Return to Sigil
Now as the Queen was ready to fly, my brother asked what will I do next. To that I hadn't any real answer, for I rarely make any long term plans – and if I do, they emerge spontaneously without warning, and oft crystal clear without any actual planning stage. Right then, however, the next logical step was to return to Sigil.
--“And I'm guessing now you're going to ask me how to enter that portal above Lady's Ward?”, Karan asked chuckling.
--“Was about to, yes”, I replied blinking slowly. As usual, he had read me like a book.
Karan then proceeded to tell what the key was, but instead of complex explanations about where the portal's other end point was he simply touched my forehead and imparted the knowledge directly into my mind. Although he has no Gith blood in him, he had learned a lot over the course of years in Zahn'tra's presence, of which reading and sending thoughts was one of the simplest trick.
--“Astral... Right...”, I muttered, sorting out in my mind what I had just learned, “Queen can create temporary portals on its own, but Sigil is on that accord a bit unique...”
--“I know. She almost demolished the Tempest last time... when I had to leave... promptly”, Karan sighed, clearly referring to the Lady of Pain.
As it was, Karan had to leave Sigil in a hurry for various reasons and to achieve that he had to open a portal of his own, barely managing to avoid flaying. Even though it happened years ago, he is still a persona non grata – not hunted, but not wanted within the city either.
While we talked further, a flash of memories raced across my mind, the fated night I destroyed everything Karan loved. I was there, standing next to him, watching myself to kill everyone in the village - from children to elderly, leaving only him alive. My eyes blurred and felt a sudden urge to throw up.
--“What's wrong?”, I heard Mashanie ask, both him and Karan looking at me worried.
I saw myself myself, wings drenched in blood, walking towards myself, uttering, “I will be free...” Karan glanced at me for a long while silent, then finally nodding and ruffling my hair and wiping away my tears. He mumbled softly something as his eyes fixed with mine, a soothing wind sweeping my mind clear of all ill thought.
--“Better now?”, he asked then.
--“Something what I'd undo if I could...”, I said with my voice trailing inaudible.
--“Past is past. You already undid it. We found each other again”, he replied and shook his head.
Karan examined my thoughts a while.
--“Celedorn. I know that name”, he said suddenly with eyes widening.
--“You do?”, I asked, my mind racing momentarily wild upon hearing my son's name, so fresh in memory again.
--“Yes. He... an Anointed Knight of Helm. A hero of the Realms. No wonder, since he is...”, he replied but silenced abruptly as he glanced to Mashanie.
--“Ay, he's my son... from times past. Now a grown man. Been one for quite a while actually”, I smirked.
--“Mir...”, Karan said thoughtfully after a while.
--“Mhm?”, I voiced.
--“He... he died almost 500 years ago... at the last battle for Myth Drannor”, was his answer.
Suffice to say, I was dumbstruck, thoughts dispersing into chaotic jumble. Just then I truly understood why Zahn'tra had referred to my children with words “they were called heroes.” In my mind it at all was clear as yesterday, but then again, that is how my mind works – not differentiating whether something happened a moment ago or a decade or longer ago.
--“His sister survived though, and I'm sure her progeny is still walking the face of Faerun”, Karan stated softly.
Maybe I'll meet them someday, or maybe I have already met. Doubt though they'd know who I am or if I'd recognize them.
To turn thoughts elsewhere I asked whether Karan knew how to reach places not connected to the Flow. He looked at me thoughtfully, shaking his head, stating that no one had pierced those parts of space in centuries for the simple reason that it'd take very long time to cross the Flowless regions. I could make it, but Karan's expression and glance to Mashanie told me that he'd die to old age long before we had left the known crystal sphere cluster. I fell silent, dismissing the idea that had emerged, although couldn't hide the image of a desert which rose into my mind. My brother, naturally, caught the image from my mind – the image of Athasian desert.
--“Yes, we've visited there”, I said nodding.
--“You... did?”, Karan asked momentarily stumbling in his words.
--“Well, the City of Doors has a door to every place... It's just a matter of having the right key and finding the portal”, I replied shrugging as a matter of factly.
--“Right... but those portals should be barred and locked. How did you... I guess you're the only kind of cat that is not killed by curiosity”, he grinned and burst laughing.
The expression on his face a moment later, the pout and the way how he said he'd want to travel to the Lost Spheres raised a warm memory of an unruly child who never let go of my legs, wherever I went, one that would cry a river if left behind. Softly snickering I ruffled my brother's hair the way I had done so many times back when he was a little kid.
-.-*-.-*-.-
One final gift what I and Mashanie received from Karan was that he melded our minds together. Neither of us had second thoughts about accepting the gift, and thus we were bonded, to never part – no thought hidden, no emotion unclear, able to share it all regardless of distance. He found solace in me, just like I found in him, and amidst all the memories I saw one thing clearer than anything else – a pillar of brightly glowing light, liquid fire burning forever, and in the center of it my own image with spread wings, eyes smiling, and with a serene, almost childlike expression on my face that was seen only when we were together.
--“That is you, my sun”, I heard his gentle words in my mind.
--“Ay”, I replied to him alike, smiling.
Whether Karan read our words or not, he didn't express to us.
--“If you so wish, there is no need for words between you to ever again”, he stated finally to us.
Not that there had been much need for words before, we had come to know each other enough well to think almost as one already. Nonetheless, to feel him so very close, closer than ever before, filled me with indescribable happiness.
After changing a few words and farewells with my brother I and Mashanie went to Queen, where Zahn'tra was waiting us on the deck, his expression perplexed and wondering as his gaze studied us.
--“Child of the Planes, you chose the hardest of all roads to travel. May the knowledge of Zerthimon shed its light on you even in the darkest of hours”, he stated slowly.
Gods I don't heed nor respect, but true wisdom I do, and Zerthimon's maybe most readily.
--“This man loves his riddles”, Mashanie said after Zahn'tra returned to the shipyard, giving rather cryptic farewells to us.
--“Well, they fuel the mind, every thought making it to work and to grow, in knowing”, I replied, pacing toward the bridge.
We made a few plans about arming the Queen as for now it's only defense was the sheer size of it. Right then the lack of defenses didn't bother me in the least though. Weapons, skimmers, a visit to Mechanus, and a great many other things and ideas bounced between us.
Soon we and the Queen were ready to depart from Garden, the anchors released and our small cargo – in courtesy to my brother – secured in the hold. The Queen greeted me merrily, eagerly bonding with me, and again I felt being one with her, my wings the sails, my body the sleek hull of her, ready to fly again. We left the docks and I shrugged, the sailwings flexing and contracting, then opening in full as I urged the ship to fly forth – not yet taking any specific destination – merely enjoying my being, our being, and I “felt” the void around me, the distances, the emptiness, and the excitement of soaring free.
The hull sighed softly as I accelerated, and gave me an exhilarating feeling as the sleek ship sliced the void, the sailwings fluttering gently, making my shoulders tingle with a familiar feeling from the past.
--“Guess we try a hop, to Astral. We have a portal to find there anyway”, I said eventually to Mashanie who stood beside me and the helm.
--“I'm in no hurry, love, if you want to enjoy it some more, do so. But you know, since Astral is majorly empty, you could try the speed there”, he replied smiling with a wink.
Mashanie informed the crew to get ready for jump, and in a while Shade was secured, the cargo fixed, and the crew at ready and braced.
--“Aigh', here we go...”, I sighed and reached for the generator, in my mind a clear landmark in the Astral which I had seen during my first trip to the said plane, Twin Rising Suns.
A beam of light shot forth from the tower of the bridge, piercing the darkness, slowly forming a huge portal for the ship to pass through. Never before I had seen one so big, majestically rippling along, half transparent, with shades of violet and red, with the twinkling stars at background.
