"Thank you for joining me, brethren.
The Dungeon was a big place. It spanned thousands of miles deep in the maw of the planet, transmorphized into a chaotic, perverse reflection of magicks beyond mortal, and perhaps even divine understanding. Deep in the starlight, below even the vile plain of grass on which the intruders stood, below any other land, at the very deepest recesses of it...
"I'm sure you're all aware of the little problem that's arisen. Or should I say, sunken?"
A multitude of twinkling lights danced within a void of suffocating emptiness. Each star was a different hue of light, a different shape, a different existence all-together.
"Oh, come on. Nobody liked that one??
In the center of the cluster of cascading light, one exceptionally bright glow hovered within the center of infinity. It's color was an incomprehensible, mind-boggling shade that made one's brain throb in discomfort.
"We are not here to play around." Another glow, its hue a heavy shade of blinding green, shone through the wall of brightness created by the cluster of starlight, "One of my children was just killed by mortals. Do you think I'm in the mood to play around, you f*cker?"
"It died because it was weak. That's all there is to it. Besides, can't you just make a new one?"
A red glow addressed its brethren. In the starlight it used to manifest itself in this meeting, it sat on a gargantuan throne of violently congealed, solidified blood. It crossed its right leg, the limb larger than a skyscraper, over its other identically massive appendage, unamused by the tantrum of its brethren.
"You mind repeating that...?"
"Oh, quit being a baby. Every time one of your little toys dies, you get up in your feelings in front of everyone. Isn't about time you started growing up?"
"You motherfu—"
"Brethren, please. Now is not the time for infighting."
A pure, clean white glow spoke up through the Veil of starlight. Contained within the twinkling shine, was a world of ice and snow, blizzards raging violently within a land of uncontrolled frost. "The guardian has been bested for the first time in eons. The intruders now have free access to the first floor. This cannot be ignored.
"...." The green light silenced itself, letting out a sigh. Within its veil was a world of pure green, vegetation and flora sprouting infinitely. At the center of it all was a giant tree, spanning a billion miles into the sky, with countless roots branching outward across the entire world. "You're right. Apologies... I..."
"Don't apologize. I pardon your insult, for you are grieving. For the moment, put aside your pain. Now, we discuss. Brethren, it was your child that was killed. What can you tell us about the intruders?"
"....." The green light spoke, "A ragtag group of mortals. Nothing particularly special. Two of them have the energy of deities in them, however..."
"Is that so?"
The mention of the divine sparked heavy conversation among countless twinkling lights. Noise began cascading across the cluster of blinding light, conversation and discussion booming like never before. A single breath of any of the entities attending the meeting was loud enough to deafen an entire world, let alone a string of words.
"Brethren! Brethren! Do calm down." The center light spoke up with a cheerful tone, filled with an unsettling level of glee. Its words were enough to silence all conversation in an instant, giving room for the star that shone brighter than any other to speak.
"Many thanks. Now, dear sister. Could you perhaps go into more detail?" It addressed the green light, "This is certainly cause for concern, don't you agree?"
"I would agree, honored brother..." Spoke the light of flora, "They are not actual deities, but rather... bearers of the power. One holds the power of one of my children, and the other..."
"The other?"
The green light was silent for a few short, yet infinitely long moments. It spoke up, "The other bears the power of The Timeless One."
Conversation boomed once again throughout the starlight. This time, fear was riddled in the voices of infinity. They spoke of war, death, destruction, and pain untold, from a past seemingly eons away from the present day. Their conversation was swiftly ceased by the center light's words.
"That is quite the claim, dear sister. Can you confirm it was his power?"
"It was unmistakable. I would never forget the energy of that bastard, no matter how many ages pass. You believe me, right? Honored Brother?"
The vast, endless space of blinding light remained silent for who knows how long. There was no doubt that everyone there had more than just a bit on their minds... until someone spoke out of turn.
