02-20-2026, 06:24 PM
Chapter 6: A name I never knew
Their Second Name
There is a belief in Meranthe that the Angels along with the Primordials, are problems. That only humans and humanity should be given power and any non-human forces that hold such are vile. That those forces of Vanaheim and Avalon are just as problematic as the forces of Hel, and such is true... But only when one looks at the fallen angels. Though whether it is true of all angels dubious at best, however I would like to leave aside, such a debate for the purposes of this story what matters is. That this was a mindset that Kateto would take up. That Angels are invasive to our world. That they are just as bad, just as corruptive as demons and yet quite a little bit more insidious and subtle.
In the years that followed, though lacking in reason provided. It's clear that something happened. They enjoyed their time within the shadowlands though there was a hollowness, a slight feeling of apathy settled over them. For the rest of the world at large. It was hard to bring themselves to care about it, truly. The world that had taken from them their best friend and rival. But they still plied their trade as a healer all the same, learning all they could about the healing arts and offering their services as a doctor to any who needed it regardless of affiliation. They helped many developing nations and people at this time. They wrote once in passing about helping those of Valmasa and helping the Oscuri get a foothold on the continent, having wrote in passing of doing 'much the same for soldiers of Azrael who were trapped within the Hollow World.'
They were approached by a goblin called Parasite seeking medical aid. Which Kateto provided, of course. Parasite wasn't the first and they likely wouldn't be the last to ask Kateto for such or so they wrote. The meetings between these two turned out to be a little more fruitful than initially thought. It took several of them, building trust and providing aid. And it was around this time that the grand sorceress Muse would confide in Kateto the truth of the world. The danger that Angels represented to humanity and humankind. And also, around this time...
Parasite offered the shadowlands-doctor a chance to join them. An offer oddly tempting, they wrote about knowing that they would accept before the words left their mouth. Kateto had this strange understanding of the other, and they of Kateto... It was only later, though not overlong after- that Kateto would realize that 'Parasite' was actually one of their first mentors that had come to them in disguise. Nomul Nightfall. and Kateto accepted the Fel Lord of Morningstar's offer. Kateto worked to try and unite the world, The Fel and the righteous against this threat, minimizing the damage the Fel would do and the threat they possessed while trying to organize for a united front. At the same time they began to craft a mask that would later go on to define their future persona, though at the moment they took on a different name. One given by Parasite- the vestiges and mantle of Pestilence.
A name I never knew.
Not with the goal of destroying Arcadia as it had once been, not even for a true relapse into helping the Fel actively and with their whole heart. But for the goal of trying to break humanity free from angel's shackles. Under Parasite they learned much. About artifice, about runecasting, becoming more proficient in the art... And at the same time purging the Occult from their circuits using a small part of Aquantio that they'd been gifted, came across during their earlier years. It corrupted that fragment of the tree into a seed of disharmony but Aquantio did take their pain and anger upon itself, even in this small form. It's this very property of it that they taught me, that made me wonder. And concerned for the health of the tree. Would it be able to purify the shadowlands on its own without falling to such an influence? This is my concern, that of the protege that Kateto left to fulfill their work in the shadowlands. Not relevant to our current story, however.
Under Parasite, they learned so-so much from the fel lord of Morningstar. All in an effort to push forward this goal of theirs- complete severance of the Angels from humanity. As has been revealed to me in speaking with Muse during the writing of this book. And an amending of the earlier statement printed here... While the belief that all extraplanar forces are vile is something that the city state of aetius has held since as of the earliest I know, the 2150s, the belief that this is *only* Angels, however, is one separate from Aetius's beliefs, and the one that Nightingale personally believed, at the time, that the world of Atmos where the Creator is from is connected to the Cycle- using the gradually increasing strength of mortal souls somehow for a weapon in their never-ending war. If the world exists at all in truth. It's this goal that Pestilence fought to pursue and advance. To its end they learned under Nomul, became a runecaster and made things both great and terrible under the morningstars and their former mentor... But as time went on the vice around morningstars' neck would tighten and Kateto's involvement with the sect would be found out with the fall of the Perfect Demon Indras the attention swiveled unto them and Kateto realized that the hold upon their soul was not broken. Their thoughts turned away from this goal, from aiding the Fel once again to the state of their own soul.
