“Epani, dear, you need to relax.”
For the last three days, Epani had locked herself in the centre of the universe, fearing an attack from the one being that could genuinely permanently kill her and actually wanted to do so. Despite all her planning and scheming, despite her actions, the Life Goddess known as Kinisis, a creature that Epani was certain she had killed, was apparently making her way back to Epani’s new universe, seeking revenge.
Somehow though, her fellow deities were insisting that they could deal with the problem. Kairos had erected time shields across the weaker points in the universe’s walls, designed to freeze anything intrusive. Sini had created an organic network that monitored the universe’s horizons as an early warning system. And Arkay had been on constant patrol, travelling along the universe’s borders, destroying anything that was out of place. All that was on top of the fact that Epani had turned the universe’s outer membrane into crystalline diamond, sealing the entire universe inside an ultra hard shell.
Still, Epani didn’t feel safe. Which was why she had locked herself away, within her favourite fortress. She hadn’t even given the entrance code to Kairos and Arkay, and was changing it was every two hours. Only Sini was allowed inside, and Sini was doing her best to try and convince Epani to venture back into the universe proper, even if it was for a couple of hours. Eventually, Epani had relented, and Sini had taken her to the Gold Suite of the Great Dessaron Battle Arena, to watch a couple gladiator matches. It was one of the few mortal places in the universe that Epani had a semi-permanent portal to, and, if things did go bad, she could escape with ease.
“How can I be relaxed, Sini? Not with what is going on?”
Sini shrugged, pouring herself and Epani a drink, a simple, fruity cocktail. “Honestly, I was scared at first, but, well, we killed Kinisis before, and we didn’t have any prior warning. Arkay’s boyfriends gave us a heads up, and since Kinisis is no longer a deity like us, what’s the worst that can happen? We get some Corruption? We made Arkay more powerful so he can deal with that sort of thing.”
Epani growled, sinking into the large beanbag she was sitting in. “Kinisis is supposed to be dead. We killed her.”
“According to what you told me, you made Arkay kill her, and you didn’t even need him to do that. You could have killed Kinisis quite easily, since you’re a Life Goddess yourself. I don’t even know why you dragged little Arkay back into all of this. Even if he is somewhat happy now.”
Something abruptly pinned Sini to the wall. Epani had grabbed hold of her, her claws wrapped around the Allbirther’s neck.
“If you even CONSIDER mentioning what you just said to Arkay, I will spend the rest of this universe torturing you both. Understood?”
Sini blinked. “What the fuck is wrong with you? I’m not stupid, I know Arkay would absolutely murder the fuck out of you if he found out you never needed him. I just don’t get why.”
With a deep sigh, Epani let go of Sini and sat herself back down.
“I am sorry, sister. I should not have threatened you. The reasons why though are… complicated, and I do not wish to share them.”
“No, you really shouldn’t have threatened me!” Sini snapped back, pointing a clawed, slimy finger in Epani’s direction. “We’re in this together, the four of us. Even Arkay. He’s said so himself, repeatedly. And currently he’s out there, scouring the universe for any threats against you. Kairos is doing the same. And I’m just trying to keep you sane enough to keep things afloat. But you’re not making it easy for us. Now will you just stay down, have something to eat and drink and calm down a little bit?”
“I will. Sorry.”
Sini tutted, then sat herself down as well, turning her attention to the view outside. In the arena below, two teams of gladiators were fighting. One was a team of Temthans, one of Sini’s favoured races, but they weren’t doing too well. Sini didn’t really mind though, because there was a Temthan on the other team too, and that one was female, which, considering the differences in strength between the two Temthan genders, was pretty impressive. She was putting up one hell of a fight as well, and was in the middle of kicking the shit out of one of the male Temthans.
“I do not know why you enjoy these matches, Sini…” Epani muttered. “Your races are not very good at them.”
“My beloved Temthans are good enough. It’s not just about winning anyway, it’s about entertainment and keeping the peace. Plus, Arkay’s little team are a lot of fun to watch, and there’s one of them for each of us! A Spast, a Rethavok, a Temthan and a Skyavok!”
“Ah yes, all four of them are exiles from their own kind. Very inclusive.”
Sini rolled her eyes. “Are you going to pick apart literally everything and be miserable?”
“Yes. Not until I feel safe again. And right now, I feel absolutely terrified.”
“Well maybe you should stop being terrified and calm down. I’m concerned too, but being scared isn’t doing anyone any favours.”
Below, the crowd had abruptly gone wild. The Temthan team had attempted to use their natural poison-based weaponry to turn the opposing team against each other and they initially succeeded in driving the Rethavok crazy, to the point that they’d knocked out their Spast friend. But the Skyavok and the female Temthan had managed to force the Rethavok directly into the Temthan team. The enraged beast had single-handedly taken out all four Temthans with their bare hands, unwittingly winning the match on their lonesome.
Sini turned back to Epani, smiling cheerfully. “Your chosen race just won that match, despite being a giant brute. Does that make you feel better?”
Epani though wasn’t paying attention. She had left her seat and was staring outside, but not at the arena.
“Epani? Sister… what is wrong?”
The Panelix didn’t answer. Instead, she turned to her right, summoned a portal and abruptly disappeared, leaving Sini completely alone. However, that loneliness didn’t last long as Sini realized what Epani had been looking at.
With very little warning, the colossus, unconscious form of the mighty Whenvern fell from the sky and crashed into the arena, causing a vast amount of damage and forcing the crowds to scatter in a panic. Clinging to Kairos’s neck was a strange, ghostly white creature, with black, corrupted tendrils trailing off of it.
Not really sure what to do, Sini summoned some bony armour and a weapon for herself, then reached for her godly communicator. On it was an unread message.
“Yeah, I know, I’ll be there in a second. Just hold on and don’t let her get close to you…”