Dragonball M, Chapter 4: Kidnapping! Invasion! A new Threat Strikes First!

[grampagen]

Seri cocked her head yet again. Someone who... leads?

Her brow furrowed in thought as she processed the idea. "...you mean like what Mato and now Queen Sarada did for us? Um, well, it makes sense, and if Neva wants to try to do that, then I'll help however I can. Um, once I think of those ways."

Ochazuke nodded. Despite the characteristic eagerness to lean towards a fight, Seri seemed to understand.

"Sometimes, it will tax a warrior far more to not use her strength. Standing up for what is right means more than removing the ones you find undesirable. If you know they are wrong, then you have a duty to show them what is right. And that is a far more difficult thing."

Trying times, however, tempered the dedication to ideals. They would see shortly if Seri was truly the Stupendous hero she strived to be.

Nevanlinna did indeed wish to show her people a 'different way', but even with Auroc's meddling, it would be a long and arduous process to ingrain such ideals into the bulk of the population. If only because Threshling lifespans were measured in centuries, and thus, were slow to change their ways, at times. There was a saying among her people, and grim as it was, she felt it held true for most species.

'Progress comes one death at a time.'

One might interpret it as a call to... cleansing, and some did indeed interpret it that way, but she saw it as mere recognition that Elder--those who typically lead society--are often set in their ways, and thus new ideas would only gain a foothold once advocates of old, outmoded ideas had passed from the mortal coil.

"I have numerous ideas as to how to approach that... but this is not the time for discussing those," said Nevanlinna. Never mind that the details of such would certainly bore a child, much less a saiyan child. Regardless, she would likely have considerably less freedom in the future. "But... thank you for being here for me, Seri. I appreciate it, truly."

The young saiyaness gave Neva a wide smile. "hehe, of course. Now I'm gonna go get a bit of training in... maybe talk to Parsley and show her how strong I've gotten, too!" And with that, Seri meandered off.

"...something to show them there's another way, huh. Easier said than done... but nothing worth doing is ever 'easy', I suppose." She turned to Ochazuke. "Well then, are there any other matters you wish to discuss with me?"

"You, Parsley and Inanna have each said something about a company of Golden Knights. How much does your Royal Court value the lives of your nobility?"

Auroc's elite, thrice stripped of their blessing, Cracks in the godly veneer started to form.

"Who better than the bearers of Auroc's standard to send a message?"

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

"More than that, he was the one who oversaw the conversion. Again. And again. When we enountered him, the only terms he'd offer opposition were surrender or assimilation."

As he looked up towards Inanna, the malice displayed within the Oni's grin gave Ochazuke pause. Along with the expansion of her formidable frame, just how much had the Ishtar he'd known held restrained beneath the black fire?

"Perhaps it is as much as they deserve. But Threshling though they may be, they are not ours to torment," he said. "The Herald served without compulsion. Perhaps he is truly on nobody's side, but whomever that allows his parasitic existence to thrive."

The strong purge the weak, but festering in their shadows were always calculating opportunists. And though Lord Blacktongue had commodified the worship of the Turned Converts, Held and Zaofan showed him swiftly the folly of empty prayer before he'd sealed his power.

"On Baradur he was prepared to wear Auroc's vestments in victory. So shall he in defeat. No, he will not merely watch. I have a better use for him."

Inanna's grin widened.

"Few things I hate more than False Prophets. Fewer still False Prophets to False Gods..." There was a pause as the woman seemed to be searching her thoughts for some memory; but it didn't last long. "So long as Blacktongue is made to bear witness in the end; as I strip from him the Lord he so zealously serves... I suppose the means to that end are of little concern~"

She'd found the fuel she'd needed from Held after all, Blacktongue's suffering was merely a drop in the ocean.

