#Marisha-ember

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 104

Fucking hell ... right away, then ... AmongUs has happened ... I mean I know Ahsley's gonna be one of the vices in the new show, but still ... aha ... so THAT'S what this is about ... yes, that's right ... that's not Travis ... Matt: "What is happening?" Wow ... that's a lot of impostors ... having trouble there, Liam? Oh, it's not Liam ... looks like Tal was the only real one here ... and Marisha was in on this? Hmmmm ... yeah, Matt is not amused ...

Aha, so they're all back now ... that's more like it ... and that's a NICE HAT, Robbie ...

The Healing Party? Cute ... Marisha: "What's Jester doing on there?" Ooooooooh ... do you need some ICE FOR THAT BURN, miss?

Yeah! That's right! Delilah is now OUT OF THE PICTURE!!! Yeah ... sweet! I can't wait to see how VM might react to that news ...

Oh yeah! Grog! And Pike! So cool ...

Yes ... awkward ... yeah ... hmmmm ...

Oh, here we go ... it's the general standard chaotic disorder when you bring these many disparate authorities together to try and make them PARTICIPATE for the common good ...

History check? Already? Hmmm ... Galtheid of the Ember Vigil? Right ... sounds fancy ...

Ah, bureaucracy ... even in the middle of a war is can always be relied upon to gum up the works ...

Wow ... way to drop a bombshell on the gathering there, Ashton ... O.O

Yes! Go off, Keyleth. Get these asshats into some semblance of order ... oh nice ... oooooh, that's so cool ... water magic Return of the Jedi strategy projection ... nice ...

A fortress? Seriously? That's just CHARMING ...

J'Mon Sa'Ord? Sweet!

Hey! Those people are just as cool and normal as the regular folk of Exandria! Cut 'em some slack!

Oh, here we go ... yeah, nice way to big up the Hells ...

Celestials? Really? Interesting ...

Yeah, the Blue Dream. Greenland's kind of another thing ... XD

Ah ... yeah ... here we go ... dropping the BIG bombshell ... the truth about what this is all about ... this won't go down well at all, I'm sure ...

The Holy Curator of the Lawbearer ...

Ashton! Wow ... dial it down a notch, maybe? Sugarcoat the truth a little, at least ...

Braius? Wow ... oh, shit, Persuasion check? Hmmm ... THIRTY?!!! Fuck, man ...

Evoroa! Hey! So nice to see you, little cutie! :3

Fearne's little "WHOOOO!!!" for Evoroa to perk up her spirits is adorable ... XD

Wow ... yeah, she is SOOOOO nervous ... I wanna give her a big hug SO BADLY ...

Laudna sneaks her some water ... Awwwww ... :3 Imogen (in her head): "You did so great, sweetie."

The Cerberus Assembly? BOOOOO!!! Laura: "INSIGHT CHECK!!!" No shit ...

Oh yeah, this guy is a DEUCHE ...

So ... that went well ... kind of ... in a way ... very loosely ...

REUNION!!! Yay!

Awwww ... Kima, we love you! :3

Ah, Vasselheim. So well protected it could almost be called PARANOID ...

Oh yeah ... Vecna ... oh! Hey there, Grog! XD He did that? One on one? Nice ... yeah ... I believe him, totally ...

Wow ... is Fearne actually gonna try and STEAL Grog's Titanstone Gauntlets right now? Oh, I see ... wow ... that's kinda fascinating ...

GROGORY Strongjaw? LOL

PIKE!!! HEY!!! I wanna hug her too ... :3

Vex? Cool ...

Not selling a lot of croissants after the Solstice ... oh yeah ... cute, like Corona tanking during COVID ... Liam: "We don't want your moon bread! Only FREEDOM bread!" XD

Oh wow ... I think Grog and Braius might be friends before too long ... XD

Awwww ... yeah, that's right, Vex doesn't know about FCG's sacrifice ...

That's a good point ... the wind's about to change and they need to get THAT SHIT in order before they start making some moves ... Watch out for the God Squad, definitely ...

And now Chetney's flirting with Vex again ... XD Vex: "Oh darling, even if I WAS single you couldn't afford ,e."

Yeah ... the revelation of Delilah's now permanent imprisonment in Laudna's chest ... this is gonna be SO GOOD ... oh yeah, Vex is LOVING this ... and now she's getting medieval devising PUNISHMENTS for the evil bitch ...

