#scales feathers pure aether...

[laeorinel]

FFXIV Write 2023 - Day 10 - Love

Shadowbringers Spoilers.

No, no, no. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything. Not after they had all come so far. 

As the glittering night sky above him was once again consumed by Light, Thancred watched on helplessly. Innocence had been slain, the last of the Light Wardens conquered...only for something far worse to be unleashed in their wake. One that wore the face of one he held most dear. 

Samara had fallen to her knees the moment she had absorbed the last of the Light Warden's essence, mouth open in a silent scream as her body literally warped and cracked under the imbalance of aether. Thancred could vaguely hear Alisaie and Alphinaud's cries, or more accurately, frantic begging for someone, anyone, to help. Y'shtola was backing away, unseeing eyes wide as she likely perceived the true visage of their friend now. Urianger just watched on; guilt etched across his features. Ryne tried to pull her back from the brink, but it was too late. She was lost to them. 

The light became blinding as her transformation continued. Thancred saw black scales turn to pure gold, grey skin turn to porcelain white, and feathers, spikes and horns as sharp as any sword piercing and protruding through skin, scale and bone. The sound of snapping bones drowned out the sounds of her screams. The creature before them was a horrible twisted vision, its face broken akin to a smashed mirror, its gaping maw splitting off in multiple directions lined with row after row of fangs. Every scale, spike and bone sharpened to a point where every inch of its body could be used as a weapon. This creature's twisted image was not just intended to inspire fear like the other Light Wardens; it was designed to be the perfect killer. The perfect end to the First. 

Deep down, he knew as he stared back into the twisted visage of her face that the kind-hearted woman he knew was long gone, replaced by a monster embodying nothing but her worst traits. One that would kill them all without question, for no other reason than it could. But their demise would not be swift. No, after all, she was a hunter. Now an apex predator. One they could do little about. 

How could they fight against this? Fight against her? They could not...he could not...

Turning to the rest of the Scions, he ordered them to run, that he would hold her off as long as he could. They all knew it was a lie. 

"Th...a-an..cred.." The broken voice from the Light Warden sounded like nails on a chalkboard, and he felt a faint flicker of hope that she was still in there somewhere. But it was a false hope, another cruel trick of a hunter mimicking something to distract its prey. It worked as the creature's wicked barbed tail whipped around in his periphery, elongated blades of the tail piercing him through the chest and carving through flesh and bone...

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

Waking with a start, Thancred came to consciousness, a hand reflexively reaching to his chest for an imaginary wound. It took him a few moments to realise where he was, his sleep-addled mind sluggishly connecting the dots. He was in Samara's room at the Annex, the first few slivers of sunlight shining through the blinders on the window. The woman in question was slumbering beside him, her tail lightly wrapped around his left leg. Letting out the breath he did not know he had been holding, he raised a hand to his face, only slightly surprised to find a few stray tears. 

It was not often he had nightmares like that, but when he did, gods were they vivid. Most of his nightmares were of the time when he was under Lahabrea's influence, yet sometimes, other terrors dredged themselves up from the depths of his mind, both real and imagined. Samara featured in many of them. There had been far too many close calls over the years where he had nearly lost her, either to his own incompetence or others ill thought out schemes. But she was here, she was alive, and she was safe. 

Turning over in the bed, he pulled her back into his embrace; he cared little about the scales along her back chafing against his chest. Trying his best not to disturb her further, he buried his face in her hair and held her tighter, the desperation from his dream still not abated. He needed to know she was here, and this was not some figment of his imagination. A few sleepy murmurs left the woman as she curled back into his embrace; a content sigh fell from her lips as her tail curled possessively around Thancred's leg again. 

It was still far too early to get up and start the day but Thancred doubted he could get back to sleep. Still, there were worse things to do with your time than rest in comfortable silence with the woman you love. 

[starrysnowdrop]

FFXIVWrite 2022

#16: Deiform

Adjective: godlike or divine in form or nature; having the form or appearance of a god; sacred or divine.

From Lightwarden AU aka: Bad Ending AU

What if the Scions were too late in stopping Emet-Selch before Yume began to transform into a sin eater?

“Yume!!” The Exarch screamed as he hobbled over to the Raen lying on the floor of the Capital building in the recreated Amaurot. Blood covered his body, his red and white tipped hair was disheveled, and he hardly had the strength to stand, but he used his golden staff as a cane and kneeled down to Yume.

Her hair was fully white, her scales shined with a pure brilliance, and even her eyes began to glow golden. Though she looked as beautiful to G’raha as she ever did, she was shaking and writhing in utter agony. She screeched out in immense pain and G’raha’s heart shattered.

He grabbed her and held her close to him, and though his energy was spent, he began to channel his spell once more, in an effort to siphon the light from her as he tried to do on top of Mt. Gulg.

“Fight it, Yume! Just hold on a little longer, my love!”

Suddenly, she began throwing up enormous amounts of light aether over his shoulder and onto the floor, and her entire body began to burn with the brightest light he had ever seen, so much so that he had to look away from being blinded by it.

When he was able to look once more, her skin had turned to porcelain, her veins now looked like cracks of gold, and her eyes were hollow white. The Exarch cried out, “YUME!! NO!!!”

With tears streaming down his face, he reached out and touched her face with his crystalline hand. He continued to channel the spell, though he realized that it was all in vain. “I have failed you… this is all my fault… I’m so sorry, Yume…”

As G’raha wept, he heard a small voice straining to speak.

“R-Raha…”

“Yume?!” G’raha looked right at her as feathers wrapped around her body, a sight he had seen an innumerable amount of times over the one hundred years in the First. The chrysalis began to form, and it was now inevitable; the transformation would be complete and the woman he loves more than anything in all of creation would be no more.

He gasped as she reached out to him with an outstretched hand, brushing the wetness from his crimson eye.

“Raha… I… I lo…ve… you…”

G’raha watched in horror as the feathered chrysalis covered Yume’s body entirely, a tomb for her humanity. Her fate was sealed. There was nothing more that could be done.

Though it only took a few moments, the gurgling sounds of the transformation were nightmare inducing, a sound that made G’raha grab at his heart and sob into the floor, praying that she had lost the awareness to feel anymore pain.

When the chrysalis cracked open, a bolt of light shot out as the sin eater emerged from its cocoon. G’raha looked up and his mouth fell open at the sight.

A feminine form of pure porcelain and cracks of gold, golden scales with a feathered golden tail, long, flowing white hair, golden wings where ivory horns once framed her face, golden eyes glowing with an otherworldly brilliance, white wings sprouting from her arms and legs, and two enormous white wings unfolded from her back.

Yume Aino was gone, now only a sin eater remained. Ethereal, immaculate, deiform… a lightwarden forevermore.

[yezielmoore]

25. Free Day: Storm (pt.6)

Me: what should we write today? Eureka AU, cocking a gun. Me, sweating: Oh! I know!

Okay, but like half of this was me just asking myself things like: ok, but how the fuck didn't they, like, suffocate in the first place? It's not like they had an atmosphere in the AS... wait! how would weather even work then??! And so the rest of it was me throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, lmao.

.-,-.

"If you had told me a week ago that I'd miss the Aetherial Sea I'd have asked if Eilis had scratched you again and if you were hallucinating," Athene hissed as she applied a thick layer of cream to the parts of her skin that weren't covered in either feathers nor scales.

