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Desire swiftly sailed along the iridescent stria, unseen upon Sunset Orange, alone and adrift as she lacked a specific destination though she could clearly see the shape of the large landscape that awaited her arrival. This new world which was occupied by other deities and denizens that she had yet to interact with, only having witnessed pieces of it through a limited perspective. Suddenly she shifted from sulking to stirring with exuberance in preparation for whatever she would encounter.
She held out her hands as she summoned her sacred powers and called forth a trio of artifacts into creation. Three spheres of a scarlet substance manifested in the upraised palms of her hands, appearances altering and undulating quickly until their shapes became more functional and familiar in design. The three artifacts further shone with blinding brilliance as two began to move along the limbs of the goddess, the first resting as it wrapped itself around her wrists hidden beneath her sleeves, while the second stretched itself and wove its elongated form around her throat and torso, and the third artifact remained in her grasp.
Their prismatic light dispersed, as Desire danced with delight, bringing her wrists together to transfer a copy of the artifact that clung to her so that she possessed a matching set of bracers. In her hands, she held a viridescent dagger emblazoned with swirling serpentine patterns along its short and squat blade. She smiled playfully as her fingers slowly caressed its sharpened edge, and the goddess accidently cut herself, however the little lacerations glimmered with a gentle green glow, and immediately her wounds began to heal afterwards.
Glittering threads emerged from beneath her sleeves and wove themselves around the hilt of the dagger, lifting the small weapon upwards when she let go. Scintillating silver and golden particles then surrounded the dagger, letting the goddess with heterochromia see it, but hiding it from the sight of all those who were not Desire herself. She was also aware that while the dagger was still conveniently suspended in that silvery and gold aura, it would remain beyond the physical reach of others as well, simply phasing through the material aspects of the world.
There was an audible set of chimes as she brought her limbs apart and began to twirl upon her shimmer-board. The euphonious sounds had awoken the three artifacts, and so Desire decided upon their names in that moment: the Silverite Strings, the Bracers of Belonging, and the Jade Knife. These creations which would certainly aid her during her adventure, she thought to herself. With her ritual complete, and after her playful performance had come to an end, the goddess let out a joyful sigh and continued sailing towards the land ahead.
Desire is surfing towards the continent, and creates three artifacts for herself.
Desire Spends 3 AP to create the Artifact: the Silverite Strings. (These threads that are often woven around the body of Desire allow her to increase the precision and power of her ability to suspend and suffocate others, restraining them within her presence. However, she primarily uses them to perceive her surroundings and distant locations, forming an invisible web that spreads out from her akin to how a spider hunts and traps prey.)
Spends 2 AP to create the Artifact: the Bracers of Belonging. (These bracers are hidden beneath the sleeves that Desire wears, and grant her the ability to conceal the artifacts she carries while also reducing the concentration required to hold them. Sprouting from the bracers are unseen threads that wrap around Artifacts that are within the vicinity of Desire and were created by her, or under her authority. These Artifacts become intangible and cannot be detected by others aside from Desire herself.
Spends 5 MP to create the Artifact: the Jade Knife. (This small blade is imbued with the power of healing and an aura of resilience, allowing Desire to bestow vitality and protection upon those within her vicinity, including herself, through shared regeneration and sturdiness.)
**121) Celestine is hanging around the top of the divine palace, thinking about a lot of things. She’s become a bit of a recluse as she watches what goes on about the world. Still, she resolves that the defense of Earthwall isn’t something that she’s going to slack on, and goes on to make a shield, Loyalty, in order to have more options in combat should another deity pick a fight. This gives her enough of an understanding about armor that she’s capable of making it second nature to her, taking up the aspect of Armor for her efforts. She also beefs up Duty, her personal sword, in order to have it actually be a threat to other divines. This qualifies her to take Weapons as an aspect, which she does, resolving herself to defend Earthwall with both shield and sword as needed.
122) Queen Pieapple and her elves start their underground expedition to the promised (by Lektor) land. They cross the lake that stopped their first expedition using canoes, and then head deeper, laying down a protected road of plant matter behind them as they travel. The big obstacle of the post is the void cave, a large, and seemingly bottomless, cave filled with hostile creatures and traversable only by thin pathways. Pumpkin leads them through it safely till they need to rest, only for them to be attacked by a giant cave gorilla who’s cave they had used for camp. It is killed, but brings the cave down in the process, and both the ape and the collapse kill a few elves between them. The swarms of void piranhas that come in response to the violence are worse, and so Pumpkin runs off to act as bait, a mission Sheektooth insists on accompanying her on. As they do that, Pieapple leads the rest of the group onward in a hard and restless push through the cave towards safety.
124) The group arrives at the village and meet the humans. Penumbra convinces the village to offer 1 year of service for refuge in the Bazaar. George, the village leader, joins the party in their next leg of journey.
132) Yalisith, a dragon, has a horde of "Treasure" that consists of Beloved People, deep in a hole beneath the Dead Steppe, called the Treasured Goblet. "The Harak's Song," a Treasured Elf, suspects that the newest addition brought into the horde is sick, and asks for Yalisith's attention. Turns out the elf was sick Mireborn. Turns out the Mireborn had Beast Blood Curse. It infects the dragon. The Dragon Transforms and kills (almost) everyone in the Treasured Goblet but it cannot escape the pit itself for now, due to the vertical drop required to enter the pit.
133) Wyn destroyed the Aelos Exordium, in a beast filled rage, inadvertently slaying the baby he held. Coming to her senses, Wyn is filled with a great self loathing and regret which she decided to do something about. Thus she takes Exordium’s diamond, now shattered, and learns all she can by unlocking his memories. Wyn then sets off to the workshop Maat'eyi created and creates the carmine hammer, a tool fueled by blood to create great works. She uses her own blood in sacrifice then sets about creating a new Aelos. When this is completed she uses the dead elf baby and transforms her being into a new diamond, then transcribes it with all the knowledge necessary for Aelos kind, as well as imprints of memory. She sets the diamond into the new Aelos, who she names Ema, or the Unseen Rose. She leaves the coins of purchases that she bought from Ashevelen and the Carmine hammer with her, before saying a few words and departing. Ashamed as she is to be a part in the Aelos’ new life.
134) Wehi lays the foundations for the Wonderforge and makes himself a cool halo.
135) Holy shit there are now a lot of humans everywhere aaaaaaa. Basically, all around the Mesa there is now a plethora of kingdoms, named... a thousand kingdoms. Also, 12 great strongholds held by great cliques, full of strong martial artists.
136) We are introduced to Resin, a very small elf that steals to eat. He's chased, caught and beaten up. Then a certain force offers him power, in exchange for doing some odd jobs now and then. Resin accepts. A bit later Resin is living the good life. He quickly became a very good thief because of the power granted onto the wooden ring which is an artifact. Shadow, the consciousness of the ring, speaks to him about a new job. He has to steal a letter from the village chief. So he sets out and quickly infiltrates the central hall. He finds the letter easy enough, but the chief is awake. Resin and the chief fight though Resin loses and only survives through his power. Shadow is no longer around to guide him apparently. Things get desperate when Resin is strangled. He manages to grab a letter opener and stab the chief. Then he kills him. A bit later Resin burns the letter in the forest and is informed of his next task. He has to steal magic.
137) Ema wakes up and familiarizes herself with herself and the items she has. She comes to a conundrum about making more Aelos or doing what the feeling in her chest tells her to do. She decides to do that and makes preparations to leave but is then attacked by the elves that Exordium chased off. They have a small chat before it’s decided they didn't have the means to kill her so they throw her in the burning workshop and hope that will work out. Ema, now trapped, is almost successful getting out but the walls and ceiling collapse in on her and everything goes dark.
138) Kaelhmor meets one of the many gods of the new world, the two trade and haggle with good-natured intentions. Wares are exchanged, and bindings are set in stone, by power and will alone. So is it that Kaelhmor leaves bereft of a cloak and up three followers and a new mode of travel, where Ashevelen is left with a deal, new knowledge, the Shadewalker’s Skein, and the Trademaster’s coin, newly minted.
