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"submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "The second part to the first gathering, and the origin story of a long time character, one of the most important people in the background of my main setting. The richest man in the world, the owner of Sanctus, and the man who owns and operates the D-Gen Cafe: Vance \"Rathkin\" Rannek. Turns out the richest man in the world has quite a dark secret, one he now tells the table. So, in essence, this is also the origin of D-Gen!\n\nTECHNICALLY no sex in this one, either. But it is implied. \n\nCameos:\nIaisa / Phantom Stripe: Owned by [fa]jafferroshak[/fa]\n\n- - - - -\n\nA massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:\nSedyna | [fa]jafferroshak[/fa] | RoleplayCentral | [fa]akinkyyfox[/fa] | [iconname]Karmandel[/iconname]\n\nIf you would like early access to my stories, weekly previews and updates, access to my private discord, chance to have your character become part of the lore, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my [url=https://subscribestar.adult/xp_author]SubscribeStar[/url]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "The second part to the first gathering, and the origin story of a long time character, one of the most important people in the background of my main setting. The richest man in the world, the owner of Sanctus, and the man who owns and operates the D-Gen Cafe: Vance "Rathkin" Rannek. Turns out the richest man in the world has quite a dark secret, one he now tells the table. So, in essence, this is also the origin of D-Gen!

TECHNICALLY no sex in this one, either. But it is implied.

Cameos:
Iaisa / Phantom Stripe: Owned by \n\t\t\t\t\tjafferroshak

- - - - -

A massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:
Sedyna | \n\t\t\t\t\tjafferroshak | RoleplayCentral | \n\t\t\t\t\takinkyyfox | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKarmandel\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKarmandel\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t