She was in the sleeping area, stripped down to her underwear as she struggled to reach all parts of her skin that had been rubbed raw by an unexpected shift in the weather earlier today.

Vyncent, who had been resting a twisted ankle on his cot, looked up from his book with a frown, slightly offended that the mortifying event was being brought up again. 

"That was one time," he protested.

Athene untwisted from her attempts to reach her back to throw him a look. If he thought any of them were about to forget how his experiment had gone, well… 

"So?" 

Vyncent huffed in annoyance, but he put his book down and got to his feet. Athene almost protested instinctively, but bit her tongue at the last moment. His ankle was healed enough that rest was only a recommendation more than an order and she did need the help. 

“Let me do that,” he offered, hand extended. Athene deposited the jar of salve on his palm and turned her back to him. She could feel the calculating look of appraisal he gave the burns in her back. “What was it this time? Snowstorm?”

Another hiss escaped her lips as the cream touched her skin, bringing with it the familiar sting followed by a soothing warmth. 

“Yeah. And after a firestorm too.” 

For obvious reasons, firestorms weren’t a problem for her. While everybody else had to take a great deal of precautions if they planned to go out during one, Athene could simply walk into it and all she would feel was, well, warm. 

The same could not be said of the thunderstorms, windstorms or, gods forbid, snowstorms. Any one of those would be annoying to deal with in normal circumstances, nevermind the way they shuffled unpredictably here, like a drunk trying to ride a chocobo. To make matters worse, they weren’t dealing with normal storms, oh no. They had to deal with aetherically charged storms, because the Isle of Val extended stay in the Aetherial Sea had fucked it up almost beyond recognition, something they were painfully aware of. 

Despite all that, none of them had considered the weather. They had, in all honesty, completely forgotten about the concept of weather, what with having none for a whole year. 

None of them had wanted to look too closely at the reality that they had been floating in a river of aether (The River, caps included), that they had had no atmosphere and should have rightfully suffocated within seconds of arriving there. Everything was aether at its most basic level, so it made a certain amount of sense that pure aether could sustain life. Right?

(Except that human bodies were also 60% water and that didn’t mean you could throw yourself into a river and not drown). 

In the end it came down to Will and Memory. 

Will and Memory and the inexplicable barrier that prevented the tides of the Lifestream from overpowering their fragile minds and washing them away. That had been their conclusion when nothing else made sense. They breathed because that’s what living bodies did. They had air because they needed it. Was that enough to keep a whole island in one piece? None of them had dared to answer that question. They already knew.

No, something else kept the island in one piece. Something Athene suspected had been locked away in the Baldesion Arsenal for a long time. The fact that they had benefited from it and somehow survived was just… a side effect. A happy coincidence for them, but probably not something that whatever thing or being had considered at all.

“Done.” Vyncent screwed back the lid on the jar, his voice bringing Athene back from her memories and the pile of questions none of them had conclusive answers for. “You could’ve healed yourself, you know?” He pointed out blandly, not in accusation but as an observation.

Athene shrugged. She pulled up her shorts and grabbed a clean shirt to cover herself with.

“It’ll heal on its own in a few hours, why bother?” 

One of the best things her mutations had given her was an outstanding healing rate. Things that would’ve needed medicine and weeks to heal now took, at most, a couple of days of rest. She could accelerate things further with spells, but it took only one time of being out of mana in an urgent situation for her to learn that it was better to bear a little pain and discomfort than need magic and not have it because she had spent it healing scrapes. 

Vyncent nodded in acceptance and walked back to his cot. He picked up his book, but didn’t open it, just turned it around in his hands. 

“Is it really that bad out there?” 

Whether it was luck finally smiling on them or something else, the weather in this part of Val wasn’t as extreme as she knew it could get. It could and did change unexpectedly, but it had nothing on the extremes she had experienced since she started exploring the rest of the island, now that they had access to it. 

“The monsters are weaker, if not less territorial and aggressive.” That discovery had been a huge relief. Even if they did attack on sight or at the slightest movement, so far she hadn’t come across anything she couldn’t outrun or defeat. “But the weather? I have never seen anything this unpredictable or violent.” She rolled her eyes and plopped down on a chair, arms crossed over the backrest. “Of course, it doesn’t help that the place turned into a tundra when we weren’t looking. I’m not made for ice anymore!” Athene complained with a whine. 

She had never been made for ice. Ice and snow were miserable conditions to be exposed to, and yes, she had lived on Old Sharlayan most of her life and she still absolutely loathed snow. And no, the person that could convince her otherwise didn’t exist.

Vyncent didn’t react beyond a light hum, gaze lost somewhere in the distance. Athene left him to his thoughts. Instead she started straightening the little feather on her forearms, slowly working her way up to her shoulders and cursing up a storm whenever she had to pluck a broken one. Damn blizzards. 

“What do you think it’ll be like? Back home.”

“I don’t know,” she said after a too long pause. 

Athene had… doubts, about how well received they would be once they finally found a way out. She had tried not to dwell on it overmuch, but on the long stretches of time she spent on her own, her brain naturally brought up all the questions she had no answers for and all the doubts she had no way to assuage. 

She wanted to believe that they would be accepted back and treated well. That they would receive the help they needed. But, for all that she had grown up pretty sheltered in Sharlayan, Athene wasn’t so naive as to believe the world was fair. As much as some people admired the things the Echo allowed her to know, just as many people hated it and avoided her because of it. People didn’t like that which was different. It was a lesson she learned early on. And looking at them now…

What were they if not egregiously different?

[talesfromthegameff14]

Prompt #26: Break a Leg

Nightraid Hunt:  Gia-9 “Ha-Go” Was it wise to take on the automaton by theirself?  No, not particularly.  When it came to anything doing with Garlemald Rose wasn’t always the wisest.  The mention that the machine was larger than it was dangerous was their justification for taking the hunt solo, as flimsy of one as it was.  Tracking down the automaton was simple enough.  The residents at Namai were very eager to make sure that the magitek monstrosity didn’t end up at their village, so were able to point Rose in the right direction when asked.  Heading south, it wasn’t long before they felt the stink of ceruleum on the air and felt the vibrations of its steps along the land.  

