#[Ippuru -drabble-]

[soulsxng]

"I'm guessing this has something to do with your cores?"

The others had (somewhat unwillingly, in a few cases) left not long ago, leaving only seven of them remaining-- The Creationary Trio, Siffo, Jawyr, Tiariia, and Ber. As Ippuru had said before, they wanted to make an additional 'request' of the three that held Creation's cores.

It wasn't difficult to deduce that they were part of the reason behind whatever was going to be asked of them. Even though it wasn't really necessary, Ippuru gives confirmation by way of a curt nod.

"We wish to conduct an experiment. One meant to determine how readily the Corruption might affect you, should you come into contact with it. Dependent upon our findings, the three of you could very well be a temporary, yet critical measure to keep this situation under control until We and Siffo are able to find a permanent 'cure', so to speak."

"You've gotta be kidding me. I'm not some test dummy, and I'm not about to let myself become one. Screw that!"

Looks like Ber couldn't hold back anymore. Not that JJ blamed him-- he didn't particularly like the sound of where this was going. But at the same time...

"...Then let me. Siffo just has to try to corrupt me, and then we'll see what happens from there, right?" His thoughts had strayed toward his family, and friends. Of not being able to help them in any way if they were hit with this Corruption. Misne's smile, and those bright, innocent eyes stuck in his mind's eye. The smell of his hair, and the warmth of small frame in JJ's arms when the little Aifaen fell asleep while being carried inside after he was done playing out in the sun.

Though JJ would do anything to protect and support his loved ones, it was even more-so with his son. The thought of Mimi alone was enough to have Ahnia's crown prince stepping forward without even a moment's hesitation, holding an arm out to Siffo. Determination evident on his face as he shook his head at Ber, who immediately spoke up in an attempt to talk his friend out of it.

"Let's get it over with. If I'm capable of something that'll help make a difference for everyone-- if it'll get us closer to some sort of cure, I'll do it. I want to do it."

Where Sayek lets out some short scoff of a laugh (One of mild disbelief, from the sound of it), and Nuro takes a somewhat worried step forward, only to correct himself, Ippuru only stares for a moment. As if watching something unseen by the rest. Or waiting to see if JJ's resolve would crumble.

When it doesn't, the Creationary being simply lifts his chin in a barely there nod to Siffo. Prompting the other Creationary Being into stepping forward with a soft word of apology to JJ.

"I'm sorry. If I could make if painless, I would. Just hang on for as long as you can manage."

[soulsxng]

"Whatever happened, he's definitely shaken up...but it was hard to tell if it was the news itself, or whatever Creation wanted to talk to him about. He talked with me a little bit, but he was pretty antsy, and ended up heading back to his place with Mimi before long. I guess...if it were me, I'd give him some time to calm down, and then try to go talk to him? You know how he is-- if you come off too strong with worrying after him when he's already freaked out, he'll just push you away."

Across from Rourke, Jaspern sighed. Slumping heavily back in his chair with a quick upturn of his hands on the desk; as if acknowledging that there was little he could do, at this point in time.

"And Tia?"

"More or less the same. I managed to find her after JJ left, though she didn't want to talk at all. She pretty much told me that she was just stopping by to get some stuff together before she went to spend some time with Quella...so she's headed to Vasyri, I figure. Ati Phel said he'd let me know when she got there. At least when she calms down from stuff like this, she'll come and talk to you...so you should probably give her some time, too."

Time, huh.

Jas crossed his arms over his chest, lips pursed in an obviously displeased frown. He wanted to check on JJ and Tiariia himself, but...well, he knew that both of his kids wouldn't want to be bombarded with questions and concerns right away.

"Creation is trying to drag them into the middle of this mess, I know it. All because they don't want to risk their own damned necks." They couldn't. Ahnia's king knew that all too well-- should any of the Creationary Trio fall in a situation like this, it could spell the downfall of existence as a whole.

But that didn't mean he wasn't going to gripe about it when they kept involving his children in shit like this.

"...When they summon everyone together for the announcement, I'll be going back, as well. I want to see people's reactions, so we can start figuring out who might give JJ, Tia, and the others trouble to work with, and who will be easier to approach right away. I'm going to drive myself up a wall if I stew here much longer."

[To those presently capable of perceiving Our voice, We greet you.]

As if on cue, Ippuru's voice rang through Jaspern's head. Echos of different tones layering on top of each other. Some fading and trailing off, while others continued on. The language Creation spoke wasn't one that any of their creations were capable of speaking, but somehow their meaning always came across perfectly clear to even those hearing it for the first time.

[For some number of you, this may well be your first time hearing Us, and as such, We shall make Ourselves known. We are the beings that you may know...as Creation. We should hope that you do not choose to regard this as mere jest, for Our purpose in speaking to you now is of the utmost importance.]

"Ah...that's happening soon, isn't it? Well, if you still need some help getting rid of some energy after you get back, I can meet you on the training grounds!"

