Pagan Gods: Of Brotherhood and War

The Author:
Madison Jones, Bjarg the DemiGod, and Minotaur have gathered to talk about the current predicament going on in the Pagon Forest with the recent invasion of The Monster. While Bjarg and Minotaur are busy talking about precautions and military states of emergencies, Madison is intent on getting to the bottom of the mystery at hand.

Madison Jones:
"Bjarg, are you free to talk?" I start equipping my clothing.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Yes.

Madison Jones:
"Please tell me what you know of Achlys." I ask bluntly, eyes very focused.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
The Monster appeared before me briefly as I was off in a far corner of the Forest. It wanted to send me a message, wrapping its slimy. evil tentacles around me as it would to crush me, attempting to show me its strength, it's supposed invincibility. I hacked off the tip of one of its tentacles before it departed.

It's flesh is not invincible to the enchanted foresteel. But it laughed from the mists. It does not fear us ... not yet anyway. But I will learn that lesson soon. Very soon.

Madison Jones:
"That is the monster... And I know the predicament you were in as he did similar to me outside this realm. I'm asking about his mate."

Bjarg the DemiGod:
And as a warning ... it appears to have the powers of regeneration.

Madison Jones:
"Bjarg, what do you know about Achlys, the Mist creature? Please, it is urgent."

Bjarg the DemiGod:
I know very little of her, except that now there is a generous bounty on her head.

Madison Jones:
I sigh. "I guess I must continue to wait for the Lord of the Land then."

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Title, rank, honors and riches to the warrior who brings me her head.

Madison Jones:
"You realize she probably can't be killed, right?"

Bjarg the DemiGod:
I think the operative word is "probably". Of course she can. And her head will be the last thing the Monster sees before he is also dispatched. By the way, Madison. You were off fetching some items to test our weapons and your sharpening enchantments. How did that mission go?

Jake English:
*Like a comet from the sky, one exhausted and apparently aggressively fucked drops from the heavens. Gasping, panting, voice hoarse, eyes wide with alarm.* It has come for me!

Minotaur21560:
*looks up, aghast...

Madison Jones:
I rush over to Jake to help support him, a bottle of water in hand. "What has happened Jake?"

Jake English:
The dark one, that betentacled fiend, he had me in his coils—

Minotaur21560:
Tell us about it, Jake - how did it happen? Your encounter with horror...

Jake English:
My posterior isn't the only thing he's invaded— ward the lodge! Ward the woods if you must! Constricted like a rat gripped by a python... he... he probed my mind... searching the way here...

Minotaur21560:
Yes, Wards are needed - Jake you know of some I know, I will do the ones I know

Bjarg the DemiGod:
The Monster enjoys wrapping its tentacles around a victim. Only recently I have had it happen twice now.

Jake English:
He has fucked— fucked my mind, fucked my ass... and i dared not bring down my light on it too much, at such close range such output of power... he claims it to repurpose it...

Minotaur21560:
Repurpose? that sounds quite bad - as in use your power for his own ends

The Monster:
The mist swirls and moves around Jake English calling his name…..

Minotaur21560:
*looks up - horrified!

Jake English:
He cannot... of that i am certain. What does a creature born from darkness and death know of hope?

Minotaur21560:
"Quick! Go into the lodge, Jake - the bathroom is probably safe - the hardest walls in the structure"

The Monster:
Out from the mist flies several tentacles smashes Jake English and minotaur21560

Bjarg the DemiGod:
The Monster "You dare to defile the Forest with your evil?"

The Monster:
The mist swirls and moves…

Minotaur21560:
"Lord Maintenance! Beware!" The General draws his sword, its blade flashing in the dim light.
Minotaur21560: The mist is noxious and close...

The Monster:
Then the mist consecrates on Bjarg the Demigod and several tentacles slam into his body one with talon that cuts into his flesh

Minotaur21560:
My sword hacks down on one of the slippery tentacles, severing it.

