Meanwhile, Seshat was on her way to the Pantheon Palace. It was a magnificent structure, a testament to the gods' power and ego. The palace itself, crafted from white marble and shimmering crystal, was situated on a hilltop overlooking a valley of unnatural beauty. A waterfall, its waters a rainbow of colors, cascaded down a cliff face, feeding a crystal-clear river that wound its way through lush gardens filled with exotic flowers and glowing trees.
She reached the palace gates, a pair of massive, white doors that towered over her, their surfaces etched with intricate carvings depicting scenes of gods. At the door, two figures, tall and imposing, clad in gleaming golden armor, stood guard. They were not just run-of-the-mill guards or angels but they were called the Sentinels. These sentinels were not human or elves or mortals but beings of immense power, forged from the graces of gods. Their sole purpose was to protect the Pantheon and they were the equivalent of Level One gods in power.
Seeing Seshat, the sentinals opened the doors as their gazes fixed on Seshat with an unnerving intensity.
Inside, the throne room was a vast, circular chamber, its high ceiling adorned with a mural depicting the history of the Pantheon and how they heroically united all the domain in the realm of the gods and brought order from chaos with their asses as a beacon of purity. It was all propaganda but everyone in the realm of the gods believed.
Zorian, the God of Sun, sat at a massive, round table, its surface polished to a mirror sheen. He looked tired and older. His usually bright, golden aura seemed dimmed, his eyes weary, his long white hair and beard longer than Seshat remembered. Seshat knew that war would take toll on everyone, even on the gods.
When he saw Seshat, he smiled, a small, weary smile.
"Seshat," he greeted, his voice warm, but laced with a hint of strain. "Thank you for coming."
She took a seat opposite him, the smooth, cool surface of the table a welcome contrast to the heat that seemed to radiate from Zorian's presence since he was the God of the Sun.
"I know you have chosen to remain neutral in this conflict, Seshat," Zorian began, his gaze meeting hers. "But I would ask you to reconsider. We need your wisdom. Your guidance."
He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"Seraphene... she's using unconventional tactics, Seshat. Blackmail. Threats. She's turning the Gods against us."
After hearing Zorian, Seshat just sighed as she wasn't surprised, not even a bit. Seraphene had always been ruthless and with her access to... well, to everything... she had the power to destroy reputations, topple empires, and break even the most powerful of gods.
Gods weren't immune to blackmail. Not really. They might be powerful, and immortal but still relied on their image, worshippers' faith in them, and worship energy. And if their dirty laundry was aired, their secrets revealed, their followers might start to question their divinity and began to worship others instead. And that was a fate worse than death for most gods. It meant a loss of power, a loss of influence, and it would create opportunities for other gods. Gods who were eager to capitalize on the chaos, to absorb the disenfranchised worshippers. It had happened before, and it would undoubtedly happen again.
"Who... is it this time, Zorian?" Seshat asked, her voice calm, steady.
Zorian took a deep breath, his face hardening.
"Luxor," he said, the name leaving his lips like a curse. "The God of Wealth. Apparently he impregnated one of his angels. And then he disposed of them both. The angel and the child."
"I can arrange a meeting, Zorian," Seshat offered, seeing the conflict in his eyes.
"Between you and the God of Darkness. You don't have to officially invite him into the Pantheon. Just hear him out and come to an agreement in the shadows. He gets...what he wants, freedom to operate without interference. And you get a powerful ally. A secret weapon. It could be mutually beneficial. You can think of it as a symbiotic relationship. "
It was exactly what the Pantheon needed. A way to fight fire with fire, without tarnishing their own pristine image.
After thinking about it for a brief moment, and weighing the potential benefits and the risks, Zorian finally made a decision.
"Very well, Seshat," he said, his voice firm. "I trust your judgment. Arrange a meeting. It's time the God of Darkness and I had a conversation."
"Excellent," Seshat smiled, her eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "Perhaps you could come to my domain, Zorian? It would ensure a certain neutrality. "
Zorian considered her proposal. Seshat's domain, Sagespire, with its strict laws, and its pacifist atmosphere was a safe choice. No chance of unpleasant surprises. No risk of ambushes. And more importantly, if Seshat was arranging the meeting, it would be discreet. Seraphene, for all her spies, for all her information gathering wouldn't see this coming. After all, if anyone could outsmart the Goddess of Information, it was her sister, the Goddess of Wisdom.
"So be it," Zorian said, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
"I will attend this meeting. Andohr has made his bed. He's chosen to fight in the shadows. With... unconventional tactics. It's time we returned the favor,"
Pleased with the outcome of the meeting, Seshat rose gracefully from her seat, her gaze lingering on Zorian's face for a moment.
"The God of Darkness... he is not like the others, Zorian," she said, her voice soft, but firm. "He does not play by the usual rules. But he is a man of his word. Do him a favor, and he will stand by you. Even against the whole world."
Zorian sighed, rubbing his temples wearily. "I understand, Seshat. But... it still worries me, making a deal with a... god-killer. He's... unpredictable. Dangerous."
To his surprise, Seshat chuckled, a genuine, unguarded sound.
"You see him as a killer, Zorian. But I see him as necessary, as a force of balance." She paused, her gaze turning thoughtful.
"A garden if left untended becomes overgrown. The weeds choke the flowers, the vines strangle the trees. There must be pruning, Zorian. Weeding. A cleansing. The God of Darkness is that cleansing force. Perhaps, it is time for the Pantheon to return to its roots. And he may play a significant role in that rebirth,"
With that, Seshat walked out of the hall, leaving Zorian to ponder about the upcoming meeting with the God of Darkness.