After Deathbelle spoke with Sirius she was beginning to realize she had been slacking with her children’s futures. They should have been deciding on their paths they would take in the future. They needed to be placed with their mentors. Most importantly Ashen’s heir would need to be decided. Her natural instinct was to name Venom. She was the eldest most importantly but she was also highly blessed and capable. However, she didn’t want the rest of the litter feel like they were stuck behind Venom. Perhaps she would allow the heir position to be challenged.

Deathbelle thought on her course of action as her dainty paws brought her to the meeting spot within the rocks. The red walls were bathed in blue with the moonlight. The sky was slowly returning to Boreas. The Empress reclined on her raised dias and threw back her head to call out for her children. She expected them to appear before her with haste, and the seriousness of their conversation was conveyed through the sternness in her voice.

Pestilence was awakened by her mother's stern call and the pup furrowed her brow in confusion at what reason the Empress would have to call her kids to her under the moonlight. With Pesto's luck it'd be something to do with Abraxas and that they could see father's face in the moon or something. She huffed softly before getting to her feet to obey the command. By the time she'd made it to mother's meeting place she could see she was first and it made her proud to be so prompt and obedient. A part of her wondered if mom disliked that she wasn't as devout as the other children and she wanted to make up for that short coming in the other things she did. "Hi Momma." Pesto greeted happily, settling before the Empress to await the rest of her littermates.  "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

A song of power and true divinity filled Plague's monochromatic ears as he roamed the territory. Large and growing paws hit the earth with diligence as the phantom pivoted. Formerly the young Klein-Abraxas had been on his way to the Oasis to explore and maybe practice hunting. But, the call in question came from the Empress herself and breathed of summons. Urgency was evident in the howl which called for the tall pup to lope onward with haste. Steps were taken with a natural confidence but a very clear air of caution. He had been taught that it was not always smart to stomp around and make others aware of his location. Being in pack lands it would not matter much but practice was always welcomed. It was not long before Plague set his eyes upon the sight of the flower crested Empress and his dear sister Pestilence. Emerald eyes flicked between the two as the silent boy moved to take his seat a few tail lengths to the right of his sibling but still in the front. Plague was not one to welcome the idea of being the center of attention due to his quiet and more curious nature. But, the easy confidence that flowed through his veins allowed him to sit with a raised head and a slight grin quite naturally. "Mother." Eyes moved towards his sister, "Pest." A sly nickname for the dear babe.

Venom casually made her way towards her mother’s call, white gloved paws carrying her from nearby. She wasn’t usually very far from the Empress, and when she wasn’t the girl was usually with Sirius. She loved to train and was learning more every day. She sparred with her siblings when she could and soaked in everything around her. Venom flicked her tongue lazily as she rounded the corner to find her two siblings and mothered.

The tall pup smirked as she trotted up to sit beside Pestilence and Plague, sure their last two siblings would appear swiftly. Dark ears perked as she looked to their mother, curious about why they were all being summoned here. ”Hello everyone.” She greeted the three of them with a flick of her tongue.

Toxicity hadn't been as close to her siblings as she maybe should have been. They were her litter mates, and she loved each of them dearly. Her dedication to finding out about their progenitor god and what he stood for had taken her far from their grasp emotionally. While they seemed to be getting on, she drifted her own way, not that she wouldn't have adored having them by her side, but that was a quest for another day. She did fully intend on pulling each and every one of them closer to her once she had more answers, but for now it felt unfounded to try and pry them away from their own paths. They were all, after all, still young and each growing into their own. Toxicity felt it too as her own path folded out before her.

Such path, at the moment, was carved by her mother's howl. Tox made her way to sit among her family, offering a light nod to each in turn. She didn't feel the need to say anything, and she knew her mother had words she wished to share, so the girl sat herself and waited.

Calamity came last. She had been caught within what she'd thought was a vision only to realize that she had spent the last two hours staring at a new spring bloom, her mind unhinged and floating somewhere far above her. The days passed by without rhyme or reason since she had spent time in the afterlife with her father. She chased after the same feeling, unable to find anything remotely similar on this living plane. She answered Deathbelle's call once she roused from her trance. "Hello," she said upon arrival, her voice wavering slightly. Cala's voice had taken on a distant, melodic tone. She often felt like she was viewing the world from underwater. What could her mother want?