If you would like early access to my stories, weekly previews and updates, access to my private discord, chance to have your character become part of the lore, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my SubscribeStar", "writing": "[center][b][u]The Gathering of Immortal[/u][/b][/center]\n[center][b]The Champion[/b][/center]\n[center]By XP Author[/center]\n\n\"Now, please do not interrupt. I will answer any questions you all may have once I am done.\" Vance took a deep breath as he started to tell the tale of how he became the current divine champion for the god of death and fertility, Zanduchi. \"Vance Rannek is not my original name. Like many of you, I have had to change it over the centuries. My original name was Ingrim Weiss. I was born in 1793, in a city called Ulm. At the time, it was under the control of the Holy Roman Empire... what would eventually become we now know as Germany much later. My father was a... I guess you would all him a pastor or minister for the Church of Deleth. At the time, the Deleth Orthodoxy was the dominant faith in the western world. Thanks to the Gathering of Champions during the Renaissance, they could no longer push the narrative that Deleth was the only god anymore, but they still had a considerable amount of pull in the world. And they still had the worship of Zanduchi outlawed.\"\n\nHe smiled. \"So the fact that my mother was a priestess of Zanduchi might be a little surprising. Publicly, she was just the wife of a church leader, but in private, she was the leader of the cult within Ulm. My father also knew, of course, and he was a member. He was how they stayed a secret. Being the son of someone in the church, I was taught how to read and write as a very young boy, something uncommon at the time. I also learned many other skills from the cult.\" He motioned to the rat at the table. \"For any among us that may not be familiar with history, the Zanduchi cults were also the home for many assassin guilds. I learned much from those men and women. While I was learning how to read, I was also learning how to throw daggers. While learning how to write, I learned how to sneak past military guards.\"\n\nHe let out a sigh. \"Skills that would become very useful far earlier than I had anticipated. By my 10th year, the world changed as a little man from France named Napoleon Bonaparte started his conquests. Ulm was one of his first major battlegrounds in what would eventually become the Napoleonic Wars. My city was overrun, with fighting in the very streets. Not even the church was spared. My father was killed trying to defend it from the invaders. My mother was also killed... though I suspect she quite accepted and possibly enjoyed having a sword run through her heart. She was a priestess of Zanduchi, after all.\" He smiled.\n\n\"However, I was not content letting that be my fate. Thanks to their sacrifice, many of the cultists and assassins helped hide me and several other children. But I was not content to wait and die in a hole. So I convinced the cultists to let me join them in a plan to escape. Late at night, we snuck into a military camp, and put the sleeping soldiers to the sword.\" He smiled proudly. \"I slit the throats of nine men that night. My first official kills. One was even an officer. I caught him as he was leaving his tent to relieve himself. The coward died gurgling on his own blood as he literally pissed himself. A fitting end for someone that destroyed my life, I think.\"\n\n\"With the camp emptied of soldiers, the cult was able to make its escape from the city. We took a number of children with us. And for my demonstration of skill, I was officially named a member of the assassins. They took me under their wing and gave me jobs to earn coin. And I was damn good at what I did. Few suspect a man too young to grow a beard of being a capable killer. I also learned how to speak and read more languages. By the time I was 14, I could read French, Spanish, and English, and I could speak most with some moderate level of fluency.\"\n\n\"I followed the jobs and found myself eventually living in Spain. Quite far from my home, but I wanted to avoid the war.\" He let out a heavy sigh. \"Unfortunately, the war did not avoid me. Napoleon's troops eventually turned westward and flooded into Spain on his conquest of Europe. So once again, at 15 years of age, that arrogant little hare was the source of me losing a home. So I decided I was going to do something about it. I started taking jobs for Napoleon's political rivals. Didn't matter who, as long as it was against the French.\"\n\nHe smiled. \"My biggest job of them all was against the self-proclaimed 'King of Spain.' None other than Napoleon's own brother, Joseph. Now, I was not tasked with killing the appointed monarch left in charge, but instead to hunt down one of his top officials, though I do not remember his name. It didn't matter who he was to me at the time, just what he represented. It was also part of a joint effort to kill a number of such officials across the land within close proximity to one another. Most of the assassins did not succeed, some did. I... nearly didn't. I allowed myself to be lost in... juvenile urges for petty revenge. I snuck my way into the manor he and his wife were calling home. Under the cover of night, I started my task, killing guards one by one. And a few of the servants, as well. Anyone that might get in the way. It was a bit sloppy, but leaving a trail of mutilated bodies was part of my plan. To send a message to the would-be emperor and his lackeys. At least, that is what I thought in my naive mind at the time.\"\n\n\"Eventually, I found my way to their bedchambers. The man I killed quickly, plunging my dagger into his heart while he slept. But his wife awoke to the scene. I was planning on killing her, too, but in that moment, I gave into a different thought. With blade at her throat to keep her silent, I had my way with her. I don't regret it, she was an abhorrent woman. I left her full of my seed, taunting that she be given child by someone such as me. Though she need not worry for such things for long, as I of course sliced her throat. As she bled out, I informed her that her existing children had already been slain. In truth, I had only killed one, the son that was living in the manor with them. Their daughter had already been shipped off to be wed to some political ally.\"\n\n\"Unfortunately, my lust for vengeance and petty revenge, as well as just my lust, nearly was the end of me there. I had delayed long enough that the guards and servants I had slain were discovered as I was to make my exit. Guards descended upon the place, and I had to fight through a number of them. Most I was able to escape from, but I took a great number of wounds. Cuts across my body, arms, legs, and two bullets from muskets, one grazing my thigh, another striking my shoulder. Yet I fled all the same, managing to lose my pursuers in the woods outside of the city. And it was there, I was sure I would die.\"\n\nHe smiled a little more. \"And yet it was there that my life changed in the biggest way yet.\" He took a deep breath to explain the events that followed in the woods. In his mind, they were vivid, as if he were almost reliving the moment as he told the tale.\n\n[center]* * *[/center]\n\nIngrim panted heavily as he forced his legs to keep moving, even as they threatened to give out at any moment. He had lost those chasing him for now, but he needed to get more distance from the city. Once day broke, the search would be on. And with the trail of blood he was leaving, it would not be hard to follow. Provided he did not become the meal of a wild animal before then. With the numerous cuts across him, and the musket ball still in his shoulder, the mink would make for easy prey. Yet the trees were still his best bet.\n\nBefore long, his feet started to feel heavy, as if he wore shoes of iron and lead. They were getting stuck in the increasingly damp mud as the rain continued, and it was becoming harder and harder to pull one free to take another step. He felt like he was no longer treading through a wood but a swamp. His eyes stung as the wet wind blew in his face, the cold biting through his torn clothing. This was where he would die. He was becoming more and more certain of it. He was sure more of his blood was left in the mud or staining his fur than there was within him by now.\n\nThe mud clung to his foot again, and he tried to pull himself free, but his legs refused to obey any longer. With a pained gasp, he fell, landing on his knees. Sleep beckoned him. A sleep he would never rouse from. He knew he should fight it, but it was a powerful force. More powerful than his flagging will could withstand. He let gravity take him as he fell, barely noticing as his injured shoulder splatted into the mud as he lay on his side. Yes. This is where he was going to die. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate. He had done all he could. Maybe not enough, but the cursed governor and his whore wife were dead by his hand. While not Napoleon himself, it was at least a blow to the would-be emperor. Yes, he could die content in that knowledge.\n\nAs he let his mind and thoughts slip away, he felt something. A calm and soothing feeling that pulled the pain from him. And he felt a presence of some sort. And... not heard, but felt a voice. \"You accept your death so easily? After so long a struggle?\" He wanted to respond, that he could struggle no more, but his words failed him. The presence heard him all the same. \"Oh, but you can.\" Confused and curious, he willed himself to open his eyes, and found he could sit up as well. The wood around him was now a swampy marshland, still darkened by night, but he somehow saw it as clear as if day. The sky above was clouds, not of rain but something else, roiling with emotion and lust and pain and life and death.\n\nHe looked about, in wondrous bemusement. Motion captured his attention, a cloud rising from the marsh and nothingness beyond his vision. A cloud of rot and decay, and lustful scents, of lightning and love, roiling as it rose to fill the space before him. Appearing from the cloud first was a pair of glorious stag antlers, spiked and pronged, yet made of bone, impossibly bloody and pristine at the same time. As they emerged alone, a form shaped behind them out of the cloud of death and lust. A form distinctly of a deer, both feminine and masculine. It bore the curves of the most luscious woman, ample breasts on display and hips to bear children. He somehow saw both the most impressive manhood and inviting womanhood on display at the same time. Yet between the curves was skeletal, bones and tight, dead flesh that begged to be caressed.\n\nThe face that formed was beyond description. A face of horrifying death, while also the most beautiful being he had ever experienced, balanced perfectly between the extremes. His imagination would never conjure a beauty such as this glorious being that now stood before him. The cloud of decay wrapped about her body, cloaking her in a calm kindness, doing nothing to hide her lustful and deathly figure. Emotion wafted off of her, lust and love, and a joy for the end and beginning. She was, in a simple word, beautiful. Yet that word did not do justice to her in the slightest. Perfection did not even seem enough. The only one that approached what he felt was... divine. \n\nHe remained on his knees, his head falling forward in reverence. He would gaze upon such divinity forever, but felt more than honored for but a moments glance. He knew this being. This entity. This god. \"Zanduchi. So I am dead.\" He was surprised to find his voice so strong in his throat, as if his pain and injuries had melted. It was only then he noticed his nakedness. He felt no shame in being exposed before the god. She had taken him this way, unclothed from the trappings of mortality.\n\nHe did not see, but somehow felt a smile from her. It was warmer and more soothing than basking in sunlight. \"You needn't cast your eyes from me, young assassin.\" He nodded, looking up to gaze at her glory once more. \"Yes. You are dead. But also not dead. You are in a state between, the moment of the end. Your body lays in the blood-soaked mud, your heart one beat from its last.