"Glad to see you've kept that steely resolve of yours however. Will be useful in the upheavals to come; especially what's to follow this... trifling affair." Inanna certainly didn't see Auroc as near as much of a threat as what was coming, something she clarified rather quickly. "An old friend of yours, Koorimaru, has returned... and he means to reawaken my predecessor~"

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

The Nevadian Navigator's eye narrowed, and the thin lips on his deathly pale face stretched.

"It'll take more than that if you want to find the way there, sweetheart," Ulysses replied, "After all, we can't all trifle and take our credit from someone else's discoveries."

He smirked, and cocked his head in such a manner that his eyepatch seemed to conceal a wink. "But since you just so happen to be operating under the Admiral, consider this one pro-bono on his behalf. If your ships can escort mine, we'll take you to Reshlan. Once we get there, the rest of it is up to you. Our ship isn't worth spit in a fight, but we'll stay ready for emergency evac."



"See that you are as good as your word," Ochazuke said, "and do not cross him, Hilda, or test me."

True to the course of the current mission to snuff out the glaring Eye of Auroc, it was with a short weariness that Ochazuke addressed yet another clandestine watcher come to dictate the fate of a friend. From the former belligerent Toh-Magoh and the Crimson Cloak of Hokuto shinken over Zaofan, to the mysterious manifestation of Islay fawning over the feuding blood of Rex within Charco's Ogatan lineage, there seemed to be no end to those who had plots within plots for their eclectic company.

Concealed presences, unseen. For better or for worse, he'd had an uncanny streak of finding them, regardless.

Still, the information Hilda brought with her was some rather troubling news. Majin-kind are an artificial creation then? If we survive Reshlan, perhaps Taltok will be next in our immediate future.



"More than that, he was the one who oversaw the conversion. Again. And again. When we enountered him, the only terms he'd offer opposition were surrender or assimilation."

As he looked up towards Inanna, the malice displayed within the Oni's grin gave Ochazuke pause. Along with the expansion of her formidable frame, just how much had the Ishtar he'd known held restrained beneath the black fire?

"Perhaps it is as much as they deserve. But Threshling though they may be, they are not ours to torment," he said. "The Herald served without compulsion. Perhaps he is truly on nobody's side, but whomever that allows his parasitic existence to thrive."

The strong purge the weak, but festering in their shadows were always calculating opportunists. And though Lord Blacktongue had commodified the worship of the Turned Converts, Held and Zaofan showed him swiftly the folly of empty prayer before he'd sealed his power.

"On Baradur he was prepared to wear Auroc's vestments in victory. So shall he in defeat. No, he will not merely watch. I have a better use for him."

Hilda nods, and between eye blinks, she steps sideways and vanishes from amongst the group.

[Tami]

Hilda nods, and between eye blinks, she steps sideways and vanishes from amongst the group.

Watching her leave, Dash looked on, impressed by the way Hilda exited, "Dang, Ah wish ah could do that trick." she softly spoke her thoughts out loud then went silent again real quick.

[grampagen]

Inanna's grin widened.

"Few things I hate more than False Prophets. Fewer still False Prophets to False Gods..." There was a pause as the woman seemed to be searching her thoughts for some memory; but it didn't last long. "So long as Blacktongue is made to bear witness in the end; as I strip from him the Lord he so zealously serves... I suppose the means to that end are of little concern~"

She'd found the fuel she'd needed from Held after all, Blacktongue's suffering was merely a drop in the ocean.

"Glad to see you've kept that steely resolve of yours however. Will be useful in the upheavals to come; especially what's to follow this... trifling affair." Inanna certainly didn't see Auroc as near as much of a threat as what was coming, something she clarified rather quickly. "An old friend of yours, Koorimaru, has returned... and he means to reawaken my predecessor~"

Silence penetrated Ochazuke, and for a split-second he uttered no reply, save for the concealed grinding of teeth.

"...I might have known he would not be contented, even with a wish for his heart's desire."

