Moving spheres

[Anastasia]

Antenora doesn't look away, adding, "It's the same reason Zaphkiel doesn't, I imagine. He must know of it if Eblis became One."

"Zaphkiel and I agree on certain matters," Asmodeus says, "While We wage war against each other, there are certain agreements that We find agreeable to keep with him. But this is not a time for agreements to be so closely kept. No, you surprised him as well. He meant for One to be created as part of his plan, it was not meant to be so soon. Let alone One who rose on their own, without relying on Eblis."

[Ebiris]

"I do not believe one who achieves apotheosis with guidance can truly be called One, no matter how worthy," Alicia says. She might not know all the ins and outs of all this, but some things just make sense.

"Eblis spoke of three. Two taken already at your request with Gathgorian being one. The third remaining to be chosen. Will Zaphkiel choose three to match? Are all to be weapons against Shar? Primus's calculation can't possibly have accounted for One risen Beyond."

[Anastasia]

"You are correct," Asmodeus agrees, smiling pleasantly, as if discussing some enjoyable but trivial thing. The air of the room is thick, hard to breathe. You almost feel as if you're sinking into the ground, but you shake it off with a moment of will. "Our hope is that this is beyond Primus's calculations."

Antenora then says, resting the butt of her spear on the ground at the same time, as if to lean on it, "I broke from Hell. I  broke my nature and my limits once, and I've done it again. You're hoping I can do the impossible a third time."

"That all of you will," Asmodeus agrees, "You do not stand alone. We would aid you for the sake of Creation's continued existence."

You feel it. A thrill. A thrill of overwhelming power along your link to Syala and Antenora. It resonates darkly, nigh overwhelmingly. "Law will be what saves Creation. We care little of what moral aspect of Law does so, only that Creation is saved. We can offer you power and insight to obtain the heights of might that you need to defeat Shar."

[Ebiris]

"No," Alicia says firmly, standing straighter and leaning forward a little as she exerts herself to push back that sensation of foreign power. "Offer your boons to Gathgorian and your other two pawns, we will find our own way."

[Anastasia]

No.

Syala steps forward, the glow of her aura brighter. She stands with you and adds, "Offer your poisoned cups to those who would foolishly drink from them."

No.

Antenora keeps her position, and as she says no, the three rejections seem to resonate. Your voices echo about, strong and sure. "We will save Creation on our terms."

The Lord of the Ninth smiles, as if amused by your answer.

No.

His smile vanishes on that, expression becoming neutral, almost tight.

The choice is made; you had the chance we agreed on.

"I am not yet done," The Lord of the Ninth says, "You struggle, Antenora. You struggle to grasp your new nature. Merely accept Our aid, freely given and without drawback, and you will be equal to any true deity in moments. You know what We have overcome such limits before, such as with Our son."

[Ebiris]

Alicia is silent now. Antenora needs this, this chance to turn aside from the very king of Hell to his face on her own terms.

She won't take that away from her.

[Anastasia]

No.

Antenora steps forward, the distortions growing still all around. "You are not the side of Law I serve anymore. Great is our need, but greater is our souls."

To this Asmodeus smiles and steps back. He extends his hand out palm first. What appears there is a seed. The seed the size of a fist, floating in the air and radiating light. You understand it instantly, instinctively. Pure, raw divinity in the most basic form. "A divine seed," Asmodeus says, facing you now. "That can strengthen your divinity on the spot, now and forever - to be spread about or hoarded to one, or to even safely elevate someone to divinity. The greatest treasures of Creation, the work of the Incarnations. It is yours, take it as my gift. Grow your power and your realm with it, Alicia, or even another's realm if you desire. Its might will serve you well against Shar."

[Ebiris]

An excellent temptation, as befitting the King of Hell. Even if she were unwilling to use it, should she not take it simply to deprive Hell of such a wondrous resource?

She should actually, it makes perfect sense when looked at in that light.

It's the logical thing to do.

Lawful.

"She said no," Alicia says, refusing the offered gift. "That is our Answer, and acceptance would dilute it."

Because Good always comes first. There will be a Creation after Ao's executioner has been defeated, and it will be one where Good triumphs evermore. Even if that seed is pure of Evil, the uncorrupted work of the Incarnations? Taking it freely from the hand that offers would indelibly mark them.

[Anastasia]

Slowly, as if a dream that refuses to cede to the waking world, the divine seed vanishes. Asmodeus lowers his hand, "So be it," he says, voice soft. In that instant the Lord of the Ninth is gone, as of a phantasm banished by the light of the morning sun.

Well done.

[Ebiris]

Is that you, Zaphkiel?

"We're done here," Alicia says aloud to Antenora and Syala, turning to leave with less fanfare. "Lets go home."

[Anastasia]

Antenora simply looks up - and you see light above. The ceiling radiates the light of Chronias, shining bright and true, known to you by feel and sight.

Be not afraid, but grow.

"Thank you," Antenora says, "Thank you for Celestia giving me chances. Thank you for Alicia and Syala, for I would not be here without them and the aid you have given them."

Thank me by continuing on, for few others can. Listen to my words. Asmodeus did not lie, you are One now and a One none planned to see arise. Grow and strengthen your bonds and divinity. Grow and strengthen your bonds. Become what Eblis could not - together. For otherwise One is an eternal damnation of loneliness and despair.

You feel it - a connection to Antenora, resonating throughout you and her.

Node update for Antenora. Power can flow into your Holy War or Syala's Divine Light. It is your choice.

[Ebiris]

Divine light is cooler, go with that.

[Anastasia]

Done, go check the update.

Antenora closes her eyes as you feel that connection, "Thank you," she repeats, as power flows into Syala's aura.

Syala hugs Antenora, "You too," she says.

[Ebiris]

Read it.

While we have your attention, what of the other three you have your eye on beyond us and Seira's group? It's driving Latha to distraction trying to find them.

Aloud she adds, "Together," as she puts a gauntleted hand on Antenora's shoulder pauldron.

[Anastasia]

To find them will take you places, places where you can grow and become stronger, more ready. But, one can be found because she resides with one of Seira's kin.

"Together," Antenora echos. "Forever."