A quick look around had the hunter scaling a nearby hill then up the tree providing shade to the hill top. Sure enough, the lumbering mechanical monstrosity came into view soon after.  Pure hatred simmered behind the mismatched eyes as Rose watched the automaton closely.  The machine moved too slow to be much of a danger to the hunter, in truth the greater risk was damage to the rice paddies that were nearby.  If the water supply to them was compromised at all then the village could starve. That would not do. No explosions then, that ruled out the main engine entirely.  The joints then, break those and the rest would be simple enough to deal with.  A soft whistle had Bloo calling back before diving towards the optical sensors of the creature.  The small bundle of feathered fury a good distraction to keep the automaton busy.  Was the assault of the burd to be ignored or delt with, logic processors tried to parse it out as Rose nocked an arrow to bowstring and drew.  Aether slicked along the arrows that flew through the sky towards the atrocity’s legs.  Four arrows total, fired in fast succession so that the movement of arm and weapon blurred into something instinct within the glow of magic Rose conjured.  The arrows didn’t explode on impact, instead the aether bestowed sharpness and strength, allowing the arrows to cut through what they impacted with.  Three of the four found their targets, one leg sheared off entirely with the other one broken at the joint, crumpling under the weight of the crippled machine.  The singular weapon mounted on one arm fired, but if it was aiming at Rose or Bloo is impossible to say, the missile imbedding in rock that surrounds it completely before it explodes.  The shrapnel from the rock explodes outwards only to be redirected towards the sensory array of the automaton, the shards destroying the sensors entirely.  Unable to ‘see’ or move, the heap of metal goes still, what was left of its processing power not nearly up to the task of parsing the situation.  It was child’s play for Rose to walk up behind the twitching magitek creation and sever the power cables with a sturdy hunting knife.   They jump back as it’s done, as if dealing with a snake instead of a simple machine with a hiss of discomfort.  “Fucking Garleans, someone else can deal with this hulk”   Rose quickly retreats after breaking off the required plating from a broken leg.  It wasn’t until they were back at the village that their breath came easier and the quietly simmering rage left their eyes.  They were still brisk at dealing with the villagers, using the aetheryte to leave as quickly as possible. 

[berrodarmstrong]

An Oath in Crystal

The sun bore down on the salty shores of the Lochs. It was a dry, still day that the imposing fortress city of Ala Mhigo framed along the mountain lake’s edge. A pair of Highlanders stood upon the white-crusted dirt, not ten yalms from the deceivingly gentle lapping water. 

“You’re giving this to me, just like that?”

Berrod stared at the small, light blue crystal in the palm of his hand. The etched markings on it seemed to catch the light in a way that made him think it glowed. Did it? Did it not? It was hard to tell. He lifted an incredulous gaze to the woman who had just handed it over to him. She stood, tall and proud, her skin a rich brown, her curly black hair braided in intricate patterns along the side of her head that gave way to weighty locks on her shoulders. Her armour was a stunning combination of dark blue and golden coloured chain and plate that only served to accentuate the blazing amber of her eyes. Slowly, and with a knowing smile, she shook her head. “No, not just like that. You know what you have to do. We’ve trained for it. Now it’s time for you to stand and show me that it wasn’t in vain.”

Berrod’s chest tightened a little then. Fear -- he knew what she was capable of. Dhalia was a capable Paladin, and not at all someone to be trifled with. Yet, he knew what he had learned, what he had crawled up from the depths of despair to take into his hands and make his own. His leather-clad fist closed over the crystal and squeezed tight as he closed his eyes. The aether within it thrummed like the barest of heartbeats...but it would not yield to him. Not yet. Dhalia was right. He knew what he had to do for that to happen. Silently he put the crystal into his harness, close to his heart. His own leather armour was a paltry thing compared to Dhalia’s gleaming plate...but it was what he had to work with for the time being.

“Are you ready?” Dhalia asked. She always had a way of speaking gently before unleashing hell.

“We’ll find out.”

There was a small smile on her lips -- the answer was appreciated. 

When Berrod drew his scimitar and shield, it was simply an affair of scraping and jostling steel. He held the shield at the ready, with the blade at the side, poised to bite at first opportunity. When Dhalia drew her blade and shield, it was as if the very heavens opened over the Lochs; the sun shone brightly down upon her, absorbed and expressed through purposeful radiance. Her weapons were beautiful. Black with golden accents, the sword promised a swift end to those who crossed her. The shield bore the same motif, a towering bastion that none were allowed past. How was he supposed to beat this? At best, he could probably survive it -- and that is what he intended. 

His field of vision was suddenly enveloped in brilliant, blinding gold. It was all he could do to hold his shield up before a slamming impact sent him skidding backward with a trail of glittering yellow sparks. Once the blinding radiance settled -- or rather, once Berrod’s vision adjusted, he beheld the sight of Dhalia. Even though her armour was dark blue and gold, it still -glowed-, releasing amber and gold light in lashing waves. Her blade was held high, and her cape billowed behind her in a fashion that reminded him of spreading wings. The span of them began with the heavy cloth, and continued past it with the appearance of long golden feathers. Her sword was held high overhead, and her shield held up and to her left. Amber flames burned in her eyes. The sand, stone and salt rolled outward as the radiant, radial -rush- of power from her billowed without cease. This was far, far beyond anything she had shown him during their training. She had glowed a little at times, pulsed with aether frequently enough, but this -- this was on a different scale entirely. He hadn’t even seen her like this during missions they went on together, where their lives were on the line. Berrod was confident that the brilliant light was no mere display; she meant business, and he would die if he was not careful.

“What are you and your shield?” She demanded -- her voice was loud, commanding, and carried with it an aetherial quality that lent itself to a booming echo. Berrod knew the answer to the question she posed -- whether his answer would keep him alive was another matter entirely. 

“We are the mountain and the fortress wall, raised and wrought of earth, protector of our people!” From his answer poured power, into his shield arm, into the shield itself, only for her to smite it mightily. With one cleaving, downward motion of her blade every mote of light around her struck it, struck him. Berrod was momentarily given the impression of his bones shattering to the last. He knew it wasn’t true, since he stayed standing, but the impact had shaken him -- to say nothing of the sheer, sustained force that came in its wake. It was like trying to climb up against the thunderous cascade of Velodyna falls...if the water was boiling hot. Such power! Still, he held on, his own aether providing fierce resistance to hers, even though it was the lesser by far. For a moment he suffered a slip of doubt...with his chakras he would have been able to stand against this so much more effectively. If only…

His boots scraped a fulm back on the dirt and pain lanced through his muscles. The doubt had cost him -- but he was able to cast it aside. The pain that had started to burn at him was more than enough motivation. Chakras were a thing of the past. His power came from something else now. Slowly, steadily, painstakingly, he climbed up against the deluge of power thrust against him…and then it stopped. Berrod stumbled forward a bit, shocked that it was over so suddenly -- or not. She held up her shield and a glimmering wall of gold appeared before her; it gave her leave to lift her blade again again, this time charging a smiting blow that Berrod -knew- he would not survive. 

“What are you and your sword?” She asked, seemingly on behalf of the very firmament. 

This was it. Do or die. As before, Berrod knew the answer, but whether it was powerful enough…

“We are the strike of steel and the bolt of levin that will smite those who dare do our people harm!” As before, the words gave him power -- this time through his sword arm. There was strength there beyond what he normally swung with, and with it, he took to that golden shield...only for the blade to bounce off with a series of scintillating flashes. Agony licked up his arm as white fire, even as doubt seized his heart., His power threatened to wane. 

“You aren’t strong enough.” She said this without hesitation, without uncertainty. She knew. He knew -- and because he wasn’t strong enough, the light that gathered onto her blade would kill him. How many times had he been in this position? How many times had he put his life on the line to push past his limits and grow?

“I know,” He admitted, “But I will become strong enough.”

Berrod meant it -- he meant every word, and every onze of the power within him responded. This time it was beyond a mere sensation of strength. Sparks of lightning danced upon his blade, which had adopted a brilliant purple glow to match. His doubt was fled, and his blade loosed. The golden barrier shattered like a shower of sparkling gil, and the smiting cast was interrupted -- or so he thought, for a tick afterward. It took him yet another tick to realise that no, it wasn’t interrupted. He’d just gotten rid of the shield. Dhalia’s blade was as light now, and in one motion she descended and thrust it right through the middle of his chest. 

