"Now." Tenzin said, "Let us move on to matters of supply….."
For the rest of the summit, Tenzin talked about supply usage and need of certain materials for the war. He broached the subject of creating a potion program where all competent potions masters or novices could help supply the war front from anywhere in the world.
They would be using the floo system to transport supply batches and portkeys for specific locations like the war front.
The summit continued well into nightfall before everyone retired for the night. In the morning the wards would be lifted and the delegates would be going home.
***
The first thing Morpheus did after leaving the summit was attend another meeting. This time it was with Grommash the goblin king and Magorian the leader of the Centaurs inside the forbidden forest.
"Well, everything went off without a hitch. You all will most likely receive invitations in the coming days to formally recognize your citizenship and create an alliance. Grommash you have been quick to act in England which is good, people are already seeing you as more than greedy creatures. But, how are your talks with the others?" He asked while pouring everyone a glass of wine
Grommash grunted, "I might be the king of the biggest kingdom but my brothers and sisters don't believe this can work. Our branches in Asia are already planning for war if something happens."
Morpheus scoffed, "Say what you will about us humans but when it comes to war we will do anything it takes to win. You won't get pushback for now, after the war? It will be harder but that's why you have to seize this opportunity and cement yourselves into the community. What about you Magorian?"
Magorian tasted his wine, "Good stuff Morpheus and I'm not sure. We have been cut off from the community for a while, I have been reaching out since we were attacked by Voldemort. I'm attending a meeting soon with the other leaders, news has traveled fast from the summit."
Morpheus nodded, "Good, this wasn't all for a waste then. How are they feeling about working with me?"
Grommash and Magorian went silent, their eyes met and then both of them erupted into laughter, "Oh man, that was a good one." Grommash took a sip of wine and then spit it out from laughing so hard
"I think they would rather eat glass, You're lucky I'm working with you again." Grommash sighed getting oddly serious, "You aren't the worlds most favorite person right now."
Morpheus smiled and shook his head in exasperation, "You would think I would be celebrated for trying to save humanity like this."
Magorian scoffed, "Morpheus you will never be celebrated, all of these deaths will be associated with your name. Don't you feel a burden?"
Morpheus thought for a moment before shrugging, "I feel the weight of their deaths everyday, but when I kill a demon I feel it is worth it, when I see their suffering I feel it is worth it, and when I achieve my victory I will gladly take my dues."
***
At the head sat the demon Yorgaleth, his skin burning with shifting runes. His eyes were coals buried deep in a skull-like face, his fingers drumming the stone, each tap a sound like cracking bone.
To his right, the angel Elirion radiated light so bright it seemed to cast shadows backwards. His wings hung limp behind him, not in weariness, but patience serene and terrifying. Beside him sat the veiled god known only as Theros, a form lost in mist and vague outlines, his voice always echoing with a delay that defied time.
Around them were lesser divines, demon generals, angels, and creatures older than memory.
The chamber thrummed with power.
"They know," Yorgaleth hissed. "The summit ended in our disadvantage."
"They saw," whispered Theros, his voice stretching like silk over knives. "They know what we've placed inside them."
"They revealed one," Elirion added, voice calm, but taut. "A completed pact. Exposed. Executed."
A low murmur rolled around the table. Some hissed. Others growled.
"We should have silenced Morpheus when we had the chance," spat a horned demon general with cracked lips and eyes like embers. "He carries the Stone. The Stone sees."
One of the lesser angels shook his head. "It is not the Stone alone. They've crafted something. A device. It pulses when it nears one who is fully possessed. The spy we lost reported this before his final moment."
"They can't detect the unfinished ones yet," murmured Elirion, his gaze cast downward. "Those still human… they remain hidden."
"Then we accelerate the conversions," Yorgaleth said coldly. "Push them to complete their pacts. Force their hands. The moment they sign, we awaken. No more waiting."
Theros shifted. "But that carries risk. If too many are revealed too fast, the mortals will purge."
"And if we wait too long," Yorgaleth snarled, "we lose the advantage of infiltration entirely."
A silence stretched. Strategic minds churned.
"Then," Elirion offered slowly, "we strike their hope. The ones they've just brought into their fold."
"The beasts," said a demon with antlers and a crown of flame.
"No," the angel rebuffed, "We tried Morpheus has won them over."
"Then we strike where the humans are weak we can corrupt the pitiful ones."
"You mean the discarded ones."
"Yes."
Thor who was silent up until now rose, "This is all good and everything but, were do we want to attack next."
"Egypt."
"Yes the pyramid, it has been attacked once barely rebuffed, it is in the open we can attack from all sides. When it falls our armies will only grow."
Thor surveyed the gathered hosts — gods, demons, angels, creatures of ruin — and spoke.
"The Pyramid stands as a symbol," he said, voice thunderous, measured, impossibly loud without shouting. "A foothold in Egypt. The only anchor they have succesfully defended."
He pointed one gloved hand toward a conjured illusion the Pyramid, glowing with defenses, ringed by anchored wards and watchtowers. "It is fortified with old magic. Human magic. Wards carved by Morpheus Everglade himself and the past pharaohs. They believe it to be impenetrable."
A grin tugged at his mouth.
"They have not faced me."
The illusion shifted showing the storm gathering above the desert, showing the cracks in the Pyramid's outer defenses, flaring with energy and light.
"I will lead the charge from above. While their defenders look to the sands and shadow, I will descend with my legion from the sky, as a spear of lightning through their heart."
He raised Mjolnir then, and the storm above the chamber rolled.
"They think their killboxes will hold us — we will bring thunder that splits stone. While their beasts and mortals scramble below, I will tear open their wards and rip the wardsong from its roots."
His eyes gleamed with something fierce, something ancient.
"And when Morpheus comes to stop me and he will I will remind him what it means to challenge the gods. He will bleed in the shadow of his sanctuary. I swear it."
He turned, gaze sweeping over the gathered pantheon.
"Prepare your forces. The mortals rallied too well today. Let us return them to despair."
He slammed Mjolnir once against the floor lightning erupted from the cracks, crawling toward the edges of the stone like the roots of war.
The sky roared in response.