\"\n\nHe nodded, yet did not feel sad knowing this. \"Then I am ready. My life may have been brief, but I have lived it. I will not argue with death herself if it is my time to join you.\"\n\nHe got an odd sensation, as if all of existence gave a gentle laugh. \"You give your life so readily? If that is your wish, I will abide. But would you hear an offer first?\"\n\nThat caught him off guard. \"An... offer?\"\n\nZanduchi nodded... in a way. The movements of her form were not something he could perceive, and yet he understood the idea, as if his mind was being told her intention. He did not question, only listen as she explained. \"You have been a killer. An assassin most pleasing to me. And your task most recently behind you is of particular interest. Forcing your seed upon the woman, piercing her womb with your fertility as assuredly as you pierced her heart with your blade.\" He felt no judgment from her as she spoke of him raping and killing the governor's wife. If anything, he felt she was pleased with both actions. It made sense a god of fertility and death would be pleased. \"Sowing life while ending it. This does please me, yes. That the new life died before it could grow matters little.\"\n\nHe blinked. \"New life. You mean I would have... given her a child?\"\n\n\"Yes. But that life was denied, as assuredly as you denied her life to continue.\" He looked away, not sure what to feel. \"You worry I judge you for this?\"\n\nIngrim nodded. \"Yes. But... no. I just never thought of myself as ever... giving life. Only taking it.\"\n\nThere was the odd feeling of laughter again. \"And yet you have sown your seed many times. It has taken root no less than five so far.\" He flinched in surprise. He had not bedded more than a dozen women in his young life thus far. Yet he had five children!? \"No, you do not.\" He flinched again as she seemingly read his thoughts yet again. \"Three failed to mature in the womb. One died with the mother as she succumbed to sickness. And one was killed by the hand of a thief, slaying the mother for but a few coins. None of the women yet knew they were with child.\" He looked down again, once more not sure how to feel. \"Worry not for the would-be offspring. None were old enough to even experience pain.\"\n\nHe nodded slowly, then looked back to her. \"What... does this have to do with your offer?\"\n\nA sensation of warmth radiated out from her, motherly and comforting. \"You satisfy me with your actions. My offer is simple. Continue to satisfy me with your actions, but do so in my name. As one of my chosen champions.\"\n\nThe young mink's eyes went wide. \"Ch-Champion!? M-me!?\" He felt his heart start to race, enough that it would quicken how much blood he was losing if she had not halted the flow. \"I-I would be honored beyond words, my lady, but am I truly worthy of such an offer?\"\n\nWaves of warm, motherly comfort washed over him. \"I do not make such offers lightly, young one. Nor do I force such choices upon those it is offered to. If you truly feel you are not worthy, I will judge you no less. I will simply accept you into my eternal embrace as you leave your harsh life behind you.\"\n\nHe thought a moment. \"S-so if I don't accept, then... I'll die.\"\n\n\"Yes. I have already taken you from the moment you would pass to have this meeting. Your fate is your own to choose. Accept your death, or deny yourself that comfort and become my champion.\"\n\nHe grew quiet again. \"I... must think about this...\"\n\n\"Take as much time as you need. I am eternal, and this moment will only end when you have chosen. Feel no rush to choose.\" She did not move, and yet everything around her seemed to shift in imperceptible ways as she seemed to take a relaxed posture. \"You have questions. Ask them, and I will answer. I wish for your choice to be as informed as you need.\"\n\nHe nodded slowly. \"What... would I need to do as your champion?\"\n\n\"You would do my bidding when asked of you. As gods, we cannot directly impact the world of mortals, but must instead use proxies, champions such as you may be, to enact our will for us. Tasks could be as simple as spreading the word of our ideals, or as direct as hunting another mortal and delivering divine punishment upon them.\" He thought of another question, and before he could speak it, she answered. \"Your boons would be many. Your impending death would be undone, your body healed. Your body would also benefit from divine protection and power. You would be stronger, faster, and immune to the effects of illness and age. Though you may choose to continue aging, or halt it at any time. However, you cannot reverse age. That particular boon is not mine to grant.\"\n\n\"Different gods grant different boons?\" That only made sense, as the gods had their own spheres of influence.\n\n\"That is correct. We all may grant the ability to halt age, but the ability to reverse it is Thanitas' gift to grant. Mine is the ability to deny death, even should your wounds be otherwise instantaneously fatal. Along with such, your virility is yours to control. You may grant the gift of children to any and all you mate with. Or to none. But those you father will not gain your boons. Only I may pass such a gift to another mortal.\" Suddenly everything around her grew darker, as if her very being became a thunderstorm. \"Be warned, however. Should you abuse these gifts and ignore my call to action or shame my name, I will send another champion to strip you of your life in as painful a manner as I see fit. And your soul will not be granted the blissful gift of my embrace, but a fate far worse.\"\n\nHe shuddered at the sudden, ominous warning. \"I-I will heed these words. I would never do something to upset you, my lady!\"\n\nThere was a pause, then the thunderous presence calmed once more to the languid cloud about her. \"As long as it is not intentional, I can excuse the failings of a mortal. You are all the children of the gods, and we, as parents, must never judge too harshly those below us.\" It was odd to be called something below another, but there was no feeling of it being insulting, or even said as pity. It simply was a statement of fact. A mortal was not a god, and mortals never could be gods. Even granted the powers she was offering him, it was but a fraction of her power and grace. A god among men was still but a man to a god.\n\nHe was not sure how long he thought, deliberating in his mind over the choice before him. Potentially eternal life in exchange for divine servitude, or decline and fade from the world forever, likely to be forgotten to history. He was not afraid of dying. He would join his god in the afterlife, where he would enjoy her warmth and love for all time. But he did not like the idea of being but a footnote to history at best. As champion, he could influence the world. He might even help to bring worship of her out from the shadows it still dwelt within.\n\nHowever long the timeless thinking took, he did come to his decision. He pushed himself up from where he sat, standing before her. He found himself naked of clothing, fur pristine, and all of him on display. He felt no shame. He felt pride. \"I accept.\"\n\nHe felt the warmth of the most beautiful smile upon him. \"I am pleased to hear this, young killer.\" She raised a hand, skeletal fingers pointing forward at him. \"From this moment until the day you choose to accept my embrace in death, you are my champion.\" He felt something strange wash over him, a power filling his veins and fire in his lungs. His back itched and tingled in strange ways as his fur and flesh seemed to ripple and move. He glanced over his shoulder, but could not fully see. Yet he was aware of what had happened. A mark now crawled upon his back, black standing out among the white, in the distinct shape of antlers. \"The mark of my chosen. Typically, my champions show antlers atop their heads. However, I understand the world does not accept such open belief in me at this time, and such an adornment would only hinder your work as an assassin and killer. So take this mark, to be hidden for now, to be shown in the shadows where it is safe to cry my name in passion.\"\n\nHe smiled, feeling somehow also taller, his muscles feeling stronger. Even his manhood seemed to have gained some size. \"Thank you, My Lady.\" He gave a bow to her. \"I will not disappoint you.\"\n\n\"Of course you won't. Now go back to the world of mortals. You will find your body healed of all injury, your strength returned and renewed. Go and bring my glory to the world.\" He nodded, and was about to speak, but suddenly found himself back where he was, on the ground in the woods. He sat up, looking down at himself. His wounds were indeed healed, though his clothing was still torn from where he had been cut. Looking at the ground, he saw a small ball of metal, the musket shot that had been pushed from his shoulder. He smiled as he stood, feeling powerful, and broke into a run. He would return to the guild, report his success, and his new status. They were all worshipers of Zanduchi, and she had just given their cause her blessing.\n\n[center]* * *[/center]\n\nVance reached down and picked up the mug of tea, sipping at the sweet liquid to help with his now dry throat from the prolonged telling of his blessing. \"From there, as you might expect, I became something of a... celebrity within the assassin's guilds. I still killed for contracts, but I no longer needed to worry for coin. The guilds would offer me gifts simply for gracing them with my presence. They considered my being there a blessing from Zanduchi herself. In some ways, it was just that. To kill in her name is to spread her grace the same as to give the gift of children.\"\n\nHe took another sip of tea and cleared his throat. \"I will somewhat fast forward through the rest of my history. Eventually, Napoleon was deposed, and even after his brief return, he was exiled. I had no hand in his defeats, however. By that time, I was starting to build myself a network of my own. I soon made my way to England, to see what new connections I might make. And I found a very good one indeed. I took an exclusive series of contracts from one particularly wealthy man, to permanently silence his political and financial rivals. Thanks to my... aid... he quickly became one of the controlling members of the East India Trading company. It was my first foray into the world of business and politics.\"\n\nHe smirked. \"Of course, such deals do not come without risks. The man sought to betray me. I understand why, I knew too much. However, his son contacted me first. Soon, that son no longer had a father. But he did now have a rather sizable inheritance, including the controlling portion of the company. And unlike his father, he was willing to share a piece of that wealth with me. And not just wealth, but influence. That alone made me fabulously wealthy, beyond what I could have ever imagined only a few years prior. By this time, I was still only within my 20's.\"\n\n\"From there, I started to travel. I found myself in Italy, namely Sicily. I quite liked the Mediterranean. I made connections with very powerful families in the area, as well. The kind that eventually would be known as Mafioso. As I was known within the assassin circles, I started to train others. Assassins of course became hitmen over time. After some more time passed, I was hearing talk of a new growing hub of trained in 'the new world.'\" He chuckled. \"Alta Ferro had just started planting its roots. As had many other groups. I was surprised to find how open worship was within this new 'United States.' Zanduchi worship was allowed, though still thought ill of. And more surprising was how magical this new land was. So many mystical creatures had come to the new land to seek refuge.\"\n\nHe heard a growl from the horse at the table. \"Yes. I am talking of the founding of Noxumbra. But Cadegua was not long to arrive as well. With my status as a champion, I was able to make connections within both organizations.\" He shook his head. \"Everywhere I went in this new world, it felt like I was the pope. Though I have always made it clear that I do not speak for my god, I only enact her will and further her ideals. Not that saying it ever stopped groups or worshipers from lavishing me with gifts and favors. I rarely had any trouble filling my bed.