Chronias

[Anastasia]

"We are not bound by time," Zaphkiel agrees, "But we do not see the future like we do the past. The concept of the Absolute Present is one native to us. Otherwise, we would have had an Answer or not merely by looking ahead. There would be no reason to do all of this. One of our few weaknesses is that we cannot create something we do not know or understand. It is why we do not create an Answer from nothing."

Then, "Pale Night was not from Creation. She is a powerful being, roughly equivalent to the greatest deities of Creation and able to peer in. She sought to enter safely and petitioned one of the Incarnations to do so. She petitioned Ao. He put her behind her veil, a move both to protect Creation and one I believe he used to satisfy his own interests. Vile as she may be, she did not deserve her fate, for she was not even a part of Creation. She wishes to be freed and both Asmodeus and I agree we would be willing to free her and send her back out into the Beyond. She had no great role, but she has chosen to help. She is not limited as many in Creation are, and sees much safely, hidden by her veil."

"Eblis, Gathgorian and Bel." Is the final answer. "One will serve evil no more, but two remain."

[Nephrite]

"Is Medi involved in any of this?" Moore asks, the current questions covered to some extent. "It seems like he's almost playing in parallel to us but not crossing over officially."

[Iron Dragoon]

"So, those three are ones we need to, at the very least, coordinate the distraction with. What moves is Asmodeus making to help with this? If he and his are pulling at a thread to help this fight, we should be careful about cutting that thread unknowingly. "

[Corwin]

Seira understands the pain of having a kid poached for the other team, and winces in sympathy.

"Just what exactly was done to Pale Night? It sounds like she wanted to visit, and the veil was something that prevented her from hurting Creation by her existence. Does it do more? Torture her? Chain her to Creation?" She purses her lips. "How can we free her? If we do free her, what guarantees she leaves Creation immediately rather than causing trouble unchained?"

[Anastasia]

"Medi is aiding us," Zaphkiel agrees, "But in a limited role by his own request."

Afterwards, "Hell is staying within certain bounds regarding all of you," Zaphkiel says, "As long as you do not invade Hell they will extend the same courtesy. Lesser plays are part of the Competition between us - Eblis was one example. To free the Lost Chalice is one you may continue to attempt." Zaphkiel explains further, "You may cooperate with them or not as you see wise."

Finally, "It is unpleasant for her and restricts her, pains her," is so explained, "It may be possible you can free her, the cage can already be momentarily put aside,"  Zaphkiel considers, "A binding agreement would be best, though Sylian loses some motivation to aid us if Pale Night is freed early. My intent is to have the Incarnation of Balance free her when this is all over. If you believe you can do better and turn it to your advantage, I will not stop your efforts."

[Corwin]

"My old pal is her chief enforcer, so there's a chance for some conversation. Or maybe angry grunts and murder threats, but that's fine too since I could get him to listen afterwards," Seira says, before blinking. "Wait, just so I understand, you know of my intention and so does Asmodeus, and it's an exception to the whole 'Don't invade each other's realms' agreement between the two of you? Did I get it right?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Io said that everyone was picked for specific reasons, which means that you have a plan and each of us provides a specific function, like Sylvie was meant to hold 21, even if for a limited time. What's everyone's true purpose here? I can guess for most. Seira and Alica have been in  it since the beginning; their divinity and growth were guided to become your front line and spear tip. Moore was meant to be the source of hope and your hand in motivating everyone's spirits and to recover what might have been lost with Sylvie. Am I right?"

[Anastasia]

"We often know of each other's plans but restrict ourselves to servants and pieces on the game board, so to speak." A simple answer, "Now there are other matters. First, the divine seed here." Thus the Lord of the Hebdomad holds one, "There are three charges in this seed. It is up to the four of you to decide how it is used."

To Alyssa, a nod but, "A moment for this first."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Emily is an obvious choice,  I think. The power of the ring she gained gives her far more flexibility to act than anyone else. I had planned to set her up for being One, but... honestly,  I'm not sure that's what she's aiming for. She idolizes her mothers too much, and wants to follow them, I think."

[Corwin]

"Divide it, same as with Io's gift?" Seira muses. "Alicia, do you have others to ascend at present?"

[Ebiris]

"A shame it can't be equitably split. Tryll isn't even here and I understand he was displeased with how Io's gift was divided," Alicia mentions, not as excited for the seed as she might have been considering she literally got one of her own yesterday. "Sylica needs no new gods at this point, though of course it can be used to empower an existing one. Growing divinity is far easier than attaining it, so that may not be the best use," she adds to Seira.

[Anastasia]

"Tryll will be provisioned for separately, due to his current purpose," Zaphkiel says, "Worry not."

[Corwin]

"The Cauldron will benefit greatly from Elle ascending at this point, especially with Gond's interest in her crafting skills," Seira muses. "And speaking of, what exactly did happen with Tryll-- ah, I see, well if you say so."

[Anastasia]

Bastian crosses his arms and hms, "...Emily would probably like it," he says at last. "Runs in the family."

Latha speaks up here, "Elle, Emily and...Moore, what of yours? Sylica has no immediate need, as Alicia said."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa sends Bastian mental message, 'Is that a pout Bastian? You'll be in the running for the next one, I promise.  Bastian, God of mysterious expression and hidden passion! Epics will be written. '