Laudna's looking inwards ... oh boy ... wow, she looks like SHIT ... oh, this is SO GREAT ... empty threats ... Laudna: "Unseasoned beans it is." LOL

Honestly, I think it might have more to do with THE PLACE ITSELF for Keyleth being uncomfortable right now ... given what (or more precisely WHO) she lost here ...

Evoroa's first snow? Awwwwww ... :3

The Birthheart? Wow ... this is beautiful ... and yeah, makes sense Keyleth WOULD like this place ...

Heavy theological talk ... yeah ...

And then how does all this translate to their most pressing needs and the plans they make as a result? Hmmmm ...

Keyleth saying she's been to the Hells ... oh yeah, that DEFINITELY got Braius' attention ... XD

Ashton suggests they go talk to the gods face-to-face ... wow ... THAT'S a ballsy idea ...would that even work?

Yup ... Keyleth and Vax and the Matron of Ravens ... yeah ...

Honestly? Half-cocked is very much how they do things a lot of the time, actually ...

The Vox Machina Big Action Climax! Yeah ...

It does all sound VERY COMPLICATED when Keyleth tries to describe it ... oh wow, this is getting somewhat meta now ...

No. Really, DO NOT mention that name here and now ...

The masive tree ... oh yeah, that's it ... the Birthheart itself ... beautiful ...

The dawn of Exandria ... when the gods were YOUNG ... O.O

Orym! You gonna answer that or what?

Liam: "I will touch the tip." Oh boy ... XD

Careful, gentle ... okay, then ... whoa ... and now he's being ABSORBED BY THE MASSIVE GOD TREE ... O.O

Fuck, he's GONE!!! And THIS is where Mercer decides to take a break! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Wow ... he is IN THE REALM OF THE WILDMOTHER. Like LITERALLY on some weird godly plane ... fuck ...

I'm sorry he is now A TINY MAN OF ROOTS AND LEAVES?!!! Fucking hell that is some trippy shit ...

This is suddenly all very Princess Mononoke ...

Oh hello ... is this her? The goddess herself? Fascinating ...

And here's Asha ... yeah, that makes me smile ... in a dark way ... but I just love my wild predatory lady more, even now ...

He's literally ROOTING HIMSELF intothe ground a little with each step ... it really IS a little like Princess Mononoke ...

So, is Orym, like ... PLEDGING HIMSELF to the Wildmother right now? Is that what this is?

Visions? Oh great ... just what we need ...

And here they ALL ARE now ... okay ... a fallen star? Hmmm ... two gone? What? They're AFRAID ... yeah ...

Wait ... THAT was the imprisonment of Predathos? O.O

A Wisdom save? Shit ... 13? Crap ... and the reroll is WORSE ... OH FUCK!!! Is Orym about to DIE?!!! Nooooooo ...

He's screaming ... of shit ... and the Wildmother's coming to his rescue? Wow ... oh yes, she is SO KIND ...

The Wildmother: "Protect us, for we protect you, and together we protect THIS." Whoa ... O.O

Will? Oh my gods ... oh fuck ... shit, I am not ready for this right now ... damn you both I didn't want to cry right now ...

"Don't live your live in the shadow of mine." FUCK!!!

He's back ... okay ... OF COURSE Fearne is the one to catch him ...

So basically Predathos is like King Ghidorah, then?

Oh yeah ... grab that wood, Chetney! The wee man is SO EXCITED to get his hands on some SERIOUSLY fancy holy wood ... hell yeah ... two pieces, in the Bag ... nice ...

FUCK!!! Seedling has gotten LONGER!!! And it's fancier, too! It's been EXALTED!!! Fuck! It's a VESTIGE!!! A "Relic of the Red Solstice"! SWEET!!! And he gets a card too and everything!

Chetney, you are a massive idiot ... XD

They can stay INSIDE THE TREE?!!! You're clowning me. I sense clowns ...

Oh yeah, Evoroa is just having the most FASCINATING experience here ... I love it ... :3

This place is literally a piece of LIVING ARCHITECTURE ... this place would be like a dream come true ...

Sleep would be VERY SMART ...

Yes. Alcohol. That's the ticket too ...

Chetney's carving MASTERPIECES right now with a 21 Dex check ...

Wait ... attacking from the Ruidian side as opposed to the Exandrian? That's a smart way to go ... take the back door they found in the cave ... hmmmm ...

Good point ... so locking Ruidus in place is slowly BREAKING EXANDRIA ... great ... so whatever they do they HAVE TO destroy the Bridge ...

Ashton: "I've known plenty of artists. They're all fucked up." Braius: "Ahem. I'm pretty normal." Imogen: "Your cup would disagree."