Deathbelle lowered her head and was not forced to wait for long. Her children appeared before her with haste, Pestilence was first and she offered up a sweet greeting. The Empress smiled lovingly at her daughter as she stifled the thoughts of their loss. Not having a father to lean on as they grew older. Deathbelle hid her emotions, ”Hello, my dear.” She greeted warmly but refrained from offering too much affection. They were older now and not her snuggly little beans anymore.

Archon’s memory was very much alive especially in the gaze of the Empress’s only son. Her late husband’s forest green eyes found her lilac gaze in the boy. ”Plague, my love.” She greeted back as he settled and greeted his sister. Venom was next and she sauntered easily to settle beside her siblings as Toxicity quietly made her entrance. Belle offered her a loving smile as she nodded to her family in greeting. Calamity would bring up the rear, the girl seemed to be the most obviously affected by her father’s passing.

Her voice took on an otherworldly quality, something that didn’t escape her mother’s notice. The woman realized how much more time she needed to spend with her children. ”Calla,” she greeted with warmth, wondering what it would take to return the girl to the world of the living.

”My children,” she started while meeting each of their gazes. ”You are all growing so fast.” Her voice was warm, she adored each one of her offspring. They were her whole world, all she had left of Archon. ”It is past time to think about your futures.” She knew that they were already training, she’d seen a few lessons and knew Sirius did the same. ”You know the Empire’s ranks, you know what skills you wish to persue. Where do you see yourselves as adults?” She asked tentatively wondering if one of them would seek out the position of heir without her mention.

"High Priestess," Calamity answered without pausing. Archon's appearance resonated deeply with her. It felt as if her entire life path had been altered at that moment. They were gods. He had proved it by appearing again. Cala had full faith in her abilities and her godhood. "I don't see myself anywhere else. I want to... to learn all I can about the spiritual realm. I want to ground our godhood in ceremony and grandeur." The pup, lanky and on the precipice of adulthood, stared directly into her mother's eyes. You couldn't return anyone unless you walked their same path to find them - Calamity's path twisted, turned, and was hidden by briers and thorns. It would take a brave soul to retrieve her - and that was if she left willingly. She was happier hidden there.

Their mother had called them to ask where they might see themselves when they were grown, and Pestilence audibly groaned at Calamity's sudden response. Her head shook disappointedly, saddened that her sister would waste her strength and horns by choosing a path of Gods and nonsense. She looked around at the rest of her littermates, wondering if the others too would rather choose spirituality over power. "I want to be the warlord." Pestilence said next, confident in her chosen path. Sirius was gone now, that must mean the position was available, right? She'd let her siblings play make believe all they wanted and while they did so, Pestilence would protect them and the other Klein's. That was her future. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Their mother kept her speech short and to the point. She wanted to know what they wished to do with themselves once they were old enough- particularly in the pack. Tox knew where her heart lay, but Calamity spoke up too quickly, saying she wanted the very rank Toxicity desired. A small sigh left Tox's lips as her mind reeled for a reply. Pestilence spoke her wish and Toxicity had no opposition. Having someone physically strong was worthwhile. Not wishing to interfere with what Calamity wanted, Toxicity directed her gaze somewhere outside of the group.

"I... haven't given it much thought," she lied, humming as if she was torn. "I'll consider it and come to a decision soon, though."

A monochromatic flood happened upon the clearing as the rest of his dearest litter mates filed in. Sharp emerald eyes took in each one of his siblings. Warmth filled his heart as a little grin slipped across his lips. They were incredibly competitive, some more then others, but it was evident they all truly cared for one another. Despite Plague's reclusive nature he still found comfort while being surrounded by any of them. Yet, the sapling's thoughts were interrupted by that of a demand from the brood mother herself. Where do I see myself as an adult? The young ghoul could not fathom true adulthood for the thought of it was so far out of reach, yet so fast approaching. Plague's tail flicked in thought as he listened to his kin's responses. Cala was quick to announce the rank of High Priestess, Pest grasped for Sirius' position, and Toxicity was unsure. Each of the answers were unique and he could understand each of them. But, where did that leave him? Plague knew he desired to pursue knowledge, defense, fighting, and navigation. Four broad areas that may lead him down a more narrow path once he figured out his true desires. But, that didn't help him much in those pressing moments. "Right Hand to the Empress." Or whomever may hold the throne at the time. Plague could imagine himself upon his mother's throne but he would not aim so high just yet. There was a lot to figure out within and growth to be had. Also, he was sure Venom would be itching to be the true Heiress.

