Shattering Humanity-Chapter 456: Establishing The Narrative

"When all the fighting men had died among the people, the Lord spoke to me, ’Today you are going to cross the border of Moab at Ar.

When you get close to the Ammonites, don’t show any hostility to them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the Ammonites’ land as a possession; I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.’"

This too used to be regarded as the land of the Rephaim. The Rephaim lived there previously, though the Ammonites called them Zamzummim, a great and numerous people, tall as the Anakim. The Lord destroyed the Rephaim at the advance of the Ammonites, so that they drove them out and settled in their place.

This was just as he had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites before them; they drove them out and have lived in their place until now." -Deuteronomy 2:16-21

_________

Soft Girl Voice: "All the fighting...

It’s all my fault..."

[Petra, Jordan]

{Current Day}

SeiõrSnow continues to fall, even over the dry, arid planes of the city carved in rock.

Icemen looking for any survivors are unfazed by the temperatures otherwise uninhabitable by humans they’re hunting.

Within one of the carved out tombs inside the mountains a green and brown stained Arctic fox is asleep soundly on the cross legged lap of someone wearing an all black cloak with Archæopteris tree patterns.

A hand with sloppily green painted nails pets the sleeping fox after experiencing the world.

Soft Girl Voice: "I’m sorry...

Those monkeys evolved this way because of me...

They learned to survive wrongly from me...

This world is wrong because of me..."

Slowly, the animal lifts its head. The supposedly dying creature sniffs and licks the hand petting him. While half asleep the Arctic fox stretches then returns back to resting on the soft lap of its protector.

Outside the only opening to the rock cavity, a lone alien creeps by and peeks inside the stone hut where the two squatters are.

As if knowing they are both safe, the cloaked figure continues softly stroking the sleeping pet.

Surprisingly, the ice monster doesn’t react to the individual appearing to be human, but instead, the Iceman grunts and walks by. Quietly leaving them alone as it trots down the SeiõrSnow covered trail.

Soft Girl Voice: "Why...?

Why can’t I just take a break from this Hell like everything else does?"

...

[Demon District]

With both trusted fighters surrounded by their respectively stunning SoulSeiõrShields, Itsuka and Vegetius stand a few yards apart.

While they are staring at each other with unfriendly glares, the SeiõrSnow within their vicinity becomes attracted to the abnormally sized young man and abnormally chiseled young woman, and the abnormally falling snow becoming absorbed.

Itsuka is the first to break the silence but doesn’t break eye contact with her "visitor".

Itsuka: "Are you Vinland military?"

Without a word, the lower face covered soldier nods.

Confirming her first suspicion, and considering the easiness, she continues her calm questioning on the invader.

Itsuka: "Was that your malicious energy that just washed over the entire area making my friend sick?"

Not aware of others who fell instantly ill like he did, Vegetius is slightly intrigued while he shakes his head to deny her question.

Vegetius(thinking): *So that wasn’t just me who felt randomly sick?

And is she referring to the mysterious energy fuzed with the Sheriff’s?*

Itsuka finally realizes something and her eyes begin to dart around.

Itsuka: "Are there other soldiers with you?"

Again, the cooperative soldier shakes his head.

There is a long whistling wind between them.

Itsuka: "Why are you here alone?"

Before the Vinland enemy to Takamagahara is given a chance to answer, one from their original antagonizing force unexpectedly chimes in from the top of the closest home to view the stand off.

MamMon DæMon: "Because I told him to..."

The statement makes both fighters flinch and turn towards the intruding voice to their conversation.

Having instantly moved herself from the outskirts of her forest, and now on the opposite side of Kami Island, the instigating cloaked DæMon is sitting a top the brown/red shingled roof.

MamMon DæMon: "...And I must say, everything has constructed to be quite more dramatic at the end than I had intended."

With the sight of her love rival’s older sister, Itsuka clenches her teeth in anger.

Itsuka(thinking): *Madame Zoram was right.

This bitch was plotting on me leaving the SeiõrStar!*

MamMon DæMon: "Oh don’t be so upset, remnants of Ioûnn.

In fact, this exact situation is what both of you wanted, right?

To make yourselves useful to your currently struggling friends?"

Itsuka: "What are you talking about, ’struggling’?

I know Shelly could whoop anybody’s ass, including yours!"

Vegetius(thinking): *Not my Messiah...*

As if hearing the mental rebuttal, MamMon smirks.

MamMon DæMon: "I’m sure you confidently and adamantly believe those words, but unfortunately, personal beliefs are only imagination in terms of reality.

Just as much as the young man there believed his own savior of sanguinity could besiege this island, and defeat Skalmönd.

He’ll be disappointed to know, his fellow soldiers have already either been killed or have capitulated, and his leader has ultimately failed."

Vegetius(thinking): *B-Big s...

She’s dead?*

The announcement of his leader’s defeat makes Vegetius deactivate his personal SoulSeiõrShield in disbelief.

His glassy eyes stare off into the distance and a ringing gets persistently louder.

Feeling slightly bad for the person she was about to fight, Itsuka deactivates her own protection of Seiõr.

Interrupting the start of his mental breakdown, the woman who directly set up this distinct confrontation tries to reignite the Sheriff’s follower.

MamMon DæMon: "Don’t yet give up, Boy!"