The eternal question, where do you go when you die?

A "double feint"? Orym, I am NOT CONVINCED ...

Bedtime or a quick Scry first?

Braius (to Chetney): "If you would like me to burn you with acid I could." Oh boy ...

Zone of Truth? Really? Hmmmmm ...

Okay, now this is getting saucy ...

Charisma Save or choose to fail ... and half of them CHOOSE to ... okay then ... this'll be interesting ...

Ah ... evasion ... that's one way to go, Braius ...

The bottle lands on IMOGEN ... hmmmmmm ... so she has to kiss Braius? Interesting ... Laura: "You're human faced, right?" Sam: "Yes, but I'm getting a little excited now."

Ashley's spinning ... ooooooh ... it's Chetney? Oh boy. She makes it ALL KINDS of sexy while she does it AND also tries to steal the fancy wood while she's at it ... oh yeah, he is DEFINITELY at a disadvantage ... yeah ... she EASILY beats him ... XD

Dorian's going to ask Laudna a REALLY IMPORTANT question ... hmmmm ... oh shit, that is a SERIOUS question ... I mean Imogen means more to her than ANYTHING ELSE ... and it's a VERY complicated answer ... hmmmm ...

He decides to spin the bottle instead ... and it lands on Chetney? Wow ... this'll be interesting ... that was a UNIQUE moment ...

Dorian: "I thought this was supposed to be fun and games." Laudna: "No-one ever said THIS game was supposed to be fun." Oof ...

IS HE running from his brother's death?

To Cyrus ... YES. Cheers to that indeed ...

Laudna spins the botle ... and it lands on ORYM?!!! Weird ... roll Performance, then ... they both roll REALLY BADLY ... much as I would expect ... it's just AWKWARD ... yeah ...

Ashton empties his botle, follows Fearn and points it at her ... oh, okay ... this is DEFINITELY going to be interesting ...

Oh yeah, he just GOES FOR IT ... they're BOTH going at it ... and he's picking her pockets at the same time ... and he wins ... something random? Okay ... a little spoon? Cute ... Who's "T.J."?

Now they're just MAKING OUT with no repurcussions ... and this is EXACTLY what we've been waiting on for SOOOOO FUCKING LONG ... FINALLY ...

BEDTIME ...

SAMUEL ... how could you? We're so scandalized ...

Fearne gives the wood back to Chetney while he sleeps? Awwwwww ...

Morning comes ... Chetney's still alive ...

Okay ... making their way to the Trialforge, then ...

So they were just getting started, that's good. Not really late then ...

The glass? Oh yeah ... that stuff is COOL ...

The Hallowed Cage ... hmmm ...

The Sunder KIng, Ozo Kruth ... and the Weave Mind ... yeah ...

The Globe! Yeah!

Chetney, you dumbass ... XD

Whoa ... Fearne gets SERIOUS ... you really are FEARLESS, girl ... I swear I love it ...

Yeah, the portal ... or "The Backdoor" as Chet calls it ...

"A few old legends"? Oh boy ... who else is Keyleth gonna call on? How geekgasmic is this gonna get?

Groon is so awesome ... the man is a VIBE ...

Big risk, big reward ... yeah ...

The Luxon, yeah ... of course the Bright Queen doesn't have the slightest clue what (or who) is sat a few feet away from her ... that's kind of fascinating ...

Ashton burns a Rage ... oh my ... oh yeah, that is DEFINITELY the response I expected ...

So they're committed then ... now we just have to see if everybody else goes for it too ...

Making a date to talk to a god ... hmmmm ...

Wait ... what? What the hell is THIS?!!! Imogen's back in the dream? But it's DIFFERENT ... it's her mother! Okay ... is this a good thing or REALLY BAD?!!!

THAT'S where he's gonna end it? Fuck! That's like some cliffhanger shit right there ...

[theatricuddles]

[ID: A series of tags forming a poem paired with quotes from Critical Role.

The first image is a tag reading "Hope is a weapon".

Fjord: (laughing, stammering) Caduceus, it's your sword. Caduceus: No, it's definitely not. Caleb: Who else here is going to use a sword? Jester: You do need a new sword. Caduceus: It was waiting for you.

The second image is a tag reading "hope is a skill".

Marisha (as Beau): Maybe. Maybe I would've turned out a little bit more like you. I admire that in you. In my loneliness, I got angry and turned to bad things, but in your loneliness, you turned to creativity. I think that's beautiful. I really do.

The third image is tags reading "Hope is a plant you can care for".

