Chapter 75

Chapter 75

A/N: Delayed by blizzcon. Enough said.

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Since Shiori knew that Neleh had not been especially enthusiastic about visiting the naga, she decided to meet her in the Nexus when Neleh was returning. She noticed Neleh coming out of the mansion, and was about to greet her, when Neleh turned and noticed her coming. Shiori sensed something different, and there was a weird feeling of incongruity around the woman. In her mind, Shiori shifted from calling her Neleh and thought of her as the woman instead, because she realized that this person was not Neleh. They looked almost identical, but there was a different aura about them. The aura of this woman was gentler and more subtle, while Nelehs was so powerful as to be almost oppressive. Neleh could show a gentler aura while she was putting on the mask for the common people, but it was never quite like this. Even when wearing the persona of the Chosen of the people, she was more like a shining star charming everyone, sometimes hot enough to burn, while this woman had the gentleness of a mother welcoming you home.

The woman saw the suspicion in Shioris eyes, and noticed the half made greeting suddenly turning into a wary preparedness. This seemed to amuse the woman as she gave a wide smile before suddenly disappearing in a shimmer. What the heck? Shiori thought in confusion. She knew Elune looked similar to Neleh, but it didnt even occur to her that the elven goddess could be visiting their mansion in the Nexus.

As she found Neleh inside the mansion, she noticed the baby in her arms immediately. To be exact, she felt the discussion going between Neleh and the child. As a psionic, she was especially attuned to magic affecting the mind, and although she couldnt listen in on the magical communication, she could feel it happening, as if a soft murmur just beyond her hearing. The second thing she noticed was that the child had a huge shining presence in the emptiness of the dark space that souls inhabited. The only other person that had a huge presence like this was Neleh, so she knew the child was different. Neleh had told her some things about being reborn, so it didnt take much for Shiori to make the connection.

Another reborn person? She asked simply? I thought you were the only one. She continued in a questioning tone.

Neleh gave a look halfway between a smile and a grimace. Shes an exception, much like me. Her power is necessary to fight the Enemy, but unfortunately some people cant see beyond immediate gains. This is the safest place for her until she can regain some of her old strength. Shiori, meet Khali, Khali meet aunty Shiori. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Khali? Ive heard that name before. Do you mean Khali as in the ruler of Inferno? Also, aunty? Im pretty sure I wouldve noticed if you were pregnant. Shiori asked with a raised eyebrow?

The one and the same. Youre also correct on the second point. You might have seen the childs mother leave as you came in. Neleh replied with a mischievous smile.

I was about to ask about that. Its not like your looks are normal, so its even more shocking to see someone that looks so much like you. Who was she? And if shes the mother how can I be an aunt? Shiori was talking almost to herself, and Neleh let her figure things out herself.

Wait a minute; she couldnt have been Elune, could she? I can imagine a goddess would be able to handle the biological issue of two women as well. So that would explain how you can be a parent without being pregnant. Shiori finally connected the dots. As a testament to her training, the only reaction she showed to the shocking news was the rapid blinking of her eyes.

Correct, full points. Neleh replied a little proud of Shioris ability to figure things out.

After a moment of thought, Shiori continued. This happened during the time the bond was severed, didnt it? I cant see any other way. How are you going to explain her existence to everyone? This is bound to cause some wild rumors.

I dont plan on explaining anything. Let the people make their own conclusions. The fact that we adopted you might encourage them to think that I did it again here. In the end, whatever they come up with will be less exciting than the truth. Even the worst things they can come up with cant do too much damage to my reputation at this point, and will most likely just backfire if they try to spread something too outrageous. Besides, no matter what explanation I try to offer, the people that want to think bad of me will do so anyway. Theyd just think I was lying. Neleh explained.

She continued looking at the baby. On that note though, I really think you need to use some other name while youre on this world. You can take your name back once you regain your power, but some people on this world have heard of the name Khali, mostly from me I admit. Besides, our house name is Khalidor, so being called Khali Khalidor is a bit

Shiori could hear the soft murmur again as the child replied. She could only hear one half of the conversation now that Neleh was talking out loud, but Nelehs answer was telling. Stop laughing, it wasnt my choice to be born into a house that carries your name. Wait until you meet the rest of the family, thats where the real fun starts. Youve got several aunts that had all pretty much given up on seeing any of us have children.

Suddenly Shiori connected some other fragments of discussions shed had with Neleh earlier. Wait, shes the reinforcements you were talking about isnt she? The one youre planning on taking care of the demons?

The conclave building had enough room for hundreds of people to spectate on the proceedings, and there was a round table with three chairs for every race. As Neleh entered the large room, she noted that the only races that actually occupied all three chairs were the demons and the celestials. The two faerie mages had come with them on the same ship, and now gave a salute to Neleh. The Naga had sent the same left chancellor that had initially come to invite her to the Coral Palace. The old naga gave a polite nod in a greeting. The naga also had two Kenshin standing guard behind the old chancellor.