The Monster:
“Ahhhhhhhh!!!” Then from the mist, spikes spew out hitting the minotaur21560. The mist moves…and swirls

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Now you anger me, Octopussy!

Jake English:
*Exhausted from the previous encounter with the monster I can only sink into unconsciousness, forming an impassable barrier around myself with light made solid. The light that empowers, uplifting and inspiring my allies, reminding them of what and who they fight for. Morale up!*

Minotaur21560:
I drop to one knee, invoking the most powerful Bear Magic, then stand lifting the sword above my head as the mist spikes land, embedding in my body... I yell in pain.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Raising his hand he calls forth the green fire from Dahvin. It materializes in a gigantic ball of emerald-colored particles. With strong movement of his arm the fireball is focused and hurled in the direction of the Monster and the mist swirling around it Instantly dissipating the mist.

The Monster:
I howl as the green fire burns, then from the mist then hundreds of long needle like tentacles come shooting out from the mist penetrating into the flesh of Bjarg the Demigod and minotaur21560

Minotaur21560:
My face contorted with pain as the needle darts embed themselves up and down my exposed flank... my blade falls as i crash to one knee...

Dahvin the Defiant:
With an eruption of the earth itself, several roots burst forth to wrestle with the mist itself, their earthy tendrils grasping at the misty tentacles and holding them even as the mist tries to escape. And the roots glow brightly with the green fire, burning the mist as the Roots of the Great Mother Awen Herself burst forth to remind The Monster whose realm he DARES tread in!!!

The Monster:
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!” Screaming forth as the roots burn with their grip. I materialize from the mist in my full form and vomit out the black sludge of death that melts the roots and I pull free…roaring at Dahvin the Defiant

Bjarg the DemiGod:
I raise my hand again and the Force extracts the needle-like tentacles from the surface of my body as the flesh closes in over the superficial wounds. Then the tentacles are turned around and injected into the Monster's head. "Enjoy that headache, evil one!"

Minotaur21560:
*Struggles to get up, rushes to assemble the hose...The firehose... and to call upon the winds...

Dahvin the Defiant:
In an instant, I am by minotaur21560, appearing from the wind itself. My hand goes over the wounded flesh of the bull general to heal it....but even my powers of Life itself must work fiercely to heal this wound.

Achlys:
EXHALES.....vileness...

Dahvin the Defiant:
I look over my shoulder to see My Son fighting fiercely with the ancient evil, a proud smile across my face as I prepare to enter the fray as well.

The Monster:
Laughing at all who strike at me….I vomit out more is the black sludge of death that coats the trees…killing all life…I roar!!!

Minotaur21560:
looking up, grateful to the god as my skin heels but then... coughing... sputtering

Dahvin the Defiant:
And then....I feel her.....

The Monster:
”My love!” I scream out

Bjarg the DemiGod:
"Now you have not only angered me and my Father, but you and your repulsive wannabe Mate have angered Awen with your actions."

Achlys:
“The Mind Is its own place... to make a heaven out of hell...and hell of heaven... “ FWOMP - the woods ignite in flames, the smoke mixing with noxious gases

The Monster:
My tentacles increase in size and I seize Bjarg the Demigod in my tight grasp crushing him

Bjarg the DemiGod:
"Choose your hell, then Bitch" hurling another ball of green fire at the Mater.

The Monster:
”My love I bring hell to you” I call as my deathly dark light ignites from me soaring above me.

Achlys:
And the goddess disappears... dematerializes... laughs...

Dahvin the Defiant:
I sneer in rage as The Monster dares touch my son. And the flames erupt....

The Monster:
I grasp Bjarg the Demigod tighter…sneering at Dahvin the Defiant…” I will end your son!!”

Minotaur21560:
*coughs, sputtering... lifts blade, crashes it down on another of the monster's tentacles severing it.

The Monster:
“Ahhhhhh!” I call out.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
My skin erupts with a bright green heat scorching the tentacles of the Monster ... everyone within a hundred yards can smell the burning flesh of the Monster.

