--- Unknown Location ---
*In the darkened room where once there was a single table surrounded by three thrones, had been transformed thanks to the Moderator. The ‘table’ had been changed, allowing for a fourth throne to be added.
The newest throne, which would become Rozyus’, had the construct butterflies fluttering over it, beckoning for The Boy to approach*
Voice 1: The throne that is yours to decide the path of the world awaits, and the rules, your contract as a player, to be observed. Be sure to read through them thoroughly. Should you agree to participate, select your pieces, and sign your final agreement. Once you have done so, there will be no turning back.
Rozyus: ... There isn't really much choice…. *Sigh* Fine, but one more question before we begin. Can some part of me still be a ‘piece on the board’? It doesn't sit right me, being on the sidelines while my comrades are used as pawns in this... little game.
*For a long moment, the Voice of the Moderator was silent. However, it didn’t feel angry. Rather there was a aura of thoughtfulness that filled the area*
Voice 1: It is unheard of…..but not entirely impossible. However, an exception cannot be made to a single person. For the ‘Game’ to be played as fair as possible to give all an equal chance, the rules must be followed by everyone. Should you be permitted to split yourself between player and pawn, the others who play the game would also be permitted to do the same. Can you live with this? That other players may also be permitted to have more of a direct influence upon the ‘Game’?
Rozyus: …. Fine, but let there be a restriction on it. Seven. Seven to be the max one can split a soul. Besides we both know it becomes.... Difficult to stitch a soul back together once it's been split more than that… you tend to lose the original being after that. Saying that for my purposes I believe one is enough.
*The Boy snapped his fingers and the piece representing himself appears in the palm of his hands. Concentrating, he pours half of himself into the piece, animating it briefly before it settles once more. With that, he returned it back to its original position on the board.*
Rozyus: Now then…
*The Boy scans the board, seeing the slightly worn down pieces, the decadent but archaic board that seemed warn with age. He scowled at the sight of the chaos, before looking back at the moderator.*
Rozyus: Lord! Do you expect me to play on something like this? You’ve all been playing this for eons. Hardly seems fair. Yes, the rules have changed slightly, but still, if they are to change this much, then don't you believe the game should as well? For the sake of the fairness, I mean.
Voice 1: Take your seat upon your throne, and you shall see that even if the table seems eons old, the ‘Game’ has been updated a little more than merely adding another seat.
*With the moderators invitation The Boy reclines upon his new throne crossing his legs and examining the rules once more they seemed to have been altered once more to suit the new playstyle of the game.*
*The ‘Game’ no longer resembled a chess-like set up, but rather it seemed as if the ‘Game’ now resembled some form of card game. While the table itself was currently empty, thanks to the magic of the room, before each of the players thrones, there was some form of illusion, which seemed as though cards that represented the members of the armies, the people who were the pieces of the game, flowing slowy, waiting to be selected by the Players. Looking at the flowing illusion from any other angle but sitting upon the throne made it impossible for any other players to see who, or what, was on each card on another’s side.*
Rozyus: Well ask and thou shalt receive, look at you being all fancy with your holograms and floating cards and what not. I'm assuming the heros can not be reassigned in this new game. So these cards cannot be touched correct.
*The Boy gestured to the slightly more decadent cards that were assigned to each participant of the board.*
Voice 1: Indeed, in selecting here, they cannot be moved to another player, or chosen by another player if they have already been chosen. There is, of course, exceptions to the rule. Due to how Heroes work, if they themselves give permission, or opt out of being in the service of another god, then they could, potentially, be taken on by another. As you might see on the cards, those belonging to a Hero are a different colour. This colour will change should the Hero have renounced their position, or have made themselves otherwise available to be chosen again.
Rozyus: I see, then for now I’ll decline choosing one quite yet. Rather I’ll focus on my army.