Venom perked up and listened as their mother was quick to get to the whole reason she gathered them there. This was about their future and the future of the Empire. She knew what Princesses and Princes were, but the position of Crown Princess would put her in line to take control of the pack when her mother stepped down. She listened as the rest of her siblings spoke up. She was a bit surprised when Calla said she wanted to be high priestess, in her mind that job had always gone to Toxicity. She was the one who studied so hard with Obi. When she answered Venom was even more surprised she didn’t have a chosen route. Had Calla grabbed it from her too fast?

Pestilence wishing to take on the position of warlord wasn’t very surprising, other than Calla she was the other one best built for battle besides herself. She used to train with Sirius, maybe she was the best option for the new warlord position. Venom was most interested in her brother’s proclamation, but it only cemented what she would say.

”I wish to be Empress.”

As the rest of her siblings said their piece, Calamity flicked her eyes to Toxicity. Her ears were half-pricked with curiosity. Surely she also wanted to work among the spiritual arts... after all, she had conducted the ritual that had allowed her to commune with her father. Was it so wrong to see herself conducting the same rituals? There wasn't exactly room for two spiritual guides of the pack. Hm. If the other pup didn't come forward, her sister wouldn't dream of putting thoughts in the other one's head. Maybe she really was unsure, although Calamity doubted it. Only the future might tell where their paths would lead the. As she thought of the future, Calamity's eyes took on a glazed, distant look. Perhaps she'd try to wrench the answers out of some runes, similar to the ones they had carved their symbols on. That would certainly be a useful tool. Lost in her own thoughts, her mind wandered far and wide as she waited for her mother's response.

Bright lilac gaze was quick to fall on Calamity was she spoke her peace. Their mother hid her surprise, but her eyes did shift to Toxicity curiously. Pestilence offered her answer just as quickly, her words of being the Warlord a bit surprising as well but she smiled at her daughter’s decision. She half expected her to reach higher, but it was still more decisive than Toxicity. She tilted her head curiously, but also with understanding. ”We’ll talk later, Toxicity.” They would find the path she needed to take.

Plague spoke up and sought out his position as second in command where the one she would have chosen for it spoke up to claim her place as heir. Deathbelle wasn’t sure what she expected but they seemed to mostly fill in where they needed to be. ”Pestilence, Plague, you are now Apprentice Soldiers. You’ll train with your uncles Hannibal and Harbringr.” She started, giving each of them a proud grin as she told them. ”Calamity,” she looked to Toxicity as well. ”Tox, you will be Apprentice Priestesses. I expected both of you to continue training with Obi.”

Lilac gaze shifted to Venom then, the girl’s confidence radiating as she stood proudly before her mother. ”Venom, you have earned the rank of Crown Princess.”

Pestilence wasn't sure how to feel about her mother's words, nor how to express the many different emotions swirling around within her. On one paw it was great that she was allowed to aim for warlord, encouraged to train with her warrior uncles and not looked down upon for choosing a physical and not spiritual path. "Does that mean I can stop training with Obi?" She interjected after her mother's address to Tox, looking up at her mother expectantly. The religious lessons of her father's late monkey were tedious and tiresome as they had been since her birth. Now that she was growing and given a path to apprentice then she didn't need to focus on the areas she wasn't interested in, right?

