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Hetroth woke with a start, a layer of sweat coating his chest and back. Everything seemed dark, except it wasn't. A deep black void surrounded him, yet his limbs were visible to him in perfect clarity. For a while his mind was clouded by thoughts of what he'd dreamt, unable to pierce the hazy veil of post-sleep disorientation.

Somehow, as his consciousness returned to him, the darkness around seemed to recede, allowing him to see more of his surroundings, yet not far. He was sitting on a floor of stone, made of heavy-set brick, the surrounding walls likewise sturdy, yet elaborately engraved with patterns and reliefs. It reminded him of something, yet he couldn't quite place where he'd seen something of the sort before.

Assessing his surroundings, he realized multiple things that made his heart skip a beat. For one, he was completely naked. This did help ease his mind as to his current state of health, his male parts looking quite intact and whole, but on the other hand it made him feel quite vulnerable. In addition, his state of undress made him realize something else - he felt no cold, nor any particular kind of heat. The third aspect of the world around him he realized as he rose to his paws and looked around, finding no source of light around him. The light was somehow radiating from himself.

"Is... is this the afterlife?", Het said aloud, hoping to hear someone answer him. Yet no sound followed, other than a persistent, slowly pulsing hum coming from directions unknown.

Looking around in disorientation, he picked one among two of the corridors entering the chamber he was in and began his journey into the unknown, the world around seemingly appearing and dissolving as it entered and left his vicinity. As he finally reached the end of his path, coming to what seemed to be an exit to the outside, he found the outdoors no less oppressively dark than the depths of the corridors. Or at least he assumed it was the outside rather than just a larger chamber. After a moment of investigating, he realized he was standing atop an elevated terrace, although rather than as a vantage point, in the surrounding black it served only to hinder his further exploration.

He did at the very least spot a glimmer of something in the distance, and as it very clearly neared his position, Het began to realize it was spindly-limbed and impossibly tall, the amount of arms upon its person creating the impression of looking at an arachnid. Fearing it may decide to climb the building he was on, Hetroth turned tail and ventured back into the depths.

Swiftly moving past the chamber where he'd awoken, he moved in quick succession through multiple branches of corridors, picking his path in a disorganized and panicked manner. He began to come across smaller chambers, although other than the occasional pillow at their centre, he took little notice of what lay within as he swiftly walked past.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he came across a room much more spacious than any other. Within he witnessed a number of figures, the light radiating from them giving form to the chamber around much more than Hetroth's own presence. Seeing they were incomprehensibly tall to various degrees, Het's first instinct was to turn around and run, but he caught himself, realizing he had no idea where to even go. As much as he hated and feared the prospect, the daemons within the room were his best hope of finding out where he was and what'd even happened to him.

Stepping unsteadily into the chamber, he inspected the scene, more and more details revealing themselves as he neared. Positioned in a semi-circle sat 5 of the creatures, with 2 in the middle engaging in an act Het could only describe as fucking in near-silence. The smell coming from their general direction was an overwhelming reek of musk and arousal, both repulsive and intoxicating at the same time. Among those observing he found the now somewhat familiar Timir, sitting upon an elevated throne of stone. Eventually, one among them, a relatively mortal-like but still rather tall wolf-like female turned towards the oncoming hyena, looking strangely anticipant, yet said nothing.

Hetroth froze in place, uncertain whether his presence would be deemed unwanted. Yet his uncertainty was given an unexpected pause as he felt a number of arms grab hold of him from behind, hugging him close to a figure he could tell was no smaller than those before him. Before he could so much as make a sound, he was pinned to the floor by what he managed to ascertain was an equine-like creature, or at least as equine as these creatures could be, its face distended and four-eyed. He had little time to try and gather more about his assailant, when a number of hands began to grope around his body, rudely grabbing him first by the rear, then by his balls and penis.

"Unh! Stop!", Het shouted as the creature continued to take liberties with his person. It ignored Het's pleas and instead pulled his rear up by the balls, making him gasp under the sudden influx of pain, another arm keeping the hyena's head in place. When he felt a rigid but warm and fleshy body part place itself between his butt cheeks, he knew all too well what was about to come.

"Kiglin, hold.", Timir said calmly, standing to its paws and proceeding to cross the room towards the equine. "Save it for Lirinia and Urdin.", it said.

"What's the point of keeping a plaything you cannot play with?", Kiglin asked in displeasure.

"I have other ways of making use of him. You would merely break him.", Timir said.

"I can be gentle.", Kiglin assured, even as he ran a hand over the hyena's nethers and nipped at an ear, making Het flinch and shiver.

"Maybe later, then.", Timir said. "Leave him be for now.", it added in a commanding tone.

Kiglin merely gave out a snort of displeasure in response and got up, leaving Hetroth on the floor, his rump still in the air. His heart still thumping wildly after the narrowly avoided violation, Het looked up at Timir questioningly.

"Come.", Timir said, and went back towards its seat. Het rose to his paws and followed uncertainly. He took note that the pair at the centre, a relatively mortal-like male lion lying atop an ewe on her back, paused in their efforts, apparently awaiting everyone to take their seats. Timir patted an empty space upon a stone stool next to itself, and Het obliged, taking the less than comfortable seat. With that, the scene before them resumed, the lion pushing his manhood in and out of the ewe in smooth, circular motions. Were the situation not so tense for Hetroth, perhaps he could've found some eroticism in it, if only within the lion-like figure's musculature and endowment.

"Wh-... where am I?", Het asked towards the rat-thing.

"Hush. We approach the end.", Timir said in whisper and continued to observe. Het couldn't help but wonder what the god-thing saw in the act, considering it must've seen it countless times before. Soon enough, however, the lion-like figure roared in pleasure, its hips thrashing wildly back and forth as it spewed its seed into the welcoming ewe. "Was that not beautiful?", the rat-thing asked as the two now unentwined from each other, the results of their love-making leaving a gooey string between them.

"I... I cannot say.", Het said, feeling too intimidated at the moment to see anything other than danger wherever he looked.

"Oh, of course. You'd prefer were it two men, wouldn't you?", Timir said with something resembling a smile. Het nodded uncertainly, even though sex wasn't on his mind at all right now.

"What I'd really like to know is where I am.", Het attempted to pry once more, even as two males, a crocodile-like being and a blue avian entered the centre.

"You're within my realm, of course.", Timir said while the scene before them began to unfold. The avian displayed his rear to the reptilian, gyrating his hips in an effort to better entice the already lustful-looking crocodile.

"Am I dead? Is this the afterlife?", Het asked on, observing the somewhat surreal scene before them.

"No.", Timir said with somewhat of a condescending smile, just as the reptilian rudely pushed the avian down to all fours and prepared to mount him from behind.

"So how did I get here?", Het asked on, barely able to hide his relief that this wouldn't be his eternity hereafter.

"I brought you here. I must apologize for the pain I'd caused you.", Timir said. "Though I believe it was just that you got to experience some of what you've done.", it added with a smile.

"What did you do to me?" Hetroth asked, looking over himself uncertainly.

"I emasculated you.", Timir said, even as the two performing males now began to fuck vigorously, their rhythmic movements either slowing or gaining haste, but never coming to a halt.

"What?", Hetroth asked in confused disbelief.

"I yanked off your testes.", Timir said.

"But...", Het began, looking down and touching the parts in question to verify he was not hallucinating.

"Well, I couldn't leave you like that.", Timir said with a grin. "Though there would've been some fairness in doing so.", it said. Het felt very much horrified by this news, his hand trailing down to inspect his parts more thoroughly. "Still, I couldn't bring myself to let you remain a eunuch.", it added.

"Are these even my parts anymore?", Hetroth asked as he realized he now differed somewhat anatomically, his testes seemingly slightly larger than before, not to mention somewhat tender feeling.

"Of course.", Timir assured. "They may not be the ones you came out of your mother's womb with, but they are no less your parts.", it explained.

"Why did you do it?", Het asked in somewhat of a stupor.

"Because I needed you unconscious, and found it a suitable means of achieving it.", Timir said.

"But... why me? Why not take someone like Cossian?", Het asked, his mind racing to make sense of his situation.

"Really I just wanted a hostage in case I ran into any more of them while escaping. You just happened to be the perfect candidate.", Timir said.

"So why take me here?", Hetroth asked.

"Oh. A random whim, that.", Timir said with somewhat of a smile. "If you want a better reason, then I suppose I didn't want my kidnapping to be a total waste. And my brood hasn't had a mortal to play with for ages.", it went on.

"But... I need to go back.", Het said.

"Oh, you'll go back eventually. I'm sure your friends will want to mount a rescue or some such.", Timir said.

"I don't want anyone getting hurt.", Het added.

"They won't. Assuming they do not try to imprison me again, at least.", Timir said with as pleasant a smile as it could muster. Hetroth remained silent for a while, considering what to ask of next, the vivid humping going on before them making it difficult to focus.

"Are you all gods?", Het asked, looking over the gathered menagerie.

"We are the closest thing to gods you're likely to encounter.", Timir said with a smirk. "Although my friends here your kind would normally call aspects of myself.", it explained. At this Hetroth once more took a look around, taking in the looks and behaviours of those aspects.

"I only know of the aspects of Tavat.", Hetroth admitted.

"Ugh, that stuck up... but of course, you're a little Artificer.", Timir said, promptly sneering only to return to a slightly more pleasant smile. "Permit me to introduce everyone, then.", Timir began. "Performing for us are Qthon, the aspect of domination, and Cei-sen the aspect of courtship. I needn't tell you which is which, do I?", it asked with a grin. "Their predecessors are Urdin and Liriana, aspects of masculinity and femininity respectively. No surprises which is which there either.", Timir said. "The equine that forced you down is Kiglin, aspect of forced encounters, as I like to call them.", it went on. "And the dog girl over there is Zilin, aspect of submissiveness. Something near and dear to your heart.", it said, at which Hetroth blushed. "And last but not least, the white avian over there is Estrinin, aspect of love.", it added, pointing towards the female in question. "There are others not currently present, and many more thralls not devoted to any particular aspect, but you'll likely meet them in due time.", Timir concluded.