139) We find ourselves in one of the Thousand kingdoms called Shen Chi. It is fighting a losing war against neighboring Zhinga. A desperate general reports to his king that the capital will soon be besieged and they should surrender. The king, instead, orders him to fight. The general knows well he cannot win but then a divine omen happens. The aurora in the night sky begins to coalesce into the shape of a bird and a voice asks him to offer his bow. He does so. The next day the Zhingan camp is being setup when calamity strikes. The general uses his newly given bow to rain death and destruction upon his enemies. With one fell – divinely aided battle – he defeats the whole Zhingan army. The prisoners are sacrificed to the phoenix-god Fenghin (who is actual Ithril in disguise). Finally the king of Shen Chi proclaims the general as his [warlord] and orders him to conquer the other kingdoms.
140) Anath Homura contemplates something while within the citadel, and then summons Ravdur to answer some questions about his intentions, conflict, and dogma. Afterwards, he returns to the world.
141) When the shroud that hides aspects of Keltra is removed, the members of the Sacred Septet surfing upon the Stria collide with the visiting Oge’Ivu. Desire does some damage, and gets punched by Harmony. The rest of the Sacred Septet commune with the great beast mother, and make a promise before the latter continues her travels.
142) The party makes their way through the forest. George tells the story of how the village's first expedition ended and how they fell into a trap laid by the Mind Pod. Penumbra questions the motives of their divine creator but before they can find an answer, the group spots a massive Dino-Rex, bigger than the average Dino-Rex, coming towards them at full speed. Using great team-work they kill the creature and get a few level ups.
143) The Rirakuri, the shapeshifting tentacle people of the abyss, send scouts out their labyrinth city home due to a lack of souls found within it (to such a degree that some have turned to stealing the eaten souls from others bellies). They pop out all over. Some pop out in the darkwoods and are found by Jeon. he learns a bit about them, curses them with hangovers if they eat mortals, teaches them levels, and also makes [poltergeists] so that the ghosts can fight back if they have too. He then goes to add stuff to the labyrinth, while the Rirakuri he has lectured resolve to report back, spawn more of themselves, and turn into elves to infiltrate mortal society to learn more about them (such as their weaknesses).
144) Summary: Oa gives magic, weapons, and teaches smithing, but also crowns a king finishes a few missing things in her creation and decides to make a fighting club for a day or two before making a new hole in the maze to the surface.
145) An Ice Golem has arrived to guard the Pale-Shadow Umbra in the Deep Glacier Cavern. This confuses everyone. Myrtu makes a monument out of pastel-pink metal: the Unicorn Colossus. It collects the souls of Equines (Non-Earthwall), including Centaur and Kinnaras, for reincarnation. It wipes their memories and sends them to rebirth as Equines (Non-Earthwall). Myrtu deeply thinks about making a means to break the rebirth cycle, for those that live up to their potential, but then they get distracted.
146) While exploring, Myrtu spots a cool place in the mountains, then asks a herd of Ziang to make the journey to it with them. They arrive at the Kathetikon’s Grand Library. Myrtu, the Kathetikon, and Anagnostis speak before Myrtu gifts the two with the Odysseus Equis (Book Mules), created from the Ziang herd.
147) Ravdur in disguise, visits an Eosin settlement only to find it abandoned after it was overrun by beasts infected with the Beast Curse and deems a survivor, Vjera, worthy and purifies her of the curse. Then giving her a task to collect strong and honorable warriors willing to fight monsters and beasts and return to the Black Ice Temple once she was done. There they will discuss Ravdur's plan for them. Along with making three hundred more Ice Golems.
148) Desire and Harmony have a conversation after the former had caused some trouble. They have difficulty communicating, but they are content beside each other and reaffirm their plans for the future. After they ruminate, Desire leaves Keltra to go on a journey.
149) Ashevelen is meditating on the success of the Shadow Bazaar and thinks about the Mireborn which she hasn’t used yet. Getting an idea, she modifies them into the Dawnborn. Afterwards she flies over the Umbral Woods and creates a Shadow Guardian monster to protect the woods in her absence. Eventually, she decides to spice things up and creates some critters.
150) No creation or anything great or positive or just constructive in general... Oa’qeisskesi or Oa for short as people now call her in the discord and here just goes in a bit of a rampage destroying in total 300 of the 1000 kingdoms out of unwished need.
151) Wyn, in her usually depressed self, somehow finds a cave system that gives way to a very large drop. She ends up beneath the Mire in the underground world. With some self pity she reflects and then Ivory takes over, chastising herself. She then creates a realm underneath the Mire and an artifact, ending on a most ominous note.
**Means Turn III Posts that were written and shared during the 48-hour grace period after the ending of Turn III, but utilizes Might attained during Turn IV.
All of the Divine have their Might replenished.
5/5 MP & 5/5 AP.
There is a 48-hour grace period where folks can write and post using any remaining Might that they possess from the previous turn.
@Bright_Ops Thank you for submitting your character sheet! Your character has been approved, and you may post your CS in the Character tab! I look forward to reading the continued story of Aethel!
You shall receive the Pantheon role in the server as well, granting you access to more channels for discussion.
You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire…
She stood upon the outer ring, atop its walkway where she awaited the arrival of her twin sister with restless agitation. Desire watched with a combination of amusement and annoyance while the other deity steadily approached, slowly surfing upon her shimmer-board as she exuded an enigmatic aura that slightly conflicted with her leisurely pace. Currently sprouted from the back of her sacred sister were nine scarlet wings that had begun to slowly recede, the ethereal remnants of those that were blessed by the Phoenix.
Desire repeatedly shifted on her feet, feeling irked after Harmony had interfered with her bit of harmless fun. She reminded herself that she was going to heal the creature after all, and that she was never going to completely consume it, as that would be certainly wasteful. She suppressed the shame she felt when she remembered the pained expressions of her sisters, and how they angrily rejected her offer to share her meal with them. However, she squirmed with delight when she recalled how delicious the burning flesh of the creature had been. Such carnal pleasure had been previously unfathomable to her, despite the past experiences of her sisters that she had glimpsed upon and greedily immersed herself in.
Harmony alighted close to her, and Desire could sense the ire behind the stoic mask of her sister as they stared at each other in relative silence. There was the perpetual presence of the archai perched along the protruding architecture of the wall, or peacefully hovering above, and many of them were watching the two deities with their glimmering eyes. The whirlwinds that continued to blow upwards from beneath the soaring city had become slow and suppressed around them as well.
“I cannot condone what was done. It was wrong.” Harmony began, as the wings upon her back returned from whence they came, before she tossed her shimmer-board onto the assorted heap of the other shimmer-boards that she had collected when the rest of the Sacred Septet had collided with the creature that was called Oge’Ivu.
“If it was wrong, then why did it feel so satisfying, hmm? You didn’t have to hit me that hard either, sister.” Desire countered, while she caressed her afflicted cheek in pretentious pain. Though they both could sense that her body was barely damaged, she still felt hurt that all of her sisters had suddenly seemingly spurned her, all for the sake of some strange creature that had crept into their home. The goddess with heterochromia merely shrugged as she sullenly awaited an answer from her twin sister.
“Our bodies were all built to cultivate that which was created, and we will always suffer whenever we devour each other. You have seen this in our memories.”
“Then I’ll suffer for my sins! It’s agony to abdicate such pleasure anyways, hehe.”
“You are aware that is not our purpose. We work towards bringing the world together and helping others… That was the choice we made.”
“You’ve got to start thinking outside the circle!” Desire said in a teasing tone, gesturing to the entirety of Keltra as she gracefully spun around. She let out soft laughter then, but neither of them felt a modicum of joy in that moment with the weight of their words pressing down upon the both of them. The twirling goddess finished with a sigh, before she surged forward and embraced her sister who sought to forever hide her emotions due to her inner disorder.