Caleb: I continue to tend the green beans on my property, and every day, I look up the road and wonder if I will see my friend return.

The fourth image is tags reading "or kill".

[Jester cast firestorm on the corrupted subterranean forest.]

As you stand there, holding onto the rope, just on the lip of the bent metal shaft that you had all climbed down through, you glance down, clutch your symbol of the Traveler, and look down at this extremely malevolent space beneath. And with a nod, you watch as-- (flames whooshing) this circle of bright radiant flame just suddenly burns and travels beneath the canopy. It's almost like this burning ember of an underlight. And as it immediately bursts up, you see flames begin to catch, and swell, and expand. This is going to be a raging forest fire very soon.

The fifth image is tags reading "hope is a discipline" paired with an image of Laura at the table in thought, with text underneath "I'm going to cast... modify memory."

The sixth image is tags reading "something you choose".

Melora: Like the waters you live upon, and traverse, that shift and bend and exist to move around whatever blocks their path, or hold stalwart against those that would wish to defeat it. Do you wish to be like this ocean? Fjord: I can't... I can't think of a greater way to spend the rest of my days. Melora: Do you trust the skies above? The portents of nature? That I may try best to warn and keep you safe on these journeys? Fjord: Yes. Melora: And do you swear to follow this inspiration to seek out the mysteries hidden beneath the waves and beyond that eternal horizon? Fjord: Fuck yes! Melora: Then your path is clear.

The seventh image is tags reading "hard to stop looking for", with an image of Sam-as-Nott saying "Case closed."

The eighth image is tags reading "easy to lose", with Mollymauk's coat hanging on a stake above his grave in the Your Turn to Role intro.

The ninth image is tags reading "Hope isn't something to have or to take," with a quote from Caduceus reading "We owe it to each other. ... We're not done until we've saved each other."

The tenth image is tags reading "If you can't find it".

Fjord: I will cast Thunder Step and try and take Yasha with me. A willing creature goes-- Matt: (with italicized text.) The creature is not willing.

The eleventh image is tags reading "it's something you make", with an image of Taliesin tightly hugging Ashley as he says "Welcome fucking back."

The twelfth image is tags reading "#make it from willpower".

Matt: Without the eyes emblazoned on your body, without the presence of manifestation enhancing aether. ... To will something of any magnitude in this space is an incredibly challenging test of one's mental fortitude and intent. Jester: I got a good imagination. Matt: Thankfully, you have a very good imagination.

The thirteenth image is tags reading "make it from spite", with an image of Liam, acting as Caleb, saying "You were not born with venom in your veins."

The fourteenth image is tags reading "learn how to weaponize love in a fight,"

Jester: I'm going to look at him and I'm going to go: I know you're in there, Molly. We love you so much and we want you back. Lucien doesn't deserve you.

The fifteenth image is tags reading "hope is a shield".

Caduceus: How would you like a new shield? Jester: Oh! ... Are you sure, Caduceus? You use your shield a lot. Caduceus: I do, but it's going to be a while. I'll grab it back from you if I need.

The sixteenth image is a tag reading "end in itself".

Matt: A tale of seven friends, who became eight, then nine. Wild swells of adventure, and love, and guilt, and redemption. Family. Truth. This story comes to a close tonight, but the tale of the Mighty Nein lives on.

The seventeenth image is a tag reading "and a means to an end."

Caduceus: Whoever it was, just put it back. I think they've earned it. Put it back.

The Mighty Nein; On Hope.

@/mumblesplash // “Episode 76: Refjorged” - Laura Bailey, Liam O’Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, and Travis Willingham // “Episode 46: A Storm of Memories” - Marisha Ray // “Mighty Nein Reunited: Uk’otoa Unleashed” - Liam O’Brien // “Episode 120: Contentious Company” - Matthew Mercer // “Episode 93: Misery Loves Company” - Laura Bailey // “Episode 112: The Chase Begins” - Matthew Mercer and Travis Willingham // “Episode 30: The Journey Home” - Sam Riegel // “Mighty Nein Animated Intro - Your Turn To Roll” - Kamille Areopagita and Kevin Areopagita // “Episode 94: With Great Power…” - Taliesin Jaffe // “Episode 69: The King’s Cage” - Matthew Mercer and Travis Willingham // “Episode 86: The Cathedral” - Taliesin Jaffe // “Episode 140: Long May He Reign” - Laura Bailey and Matthew Mercer // “Episode 97: The Fancy and the Fooled” - Liam O’Brien // “Long May He Reign” - Laura Bailey // “Episode 141: Fond Farewells” - Laura Bailey and Taliesin Jaffe // “Episode 131: Into the Eye” - Ashley Johnson // “Fond Farewells” - Matthew Mercer // “Long May He Reign” - Taliesin Jaffe

insp.

