The run-down church we know so well looks strangely lively tonight. Men and women in red flowing robes march around, and inside its ruined walls. They seem restless but determined, never stopping to converse with each other and remaining in complete silence. The night is quiet and the air is heavy with dark omens. Suddenly a gargled cry can be heard, but is immediately stopped… a flash of red light hits the sooted and broken windows… and it's soon gone.
Inside, near the ever-bloody fountain, Zartanna floats gently above a congregation of her most trusted followers. She seems lost in thought, almost serene, contrasting sharply with her minions' attitude. Arch-Bishop Shaft appears specially wrought with despair.
Finally, the ghastly child raises her head and speaks. The wailing has descended to an almost whispering but still shrill tone.
Ah… it is as I had foretold. The lesser kingdoms… they have united against us.
*
nervous* Lesser? That's not… that's not the word I would use to describe their armies, your Highness…
*
smiles weakly* They are numerous, yes. The lizards come from the West. They number in the thousands, their mails glittering in the desert sun…
*
muttering* Stinkin' of embalming fluid, those vipers…
And what of the atlantians, my Lady? They promised to help us!
At this, Zartanna laughs heartily. It sounds as if someone made a cat swallow a bag of crushed glass and then kicked it dowstairs.
Hahahaha…! Truly, Shaft? Did you truly believe those… slimy toads? Did you think they would honor their promises of aid?
*
stubborn* But… my Lady… their envoy said…
You mean the little frog who gave me this? *
she produces some sort of sculpture, a crude carving of what seems to be a woman holding hands with a bipedal amphibian* You mortals are so amusing. They never meant to help us, foolish little man. He is… infatuated with me, somehow. He's not the first, nor will be the last.
*
whispering* I… thought it meant something…
Shut up. This is about to get interesting.
Forgive me, my Lady… what about the princes of Bogarus?
They have sent their winged spies to our fortresses, but they will not risk a confrontation with Atlantis. They are biding their time. I have recently learned that they negotiated a truce that saved the capital of Man from being sieged by the frogs.
I see. Thank you, my Lady.
And… what about Man? We used to…
They will be next. They have found a dependable ally, but there can only be one atop the Pantokrator's Throne. Perhaps they will be allowed to live the remainder of their days… in sad contemplation of what could have been.
She pauses and sighs.
...No, my mortal, flawed, and oh so weak followers. We are all alone, like we always have been. The Covenant we have held is about to be sundered under a tide of unworthy flesh and reanimated bones. *
she falls silent again, seemingly hearing something in the distance. Her smile widens as she continues* Samael has been freed from his prison, and he's in debt to the powers that made it possible. The Wheel is moving faster.
*
whistles appreciatively* Samael? Are you sure?
That is what has precipitated this state of affairs. The weaklings are afraid, and with good reason. First it was Igarak… and now Marignon has bound a fallen angel to their service. The skies will be torn asunder and the mountains will roll into the plains... *
she sighs lustfully* Would that I were here to see it.
*
shakes visibly, repressing some strong emotion* But… my Lady… I thought YOU were the most powerful blood mage in all of Valanis. Why is that…
You doubt my powers, Shaft? *
her smile vanishes* A child could tell you that is not a wise course of action. I AM the most powerful practitioner of blood magic in this forsaken rock.
*
desperate* Then… why? Why, my Lady? Why is it that it was not YOU who summoned the Arch Devil? Why have you let us to be surrounded by those degenerate creatures? We are going to die, and all will be for naught!
Zartanna doesn't answer. Though blind, she appears to be looking in the direction of the Arch-Bishop, as if sizing him up.
*
the lack of a response seems to rile the already-agitated Arch-Bishop even more* Answer me, Zartanna! Why have you come? Weren't you going to lead us to an age of glory and dominance over the rest of the kingdoms and races? To raise Ulm to its proper standing? Weren't we fit to rule all of Valanis?
The bloody girl frowns slightly, which causes Lyuba to take an involuntary step back. Arch-Bishop Shaft continues his rant.
Was it all a mere fantasy? Were you lying, Zartanna? We… I have worked for YEARS to make it possible for you to return to this world. You promised us… you promised ME! Ulm was going to rise above every other aspirant to the Pantokrator's Throne! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, YOU WERE GOING TO SIT ON THAT THR-ACK!
Without another word, the Arch-Bishop falls to his knees. His mouth is still open, but no sound comes out. Trembling convulsively, he raises a hand towards Zartanna and slumps to the ground with a muffled noise like a wet bag. The rest of the attendants look at him and then to the bloody child floating in the air above. When she finally speaks, her voice is as needles piercing their eardrums, pouring some vile concoction on their brains.
Listen well, frail creatures. Clearly, mistakes have been made. First and foremost, this pathetic bag of flesh trembling on the ground was never qualified to become the Covenant's most trusted leader, the Prophet of Zartanna the Wicked. Though he might have summoned me… that is the full extent of his usefulness. He will continue to serve until his body breaks, and then we will appoint another Prophet… IF you are still alive by then.
Nobody says a word. The air is foul with the bloody vapors rising from the fountain.
You are all destined for death, since the day you opened your eyes. You are weak, frail, imperfect creatures bereft of the makings of true greatness. You will serve our kind for many more cycles before any of you has any chance to trascend into something… more. You look at us, never quite grasping what makes us different. And you will never find out, until you abandon your lowly, earthly concerns… such as the fear of death.
Enemies surround us from all sides. Our forces are few and stationed far away from the capital. We have no chance, absolutely no chance of winning this war. *
she raises a clenched fist* And you are going to die, make no mistake. But if you believe in what I just said, if you have really actually LEARNED something from my teachings, from studying the Covenant… you know that you are Blood, and to Blood you shall return. It is a symbol, a cleansing, a renewal.
Zartanna raises her voice and a horrible wailing pervades the air. Tortured souls seem to echo her every word and resonate within every attendant's own.
We shall FEAST ON THEIR BLOOD as they will FEAST UPON OURS. This is the beginning and the end of all purpose, the reason you mortals exist: YOU WILL DIE FOR ME, FOR I WILL SATE MY THIRST WITH THE CARNAGE YOU WILL WREAK IN MY NAME. *
throwing her hands forward, she raises her head and screams* GO AND DIE FOR ZARTANNA!
*entranced* YES, MY LADY!
Everybody leaves quickly, walking with newfound resolution. Everybody but the tall, pale man in formal dress, who approaches Zartanna with a casual gait and a smile.
I see you haven't lost your touch.
They will serve their purpose. Ulm is finished. But I can still have some fun before returning to the Abyss.
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. That little frog seemed really interested in you, you know…?
Don't be ridiculous and help me. Let us delay the inevitable. Fetch Brauner and Olrox… we are going to need them.
*
shrugs, still smiling* As you wish. I see I was right to come… it's never boring around you, dear.
gentleman and I value my word!
I feel like shit. You had to post dat song. Why dat song!? Sorry Zephyr...
