Ria's Adventures
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Godslayer Lysette: Chapter 282
🕑 Added 2024-11-26 12:15:43 +0000 UTCChapter 282: Divine Machinations
Lysette turned around at Zarielle’s declaration and stood in petrified silence. Though it was merely her avatar before the Lady of Shadows, she still winced with the entirety of her being, causing ripples that made even Mirae flush with worry from two thousand miles away.
Her love wrapped around her back as the two sat upon their bed in their small cottage in the quiet town of Ciricu. It was shortly after midnight in Ereill, but further east where the two lovers rested, it was nearly dawn. A trace of light from the outside filled their bedroom, augmented by a small lighting crystal that Mirae activated with a thought.
“Is something wrong?” they asked. “The meeting with Zarielle isn’t going well?”
“No. It’s going… A lot better than I had hoped. I’d half-expected Zarielle to purge me from existence the second we met. So far, we’ve been quite amicable with one another, but–”
“But?” Mirae leaned into Lysette’s shoulders more and nuzzled their head into her neck. “Please, love. Remember, no secrets between us. Your problems are my problems. Your concerns are mine as well. We are united by pact and love and vow alike.” Mirae reached their hand up and let their ring glisten in the room’s building light.
“I’ve finally gotten a glimpse as to how strong the gods truly are. Not the meek projections or demigod underlings we’ve encountered to this point. And it is nothing short of harrowing. We are nothing compared with them. Not as we stand right now.”
“Then we have to–” Mirae paused. “That much stronger?”
“Imagine the kids that play outside every morning,” Lysette said, taking deep breaths to calm her desire to shake in fear. “They are innocent, unknowing. Vulnerable. The slightest breeze could injure them. Or worse. We are but children to them. Perhaps only mewling infants.”
“The two of us together have but forty-three years of experience living as humans and not even one year as deities. Of course we would be as children to them.”
“It’s just… so hard to believe that, after everything that’s changed, how much further we still have to go.”
“Only you, love.” Mirae giggled.
Lysette raised an eyebrow. “Only me?”
“Only you would march on against all obstacles despite knowing how daunting your task is. And such nonchalant confidence. It is, in its own way, arousing, even. Knowing that you are mine.”
Lysette leaned her neck back and beckoned Mirae into a soft kiss. “I thought the embodiment of Devotion would be the first to do so. Or is Devotion to a task not under your auspices?”
“Of course it is, love. Why do you think I am so enamored with you right now? Few are those who would walk themselves into the jaws of a dragon if they had any other option available to them.”
“Dragon?”
“You would know the legends if you had ever attended classes, my love. They are, at least on the surface, like a landwyrm but with wings. But they are immeasurably more powerful than even the strongest of them. A legendary Cultivation beast, though not one there are any proven records about. Maybe they are merely legends. Maybe they do not deign to entertain the presence of humans. Maybe–”
“Maybe we’ll see them in the realm of the gods.”
“If they are as fearsome as the gods themselves, it is possible. Perhaps even probable.” Mirae clutched Lysette a bit tighter. “In any case, we will face that challenge the way we’ve faced every other challenge thus far. Together. You and me, one being in two bodies.”
“Do you mean?”
“I do, love. I want to talk with Zarielle. Together with you.”
“Of course.” Lysette closed her eyes as Mirae’s physical form and her own melded together.
Zarielle tilted her head ever so slightly, like a cat curiously staring at the mouse about to be devoured. “Your aura has changed, my dear. Curious indeed. You are my dear Lysette still. And yet… Mixed with another?” Zarielle giggled. “I must say, you have truly exceeded my expectations. Might I know how best to address you?”
“Mirette,” they said, taking their seat across from Zarielle.
Zarielle’s smile widened. “How lovely. Normally I would express my displeasure with another waltzing in upon my inner sanctum uninvited, but considering the circumstances, I will cast aside the slight. So, Mirette. Why have you appeared before me?”