The Queen let out a soft sigh, maybe my anticipation catching up to it as it sped forward, fast disappearing into the portal. The sight was peculiar as the front disappeared rapidly, as if it was cut away by hand divine. Then the flickering apparition reached us and we were flung into a torrent of colors and sounds, losing our structure and identity. We materialized through the portal a minute fraction of a second later, around us the shades of blue of Astral.
Seeing Mashanie's expression shortly after we emerged through the portal made me chuckle, him standing there awe struck as he gazed the sights through bridge's glassteel windows. Crew soon reported that everything was okay, although I knew that already, the Queen itself having told me so.
I extended my mind, the helm showing me the surroundings. Rocks and floatsome gliding through the blue background, rippling the misty “waves” of Astral. As I remembered the sight from Karan's imparted memory, the ship slowly turned with soft words “That way” echoing in my mind.
--“Even I heard that...”, Mashanie chuckled, “...say hello to her for me.”
--“Well, we have the heading”, I stated and broke into a delighted smile.
The sails of the Queen leisurely opened wide, as if it wanted to bask in the light and warmth of the Twin Rising Suns, lazily turning to the heading it perceived.
--“Faster, yes?”, it asked from me.
--“Fly free”, I stated half in my mind, half spoken.
I heard something akin a delighted giggle resounding in my mind as the ship accelerated, soon to reach its normal travel speed.
--“And now, concentrate...”, the soft voice of the ship whispered in my mind.
I relaxed in the helm, and for a moment there was a surge of memories, flexing the wings, soaring faster and faster, urging the speed come forth with almost elated joy. A jolt ran through me as I felt the Queen almost jump from under me in joy. I could hear the engines howling happily, though it was just an illusion, as the bluish colors blurred and the sleek ship thundered forth. I opened my eyes to see it with my own eyes instead of helm's sensory input. It was as if we were riding a huge tidal wave of magical energy. It buzzed around us in all the colors of rainbow, and in some that could not be named. Everything else faded away, just the feeling of indescribable speed remained. My wings stretched against the tidal pull of it all, sending pleasuring impulses along my muscles into my spine, making me shiver chuckling, gazing forth wordless.
Thirty minutes. That was what the Queen had told. And exactly then we arrived to the portal which led to Sigil. I told her to cloak her presence from scrying eyes and then we descended, passing thro into the city...
Mir Fnar
-
*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Khallabra
The scholars told, "In the past with the roar of the Void did the Sava'ii sing their charm. And underneath the sprigs, in wooden halls, was created a great union between Akha and Sava'ii. However, this union was found foul and vile; the children of it left to wander alone... indefinitely between the sky and earth."
Innumerous millennia ago, before the mortals and their gods existed, the Akha lived in the regions called Haÿlung, whereas Sava'ii strode the stars.
The worlds were young and all lands one continent, and yet had no fear for rage of the Elders. In the woods and mountains lived the Akha, collecting the riches of veins of the Mother Nature and building enormous halls of it. The worlds around were not yet inhabited, but far above lived people who called themselves Sava'ii, star-folk, who gathered the tears of cosmos and decorated their flying cities with them. And neither desired what was the other's.
The irresistible wheels of time ground, however, and brought times of fate to both Akha and Sava'ii. It wasn't due to war, but due to a force which is the most unpredictable, incomprehensible and shrewd... Love. Akha were affected by the beauty of the people of the stars, who in turn sought peace in the gentle forms of Akha. This union is called, Khallabra. Part are its fruit sad - some of the born children, the elves, humans, and other such, were horrible caricatures of their parents' beauty, a sentence for breaking the untold laws. In the malformed figures of their children the parents saw their own carnal vices which they had tried to hide from themselves for aeons. Akha isolated themselves to the huge cavernous cities while the cloud kingdoms of the star-folk drifted into oblivion...
The children of Khallabra were left to wander on the worlds forever alone.
Aeons passed, the worlds changed. The children's lands were aside from most upheavals. However, their numbers diminished. When the grim reaper was knocking the doors of their last, they attempted to beg pardon from their proud parents. But the parents didn't listen. Star monoliths above in the Void were made as temples and signs of power of Eä. With the skills learnt from their parents, the crude children shackled the skies and the ground as power bases. But, the miserable curse-like life didn't please them, and power and might didn't compensate for longing of parents' love. They gathered around the monoliths and shaped the multiverse anew, once and for all. All, except a handful, vanished from existence like a windblow, and the worlds were young once again, and most of the fruits of Khallabra were decidedly forgotten and forbidden.
The scholars told, "In the past with the roar of the Void did the Sava'ii sing their charm. And underneath the sprigs, in wooden halls, was created a great union between Akha and Sava'ii. However, this union was found foul and vile; the children of it left to wander alone... indefinitely between the sky and earth."
Innumerous millennia ago, before the mortals and their gods existed, the Akha lived in the regions called Haÿlung, whereas Sava'ii strode the stars.
The worlds were young and all lands one continent, and yet had no fear for rage of the Elders. In the woods and mountains lived the Akha, collecting the riches of veins of the Mother Nature and building enormous halls of it. The worlds around were not yet inhabited, but far above lived people who called themselves Sava'ii, star-folk, who gathered the tears of cosmos and decorated their flying cities with them. And neither desired what was the other's.
The irresistible wheels of time ground, however, and brought times of fate to both Akha and Sava'ii. It wasn't due to war, but due to a force which is the most unpredictable, incomprehensible and shrewd... Love. Akha were affected by the beauty of the people of the stars, who in turn sought peace in the gentle forms of Akha. This union is called, Khallabra. Part are its fruit sad - some of the born children, the elves, humans, and other such, were horrible caricatures of their parents' beauty, a sentence for breaking the untold laws. In the malformed figures of their children the parents saw their own carnal vices which they had tried to hide from themselves for aeons. Akha isolated themselves to the huge cavernous cities while the cloud kingdoms of the star-folk drifted into oblivion...
The children of Khallabra were left to wander on the worlds forever alone.
Aeons passed, the worlds changed. The children's lands were aside from most upheavals. However, their numbers diminished. When the grim reaper was knocking the doors of their last, they attempted to beg pardon from their proud parents. But the parents didn't listen. Star monoliths above in the Void were made as temples and signs of power of Eä. With the skills learnt from their parents, the crude children shackled the skies and the ground as power bases. But, the miserable curse-like life didn't please them, and power and might didn't compensate for longing of parents' love. They gathered around the monoliths and shaped the multiverse anew, once and for all. All, except a handful, vanished from existence like a windblow, and the worlds were young once again, and most of the fruits of Khallabra were decidedly forgotten and forbidden.
-
*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Myth Drannor #1
We shipped our in-combat deceased crew members to their home grounds, Garden, and held them a memorial. Then it was time to finally visit Myth Drannor like we had for quite a while planned to do.
The trip from Garden to Toril in itself was no different than any other more or less “typical” flight. However, it never ceases to silence me in amazement how beautiful the Primes are from far above – blue and white pearls floating in the starry void, glimmering in the shine of their sun...
After a long while of just adoring the sight we descended, the landscape becoming clearer moment by moment. By Mashanie's directions I sought similarities in what I saw until finally the map pieces clicked into their proper places in my mind and I knew where to head to.
From above the ruined city wasn't difficult to locate, but upon seeing various suspicious flying things (which we later recognized mainly as an assortment of devils) we decided to leave Alice hovering above the forest in cloaking and go to the city by foot. Neither of us was enthusiastic to put either Alice or the crew into danger, and the less there was to go into the city, the less there was chance to be detected.
The closer we got to the ruins, the more eerie the falling silence of the surroundings became, and upon reaching the colossal walls there was no other sound than our own breathing and the quiet rustle of our feet on the ground.
The walls, partially crumbled at places, were easy enough to get past after a while of searching. We quietly passed through a narrow crack in the walls at nightfall. The sight at the other side was both beautiful and strange – self-luminous mosses, softly glowing vines, and not a single sound aside what we made by self.