But it was again- Too late for such, too late to not be punished. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate they found themselves in their rivals shoes
Chapter 7: Matters Of The Soul
Their Second Name
The Soul is a precious thing, though it's a topic of hot debate that I hope to look into more clearly to bring an illuminating beam of light unto one day. It is a precious divine engine that carries energy akin to a battery and from which miracles draw their power, from which sorcerers cast their spells and from which all our mana is drawn.
It is merely an archive, a receptacle for the memories of this life to be carried unto the other, your connection to the life-stream stems through it, and it acts as an infinite battery and source of your magic- But; And this is an opinion. Your soul is not you. Your spirit is that which comprises everything that 'you' are within this world, your memories, personality, emotions and all of that is simply the essence that makes up who you are, the soul will one day record you at the time of your death as you are- And preserve it forevermore. But it is not related to who you are as a person... And yet, the act of giving it up means that you may yet never live another life.
For memories and records are the proof of our existence, in a way it is not you, but it is the proof that you existed... A witch's contract gives up their soul to their patron, this is known... Less well known with most modern sorcerers attempting to hide such information however is the way that sorcery robs one of their souls in a more gradual, insidious way, though one with much more pointed permanence. Some call it elegant but that is only true insomuch as a loaded crossbow is... It's this connection to their soul, this pact with their patron that propelled My Parent however. Into this next stage of their life.
Kateto's concern fell predominantly to their own soul around this point, the Perfect Demon had been said to be killed- And yet... It couldn't have been? It was still alive. This was known with the cold certainty of a tombs stone. This was known because they could feel the connection they still had with the being. They sought confirmation on this to the best of their abilities, why? So that they could put the bastard demon in the ground for good. Personally if needs must. Though it was the Seneschal who would find Kateto first, the same person responsible for the death of their best friend, Lavenza. Though more accurately it was another that ended up bringing Kateto in, it was under Their will. Calyx ultimately was the one who brought Kateto under Delphina's custody
...Where they awaited sentencing but thought the matter already decided, as they confided into their journals after the fact and the Seneschal confirmed with me during an in-person interview on the topic- They very much expected the same treatment as their friend, execution by Euphradrea, dissolution by the purifying white oak as is the fate befitting those who use(d) the occult and had sold their soul off.
But that's not what happened. Our story won't be cut short by such a thing... Tiche Alline-Aubreen, the now-arcadian saint and self-redeemed morningstar undead-come-dryad fought for my parent, on their behalf... Because while serving morningstar they fought on her behalf, for her redemption and now? It had come full circle, Aricles's daughter was the one to save Kateto this time, advocating for their potential to turn their life around for good this time. Because she of all people saw within them the same kindness that their coven-brother had all those years ago...
The kindness that supposedly would be their downfall
Became like an updraft, bringing them up and into the light.
But Kateto- No, 'Pestilence' didn't want or care about that. Bitter and soured they weren't grateful, they were spiteful and petty and angry. Scorn and spite shown to those who wanted to help them But her words did prompt the Seneschal to stay their hand for, but a moment. To speak with Kateto at greater depth. An honest conversation between the two... And it was strange. Kateto writes often here, about many things, chief among them is this- How Seneschal taught them so much over the months- years maybe. How they had come to see the Seneschal as a friend and teacher- a true equal worthy of respect. And the dissonance they then felt. This was the person who'd killed- even if indirectly. Their best friend and rival and yet. They could not bring themselves to hate the Seneschal.
Their words were considered and stewed on and over-time they... Were released, after these lessons, after reflection. After changing suitably in Their eyes... My parent often wrote around this time, too. Of how they never could quite bring themselves to hate their homeland, either. Despite all that had happened.
Their veil as pestilence was shattered.
The name I'd never known was discarded.
And while it's not truly so...
Their 'second name' was picked out, this day. The Mein of Nightingale donned.
