11 Azthar

Goddess Ariana was enjoying the sun in the heavenly realm when she received a peculiar request. Samuel had come and delivered a verbal request for her to come and meet with Azthar, the ruler of the Gods.

While not an unusual request to meet Azthar as she was a rather high ranking Goddess she couldn't help but feel somehow that this summons was different. Usually these meetings were set up several days in advance and arranged at a time that would suit her busy schedule. Suddenly suspicious of why Samuel was the one informing her she eyed him closely.

Samuel to his credit revealed nothing through his face but his body was coiled in a knot of stress.

'He promised she wouldn't find out.' Samuel thought to calm his mind. A sworn apostle to Goddess Ariana he was only allowed to remain in the heavenly realm due to her. A hard worker in his past life he had devoted himself to the Gods and in turn they had rewarded him for his good works and was allowed a place in the heavenly realm. However his spot wasn't guaranteed as if he did not continue to prove his usefulness he would simply be reincarnated elsewhere.

She thanked him for the message and went to prepare herself for the meeting. Azthar, not usually one to hold onto traditions, was an eccentric god and as high ranking and influential as she was she couldn't afford to get on his bad side.

Getting dressed she slipped into an elegant light blue dress that accentuated her curves. Putting her smooth blond hair back into a pigtail she admired herself in the mirror.

'I am gorgeous'

One of the reasons for her popularity and ranking was in fact due to her feminine charms.

'Not that Azthar would care' she thought regretfully.

…

"Come in" a gruff voice belonging to Azthar emanated from behind the door Ariana had just knocked at.

Entering she gave a small curtsy and with the looks of a woman trying to play the situation to her advantage a bright and innocent smile.

Azrath was sitting in his study where he had instructed her to meet. Sitting behind a desk covered in books, scrolls, and ancient writings it appeared he was swamped with things to do.

On his bookshelves sat about 120 miniature globes. These globes depicted real worlds that he a god or goddess would be able to examine to help in their protection. Even though she was a high ranking goddess she was still only granted 30 globes at any given time.

"I have some questions for you"

"Of course Azthar, if it is within my power I will answer them"

"It is within your power" he stated matter of factly. "One of my priests much beloved in my heart has been slain in a brutal fashion by a Demon Lord on a world you are protecting. Worse still his soul now belongs to the Demon Lord so he can't even be reincarnated."

'This is not looking good' thought Ariana.

"Furthermore!" Azrath continued somehow getting louder with ever word he spoke. "It is my understanding that you are the one who allowed this demon lord to be summoned and that you had prior knowledge to his plan to kill my priest and raze his village"

The accusation lingered in the air unanswered.

"Don't deny it." Azrath said in a voice that had suddenly grown eerily calm.

Ariana hesitated, "These are true however if you would let me explain it's all for the glory of the heavenly realm!"

She continued, "Without fear why would anyone worship us? We need demon lords that will strike fear in the hearts of common man so that they may offer up their souls and prayers to us the Gods and Goddesses!"

"Such twisted logic!" boomed Azrath. "How will it matter if there is no one left alive that may offer their prayers up to us"

In a rage Azrath was unfamiliar with he swept his desk clean as he stood up. Although he was an older god his power could be clearly felt. He was the ruler of the heavenly realm for a reason.

"No excuses no more twisted logic. I want this demon lord dealt with. Consider this your highest priority!", power seemed to be incorporated into his every word.

The words hit Ariana like a knife and she could feel physical pain at the intense anger Azrath was expressing towards her.

She cowered, "Don't worry, I have killed many Demon Lords. This one will be no exception."

A moment of silence.

"Good" Azrath finally said sitting back down. "Also have Samuel make me copies of your globes and bring them to me. Your actions have warranted an investigation that I will personally head up."

"Of course" she replied still trembling with fear.

On her trip back to her home she realized something.

'How does Azrath know Samuel'

Rage overtook her thoughts before she calmed her mind.

'That snake.'

She resolved herself so that the day Azthar forgets about Samuel would be the day she would dismiss him. Reflecting on how to do it she decided the best way would be to have him reincarnated as a fly. In the end he would still provide her a use. Her pet lizard was always hungry.

'First things first though'

I need to find a hero strong enough to slay this demon lord.

'Someone strong enough not just to slay him but to humiliate him' she wanted to watch him suffer as she had suffered. Her rage and hate that was swelling up within her was unlike the emotions of a Goddess.

Licking her lips in anticipation of her ensured victory she began combing through her options for heroes.