“I love you, you know. Regardless of what happens, that’ll always be true.” Desire murmured, holding tightly onto Harmony and almost afraid to let go. However, it was not the temporary tension between them that frightened her, as she would certainly confess that their further bickering would be something she looked forward to in the future. It was the feeling that she was going to somehow lose her sister, and that there was no way to save her…
“I will always love you too.” Harmony replied, and though neither of them could completely convey their concern, their anxiety, their aching thoughts, there was still some solace gained that gently alleviated their burdens through simply speaking to each other. Their telepathic connection allowed them to communicate that much, and more, as Desire shared her intentions with her sister - a yearning to leave Keltra and go see the rest of the world.
Harmony hid her sorrow behind her impassive visage, but it seemed nigh palpable to Desire due to their connection and close proximity. She wondered whether the source of sorrow from her sister was actually relief turned into remorse, however Harmony immediately sensed the resentment that trickled into her while she contemplated and swiftly responded. “You do not have to leave. Do not believe that you are being banished… as I could go instead if that will reassure you. Tell me, what is bothering you?”
Desire chuckled as she leaned back so that she could clearly gaze into the eyes of her sister. “It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m the one that gets to go and have fun elsewhere while you’re stuck here… so really you should be jealous of me.”
The sorrow persisted and was joined by accumulating anxiety as Harmony presumably pondered the plan they had conceived during their hibernation: Desire would go to explore and investigate the world that their mother had created, hopefully finding those that would avail them in their efforts to overcome Anath Homura - while Harmony would be helping her sisters recover, and analyzing their mother for any vulnerabilities or openings in preparation for another confrontation during the time that Desire would be traveling. It was a foolish plan, but they were committed to it. Desire simply refrained from mentioning her other intentions…
The two deities glanced towards their six sisters who still spoke with the visitor through telepathy, merrily sharing their thoughts and memories with the massive creature, and so the two of them could sense and immerse themselves in those exchanged sentimental visions as well. Desire and Harmony had closed their minds, as per usual, preventing their sisters from accessing their thoughts through the mental connection that all of them shared. They stepped back from each other, and afterwards, Harmony engaged in intricate introspection, as Desire simply studied the shape of the world through viewing what Oge’Ivu had seen and experienced.
“It’s a beautiful world, and there’ll be so much more to see. This’ll be fun, so let’s relax.” Desire remarked upon what she had perceived, and assured her sister with an enthusiastic grin. She helped Harmony through her confusing cogitation by suddenly leaping from the wall, subtly compelling her sister to see where she was falling as she hid herself from every sense of the divine aside from direct line of sight. Harmony now watched as Desire ascended on Sunset Orange, and casually sailed on a nearly still stream of the shimmering stria with a smug expression - and the amalgam goddess was evidently not amused.
“Their expectations have dwindled, and such sparsity because of me, ha! Shouldn’t it be easy for you to appease our students, or perhaps not... I’ll be praying for good fortune!” Desire teased dramatically, as she clasped her hands together and playfully bowed before the other deity. There was no violent or verbal repercussion, as both of them were too tired to really enact such shenanigans, and one of them stood on the verge of tears.
“Then you are leaving now?” Harmony asked, and her ruby eyes glittered as they reflected the soft light of the stria. She spoke with two voices though; the first voice without inflection that posed the question, and the second voice that was suffused with discordant distraught echoes pleading for the solace of shared suffering. It was the terrible sound of a spirit shattered, and the shards grinding against each other - it also reminded Desire that she was forgoing the tradition of bidding farewell to the rest of her family as well.
She hated herself. Desire temporarily felt disdain upon seeing such weakness, and she briefly sought to flee swiftly, but she struggled against her urges long enough to provide an affirmative nod. She began to sail away, seeking to remedy the pain that both she and her sister were sharing, as she hoped that distance and the passage of time would treat the wound until she eventually returned. Neither of them felt fully recuperated after being brutalized and mutilated by their mother, but Desire could not heal herself if she remained in Keltra for any longer. It was time for her to run away, it seemed.
“Sayonara.”
Desire and Harmony have a conversation after the former had caused some trouble. They have difficulty communicating, but they are content beside each other and reaffirm their plans for the future. After they ruminate, Desire leaves Keltra to go on a journey.
Anath Homura began to contemplate a myriad of cosmic events happening across the world while she waited within the majestic interior of the citadel that occupied the center of the flying fortress known as Keltra, her brows were slightly furrowed as she mused upon what she had seen, and the numerous archai that currently attended to her did not know whether they should intervene or simply remain quiet - lest they should incur the wrath of the Creatrix.
“I am curious…” She muttered to herself, and then held up her hand as she summoned her immense sacred strength to speak aloud and be heard from afar. Her voice and visage echoed throughout the confines of the resplendent chamber, and weaved through the threads of the Tapestry, magically traveling directly to the site of the one she sought. She gestured with her upraised hand, and opened a portal before the deity that had garnered her attention… then she spoke through the otherworldly gateway, to softly intone:
“I am Anath Homura, and I would speak with you, Ravdur.”
Ravdur was in the middle of traveling to the Darkwoods when the portal appeared and he heard the godly call. Stopping dead in his tracks and looked curiously at the portal. “Anath Homura?” He said in a low tone, the one that called them here to this world wants to talk to him? He had to admit he was surprised that she of all wanted to see him.
Well, better not to keep her waiting , he thought, what does he want with her? Without a word, he stepped through the portal and appeared on the other side. Ravdur made a short bow to Anath Homura before speaking respectively to her. “Hello Anath Homura, and what is it that you wish to talk about?”
The interior was illuminated via columns of celestial light that cascaded softly through an oculus high above the two deities, though the sky beyond the opening was obscured by an intricate latticework of shifting symbols humming with a strange animation. There was a prevalent lack of furnishings, though the overwhelming ornate and vibrant designs all along the walls, the floor, and the ceiling, certainly compensated for the absence of standard decoration. The interior was profusely adorned with a myriad of architectural flourishes; complex colonnades depicting abstract concepts through enchanting patterns and ornamented alcoves that awaited something significant to sit in the center of the empty space they created - yet all of the artistic beauty in its entirety was arranged to present a noun that did not yet exist, it seemed.
The elaborate central hall was also populated by many angelic spirits that hovered along the curved edges of the colossal chamber; they were serene and silent sentinels that did not allow their ethereal presence to intrude upon the conversation between the Creatrix and her guest. Anath Homura herself simply stood closeby, carefully examining Ravdur with her one red eye, her other eye replaced with a softly shimmering white rose. Though she donned the visage of a small mortal, she still emanated an exorbitant amount of primordial power that suffused the complete sum of their surroundings.
“My curiosity has been aroused, and so I wish to speak with you regarding your intentions for mortalkind. I shall not leave my realm until it is required, so I would have you regale me with your view of the world and your beliefs.” Anath Homura proclaimed, as she approached Ravdur and slowly tilted her head with bemusement.
“My intentions for mortalkind and my beliefs? Okay I see,” Ravdur was curious that Anath Homura wished to speak to him about this and showing herself as a small mortal? Interestingly, he is not going to ask and took a moment to look around. Anath Homura’s realm was quite the sight and yet to Ravdur it was all too much for him. It was too… elegant for someone like him. Too fancy for a warrior like him but he can tolerate it.
Ravdur looking back at Anath Hormura and looking square at her red eye. “My intentions for mortalkind is to watch them survive and thrive in this world. To grow strong despite the hardships this world has to offer and to guide if needed.” Ravdur’s tone started to become somewhat cold. “Especially since some of the other gods have added their own hardships to this world and so these mortals need to be stronger than before. More so with the small aid I have given.”