Five years ago Ochazuke had fought Koorimaru in the heart of the Capsule Corporation Geofront, a duel to the death disguised as a spar. In the aftermath of Nunlil's arrival and the emergence of that festering, poisonous beast he'd swiftly put down, there was yet another enemy in their midst who sought his moment. Though their clash had shattered the mountain and reduced the bio-dome fortress to ashen splinters, Ochazuke had made it adamantly clear that it would not be that day.

And yet in the time they'd shared mutual company, even through the training of the Guardian's hand, the Arcosian boasted that he had still remained diminished from what he once was.

"...being granted anything was not enough," he seethed. "I might hazard a guess that he's now set his sights on everything, and a Destroyer would be his means to do it?"

Folding his arms, he blinked hard with a low, sighing breath out.

"More's the pity for ancient grudges and long-dead godlings. For now, let's strike this pretender from the board."

[Sub-Zero MKA]

The Nevadian Navigator's eye narrowed, and the thin lips on his deathly pale face stretched.

"It'll take more than that if you want to find the way there, sweetheart," Ulysses replied, "After all, we can't all trifle and take our credit from someone else's discoveries."

He smirked, and cocked his head in such a manner that his eyepatch seemed to conceal a wink. "But since you just so happen to be operating under the Admiral, consider this one pro-bono on his behalf. If your ships can escort mine, we'll take you to Reshlan. Once we get there, the rest of it is up to you. Our ship isn't worth spit in a fight, but we'll stay ready for emergency evac."

"Your generosity is overwhelming," Parsley replied dryly. She turned her back on the man, and just so happened to notice that Seri was walking toward her.

The girl's power hadn't escaped her notice. It was close to, if not on par with Pinach's newfound power after exiting the RoSaT. It was curious. Just how strong was this girl, and how much stronger would she get if she had a real teacher who knew what they were talking about, as opposed to training on her own or, she assumed, with her parent. Parsley was curious to find out.

She was young, no older than ten at the most. With the proper training and guidance, her power could grow to rival even that of her own or Sarada's.

"Get over here," she said.

Silence penetrated Ochazuke, and for a split-second he uttered no reply, save for the concealed grinding of teeth.

"...I might have known he would not be contented, even with a wish for his heart's desire."

Five years ago Ochazuke had fought Koorimaru in the heart of the Capsule Corporation Geofront, a duel to the death disguised as a spar. In the aftermath of Nunlil's arrival and the emergence of that festering, poisonous beast he'd swiftly put down, there was yet another enemy in their midst who sought his moment. Though their clash had shattered the mountain and reduced the bio-dome fortress to ashen splinters, Ochazuke had made it adamantly clear that it would not be that day.

And yet in the time they'd shared mutual company, even through the training of the Guardian's hand, the Arcosian boasted that he had still remained diminished from what he once was.

"...being granted anything was not enough," he seethed. "I might hazard a guess that he's now set his sights on everything, and a Destroyer would be his means to do it?"

Folding his arms, he blinked hard with a low, sighing breath out.

"More's the pity for ancient grudges and long-dead godlings. For now, let's strike this pretender from the board."

Before she could say another word to Seri, she overheard Ochazuke and Inanna conversing about this Koorimaru, the sniveling little piss-ant of embarrassing fame. Brought low by some unknown means - though there were myriad rumors swirling in regards to his downfall. It seemed that in the interim after his restoration, the thirst for more power overtook him, as was often the case with his race. Greed, of any sort, was a racial trait with those people, it seemed.

"From what I understand, this Koorimaru is nothing more than a pawn in this ploy. The only entity that stands to gain anything from his victory is Inanna's predecessor." She snorted. "The only thing Koorimaru will earn is a swift death"

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

Silence penetrated Ochazuke, and for a split-second he uttered no reply, save for the concealed grinding of teeth.

"...I might have known he would not be contented, even with a wish for his heart's desire."

