Eight Gods on a Windowsill

"Hello," a deep voice came from behind the entire group, "Mother."

I turned quickly on my heels, half aware of who it was. Sorem.

"I have brought everyone here because I have a task for you." Sorem said bluntly. He continued his pace until he was within a couple of feet of the shore. Everyone's eyes were on him. "We need to find a way to weaken the Great Ones."

Lousfrith eyed Sorem carefully. She took a moment. I could tell she was contemplating something. "You sound like you are in a rush, Sorem. That's not like you. You've always been more like your father and brother, calm. Complacent."

Burn.

"There is no longer time to be complacent, Mother." Sorem retorted. "A'grappa has awoken." His calm demeanor even shocked me. He was the first to battle. Even before Whisper and Yog.

Lousfrith glanced around at all the people standing before her and the litter holding Abryi, who was still not conscious. "You have brought before me many fractions, including a one woman army that is still not strong enough to take on the weakest of the Great Ones." She started to walk across the water until she stepped upon the shore. "I can no longer leave the water fully. But, I can do something for you, Sorem. First thing's first, the descendant of Hered is in dire need of care."

"I have tried to heal him to the best of my ability, to no avail." I added.

"Your powers are not enough to take care of a wound of his kind. Though, it has managed to keep him alive all this time." Lousfrith extended her hand towards the litter and I watched as droplets of water made their way towards Abryi. The drops coalesced into a giant bubble that enveloped the litter entirely. "While I mend his wounds, I shall upgrade your weaponry." She outstretched her hands to her sides. Immediately, Malda and my macuahuitl manifested above each of her hands. "Hered's Black Blade, Malda, given to the House of Rayne and Lillith's Obsidian Sword, Quetzalli, once held by the sons of Cain. You have such fine weapons, but their potency has long since faded with time. I can reinvigorate them and provide you some other weapons to assist you in your endeavor." Lousfrith turned to Rammel. "Take your child to Uth."

Rammel nodded.

"In the meantime, I have much to do and very little time to do it in." Lousfrith turned to Sethyr. "I could use your abilities to assist me in crafting such weapons for these Fractions." She scanned the group before her, adding as an afterthought, "And, mortals." Once more she rested her attention to Sorem. "You have other responsibilities at the Chapel fe Gouria. One that I wish you much luck. You will need it, Sorem."

Rammel finally spoke up. "You think we have a chance, Lousfrith?"

"If not, then the multiverse has no chance. You will have failed the very mission you gave yourself. You will have failed all the mortals. You will have failed all the Fractions. You will have failed all the Minor Ones. And, most of all, you will have failed yourself. So, for your sake, Rammel, I do hope so."