The Avatar of Krutune

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“My Lords, Avatar Kiilira has come calling for Lord Ahsch.”

The hrafthi and his wife looked up sharply at Butler, then shared a glance. “What could she possibly want?” Avery wondered.

Ahsch sighed. “Probably something something, ‘leaders of our respective religions.’” He shook his head. “The main reason they summoned me and not Ariin is convenience - she was out to the Temple yesterday, after all.”

Avery quirked an eyebrow at her husband. “You say that as though saying that will magically make the Ruling Family not consider the god of a religion to be the leader of that religion.”

Ahsch glared in resigned acceptance of that fact, then stood straight, stretching slightly as he glanced down at the write-up he and his wife had been working on for the soon-to-be-contracted workers. King Solan had liked Ahsch’s idea, and after Archcleric Bennoch had thrown his support - and by extension, that of the Order of Utsus - behind the plan, numerous others had been eager to get in on the honor of participating in the chosen plan. Notably, Kiilira had not jumped in, which made her presence at the Odestag suites barely a day later all the more curious. “I’ll receive her…” he considered the gardens, but decided against it - too peaceful. “In my office.”

Butler bowed. “I shall escort her there, My Lord.”

When Ahsch got to his office, he was hardly surprised to find Mahat and Ariin waiting for him. “I wonder what she could possibly want,” his sister mused.

Ahsch just shrugged and took his seat, and a minute later, Butler’s familiar knock sounded at the door. “Avatar Kiilira, of the 69th Order of Krutune,” the automata announced.

Like every other time he heard the number, Ahsch struggled not to giggle. “Avatar,” he greeted with a nod, noting the three other armored - though disarmed - Krutunites that accompanied her.

Kiilira was a tall, lithe woman with bloodred hair and eyes, which only perfectly matched the fact that she was a vampire - if the nearly-white skin and regal, fine facial features didn’t give it away, the fangs when she spoke were sure to, not to mention the black sclera and nails. She gave a small nod in return. “Prophet.”

Definitely a religion thing, he confirmed to everyone. “What can I do for you?” he asked aloud, a second question already ringing in the back of his head. Why does she give off such a powerful gnosis?

She gave him a once-over, her nostrils flaring. “I was curious what interest the leader of a cult of debauchery would have in refugees from another nation,” she said bluntly, meeting his gaze.

The ambient temperature seemed to drop by several degrees as Ariin spoke. “You would do well to address the Prophet of Enochiel with at least a modicum of respect,” she hissed. “Or is respecting your peers not considered honorable?”

Kiilira’s gaze switched to Ariin, and gave the other hrafthi a once-over as well. “You have a big mouth for a ‘Divine Submissive,’” she all but sneered. “And I somehow doubt the validity of your claim that this ‘Prophet’ is my peer. I head a religion with the authority of my goddess - he preaches hedonism from a position of wealth.”

“Perhaps I should rephrase,” Ariin stated, drawing herself up.

Ariin… Ahsch started to protest.

“Address the Prophet of Enochiel with the respect due one chosen by divinity,” she commanded, the weight of Authority of the Vassal descending heavily upon Kiilira, whose eyes widened in shock.

“Ariin,” Ahsch repeated, in Daydreamweave, aloud, and while leaking some Mana to make his point. “Enough.” His sister held her glare at Kiilira for a moment, then turned to her brother, held his gaze for a moment, and then bowed and stepped back. Grinding his teeth, Ahsch turned back towards Kiilira. “Overstep your welcome within my home again, and I will not condemn my sister’s actions,” he warned. “Nor will I restrain myself.”

The Avatar of Krutune had recovered quickly, and glanced between the two hrafthi before nodding. “I stand corrected,” she said, then frowned slightly at Ahsch. “I must ask - how is it you became the Prophet of Enochiel, a god none have heard of until you began to spread his religion?”

Ahsch’s eyes narrowed. “I suppose you could say it was a mix of luck and my own choices which brought me into the role.”