[Soon, We will be calling you to Us. You, leaders of the realms and species. Deities, and those of exceptional power and influence. Make yourselves prepared for when We summon you, and do not resist. Conduct yourselves with propriety while in Our presence, for We shall scant tolerate any frivolous wasting of Our time. Take this to be your one due warning, and We shall avail Ourselves of your presence thusly.]

"Thanks, Rouri. I think I'll take you up on that. See if Alteo wants to join in too, yeah? I'd feel bad knocking you around too much, you know."

"Hey! Just you wait, I'm going to take you down at least once! I won't even need Teo's help!"

[soulsxng]

"With that in consideration, We decided that the best course of action would be-- rather than continually repairing the damages and remaining wishful in Our hopes that the problem will be solved-- to determine a manner in which we can fully and efficiently remove and prevent this interference of other Creationary Beings Ourselves. And it is for that reason that We summoned each of you here. As it would seem everyone shall be referring to it as, the Corruption has, even in the day since it took its first victim, begun to spread unfettered, and with great swiftness. All creations are in danger of its effects; sentient beings, inanimate objects, and even the elements and magical energy themselves."

"You want us to help stifle it."

For the first time since everyone gathered, Fekik spoke up. The Setian king's expression was a stormy one, and JJ could tell that he wasn't pleased by the thought of having to deal with something like this. His uncle always had been quick to simply close Setia off when things of this magnitude took place-- ever since the Original War, that is. So long as he could keep his own home and people safe, that was as far as he was willing to stretch himself.

Evidently, considering Setia was rarely effected at all by any major incidences, it seemed to be a strategy that worked for him to this point.

"Fekik, Lierik, Kalliah, Netherin, and Sivel, we would ask the four of you to closely monitor your respective Pillars of Creation for any signs of Corruption. If it happens that they are effected at any point, there will be major consequences to the stabilizing forces of existence. With that being said, Kikei, Quella, and Nubeas, effective immediately, the three of you along with Lerato must needs steel yourselves, and do everything in your power to hold back the spread of Corruption to your respective oversights, while still maintaining proper function and sustainability for those that are not affected."

"We intend to bestow a manner in which to differentiate those that have been Corrupted to each of you present, as well-- with the exception of the Pillars, who should find it already within their capabilities to perceive the Corruption. While the aforementioned five will use them in what we asked of them, we would have those remaining utilize them to assist us in tracking the Corrupted when we are no longer able to sense them as Our own. To quarantine them, or ensure that leaders across the realms know to do so themselves."

"The remaining deities and more prominent leaders across the realms will be summoned sometime soon after this meeting concludes. So that We might make them aware of the current predicament, and what will be expected of them by way of response. However, prior to that...We wish to speak with Jawyr, Cirisa, and Ber alone. We have a separate request to make of them."

JJ looks briefly to his sister beside him, before taking note of the way that their uncle and parents immediately stiffened. Kamiiaria even began to argue with them, but Nuro surprisingly moved forward to usher her into a begrudged silence. JJ was sure that the only reason his mother complied, was because it was Nuro...and if he was supporting the urgency of the situation in asking her to hold back her grievances, then whatever was going to be asked of her son and daughter, it was something of the utmost importance.

Before anyone else could jump in, Siffo thankfully spoke up to diffuse a bit of the tension building in the air.

"We should go over the symptoms of Corruption more at length, before everyone goes their own ways, right? Before we talk about anything else, we should go over that."

[soulsxng]

"So let me get this straight..." JJ watches his father sigh, hands raking back through dark hair with a crease between his brows that told of the stress rising in the Ahnian king's body.

"People have somehow been corrupted by a Creationary Being that isn't one of you three, because that would be impossible." Jaspern pauses, gesturing to Ippuru, Sayek, and Nuro. Turning to nod at Siffo as he began to speak again. "But also wasn't you, who is supposedly the only other Creationary Being in this existence. Something that, again, you three say you can guarantee, because...you would be able to sense any others the moment they got in."

"Your sarcasm and lack of respect toward Us, as always, forces me to question why We have not taken your tongue yet, Lierik. Though your words irritate me, they are the truth. The Creationary Being that is doing this is a rather cunning one, and would appear to have taken no small amount of their own remaining energy-- as well as a large amount of energy gathered by one of Our creations without our knowledge-- to force a crack in the same area of Zhrun that Siffo was allowed entrance via by your careless actions, Ber."

The holder of Nuro's core rolled his eyes, arms crossed over his chest with an indignant huff. Notably to JJ though, he doesn't retort. Maybe the seriousness of the situation, and the worry after his father, Lerato, is enough to have him holding back any of his usual sharp remarks.

"While this means they will not have nearly the amount of energy that Siffo does to sustain themselves with, it does mean that, while their form has yet to garner entrance to this existence, they have gained themselves a manner in which to alter it. Their objective, judging by their aggressiveness, We have determined to be wresting this existence from Us."

There's a long silence, as everyone let Ippuru's words sink in. It seemed that many of them-- JJ included-- were thinking similar, but it was Sivel that was first to voice the concern.

