The Greatest Sin [Progression Fantasy][Kingdom Building]

There are some fools who try to proclaim war against the very essence of existence. Who try to wield the essence of contentness like a sledgehammer against the progress of history. Who besmirch the conflicts that have propelled us to this point as mere mistaken speedbumps of history rather than another step towards the peak of the mountain that we stand now. And tomorrow, we shall reach another peak, and the peaks shall continue, forever.

And when the peaks on Arda run out, we shall gaze upon the stars and to reach the stars that our ancestors have worshipped. The Empire can be described as many things, but the land falls when I hear our opponents describe us as content or, far worse, satisfied. It matters not whether we are the most powerful force on Arda or the richest. When the concrete wars against concrete opponents are won, we shall fight wars with concrete against opponents immaterial.

Arda shall be more beautiful, shall be more free, shall be more secure, shall be more independent than it was yesterday. When the wars with the rifle are done, the wars with the pen and the paintbrush shall be fought, until we are the ones shining down upon the stars, and the stars are wishing that they shall reach us.

There is no end to conflict, even when the conflict is not violent, then man shall invent his own conflict which can be fought. That ever-restless spirit is the fruit from which Divinity has spawned, for it is not enough to merely worship an immaterial figure. That ever-restless spirit is what got mankind out of the cave, which decided that a world ruled by Gaia, by Monsters or by Tyrants was not good enough.

That ever-restless spirit is the foundation of the Empire, and that ever-restless spirit is the first principle that shall pull us over the stars. It is not a question to answer, nor a problem to solve, nor an opponent to wage war against. The need to overcome, however it presents itself, is one of the foundational traits of humanity.

And it is one of the few traits I would ascribe as universal, to mankind and to Divinity.

- Excerpt from “Foundational Empire”, written by God Arascus, of Pride.

“I fucking hate them.” Kassandora scowled and scoffed and trotted through Aris, where Helenna and Malam had set up shop for the immediate Imperianna Ball. Festivity had come to the Empire and to Arda as a whole. Arascus had returned last night, within the hour, he had made announcements in the Empire and effectively shut the whole land down. War factories had finally gone silent, the cloud of smog that sat to Aris’ south-east was beginning to dissipate now that its ammunition plants were ceasing.

Kavaa walked side-by-side with Kassandora through the streets of Aris were celebrations were already in full-swing. The citizenry bowed to them as they passed by, little boys and girls screamed at the crimson-haired Goddess of War and the grey-haired Goddess of Health march their way through Rancais’ capital. Flowers of all colours were laying on the roads, those had been blocked off for the countless returning units. Every hour, another division that consisted of troops from this city would reach it by rail or by bus or by military convoy, and then they would walk down through the crowds that chanted their cries of celebrations.

And Kassandora hated the moment. Kavaa could quite understand her, the celebrations of victory had the shadow of the Imperianna over them. No doubt Arascus didn’t have this shadow, he could dress himself. He did dress himself after all. Anassa had already confirmed publicly that she would be there. Kassandora had hissed and talked about the sheer disgustingly euphoric glee that Anassa would be going through right now that at the thought of a ball.

From what Kavaa could work out, Irinika and Anassa were in love with the idea. Olephia, Baalka and Iniri were not fanatics about it, but there was a fancy there too. When Of Health had asked Fortia, Of Peace had replied that it was business as usual, and to be expected, and that everyone else would be there. Maisara had replied simply with a: I’ll be there. Fer sent a thumbs-up emoticon back. Neneria too was not fond, but not particularly angry either. She had simply said it was part of her duty and she would be ready.

But, as always, there was a but. “I fucking hate them.” Kassandora repeated like a mantra as they passed through the shadow of a massive skyscraper. Here, dancers were playing on the street, pulling in passersby as a military band played songs that Kavaa had heard in Ainai.

“Don’t be so loud.” Kavaa whispered back as the pair of Goddesses kept up their march to Paida’s palace. The old republican offices, as they were one of the few entirely large enough for Divines. The Goddess of Rancais was away right now. Officially, the reason was that she was touring the country. Unofficially, as the public plots went, it was because she was in charge of the Imperianna and needed time away from government. In reality though, Kavaa could more or less work out why, and it was a reason so petty that and predictable that Kavaa simply had to believe it.

Of War and Of Health, both in their military uniforms, stopped in front of Paida’s Palace in the centre of the city. Like every other street Aris, it was filled with people. Local barons, dukes and bureaucrats had organised this part of the city in a huge outdoor feast that was running for the second day now. The smells of cooked meals, of fine wines, of perfumes, of fireworks, of sweat, were a miasma here. And yet people still danced, and people still made merry.