"I see... so what do you intend to do to me?", Het asked.

"Keep you alive and whole, most of all.", Timir said. "And some of my brood would very much like to interact with you in their own ways. I can't really say the same.", it added, reminding Hetroth of a rather sour note to all this.

"Am I truly beyond redemption in your eyes?", Het asked, sounding somewhat annoyed at being considered an offender.

"I suppose not. But if you wish to see my favour returned, you'd best put those balls to good use.", Timir said.

"You mean... you wish me to have more sex?", Het asked with a raised brow, not really liking the sound of the request.

"Orgies, preferably. If you could muster the courage, you could be slightly less discriminating when it comes to what's between one's legs.", Timir explained with a playful smile, at which Het looked down and blushed.

"I do not think that is something I would wish.", Het said.

"Then forever remain in disfavour.", Timir said with a shrug.

"Is it truly so bad for me to remain faithful to one?", Het now asked.

"Your buck welcomes you to experiment. Though it might scald his sense of security, he'd accept you even if you fucked an entire brothel.", Timir said. "You're using faithfulness as a convenient excuse not to say you fear something.", it added.

"Perhaps.", Het muttered in thought. They weren't thoughts he particularly welcomed.

"I can think of at least one person who'd be happier if you welcomed the chance to try it.", Timir said with a suggestive look in its eyes.

"Uh. Niridith?", Het asked, at which Timir rolled its eyes. Hetroth wasn't sure what to make of it.

The scene before them seemed to go on and on to no determinable end, the two males not even so much as breaking a sweat nor panting after what must've been a quarter hour of non-stop rutting. As terrified as he was in the present situation, the sights, scents and sounds of the act were slowly having an effect on him, making him wish for the simplest of garments just to hide his nervous excitement.

"How did you come to know so much of us?", Hetroth asked, trying to keep his mind off the carnal acts taking place before him.

"I am a god, am I not?", Timir asked with a teasing smile.

"So it's just natural ability?", Het asked.

"Somewhat like your seers, yes.", Timir said. "Albeit much better honed.", it added after some thought. "But you would know all about that, wouldn't you?", it then asked.

"Hm?", Het questioned for a moment. "Oh. You speak of my mother.", he said in realization.

"Of course.", Timir said as though stifling a chuckle. It made Het uncomfortable to think the rat-thing thought of his mother along lines best left unmentioned.

"I can't say I know much on the matter. Even within my family, seer matters were rather secretive. Can't say I know much of my mother at all, for that matter.", Het said.

"Must've evaded my attention. Pardon me.", Timir said with an everlasting smirk. "If you feel you never got that motherly attention you craved, I think I can be of service.", it offered with arms wide-spread, its sizable bosom on display.

"I'd... rather not.", Het said, shielding himself from the rat-thing's incestuous affections.

"Varik would not have said no.", Timir goaded on.

"I know for certain that he would.", Het said, raising a brow.

"He'd be much less guarded against new experiences, I can assure you.", Timir insisted. "But perhaps you'd be more open to fatherly affections, hm?", it asked once more.

"What does that even mean?", Het asked with a blush. "Besides, typically a father does not have...", he began, looking towards the rat-thing's breasts, only to find them quite absent. Timir merely smirked at his notice and fluster.

"Didn't think I can freely alter myself as well?", Timir asked.

"I... I suppose I should've considered it a given.", Het said, even as he thought to himself how surreal everything around truly was.

"If you're not going to use the opportunity to explore, I thought I might as well assume a form you'd be more comfortable with.", Timir said, though the pulsing erection resting on the rat-thing's lap put Het in somewhat of a state of unease.

"How much can you alter yourself?", Hetroth asked.

"Quite freely, as long as it involves something worthwhile.", Timir said.

"I'm guessing worthwhile means related to sex.", Het said.

"Of course.", Timir said. Hetroth began to think it was a theme he would soon grow tired of. Much like the ongoing debauchery before them was becoming somewhat repetitive.

"How long is this to go on?" Het asked, feeling they were already past a half hour of this.

"Oh, they can do this for hours. Really they just perform for your benefit.", Timir said, now leaning towards the hyena. "For a depraved sadist, you make for pleasant and cute-looking company.", it said, now hovering dangerously close to Het's face.

"Uh. Thank you?", Het said uncertainly, readying himself to flee from his seat. He had no idea whether the rat-thing now aimed to do him harm, to bed him, or both.

"Varik would be proud of your inquisitiveness.", Timir said, now pushing Het onto his back upon the hard stone beneath. "But enough questions for now. Show us the 'swordplay' of an Artificer.", it said, rudely grabbing a handful of Hetroth's genitals.

"Uh! I... I'm not- uhm!", Het yelped as he was once more violated. Try as he might, he could seldom escape the rat-thing's encroaching grasp.

"Just be glad it's not Kiglin who takes you first.", Timir said with a smile laced with malice. Somewhat unexpectedly, it then descended downward, between the hyena's legs.

"W-wait..!", Het pleaded, futilely trying to push his legs together, but managed only to strain himself as the rat-thing's tongue descended down upon his manhood. Before he could raise further protest, he gasped out in confusion as a familiar yet unexpected convulsion gripped his body. He nearly gagged as his groin began to involuntarily tense and flex, expelling his seed in pleasant yet intense spasms.

"Didn't last long there.", the rat-thing commented with a smirk and began to lap at the pool of semen at that'd formed upon the hyena's abdomen.

"What... what happened?", Hetroth asked in disbelief, more terrified than pleased with what'd just happened.

"I can freely reshape your parts. Do you imagine making them perform is somehow a challenge for me?", the rat-thing asked.

"I... I suppose- ah!", Het began, but was once again racked with a spontaneous orgasm. Then another. "S-stop!", he pleaded, the sensations in his nethers steadily turning far less pleasant with each successive climax.

"Savour the feeling.", the rat-thing said and didn't let up, continuing to run its hands over the hyena's groin even as he moved to all fours in an attempt to get away. "You will experience nothing like this at the hands of a mortal.", it added, its voice soft and strangely compassionate.

Yet Hetroth could hardly appreciate it, his body convulsing wildly and incapable of getting away. He looked down to find his manhood no longer spilled despite the overwhelming feeling of his innards desperately trying to pump out the contents of his balls.

"You've run dry.", the rat-thing said, echoing the hyena's thoughts. "Worry not, it's almost over.", it added, even as yet another climax ran over him, sending his body into convulsions that now seemed to spread down to his testicles, causing him a pain he hadn't imagine possible. Just when he thought he might pass out from the surreal cramping he was feeling all over his body, it thankfully let up. "Now then, let us return to enjoying the show.", Timir said, releasing the hyena from its grasp with the ease and platitude of silk.

As Hetroth laid there on the floor, still shaking and covered in his own essence, he could seldom grasp what just happened and why. It was only after a couple moments more of listening to the wild rutting going on beyond his sight that he realized something that terrified him considerably more than his recent experience. This had been but a couple minutes of his time here. And he had no prospects of leaving this place, nor even avoiding its inhabitants. The thought that this could be his fate for the coming days, weeks, or even months frightened him beyond reason.

Shivering from head to toe, he pushed himself to his paws and began to unsteadily make his way towards a yet unexplored exit.

"Where are you going?", Timir asked curiously, but Hetroth didn't answer nor even look back, and instead quickened his pace.

Once more he delved into the endless corridors of the foreign structure, his path branching and weaving in seemingly random directions. Though he feared pursuit from his captors, being hopelessly lost seemed an even less welcome prospect. It took him what felt like nearly half an hour of walking in circles to finally reached the outside. The ground below was rough and ashen, just barely bright enough to stand out among the all-encompassing darkness. He peered off ahead, seeing a number of smaller lights in the distance, but more worryingly, he seemed to notice shapes shifting and moving within the black void before him. Unarmed and naked, he had no way of defending himself were he to encounter whatever dangers lurked in this world.

For a while he just stood there, a feeling of hopelessness enveloping him as he realized that not only was he unable to leave without moving into harm's way, but he couldn't even know where he might seek refuge in this alien world. Yet for all his awareness of the situation, he still backed away from the relative safety of the heavy structure when he saw him, Urdin, his muscular yet distended lionid features approaching out of the darkness of the building.

Walking backwards and away from the structure, he felt like he would reach a cliff edge and fall at any minute, yet he continued to back away.

"Hold!", Urdin called after him, now moving quickly after the hyena. The sternness of the feline's voice somehow caused Hetroth to stop involuntarily, its timbre giving him a sense of great harm coming his way were he to disobey. Yet as he neared the now still hyena, the lion-like being only quickened his gait, looking as though he aimed to punt Het into the distance. That was, until Hetroth realized something lurked behind him.

He saw it with only the corner of his eye. Hunched over, wild and mad at the same time, an abnormally emaciated avian, its ribs looking ready to burst out of its chest. Before Hetroth could study it further, the lion leapt upon it, grabbing it by the beak and harshly twisting its head to the side with an audible crack. Urdin hoisted the now limp being and threw it carelessly into the distance, its form swallowed up by the welcoming darkness.

"Off with you.", Urdin said, shoving Hetroth back towards the structure whence they'd come. Het did not resist, and stumbled away towards a fate he very much feared. "What were you even thinking, runt?", the lion asked dismissively.

"I was thinking I didn't want to be there.", Het said.

"Weak little shit like you doesn't get to decide where he goes.", Urdin said sternly. Het replied no more, the conversation with the lion feeling quite unpleasant.

Just as they crossed the threshold of the building, however, Urdin grabbed him by the collar and pressed him against a nearby wall. With the size difference between them, Hetroth was left facing the feline's flaccid parts, his musk now overwhelmingly strong.

