Grogar looked at the Old Goddess before him, she was one of the few beings that could claim to be older than him, she came from the Kalpa before his if he wasn't mistaken. She was a 9ft tall and thin anthro raven like being, actually she would be taller than Grogar if was not for the fact that she had a hunched posture and her long neck was lowered, her head was almost entirely bird-like with a great beak protruding forward from where the mouth and nose would be otherwise.

The Raven Goddess was wearing a golden headdress, a blue robe and golden with long sleeves but with openings in the back for her large feathered black wings and long enough to cover her legs leaving only her three bird-like black talons visible while hiding the back talon, her hands were similar to the talons on her feet but smaller and with five fingers in a more familiar hand configuration and one of this hand like talons was holding a black staff with two wing-like adornments and a green jewel in its end.

This was Tia the Raven Goddess of Death and Knowledge, also one of Grogar's oldest friends and one Yog-Yith’s librarians, almost all gods associated with knowledge were Yog-Yith’s librarians since he was the oldest of them.

“It's good to see you that you have awakened again young master,” said Tia as she looked at Grogar before her glowing eyes gazed at the party before settling on Faust and the way Tia inclined her head it gave the impression of a sneer. Then she said, “Why do you keep that alicorn with you? In my opinion, she should have died in one their Ivory Palaces,” then she pointed to Agate before continuing, “That child of Tiamat and Engur would be a better companion.”

“I don't remember needing to have to explain my actions to you,” said Grogar simply.

“Indeed you don't, I was merely expressing my opinion,” said Tia before looking at the two yuètù, the gryphoness and the kitsune. Then she said, “At least these mortals are a better company. Which reminds me my beloved would really like to see you again.”

After that Tia hit the blunt end of the staff on the ground and the sound it produced was similar to a bell. Not long after another portal opened and a group of anthropomorphic ravens similar to Tia walked out and the only visible differences were the robes and ornaments they wore.

One, in particular, looked like a slightly bigger version of Tia with red and gold robes, only the clothes and the size being visible differences between the two, the others, however, were slightly smaller but had a greater diversity in design, both the clothes and accessories, and their color but all of them were ravens like Tia.

“Young master!” shouted the bigger raven in red robes happily using a clearly male voice while the smaller ones knelt before Grogar recognizing who he was despite never seeing him before.

“Hello Ta'xet,” said Grogar to the bigger raven.

Ta'xet another Raven God of Death and Knowledge also Tia’s mate and the father of the other raven gods that came through the portal, a group known as The Lords and Ladies of Change. They were a group of gods that helped guide souls through the cycle of reincarnation inside Kamagati, they were more prominent in the Birdfolk’s culture than any other.

The Elder Raven seemed to be happy to see Grogar until his eyes landed on Faust, then immediately a scythe blade came out of his staff and he disappeared. A clang was heard and everybody turned to the source of the sound with the exception of Grogar and Tia. The scythe blade was stopped inches from Faust's neck by blades and tentacles made of shadow holding the Elder Raven in place.

“Why have you stopped me young master?” asked Ta'xet.

“I would appreciate if you don't do that again,” said Grogar ignoring the ravens’ question.

“Why? She should have died with the rest of her kind!” shouted Ta'xet.

“It matters not, she belongs to me now,” said Grogar before throwing Ta'xet back to his original place.

With a grace and fluidity that betrayed his appearance, Ta'xet did a flip and landed on his feet as the blade disappeared.

“Oh! Young master, don't let yourself be deceived by her sweet words! I know you are a caring and compassionate ruler, but she will hurt you like all alicorns of old!” shouted Ta'xet.

“Here he goes again,” said Tia as she placed her left hand over her eyes –her version of a facepalm.

“How dare you poison young master’s mind,” said Ta'xet in frustration before being hit in the head by Tia’s staff, it was enough force to crack the stone floor but he lost consciousness.

“I'm sorry young master, had I known that my mate would react like this I wouldn't have called him,” said Tia as she grabbed the back of the neck ornament of Ta'xet and threw him at her children, who were currently standing and witnessing their father’s less than stellar moment.

Two ravens with gray robes were holding their father, the only difference between the two was that one had more armor.

The gray-robed raven with more armor asked, “Um, what just happened?”

“Well Munin, your father is rather… ‘overprotective’ when it concerns the young master ever since he studied in Lord Yog-Yith's library and Ta'xet’s… um, ‘appreciation’ only grew when he heard that young master was responsible for the fall of the Alicorn Pantheon. Ta'xet was so distraught when we couldn't find him anywhere on Aurbis, but he seemingly gained new life when young master called upon us to help in his crusade, only for him to die again, which caused Ta'xet’s hatred for alicorns of old to be almost irrational at this point,” explained Tia.