Who's bright songs could bring cheer and light to even the pitchest of darks.
Their Second Name
There is a belief in Meranthe that the Angels along with the Primordials, are problems. That only humans and humanity should be given power and any non-human forces that hold such are vile. That those forces of Vanaheim and Avalon are just as problematic as the forces of Hel, and such is true... But only when one looks at the fallen angels. Though whether it is true of all angels dubious at best, however I would like to leave aside, such a debate for the purposes of this story what matters is. That this was a mindset that Kateto would take up. That Angels are invasive to our world. That they are just as bad, just as corruptive as demons and yet quite a little bit more insidious and subtle.
In the years that followed, though lacking in reason provided. It's clear that something happened. They enjoyed their time within the shadowlands though there was a hollowness, a slight feeling of apathy settled over them. For the rest of the world at large. It was hard to bring themselves to care about it, truly. The world that had taken from them their best friend and rival. But they still plied their trade as a healer all the same, learning all they could about the healing arts and offering their services as a doctor to any who needed it regardless of affiliation. They helped many developing nations and people at this time. They wrote once in passing about helping those of Valmasa and helping the Oscuri get a foothold on the continent, having wrote in passing of doing 'much the same for soldiers of Azrael who were trapped within the Hollow World.'
They were approached by a goblin called Parasite seeking medical aid. Which Kateto provided, of course. Parasite wasn't the first and they likely wouldn't be the last to ask Kateto for such or so they wrote. The meetings between these two turned out to be a little more fruitful than initially thought. It took several of them, building trust and providing aid. And it was around this time that the grand sorceress Muse would confide in Kateto the truth of the world. The danger that Angels represented to humanity and humankind. And also, around this time...
Parasite offered the shadowlands-doctor a chance to join them. An offer oddly tempting, they wrote about knowing that they would accept before the words left their mouth. Kateto had this strange understanding of the other, and they of Kateto... It was only later, though not overlong after- that Kateto would realize that 'Parasite' was actually one of their first mentors that had come to them in disguise. Nomul Nightfall. and Kateto accepted the Fel Lord of Morningstar's offer. Kateto worked to try and unite the world, The Fel and the righteous against this threat, minimizing the damage the Fel would do and the threat they possessed while trying to organize for a united front. At the same time they began to craft a mask that would later go on to define their future persona, though at the moment they took on a different name. One given by Parasite- the vestiges and mantle of Pestilence.
A name I never knew.
Not with the goal of destroying Arcadia as it had once been, not even for a true relapse into helping the Fel actively and with their whole heart. But for the goal of trying to break humanity free from angel's shackles. Under Parasite they learned much. About artifice, about runecasting, becoming more proficient in the art... And at the same time purging the Occult from their circuits using a small part of Aquantio that they'd been gifted, came across during their earlier years. It corrupted that fragment of the tree into a seed of disharmony but Aquantio did take their pain and anger upon itself, even in this small form. It's this very property of it that they taught me, that made me wonder. And concerned for the health of the tree. Would it be able to purify the shadowlands on its own without falling to such an influence? This is my concern, that of the protege that Kateto left to fulfill their work in the shadowlands. Not relevant to our current story, however.
Under Parasite, they learned so-so much from the fel lord of Morningstar. All in an effort to push forward this goal of theirs- complete severance of the Angels from humanity. As has been revealed to me in speaking with Muse during the writing of this book. And an amending of the earlier statement printed here... While the belief that all extraplanar forces are vile is something that the city state of aetius has held since as of the earliest I know, the 2150s, the belief that this is *only* Angels, however, is one separate from Aetius's beliefs, and the one that Nightingale personally believed, at the time, that the world of Atmos where the Creator is from is connected to the Cycle- using the gradually increasing strength of mortal souls somehow for a weapon in their never-ending war. If the world exists at all in truth. It's this goal that Pestilence fought to pursue and advance. To its end they learned under Nomul, became a runecaster and made things both great and terrible under the morningstars and their former mentor... But as time went on the vice around morningstars' neck would tighten and Kateto's involvement with the sect would be found out with the fall of the Perfect Demon Indras the attention swiveled unto them and Kateto realized that the hold upon their soul was not broken. Their thoughts turned away from this goal, from aiding the Fel once again to the state of their own soul.
