Everyone turned towards Epic in disbelief.
"Why would you want to meet more of them?" Black questioned in disbelief.
"No offense to you, that is, dealing with one of you is just very difficult on it's own." He directed at Destiny.

Epic shrugged. "Why not?" He inclined his skull to Outer. "If it doesn't bother you bruh, we are gathered here peacefully. That, and they're here to help us, we just gotta help them. It really works out in everyone's favor! Bruhs taking them on get a boost and they get to do what they were supposed to if Fate didn't up and ruin everything. Not to mention we should know who our allies are. It makes sense, Bruh!"

Black seemed to silently find this agreeable, slowly leading to everyone turning towards Outer.
He sunk down a little deeper.
"I.. dunno, it seems weird." He explained awkwardly, glancing to the side nervously.

"Would you rather leave Peace to die?" Black asked of him in a deceptively concerned tone. Outer sighed, pressing his arms over his face before groaning into the pillowy sleeves.
"No." His muffled voice came through the fabric.
"I just like being me."

"Well, you still are you, just sometimes something else is borrowing your body." Epic indicated Destiny casually, said deity blinking at him.

"I… fine. If it's gotta happen, let it be over with faster. I'll lose my nerve otherwise." He sighed in resignation, still agitated.
Destiny inclined her (possessed) skull and drifted backward, still hovering as the air began to warp around her unnaturally, revealing patches of darkness.

"I have contacted Peace, and shall return shortly." Then she passed through the wall as though it had turned to syrup, and the world abruptly shifted back to normal- only a faint bluish tinge shone from the window outside. 

"This is giving me anxiety." Outer stated in a casual tone, eyesockets wide.
"Nah, be peaceful." Epic replied with an easy smile, leaning back and lightly stroking the puppy's head.

"You're not about to have some random deity in you like- like something! Like a ghost selecting a body?"
"That sounds fairly accurate." Black muttered, shifting in place.
"But I'm alive!"
"Yes. But your actions are still your own, Outer. Frankly, I'm quite fascinated about all this." A dangerous smile played upon his face before it vanished.
"Aren't you? After all, you're the chosen child of Curiosity." He enunciated the words dramatically in slight amusement.

Outer rolled his eyelights in annoyance. "Don't go all villainous on us now, Black."
"What?" He gasped dramatically, holding a hand over his sternum. "Me? Villainous? I would never! Whatever made you think that?"
The space themed skeleton gave him a look.

Blackberry scoffed, holding himself with a dignified air. "I would never stoop so low as-" He was interrupted by a deep warbling note rang out from the wall, everyone turning in surprise as it rippled like water, revealing something void black as the note increased in intensity.

Everyone tensed just in time for a brilliant flash of light to fan out into the room, several things bursting out of the odd portal and blinded everyone, strange erratic noises spewing frantically from something as the dog woke up and started screeching in fear, it's small, high, panicked voice cutting through the deep cacophony all around them.

Everything was chaos and confusion for an unknown amount of time, before it suddenly just faded, lights vanishing to reveal the more familiar Classic, still possessed by Destiny with thick wreaths of blue and silver light surrounding him, darkness flashing through it as another being stood- floated- beside them.

The new arrival was an array of colors, a soft grey-blue like ocean mist, sage green and pale pink, all in the shape of an airy lamb. Eventually it seemed to settle for a blue wool coat, green hooves and a grey muzzle, bowing its head at them submissively. It took a step towards Outer, recognition gleaming in its navy colored eyes.

Black regarded Destiny warily, Epic shushing the already calmed pup in his lap as the other spoke quietly.
"Do I want to know what happened just now?"

Destiny blinked at him. "You ask me to make a choice for you?"
Blackberry hesitated, then sighed. "Nevermind. I think I'd prefer not to know."
The deity stared at him for a moment longer, then at the lamb that daintily and cautiously began approaching Outer.

"It's cute." He murmured, leaning forward to reach out, letting it sniff his phalanges.
"Is this Peace?" Epic asked, still cuddling the puppy.
The lamb held one hoof in the air, turning to sniff in his direction at the mention. It's navy blue eyes held incredible intelligence, blinking at him. It turned back to Outer, who chuckled softly as it pressed it's face into his hand.

