Home again

[Anastasia]

I will stop at nothing to liberate Marielle from her pain and suffering. When you fail to protect her and she falls to me, I will be there when she closes her eyes for the last time, the last thing she sees before oblivion takes her.

After all, you did such a fine job of protecting your last loved ones from my efforts.

[Ebiris]

Shar really is talkative. It makes Alicia wonder if she's lonely or bored, since she never gets this sort of chatter from her other enemies.

Still so proud of destroying a simple human family. Was it because I stopped those boys from sacrificing a goat to you when I was a teenager? You're such a small and petty being in the end, aren't you Shar?

[Anastasia]

Still so proud of freeing your family from the pain of life. A pain you were as unable to stop as you were unable to save them.

Would you like that memory, Alicia? The memory of their last moments, of what their gazes looked like as they faced death?

[Ebiris]

One day I'll see that look on your face.

[Anastasia]

Shar's laughter echos in your mind as she adds but one thing.

Come and try. I await your visit when you cease cowering in your realm, Alicia.

[Ebiris]

One day...

[Anastasia]

Antenora is there a moment later, face tight, a scowl set in place. "I curse whichever Incarnation gave Shar the right to contact us." she says sourly. "For she took seeming pleasure in ruining my mood."

[Ebiris]

"You as well?" Alicia looks up. "I think she's vexed by Marie's competence. At least I won a Competition against her over it, but she's such a sore loser it's hardly worth it."

[Anastasia]

Antenora slowly takes a breath, clenched fist loosening. "I suspect the same. So be it - she only stacks up yet more to answer for in the end."

[Ebiris]

"It does continually amaze me just how petty and talkative she is," Alicia says, leaning back and looking at the ceiling. "Though... Esthan was the same, wasn't he? It seems we're doomed to be eternally plagued by this sort of evil personality."

[Anastasia]

Antenora takes a seat, looking ahead. "I think it's something else. Shar hates, she does this to make us suffer and to assail our minds. She enjoys this, Alicia. She takes joy in hurtings others - even the divine. Perhaps especially us. Look at how she treated Emmaline."

[Ebiris]

"We're Shar's happiness, are we?" she swivels her head back down to give Antenora a dour look. "I can't wait until I kill her."

[Anastasia]

With a tight smile, "I'm sorry, Alicia, but you'll have to stop me from killing her first," Antenora says, "That is one thing I won't yield to you, should I have the chance to strike her down first."

[Ebiris]

"There's surely a long line for the honour, but I have been working on seizing the initiative when it comes to battle," Alicia smiles back. "Of course if I don't finish her off with one clash I'll have to rely on you."

[Anastasia]

Antenora chuckles, "If your sword doesn't finish her, then my spear shall for certain."