Finally, her mother proclaimed Venom to be the next heir, and Pestilence groaned. "Earned?" She repeated angrily. "You asked us what skills we wanted to pursue, where we saw ourselves. I didn't think Empress was an option." The pup blathered on, flabbergasted. Ashen didn't need an heir, not now. An heir meant that one day her mom wouldn't be Empress, and it was a future that Pestilence refused to believe would ever exist. She couldn't handle losing her mother, not without a father. "That's not fair, mom. Cala and Plague and Tox and I have to actually work and earn the path we want to take, and she gets given that one just because there's no competition for it?" The princess huffed, shooting a glare Venom's way. Why didn't she think of that?

Toxicity nodded as her mother gave her direction. She was fine with the rank of Apprentice Priestesses and she was fine working under Obi. Intrigue pricked at her when her mother announced Venom as the crowned princess. Odd, the title seemed to demand so much more grandeur and yet it was announced so simply. It only became more interesting as Pestilence voiced her objections. Her high-spirited sister didn't seem to leave her thoughts unspoken and part of Toxicity envied her for her outspoken nature.

Toxicity looked towards Pesto, a soft, airy laugh escaping her lips, "I agree, being Empress holds a lot of advantages." No one said she couldn't be empress and a spiritual leader. Besides, if she was empress, she was the one who would get to decide that anyway. "How about us three all aim for Empress? We can compete for the title when we have to, and whoever is unfit can sink into another role." She wondered how serious Pestilence was about wanting to be empress. "That way, we'll all need to be on our toes, right?"

Venom tried to be an even mix of Klein and Abraxas. She embraced her godhood but wouldn’t forget her Klein heritage. She wanted to lead her family, the drive was there and the young princess wasn’t about to be pushed away from her desired place at the helm. Her mother named her heir and she felt herself stand up a little straighter and pride swelled in her breast. However, it didn't take long for her sharp gaze to be shifted to her almost twins. Neither were eager to allow her to simply claim the title.

”Yes, earned.” She replied to her sister with equal anger. Venom trained hard and set her sights high. It wasn’t her fault her sister’s couldn’t realize their own potential before jealousy could show through. ”I’ll have to work just as hard or harder than you” She retorted back, insulted that her siblings would think she didn’t have to do anything for her position. Venom wasn’t against a bit of competition though, she’d be able to prove herself instead of just being bestowed the title.

She couldn’t deny that her sisters were similarly capable to her, Venom wouldn’t admit that they were a better choice than her though. ”I’ll agree to competition though.” She agreed as she nudged Toxicity’s shoulder good naturedly. At least her more spiritual sister seemed more rational than Pesto.

Just as the boy's heart seemed to calm and his nerves were soothed his sisters got fired up. Venom's proclamation of her desire for a crown did not surprise him. She had always been head strong and the thirst for power was easy to see behind those vibrant eyes. But, his just as eager siblings seemed to take issue with their mother so easily allowing Venom to take the tiara. All of the pups were bestowed with good heads and promise of greatness so it truly did not seem fair to allow Venom to win the Empire so easily. Even if, in those moments, Plague did not want the title of Emperor for himself the boy felt as though there should be an even competition for it. As Pestilence spoke up Plague felt his heart race again. The flurry of emotion in such a personal social encounter seemed to cause his normally contained anxieties to flare up. Despite feeling as though the gal's tongue was sharpened a tad too much he could not help but to agree with some of what she said. In his opinion Venom hadn't earned a throne... and in reality none of them had. Next, Toxicity offered her more level headed thoughts on the situation which called forth a simple nod from Plague. Finally, Venom piped up and accepted the competition. Thoughts of competition filled Plague's mind in those moments. He did not aspire to rule but if his siblings were all in the running for the Alpha spot why shouldn't he partake? If he was truly not meant to lead as he felt he wasn't then so be it. But, could Plague rule out the possibility all together? Just then the large monochromatic male moved his sharp gaze towards his mother. "It would be foolish of me to not partake in this competition." Plague was still as he spoke with little emotion playing on his dappled features. "I too desire the role of Emperor. If the crown fits... shall be it." A pause. "Though, I would not put all of my eggs in one basket. I'd prefer to continue training with my Uncles in addition to diplomatic lessons from whoever you may deem fit." Plague seemed to exhale softly as he ended his speech. It was the most he had spoken publicly since the passing of his father and a likely rare occurrence.