[lost-in-a-story]

Now comes the hard part, where I have to figure out if i finish reading all the spooky October books that I checked out from the library, or start reading fantasy books on my TBR for Fantasy November!

[ghostresidues]

books i read in april

favourites

so you’ve been publicly shamed by jon ronson - this was written in the most engaging way i swear !! the topic was super interesting and was also very funny at times !

bunny by mona awad - i Adored the writing style, the tone of the story was so cynical but in a multifaceted way! dialogue especially was a highlight

life of the party by olivia gatwood - i read this in one sitting, one of my new favourite poetry collections !

fun home by allison bechdel - amazingly i’d never read a graphic novel before + this set such a high standard for any ones i decide to read in future lmao! i read this in a day and was absolutely captivated - the story feels so emotionally raw

other things i read

the truth about magic by atticus - ⭐️ (yes i read this because i knew i’d hate it)

wild embers by nikita gill - ⭐️⭐️ (another hate read lmao i need to stop)

the psychopath test by jon ronson - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

the gifted school by bruce holsinger - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

special topics in calamity physics by marisha pessl - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

the lessons by naomi alderman (reread) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

reasons to stay alive by matt haig (reread) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

our men do not belong to us by warsan shire - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

weather by jenny offil - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

13 ways of looking at a fat girl by mona awad - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

red, white and royal blue by casey mcquiston - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

wilderness tips by margaret atwood - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[theskyexists]

critical role episode 29

- AWWWWWWWWWTRAVIS AND LAURA AND RONIN!!!!

- WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT OUTFIT SAM

- MATT COULDN’T RESIST GIVING MARISHA A LITTLE KISS!!!

- ‘im canonically a coward!’ hahaha

- WHY??! why would liam decide to use the invisibility scroll NOW??

- SHAKASTE!!!!

- this live show is so fun!!!

- sHAKASTE JUST SHOWS UP WHENEVER PEOPLE ARE IN TROUBLE! HAAHA. he’s like a guardian spirit!

- ‘beau is aroused’ eyebrow waggle

- ‘keg is...aroused??’  I GO BOTH WAYS BABY!

- ‘excuse me mrss titi?’ kLJSDFKLDSF

- not sure i agree with the implication that torture could ‘break’ somebody to the point that they become malleable slaves

- CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT ‘eat shit fucko!’

- WHY are they not trying to stop the brazier from doing the fire??

- REMEMBER THAT YOU HVAE A FUCKING DISPELL SWORD. god they’re bad at solving problems sometimes. where’s laura when you need her???

- actually why didn’t nott pick up the EMBER and throw it?

- anyway i went to bed but then wrecked mysel fby watching the rest anyway. from what i remember by responses were thus

- I thought shakaste was a bard??? he’s a cleric??

- cadeuceus was more useful in this one battle than molly in all previous... :/

- sad Matt didn’t tell Lorenzo’s death more from Keg’s point of view, like the catharsis it was

- Marisha realised she could reach lorenzo and she NEEDED to do that stunning strike and it was PERFECT

- ‘i stole a bunch of gold from you last time’ ahahah and THEN shakaste steals the show with ‘people don’t take money from shakaste’ ‘you’re very handsome’

- uhhhmm... for a sec i was like shakaste/nott is kinda...cute...coz he woos her however goblin she is and she’s like actually affected like everybody

- ‘case closed.’ LSDFJKLDJSFKLJ

- WOW BEAU IS SO FORWARD AND WOW!!! KEG FELT TEH SAME AS ME I THINK!!!

[mucusmuses]

A Ember Kindled

Summary:

Matt needs a break from himself. Marisha recommends taking a vacation. Little does he know that his vacation is going to go a little differently than planned. And he may have needed it more than he thought. Taliesin is not part of CR in this. Someone else is playing our beloved Percival, much to the rest of the worlds unknown disappointment. But Taliesin is out there, waiting for someone, someone like Matt.

Chapter 1:

Matt is a passionate & hard working person. I don’t think anyone would argue that. And he deeply cares about what he does, sometimes to his own downfall. If he isn’t spending endless hours pouring over his intricately created world, he’s recording for the show, for jobs, traveling to events, answering emails, keeping up appearances, supporting his friends, family & fans. He doesn’t have very much time for himself anymore, not that he ever really minded much. It was just the way he always was. It was why we all loved him. But it was becoming his undoing.

