Itami was pleasantly chatting with a Keeper when she felt her heart skip a beat, literally. She tried to get up, but her legs failed to support her. She whined in increasing pain as bits of her flesh peeled from her bones. The Keeper called for some SilentStalkers and the Herbalist to come help their god. The Shaman came along as well to see what was going on. "Where do you need to go?" The Herbalist mewed. "The...Heart...of...the.....Land..." She gasped. They carefully picked her up and moved her into the sacred grotto where the giant crystal sat. They eased her body into the pool, her blue ichor staining the waters. She was silent as she was talking to a couple of other gods from her realm. She then turned her head to her tribe. "Let them in and please, take care of it." Her body went limp with her final words. All of the Ancients had gathered. The Shaman nudged her corpse further into the lake and their heads bowed in respect and grief for their fallen god. Kismet was padding through the forest, aimlessly until she felt the energy of her friends nearby. I wonder how they're doing. She trotted a bit faster to reach them. She hadn't "seen" them in forever because of all of her missions from Altruism. There was no way she would let this opportunity pass her by. She was almost there when she collapsed, a vision flashing before her eyes. She was in the White Void and before her was a cavern with an enormous flower bud surrounded by water. A shadow moved from within the bud, but she couldn't tell what it was. She approached it cautiously, but before she could reach it, she fell into the endless darkness of the Void. The blue-gray molly snapped back to reality to find herself paralyzed. She was out in the open and a carrion bird was circling above her. Her chest felt as if it was on fire. She tried to scream, but it was inaudible. Her whole nervous system had shut down. She looked around in a small panic, but calmed down when she heard a familiar voice. The burning was still inside of her, but it was more bearable now. She slowly arose, gaining her sense of touch back. She knew where she needed to go but now, it was just a matter of getting there. Dolorem fell along with the gods of his universe. He could sense Sinister dying along with his own life coming to an end. How ironic. He thought, chuckling. The other gods and cats just stared in shock and horror as two of their companions were writhing on the ground. He didn't know how it felt for Wakati, but to him, he could feel his bones disintegrate from the marrow out. His marigold was decaying and his markings became faded. He was just about ready to leave forever when he heard the voice of his sister. Dolorem? Wakati? Kismet? Sinister?Can you guys hear me? Yes, The Goddess of Fate responded. Good. Listen closely. You need to bring yourselves over to the Heart of the Land. But, we don't even know where that is- It's with the Ancients. Oh great. That totally helps. Thanks Sinister, Wakati snapped. Just shut up and listen. I'm going to use all the power I have left on you guys. Just follow the traces of my energy and they'll let you in. Itami! Dolorem, we have to. I had a vision in the White Void. Whatever happens when we get there, I know will lead to what I saw. He was silent before speaking, his voice filled with sadness, Fine....I love you. I love you too brother... With that, he gradually got up. He was still hurting, but the pain was suppressed now. He could feel phantom tears crawl down is skull. He turned his head to the extremely confused gods and informed them to follow him. Wakati slinked forward and the group headed off deeper into the moor. Dolorem cantered towards the dissipating lifeforce of his sibling. He didn't care if the others were following at this point. He just wanted to complete her last wish. The end of the trail led down into a fox's den. He leaped inside, but felt completely crushed when it was just a dead end. NO! He started to dig pitifully into the wall, breaking off one of his claws. C'mon! I need to get to her! Another set of paws joined him, then another. Kismet and Wakati had arrived and were helping him claw through the stone-hard dirt. The other gods entered the den, panting. A chill ran through his bones when he could no longer feel Itami's spirit. He stopped for a brief second. "No...No she can't be gone! Not yet!" He rammed into the wall causing petals of gold to descend from his rib cage. Berry jumped in to hold the skeleton back, "Dolorem! Agh, DOLOREM STOP!" He struggled, but eventually quit. I can't do anything.... Invisible tears streamed down his face as he slumped onto the ground, broken. "I'm sorry, but-" The God of Love was cut off. Kismet's eyes grew wide, "Someone's digging from the other side!" Within seconds, the barrier had come crashing down and there before them stood a burly SilentStalker. "Come now, hurry." The skeleton bounced up and wasted no time sprinting down the dark tunnel. He felt the ground underneath him had been tread many times before by other cats. He pushed himself to go faster until he entered a giant room with shelves upon shelves of scrolls. He searched for just a hint of his sister, but he instead found another sickly familiar energy force. Sinister. He followed the source all the way into a side room of the library. He quickly pinpointed the Greater Deity and ran towards her. "How did you get in here?!" "Really? You're asking me that question?" "Forget it. Where's-" "She's in there," The black molly pointed to a small floating mass that was touching the giant crystal's base. Itami... The others had entered the grotto with the Shaman and the Keepers following. Once The Goddesses of Time and Fate joined them at the waters edge, he had a sudden urge to get closer to the giant geometrical formation. His markings became vibrant, Wakati's began to glow, Kismet's eyes brightened and Sinister had a dark aura radiating off of her. They were all reacting to the calling. Without hesitation, they entered the water and began swimming to the other side. As soon as their paws touched land, their bodies fell limp. The gods of a whole 'nother universe had finally died, but from their corpses ascended their spirits. Other souls emerged from the pond and all of the ghostly figures stepped into the Heart of the Land and became one with it. The giant crystal began to change shape, going from sharp edges to smooth sides. Points protruded from the earth and grew upwards, protecting the precious souls that remained inside. The gem was now shaped like a flower bud, but it acted as an egg with an embryo forming inside. The corpses disappeared except for Itami. She remained to incubate and to watch over the egg. Just as a mother would for her child.