There was no time for shock, for horror, for sadness or disappointment. Berrod knew at once he had been struck dead, and...for some reason it didn’t hurt, it was warm. Wide-eyed and open mouthed, he waited for oblivion to claim him, but it never did, just that flowing warmth. He chanced a look down to see the blade that had run him through, but there was no blade -- just pure light. Her sword was in its sheath on her hip. 

“And what is your oath?” She asked quietly, gently. 

“With this blade, with this shield, with my flesh, blood,  bone and soul, I will protect my friends, my loved ones, and the people of Gyr Abania who cannot protect themselves. I do so in the name of my God, as a Paladin of Rhalgr.”

There was a moment of silence before she declared, “Good. May it be so.”

The light from him withdrew, but the warmth persisted. Against his beating heart he felt the thrum of the crystal...but unlike before, it had opened to him. It was the warmth. It was the light...and it was his. The crystal and his oath, together providing him with the power to do as he had bid himself. 

“Berrod Armstrong, I declare you my successor and Paladin in name -- and in name only, for your path has just begun. Take up your blade and shield and carry out your oath while you train to grow closer to the purpose you have taken in the name of your God. Stand tall and proud, you who would call yourself a Paladin of Rhalgr.”

Berrod had to admit that he didn’t feel much different. Even that warmth from the soul crystal faded, replaced by the soreness that was no doubt a result of him having endured that deluge of golden light. He was still the same man in leather armour that protected less than it should, holding a kite shield and a scimitar that served as training for slightly heavier arms. Even his goals were the same -- to protect this friends, his loved ones, the people of Gyr Abania. Those weren’t new...but he had put a foot forward onto the path, and he had no intention of stepping off of it. 

Carefully, he regarded the other Paladin, who had shed her otherworldly -- and quite frankly intimidating radiance. “What will you do without your crystal?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

He did. She didn’t need it. Her power was hers. The crystal was just the vehicle by which she passed it on. “You will have to shape it with your own oath, your own way,” She warned, “And it will not be easy.”

“I know...and Dhalia -- thank you.”

The only response she had was a smile before Berrod found himself tipping forward face first into darkness. It was in his last moment of consciousness that he realised how much he must have spent. 

[verdandir]

DEITY OF: Healing, Peace, Wanderers, Acceptance

ASSOCIATED WITH: White feathers. Peaceful atmospheres.Soft soothing singing in an unknown tongue. The comfortable feeling of napping in a safe sunlit spot.

SACRED PLANTS: Baby’s Breathe, White Lily, White Heather Blossoms, White Rose

SACRED STONES/GEMS: Abalone Shell, Celestite, Clear Quartz, Selenite

SACRED ANIMALS: White Dove, White Hind, Dragon

COLORS: White, Silver, Gold

FOOD: Herbal Tea, Milk, Rolanberries

SCENTS: Herbs, dry scales, deep forests, open mountain air

ACCEPTED OFFERINGS:

Given she does not actively seek offerings or worshipers, any location can be acceptable to leave one if the proper intent is there except where violence has been recently done or where weapons are present. Those seeking assistance from her in matters of healing, wisdom in matters of reconciliation and acceptance or to create a safe place to rest/camp can leave small tokens to seek her attention and try to call her power.

Healing Herbs: A simple bundle of healing herbs neatly wrapped and placed in pure white silk. A plea for assistance in a difficult healing or to create a space where healing aether is strong/focused. If asking for assistance in healing another, through one’s own power or by another, their name must be added to the offering on a piece of parchment wrapped around the bundle of herbs.

Sacred Stones: Travelers seeking to set up a ward around their campsites calling upon her power can offer up any of the stones sacred to her that have been sanctified. However they will not work if the one setting up the ward has done violence while carrying them without cleansing either the stones or themselves first.

Books: Books on history, forgotten lore, poetry or collections of songs are all things that will please her. One who seeks her wisdom will offer such items in a sense of trade, that she might grant knowledge in return or assistance in matters of parley and reconciliation. She favours those with open minds and hearts.

Her True Name: Knowing her actual name in Dravanian will draw the Goddess’ full attention directly to the caller, regardless of the time or place. Some whisper it will actually summon the deity directly to the one who utters it, though few know for sure, so rare is this knowledge.

Anything offered through violence, loss of life, or theft will gain the Goddess ire and disfavour.

Tagged By: @lordofcrowns​

Tagging: Anyone who sees this and wants to jump on... ^^’’’

[onwesterlywinds]

Ashelia Riot steps upon the beam without a second thought and is propelled upward to the topmost floor of the Ridorana Lighthouse. For a moment, the aether gathers behind Ashelia Riot in a strange pattern - like wings. Linini Mooglesworn follows right behind Ashelia Riot, not reacting to the presence of her aetherial wings. Timid Fawn recoils and stares at the scene in confusion. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn frowns at what's happening. Hinako Daigo cautiously follows suit but gets a very knowing sense of dread. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: I knew I couldn't trust you. Linini Mooglesworn lowers her hood when they appear out of the stream of aether. The action is almost reverent.

