There was an eerie stillness over the city of Ravenheart. Even the perpetually looming volcano seemed to slumber a little deeper that day.
As the sun set, and the dusk settled across the land, a series of bells went off and the ceremony officially started.
At that time, the last beams of golden light breached the balcony where Gehrman was standing, looking out over the landscape. In truth, he was looking far beyond it.
Far outside the city limits, Saint Thane materialized. This was the creator and maintainer of the Dreamscape, the one known as the Dream Merchant. He was also beholden to the Government, and thus a neutral party.
Given this position, it was his job to escort the very much not neutral party of the Valor Clan representative.
At the end of the day, all Legacy Clans still had that nagging, horrible flaw of being incredibly kept by things like honor, chivalry, and respect. For Valor to not send anyone to congratulate the Princess of Song, it would have been seen as a slight and a dishonor.
"Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised," Gehrman murmured.
The one who appeared beside Thane, brought with him from the Waking World, was Madoc, also known as Whispering Blade.
He was older brother to the true ruler of Valor, the Sovereign Anvil.
Yet despite serving under his more talented younger brother, he was by no means a slouch. Their father had been the one to inherit the lineage of War God, and thus, Madoc too wielded the boon of the Divine Lineage, placing him ahead of even the strongest of Saints.
Even then, he was a cut above the rest due to his experience and his Aspect. Whispering Blade, was quite a fitting title, as the man's abilities manifested as cutting slashes that were invisible to the eye.
Gehrman imagined he could find them quite easily by measuring the change in air pressure or through some other means, but he had yet to see him in action, so he didn't know for sure.
Madoc disappeared and then reappeared a few times.
Thane hurriedly snuck away to join the rest of the Government envoys, clearly uncomfortable around the serious man.
Gehrman raised an eyebrow as the rest of the group materialized.
"So, 3 Saints and 5 Masters, not a bad turn out in terms of fame, but the lack of a certain Princess is certain to raise a question or two. Ah, I bet that girl is simply livid."
Indeed, there were two other Saints flanking Madoc now. One surprised him, and one worried him.
On Madoc's left was Saint Tyris. In hindsight, it made sense that she would be present. Though it was limited, she had the most contact with Gehrman out of all Valor Saints due to Antarctica. Granted, Gehrman had talked with Madoc before in dealings with Valor, but Morgan was the one who he usually conversed with.
Saint Tyris on the other hand had been present for the strategy meetings during that short time at Falcon Scott and ever since then at Fort Balmuth. They had even engaged in some polite conversation, and she seemed a pleasant, if not stern, woman.
The one who worried him was the one on Madoc's right.
"Been a while, old man."
With bright eyes and a jubilant smile, the white haired Saint walked with a cane, but no limp.
Saint Jest, the executioner of Valor.
"I had forgotten you had encountered him before," a small voice sounded from behind Gehrman.
Of course, he had sensed the little girl appear, but it still unnerved him how quickly it had happened. That just went to show the power one wielded inside their own Domain though.
Indeed, the true person inhabiting the corpse of the little girl was Ki Song.
"Quite an unpleasant man, isn't he?" Ki Song walked up beside him. It was a bit funny to see the little girl stand aside a handsome groom on his wedding day and act like she was more important.
It was even more funny because she was more important.
To the credit of the Saints of Valor, they did not cower once they felt the gaze of the Queen on them. Instead, they simply froze and turned their gaze to the balcony.
Gehrman frowned.
"Don't scare them, it's bad etiquette."
"Who are you to tell a Queen about etiquette? Boy?" The question coming from the little girl sounded preposterous, and indeed there was little to none ill intent behind it.
"I'm your senior, little girl," Gehrman said.
Then he put his hand on her head and gave her a push back inside. The girl made no sound as she unceremoniously fell over, flat on her face.
"Wha- don't do that! All the big shots at Valor just saw me push over a little girl, what the hell! They're gonna think I'm an asshole."
"You did push a little girl," the muffled voice responded.
"I nudged you so you would go back inside- oh forget it." Gehrman walked over, picked the girl up, and physically placed her inside the room. Then he went back and turned to the Saints of Valor still looking, though now much more confused.