“Could you describe this small aid that you grant unto them? How would you instill strength in them so that they may survive? Hmm… perhaps I am being presumptuous, but I imagine you are preparing for the inevitable arrival of war?” The Creatrix inquired, stepping backwards with swift grace - yet her adagio motion contrasted with her agility, and conveyed a sense of everlasting serenity. The tyrannical touch of time did not dictate the rhythm of the red goddess, as the tempo that she had chosen to set was shifting at her leisure.
“Golems, Ice golems is what I granted them, protectors made of a special ice I created called Regice. A ice that nevers melts and can regenerate when damaged. I have sent them into the wilds to guard what settlements they can find. A small aid to the mortals of this world but, the inevitable of war.” Ravdur has not thought of war, suviving what the gods throw at the mortals was his main concern but, war. Ravdur took a deep breath, war is bound to happen or later.
“I have not thought of war to be honest, mainly the dangers of this world and true, war is bound to happen sooner or later. I have not prepared them for war. I am simply waiting for time to pass to see if these mortals need guidance or not. If they are strong then no need but if they are weak then I will nudge them in the right direction. Maybe if they are lacking I will prepare them for war for it is on them if they are ready for it. All I will do is to give them guidance if they need it.”
“Have you prepared yourself for war? Creating mortals to preserve mortals is redundant. What will you do when those amongst the pantheon seek to enact war? Would you be willing to clash with other deities?”
“Are you expecting this war between the gods to happen soon?” Ravdur tone sounding annoyed. “In ways I have and I know how to fight. But to pick a side I must know what I am fighting for and who is on my side. I have only met two gods, you and the one called Myrtu. So I have little knowledge of who will be on my side if a war were to happen between the gods. Though I have heard the deeds of the other gods and I can guess their natures there. If war happens between the gods then I must know more information and I will not blindly go into the fray or blindly follow someone. I must know my possible allies and enemies and see where I will stand.” Ravdur looked at Anath Homura straight in the eye. “I will fight if I must and have you prepared for this war between the gods?”
“I will solely act as the Arbiter for such divine disputes - should my intervention truly become necessary, but perhaps peace will persist, and I will perish before I am ever called upon…” She replied with the shadow of a smile forming upon her lips, and hiding her single eye behind a small raised hand. Fierce conviction and pessimism simmered together as her voice resonated throughout the interior of the citadel, the lingering manifestation of contradictory sentiments: Though she wished for peace, she still perceived war as unavoidable.
She lowered her hand and began to walk in a circle around Ravdur, as she wore an expression of contemplation while murmuring. “As a deity yourself, do you demand extensive worship? I wonder whether you would prefer gratitude and faith, praise, or fanaticism, or other rewards?” Anath Homura mused aloud, her short yet nimble strides seemingly on the verge of dignified dance, as she occasionally swirled and slid similarly exuding elegance akin to those untethered by the weight of the world soaring and swimming with utmost freedom. Her movements remained simultaneously ethereal and ephemeral, as every motion was accompanied by the subtle song that originated from somewhere unseen within the immense chamber. There was a paradoxical combination of patience and agitation as she awaited an answer and continued her solo waltz.
Ravdur took a moment to watch Anath Hormura and was confused. Why is she almost dancing around me? He thought as he tried to make sense of it and get a feel of her. Failing that, he chose to speak, “I demand only that those that seek to follow me, follow or honor my ways, act with honor, do not blindly follow me and I will not hold your hand. Only follow me if you wish it and for those worthy of it may be granted a boon. But for the most part rely on yourself to survive, not me though to those worthy I will help to guide them. Faith and thanks is fine and does that satisfy you Anath Hormura?” His tone starting to relax a bit.
The red goddess came to a halt, and studied him with an enigmatic expression. “Are you familiar with ceremonial rites and religious festivities? Holidays and votive offerings? Should those amongst the pantheon receive veneration? Do the Divine deserve cults? You speak of honor, and I wish to honor those that have answered my summons.” She said after adopting a still stance, unfazed and unmoving like a stone statue, aside from the smooth sway of her hair similar to fiery silk trailing behind her. Her solitary eye glittered with an amused animated fascination, contrasting with her curious words uttered without emotion, as she surrounded herself with an aura of ambivalence.
Ravdur raised an eyebrow, “I am familiar to ceremonial rites and religious festivities somewhat. Not sure when was the last time I been or known one. The others and should we? I think that only if we are worthy of it that we should receive such veneration or cults.” He stopped talking to once again to try to get a sense of her and yet he can not. And it is starting to annoy him, but he is not showing it.
“If you wish to honor me for coming then do it if you wish.”
“Do you have specific preferences? Would you be opposed or approving of iconography meant to depict you and your ideology? Are there particular symbols and traditions you would favor? I would have a temple and numerous shrines erected at least, but I would appreciate you providing me with information regarding how to properly honor you.” Anath Homura asked, and she gestured towards the empty sections in the ambient architecture, evidently indicating her intentions of eventually filling them. It seemed she sought to transform the interior of the citadel into a grand temple devoted to revering the various deities that had come from afar to cultivate the nascent cosmos.
Ravdur walked a bit closer to an empty section and took a minute to look at the empty sections. Then looking back at Anath Hormura, “I would be fine with being depicted by a icon and that icon.” He thought for a bit before speaking again, “One image comes to mind, three triangles interlocking with each other. That symbol would suit me and and for a statute, me holding two handed hammer and the three triangle symbol on my hammer.” Ravdur said with a smile, “yeah that would do it for me and is that enough?”
“It shall be enough. Hmm, perhaps I will merely improvise the remainder... then when the structures and systems are all complete, I shall summon you again - so that you may examine such and ascertain whether it will all suffice.” She responded, and almost audible were the sounds of her internally calculating and evaluating within her mind what she would do in addition to that which he had explained as well. She moved to stand beside him once again, and then peered at him with her cryptic yet considerate gaze as she inquired. “As I have invited you to my home and attained what I sought from you. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
Ravdur thought for a moment as he looked around the area. “I do not think so, I think I have spent enough time here and I wish to venture back to the world. It is time I see how the mortals are doing, mainly the Eosin, the mortals I have created.” Ravdur had at this point stopped to figure Anath Hormura out, perhaps another time he thought. “To see their progress and hopefully they are thriving and if not well. To see if they are in needing of my guidance.”
So looking back at Anath Hormura, Ravdur made a respectful bow to her, “goodbye Anath Hormura and may we meet again.” Was all he said before leaving through the opened portal and walking back into the world.
Anath Homura contemplates something while within the citadel, and then summons Ravdur to answer some questions about his intentions, conflict, and dogma. Afterwards, he returns to the world.
@Legion02 Thank you for submitting your character sheet! Your character has been approved, and you may post your CS in the Character tab! I look forward to reading the story of Ithril!
You shall receive the Pantheon role in the server as well, granting you access to more channels for discussion.
96) We follow some horses into the Bloodmire where the life within kills all of them save one which is saved by Myrtu. On the outskirts of the Bloodmire, Myrtu meets Elf Maiden Wyn, bloodied and lost in thought. Eventually the two strike up a conversation about hope and the lack of it. Myrtu then creates the Sanguis Equis from the surviving horse and gifts it to Wyn, who names him Lysander. They then go their separate ways after Wyn reveals who she really is, adding a cryptic warning about being someone else or something.
98) Ashevelen creates her realm and makes it accessible to everyone via the shadows of the world which she enchants to allow passage to her realm and back again to the same exact spot provided they think/utter the magic words and offer something to the Goddess. At the same time, the entrance to the realm, spews out a string of solid-shadows which Penumbra teaches the Umbra how to use in order to make clothes. More importantly, Penumbra receives a divine quest.
99) A dark elf called Julles wakes up after dreaming of his fate once again. He goes to the creek right outside his hut and nearly scratches his own face off, then notices that the blood he’s dripping into the creek is flowing upstream. He follows the blood and finds and obtains the Sanguine Bow.
