It was unknown to most where Satasha had disappeared since the banquet and many thought it was the spark that led the temple's downfall. It was true to some extent that the whispers of an upcoming war had started during the ball room where they gathered to agree on ceases fire, the western attack had sparked the idea of overthrowing the current system and it was started by none other than Tina.
Tina was the mastermind that controlled the system behind the scenes, nothing goes without her approval, everyone feared the consequences if they ever dared to cross the line, even when Marvok thinks he's in control as well he was only assuming that his word was final. In fact that Tina made sure that everyone thinks that the final say belongs to them is was what made her terrifying, the western temple's attempt to attack the central temple was suggested by her, she made Tian; Naina's daughter, do her bidding while purchasing the weapons from the merchant and making deal with eastern bandits.
Tina had always hated Ishtar for taking control over the five temples from her after they had killed Ananke, her and Pandora had always been Sameal's loyalists and posed a great threat. Ishtar's influence was already weakened even before Satasha's arrival, once Keno started lurking in the shadows under her protection many considered her an old deity that should be replaced, her reign also weakened by Satan's influence over the council, his rise in power was also a slow strategic process made by Tina, she shaped almost everyone's life as she desired.
Once it was clear that Satasha was a wild dog, it became evident that the fall of the temple must happen sooner than planned, for Tina she was a great threat if left untamed. To Tina's surprise the northern temple has vanished overnight so did the wild dog, it didn't took her much thinking to connect the dots, and as she feared that wild dog must be killed by any mean.
Tina also relied greatly on her son Zeta, he was well connected even if they have different ideas or paths, he'd always help her if needed, little did she know that Zeta was hiding Satasha from her.
...
[During the year of Satasha's disappearance]
Satasha wasn't always around in Zeta's house but she often stayed for few days every now and then. Mika was the closest to her during that time, he often met her in Helheim where he was studying the fountain and experimenting with the place's power. Satasha had helped him access to new potentials he had not strengthened due to his fear of being noticed by Tina.
Mika's true potentials remained undiscovered by him and for the first time he had the chance to do so, he was grateful for Satasha for allowing him to have access to Helheim, in return Satasha would inquire about things and ask favors from Zeta.
Zeta saw the bigger picture, even if she was impulsive and reckless she was the only one that could stand against Sameal, also he was delighted to see his little brother finally coming out of his shell.
On a cloudy day Satasha came to Zeta with a proposal...
"We need to take down the central temple" she suggested
"You want to kill Ishtar?" Mika objected
"No, Tina would handle that for me, what I meant was take down it's power"
"There are innocent girls there" Zeta reminded
"Indeed! That's why I want to weaken it first"
"What are you going to do?" Zeta asked
"First thing first, I'll start by overthrowing the western temple, then I'll make the counselors doubt her abilities to rule by suggesting a new name to them"
"Whose?" Mika interrupted
"Keno's"
"Keno?!" Mika and Zeta exclaimed
Zeta was annoyed "You are not serious? Keno! He's an abomination!"
Mika was bitter "What do you even see in that guy?"
Satasha smirked "His need to seize more power is his greatest weakness! Think about it he's the most suitable candidate than Satan, no offense to Satan but Keno has the ability to affect the masses, not only the dragon tribe loves him but the humans as well, the tides would shift on his side sooner than later"
Zeta pondered "I see your point but his powers were sealed and not only my mother hates him but almost every other fraction don't want him in control"
Satasha grinned "That's why I am going to start a war by eliminating another two temples"
"The western and the central?" Mika asked
"I'll think about the second one later, right now I am asking you to do what you've always had. Supplies"
Zeta scoffed "High prices?"
Satasha nodded "Cause chaos for me and amidst that I'll cause even more chaos"
Mika argued "But that's not enough to start a war!"
Zeta understood Satasha's proposal "We won't be the ones to start it, that's the whole point"
Mika confused "Then who would?"
Satasha grinned "Tina!"
Zeta chuckled while Mika was still confused
"Will she side with us in this?"
"No" Zeta explained "Satasha is only speeding mother's plan, the western's downfall would make her eager to cast Ishtar out"
Mika still processing "But why you want to do all of that? I don't see that it would help in defeating The Fallen?"
Satasha "No but it would help drow him out and make his return known to everyone"
"Wouldn't that cause harm to lot of innocent people?" Mika argued
"The more deaths the better" Zeta clarified
Mika didn't like the idea of being involved in many deaths of innocent people "We wouldn't be different from the previous system or The Fallen. No, we'd be worse!"