*After a brief moment of consideration, The Boy finishes selecting his army. Heart beating wildly, The Boy looks back at the moderator, implying that he was finished with his selection. A small group - bailey fifty cards strong. Laughable at best and pitiful at worst.
The moderator stared at the small band with worried eyes.*
Voice 1: ...Is this all you shall be choosing? Why not more? Surely it would even the playing field should your armies match the size and strength of your fellow competitors?
Rozyus: No, for now this shall be it. Theses Cards have ‘cards’ of their own, all quite powerful in their own right. Both in politics and armies. Rest assured, my army will grow in time. But for now, this is all I need. I’m not like the ‘other players’ on this board, grabbing souls and throwing them at their enemy lines to seeing what sticks. No, I’m far more intelligent than that. Besides, as you can see, I’ve chosen for both sides after all.
*With a somewhat cunning smile painting his black died lips The Boy rested his fist upon his cheek, patiently awaiting the Moderator’s response.*
*The Moderator considered the chosen cards once more, before finally nodding, at least somewhat satisfied by the choice*
Voice 1: Very well then. From this day onwards, those people shall become a part of your army, for you to do with as you will. However, before the new ‘Game’ can begin, the other players must be informed of the changes. Likewise, it would also be best for all the players to know of each other. That is a rule that has not changed. While you may hide your tactics and skills, it is only fair that, in a game that places the lives of the entire world at stake that those in control should be aware of whom else bares the same burden. Still, that can be saved for another time. For now, as a new player and as one who split their very being into two, it would be best to be rested. It would not do to fall asleep while meeting with your competitors. Likewise, a little time to let the information settle will help. Worry not, for only once you are all ready shall the ‘Game’ begin anew.
Rozyus: Hm, I believe that would be best. At least, for now. Splitting oneself is quite tiring…. Well, until the next summoning. Adieu.
*With slight sluggishness, The Boy stood up, turning to leaving whatever realm he had been summoned to. The sudden weight of the splitting of his being was not a feeling he was accustomed to; the nausea and dizzy spells, while temporary, were too much for him to take.
It was while Rozyus was beginning to feel the side effects of just what he had done that he was spotted. Unlike before, when his journey to the tent, which had acted as the doorway to the Other Realm, had made him near invisible to passers by, his return was not so cloaked. As such, when one soldier rounded the corner, swinging a small gourd from the cloth tied around it, he immediately noticed Rozyus, swaying almost as if drunk. Knowing something had to be wrong - the soldier, even at his most drunk had never seen Rozyus acting in such a way, hurried to his side. Dropping the gourd somewhat carelessly, he hurriedly took Rozyus’ arm, wrapping it over his shoulder.*
Drunk Soldier: Miss Fairy! Are you alright? You look almost as though you’d spent a night at the tavern. But unless Lord Dionysus has been by, that surely couldn’t be the case. Do you need a medic? I can take you there.
Rozyus: Please I… *Huff Huff* Please help me to my room, then call for My Lord… P-please.
Drunk Soldier: Well, if you’re sure…...though a medic may be able to help as well. Then again, with all; the jobs Lord Inari has, I have no idea if he picked up medical skills recently to.
*Pausing, the man seemed to realise that Rozyus seemed to be more pained and grimaced*
Drunk Soldier: A-anyway….
*Soldiering his weight a little more, if only to help steady the other god, the Soldier began to half steady, half carry Rozyus back to the tent he had been occupying. With a wince at the thought of entering the temporary abode, the man muttered an apology to the room before carrying Rozyus to the bed, clumsily helping Rozyus into it. That done, he quickly backed off, red faced*
Drunk Soldier: I’ll…..uh….I’ll go and fetch the Lord. You get some rest, okay? Okay.
*Without waiting for a reply, the man darted out once more, obviously flustered at having been in Rozyus’ room alone with the object of his affections.*
Rozyus: *Chuccle* it seems without liquid courage running through his veins all that pluck seems to have withered hahaha.