The palace itself, a huge structure of carved gold-yellow limestone known as Aris-Stone since it built up this entire city, was flooding over with the prestige and wealth of old Rancais wealth and aristocracy and republican. It was not a fort in the slightest, but even the front had more than a hundred glass windows, each one large enough for Kavaa and Kassandora to walk through hand-in-hand. The stairs leading up to were not guarded today, a few men and women sat on them, sharing drinks and reminiscing over the war. A few stood up to pull half-sober salutes when the pair of giants approached.

And on the massive pillars were flags, Imperial, Rancais, of Aris’ Divisions and the two that were bringing Kassandora so much fury. Helenna’s banner, a deep red of a thorned rose, and Malam’s, a white skull on a black background. “I fucking hate them.” Kavaa didn’t bother hiding the smile, she was finding it Kassie’s seething entertaining.

That pair of flags were why Paida was not in Aris right now, because apparently these two had managed to exhaust the Goddess of Rancais after a mere three days of ‘helping’ her with the ball. Kassandora and Kavaa both stopped and turned when they heard jets fly over the city. Yet another pass over, they had been dragging smoke flags at the start, now, the pilots were just showing off. Making pirouettes and sharp turns around each other. Supposedly, there was even talk of someone wanting to fly a six-engined Albatross bomber next to Aris tower. “Well you like that.” Kavaa said.

“Well I do like that.” Kassandora said. “Skies are back and blue. Fantastic.” She said the word as if it was a curse for a thousand years. “Fucking ball Kavaa. What am I supposed to do at a ball?”

“What about when we defeated the Pantheon in Kirinyaa?”

“That was a celebration, that was completely different. Have you ever seen an Arascan-style ball?”

“You know I’m over two thousand years old? He threw them before the Great War.”

“Well then you know what it’s like.”

“Well I did enjoy them back then.” Kavaa whispered quietly. She took Kassandora’s hand and pulled her into Paida’s Palace. Guards were there, all of them sipping openly on wine but none of them. All of them stood in the colourful blue and red ceremonial uniforms that were only tinged with the Imperial black. “Come on, let’s find them and get this over with.”

“How are you having fun with these freaks?”

“It’s the worst part of the ball. Come on.” Kavaa said, she was about as excited for the imminent meeting as Kassandora but it was like an unpleasant surgery. Sometimes, the only way forward was through and it was best to just get things over with. They approached what had to be the captain, his suit was lined with gold. He took a moment to realise that a pair of Goddesses, almost twice his size, were stood in front of him. The maids were too pretty and either Helenna or Malam had taken to dressing them in their own ‘fashion’. They didn’t have to walk specifically to attract eyes like that though.

“Ahh!” The captain said. “Goddess Kassandora! Salute!” He said the word as he saluted. “I… Goddess Helenna has given us permission to drink.”

“Great.” Kassandora scowled. “Where is Goddess Helenna right now?” She returned a salute that was as perfect as always, but Kavaa could see the woman straining to pull the posture.

“On the second floor, on the right…” He trailed off as Kassandora set off along the stairs in the main hall. Climbing three at a time, Kavaa quickly followed as Kassandora turned right, walked to the first door in the hallway and pulled it open.

The pair of Divines stared at the bureaucrats in the room, a woman and a man, that were in a half-state of undress. “Great.” Kassandora commented as words of apology began to stammer out the pair inside. “You leave those two in a city and it descends down to the lechery of tyrannies. Fucking excellent.” She closed the door without comment, then moved to the next one. It was empty, with fine purple carpets and pictures of Rancais and of Paida on the walls, save that it had obviously been converted into a storeroom. Silks and other materials, all in extravagant colours, were scattered, thrown about the room.

Then the next door, empty. The bathroom, that was obviously empty save for a man at the urinal who went silent, eyes wide in horror, face burning up, as Kassandora stared daggers at him. “They wouldn’t be in there.” Kavaa said, knowing the lie in her own words.

“Would you bet on it?” Kassandora replied and Kavaa shut her mouth. No, she would not bet on it. “That’s what I thought.” Onto the next door, a changing rooms. Kassandora started slamming the doors shut by now. Then onto what… Kavaa stared at the amount of bottles on the floor. Vodka. Well, at least they had confirmation Malam was here.

Then the next one. More silks. The next had completed suits and dresses. And then finally, Kassandora pulled a door open with so much force she almost ripped it off the frame. Kavaa felt the air go past her nose and looked inside. There they were, the two sweethearts of Empire. On every news channel and on every announcement. If only the Empire could see them right now.

“Oh!” Malam said, she stood in a shirt of pure white, it was fucking wet already with spilled drink. Her cheeks were rosy, her arms were crossed, if she had pupils, Kavaa was sure they would be fuzzy. But pale Goddess of Hatred, with hair that put pristine white snow to shame, had eyes entirely black. “And here we were taking bets on who was the uncultured swine slamming doors in our house.”

