Ania sat on a fallen tree at the edge of the camp as she shielded herself from the rain with her cloak. The rain mixed with the biting winds made for a deadly mixture, but the Skardians were made of sturdy stuff. Ania sighed as she glanced towards the fires and the warriors they had gathered. Everything had happened, as Bjorn feared. Many of the Pantheon's followers switched focus away from Exile, however, the change that had occurred to him attracted more warriors to believe in him.
In the end, the numbers were hardly any different. But Ania knew that Exile would suffer when his believers started to die in the upcoming battles for Stormcrown. She could not help but feel concerned as she wondered how many of those gathered would survive.
"Why are you sitting away out here?" Harik asked as walked through the trees to her position. "It would help morale if the warriors could talk with Exile's oracle, you know."
"I know... But..." Ania shook her head sadly.
"I get it. You thought he would always be that warm god that was right by your side. But, he's a god Ania. Our lives are fleeting things to them." Harik chuckled as he sat down next to her. "If you want a god to pay attention to you, you have to do great things to make them notice you. Well, that's how it goes for the rest of us. Maybe I should find another man for you. That'll take your mind off of it."
"Shut up!" Ania chuckled as she playfully punched Harik on the shoulder.
Harik grimaced at the blow as he rubbed the spot she struck. He would never say it, but it actually hurt. It was at that moment that he realised how much she had changed after receiving Exile's blessing. 'She's already beyond most men with that strength. I doubt many guys would casually attempt anything with her now.'
As a father, he was concerned. He wanted to see his bloodline grow, but with Ania the way she was now and with her status, who could even be her match? 'I wonder if Lord Exile would take her if I offered...' Harik let out a strange smile at that thought. Demigods were a major focus in historical achievements. It would really be something to add one to the family.
Ania cocked an eyebrow at the expression her father was making. She did not know what he was thinking, but she decided to leave him to his own thoughts. Naturally, she thought he was just concerned about the upcoming battles like herself and not thinking about any of her potential offspring and who their father would be.
It was then that Bjorn finally came over to join them. "We're still a few days away from the next village. We'll have to hit it hard and fast."
"Of course, if we give them time to arm themselves, we'll just suffer more casualties." Harik sighed as he snapped out of his daydream. "It would be better if the gods could actually help us out with this."
"Don't say such things!" Bjorn hissed as Harik frowned. "Do you want to bring Exile's anger down on us?"
Bjorn scanned the dark skies above for any sign of lightning heading their way. Several moments had to pass before he heaved a sigh of relief. Ania chuckled at Bjorn's reaction. She did not believe that Exile would strike them down for wishing for his aid. Although, she had to admit that she would be reassured if he were present as well.
The night wore on as the warriors turned in for the night. There were no revelries as they had to make their supplies last as long as possible. Before long, Ania found herself alone, in her tent, snuggled under thick fur blankets. 'Lord Exile, please help us when we need it...'
As she drifted off to sleep, a silent figure passed through their camp. Nobody noticed the figure's presence, even as it passed before the eyes of those who were still awake. Winter smirked as she slipped inside the tents and used her spells to stimulate dreams of earning glory on the battlefields. Exile had not asked her to do it, but she thought she may as well. If it helped to make the warriors fight harder and keep his oracle safe, then it was a good thing.
Winter shook her head at how helpless the NPC's seemed to be in this game. They were like sheep, following the commands of their shepherds. 'Would they even do anything if they were left to their own devices.' A short pause ensued in her thoughts before she reached a conclusion. 'Probably, but they would take too long to get it done. If I take off now, I should be able to start messing with their targets for a few nights.'
Winter chuckled as she thought about the mess she was allowed to cause for those poor, unfortunate souls. But she had to admit that she loved her authority. As she ran through the forests and snow, she began to think of all the cruel nightmares she could conjure. 'Perhaps I'll make them dream of Exile hanging them on a tree for the birds to eat away at them. Or maybe show them scenes of their families being dragged away and thrown into fires.'
It was a tough choice as she had to make sure she got the most impact from her actions. She could not afford to waste her DP by choosing something that would have minimal effects. 'Maybe I should hang around and try to discover what they fear first...' However, Winter dismissed that idea pretty quickly. She just did not have the time to play that time of game with them.
'Ok, I guess I can just go full horror then. We'll get the best reactions from fear in this scenario.' Winter laughed as she picked up the pace.
Meanwhile, Exile had also descended into the near-abandoned Eraldsfen. His eyes wandered over the forest in front of him. Something seemed to be pulling his attention in that direction. 'I thought I felt it last time I was here, but it's stronger now...' A low hum escaped from his throat as he wondered what the source of it was. However, there was only one way to find out.
Exile took off at a sprint as he tried to figure out what way the strange sensation was trying to lead him. Every now and then, he would track of it and have to double back on himself. His curiosity had definitely gotten the better of him. His instincts seemed to tell him that it was something extremely worthwhile. 'But what could even be down here that would attract a god?'
Eventually, he had to slow down as he realised his target appeared to be moving. This confused him, but he was sure that he recognised the area he was standing in. 'Wait... Isn't this close to where I first met Ania?' He could not understand why he had been led here. But soon, he heard a low warning growl from the forest. It was quickly followed by others until it seemed as though he were surrounded.
'What is actually going on?' As Exile glanced around, he noticed a pack of wolves stalking towards him. However, their eyes seemed to look straight past him or not at him at all. Their noses sniffed at the air as more growls escaped from their throats. 'They can't hurt me anyway, so what are they up to?'
Exile could not help but frown at the situation. The sensation he had been feeling was getting stronger. His eyes suddenly met those of the alpha of the pack. 'This one... Can it see me?' A deep frown crossed his face as the alpha padded towards him. 'Wait, isn't this the wolf that I called with a Miracle to save Ania?'
As he studied the beast, he became sure of it. 'Is it because it was affected by my miracle that it can see or sense me?' He was extremely curious about that even as he waited for the wolf to come close. Eventually, the alpha halted right in front of him and let out a long howl. The pack joined their leader as Exile's eyes filled with wonder at that sight.
The alpha whimpered as it pushed its snout forward to press on Exile's palm. 'What the...?' Exile's mind drew a blank as he could feel the creature! This was the first time he was able to make a solid connection with anything in the mortal realm. As he was trying to make sense of the situation, a system notification appeared in his mind.
[This wolf has been tainted by your Divine Power. You now have the opportunity to help it evolve. Will you bless this creature? Or curse it? Warning! This action costs 20 DP...]
Exile let out a soft chuckle as he stroked the wolf's fur. 'Well, this is unexpected...'