\" He chuckled slightly, as did most at the table.\n\n\"I also made connections within the government. I set up business deals, to create weapons mainly. Though always through different companies. Making weapons of war may sound like it is more Ket's thing, but tools for killing is something Zanduchi always approves of. And that paid off as rumblings from my old home eventually became the first world war. Though I did not return home for it. I stayed within the US during the time, building up weapons manufacturing.\" He shrugged. \"I also helped smuggle goods and weapons into Europe, while helping to smuggle people out.\" He grinned a little. \"I'm one of the reasons the mafioso came to the new world. I helped my... old friends... escape and establish themselves. They did what they did, and set up shop, and I got a cut. Not to mention, the killing they started when prohibition began was quite something to see.\"\n\nHe shook his head. \"And then the second world war. I could already tell what was going to happen before it started. The little Austrian's words and actions were too much like Napoleon. I recognized them for what they were, encouragement to invade. So I doubled my efforts into weapons production. When the second world war started, I was already in position to capitalize.\" He paused for a moment. \"It is still strange to me that I was now supplying weapons to fight against those that had originally been my people. But I was over a century by this point, and I had never been German.\" He shrugged again. \"I am ashamed to say I had no hand in the Manhattan project. Even I was not privy to that particular secret. I had also gone to Britain to help with the movement of military assets. But when I first heard what it was when those bombs were dropped...\" He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. \"Oh, Zanduchi was pleased that day. But she was equally happy for the war's end after such a large demonstration. Death without life is no balance.\"\n\n\"I was also in Britain to help with their MI-6 division. Spies and wetwork. Surprising that, even with a century of technological development, assassination has not changed much from when I first learned to throw knives.\" He chuckled. \"One of the connections I made was one Justice McChail, a connection that become... of great importance to me much later.\" He motioned to the horse. \"I also met the Archmage at this time. I aided him and Cadegua in the rescue of numerous mystical artifacts from the clutches of the Nazi's.\" He looked at the man. \"Was it ever determined if he was a mage, or just fascinated by the idea of magic?\"\n\nThe archmage shook his head. \"We never learned, unfortunately.\"\n\nVance shrugged. \"Well, in any event, it is the Archmage here that eventually granted me this island. Originally, it was just a place to hide the artifacts, but after the war ended and they were all brought to other secure locations, the island was left in my care as thanks.\" He smiled. \"I am still grateful for my current home.\" The horse gave a polite nod. \"Well, over the next several decades, my life was much as it had been. I would travel, make connections between governments, underground organizations, smugglers, and so on. With the end of the second world war, thanks to my numerous weapons businesses, I found myself as one of the wealthiest men on the planet. The wealth is nice, but it is a means to an end. I have used it to allow me to have some control over nearly every industry there is. From entertainment to military production, to foodstuffs and shipping. With that influence, I have been able to start and end conflicts across the world. Though I cannot directly influence beliefs, I can help push ideals. Thanks to my influence, faith in Zanduchi has returned to almost every nation... with a few notable exceptions in the middle east.\" He frowned. \"They are more stubborn over there.\"\n\nA warm smile spread on his face. \"Ah, but we come to the biggest change in my long life since becoming a champion. In 1991, by complete happenstance, or possibly another gift from Zanduchi, I happened to meet someone. Justinia McChail, the granddaughter of my old friend Justice. Like her grandfather, she was an assassin, but not for MI-6. She worked for none other than Cadegua. She was sent to my island as a reward for having completed a particularly harrowing job in Africa, taking out a warlord that used alchemy to develop a form of mind control. He threatened to expose magic to the world, so she was sent to silence him. While she was staying on Sanctus, she and I... became very close... very quickly. She was one of the few people that never treated my status as champion as anything more than a fascinating quirk. And she cared little for my wealth. She was... brilliant, and funny... and beautiful.\"\n\nHe let out a soft sigh, pausing for a moment. \"A year later, with Cadegua's blessing, she became my wife and lived here with me. And through her, I was given the gift of three lovely children, Veronica, Cassian, and Juliana. The first I had chosen to ever father since being granted my gifts.\" He had to take a moment. \"But such gifts cannot always last... even for a champion. Shortly after Juliana's birth, Justinia started to grow ill. She developed brain cancer. I sought help anywhere I could, but it was inoperable through mundane or magical means. Because of the nature of cancer, healing magic can do little against it, and even alchemy held greater risk to her health than benefit.\" He nodded to the wolf across the table from him. \"This is where I first met Ivan, of course. I do still thank you for looking into the means for this.\" The wolf nodded sadly. \"I even tried to petition Zanduchi herself, but... trying to stop death using my gifts goes against her will. It is akin to necromancy, a magic that I cannot allow or accept. Nor would I ever inflict such a thing on her. So, we agreed. After a night of unbridled passion, I gave her a death she could be proud of, and sent the love of my life into the warm embrace of our god.\"\n\nHe closes his eyes, the emotions still raw for him. It was the first time he had ever cried over a death. Even the slaughter of his own parents had not brought him to tears. He managed to keep himself from giving in, but a few tears still escaped his eyes. He cleared his throat after a moment. \"I was devastated, of course. I was tempted to allow myself to join her, to end my life and service to Zanduchi. But... I still had my three children. Veronica was only 13 at the time. I had just started teaching her the ways of business. It would not do to abandon them. So I endure.\"\n\nHe took a sip of his tea to help clear his throat a little more. \"I will not lie, for a long time, I felt lost. It was Veronica that helped me. She encouraged me to look into new sources on the internet. I already had businesses using it, but she thought a hobby would be good. It was then that I acquired the domain for D-Gen. With her help, I brought it into the darkweb, and transformed it into what it is today. It has become something of a passion project over the last 15 years.\" He motioned to the white tigress at the table. \"I also have Iaisa to thank for a great deal of how the site functions. Through her, and other connections, it has become quite the hub of death and rape these days.\" He smirked. \"The perfect place to give constant offerings to Zanduchi. I also now have...\" he hesitated. \"I have Mike, my head of cyber security.\" He wasn't quite ready to reveal, even to the fellow immortals, about the sentient true AI program known as Sir Mike Killgrave.\n\nHe stood up straight again. \"And there you have it. Veronica will be turning 30 soon, and is the vice-chair of my businesses, as well as head of staff here on Sanctus. Cassian is 24 and has been the source for most of the staff here at the island. He took over much of my old sapient trafficking businesses, turning them around and using them to help to rescue the unfortunates from those situations, bringing them here to live good, if sometimes brief lives.\" He nodded to the three staff nearby, who all smiled. Each were such rescues, and thankful for their time on the island. \"Juliana is only just 18, and has decided to make a career in fashion. Though she has also featured in a small handful of videos on D-Gen. Three so far.\" Despite never dreaming of doing anything sexual with his children, he had still watched the three videos. His youngest daughter had a thing for neck snapping, and apparently watersports, as all three victims got pissed on at some point in the videos. \"I do not know for how much longer I will continue being a champion, but my lady does not seem done with me yet, so I will remain. Though I hope to someday pass the title on to Veronica. I think she would make a fine champion, if my lady would not mind a little nepotism.\"\n\nHe cleared his throat and moved to sit back down. \"Well. There you have it. The story of Vance Rannek and how I came to be where I am.\"\n\nJena raised her hand. \"Question. When did you change your name?\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Ah. Yes. I had changed my name a few times. After becoming champion, I dropped Weiss and was just calling myself Ingrim. Then I changed it to Wrath when I arrived in England, as that is what the name means when translated to English. But I was told that would not make for a good name once I got involved in the business dealings. I used a few names after that. Victor Albus while I was in Italy, and John White while I was in America. I claimed to be my own son later, going by Vance White. After the second world war, I eventually picked up Rannek and that has stayed since.\"\n\nVicky asked. \"So, do you do any assassination anymore?\" She looked at Iaisa when her friend suddenly started to giggle.\n\nVance nodded. \"Oh yes. Though I rarely get my own hands dirty these days. I use the killers on D-Gen for most of that, or hire hitmen, or use my connections to organized crime. Though I rarely need to worry about actually assassinating anyone. I can usually assert some influence in areas to encourage others to do it for me instead. Do you remember that American CEO that was shot in the street a few months ago?\" Vicky nodded. \"It was only a matter of sending a few influential articles to people of an unhinged nature and letting them jump to their own conclusions. Mike is quite good at finding the right people to gently nudge online.\"\n\nIvan spoke up this time. \"Who is this Mike? Is he one of us?\"\n\nThe mink pursed his lips for a moment. \"Yes and no. Mike is... someone unique. But I am not at liberty to fully discuss him right now. He is still coming to a choice if he wishes to reveal himself to everyone at this time.\" He nodded to Iaisa. \"At present, only Iaisa is fully aware of his nature. And for now, until he chooses to show himself, it will stay that way.\" Everyone seemed to accept that.\n\nEveryone except Jena, who just scoffed. \"I know what he is. Might as well just say it.\" She felt the hot glare from the tigress nearby. \"Don't worry, I won't go spilling the beans!\"\n\n\"And just how did you come to this information, rat?\" Iaisa narrowed her eyes. \"Or are you just all bluster?\"\n\nJena frowned. \"Hey! I don't have to explain myself to anyone! Especially some dead cat!\"\n\nWhen Iaisa rose from her seat quickly, Vance help up his hands. \"Please! Please, ladies, calm yourselves. There is no need to argue here. If you wish to fight it out, you can do so after the meeting. Just try not to make too big of a mess.\" Iaisa nodded, sitting down again, but her tail still thrashed a little. Jena just shrugged, polishing off her fourth cup of coffee so far. He looked at the rat. \"Though I am also quite curious. I hope you will grace us with your story soon.\"\n\nJena shrugged. \"Maybe. Though I doubt any of you would really believe it even if I did. I've already said more than I do to most people.\" She picked up the carafe of coffee and poured herself a fifth cup.\n\nVance shook his head slowly, looking around the table. \"Well, that is my tale. Would anyone else like to share?\"\n\n[center]* * *[/center]", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
The Gathering of Immortal

