Part 2

Vordea's story continued for hours and hours, until she finally finished. Leaning back, she surveyed the other Gods, looking for their reaction.

"Why didn't you tell it directly?" Vaust was the first to ask a question, after some silence.

"Many reasons, that I won't share." Vordea answered, slightly disappointed in Vaust. She thought he would understand. "I expected better of you, Vaust."

"No, I think I understand." Vaust quickly added. "Apprentice and Master, so different and yet so similar."

"Hmm?" Xellma asked.

"Sirene and Eigengrau are so much alike, despite being so different. Both resented the roles they had to play, but still gave it their all." Vaust answered, smiling. "I never knew of this binding spell on Eigengrau, though."

"I don't know if it actually exists or if it's just her stubborn personality." Vordea admitted. "But when she snaps, she snaps hard."

"When's the last time she was like this?" Sargon asked.

"Why, you'd have to go back to before the War in Heaven!" Vordea said, herself astonished with the answer. "But make no mistake, Godlings." Vordea said, her tone changing quite suddenly. "Eigengrau is just as capable as I am at ending an entire kalpa. She's done it hundreds of times."

"H-hundreds?" Sargon stammered. "Just how old are you two?"

Vordea smiled in response, and shook her head. "Next question."

"Hang on, we know from Eigengrau that the War in Heaven was caused by your despair from cutting short mortal lives." Vaust said, standing up.

"Correct."

"So you're telling us Eigengrau has ended a kalpa early hundreds of times?"

"Correct."

Vaust sighed. "Does she suffer no effects?"

"Eigen the Hunter grows with power for every kalpa she consumes." Vordea stated plainly. "Ultimately, she sees mortal souls as little more than fuel for her divine fire, which rages like an inferno. She's a lot deeper than she lets on, but it's mostly death and murder under the surface. Especially murder."

"Murder? Really?" Sargon asked, surprised.

"Every serial killer that has ever lived has been poisoned with the whispers of the Death God." Vordea answered, looking directly at Sargon. "She's my best friend and I love her dearly, but she's still the Goddess of Death. You wouldn't expect Agbus to change his habits, so don'Don't expect Eigengrau to not be death."

"Isn't that direct interference?" Zalas asked.

"Quite the opposite. Eigengrau is not the hand that holds the blade or casts the spell." Vordea replied, to which Agbus nodded.