124 Scales and Fables

Back in Melra.

The skies above the great tree showed an azure blue speckled with small white clouds. The trees large branches showed an array of multicolored leaves. The sunlight made the colors flash making it look as though a rainbow danced within the trees multitude of branches.

And sitting within said branches was a large golden creature. Draconic looking with scales covered in jewels. This thing looked the very image of an idol built by the rich and worldly. If Moses saw this beast he would have thrown a fit.

But this creature breathed gently as it rested in the trees branches. His tail swayed lazily to and fro as though he was relaxing.

But the reality was different.

The outside world saw Ignis as relaxing and calm. But in his body so much was taking place. His energies had connected with nature on a scale that stretched the continent. Every nook and cranny. Every falling leaf and drop of water. He could see, feel, and touch everything.

And though it was mentally taxing for him he had good reason for doing so.

He was hunting for the Dark Mother Worshippers.

In Belmac they were stable and embedded into the mountains. A hard place to lay siege to. But on Melra they were different. During the days of torture Pallison had told Ignis everything he knew. About how they moved in a wagon Train. The amount of worshippers he knew about. Nox's three sizes (or so they believed).

The last tidbit did Ignis no good. But he found it amusing nonetheless.

But this is what Ignis was searching for. A roaming caravan with a shard leaking dark energy. And it didn't take too long to find it. Maybe an hour at most.

The farthest south on the continent he saw images of a large lake with stone cabins and farmlands. A place called Wasserwurzel. A mouthful truth be told. And the caravan was just passing some of the local guards claiming to be there to trade, get supplies, and leave the next day.

But Ignis saw the sadistic smiles under some of the robed men's hoods. The bloodthirsty and maniacal want for slaughter.

Ignis knew what this was. An Inquisition force. They would do anything to get believers. Torture, murder, rape, and brainwashing were the names of the games.

As soon as Ignis found them he opened his eyes in the mighty trees branches. "Not on my

Fu€#!π@ watch you don't." He growled as he sent an energy trail to give Kyle a message.

Energy messages. Something he had learned to do just yesterday. Each day brought new knowledge and seemingly new powers every time Ignis protected the balance of a place. Every time he fulfilled his role and gained followers. He grew as a god of the people.

And it was those same people about to be murdered or tortured for something they didn't deserve.

Ignis took to the skies and a boom echoed through the Great tree as a golden blur shot southward.

The landscapes were changing quickly and he soon passed the small town of Hoffen. The Liquors delight still had no lights in its windows and the town still seemed as lonely and uneventful as before.

And so Ignis passed it. The fields soon came into view with only one smoke pillar in sight. A small one by the looks of it.

Only one stone hut seemed to have fire billowing out of it. And cultists were running around with torches trying to set the others ablaze.

"So they just started their inquisition. Looks like I made it at a decent time." He hummed as he dove down landing on top of the cart teeming with dark energy.

Ignis raised a hand and snapped his fingers.

The sound of it was loud enough that it echoed throughout a 10km radius. Every cultist stopped when they heard it and every villager was running but they definitely weren't going to stop to find out what made that sound.

But the snap wasn't to get their attention. It was to draw the flames.

Every torch and building that had fire in or on it was left cold and the fire extinguished in an instant. Everyone saw one flare and all fire went out across the area. And one being snapping his fingers did that.

The cultists turned to look at Ignis and turned angry. Why? Not because of the fire. Not because their killing and horrible acts bad been disturbed. But because of where he was sitting.

He was sitting on Mother's wagon. Her crystal was held in a box of satin and silk. Made of the finest wood and decorated with vestiges of her dark glory of dousing starlight and killing gods by throwing them in black holes.

They charged toward Ignis raising battlecries of varying pitches.

But he was unfazed. He ripped through the wagons top and grabbed the box with the crystal within it. And he felt and heard the chilling voice from within. (Unhand me foolish mortal. You know not the majesty of the one you bear in your filthy hands.) The cruel feminine voice croaked in his head.