Gehrman had wanted to give them a bow, or maybe a salute if he was feeling funny, but now that felt disingenuous and weird. So instead, he just waved.
Yeeeaaah definitely less creepy.
A couple kilometers away, Saint Jest chuckled.
"What a weird guy, kind of funny even, it's really a shame…"
He did not say the rest of the sentence. Madoc grunted, and the three (along with the confused Masters) continued towards the palace.
Back on the balcony, or rather, inside the room, Gehrman crouched down next to the form of a little girl.
"I have to say, you seem a bit…off today."
The girl rolled over eyes trained on Gehrman's.
"A few nights ago, my daughters were having a conversation. It was thanks to the wine you created, I think, they were reminiscing about their childhood. Of course, since it was in my palace, I heard the whole thing. As I observed them I started to recall their childhoods as well. More than that, I recalled being a true mother."
The girl suddenly disappeared, and an older woman appeared across the room, sitting on a chair facing a coffee table. This woman was much more like the true body of Ki Song, and it was clear that the conversation had taken a serious turn.
"You are unfamiliar with my history, yes? Since I will soon be your mother, it is high time you learned it, I think."
Gehrman walked over to the coffee table, taking the chair across from her and waiting for her to continue.
"My mother was the one who founded this Citadel. Back in those days, the strongest anyone had reached was the level of Awakened. Things were quite rigid, not like today where a single individual could turn an entire army into dust. Since the playing field was relatively equal, the only thing that really made people stand out was having a Citadel. One day, an abomination descended from the Volcano, not one of the true horrors, thank the gods, just one of its weaker minions. Still, back then it would have devastated everything if my mother. She died, but the creature died too. Her Citadel, which she left to me, was protected. However, those Awakened did not honorably pass on the Citadel. They made sure I couldn't make my way there, and they plundered everything my mother fought so hard to protect."
It was odd to hear such words said in such a neutral tone. The nature of this corpse and the conversation made it all feel a bit unbelievable. How could such human things have happened here when the current ruler of the Citadel was so far from human?
"I'm sorry for your loss." Gehrman said.
Ki Song was silent for a long moment.
"Something changed after that. I think I may have always been a bit different, but losing her…she was quite different than me. She had the type of confidence and charisma that inspired others. I had a hard time with such things. The only reason I managed to take up the same mantle as her was with sheer strength."
Gehrman tilted his head.
"You said there wasn't much disparity in strength at the time. You were all still Awakened, no?"
"Ah, that was indeed true. However, there were exceptions. Nightwalker, the founder of the House of Night. Warden, Madoc and Vale's father, the founder of Valor. And Immortal Flame, grandfather to Changing Star. These were the mightiest of champions, and I figured out exactly how they managed it."
Her eyes took on a new, strange look. At that moment, Ki Song appeared more alive than he had ever seen her.
"We were all the same Rank, and no one had Divine Aspects, but there was one very, very rare thing that was able to put one on another level as those of the same Rank. Something that they, and one other woman had."
Gehrman understood then why she was telling him this story. The real reason.
"Divine Lineages."
"Correct," Ki Song smiled. "I found one. The others who currently hold their Lineages, Vale, his children, the Dreamspawn, Changing Star, and I imagine a descendant of Nightwalker who has simply yet to lay claim to their heritage, they were all born with that power. However, I was not. I alone earned it."
In the back of his mind, Gehrman thought of Sunny. Didn't he have the Lineage of Weaver? Though Weaver was a Daemon, and not one of the 6 gods, those ancient Daemons had been on par with the gods. And Sunny definitely wasn't born with that power, so it wasn't true that she was the only person currently alive to have earned it.
That being said, it was interesting.
"I know you're making a point, probably emphasizing how powerful these Lineages are, but I would like to interject for a moment."
Ki Song remained perfectly still, the corpse unmoving. Gehrman took that as a sign to go ahead.
"You said that a woman found a Lineage as well, one of the First Generation, and based on everyone else having founded a Legacy Clan, I am curious as to why she alone was not included."