“It's hard to imagine that father would act like this, normally he is so calm and collected,” said the other gray robed raven.

“I know Hungin, could you two take him back?” asked Tia.

“The Library or Aarukamma?” asked Hungin.

“The Library,” said Tia, then another portal opened and the three ravens departed.

“That was awkward,” whispered Katsuo to Jun who nodded.

From there they spend the rest of the day in that temple dedicated to the Lords and Ladies of Changes, Tia also introduced the rest of her children. Hungin and Munin, the ones who left, were the oldest followed by a female raven name Coronis, three males named Corvus, Orev and Korvac, followed by two females named Shani and Branwen, followed by two males named Kuta and Sunda, lastly two females named Catha and Morri.

“Who knew that even gods could have embarrassing moments?” whispered Katsuo to Jun as they laid on their bed, Katsuo only wearing his pants while Jun had a simple oversized shirt and shorts.

“You will find out that gods are not that different from mortals,” said Grogar from his bed opposite to the couple, only wearing his black pants.

Currently, the party was resting on one of the communal rooms with six beds that were normally used by the priests. There were two rows of beds with three beds on each side of the room with the bed perpendicular to the entrance without a door. Katsuo and Jun were sharing a bed closest to the entrance on the right row because they were a couple and because they were small, so it wasn't much of a problem for them.

“Yeah, I met few gods during my travels but never an Old God, Lord Ta'xet was… eccentric,” said Agate from her bed in the middle of the right row wearing a shirt and pants.

“More like obsessive and borderline insane,” said Rime from her bed on the furthest bed on the left row wearing a long nightgown. Then she asked, “What do you think Cheng?”

*Snore*

The sound of the mage still wearing his robes snoring was Rime response.

“He really needs to exercise more,” said Jun as she lifted her head from Katsuo chest covered in red fur, fluffy and well care fur that was her favorite pillow and it was even better when he had his winter coat, and looked at her exhausted brother in the furthest bed on the right row.

“Well, he is a mage and most missions don't require them to climb a mountain,” said Faust from the middle of the left row wearing a long black nightgown.

They all were wearing more conservative clothes because they were guests in a temple.

“We better get some sleep, tomorrow morning we go to Zerzura,” said Grogar as he closed his eyes.

“Sure thing boss,” said Katsuo as he hugged Jun closer to himself.

“Night,” said Jun as she snuggled with her lover.

“Ok, see you tomorrow,” said Rime before closing her eyes.

“Goodnight master,” said Faust before getting comfortable and close her eyes.

“Goodnight everyone,” said Agate.

Next Morning

The party was in front of the temple after breakfast, Tia and the other raven gods with the exception of Korvac went back to either the Library of Knowledge or the City of the Gods after wishing them a good journey. Korvac intended to visit Zerzura in the near future and seeing as Grogar and his party were going there Korvac might as well go with them now, so the group agreed and the golden robbed raven went with them. The group thanked the priests for their hospitality –they consisted mostly of pegasi, gryphons and birdfolks– before departing.

It was an uneventful trip through the desert until the group reached a city, more accurately a fortress beneath Zerzura, it was mostly inhabited by soldiers and beings that would go out frequently on the desert for one reason or another, it was also where most travelers could spend a night or two resting.

However the most noticeable feature of this place where the towers, they were essentially elevators for the people on the ground to reach Zerzura since there was a force field around the flying city to block teleportation and many floating outposts to block anyone from physically enter the city without permission.

Gods could, of course, teleport directly to their temples if they have one on the city, but they avoid doing that because the city itself started as a floating temple to not one but two Old Gods. Even if the city expanded around the temple it was still a place for their worshippers so even other gods obey the rules and only other Old Gods arrive unannounced.

The party reached a designed area beneath one of the "arms" of the fortress, then a beam of light came down and the group started to float up. It was something that Rime, Agate, Cheng and Korvac have done before, so it wasn't a big deal for them, to Grogar, Faust, Katsuo and Jun, however, it was new experience, Jun and Katsu had child-like look of wonder as they saw the floating city while Faust and Grogar had a more reserved reaction it was clear that Faust felt like a young mare journeying through the world again.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” asked Korvac.

“Indeed,” said Grogar simply.