But it was again- Too late for such, too late to not be punished. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate they found themselves in their rivals shoes
Chapter 7: Matters Of The Soul
Their Second Name
The Soul is a precious thing, though it's a topic of hot debate that I hope to look into more clearly to bring an illuminating beam of light unto one day. It is a precious divine engine that carries energy akin to a battery and from which miracles draw their power, from which sorcerers cast their spells and from which all our mana is drawn.
It is merely an archive, a receptacle for the memories of this life to be carried unto the other, your connection to the life-stream stems through it, and it acts as an infinite battery and source of your magic- But; And this is an opinion. Your soul is not you. Your spirit is that which comprises everything that 'you' are within this world, your memories, personality, emotions and all of that is simply the essence that makes up who you are, the soul will one day record you at the time of your death as you are- And preserve it forevermore. But it is not related to who you are as a person... And yet, the act of giving it up means that you may yet never live another life.
For memories and records are the proof of our existence, in a way it is not you, but it is the proof that you existed... A witch's contract gives up their soul to their patron, this is known... Less well known with most modern sorcerers attempting to hide such information however is the way that sorcery robs one of their souls in a more gradual, insidious way, though one with much more pointed permanence. Some call it elegant but that is only true insomuch as a loaded crossbow is... It's this connection to their soul, this pact with their patron that propelled My Parent however. Into this next stage of their life.
Kateto's concern fell predominantly to their own soul around this point, the Perfect Demon had been said to be killed- And yet... It couldn't have been? It was still alive. This was known with the cold certainty of a tombs stone. This was known because they could feel the connection they still had with the being. They sought confirmation on this to the best of their abilities, why? So that they could put the bastard demon in the ground for good. Personally if needs must. Though it was the Seneschal who would find Kateto first, the same person responsible for the death of their best friend, Lavenza. Though more accurately it was another that ended up bringing Kateto in, it was under Their will. Calyx ultimately was the one who brought Kateto under Delphina's custody
...Where they awaited sentencing but thought the matter already decided, as they confided into their journals after the fact and the Seneschal confirmed with me during an in-person interview on the topic- They very much expected the same treatment as their friend, execution by Euphradrea, dissolution by the purifying white oak as is the fate befitting those who use(d) the occult and had sold their soul off.
But that's not what happened. Our story won't be cut short by such a thing... Tiche Alline-Aubreen, the now-arcadian saint and self-redeemed morningstar undead-come-dryad fought for my parent, on their behalf... Because while serving morningstar they fought on her behalf, for her redemption and now? It had come full circle, Aricles's daughter was the one to save Kateto this time, advocating for their potential to turn their life around for good this time. Because she of all people saw within them the same kindness that their coven-brother had all those years ago...
The kindness that supposedly would be their downfall
Became like an updraft, bringing them up and into the light.
But Kateto- No, 'Pestilence' didn't want or care about that. Bitter and soured they weren't grateful, they were spiteful and petty and angry. Scorn and spite shown to those who wanted to help them But her words did prompt the Seneschal to stay their hand for, but a moment. To speak with Kateto at greater depth. An honest conversation between the two... And it was strange. Kateto writes often here, about many things, chief among them is this- How Seneschal taught them so much over the months- years maybe. How they had come to see the Seneschal as a friend and teacher- a true equal worthy of respect. And the dissonance they then felt. This was the person who'd killed- even if indirectly. Their best friend and rival and yet. They could not bring themselves to hate the Seneschal.
Their words were considered and stewed on and over-time they... Were released, after these lessons, after reflection. After changing suitably in Their eyes... My parent often wrote around this time, too. Of how they never could quite bring themselves to hate their homeland, either. Despite all that had happened.
Their veil as pestilence was shattered.
The name I'd never known was discarded.
And while it's not truly so...
Their 'second name' was picked out, this day. The Mein of Nightingale donned.
Who's bright songs could bring cheer and light to even the pitchest of darks.