"If the followers of two traitors are in our midst, then we should kill them." A faintly glowing blue light spoke up, within it contained a vast, practically endless ocean. Thunder and storms boomed throughout the horizon, cascading waves tearing wind and earth to shreds like wet sandpaper. "Hell, even if it isn't them, we should kill them. Honored Brother, will you allow mortal trespassers in our realm? Is that how you want this council to look?"
"You have a sharp tongue."
The crimson glow that had remained silent since it was told odd uncrossed its legs, leaning forward in its throne. From outside of its veil of starlight, it would seem as if the glow began shining a thousand times brighter than ever before, a fiery rage burning within its core. "You speak of this council, yet insult its head? Your head is in the damn clouds."
"I have no plans to take lip service from a brainless warmonger..."
"This brainless warmonger can remove your brains from your pretty little skull. Do you want to cross me, boy?"
"Brethren, please." The white light spoke, "Have we not been over this? Arguing gets us nowhere."
"I cannot agree with that, dear sister."
Another light spoke up... a deep, ghastly collection of black light that was surrounded in a miasma of despair and distress. As it spiked through the veil of stars that blocked it from the forefront of the council, sounds of discomfort and disgust could be heard.
"You have another opinion, brother?"
"I do. While the wording can use work, I agree with his assessment. Letting those mortals live does nobody any favors, regardless of whether they have affiliation with traitors. If they've defeated a floor guardian, that already proves they are among the best of the best of mortals. If they gain even more power, they can threaten the stability of our realm."
"I'm not against killing them." Spoke the red light, "Keep one of them alive, though. The girl with the red skin."
"One of your children, brother?" Spoke the green light, with a scarcely hidden sarcasm in its tone. The red light scoffed.
"One of my creations, yes, sister. Part of a race I established not too long ago. I'd rather her alive than dead." It said, "That being said, the rest can die. I'll even personally do the job."
"Leaving your seat to deal with a pack of vermin would be unbecoming of your status, brother." The world tree dwelling within the infinite veil of green light spoke with a tone filled with snark, "I didn't think of you as someone to hunt such vermin."
"What has happened within the past millennium to make you pests think you can speak to me like this? If you have the heart to insult, then have the heart to say it to my face. Hiding behind the safety of a council meeting to throw your jeers is not a good look, sister."
"You—"
Silence, once again. This time, there was no need for words for all sound to dissipate into nothingness. All eyes fell on the center light, and its tranquil, perfect glow. It was... too perfect. Too calm.
"Brethren."
Such a stillness in all emotion, in all things, even... was enough to force peace to radiate throughout the council of endless starlight. The center light spoke once again. "I understand you're all passionate. But please. Maintain your dignity. This is no place for fighting. Unless, of course, you wish to deal with your conflict through the proper procedures..."
The mention of those 'proper procedures' caused the red light to let out a laugh.
"I'd be happy to, honored brother. The question is if she is up for it."
"How many times must I say this is not the time, you blasted fools?" The white light moved forward, taking the forefront of the conversation. "This is a mockery of our great gathering! We are NOT here to fight!"
"I must agree with you, sister." Said the center light, "Excellently put."
"Thank you, honored brother. I simply wish that we deal with this problem as soon as possible." Said the white light, "I believe good points have already been made, though. We should rid ourselves of these mortals."
"Aha! And I can see where you are all coming from. I am sure all of you, great brethren, want to end the lives of these mortals..."
They were all silent, but the truth was evident. The center light spoke, and his words set alight a storm unlike any other in the council.
"Which is exactly why we will be letting them live!"
Voices boomed throughout the entirety of infinity. Protests, shouts, exclamations of disagreement that made the entire council rumble with outrage. Whatever civility left in the discussion was blown away by the fires of passionate discussion at such a decision. No one glow could take the stage, no one starlight able to voice their opinions above anyone else's... except for one.
"Silence."
In the deepest recesses of the council, a seemingly unknown glow emerged. It was a weak, feeble shade of grey... Far smaller, and far dimmer than practically any other light in the council. Yet it somehow commanded more respect than any other, seemingly even more so than the one glow that stood within the center of it all. Within that pathetic, small veil of grey, stood something only few dared to describe. The center light.
