It was a relief to hear that some, at least, had escaped the claws of LongNight. That Evie and Erebos were safe and well, and that Halo was in the Evergreen's capable hands while Deimos was away. Hadama inclined his head in acceptance of Deimos's gratitude but he stayed quiet as plans began to unfold. Some were familiar, while others were new to his hearing, and he nodded slow, silent acknowledgment at the need to go to Starfall, though he kept his thoughts to himself for the moment.
Sunjata's admission drew a curious look from the Tidebreaker that quickly turned to wide-eyed surprise as the imperturbable Mer King was, in fact, perturbed at the news that followed. Shock caused him to draw in a sharp breath, brow swiftly furrowing as Flora spoke for them both. For Ronin, one of Vi's own champions, to be turned...
Flora recovered more swiftly than he did, but the words that followed did nothing to assuage his concern. His brow furrowed more deeply, a frown joining it as she continued to speak, and a muscle in his jaw jumped as she mentioned Seren.
But he drew in a deep breath as she finished, and the shake of his head was once again slow and controlled as his features smoothed back into stoic neutrality. "Sunjata spoke to Dahlia," he pointed out, emerald gaze flicking to the Flood with a silent apology. "It did not end well for him. Dahlia has no reason not to infect anyone who swims into her grotto. And she has a great many reasons to infect any leader who tries."
He rested his hands on the table, fingers spread wide as he contemplated them for a moment before raising his head once more. "Safer to ask Safrin what she knows of their intentions. What she saw in the stars that sent her to face them far from here, first." His pause was somehow grimmer as he turned his head to share another glance with Sunjata. "There was a vision I was told of. Over a year ago. A dark god growing in Starfall's heart. One as strong as Vi, or Rae." His attention returned to Flora, trusting that Deimos and Sunjata had already figured out the direction things were heading. "The Old Gods will not tolerate another new god on Caido. There will be divine war again if we cannot stop the Family." And who knew what the consequences for the world would be this time. "Better that we find a way to destroy the sword before it can be used against us again." Against Flora, or anyone else they loved.
His jaw tightened and he turned back to the leaders of the other regions. "If we cannot rely on Remi and Ronin, then I will join you on Starfall. I am not their equal, but Deimos and I were effective against the titan." Hopefully their teamwork would continue to prove deadly against the creatures of the Void even on their home ground.
Sunjata's admission drew a curious look from the Tidebreaker that quickly turned to wide-eyed surprise as the imperturbable Mer King was, in fact, perturbed at the news that followed. Shock caused him to draw in a sharp breath, brow swiftly furrowing as Flora spoke for them both. For Ronin, one of Vi's own champions, to be turned...
Flora recovered more swiftly than he did, but the words that followed did nothing to assuage his concern. His brow furrowed more deeply, a frown joining it as she continued to speak, and a muscle in his jaw jumped as she mentioned Seren.
But he drew in a deep breath as she finished, and the shake of his head was once again slow and controlled as his features smoothed back into stoic neutrality. "Sunjata spoke to Dahlia," he pointed out, emerald gaze flicking to the Flood with a silent apology. "It did not end well for him. Dahlia has no reason not to infect anyone who swims into her grotto. And she has a great many reasons to infect any leader who tries."
He rested his hands on the table, fingers spread wide as he contemplated them for a moment before raising his head once more. "Safer to ask Safrin what she knows of their intentions. What she saw in the stars that sent her to face them far from here, first." His pause was somehow grimmer as he turned his head to share another glance with Sunjata. "There was a vision I was told of. Over a year ago. A dark god growing in Starfall's heart. One as strong as Vi, or Rae." His attention returned to Flora, trusting that Deimos and Sunjata had already figured out the direction things were heading. "The Old Gods will not tolerate another new god on Caido. There will be divine war again if we cannot stop the Family." And who knew what the consequences for the world would be this time. "Better that we find a way to destroy the sword before it can be used against us again." Against Flora, or anyone else they loved.
His jaw tightened and he turned back to the leaders of the other regions. "If we cannot rely on Remi and Ronin, then I will join you on Starfall. I am not their equal, but Deimos and I were effective against the titan." Hopefully their teamwork would continue to prove deadly against the creatures of the Void even on their home ground.