Satasha "We can't do things righteously when trying to overthrow this ancient system! Things would get out of control sooner than later and panic would show the worst of everyone. If you don't want to be part of this none will object, things are about to get nasty, if you don't have the guts to move on with this plan, don't nag about it"
Mika was offended "I am no wuss! Don't look down on me! I can take you out if given the chance"
Satasha unfazed "If you want to help your brother achieve his goals then you need to build up some courage to face the reality of life rather than hiding behind your brother's shadow!" she straightened up casting her shadow on him "Your current state is rather feeble and meek, you think anyone would take you seriously when you object? They know your threats are as shallow as your goals! You either grew some balls or stay like this forever... Pathetic" she emphasized the last word
Mika strode to his room angrily, his chin quivering as he tried to suppress his tears.
"That was harsh" Zeta objected "You could've said things nicely"
Satasha sighed "It's not that I think so little of him, it's just hurts me to see his potentials get wasted like this! He's a prodigy, he needs to own it"
Zeta "Still! Don't say things like that to him ever again, I won't tolerate another disrespect toward him"
Satasha "I might do something unorthodox in the future, he needs to get use to how things would become before they happen"
Zeta "What are you going to do?"
Satasha "First thing first, I need to meet up with someone"
"Keno?" Zeta asked with disgust
"Mark!" she grinned as he rolled his eyes
"You do realize that he would never be on our side" Zeta was pressing on his temple as he spoke, he had enough of her stupid moves already "Just go and kill the western temple leader and get on with it"
Satasha "Oh! I meant wiping the whole tribe"
Zeta froze "Pardon?" he wished that he had misheard her.
"I said what I said" she insisted
Zeta reasoned "Genocide isn't what I or Tina wants! You're talking about thousands of innocent beings and humans!"
"Five million" she interrupted
Zeta was baffled, he stared at her trying to see if she was joking, once he sensed her seriousness he slammed the table hard as he got up threatening "Listen here closely you twat! I humored you before making you think that you are the one in charge just to make sure you help us defeat The Fallen! Don't think for a second that I'd sit ideally while you massacre innocent people for your agenda. If I heard any whisper stating that you had wiped the whole tribe I'll make sure that no one find a piece of you! Understood!"
Satasha smirked, it wasn't because she thought that she'd win if they fought, but it was because she knew that the news about the fall of the western temple is about to be delivered to him at any given moment by Tina's hand, and as she anticipated the news had arrived.
Sitka barged in huffing "Terrible news! The western temple has fallen!"
Zeta raged, he glanced at Satasha "You did this!" he bared his teeth, but before he could do anything Sitka corrected "No it's mother! I just overheard her saying that she had to speed things up due to current events!"
Zeta's anger cooled down for a bit but his doubt remained, he studied her expression as she received the news and saw her usual cold eyes staring indifferently at him, he knew that somehow she had hand in this.
"Any collateral damages?" Zeta inquiried
Sitka "No, just those who were involved in Byblos had died"
Zeta's doubt weakened, that's something his mother would do "Then what are you going to do?" he asked her
Satasha shrugged "Meet Mark perhaps!"
Zeta nodded and ordered Sitka to notify his spies to report her every move once she vanished. He didn't know how she did it but he was now sure that she's not to be underestimated again.
...
The next month people started to get sick by the same disease worldwide, the breakout happened while Satasha remained in his home resting; after she visited Mark in the garden she came back gloomy. Zeta couldn't shake off the idea that the disease was her doing even if she was on constant watch, the fact that if she was capable of such things remained unknown to him, he knew that she was capable of doing far worse than this.
The disease was created by none other than Sameal, he resumed his work in destroying the mankind out of spite. The mysterious disease had started after Sameal nudged a random man to eat his ill goat dead meat raw, what seemed a normal flu to humans turned to be their worst nightmare. Everyone who came in contact with the man died shortly after and so the pandemic happened, during which Sameal had other plan prepared for everyone who had betrayed him, starting with the western tribe.
During Satasha's rest, Zeta came across news about her massacring the western tribe. He wanted to confront her then remembered that Sameal can shape-shift as well, he was in distraught trying to conform her involvement in this matter, he began thinking that the north tribe massacre might not be her doing, yet his doubts remained.
...