The hall is long and narrow, and covered with windows entirely dusted over. At the end of the hall lies a crystal, so large and so bright as to spread its glow for malms around. Ashelia Riot: In ancient Dalmasca, they called it the Sun-Cryst. It was believed to have been sent by the gods themselves. This can only be what the Garleans are after. Hinako Daigo: The Sun-Cryst...? Linini Mooglesworn: What do you mean to do with it, my Lady? The aether in the room condenses as they approach, growing so thick that it's visible in the air. Ashelia Riot: We must still find the others. They should bear witness to all that's to come. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn looks to Timid Fawn, signaling for her to be ready. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: All that's to come? What do you mean? Linini Mooglesworn stares back at the Sun-Cryst. Linini Mooglesworn: Very well... Hinako Daigo winces, feeling mildly nauseous at the intensity of the aether. Timid Fawn feels tense; she side-glances up at Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn and gives him a shallow nod. Ashelia Riot: When the Garleans inevitably come here, we will need to bring our full might against them. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Or... you want us to be all together. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn pulls the stone from his pocket, staring down at it. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: For these. Linini Mooglesworn watches, waiting to see Ashelia Riot's reaction. Ultima's reaction. Ashelia Riot opens her mouth to retort... and then she doubles over in agony. Ashelia Riot: Nnngh... Timid Fawn is taken aback. Linini Mooglesworn senses something amiss. Hinako Daigo: Ul-... Ashelia...? Ashelia Riot: No... Sh-Shemha... Hinako Daigo: Wait, what? Linini Mooglesworn is instantly alert. Linini Mooglesworn: Shemhazai?! What did she do? Ashelia Riot again screws up her face in pain. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn approaches Ashelia Riot, taking a knee before her. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Get it out, focus. Ashelia Riot: ...She's gone. Shemhazai is gone. Linini Mooglesworn is taken aback. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Shemhazai...A'zaela!? Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn's eyes grow wide. Ashelia Riot lets out another agonized cry. Linini Mooglesworn: What has happened? Ashelia Riot: ...And now... Cuchulainn. They are gone, as if- Timid Fawn purses her lips. Ashelia Riot shakes her head, gritting her teeth through the pain. Linini Mooglesworn: They've done it. They must have destroyed their stones! Ashelia Riot breathes in deep... then begins to laugh darkly. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: They found a way...? Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn's eyes start to dart around. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: We need to find them. Now. Timid Fawn expresses her worry with Ashelia Riot. Linini Mooglesworn takes a step back. Ashelia Riot stands of her own accord - and now, her hair has grown longer than ever, and is stark white. The look in her eyes is one of pure contempt. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn backs off toward Timid Fawn. Ashelia Riot: It matters nothing at all. We have here aether enough to bring about the resurrection. Ashelia Riot: All that is left is the blood. Timid Fawn draws her axe, but hesitates to even think about using it. Linini Mooglesworn: There are sacrifices aplenty in the lower levels, Linini Mooglesworn gestures back toward the aetherial lift. Linini Mooglesworn: Unless you hoped for something more grand. Ashelia Riot: Exactly. Hinako Daigo: You won't do any such thing. Ultima... and- ... Exodus? Linini Mooglesworn stands beside Ashelia Riot. Linini Mooglesworn: I'd hoped to possess more auracite, but if the others are already getting to destroying theirs... Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn puts a hand on his axe. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: I will take those stones from you. I knew you couldn't be trusted. Linini Mooglesworn similarly puts a hand to the hilt of her sword. Linini Mooglesworn: Mateus... I'd hoped to possess that stone for Yue. Ashelia Riot: No. That stone is for the girl's wretched father. It was, after all, meant as a gift... from his own father. Linini Mooglesworn: Hm... Then might I have the Wroth? Hinako Daigo: You're welcome to try. Linini Mooglesworn sneers at Hinako Daigo. Timid Fawn grips her axe so tightly her knuckles turn white, feeling ridiculously uneasy now. Hinako Daigo is annoyed with Linini Mooglesworn. Ashelia Riot's voice changes abruptly, back to her own voice - high-pitched, weary. Ashelia Riot: You remember. Don't you. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn tighten his grip on the stone in his hand. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: What are you talking about!? Ashelia Riot: How those bastards downstairs chained me, bottled me in a tank. Stole my very essence, even as they named me for the divine. Seraph. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Don't seem very divine to me, just a stuck-up pain in the ass! Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn spits on the floor in front of Ashelia Riot. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: You want this stone, try and take it! Linini Mooglesworn: You are not worthy to possess any of the stones. This I have judged. Ashelia Riot: You seem to labor under a grave misunderstanding. Ashelia Riot: I do not want this wretched body, but only blood can bring back my own. And for that, I have no need of stones. Ashelia Riot smiles horrifically at Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn tightens his grip on the stone and his axe. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Blood... Go ahead and make my day, you holier-than-thou piece of filth. Hinako Daigo: There is no worthiness for those like you, who shouldn't exist. If the others managed to banish Shemhazai and Cuchulainn, then you will not have your blood. Only oblivion. Ashelia Riot: Very well. Ultima surveys the lot of them, but her eyes fall on Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn. Ashelia Riot: If you so insist... The being in Ashelia Riot's body raises her arms, and the light of the Sun-Cryst envelops her. Imposed over her form, you can see the merest image of the Seraph in all her glory, as she is meant to be, and Ashelia Riot's face is frozen behind it in anguish. Then, in a burst of light and golden feathers, she and her host are gone - vanished to another point in the tower, where she has gone to seek out the legatus himself. Linini Mooglesworn looks back as Ultima's form appears, and then Ashelia Riot vanishes with her in a flash of light. Linini Mooglesworn: My... My lady! Linini Mooglesworn shows her fear on her face, then looks to the other Riskbreakers, resolute. Linini Mooglesworn: To think she has forsaken me... So be it. I will claim the Virgo stone for myself as well. I will fight all three of you if I have to. I already bested the wielder of Zeromus' stone and took it for myself. Linini Mooglesworn realizes she doesn't feel the weight of the Condemner on her anymore. She pats her pocket, a look of panic crossing her face, and then looks back at the window, where Ultima vanished. Linini Mooglesworn: Wh-what?! It's gone! She took it from me! Linini Mooglesworn curses the Twelve. Hinako Daigo: ... Yeah, don't make us do this. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn smirks. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: What stone I got don't matter, I will take that stone from you. Linini Mooglesworn: No matter. I still have Exodus. Timid Fawn calls for a surge of aether. Timid Fawn: Don't push your luck... It's still three against one. Linini Mooglesworn: I am the Authority. And I have judged you all... not worthy. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: I don't fear you, or the Cluster. I know they're on our side, and you're blinded by a false sense of justice. Hinako Daigo: Your 'authority' is out of time, long forfeit. You scarce have a hold here. Fight if you must, but there is but one path now. Linini Mooglesworn holds her stone aloft and calls upon its aether. Linini Mooglesworn: O Exodus, Judge-Sal, the scales have been tipped against us. I beseech you - let us conquer our foes! Linini Mooglesworn rushes toward Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn, sword raised, but just as she pulls back to swing, the three of them can see her stop in place, as if being restrained. Linini Mooglesworn: Ugh...! What?! Linini Mooglesworn staggers. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn puts his axe away. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: The Cluster, they know better than you. They believe in us. With all of the aether here, all of the Sun-Cryst's power, they can see the aetherial forms of seven other people reaching for her. Grasping her arms, her legs, her shoulders. Standing between her and Bull. Hinako Daigo's eyes grow wide with awe. Linini Mooglesworn: Let me do this...! I'm doing this for all of you! To protect you and all the Riskbreakers from all of our foes! Linini Mooglesworn is speaking to the three Riskbreakers before her as much as the Cluster. Linini Mooglesworn: With... eight pieces of auracite, I could defeat anyone standing in our way! Don't you see?! Hinako Daigo: ...I'll tell you what I told Adrammelech. We don't need them. We are more in our potential than the power of selfish demons that failed in the past anyway. There is death and death alone should we indulge them. Linini Mooglesworn: I want... I want to believe that. The Cluster holds a straining Linini Mooglesworn back. Their faces are sad. They make no sound, but they look to Bull, Hinako, and Fawn with pleading eyes. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn sighs. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Our potential is limitless, even without the stones. We will not fail, and we will save everyone. Linini Mooglesworn: But I've come so far to turn back now... I did something terrible... I raised my blade against a comrade. I hurt her. I hurt Orella. At these words, Azionne, standing behind Lini, looks away with shame. Linini Mooglesworn falls to her knees, unable to muster the strength to fight against them. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn scoffs. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: If you believe justice is power, you're bein' clouded by the stone. Justice is kindness, justice is right. Linini Mooglesworn feels a wave of fear wash over her - the presence of Exodus - and loud, heavy sobs wrack her frame. Linini Mooglesworn: I've been so weak... This whole time. The Cluster stands back, all in a line, facing them. Baithin, Azionne, Edge, Granny, Gogo, Siz'ir, Yue. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: You haven't been weak, just...misguided. Listenin' to delusions of justice and what's right. Hinako Daigo kneels before Linini Mooglesworn. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: We're on your side. We want the same as you. Timid Fawn nods. Linini Mooglesworn drops the Libra stone from her hand. Its light, once so radiant, has gone dim. Linini Mooglesworn: I'm so sorry, my friends... Hinako Daigo nods and smiles softly. Hinako Daigo: It's never too late to set things right... Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn nods to Hinako Daigo. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: Right. Behind Linini Mooglesworn, Edge steps forward. He places a hand on Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn's shoulder, staring him right in the eyes. He hopes his meaning is clear: Save Ashe. Save her from whatever has a hold of her. Timid Fawn quietly approaches Linini Mooglesworn and offers her hand out for her to take. To stand. Linini Mooglesworn hesitates, but timidly takes her hand. Linini Mooglesworn: To think you could all still offer a hand of friendship after what I've done... Linini Mooglesworn: Thank you... Timid Fawn: All I ask is that you don't dwell on it and let it cause you unwanted stress. Then I'll forgive you. Hinako Daigo smiles at Linini Mooglesworn. Linini Mooglesworn: I will set things right... I must. I'll destroy the Libra stone myself, however A'zaela and Alaq'it managed it. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn kneels, smiling to Linini Mooglesworn. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: We'll find 'em, and figure out what we need to do. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn offers a hand on the shoulder. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: This is justice. Linini Mooglesworn looks tired, shaky. She wobbles on her feet for a moment, but bends down to pick up the stone and return it to her pocket. Its light is still dim, and it feels lighter, somehow. She would not let it possess her again. Timid Fawn: Are you alright to walk on your own? Behind her, the Cluster vanishes, offering smiles of gratitude to the others. Linini Mooglesworn: I'll manage. I must. And... I have you three to support me, should I need it. Hinako Daigo: Of course. We'll move forward together, and these stones will pay their dues. Timid Fawn snerks. Timid Fawn: There is no need to hold a tough face. But yes, we're here if you need it. Linini Mooglesworn: They shall. Let us be off, then. Linini Mooglesworn wipes away her tears. Linini Mooglesworn: We'll save all the Riskbreakers our own way. Timid Fawn smiles faintly. Timid Fawn: Let's do it then. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn: That's the best way. Rhotfarr Sundyrfyrsyn flashes a thumbs up.