"It's so soft." He cooed, rubbing its fuzzy head. It huffed, nostrils dilated as it rubbed itself against his hand. "It's so weird and cute and-" He paused, its eyes staring into his lights.
It seemed a silent communication was happening between them, something the others were not part of.
"I.. I guess. But I'm me. I'm me." He muttered.

Black shared a look with Epic, who just shrugged, watching as the lamb began to dissolve in a cloud of soft colors, Outer looking unnerved and slightly frightened of it as it descended upon him, concealing him from view.

Blackberry leaned over, hoping to get a better look at what was happening, but all he could see was a calming blue and orchid colored cloud, glittering slightly with pink highlights.

When it drifted apart, it revealed Outer sound asleep in the chair, an odd rosemary scent in the air as sparkles rested in his clothes.

"Well that was cute." Black admitted, impressed.
"I wish I coulda pet it." Epic mumbled, turning back to scratching the pup's head, the sleepy mammal enjoying it peacefully.
Neither of them expected the rich, surprisingly deep and present woman's voice to respond, completely lacking the somewhat androgynous, echoey tones Destiny had.
"You could always pet the wool of this coat, it is quite soft."

It was definitely not Outer gazing back at them with a fond smile and hazy navy blue eyelights.
"How did that still surprise me?" Black questioned rhetorically, staring.

It was definitely not Outer gazing back at them with a fond smile and hazy navy blue eyelights.
"How did that still surprise me?" Black questioned rhetorically, staring.

The other spoke again, voice a melodic allure that was slower than most others.
"The most surprising thing about me is often the very fact that I can be surprising."

"I'm more impressed that you seem so much more normal than Destiny."
"I am closer to you mortals. You seem to not fully understand.. we are embodiments of ethereal, not gods. Gods are of more physical things. If you find a god that does not quite embody something of the physical realm, it is likely they are not just a god. Eve and her child are a good example of such."

She- Peace was most certainly female- waved lightly at something behind them, leading them to turn and blink at the tall, glowing, pale human woman standing behind the couch.
"How long have you been there?" Black inquired, slowly getting used to the randomness- it wasn't too different from the usual, actually.

Eve had a slightly higher voice, remarkably even in tone as she replied.
"Since Destiny brought us here."

Epic slowly raised a phalange at her, sockets narrowed. He kept pointing until his hand was level to his face.
"You feel a lot like Abyss, Bruh."

She smiled fondly, though something about it seemed saddened.
"That is because Abyss is my child."
"Half of your child." Destiny corrected.
Eve chuckled. "Yes, half. He is getting better, however."

There was a pause as they put two and two together.
"You're Evolution!" Blackberry exclaimed in realization.
She nodded graciously.
He glanced back at Destiny, puzzled.
"Wait, why is it Destiny is the only one so strange out of all of you?"

"Think about it, dear." Eve advised, then the slow, sleepy voice of Peace spoke up.
"Destiny is much less involved with mortal matters than us. If they are, it is often indirectly so. Destiny has had very little contact with you all; most of that contact was spent with gods, especially Error. The poor thing, I barely knew him. I met him almost exclusively in Outer's home. Oh how he adored the stars.."

"He knew you deities?" Epic quested, leaning on the armrest beside him.
"Oh… he never saw us, or even heard us often. We met Error as we meet anyone most of the time."
"...Which is how?" Black prompted.

"Indirectly. You do not see us, but we are present. I do not see you so often, Epic. You fear the silence, don't you?"
Epic didn't reply, instead petting the dog. Blackberry peered at him in mild concern, but kept quiet.

"All this talk of deities that are representative of concepts, this leads me to believe I could go so far as guess the names of a few." Black sighed, rubbing his nasal bone.
"Oh, why don't you then?" Peace smiled blissfully at him.
Black stared at her and the look that was somehow off-putting when seen on Outer's face. Then he smirked, crossing his arms.
"What about Love?"

Peace seemed caught off guard for a moment, shuddering.
"Love is such a wild one. They sweep in and leave everything a mess, and there's no telling if it is a beautiful one or ugly. They can be so horribly aggressive. Maybe it is in our favor that they settled down and chose a vessel so long ago."

"Oh? Who might that be?"
"Red, you call him."
"What." Both Blackberry and Epic asked at the same time, shocked. Peace was clearly amused.
"Why so surprised? Love is violent, but sometimes gentle. Do you not see that in him? He was full of Love even before it chose him, all kinds."