Five years ago Ochazuke had fought Koorimaru in the heart of the Capsule Corporation Geofront, a duel to the death disguised as a spar. In the aftermath of Nunlil's arrival and the emergence of that festering, poisonous beast he'd swiftly put down, there was yet another enemy in their midst who sought his moment. Though their clash had shattered the mountain and reduced the bio-dome fortress to ashen splinters, Ochazuke had made it adamantly clear that it would not be that day.

And yet in the time they'd shared mutual company, even through the training of the Guardian's hand, the Arcosian boasted that he had still remained diminished from what he once was.

"...being granted anything was not enough," he seethed. "I might hazard a guess that he's now set his sights on everything, and a Destroyer would be his means to do it?"

Folding his arms, he blinked hard with a low, sighing breath out.

"More's the pity for ancient grudges and long-dead godlings. For now, let's strike this pretender from the board."

Inanna tilted her head, before a rather whimsical sigh let slip from her slightly parted lips. "I should think you might pity the boy, Koorimaru that is... Ohohohohohoho~" Mimicry and mockery aside the bemusement was almost certainly an act; as the joviality never reached Inanna's eyes. "Bit off more than he could chew, as the Chef might say. Let in- and out- something that very well should've been left to rot and die. Something that's festered for one-hundred thousand years and has seen a path that had once been hidden."

Inanna offered Ochazuke a dry chuckle.

"Consider, what might have happened had Asha'rah- we all know the one- stumbled into the power to succeed where she otherwise failed... in that Halfwit War?" She'd knocked down the walls of High Heaven, only to be laid low with a gesture. How close she'd already come- even knowing she'd fall short at the final hurdle. "A mite more power, a modicum more resolve; and no telling what shape the Universes might've taken... guided by the hand of the Goddess of Rot." Musing more to herself- and aloud- than directing her comments at Ochazuke, the Oni-that-Was blinked and shook her head. Only for the look of introspection to be replaced quickly by a look of passing... concern?

"Ah... forgive me." Inanna said with another dry chuckle. "I seem to have lost focus over what amounts to little more than a thought exercise... I believe we've a Pretender to break."

With that, Inanna offered the man a quick wave before departing for Reshlan.

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

"Your generosity is overwhelming," Parsley replied dryly. She turned her back on the man, and just so happened to notice that Seri was walking toward her.

The girl's power hadn't escaped her notice. It was close to, if not on par with Pinach's newfound power after exiting the RoSaT. It was curious. Just how strong was this girl, and how much stronger would she get if she had a real teacher who knew what they were talking about, as opposed to training on her own or, she assumed, with her parent. Parsley was curious to find out.

She was young, no older than ten at the most. With the proper training and guidance, her power could grow to rival even that of her own or Sarada's.

"Get over here," she said.



Before she could say another word to Seri, she overheard Ochazuke and Inanna conversing about this Koorimaru, the sniveling little piss-ant of embarrassing fame. Brought low by some unknown means - though there were myriad rumors swirling in regards to his downfall. It seemed that in the interim after his restoration, the thirst for more power overtook him, as was often the case with his race. Greed, of any sort, was a racial trait with those people, it seemed.

"From what I understand, this Koorimaru is nothing more than a pawn in this ploy. The only entity that stands to gain anything from his victory is Inanna's predecessor." She snorted. "The only thing Koorimaru will earn is a swift death"

Ah! Parsley'd noticed her and wanted to talk! Hehe, awesome!

She quickened her pace, giggling. When she reached the older saiyaness, she excitedly looked her over.

"Wow, you've gotten so strong since we last met!" Seri wasn't just speaking of Parsley's relatively relaxed level of power, but something deeper. She could sort of sense that that when she pulled out all the stops, she was probably the strongest one here. "Hey, hey, you're a super saiyan, right? You've gotta be!"

She believed Parsley was because, well... she and the Queen were kinda rivals--friendly ones, but still rivals--and of course Parsley wouldn't let herself fall behind with something as iconic and legendary as the Super Saiyan form!