At times I got distracted by emerging memories, the reality mixing in with images from the past, the tall towers and the buildings intact and the streets bustling with life. And I knew I had been there a long time ago while the city was still prosperous, long ago enough to see parts of it being built. But foremost there was a certain pull... as it had been in the past also... the Mythal softly humming somewhere within the city. I knew where it was, however, so I led us with certainty through the debris cluttered streets...
We walked a while, but then I noticed something what was unusual even in a ruined city – a blast zone, around which the buildings had shattered like hit by a giant fist and armors with their owners' crumbling bones, or just dust, littered all around the center. And at the center I saw a glimpse of something glowing.
Be it an instinct or what, I strode through the rubble to the center, to come upon a glowing armor stand. I sensed a multitude of powerful wards surrounding the armor, but I ignored them and passed through unharmed. With a soft sigh I examined the armor, attempting to comprehend the runes written on it, but shortly I resorted to calling Mashanie translate them: “Celedorn's Final Stand.” It was my son's armor, and he had died there in a battle, defending the city from the horde of fiends and other such who however eventually made the city fall. His final act had made him a hero though, buying time for others to escape... All the years had the armor stood there, never disturbed, and the flowers laying at its side were blooming fresh. I felt a moment of sadness, but it was soon replaced by pride about my son and his achievement.
-- “Celedorn”, I whispered, gently running my fingers across the armor.
For the first time while we had been in the city the wind picked up. The armor gently swayed and slid to the ground. And mixed into the wind I heard a voice I hadn't heard in centuries...
-- “Mother?”, the soft voice called, “Is that you?”
-- “Ay, it's me”, I replied half smiling and half falling into tears.
There was a brief ripple in the air and then my son stood there, or rather his translucent spirit did.
-- “I knew it... I always knew you'd return to be with us. She called me a fool, but I believed, all these years”, he said smiling.
-- “A fool, huh? She had that habit to say so. But yes, I'm here now. Seems you caused somewhat a mess here...”, I replied, briefly blinking to my own casual tone.
-- “Wonder whom I got that from. Oh mother, just as beautiful as I remember”, he said and reached his hands out to me, just like when he was a child, “I'm just happy you're well...”
I reached for him, but aside a soft tingle there was no contact. He didn't seem to notice such.
-- “Even better now, getting to meet you. 'Be seeing', as I said.”
-- “Aye, no farewells because we always return. We should find my sister, to show her she was wrong. I bet she strolls in the Mage ward again”, he replied.
-- “She's here also...?”, I queried for a while quite surprised.
-- “After we defeated the demons, she settled down as one of the archmages. Usually she comes by to have a lunch together... but seems she's late.”
For a moment my thoughts became into a complete halt at the last words. “Lunch... together... late...”, I thought, stifling a pang of sadness, “centuries, waiting...” Then Celedorn smiled and turned around to walk the way to the Mage ward, but stopped after a few steps.
-- “Strange...”, he muttered and glanced around slowly.
Celedorn turned to look at me, dumbstruck, being unable to advance beyond the field of light that shone from the grave site.
-- “Lot has changed...”, I uttered.
-- “I can't move mother...”, he stated wondering.
I winced insides and flopped down to sit, a tear, then another falling.
-- “We... didn't win, did we?”, he asked, his gaze wandering around the rubble, then squatting next to me, reaching for the tears but unable to touch them, “Don't cry mother. We did our best, like father and you taught us to. We helped many to escape, but the rest's hazy...”
-- “I can see you did... more than your best”, I managed to say quietly.
He smiled at that, bright and proud, and his features beginning to slowly brighten and fade.
-- “Mother praised me for what I did... How long have I awaited for this...”
-- “Lot changed, you became a hero to others too, instead of being one in just in my eyes. One thing never does – my love's always with you, son”, I sighed, watching his fading, smiling form.
-- “I'll always be your son, no matter how much time passes”, he stated and finally vanished, the form of him soaring up to the skies.
A while later me and Mashanie decided to take Celedorn's armor along, to set it stand at home with us – just where he belonged.
Then my “other self” decided to chime in, wailing at that this was exactly why I created her back 'then', to block me from the grievous moments and sorrow of the past in the future. After some debate with myself I got the “other” convinced that this was for the best, for all – not just for me, but for my son also – if I hadn't begun trace back my past, he'd still be waiting here... maybe forever.
We shipped our in-combat deceased crew members to their home grounds, Garden, and held them a memorial. Then it was time to finally visit Myth Drannor like we had for quite a while planned to do.
The trip from Garden to Toril in itself was no different than any other more or less “typical” flight. However, it never ceases to silence me in amazement how beautiful the Primes are from far above – blue and white pearls floating in the starry void, glimmering in the shine of their sun...
After a long while of just adoring the sight we descended, the landscape becoming clearer moment by moment. By Mashanie's directions I sought similarities in what I saw until finally the map pieces clicked into their proper places in my mind and I knew where to head to.
From above the ruined city wasn't difficult to locate, but upon seeing various suspicious flying things (which we later recognized mainly as an assortment of devils) we decided to leave Alice hovering above the forest in cloaking and go to the city by foot. Neither of us was enthusiastic to put either Alice or the crew into danger, and the less there was to go into the city, the less there was chance to be detected.
The closer we got to the ruins, the more eerie the falling silence of the surroundings became, and upon reaching the colossal walls there was no other sound than our own breathing and the quiet rustle of our feet on the ground.
The walls, partially crumbled at places, were easy enough to get past after a while of searching. We quietly passed through a narrow crack in the walls at nightfall. The sight at the other side was both beautiful and strange – self-luminous mosses, softly glowing vines, and not a single sound aside what we made by self.
At times I got distracted by emerging memories, the reality mixing in with images from the past, the tall towers and the buildings intact and the streets bustling with life. And I knew I had been there a long time ago while the city was still prosperous, long ago enough to see parts of it being built. But foremost there was a certain pull... as it had been in the past also... the Mythal softly humming somewhere within the city. I knew where it was, however, so I led us with certainty through the debris cluttered streets...
We walked a while, but then I noticed something what was unusual even in a ruined city – a blast zone, around which the buildings had shattered like hit by a giant fist and armors with their owners' crumbling bones, or just dust, littered all around the center. And at the center I saw a glimpse of something glowing.
Be it an instinct or what, I strode through the rubble to the center, to come upon a glowing armor stand. I sensed a multitude of powerful wards surrounding the armor, but I ignored them and passed through unharmed. With a soft sigh I examined the armor, attempting to comprehend the runes written on it, but shortly I resorted to calling Mashanie translate them: “Celedorn's Final Stand.” It was my son's armor, and he had died there in a battle, defending the city from the horde of fiends and other such who however eventually made the city fall. His final act had made him a hero though, buying time for others to escape... All the years had the armor stood there, never disturbed, and the flowers laying at its side were blooming fresh. I felt a moment of sadness, but it was soon replaced by pride about my son and his achievement.
-- “Celedorn”, I whispered, gently running my fingers across the armor.
For the first time while we had been in the city the wind picked up. The armor gently swayed and slid to the ground. And mixed into the wind I heard a voice I hadn't heard in centuries...
-- “Mother?”, the soft voice called, “Is that you?”
-- “Ay, it's me”, I replied half smiling and half falling into tears.
There was a brief ripple in the air and then my son stood there, or rather his translucent spirit did.
-- “I knew it... I always knew you'd return to be with us. She called me a fool, but I believed, all these years”, he said smiling.
-- “A fool, huh? She had that habit to say so. But yes, I'm here now. Seems you caused somewhat a mess here...”, I replied, briefly blinking to my own casual tone.
-- “Wonder whom I got that from. Oh mother, just as beautiful as I remember”, he said and reached his hands out to me, just like when he was a child, “I'm just happy you're well...”
I reached for him, but aside a soft tingle there was no contact. He didn't seem to notice such.
-- “Even better now, getting to meet you. 'Be seeing', as I said.”
