//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Master of the shadows // Story: The Watcher: Rise of the Purveyor // by GnollReader //------------------------------// Zaeres silently observed the large council chamber, watching and hidden from sight as the different deities finally took their seats. The seats were aligned within the circular chamber according to the different ages of the deities, their height showing their ranks among one another. Ranks corresponding to age... what a curious thought. It only served to delude which of the deities held real power or influence, at least when it came to the younger ones. At the top, with his massive form seated higher than all the other deities he saw Nithhogr. There was no doubt in his mind that it was the old dragon who had placed the empty seat next and slightly above his own. It seemed that Nithhogr was enjoying the confusion it spread among the younger deities, and it reminded the purveyor to be careful of the old dragon's desire for entertainment. His gaze traveled lower, there was Celestia and her sister, Luna... he remembered a time when Discord's seat was still next to theirs. The purveyor searched their faces; they seemed anxious at what was about to take place, even more so since Nithhogr seemed to be aware of their intent. It would undoubtedly give rise to more questions from Celestia, but that was not his concern now. Zaeres let his eyes travel down further. There was Chrysalis, her mere presence a cause of discontent for him. He would watch her actions very carefully, and he would not hesitate to bring her down should she become a threat for his work. The same went for Anathis, who was seated slightly below the changeling queen. The griffon deity never had been one to easily accept those who would threaten her own feeling of superiority... he would choose his words accordingly. The purveyor continued to observe the remaining deities. There was Strongwill, king of the minotaurs... and unlike what the rest of the world believed, he was among the few the purveyor actually considered as wise. The old minotaur was not one to step back from a fight if there was the need, but in his age he had enough wisdom to put his own pride aside if it would serve peace. The ruler of the stags... present, and still as impassive to the world around him as always. The dog father, seated apart from the other deities so no one would feel tempted to smite him and likely to look for any chance to make a profit from whatever would happen here today. Even lower, at the bottom of the chamber the purveyor could see the youngest of the deities mingle among one another. Fin'gre, self-proclaimed protector of the Firelight Woods and closest to the Barrier, but not of interest for Zaeres. Fin'gre neither had the power nor the drive to be of concern for him. If anything, the purveyor considered him more of a bard than an actual deity. Kalseru was among them as well, and the young dragon looked extremely nervous. It seemed their last encounter had left quite an impression on her. He wondered if he could use her to his advantage. When the old dragon finally did leave this world, and if he would see to it that she was the one to take his place... a promising thought... He would keep a sharp eye on her development in the future. He stopped his identification of the younger deities, even though they were allowed to be present during the councils their words seldom had an influence on what was passed during them. They were young, and most had no rule of their own... they were unlikely to bother his work. A small bell sounded through the large chamber, the council was about to begin. When the deities had finally settled down, Celestia was the first to raise her voice. "I welcome you all to this meeting of the council. I understand that my notice was short, and I thank you all for coming nonetheless." She bowed her head slightly and many of the deities nodded. After all, since she was the host of this council, it was expected of her to make this statement. Celestia continued, "As is tradition, I will now give the word to the oldest council member." She turned to Nithhogr. The old dragon gave a short nod and passed Celestia a small smile as the other deities turned their attentions to him. Hidden inside the void, the purveyor couldn't help but chuckle at his display. Nithhogr always did enjoy it when he had an attentive audience. "Thank you, Celestia." His deep voice traveled through the air as he turned to the deities below, "Some of you may have already realized that this council is very special indeed." He gave Celestia a knowing look, to which she replied with a small frown. "And I think that all of you are wondering by now..." he pointed to the seat above him, "Who will take place on this seat?" Several of the younger deities murmured to one another in response. "You placed it there?" Anathis asked with a glare. "What are you planning? We all know that you are the oldest deity. Is it the death day of some long forgotten ancient god or are you simply playing games with us?" "It is none of those," Nithhogr chuckled, ignoring her lack of respect for the moment. "And you are wrong, little griffon. I am not the oldest of the deities." He turned to Celestia. "Don't you agree?" For a single, short moment, Celestia seemed startled by his question. But then, realization spread over her features. "You know of him?" "What is the meaning of this?" Chrysalis spoke up with impatience. "Who are you talking about? Explain yourselves!" The old dragon turned his huge head towards her, and even though there was a good distance between them she could feel his sharp, golden eyes bore into her own. "There is a presence in this world older than any of us. I have always suspected it, felt it watch over us... and it was only recently that this suspicion was confirmed." He paused. "Now that I see you with my own eyes though, I realize that I am not the only one aware of this." He chuckled softly. Nithhogr turned his head towards the alicorn sisters. "I see it behind your eyes... you have met him, seen him in his full glory... and he has left his mark on you." He turned back to Chrysalis and his voice became grave, "Just as he left his mark on you, queen of the changelings. Do you realize now, whose seat this is? Search your fears... and you will understand." Chrysalis stared at him, seemingly at a loss for words. Then, her expression turned into one of pure horror. "No!" her voice was nothing but a fierce whisper, but in the quiet chamber it could still be heard clearly. "No! You are lying! It cannot be! I refuse to believe you even for a moment that-" "That I am still watching?" a hollow voice echoed through the chamber, making the deities turn their heads in surprise and Chrysalis freeze with an expression of pure terror. "Do you really fear me so much that you are willing to deny my existence?" Down below, Kalseru felt a shiver run down her spine as she recognized the voice that had haunted her dreams for these last days. Up on his seat, Nithhogr was smiling. "Who is that?" Anathis whirled around in her seat, trying to find the source of the voice. She froze though, as she saw the shadows on the walls start to move. Just like her, the other deities watched as the shadows detached from the walls and started to collect themselves at the bottom of the chamber, the younger deities quickly backing up as the ball of swirling darkness started to grow and move faster. "I have many names," the empty voice spoke from the roaring darkness. "Some given to me by others, some I gave to myself." As the voice spoke, the deities felt a presence unlike anything they had ever witnessed before weigh down upon them, and countless whispers in an unknown language filled the air inside the chamber. Slowly, a red tinge started to spread in the shadows... and before the deities' eyes, a black mask of polished glass started to move forth from the impenetrable darkness. Above, queen Chrysalis looked like she was ready to scream. "The dragons have a name for what I am: Dorchadas, they call me." The purveyor spoke as he finally stepped forward and into the open, the shadows on his form swaying softly with his words as the whirlpool of darkness fell apart behind him and his voice returned to its old form. "I am the void."