"You've trouble learning your place, I feel.", Urdin growled down at him and pressed his hand nearer to the hyena's throat.

With his pulse quickening in fear, Het's thoughts darted back and forth between fighting back and appearing as meek and docile as possible. Try as he might however, he found no respite in remaining passive, and though he knew it might lead to unfortunate consequences, he struck out at the only target within his reach that he thought might bring a change to his situation.

"Ngh.", was all the lion said in response to the sudden kick between his legs. He seemed otherwise unimpressed. "That the best you've got?", he asked, visibly enraged. Rather than strike back in similar fashion as Het had expected, however, the lion merely lowered his free hand and gave the restrained hyena a hard flick to his lower parts. Het might've yelped at that point were it not for the hand near his throat, as that little flick easily felt as bad as the result of his duel with Roeterik.

The lionid then thankfully released him, permitting him to drop to the floor and sit up against the wall behind him, wheezing and coughing.

"Pathetic.", Urdin commented, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hetroth said nothing in response. If damnation after death existed, he couldn't imagine it being much worse.

"Get up. It's only pain.", Urdin grumbled, now sounding considerably less angry, though still displeased.

"Easy for you to say.", Het said as he pushed himself up against the wall. "You didn't even feel it.", he added.

"I felt it no less than you did.", the lion assured. Hetroth wasn't sure he believed it. "Never show weakness, pup. It'll do you no favours.", he added in a scolding manner. Het wasn't sure he agreed with that assessment. Falling prone certainly sometimes helped alleviate further violence.

Once he got back up, Hetroth limped down the path appointed without further question. Though he was still terrified of his stay within this place, Urdin's words did give him a glimpse into the minds of its inhabitants that strangely provided him a modicum of calm. At the very least it was possible to placate some of them with the right words and deeds. What still worried him was if he'd actually be able to carry them out, considering the lion's lofty requirements of him.

"So. What is it you expect of people?", Hetroth asked, curious as to what exactly the lion's idea of masculinity was.

"Toughen up. Take what you can. Fight for everything else.", Urdin said. That was a description that could've applied to a number of other aspects, Hetroth imagined.

"And would you fight a losing battle?", Hetroth asked.

"There's no such thing. There is only your failure to win.", Urdin said.

"So you've never lost a fight?", Het asked, feeling he was fast approaching the brink of what warranted a smack in the head from the lionid.

"Be quiet.", Urdin growled. Hetroth took that as a 'yes'. He also surmised pride must've been part of the lion's idea of manhood.

"Do you fight others here often?", Het asked.

"Primarily those of other gods.", Urdin said.

"You think of them as gods?", Het asked.

"As good a word as they come for what they are.", Urdin said with some audible irritation. Hetroth felt his inquisition would have to give way to the lion-thing's humour, preferably not by the force of his hand.

By the time they'd returned, the two males at the centre had finished, giving way to Timir itself and a female canine, currently down on her back.

"Ah. You. Return.", Timir panted out in between hard thrusts. Its breasts were back, lending the scene a mildly more surreal quality.

"Nearly got himself killed.", Urdin said in displeasure as he moved to seat himself as previously.

"My. You're quite. The troublemaker.", Timir went on. "Estrinin. Put him. To rest. For now.", it said.

In response to its words, the white avian female got up and approached the yet stunned hyena. She looked down upon him with eyes of deep compassion, and though at the same time Het feared what her idea of love might be, her gaze did bring about an inexplicable sense of calm.

"Come, little one.", Estrinin said, gesturing for him to proceed. With a hand on Het's back, she gently lead him down a series of corridors, only to end up in a chamber much like any other, save for a pile of pillows at its centre, and only the way they'd come to serve as exit. "Sleep now.", she said as she brought him to what would likely serve as bed to him.

"Uh. I'm not very tired right now.", Het said.

"Lay. I will bring the sleep to you.", Estrinin said.

Hetroth did as told, now awkwardly looking up at the avian from amid his pile of pillows. They were soft and silky, their contents molding around his form to near perfection. Estrinin then crouched down over him and placed a palm on his cheek. Though the sight of the bird-thing staring down at him unnerved him more than anything, he closed his eyes and tried to relax, a strangely pleasant sensation seemingly radiating from her hand. His eyes shot back open when he felt the avian place her other hand over his gonads.

"Wha-!", Het exclaimed, his legs instinctively curling up in fear for his manhood.

"Calm, little one.", Estrinin said and continued to brush her hand over his face and hair with one hand, and his testicles with the other. Though he felt anything but calm at that moment, he did realize he was feeling some kind of sense of relaxation and warmth washing over him.

"What are y-... you...?", Het yet tried to fight the overcoming drowsiness, his entire body turning limp, his mind wandering towards thoughts stray and disorganized.

"Shhh.", Estrinin said, even as Het continued to fade, feeling as though he would lose the ability to breathe at any minute. Yet what troubled his final thoughts more than anything was that he realized he'd gotten an erection.

***

Ivid sat upon a chair within the room she shared with Roeterik, who was currently lying on his back, eyes closed but undreaming. The ferret sighed mildly and leaned into her table, looking dejected and troubled.

At that moment, the door to their room creaked open, and in came Varikas, dressed in his usual tribal attire.

"Morning.", the deer said in a troubled tone.

"Morning.", Ivid responded, her mood neither rising or falling. Roeterik remained silent during their exchange.

"I bring good news.", Varik said, though the tone of his voice might've suggested otherwise.

"How good?", Ivid asked.

"Moderately so.", Varikas said. "You've been cleared of suspicion.", he said.

"And who was the culprit?", Ivid asked, seemingly barely mustering the will to speak.

"Unknown at this point.", Varik said.

"And what of other matters?", Ivid asked, raising her head with some sense of purpose.

"Nothing yet.", Varik said. Ivid sighed and looked out into space, looking frustrated.

"We may leave the room now, correct?", Ivid asked.

"You may.", Varik said.

"Then I would wish to petition someone.", Ivid said.

"Doubt it'll do much good, but you may try.", Varik said, at which Ivid rose from her seat.

"Nothing better we can do now.", Ivid said.

The two of them opened the door and went through, right into an encroaching darkness that hungrily engulfed them as they ventured within.

***

Hetroth opened his eyes, the surrounding darkness leaving him wondering what was dream and what was reality anymore. Though the prospect of returning to this realm of the unknown terrified him greatly, he realized he'd never felt this rested ever before. From within his cushioned fortress, he saw no one around, yet his field of vision was greatly diminished for the moment. He briefly raised himself on his haunches and reassessed his surroundings.

Seeing none to bother him, he stretched himself out, the morning stiffness between his legs feeling particularly pleasant that day. He could only guess this realm somehow rejuvenated him. Or it'd been the avian's doing. Whatever might've been the reason for his state of being, he was now free to ponder his situation relatively unhindered. He even realized he felt no hunger, despite his absence of food for what must've been over a day now.

He considered his options for a while, thinking back to the previous day's events. He hardly felt any want to so much as near any of the creatures within this realm. Save for maybe Estrinin, as odd as it seemed to him. Whatever she'd done to him had left him with something of a yearning to be near her again, even though he could hardly look at the avian with anything resembling carnal wants. The rest of Timir's congregation, including Timir itself, he very much feared, however. Not only did they seem mad to various extents, which was normally enough to drive Het away from people, but they all seemed to have their own ideas and expectations of him, often contradictory in manner.

Hetroth had very few options available to him. Either remain in his bed, seek out the creatures at random, or attempt another escape, hoping he would avoid any danger by sheer chance, and likewise find his way to something resembling safety.

With a resigned sigh, he sunk his head back among the pillows, content to remain as he was. Though less pleasant thoughts quickly began to stream into his mind in place of his immediate worries. He was within the realm where gods reigned, and at best he could describe it as a nightmare. A world hostile, unpleasant, and filled with madness. Was this what awaited in the afterlife? Did an afterlife even exist?

At times he thought he might've preferred to have remained in ignorance, blissfully unaware of how his beliefs might've been based on pleasant lies, ready to die for his guild, convinced that he would be awarded for his sacrifice. On the other hand, he considered how he might've ended up dying for nothing, or worse, causing someone else to die under some pretense of redemption awaiting them in the afterlife.

Then returned thoughts of what they'd done, and how they'd likely caused the deaths of tens, if not hundreds or thousands. For nothing other than some wisdom. Wisdom which had lead some people to similar thoughts as Hetroth, albeit with drastically different conclusions. He truly wanted to forgive Varik for what'd happened. Though he'd recited guild dogma as his explanation, he did seem truly overwhelmed and regretful of the situation. At least compared to his usual, arrogant self. Het couldn't help but wonder what the buck thought was happening to him right now. Would he maintain his usual cool and think things through, or was he now raging mad? Or perhaps he didn't actually care?

One place Varik might've unloaded his frustrations was likely Cossian. Assuming she yet lived. Het had little idea what'd happened to her, the fertility god-thing's description somewhat vague and unsettling. Though if she lived, she would likely be asked to explain the bodypart lying nearby. And that was something even Het didn't particularly like to think about.

He ran his hand over his testicles, still wondering if they were truly even his. They felt slightly different. Fuller, perhaps slightly bigger, but otherwise much the same. It might've been a greater issue for him had he expected to ever father children, as he had no way of knowing if it was even his own seed he carried. It wasn't overly rational to think Timir would try and play a trick on him that way, but still he feared it was a change that'd bring him grief somehow. What mortified him more than that, however, was the awareness that there was no going back from this, whatever it might've truly been. The pair he'd been born with had been torn away from him and laid dead where it'd fallen. Presumably no longer, but that made it no less a gut-churning sight to imagine.