100) Seele makes her fancy new race, the Aranea. Details to be expanded upon. She takes on the mantle of Calamity. She infuses the Aranea with a blessing of unified mind, a hive mind that allows them to share their thoughts telepathically instantly, as well as becoming shared in their ability to resist effects on their minds- affecting one mind must defeat the whole. Lyra is also included in this hive mind. Seele is the overlord of this hivemind, and may lend her mind and thoughts to it but always may block things from it if she so chooses.
101) Po is angry and burns a small path down from the taiga to the dark forest (don’t worry about collateral damage, the only big burn she did was to a poor mountain by the forest) and then she bumps into Jeon who decides to put her fire to good use rather than letting her just burn down the forest. So she teaches some slightly crispy elves how to make fire and perform pyromancy. She calms down a bit.
102) Myrtu thinks Equines are The Best so hard that they become the God of Equines. Myrtu gets the zoomies again and blesses every single Equine they can find, EXCEPT those in Earthwall, with UltraQuick adaptability for a year. Every other Equine variation is brought into the world and scattered about as well.
103) Penumbra doesn’t have a party but eventually finds one poet to go with them on a journey but then the poet doesn’t show up. An elf with a potential dark past joins Penumbra and they leave, only to meet the poet in the woods who only spoke in haikus or verse which confused the elf who didn’t understand a word even if they spoke the same language. The elf names the poet a bard and lo’ and behold’ that’s what everyone else was calling them ‘thus they gain the [Bard] class. They get attacked by bandits and everyone gets injured…one way or the other but still win and then they leave.
104) Mortie gang is seen once more after having been split up by some off-screen event near Heavenfall. Big Smoke is seen on his own, running away from a school of Gedhe’Iwaks that think he looks like a tasty treat. Astarte and Lorelei are trying to look for him, tracking the path of destruction the chase left after the fact. When they get close to finding Big Smoke, they’re ambushed by a massive spider monster. Astarte is immediately taken down via surprise attack but is not killed thanks to Lorelei’s quick spring to action. She fends off the monster for a while and eventually a big shadowy Gedhe’Iwak arrives and swallows the spider monster whole, saving the catgirl and self-proclaimed goddess. Lorelei realizes Astarte and herself have been envenomed by the Spider monster and even though she tries to direct Astarte to utilize Lektorian element-manipulation to cleanse herself of the venom, they both fail. Two more spiders appear but are quickly dispatched by a pair of crimson arrows that make the spiders’ blood boil and veins explode, and the last thing Lorelei sees before passing out is her savior running towards them.
105) Jeon has been stalking, I mean watching, Penumbra as the Umbra and her little party set out on their, to be, continent spanning adventure, when he realizes that a bit of that adventure will be going through the nowhere’s vill of the untouched land sat between the south continents central mountains and its mighty desert. So he makes another forest over there, fills it with (water) bugs and birds, Tonnikkala, plant dinosaurs, some flying plant fish, and a type of plant called a Cortex Flower which can enthrall the minds of creatures that drink its nectar, bending them to its will and using them as defenders and hunters for fertilizer.
106) Some Elves got fucked by fate and put in the taiga. Temperature is one thing, but there’s jackshit to eat, so they die like flies. They eventually find shelter in some caves, but soon have to move on account of the areas around the cave running out of food. The majority decide to move on while the minority decide to delve deeper. Those who delve deeper become hobgoblins with a lil’ help from the Bureaucrat. The hobgoblins then experience their first death by age, which alerts them to the fact that they are no longer virtually immortal. The Bureaucrat cares as much as he’s expected to to be polite and makes the Necromanagers, a holy order of babysitters for the dead. Then the hobgoblins spread around the Hob and beyond in the underground.
107) Intro for the Nuqtuq tribe in the FAR North-Eastern Glaciers. They are a tribe composed of Human, Centaur, and Kinnaras. Centaur and Kinnaras are covered in white woolly fur and have brown skin. They have grown forward facing Buffalo horns. Their stature is compact and shorter than other Centaur and Kinnaras. Humans of the tribe have acute vision and narrow eyes. The Nuqtuq are from Nuqtuq and migrate to Nuqtuq during the warm month hunting season. Story: A Centaur child weeps after their parents died, due to the rapid warming and breaking of the glacial ice, because of the warming of all the northern oceans, after the creation of the Molten Sea. That child grows up to be a hunter. That hunter accidentally harpoons a Centaur with Moose Horns.
108) Lektor's Lektures end with a test on the topics of architecture and maths, the teaching of metal working and land surveying, and on the side, a martial arts tournament. Hills is the champion, but the final battle was a flop that very few people cared about, so her prestige doesn't go up with people out of her clique. Finally, there is a graduation party and humans are sent in waves to truly populate the mesa and nearby regions.
109) A Huwu’idang (Ia’Akhul’s tree sized nature healing deer) is challenged by an equally massive redwood deer (one of Jeon’s violently anti lumberjack forest kin) for its position as head guardian of their patch of forest. The Huwu’idang wins, but in the process the redwood really tears up the place (in a way not befitting a first guardian) and in the process topples a tree that pins Stag the wood elf to the ground (he was there because fern was there, and fern was there to be in awe of the giant deer fight). The Huwu’idang heal’s its fallen foe and then the two go and help free the elf. In return the Huwu’idang wants the elf to help protect the forest. Jeon (who was also here to watch the giant deer fight) then steps in and sets up a symbiotic relationship between wood elf and Huwu’idang, where the elf gains the powers of the Huwu’idang in exchange for also taking on its duy as protector of nature and defender of the small.
110) Ashevelen hears about a place where a great monster destroyed a few villages. She leaves in search for it and other special creatures in order to fill up her bazaar with goods. Eventually stumbles into the Bloody-Swamp, takes some plants/ captures some local fauna, and then meets the divine, Wyn. After chatting a bit, Ashevelen invites her to the Shadow Bazaar to trade which, after some intense negotiations, they manage to do. Ashevelen provides her with some Tarsk/Satyr/Umbra in exchange for a sword, a few Mireborn and two Sanguis Equis. Wyn reflects on it later and has a few choice words.
111) Keltra is out existing in the sky and Oge’Ivu goes finding it. Homura comes out and talks to the big gal as she kinda rumbles and meanders back trying to explore the flying thing. Homura says some stuff Oge’Ivu doesn’t really understand well and then poofs off. Keltra drops it’s no perceive me field and something knocks into Oge’Ivu.
112) Desire and Harmony recover from their fight with Anath Homura, and speak with their sisters. Anath Homura returns, and Harmony makes a request. Anath Homura reincarnates Courage, Kindness, Curiosity, and Wanderer.
113) The reincarnated daughters of Anath Homura reunite with their sisters, while Desire listens to a whispered conversation between Harmony and their mother. Afterwards, all of the sisters come together and perform a ritual that unifies their minds, as Anath Homura transforms Courage, Kindness, Fear, Curiosity, Wanderer, and Pride, all into champions.
114) Anath Homura announces her intentions to bring beauty to Keltra, then she creates three temples within the soaring city. The Sacred Septet seek their own ways to adjust and adorn their home. Desire and Harmony decide to have fun with their sisters, and create a sport for them to play: Surfing the Stria is created.
115) Penumbra’s party gets a few level ups, they venture into the forest where they’re constantly being attacked by creatures and they meet…JEON! The Price of ADVENTURE! which gives them a quest and equipment to complete the quest, the quest being “Last Stand - A Village in Peril”. Penumbra wishes to decline the quest but Custosa begs them to accept, which they do.
116) A bunch of elves have been doing a blackmarket in the Bazzar’s first, and currently only, restaurant. The Darkwood adventurer's guild has been taking part, an elf called Minnowbloom getting quest requests from worried elves. While getting one from an elf called crab, the Bazzar staff raid the restaurant and arrest everyone who has anything to do with the blackmarket. After some threats, the trade goddess Ashevelen gets Pieapple’s name out of Minnowbloom, and summons the [monarch] to account for her and her people’s crimes. After a bit of back and forth, Pieapple convinced Ashevelen to let her set up an official adventuring guildhall inside the Bazaar, one which will pay tax to the goddess (something an official supervisor will make sure of) She also has to (actively) recruit umbra and saytar members, not get involved in business that will upset the Bazaar (such as joining wars), get adventurers to bring anything new they find to the guild (said get special offers in return) and finally once she sets up the kingdom gifted to her by Lektoria she has to set up a trade route between it and Shadowton (as well as from an alliance with the town) She agrees and, after getting a set of phantom scars on an arm and a leg thanks to a joke, is left with an empty guild hall she needs to fill.
