Illithid behind the Curtain: Black and White and Dead all Over. (Patreon)

Cuthbert looked like Clint Eastwood and it was really putting me off my game.

He also seemed quite content to let me lead, the both of us sitting across from each other as Summer looked from one to the other in confusion. Fang, bored after a few seconds would be sleeping, curled up like some massive, scaled cat before I finally spoke.

"How are you even here?"

Cuthbert shrugged at that as he spoke. "I just am. Just as I'm in Toril, watching over an acolyte who prays his fingers will not sting when his master hits him with a quarterstaff in practice. I'm also in Strixhaven, where a student prays to me in the hopes he gets a good grade for his class, because he's running on a mixture of coffee and restoration potions."

His smile turned somber as his eyes glowed faintly, a pale blue the entire time as he continued.

"I'm also there in Barovia, as one of mine raises up the symbol of Ravenkind and invokes my name to protect the people beside and behind her. I'm there for the pilgrim and the crusader, for those who defend and those who are compelled to take up arms, to protect. I am there for those who seek redemption, who believe their hands are red and stained beyond recognition. Just as I am there for them and those who do not know they need me, so am I here."

His tone turned ominous as he continued. "Gods roles are to be where they are needed. And from what I have seen of this world, it has not known proper gods for so very, very long."

"You're a god?!" Summer said, shocked as Cuthbert looked amused and a little sad as he said simply.

"Don't worry too much on it. If anything, think of it like your own role as a huntress. Its a job that needed doing, and here I am to do it. Though not all are like me, yet they too fulfill their own role in the world. Which is why I'm here."

"You're claiming this world?" I asked, knowing what it meant, and Cuthbert nodded.

"I am." Cuthbert said plainly as he added. ".... But I can only go so far and like all things, there must be balance. However, this and even my claim cannot be done without consequence. The only ones who can accept us as gods, are the people of this plane, it is a choice I will not take from them."

My eyes widened and Cuthbert nodded, eyes flicking behind me to Fang as he said ominously.

"There must be balance. Good and Evil, Order and Chaos. It helps she is well-inclined as much as she ever is, for you two."

I knew there was going to be consequences from the Lightning Horde being here, but I wasn't expecting the metaphysical as Cuthbert added.

"We could talk about her nature and aspects for months and you would not know even a fraction, of what it means. It is no slight against you, you simply don't see things the way we do. But in place of the Abyss and Hell, Tiamat offers herself up as counterbalance to me."

And in my head, a suspicion grew as to the coincidence of Icarus hatching in the proximity of Pyrrha and Ren as Cuthbert continued.

"To that end, she offers her champion, and you need not answer now. First, you have a task to do as do I. And as we work from both ends, we can cleanse this plane of the influence of the demonic and the devilish."

He pointed to the distance as he spoke. "Summer Rose. Your Arma Gigas friend needs you, and without him this shall be far more difficult. Go to his home, ask him of the Winter Seal and from that point... Well, it shall be up to you. Mortals, to perform work for the betterment of mortals."

"And what will you do?" I asked, as Cuthbert cracked his neck and grabbed his staff, rising to his feet.

"Preventing the further spread of that blasted wasteland with her Ladyship. It will only be for so long-I can only spare so much strength, and her Ladyship may become frustrated and leave if she is denied, to return in force. Do what you can brave adventurers."

His eyes pierced my own, as well as Summers as he added.

"For the sake of the living as well as the dead."

=====

That was how I found myself on an adventure once more. Riding atop Fang with Summer, who asked me midflight the questions I knew were coming.

"What did Cuthbert mean, by leaving it to our choice?"

I sighed out, tried my best to distract myself by staring out at the landscape of broken biodomes and hell blasted craters. Collecting my thoughts, I finally spoke aloud as I waved my hand and produced an illusion of two symbols. A five headed dragon as well as the red, gem centered piece of Cuthbert as I continued.

"The planes operate via ancient laws of magic. The elemental planes, raw powers of earth, fire, wind and water that through various combinations create life. The shadowfell and the bright realms, of necrotic and radiant energies of animating life and death... And then there's the afterlife, where the cycle of souls and their rebirth, reward and punishment is dealt with by Gods who protect them against creatures like devils and demons. And over it all, the Weave that connects them."

Summer looked about the plane, her entire posture drooping as she spoke quietly. "But we were abandoned."

"... Yes. And the cycle was broken, left to be repaired with duct tape and matchsticks by those who knew they had to take a stand." I replied as Summer cut to the heart of it.

"But it was not enough."

".... No." I said, not unkindly. It was not a conversation I wanted to share, but it was honesty that she deserved a thousand times over. This was a woman who died a hero, who inspired heroes with her story and even after death, fought on just because she couldn't just stand aside and do nothing. "But we've always made do with less."

She looked confused and of all people, Fang spoke up. "She means mortals. The only beings dumb enough to approach dragons and sometimes win fights with them."

"The only beings, who truly have the power to make their own destiny, carve out their proper will. Its why Cuthbert leaves the choice in your hands, but well-meaning as it is? It is also a choice that isn't really one." I smiled wryly.

"When your choice is between salvation and a dragon's maw, you can't really call it a choice, can you?"