He momentarily rose to a sit before his mind could bring forth even less welcome imagery. He felt a distressing memory nagging him from beyond conscious thought. A memory so unpleasant it made him question if he could ever actually make use of a live weapon ever again. And also part of the reason why he was here.

Yet despite the unsettling nature of his thoughts, he lied back and closed his eyes. He dozed in and out of consciousness, the memories never quite managing to become more than fleeting images at the back of his mind. That was until eventually he opened his eyes to find something considerably more unsettling hovering above.

"Good morning, pup.", the horse-faced, 6-armed daemon said. Before Het could respond in any way, he was grabbed by the arms and legs and forcefully spread, permitting the daemon-thing to press their pelvic regions together. "I've been looking forward to this.", he said, its 4 eyes glaring down at him with malice.

Het's mind rushed and fumbled in an attempt to think of some way out of this. Though the prospect of being taken by the somewhat oddly-shaped male wasn't entirely unenticing to him, his last experience of a seemingly benign nature had left him quivering in shock. Just then, through the corner of his eyes he spotted someone. Someone who, by their very presence, put an idea in his head even he thought ludicrous, yet he really needed to try if he hoped to get out of his current predicament.

"Uh. I've been looking forward to this as well.", Het said, stammering even as he tried to focus all his confidence. Kiglin paused and looked him in the eye, suddenly looking surprised and quite unhappy.

"What?", Kiglin asked, even as he seemed ready to plunge into the hyena below.

"You I wouldn't mind spending some time with.", Het reiterated, feeling his approach was gaining traction. Kiglin remained frozen there for a while, seemingly growing irritated.

"I don't think you understand what I'm going to do with you.", Kiglin said, then used one of his spare hands to roughly grab Het by the balls. Doing his best to show no doubt, Het stifled the yelp he very much wanted to sound out, even as Kiglin's grip tightened mercilessly around his gonads, the pain steadily robbing him of all composure.

"Oh, I like it rough.", Het said to the best of his ability to remain calm and confident, even as he began to sweat under the influx of pain. Kiglin's grasp became increasingly harsh, a growing irritation forming upon his face. Hetroth steadily began to fear he might be castrated much more harshly than at the hands of Timir that day.

"Bah!", Kiglin growled and unleashed the hyena, then stormed off down one of the corridors.

"Wh-... where are you going?", Het called after him, trying to maintain the illusion that he'd been somehow enjoying this. Only once he was relatively certain the being would not return did he cup his balls and roll into a ball. "Oh, gods.", he muttered to himself, still perspiring profusely. Not only did it feel as though his gonads had been deformed quite permanently, he couldn't help but wonder what other horrors the being may have had prepared for him had they continued. He also began to question whether he'd undertaken the best course of action. Now that he had some time to think, he thought back to how he could've pretended he greatly feared gentle petting, or receiving fellatio.

"You are adorable.", he suddenly heard a whisper of a female voice from above. He turned his head upwards to find the canine who'd inspired his sudden idea by her very presence. Zilin, aspect of submission. "You look so helpless.", she said in a tone very reminiscent of adoration.

Het maintained his silence, feeling clueless as to how to respond to this. More than anything, he wished to suffer his moment of weakness alone.

"You are lucky we're not permitted to do you lasting harm.", Zilin said, continuing to look down on him. "Kiglin normally does whatever it takes to render his partners unwilling.", she explained.

"Does... does he normally do this to others around?", Het asked as he rolled onto his back.

"Of course. Provided he can tear the want from them somehow.", Zilin said. "Even myself he manages to push past limits I hadn't imagined. Pains that make me realize where my boundaries yet lay.", she added with a wistful smile.

"That sounds terrible.", Het said, thinking how lucky he'd actually been.

"He is remarkable, is he not?", Zilin asked with open adoration. It was a swift reminder that she, as all others of this world, was mad.

"I cannot say I would view it that way.", Het said.

"That is understandable. For a mortal.", Zilin said with a warm smile.

"And do you prefer that others, uh, follow your example or his?", Hetroth asked.

"Oh, I dare not place demands on others. It is my desire to submit myself to their will.", Zilin said, continuing to smile. "Although the way you yourself looked vulnerable and defeated just now did make me glad, I must admit.", she added.

Hetroth wasn't sure how to continue this conversation. At least not in its current trajectory.

"Forgive me. Despite my assurances, I impose.", Zilin said, somewhat to Het's confusion. "If you so desire, I would serve you as best I can.", she went on. "Perhaps a massage to help alleviate your nerves and pain?", she offered, tentatively placing her hands upon Hetroth's shoulders.

"Uh. That's alright.", Het said and moved to rise out of his nest of pillows, relieved to escape the oddly complacent being's grasp. Although her exceedingly subservient approach did give him an idea. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to assist me in fleeing this place back to my world?", he asked as he stretched his legs, trying his best to ignore the awkwardness of their blatant nudity, or the ache yet radiating from his lower regions.

"I'm sorry. My will is bound by that of Timir. I cannot disobey.", Zilin said, suddenly looking somewhat disappointed.

"I see.", Het said, feeling somewhat taken aback by the canine's apparent distress. "Well, can you tell me something of this place?", he asked, seeking to find an area he may've wanted her to help him with.

"What is it you wish to know?", Zilin asked and sat down before him, looking as eager as a housepet seeking attention.

"Well... how is it that we radiate light, for instance?", Het asked, the question not too pressing on his mind, yet a curiosity to him nonetheless.

"I... how else would we see whom we serve?", Zilin asked back. Her idea of answer made Hetroth wish to abandon any and all inquiry. "Perhaps my god would be better able to answer you.", she suggested.

"Perhaps they would.", Het echoed the thought.

"Would you like to go to them now?", Zilin offered, rising to her full height. Though likely the shortest among the aspects of Timir, she was still at least three heads taller than Het.

"Yes.", Het said with some uncertainty. She then suddenly descended down to all fours, lowering her head down to the floor. Wasn't quite sure what to make of her sudden movement.

"I offer myself as steed. Climb upon my back.", Zilin said.

"Uh. Alright.", Het said and approached the splayed being, seeking purchase to help himself climb atop. As soon as he hoisted himself onto the canine's middle back, he began to somewhat regret agreeing to this. Not only were his naked genitals now rubbing against the canine's back, but his recent pains made her spine all the more unpleasant.

"Comfortable?", Zilin asked.

"N-... not really.", Het said as he readjusted his parts, seeking to ease the pressure upon his manhood.

"Forgive me.", Zilin said with utmost sincerity, then splayed her arms off to the sides and arched her back, rendering Het's place of rest slightly more agreeable, likely at disproportionately great cost to her own comfort.

"Uh. Thank you.", Hetroth said in fluster. He felt somewhat guilty to be using the canine like this, even if it was what she truly wished. He wasn't even sure if his words of thanks were welcome.

"May we proceed?", Zilin asked.

"Yes.", Hetroth said, at which he somewhat instinctively pushed his heels into her sides. Though he quickly realized he wasn't riding an actual steed and needn't have done that, she didn't mind, and in fact reacted with something reminiscent of enthusiasm.

Moving through the labyrinthine corridors at a pace only slightly faster than a brisk walk, Het spent most of their journey trying his best not to fall off the writhing canine, the lack of a saddle making their travels considerably trickier than any ride he'd yet experienced.

On the way to their destination, they came across a somewhat familiar pair - a blue, male avian and an ewe, Cei-sen and Liriana, aspects of courtship and femininity, their proximity likely no accident. Het couldn't help but take notice of their particular body language. Cei-sen's stance was wide, his hips jutting forward, chest puffed up, tail extended and spread in a half-circle, the softer feathers on his scalp swept upwards. Despite the contrastingly thin proportions of his body, the very sight of him somehow sent Het's heart aflutter. Conversely, though somewhat less posturing, Liriana's stance appeared no less provocative, if somewhat more teasing, her seemingly relaxed hands hovering in a way that blocked sight of certain areas.

"What's this?", Liriana asked in a mildly miffed tone of voice as they approached.

"We travel to Timir.", Zilin said with a coy smile.

"You serve as beast of burden now?", Liriana asked, looking at the canine dismissively.

Zilin nodded with a smile.

"How unbefitting.", Liriana said dismissively.

As their conversation went on, Het was focused on the bird, who looked right back at him with the most suggestive look in his eyes he'd ever seen. His entire body seemed to slowly and subtly sway from side to side, even his sizeable, flaccid genitals discreetly shifting position. At some point, Hetroth realized he'd gotten excited just by looking at the avian, a rigid stiffness between his legs now pressing against the canine underneath, much to his shame. He couldn't help but wonder if this was some form of magic ability like what Estrinin had demonstrated earlier.

"You're right, of course.", Zilin said with the mildest of smiles, her mind in conflict between displeasing the ewe and giving in to her argumentation without a fight.

"Ugh, there's no arguing with you.", Liriana said dismissively again. "And you.", she went on, snapping Het out of his trance. "How can you take advantage of this poor girl?", she asked critically.

"Uh... pardon?", Het asked, his mind racing to think of how not to displease any of the three around him. Satisfying one at a time seemed a challenge in itself, and doing so for more he was beginning to understand was an impossibility. "I do nothing against her will.", Het tried to defend himself, though he knew at best he would manage only to placate the accusatory ewe.

"Her will is your will. Whatever you wish of her she will do.", Liriana said. Het very much wondered how that came to be when the wills of those around seemed contradictory.

"This was her idea.", Hetroth assured defensively. He wasn't lying, though he was uncertain how much weight it would pull with the ewe considering she seemed dead-set on laying blame on him.

"Of course it was.", Liriana said with a sigh of disappointment. Het only hoped it wasn't directed at him. "Just don't pretend like you don't like it.", she added, looking down towards Het's manhood.

"Ek!", Het stammered and covered himself with both hands, suddenly feeling deeply embarrassed by the implication. "It's not...", he went on, trying to explain himself.

"Save your excuses.", Liriana said dismissively, then turned and went down one of the corridors.