After the incident in the Garden with Mark, Satasha's mood was rather unstable, she remained in Zeta's house trying to seek comfort but it didn't provide her any, after month of sulking she packed her belongings and decided to seek her brothers. She wondered aimlessly for the next three months before finding out one of her brother's prison in the dragon tribe.
Satasha lived there for the remaining year out of everyone's radar by shape-shifting as a cook in a random restaurant, she knew that Zeta had her under constant observation. There she observed how things began deteriorating without lifting a finger, Sameal was also hunting her as he spread famine and chaos while using her face as a facade.
She didn't care about that, what she cared about is how to defeat and seal him again, she needed new perspective before acting and her time in the dragon tribe helped her sort out her thoughts.
She doesn't need Zeta's help nor Keno's resistance, what she needed was a cheat plan to win and Mika was the perfect subject for her that. During their time together in Helheim she found out that his power is not limited to magic, he can succeed in anything if he truly wanted, he can shape reality to his favor to some extent; meaning that he can control reality that doesn't contradict with either fate nor the will of Heaven.
The problem is how to make him do her plan, she needed to outline his whole personality around the idea of him being more capable of Zeta without affecting their bond. Every now and then she met Mika in Helheim and got closer to him as friends who shared different perspectives but respected the other. Their debates helped him become more confident in his words and their experiments helped him discover new aspects of his abilities that he didn't know about.
After Mika heard her cruel words he began taking more responsibilities to help in the upcoming war, it was him who began spreading the rumors about Keno being the promised emperor who would cure the disease and overthrow the system, Mika's influence in between the spies were unmatched; his orders were the law to them, they loved and respected him greatly, and because of him they're working with Zeta.
Unlike Keno who used the poor to be his eyes and ears, Mika had the rich wrapped around his finger. His calm demeanor and sweet smile make anyone fall for his innocence.
"If we can win his favor then we can be Zeta's trusted subjects" is what they think when they do business through Mika.
But Mika's favor was hard to obtain. His time with Tina made him more cautious and thorough with his actions that is why Zeta trust his judgment. For Satasha, Mika's favor was easily obtained because they both shared an interest; Experimenting.
They helped the other find out about their capabilities and refine it during their usual meeting; during the full moon when most rituals take place.
Satasha used the very thing that Mika desired more than anything else to gain his trust; his desire to gain approval, and not just anyone's approval only his mother's.
Ever since he was forcefully taken from his mother Yuri to be raised by Tina, Mika was never the same.
Tina controlled everything about him, his abilities, his appearance, what he say, what he eats, even the name Mika was given to him by her. She had erased his birth name from all records, even from his memories. He was banned from associating with his mother by any means, after years he had forgotten how his mother looked like, his whole character was reduced to Zeta's double.
Tina had instructed him to stay with his big brother and take any hit in his stead, this instruction wasn't just spoken, she had carved it in his bane, his sole existence is to be the shield, a disposable spare. Tina didn't stop at this embedded the idea of him being worthless deep in his subconscious, he could only move as she wanted and serve her plan blindly, he couldn't resist her even in his thoughts, he was her puppet during his adolescence.
Once Zeta found out about this he took him in his care, he undid her brainwashing to some extent but some things remained unscathed like the thought of him being worthless. Zeta encouraged him to be more than what Tina had shaped him to be, and to his surprise Satasha was the one who made him embrace his true self fully.
Zeta didn't know if he should be grateful or worried but he knew that his brother was about to experience the worst heartbreak once he finds out that he was being used again.
Mika sought the warmth that she offered and accepted it even if it was fake, to him it was the warmth that he had longed for because it helped him remember his mother.
Mika and Satasha shared the same upbringing , they only differed with the approach of their torment, Satasha was both physical and mental while he was mentally tormented. Their decisions differed also because unlike Mika, she was betrayed by everyone she had trusted her vulnerability with. So the fact that she was able to get closer to him more than anyone hadn't surprise Zeta in the slightest, he only prayed that they stay like this forever.
Because for Mika she was the first friend he had ever made who was around his age.
When Satasha had decided to free her brother he was the first to offer his help, they agreed to meet up once she finishes her task, little did they know that The Fallen interrupted it by killing Osiris.
The plan was to make Keno stronger so he'd help them in the upcoming war. Satasha was supposed to get closer to him and curry his favor by being the one to give him back his powers then when the time comes she'll be the one who suggests partnership with Zeta to defeat The Fallen and crown him as the emperor. This plan was made by Zeta because he never wanted the crown, he wanted the ultimate control over everything in his reach.