[Tami]

Silence penetrated Ochazuke, and for a split-second he uttered no reply, save for the concealed grinding of teeth.

"...I might have known he would not be contented, even with a wish for his heart's desire."

Five years ago Ochazuke had fought Koorimaru in the heart of the Capsule Corporation Geofront, a duel to the death disguised as a spar. In the aftermath of Nunlil's arrival and the emergence of that festering, poisonous beast he'd swiftly put down, there was yet another enemy in their midst who sought his moment. Though their clash had shattered the mountain and reduced the bio-dome fortress to ashen splinters, Ochazuke had made it adamantly clear that it would not be that day.

And yet in the time they'd shared mutual company, even through the training of the Guardian's hand, the Arcosian boasted that he had still remained diminished from what he once was.

"...being granted anything was not enough," he seethed. "I might hazard a guess that he's now set his sights on everything, and a Destroyer would be his means to do it?"

Folding his arms, he blinked hard with a low, sighing breath out.

"More's the pity for ancient grudges and long-dead godlings. For now, let's strike this pretender from the board."

"Anyone know what's the game plan? Ah hear a lot of talk, but not much action."

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

Ochazuke nodded. Despite the characteristic eagerness to lean towards a fight, Seri seemed to understand.

"Sometimes, it will tax a warrior far more to not use her strength. Standing up for what is right means more than removing the ones you find undesirable. If you know they are wrong, then you have a duty to show them what is right. And that is a far more difficult thing."

Trying times, however, tempered the dedication to ideals. They would see shortly if Seri was truly the Stupendous hero she strived to be.



"You, Parsley and Inanna have each said something about a company of Golden Knights. How much does your Royal Court value the lives of your nobility?"

Auroc's elite, thrice stripped of their blessing, Cracks in the godly veneer started to form.

"Who better than the bearers of Auroc's standard to send a message?"

"They value them far more than the common soldier, and especially the commoners. Knights, even the Bronzes, even more so," said Nevanlinna. "We've a few Golds on our side even now... they may be able to sway those that would be willing to listen, as well as those willing to be saved. And the golds that prove recalcitrant... well, seeing them fall may weaken or even break the morale of those they lead, at the least."

Individually, they had the advantage, but quantity was a quality all of its own... and thus, converting soldiers to their side or demoralizing them would be needed, she felt.

[grampagen]

Slowly as details filtered in about the silent planet under the thrall of the Hermit God, Ochazuke had taken great care to consider the proposals and contributions of each member of their team, poring over the details of what they had discussed.

Oh, one of the other Earthlings chipped in. Not with much, but what she spoke of was possible, though...

"Possible, though in my estimation Auroc would simply opt to dominate them with his... goo, rather than kill them. He wants to rule over an Empire of adoring subjects, not an Empire of Dust, after all."

Too bad she wouldn't allow him to rule over an empire at all.


"Golds are relatively few in numbers, and some have already been freed and become our allies. Inanna seems quite capable of purging Auroc's taint from them, and even I, with... considerable effort can manage the same. Certainly, we'll be able to free some of them, diminishing Auroc's forces while bolstering our own, but... I am uncertain as to how many are fanatics and how many are slaves."

"The Faith Militant, as you put it, are for the most part based in the Capital, though there are garrisons in most major settlements. Those are typically headed by silvers or particularly prominent Bronzes, though regional commands are almost always manned by a Gold. Priests and Priestesses are present in great numbers. Even the most remote backwater will have at least one, and every Garrison commander will have a hierophant attached to them, to assist in ensuring theological compliance on their part, as well as their forces and... charges. And to provide support in battle, if needed."

Nevanlinna chuckled. "...to add a bit of levity to the situation, these individuals are often referred to as 'pocket priests' when out of earshot. At least by the less... orthodox among us."