-- “Aye, no farewells because we always return. We should find my sister, to show her she was wrong. I bet she strolls in the Mage ward again”, he replied.
-- “She's here also...?”, I queried for a while quite surprised.
-- “After we defeated the demons, she settled down as one of the archmages. Usually she comes by to have a lunch together... but seems she's late.”
For a moment my thoughts became into a complete halt at the last words. “Lunch... together... late...”, I thought, stifling a pang of sadness, “centuries, waiting...” Then Celedorn smiled and turned around to walk the way to the Mage ward, but stopped after a few steps.
-- “Strange...”, he muttered and glanced around slowly.
Celedorn turned to look at me, dumbstruck, being unable to advance beyond the field of light that shone from the grave site.
-- “Lot has changed...”, I uttered.
-- “I can't move mother...”, he stated wondering.
I winced insides and flopped down to sit, a tear, then another falling.
-- “We... didn't win, did we?”, he asked, his gaze wandering around the rubble, then squatting next to me, reaching for the tears but unable to touch them, “Don't cry mother. We did our best, like father and you taught us to. We helped many to escape, but the rest's hazy...”
-- “I can see you did... more than your best”, I managed to say quietly.
He smiled at that, bright and proud, and his features beginning to slowly brighten and fade.
-- “Mother praised me for what I did... How long have I awaited for this...”
-- “Lot changed, you became a hero to others too, instead of being one in just in my eyes. One thing never does – my love's always with you, son”, I sighed, watching his fading, smiling form.
-- “I'll always be your son, no matter how much time passes”, he stated and finally vanished, the form of him soaring up to the skies.
A while later me and Mashanie decided to take Celedorn's armor along, to set it stand at home with us – just where he belonged.
Then my “other self” decided to chime in, wailing at that this was exactly why I created her back 'then', to block me from the grievous moments and sorrow of the past in the future. After some debate with myself I got the “other” convinced that this was for the best, for all – not just for me, but for my son also – if I hadn't begun trace back my past, he'd still be waiting here... maybe forever.
-
*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Myth Drannor #2
Not much after I had released my son and having gathered his armor, a patrol of multiple Cornugons and couple Erinyes approached the blast zone. They hadn't noticed us yet, obviously, for otherwise they'd been charging at us headlong. Can assume it was the grave's light which shone that caught their attention in the first place.
In normal case I'd not avoided a fight with those, but here our wards were barely existent if at all functional and thus we decided to keep our distance to the bunch. We didn't get very far however before there was an alarming commotion amongst the devils, the Erinyes commanding a perimeter search, including buildings. We had just a moment before sneaked into one of the houses, waiting in cover of collected shadows in silence...
...But then something gave out our presence and one of the Cornugons came crashing into the room through the window, part taking the frames along with it. I glanced around, noticing that of the omnipresent vegetation one of the trees had punched a hole through the ceiling, which I promptly pointed out to Mashanie. What happened next, I don't quite recall – Mashanie attempted a shadow jump, and the next thing I saw was a wall hurtling at me, or me at the wall, and everything went black...
A Tenday Later...
...I woke up to rays of rising sun, laying on something soothing and soft, the only sound aside myself the peaceful breath of Mashanie asleep at my side. I sat up, making note of the bedding which was made of faintly glowing blue moss, and then of the room which was rather small but in that also cozy. I stood up, which about sent me floating to the ceiling. Surprised somewhat, but familiar with the feel of both flight and free levitation (or how one does describe the motion in Astral plane), I got my bearings and went to check out of the window. We were far from where had been, now at the Noble Ward.
Shaking Mashanie's shoulder gently I woke him up. A short explanation ensued; the shadow jump had succeeded, but also failed, the destination having been completely elsewhere than intended; I had hit my head to a wall, and been from since out of commission – for a tenday at that! He briefly told how he had ventured around, meeting (or just seeing some) of the denizens which varied from gibberlings to a white dragon aside the devils and worse. Most of them seemed to avoid contact however, but for what reason was anyone's guess.
The time hadn't felt that long to me, not a tenday for sure. While I was out cold, I had gone through a small episode with my “other self”, who for whatever reason tried to harm me. It however occurred to me later that she had just been stalling me from waking up. I wonder... what's she up to now. Upon thinking that I realized that “her” presence was gone, except maybe for a minute echo somewhere at back of my mind. Not sure if I should be worried or relieved... but for now I opted out with relieved.
The fact that I levitated at will wasn't the only change I noticed in myself – there was this knowledge at cellular level about what my body needed, which became crystal clear when Mashanie offered me some fruit as breakfast. Having been out for a tenday, one might think being close to having starved and being weaker than a rag doll would've been in order, but I wasn't hungry in the least. However, I bit to the fruit just to enjoy of its taste in any case.
After the little snack we headed out, the destination to myself clear – Temple Ward. During the walk I recalled a thing from here, another from there, having been in the city since it was built, at times in different forms than my own. It always called me back when I went away..., and after the Mythal was created, the pull just became stronger.
Except for one building the Temple Ward was in ruins just like the rest of the city. The one building standing near intact was dedicated to Mystra. Was it curiosity or what, I wandered into the temple. The building struck me with nostalgia, the stairs leading to the main arch having carried me a countless times. I smiled softly and followed the steps I had walked so many times in the past.
The stairs carried me to the main entrance, the doors now open already but in the past opened as I approached. For a moment I felt the scent of fresh incense, and sandals on my feet... I inhaled the scent which brought a peace into my mind with the familiarity of it. From beyond the doors a slight wind ruffled my hair and I registered some movement. Beyond the doors was a large hall, dedicated to the Mistress of the Weave, paintings depicting her, all saved from grinding time. There was benches as far as I could see, with an altar at the back. And I saw two ghostly figures then, slowly rising from the beams of the doors, floating next to me... and kneeling.
--“High Priestess, you have returned”, said the otherwordly voices of the ghosts in unison.
I recalled the image of myself in the garments of the said position and sighed softly.
--“Rise.”
--“We have guarded the temple for the day the clergy would return. Is it time for Myth Drannor to rise again?”, the voices queried.
But before I got to answer a word to that, there was third voice, a soft sigh from the altar.
--“You never relinquished the post, Mir”, the soft voice of a dark haired woman said, her blue robes wavering in the slight wind that permeated her being, Mystra herself, “You never remembered me...” She walked around the altar, then leaned on it, smiling, “And you were the perfect one, too.”
--“Perfect? Well, not gonna argue... But for what?”, I asked perplexed, “And what comes to remembering, it's sort of thing I'm trying to do”, I frowned.
--“You were an arcanist, but you didn't force my Weave, you let it flow through you free as wind. And more importantly, you are a being of magic yourself. Not magic from gods, but magic nonetheless. Who would have been a more perfect to be my voice in this realm?”
--“Point taken.”
And then there was a brief discussion about just who had helped me to “forget”, but then changed subject again...
--“You were my 'arch wizard' and high priestess... you watched over the Mythal with vigil, but you were summoned. You promised you'd return... but then you vanished from Toril.” And then she smiled again, “you don't believe in your power anymore, do you, Mir. But you are still my priestess and thus my child, and yet you're not. The city is gone, but you can restart if you wish.”
--“Well, it's not that I'd not believe in the powers as a matter of fact. Altho, 'believe' is a bit wrong word – recognition maybe better...”
--“Well, yes, you have seen a lot, I guess. I'm just a meager goddess of a single prime after all”, Mystra snickered with a curious wink.
--“Yea, right, meager... At least you got sense of humor unlike some. Good to find out that some things never change. But about restart...”, I replied softly smirking.
--“I liked of you exactly for that, knowing we're no better than yourselves. I was stabbed in the back by another god, for my power. No, we're just as bad as you and the mortals, or worse... in some cases. I would like to have you back, if you are willing.”
--“Certainly”, I stated before her voice trailed out.