Helenna groaned from the couch, she was fiddling with a piece of silk, laying on her side, sprawled out in her own dress. A glass of purple wine sat on the wooden next to her, as did two bottles, and then another pile of silk. “No we weren’t.” She said. “It’s obvious there’s only one person like this.” She turned, her eyes flickering to Kavaa and Kassandora as they came in. Kassandora shut the door.

“Well don’t you look happy to see us.” Malam said with a smirk.

“Why is your shirt wet?” Kassandora growled immediately.

“Because I’ve not changed it.” Malam answered. Kassandora sniffed the room, Kavaa did too, although not so obviously. It was obviously vodka, the room reeked of wine and alcohol and some sweat.

“When was the last time you had a wash.”

Helenna chuckled from the couch. “Three hours ago Kassie.”

Malam smiled. “Three hours ago.”

“More like days.” Kassandora said.

“Unlike you two, we are rather busy bees.” Malam said. “Can’t you see?” She spun to show off the state of the room. “And Paida has gone! So now, we have the local garrison to keep on top of.”

“I see you’re making a slap-bang job of it.” Kavaa smiled. These two bickering were always on a different level. She walked around the edge of the room to get within view of Helenna, then pointed to a wine bottle in the corner. Helenna saw her, made a tiny nod, then replied with a silent thumbs up and returned to folding her square of red silk in various ways. “I walked in here and it’s a whorehouse.”

“Then it fits to Rancais standards.” Malam said with a laugh. “People are celebrating! The war is won! And trust me, I hate seeing children smiling and puppies wagging their tails as much as you do. It’s terrible, isn’t it?” Kavaa saw Helenna very obviously bite the inside of her cheek as to not laugh.

“It’s made even worse by the fucking fact you two have somehow been assigned to manage my dress.”

“Somehow?” Malam asked.

“Yes. Somehow is the correct word.”

“Then do you want to manage your own dress?” Malam raised an eyebrow and made a stupid finger-wag at Kassandora. “You know me, I’m always for less work.”

“I have submitted what I will to dad already.”

Malam made a sigh and a sad nod. “I know.” She said. “I know Kassie, it’s terrible, isn’t it?”

“It’s a uniform.” Kavaa reached for the bottle and popped it open. The sound somehow echoed through the room. Malam and Kassandora both turned to her.

“Go on.” Kavaa whispered back. “Ignore me.” Kassandora sighed and shook her head, then rounded back on Malam.

But of Hatred did see the opening. “Oh? So it’s not a problem when Kavaa drinks?”

“No.” Kassandora. “It’s not a problem when I said so and because she doesn’t spill drink on herself.” Kavaa poured her wine into one of the glass and Malam chuckled.

“Oh really?” She said. As the glass came to Kavaa’s lips, Malam shifted, shot her hand into air and… Kavaa’s grey eyes went wide she realised a piece of lipstick was hurling straight to her hand to smash the glass. Then suddenly, from the couch, Helenna silk curled itself into a ball and intercepted the projectile. Kavaa heard it bounce against the wall by her head. “Hela!!!!” Malam groaned.

“I’d have let you do it if you didn’t smash six glasses already.” Helenna said, still unmoving, still sprawled on her couch. She patted her stomach, then groaned and rolled onto her side. Kavaa stared at her friend, rarely had she ever seen Of Love so drunk that the woman descended into this monstrum of slovenly sloth. Helenna got the glass, almost knocked it over as she picked it up.

“What the fuck are you two even doing here?” Kassandora half-shouted in exasperation.

“We’re celebrating the victory over Tartarus and we’re preparing for the Imperianna. Look how amazing that is, two things at a time. That’s a trait of my brain you know? Multi-tasking.” Kavaa hid her laughter in the wine glass. With Fer and Kassie, it was serious business, with Ana and Kassie, it meant someone needed to be healed, with Malam and Kassie… Well, it was good that Of War had someone to get her aggression out on. And it was good that Malam played the foil perfectly.

“I’m preparing the Imperianna.” Helenna said as she tried to set the wine glass back on the floor, then realised she would have to reach further drop it. She stared at the liquid as if it was some hellish concoction sent down to spite her. “Malam is my little worker ant right now.”

“Confirmed from the boss’s words herself.” Malam said. “Busy as a bee.”

“Ant.” Helenna said as she gave up on trying to solve the issue of setting the wine back down without moving further or risking spillage, she just drank the whole thing then dropped it. It bounced once, fell onto its side, and shattered.

“That’s seven.” Malam said.

Helenna stared at the mess, reached for another small piece of silk on the table, then returned to her position of lying her own back. Nimble fingers once again at work in the business of folding it. “Go ant! Clean!” She said completely seriously. Kavaa couldn’t hold it at this point, she burst out in laughter.

Kassandora raised an eyebrow at Malam, then looked to the mess, then back to Malam. Of Hatred shrugged. “You know what the best part of these glasses are?” She said.