He didn’t notice this though, until it was almost too late. Marisha began to notice first, of course she did, she was closer to him than anyone else.

They would come home very late on Thursdays, exhausted from hours of storytelling & acting out the marvelous adventures of Vox Mochina. She’d drop her bag by the door, say a quick hello to Daegon if they had disturbed him enough to be awake at this hour and go to the bedroom to change into a clean set of clothes. She could already hear keys clacking in the living room as she pulled a soft cotton shirt over her head. She sighed resignedly to herself, bare feet silently dragging over carpet as she headed to the bathroom.

Read more here on ao3

[justshortofokay]

A Grave Mistake

This is a flood myth that I wrote for my english class last year. I really like it and felt it would be a good start to this new blog. This piece does not reflect any religious views that I have, and is not intended to offend anyone of any kind. This is a work of fiction, that I have written for a class.

Let me know if you pick up on the small fandom references I made!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the beginning the great goddess Nova, gave life to the earth. Each day she would cut off a finger and cast it down to earth. And every day a new human was born. She did this until the world swelled with her creations. But then she vanished, winked out of existence. Leaving her beloved creations to themselves.

Soon other gods came into existence. They were born out of human wishes, and desires. Inanthe, goddess of death and handmaiden of fate; granted human’s souls passage to the afterlife. Although death was the one constant in their world, humans needed a shepherd to guide their loved ones to the afterlife.

Junous, goddess of life and vitality was born out of human's fear of death. They would come to pray at her altar for long lives, and healthy children. And she would kindly grant their wishes, guiding them through their lives with the care of a mother. But eventually would have to pass the lambs she had guided to Inanthe for harvest. Their fates were eternally entwined.

As the humans grew and discovered more about their world and the universe, more and more gods joined their ranks.

Alcor protected sorcerers from persecution and granted them power. Twin sister, Mizar brought light and danced among the stars. Aronia blessed the world with beautiful musicians. Heliok granted the blessing of art to many.

For a time the world was beautiful, Junous blessed the world with bulging vitality. It was like spring was everyday. New life, sprang from every crevice, ditch and gorge. Humans praised the gods, sacrificing a portion of each day's meal to the fire.

But as the humans became greedier and cared less and less for their fellow human, more and more sinister gods came into existence.

Kotanku, god of poverty, made once thriving cities fall. Alacai god of war and guardian of the heavens fed the hate in people's hearts. Drachma and Ima held the chains of the demons, bending them to their sinister will.

The world once so beautiful began to fall apart. Wars raged and famine ran rampant.

The state of the world left many of the gods deeply saddened. Many of them came to resent the humans for making their once beautiful home

One day, Junous and Inanthe decided to visit the earth to see what they could do. Disguising themselves as a pair of travelers, they walked into a town. In the middle of the town square, the humans were building a pyre.

"Excuse me what is going on?" Inanthe had asked a woman passing by.

"Oh they're burning Maharia tonight. He was caught consorting with another man. Good riddance I say." She had replied, then kept along with her business. Inanthe so horrified at the woman's answer could only stare.

That night, the man was dragged to the square, ropes bound around his hands, feet and neck.

A man stood in front of the pyre, torch in hand.

Junous had made to stop them, but Inanthe had said quietly "It is his time, don't interfere."

So the man was burned, and screamed. Inanthe felt his prayer, like a knife to the chest.

I have nothing, just please take me.

Inanthe, bowed her head. Releasing his soul, letting it pass into the afterlife with as much kindness as possible.

The flames died to embers, the people cheered, and the goddess's left. Having seen enough. The two goddesses returned to the heavens.

Later that night, when Marisha rose with the moon, and the songbirds slept. The two lovers lay beside each other.

"Alacai was right." Junous said

"What do you mean?" Inanthe asked, rising from her sleep. Puzzled at the goddess's words.

"The humans have grown too sinful, if we don't stop them now. We will surely regret it."

"How does Alacai supposed we stop them?" Inanthe asked.

"The only way to truly purge the world of all this corruption is to destroy them all. Start anew."

"That would mean killing millions of people before their time. Junous you can't really mean that." Inanthe asked horrified.

"How can you not? You saw what they did to that man! They would do the same to us! You of all the gods should understand this."

"Alacai knows only violence and hate, they know nothing of death."

"Inanthe if you go against Alacai, then they will win." Junous tried to reason.

"I can not sit by and let them destroy the world!" Inanthe cried.

