Interlude: Goddess Afa’s Fourth Report

Afa, the Goddess of Heroes sat aloof on her throne, casually looking through a small handheld viewing tablet. Her long flowing golden locks draped over the back of the seat as she lazed about. She was happily singing to herself when she heard a knock at the door and a voice.

“Great Goddess Afa? Are you there?” The voice called out.

Giving a sigh of annoyance, Afa pulled herself up into a more formal seated position, smoothing out her robes to emphasize her figure, “You may enter.” She said.

The door slowly opened and in entered the pixie hovering through the air and carrying a briefcase that was several times larger than her. As she struggled to keep a hold of it with her tiny hands she reported to Afa, “The meeting is about to start.”

“What already?” Afa asked in annoyance as she looked over to a massive hourglass that hung on one of the marble pillars. Reading the time, she gave a small stretch and yawn, “Alright, have them all enter.”

“Right away.” The pixie said as she placed the suitcase down at a table and zipped through the doorway to call all those waiting outside.

***

Afa tried her best not to fall asleep as some sort of two headed creature was talking about… something. She had no idea really, she stopped listening the moment the two headed thing started speaking. How much longer is this going to take? She wondered as she browsed through her tablet.

“So Goddess Afa, what do you think on the matter?” The two headed speaker asked once he was done.

“Hmm?” Afa replied with disinterest.

“Uh, there have recently been strange fluctuations occurring on Strarth. It doesn’t seem to be anything dangerous, but suspicious nevertheless. We were debating on whether or not to send someone to investigate.” He explained.

“No.” She said flatly, her bored expression momentarily becoming deadly serious, “We are not going to waste time and resources on a wild goose chase without any substantial reason.”

“Uh, alright.” The two headed being nodded before continuing on.

Afa gave a small scoff of annoyance. How nosey can these idiots be? She thought as she continued to flick through her mini-viewing tablet. She then stopped on something. Her perfect brow furrowed slightly. She reread it twice and seemed troubled.

Everyone else in the room was too busy with the meeting to notice the expression on her face. But Zarall noticed the troubled look on her face. From what once was a look of pure boredom on the goddess’s face was now a look of impatience. Obviously, something came up that caused this agitation.

Well that’s interesting. Zarall thought. Obviously, something went wrong, and if he was a gambling god, he would guess that it had something to do with her plan on Strath. Looks like he had some work to do after this.

***

A number of hours later the meeting was mercifully over, Afa very quickly dismissed everyone and got up from her throne. She strode over to a large circular mirror adorned with gold, platinum, and various gemstone.

Placing a perfectly manicured finger on a blue gemstone she activated something. The entire mirror frame hummed and beeped as magic flowed through it. As she waited for it to finish, she turned toward the pixie.

“You, get some refreshments.” She ordered.

“Yes my goddess.” The pixie said as she fluttered away.

Afa then crossed her arms and waited impatiently, tapping her foot on the ground. A moment later the pixie returned with a tray raised over her head. It looked comically large compared to her small stature.

As the pixie flew over to Afa, she picked up a golden wine glass from the tray the pixie was holding and took a sip. She stared back at the mirror with an impatient look on her face. The pixie looked at the mirror with the magic inscribing trying to discern what its purpose was.

As she was doing so, she saw someone else appear in the mirror. Turning around in surprise she turned around, only to see no one behind her. Turning back around to face the mirror the pixie saw the figure was still in the mirror.

As she looked at it in confusion, Afa spoke seemingly used to what was occurring, “What took you so long?”

“Sorry, I was a bit busy with something.” The person in the mirror apologised with a scratchy voice.

“Whatever, we need to talk.” Afa said swirling her glass of wine with a annoyed look on her face.

“This seems important.” The person in the mirror replied, “What seems to be the problem?” He asked, but instead of his voice being emitted from the mirror, it sounded like he was behind them both.

The pixie swiveled around so quickly that she almost spilled the contents on the tray she was carrying. In front of her appearing out of thin air was what looked to be a human man. Well, human save for his pure white glowing eyes.

The man aside from his eyes had black hair and was giving a toothy grin at them. The man wore a black vest over what looked to be a gray hoodie and blue jeans. On his feet were a pair of black snow boots. Needless to say, compared to the two ladies in gorgeous elaborate dresses in a grand marble room, he looked rather strange standing there.

“You’re here in person?” Afa asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be? It seemed very important for you to call me, you haven’t in over a year.” The man said as he suddenly appeared next to the pixie who almost spilled the tray in surprise.

“Oh, don’t mind if I do.” The man said grabbing one of the wine glasses, “Thank you little girl.” He said raising a glass to her as he took a sip, “Mmm, good vintage.” He said with a nod of approval, “So what is the matter?”

“Viola.” Afa said simply with a look of annoyance on her face.

