95 The Endless War 2

Tihr frowned, it was something he really didn't wish to discuss just having come back from the battle. However, it wouldn't be good to anger Meddeas who was one of the supervisor gods for logistics in the Combined Heavenly Army.

\"We lost one of our strongholds. The fighting was the fiercest it has ever been. The Daemons fought in a frenzy without care for losses. It was enough that we were able to halt their advance just losing one stronghold. The Horseman of Famine appeared himself to lead the attack. These Arch-Daemons have such overwhelming strength. If not for the combined efforts of myself, Thorgrmhammer, and Heka, it would have been disastrous. It was only his avatar no less. It took three greater gods just to hold back an avatar, truly a frightening opponent.\"

Tihr couldn't help but shake his head and sighed with concern. Just remembering that fearsome opponent was enough to leave him feeling fortunate to have survived. Perhaps if he had been any weaker, he would certainly have been buried in that horrid place. A god falling was not a small matter, especially a greater god.

\"Well, at least you are alive and can enjoy some downtime. Make sure to show up at the feast later, I brought some of my finest Heavenly Nectar from top quality Soul Amber, grown in one of my groves, from a Tree of life that is over one hundred thousand years old!\"

Meddeas chuckled, having already forgotten Tihr's unfortunate circumstances. Quite a number of the gods were fickle just like this. It was most likely a product of their immortality and the extreme decadence that came with godhood. These gods had lived for an unimaginable amount of time and had seen everything there was to see, and had experienced everything there was to experience. Many of them were unpredictable and acted in queer or truly abnormal ways. Not every deity was like this of course, but there was certainly a large number that were.

\"Anyway, I will see you there. I must attend to my matters.\" Tihr replied politely, but clearly he was in a hurry.

\"Of course, of course.\" Meddeas continued to chuckle, his enormous stomach moving to the rhythm of his laughter.

It looked almost comical to see such a flashy and luxuriously dressed individual who was as large and round as he was. It wasn't necessary for him to appear this way, but for some reason this was his chosen appearance for at least a few millennia now.

Meddeas finally left and Tihr rushed towards his residence within the God Fortress. Everywhere he walked in the fortress, was truly the height of magnificence. There wasn't a single inch of the fortress that didn't scream extravagance and grandeur. It was truly a place fitting for a deity and from the inside, resembled nothing like a fortress of war. It had none of the imposing image, and sense of danger and might, that the exterior possessed. Even here on the battlefield, the gods couldn't give up their extravagant nature.

Tihr's residence was just like any other, the gods would only spend a short period of rest in the God Fortress and so they didn't decorate much. The rooms themselves were already fully furnished. A god might leave a slight personal touch just to personalize, but no more. Tihr immediately sat down on a cushioned seat and leaned back with a deep sigh. He had been injured in that last fight. Pouring himself a glass of Heavenly Nectar and sipping it with satisfaction, he activated with a wisp of his divinity, a small shrine-like device on the table in front of him.

In his vision was the inside of a room and there on her knees, bowing deeply, was a young woman.

\"Shelise.\"

\"My god, you have finally answered my call! I have prayed day and night for your guidance!\"

Although Tihr could see and hear Shelise and her surroundings, she could only hear his words. She remained kneeling and bowing in reverence.

\"Have you found him?\"

\"Yes, my god. It is definitely near. I saw an old family retainer, and I have heard of its exploits. Although it was reported dead, I know this to be false. That thing is certainly here, somewhere in the Orgren Steppes. I do not know what its plans are, but I can feel its influence in recent events.\"

Tihr was silent for a moment as he considered her words.

\"You have done well young one. I am pleased that you have followed my instructions and have not acted on your vengeance. If you had confronted him, it would only have ended in your death.\"

\"My god, how can that be? Is it so powerful? I know my brother was possessed, but certainly with Eneran here with me it couldn't harm me.\"

\"Hmph, what do you know girl? You are to follow my commands. If it had been earlier, then you would certainly have died, but now things are different. I can give this my personal attention for the time being. There were… other matters I had to attend to and couldn't come to your aid.\"

Shelise was feeling somewhat obstinate, but there wasn't anything she could retort being in the presence of her god. There was also a certain amount of fear which kept her from speaking defiantly despite her hatred.

Seeing her dissatisfaction, Tihr added, \"Don't worry, your vengeance will come soon.\"

He didn't much care for the girl, he only needed her to handle Aleks. Tihr knew that just her presence would be a distraction for him. He was well aware of Aleks's personality, his ego and his pride. Aleks was a man who had stubbornly held out against thousands of years of torture and pain, but there was one thing about him which never changed. Aleks could ignore the suffering of those unrelated to him, but when it came to the ones he considered to be his own, it was a different story.

Tihr smiled in satisfaction thinking at how much this would eat at him, knowing his sister was alive, knowing his sister served his enemy. This was Justice, and retribution.