"I take that to mean the restoration done to the veil Siffo broke through was ongoing? Or would it be safer to work under the assumption that said area will always be lacking, now that it has been torn through once? If that is the case, then what are the chances that we will soon have more than Siffo and this unknown Creationary Being to contend with, as well? To have this issue so soon after the first, the now thinned nature of the veil there would seem to be rather apparent to those Creationary Beings that have been displaced from their own existences."

"...The likelihood of that's pretty high." Siffo replied, when Ippuru, Sayek, and Nuro looked to them. "When I was wandering out there, my energy faded fast, but even with that, and the veil between there and this existence in a normal state, it was still strong enough that I could feel it when I got close enough. It being thinner now might mean that what was once more a solid wall is now closer to...well, like you've been calling it. A veil. A solid one, but still easier to find than it would have been otherwise."

[soulsxng]

"Nothing against my name from my former life-- there's quite a few people around Ahnia that still call me Lierik instead of Jaspern, and I couldn't care less. But there's something about the way Creation always says it that pisses me the fuck off."

[soulsxng]

After a day of arguing, scrambling about in a frantic rush to discern what exactly was suddenly going on across the realms, a disturbing conclusion had finally been reached. It didn't take long after that for the Creationary Trio to determine that a meeting should be held, so as to decide what should be done next...which is what ultimately led to the gathering that was currently taking place.

Ippuru, Sayek, and Nuro. The Creationary Trio themselves. Where the former two had been around since the beginning, Nuro's body was but another construct of theirs. One using the remnants of their former counterpart, Benion. Where once the three had been at odds, they've since seemed to grow used to each other. To working together.

Siffo, the Unknown. Though those in attendance today knew were among the few that knew their true identity as a member of another existence's creationary set, most simply believed them to be similar to Nuro. Another creation of Ippuru and Sayek's, that incorporated some piece of their former trio member. The Trio had been teaching and including them in various things lately, so while it wasn't necessarily a surprise that they were there, they seemed somewhat unsettled. More-so than the three, at the very least.

Quella, Kikei, and Nubeas. Three of the four "Pillars of Creation", otherwise known by the names Nereius, Lassis, Bralis, and Innaius, respectively. They are beings tasked with upkeeping some of the most major aspects of existence; life (Utzil, the Lifestream), death (Zhrun, the Void), magic and the elements, and lastly, time and fate. JJ didn't know why Lerato wasn't in attendance, but it was for that reason that his own father was-- as well as the other leaders from the original realm, Brinnela.

Jaspern, King of Ahnia, and Speaker of Innaius.

Fekik and Kamiiaria, Overseer of Setia, and Speaker of Lassis, respectively.

Sivel, Vasyri's Luminary, and Speaker of Nereius. (Though rumor said that the latter title was likely to soon be passed to he and Quella's daughter, Ania, instead. JJ wasn't sure how much truth there was to it yet.)

Netherin, Kadios, and Adikae, three of the foremost Pack Leaders of the Aifaen, with Netherin being the Speaker of Bralis.

And then there was the group that JJ fell into.

Himself, his sister Tiiaria, and Lerato's son, Ber. The holders (or perhaps thieves would be more appropriate in he and Tiiaria's case) of Creation's cores. Aside from being made immortal, and being able to use some small portion of Creationary energy, it didn't mean much for them. But to the Trio, it meant that they had a sort of check and balance system. After all, destroying a Creationary Being's core seemed to be the only way to actually kill them (Which is what JJ and Aria had originally stolen them for in the first place, now that he thought about it. How times changed.). Any other method led to little more than a short-lived stasis.

The group was quiet for a long time-- most of them hardly even speaking amongst their own respective groups, let alone to anyone else. Once it had become evident that the Trio and Siffo were the only ones that were aware of what was going on, everyone had more or less fallen into an expectant silence. Waiting patiently for everyone to arrive, so they could finally learn what in existence was going on.

A short while passed, and eventually the last of them (surprisingly enough, Sivel, who was usually among the first to arrive when Creation summoned him) appeared. Multicolored eyes taking a quiet moment to survey the others in attendance, before turning to regard the Trio.

"So everyone was called, I see. It must be something rather pressing, if that is the case. I assume we are waiting for Lerato, before we begin?"

"No. As the situation originated with him...with Zhrun, he assisted Us in our recognition of the problem which resulted in Our summoning of you. Because We are trying to prevent it from growing any further, we opted not to include him today...and for the time being, he should not be approached by any of you, for any reason. The same could be said for Zhrun, as well as the outer branches of the Void."

The ripple of murmurs following that information didn't last long. Though it was, in part, to avoid gaining any unnecessary ire from the Trio, it was even more-so because they wanted Ippuru to go on.

"With that being said...We would prefer that this be explained sooner, rather than later, so that We may see the situation better controlled, studied, and monitored. Listen well, for We will not be pleased in the event that We must repeat Ourselves a second time."