[b]"Thank you, my child. That is...good to know. Highly alarming, yet good to know, regardless."[/b] Cid smiled to Eve before nodding in acknowledgement of Galahad's contribution. He waited patiently for the Kirins to recover before gesturing for them to follow him inside the temple itself, Izayoi begrudgingly taking Galahad's aid in standing and walking.

The temple itself was a magnificent work of art, decorated with frescoes and stained glass in honor of the gods. For all its glory, however, Cid deigned to simply sit down cross-legged upon the floor, inviting the party to join him.

[b]"Please, be at ease."[/b] He said to Ciradyl especially, laying his staff upon his lap. [b]"This is sacred ground, and I will defend it with my life, this I swear. Now, on to the meat of the matter,"[/b] His expression turned grave.

[b]"This malaise you dub the Blight is not a new phenomenon. It has ravaged Arbor, the continent the Valheimr originate from, for nigh on a century. Why else do you believe they have come here, seizing land as they go? Their continent is dead. And the hubris of their rulers doomed it."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"And you would know this how, holy man?"[/b][/color] Izayoi challenged, though with minimal hostility. Either she didn't have the energy to muster, or the temple itself convinced her somewhat of Cid. [color=#736AFF][b]"By your own account, you have not left these grounds."[/b][/color]

[b]"Simple,"[/b] Cid chuckled, taking no offense. [b]"My life is extended by Etro's grace. In exchange, I am bound to Her sacred ground. All of it. As High Caretaker, I am able to traverse from holy site to holy site in an instant, but by covenant, I cannot leave it. And Arbor had holy ground of its own. You are not the first group of warriors I have advised in this quest. Even the Valheimr had heroes among them willing to oppose their emperor's tyranny. Unfortunately, they failed."[/b] The old man took a moment to marshal his thoughts before continuing.

[b]"A century ago, Valheim was merely one nation among several on Arbor. Then, its reigning emperor conducted a blasphemous ritual, developed through decades of abusing dark magics. He siphoned Etro's very light from the land itself. In its absence, vile beasts plagued the land and razed the earth wherever they appeared. Shattered villages rot beneath the cruel sun and the blood of the innocent tainted the soil. Indeed, the absence of the Mothercrystal's Light from the land gives rise to rot, taint, and corruption: the Blight."[/b]

[b]"Of course, Valheim had something to gain from this. In an instant, the nation it was on the verge of defeat against in war collapsed. Bound as I am to sacred ground, I could not intervene directly. Instead, I attempted to guide and advise heroes from across Arbor to stop Valheim. Those Warriors of Light failed, to a man."[/b] He bowed his head mournfully.

[b]"The process repeated over the decades. Valheim weaponized its leeching of Light to dominate the continent, ensuring that it was the only nation standing after a century of conflict and tragedy. As to what they [i]do[/i] with the Light, my knowledge only extends so far. Please, take a moment to gather yourselves, and then I will tell you what must be done."[/b]