Archon had some ideas about things the kids should learn early. It was important that their development was upheld by consistent teachings. They had learned their history and their place of belonging in the first sermon, now it was time to teach them where everyone else stood and how to handle that. This was the second of three fundamental lessons Archon aimed to teach before the pups reached a season. Everything else could be built on these three pillars. After settling in a nice place with Obi, Archon laid out the furs so that the children could get comfy. Then, he called out to them. All of his children were to attend, no exceptions.

Pestilence was all too close by when dad called them together once more, and this time she was determined to be first. She sprinted over to his summons, tongue lolled in a pant as she zoomed up. Once it became apparent that no one else was around the pup slowed to a non-nonchalant stroll for the last few meters, headed for the fur that looked the plush and comfiest. "Hi dad." She greeted merrily, taking her seat to await their lessons. Her gaze fell off her father's face to the furs laid out upon the ground. Great, eight places. Her father's other children would be coming too. Pesto's face contorted into a grumpy frown. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

gimme peace, gimme dharma Calamity was getting sick of these lessons. At least the first time they had gotten to design their sigils, but the content of the sermon had been a little... dry. She didn't buy into all of the "god" stuff, but she knew her mother would scold her if she tried to wriggle out of attending her father's meetings. She arrived a bit late, trailing behind Pesto. Her sister was so eager. For what? To sit and listen to their father drone on again? Nonetheless, she settled quietly next to Pestilence, placing her head on her paws and staring up balefully and at their father. Maybe if he got caught up in speaking, she could sneak in a little nap. "calamity ordains you unworthy"

Venom sharpened her claws on the rough tree bark of the oak in front of her. She was growing so much already, she could already see the progression of her height as she clawed at the bark daily her spot seemed to rise with her weeks of life. She left the tree with a smirk as she raced towards her father’s call. Her near twin and fellow quadruplet sat already. Neither sister seemed particularly pleased about another lesson, but Venom was unperturbed. She loved the thought of being a goddess. With head and tail held high the young pup toddled to her place. The Princess still hadn’t made up her mind about her half siblings and cousins, but at least they weren’t alone in sitting through their father’s sermons. They were puppies, and sitting still was hard work.

Head jerked up when he heard the call for another meeting...frowning, he sighed and left the bone he'd been gnawing on to go see what his dad had in mind today. He wasn't sure what to think about all the God stuff, but he certainly thought himself better than the mutant freaks running around. It was...unnatural. They were unnatural. Obviously whatever disease they had came from their mother, which meant her blood was poisoned, right? The Fallen God deemed her unfit and poisoned her blood thus passing that on to the mutant half-siblings. He hadn't made his distaste for them publicly known, only the occasional side eye or disgruntled look. His disgusted looks were often directed at turned backs. Striding forward, he once again pulled a fur forward to sit closest to his father and ahead of the others. "Greetings, father."

She wasn't late to this meeting. Toxicity had been preparing for her father to call. She could tell that when he got busy, he was about to summon them, but she wasn't wanting to be first either. She ended up coming right after Gadreel again and she let out a soft sigh although her face held a smile, "After all of you again?" she asked, looking at her other siblings as well. "Guess I'll have to try even harder next time."

Gadreel took up a seat by the front and Toxicity wanted in. She dragged a fur by his side and settled in, shooting him a little grin, "We can be sermon buddies again!" Her voice remained hushed, but no doubt Archon heard her given their proximity. She turned her attention to her father and waited for him to begin.

Lily had just gotten comfortable at her mother's side when the call from her father rang out, again. A small sigh was huffed out and she looked at her mother, pursing her lips in mild irritation when her mother insisted that she go. While she loved learning about their God and how she was a young goddess, she wasn't excited about being around so many others. The girl liked it being just her mother, father, with Gadreel and Orpheus. She loved the individual attention.

When the group was together with their half-siblings, it was hard to share the lime-light. Rather than mope about it this time, Lilybet scaled the ravine and made it to the gathering not long after Gadreel. How he had gotten there so quickly, the young demon wasn't sure, but at least she wasn't last this time. There was one brother and a half-brother - the one with the collar of spikes around his neck - that were missing, so she could at least be proud of that.

He was late again! This was the second time, but it bothered him. He tried not to let it ruffle his feathers, but he growled under his breath as he moved to sit by Pest and Cal. The spikes that grew around his neck were so itchy when they were growing, and every few steps Plague had to stop and scratch his neck until the itching subsided for a bit. It was taxing on him, and it cost him his place as first to the second sermon. "I will be so happy when these stop itching. Maybe I should talk to Aunt Luce about it..." He wondered aloud as he settled into place. If anyone seconded the idea, he would go. It may not be a medical emergency, but it was awfully bothersome for him, probably more than not being first.