*Feeling the fatigue setting once more The Boy wills the last of his strength and summons his staffed lantern. Creating a barrier around the tent. Before collapsing into the darkness of slumber.
It was not too long before the Soldier had located Inari, who had been in the process of delegation, having spoken with those whom Parame had requested to stay at the camp to oversee construction of the fortress, while also sending requests out to the few not at camp who might be better suited for construction. Even so, As the Soldier came and whispered to them what was needed, it was only their training that stopped them from dropping the scroll in shock and bolting as fast as they could. Instead, they calmly handed the scroll to their second in command to cover the last few small details with one particular group before gracefully leaving to ‘attend to business’. This, at least, wouldn’t worry the other soldiers, who had already taken enough knocks to their morelle for a while. Despite this, they were able to make it to the tent quickly.
Moving to Rozyus’ side, they gently ran a hand over his forehead, looking for any signs of fever, or even any sign that ‘He’ had targeted Rozyus again so soon. They doubted it, considering what Rozyus told them of the last meeting between the two, and yet….it wasn’t an impossible scenario. They couldn’t find anything particularly odd - beyond the fact that he seemed strangely drained. It baffled them, making them wish the Soul was more of their domain.*
Inari: *Gently whispering, so as not to startle him* Rozyus? My Love, can you hear me?
*The Boy tossed and turned, groaning slightly, feebly reaching out towards his lover.*
Rozyus: No… can’t hear you, ‘coz I’m sleeping.
*Snorting gently in amusement, relaxing a little to hear Royus sounding so….well, like Rozyus. Carefully, they sat beside him, running fingers through his hair.*
Inari: Ah, my love, what have you gotten yourself into this time. I worry one day I will turn around to find you in such dire straights….
Rozyus: Well, I have a hilarious story to tell you.
Inari:....Oh dear, I know that tone. Now I am worried. Still, a soldier cannot balk in the face of adversity. What story would it be that you wish to tell me?
Rozyus: Well gorgeous, you might want to brace yourself for this one….
*Choosing his words very carefully, The Boy recounts his experience with the moderator, the game and his new found position, leaving out certain bits of information that he rather not disclose quite yet.
For a while, Inari sat in silence, before finally dropping their head into their hands and concentrating on their own breathing, preventing the knee jerk reaction to go and find a convenient Elder God to strangle. They had only recently heard of the ‘Game’, and now this was happening. Still, they couldn’t panic. It would do no good, not if they truly wanted to help put an end to it once and for all.*
Rozyus: Now now, darling, you know stress isn't good for the hair. You might end up going gray from it. *Tired smirk*
Inari: *Shooting a look from between their fingers, voice sarcastic* Oh, is that why I already have white hair? I was beginning to wonder.
Rozyus: *Laughter* Oh? I hadn't noticed. Oh! Now that you mention it, when we were kids, wasn't it black? Oh honey - no, Snow White - how stressed are you?
Inari: And I don’t even have seven little friends to help me out either.
Rozyus: Pft! But we have the Wicked Mother, no?
Inari: Ah, our lives are fairytales. No wonder the mortals have such odd stories of us….*They sigh, before becoming serious once again* But that’s not the most important thing now. You’re actually a part of the Game now. I might not have been outright told who the Players were when I was told of it’s existence, but it’s not hard for me to make conclusions. If I’m right about who your opponents are….It’s not going to be easy. At the same time, knowing that you’ll be fighting to free us all of such an existence bound to the Game….I can’t help but feel proud, yet worried….Do you….have a plan? Beyond what we spoke of with Pandora, I mean.
Rozyus: Truth be told, yes and no. But for now, I think I should sleep on it. Splitting one's soul is no easy task and it's showing on me. Might I ask you stay with me…? I know you're busy, but just till I fall asleep, please?
Inari: You know all you need to do is ask. For now, rest. I will stay with you until then, so you may dream pleasantly. It will never bother me to spend some time by your side.
[END]
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