[invitedeath]

he was there, at the end of the world.

roars and shouts drowned out the silence which normally swept the world, each kingdom swarming onto the scene as chaos spread like wildfire along the streets and within the heavens. spirale was but a memory for the time being, but the war was incredibly real. amongst the madness, sephiroth wandered without concern, sword unsheathed and fantastical attire forgone. sometime during the booming sounds of the dark lord’s calls to war, sephiroth had lost the grassy scales and the antler crown had fallen. silver sparkled once more and leather squeaked as he walked. returned to his once noble uniform he stood out amongst the sea of robe-covered anons, their magic still inferior to the might he possessed.

“ sephiroth?!... “ a voice shouted. only a few turned their heads to see. the majority were pre-occupied, there being far more important things than the arrival of an angel. he ignored it also, choosing instead to stride on towards the depth of the violence, following the bloodied trails to the deepest pit of the dramatics. indeed, one of the dark lord’s minions lunged for him. although he was, as ever, quick to withdraw his blade and pierce the place their heart should be, it seemed to be an act in vain. for soon after, another sprouted in its place and ambled towards a nearby mage. an endless battle waged on, it seemed.

glancing around he saw few faces he recognised flickered amongst the ebbing and flowing tide of war. blood smeared across their cheeks, spines pressed against one another, there stood two he had met some time before, swords raised with apparent glee etched into their faces. whether it was the joy of combat, or the fact they fought together, sephiroth could not make out quick enough before they darted away. 

some distance from himself atop a steep incline, a girl with books tumbling at her feet looked out across the sea of soldiers before turning and giving him a wave. her friendly gesture only paused once a fox-eared woman he had met prior to the battle aided her in climbing down, her many tails fanning behind her before she spun, sending several blue orbs in the direction of the incoming swarm.

another young woman with feline ears atop her head, this one clad in rose, hercat tail curling behind her as brandished a whip and sent several minions stumbling back in defeat. with the sun as his aid, the deity-like stranger he had encountered only a few hours prior shone like a beacon amongst the dirt of battle. though he spoke not a word, the deafening presence he held sent many creatures cowering in fear of the light. 

a creature with blood dripping from its maw swiped suddenly at sephiroth, causing him to spring back into action; sword slashing before tearing through its open mouth. up through the lid of its jaw, the sword plunged deep and blood soaked the entirety of his arm before he ripped the blade free. once again, the death was only replaced with more. more and more. out they poured, those servants of the dark lord. sephiroth was almost impressed.

a calming voice broke out amongst the chaos and as he turned, sephiroth spied a winged nurse tending to the wounds of a fallen elf, his veins seemingly pulsating a bright ethereal glow. but the woman did not hesitate to pull the gun from her side and blast away a crawling, squirming creature as it made for them in their moment of peace. 

but something familiar caused him to pause. a feeling of... intense power drew his gaze back, over his shoulder. he turned only to witness that charming and handsome elezen he had once invited home, his sword at his side as he seemingly hurried towards the centre of some mass of growing aether. he could not make much out from such a distance, but the curve of a grounded crescent moon caught his eye if only for a second. the feeling was reminiscent of something he had felt a few months ago, a power he had wanted to indulge in for himself. another time, perhaps, once the battle was won.

but it didn’t seem like enough. none of it did. 

a horn sounded and something huge flew overhead, a creature with wings sprouting from its back emerging from the dark lord’s side of the field. 

“ no. i have plans for this planet. you must wait your turn. “

if the world was destroyed, all of the lives upon it drained without purpose, what would happen to him? his goals... ruined, tatters of a right he had been promised and owed. no. he knew they would all have to be eliminated first, every creature in the dark lord’s army. lifting from the ground, sephiroth rose up into the sky as his single wing unfolded. a mass of black feathers spiralled off into the dust before he soared to meet with that dragon-like monster, its face a mimicking visage of the dark lord but its body a sea of scales and scorched flesh. 

with a wave of his blade, several more copies appeared alongside the original and one by one they pierced into the belly of the creature, its wailing deafening across the skyline. several others had joined him in the aerial assault, one stranger punching the beast square in the jaw before another blew water magic across its spine. but it all in vain. the monster reared back, claws reeling back before it took to batting its attackers clean from the heavens. one two. three. sephiroth was caught in one of the heavy-weighted attacks and spiralled from the sky, swords falling parallel to their master.

but he would not be beaten. before he came close to the earth once more, he twisted and flew back up to meet the monster, masamune held tight within his grip as he lunged forth and sent forth a torrent of bright beams of pure, powerful energy. that small corner of the sky, seemingly unimportant in the grand scale of the massive ongoing siege, turned white for a moment, until returning to its dismal darkness one again.

[accursedvoid]

APOCRYPHA VERSE / FFXV AU

ooooo boi i had to fight anxiety to stop lurking but here we go ! In this au there were actually 10 astrals - the six we know and then the four who kept a delicate balance and were generally passive force of nature, only meddling very rarely - while the six were more proactive in contrast.

These four are as follows

Letum - Death, souls and dreams - commonly associated with the colours of black, gold and grey, alongside the usual imagery of death - takes the form of a Huge Black feline decorated with golden markings and pupiless eyes, has pitch black branching antlers, a skeletal tail and gifted with two-three sets of feathered wings, feathers decorate his shoulders and heels.

