The Greatest Sin [Progression Fantasy][Kingdom Building]

The Arascan idea of the family was revolutionary to some regard and it was the perfect to learn as to why we should not let some Divines be the first in achieving anything. Maisara rules the original Divine Order. The Paladins are not corrupt, naturally, they are strict, naturally, they follow orders, naturally. But specifically, they are a private army. They were created to serve as Maisara’s private army during the Age of Tyranny and they created the precedent. No one will willingly let a Divine have a private army, yet likewise, most Divines who are interested in having a presence across nations do want one. Thus, Maisara set the precedent.

There are those who do nothing but complain about the power of the Paladins and how it is not right. That they exist solely to serve as a private for the Goddess of Order. And there those of us like me and like Allasaria who immediately seized the opportunity once it came about. Because Maisara was allowed her private army and because she is so stubborn that she does not care about the words of others, I could have a private army. Allasaria created the Seekers almost immediately after incarnation. And so, the three most famous orders of the Paladins, the Guardians and the Seekers legitimize each other.

And they legitimize each other, because they came about from the very fact that Maisara decided to shatter norms. And she did so in a terrible way, and she allowed the rest of us to specialize. Kavaa’s Clerics fall into this camp of being Health’s private army, even if they are used primarily for the role of healing. Anassa’s sorcerers likewise are the right arm of the their Goddess. All of it came about from that original break in ancient custom. I suppose there are little who will say the words so bluntly, but I shall say them: We do want our own private armies whose loyalty is not shared with a state.

Maisara set the bar, and the bar was set low. Any Divine worth their salt can create a Holy Order. Arascus, when he created the family and took on the position of Patriarch, did not set a low bar. He did not even set it high. He set it to an impossible standard. There is no second Divine family because it would require a character like Arascus to head it.

Looking back on it, before the Great War even, it was a good play from a purely strategic, tactical approach. Any Divine that wanted family could go to Arascus and any Divine that wanted adopt the idea as a new form of rulership would have to compete with the fact that every action they did had a rival that possessed first mover’s advantage.

The Arascan idea of the Divine Family cannot fundamentally exist without the Arascan style of hierarchy. The White Pantheon was created specifically because we rejected that leadership. When I see new Divines complain that I do not step into a role of mother for my fellow Divines, I can only roll my eyes with scorn.

Do I want to manage Divines in the way Arascus does? No. I would hate it. I do not have the patience for it.

If, when Maisara created the Paladins, she would make them all into heroes and nobles and magicians and scholars and all, and that set the standard for what a Divine Order should be, then her Order would be the only to exist on Arda. Arascus would disagree with me on this, but there is such a thing as setting a bar too high.

Allasaria would agree with me too, even if she would voice argument against me.

- Excerpt from “Building Pantheon Peace”, written by Goddess Fortia, of Peace shortly after the Great War. Never published. The original copy resides in the Closed Library of Olympiada.

Maisara leaned back on the couch. Fer spread out over the rug on the floor. Fortia fell deeper into her chair. A warm glass of whiskey, with added lemon and honey, on the table next to her. She had been sipping her drink slowly now that the house was built. It was a grand manor, sprawling underground, with one main entrance and a dozen secret exits. The name of the game here was military paranoia. The bunker in the mountain had another bunker attached to it. And it was about comfort.

The floors were all wooden panels, it was nostalgic. Neither Fortia nor Maisara approved of the new style of tiles. The wood only disappeared under thick rugs fashioned out of real fur, those had all been presents from Fer herself, who apparently hunted, skinned and prepared the rugs themselves. Right now, the massive skin of a bear was rolled out in front of the crackling fireplace that bathed the room in orange light. Fer lay, close to the point of passing out, on it, another bottle of her flavoured vodkas by her side. This time, it was fucking coconut and cream, where did she even find that?

They had a pool, outdoor and indoor, they had bathes to sit in and watch the stars at night, they had no neighbours and Olonia promised they would not get any. They had a kitchen, and the kitchen had open flames. They had a shower, and a bedroom, and it wasn’t too spacious even.