117) Pieapple’s expedition to claim her kingdom begins at last. With her are not stag and fern, because they are staying behind due to being indebted to a big deer. Instead she is joined by the two other party members from the first underground exploration, Barkbear and Sleektooth, both of whom have come out of retirement thanks to new limb replacement technology solving their career ending injuries. They are joined by the lovable [vagabond] Pumpkin, who ontop of being a user of Po’s fire magic, has also traveled the underways a lot on her own, and is thus acting as their guide. Also a bunch of other elves are along for the ride so that the kingdom can have a population that does not consist entirely of Pieapple and Barkbear’s spawn.
118) Ravdur after his tour of the world, realized that he needs to meet with his fellow gods to get a sense of them and see some of the dangers that the mortals faced. Created one hundred ice golems that serve to protect what settlements they can find. Along with creating a realm for himself in the Stormbreaker Mountains in the form of a large castle located on a mountaintop in the Stormbreaker Mountains. Lastly, creating a weapon himself called Frostbringer before venturing out into the world again.
119) Aldion creates devils. Halfway between demon and mortal, but more powerful than both, these creatures mix the discipline and order of Hell with the free-thinking and guile of the mortal races. Although they cannot defy or betray Aldion outright, they have more leeway in how they choose to interpret his orders. They take on a humanoid form with red skin and black horns. Devils are unnaturally fast, beautiful, and strong. They project a natural air of charisma and command. Their nails are retractable claws which serve as natural weapons; as strong as steel and razor sharp. If they wish, their touch can inflict horrible agony upon one’s flesh, briefly showing them what it is like to be thrown into the Hellforge. Inflicting pain upon others causes their own wounds to heal. Beyond these innate abilities of their race, Aldion has also granted devils access to shapeshifting abilities which allow them to adjust the more superficial aspects of their form as needed. They also have magical wings which grant them the power of flight.
All of the Divine have their Might replenished.
5/5 MP & 5/5 AP.
There is a 48-hour grace period where folks can write and post using any remaining Might that they possess from the previous turn.
“I believe… our new home requires further embellishment! Hence, I shall erect a series of sacred structures; many monuments and temples that will bring beauty and awe to Keltra!” Anath Homura announced, and her ethereal voice echoed throughout the soaring city, calling upon all of her celestial servants - the angelic archai. The ancient goddess stood within the center of the citadel, and was accompanied by her various daughters, as they awaited whatever would come next.
There were tremors beneath their feet before the floor beneath them began to ascend, rising higher and higher in the shape of a large pillar that swiftly reached up towards the open oculus above them. They passed through the opening in the ceiling and stood atop the towering citadel, as all of Keltra was laid afore them. The outer ring encircled the empty quadrants divided by the four bridges that served to connect the massive wall to the inner ring and the citadel, yet despite the tremendous size of these structures with their immaculate and ornate architecture, there was little else to see.
The Creatrix held out her hand, as she channeled her immense power into bright rivers of a red substance that flowed forth from her appendage and out towards one of the empty quadrants. The summoned rivers curved along the way to their destination and swirled together, coalescing into a complex arrangement of intersecting circular paths that contain concentrated pools of the red substance within three immense rings.
A resilient river remained between the three rings and Anath Homura, until the ancient goddess released her grasp. The end of the enduring river that she had held was set upon one of the walkways that joined the outer ring and accessed the citadel - before it began to transform. The river slowly solidified and became a bridge; a process which was spreading along its length until it reached the three rings which became solid as well, and the condensed substances within each ring swiftly shifted into a trio of exquisite edifices.
The first was a tall and slender structure adorned with an abundance of azure filigree and latticework across its exterior, with many open and expansive windows that permitted a warm light and a gentle breeze to pass though its exposed interior. Numerous columns of celestial radiance manifested along the walls within, and changed into a vast collection of long and glittering curtains that gracefully danced with the wind above a large gathering of folded fabric and textiles placed beside a lonely loom.
The second was a more morbid and stout structure that possessed a multitude of prominent protrusions across its bejeweled facade, like large antlers and twisting curved horns found upon a fierce creature conveying its capabilities of danger through a threatening display. There was only a single entrance into the strange edifice, and all of the light and color that dared to step inside seemed to be suppressed while within its confines, aside from an occasional azure pulse that originated from deep in its depths…
The third was neither a stout nor slender structure, and shared a similar aesthetic to the second - though its protrusions resembled peaceful perches with much less curvature and points, and much more mainly horizontal elements in design. There was the primary entrance; an imposing doorway that led into the heart of the edifice, but there was also a number of open balconies with attached stairways that granted access to the upper levels. The function of the third and final building was the first to be explained as Anath Homura turned to face her daughters and spoke.
“The Temple of the Stars shall serve as the assigned residence for the archai, and act as the core of their operations. They will deliver my messages to those that dwell beyond the borders of my realm, but they serve you as well. Should you wish to communicate with far away friends, then speak with the archai that reside within the temple.”
The majority of the Sacred Septet answered with an automatic affirmative chorus, and then their mother gestured to the second structure seated between the third and first, as she continued her tour of the latest additions to Keltra. All of her daughters remained quiet, despite the fact that they already recognized and remembered the functions of the other two temples that had once existed in the old world.
“The Temple of Resurrection shall serve as a gateway between the material plane and the realm of souls, allowing those that have lost their bodies to interact with those that remain here. The Temple of the Tapestry shall serve as a source of supplies, providing all that you require for teaching yourselves the technique of weaving. Hmm… I know that you are all familiar with these temples.” Anath Homura intoned, as she stroked her chin and contemplated the myriad of weird looks that she received from her family.
“We’re still trying to wrap our heads around what happened, ya… There’s uh… a lot we don’t know, and you haven’t told us much of anything.” Courage said as she stepped closer, then she glanced at her sisters behind her, and then back at her mother with a mixture of hesitation. Her hands were restless; shaking slightly, and she struggled as she almost began pacing back and forth, but she resisted the urge and stayed mostly still.
“And some of us were wondering why we were told not to ask you, Mother?” Curiosity inquired, despite the internal protesting from the rest of the Sacred Septet, as they all agreed to refrain from simply questioning their maker, and had instead chosen to find another way to attain the answers they sought. However, it seemed that Curiosity was quick to forget - and now half of her sisters exuded an aura of evident chagrin after her question was asked aloud. Kindness and Wanderer shared their vexation regarding the naivety of their sister through their connection, which led to Pride telepathically admonishing them as their mother replied.
“An immense amount of information would overwhelm you, so it has been decided that each of you shall receive a portion of the past, and work together towards comprehending it by combining your knowledge. Harmony and Desire shall oversee your education as they possess the answers you seek and have attained divinity.”
Her words washed around and through the Sacred Septet, invoking visions of themselves and the world beyond the barriers of secular sight, a reminder of what awaited them further upon the Sacred Path. Though much of their memories were obscured, and the old world remained a mystery, the daughters of Anath Homura were all inspired to continue their journeys towards becoming what they wanted to be, or what they were meant to be. Though their sentiments varied towards their fate, they found the resolve to go farther.
“We have to become stronger then.” Kindness proclaimed before she stepped forward, and Courage placed a hand upon her shoulder as the brash champion gave an auspicious grin, fierce and invigorated. “It won’t be easy, ya.” Her sister added, and the two of them glanced at the others.