--“Splendid!”, she giggled, “Though you have forgotten a lot, you are still an arcanist, so not much is needed. Just don't irk me”, she smiled impishly.
--“Have I ever?”, I smirked, “Well, okay, I have, but I'm good in weaseling out of such.”
--“That you are, my child. But tell me, why did you come here?”
--“Well, for various reasons. My son died in a battle here, that being one. Mythal being the second. Curiosity, obviously, the third? Seems though that some reason or reasons presented themselves when the time was right instead of having planned in any way”, I replied.
Mystra warned about going after the Mythal as there was certain forces to be not trifled with in the city, Phaerimm. If it wasn't her giving the warning, I'd not much put weight to it. And then there was some chit-chat about other things... ((which to avoid any sort of meta-game, are not written here.))
After a while of talking I walked to the altar, the candles on the walls lighting up one by one as I proceeded, and the scent of incense became stronger. As I arrived to the majestic altar which was made of mitrhil and gold, I could discern the days of old, the days when mages and sorcerers flocked here to listen to my voice as I gave credit for the gift of magic. I looked at the altar, remembering the small compartment which held the book of sermons. I smiled at the flooding memories and took the book in my hands, tracing the ends of the pages before opening it from where my fingers stopped at.
I rose my gaze from the book, the feeling of nostalgia running over me once again, and as I looked behind me, the past and the present melted in one. The goddess was there, Mashanie was there, but so was hundreds of believers, the bustling sounds of the city at background, the light crackle of candles, and the hymn of Mystra floating in the air as the acolytes played their instruments.
I gazed across and listened, smiling to everyone present, and then joined my own voice to the music in an acknowledging greeting. Some clerics speak their sermons, but I never spoke, my words always been sang with crystal clarity. My voice flowed along, on the wings of the Weave, filling the cathedral and rebounding from each nook and corner as I gave myself to the hymn. The goddess smiled, and for the while my song lasted, the past and present were one and Myth Drannor for a few minutes by the power of magic and my age long memories, rising once more. My song was words of arcane itself, tapping the strings of Weave in the purest, each syllable part of a spell, all weaved into perfect harmony, showing, without unleashing, the True Magic to all those who listened.
As my voice finally faded, so did the splendor and the past, leaving me with the present. I tapped the book gently, setting it then away.
--“Nice to hold, but I never truly needed it”, I stated smiling.
--“Truly, you always were in harmony with my Weave”, Mystra replied with maybe even wider smile than mine.
--“Were, and am. Memories can be suppressed, but not really that what one is.”
--“Yes, I see that now. You were asleep for a long time, but seems the time for you to awaken is near. And I too, missed your voice.”
--“Quite a while indeed...”, I muttered.
--“You will come back to me when you are ready. I know that now. But you should leave this place, you have things to do elsewhere”, she nodded along giving the acknowledgement that I had successfully reinstated the position I held in the past.
--“I'll be back indeed. But aye, you're right, we should go.”
Mystra nodded briefly, leaning close and giving a kiss on both my cheeks.
--“Until we meet again, my chosen.”
--“Be seeing you”, I chuckled, then turned to leave.
I left the two ghostly guards to their duties, to preserve the temple for future times, after which we returned to Alice, and back to Sigil Â…
Not much after I had released my son and having gathered his armor, a patrol of multiple Cornugons and couple Erinyes approached the blast zone. They hadn't noticed us yet, obviously, for otherwise they'd been charging at us headlong. Can assume it was the grave's light which shone that caught their attention in the first place.
In normal case I'd not avoided a fight with those, but here our wards were barely existent if at all functional and thus we decided to keep our distance to the bunch. We didn't get very far however before there was an alarming commotion amongst the devils, the Erinyes commanding a perimeter search, including buildings. We had just a moment before sneaked into one of the houses, waiting in cover of collected shadows in silence...
...But then something gave out our presence and one of the Cornugons came crashing into the room through the window, part taking the frames along with it. I glanced around, noticing that of the omnipresent vegetation one of the trees had punched a hole through the ceiling, which I promptly pointed out to Mashanie. What happened next, I don't quite recall – Mashanie attempted a shadow jump, and the next thing I saw was a wall hurtling at me, or me at the wall, and everything went black...
A Tenday Later...
...I woke up to rays of rising sun, laying on something soothing and soft, the only sound aside myself the peaceful breath of Mashanie asleep at my side. I sat up, making note of the bedding which was made of faintly glowing blue moss, and then of the room which was rather small but in that also cozy. I stood up, which about sent me floating to the ceiling. Surprised somewhat, but familiar with the feel of both flight and free levitation (or how one does describe the motion in Astral plane), I got my bearings and went to check out of the window. We were far from where had been, now at the Noble Ward.
Shaking Mashanie's shoulder gently I woke him up. A short explanation ensued; the shadow jump had succeeded, but also failed, the destination having been completely elsewhere than intended; I had hit my head to a wall, and been from since out of commission – for a tenday at that! He briefly told how he had ventured around, meeting (or just seeing some) of the denizens which varied from gibberlings to a white dragon aside the devils and worse. Most of them seemed to avoid contact however, but for what reason was anyone's guess.
The time hadn't felt that long to me, not a tenday for sure. While I was out cold, I had gone through a small episode with my “other self”, who for whatever reason tried to harm me. It however occurred to me later that she had just been stalling me from waking up. I wonder... what's she up to now. Upon thinking that I realized that “her” presence was gone, except maybe for a minute echo somewhere at back of my mind. Not sure if I should be worried or relieved... but for now I opted out with relieved.
The fact that I levitated at will wasn't the only change I noticed in myself – there was this knowledge at cellular level about what my body needed, which became crystal clear when Mashanie offered me some fruit as breakfast. Having been out for a tenday, one might think being close to having starved and being weaker than a rag doll would've been in order, but I wasn't hungry in the least. However, I bit to the fruit just to enjoy of its taste in any case.
After the little snack we headed out, the destination to myself clear – Temple Ward. During the walk I recalled a thing from here, another from there, having been in the city since it was built, at times in different forms than my own. It always called me back when I went away..., and after the Mythal was created, the pull just became stronger.
Except for one building the Temple Ward was in ruins just like the rest of the city. The one building standing near intact was dedicated to Mystra. Was it curiosity or what, I wandered into the temple. The building struck me with nostalgia, the stairs leading to the main arch having carried me a countless times. I smiled softly and followed the steps I had walked so many times in the past.
The stairs carried me to the main entrance, the doors now open already but in the past opened as I approached. For a moment I felt the scent of fresh incense, and sandals on my feet... I inhaled the scent which brought a peace into my mind with the familiarity of it. From beyond the doors a slight wind ruffled my hair and I registered some movement. Beyond the doors was a large hall, dedicated to the Mistress of the Weave, paintings depicting her, all saved from grinding time. There was benches as far as I could see, with an altar at the back. And I saw two ghostly figures then, slowly rising from the beams of the doors, floating next to me... and kneeling.
--“High Priestess, you have returned”, said the otherwordly voices of the ghosts in unison.
I recalled the image of myself in the garments of the said position and sighed softly.
--“Rise.”
--“We have guarded the temple for the day the clergy would return. Is it time for Myth Drannor to rise again?”, the voices queried.
But before I got to answer a word to that, there was third voice, a soft sigh from the altar.
--“You never relinquished the post, Mir”, the soft voice of a dark haired woman said, her blue robes wavering in the slight wind that permeated her being, Mystra herself, “You never remembered me...” She walked around the altar, then leaned on it, smiling, “And you were the perfect one, too.”
--“Perfect? Well, not gonna argue... But for what?”, I asked perplexed, “And what comes to remembering, it's sort of thing I'm trying to do”, I frowned.
--“You were an arcanist, but you didn't force my Weave, you let it flow through you free as wind. And more importantly, you are a being of magic yourself. Not magic from gods, but magic nonetheless. Who would have been a more perfect to be my voice in this realm?”