Aether - Life, Time and Memory - the colours of autumn, often pictured as a Wolf or canine like creature with multiple tails, striped like a tiger, has the front paws of a dragon and the mane of a lion, two sets of pointed ears - now bears a massive scar across her face from where the Betrayer blinded her (as well as looking quite sickly now after the scourge has damaged Eos for so long).

Angelus - Light and Order - Pure bright white, he's hard to look directly at sometimes and in certain light his crystalline form shimmers like the colours of a water opal. Takes the form of an actual dragon (western styled), has five wings and His horns curve to look like a halo, two pairs of forelimbs, looks rather delicate - eyes are bright pupiless white of which he has two, spine is lined with delicate fronds and decorated with tiny gems.

Pandaemonium (a coincidence since apparently there is a summon called such i think?) - Dark and Chaos - Vantablack and Purple-pink, where Angelus is a dragon Pandae is more of a huge Gryphon-esque depiction with trifold pupiless eyes, has one set of wings but they branch into looking like more and carry an almost viscous liquid movement to them, lower body of a snake, upper body of a Gryphon, the fangs of a snake, great horns that curve upwards from the sides.

They can all take a humanoid form (or possibly choose to have 'avatars' if needs must).

---

anyway, so in this AU the Astral war happens (many minor astrals die etc) and because of Ifrit, Bahamut grows paranoid so when the starscourge inevitably arrives via meteor, Bahamut initially places the blame on Pandaemonium given what her spheres are and the ties it might have with the parasite (and the mistaken Belief that dark=evil) so what does he do? well he puts a stop to what he thinks is the cause - with the help of Shiva.

you can't kill the dark - but he definitely tried his best, Pandaemonium's heart lies shattered and this was the mistake because the starscourge wasn't the deadliest plague it became in canon - not yet.

because it absorbs those shattered fragments - and gains it's own brand of sentience - and now the starscourge is Pandaemonium or at least what is left of her - her rage, hatred, agony and base instincts, for revenge most of all, that remain in those fragments of her heart.

(incidentally Ardyn is less a collection of multiple Daemons here but rather the largest concentration of Pandaemonium's shattered fragments - so somewhat unknowingly her avatar, to at least whats left of her)

of course this doesn't go without notice - three of four hunt down the draconian (how dare he, how dare he) but by this point he has convinced the other three of the six (read: strong-armed mostly) and so the fight is a lot more one sided despite best efforts.

Angelus' heart is taken and chained to War (The Light is needed, but it will be by his will alone and so the white dragon's power is chained and his broken form imprisoned) - Aether is blinded, her godly form broken and left to fled to Eos - and Letum cannot die, but his heart is ripped from his chest and he is forced to slumber to recuperate.

(said heart will one day be gifted to a line of kings for Bahamut’s grand plan - for what else would drain the life and imprison the souls of the dead than the heart of Death himself)

incidentally given the spheres of influence - Carbuncle, Umbra and Pryna might end up as messengers for the four instead (specifically carbuncle to maybe Letum whilst Umbra and Pryna would be Aether most Likely)

So Letum wakes from his slumber sometime in canon era (possibly when Bahamut told Regis Noctis was to be the chosen king or if we go for shock value, at the treaty, where luminous golden eyes blink open in the shadows before the signing and everything goes sideways) and sees whats become of the everything and decides to step in, for the good of Eos.

Bahamut has hurt him and his greatly, has all but destroyed Pandaemonium, has chained Angelus and wounded Aether - stolen and enslaved his own heart to trap the souls meant for rest to power what will be his end goal - the scales of balance are so far out of alignment that the world is suffering for it and this false prophecy will doom it.

to say Letum is displeased is an understatement

and well, Bahamut might have had this line of kings swear by him - but they swore on his heart first.

Bahamut wishes to gamble away lives? - then Letum will take them gladly, tough luck, they are his now, his children of his heart.

screw you god of war - Death says not today.

I’d like to say this is due to y’all in the FFXV AU server and @sparklecryptid for initially dragging me into this fandom through haplessly stumbling upon your stuff and a horde of quality AUs and writers.

and also @hamelin-born @starofthemourning @starsilvereld @yezielmoore for yelling in the discord about this AU with me, which hopefully I’ll have those notes up soon for here too - including the brief overall on why in this verse the prophecy is the worst outcome ™ and Bahamut basically panicked, made everything worse and is now trying to cover for himself.

[moonlit-nightingale]

.:RP:. Torrent

Characters: Saranqerel Qalli (male Xaela), Mori Toya (male Raen)

Rating: General.

Origin Date: 4-5 June 2018

Sari has retreated from human contact and all of its complicated ties. However he didn’t count on another pure-hearted soul to try and seek him out to help.

“But...you’re still a friend, right?”

Mori sighed. Gridania was strange and chocobos even stranger. Go this way, they said. The only clue to follow was Gridania and the shrine maiden had left without a single idea where Gridania was or what it was about. People had been kind, the boat ride had been long, and now he was on some half-beaten trail through the shroud with a stubborn bird that didn't want to move as it's attention was stolen by a tree it wanted the fruit from.

The whites and reds were discarded for more travel worthy robes. And the uncomfortable boots crunched upon the earth. His only thought  he should have stayed in the town and sought more leads, fed the bird more, and maybe slept for a night.

If it wasn't for promising to help everyone...

No. He had to help them. Sari was no exception even if he had left the clan!

  Time tended to blend together in the wild. Sari knew that well. Everything became a routine to provide for one's self. Get your food for the day, make sure your shelter was well-maintained, brush down Batsaikhan. The dark blue bird was independent as it was so the Xaela let him run wild, he was quick enough to respond when he called. As much as he wanted to completely disappear from society, a due regard for the elementals made sure Sari checked in with passing Wailers on what portions of the Shroud were currently open for hunting.

It meant some days he had to range far from Central Shroud to find approved prey. But the distance was nothing from the Steppe. No harsh sun beating down on him, better vantages to find his target and stalk. Honestly hunting had always been so much easier in the Twelveswood for the former Buduga. Whatever meat and animal pieces he didn't use were taken to town to be sold or donated. Some of the Adders recognized him but didn't ask questions.

Hunt, eat, sleep, repeat. The peace of the forest was appreciated, quiet times spent near the water. Sometimes he sang. Sometimes he read, a few books he'd taken from the shop.

  The bird frustrations aside; Mori didn't feel exactly comfortable here. Maybe it was because of where he was from, or that he was so alien or strange to the elementals here. Their voices were a racket in the back of his mind that he had to push down and away. Why were they so much more cruel and violent than the Auspices? Taiyou was never this way. She lived in peace with her surroundings and people. Restlessness, resentment, anger...they were things the auspices could feel but through the rituals it could be cleansed and the Kami calmed.

This? It was like something tyrannical. Chains that wrapped about your throat and arms to drag you down and demand obedience and balance. Ever since he had entered the Shroud it had been like this. Even now he felt like something was following just five steps behind him.

Often enough he heard it echo his own walk. A hunter? That was unlikely. No one would gain anything from striking him down here, let alone back home. Home. He shook his head at the thought and just gave up on the bird to stalk away from it. Maybe he could find some water to cool off his head.