"Please my love, make the right choice. Join Alacai and I. The humans are parasites that are starting to kill the very thing they feed from."

"I am their shepherd, I can not abandon them."

"You would chose parasites over your own?! Over me?!" Junous shouted.

"Yes I would." Inanthe whispered.

"You have made your choice." Junous said, and she left.

Both sides prepared for war. Alacai swindled many of the other gods to their cause. While Inanthe sought out the kinder gods. Finding Aika, goddess of Rejuvenation, long time friend as her companion against the coup. Whether the gods had selfish reasons for preserving the humans Inanthe did not care. Kotanku joined so he could ravage their lands with poverty. Drachma and Ima joined so they could feed their demons the souls of humans. They understood that the humans were not the monsters, the gods were.

Not two months later, Alacai's forces marched upon Inanthe's fortress. Only to find a force just as great. The two sides fought for fifty days and fifty nights. The sun, moon, and stars shook with the force of their ferocity.

Monsoons washed over the earth, thunder and lightning shook the very ground. The gods were brought to the very edge of their humanity. When Aika burned Mizar from the inside out, Alcor was the epicenter of an explosion so large it scorched the earth, and scarred the stars. Leaving behind a milky white dust.

Drachma and Ima unleashed the hounds of hell upon Alacai's forces. Ripping apart gods left and right, until Archnose shot them down with their bronze arrows.

The war raged, until one fateful morning. Everything stopped.

Inanthe was on the verge of death, and her forces were culled greatly. Alor hacked off her feet, and the human’s fate was sealed.

After the heavens had calmed somewhat, the gods that opposed and survived, were dragged to the edge of heaven, heavy gold chains binding their hands and feet. Forced to kneel before the leaders of the coup. Inanthe was dragged to Alacai's feet.

"You have lost the war Inanthe." Alacai said, their tall frame towering over the kneeling goddess.

"You will regret this! Humans are flawed, that is their reason for existence! I thought you, Alacai  of all of the gods would know this! They feed our selfish delusions that we are perfect beings." Inanathe pleaded, pulling on the chains.

"Delusions Inanathe? We gods do not make mistakes, the humans are wrong, they were made that way, and they will stay that way until we make them whole again. Then they will learn the respect of the gods." Alaci seethed.

"Without them we are nothing!" Aika wailed.

"What is a flock without a herder?" Junous asked.

"What is a herder without a flock?!" Inanthe pleaded, "Nothing more than a wanderer with a crook and a dog."

"The humans have to die. " Alcor said

"You have no idea what you are about to do!" Aika wailed, tears falling freely from her eyes.

"Silence you snake! We know you cry crocodile tears. I haven't forgotten what you did to my sister!" Alcor shouted, pointing at the kneeling goddess.

"Calm yourself, Alcor, they will pay soon enough." Junous snapped. She turned to Inanathe, barely controlled rage held behind her stormy eyes. "They will pay for all they have done."

Alacai stepped forward.

"You will all pay for the sins of the humans! Your blood will be the sacrifice that cleanses the earth! And your heavenly bodies will bring forth the new breed of humans!" Alacai shouted, from behind him the army of gods roared in assenion, beating their gilded weapons. Alacai raised his hands to silence them.

Junous stepped forward, drawing her sword. "You, Inanthe, Maiden of death and Leader of the blasphemous fools, will be the first to die."

"Junous, please. If ever you loved me or the humans don't do this.

"Its because I love you that I'm doing this, the humans were slowly killing us. I want to keep you safe." Junous said and slit her lover's throat. Inanthe's blood bubbled from the wound, and spilled over the edge of the heavens. In unison, the other gods slit the throats of the remaining gods, holding their heads over the edge.

It was time for the world to be reborn.

The rain that fell that day was gold. Glittering in the light of Solace's warm rays. On earth the humans looked to the sky. It was like watching the heavens themselves leach into the sky.

At first the people rejoiced, made greedy by the thought of overflowing riches. But when the rain collected in the mountains, and rushed down them, wiping out everything in it's path.

Humans fled to the sea, loading on to boats to save themselves from the golden flood. But when it reached the shore, the flood was too monstrous, no ocean could stop it. Everything, in its path was destroyed.

Humans crushed and drowned in the golden flood. The some made lasted longer, swimming to floating pieces of debris. But it wasn’t long before they succumbed to the churning vortex of goldy blood. The hot thick liquid filling their lungs, dragging them down into the endless flood

Animals met the same fate. The force of the thundering blood stripped the earth down to bedrock. Churning the rock, gravel and mud into projectiles. Tossing them down upon houses and humans themselves.

