AN: There's a bit of a history lesson below this chapter. You don't have to read it if you do not wish to.

Thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.

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"Master," whined Sal'ruum, as he effortlessly tore through the last of the mercenaries, "The Chimeras were much more entertaining than this rabble."

"I agree, Master," voiced Val'ruum, who slammed his clawed feet into the screaming body of a short Wolf-kin, "The short battle with those mercenaries near the sea was by far the most exercising for us."

"Hmm," my voice hummed softly, as the skull atop my staff of bone opened its maw wide to spew forth a great cloud of my acidic poison. Of which caused all who came near to melt into puddles of iron and flesh, before sinking deep into the earth. "It does rather seem to be too easy."

Upon these words I did stop in order to raise my staff as high as possible, ">," my voice thundered throughout the room, shaking its entirety as a gold, translucent sphere erupted from the tip of my staff. It then spread outwards, marking all within with a small coloured orb above their person. Those deemed friendly were given a blue orb, hostiles had a red orb, and those unknown were given a green one.

Of course, such a spell extended beyond the walls of the room we were in, but stopped a few metres outside the warehouse. This then led my person to see where the orbs were, even if they were hidden behind wood, stone, or iron. It did not matter, as I could see the orb, but it would not allow my eyes to spy the distance from my person. Instead, it simply told my mind which direction.

A plethora of green orbs appeared before my eyes when I glanced the floor below, as well as a few with red. This was rather intriguing for my person, as I had believed them to be the slaves I would be purchasing. What is more, those with red orbs seemed to be rushing off towards another part of the space they occupied, and towards a group of unknown greens with a single blue orb amongst their number.

"Oh?" My voice hummed once more, as I turned towards my servants and ordered, "Find a way to the lower levels. It seems their slaves may be beneath us, and are in need of rescuing." The twins grinned, whilst the dwarves were quite confused, as I do not rescue others I have no need of. However, they still complied whilst I continued to watch the scene unfold. More importantly, I simply watched the blue orb, and willed such a thing to form a silhouette of whomever it floated above.

The being it made out was of someone I thought was elsewhere, as it was none other than something which was not a human. However, it had been a part of the human gods' "harem", but why was she here?

*****

"Sophie," called out a white scarred wolf beastman in dark leathers, "More guards are on the way!" The thumping of something hard atop the floorboards from above the jailhouse gave an indication that a lot of "something" were making its way down, as the group of leather wearing Kin and beastfolk continued to strike out against the iron armoured guards.

This group was of a few who had decided to use the commotion of the Merchant Guild Hall to steal away much of their slaves. They would then be released into the slums with food and clothing bought from the "Kobold" outside the north gate. However, many had become nervous when one of their number, Dorla, had disappeared. This beastwoman was of the few who decided to ambush the kobold after saving a few children, but vanished the moment it was reported that a silver coloured bear beastwoman rescued those that were intended for the male. This led to her disappearance, and many prayed to their silent gods that she was alright and merely hiding.

Now, however, they were fighting for their lives, as they had thought the slaves would mostly be unguarded. In fact, it was the exact opposite, even if much of their number ran topside in order to attack something up there. The ones within the jailhouse had barricaded themselves behind the second jail cell, of which was blocked off by several scorched tables and chairs.

The being responsible for such marks was in fact a Fire Conjurer, who was unfortunately shot through its left eye from a lucky bolt from a crossbow. Now, however, the guards had pinned them near the entrance of the first cell. Of which held nearly a dozen, naked Draconian and Dragonock children who were going to be the first upon the block. These small bodies hovered around a small, orange block called a "Fire Stone". Of which generated the heat needed to keep such cold blooded creatures alive, but had been cracked during the fighting, and was now barely giving off any heat. Thus, they huddled and shivered around their failing source of heat.

"Where's a miracle when you need one?" Muttered the dark haired, dark eyed female Wolf-kin, as she drew back her bow to fire an arrow at the barricade. Of which awarded her with a gurgling scream due to a lucky shot within the gaps.

The bow, though plain as the dwindling quiver upon her hip, was allowing her to score lucky kills all throughout the battle. Many within her group believed she was blessed by some church, or even a cult, but what she truly was, was skilled beyond measure. As she held the title of "Huntress" amongst her original people, even though she was something else entirely.

"Indeed, and when we first met, I thought she was too fragile for such as this, but have been proven wrong time and time again. Of which amused my person to no end."

As she drew back her arm to unleash another arrow, there came a great roar from behind the barricade which caused her to release it prematurely. However, such a sound did cause her to grow rather curious, as there seemed to be a small battle ensuing beyond the tables. Which proved to be truthful, as the mangled body of a fear stricken guard flew through the barricade it had help put up a short time ago.

The facial features of this guard made discerning its race impossible, as the whole of its body was slowly melting into the floor below. "Don't touch it," she practically screamed at her comrades, as a few reached out for the guard to do who knows what, "It's been covered in acid." These words caused the others to retract, as they witnessed the body sinking into the ground as it continued to melt before their very eyes.

