The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2
Chapter 121

Part 18

He laid out Six's reasons and suggestions about the time-bubbles in simple points, and concluded with; "For these reasons, I'm going to stick to the schedule I announced earlier; one week after the time- bubbles end, the new gods will Ascend.

"I'm sure The Assembly will find practical solutions to the political quandary we find ourselves in. Personally, I suggest we allow gods to serve as rulers. The core of the new policy of the gods since the end of The War Of The Founding is that the gods are now citizens of The Just Alliance with the same rights as the rest of us, no more and no less. Including the right to rule a nation, if their rule has legitimacy and they have the consent of the nation's people. I hope to continue as Prince of Hilia after my Ascension.

"I suggest we wait until a week after the other potential new gods and I have Ascended, and then hold The Tournament of Governors. Let any enter the tournament who think they have the ability to provide us with the very best possible leadership, be they mortals or gods. And then, if The Assembly and the people of The Just Alliance all want the winners to lead us until the war with the demons is over, then I suggest they be empowered to do so.

"Now it's been suggested that this huge gathering might become a huge celebration, and we definitely have things worth celebrating. But The Assembly of The Just Alliance may want to convene to discuss or decide some of the issues that've been raised before we all start to party."

Somonik and Amirgath appeared on the dais beside him.

"We think not." Amirgath stated. "You will not bring the new gods to Ascension for seven weeks. We need to decide whether gods can rule before we schedule the tournament, so we will know whether to include gods as participants, both new and old. No decisions need to be made immediately, and the issues that have been raised will require discussion among smaller groups before they are ready to be debated by the full Assembly.

"Therefore, I ask if The Assembly of The Just Alliance will agree to meet here in closed session in one week, three hours before midnight Standard Time?"

"Let the record show that all have agreed." Somonik announced, then raised his head high and flared his wings.

"And now, we acknowledge the gift of magic and longevity to those who lacked it! We acknowledge that soon, we will have many new gods! We acknowledge our gains in warcraft, magic use, psionics, and social organization! May all of Kellaran offer our gratitude to those who have given us these gifts with a fitting occasion! We honor the residents of the Hiliani time-bubble!"

This was met by a huge and cacophonous cheering that seemed to shake the world.

To their surprise, Mark, his family, all the residents of Homestead, and the senior Hiliani Sylvan all appeared standing on a transparent surface thirty meters above the dais, just below the great Revealing, having been Translocated and supported by Amirgath.

"Take a bow, you deserve it!" Amirgath laughed at their surprise, so they did all bow to the assembly and the world in response to their audience's increasingly manic applause. Then many of them began spontaneously hugging each other as they appreciated the crowd's gratitude, while others just grinned and waved, and the unicorns pranced and reared. When they'd basked in the admiration as long as they wanted to, Amirgath put them back in their places as he declared to all the world; "And now, let the celebration begin!"

Jaunty music was heard throughout the great hall, and the light dimmed a bit more. Many began dancing, while the Xervian servers became very busy taking orders for snacks, drinks, alcoholic beverages, and other mild intoxicants. Unlike other meetings here, no chairs had been provided, which promoted mixing and mingling among all the many and diverse attendees.

"Now this is going to be one momentous party!" Kragorram chuckled.

"I think I'll change into something more appropriate." Povon smiled. In a blink, she Translocated to The Lair of The Lord Regent, then returned in a much smaller Simulacrum of herself about five meters long, which put her at eye level with a tall human.

“Good idea, Mother." Karzog chuckled, and did the same.

So did Kragorram a moment later, and he gave Povon a cuddle with one arm and his tail, which she returned.

"There. Now we are of a size to dance with most of the attendees, should we wish to." she laughed.

"I wonder what song this is? It's nice!" Talia smiled as she bounced a bit to the lively tune. "It sure makes it hard to stand still!"

Visinniria appeared among them. "It's a sailor's song from Felion called 'Coming Into Port."" she revealed with a smile. "Selia, Human Goddess of Music, has chosen a selection of music that should appeal to almost everyone of every nation and race."

"Giant sailors or gnome sailors?" Val asked with a giggle.

"Giant sailors." Visinniria laughed.

"Ah. Well, shall we mingle?" Val suggested with a grin. "I'd sure like to meet some people from all the races I've never met before. I'm sure our void-survival spells will work in the water section, so we can meet the Mer and some of those others in there. I guess there must be Hidden races under the sea too, because there must be three or four races of people swimming around in there that I've never even heard of before."

"I wonder if they'll let us go into the Hidden Nation's woods over there." Six pondered as they began strolling through the crowd. As usual, this was made easier by the fact that most of those within fifteen meters of their party moved with them as best they could, and some of them rose up and flew to escape the congestion.

"I'm sure they will." Visinniria assured him. "They're all just here as Simulacrums anyway, so they have absolutely nothing to fear. They're just shy, and feel uncomfortable in such a vast and open room."

"I notice the Sylvan and Serminaki dragons have settled on the opposite side of the room from The Hidden Nation, and to some extent, there's a spectrum of aggression between them." Fire pointed out. "And some of those Sylvan must be ours; those are our challenge circles going up over there."

"That's Senior Dolimatbene setting things up over there." Six noted with a grin. "It looks like her and the rest of them that came out from Hiliani are doing our work for us, as far as popularizing our system among the rest of the Sylvan. I bet she's casting the Moderate Drunkenness too!"

"Good!" Val laughed. "That frees us up for more fun things! How can we get into the water section, anyway?"

"Just walk through the portals at floor level." Visinniria informed her. "When we get closer, you'll see Selkies using the portals."

"I wonder where Kovink Seg Mivtz is." Povon mused. "Since he's now officially Prince of The Sylvan Nation, I'm sure he's here somewhere."

"I expect he's with the rest of the gnomes over there." Alilia said as she indicated to her left.

"Actually, I've been looking forward to meeting you, Lord Regent," a young gnome grinned as he appeared a meter in the air in front of her, "And I am entirely at your service."

He gave an ornate bow while floating along in front of her at her walking pace, moving backwards, and sweeping his pointed red hat off with a grand gesture.

"And I am equally delighted to meet the rest of this august company." he continued in a comically squeaky voice as he straightened, replaced his hat, and clasped his hands behind his back, still floating through the air backwards. He was about forty-six centimeters tall, with the white hair and ruddy complexion shared by all of his race. He wore a finely-tailored all-black suit in a style favored by the elves of Thon, and sported gold buckles on his shiny black shoes.

"You've done well for yourself Kovink, and in a short time." Povon told him with a nod as they all continued making their way to the water-filled section. "I congratulate you."

"Thank you, Lord Regent." he acknowledged with a nod.

There was a pause.

"Ah, was that all you wished to say to me?" Kovink asked in mild surprise.

"Yes." she nodded. "I wanted to meet you. I've taken your measure now. That is all."

"I see. In that case, I'll take my leave of you, and..."

"I have a matter I wish to discuss with you." Fire bluntly stated as she floated up to confront him. "You've built the most effective criminal and business empire on Kellaran. What have you done to prepare them to fight the demons?"☐☐☐☐☐

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