Kurt knew nothing about this god Mordor. He just wanted to make the impression he wasn't changing his plans. Gods seemed to be the easily irritated type. Kurt was going to make him wait for him, or demean himself by coming to him.

He was most worried about the shadow connection. He had to assume it was the same enclave of them. Though if there was one shadow creature it did imply there were many out there somewhere.

They took their time, Jacob had some intense talks about some of the spell workings. The situation seemed outwardly a bit normal but the tension was palpable.

"So what is the only shadow at first?" said Talia to King James.

"Yes. Mordor has been, recently. After we had organized the meeting."

"And the shadow never mentioned us being at war with them?"

"There weren't enough of them here until Mordor came to cause that action."

"It was enough to win the clans fighting over the throne."

"Yes."

There was not much left after a while other than to make their way up to the mansion and throne room, they assumed Mordor would be sitting on.

"She, anything you like honey," said Kurt to Talia.

"Ohh are we shopping?"

"Only for the best."

The two of them continued around the place, keeping Jacob and the rest near at all times. The more delay the more it would seem as a power play. After all, they had just tried to make them walk into a trap.

Kurt was most worried about the goblins, he could probably get Jacob in a pitch but definitely not multiple people. Talia had enough powers to escape herself as well. Making rock platforms to escape a tower wouldn't be difficult for her to exit.

He knew the goblins would want to die in battle, a loss he didn't want. But unfortunately made them a tad bit more expendable because they would voluntarily go into a battle like that.

Talia had found a scarf with some interesting spellwork. They haggled over a price for this one. But found a way.

"I guess we should go up to the top," said Talia.

They had managed to discuss a simple plan. Talia would watch out for Jacob while he was using a sling, Talia always had one. She could use her swords and help with Jacob's own attacks.

That would leave Kurt with more freedom to act. If he knew anything about his wife it was that she could handle herself in a fight better than most.

The final stairway of the pyramid was there. One could say it was looming over them. But Kurt was in an unusually good mood for it. He had delayed enough to make his point.

"Carson," said Kurt, "you should lead us up."

The point was made, if there was another trap Carson would have to spring it. "Yes, my lord."

The mansion was magnificently crafted, and well-kept. Shining in the light with a bright white finish.

They were led through the large doorway and up to the second floor to the throne room.

Upon the chair sat a man with an Owlhead, but more of an ape has the feathers of his head morphed to fur upon his arms. Mordor.

There was a shadow creature near him as well. No need to hide anymore.

Kurt and Talia were flirting with each other as they walked up, nonchalantly.

"Lord Mordor, may I present Lord Kurt and Countess Talia?"

Kurt smirked up at the god, but was nudged by Talia, "A pleasure."

"Are you amused?" said Mordor.

"Of course, the welcome was very warm. I got my wife a few gifts. I can't complain actually."

It was hard to read an owl's head. But Kurt wanted to believe he was annoyed by their comforted composure.

"Do you know why I'm here?" said Mordor.

"It's your city," said Kurt, and then turned to look at King James. "Right?"

"Did we do something to offend you, my lord," said Talia.

Mordor turned his head, in a way only owls can do. "Horus is dead."

"Yes, he is," said Kurt.

"And we are supposed to believe the True Sorcerer just happened to show up."

"I mean, if you ask your shadows there. They will tell you his student was there. I assumed it was because of that."

"And where is this student?"

"He was captured," said a Shadow, "by an Angel."

"Yes," said Kurt, "under Horus' direct command."

"And where is the student now?" said Mordor.

"Dead, Horus killed him."

"And the True Sorcerer?"

"Alive somewhere."

"And you have no idea where?"

"Me? No."

"And Samuel?" said the shadow creature.

"I'm sorry, who is Samuel?"

"He was taking a trial at the temple of Horus."

"I killed him," said Kurt. "Because we are at war."

Mordor laughed. "And we are supposed to believe this story."

"I don't think it matters," said Kurt.

"And why is that?"

"You've already made your decision. I'm told it's strange for a god to directly act, I assume you have done so for a reason."

"Under Horus, it was forbidden," said Mordor.

"And Horus is dead."

"So I have a solution to many of your problems?"

"Ohh, I would love to hear it."

"Submit to me and this little war between you and shadow will be over, you have my word."

"We refuse," said Kurt.

"You refuse?"

"I think Ishtar would disfavor this arrangement."

"So you've submitted under Ishtar?"

"No, but she is our friend."

"So why not submit to me, I would allow a temple to Ishtar, I'm not a monster. Keep fighting. You may end up dead."

"My plan is for them to end up dead."

"One could take that as a threat."

"One should," said Kurt staring at the shadow creature.

"And if this makes me your enemy," said Mordor.

"You've already personally attacked us."

"What do you mean?"

"The trap," said Kurt, "it was you."

Mordor stood up, "Are you declaring yourself my enemy?"

"No, of course not," said Kurt. "I honestly don't understand what you are trying to do here. I have no plans for Sylvain. I was hoping to establish a non-aggression pact. But if you are allied with the shadows, that makes it difficult."