The Champion

By XP Author


"Now, please do not interrupt. I will answer any questions you all may have once I am done." Vance took a deep breath as he started to tell the tale of how he became the current divine champion for the god of death and fertility, Zanduchi. "Vance Rannek is not my original name. Like many of you, I have had to change it over the centuries. My original name was Ingrim Weiss. I was born in 1793, in a city called Ulm. At the time, it was under the control of the Holy Roman Empire... what would eventually become we now know as Germany much later. My father was a... I guess you would all him a pastor or minister for the Church of Deleth. At the time, the Deleth Orthodoxy was the dominant faith in the western world. Thanks to the Gathering of Champions during the Renaissance, they could no longer push the narrative that Deleth was the only god anymore, but they still had a considerable amount of pull in the world. And they still had the worship of Zanduchi outlawed."

He smiled. "So the fact that my mother was a priestess of Zanduchi might be a little surprising. Publicly, she was just the wife of a church leader, but in private, she was the leader of the cult within Ulm. My father also knew, of course, and he was a member. He was how they stayed a secret. Being the son of someone in the church, I was taught how to read and write as a very young boy, something uncommon at the time. I also learned many other skills from the cult." He motioned to the rat at the table. "For any among us that may not be familiar with history, the Zanduchi cults were also the home for many assassin guilds. I learned much from those men and women. While I was learning how to read, I was also learning how to throw daggers. While learning how to write, I learned how to sneak past military guards."

He let out a sigh. "Skills that would become very useful far earlier than I had anticipated. By my 10th year, the world changed as a little man from France named Napoleon Bonaparte started his conquests. Ulm was one of his first major battlegrounds in what would eventually become the Napoleonic Wars. My city was overrun, with fighting in the very streets. Not even the church was spared. My father was killed trying to defend it from the invaders. My mother was also killed... though I suspect she quite accepted and possibly enjoyed having a sword run through her heart. She was a priestess of Zanduchi, after all." He smiled.

"However, I was not content letting that be my fate. Thanks to their sacrifice, many of the cultists and assassins helped hide me and several other children. But I was not content to wait and die in a hole. So I convinced the cultists to let me join them in a plan to escape. Late at night, we snuck into a military camp, and put the sleeping soldiers to the sword." He smiled proudly. "I slit the throats of nine men that night. My first official kills. One was even an officer. I caught him as he was leaving his tent to relieve himself. The coward died gurgling on his own blood as he literally pissed himself. A fitting end for someone that destroyed my life, I think."

"With the camp emptied of soldiers, the cult was able to make its escape from the city. We took a number of children with us. And for my demonstration of skill, I was officially named a member of the assassins. They took me under their wing and gave me jobs to earn coin. And I was damn good at what I did. Few suspect a man too young to grow a beard of being a capable killer. I also learned how to speak and read more languages. By the time I was 14, I could read French, Spanish, and English, and I could speak most with some moderate level of fluency."

"I followed the jobs and found myself eventually living in Spain. Quite far from my home, but I wanted to avoid the war." He let out a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, the war did not avoid me. Napoleon's troops eventually turned westward and flooded into Spain on his conquest of Europe. So once again, at 15 years of age, that arrogant little hare was the source of me losing a home. So I decided I was going to do something about it. I started taking jobs for Napoleon's political rivals. Didn't matter who, as long as it was against the French."

He smiled. "My biggest job of them all was against the self-proclaimed 'King of Spain.' None other than Napoleon's own brother, Joseph. Now, I was not tasked with killing the appointed monarch left in charge, but instead to hunt down one of his top officials, though I do not remember his name. It didn't matter who he was to me at the time, just what he represented. It was also part of a joint effort to kill a number of such officials across the land within close proximity to one another. Most of the assassins did not succeed, some did. I... nearly didn't. I allowed myself to be lost in... juvenile urges for petty revenge. I snuck my way into the manor he and his wife were calling home. Under the cover of night, I started my task, killing guards one by one. And a few of the servants, as well. Anyone that might get in the way. It was a bit sloppy, but leaving a trail of mutilated bodies was part of my plan. To send a message to the would-be emperor and his lackeys. At least, that is what I thought in my naive mind at the time."

"Eventually, I found my way to their bedchambers. The man I killed quickly, plunging my dagger into his heart while he slept. But his wife awoke to the scene. I was planning on killing her, too, but in that moment, I gave into a different thought. With blade at her throat to keep her silent, I had my way with her. I don't regret it, she was an abhorrent woman. I left her full of my seed, taunting that she be given child by someone such as me. Though she need not worry for such things for long, as I of course sliced her throat. As she bled out, I informed her that her existing children had already been slain. In truth, I had only killed one, the son that was living in the manor with them. Their daughter had already been shipped off to be wed to some political ally."

"Unfortunately, my lust for vengeance and petty revenge, as well as just my lust, nearly was the end of me there. I had delayed long enough that the guards and servants I had slain were discovered as I was to make my exit. Guards descended upon the place, and I had to fight through a number of them. Most I was able to escape from, but I took a great number of wounds. Cuts across my body, arms, legs, and two bullets from muskets, one grazing my thigh, another striking my shoulder. Yet I fled all the same, managing to lose my pursuers in the woods outside of the city. And it was there, I was sure I would die."

He smiled a little more. "And yet it was there that my life changed in the biggest way yet." He took a deep breath to explain the events that followed in the woods. In his mind, they were vivid, as if he were almost reliving the moment as he told the tale.

*     *     *


Ingrim panted heavily as he forced his legs to keep moving, even as they threatened to give out at any moment. He had lost those chasing him for now, but he needed to get more distance from the city. Once day broke, the search would be on. And with the trail of blood he was leaving, it would not be hard to follow. Provided he did not become the meal of a wild animal before then. With the numerous cuts across him, and the musket ball still in his shoulder, the mink would make for easy prey. Yet the trees were still his best bet.