Curiosity and Wanderer stepped forward as well, joining their sisters and adding another wave of levity to their assembly with their paradoxical presence - innocent enthusiasm that contrasted with reluctant reticence. Though the three deities were seemingly amused by the antics of their sisters considering they seemed content to watch, Fear and Pride lacked the same motivation and had yet to move. Their telepathic connection with their sisters was restricted tightly, as they had not forgotten what was lost…
“Come on, Pipsqueak. Together - your brain and our brawn will make us invincible!” Courage coaxed her smallest sister with contagious excitement, as she almost jumped where she stood, brimming with thoughts of a thrilling future. She so clearly wanted to free herself from the shackles of sorrow, and that hopeful ambition was enough to prod Pride into approaching with a sigh of playful annoyance.
Fear stared at her sisters with a mournful glimmer in her eyes, as mirth mingled with misery in her memories, and the timid champion found she could not move toward the sight of her sisters beckoning her towards them. She could hear them calling to her through their connection, and she sensed as Harmony shifted with discomfort undoubtedly due to her trepidation now - a discomfort Fear felt that she was to be blamed for.
Wanderer spoke with her hands, as the mesmerizing motions caught the attention of Fear, and she asked whether the latter would prefer to be alone, or if she would prefer to join them. The combination of the sentiments shared through their connection, and the compassion conveyed through her graceful gesturing, convinced her emotionally confused sister to meet with the rest of them. Wanderer and Kindness both murmured encouragement and support as Fear stepped forward to stand beside them.
“Time to be the best and learn, ya!”
“I will not partake in any of your foolish nonsense, but I’m thinking this shall be enjoyable. Let’s endeavor to improve ourselves.”
“Hmm… when do we begin? Now? I can’t wait!”
Harmony held up her hand, silencing Courage, Pride, and Curiosity, before she walked around all of them, akin to a shepherd tending to their flock, then halted after ascertaining that she had garnered their attention. She lowered her hand, and let her keen gaze shift over each of her sisters as she let a stern silence linger for a time. None amongst the Sacred Septet could discern her intentions, incapable of overcoming her mental warding in their telepathic bond, but that did not prevent Desire and Courage from mischievously chucking all of a sudden, as though they had begun to conspire together.
“Follow me.” The stoic goddess said, swiftly striding towards the edges of the citadel before conjuring a curling pathway that descended to the four walkways below, and away from Anath Homura. None of the champions disobeyed, and all hastily hurried after her, like a trail of children chasing their mother as she led them to the crossways, specifically the bridge that climbed upwards and joined the walkway atop the outer ring.
Desire chose to ignore the improvised formation, and walked next to Harmony with an aura of endearing audacity as she smiled. “You’ve no idea how to help them. Oh, what could mother have meant by overseeing their education? Sister, are you meandering?” She whispered in a teasing tone, as their small group reached the outer ring and were greeted with a beautiful vista when they turned to look at what lay behind them. The entirety of their home was within view, and the splendor of Keltra shimmered as the sun descended below the horizon.
Harmony shot a mote of annoyance at her sister, but did not bother to counter her claims as Desire was unfortunately correct. Her mother had delegated her duty to her, but Harmony could not determine whether she was being given freedom or if she was being given a trial. She was conflicted with choices, and she found herself suddenly floundering - first in her mind, and then in the sky when she realized her twin sister had shoved her off of the outer ring.
Desire laughed as Harmony seemed content to simply fall farther and farther away, the lack of retribution evidently indicating that the latter would rather prefer to let the culprit do whatever she was going to do. The goddess with mismatched eyes smirked as she turned to face her other sisters, and casually shrugged. “She’s fine. However, who wants to join her? Come on, it’ll be fun.” Desire leaned in close to a few of them, and focused upon cajoling Courage to be the first to take her up on her offer. Such a clever strategy was a success, as Courage eagerly stepped forward.
Like an appeased teacher, Desire nodded with approval, and then glanced at the nearest empty quadrant before she nodded once again. “Then let’s play a game!” She proclaimed, and then pulsed with otherworldly power, as she unleashed an amber wave of divine energy that flowed in all directions and washed over the entirety of Keltra. The wave continued to spread beyond the boundaries of the flying fortress, but began to disperse soon afterwards, and it seemed as though the world was not changed at all, aside from some accumulating confusion amongst six champions that stared at their capricious sister.
“That was really nice!” Curiosity exclaimed, overcoming her bemusement with enthusiasm which also earned her a gesture of approval from Desire, while the rest of her sisters became more apprehensive - especially when the sacred signs of the Gnosis were slowly manifesting upon the goddess as she completed the casting of her spell. Desire adopted a dramatic pose as another sorcerous pulse occurred, and she conjured multiple objects at once.
A large and colorful star-shaped structure appeared in the air, hovering close to them as it hummed softly, fulfilling its intended purpose of revealing the numerous rushing rivers of liquid light that had suddenly spread throughout half of Keltra. The rivers defied the weight of the world, and were interwoven with each other, though they continually changed their course without any indication of when such would happen, often creating an unpredictable journey whenever they would be traversed.
In her hands, Desire held onto a scepter that shared a similar color scheme and starry aesthetic as the large levitating structure nearby. In the hands of most of her surprised sisters, were a collection of long and narrow boards that shone with a bright glitter, resembling the texture and coloration of the conjured celestial rivers, though there was some variation amongst them that Desire thought was appropriate. Aside from an irked Pride who did not possess a board, a content Kindness, and a forlorn Fear, the remainder of the Sacred Septet were elated - ready for what would come next.
“Allow me to demonstrate!” Desire declared, before she leapt high into the air and alighted upon one of the luminous rivers, easily summoning another shimmering board beneath her feet. The currents carried her, and she slid forward at a swift rate along the stretching length of the river as she surfed all around the area across merging streams and long solitary sections. Her cheerful laughter reached the six champions that watched her, it beckoned them to join her, and she further enticed her sisters by commanding a river of light to remain close beside them.
Courage could not resist when she noticed Pride was attempting to retreat, so she lifted the smallest of the Sacred Septet, and then leapt - carrying the childlike champion that had begun screaming and flailing with her. Wanderer turned her gaze to Fear, but before she could suggest surfing together as well, she was pulled away by Curiosity and the two of them were gone. Instead, it was Kindness that gently asked, and she was surprised by the resolute smile Fear responded with, before she was also pulled along by the usually meekest amongst them.
Though there was much fumbling between all of them, they adjusted themselves accordingly and had already shown some degree of skill while surfing the usually unseen sea of light in the sky that was called the Stria. There were those that possessed more aptitude than others, and Desire had to consider the current handicap placed upon some individuals and their poor choice of partners, as she watched with amusement when Pride punched Courage in the face and almost caused the two of them to tumble off of their shimmer-board.
Desire was cruising above all of them upon her own special shimmer-board that she had named Sunset Orange, and she had yet to activate its aura that would hide her from sight. She still held the scepter she had created in her hands, which allowed her to commune with the Stria within the immediate vicinity, and she listened as the waves whispered into her ear and told her of that which her mother had kept hidden. The veil had begun to disperse, and with an amused smile, Desire directed the currents of the Stria so that it would bring her innocent sisters and an unexpected visitor together.
Anath Homura announces her intentions to bring beauty to Keltra, then she creates three temples within the soaring city. The Sacred Septet seek their own ways to adjust and adorn their home. Desire and Harmony decide to have fun with their sisters, and create a sport for them to play: Surfing the Stria is created.
Desire Spends 4 AP to change the Landscape; the Stria. (A sea of “liquid light” that hangs high in the sky, and allows those with shimmer-boards to sail/surf its continual currents which become visible only during Stria Surfing, and is otherwise invisible to the naked-eye.)
Spends 1 MP to create a set of Shimmer-boards for her family.
Spends 2 MP to create the Monument; the Stria Shifter. (This monument allows the currents of the Stria within its vicinity to become visible for prolonged periods of time even without being surfed/sailed upon, as well allows the one that wields the Stria Scepter to control those currents; to change their shape and direction.)