Archon watched as each of his children came, feeling pride as each one appeared. He loved them all equally, and far more than he thought possible. He waited for each to settle as they shot looks and whispers at one another. Archon hoped that in time, they would become unified in their actions. If they did, then there was truly nothing that could stop them.

Once they had come to a quiet lull, Archon cleared his throat to begin. "In the last sermon, you all learned what special place you hold in this world. You are gods by blood and nothing can take that away from you. But you might wonder, 'Where does that leave the others I come in contact with? What about my other family?"

Archon made a point to give each of them a moment, seeking to make eye contact with them in turn. "The answer is not so simple, but to try to summarize, there are gods, there are demons, there are all types of divine beings, and there are mortals." It was more of a spectrum, but Archon wasn't sure how to convey that. "We all have mortal bodies. It's our blood and souls that set us apart. In return for that, many of us-" he looked to his kids with mutated features - "Will be blessed with assets abnormal to most mortals in order to help us conquer this world."

He was proud so many of his kids bore wonderful blessings, but he wasn't disappointed in the ones who didn't.
"However, the ones of you who don't show those blessings are not any less blessed. Likewise, one can never tell what a mortal is hiding as far as potential. Both litters have very different mothers, but both women are very splendid in their own ways. Furthermore, it is impossible to navigate this world without interacting with wolves who are mortals, wolves who are servants, slaves, and the like."

He wasn't sure how to address the behaviors expected of them, but he had to give it a shot.
"We cant expect mortals to understand the grandeur of God. If you find one who chooses to accept and celebrate that with you, hold onto them tight and keep them in your life. Those who reject God are meant to be punished. Mortal suffering dulls in comparison to the true suffering God wishes to bestow on mortals for their hand in his fall to this realm."

It was important for the pups to know early on the punishment for not being faithful to God. Such was the destiny for all mortals left neglected.

"Because of that, when we are able to bring mortals, demons, and other divine worshipers onto our side, it is a time to rejoice for we have saved them from their eternal punishment and washed their pelts of God's blood, making them clean again and welcomed into Gods home when they ascend." Archon offered a gentle smile. Each pup could rest assured the their mothers could be saved through them. "Likewise, those who sin against God should be sent to their punishment, and we are to enact such punishment on their mortal vessels as well."

It was heavy stuff to take in, but the sermon was almost over and then they would have time to absorb all that was said. "Knowing mortals, befriending them, making them your spouse... All those things can help us to further extend God's reach so long as they do not shake your faith. Those who try to sway you should be discarded and disposed of to the best of your ability. Every new follower is spared from God's wrath. It is not just to simply treat every mortal with distain- many are ignorant to their sins. However, you- with God at your side- are the judges of this world."

Venom wasn’t sure how to react to this sermon, there was a lot of talk about the supernatural which was still a difficult concept for the pup to grasp. She knew that she was a tiny goddess, but there was a lot of responsibility she was going to be expected to pick up. Did everyone in Ashen believe in god? Were they going to be saved in the afterlife? She pondered for a long few moments as Archon came to a halt in his sermon.

This was so far the most difficult to wrap her head around, mostly because the subject matter was deep and dealt with many concepts she just didn’t understand yet. Still, the girl would cling to his words. Rejoice in those who shared her opinion and devotion to god, and make those who reject him suffer else she would be the one to suffer when she finally met god.

”What are we judging?” She piped up suddenly, forked tongue flicking from her lips as she tilted her head curiously. ”Just if they’re accepting of god or not? How good a follower someone is? How does punishment help them if they reject god?” Was she going to put all the non believers into time out until they told her they accepted the lord Abraxas? ”Should I make them sit in time out?” She didn’t know how many time outs she’d been forced to suffer through.

Archon looked to his daughter as she asked questions. "There are many things to judge. Do they abide by laws of God? Do they acknowledge The Fallen god? There are many gods, many people are allowed to follow those, but if those deities seek to tear down The Fallen God, then so do their followers and so they must be converted or taken out."

She asked how punishment helps. "By punishing those in the wrong, you can help to reform their behavior. If they are unable to be... adjusted correctly, you may send them to be judged by the gods themselves."

Venom asked about time out. Archon let out a soft sigh, "That's... not a bad place to start."