Helenna chuckled. “Oh I know this one.”

“They’re Paida’s.” Malam said and Helenna burst out in laughter. Kassandora sighed, then stared at Kavaa, shaking her head. Kavaa returned with her own shrug. She honestly had no idea how to speed this situation up.

“We’re missing someone who’s always here.” Kassandora said.

“I know, my job has been stolen.” Malam said.

“It’s good, less work for me.” Helenna said. She must have gotten the fold correct, because her hand clapped onto the table, she got a needle, threaded it in one attempt, and started on the stitch.

“So why is Fer not here?” Kassandora looked around, scoffing, throwing her hands into the air. “Shouldn’t she be here? She’s even worse at this than me! What the fuck!?”

Malam chuckled. “Trust me princess, I’ve tried.”

“Well not hard enough.”

“Fortia and Maisara are dressing Fer.” Helenna said. Kassandora opened her mouth, then closed it, then looked to Kavaa as if she had bright idea.

“I could get them to dress me too.” Kassandora said.

“Oh Kassie! I’ve already picked out your clothes! I just need your measurements!”

“I’m a fucking Goddess and I don’t fucking grow, why the fuck do you have to measure me?” Kassandora bit back to Malam. Then back to Kavaa. “Let’s get Fortia and Maisara, they’ll be good.”

“They’re untested and I don’t know where they are. And my lips are sealed. I may or may not know where they are.” Malam said, wagging her finger.

“Oh but Helenna does?” Kassandora rounded on the Goddess of Love as she lay sprawled on her couch, a new folder on her stomach that she was flicking through.

“Not my problem, Malam already said she’d do you.”

“Where are Fortia and Maisara?”

“I don’t know nor do I care.” Helenna said. Her hair changing into a satisfied light-brown. “They’re not here so they’re not my problem.”

“You know where everyone is!” Kassandora shouted.

“Well apparently not today.” Helenna replied.

“Ooohhhh Kassie!” Malam cooed.

“I guess you didn’t have a problem for Fer then? Did you?” Kassandora said it like an accusation.

“Fer’s stronger than me so I can’t dress her.”

“I’m stronger than you.”

“But you’re a lovely little girl and you love me!” Malam purred the words. “Come on Kassie, you’ve not even seen the dress.”

“Is it made already?” Kassandora asked.

“Mal has knocked herself out.” Helenna said as she finished off the stitch, the sat up with a burst of energy. “Kav, move.” Kavaa took a step to the side, only realising it was because Helenna wanted the sunlight when the beams hit her. Of Love moved the little piece of stitching, inspecting how it sparkled in the illumination. “What do you think?”

“Me?” Kavaa asked.

“It won’t fold well.” Malam said. “Too many of those curls and you’ll look like you’re being born, blood and screams and umbilical cord and all.” Helenna blinked, tilted her head.

“What a lovely imagination you have.” She replied. “But I see it.” She dropped the square, picked up another, and started making a more careful fold now. Kavaa stared at the piece of cloth on the floor.

“I didn’t see anything wrong with it.” She said.

“Mal’s right though.” Helenna replied dryly, Kavaa didn’t even know how to reply to that. Maybe? Yes?

“What are you making?” Kavaa asked.

“My own dress.” Helenna said.

Malam nodded, practically shining with pride. “Helenna’s quite good! She does most of the stitching.”

“Most of them are mine. Mal can sew too though.” Helenna said. “I’ll make yours Kav.”

Kavaa felt the relief wash over her like a cold shower. “Thank you.”

Kassandora turned her attention on the Goddess of Love.

“Mal has already started on yours.” Helenna said. “And she was adamant about it.” Malam chuckled.

“Helenna lost the bet.” Malam said. “Although she didn’t try very hard to win in the first place, but she did want to design all the dresses at first, little queen bee she is.” And finally, Helenna groaned. “And I’ve made the top half already.” Malam ran off through the side door.

Kassandora rolled her eyes as Helenna spoke up. “Yours is done Kavaa.” She put her piece of stitching down and then stretched her fingers, then extended her hand up. “Come on, help me up. Since we’re doing fittings apparently, we may as well get the two of you through as fast as possible.”

“You can’t stand yourself?” Kavaa asked as she walked over.

“I’m drunk.” Helenna replied without a hint of shame. Suddenly, there was a slap. Kassandora’s palm on her own face. Malam had reappeared, holding the dress she had designed for Kassandora behind her in some attempt to hide it. It spilled down from behind her waist like the silhouette of a… well, dress. But silhouettes were in black usually.

“I’m not fucking wearing that.” Kassandora. “I’ll go in a fucking military uniform or naked first.”

“I tried hard.”

“You did not.” Kavaa stared, mouth agape at Malam, then at Kassandora, then back at Malam, at the fabric behind her: Pink.