Summer became more somber, and then I decided to take the leap as I spoke. "I've met your daughter. Ruby Rose."

Summer's head turned to me incredibly fast, hope and hunger warring on her face as her hand reached out, gripping me by my wrist. "What about Yang? Tai? Qrow?"

"They're all doing well, and acting as heroes should." I replied to her relief as she began to cry, before I produced another illusion. This one of her children, how they looked and Summer began to weep, unblinking as she sniffed and stared at the illusions before she whispered.

"How did you meet them?"

I smiled fondly and spoke, considering as Fang too, seemed to be interested though he tried to pretend otherwise, and I spoke.

"It began, the moment two small children all but danced over my tower protections, and saw my true form..."

======

The village spoken of by Summer was a village, as much as I was a mere caster. It looked like a city of Grimm and Spirits, more humanoid types alongside the most bestial types and it was a sight, I burned into my memory.

If I had to compare it to anything, it looked rather like Mantle and perhaps that was intentional, considering my own suspicions as to who ran it. Tnere were walls, thick and strong and patrols along the tops of it. Prowling Grimm moved as guards, spirits insubstantial, glowing balls and the more classical ghosts I was familiar with, drifted back and forth as we began to land.

Beyond that, was a town that looked like a hodgepodge of various civilizations, all crammed under one banner and overlooking it all, was a castle. One that had Summer frown to see it, as I found my attention grabbed by the other aspect.

Grimm. Humanoid and Faunus Grimm.

And here I had thought Salem's curse was unique, now here was more evidence that it wasn't so. Considering the Grimm themselves fighting off Hell and the Abyss, the evidence more and more seemed to suggest their role was originally the planar equivalent of white blood cells.

In that light, if I could spend my life fighting to keep my loved ones safe... Well, it was a simple choice for me. Summer took over, descending as she called out.

"My name is Summer Rose! And I'm-"

Weapons were pointed and the Grimm Beasts growled, coming closer as Fang, sensing violence growled and bared his teeth, frost beginning to form around his muzzle. Summer blinked and looked about, speaking incredulously.

"What's the meaning of this? What's going on here?"

"Silence." Snapped one of the guards as he added. "Things have changed around here. Bleed for us. All of you."

Summer scoffed, but obliged as I did the same. Fang, growling and not liking it, did the same as the guard blinked, staring the red blood.

".... You're alive?!"

He raised a hand and cried out. "Bind them and bring them to the King."

Summer looked incredibly pissed off now, as she cried out. "King?! When I see Nicholas, I'm going to-"

"Nicholas Schnee is currently slated for execution. For crimes against the state, treason and consorting with the Enemy."

Summer looked shocked. She looked at me and so did Fang, both instinctively prepared to follow my lead. I nodded, once and they relaxed, though Fang hissed as they chained his wings.

And as they took us through the streets, I looked with all my senses.

Like the other times I had been in close proximity with the Grimm, the standard anger, hate and the like pounded in my brain. But now, there was also fear. Enough to put anyone on edge, and Summer as well, if the way she was reacting was any indication, her Grimm state likewise broadcasting certain things.

The familiar she bonded with would be staying silent, for all the world just a normal, undersized Nevermore as I tapped on my companions minds.

Fang, recognizing the sensation let me in as I did the same to Summer, the three of us now holding a telepathic conversation.

"Summer, what can you tell us about this?"

"I don't know!" Her reply came back, panicked and angry. "Execution? King?! Nicholas Schnee is a kind man! How this happened is as a guess where yours is as good as mine!"

"Looks like Talingarde." Fang replied thoughtfully, the errant observation so distracting it took me out briefly, as I looked around and realized he was right.

Talingarde when we ruled, was much like this. Cold, fearful with martial laws threat dangling over the peoples head, secret police and all. It may be different in people, as well as the location-but some things were universal, and instantly recognizable.

Especially for those I thought with loathing, who did much the same thing. I was careful not to let this enter my mental link with Summer, as I spoke.

"This changes nothing. We'll do what we can at least, but till that time we need more information. So, no explosions, no attacks. It'll be soft words and diplomatic measures, of which I recommend myself."

I was prepared for just about anything and as we three entered the throne room of the castle, I was grimly inured to the following scene.

It was as opulent as could possibly be for the scant resources, in a primal sort of fashion. More so, with the spikes impaled along the sides of the pathway leading to the throne, carved from what I could tell from demon bones. Upon the spikes, were the still-living bodies of humanoid grimm, as well as a few beast-types, one of them-a vaguely familiar, bearded looking man whispering 'help us'.

I drove out pity from my heart, ignoring it as Summer looked on in shock though I had eyes only for the figure on the throne.

A military looking figure, harsh with features that seemed carved from stone. He exemplified in his eyes, all the negative connotations with Grimm, and seemed a step away from snapping. Like photo's you see of killers, with the lights out in their eyes and a promise of violence at the least excuse. I had his measure, but I didn't know him and neither did Summer as she frowned in confusion.

I waited and then a few moments later, the military looking 'king' sneered.

"I am King Lagune, member of the Colorless Alliance and you will tell me the secret to returning to life or endure torments such as these traitors in perpetuity."