“Hmm…” This time, when Kiilira’s eyes roved across Ahsch’s body, they felt more intent. Like she was searching for something. Then, with a surge of gnosis, Ahsch saw her eyes begin to glow a rosy gold around the sclera, brightening towards a pure golden point at her pupils.

Ahsch’s eyebrows rose, then he frowned, and checked his bond sense. After a moment, he almost chuckled. “What is it you really want?” he asked, gazing directly into her eyes.

Kiilira arched one perfect eyebrow at him. “I already told you…”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Avatar,” he interrupted, causing her escorts to stir.

“How dare you speak…” one began, only to be interrupted as Kiilira smirked and turned her head slightly.

“Leave us.”

The trio glanced at each other indecisively. “Avatar, is that truly…” the speaker began, only to be silenced by a pulse of Mana.

“Leave,” Kiilira repeated, her voice the same tone and no louder than the first time. With sharp, quick bows, the three filed out of Ahsch’s office, the door closing firmly behind them. She then smiled in an almost predatory fashion at Ahsch. When she spoke again, her voice sounded almost layered, as though another voice spoke alongside Kiilira. “Most impressive, ‘Prophet.’”

He huffed a small laugh. “Hardly. With all the hints you were dropping, I’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to recognize what was going on… Krutune.”

The Avatar’s grin widened. “And I must admit, I had my doubts when Kakais told me what had transpired after your death. I am… pleased to be proven wrong. It has been too long since I’ve met another of us, Enochiel.”

Ahsch gave a perfunctory nod, then crossed his arms. “Flattered. But you still haven’t answered my question.”

Krutune laughed. “Bold, aren’t you? Though I suppose you don’t fear death as a mortal should.”

“I don’t believe you to be the stupid sort,” he retorted dryly. “Killing me here and now won’t remove me from the equation, and only garners you the enmity of… well, most people. I have a feeling even a war goddess doesn’t fancy pissing off the King just to give little-old me a small setback.”

That got a frown. “Rude as well,” she remarked.

Ahsch sighed. “If you only came here to play games, I’m not interested. Either speak your piece or get out.”

“Very rude,” Krutune said. “But so be it. As dear Kiilira said, curiosity was the driving force of this visit, though beyond just your intent behind the refugee situation. I wanted to see if Kakais was finally going senile, and if not, take the measure of my… well, you’re hardly a peer yet.”

Ahsch quickly worked his binding magic. “And what have you decided after ‘taking my measure?’”

“That you are…” She stopped suddenly, shocked. “You are h…” She glared at him. “You dare?” she hissed.

“You may be a goddess, and truthfully beyond my means to bind,” he replied. “But your Avatar is only a vampire - a mere mortal like the rest of us. They might be your words, but it’s her body, her mouth that speaks them. And she is within my means.”

The golden glow within the Avatar’s eyes seemed to roil with wrath, but then a low, deep chuckle came from the goddess. “Impressed,” she finally said. “Especially after that little stunt, I am impressed, godling.” She tilted her head thoughtfully for a moment. “Impressed enough to ask what you want, taking such a chance.”

“Training for my Sentinels and - once they are formed - Paladins,” he replied instantly.

Krutune arched that perfect eyebrow again. “And what do you offer in return?”

Ahsch smirked, confident. “What price would you demand of the small cult of a debauched, hedonistic fledgling god?” he shot back.

The eyebrow dropped as her eye twitched. “Careful,” she said. “Bold action impresses, but insults might incite something other than capitulation.” Ahsch gave a nod, and she thought for a moment. “Your fourth domain - ‘bodies…’ what can you do with it?”

Ahsch sighed. “Nothing much as of yet. Other things have occupied my time, and I haven’t explored the limits of what my domains allow me to develop.”

She nodded. “For the time being, search for a way to… enhance bodies. Strengthen, toughen, increase speed and reaction times… if you can develop the magic to do so efficiently, and provide such gifts to the elite of the 69th Order… you may consider the debt repaid. If not…” she shrugged. “I’m sure I could find another payment worth our warmasters’ time.”