Herman crawled up Oni sleeve and into his space. He looked around looking for Jinx, but she was not around. He looked at the door to the Nexus and the door to the god realm. He was drawn to the Nexus and Jinx. He went to the closet to grab is rapier to see Jinx. He grabbed the door handle but could not turn it. He felt like he might not be able to leave her if he saw her. He placed the rapier back into the closet. He was on a mission and could not take the time for her. His heart pounded in his chest. He could just take a peak but could not. His heart was torn between Oni and Her, between Oni’s world and the Nexus. He existed in both.
He grabbed the door for the god realm and walked through. He stepped out near the tower. The god realm was filled with chaos. The chaos within the oasis was playing out here among the gods. Herman could see that the lit pieces of the realm were a little brighter but that chunks were falling into blackness. Plans upon plans were being created in every remaining corner of the great plain.
Herman looked for Lathandar. Oni asked if he could reach out to the great god for information about Arnia. He searched in all directions but could not see the glowing god. He was about to move to search when he turned and the Morningglory stood before him. The kindness that Lathandar always shows to Oni was not always given to Herman. The glow of a voice came out, “why are you here Herman?” All of Herman’s antennae twitched in annoyance, “Oni sent me here.” The brightness of Lathandar dimmed as if reaching out to every corner of the plain, “I am not here to be requested. What is the question? I am busy currently.”
Herman could tell that Lathandar was present in millions of locations on the plain. His light could reach almost everywhere. Herman cleared his throat a little, “Oni was worried about Arnia. He was hoping you could share a little light on the…” Lathandar interrupted with a loud laughter, “you of all creates should not try to honor me.” He started to dim in different ways. He was becoming less apart of this conversation and gathering his light in other parts of the realm, “she is fine. I will see to her protection while in her trance. Tell Oni to never bother me with such dibble again and just to have faith.” Through his grinding insect teeth, Herman added, “And Oni wanted to thank you for the discs.” “Yes that was a stroke of genius, wasn’t it? I did not know that you would use one so soon, but I leave these decisions in Oni’s hands. Now I have other tasks to tend to.” The light left Herman.
Herman knew he was alone. He turned to head back to his own space when he saw something in the shadows of the tower. Herman went closer. Something was heading down the tower. It was crawling down the wall of the tower. Herman wondered if it was coming down from a higher level. He watched as it made sure to stay within the shadows created by the loss of Lathandar. Herman moved to be right on the edge of light. It moved down the wall and walked out to be within a couple of feet from Herman.
It stood before Herman, matching him in every way. Herman was in front of the creature in silence as if looking in a mirror. It stepped back leaving a small gap of shadow between them. It’s matching antennae moved as if asking Herman to enter the shadow. It stepped back again. Herman scanned it for some time, before stepping into the shadow. The creatures bug mandibles smiled. It spoke in hushed tones just above the sound Herman could hear, “thank you for joining me.” It bowed with a bench knee, “I am Bralm. I am hoping you can help me as Oni has helped so many.”
Herman stared at his double. He longed for his own patron. In the Nexus he would need his god. Here was a god for insects like him. This was his god. He locked eyes with Bralm, “what do you need. I am your servant.” Bralm staying hidden from the light smiled.
Herman Dove upon Bralm. He could not read the look on his bug gods face. Was he excited, scared, or was this what he expected? Herman bit down into Bralm. He tasted how a warm bath feels. A gentle warm came over Herman as Bralm’s blood went down his throat. Herman forgot all time as he dove into Bralm. The crunch of his fingers made him feel good. He sat back as his mandibles crunched up the last of the former god. He leaned against the tower. Lumens of light crept in on him from around the tower.
Herman now in Lathandars light thought back to Bralm. His words when he asked him what he needed him to do. He had no idea if Bralm spoke in riddles like the other gods or if his words were gold. Herman did not want the games. So, when Bralm said, “I need you to devour me. Take me in as you would any food. Take me in”, he took his word literal. Herman did not feel different. Well, he felt full, very full. He also knew he needed to leave before any of the other gods figured this out.
Herman moved back out into his space and out into the world again. That night Herman noticed a new set of stars. He called the new cluster of stars Bralm.