She also recognized all three of the celestial representatives. She was surprised to see that both Anauel and Azrael had decided to take part in these negotiations. Anauels presence was fairly easy to explain, as the celestials were the hosts to the first conclave for millennia and wanted to make an impression. Azrael was most likely present because the celestials knew Neleh would also be here. The third celestial was there most likely for the same reason as there was no other explanation for the presence of Rachiel. Rachiel was the celestial who was sent to keep an eye on Neleh when she was a child, and the two had gotten along well despite the circumstances.

It was something of a surprise to see the twin princes of Alexis and Sanguinius representing the humans. This represented how seriously the humans were taking these negotiations, which was only fair since the war between them and the beastmen was the focus of the talks. Very few people were aware that in actual fact the humans were the only race that actually had sent representatives without the authority to agree to anything. The two princes were very high profile and were important generals in the war, so the other races didnt quite understand how little authority they actually had. The humans had very centralized power, and as such the emperor was the only person authorized to make any binding agreements.

The beastmen had sent two clan leaders of large clans. They could negotiate for their own clans only, but as theirs were major clans, the other clans would most likely follow their lead. Neleh noted that the two clan leaders represented two extremes of the beastmen forms. One of them was a bearman that had a large and muscled build, but looked mostly like a human with some beast features. The other one was a lithe leopardman that looked more like a bipedal leopard. The bearman looked like an old and dignified warrior that still had most of his strength, now combined with cunning. He looked like a real king, while the leopardman looked more like a young but experienced scout that was here just to observe. Yet, Neleh felt that the leopardman was the more dangerous of the two. The beastmen had an entourage of sorts in the viewing area, even if they only had two official representatives.

The people that made Neleh the most wary were the demon representatives. The three of them were highly varied in their looks, but they all radiated power. One of them was a grey skinned and bald man covered in red tattoos from his head down to his waist, and Neleh suspected his legs were also tattooed. He was dressed only in simple pants and a leather harness. Judging from the tattoos and the enormous Ki Neleh could sense, this person was a warrior who favored barehanded combat. The second demon was an old male with a withered face and grey hair and beard. For a demon to look like this would require thousands of years to pass, and not just one or two thousand either. It was also impressive that he had survived that long in the power struggles of the demons. The mana radiating from the demon was a clear sign that this man was powerful mage.

What really drew Nelehs attention was the third demon that looked like a young woman. The most worrying thing was that Neleh couldnt judge her power at all. She could sense that the woman had power, but was skilled enough to hide that power. The demon woman narrowed her eyes once she saw Neleh come in, and smiled a mysterious smile. Her look told Neleh that there was only one reason the woman was here. She was here to meet Neleh, meet and possibly fight.

Interesting. She mumbled to herself.

She also immediately gave a wide smile to everyone gathered. It seems I am the last to arrive. My apologies for making you wait.

Well, from what I hear, you elves were also the ones most eager to have this gathering. I expect this to be interesting. The bearman rumbled. There wasnt any real hostility in his voice; he was just big so even simple words from his mouth seemed threatening.

Oh I think you wont be too bored. Every time Ive seen the Golden Goddess, things have gotten interesting. Prince Alexis said with an amused voice.

So this is the Golden Goddess Ive been hearing rumors of. I can see the goddess part, but I cant see anything golden. The bearman rumbled again.

Before we get to the main point Chief Bjorn, I think there are a few matters of housekeeping to handle. Anauel stated.

Oh that color isnt from age, but because hes part polar bear. Neleh suddenly thought, correcting her previous impression.

After Anauel had gone over the arrangements, she got to the first important point. The first matter for discussion is the suggestion by the elves to make a permanent place for maintaining diplomatic connection with every race and to facilitate fast negotiations in case of crises. The idea is to have permanent representatives present in case they are needed.

I know the celestial love negotiation, but I dont see any reason for something like this. Im still not sure why we are here even now. Chief Bjorn rumbled again. Seems the bearman wasnt big on negotiations, a feeling very common among warrior people. They though most things could be solved either with a good fight or a good drinking party. No need for extended blathering and wheedling and making of empty promises.

The need for it isnt as imminent as it will be in the future. Im pretty sure we have all felt the actions ofshall we say a third party? An outside force influencing things, corrupting people and making promises of power that seem a little too good to be true. Im fairly sure this interference will only increase. Neleh suddenly gave her own input, looking directly at the demon representatives.

In fact, theres a member controlled by this third party among your companions right now. Neleh continued, and turned her eyes towards the entourage of beastmen in the observer seats, where Shiori was holding her dagger at the throat of a beastman with lion features.