"However, to more directly answer your question... any in the Capital that would otherwise be amenable to us will either be too weak and frightened to openly support us, or require the false god's taint to be purged, the rest fanatics. Knights whose loyalty and faith are in doubt are typically assigned to more remote, unimportant garrisons, typically in a manner that prevents them from organizing and cooperating with other dissidents. Some, such as Luop, are outright sent off-planet. Fomenting dissent on planet is a viable strategy... but the longer we tarry, the more powerful Auroc becomes, so we may simply have to try to decapitate the leadership with a swift, sudden strike, before he grows too powerful."

She sighed in exasperation. "Not an ideal plan, but I believe we're capable of pulling it off. Furthermore, Vaikuntha will allow the tired and injured to recover much, much more quickly than they would otherwise, so our forces are comparatively... self-renewing, one might say.".

"We'll need to show your people that there is more than living in the shadow of fear," Ochazuke said, "After all, you've survived this long apart from Auroc's influence. They're waiting to see it can be done, only they've never been shown another way."

Still thumbing his chin, he looked over to the Threshling princess directly.

"Therefore, I propose a two-pronged strike on your capiral. One at the head, the other at the heart."

"Auroc feeds off of the people just as well as they draw upon him as a source of magical power. If he must prioritize defending himself, his knights are only partially empowered, and his priests entirely defanged without worship."

The prayer atop the pyramid, fueled by the belief of devotees locked in mindless devoted prayer earlier had gone unanswered, after all; with Nevanlinna, Parsley, and Inanna's arrival and subsequent explanation, it suddenly made sense, as did Anula's ineffectuality when she was isolated on Earth.

"There's hardly a swifter way to show faithful ones the fallibility of a vain god than to force him to abandon his flock. That will destabilize the structure, and then..."

A two-pronged attack at the 'head' and 'heart'... hm, yes, she quite liked the idea. The faith of her people was great, but not unshakeable, for the most part. She would have commented further, but that was when Seri chose to interject, leading to, as expect, a probing question from the Earthling.

"Their defenses are that formidable, eh?" He exhaled deeply, "I suppose it can't be too surprising. They went to these lengths to stay hidden and undiscovered; It stands to reason that they would be have a second layer of defense, just in case....Although, I though Auroc was so conceited he couldn't fathom the possibility...."

I guess he has atleast halfway decent advisors....Or doesn't concern himself with the less important details, perhaps?

"Well, I suppose taking the whole fleet is out of the question then....I don't think your ships were outfitted for raids of this nature..." Held nodded to himself as he made an assessment, "Although truthfully, I'm not sure I would do so anyways, with the power of our enemy still relatively unknown...."



Held tilted his head, looking over the ships. They seemed...Simplistic. Not bad by any means, but hardly the type of space craft suited to either embark on a siege, or a swift, masterful penetration into the enemies treasured world.

Still, looks were often deceiving.

"And you're certain these are up to the task?" Held inquired, more curious as to their abilities, than doubting Inanna's assessment. "I'm not entirely comfortable putting my men into ships that neither I, nor they can vouch for...."

He shrugged, before turning back to Ulysses for a moment. "Do you have any suggestions? I think it may be best for you and your men to hang back, as we act as the vanguard. With some luck, we can make it fairly far into enemy territory, and do what needs to be done. If you were to follow up a bit later, and skirmish with the enemy, it may just distract them enough to not try and interfere with events on Reshlan..."

He exhaled deeply, still in thought. "Then again, It might be easier to simply mount the fleet in force and attempt to sneak in during the chaos....But as I said, I'm not entirely aware of the enemy capabilities, and, if nothing else, the Threshlings are formidable...."

Huh. Almost forgot. It's a waste of time, I'm sure, but....Well, due intelligence, and all that.

"I assume our captives had no helpful advice to impart?"

"I'm sure this Blacktongue bent the knee willingly, considering he was likely privy to Auroc's method of... conversion. A downpour of Bile down the gullet." Inanna said with a chuckle, as she turned towards more amusing- for the moment- conversation.