Before long, his feet started to feel heavy, as if he wore shoes of iron and lead. They were getting stuck in the increasingly damp mud as the rain continued, and it was becoming harder and harder to pull one free to take another step. He felt like he was no longer treading through a wood but a swamp. His eyes stung as the wet wind blew in his face, the cold biting through his torn clothing. This was where he would die. He was becoming more and more certain of it. He was sure more of his blood was left in the mud or staining his fur than there was within him by now.

The mud clung to his foot again, and he tried to pull himself free, but his legs refused to obey any longer. With a pained gasp, he fell, landing on his knees. Sleep beckoned him. A sleep he would never rouse from. He knew he should fight it, but it was a powerful force. More powerful than his flagging will could withstand. He let gravity take him as he fell, barely noticing as his injured shoulder splatted into the mud as he lay on his side. Yes. This is where he was going to die. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate. He had done all he could. Maybe not enough, but the cursed governor and his whore wife were dead by his hand. While not Napoleon himself, it was at least a blow to the would-be emperor. Yes, he could die content in that knowledge.

As he let his mind and thoughts slip away, he felt something. A calm and soothing feeling that pulled the pain from him. And he felt a presence of some sort. And... not heard, but felt a voice. "You accept your death so easily? After so long a struggle?" He wanted to respond, that he could struggle no more, but his words failed him. The presence heard him all the same. "Oh, but you can." Confused and curious, he willed himself to open his eyes, and found he could sit up as well. The wood around him was now a swampy marshland, still darkened by night, but he somehow saw it as clear as if day. The sky above was clouds, not of rain but something else, roiling with emotion and lust and pain and life and death.

He looked about, in wondrous bemusement. Motion captured his attention, a cloud rising from the marsh and nothingness beyond his vision. A cloud of rot and decay, and lustful scents, of lightning and love, roiling as it rose to fill the space before him. Appearing from the cloud first was a pair of glorious stag antlers, spiked and pronged, yet made of bone, impossibly bloody and pristine at the same time. As they emerged alone, a form shaped behind them out of the cloud of death and lust. A form distinctly of a deer, both feminine and masculine. It bore the curves of the most luscious woman, ample breasts on display and hips to bear children. He somehow saw both the most impressive manhood and inviting womanhood on display at the same time. Yet between the curves was skeletal, bones and tight, dead flesh that begged to be caressed.

The face that formed was beyond description. A face of horrifying death, while also the most beautiful being he had ever experienced, balanced perfectly between the extremes. His imagination would never conjure a beauty such as this glorious being that now stood before him. The cloud of decay wrapped about her body, cloaking her in a calm kindness, doing nothing to hide her lustful and deathly figure. Emotion wafted off of her, lust and love, and a joy for the end and beginning. She was, in a simple word, beautiful. Yet that word did not do justice to her in the slightest. Perfection did not even seem enough. The only one that approached what he felt was... divine.

He remained on his knees, his head falling forward in reverence. He would gaze upon such divinity forever, but felt more than honored for but a moments glance. He knew this being. This entity. This god. "Zanduchi. So I am dead." He was surprised to find his voice so strong in his throat, as if his pain and injuries had melted. It was only then he noticed his nakedness. He felt no shame in being exposed before the god. She had taken him this way, unclothed from the trappings of mortality.

He did not see, but somehow felt a smile from her. It was warmer and more soothing than basking in sunlight. "You needn't cast your eyes from me, young assassin." He nodded, looking up to gaze at her glory once more. "Yes. You are dead. But also not dead. You are in a state between, the moment of the end. Your body lays in the blood-soaked mud, your heart one beat from its last."

He nodded, yet did not feel sad knowing this. "Then I am ready. My life may have been brief, but I have lived it. I will not argue with death herself if it is my time to join you."

He got an odd sensation, as if all of existence gave a gentle laugh. "You give your life so readily? If that is your wish, I will abide. But would you hear an offer first?"

That caught him off guard. "An... offer?"

Zanduchi nodded... in a way. The movements of her form were not something he could perceive, and yet he understood the idea, as if his mind was being told her intention. He did not question, only listen as she explained. "You have been a killer. An assassin most pleasing to me. And your task most recently behind you is of particular interest. Forcing your seed upon the woman, piercing her womb with your fertility as assuredly as you pierced her heart with your blade." He felt no judgment from her as she spoke of him raping and killing the governor's wife. If anything, he felt she was pleased with both actions. It made sense a god of fertility and death would be pleased. "Sowing life while ending it. This does please me, yes. That the new life died before it could grow matters little."

He blinked. "New life. You mean I would have... given her a child?"

"Yes. But that life was denied, as assuredly as you denied her life to continue." He looked away, not sure what to feel. "You worry I judge you for this?"

Ingrim nodded. "Yes. But... no. I just never thought of myself as ever... giving life. Only taking it."

There was the odd feeling of laughter again. "And yet you have sown your seed many times. It has taken root no less than five so far." He flinched in surprise. He had not bedded more than a dozen women in his young life thus far. Yet he had five children!? "No, you do not." He flinched again as she seemingly read his thoughts yet again. "Three failed to mature in the womb. One died with the mother as she succumbed to sickness. And one was killed by the hand of a thief, slaying the mother for but a few coins. None of the women yet knew they were with child." He looked down again, once more not sure how to feel. "Worry not for the would-be offspring. None were old enough to even experience pain."

He nodded slowly, then looked back to her. "What... does this have to do with your offer?"

A sensation of warmth radiated out from her, motherly and comforting. "You satisfy me with your actions. My offer is simple. Continue to satisfy me with your actions, but do so in my name. As one of my chosen champions."

The young mink's eyes went wide. "Ch-Champion!? M-me!?" He felt his heart start to race, enough that it would quicken how much blood he was losing if she had not halted the flow. "I-I would be honored beyond words, my lady, but am I truly worthy of such an offer?"

Waves of warm, motherly comfort washed over him. "I do not make such offers lightly, young one. Nor do I force such choices upon those it is offered to. If you truly feel you are not worthy, I will judge you no less. I will simply accept you into my eternal embrace as you leave your harsh life behind you."

He thought a moment. "S-so if I don't accept, then... I'll die."

"Yes. I have already taken you from the moment you would pass to have this meeting. Your fate is your own to choose. Accept your death, or deny yourself that comfort and become my champion."

He grew quiet again. "I... must think about this..."

"Take as much time as you need. I am eternal, and this moment will only end when you have chosen. Feel no rush to choose." She did not move, and yet everything around her seemed to shift in imperceptible ways as she seemed to take a relaxed posture. "You have questions. Ask them, and I will answer. I wish for your choice to be as informed as you need."

He nodded slowly. "What... would I need to do as your champion?"

"You would do my bidding when asked of you. As gods, we cannot directly impact the world of mortals, but must instead use proxies, champions such as you may be, to enact our will for us. Tasks could be as simple as spreading the word of our ideals, or as direct as hunting another mortal and delivering divine punishment upon them." He thought of another question, and before he could speak it, she answered. "Your boons would be many. Your impending death would be undone, your body healed. Your body would also benefit from divine protection and power. You would be stronger, faster, and immune to the effects of illness and age. Though you may choose to continue aging, or halt it at any time. However, you cannot reverse age. That particular boon is not mine to grant."

"Different gods grant different boons?" That only made sense, as the gods had their own spheres of influence.