Cei-sen continued to say nothing, and simply drew his finger down along his torso, stopping just above a tuft of soft feathers above his groin. With one final suggestive wink towards Hetroth, he turned and went after the ewe, leaving Het in something of a state of shock.

"Wow, you're excited.", Zilin remarked once they'd left.

"Uh. Sorry.", Het stammered, even as he realized the canine likely desired no apologies. "It's... that bird.", he said.

"Cei-sen does have that effect on people.", Zilin said.

"Not for you?", Het asked.

"No.", Zilin said. "He's like a brother to me. We're too alike for me to see him that way.", she said.

"I've met people for whom family relations are no impediment.", Het said, recalling the rat twins.

"Would you like to stroke yourself off before we continue?", Zilin said, the notion more than odd and sudden to Hetroth.

"What? No!", Het said.

"I wouldn't mind if you finish on my back.", Zilin went on, twisting her head to stare up at the hyena with a look of eagerness in her eyes.

"Please, let's just carry on.", Hetroth pleaded, once more pushing his heels into Zilin's sides. She resumed her march without protest.

***

"Ah, finally.", Timir said as it took note of the two as they neared, though at the same time ignoring their fashion of approach. Het wondered how common an occurrence it was for someone to ride the canine. "I was beginning to fear you would miss it.", it said, gesturing broadly into an open void of nothing.

"What do you mean?", Hetroth asked, squinting to try and see what was there to miss.

"You've patiently indulged our wants, so I thought it fair to pay you back by sating some of your curiosity.", Timir said. Het would've liked to say he had no choice in the matter, but decided to hold his tongue instead.

Hetroth continued to look on into the distance, feeling he was very much missing something. Considering it was Timir who wished him to see it, he half-expected to suddenly see an enormous phallus rise out of the darkness. Zilin, meanwhile, remained still as a rock, serving as an odd sort of accessory to the unfolding scene. It was likely well within her wishes to be just that.

"What am I looking for?", Het asked.

"Patience. Look towards the horizon.", Timir said.

"I do not see a ho-...", Het began, but trailed off as soon as he'd noticed something beginning to form there.

Initially a glowing line of red, it grew and became round as it pulled out of the horizon with a speed uncharacteristic to a celestial body. The pervasive, rhythmic hum of the environment that he'd managed to tune out of perception now grew rapidly, yet was no longer ever present. Instead it now began to originate from the point before them, the sound thus far but a distant echo of the aggressively loud yet low roar. What initially looked like a ball of flame, upon closer inspection seemed to be some kind of... eye. Hetroth couldn't be certain, yet there was a circle of black at its center, creating the impression of a pupil and retina.

"What is that?", Het asked, continuing to stare at the alien sun.

"Something that yet sparks my curiosity. I do not know.", Timir said, likewise staring up. "I like to call it the mad sun.", the rat-thing added.

Perhaps for the first time since he'd gotten there, Het could see into the distance. Dimly bathed in deep orange light, the terrain stretching out before him seemed largely flat, colourless and barren, yet was dotted with points of interest. At the farthest reaches of his sight he saw mountains of black, jagged and seemingly large beyond reckoning. Smaller cliffs and rock formations dotted the landscape all around. More concerning, however, were the parts of the scenery before him that yet moved.

Within a mere half mile he saw a forest of barren trees, their branches smooth and curved, as though vines turned solid. They seemed to writhe and shift of their own accord. Closer still to Hetroth roamed more decrepit creatures, emaciated and hunched over, if not walking on all fours. Some among them now seemed to cower and remain still under the scrutiny of light, likely awaiting it to pass and allow them to hide once more. Closest among them Het saw an avian-like being. He recognized it. He wasn't entirely sure how, but he realized it'd been the one who'd attempted to leap at him before Urdin intervened... and snapped its neck. Yet there it stood, alive and well. More than that, it seemed to recognize Hetroth as well, standing there, glaring at them not a hundred meters away, daring not to near him with the two daemons in his vicinity.

"What do you make of my aspects?", Timir asked.

"Hm?", Hetroth murmured, brought out of his sense of wonder. "Uh, I suppose they're rather... driven.", Hetroth said, hoping to pick the right word so as not to offend present company, even if the company in question likely wouldn't have minded the worst invectives.

"We are all of the same mold.", Timir then began. "Myself, my aspects, our thralls. Even those wretches that plague the landscape. We are all driven. Some of us merely took different roads to where we are now.", the rat-thing went on. Hetroth was surprised, if not relieved, to hear the fertility god speak without focusing on carnal matters. Although that was unlikely to last, he felt.

"I've yet to encounter a thrall.", Hetroth noted.

"Oh, they're not that intriguing. Devoted to us, just slightly less than your present steed.", Timir said and reached somewhere behind Het.

"Ah!", Zilin sounded out in surprise. Het did not need to look back to have an idea of what'd begun to happen, the accompanying sounds of wet friction and Zilin's own writhing merely a confirmation of his suspicions.

"They've yet to find a purpose worth pursuing. Yet to bind with enough to keep themselves from obsession.", Timir said, even as it continued to evoke sounds slick and slimy using Zilin's behind.

"What do you mean?", Het asked, now attempting to focus on ignoring what transpired behind him.

"We hold the ability to bind with each other. Quite permanently, I might add. The resulting being holds broader horizons, yet in time will descend into some one aspect of life to devote their existence to.", Timir explained with a sense of melancholy. "Though I yet permit less valuable matters to distract me from my calling, eventually I will likewise devote every waking moment of my life to that which matters most.", it went on.

"I'm not sure I understand." , Het said, even as he actually had a decent idea of what it spoke of. What Varik merely speculated on.

"My aspects. Their minds are purer, unclouded by the broader world.", Timir said, seemingly ignoring the hyena. "They need me to guide them. To keep them together. On their own, what deities would they be?", the fertility god went on. "Zilin here cannot bring herself to demand anything of anyone. She is little more than driftwood.", Timir went on, its comments merely evoking a blush and smile from the enthralled steed. "Meanwhile, ones such as Urdin follow a philosophy that would leave all but one of their faithful maimed or dead. Likely only for Urdin himself to kill them.", Timir said.

"I certainly notice some flaws in their sense of logic.", Het said tentatively.

"To put it lightly.", Timir said with a smile. "Yet I look fondly upon them. Their ideals are pure, if naive. They remind me of the people I used to be. Of what I could be were I to let my own obsessions bloom in full.", Timir said.

"How is it they choose to follow you?", Het asked.

"I simply give them a semblance of what they need. Better than any other knows how.", Timir said, leaving them for a moment in relative silence.

"Ah!", Zilin suddenly squealed, pressing her forehead against the soil below, mild tremors and convulsions making it all too obvious what'd just happened. Hetroth very much wanted to dismount his steed now, yet remained as he was, even now feeling as though it'd be considered rude.

"Are all gods as obsessive as this?", Hetroth asked, trying to once more take his mind off what was happening around him.

"For the most part. Though they all focus on things considerably less important and pleasant.", Timir said, rubbing its chin. "Yotund constantly attempts to establish some kind of gigantic hub of commerce. Zelethon's desperate to learn of everything, particularly how we got here. Tavat's eager to turn everything into nothingness.", Timir iterated.

"Wh-... what? Tavat?", Het asked, feeling as though he might've misheard.

"Hm? Oh, yes. What better way to achieve 'true order' than to leave the world an empty, barren husk?", Timir said, rolling its eyes at the very implication.

"That differs somewhat from what we're taught of him.", Hetroth said, still in shock.

"Yes, well, he's likewise in control of his desires enough to realize that's a prospect with no future nor followers. He contents himself with different ideas of 'order'. Ones more in line with the needs of mortals. But the want is still there.", Timir said. Hetroth felt quite overwhelmed by the idea. To think Tavat would actually seek the demise of everyone and everything. And all the while claiming he sought only to benefit them. "I suppose it's good news for you that a desire of male flesh is somewhat irrelevant to Tavat in the grander scheme of things.", it added with something resembling a grin.

"And what would your grand ideal for the world involve?", Hetroth asked.

"Me? An eternal orgy, of course. A mass of nude, writhing bodies, as far as the eye can see.", Timir said, its eyes momentarily focused on an image distant and unseen. "Of course, with mortals it wouldn't be so eternal.", the rat-thing added with a resigned sigh.

"Do all gods desire the unachievable?", Het asked.

"Some ideals seem more achievable than others.", Timir said thoughtfully. "Although what they would do once they achieved it is a mystery.", it added with something of a smile, its words were followed by a bout of silence while Hetroth contemplated what he'd learned. There were many questions he yet felt he needed answers to, but with every answer his questions multiplied and trailed off and away from those he'd originally meant to ask. Though he had some doubts about whether what he was hearing was true, he kept coming to the conclusion that the lust-god had little reason to present this kind of vision of the world.

Just as he was about to ask on, however, the 'mad sun' began to descend back down, its chorus of wails steadily turning into a distant echo once more. Hetroth watched the strange phenomenon meld with the horizon, only to disappear into nothing seconds later, engulfing the world around in utter dark. He now saw but one point of light in the distance, shining bright, but still only a dot in the farscape.

"How often does this happen?", Hetroth asked, realizing the complete darkness a considerable hindrance to finding one's way in this world.

Yet as he turned to face the fertility god again, he found an absence in its eyes, the reason and thought he'd seen there moments earlier replaced by a mixture of glee and malice. Though he felt a sense of danger like no other, he didn't so much as flinch when the rat-thing's arm extended towards him and placed itself upon his back.

"Ngh!", Het sounded out against himself as he felt the throes of climax hit him unexpectedly. Whatever elation he might've felt was quite overwhelmingly clouded by the immediate sense of shame he felt upon realizing the position he was in when his member began to spill his seed. He watched helplessly as his essence splattered over the canine's upper back and nape, making her shiver mildly and otherwise remain deathly still in anticipation. "Oh gods.", Hetroth muttered in dismay as his high passed, leaving him to contemplate what just happened.