“Mirae wished to speak with you themself. And Lysette is utterly beholden to them. What they want, Lysette will move the world itself to accomplish, if she has to. Of course, their desire is simply to remain by Lysette’s side, no matter where her journey takes her. A desire shared equally by all three of us.”
“You are doing the impossible, Mirette.”
“If I am doing the impossible, then the impossible, it is not. Though, I am curious what it is that I am doing that you consider impossible.”
“I can sense your connection to where your primary body lies. And it possesses more strength than should be possible in this world. As though the immutable laws that govern this world have decided to bend to accommodate you.” Zarielle licked her lips. “Absolutely delicious.”
“It is the resonance of Lysette’s Reciprocity and Mirae’s Devotion within me. Mirae seeks to be with Lysette, which causes Lysette to Reciprocate that desire, creating a positive feedback loop that seeks to bind those two Domains together. I feel the weight of the world trying to crush me back apart, back into both of them, but I can hold it back for a brief time.”
“A metastable state. Interesting.”
Mirette again tried to glean any insight into Zarielle and her choice of words and peculiar phrases, and again was unable to do so. “Mirae wants to know what your intentions are for Lysette.”
“I do not understand the question, Mirette. She is a powerful underling. Perhaps, in a few thousand years, a partner. Someone who walks along the precipice, steeping herself in the penumbra of her demonic desires without ever fully succumbing to them. She has exceeded even my loftiest expectations. Truly, I am as proud of her as any mother could be of her child.
“She is truly a phenomenal being, one who can bring the great and needed change the many worlds of Greater Aimarion need.”
“You’re not going to simply wipe your hands clean of her and discard her? Mirae worries that you will sacrifice her like so many other pawns once she has outlived her usefulness to you.”
Zarielle laughed. “Outlived her usefulness, Mirette? You can’t be serious! Lysette is a demon beyond compare! Think of how strong she is! How strong you are, Mirette! You, who bends the very fabric of this world and forces it to accommodate your strength. And all in mere months! I don’t know how you two did it, but such power must be nurtured and supported! No, I swear on my very divinity that as long as she is not foolish enough to raise her hand against me, I will do her no harm.”
“Flexible words mean little to those acquainted with the Lady of the Shadows. Or rather, they mean whatever the Goddess of Darkness wishes them to mean, and I know better than to try to match wits with her.”
“I’m flattered. However, I do mean the plain definition of all of my words. I do not expect her to remain a loyal subordinate indefinitely. As much as I wish she would serve me, I sense her destiny is far greater than my own.”
“That’s magnanimous of you.”
“As long as things remain as they are, the thirteen planes which together comprise Greater Aimarion will remain stagnant, and not in a way to my benefit. In truth, this endeavor has taught me the value of having allies as well as subordinates.” Zarielle’s smile again filled with sadistic glee. “I cleared the pieces and sacrificed what I needed so my favorite could get to this point. Now, I’m going to stand by and wait and enjoy the fallout.
“Now, Mirette. I have one request for you. I would like to borrow Lysette’s avatar for a few days.”
“For what purpose?”
“Since I have a physical body in this world for the first time in several decades, I thought I would have a little celebration of sorts. Announce that my followers will finally have recompense for our enemies’ attacks against them. And celebrate the imminent debut of first new members of our illustrious pantheon in nearly seventy-five hundred years. Truly, an auspicious occasion that deserves a celebration. I was about to ask Lysette, but I think it’s better that I ask you instead.”
“Is there anything that I should be concerned about?”
“I would be the hostess and Lysette would be the guest of honor. There would be an expectation of the two of us sharing a dance. If you, or perhaps I should say Mirae, strongly object to this, I could override that decorum by fiat, but I would prefer not to do so. I think it may also be slightly detrimental to my long-term goals for her.”