Mika suggested for Satasha that they visit Osiris to gain his vote for naming Keno as Ishtar replacement, but things didn't go as planned.
...
During that day they went to Osiris in Busiris where he lived with his wife and children.
Satasha wore her usual cape that she Enchanted to help suppressing her aura from being traced by anyone, she shifted to someone else due to her recognizable face.
Mika on the other hand didn't need any disguise.
"It must be frustrating not to being able to roam freely and without worry" Mika teased
"You need to worry about yourself first, we're being followed" she whispered as she glanced behind
Mika relaxed "I don't worry about them, I have you by my side"
Satasha scoffed "I ain't your hound! I have no remorse if I leave you to your demise"
Mika grinned "I beg to differ, I think that you'll protect me no matter what"
Satasha didn't object, she knew that he was right to some extent, as long as he's helpful to her she'll keep him safe.
Once they arrived to Osiris's residence the maids had showed them to the main hall to wait for his arrival, Mika was the one in charge of talking and Satasha stood behind his chair observing.
She sensed something was off but didn't mention it to him, she stayed in high alert in case anything happened.
After ten minutes Osiris arrived with his children, ministers, guards, and his wife to greet them, Mika found that was a bit excessive but didn't object, he stood up to greet them.
Mika bowed to show his respects "Greetings My lord, I hope you are doing well"
Osiris "No need for formalities, we're pleased to have you here young man, tell me what brings you here in this lovely day"
Mika was about to speak but was stopped by Satasha's hand gripping his shoulder, as he glanced at her he saw her murderous intent blazing from her eyes, he was confused on why she was behaving like that, he looked at who she was staring at and it was none other than Osiris.
"What are you doing? Don't blow this up" he whispered to her
Yet she remained glaring at him.
Osiris smirked as he saw how this woman was staring at him, he was somewhat amused "Is there anything wrong?" he asked
Mika "No..."
Satasha immediately interrupted "I see you chose new face! What happened to your original form?"
The gathering felt offended by her and pointed their weapons at them. Mika immediately understood why she was behaving strangely, that wasn't Osiris, it was The Fallen "Shit!" he cursed their bad luck. If they fight then everyone in this room dies, if they got lucky and escape then they could go back to inform Zeta, but knowing Satasha she'd choose to fight.
The Fallen was amused amidst commotion because he saw through her disguise as she saw through his, he leaned on the arm stand gently speaking "Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else, no need to be hostile"
Satasha unfazed, she kept gripping Mika's shoulder in case anything happened while staring intensely at The Fallen, she knew that he's about to do something and cause seen branding her as a murderer that's the whole reason, that he had brought all of these people along, she didn't want to drag Mika with her if she strikes first so she waited for his move.
Mika nudged her muttering "Let's go quietly"
Satasha "We can't! Why do you think I am gripping your shoulder for!"
It was true, in fact transmitting was her first instinct but once she placed her hand on his shoulder she sensed the seal immediately. Once The Fallen knew who he was about to meet he had prepared the seal before hand, to his surprise She was there also, the trap was intended for Mika whether they offended him or not didn't matter, Mika was set up to be captured here or worse die.
The tension grew as she tried to use her other abilities but couldn't "We are trapped!" she warned as she pulled him closer "We can't use our powers here"
Panic flooded in Mika, he glanced around to see an exit but found that they were out numbered and his combat skills are far inferior than a beginner "What shall we do?" he whispered as he began stepping back.
Satasha didn't answer, she tried to think of a way out and how to fight everyone here, she was in dilemma and all she could think of is how he found such powerful sealing spell that couldn't be tampered with.
She closed her eyes as she exhaled deep, when she opened them, her eyes softened as she glanced at Mika "Forgive me"
Mika was confused "Huh...?!"
Satasha smile warmly at him as she pushed him forward as hard as she could, Mika didn't realize that his body was being thrown till he hit the floor due to stress. When he glanced at her again he saw her fighting three guards with spear that she took from the dead guard near her feet.
Satasha now was fighting more than dozen guards at once with no power only raw physical strength and combat skills, thanks to her training and torture she didn't care if she was being cut while fighting, nor falling if being hit hard. Her combat skills was somewhat admirable but restrained due to Mika's presence, she had narrow space to fight in and make sure that he was well protected, and to make things worse Osiris's children were now fighting with her, she used the spear to push Mika to the wall as Anubis striked in his direction.