"Well.. are there any deities left who don't have a vessel?" He asked, noticing Destiny hover after Eve as she moved into the next room before Peace responded with a bemused expression.

"Well, despite being close to Love, Vengeance and Revenge have been drifting around their selected choices. I believe they are worried Fate will notice if they take their vessels, otherwise we would not be having this conversation right now."
He blinked. "Why not?"
"Well of course, little Blackberry, Vengeance has taken a liking to you." 

He blanked for a moment, then returned to himself.
"Me? I was not expecting- do I really seem that important?"
"Important? Importance doesn't matter. But it is still all the more fitting. Do you not see it? Revenge and Vengeance are very similar, yet all the same are not quite. Revenge is closer to Love, yet Vengeance is not as close to Unity as Revenge is to Love. You are the spitting image of this."

A dull excitement seemed to flare in him. "Oh! Why not take care of business, then? I would love to know this Vengeance." He practically purred. Of course, there was a selfish reason as well- he wanted to know what it was like- but he was shocked with how much he found himself wanting to see a deity that favored him. Him! He'd seemed so unimportant in the Multiverse, it had frustrated him so much to see how little he meant at all to anyone.

He hardly noticed that Epic was already asleep. It made him pause, then he realized just how sleepy Peace's voice was. Then it also occurred to him.
"Destiny failed to mention this."

"Why would they? You were not yet Vengeance's vessel. Destiny also failed to mention that Patience has been looking at him, didn't they?" She pointed to the conked out Epic.
"No. No she did not."

Peace finally stood up, faint shimmers in the air around her. "I'm sure Vengeance is not far. I can feel him. I am typically not very close to him, as we tend to clash."
"Oh? A deity that identifies as a gender? And male, too?"
"Vengeance has been male lately, yes. We are all subject to change, and many of us pass through gender identities often."
"Ah. I did not know that. Thank you."

Peace nodded to him and left to the other room where the other two deities- and possessed Classic- had gone into.
"Wait, are you going to retrieve him?" He called after her.
She didn't respond, but he did get an answer.

"𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞." A gravelly voice purred from above and behind him. Blackberry spun, flinching at the sight of the enormous currant red and deep purple tiger. It's fiery eyes blinked at him, then it sauntered down the wall and stepped onto the floor with liquid grace, watching him all the while.

"𝐈 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐭?" He asked in his dark yet regal voice, slowly turning to circle Black, who faced him the whole while.
"I certainly do. I am honored.. more than honored to know a magnificent being such as you would find me worthy of your attention."
"𝐀𝐡. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠." The grand beast drew back, back arching somewhat as a thin ribbon of dark magenta trailed his tail.

Black tensed, readying himself as he saw this stance. "And what is that?" He asked, already convinced of the answer even before it roared.
"𝐖𝐞 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓! 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫! 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐲! 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬!"

He summoned a bladed bone at those words, shouting as the tiger lunged, roaring. He stood his ground even as they crashed into one another, snarling when the weight dragged him back, stabbing until he lost his grip on the weapon.

Both fighters growled as they resorted to tearing into each other tooth and nail, bone on magic.
Phalanges tore skin, claws cracked bone, teeth tore muscle and fangs snapped arms.

Outer regained consciousness to this morbid scene, Epic awake and blocking him from putting a stop to it even as blood soaked the floor in dark, reflective pools, splashing onto the furniture and seeping into the carpet.

He choked at the sight of Black fighting so ferally, the strange unearthly tiger losing solidity as the fight wore on, wounds leaking not blood, but a mist that seemed magnetized towards the screeching Blackberry, who suddenly managed to blind the cat in one eye, his fangs glistening with his own blood.

He finally heaved the massive animal up and slammed it into the ground, blood splattering around it as he shouted.
"I will not be defeated!" He snarled, eyelights a glaring bright blue. The tiger lay still for a moment, then peered up at him, massive chunks of its body hanging off or missing.
"𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥."

It's head fell back on the floor with a wet smack, then its entire body turned to a reddish purple mist, swirling around Black until it faded.

He trembled slightly, only one leg left that wasn't too mangled to stand on as he slowly glanced back at the observers with violet, red-tinted eyelights and a faint, ecstatic smile.
"I am Vengeance."

Then he collapsed, unable to remain conscious with his severe injuries.