“That’s the older Coldwater girl, right? What’s the date?” He wondered as he took a moment to think, “Oh yes, you had something planned for her about… a vampire right? It would have occurred a couple days ago. Did something go wrong?” He asked.

The pixie stared at the two in confusion. What vampire? What is her plan? Who is this stranger? She thought as the two ignored her presence. Something was off about this glowing eyed man; she couldn’t get a read on what he was or what he could do. She also felt as though she’s seen him somewhere. She just couldn’t quite recall.

“The stupid girl didn’t turn.” Afa complained.

Turn? Into what? Wait, vampire? Turn into a vampire?! The pixie thought in disbelief, her eyes widening as she hovered in the air just listening to the two talk.

“Well, that sucks.” The man shrugged.

“Why didn’t she turn, Hallow?” She asked.

The one referred to as Hallow gave a helpless shrug, “I don’t know, I wasn’t there.”

“She should have turned. Why didn’t she turn?” She complained.

“Do you know what happened?”

“I didn’t pay that much attention.” She said dismissively, “But I think Bryson had something to do with it and now the vampire is dead.” She scowled, “What’s going on with that brat?”

“It sounds like he’s sort of doing his job, making a mess of things.” Hallow replied.

“But I’m still not happy about it. I really wanted her to be a vampire. It would have been so good!” She pouted.

“Look at the bright side.” Hallow said sitting down on a large couch that suddenly appeared in the middle of the room, “If Bryson took down a vampire, that only makes him more dangerous. Plus it was probably an uncomfortable experience for them.” He offered.

“True.” She gave a small nod, “But he’s a bit of the nuisance.”

“Isn’t that his job? Besides, the real challenges await him later.”

“Hmph, fine but I’m going to need to plan a few things out.” Afa said as she moved over to her throne and sat herself down. She then glanced over to the pixie and gave her a dismissive wave, “You can leave. We have important matters to discuss.”

“R-right.” The pixie said trying to keep her composure as she hurriedly fluttered out of the room, leaving the tray of refreshments on a table near the door.

“Cute little thing.” Hallow said to the retreating pixie, “It have a name?”

“No. No point, it’s the only pixie here. Hardly worth acknowledging really.” Afa said with a dismissive shrug.

“Oh, shame. Anyways… shall we discuss?” Hallow asked with a small devious grin plastered on his face.

***

Zarall and Primrose walked through a large garden road. They moved past several blooming cherry trees. They were talking as they walked.

“So, I see that Viola is safe and everyone else made it out unhurt?” Zarall asked.

“Yes sir, Bryson called me earlier and it seems like everything has been sorted out.” Primrose replied before giving a small laugh, “Honestly, I was nearly scared half to death when he first called me about the vampire.”

“Why is that?”

“Because he called me while I was here! I was afraid that he might see something he shouldn’t have. I had no idea what I would say, and then I found out that they were attacked by a vampire.” Primrose said shaking her head as she recalled what happened while she adjusted her hood.

“I take it that he still doesn’t know that you’re more than just a simple Anthousai?” He asked.

“By the Great Six no! That would be terrible if he found out.” Primrose said with a look of horror, “Besides, I like the current level of trust he has with me.” She added with a small cough.

“That is for the best then. Nice to see that you are warming up to him.” Zarall said with a light chuckle.

From behind them they heard the rapid fluttering of wings. Racing over to them was the pixie, with panic on her face.

“Zarall! I have terrible news!” The pixie cried out breathless.

“Calm down and breathe. What is the matter.” Zarall said gently.

“Afa sent a vampire to try and turn Viola Coldwater into one! It failed, but she tried.” The pixie reported.

“So it was her.” Zarall said tapping his chin.

“You know already?”

“Yes, Primrose just recently told me, she as you know has been in contact with Bryson Coldwater.” Zarall said.

“Right, but that’s not all. I just saw her meet with what seems to be the being that she has been working with the entire time! She called him Hallow!” She explained.

This news received wide-eyed shock from both Zarall and Primrose. After a moment of silence Zarall gave a small nod.

“This is serious we need to talk in my quarters.” He said as he waved his staff and a bloom of pink cherry petals surrounded them in a tornado. For a moment all they could see was pink, a moment later the petals disappeared, and they stood in front of a large double door.

“Come in.” Zarall invited them as he opened the door. Stepping in they all halted at the entrance of the room as they all stared in confusion as an intruder seemed to be waiting for them.

In the middle of the room sat person who was staring out to the front porch. Hearing them enter the person turned around. It looked to be a small, skinny teenager with black hair and dark eyes, wearing some sort of formal school uniform that was even outfitted with a tie.

Slowly this teen stood up and stared at the group before he greeted them with a low flat voice, “Zarall, Strarth’s God of Guidance, my name is Valer. We need to talk.”