Elysia in Another World

Chapter 31: Athanasia P8
~31.8~
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“I came into this meeting originally very upset... I was angry. I’m still angry, but not at any of you. I am angry that someone would pit the lot of you against me as they did, whether intentionally or as a side result of the siphoning. The siphoning very well could be just a means to that end. We must uncover all the truth, however, with my powers... I can only see so far as my domain. That is, Elysium, its satellites, and Alexandria. My brothers’ domains are beyond my influence. Any civilization under them could very well house the criminal or criminals we seek. We must return to how things were long before any of this... no, we must transcend that. We must regain our solidarity and improve upon it! This is my promise to all here, and you may hold me to these words or my very soul is forfeit. I will make all of Elysium whole and safe again, and we will become more than we’ve ever been!” She looked first at Athanasia, then at Atalante, then at the five governors, then finally at Alethea. “I ask all of you to put your best efforts forward to making this reality.”

Everyone was so shocked that none spoke. The silence was only broken when Joey began to clap. And soon everyone joined in. But the applause was interrupted by a loud crash and violent shaking.

The crash and shaking were accompanied by a tremendous swell of mana. Everyone was on their feet in an instant, weapons drawn. Allison and Luma positioned themselves in front of Kye, who had already removed the table. Another tremendous swell of mana washed over them, and the door flew open.

“Tch.”

In came two men, both with white hair, one long and one short. Both also shared the same silver eyes as Kye and Alethea.

“Immortals?” Noah called out. “But I don’t recognize them.”

Kye grimaced.

Even among the Elysium court, none should recognize them, save Maya, Adele, Adara, Luma, and Seris.

The two flared their mana to assert dominance, and several in the room were forced to their knees. Only Kye, Allison, Luma, and the governors remained standing. Clear anger on her face, Kye stepped through Allison and Luma, walked right up to the two men, and slapped both. “Cease your unnecessary mana release at once.”

Unexpectedly, the two sighed and did as Kye said. “That hurt, El.” “Yeah, what the hell?”

“Restrain yourselves,” Kye ordered.

Alethea ran up behind Kye, the look in her eyes just as serious as Kye’s. “What are you doing here? After all that’s happened, you show your-”

“Silence, chimera,” said the long-haired one. “I did not give you permission to speak.”

“I do not need your permission to do anything.”

The short-haired one raised an eyebrow. “El, shall I punish this creature for you?”

Before anyone else could react or answer, Sanae rushed forward and slugged him on the jaw, sending him backwards through the door.

Kye’s fists were so tightly clenched that they become ghost white. “I see you still view souls in the afterlife as mere creatures.”

“Of course. They are long dead and are now mother’s pet projects. Why would I see them as anything more than that?”

“Right?” said the other as he walked back through the door, rubbing his cheek. “Damn, El.”

“You acknowledge they are mother’s creations, yet you insult them? Have you forgotten the punishment you received the last time you gave insult to our mother’s work?”

“Excuse you?” said the long-haired one. A hand suddenly appeared on either man’s closer shoulder, and they froze.

“Evidently, they have.” The new voice belonged to none other than the goddess herself. “Boys, why don’t we join your sister and the others, rather than standing around throwing insults nobody wants to catch?”

Without a word, the two nodded and waited for the table to be remade, and more seats added. Eve sat opposite of Kye, with the two men sitting on either side.

“My apologies for the interruption, Court of Elysium,” Eve said. “My sons have caused you trouble and went so far as to insult the First Queen.” She glared at both of them. “Go on.”

The one to her left, the one with long hair, stood up first. “You may address me as Azriel Alexandria.” He did not bow.

The short-haired one stood up next, also not bowing. “You may address me as Ezra Alexandria.”

“You forgot the apology,” Eve added.

““No, we didn’t.””

Kye sighed as she continued glaring. “We’ll circle back around to that later. What brings you here aside from delivering insults I did not order?” The slightest grin appeared on Eve’s face.

Ezra shrugged. “Nothing in particular. We merely heard you were holding a meeting and wanted to come visit to see how you are recovering. It wasn’t very long ago that you regained yourself, after all.”

“Right,” Azriel said. “I expected that since you were holding a meeting that you would feel healthy enough for us to visit. I must admit, I was concerned. Sister, why did you suffer through pretending to be mortal for so long?”

“Your ability to lie has not improved.” Kye tapped her finger on the table. “Which of you is responsible for Shiro Shikigami? One of you released him from Eden.”

“Ah, you’ve found my present!” Azriel smiled, seeming rather happy. “How have you been enjoying him?” His words shocked most of the present company. “I hope he brought you some measure of entertainment during your trek through mortality.”

Kye clenched her fist tightly again and looked at Eve. “Mother, I’m ready to have fewer siblings.”

Azriel kept smiling. “Whatever do you mean, sister? I so graciously provided with you a significant source of entertainment! Please praise me.”

Kye smiled, but anyone could see she was angry, not happy. “Oh yes. You have done very well. This present of yours has caused so many problems that I don’t know how I could ever count them all. How about I start counting them by pulling a single strand of your hair out for each one? I would like to find out if you go bald before I finish.”

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Revision: 2024-10-1