" The Spymaster starts, before he cuts her off. He gets up and urgently walks to the creature, looking it all around.

"Hello, I don't believe we've met." he says to it, carefully.

[Zaleramancer]

It stares blankly, silvery eyes glimmering.

Slowly, it's mouth opens to form a word in the common tongue.

"Ax."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"It's nice to meet you. I'm The Watchman. Paean?" He called across the table. "Would you come over here and look into this mans eyes for me?"

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Watchman, is there something you recognize about him?" Crav inquired as the Watchman called Paean over. "Should we be concerned?"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"I'm not sure yet, we'll know in a second."

He didn't want to imply anything to Waverider unless he was sure. It's why he hadn't spoken up about that candle. That, provided no one was lying, their were only two options. He didn't know what she woul- No. No. He'd seen what she would do. He didn't want her pointed at anyone.

[Zaleramancer]

The young god slumped over tiredly and looked into the reptilian's silvery eyes.

"Alright, what is this supposed to accomplish?" He asked, "Am I supposed to recognize this?"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"Just seeing if you recognized anything." He said, sighing.

"Ax, do you remember when you were born?"

[Zaleramancer]

The creature shuffled and appeared to carefully absorb the question.

"Falla partw et!"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"Ax, I'm afraid I didn't quite get all that. I'm going to say some words to you. Stop me when I say the first thing you meant. Nod or raise you hand or make a sound. Just the first word, alright?"

He cleared his throat.

"Fallen? Follow? Fall? Father? Failure? Foul?"

[Zaleramancer]

Blinking slowly, Ax makes a few peeps as Watchman says Fall.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"Fall Apart?"

[Zaleramancer]

Furious nodding.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"Fall apart Wet? Nooooooo, wait a moment, no, no, no, no. Fall apart, Wet?"

[Zaleramancer]

A slow look of comprehension flashed across Ax's face and another slow nod confirmed this.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"What fell apart?"

[Zaleramancer]

"All!"

[Marvelous Miscreant]

Crav frowned at the reptile's answer. "A very cryptic answer, indeed," he mumbles, "Does anyone have any idea what he may be talking about? Anything at all?"