Well, save for the fact that it was effectively three homes and only one of them partly above ground. But each of those three homes was not too large that it would be a hassle to clean. Olonia apparently provided Divinity with a monthly cleaning service if they wanted it. Fortia and Maisara had declined the offer now. Maybe in the future. It was more about the principle of it rather than anything else, the Lubskan maids did not come cheap. And it would be an embarrassment if the Lubskan maids walked in on three of the most powerful Divines in the world who did nothing but sat about and shared drinks.

Never had Fortia imagined that the world could be this peaceful. Outside, Arascus was handling affairs, running his Empire, doing his own thing. His problems were his. Fortia would be dragged out of here when she was needed but… She smiled to herself and smoothed her skirt. No socks, no shoes in this house. Nothing under the skirt either. And the shirt was only here so that they did not descend into downright barbarism.

Fortia, she had to admit to herself, liked being unemployed.

She could sit, she could be dragged out whenever she needed to do something. But ultimately, the world was no longer her concern. It would come knocking sooner or later, but…

There was a knock on the door. Fer’s ears bounced, she sniffed the air, then went back to relaxing in front of the fire. Maisara looked at Fer, then at Fortia. “Do you want to? Or should I?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Olephia.” Fer said. “I can smell her, it’s her.”

“What does she smell of?” Maisara asked.

“Paint.”

“Come in!” Fortia shouted to the front door. Olephia did not waste a beat. She pulled the door open, outside, there was a massive helicopter that had landed on their lawn. That was probably her transport. The Goddess of Chaos looked around the room. At the wooden floor. At the hooks which they still had to fill up with paintings, or maybe they could be used for swords or trophies. Her eyes went to the kitchen annex, she shook her head, and she stepped in.

And immediately, Fortia felt the shift in the energy. She had never seen Olephia angry before, she didn’t know that the avatar of Uncreation could get angry. But right now, Olephia looked as if someone had set themselves upon Arascus. Frankly, she could imagine the girl to cry, but anger? Olephia stopped so that she could inspect and view all three of them together. Purple dress wrapped with white fur around the neck. She wore black gloves that were quickly taken off and stuffed furiously into the fabric. And Fortia said nothing.

Olephia stared at the three of them in silence. Maybe if it was anyone else, Fortia would know what to say but right now, with that furious expression, she just remained silent. They had not just finished building this manor for it to be incinerated.

And if it was anyone else, they would shout with whatever issue. Well, it was good that Olephia was not speaking yet at the very least. She was obviously angry, but she couldn’t be too pissed off. “Olephia.” Fortia said. “It’s lovely to see you.”

The pair of cold purple eyes sent a shiver down Fortia’s spine. Fer gurgled some reply. “Lovely to see you sister. We are currently in the process of lazing. Join us.” Olephia rolled her eyes. Maisara looked to Fortia, then to Fortia, then slid over on the couch.

“So…” Maisara said. “Do you want a drink? Fer said you like vodka. We have plenty.” One slow turn of the head to the left, then to the right.

“It is warm.” Fer gurgled again. “It warms you up. You feel good after.” Olephia pulled out her notebook, a pen whipped out from her sleeve, and she began to scrawl. The paper went to Maisara, who opened her eyes, then looked at Fer, then looked back down to the paper.

“Read:” She says. “Fer, shut up. Do you know what she is doing?” Olephia was already writing as Fer chuckled from the thick rug she lay on. For a moment, all the sound in the room was just the warm crackling of the fire. Fortia looked at Maisara, then down at herself. It had to be about her, didn’t it? Maisara wouldn’t be given something to read and she wouldn’t… What was she doing exactly? “I am sitting down.” Maisara must have misunderstood the question.

Olephia’s glare stalled the next words that were going to come out of the Goddess of Order. “You smell of envy sister.” Fer said. “So I assume it must be bad. Is it me? Know I’m a third wheel to their relationship.” Olephia’s eyes went wide, her fell open in a silent owe. Fortia felt herself freeze as she braced for nuclear hellfire. Maisara held her breath.

Another quick scrawl. Passed to Maisara for reading once again. Maisara looked at the paper, then pointed to it. “Should I?” Maisara asked and Olephia nodded. “Are you stupid Fer?” Fer chuckled.

“I may be.”