"Pardon. Really needed that to happen", Timir said with a smile suggesting the apology was hardly sincere.

"I wish it hadn't.", Het said, looking beneath himself resentfully. He then veered off to the side and slid off his 'steed', taking care not to dirty his fur any more than it'd already been. "Is there anywhere I might get clean?", he asked, looking over the matted and somewhat sticky fur around his groin.

"If you wish, Zilin could clean you.", Timir offered, at which Zilin let her tongue hang out for emphasis. It was grossly long, even for one of her proportions.

"That's... alright. I was hoping for a bath.", Het said uncertainly. Thus far he'd yet to see so much as a body of water within this place, and began to wonder how the creatures within handled such needs.

"We do have something of the sort in the depths of our home.", Timir said. "Yet I fear you will not have enough time to get there.", it said.

"Huh? I wasn't aware I was running out of time.", Het questioned.

"Our incoming guest likely seeks to take you away.", Timir said.

"Hm?", Het asked once more, now looking out into the landscape again. The figure he'd noticed before was steadily getting closer, its details obscured by reflective plates of metal. "Who is that?", he asked, feeling he might actually know the answer, yet wasn't sure he wished to.

"You should know, little Artificer.", Timir said.

As he looked on at the approaching figure, Hetroth could indeed begin to notice a set of features he knew as characteristic. A cone-faced full helm, twin protectors folded to the back for his ears, a single, fur-like plume of white protruding from over his visor to the back of his head. A silken tabard of pristine white was the only article of clothing draped over his silvery full plate. Flesh was seldom visible to any extent among servants of Tavat, and Fithrik, herald of calm, was no different, even his rather long and thick tail hidden away under segmented plate. Yet even without his fur on display, he immediately struck Hetroth as likewise quite unlike the more flattering descriptions of clergymen. Though his armour seemed to diminish the effect, Het could still tell from the disproportionately thin as well as the inordinately loose parts that whatever lay underneath would've likely been better suited to armour with proportions not unlike those of the other denizens of this realm.

"Is... is this it? You will not fight on this?", Het asked.

"I'm no fighter.", Timir said with a smile. "I suppose Urdin or Kiglin could try, though I see little point in that.", it added.

"And where will he take me?", Het asked, now somewhat concerned.

"I do not know.", Timir said. "Unfortunately, that is no longer my concern.", it went on.

Hetroth frowned, feeling as though he was being discarded like a used wrapper. And though he thought he should've felt safer among those he'd directed his prayers to all these years, something struck a sense of fear in him, and he wasn't certain what it was exactly. Perhaps it was seeing confirmation that they were material like any other. Or the uncertainty of his current standing with them. Worse still, his mind recoiled at the idea of there being no afterlife, and he couldn't help but view the signs around him as confirmation.

As the tall, armoured being finally neared, he greeted them with a raised palm, the very gesture somehow bringing a temporary end to Het's fears.

"Hail.", Fithrik called out. His voice was strangely soothing to Het, its timbre soft as velvet.

"Greetings. Don't suppose you'd wish to get out of that stuffy armour of yours?", Timir questioned.

"I'm quite content within its confines.", Fithrik said in a cordial manner.

"I take it you've come to take what's yours?", Timir asked placing a hand on Het's shoulder for emphasis. Hetroth feared he would be assailed by another bout of spasms, but thankfully Timir did not deem it fit to humiliate him before the armoured servant of Tavat.

"Indeed I have. And I hope you cooperate.", Fithrik said.

"Of course.", Timir said with a broad bow, then gave the hyena a light shove.

Hetroth stepped uncertainly towards the imposing figure. Though shorter than the fertility god by at least a head, he seemed considerably more intimidating. Yet as soon as Het stared him in the face and took notice of the deep azure blue of the herald's eyes, he felt a tranquility he could compare only to that of warm embrace.

"Fret not, son of artifice. I will bring you where you belong.", Fithrik said, further easing the tension Hetroth had felt. "I appreciate your compliance. May you find order in your endeavours.", he said, briefly directing his gaze towards the two onlookers before turning sidewards to whence he'd come.

"And may you find some semblance of passion in yours.", Timir answered.

As they now ventured through the dark and ashen wastes, able to see no farther than twenty meters ahead, Hetroth's sense of ease began to wane somewhat. He yet had questions his journey had not yielded answers to.

"Do you take me to the mortal realm?", Het asked, hoping to this time know where his travels take him.

"Yes.", Fithrik answered, the very sound of his voice enough to lul Hetroth back into a feeling of security. The conscious part of his mind yearned for more, however.

"Am... where do I stand? Am I damned?", Het asked.

"Do you think you are?", Fith asked with a mild, earnest chuckle.

"I truly do not know.", Het said, eager to learn his fate.

"Nobody is beyond redemption. And nobody beyond contempt.", Fithrik said in a disproportionately pleasant tone. "Look to maintain order among your brethren, and Tavat will look favourably upon you.", he went on.

"And what of my, uh...", Het began to ask, yet felt uncertain how to call it before the closest thing to an embodiment of his faith he'd ever faced.

"Worry not. Though I cannot say you do not transgress against the current order of things, it is largely irrelevant to true order.", Fithrik said.

"And what is true order?", Het asked.

"Not something for your kind to know.", Fithrik said with seemingly as soothing a voice as one could possibly muster. Yet it hardly alleviated Hetroth's suspicions. That Timir was right in its description of Tavat's true wants.

"And what of the afterlife? Is that also not for me to know?", Het asked, coming to a question he very much needed answer for.

"Allow me to put it this way. Whatever answer I would give you, it would cause a stir in the order of the mortal realm.", Fithrik said.

"Huh? I am but one person. And I may very well keep such knowledge to myself.", Hetroth said.

"You would not. Maybe at first, but you're not one to keep your tongue in check.", Fithrik said.

"You make it sound as though whatever I would hear would be bad news.", Het noted.

"To some, certainly.", Fithrik began. "People are fickle. To some the certainty of any afterlife is sufficient. To others the embrace of oblivion is a comfort. And some still would only be satisfied if they alone proved worthy of one while others suffered damnation. I've no answer to give you that'd please everyone.", he explained, remaining cordial throughout.

"So you will not tell me because it'd be a danger to order?", Hetroth asked.

"All I can tell you is this - seek comfort in any and all eventualities of what comes next.", Fithrik said.

"That is difficult to do if I expect damnation.", Het said.

"Hm. Can you change what you expect is cause for such worry?", Fithrik asked.

"I... I don't know. I don't think so.", Het said, even as he realized there were multiple such reasons for concern.

"Then learn to accept what comes.", Fithrik said.

"That's not very reassuring.", Hetroth said.

"Life is not there to coddle you, I'm afraid. You must seek out your own peace of mind.", Fithrik said.

"And would you say ease of mind is more important than ensuring one's own well-being? Of their very soul?", Het asked.

"One tends to follow the other. And often times the latter proves unachievable, especially without the former.", Fithrik began. "Take what's happened in your mortal city, for instance. All those people set in a panic over some perceived danger, unwittingly creating truer danger for themselves and others than would've taken place were they passive.", he said.

"I suppose.", Het said, beginning to feel the herald's idea of the world might be subject to his own form of madness. "So I suppose I cannot expect any direct answers from you?", he asked.

"Only ones that might bring calm and order.", Fithrik said.

"Would you lie to do that?", Het asked on.

"No. That only brings a temporary calm that comes to a violent halt once the lie is revealed.", Fithrik said.

"And yet we've lived under false impressions for so long.", Het noted.

"Though it is not a lie of our making, it is one we prefer to maintain over the alternative you now face in your realm. An end to a lie long held is most turbulent.", Fithrik said.

Hetroth couldn't truly argue. He'd been of the same mind before he'd been taken to this place. Although the truths he'd been exposed to, and the realization how much of what he'd been taught had proven false effectively embittered him and put his own ideas in doubt.

"I trust you will withhold what you've learnt here. For the sake of order.", Fithrik said.

"I... I am not certain.", Het said, thinking if he could keep quiet about this to Varik. Or Ivid. "And you have all of the All Knowing to contend with, do you not?", he went on.

"Zelethon's followers are likely to prove a greater burden now, yes. Though we anticipate they will stem their efforts after what's happened within the mortal realm.", Fithrik said. "What matters more, however, is what an Artificer who's seen their findings first-hand makes of them.", he said.

"I will not lie.", Het said sternly.

"I do not expect you to. Yet you may hold your tongue.", Fithrik said.

"I may.", Het said, now lost in thought as to what he would truly do.

***

"We've arrived.", Fithrik announced, abruptly coming to a halt somewhere as nondescript as any other place within their world.

"Where are we?", Het asked, looking around apprehensively, even though all he could see was a patch of dirt surrounded by nothing.

"Where we need to be.", Fithrik said, then became deathly still, observing some point in space ahead of him.

"I do not understand.", Het said.

"Be still and remain calm, we need only wait.", Fithrik said and closed his eyes, the blue glow within the visor of his helm fading away.

Hetroth obeyed his request, occasionally looking around as though anticipating someone else to come meet them. Time seemed to flow painfully slow. It felt like an hour had passed without so much as a whisper from either the armoured herald, nor anything else within their vicinity. As Het started to wonder if they were to become part of the scenery from now on, he began to hear a faint murmur, coming from somewhere before them.

"Remain where you are.", Fithrik warned as Het took a step forward.

"What is-", Het began, only to abruptly halt as a rift in reality formed before them, a mere blur at first, yet swiftly turning clear. Rectangular and large, it looked no different than any other doorway, except it was surrounded by nothingness, as though a perfect mirror showing a reflection of someplace else. Behind this doorway, however, were faces he recognized. Ones that looked back at him with recognition.