"That is correct. We all may grant the ability to halt age, but the ability to reverse it is Thanitas' gift to grant. Mine is the ability to deny death, even should your wounds be otherwise instantaneously fatal. Along with such, your virility is yours to control. You may grant the gift of children to any and all you mate with. Or to none. But those you father will not gain your boons. Only I may pass such a gift to another mortal." Suddenly everything around her grew darker, as if her very being became a thunderstorm. "Be warned, however. Should you abuse these gifts and ignore my call to action or shame my name, I will send another champion to strip you of your life in as painful a manner as I see fit. And your soul will not be granted the blissful gift of my embrace, but a fate far worse."

He shuddered at the sudden, ominous warning. "I-I will heed these words. I would never do something to upset you, my lady!"

There was a pause, then the thunderous presence calmed once more to the languid cloud about her. "As long as it is not intentional, I can excuse the failings of a mortal. You are all the children of the gods, and we, as parents, must never judge too harshly those below us." It was odd to be called something below another, but there was no feeling of it being insulting, or even said as pity. It simply was a statement of fact. A mortal was not a god, and mortals never could be gods. Even granted the powers she was offering him, it was but a fraction of her power and grace. A god among men was still but a man to a god.

He was not sure how long he thought, deliberating in his mind over the choice before him. Potentially eternal life in exchange for divine servitude, or decline and fade from the world forever, likely to be forgotten to history. He was not afraid of dying. He would join his god in the afterlife, where he would enjoy her warmth and love for all time. But he did not like the idea of being but a footnote to history at best. As champion, he could influence the world. He might even help to bring worship of her out from the shadows it still dwelt within.

However long the timeless thinking took, he did come to his decision. He pushed himself up from where he sat, standing before her. He found himself naked of clothing, fur pristine, and all of him on display. He felt no shame. He felt pride. "I accept."

He felt the warmth of the most beautiful smile upon him. "I am pleased to hear this, young killer." She raised a hand, skeletal fingers pointing forward at him. "From this moment until the day you choose to accept my embrace in death, you are my champion." He felt something strange wash over him, a power filling his veins and fire in his lungs. His back itched and tingled in strange ways as his fur and flesh seemed to ripple and move. He glanced over his shoulder, but could not fully see. Yet he was aware of what had happened. A mark now crawled upon his back, black standing out among the white, in the distinct shape of antlers. "The mark of my chosen. Typically, my champions show antlers atop their heads. However, I understand the world does not accept such open belief in me at this time, and such an adornment would only hinder your work as an assassin and killer. So take this mark, to be hidden for now, to be shown in the shadows where it is safe to cry my name in passion."

He smiled, feeling somehow also taller, his muscles feeling stronger. Even his manhood seemed to have gained some size. "Thank you, My Lady." He gave a bow to her. "I will not disappoint you."

"Of course you won't. Now go back to the world of mortals. You will find your body healed of all injury, your strength returned and renewed. Go and bring my glory to the world." He nodded, and was about to speak, but suddenly found himself back where he was, on the ground in the woods. He sat up, looking down at himself. His wounds were indeed healed, though his clothing was still torn from where he had been cut. Looking at the ground, he saw a small ball of metal, the musket shot that had been pushed from his shoulder. He smiled as he stood, feeling powerful, and broke into a run. He would return to the guild, report his success, and his new status. They were all worshipers of Zanduchi, and she had just given their cause her blessing.

*     *     *


Vance reached down and picked up the mug of tea, sipping at the sweet liquid to help with his now dry throat from the prolonged telling of his blessing. "From there, as you might expect, I became something of a... celebrity within the assassin's guilds. I still killed for contracts, but I no longer needed to worry for coin. The guilds would offer me gifts simply for gracing them with my presence. They considered my being there a blessing from Zanduchi herself. In some ways, it was just that. To kill in her name is to spread her grace the same as to give the gift of children."

He took another sip of tea and cleared his throat. "I will somewhat fast forward through the rest of my history. Eventually, Napoleon was deposed, and even after his brief return, he was exiled. I had no hand in his defeats, however. By that time, I was starting to build myself a network of my own. I soon made my way to England, to see what new connections I might make. And I found a very good one indeed. I took an exclusive series of contracts from one particularly wealthy man, to permanently silence his political and financial rivals. Thanks to my... aid... he quickly became one of the controlling members of the East India Trading company. It was my first foray into the world of business and politics."

He smirked. "Of course, such deals do not come without risks. The man sought to betray me. I understand why, I knew too much. However, his son contacted me first. Soon, that son no longer had a father. But he did now have a rather sizable inheritance, including the controlling portion of the company. And unlike his father, he was willing to share a piece of that wealth with me. And not just wealth, but influence. That alone made me fabulously wealthy, beyond what I could have ever imagined only a few years prior. By this time, I was still only within my 20's."

"From there, I started to travel. I found myself in Italy, namely Sicily. I quite liked the Mediterranean. I made connections with very powerful families in the area, as well. The kind that eventually would be known as Mafioso. As I was known within the assassin circles, I started to train others. Assassins of course became hitmen over time. After some more time passed, I was hearing talk of a new growing hub of trained in 'the new world.'" He chuckled. "Alta Ferro had just started planting its roots. As had many other groups. I was surprised to find how open worship was within this new 'United States.' Zanduchi worship was allowed, though still thought ill of. And more surprising was how magical this new land was. So many mystical creatures had come to the new land to seek refuge."

He heard a growl from the horse at the table. "Yes. I am talking of the founding of Noxumbra. But Cadegua was not long to arrive as well. With my status as a champion, I was able to make connections within both organizations." He shook his head. "Everywhere I went in this new world, it felt like I was the pope. Though I have always made it clear that I do not speak for my god, I only enact her will and further her ideals. Not that saying it ever stopped groups or worshipers from lavishing me with gifts and favors. I rarely had any trouble filling my bed." He chuckled slightly, as did most at the table.

"I also made connections within the government. I set up business deals, to create weapons mainly. Though always through different companies. Making weapons of war may sound like it is more Ket's thing, but tools for killing is something Zanduchi always approves of. And that paid off as rumblings from my old home eventually became the first world war. Though I did not return home for it. I stayed within the US during the time, building up weapons manufacturing." He shrugged. "I also helped smuggle goods and weapons into Europe, while helping to smuggle people out." He grinned a little. "I'm one of the reasons the mafioso came to the new world. I helped my... old friends... escape and establish themselves. They did what they did, and set up shop, and I got a cut. Not to mention, the killing they started when prohibition began was quite something to see."

He shook his head. "And then the second world war. I could already tell what was going to happen before it started. The little Austrian's words and actions were too much like Napoleon. I recognized them for what they were, encouragement to invade. So I doubled my efforts into weapons production. When the second world war started, I was already in position to capitalize." He paused for a moment. "It is still strange to me that I was now supplying weapons to fight against those that had originally been my people. But I was over a century by this point, and I had never been German." He shrugged again. "I am ashamed to say I had no hand in the Manhattan project. Even I was not privy to that particular secret. I had also gone to Britain to help with the movement of military assets. But when I first heard what it was when those bombs were dropped..." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Oh, Zanduchi was pleased that day. But she was equally happy for the war's end after such a large demonstration. Death without life is no balance."

"I was also in Britain to help with their MI-6 division. Spies and wetwork. Surprising that, even with a century of technological development, assassination has not changed much from when I first learned to throw knives." He chuckled. "One of the connections I made was one Justice McChail, a connection that become... of great importance to me much later." He motioned to the horse. "I also met the Archmage at this time. I aided him and Cadegua in the rescue of numerous mystical artifacts from the clutches of the Nazi's." He looked at the man. "Was it ever determined if he was a mage, or just fascinated by the idea of magic?"

The archmage shook his head. "We never learned, unfortunately."