“I am not talking about you and Maisara and Fortia here. Do you know what your friend is doing here?” Fer sighed and finally sat up.

“Alright, alright. I am listening. Who is doing what and why and should I be any part of it?” Fortia didn’t know what she was doing whatsoever. When had she insulted Olephia exactly? It couldn’t be bad. Could it? When she was about to speak, Olephia fixed her with a glare again. Oh no. It was about her? Was it the house? They hadn’t built it close to Olephia. Maybe that was the issue? That they were too far? Olephia stood in her purple dress, the fur lining her neck, her hands on her hips. Her glare turned back to Fer. “I do not know what is happening.” Fer said. “And I mean it.” And the tension finally spiralled out of the Goddess of Chaos. She rolled her eyes, then brought scribbled more. And again, it went to Maisara. “You know I can read, right?”

Another paper went to Maisara, even as the Goddess of Order read the first one. “I cannot believe she has slipped under your nose as well.” And then. “Yes, it is for everyone to hear.”

“Then I do not know, really.” Fer said. “But it is with Forti, isn’t it?” Olephia nodded. Fortia felt as if she had just been thrown into the rift to Tartarus. That was what there friendship was worth? For Fer to out just like that?

“FER!?” Fortia shouted.

“Whatever the issue is, it’s a misunderstanding.” Fer said, and then fell back down. Her hand crawled along the rug to the flavoured bottle of drink. Of Beasthood moaned, fondled the bottle’s cap, then gave up on unscrewing it and went back to sleep. Maisara received another piece of paper.

“And if it’s not a misunderstanding?” Maisara read Olephia’s question. And she received another piece of paper. “Do I… OLEPHIA!!” Maisara shouted. “NO! Of course you do not.” Fer chuckled.

“What does it say?”

“Do I have permission to blow Fortia up?” Maisara read and Fortia, who had been frozen on the other side of the room, lost the final traces of movement she didn’t even know she possessed. So it was about her, she had known from the start. Oh no. What had she done exactly? And Fer, ever helpful, ever so competent, the Fer who somehow made Kavaa and Kassandora cry, burst out in laughter.

“Olephia, I am sure it is not that serious.” Fer said. Olephia did not, could not reply. “Talk it amongst yourselves.” Fortia’s bronze eyes went wide. This was Fer’s advice? This is what their friendship was worth? This was Olephia! This was Fer’s sister after all! Fer was their contact into the family! They didn’t… Fortia didn’t… What was she supposed to say? Sorry? For something she didn’t know she was doing?

“FER?!” Fortia said. “Help? Please? I don’t know what I’ve done.”

“Divinity.” Fer began. “Has a fair share of children amongst it. I, however, am not a child.” She took a pause and went back to the bottle. This time, her fingers could get the top undone. “Likewise you, Fortia, are rather competent when it comes to this talking. And Olephia is brilliant. You two do not need my help to sort out misunderstandings between you.”

Olephia angrily shook her head, her eyes went to Fortia. “Fer please.” Fortia said again. “I know…” She looked to Olephia. “I mean no offense Olephia, of course, but…” But it wasn’t like Allasaria on the Pantheon. Then, it didn’t matter if they declared war on each other. Frankly, everyone wanted it to end before it began. But now? No, she didn’t want to blow up what they had. “But please don’t blow me up?”

Olephia stared a silent reply that said utterly nothing. “If you two were Kassie or Kavaa, or maybe Malam because you need to know how to handle her, or Ana I guess, then I would intervene.” Fer said. “But Olephia, Irinika, myself, Baalka, Neneria, we are not…” She trailed off, chuckling to herself. “Let’s say our mental faculties are not compromised to the extent the others have it. Fortia, you are in my group. Whatever the issue is, you can talk it out.”

“Fer…” Fortia said and Olephia took a deep breath through her nose. The sound of air coming out of Olephia was enough to cool the room once again.

“Come on sister, don’t scare them.” Fer said. “Forti’s a lovely girl, I vouch for her, don’t blow her up.” She chuckled to herself and then drank straight from the bottle. “Let me laze about like the beast I am.” In Fortia’s mind, that was nowhere close to enough. Olephia pointed her finger at Fortia, then towards a door. The bedroom.