"You're mocking me."

"You invited us here under false pretenses," said Talia. "This was to be diplomatic."

"But you'd rather antagonize me."

"I am trying to understand why a god is acting like a king. I would have thought that beneath you. I planned to have a good-faith negotiation with King James and in my mind, you are in his seat. Do gods have nothing better to do but make some person kneel?"

"But you have lied."

"About what?"

"You think I can't recognize Horus's blood all over your aura? I will not believe Horus gave his permission for that."

Yeah, Kurt had thought that was the whole thing there. That he was half Neptune empowered and half Horus empowered by Layla's interference.

"I think you're just making excuses for what you wanted to do all along."

Mordor laughed at that statement. "I suppose I am, I suppose I am. I don't think you understand how much the pantheon will change now, it will break. Others just have to find out."

"So why involve me?" said Kurt. "I am not trying to take from you, just find my own."

"So submit, and make it easy on yourself."

"We refuse."

"Don't make this difficult, the revitalizing of Neptune's river, and what you've done. I'm not asking you to be low-ranking members of my court. Honored administrators of my grace."

"We refuse."

"And if I come down there and crush your whole town?"

"You'd die."

Mordor tilted his head, "So you do have a way to contact the True Sorcerer?"

"No, I mean I'd kill you. I am sort of the main protector you see."

"Are you just going to let him say that?" Said the shadow creature.

"Yes that does seem like blasphemy," said Mordor, waving his hand, but Kurt also waved his hand, and the side of the building was destroyed.

"Talia," said Kurt.

Three light swords appeared around both the shadow creatures at the side of Mordor and stabbed right through them.

Two more had appeared on the non-destroyed side and killed hidden elves. Talia's abilities were especially potent against shadows. Her eyes could see them and her light sword could pierce them.

Kurt and Mordor stared down at each other.

"It didn't have to be this way," said Kurt, "leave us alone and we can still all walk away."

"You dare," said Mordor.

Kurt drew his sword.

"So it wasn't the True Sorcerer."

Kurt smiled, "Maybe not."

Modoar came towards Kurt but he stepped to the side and a fireball from one of the goblin shamans came directly at him.

The light swords started to swing towards Mordor. But he maneuvered around them and was able to smash them apart on the flat side.

The floor around Kurt began to tumble and two large prostitutes came up and attempted to clap Kurt in between them. Kurt flew out of the way.

Mordor had flown directly toward where Kurt was forced to move. Kurt let loose a crescent wave at Mordor who weaved out of the way.

Mordor had managed to move fast enough to hit Kurt and sent him flying toward the floor. Kurt rolled away and got up.

Another set of protrusions from the ground came up as Mordor fought off some of Talia Light swords. Kurt swung his sword through the earth as the blade spoke the appropriate Bah-Rou.

Kurt felt the block easier this time in the swing and could feel it break through, a slice appeared just missing Mordor but the rest of the building just had a missing part. A few objects started to tilt over with all the support. Well, there goes the mansion staying intact.

He had to presume the minutes were already running protecting the Kitsune with Stacy. He still had a concern for Jacob who had him behind a column. Ignored by Mordor because he had no way of fighting.

There were explosions from the goblin shamans. The warriors had taken a defensive position around the ranged target. They weren't stupid enough to fight Mordor head-on.

But when Mordor came at Kurt he was struck with a stone which seemed to pass through him hitting him non-physically but it had disoriented him.

Jacob wasn't just hiding it seemed, he was holding on to a loose sling. The ladder tattoo on his arm had gained a rung and started glowing. He was still running away in the end.

The surprise to Mordor was enough for Kurt to start a barrage of crudest swings he could keep behind and get in close for a reality-warping combination.

Mordor had drawn two knives and had somehow twisted the space around them enough to be able to block the attacks, the same ones that had killed Horus.

"It won't be that easy," said Mordor. But a light sword had struck his shoulder. He was a bit overwhelmed. Though it was likely only Kurt's sword could kill Mordor, everything else could affect his body.

So Kurt dug deeper and split into illusions. His sword switching between copies and Kurt pumping the god.

Mordor still managed to get in a few strikes. The Mansion was about to collapse around them.

Mordor launches an energy attack at Kurt who sliced right through the beam. Mordor had a shocked expression on his face.

With more illusion, Mordor was blocking the strikes from the sword, and took another hit from Kurt.

Kurt realized that Mordor knew the danger, Kurt needed a solid strike with the sword, but Mordor was fast enough that if they were in the same place he could avoid it.

Kurt thought Mordor was attempting to make it a battle of attrition one Mordor would win. Kurt had wanted him in this position if he was trying to outlast Kurt it meant he wasn't going to try anything too big.

And that was his downfall, that he thought the only thing that could kill him was the sword. And that Kurt would make a mistake. As Kurt cleared his mind and left his will and instinct.

And found the moment, when Nordor was focused on blocking his sword held in an illusion copy's hand. Kurt pointed his finger point-blank and expelled an expression of power.

Mordor vaporized before them all.

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