"These... Faithful, however. Still alive? Inanna asked calmly, before grinning. "I'd like to bring them with me, if so. Blacktongue in particular. I want him to watch." No illusions. No facade of civility. Inanna was not Ishtar, and the emphasis placed on those five words?

Inanna would enjoy watching Blacktongue suffer.

The Nevadian Navigator's eye narrowed, and the thin lips on his deathly pale face stretched.

"It'll take more than that if you want to find the way there, sweetheart," Ulysses replied, "After all, we can't all trifle and take our credit from someone else's discoveries."

He smirked, and cocked his head in such a manner that his eyepatch seemed to conceal a wink. "But since you just so happen to be operating under the Admiral, consider this one pro-bono on his behalf. If your ships can escort mine, we'll take you to Reshlan. Once we get there, the rest of it is up to you. Our ship isn't worth spit in a fight, but we'll stay ready for emergency evac."

What they knew of their enemy and their stronghold had been more than the figments gleaned from the spectacle Jagam and Anula had brought to Earth so many years ago. With Nevanlinna willing to oversee this change of power from the voracious god-king, a strategy had formed.

Yet there was impatience in a voice from the background. Somebody who had been content to follow along until some opportunity presented itself.

"Anyone know what's the game plan? Ah hear a lot of talk, but not much action."

Slowly, Ochazuke lowered his head, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"Then spread your wings, Pegasus, and fly off to Reshlan." he said. "You alone must know the way if you are so eager to dole out such judgment, to decide who should die and who ought to live, upon this world you know little about...save that it is the home of enemy and ally alike."

A sidelong glance through narrow, tired eyes fell on her briefly.

"Swift judgment. Is that all you can give them after three years of training? Is this how you choose to represent your clan?"

He shook his head.

"You have much to learn. For all the talk you heard, you did not listen." he concluded. "But if battle is all you want, then we will move out shortly. Go collect Praxat and prepare yourself for it."

[Tami]

Slowly as details filtered in about the silent planet under the thrall of the Hermit God, Ochazuke had taken great care to consider the proposals and contributions of each member of their team, poring over the details of what they had discussed.













What they knew of their enemy and their stronghold had been more than the figments gleaned from the spectacle Jagam and Anula had brought to Earth so many years ago. With Nevanlinna willing to oversee this change of power from the voracious god-king, a strategy had formed.

Yet there was impatience in a voice from the background. Somebody who had been content to follow along until some opportunity presented itself.



Slowly, Ochazuke lowered his head, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"Then spread your wings, Pegasus, and fly off to Reshlan." he said. "You alone must know the way if you are so eager to dole out such judgment, to decide who should die and who ought to live, upon this world you know little about...save that it is the home of enemy and ally alike."

A sidelong glance through narrow, tired eyes fell on her briefly.

"Swift judgment. Is that all you can give them after three years of training? Is this how you choose to represent your clan?"

He shook his head.

"You have much to learn. For all the talk you heard, you did not listen." he concluded. "But if battle is all you want, then we will move out shortly. Go collect Praxat and prepare yourself for it."

Dash sighed, then sniped back, "All ah asked is if a plan had been made yet. Ah have no desire to go into a fight deaf, dumb, and blind. An yeah, ah'm listening, that's why ah'm asking. You all seem to know way more'n ah do about this situation, but sitting back quietly while others plan things out isn't exactly ideal of for me either."

[grampagen]

Inanna tilted her head, before a rather whimsical sigh let slip from her slightly parted lips. "I should think you might pity the boy, Koorimaru that is... Ohohohohohoho~" Mimicry and mockery aside the bemusement was almost certainly an act; as the joviality never reached Inanna's eyes. "Bit off more than he could chew, as the Chef might say. Let in- and out- something that very well should've been left to rot and die. Something that's festered for one-hundred thousand years and has seen a path that had once been hidden."