Vance shrugged. "Well, in any event, it is the Archmage here that eventually granted me this island. Originally, it was just a place to hide the artifacts, but after the war ended and they were all brought to other secure locations, the island was left in my care as thanks." He smiled. "I am still grateful for my current home." The horse gave a polite nod. "Well, over the next several decades, my life was much as it had been. I would travel, make connections between governments, underground organizations, smugglers, and so on. With the end of the second world war, thanks to my numerous weapons businesses, I found myself as one of the wealthiest men on the planet. The wealth is nice, but it is a means to an end. I have used it to allow me to have some control over nearly every industry there is. From entertainment to military production, to foodstuffs and shipping. With that influence, I have been able to start and end conflicts across the world. Though I cannot directly influence beliefs, I can help push ideals. Thanks to my influence, faith in Zanduchi has returned to almost every nation... with a few notable exceptions in the middle east." He frowned. "They are more stubborn over there."

A warm smile spread on his face. "Ah, but we come to the biggest change in my long life since becoming a champion. In 1991, by complete happenstance, or possibly another gift from Zanduchi, I happened to meet someone. Justinia McChail, the granddaughter of my old friend Justice. Like her grandfather, she was an assassin, but not for MI-6. She worked for none other than Cadegua. She was sent to my island as a reward for having completed a particularly harrowing job in Africa, taking out a warlord that used alchemy to develop a form of mind control. He threatened to expose magic to the world, so she was sent to silence him. While she was staying on Sanctus, she and I... became very close... very quickly. She was one of the few people that never treated my status as champion as anything more than a fascinating quirk. And she cared little for my wealth. She was... brilliant, and funny... and beautiful."

He let out a soft sigh, pausing for a moment. "A year later, with Cadegua's blessing, she became my wife and lived here with me. And through her, I was given the gift of three lovely children, Veronica, Cassian, and Juliana. The first I had chosen to ever father since being granted my gifts." He had to take a moment. "But such gifts cannot always last... even for a champion. Shortly after Juliana's birth, Justinia started to grow ill. She developed brain cancer. I sought help anywhere I could, but it was inoperable through mundane or magical means. Because of the nature of cancer, healing magic can do little against it, and even alchemy held greater risk to her health than benefit." He nodded to the wolf across the table from him. "This is where I first met Ivan, of course. I do still thank you for looking into the means for this." The wolf nodded sadly. "I even tried to petition Zanduchi herself, but... trying to stop death using my gifts goes against her will. It is akin to necromancy, a magic that I cannot allow or accept. Nor would I ever inflict such a thing on her. So, we agreed. After a night of unbridled passion, I gave her a death she could be proud of, and sent the love of my life into the warm embrace of our god."

He closes his eyes, the emotions still raw for him. It was the first time he had ever cried over a death. Even the slaughter of his own parents had not brought him to tears. He managed to keep himself from giving in, but a few tears still escaped his eyes. He cleared his throat after a moment. "I was devastated, of course. I was tempted to allow myself to join her, to end my life and service to Zanduchi. But... I still had my three children. Veronica was only 13 at the time. I had just started teaching her the ways of business. It would not do to abandon them. So I endure."

He took a sip of his tea to help clear his throat a little more. "I will not lie, for a long time, I felt lost. It was Veronica that helped me. She encouraged me to look into new sources on the internet. I already had businesses using it, but she thought a hobby would be good. It was then that I acquired the domain for D-Gen. With her help, I brought it into the darkweb, and transformed it into what it is today. It has become something of a passion project over the last 15 years." He motioned to the white tigress at the table. "I also have Iaisa to thank for a great deal of how the site functions. Through her, and other connections, it has become quite the hub of death and rape these days." He smirked. "The perfect place to give constant offerings to Zanduchi. I also now have..." he hesitated. "I have Mike, my head of cyber security." He wasn't quite ready to reveal, even to the fellow immortals, about the sentient true AI program known as Sir Mike Killgrave.

He stood up straight again. "And there you have it. Veronica will be turning 30 soon, and is the vice-chair of my businesses, as well as head of staff here on Sanctus. Cassian is 24 and has been the source for most of the staff here at the island. He took over much of my old sapient trafficking businesses, turning them around and using them to help to rescue the unfortunates from those situations, bringing them here to live good, if sometimes brief lives." He nodded to the three staff nearby, who all smiled. Each were such rescues, and thankful for their time on the island. "Juliana is only just 18, and has decided to make a career in fashion. Though she has also featured in a small handful of videos on D-Gen. Three so far." Despite never dreaming of doing anything sexual with his children, he had still watched the three videos. His youngest daughter had a thing for neck snapping, and apparently watersports, as all three victims got pissed on at some point in the videos. "I do not know for how much longer I will continue being a champion, but my lady does not seem done with me yet, so I will remain. Though I hope to someday pass the title on to Veronica. I think she would make a fine champion, if my lady would not mind a little nepotism."

He cleared his throat and moved to sit back down. "Well. There you have it. The story of Vance Rannek and how I came to be where I am."

Jena raised her hand. "Question. When did you change your name?"

He nodded. "Ah. Yes. I had changed my name a few times. After becoming champion, I dropped Weiss and was just calling myself Ingrim. Then I changed it to Wrath when I arrived in England, as that is what the name means when translated to English. But I was told that would not make for a good name once I got involved in the business dealings. I used a few names after that. Victor Albus while I was in Italy, and John White while I was in America. I claimed to be my own son later, going by Vance White. After the second world war, I eventually picked up Rannek and that has stayed since."

Vicky asked. "So, do you do any assassination anymore?" She looked at Iaisa when her friend suddenly started to giggle.

Vance nodded. "Oh yes. Though I rarely get my own hands dirty these days. I use the killers on D-Gen for most of that, or hire hitmen, or use my connections to organized crime. Though I rarely need to worry about actually assassinating anyone. I can usually assert some influence in areas to encourage others to do it for me instead. Do you remember that American CEO that was shot in the street a few months ago?" Vicky nodded. "It was only a matter of sending a few influential articles to people of an unhinged nature and letting them jump to their own conclusions. Mike is quite good at finding the right people to gently nudge online."

Ivan spoke up this time. "Who is this Mike? Is he one of us?"

The mink pursed his lips for a moment. "Yes and no. Mike is... someone unique. But I am not at liberty to fully discuss him right now. He is still coming to a choice if he wishes to reveal himself to everyone at this time." He nodded to Iaisa. "At present, only Iaisa is fully aware of his nature. And for now, until he chooses to show himself, it will stay that way." Everyone seemed to accept that.

Everyone except Jena, who just scoffed. "I know what he is. Might as well just say it." She felt the hot glare from the tigress nearby. "Don't worry, I won't go spilling the beans!"

"And just how did you come to this information, rat?" Iaisa narrowed her eyes. "Or are you just all bluster?"

Jena frowned. "Hey! I don't have to explain myself to anyone! Especially some dead cat!"

When Iaisa rose from her seat quickly, Vance help up his hands. "Please! Please, ladies, calm yourselves. There is no need to argue here. If you wish to fight it out, you can do so after the meeting. Just try not to make too big of a mess." Iaisa nodded, sitting down again, but her tail still thrashed a little. Jena just shrugged, polishing off her fourth cup of coffee so far. He looked at the rat. "Though I am also quite curious. I hope you will grace us with your story soon."

Jena shrugged. "Maybe. Though I doubt any of you would really believe it even if I did. I've already said more than I do to most people." She picked up the carafe of coffee and poured herself a fifth cup.

Vance shook his head slowly, looking around the table. "Well, that is my tale. Would anyone else like to share?"

*     *     *
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