The intelligence division is a much quieter crowd.
I've only met a handful of them prior, but I know more than a few names. That is, I have Umbra muttering the person's name into my ear every time someone speaks, though there hasn't yet been much discussion. So far, they've only just gotten through the chit-chat and greetings, and are now settling in at the cluttered table here in the war room. After another minute or two, the true conversation begins.
As per usual, Umbra takes it all by storm. "I'm certain some of you have guessed the purpose for this. We have been discussing it as a possibility for centuries now, but it is time to see the task executed at last. However, there are a few matters to discuss, which outline the parameters of what we intend to accomplish. Starting with this. For those of you unaware, and for my Rose, it is within the inherent nature of divine beings to exist for eternity–past, present, and future. We are infinite. Unending. Yes, Crimsy?"
I stop tapping her leg. "Is Aurora truly divine, then? You were alive before her, which means she isn't infinite, not in the past."
"Ah. Yes, it is true that I was alive prior to her conception. However, that does not mean she did not exist beforehand. Indeed, she did, but not in a cohesive form. Like a hatchling in the egg, she was developing. I simply hatched far sooner. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you."
She kisses my head and keeps going. "With this in mind, I must temper all expectations. Divine beings such as myself and Aurora cannot end. We cannot be created nor destroyed; we simply and unequivocally are. There is no changing that. As such, when I say we will be killing my younger sister, I do not mean it in the sense that she will be permanently removed from existence. That said… There are ways to ensure we're able to render her functionally dead. Locked away in a death-like state. Yes, that implies she could someday be restored. And… In time… I may even consider doing so. However, that time is very far away."
I rest my hands over hers in my lap, and hope she finds it reassuring.
She kisses my head again and sighs. "The method I intend to proceed with… It's perfectly straightforward. But we require the tool to execute it."
My head back, I look up at her upside down. "What kind of tool?"
"To kill a divine being…" She nudges my chin with the back of a claw. "Requires a divine weapon. Longevity. The sword that could sever the universe."
I frown in thought, trying to keep up. "I've never even heard of such a thing."
"But of course. It is a fiercely guarded secret. The primary dilemma being… The sword is in the Heavens. And under extreme security. More challenging still… They cannot know we've stolen it. We must replace it with a forgery. However, before any of this plotting and scheming becomes relevant, we must first locate where it is being held. And evaluate the exact security measures we will need to navigate. To that end… I am open to suggestions. Discuss amongst yourselves first."
Again, they're much quieter than the generals. Most of them speak in mumbles or whispers, pointing out details on various documents or passing around books to check. I'm not entirely sure what they're doing or discussing, or even how any of this works, but I do find myself intrigued by the subject.
I tug on Umbra's sleeve. "A divine weapon? What is it, exactly?"
"Mmm." She wraps herself around me and flickers her tongue. "Consider the nature of us divine beings. As I mentioned regarding Aurora, we exist in the infinite. The same is true of divine weapons. Yes, there are multiple, but this one is most relevant to our needs. Longevity is a sword of divine power, which cannot be destroyed, dismantled, or otherwise removed from existence. It has always been. It will always be. Nothing can change that. Once, eons ago, it was mine. And mine alone. But when Aurora betrayed me…"
"Hells. She stole it from you? Well then. Yes, we're absolutely taking it back. Not stealing, but reclaiming. You alone have a rightful claim to it. It was never hers to begin with. It was, is, and always will be yours."
"Perhaps I conveyed it improperly. Longevity does not exist to be mine. Longevity exists because it exists. I simply laid claim to it first. And as with all things, my Crimsy, claims can and will be contested. Their stringency is dependent upon keeping your claim, even when contested. If you lose it… One might argue it is no longer yours."
"Yes, well, not every claim can always be contested."
"An absolute such as that is never unilaterally true."
"Never, hm? Who's speaking in absolutes now?"
"Hahh… I concede. What claims cannot be contested?"
I move her hands up my body and shift my hips around in her lap. "Your claim to me… My Goddess…"
Her jaw clenches. "Perhaps we will end this meeting early."
"That may be for the best," a green-gold spiral lung dragon says. Umbra quietly identifies her as Shin while the woman continues, "Not one of us has so much as the faintest idea where Longevity might be."
"Total blackout…" I whisper.
"It will take some time, my Queen, to look into this. On all our parts. But we will do so tirelessly until we find the answers. Or at the very least, a heading. The sword will be located. We will see to that much. But I'm afraid we can't give you much of an estimate time-wise, not at present. If you'd like, we could get started right away."
"Yes. Thank you. All of you. Go away now. I'm about to sully my Rose right here on this table. Unless anyone cares to watch her unbridled, expressive, passionate pleasure…"
She flattens me right away and pounces.
I laugh a little, thinking she was joking.
A number of people do stay and watch.
I was not aware that I'm into this.
Umbra doesn't even hesitate.
I wonder if she'll let me join the heist…