He ripped open the box and the serpentine eye swiveled to look at him from within its crystal casing. (No... You are no mortal.... No!!!! Let me go you vile creature!!!! No!!!!!!!!) It screamed as Ignis tilted back his head and swallowed the box (crystal and all).

It was then that every cultist seemed to drop in unison. It was like life had left every last one of them. Those that had managed to climb onto the wagon fell as though they were dead to the ground. Others slumped into their comrades in a messy heap of bodies.

Sin soon started chiming off information.

/You have swallowed a shard of Nox./

/Increase in understanding and power over darkness has increased.

Spirit binding/control

You may now bind individuals souls and minds to your will and command them as you please.

Power over starlight has been granted.

Host may now gain power from stars that Nox has claimed in the past.

Current star count is 3417( error @#$#$)

Due to shattered remains the access to other stars restricted to not endanger hosts spiritual and mental state.

Nox pure form will be reinforced/

Sin went off.

I nodded as my vision turned dark and I saw what the shard held.

I saw Nox. But not in one of her shadow worlds. But in a beautiful garden. A man with striking gold hair stood next to her. His physic was decent and his features perfect for a Greek god.

"You come and see me every day Zeus. I thought one day you would tire of this." A melodic and peaceful voice whispered through the garden.

The man who I now knew as Zeus stood by her still. His voice wasn't thundering or strong. But it was a common voice. Simple and gentle. As though he watched his words well. A kind person.

"I know you have noone else. So why would I leave someone alone who doesn't deserve it." He said as he stepped forward and drew something from the skies.

It was golden and crackled with power. But it was small like a pencil on the bottom with a tiny saucer sized thunder cloud making up its upper part.

"Besides Hera still encourages this. After all our marriage is next week. I suppose this is her way of checking for cold feet. But I don't think that way. Things will always be in the moment. But...you at least deserve to know we'll be here for you if you need it." He said as he placed his thunder flower next to Nox on her armrest.

She shook her head as he started walking away. "If only Hera hadn't gotten to you first."She whispered. A sad tone filling her voice as she slowly and tenderly picked up the crackling flower. "How would things be different I wonder?"

Darkness once again enveloped Ignis's view before leaving him back in the present. A small tear slid down his face as he blinked getting his head clear before he moved from his spot on top of the wagon.

He stretched a bit before doing some checks on himself to see any differences.

The power of Starlight was different than he expected.

Every star gave him a boost of .001% in power so he got a total boost of 3.417% which might not sound like much. But it actually might help in a pinch. If Ignis current power level was 1000 and 3% was 30. In a bind the smallest difference in power makes the biggest change.

And if he consumed the other shards then he would gain the control Nox originally lost.

Ignis began to salivate over the potential power he could gain from the shards. That is until he felt something move at his side. Chibi Nox had been sleeping in his shadow alot over the past few days and had woken when she felt some of her power flow through Ignis and into her. Her small form had grown somewhat from a tiny chibi into more of a toddler standing at about 2 feet tall. Her veil still covered her tubby cheeks and her hands still grasped Ignis tightly as though she was afraid he would disappear.

"Papa." She said looking up at him. Her cute stoic face was calm and it almost seemed natural for her to say that word. But it bothered Ignis immensely.

(What the bleeding Blazes do you mean Papa!?) He thought as he could hear Sin roaring of Laughter in his head.

/hahahahahaha! Ahahaha!!! Oh that was priceless./ It echoed.

(Quiet you! Now why is Nox calling me Papa. I don't want Sam getting any misunderstandings.)

Ignis thought at Sin. He was already sweating nervously at the thought of Sam with her hammer and the look of murder in her eyes when she heard Nox hearing said word.

Perhaps thinking Ignis cheated on her or something.

Sin slowly stopped laughing and started giggling instead in the middle of its explanation.

/Hehehe. A part of your power merged with Nox's before she was made. It's a side effect of you filtering her power. So in a way you became her father from your power mixing with her previous counterpart. Kekekeke! Oh this is still priceless. Right Papa! Ahahaha!/ It said before roaring into laughter again and Ignis tuned it out.