Even if she couldn't use her ability to produce weapons or manipulate others but her ability to heal and generate was still there "Make a shield!" she ordered Mika
Mika tried to but the seal was suppressing his powers "I can't!"
Satasha huffed as she backed away from Anubis, she scanned the place trying to count how many she could take at this rate and her eyes met The Fallen who was still sitting in his chair wearing his usual smile.
Satasha felt disgusted, she kicked a sword to Mika ordering "Try to defend yourself"
Even with Mika's beginner combat skills, he knew that he was holding her back.
Satasha pushed forward toward The Fallen to strike but was stopped by Horus and Anubis who sent her flying back at the guards' spears being pointed at her, she used her spear to stop her fall by embedding it on the floor, she took another one from the guard near by and threw it at The Fallen.
Horus divert its direction away from him, as he was looking away she jumped at him and bit his neck hard enough that she raptured his vein allowing blood to stream out, she drank few before being interrupted by Anubis stab.
Satasha stepped back leaning at the pillar behind her, she wiped her mouth as it was covered with blood while grinning evilly.
Horus stepped back holding his neck trying to stop the bleeding, he was confused on why she bit his neck while she had weapon in her hand, she could have killed him with one strike.
Satasha began giggling between her huffing, she glanced at Mika and saw him fighting the guards, as she leaned on the pillar she drew something with her bloody hand and it made the residence rumble.
The Fallen knew what it meant, she had found a way to break the seal while she was fighting the lot, he chuckled as he got up standing in front of her.
She didn't move instead she just straightened up to stand at the same level as him, she scoffed as he stabbed her core. The seal was prepared according to Mika's power but he failed to make it specific to his true powers because he didn't know what he possessed, so the seal was rather generalized and affected all the gathering.
What he failed to predict was how resourceful she can be, the seal wasn't what had made the rumbling nor it broke the seal.
A arrow made of power pierced The Fallen's side as a wave of uncontrolled power made everyone fall. The Fallen glanced at the direction of the power and saw that it belonged to Lucifer.
Lucifer stood at the entrance enraged by the commotion, once he saw Satasha being stabbed and Mika cornered he launched toward The Fallen, striking again with another arrow that sent both Horus and Anubis to their deaths, and the third arrow aimed to The Fallen's head.
It hit his skull making a large hole that engulfed his left eye through and through, The Fallen fell on the floor motionless.
Lucifer immediately marched to catch Satasha from falling, he used his power to heal the wound in her abdomen but she stopped him. She glared at The Fallen's body and he understood what she wanted, he helped her walk toward it. Once she reached it she checked his core and saw that this was indeed Osiris but was being possessed by The Fallen.
"Go and help Mika first" She ordered
"You need an immediate care!" Lucifer gripped her arms worried
"And he can give it to me" she pushed his hand "Go!"
Lucifer reluctantly went, it didn't take him long before all the guards, ministers, and his wife Isis to drop dead.
Mika was limping to heal Satasha's injuries while she used her remaining consciousness time to scan Osiris's core as well as the seal.
"So?" Mika asked "What did you find?"
Satasha didn't reply, she had reached her limits as her vision blurred she tried to stand but lost consciousness immediately in Mika's arms.
All she could answer was one word "Run!"
They didn't hasitate for a second, Lucifer immediately made a port gate to Zeta's cabin, he carried Satasha and helped Mika by letting him lean on his shoulder.
Five minutes after they left Tina showed up in Osiris's residence with Mordroc.
Mordroc mocked "It seems that someone didn't invite us to this party"
Tina scanned the place with its surrounding area and was baffled to find traces of Lucifer's power all over the place "This buffoon! All muscles and no brain" she ranted "He just declared war on the system!"
Mordroc "Shall we cover it up for him?"
Tina grinned "No! Let him get the consequences of his actions, we on the other hand need to summon the counsellors for urgent meeting"
Mordroc smiled brightly "It's time to take that bitch down!" he was excited
Tina's lips curled "Indeed!"
She stepped on Osiris's body as she walked away eager to finally strip Ishtar out of her throne.
...
[Back in Zeta's cabin]
Zeta mended Mika's injures after he took Satasha to Helheim, she was in critical state, he closed her injury but she needed to rest for a while before functioning again.
Mika had told them what happened back in Busiris, then went to rest.
Zeta knew what this meant, Lucifer's action is going to be the spark that would start another great war.
Lucifer didn't care, if given the chance he'd do it again, saving her is his new priority and it ached him that he wasn't allowed in Helheim.