By the time the flood reached a small island nation, everyone had evacuated to the mainland. Fleeing in every available boat. They left behind their homes, livelihood, and possessions. Everyone except a woman who stood in her house. Newborn son in her arms.

Kanera was her name, named for the god of luck. In that part of the world it was said that if you named your child after a god, said god would bless and carry them through life. Her family fled when news came of the god's anger. Leaving her with selfish abandon, for she could not run while she gave birth.  

So she gave life to her child alone.

Not long after, a small trickle of gold came through the crevice under the door.

Kanera ran to the port, wishing for a boat, even a small rowboat. But none was found. Desperation caused her to run to the mountain. It was high, high enough it almost touched the stars. Her ancestors were said to have descended directly the heavens, blessed by Nova herself.

Using nothing but a scrap of cloth and some vines from a tree, Kanera strapped her son to her back and began to climb. The sharp rock face scraped her hands and feet, but the thought of her son dying kept her going.

For five days, she climbed. Finding small outcroppings to rest. The golden flood still raging beneath her, churning and writhing with animosity.

"He is innocent, he will not die today." She said this to the gods everyday. And every day she climbed higher and higher towards them. But the rock face was barren, and no animals lived this high up. So everyday she grew weaker and weaker. Bones stuck out as though she was only a skeleton covered in skin, stretched tight like a drum.

Each day the churning golden flood grew higher and higher up the mountain. Forcing Kanera to climb higher and higher. But no matter how far she climbed, she slowed each day. Growing steadily weaker and weaker.

It was on the tenth day that her breasts ran dry. Alberus cried and cried as the rain fell around them. The flood had caught up to them. The hot golden liquid churned around Kanera’s ankles as she made a desperate request. She raised her child into the air, and pleaded to the gods.

"You can take my life as well, but please my son is innocent. If I must die, then please let him live!" Kanera cried. Her weak body shook with the force of her words. Thinned legs starting to sway as the flood crashed against them.

Her words rang through all of the heavens. They sunk a dagger of guilt and desperation into the hearts of the gods. Never in all of their many years of being, did they hear a human plead with such conviction in their words. Such willingness to die, if not for the life of their child.

The gods turned to each other, Alacai, Junous, Alcor, Marisha, Heilok, and many many more. That day they wept for the last woman on earth. They wept for the loss of humanity, they wept for the sinners they had condemned. They wept for the innocents that perished, they wept for the children they had murdered.

That day all of the gods came to an agreement. Never again will they hear those words. Never again will a mother offer her life to save her child. They would create a new world where that would not happen.

The clouds in the sky parted, and Alacai stepped down.

"Your love for your child, and courage in this time of apocalypse, has made the gods in the heavens, weep, both your lives will be spared." Alacai said, placing his hand on the child's forehead. “Bring him to us, he will be blessed.”

They reached a hand down to the frail woman. They helped Kanera into the Heavens, where she and Alberus were taken to the holy gardens. Maidens and attendants treated to wounds and fed Kanera.

Finally when the flood receded, Junous fell to her knees and wept at the death of her great love. Her tears fell through the clouds and found the seeds buried deep in the earth, causing them to grow and replenish the earth, swept barren by the great flood.

To atone for her crime of murdering her great love, Junous bled into the ground, the holy ichor finding the bones of animals, causing them to breathe with life once again.

The two lovers. Great forces of nature. Life and Death, forever together and yet apart.

Alcor broke his sword and cast the shards into the sky, honoring  his beloved sister with new stars.

In the end when Kanera had been spared. And Alberus was blessed, they returned to earth. The gods making Kanera the direct voice of the humans to the gods.

The gods, as an act of remorse, split the bodies of the slain gods, casting each piece of them down to earth. Each piece of the their bodies grew into a new human. Kanera spoke to the new population, Alberus in her arms.

"We must be forgiving of the gods, each one of you has a piece of them in you, your children will have it in them, your children's children will have it in them. The gods that died for you, gave you new life, remember and honor it."

The new people of earth, cheered and praised the gods. Raising their arms, to thank them for their lives. The gods felt nothing, but guilt.

From that time on, the gods in heaven listened to the human’s wishes. Alberus succeeded his mother when she had grown too old to converse with the gods. Then his son after him, and his daughter after him. And her child after her.

The gods never forgot their grave mistake. And they never will.

[thevirtuemoirlegacyproject]

The moment before the Arabian entry of Carmen’s rotational lift, performed as an Encore at COR Gala.

Photo by Marisha-ember (Fotki)