AN: Adding it extra early 'cause I haven't gone to bed yet, and want to sleep in. Oh, and this chapter introduces a character that will never be killed off. However, how they came about to being entwined as they are will be told in the second book, 'Of Death and Darkness', within 'The Family' storyline.

As always, 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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"Come on, you louts," howled a Human skeleton in faded grey rags, as it hopped up and down several times atop a large boulder. Below its form was a mass of slow Undead making their way up a large slope of about forty degrees. Each of these beings, both skeletal or with flesh, dragged with them varying degrees of weaponry. From either pristine to rusty and warped, they carried them forward or from behind. Whereas the skeletal being on top of the boulder simply continued to shout orders, trying to harry them onwards towards the prize just over the next ridge.

A city.

The city beyond them was one that housed many Dwarves and Elves which were the God of this world's chosen people. Now, however, they were slowly being run over by the Undead army which had appeared out of nowhere. Of which started by slaughtering three cities before setting their sights upon the area they now fought.

Of course, the residence of the world called upon their God for aid, who then gave his people the ability to call upon those of a different world to fight these Undead creatures. Unfortunately, that was three turns ago, and their so called "Heroes" had perished after fighting the first day. This left the Elves and Dwarves with nary an option, as they continued to hole up in their city beyond. However, their stores of food was slowly receding, as were their potions of health and mana. For the Undead were relentless, never tiring, never showing emotions as they continued to march forwards.

This seemed to unnerve the populace, for they have never faced a foe such as the Undead before. Instead, it was always the Demons who came upon them, only to become routed after a few days of guerilla warfare. Up against these? They did not have any needs, therefore there was no one to care if a cart or ten went up in flames, or the spoiling of water and foods. Nothing they did caused the slowing of the armies, nor a full routing of its members.

To make matters worse, if any of their numbers fell, they would stand up almost immediately. Of course, in the beginning, this caused themselves to become elated about such a thing. For within their minds, they believed their friends, loved ones, and comrades had recovered enough to rejoin them in their plight. However, they were quite wrong, as their own began to slaughter one another. Which then led to a sudden growth in the Undead armies' strength, whilst their own was sorely weakened in both physical prowess, and mental stability.

"Come on, come on," cried out the robed skeletal being, who then howled with rage, as a pillar of white and gold fell from the heavens. This was aimed at the Undead to its immediate left, and could do nothing beyond watching as the pillar of light caused its troops to evaporate from existence.

"No," it howled, reaching for its energies in order to call upon that which was within all Undead. The Madness. Of which was quite infectious towards those like it. As the robed creature's eyes flared a brilliant crimson, those nearest its body responded with a flaring or flashing of their own eyes. This then trickled down throughout the army as a whole, to which they gave into such a sickness quite readily.

From this point, the Undead army which did not cry, nor howl at the world before this instant, did so. This then led them to raising up their arms as they each turned as one to stare upon the nearest living creature. The Elves atop a large ridge, and the Dwarves who back away slowly with their axes and shields at the ready. Giving one last howl to curse the lands of the living, this Undead horde rushed as quickly as they could towards the Dwarves, as the Madness contained within each of their minds and bodies grew rampant.

*****

"Hmm," my voice hummed softly as Brutus and I stared upon the scene with our own eyes. For never before this have I witnessed such a spectacle of the Madness taking full control over another Undead. Yes. I've given into its sweet calling many a time before, but have always regained some semblance of sanity soon afterwards. Now? Now I could see why it was imperative that I do not give in completely. For the destructive powers I wield would, no doubt, cause the whole of this collection of worlds to crumble into dust.

"I can see why our disease needs to be in a constant check," my voice was barely a murmur, but as Brutus was the only one within the room, he picked up on such words and turned towards my person.

"My Lord God?"

"Brutus," I began, turning my head slowly towards his own, "Do you know of the Madness which afflicts us all, and the destructive powers it wields through our bodies?"

"Of course, My Lord God," spoke my Lich with earnest, "If anything, our time upon Azara and the destruction of their first continent was a stark reminder that we needed to keep it in check."

"Indeed," was my answer, as we turned back towards the screen. For upon Azara, the birthplace of the Dragons of Terra is a ragged scar upon its surface. This was a testament to the prowess of an Undead God when such a disease has free reign within. One that knew how to trigger such an event within my own mind.

For all it needed was to show my eyes the abuse and slavery of children, as I was the God of Children and Families, and would not tolerate such things towards those of whom are supposed to be my charges. Once the abuse was shown, however, it took hold of my person once more, causing my body to grow into a sorrow filled Shadow Giant with eight eyes. Of which called upon the chaotic energies within my person to release from said eyes upon the land.

Even now, one may walk upon such a land, and if one has enough strength and aptitude towards a more spiritual path, they may witness the wrongs I and mine had witnessed. As well as to feel my rage and hatred as I and mine slew everything and everything upon that world. Which eventually left my person as it was upon Al'nuul, but that is a different tale entirely.

Ah, but if you are wondering how it was that I escaped the clutches of the Madness, then you must look to my beloved wife. For she is the only one who may answer you if she so wishes to.