Oh no.

Fortia didn’t even know what was worse. Fer had gone in there, obviously she had, but no one else bar Maisara and Fortia had. And whereas Maisara was cleanly, there was a certain freedom in not having to put on a show. “Please not there.” Fortia said.

Olephia shook her head, turned to Fortia, her eyes going wide with disbelief, then she waved her hand in the general direction of the corridor. Fortia got the message immediately, she downed the rest of her glass, wiped the edge of her mouth with her arm, and stood up. It was a bad look for her legs to be shaky, but she had things to lose now. She had Maisara, she had Fer, she had this house. She had the Empire even. And she didn’t even think that Olephia had disliked her.

Well no matter, she couldn’t show the bedroom to anyone but Maisara. Instead, they went to a separate area that was a large room, wooden floors and furniture here. But it was large, half-buried under the mountain, the windows covered only a third of the walls. This was going to be for throwing parties in the future, the table was large enough that a dozen Divines could sit on one side, and a dozen more on the other. Olephia took the end of the table and pointed to the closest chair.

Fortia sat down. The lump in her throat was surreal and it wasn’t even because of the Divine on the other side of the table’s corner. It was just the sheer certainty that what was here couldn’t be replicated. “So…” Fortia said. “I honestly do not know what you are talking about Olephia. I am being serious here.”

Whether Olephia listened or not, Fortia did not know, but those purple did not leave her paper as she wrote a note and slowly slid it across the table. “I will cut to the chase Fortia. What is your relationship with my father?”

Fortia’s eyes went wide, her mouth fell open, she… And then Olephia? So… Was she seriously thinking that? The crimson that flooded into her cheeks was not the right answer, but it was about the sheer thoughts of the scandal that Olephia was insinuating. “We…” Fortia said. “I…” How was this even to be explained? Fer had been correct. This was a misunderstanding. And it was the sort of misunderstanding that she was entirely unprepared for. “I… me and him don’t have a relationship.” Fortia said and Olephia raised a doubtful eyebrow. “Really, we don’t.”

The silence was like being frozen by burning hot flames. Fortia concentrated on the sound of pen sliding on paper so that she didn’t have to listen to the sound of her own madly beating heart. “You attend a meeting with him at Irinika’s plantation every week. This has been going on for months now. At the launch of the Lighthouse One, you came to watch it together.”

“That…” Fortia opened and closed her mouth. That was to research the curse. The blade had appeared over Arascus’ head the moment that he got close to the compartment that he could ride to get into space. It had been to test the edge of what the realm meant. And now they knew. And it had been another step to figuring out what that curse was. A massive one in fact…

But how the fuck was she supposed to explain that? Even if she tried to, what was she going to fucking say? Your father has a curse, an invisible sword appears over his head when he tries to leave the planet. He got it when he got transported into another soul realm, actually, it was when he was intercepted by beings who called us Godlings. And he carved his name into a stone monument in that soul realm. Also, three of your sisters have the same curse, except it works in different ways for them. And also Iniri has it. And he told me not to tell anyone, so please don’t question anyone on it? WHAT THE FUCK!? It sounded like bullshit in the first place! “I promise, I do not have that sort of relationship with him.”

And the next paper was even worse. “Then what is your relationship to him?”

Fortia opened her mouth, closed it, and didn’t know what to say. “We’re…” She struggled to find the correct word. “I would say we’re equals?” Olephia’s eyes alone, her eyebrows darting downwards, said that was not the correct answer whatsoever. “Not like that Olephia! No no! I mean! We’re the same! Me and him! We’re from the same souls.” Olephia opened her mouth, Fortia closed it, and then Olephia closed it again.

Once again, the paper slid over the table. “I am in disbelief, do you know that?”

“I…” Did this mean she was out of trouble? “I see?” Fortia said. “It’s, he’s not going to make a move on me, don’t worry.” Olephia slapped the table and Fortia jumped up. Then the Goddess of Chaos leaned back in her chair, placing her hand on her forehead. “That wasn’t the right thing to say, was it?” Olephia shook her head, she took another few moments to recover, then wrote again. Not even bothering to hide it this time, she just wrote in the blank space between them.