"Go.", Fithrik said, gently placing a hand upon Hetroth's back.

In somewhat of a stupor, Het proceeded through, a feeling not unlike dipping his head in lukewarm water rushing over him as he passed the threshold between their realms. The faces before him were now just as surprised to see him as he was to suddenly be there. Most notable among them was Varik, bearing his armour and helm, protective symbols over his torso, weapon in hand, yet now seemingly all unnecessary. His lips opened to say something, when from outside of his vision, a shape rushed and ran into Hetroth.

"Het!", the familiar voice shrieked into his left ear, her whole form wrapped around him by the neck with seemingly no regard for his current state of undress. Hetroth just as much wished to hug her back as he wished to push her away, his lack of clothing among a room of people more dignified suddenly weighing quite heavily on his sense of dignity.

"Uh. Ivid.", Het struggled to free himself of the now weeping ferret. She was whispering things inaudible even at their proximity, yet in between her words Het caught one in particular - 'sorry'. Amidst his attempts to escape Ivid's embrace, he looked out towards Varik, and though the buck yet said nothing, in his eyes Het could see a similar sentiment.

"Alright, enough.", a wolf scarcely known to Het said as he approached them with a cloak. He was one among those who'd assisted Roetterik after his encounter with Timir, Het remembered. "Grant your friend some dignity.", he added, prompting Ivid to finally let go and back away. The cloak proved a much appreciated boon to Hetroth as he finally covered his shame. "Come, let's get you clean and checked up.", he offered, moving them out of the room.

Het looked at Varik as they left, but the stag did not follow. He pulled off his helm and simply looked down. Ashamed.

***

Hetroth closed his eyes and dipped his head in the warm waters of his bath. It was the first time in days he'd gotten to enjoy some privacy, and he basked in it. Though he would soon be looked upon as though a test subject, for now all he had to care about was to get the stink out of his fur. Of sex, sweat and other fluids that might've accumulated upon his person these past two days. He was yet unhungry, a wonder considering how long he'd gone without anything in his mouth. It almost made him wonder if he'd become some kind of undead, though that seemed a far-fetched, if scary notion.

His lack of current bodily needs left him engulfed in thoughts somewhat concerning. Of what he'd learned, of what he could afford to tell anyone, and whether any of it actually mattered. He felt a strong need to speak to Varik, and was somewhat puzzled as to why the buck hadn't come to him yet. By his behaviour, Hetroth guessed the stag blamed himself for what'd happened. As did Ivid.

He managed to get only a little scrubbing in before the door to his room opened, and in came the two wolves apparently most responsible for medical care within the All Knowing.

"May we examine you now?", the male among them asked.

"Uh. Alright.", Het said and raised himself out of his bath, tentatively stepping over the pool's edge. The two wolves then approached him from the sides and began to look him over inquisitively, making it exceedingly difficult for Het to resist covering himself.

"Do you feel any different?", the female among them asked.

"No. I don't think so.", Het said.

"This may seem an odd question, but at the place of your disappearance were, uh, two severed testicles.", the female began continuing to look over the hyena. "Were they yours?", she asked, looking as though she felt quite dumb to be raising such a question.

"Yes.", Het said with some disbelief. The two wolves looked between themselves. The male among them then knelt in front of the hyena and grabbed him by his parts.

"Pardon. I need to check something.", the wolf said and began to ruffle through the fur on Het's sac. He was being inordinately thorough, and though it was likely unintended, it felt shamefully pleasant to Het, causing him to blush in more than one place. "I detect no scar tissue.", the wolf said as he rose back up to his paws.

"Huh.", the other wolf sounded out. "What did you eat this past week?", she then asked.

"Uh. Week? Before I'd been abducted?", Hetroth asked. The two wolves then looked between themselves.

"You've been gone two weeks.", the male wolf said.

"Wh-... what?", Hetroth asked in disbelief. "But I... I'd only slept twice in that time.", he said.

"Either time flows different on the other side, or you've slept for quite a while longer than you thought.", the male wolf said.

Hetroth didn't know how to respond to that. He couldn't help but wonder what'd gone on in the time he had been gone. And why it was only that day that they organized a rescue party.

"So... what did you eat?", the female reiterated her question.

"Uh, nothing. Nothing, actually.", Het said, thinking back to how he'd felt no hunger within that place. The two wolves looked between each other once more. The male wolf then placed his ear up to Het's chest and took his left wrist in his fingers. "What are you-"

"Sh.", the male wolf hushed him, then remained as he was for a while. "Nothing out of the ordinary.", he said as he pulled away.

"Aether theory?", the female wolf asked at her colleague. He nodded with a tilt of his head.

"What?", Het asked.

"Never you mind.", the male wolf said.

"No abnormalities concerning your, ah... new gonads?", the female wolf then asked with some uncertainty as to how to refer to what'd happened.

"N-no. Not that I've noticed.", Het said.

"Did anything else of note happen to you during your stay in the high realm?", the female wolf asked on.

Het thought back and could only blush at the memories. He wasn't sure he wanted to mention how he'd suffered forced orgasms, got put to sleep, suffered a rape attempt, or rode around on a sentient being. He hadn't actually felt traumatized by any of it. More so it felt like a surreal sequence of events he wasn't sure anyone would believe. Sometimes he himself felt as though he'd dreamt it all.

"I... I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it.", Het said, his face profusely red at the very idea of retelling what'd happened.

"It would help us make sure you're in good health.", the female wolf said.

"I feel fine.", Hetroth assured without conviction.

The two wolves looked between each other. The male was tilting his head off to the side, Hetroth noticed.

"Oh, alright.", the female said with some displeasure and went out the door. She gave the other wolf one, last, resentful look before she closed the door behind.

"Would you be more willing to tell me?", the male wolf tried again now that they were alone.

"Uh.", Het stammered. It wasn't actually so much who was listening so much as what he had to tell them. Although at the very least, his current listener wouldn't be reacting to his tales with strange looks towards their colleague. "Very well.", Het said, having decided to recount his tale.

***

Left alone once more, he climbed back into the tub, glaring red in the face at having to tell of events he himself would've found unbelievable. He was just glad he could rest a while in the warm depths of water. At least until the door creaked open again.

"Are you alright? Might I come in?", Varik asked. He was wearing no more than his usual loincloth.

"Uh, yes. Of course.", Het said with a mild sense of confusion, at which Varik entered deeper into the room, nearing the pool. It felt odd seeing the buck this lacking in confidence. "Are you alright?", now Hetroth asked.

"I... I owe you many an apology.", Varik said as he sat himself at the foot of the tub, staring off onto the floor. "I've caused you great distress and disappointment. I've failed to keep you safe. And I couldn't even be the one to save you.", he said.

"Varik. It's fine now.", Hetroth assured."It wasn't your fault.", he added.

"It's because of me that you wandered off. And it's because I listened to the guild that I didn't come get you back sooner.", Varik said.

"You couldn't have predicted I wouldn't be safe within the guild hall.", Het said. "And would you even be able to retrieve me from there?", he asked on.

"I should have tried. I should have gathered whomever would agree to come and went inside without asking.", Varik said.

"Then you'd now be in trouble with your guild.", Het said.

"You went through trouble aplenty with your guild for my sake.", Varik said. "Not at your own behest, I might add.", he said. That particular issue had managed to escape Hetroth's mind amid the chaos he'd experienced in recent days. Although he couldn't actually deny it irked him.

"Well, everything worked out fine. I'm back and unharmed.", Het assured.

"Only through circumstances beyond our control.", Varik said. "Just about nothing in this entire journey has gone as planned.", he said.

"And it's circumstances beyond our control that caused that.", Het said.

"Regardless. Maybe you'd be better off with someone who doesn't cause you this much woe.", Varik said. "Maybe you'd be happier being-"

"No. Varik, just stop.", Het said, beginning to feel annoyed. It was bad enough when he had to deflect these kinds of suggestions when they'd come from Ivid. "Get in the water with me.", he then said.

"I don't know if you really-"

"Just get in.", Het said more sternly.

"Uh. Alright.", Varik said and stood up, then permitted his loincloth to fall to the floor. As soon as he sat down at the opposite end of the tub, Het swooped in and placed himself on top of the buck, hugging him close. Though stunned for a moment, Varik smiled and wrapped his arms around the hyena. "I don't deserve you.", he said.

"Shut up.", Het said even as he laid tucked into the buck's chest and closed his eyes, feeling secure for perhaps the first time in many days. The troubles that plagued his mind before now seemingly a distant memory, if only for a moment.

***

"So what's been happening under my absence?", Hetroth asked as they ventured up the steps towards their place of rest.

"Oh. Uh. Lots of things.", Varik said. "Anything in particular you wish to hear?", he asked.

"Well, I guess a good place to start would be how the rat-thing got loose.", Het said.

"Oh. That was the subject of much debate for a while, actually.", Varik began. "Initially everyone tried to lay blame on you or your friend. Weren't too eager to believe Cossian, thinking her mind might've been altered.", he explained.

"She's alive?", Hetroth asked, feeling somewhat relieved.

"Of course. Wouldn't have been there to see you return otherwise.", Varik said.

"I suppose I hadn't really been paying attention. Too many faces staring at me naked.", Het said. "So she's fine?", he asked, recalling how worryingly her fight with the rat-god had ended.

"Uh. In a manner of speaking. She is now a he.", Varik said.

"Oh.", Het said, somewhat dumbfounded. He'd certainly seen the fertility god do that to itself. Though he hadn't imagined that might've been Timir's idea of punishment. Then again, being turned into the opposite gender would've been quite a problem for him or Varik. "Oh.", he repeated, realizing how much of a punishment it truly was.

"I wouldn't feel too bad for her. More sorry for Kapria than anything.", Varik said.

"Not sure about that... what are they going to do about it?", Het asked.