Miette felt their body and Spark slowly separating back apart into their two constituent demigods, but forced themself to remain connected through sheer willpower. “You may dance with Lysette’s avatar, but at the same time, Lysette and Mirae will dance together in their home, mirroring your and Lysette’s movements. You will do nothing suggestive or untoward to Lysette, nor she to you, as defined by Mirae. And in every way, you shall respect both of them, their autonomy, and their relationship.”
Zarielle laughed with overwhelming ferocity, causing Mirette to reflexively clench their fist and take a defensive posture. “I am sorry, Mirette. I mean no disrespect, and your conditions are reasonable. It’s just… I haven’t been spoken to with such… directness in thousands of years. Either it is the deference of subordinates or the politicking doublespeak of my so-called peers. Once again, you continue to both surprise and amuse me in equal measure. Very well, Mirette. I shall abide by those conditions.”
“Thank you, Zarielle.”
Mirette broke back apart, this time with Lysette laying her head in Mirae’s lap as her love gently stroked her cheek and ran their fingers through her hair. The sun had since fully risen over the skies of Ciricu, and the daylight glistened and reflected in Mirae’s eyes. Rather than the brown they had been previously, now they appeared as a shade of warm amber that was only made more beautiful by that soft, caring, oh so loving smile that they only showed when it was just the two of them.
“I look forward to our dance together. It will be good practice for our wedding ceremony.”
Lysette leaned up, stealing another kiss from Mirae’s lips. “I do as well, Mirae love.”
Zarielle’s gruff cough was enough to refocus Lysette’s attention upon her. “Interesting indeed, my dear Lysette. Once again, you continue to surprise me, in the best ways. With that said, I too must reflect on our conversation and make my own preparations. Please, return to the surface. The Grand Abbott will see you to your room where you may rest or meditate or Cultivate or do whatever it is you wish. Return here at dusk tomorrow, and we shall make our final preparations for your debut. You are dismissed.”
Chapter 281: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116680886
Table of Contents: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101896170
Chapter 283: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116816580
Comments
Bielna
That trait of Zarielle is precisely what makes her so interesting, and to me, likable, so far. Yes, she seems to have quite a... chaotic side. She's willing to seed disorder to get a chance to get ahead. But I don't find anything wrong with that - times of changes are opportunities for everyone, for those who have been victims to step up for themselves and choose their path, which may be new tyrants or better people. Contrast with Lysette's violence and destruction, or worse Asterion's, where both of them have a strong desire for control, for a hierarchy they are at the top of (whether it's social order or simple power), inassaillable and able to impose their wishes upon the rest of the world. Zarielle's way is potentially more dangerous and destructive, but it's also empowering.
Jessica
That's true. Kind of reminds me of the Matrix: "[The Oracle] told you exactly what you needed to hear."
Ria Corvidiva
Oh, goodness. One does not get to the seat of power by being unwilling to do dirty deeds from time to time. And of course, Lysette doesn't know how much of Zarielle's words are flattery or lies or truth or really anything else. The one take away is that Zarielle is probably no paragon of truth and justice and good, but we knew that already.
Ria Corvidiva
It was supposed to be 'and not to my benefit' I actually had changed it soon after when I was double-checking the chapter (after posting it).
Jessica
"Greater Aimarion will remain stagnant, and not in a way to my detriment." <- Not sure I understand that phrasing, but that might just be me.
Jessica
I love how you contrasted the different ways the characters interact in each pairing, it really shows what they are to each other. Zarielle seeing herself as Lysettes mother kind of makes sense, but it is one of those victorian upper class mothers that leave the actual child raising to a servant and only shows up to make demands. (just the stereotype, not sure actual victorian upper class mothers even were that way). I guess when she says she will wait and enjoy the fallout, it kind of shows she is bent on destruction (as in "some people only want to watch the world burn"). Whether that is warranted or not remains to be seen, but it is a reminder that she accepts all of Lysette's cruelty and maybe even actively revels in it and is not necessarily the "hero of the story". Also you casually reminding us of Dragons. I guess that means they show up soon(-ish)?