The woman’s cheerful call out for his perseverance snaps the soldier out of disassociation. On the roof, cross legged smug MamMon has her elbow resting on her knee, and her cheek in her palm in a pose of admiration for the scene she has directed.

MamMon DæMon: "Your precious Savior has been rescued by my younger, but discriminate, less male friendly sister.

She’s alive, but from what I’ve been informed, the memories of her life as the Sheriff will be gone.

Not to mention, as men, neither you nor the pilot you’re fighting here for, will be able to visit her. Even if you wanted to try and make her remember."

Trying to compute his current mixed emotions, Vegetius first takes a deep breath of relief but the second part of the news finally hits the impressioned teen.

Not sure of what her best friend’s enemy is trying to do, Itsuka scowls at the over confident witch talking down to the naturally born humans.

MamMon DæMon: "However..."

The perfect plotting prognosticator can barely contain her pride for the story she has helped guide. Biting her bottom lip as if almost aroused by the words at the top of her tongue.

MamMon DæMon: "I currently have someone within my own faction who can transfer memories from one individual to another.

I’m sure there’s more than enough convincing moments between the two of her most faithful prospects, the three of you will have plenty of new stories to remind one another of."

Slightly hunched over, arms dangling, and staring at the ground with his own wide blue eyes, Vegetius is gradually computing the meaning behind this DæMon’s confession of power.

Knowing she has hooked yet another option less human, MamMon keeps biting her lip.

MamMon DæMon(thinking): *God!

With the abundance of SanguineSeiõr bound to flow in, I can’t help but feel erotically charged in public like Svipul!*

Itsuka suddenly realizes her brief moment to avoid anymore conflict and turns to talk sense into the young soldier still bent at the waist, zoned out.

Itsuka: "Hey, listen to me!

She’s using her leverage to instigate us into fighting for no reason!

I know it sounds stupid, but the girl who beat your leader isn’t a bad person!

If you have enough patience to let my friend Shelly beat that woman up there tomorrow, we can find a way to get your friends back too!"

She angrily turns to face the blonde woman looking down at them. The otherwise immortal witch is taking the most pleasure in the unavoidable drama that’s being forced.

Feeling as though she has her own unrefutable logic, Itsuka smirks right back up as an attempt to taunt the instigator.

Itsuka: "Oh, how honorable!

So instead of directly affecting our planned fight tomorrow with your powers, you decided to use a third party’s circumstances as an indirect way to make your future fight against Shelly easier!"

Not taking the trash talking bait seriously and nonchalantly waving off the accusation, MamMon returns fire as if her lines were rehearsed.

An exuberance of satisfaction in her voice knowing she is about to solidify her current plan.

MamMon DæMon: "Don’t flatter yourself, gym rat. Whether or not you participate in tomorrow’s Holmgang between Skalmönd and I will have little to no effect on the outcome.

If you must know, everything that decides the victor will not be displayed in this reality, but inside the minds of both team’s Aces."

Itsuka’s grin instantly evaporates and she sucks her teeth in a disproving grimace.

MamMon DæMon: "Ever since the events leading up to this ’Three Way, One Day’ war started, I have merely used my Seiõr blessed abilities to defend or deflect conflict away from my own people.

As well as use non-lethal force to cause the only remaining invading units to peacefully surrender. "

She chuckles before informing the individuals, who have been away from the majority of the conflict, about the details of events that have led up to this point.

MamMon DæMon: "You try to point me out as a villain, as where your beloved friend and residential ’attack dog’ has singlehandedly murdered almost every soldier posted on the beach to the south.

With over 1,300 men and women sliced to pieces, without a chance to give up, can you really claim to this man he’s safe?

Even yourself, kin of Ioûnn..."

As if trying to create doubt amongst the budding resurgence group, the Nye-omnipotent woman carefully lays out her sentences.

MamMon DæMon: "...It must be like walking on egg shells.

Knowing at any moment, and without any bombs or gunfire needed, or even any warning for that matter.

From a mere single murder of my little sister’s colleague, to now north of 1,000 bodies in the span of just 2 and a half minutes.

All in order to save her precious Yang Vessel."

Not falling for the deception Itsuka quickly chuckles off any doubt.

However, she quickly feels uneasy and a sense of anxiety sets in, as well as a strong breeze to her right.

MamMon DæMon: "I know you are big, but you can’t be that much of an imbecile, or else I doubt that 2nd Generation would have taken you under her wing on the first place.

The mere mention of any possible hope for salvation is enough to make any righteous man sell his soul."

Itsuka’s head slowly turns her vision towards Vegetius.

Still hunched over and with his arms dangling, the convinced warrior has his SoulSeiõrShield once again active, blazing larger than before.

His head is now turned to face Itsuka, and a tear filled look of desperation in his eyes alone indicates he’s chosen an option.

MamMon DæMon, satisfied with the narrative she’s established, rises to her feet and gives the young man one last push over the edge of unreasonable conflict.

MamMon DæMon: "If you want your pilot friend back, including the chance to restore your God’s honor and memories back..."

Realizing she has no other choice, Itsuka also reignites her body with a crystal purple SoulSeiõrShield.

MamMon DæMon: "...Defeat Ioûnn’s fledgling here and now!"