"Wha-?" Began another, as a gout of emerald flames scorched the hallway, causing this one to scream loudly. This was so, as it had begun to slowly make its way out of the cell just as the odd flames poured forth from whence it came. Of which caused this creature's body to melt as it burned completely. Unlike the other body, however, this one simply became a puddle of bubbling flesh upon the ground.

After such a flame came a loud silence, which was interrupted by something rending the iron of the cells, and the chatterings of the draconic people thanking something they could not see. It would not be long, as the creature slowly made its way towards their cell where the children, though still shivering, now quaked with fear of the unknown. Those amongst "Sophie's" group slowly poked their heads out of the cell, only to find a sea of draconic beings slowly giving way to another of themselves, but still not like themselves.

This being which strode forwards slowly, was nothing like anyone had ever seen before. As its body was of dark coloured scales which seemed to glow an eerie florescent green. Many within her group gasped as their eyes bore witness to such a creature, especially to that which was jutting from its back. Wings, three pairs to be exact, were lined across its spine, and many witnessed nearly all of the Draconians and Dragonocks' clawed hands brushing against it and exclaiming them to be real. What is more, many of them began to whisper a name she had not heard of in many cycles. "Veni Deus Venenum."

Of which, when translated, meant, "The Dying God of Poison," whispered Sophie, as the Draconian stood in front of their persons with a mad grin upon its facial features whilst its eyes flared a brilliant emerald green. Of which illuminated the whole of the cell, and caused the being before them to frown.

"Come," it spoke softly, whilst kneeling down to extend its left clawed hand towards the frightened children, "It is time to go home." An emerald flame with a dark center erupted in the palm of its hand, of which flowed forward and danced about the heads of the children whilst bathing them in its warmth. A few of them giggled and gasped as they touched the flame. Sophie, fearing the worst, turned towards the small group in order to help, but found it unneeded, as the flame simply caused the one to gasp, to giggle as it tickled its chin and neck.

"I don't know who you think you are," growled a wounded bear beastman, of whom clutched its bleeding side with its right clawed hand, "but you are not taking these children until you-."

It was not able to voice anything else, as a circle rapidly formed beneath its feet. Of which released a torrent of emerald flames which illuminated the space with its unnatural light. Once it faded, however, the lone survivors watched as the children ran into the being's arms. Who then held them close in a great embrace, lifting them high into the air. Many then giggled at such a gesture, whilst their small fingers explored the being's head with great curiosity.

If one were to believe there would be consequences for such actions, they would be very wrong. As it simply stood there whilst tilting and turning its head in order to accommodate their curiosity. Once finished, they turned their attention towards the nearest wing, which then tucked itself forward to allow their small clawed hands the ability to explore the texture of its wing.

This lasted for what seemed like an eternity, but in the end, the children were satisfied and given into the arms of those behind it. Afterwards, an opaque staff with a skull of an unknown creature set atop was reverently given to the being in front of them. Of which seemed to hold an eerie light within its sockets, as its gaze fell upon them.

"Greetings once more, Persephone," rumbled a deep and bemused voice around Sophie's small group of survivors, "It is so good to see you; unfortunately, we cannot stay." In so saying, a portal revealing a great village within a forest of some sort opened up behind the winged Draconian's back.

The whole of the draconic folk were then ushered into such a portal by persons unknown, and once they were through, did the being before them turn its back towards their persons and exit the same way. However, just before the portal closed, an orb of some sort fell to the ground and cracked itself in half. When they approached such a thing, they saw it was naught, but a scarlet fruit with ruby jeweled seeds scattered about the insides.

"A pomegranate," grumbled Sophie, not at all pleased with the fruit in front of her, "I hate pomegranates."

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AN2: Time for a short history lesson about the pomegranate and Persephone.

Persephone was the goddess of seasons and caused the world to have only ONE season. She was also the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, who was the goddess of the harvest. Anyways, Hades abducts her for this or that reason, probably because he wanted a wife, and no one was willing to jump at the chance. So, once she's down there, she's placed in front of a large banquet table, and told to eat something.

Now, if anyone eats anything down in the underworld, then they will be forever trapped regardless of who you were. She knows this, and refuses to eat anything. However, it becomes increasingly more difficult as time rolls on by, as Hades comes down to tempt her time and time again as she grows more and more ravenous.

About a week goes by, she is rescued, and placed back wherever she belongs, but in comes Hades demanding she be returned to his place in the underworld. Why? She ate something while she was there. Of course she denies it, until Hades pulls out half a pomegranate with three of its jeweled seeds missing.

Thus, she was caught in a lie, and was forced to go back. However, when she was gone, the cold set in upon the land, and the people below did not understand why. One of the gods (can't remember who) made the correlation that this cold was due to Persephone's absence, and she needed to be returned post haste so it would not be so cold.

Therefore, there was a compromise between the gods and Hades. Persephone was to stay with Hades for three months out of each year, as she had an obligation to do so for her eating of the seeds. Of which allowed the world to have four seasons, instead of just one.

Homer's take on this was weird, but still entertaining. No. I'm not talking about the Simpsons, as this Homer was Greek.