Inanna offered Ochazuke a dry chuckle.

"Consider, what might have happened had Asha'rah- we all know the one- stumbled into the power to succeed where she otherwise failed... in that Halfwit War?" She'd knocked down the walls of High Heaven, only to be laid low with a gesture. How close she'd already come- even knowing she'd fall short at the final hurdle. "A mite more power, a modicum more resolve; and no telling what shape the Universes might've taken... guided by the hand of the Goddess of Rot." Musing more to herself- and aloud- than directing her comments at Ochazuke, the Oni-that-Was blinked and shook her head. Only for the look of introspection to be replaced quickly by a look of passing... concern?

"Ah... forgive me." Inanna said with another dry chuckle. "I seem to have lost focus over what amounts to little more than a thought exercise... I believe we've a Pretender to break."

With that, Inanna offered the man a quick wave before departing for Reshlan.

As he heard Inanna speak about Koorimaru and the deposed Inda'ren, Ochazuke felt an all-too familiar sensation welling within his scarred heart. The frequency of this tormented loathing had only risen in recent days, but much like fresh wounds the feeling never quite seemed to dull.

Designs within designs, and plots within plots.

In that moment, his hardened gaze fell on Inanna as her thoughts, spoken aloud, played out on her face.

"Indeed. Recreation must begin with Destruction," he said. "But does that truly grant you power if all the recreation is nothing but rot and ashes?"

Yet as swiftly as that capricious thought had emerged from her, so swiftly had she made her turn to depart.

A quarrel from the beginning between gods and monsters...suppose we shall ruminate over the answer to this question on the world ahead of us.

"They value them far more than the common soldier, and especially the commoners. Knights, even the Bronzes, even more so," said Nevanlinna. "We've a few Golds on our side even now... they may be able to sway those that would be willing to listen, as well as those willing to be saved. And the golds that prove recalcitrant... well, seeing them fall may weaken or even break the morale of those they lead, at the least."

Individually, they had the advantage, but quantity was a quality all of its own... and thus, converting soldiers to their side or demoralizing them would be needed, she felt.

Nevanlinna spoke and Ochazuke listened. With the addition of space vessels they could now use to circumvent what Parsley intoned was the very magic that obscured Reshlan, all the pieces were set. He allowed himself for the moment to hope - perhaps - that the advantage might be on their side.

"Then perhaps they will value a Princess at the head of a company of freed Golden Knights even more, legitimized further with word brought by their very own Herald," he said, "A display of force and hope alike for those silenced in your Capital. Lead them, and perhaps Threshlingkind will follow."

The warships of the First Race and the Navigation vessels of the Nevadian Armada were set to go.

"Auroc would be the one to spread his word, now he shall hear ours. How appropriate this should come to him from the stars."

[grampagen]

Dash sighed, then sniped back, "All ah asked is if a plan had been made yet. Ah have no desire to go into a fight deaf, dumb, and blind. An yeah, ah'm listening, that's why ah'm asking. You all seem to know way more'n ah do about this situation, but sitting back quietly while others plan things out isn't exactly ideal of for me either."

"With all you have heard, if all your prime consideration is what is ideal for yourself, then you haven't been paying attention," Ochazuke replied, "It is better for a fool to remain silent than to remove all doubt with an open mouth."

"And you're no fool, are you?"

[Tami]

"With all you have heard, if all your prime consideration is what is ideal for yourself, then you haven't been paying attention," Ochazuke replied, "It is better for a fool to remain silent than to remove all doubt with an open mouth."

"And you're no fool, are you?"

"Just a little tense." Dash finally admitted, "Fighting on home turf is one thing, fighting on an alien world where we might as well be considered invaders an will probably be outnumbered, that takes whole lotta balls. Even more perhaps than what was needed to deal with Alt-Midori, aka the Doctor."