I wished I had been in a position to graciously receive the good news, but instead, Bloodpriestess Ana's impromptu announcement found me splayed on the ground, attempting to recover from the heavy blow she'd dealt my head. It took only a moment to stand and begin reorienting myself while I digested what she'd just said, but once it did I found myself involuntarily sagging with relief into Took who stood on my left. At our feet, Ishtar laid bonelessly, groaning in discomfort at what must have been just as pounding a headache as my own. I leaned down and began to gently pull her up. "Thank you, Ishtar. You've done well."

A beaming smile began to spread over her face as I brought her to her feet. She stumbled, unsteady, and leaned into me. Fortunately, I had recovered just enough to not be sent sprawling and instead held her in my arms for a moment. "Thanks… Father." Ishtar nuzzled into my neck and I gently patted her back as I noted Ana approaching, having gone to speak briefly with some of her subordinates that had approached after the conclusion of our fight.

"This is your child, fahvalo?"

"Yes, she is one of my children, Ishtar."

"Good name. She is recently come of age, yes?"

"Yes."

"She shows the confidence of one who has suffered few defeats, but her posture began to break as I held firm. She is voninahitra of descent to desperation. Ishtar was the weight that tipped the Bloodsoaked Mother's scales in your favor. Only the desperate would send their children to fight, would abandon the rest of their companions for a chance at victory, would attempt to command dozens of their foes to bow in the midst of battle. Ishtar was the tipping weight"

"Then I'll have to thank her sister for sending her to me…" I couldn't help but chuckle a little at the thought that my children had effectively saved the day.

Ana blinked once, slowly. "It was not under your instruction that she joined our fight?"

"No. Her sister called for them to implement a plan and then here she was."

That vulpine grin again spread across Ana's face. "Your spawn is… formidable. Are there others?"

I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face. "Their brother is the one who made the fires. That reminds me–were there unacceptable casualties among your people?"

Ana shook her head briefly, "The few who might not rise again have died in the proving of fahvalo. They are immediately welcomed into the eternal battle against the Empty Heavens." Then, the grin becoming more wry than predatory, "Your spawn is talented. Your people's growth potential is varied and wonderful." Her grin melted into a serious stare as she continued, "Beware, though. Do not become like the warlocks, dissatisfied with what you have. Their magics come from a compulsion wrought upon the gods themselves, and the Pantheon will not stand for their continued survival. Your magic yet comes from your own bodies by the blessings of the Pantheon, and do not lust for greater power than the gods have bestowed upon you."

That… didn't make sense. [System]?

[The magic of the Veushten people comes from their Callings. A Speaker is able to command the laws that govern the universe and attempt to usurp that power from the governing gods that rule it. Your magic comes from your sonilphon, your magic manipulation organ, and comes from you.]

That was sufficient information for me to try to continue the conversation, "Sometimes I do want more power, of course, but even if I did, I wouldn't know where to go about seizing this power for myself. Do you?"

"That is not a question I would answer for anyone, much less a fahvalo. You are an honorable foe, and I respect you. I do not wish to strengthen you against the eventual day in which you bare your fangs at me in earnest." The last words could have been said with any vocal inflection, but Bloodpriestess Ana said it as simply as stating a fact: I am a Moonchild. There are four minor suns orbiting the major sun in the sky. You and I will eventually fight each other to the death. There was no malice, no fear, no rage, no… anything. She continued walking, unperturbed by her declaration of this apparent eventuality, and I struggled to follow behind.

"You named me… Indraymaf. What does that mean?"

"It means that you, as the representative of your people, are voninahitra of the people of desperation."

"So indraymaf is the word for desperation?"

"Not quite. The word is a complete saying in my tongue, literally meaning wallback. It means he who pushes themself to the end, puts his back to the wall and gives themself no endings other than absolute success or total failure. I would say that it fits you quite well. At least," Ana smirked, "with the help of your daughters."

"Maybe call it Indraymaf of me, but I will accept any and every tool that gives me an advantage without shame or regret."

"And again you prove yourself worthy of the title."

"So, what happens from here? Where do we go?"

"As you are fahvalo, we will guide you to a safe border from which you can lead your people to another, safer land. Of course, since you are foes, we will not willingly give you any land of ours without a due price."

"Agreed. Thank you, Bloodpriestess Ana. First, could we rest? It has been a long couple of days."

"Of course, Fahvalo Ashlani Indraymaf. Shall we take our rest here for the rest of the day and early night?"

"Sounds great, Fahvalo Ana the Bloodpriestess."

Again the smile spread slowly, almost with relish, across her face, and I motioned for the swarm to settle down and finally, finally assume positions to rest.

At last, I decided to acknowledge the flashing [System] notifications in the corner of my eye:

[Quest completed. Growth achieved. Title earned. Skill acquired. Quest board updated. Status Updated.]