Dahvin the Defiant:
"Get to safety," I say to minotaur21560 as I pour in another surge of Life itself into the general as I turn to The Monster. I watch as My Son uses our weapons with FIERCE efficiency against our foe.

Minotaur21560:
The smell of bitumen, sulphur, the smoke purple, green as are the flames... all things not as they should be...

The Monster:
My rage ignites and I pull power from Bjarg the Demigod as he tries to burn me…”You fool I will take your power!!”

Bjarg the DemiGod:
"Keep hacking off its tentacles ... they cannot regenerate quickly enough! Now that is an impossible Monster. Only Dahvin can extract my power now."

The Monster:
I feed off of the power of Bjarg the Demigod….

Minotaur21560:
I struggle, retreating but cannot resist another attempt as a tentacle writhes across the ground - THWACK! I cut it with my sword

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Besides it would be like matter and antimatter, good and evil, colliding. Not going to work for you Monster!

The Monster:
I coil him tighter…flexing then showering the air with more deathly spikes

Dahvin the Defiant:
With a surge of power, I ride the winds again, and am suddenly above The Monster. And with a surging attack, I plunge my greatest weapon downward at the tentacled beast: my great Godcock, instantly erect as it plunges down into the beast's open orifice. And then I POUR the powers of Life itself into the beast's maw, giving no quarter for him.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
The foresteel is working against them, but your sharpening enchantment will help significantly. Now would be a good time to use it.

Madison Jones: Your sword has already been enchanted!

Dahvin the Defiant:
"You will take NOTHING except the unending Font of Life this day, MONSTER!!!" I howl in rage as I FLOOD your guts with Divine Seed unending!!!

The Monster:
Suddenly the monster turns to mist…and swirls in the air…

Minotaur21560:
*watches the divine fellation openmouthed

Dahvin the Defiant:
The antithesis of this beast flooding his innards now as I spear and flood the mist with holy fluids!

The Monster:
“Ahhhhhhhhh….you will not keep me from her Dahvin the Defiant”

Jake English:
*BANG. A sound akin to a bomb going off as the lodge flares brilliant with unearthly light, reinvigorating and uplifting to those who side with him, infernal agony to those opposed. The page is awake, and he is pissed.*

Dahvin the Defiant:
I grab tentacles from your head and PULL myself DEEPER into you as you try to utter a word in my presence.

The Monster:
The dark gate appears and the monster retreats….

You are not logged in.

Madison Jones: I look up at this monster, anger in my eyes as I was helping Jake. "Not so Fast!" The Mystic Red Gem appears in my hand.

You are not logged in.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
I watch in awe as my Father's godcock penetrates the orifice of the Monster. The green fire seed, when introduced into a being that is good and full of life, enhances the being and gives it magical powers. But when introduced into an evil being, the opposite effect happens. It is as I said, like matter and antimatter colliding.

The Monster:
…the gate closes….

Bjarg the DemiGod:
There is an explosion.

Dahvin the Defiant:
"CHOKE on Life itself, scum of the cosmos....." I hiss as the beast is pulled away by his gate

Madison Jones:
"Damn… Too late."

Dahvin the Defiant:
And the explosion casts him into the gate as I am cast backwards from the explosion, tumbling across the burning forest as I am flung.

Madison Jones:
The gem disappears. "I didn't come here unprepared this time..."

Jake English:
AND STAY OUT! *Perhaps a little late himself, though admittedly worn out from the previous struggle with the monster.*

Minotaur21560:
*breath ragged with excitement, i watch as it disappears...realizing this beast is like the medusa jellyfish, which of all earthly creatures is most effectively immortal though it must pay a heavy price-- that of having only a single orifice for all purposes...

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Raise my arms to the heavens calling forth the god of rains ....and suddenly the skies darken and a downpour drenches the burning Forest in its life giving water.

Madison Jones:
"Who is injured?"