The Queen's lips drew into a straight line. Gehrman raised an eyebrow as he witnessed something new. For the first time, Ki Song seemed genuinely uncomfortable.
"You can imagine the sheer upheaval and chaos the Nightmare Spell wrought when it first descended. Not just on humanity as species, but on broader society and culture. Everything was upended. During that time, some of the less fortunate people in the world took it into their head that the Dream Realm was a paradise. A cult was formed, essentially. It didn't last long, they were far too reckless, but their founder did find a Divine Lineage. She also managed to have a baby who was born in the Dream Realm instead of in the Waking World."
Gehrman nodded.
"The Dreamspawn."
Ki Song's dead stare turned heavy and serious once again.
"You should know, there is a reason that any remnants of his existence are removed, as well as anything that could lead one to remember him. That man, or rather, that creature, is far more dangerous than even Vale and myself. I would even say he is more dangerous than young Mordret. That is why he must be forever forgotten, and you should take care to keep it that way. You don't know his name, correct?"
Gehrman thought for a bit, but then realized he actually didn't. No one had ever mentioned it. Only that moniker, the Dreamspawn, was used to address the third Supreme. He shook his head.
"Good. Never learn it. I've discussed this with all my daughters already at length, since you are to join the family, it is good that you now know too. If you can help it, never bring the mere idea of his existence to light. Never mention or hint at anything related to his existence. Otherwise, he may gain some footing, and if he does all of humanity may pay the price."
Gehrman's jaw tightened into a forced smile.
"How charming."
Mordret had also spoken vaguely about Dreamspawn during the pub crawl. That guy seemed well and truly terrifying, and it was starting to worry Gehrman, even if the guy was supposedly sealed.
Ki Song shook her head.
"While that is all important, we have strayed rather far from the topic I wanted to discuss."
"Which is?"
She sighed.
"Why I let you push me over."
Gehrman blinked. He had gotten so caught up in the history and dread of their conversation that he had all but forgotten about that.
"Like I said, there was, and is, something wrong with me. I am not dull, and I made sure to grow familiar with my tendencies when I took it upon myself to form my family. However, it has come to my attention that I have been slipping. Of course, the very nature of being Supreme, and indeed the very nature of being me is one of being inhuman. Still, I do not wish to grow so far detached that even my own daughters fail to recognize me."
Gehrman frowned.
"Your point?"
"My point is that…falling over seemed like a human thing to do."
The two stared at each other for a long moment. Of course, since Ki Song had full control over the corpse she was puppetering, she didn't show any embarrassment at the line she had just spoken. However, Gehrman got the feeling that somewhere out there the Queen of Ravenheart had her head in her palms.
"That makes a lot of sense actually."
"Don't patronize me," Ki Song said. "I…am doing my best to be better. For my daughters. Yet I also have a war to win."
Gehrman suppressed a sharp laugh.
"Are you asking me for advice?"
"I am asking you to find a way for me to be able to walk my daughter to the altar."
All humour instantly faded at the raw appeal.
Gehrman's mouth opened, but no words came out for a few seconds.
"What do other people see when one of your corpses walks by. Or rather, what do they sense?"
"They won't know I am Supreme, unless they have abilities like yours, of course. All the Saints already know about that, of course, Supremacy must stay under-wraps for the general public though, and even a mundane person would be able to tell that the 'me' walking beside my daughter wouldn't be a Transcendent. They would feel no pressure that all others exude, after all."
Gehrman nodded, understanding the dilemma. He worked on the problem in his mind for a good long while before eventually coming up with an idea.
"Ki Song, my mother-to-be, I want to thank you," Gehrman said.
"Whatever for?"
"For being a mom. You may not be the best at being human, but I think you've done a good job at being a mother. I know your daughters feel the same way as well."
The corpse experienced a very small twitch, but other than that there was no indication that Gehrman's comment affected her.
"...Thank you for saying that."
Gehrman nodded.
"So, with that being said, it will definitely be easiest for everyone involved if only they know you're there with her. I think you'll also agree, that's all that matters."