--“Point taken.”
And then there was a brief discussion about just who had helped me to “forget”, but then changed subject again...
--“You were my 'arch wizard' and high priestess... you watched over the Mythal with vigil, but you were summoned. You promised you'd return... but then you vanished from Toril.” And then she smiled again, “you don't believe in your power anymore, do you, Mir. But you are still my priestess and thus my child, and yet you're not. The city is gone, but you can restart if you wish.”
--“Well, it's not that I'd not believe in the powers as a matter of fact. Altho, 'believe' is a bit wrong word – recognition maybe better...”
--“Well, yes, you have seen a lot, I guess. I'm just a meager goddess of a single prime after all”, Mystra snickered with a curious wink.
--“Yea, right, meager... At least you got sense of humor unlike some. Good to find out that some things never change. But about restart...”, I replied softly smirking.
--“I liked of you exactly for that, knowing we're no better than yourselves. I was stabbed in the back by another god, for my power. No, we're just as bad as you and the mortals, or worse... in some cases. I would like to have you back, if you are willing.”
--“Certainly”, I stated before her voice trailed out.
--“Splendid!”, she giggled, “Though you have forgotten a lot, you are still an arcanist, so not much is needed. Just don't irk me”, she smiled impishly.
--“Have I ever?”, I smirked, “Well, okay, I have, but I'm good in weaseling out of such.”
--“That you are, my child. But tell me, why did you come here?”
--“Well, for various reasons. My son died in a battle here, that being one. Mythal being the second. Curiosity, obviously, the third? Seems though that some reason or reasons presented themselves when the time was right instead of having planned in any way”, I replied.
Mystra warned about going after the Mythal as there was certain forces to be not trifled with in the city, Phaerimm. If it wasn't her giving the warning, I'd not much put weight to it. And then there was some chit-chat about other things... ((which to avoid any sort of meta-game, are not written here.))
After a while of talking I walked to the altar, the candles on the walls lighting up one by one as I proceeded, and the scent of incense became stronger. As I arrived to the majestic altar which was made of mitrhil and gold, I could discern the days of old, the days when mages and sorcerers flocked here to listen to my voice as I gave credit for the gift of magic. I looked at the altar, remembering the small compartment which held the book of sermons. I smiled at the flooding memories and took the book in my hands, tracing the ends of the pages before opening it from where my fingers stopped at.
I rose my gaze from the book, the feeling of nostalgia running over me once again, and as I looked behind me, the past and the present melted in one. The goddess was there, Mashanie was there, but so was hundreds of believers, the bustling sounds of the city at background, the light crackle of candles, and the hymn of Mystra floating in the air as the acolytes played their instruments.
I gazed across and listened, smiling to everyone present, and then joined my own voice to the music in an acknowledging greeting. Some clerics speak their sermons, but I never spoke, my words always been sang with crystal clarity. My voice flowed along, on the wings of the Weave, filling the cathedral and rebounding from each nook and corner as I gave myself to the hymn. The goddess smiled, and for the while my song lasted, the past and present were one and Myth Drannor for a few minutes by the power of magic and my age long memories, rising once more. My song was words of arcane itself, tapping the strings of Weave in the purest, each syllable part of a spell, all weaved into perfect harmony, showing, without unleashing, the True Magic to all those who listened.
As my voice finally faded, so did the splendor and the past, leaving me with the present. I tapped the book gently, setting it then away.
--“Nice to hold, but I never truly needed it”, I stated smiling.
--“Truly, you always were in harmony with my Weave”, Mystra replied with maybe even wider smile than mine.
--“Were, and am. Memories can be suppressed, but not really that what one is.”
--“Yes, I see that now. You were asleep for a long time, but seems the time for you to awaken is near. And I too, missed your voice.”
--“Quite a while indeed...”, I muttered.
--“You will come back to me when you are ready. I know that now. But you should leave this place, you have things to do elsewhere”, she nodded along giving the acknowledgement that I had successfully reinstated the position I held in the past.
--“I'll be back indeed. But aye, you're right, we should go.”
Mystra nodded briefly, leaning close and giving a kiss on both my cheeks.
--“Until we meet again, my chosen.”
--“Be seeing you”, I chuckled, then turned to leave.
I left the two ghostly guards to their duties, to preserve the temple for future times, after which we returned to Alice, and back to Sigil Â…
-
*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Full Circle, and the Pain of Existence
/// from perspective of Mir who isn't Mir and yet is.
She hijacked Alice, although technically she wasn't doing so...
Alice has turned all her attention to their surroundings. Ever since they cleared the portal from Karasuthra to Toril, her captain has asked her to do a few round around the whole of the continent. Each passing moment, as they soared in the skies invisible, was a new experience for her. She had seen all this from high above, when Mir asked her to get closer, but never really had the chance to fly to all of it, to see it all up close. Her captain seemed to have been without a true goal, and let her loose, and Alice used the opportunity, to get a good glimpse of this world, from the north to the south.
It was not long after, that she gave her an order.
Mir's eyes flung open, dragged back from her sleep in the helm, and looked about. It was broad daylight, Alice was flying over the expanse of the Trackless Sea. She smiled a bit, a few memories emerging, and stood up, to walk to the glass and glance outside. Far away, to the south, she glimpsed a bit of the Moonshae, and as she turned, the Sword Coast was but a line on the horizon. She looked at her reflection, and smirked, as she noticed not even in her sleep did the body return to its original form. She was near perfection now, the time spent by frolicking about this place gave her the needed control over the host, and now she was herself again. But with control, the memories she took with her when she left the other returned as well. It was one of these, that brought her back from her sleep, and caused the feeling of nostalgia, by the sight of the ocean below. “It was so long ago”, she sighed, in her mind a new wish forming, one that she didn't believe would ever surface. “Just once more...”
Alice banked to the left, by her captains unspoken desire, and sped up, focusing on that one point amidst the endless blue that she had imagined. She descended, almost touching the waves, speeding to their new destination. Though she herself could not see all that was attached to that desire, but could feel how it disturbed her captain. She wanted to be there as fast as possible, to shake the uneasy feeling that spread over to her. Finally, after what seemed like hours to her, the destination was in sight. A little group of nameless islands, nestled into the ocean. She was steered to the first of the three, the smallest. She took a glance at the lush vegetation covering it, and the golden beach that was coming up to her. The uneasy feeling grew stronger, and almost made her stop. But her captain wanted to go on.
Mir made her stop just shy of the beach, next to the tattered remains of a dock. She descended from the deck on her wings, lightly setting foot on the rickety, ancient construction. “So long...”, she sighed, as she light footed walked across the crumbling wood, a few planks already rotten away with time, a few barely holding together. But in her eyes, it was like back then, polished, cleaned, waiting for the boat to dock. She jumped down into the sand, kicking off her boots, letting her toes sink into the golden ground. She looked around, along the coastline. Much has changed, the jungle forest crept forward, swallowing parts what used to be the continuation of the beach back then. She strained her eyes, and after a while found what she so sought. “I... I can't believe it.”
It was still there. Surrounded by trees by now, worn and old, the roof crumbling onto itself. But it was home, her home. She hasn't been here since that fateful day, and yet her design even breached the flow of time itself. She walked hurried, not minding, nor enjoying the walk in the warm sand. The trees were kind enough to only hug the house with their husks, not barring entrance, or crushing it with their unstoppable wish to grow. She put a foot on the lowest step leaving to the elevated entrance, and the plank with a deep sigh gave in. She frowned, carefully inching up, and stepping into the house. Her tears appeared slowly, flowing down her face, as she glanced into the building. Not a thing was moved, nothing had been touched. On the desk, a group of dark spots noted where the dishes, and that fateful last meal had once stood, before time did it's work on it. The desk itself was on the verge of collapsing. She only took a fleeting glance, to see that their bed, the one that gave life to her children was there as well, she could even discern that the sheets were left as their last night together caught them. The tears became more numerous, and a deep, weeping voice emerged from her lips. She collapsed there, on the floor, just like back then, crying and hugging herself. Time seemed to stop and jumble up around her, as every single memory flooded her mind. The other removed the gates, and she took them all in again. “Why?”
