God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Lying flat on his back with his arms folded behind his head, Cain stared up at the dark chitinous ceiling of their semi-luxurious prison cell and couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly his evening had spiralled out of control

’This is certainly not how I imagined this reunion going.’ he lamented internally.

And it was the only thing he could do at the moment, besides waiting.

The magic lamps cast dancing shadows across the shapes that seemed both familiar and alien at the same time, in a weirdly off-putting way.

He was both surprised and deeply terrified by how this resembled the standard layout of a destitute human’s living quarters.

As it turned out, the door he had seen earlier had even led to a restroom. With actual, working drainage!

He became even more frustrated the more he thought about it. He had to admit; with a simple show of overwhelming force, she had forced him to bow his head.

All things considered, she had only done this because she had no idea the full extent of his forces. If she did, she would have been much more hesitant than to reveal all her cards at once.

However, that was what made the showing all the more brilliant! In the end, it didn’t matter how bug his hand was. If he saw surrounded, there was not much he could do besides call for calvary. And by then, he would be long dead.

He was powerful, but not defeating three Tier 3 creatures all at once powerful.

He could tell that the only Tier 3 that was stronger than the {Anchor Sovereign Beast} was Anathe herself.

Still, even if she wasn’t, trying to fight through it would be suicide.

’At least the accommodations are comfortable,’ he thought, shifting slightly on the surprisingly soft bedding.

’Though I suspect this level of preparation means she’s been planning this for quite some time.’

The implications of such planning were what truly concerned him. This wasn’t impulsive actionor recklessness. Quite far from it.

Instead, the Ant Queen was implementing a strategic move as though she had seen his alliance with Roc and Ambrosia from a while away. Either that, or she had eyes and ears on him all the time.

The fact that she’d positioned the Anchor Sovereign Beast along his expected route suggested intelligence gathering capabilities he’d seriously underestimated.

"You’re thinking rather loudly over there," Evangeline spoke without turning her head.

"Can you blame me? This situation is somewhat less than ideal." He stretched his arms above his head, "Though I suppose it could have been worse. She could have decided to kill us both. That wouldn’t have been fun at all."

Since he was currently still recovering from his rather exciting battle, he really wasn’t in the mood to test his limits even more. That would be too exhausting.

"How pessimist of you. House arrest is also a form of negotiation." Evangeline finally turned to look at him, her crimson eyes amplifying the amber glow that filled the room in ways that seemed to hold depths his mind had trouble fathoming.

Evangeline pursed her lips as a smile played on her face,

"Though I suspect her restraint has more to do with practical considerations than sentiment."

"Meaning?"

"Dead allies are considerably less useful than converted ones, especially when those allies possess capabilities one might need for certain plans and goals." She shifted position slightly, turning onto her side to face him more directly.

"The real question is whether you’re actually considering her offer or just playing for time until you can figure out how to turn this elaborate entrapment to your advantage."

Cain considered the question seriously, since it went to the heart of his current dilemma. Anathe’s goals weren’t entirely unreasonable from a strategic perspective— Unifying the island under single leadership would certainly eliminate the factional conflicts that currently wasted resources and created instability. The problem lay in her preferred methods and the underlying stench of divinity at work.

’I think I hate these Celestials more and more everyday.’

"I cannot cave to her demands. There is also no way to turn the current situation around, unless I decide to throw all caution to the wind." he said finally.

"And it seems I also cannot convince her either. Given the size of the army she’s assembled, I suspect that ship may have already sailed. This psycho Queen is serious."

"Probably." Evangeline’s tone was matter-of-fact,

"On one hand, you are locked up in a room with a cold, helpless, ravaging beauty with nothing else to do. On the other hand, you sitting here debating theoretical solutions isn’t going to change the fundamental problem, which is that you’re currently locked up as she prepares to paint this island all seven colors and more in blood. Suffering in surplus truly does exist."

"You have a point," he admitted, his mind not fully grasping her words.

"Though I’m not sure what alternatives we have at the moment. Do we have no other choice but to hold it out or run? Surely, there has to be some middle ground."

"Oh, undoubtedly." Evangeline’s smile held a hint of mischief that made him wonder what thoughts were running through her mind.

"What do you have in mind?" Cain asked curiously.

Evangeline shrugged, "There’s nothing to hide. I believe if we are patient enough, the way forward will naturally reveal itself."

Cain let out a sigh,

"We could easily escape with {Shadow World}."

Evangeline’s laugh was like a peal of liberation in the darkness of nights.

"Sure, but where’s the fun in that?"

Cain’s brows twitched.

’This chick is crazy.’

Despite wholeheartedly believing that, Cain couldn’t help but be drawn to such qualities.

In the end, the decision came down to him.

If he decided he wanted to stay, he knew she would support his decision. Likewise, if he decided it was not worth it, she would spirit them both away.

’But running right now certainly won’t look good for my reputation.’

If he ran, it would not change the fact that Anathe’s large army was planning on sweeping through Redscale Island.

Such an event would not only ruin his plans, it would mean more power to his enemies.

’If I recall correctly, this goddess is a Celestial Deity. Which means she is most likely one of Tian’s.’

His eyes narrowed dangerously,

’In that case, that makes her the enemy. If left unattended, the might of her army will keep growing until it consumes all of Urbus. I certainly can’t let that happen.’

"In that case, I suppose we wait and see what morning brings," he said, settling back into the comfortable bedding with a sigh of resignation.

"Though I reserve the right to change my mind should the conversation or anything else go south."

"Fair enough." Evangeline’s smile returned, warmer now and somehow reassuring. "Besides, the accommodations really are quite comfortable, all things considered..."