Spends 2 MP to create the Artifact; the Stria Scepter. (This artifact is attuned to the Stria Shifter; refer to the monument for its intended function, and also allows its wielder to closely perceive interactions with the Stria within a medium proximity with keen precision.)
Spends 1 AP to create the Artifact; Sunset Orange. (A special Shimmer-board, capable of generating a field of invisibility around itself and its rider.)
0/5 MP & 0/5 AP remaining.
Courage, Kindness, Fear, Curiosity, Wanderer, Pride gain 3 Spirit.
Perhaps we spend the beginning of our lives making mistakes… Perhaps we spend the rest of our lives atoning for those mistakes…
At first, those that were reincarnated found that they could not articulate the thoughts and memories that shaped their minds, yet the comprehensive lexicon they had been granted upon birth quickly bestowed upon them the words which would carry the meaning they sought to convey. They could perceive their surroundings, and they understood that they were where they belonged, but a question weighed heavily upon them - what would be the first step for fulfilling their purpose?
Before any of them could ask, their question was answered for them when Pride and Fear dashed forward and swiftly embraced them, followed by the illusions of Harmony and Desire. The welcoming love and warmth that enveloped them was wondrous, and aligned with their prescribed purpose, bringing all of them an immense amount of joy that they clung onto. Pride and Fear possessed the sorrows of an older time, and their tears mingling with their compassion confused the blithesome four that did not remember all that had happened - blissfully ignorant.
Desire did not allow herself to be completely distracted by the wonderful reunion, as she detected the quiet conversation between the actual Harmony and Anath Homura, while the latter lazily healed the former where she lay. “WhY? YoU FoRsAke uS?” The disfigured goddess had asked with a hint of anger within her warped words.
“I cannot join the telepathic bond between you and the others. Be patient now and speak after I have healed you.” Their mother replied, and Desire deigned not to fully involve herself, instead merely listening to the two of them. She watched as the terrible gaping wound upon her sister was slowly sealed and restored to smooth unblemished skin, but she sensed the lingering presence of something strange and sinister left upon Harmony.
“Why did you forsake us? Abandon us… with Zima, and Garle, and Chailiss. Why did you never return to us, or answer our prayers?” She spoke monotonously, yet Desire could feel all of the unuttered emotions within Harmony through their faint connection. The distant voices of those that were forever-fused, yet still sought to be heard, and now begged for an answer. Desire wondered whether their mother could even hear them, or if it was an unavailing endeavor in the end, and if the truth remained ever elusive. It was weird hearing those far away sounds when she also could hear them so clearly now, as she briefly glanced back at the rest of her sisters conversing excitedly.
“I could not save you… I am not infallible, or omnipotent. I did what I could to prevent our annihilation. Much was sacrificed…” Anath Homura whispered as though to speak too loudly would call forth an unfathomable amount of suffering. None amongst them could condemn her for seeking to avoid the painful past, as they recognized how much it could hurt when just recalling the memories.
“If you seek our forgiveness then I require another promise. You must protect them and provide for their proper childhood. Let them experience youth and become adults - unlike us. Do this, and I shall serve you faithfully. You will have attained my forgiveness.” Harmony intoned, and it was a proposal that Desire did not expect to be offered to their mother.
“Another compromise… Has my generosity given birth to your hubris? Do you seek to become my nemesis?” Anath Homura teased, her tone too spiteful to be actual resentment, and yet the haunted hint of a smile along with suddenly leaning too close to the healed Harmony… Desire felt frightened. She was afraid, especially since she could not articulate the exact reason for her emotional state.
“Do not delude yourself. Your love is a lie, and you are an abomination.” Harmony rebuked, and evident in her eyes was the yearning to strike her mother, yet she did not. She stayed seemingly limp as the ancient goddess loomed over her like a shadow smothering the light, threatening to overwhelm her. Desire cringed when she realized that she had been rather distracted, and her illusions of herself and Harmony were under scrutiny by the rest of her sisters. Desire let her phantom pummel Courage, and that was fortunately enough of a clever solution to thwart further suspicion somehow.
“And yet you have chosen to remain here with me… Enough of this. Please speak with your sisters. It is time for catharsis - so dance and sing for me.” Anath Homura said as she stepped back and moved to merge with her own illusion, letting Harmony arise and do the same beside Desire. The interior of the citadel had been cleansed of gore, and all evidence of their clash had been visibly dealt with, so the shroud that concealed their true positions and voices was no longer necessary, nor maintained, which brought Desire a great amount of relief.
Desire and Harmony were able to actually hold onto their sisters now, affectionately squeezing all of them into another group hug, carefully considering the fragility of their forms, and the two twin goddesses grinned as they cherished this moment they had waited a long time for. Desire and Harmony had held onto many memories that belong to those that were reborn, and finally they could return those memories, though both had agreed upon limiting some of the more gruesome and personal details.
“Let us perform!” Desire exclaimed, and smiled as her words were accompanied by an otherworldly orchestra that produced playful music. They all quickly clasped hands after they arranged themselves in a small circle, and all of them watched as their reflections upon the shimmering floor multiplied and became partially merged. Their reflections emerged from the floor, and the daughters of Anath Homura could see a number of differences between them and the myriad of those that continued to emerge from beneath their feet and within their closed circle.
There were those amongst their arisen reflections that wore alternative attires and accessories, and carried an ensemble of distinctive artifacts, all of which were obviously unfamiliar to Courage, Kindness, Curiosity, and Wanderer, as they watched with confusion while their strange simulacrums continued to dance around them. Then the emboldened melody enchanted their emotions, and a subtle spell was cast that let them see beyond the limitations and boundaries of a singular perspective.
Thoughts and memories began to flow from their minds and meld into the spiritual sea that existed between their bodies. They were connected by a bond that allowed them to share their sentiments and experiences, letting each of them understand every word that they had ever uttered throughout their existence, letting them see every piece of their imagination that had painted their reality. It was an extreme level of intimacy that concerned those that were still ashamed of themselves, but also enticed them with an abundance of knowledge and a unified perspective.
The reflections passed through and overlapped each other and their origins, like threads being entwined when weaving, and the daughters of Anath Homura achieved an awareness of their entirety as many minds came together to process every aspect of their being, like looking through many mirrors at once, while seeing through the eyes of all the reflections staring back. Additional angles and views that granted greater clarity when they all merged and those that were reborn then received their prior memories.
The seen and shifting symbols of the Gnosis pulsated vividly, as eight shapes swirled and capered with reminiscent revelry igniting their forms. They were agile and wild, enraptured by the tune of the otherworldly orchestra and the familiar presence of each other. Their inner flames were alive and animated, burning bright with warm companionship, as the more was always merrier for them. Though they would each have their secrets and ambitions unrelated to each other, their telepathic bond would keep them connected to each other even when they would be separated.
Their ritualistic and elated dance was not interrupted by the inclusion of thin scarlet streams and ruby rivelets that splashed and seeped into those that did not possess the essence of divinity. It was already accepted amongst all of them when the sacred signs of sorcery appeared on the skin of Courage, Kindness, Fear, Curiosity, Wanderer, and Pride, for they would always remain set upon the Sacred Path as per the will of the one that created them. It was simply considered another aspect of their rebirth.
The twin goddesses and the anointed champions continued to cheerfully twirl and sway, as the music changed again and again, melody after melody, a seemingly endless embodiment of soothing motion and sounds. Anath Homura sighed to herself, as she also embraced the temporary respite from the seemingly perpetual ache in her heart, and acknowledged that she had yet to be truthfully forgiven.
The reincarnated daughters of Anath Homura reunite with their sisters, while Desire listens to a whispered conversation between Harmony and their mother. Afterwards, all of the sisters come together and perform a ritual that unifies their minds, as Anath Homura transforms Courage, Kindness, Fear, Curiosity, Wanderer, and Pride, all into champions.
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