For what seemed like an eternity, she spent there on the floor, until finally her tears dried away, there were no more to shed. She slowly rose, stepping outside. There was a sickening sense of something being different, and as she looked around, she noticed something darkly glittering amidst the trees. It was a small clearing, where no plant but the green grass, and some blue flowers dared to enter. It was almost eerie, how perfect the circle of its base was. She stepped closer, to see what the glimmer she noted is. Four tombstones stood there, all made of the blackest obsidian, interwoven with silver and golden runes. They were untarnished, despite their age. She stepped up to them, glancing down, and reading. “Nothrien, beloved father, the greatest hero of the lands lies here. May his sleep be eternal, and peaceful.” She winced, glancing onto the second, “Dearest mother, giver of our lives, vanished forever. May you be well, wherever you are.” The feeling grasping her throat became more pressing, as she went on to the third. “Celedorn, heroic brother, who saved me from the evil of Myth Drannor. Though your body lies hundreds of miles away, may your soul rest with your family, whom you so loved.” Her body wavered, as she glanced on the last one, the feeling nearly choking her with renewed tears, knowing full well what she will read. “Niana, dearest mother, sister to Celedorn, daughter of your parents. Your long journey ends where it began, on the shores of your birth, on the side of your family.” She collapsed again, the arms trying to reach out to all at once, but she could only grasp after that of her daughter. As her tears ran down the tombstone, she hugged it, pressing the stone against her body. “Forgive me, my sweet little one.”
Alice was in pain. She felt it all, felt it through her, and for the first time since her creation, the ship veiled. She did not know what she could do to ease the pain in her captains heart, nor did she dare to move from her place, while she mourned. Then the command came weak, and fleeting. “Bring them here, both of them.”
/// from perspective of Mir who isn't Mir and yet is.
She hijacked Alice, although technically she wasn't doing so...
Alice has turned all her attention to their surroundings. Ever since they cleared the portal from Karasuthra to Toril, her captain has asked her to do a few round around the whole of the continent. Each passing moment, as they soared in the skies invisible, was a new experience for her. She had seen all this from high above, when Mir asked her to get closer, but never really had the chance to fly to all of it, to see it all up close. Her captain seemed to have been without a true goal, and let her loose, and Alice used the opportunity, to get a good glimpse of this world, from the north to the south.
It was not long after, that she gave her an order.
Mir's eyes flung open, dragged back from her sleep in the helm, and looked about. It was broad daylight, Alice was flying over the expanse of the Trackless Sea. She smiled a bit, a few memories emerging, and stood up, to walk to the glass and glance outside. Far away, to the south, she glimpsed a bit of the Moonshae, and as she turned, the Sword Coast was but a line on the horizon. She looked at her reflection, and smirked, as she noticed not even in her sleep did the body return to its original form. She was near perfection now, the time spent by frolicking about this place gave her the needed control over the host, and now she was herself again. But with control, the memories she took with her when she left the other returned as well. It was one of these, that brought her back from her sleep, and caused the feeling of nostalgia, by the sight of the ocean below. “It was so long ago”, she sighed, in her mind a new wish forming, one that she didn't believe would ever surface. “Just once more...”
Alice banked to the left, by her captains unspoken desire, and sped up, focusing on that one point amidst the endless blue that she had imagined. She descended, almost touching the waves, speeding to their new destination. Though she herself could not see all that was attached to that desire, but could feel how it disturbed her captain. She wanted to be there as fast as possible, to shake the uneasy feeling that spread over to her. Finally, after what seemed like hours to her, the destination was in sight. A little group of nameless islands, nestled into the ocean. She was steered to the first of the three, the smallest. She took a glance at the lush vegetation covering it, and the golden beach that was coming up to her. The uneasy feeling grew stronger, and almost made her stop. But her captain wanted to go on.
Mir made her stop just shy of the beach, next to the tattered remains of a dock. She descended from the deck on her wings, lightly setting foot on the rickety, ancient construction. “So long...”, she sighed, as she light footed walked across the crumbling wood, a few planks already rotten away with time, a few barely holding together. But in her eyes, it was like back then, polished, cleaned, waiting for the boat to dock. She jumped down into the sand, kicking off her boots, letting her toes sink into the golden ground. She looked around, along the coastline. Much has changed, the jungle forest crept forward, swallowing parts what used to be the continuation of the beach back then. She strained her eyes, and after a while found what she so sought. “I... I can't believe it.”
It was still there. Surrounded by trees by now, worn and old, the roof crumbling onto itself. But it was home, her home. She hasn't been here since that fateful day, and yet her design even breached the flow of time itself. She walked hurried, not minding, nor enjoying the walk in the warm sand. The trees were kind enough to only hug the house with their husks, not barring entrance, or crushing it with their unstoppable wish to grow. She put a foot on the lowest step leaving to the elevated entrance, and the plank with a deep sigh gave in. She frowned, carefully inching up, and stepping into the house. Her tears appeared slowly, flowing down her face, as she glanced into the building. Not a thing was moved, nothing had been touched. On the desk, a group of dark spots noted where the dishes, and that fateful last meal had once stood, before time did it's work on it. The desk itself was on the verge of collapsing. She only took a fleeting glance, to see that their bed, the one that gave life to her children was there as well, she could even discern that the sheets were left as their last night together caught them. The tears became more numerous, and a deep, weeping voice emerged from her lips. She collapsed there, on the floor, just like back then, crying and hugging herself. Time seemed to stop and jumble up around her, as every single memory flooded her mind. The other removed the gates, and she took them all in again. “Why?”
For what seemed like an eternity, she spent there on the floor, until finally her tears dried away, there were no more to shed. She slowly rose, stepping outside. There was a sickening sense of something being different, and as she looked around, she noticed something darkly glittering amidst the trees. It was a small clearing, where no plant but the green grass, and some blue flowers dared to enter. It was almost eerie, how perfect the circle of its base was. She stepped closer, to see what the glimmer she noted is. Four tombstones stood there, all made of the blackest obsidian, interwoven with silver and golden runes. They were untarnished, despite their age. She stepped up to them, glancing down, and reading. “Nothrien, beloved father, the greatest hero of the lands lies here. May his sleep be eternal, and peaceful.” She winced, glancing onto the second, “Dearest mother, giver of our lives, vanished forever. May you be well, wherever you are.” The feeling grasping her throat became more pressing, as she went on to the third. “Celedorn, heroic brother, who saved me from the evil of Myth Drannor. Though your body lies hundreds of miles away, may your soul rest with your family, whom you so loved.” Her body wavered, as she glanced on the last one, the feeling nearly choking her with renewed tears, knowing full well what she will read. “Niana, dearest mother, sister to Celedorn, daughter of your parents. Your long journey ends where it began, on the shores of your birth, on the side of your family.” She collapsed again, the arms trying to reach out to all at once, but she could only grasp after that of her daughter. As her tears ran down the tombstone, she hugged it, pressing the stone against her body. “Forgive me, my sweet little one.”
Alice was in pain. She felt it all, felt it through her, and for the first time since her creation, the ship veiled. She did not know what she could do to ease the pain in her captains heart, nor did she dare to move from her place, while she mourned. Then the command came weak, and fleeting. “Bring them here, both of them.”
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*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
To Faraway Times
She dreamed. She dreamed of days long past, as parts of what she was had escaped after the other left. It was one of the old things, one she had forgotten, and now they found their way back to her consciousness.