"Great father. What an honor it is for you to finally join us here. Why is it that you've been absent from so many meetings, lately?"
The center light spoke with no fear, rather, amusement was scarcely hidden with its unnaturally cheerful voice. The grey light shifted through the infinite cluster of starlight, stepping over many others and putting itself in a position in which it could not be ignored.
"This is why." Said the grey light, "You children fail to learn. I don't attend temper tantrums."
"It's an honor to see you again, great father." The green light spoke up, albeit sheepishly. It seemed taken aback by the appearance of this... being, "Perhaps you can talk sense into brother. Surely, you are aware of the current situation."
"I am."
"Then surely you support the execution of these mortals?"
"I do not."
This time, there was no outrage. Only silence, and an occasional whisper.
"It is saddening to see you all in this state. Since when have we ever truly considered ourselves with the life or death of mortals? They are beneath us. They always have been. If you fear their existence will threaten our realm, then that is disappointing."
"G-Great father... I..."
"I agree with him." The red light spoke up, his mountainous form leaning back in his throne of gore, crossing his leg over the other once more. "To begin with, they're just pests. Any one of us could go up and wipe them out without a thought. The thought that they could ever threaten us is, in of itself, absurd."
This aroused a less chaotic reaction within the other starlight's. They discussed quietly among themselves, and largely found themselves in agreement with such an assessment. Could a pack of mortals that had already lost a member of their group, and nearly two others, to a mere floor guardian, truly pose a threat to them?
"I simply want them gone out of principle." The blue, oceanic light, which had remained silent for so long, finally spoke up once again. "Trespassers should be erased. That should be our policy. We cannot be looked down upon. We have never tolerated insult from beings beneath us, have we?"
The discussion was cut short, as the center light spoke up.
"You all make absolutely excellent points! Especially you, great father. Your insight is always welcome in this council."
"Do not insult me, boy." Spoke the grey light, "Your arrogance only grows with age."
"I will take that as a compliment." Spoke the center light, with a deep tone of amusement laced in its voice. "My brethren, I ask of you to hear me out for just a moment. While our image is important, we must realize that there are no actual laws within our code that say that mortals should be executed. We all keep plenty of mortals, do we not?"
"This is entirely different!" Exclaimed the blue light, "That is—"
"It is not as different as you think, brother. Those mortals have uses. I guarantee you that much. Especially if one or two of them carry the power of traitors. Let us simply wait patiently and see how things progress. And, if such a decision bears no fruit, does it really matter? If mortals die, then they die. That just means we needn't take any action at all to begin with, don't you agree?"
"...."
There was silence, and then some quiet discussion emerging among the council.
"If there are no objections, then I believe the decision to spare them is finalized. No vote required; I believe."
"N-Not at all! We should all vote on this!" The green light spoke up with a broken voice, nearly slipping over its own sentence. "That is the proper procedure, honored brother. Let us not ignore it. Especially now that father is here—"
"Not really necessary. Just let the fools live." Sighed the red light.
"If that is what you declare, honored brother, I will obey." And then, the white light spoke in agreement.
And soon, even more began to speak in agreement with the center light's decision... until any opposition was simply drowned out.
"What a productive meeting!" Said the center light, "If that's all, the rest of you can leave now. Council dismissed!"
"Wai—"
Before the green glow could speak in protest, the infinity began swiftly dimming down as the lights went out. After merely a few moments, only two remained still present within the darkness.
"....."
"Oh! I suppose I forgot to cut you off, great father. I don't suppose you still have business with me?"
"What are you planning, boy?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You can't keep playing dumb forever."
"Still don't know what you're talking about~!"
"Boy."
"Father."
They both went silent for what seemed to be an eternity. For anyone else, it must've felt like that. But for them, it was less than a second.
"I will do what I must do with my position, for the sake of my brethren. That's all, father. And if you have nothing else to say... goodbye."
The light in the center of the void disappeared. And swiftly, the only remaining light, in his rage and regret... disappeared as well.
Now, at the very bottom of the Dungeon, there was only darkness.
