Neptis and Xellma
Ironhand 10027, The Hissing Lobster
It was an otherwise normal day at Vaust's Inn. It felt like the technology of the world just kept speeding up, and he was struggling to keep up appearances as the years flew by in a blur. All this nonsense of Magitech getting more and more elaborate, he yearned for the good old days, in a way. His thoughts were interrupted by one of his most annoying regulars arriving.
"Innkeeper, six kegs of beer right fucking now." Xellma said, practically throwing a bag of coins at his head.
"Whoa what's got you all worked up?" Vaust asked.
"Something unreasonable is going to happen, I fucking know it. I'm getting ready." Xellma answered, downing the kegs one after the other without even stopping.
Xellma was proven correct a few hours later when in the late evening both Eigengrau and Neptis arrived in the Inn in a flash of lightning.
Vaust groaned at his other most annoying regular arriving.
"Well Neptis, here she is." Eigengrau said, gesturing at the quite drunk Xellma as she lay on the lounge chairs. "The Demon Queen of Hell, Xellma."
Xellma belched in response. "Ah fuck it's you. Who's this woman Eigengrau?"
"I am the War God, worm." Neptis answered, her voice echoing heavily, an air of superiority surrounding her. "Stand and show me the proper respect."
"Fuck off." Xellma answered. She looked over at Neptis and Eigengrau, and had a funny idea. "Neptis, is it? Neptis, come sit on the floor in front of my chair."
Eigengrau was howling with laughter on the inside as she watched Neptis get perfectly ensnared by Queen's Orders, and watched her struggle against it. Vaust watched with amusement as his two most annoying patrons fought with each other.
"Insect! Gnat! How are you doing this?" Neptis shouted, as she struggled to stop herself from following Xellma's command.
"So it does work on Gods." Xellma said idly, her drunken haze not lifting in the slightest. "Queen's Orders, War God. Once I speak your name, you have no choice but to obey my command, it carves a geis on your soul."
"I warned you Neptis. She is extraordinarily powerful." Eigengrau stated, walking over to the two of them.
"Vaust can I buy more beer yet?" Xellma shouted out.
"No."
"Spoilsport." Xellma looked down at the enraged Neptis, still fighting to prevent herself from sitting. "I get it you're a big scary God, you want to boss everyone around, right?"
"Are you always this infuriating?" Neptis asked through gritted teeth.
"I'm the Demon Queen, Blood Knight. Dead Fish, has she been told about the demons yet?"
"Only a little bit, and it was during the 3 week long emergency meeting caused by her apotheosis. It is possible the information was not retained verbally."
"Meaning?"
"She's saying I forgot." Neptis answered, with a sigh.
"Here's the deal, Blood Knight." Xellma said, belching again. "I'm far more powerful than you. I was made in my mother's image."
"Meaning?" Neptis asked.
"Vordea's children, Neptis." Eigengrau answered. "Invincible and incorruptible, each one is like a God in its own right, but only the Demon Queen and King can leave Hell freely."
"So why did you want to meet me, weakling God?" Xellma asked, getting back on track.
"She wants to fight you." Eigengrau stated, quite flatly.
"Pass. I would kick your ass, girl. Come back when you're stronger." Xellma said, dismissing her.
"You dare?" Neptis shouted, springing to her feet, quarterstaff already in her hands. She swung at Xellma immediately, but Xellma stopped it with a single hand.
"I dare." Xellma said, narrowing her eyes, and looking quite sober. "You have been measured, and found wanting. Get out of my sight, and see me again when you understand your power. I've been honing mine for over 5 million years, you're an infant."
At those words, Xellma took on her demon form and grabbed the staff from Neptis. She examined it, and determined it to be a part of Neptis, which pleased her.
"This isn't just a divine artifact, you know." Xellma stated, handing it back to Neptis, who looked confused at the statement. "This is a part of you."
"Of course it is. I was a warrior for over a hundred years." Neptis answered angrily.
"Good. Maybe one day you'll be worthy of the attempt." Xellma said.