As she looked out the window of her room, she could see the ever changing landscape of Limbo float away, as their monastery slowly waded forward into the unknown. It was early, but the chants of Zerthimon already reached her in her abode, as they flowed through the corridors of the ancient structure. She smiled, changing into her plain grey robes, and walked out her door. As she made her way through the corridors, she met the ones she came to call brothers and sisters. In her long years in the monastery, she finally found the peace she sought after, and in the teachings, she found solace. She gave a little wave to the ones that she passed, though it wouldn't have been necessary, she could not forget this little gesture she always used to greet the ones she adored.
The main mess hall was already full when she arrived. A ceremony had just begun, and her brothers and sister all have taken their places. She didn't dally long, settling in on her knees next to a younger Gith, giving him a small smile. She then turned all her attention to the sermons of the old one standing up front. Her clear voice penetrated Mir's mind, filling it with calmness and knowledge. She never really understood, why the Gith had called upon her, why she was given no task, and why she was kept around for so long. But during the years she spent here, she learned not to ponder on trifling things. What she wanted to know, she found out on her own, as the teachings of Zerthimon made her more and more alike to the Gith she had spent time with.
It was between these walls, that she learned of the ancient races, the ones that came before the gods, or before the creation of the Great Wheel. Though there was no real proof, the older monks said they'd knew there was something here before it all began, and their visions and tales were all put to manuscripts. She liked going through their library, spending days between the moldy smelling books, for to her, it was the only single place left in these worlds, where she could be herself. Slowly but steadily, she came into equilibrium with herself, understanding what she had done over the centuries that came before. And for the first time ever, she did not regret them. She knew it was her task, every single time, and no power in this world could have changed that. Until now.
The sermon had ended, and most went to their business, but Mir was still there, kneeling, staring into the unknown. Her mind was filled with an image, one that had been visiting her for weeks now. A city in the stars, far away in the void. One word etched in her mind, not wanting to be forgotten. And she needed to know, if that word really carried the meaning she was hoping for. “Home.”
The other smiled, as she joined her in this dream, snugging tight to her body, embracing in a sisterly cuddle. “You know, we were as one back then. We were in total agreement. Why did it have to change? Why did I want to go away... I can't remember.” She sighed, closing her eyes as she nuzzled her neck. “But I think.. for now.. let's stay like this, and enjoy this dream.”
She dreamed. She dreamed of days long past, as parts of what she was had escaped after the other left. It was one of the old things, one she had forgotten, and now they found their way back to her consciousness.
As she looked out the window of her room, she could see the ever changing landscape of Limbo float away, as their monastery slowly waded forward into the unknown. It was early, but the chants of Zerthimon already reached her in her abode, as they flowed through the corridors of the ancient structure. She smiled, changing into her plain grey robes, and walked out her door. As she made her way through the corridors, she met the ones she came to call brothers and sisters. In her long years in the monastery, she finally found the peace she sought after, and in the teachings, she found solace. She gave a little wave to the ones that she passed, though it wouldn't have been necessary, she could not forget this little gesture she always used to greet the ones she adored.
The main mess hall was already full when she arrived. A ceremony had just begun, and her brothers and sister all have taken their places. She didn't dally long, settling in on her knees next to a younger Gith, giving him a small smile. She then turned all her attention to the sermons of the old one standing up front. Her clear voice penetrated Mir's mind, filling it with calmness and knowledge. She never really understood, why the Gith had called upon her, why she was given no task, and why she was kept around for so long. But during the years she spent here, she learned not to ponder on trifling things. What she wanted to know, she found out on her own, as the teachings of Zerthimon made her more and more alike to the Gith she had spent time with.
It was between these walls, that she learned of the ancient races, the ones that came before the gods, or before the creation of the Great Wheel. Though there was no real proof, the older monks said they'd knew there was something here before it all began, and their visions and tales were all put to manuscripts. She liked going through their library, spending days between the moldy smelling books, for to her, it was the only single place left in these worlds, where she could be herself. Slowly but steadily, she came into equilibrium with herself, understanding what she had done over the centuries that came before. And for the first time ever, she did not regret them. She knew it was her task, every single time, and no power in this world could have changed that. Until now.
The sermon had ended, and most went to their business, but Mir was still there, kneeling, staring into the unknown. Her mind was filled with an image, one that had been visiting her for weeks now. A city in the stars, far away in the void. One word etched in her mind, not wanting to be forgotten. And she needed to know, if that word really carried the meaning she was hoping for. “Home.”
The other smiled, as she joined her in this dream, snugging tight to her body, embracing in a sisterly cuddle. “You know, we were as one back then. We were in total agreement. Why did it have to change? Why did I want to go away... I can't remember.” She sighed, closing her eyes as she nuzzled her neck. “But I think.. for now.. let's stay like this, and enjoy this dream.”
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*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Things...
Having awaited response from Tonat a while, I came to conclusion Harmonium doesn't want my help in the current investigations. From now on, up to them to sort their own messes. If they desire my help in the future, they're better be prepared to pay up front in advance... and to pay dearly. Until then, I don't lift a finger even if they choke on their own soup.
They want Chastarte? Hah, can hope the lass shoves something painful up those thankless sods' arses. They want Dusk and anarchs? Good luck, my hands have been washed.
Having awaited response from Tonat a while, I came to conclusion Harmonium doesn't want my help in the current investigations. From now on, up to them to sort their own messes. If they desire my help in the future, they're better be prepared to pay up front in advance... and to pay dearly. Until then, I don't lift a finger even if they choke on their own soup.
They want Chastarte? Hah, can hope the lass shoves something painful up those thankless sods' arses. They want Dusk and anarchs? Good luck, my hands have been washed.
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*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The Bookworm #1
So far I've collected a rather vast library; hundreds of tomes acquired from various places – most of them by legit means, although not each, however. Some among them are truly unique while others, the majority of them, has been produced in untold numbers. It'd take a century to read them all through... and I keep finding more almost daily.
I've been asked why I collect books and tomes. Maybe it's curiosity, or maybe hunger for knowledge, or maybe just for entertainment – or all those, and then something else maybe? I've been asked why I don't read at Hall of Records. I can't read there at my leisure, and some of the most obscure tomes they'd not even let me see, even less to read, but a few of such I've already acquired to my own library through other means...
So far I've collected a rather vast library; hundreds of tomes acquired from various places – most of them by legit means, although not each, however. Some among them are truly unique while others, the majority of them, has been produced in untold numbers. It'd take a century to read them all through... and I keep finding more almost daily.
I've been asked why I collect books and tomes. Maybe it's curiosity, or maybe hunger for knowledge, or maybe just for entertainment – or all those, and then something else maybe? I've been asked why I don't read at Hall of Records. I can't read there at my leisure, and some of the most obscure tomes they'd not even let me see, even less to read, but a few of such I've already acquired to my own library through other means...
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*AniKai
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The Bookworm #2
I picked in random a tome from one of the shelves in my library, a tome quite likely centuries old or older, and laid down on a couch to skim through it. A while later I found tidbits of text in it which made me delve into the said tome more throughout – a mention of a world inhabited mainly by tiefers...
What struck me with surprise though was that the world in itself was a sentient being – fully capable to control anything from rainfall to its own gravitational forces. I couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity of such thought – literally a “godworld” in a sense.
Must say, I grew more curious by the moment, but the information contained about the place was rather sparse. However, there was a number of conjunction planes listed which came at times into contact with it; I made a mental note of the planes and went forth to seek information up about them then...
I picked in random a tome from one of the shelves in my library, a tome quite likely centuries old or older, and laid down on a couch to skim through it. A while later I found tidbits of text in it which made me delve into the said tome more throughout – a mention of a world inhabited mainly by tiefers...
What struck me with surprise though was that the world in itself was a sentient being – fully capable to control anything from rainfall to its own gravitational forces. I couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity of such thought – literally a “godworld” in a sense.
Must say, I grew more curious by the moment, but the information contained about the place was rather sparse. However, there was a number of conjunction planes listed which came at times into contact with it; I made a mental note of the planes and went forth to seek information up about them then...