Jake English:
*Twin pistols drawn, fired skywards. He makes spirits his messengers, unburning fire his ministers, serpentine angels with ragged wings and skeletal faces to cleanse the air of every foul taint left by monster and mist alike.*

Dahvin the Defiant:
I land on my feet, trenches dug in the earth as I catch myself from being flung. Already, the people ready to help each other and My Son summons rain for the Forest. The Page of Hope dispelling the foul taint in the air.

Madison Jones:
"I am sorry I could not have been of more use when you needed me, I am sorry."

Minotaur21560:
Watches gratefully, sees the air cleared and forest cleansed by rain

Dahvin the Defiant:
"We were all caught ill-prepared, skinling. You came.... That is what matters," I say as I take in a deep breath as I feel Awen working to take in the taint washed from the air by the rain, taking in that tainted water to cleanse it naturally. Her powers of Balance and Cleansing are Unending.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Already, even at the beginning of Winter, new sprouts begin to grow in the charred earth. Life cannot be denied, cannot be delayed in the Forest. Yes, no one is to blame. You all acted valiantly.

Jake English:
*Even i can feel it too, i who had the misfortune not too long ago to have been ensnared and fucked by the monster... I clear my throat.* If I had only been able to bar it entry into my mind, it would not have found its way here.

Minotaur21560:
The General salutes the God, dropping to one knee. "Father Dahvin - so fortuitous that you were near!"

Madison Jones:
I again offer Jake some water. "Here my friend."

Dahvin the Defiant:
I turn to minotaur21560 then. "Are you still wounded?" I ask as you salute and drop to a knee.

Minotaur21560:
Your powers have gone a good way towards healing, but here (pointing to the row of wounds on the side of my body) still some aches

Jake English:
Much obliged Madison. *Without hesitating, I chug it all down with little provocation, satisfied that the threat has been held at bay for the time being.*

Minotaur21560:
Jake you cannot blame yourself. It was intent on finding this place

Madison Jones:
"We will have to talk about your encounter with it later Jake, I am gathering information."

Dahvin the Defiant:
"Madison Jones , could you try your healing waters? So we can see if they are potent enough against the monster's taint?" I ask.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
BUT NOW WE MUST RAISE OUR READINESS TO DEFCON ONE IMMEDIATELY. WE ARE NOW AT WAR!

Minotaur21560:
*snaps to attention… Yes, I will mobilize the troops at once.

Madison Jones:
"Yes Lord Dahvin." I go and retrieve one of the 8 vials I had prepared bringing it over. I administer the water to the General's wounds, its blue glow starting to heal, though not without a stinging sensation.

"Hold still General, you must be healed first. This will take but a few minutes."

Bjarg the DemiGod:
And our Forest Healers .... they must be summoned.

Jake English:
This is worse than I feared. The misty one has been strangely active as of late.

Minotaur21560:
I pause, recognizing the wisdom in this.. "Yes we need healers most of all"

Dahvin the Defiant:
I nod as My Son's knowledge for War speaks true.

Dahvin the Defiant:
I look out over the devastation and I realize something most disturbing. She materialized today. She has not done that ever since being bound here.... A gravely concerning development that I will have to share with all of them after we have had time to regroup and take shelter in the Lodge.

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Even more disconcerting is the fact that the Monster now is free to also roam the Forest as a "friendly face".

Bjarg the DemiGod:
Regrouping at the Lodge. Anyone want a ride on a Divine Conduit?

Dahvin the Defiant:
Yes, gather round all.

Madison Jones:
I gather with the others anxious to hear the words of the Lord of the Land. I do linger close to Jake though, worried about his encounter with the Monster.

Jake English:
*Quietly I approach, casting a wary eye around the place just to be sure all is clear before we depart.*

Dahvin the Defiant:
With us all gathered, Bjarg and I warp us to the Lodge, the place of safety here in the Forest. "Please, join me inside. You all need to know more of what is happening," I say as I lead the way in, the fire igniting as I cross the threshold.

The Author:
Following these events, our heroes gathered and discussed the events at hand while gaining some new allies in their war. That however is a story for another time.

Published: 2021-12-02, viewed 46 times.