"They'd intended to use your retrieval to go through to the high realm, find Timir, puff up their chests, and beg that Timir change her back.", Varik said. "Not sure what they'll do now that that plan's been cancelled.", he added.

"Gods. That's cruel.", Het muttered.

"If there's anyone in the world who deserved that, it's Cossian.", Varik said half-heartedly.

"So you say, but your description of her misdeeds has been rather vague.", Het said.

"I wanted to spare you the mental imagery.", Varik said, now thinking to himself. "What it comes down to is this - she hates men. To varying degrees, but she likely took issue even with you.", He said.

"Didn't seem too hostile as far as I've spoken to her.", Het noted. "Wait, what do you mean even me?", he asked.

"Well, you're kind of girly.", Varik said.

"Am not. I've muscle aplenty.", Het protested.

"Well, you're timid, and not that intimidating.", Varik said.

"Whatever.", Het said with a shake of his head, desperately wishing to abandon the subject. "So what did she actually do that's so bad?", he asked.

"Just never passed the chance to be an all around cunt. Picked on guys she thought she could take on, smacking them around and being generally unpleasant when nobody's looking. Then lied to Kapria like they'd instigated something first.", Varik said.

"Is that what happened with your, uh... ex?", Het asked.

"Yes. It went back and forth between them until they agreed to a first-blood duel.", Varik said, looking out into space with a sense of regret. "He was no fighter. He was a fool to agree to it.", he went on.

"I take it there was more to it than a lost duel.", Het said.

"She took it much farther than necessary. She could've won easily with a mere nick that drew blood, but she was out to cause as much damage as possible. With no regard for rules of honourable combat.", Varik said. "Technically he'd won. Yet he'd been the one left crippled for weeks.", he said. "And though he managed to suffer no lasting consequences, his injuries were something that caused me nightmares.", he went on, visibly shaking in fury at the memory. "He left the All Knowing because he could get no justice. Kapria decided it'd been a mutual grievance that'd gone too far and that was the end of it.", he said. "Didn't want you to think that's what the guild is like.", he added.

"Sounds like that's what it's like considering she's still a part of the guild.", Het noted.

"It's just an unfortunate consequence of the wrong person being spouse to a branch head. Not a common occurrence.", Varik said.

"Seems a pretty notable occurrence, though.", Het said.

"It is.", Varik admitted with displeasure. "And had you not been kidnapped, I would've spent the last two weeks laughing in her face.", he added with some malice.

"Sorry.", Het said with a subtle smirk.

"I didn't mean-... ugh, you're letting me on.", Varik said, now smirking himself.

"Sorry.", Het said again, this time with a guilty smile. Varik ruffled his hair. "So why is it I've managed to coax a more detailed answer out of you this time?", Het asked.

"I suppose I feel I owe you. A fair bit. And she's currently suffering for what she's done. Wouldn't want you to feel bad for her when most others see it as just due.", Varik said.

"I see.", Het said in thought. "Still, she never gave the impression of one as hateful as you describe.", he said.

"She's very good at maintaining appearances. Kapria's only recently begun to catch on that maybe it's not everyone else that's lying about Cossian out of dislike. Yet still she did little to prevent further incidents.", Varik said.

"Would've been surprising to me as well.", Het said thoughtfully. "On the night I'd been kidnapped. I could've sworn she'd tried to tell me to flee.", he said.

"Huh. Likely just your impression.", Varik said.

"Possibly.", Het said, trying to remember more of that night.

They finally came up to their room. Hetroth was eager to lie down upon a proper bed. And maybe do something more with his buck. Though he yet had questions of what'd happened.

"So, what actually happened? With the rat-thing, I mean.", Hetroth asked.

"Oh, right, we got a bit sidetracked there.", Varik said as he pushed the door open. "So your friends-... oh, hello.", he said, surprised to find someone in their room. It was Ivid, sitting alone upon their bed, still looking largely remorseful.

"Het. Might I have a word?", Ivid asked.

"Uh, alright.", Het said, now looking to Varik for an answer as to where that would take place.

"Very well, I'll give you the room.", Varik said and went back out the door, closing it behind.

"So what is it?", Het asked as he found a chair to sit upon.

"Het, I'm so sorry about what happened.", Ivid began.

"Oh, don't you start.", Het said, twisting his mouth in disdain. "Not your fault the rat-thing happened to be passing through that way.", he said.

Ivid sighed. "I cannot look at it that way.", she said. "I shouldn't have kicked you in the first place. It was a dumb, angry response. And you were seemingly lost to us as a result of that.", she went on. "You're back now. But for those two weeks I had been a cause... a factor of your demise.", she said.

"This... isn't something Varik told you, was it?", Het asked uncertainly.

"No.", Ivid said. "It's just... had you never returned, I might not have blamed myself indefinitely. But I would've deeply regretted being a circumstance that lead to your disappearance. Or injury.", she added with visible displeasure at the memory.

"It's fine, Iv.", Het assured, even if he himself wondered whom he would've blamed had things not turned out the way they did. "Just never do that again.", he added with a smile. Ivid smiled back, perhaps for the first time since it'd all began.

"Thank you, Het.", Ivid said and got up. "Well, good night.", she said and moved towards the door.

"Oh. How's Rette?", Het asked, remembering the white mutt had remained largely unseen since his return.

"Uh. Better.", Ivid said, looking much less disgruntled to be mentioning him this time. "He's still not quite himself. But that first day had been the worst of it, it seems.", she said.

"That's good to hear.", Het said. "Good night.", he called after her as she went out the door. He noticed she'd paused briefly and whispered something to the buck, although it was quite beyond audible to him. Once she was gone, Varik went back in.

"All's well with your friends?", Varik asked, now standing in the middle of the room.

"Yes.", Het said. "I hope no one else feels the need to apologize for something just because I got dragged off by a daemon.", he added with a raise of his brow.

"I imagine she would've done so regardless.", Varik said and sat at their bed.

"Oh? And do you even know why she apologized?", Het asked.

"Of course. There was a whole investigation into the matter of that night just to figure out what'd happened.", Varik said.

"Oh.", Het said, not really liking the realization that such personal matters got dragged out into public inquiry.

"Was somewhat mad at her myself.", Varik noted.

"Alright, enough.", Het said with a sigh. "All's forgiven. Now, what actually happened that night?", he asked.

"Well, as I was trying to say before, your friends were primary suspects, even though Cossian basically confirmed Ivid was with the two of you just before it'd happened, and your other friend was with Niridith.", Varik said. At that point Het realized he hadn't actually recognized the lupine that'd been with Rette that night as Niridith, likely on account of the angle and lighting conditions of the time. "Was rather difficult to get everyone's minds back on track. Mine included.", he said.

"Oh? You thought they did it?", Het asked.

"Well, I did suspect the ferret girl at first... and I'm not that eager to take Cossian's word on anything.", Varik said, looking somewhat guilty. "And I was in somewhat of a panic that you'd been abducted. And all that was left of you was a pair of bloodied organs.", he went on, recoiling at the memory.

"I see.", Het said, realizing it must've indeed been a rather horrifying situation.

"But I did come around before most of the branch heads.", Varik said. "For a change, Kapria was right to trust Cossian immediately.", he added with a mild smile.

"So what actually was it?", Het asked somewhat impatiently.

"Turned out it was someone within our own ranks, of course.", Varik said. "At some point, someone noticed Merada and her husband were gone. For a while, everyone thought they might've been kidnapped as well.", he explained.

"Huh.", Het said, somewhat dumbfounded.

"Yeah, eventually Niridith confessed that her sister told her all about it before they'd left.", Varik said. "Merada really wanted her eunuch husband restored. But Timir said it doesn't take requests, and instead demanded a trade.", he went on. "So free the rat-thing she did, got her husband restored, and shortly after they both absconded to parts unknown.", he said.

"Wow.", Het said thoughtfully. "So they're now on the run?", he asked.

"Sort of. On the run from no one in particular. The guild is not too vengeful on the matter.", Varik said.

"Really? Even though you lost the chance to learn more? And what happened to Cossian?", Het asked.

"Well, the worst the guild could do to them is expulsion, and they already sort of did that to themselves.", Varik said with a shrug.

"Huh. What a mess.", Het said thoughtfully.

"Oh. Uh. And speaking of mess.", Varik said, looking not particularly eager to be bringing up the next topic of discussion. "The goings on outside had been quite rough. Though they could've been much worse.", he said.

"Oh.", Het said, likewise realizing he'd forgotten all about the troubles of the outside. The very reason he'd left their room that night.

"You might be surprised or pleased to hear your guild got involved in keeping the peace.", Varik said. "Took to the streets along with the city guards to pacify the more violent types.", he said. "Likely limited the number of people that got hurt considerably.", he added.

"I see.", Het said, still feeling a burden at having been involved in what'd lead to this.

"Come.", Varik said, extending his arms welcomingly. Het couldn't help but notice how closely the current situation mimicked that night. Except this time he accepted the invitation and descended into the buck's arms.

"I'm still not sure if this was all worth it.", Het said morosely, even as Varik embraced him tightly.

"I understand. I'm not so certain either.", Varik said. "But know that everything will be alright.", he assured.

"I'd like to believe that.", Het said. "I still don't even know what my guild will make of all this. What they'll think of Rette and Ivid, even.", he said.

"I've a feeling they'll want you back, now more than ever.", Varik said with a smile.

"So you keep saying. In a rather cryptic manner, I might add.", Het said with some annoyance.

"Sorry. Some things are just best kept obscure for your own benefit.", Varik said. Hetroth sighed, feeling the buck was just going back to his old ways despite what'd happened these last few weeks. "I swear this is nothing your guild would object to.", he added.

"If you say so.", Het said with a roll of his eyes.

"What say you we turn in for the night?", Varik asked, his hands moving underneath the hyena's shirt.

"I would like that.", Hetroth admitted with a smile.