102 An envoy? (1/2)

***Asheim, Embassy***

”This is not enough Angrod! We need more forces!” Gwalonna screams at me. This is irritating me a little. It's true that the Chimerans are the most powerful force at the moment. But even we can only do so much as we can.

”What do you want me to do? Every Chimeran who can fight is fighting. I won't sent our civil population out there to fight.” I answer Gwalonna's outbreak with a calm voice.

Gwalonna thinks that we Chimerans can do more than we do. This whole mess started a few hours ago when the dormant Spheres throughout the multiverse went active.

Planets are being devoured out there while we speak and there isn't much we can do. We don't have enough fighting power to cover every planet. Unfortunately we are already taking severe measures by wiping one planet after the other.

The Chimeran's fighting power comes almost completely from our crystal technology. We have very few warriors compared to the other societies. And that's what Gwallonna has problems with.

She thinks that I can order my whole planet of gods to walk out there and smite the demons like the other societies did. So it looks like we are withholding forces.

But most of our people are civilians. Even if they regained their memories, they don't have the fighting spirit to use their powers correctly. You don't just remember your previous life and are a perfect warrior from one moment to the next.

”You are welcome to go to Chimera and take a look at the people who are left there. I already asked everyone who has the confidence to take on a demon for help. The people who are left on Chimera would be just victims in front of those things.” I try to keep a calm voice.

”Gwalonna, you forget their history. You can't expect the same rate of militarisation from the Chimerans as of other societies. Most of our people have lived as gods for thousands of years. The Chimerans regained their powers only a few years ago. It could take another few centuries until they are on the same level as us. And aren't they doing more than enough with their crystal ships?” Mawu makes a calming gesture.

”That's right. I went for a walk through their cities when I was on a visit there. Most of those people are as harmless as mortals. If you put them in front of a demon, they would freeze up or run away. They are chickens. Sorry to put it like that, Angrod.” Unexpectedly Carne speaks against Gwalonna too.

”No offence taken. It's the truth. Our power comes mainly from our crystal ships. And they are all out there. We even gave those which had no crew to the Arcane Community. They had the most people who would be able to use them without much training.” I smile wryly at Gwalonna.

Chiffre scratches his cheek with his mechanical arm. ”That's true. They are very interesting pieces of technology. And they are all deployed.”

Gwalonna leans back in her chair and says nothing. It seems like she just needs something to vent her anger. But we are all feeling powerless before the current situation. There are between one and ten gods per world with a population of a few milliards.

So depending on the fighting power you need to save a single world, you have to give up quite a few others.... ranging in the hundreds to thousands.

The problem lies with the sheer number of Spheres. We grew too lazy when we thought that those things couldn't activate on their own. Now we pay the price.

Then a guard appears in the room. ”I am sorry to interrupt, but there is something that wishes to talk to you. It looks like one of those demons. It says that it has a message for you.”

”Where is it?” Zanders jumps out of his chair.

”On the plaza in front of the central tower. It just appeared there. Apparently it can use pathways...” The guard has a worried expression. No wonder. Even the lowliest guard in our society has an education above any mortal king. He can think on his own about the implications.

”If all of those things can use pathways we are in deep shit!” Miruliru disappears. She didn't wait for the obvious answers.

One after the other we follow Miruliru. So I teleport to the designated destination.

I find the plaza empty. Earlier it was buzzing with life and now there isn't a single soul to see. Except for a single demon and a group of guards around it. The demon holds a crystal sword. Probably it was looted from a fallen warrior. The demon is a little bigger than the normal ones. And it looks a lot meaner!

As our group walks closer, the demon starts to speak. ”Wonderful! Everyone is here. So we can tell you how this will work.”

”Why should we listen to a creature like you!” Carne shoots out a very undiplomatic question.

But the demon isn't irritated. ”It's easy. To save your puny multiverse! If you don't comply, we will continue to eat and corrupt the mortals until there aren't much of them left. Afterwards I will come for you!” It points at us.

”So what are your terms? And who are you?” Gwalonna asks the dreaded question.

”We are the Calamity. And It's easy again. I retread with our forces back into the black hole if you start with the monthly sacrifice of a god. Mortals aren't as filling as the Ascended. And as a bonus we want him!”The thing points at me.

”This thing is a little confused. It can't decide if it's a single entity or multiple ones....” Carne whispers to us.

”Why?” I ask while I ready myself to summon my staff.

”Because you stood in our way for long enough! Bright One! Your soul always interferes with me throughout all of your reincarnations! You are a menace! First you banished us into the black hole where we had to starve! And then you interfered with our food source until now! This will end!”The creepy thing smiles at me.

I don't like it. It looks too much like a razor claw. ”So you do starve inside that black hole? Thanks for the information! I guess if we manage to wipe your agents and familiars from the multiverse, it's your end.” This time I smile at the creepy thing.

”You hope for too much. My main-body may not be able to leave the black hole. But these familiars of us will be more than enough. We have anticipated that you won't throw your life away for others! You always sacrificed someone else in order to escape me until now. But this time we have captured something precious to you!” The thing throws the crystal sword to my feet.

It's a thin blade which is a little longer than the standard version and covered with runes. I recognize this work. I made it especially for Aengus.....

”We caught the one you call 'son' in your current reincarnation. His fiancee is in my hands too. Funny that she is one of our former agents. Maybe she will like it if we use her as a tool again. BUT..... If you sacrifice yourself, we may consider to let them go. I wonder if you have enough feelings for th...”

*STAB*

Slowly the demon looks down to its chest, where the sword embedded itself. It took me only a moment to close the distance and ram the sword into the creature.

”I will come for you. Just wait there in your safe little black hole. I will tear you apart and find the insane personalities which are responsible for your actions. Then I will create a new world for you! And there, the word HELL will take on another dimension!”