“This place looks awesome,” said Katsuo and Jun nodded.

“Wait until you see the main city above the clouds,” said Rime with a smile.

“I heard rumors about this place’s beauty during my stay in the palace,” said Faust.

Eventually, they reached the surface and they could see a long road made of stone that led to a gate. They passed through the gate without problems and arrived on the market and from there they proceeded to walk through the outer district until they reached one of the towers. The towers were pretty much like trains but working on the vertical axis and it was here they parted ways with Korvac since he had business on the ground city.

They sat on the private booth that was given to them for their trip to the main city above the clouds, it was really easy considering that Rime was a noble originally from here and besides Grogar and Faust were with the group so they would be given a VIP treatment anyway. The trip just lasted two hours and in that time Jun, Cheng, Rime and Faust ordered some snacks, all in all, a relaxing trip.

Eventually, they reached the main city above the clouds and immediately Jun went to the edge and looked at the setting suns on the horizon.

“Wow,” said Jun before she felt Katsu hug her from behind.

“'Wow’ indeed sugar, I'm might have grown up here but that view never gets old,” said Rime as she approached the couple and soon enough the rest of the party joined them, even Grogar hugged Faust as she leaned on his shoulder while they observed the settings suns. By the time it was dark the lights of the city seemed to blend with the stars from the sky above, dots of light visible from the horizon all around the city, then Rime said, “We better go, I want to see my grandchildren on the Upper City.”

“Upper City?” asked Jun.

“Yeah, the place is called Lower City, it's the residential district for most citizens of Zerzura, it also has many hotels and few temples dedicated to other New Gods important to those that fly such pegasi, birdfolk, griffons and the like. Above us is the Upper City, were nobles, mages and other important families live, it also has the original temple dedicated to the twin gods. Lastly, the separate section that floats around the Upper and Lower Cities are called Rings and is inhabited mostly by the military as is the bases that float around Zerzura itself,” explained Cheng to his sister and Katsu as they made their way to the central tower.

Once there they used one of the many elevators built on the side of the central tower to reach the Upper City it was similar to the Transport Towers but the lift only took ten minutes. When they arrive in the Upper City it was clear it was made mostly for nobles and on the center of the Upper City was the great temple complex that was the starting point of this city.

They venture through the rich neighborhood until they reached a mansion not far from the main temple, the proximity to the temple indicated that this place belonged to one of the most important families in the city, it reminded Grogar of an Arabian palace, but he could see influences of other cultures. Interestingly both levels had arenas in many places where warriors, regardless if they were mortal or gods, could compete and it was to be expected since the twin gods were also warriors.

Anyway, Rime opened the gates and lead the group through the spacious garden until they reached the entrance of the mansion and when they got closer the door was opened by an old looking gryphon with simple black and white suit, he seemed to be a standard gryphon, the feather of his head was white and the feather of his wings light brown it was impossible to tell the color(s) of his fur because of the suit.

“My lady, is delightful to have you back,” said the butler as he bowed before straightening his posture and look at the rest of the group.

“Hello Geoffrey, it's been years,” said Rime.

“Indeed. Would you like me to prepare the guestrooms immediately? All of you must be tired from the journey,” asked Geoffrey.

“Yes thank you. Are we late for dinner?” asked Rime to Geoffrey while he motioned for the other servants that were inside to go and prepare the rooms the moment she said “yes”.

“No my lady, in fact, you are early,” said Geoffrey to Rime before addressing to Grogar, “I'm sorry Lord Grogar, Lady Faust, had we know someone of your stature would come we would have made preparations.”

“It's of no concern, we are but guests in this house regardless of our status,” said Grogar as he and his group entered the mansion.

Grogar’s previous assessment of the cultural influences was consistent with what he saw, maybe there was some relation between the species and their cultural similarities with their mythologies on Earth. The myths surroundings gryphons could be traced back to Central Asia, which was demonstrated in the design of this mansion, that observation also held true with the yuètù and their mostly Chinese influence so far.

Geoffrey guided the group through the mansion until they reached a hallway where the guest rooms were located and Geoffrey led each member of the group to a room, the only exception was Rime who went back to her former room in the mansion. Much like before Grogar and Faust shared a room as did Jun and Katsuo while Agate and Cheng got a room each.

Once in their respective room they all took a relaxing bath, it had been weeks since they all had a proper shower after all and made themselves presentable for a dinner. Despite taking a bath together Grogar and Faust opted to just relax in the water for a bit before coming out and then Grogar turned his All Black Necronsword into robes while Faust used her magic to dress herself in her black greek dress, silver necklace, wristbands, earrings and a diadem that circled her horn, lastly her mane was done in a bun a little to the right being held by a decorative hairpin with his symbol visible just on the surface of the bun.