“You do realise that what you just said implies you would be fine with him making a move on you.” Fortia blinked, then stared at the words, then felt her cheeks going red.

“I’m a fucking idiot.”

More text. “Yes.” Olephia shook her head. “But no, I came in here to see what was going on and I see it was my own judgement error. I do not believe you yet Fortia, but also, you are very obviously hiding something.”

“I…” Fortia said, looking up at Olephia again. So Fer had been correct. This mute Goddess was far smarter than Fortia had ever taken her for. “I cannot talk about it.”

“That is the first thing out of your mouth that I believe.” Olephia wrote. “So you are not going to become Moth-“ Fortia slapped her hands onto the table and stood up.

“By all the Divines to have ever lived, by Arda, by my soul, by whatever you wish me to swear upon Olephia, I swear. I am not trying to become Empress. No!” Olephia breathed another sigh of relief through her nose. She finally smiled.

“Not aunt either?”

“Gods no!” Fortia said. “No, really. I like it here.”

“Here?”

“Here? In my house? In the Empire.” Fortia sat back down slowly. “I’ve made friends with Fer. I want to see tomorrow Fortia. And it’s not because of plotting or anything, I just am excited to spend more time like this. It’s good, it’s comfortable. I’m old.” She didn’t even know what she was saying at this point. Olephia just nodded slowly as if she understood everything.

“Very well.” Olephia wrote. “Do not think I’ve let you off the hook yet For…” She paused writing, then smiled mischievously. “Forti. I’m keeping an eye out.”

“Olephia, really, I’m not going to go and crash your family. I like Arascus too.” Olephia raised an eyebrow.

“I hope you don’t like too much.”

“OF COURSE I DON’T LIKE HIM TOO MUCH!” Fortia said then put her hands over her mouth when she heard the crash from outside. And now those two had heard. FUCK! What a terrible day!

“Well I will question him on this too.” Olephia said. “And I know he’ll admit it to me.” Of Chaos tapped her nose. “I have to be wary with you, you know.”

“I’m harmless.”

“You turned him down before Irinika was ever offered the position of Daughter-Goddess.” Olephia’s smile grew. “And Malam said you were his type back at the meeting.” Fortia blinked, she remembered that nightmare scenario when everyone of Arascus daughter’s had come to shut her down, when she felt a target painted on her back, and how Irinika had managed to calm the situation with her joke.

“That wasn’t serious.”

“Well you can never be too certain.” Olephia stood up. “Apologies for interrupting, I will return with a painting. It will either be an apology or it will be the most spite-filled piece you have ever seen.” Olephia paused and stared at the paper for a moment. She thought hard, and then she continued. “You are protective of what you have, I am too. Apologies, I may have overreacted.”

“Oh no.” Fortia said. “No, it’s… I understand.” Fortia extended her hand to shake. Olephia took it, then stood up. She left one final note on the piece of paper before she left.

“Now you can explain it to Maisara and Fer. Paper is good because it is quiet.You, however, are exceptionally loud. My ears hurt already.” Fortia stared at Olephia’s back as the woman left. Fer yelled out goodbyes, Maisara said considerably quieter ones. The front door did not slam, Olephia shut it gently. The papers were collected and stuffed into Fortia’s pocket. She would throw them into the fire later.

Well, at least it was over. She returned to Maisara and Fer, Of Beasthood was already on the phone. Fortia remained silent, then her hands curled into fists when she heard the question. Fer being on her phone was bad news already. “So Dad? Sleeping around are we?” Fer said, chuckling.

Arascus replied quickly enough. “No.” There. It was definite. It was strong. It was Arascus in a single word. It ended the conversation. Maisara didn’t even look like she was offended, she just shook her head at what was happening. Arascus, however, was not done. “Is it the three of you there?”

“Maybe?” Fer replied, her voice still filled with cheek.

“I’m on loudspeaker.” It wasn’t a question.

“You are.” Fer answered anyway.

“Fortia, I don’t know what you’ve been saying, but I can find you work if the unemployment is getting to you.” Fortia collapsed into her chair, whiskey bottle already in her hand. What a terrible affair.