*****

In the meantime, the images flickered from the Undead army rushing forever onwards towards the panicking Dwarves and Elves, and towards another part of the world where the Humans faced off against the Avatars of Giants and a sea of Ents with their Dryad counterparts. As a matter of fact, there was only a pair of Giants, of whom were each considered as Elder Ents. For their bodies were nothing more than a large collection of living trees, as they made their way towards one of the greater civilsations full of Humans.

This sea of trees was actually a part of a spell called "Gaia's Wrath", in which the Elder Ents call upon their Mother to bless the trees around their persons in order to bring about the end of the closest civilisation. In this case, it was the Humans, as they were deemed the closest and the most destructive towards the forest nearby. What with their wants and needs of taking from the area without giving anything in return. Be it lumber for projects, meat from the creatures who live within, or nutrients from the soil, "Gaia's Wrath" had chosen their city as its first contact.

Ah, but the Humans were not at all concerned, as they believed themselves to be superior to the living trees. Even going as much as to boast in an arrogant manner, "What can a few measly trees do to our stone walls and weapons of iron and flame?"

Apparently much, as they soon found out. For as soon as one of the Elder Ents stepped upon the land in which grew many staple grains for the city, all of the crops shriveled up and turned to dust. This alarmed many of the officials, whilst the nobles simply scoffed and stated, "There are more farmlands under our control. What will one do to us?"

However, many seemed to have sensed the dangers of these creatures, and made a quick escape out the back-way of the city. For they did not know why these creatures had appeared for, but they were coming straight for the city in which they lived in. Thus, they decided to leave the area until all had been deemed well.

On the other hand, as the first of the Elders left behind destroyed crops, the second one left behind samplings of various trees. Be they fruit, nut, or acorn, each one grew as it passed through the desolate farmlands and towards the city. Of course, those Humans who tilled the land for their crops and way of life despaired, as it appeared to their persons that the forest had come to life in order to reclaim that which was theirs by right.

This would continue until, at last, they came upon the first wall protecting a great expanse of Human civilisation. Whereupon the first groaned as its arms, which looked much like the trunks of trees, flew forwards and upon the surface of the stone. In which it gave a great howl of thunder, as the roots of these arms tore into the surface of the stone, and pulled it apart slowly.

Whereas the Humans watching grew quite concerned, as they believed that these tree-like creatures would not be able to tear into the walls so easily. Unfortunately for themselves, their arrogance would lead to their downfall. For just as an opening was made into their wall, did the Lesser Ents and their Dryad counterparts fly into their lands and towards those of whom were lying in wait with their many catapults and ballistae full of fire and tar.

*****

"Quite arrogant these Humans are," grumbled Brutus, who watched as the Humans let loosed their missiles of stone, iron, and fire upon the Ents, Giants, and Dryads.

"We know this first hand, Brutus, as we have journeyed through the various worlds which held such infestations," was my reply, as my right eyebrow twitched reproachfully, "These Humans are all the same. Therefore, they must be purged."

My Lich, on the other hand, was about to speak further when a knock came from the door to our left. "Enter," I called out, as my left eye swiveled towards it whilst my right continued to watch the images being played out before us.

The one who entered the room was Sia in her white robe, and behind her was Sarah. Of whom had chosen the form of a Wolfwoman whose fur and eyes continued to change every few moments, but never faded to the same colour twice. Whereas the garment she wore was also the same as Sia's, in that it was as white as freshly fallen snow. Her hair, however, fell away from her head, and cascaded into that of a waterfall of blue hued locks down to the small of her back.

"Ah, Sarah," my voice sighed softly, as I stood up to receive her person in my arms. To which we embraced as a couple would, nuzzling one another as she breathed in my scent. "It is so good to see you once more. Come, sit next to my person, as we watch my plans unfold." Which led to us parting a little, as I slowly guided her person towards the sofa in which she sat to my immediate right. Of course, after we sat down, she did cling to my left arm as though it were her last remaining lifeline in the world.

"Hello Brutus," she spoke softly, which was both sweet and melodic to my ears.

Whilst the other stood up slowly to give a low bow to the Goddess of Iridescent Colours, then returned to his spot upon the sofa, "My Lady Goddess Sarah."

"What are we watching this time?" she asked, alive with curiosity as the Elder Ents tore through an army of Humans and their siege weapons.

"My Guild, Black Parade, has been charged with keeping a score of Gods and Goddesses occupied whilst I continue to traipse throughout our world of Terra," my voice was full of amusement, as I watched her expression grow from curious, to horrified, and back to being curious once more, "You are the Goddess of Iridescent Colours, correct?" Once she nodded, I pointed towards the images which held the most graphic of scenes, "Have you ever tried to use the colours of war and violence before?"

To this she leaned back in order to think for a moment, before shaking her head. To which I grinned greatly, as my left arm snaked around her waist in order to pull her ever closer to my person, "Then sit with us for a time, and watch as they paint the canvas laid out for them with the blood of the fallen, and the colours of war."