“You look stunning,” said Grogar as he approached and lifted Faust's head a bit after gently placing his index finger on her chin.

“As do you, master,” said Faust as she run her fingers on the black robes made of shadows, shadows that had an almost eldritch feel to them as well as a hunger that seemed to crave for the existence of everything it touched. That feeling sent shivers down her spine, she couldn't even conceive how her master could wear such a thing and to her, it felt like the claws/talons/jaws of a predator against her skin all the time.

“Are you alright?” asked Grogar and that made Faust come back to reality, then she placed her other hand on his chest.

“How can you wear and use something like this so casually?” asked Faust.

“Because that is the darkness and void between universes, something my soul bathed itself for an unfathomable amount of my existence, where neither space nor time existed and at this point I find it to be comforting,” said Grogar before leaned down and nuzzled Faust being careful to not mess her mane.

*Ping*

"Oh, really?" asked Grogar to the Mother Box that just informed him of a new token. Then he asked, "What's the token?"

*Ping*

"A Phantom Ring, how intriguing. Thank you for the update," said Grogar without pulling away from Faust and she didn't interrupt her master's conversation.

*Ping*

The Mother Box then went dark after informing her user of this new development. Then a knock on the door was heard and Grogar pulled away from Faust before creating a tentacle from his shadow and open the door. On the other side was a female unicorn with a yellow coat and blue mane with a maid uniform, she looked nervous after seeing the tentacle of shadow as well as Grogar and Faust.

“Dinner is ready Your Majesty, I'm here to guide your lordship and Lady Faust to the dining room,” said the maid as she bowed and faced the ground.

“Proceed then,” said Faust as she walked out of the room followed by Grogar and outside they met the rest of the group, except Rime.

Jun was wearing a simple yet elegant dark blue dress, Katsuo was wearing a suit, Cheng was wearing a new set of robes with more details and Agate was wearing a golden dress much like Jun. It was actually a bit jarring seeing the female qilin wearing a dress when they were used to seeing her with armor, but the gold color complemented her blue scales and fur as well as her orange mane.

“You look beautiful,” said Grogar to Agate after observing her for a while, which caused her to blush and feel nervous for a moment. Cheng and Jun just nodded while Katsu just gave a thumbs up to the female warrior that was unused to this type of clothing.

“This way please,” said the maid before guiding them through the hallways before they reached a door where Rime was waiting. She was wearing a red and yellow robe or tunic-like Moroccan dress.

“Ready to meet my family?” asked Rime before placing her hands on the double doors.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait and the shorter chapter, currently dealing with stuff in real life and a writer's block.

Tiamat is mostly an Expy from her D&D version, so a giant dragoness with multiple heads, however, I will be doing some modifications so stay tuned to find out. Her name came from an entity from Ancient Babylonian Mythology that lived in the primordial ocean.

Engur is one of the names of Tiamat's consort in Ancient Babylonian Mythology, his appearance in this story is based on Chromatus the five-headed dragon from Warcraft.

Tia and Ta'xet are gods of death from Haida mythology associated with ravens. They and their children have their appearances based on the Greater Daemons of Tzeentch from Warhammer, both the Fantasy's version and 40k's version.

Hugin and Munin are based on Huginn and Muninn from Norse mythology, they are the ravens that spy on all realms for Odin and lastly Huginn being referred to as "thought" and Muninn as "memory".

Coronis is from Greek mythology, it's the name of a lover of Apollo and is in this story that tells why all ravens have black feathers. In a nutshell, they all got their once white feathers charred after delivering the news of her being pregnant and Apollo wasn't the father.

Corvus is simply the Roman name for ravens.

Orev is simply the Hebrew name for ravens.

Korvac is the name of a Marvel villain that sounded similar to "Corvo" to me, so why not?

Shani is a Hindu god or goddess that rides a giant raven.

Kuta is based on a spirit raven from Siberia.

Sunda is based on Bhusunda, in Hindu mythology is a sage that took the form of a raven.

Branwen is a character from Welsh mythology, sister of Brân whose name means raven.

Catha and Morri are based on Badb Catha and Morrigan from Irish mythology.

Anyway, Ta'xet attitude is based on Chandler from Nanatsu no Taisai.

Also for those that are curious about magic click here to check my blog.