All he had to do was reach out.

Hope the things that were here found it okay.

It was a mistake.

The moment he reached to request the miasma of what was twisting the area around him seeped in. Corrupted elementals were frightening things. Things he had never experienced. He had felt the tinge of such things on Taiyou but it was never just there like this.

Why was this land so foul?

He stepped off that way and the distortion was felt. One step. Then the next. It was like something was pulling his mind under and he couldn't stop it. Connecting with Taiyou had always been mutual; balanced. This was parasitic. Invasive. Sudden. The green eyes dimmed in a sleepy haze following the lull of the corrupted thing that festered within the elementals in this precise part of the shroud. His every step staggered as he moved towards the stream. A camp nearby it that had been abandoned. Armor caught on rocks from someone else that had drowned there. 

Things went quiet. That's what Sari caught on to right away. Too long had he spent in the wild to know that when things fell silent, danger was lurking. He was no conjurer, no hearer, but he had a sense for when things were not balanced. Not right. He rose from his spot near the river, Jebe tucked into the hood of his poncho. The bluebird knew it just as much, if not more so. It would need to be reported. Some poor traveler could stumble across it. Outsiders to the Shroud that didn't know the rules, or chose not to respect them, ended up dead often.

Bow in hand, the Qalli started quietly through the trees. At least if it was a tainted animal, he could relieve it of its pain. His steps were silent even in the quiet as he stalked towards that...feeling. He'd always been aetherially sensitive thanks to his bloodline.

It was in the water. Something was off. He could almost see it, a kind of waver in the normally calm bubbling stream that seemed foreboding. Something he likely couldn't fight but could collect and report on. It was then he saw a familiar figure as he lingered behind a tree. Wha...how.

"Mori!" he called, sure to keep the large tree between him and the stream.

Someone shouted his name?

Mori startled, but the haze didn't quite break. If anything he hit the stones with his knees. Thank the kami they were scaled from all those years kneeling at the waters in the shrine. His hands pressed into the ground and he was struggling against the thing that had decided to rob him of his own will.

"C-can't..."

This couldn't just be cleansed. There was no reasoning with it like the auspices. That or he was feeling the fear becoming overwhelming because it was strange! Another sharp intake of breath and he pushed through the hold it had at least. The Raen falling right back onto his rear and the sizeable water elemental bubbled to the surface.

"What is that thing?!" Mori just stared wide eyed at it.

Sari didn't hesitate breaking his cover and running in, that magitek hand going to pull Mori to his feet, that one eye trained on the forming corrupted elemental. "Corruption of the guardians here. We need to run. I can't fight that." He'd never once used his aether offensively, only for healing. Arrows would have no effect against /water.

Yanked up, Mori wouldn't fight it. The elemental had chosen a rather incapable martial man to sway to come to it. So the angry thing threw a lob of aetheric water at them, trying to hit them and impede their escape as it floating towards them over the stones.

That arm's strength was a boon in combat, as much as the Xaela hated to admit. He kept a strong hold on the taller Au Ra, pulling him after his dodging steps. He'd encountered a few of these in his time with the Adders, always with a conjurer in tow as he'd acted as escort. No Adder linkshell hung from his horn. There was no help to be called for from Gridania. They had to get away and Sari pulled Mori after him.

Mori found his feet enough to follow in tow with the Qalli.

Were they going past that stubborn bird?

The chocobo just glancing towards them as they went by and let out a wark before following after. No it wasn't being left here. At least once they were so far the elemental just stopped. The spot it was attached to wasn't that large and its existence was still dependent on that stream.

"Th...thanks..." He managed to spit out the words as the drunken haze of the elementals pull was gone. It allowed Mori to at least reinforce his aether to protect it from these damn things. "Why...why is everything so violent here?"

He caught his breath, more from fear than from the quick dash away. Sari had been dreading trying to use that celestial aether of his in any offensive way. It didn't seem right to do so. A light whistle to call the rogue bo over to check over it as well, running hands through its feathers.

"The elementals have been aggressive lately. They don't like anything different." A look over at the Raen, tail curled slightly. "What are you doing all the way out here? It's not safe especially if you don't know where to avoid. There are voidsent in these forests as well!"

Mori was trying to collect himself, and he managed it. Though as he was lectured, which he was sure it was a lecture of some sort, the Raen pressed fingers together and stared off. "I didn't know..." A small sigh. "And everyone was too busy." A pause and he looked back. "And you're the one who ran off so of course I had to go looking!" His face was a bit red and there was no shrine makeup or anything to conceal that. Partly embarrassment, partly the effort to break the elements hold on his mind.

The chocobo was happy with this. It just gave a content chocobo sound but it was otherwise unharmed. It had simply been too far to bother with its rider. Stupid horsebird.

Pleased the bird was safe, Sari pats its side to let it do what it willed. This left him to rest his bow back across its quiver with a sigh.

"Did Dain send you? He shouldn't have. He could've gotten you killed." A mix of worry and an odd resignation was on his face at those words.

"No he didn't." Mori said it so simply and clear. The green eyes meeting that gaze evenly enough. "I came myself because it's silly to just run off like that, and without telling anyone at that!"

Dark eyebrows narrowed at that before he looked away. With the elemental gone, Jebe hopped his way from the poncho hood and back to his master's shoulder with a peep.

"It's fine. It was time for me to go." He adjusted the leader strap over his chest holding the arrows. "I'll see you back to Gridania where it's safe."

"Time to go?" Mori frowned a little at that. He didn't say the first thing that came to mind because he felt like it would make him sound like some selfish child. No. The world wasn't about him after all. "No. I came to find you because you agreed with oji-san, no? To help watch after me? And I told you I'd help you? So you can't just go..." And still it came out the moment his mouth opened to speak. At least it wasn't the mess that first crossed his mind. "I made a promise and I have to see to it!"

"I don't need help, Mori." The words were more of a sigh. A click of his tongue and the stubborn bird of the shrine maiden's instantly strolled over with a 'kweh.' "And I'm sorry but there are plenty of those at the company that would be better guides than me in the world. I left the Clan and the company." His tone continued with that resigned tone. Not sad. Not mad. Just...there. "So I can't keep that promise." The reins of the chocobo were taken in hand to hold it still for Mori. "Do you need help getting on? I know chocobos took me awhile to get used to."

"Then what about my promise?" Mori frowned at him. "I'm not obligated to just the company and clan after all." He wasn't going to get on that stupid bird. Watch. The moment Sari went away he'd throw him off or something! There was concern there as he noted the Xaela's tone and expression.

A frown, scratching the bo under its bridle. "I'm sorry...but don't feel bad since I'm breaking the promise on my end. I...don't need help." That was the best way to break that off without making the other feel at fault, he hoped.

"And I clearly haven't even had the chance to try and start." Mori was sure to counter with that. "I'm not going to drag you back to the clan, but I'm not leaving Gridania either." Maybe things had turned a bit more insistent or needy. Being somewhere unfamiliar had literally flipped his entire world around and so suddenly, and like that? He pressed his lips into a thin line and those green eyes looked fierce and determined. "So that's that because you clearly do if you're hiding away out here."

A blink, not expecting this insistence from the Raen. "I'm...not hiding. Things are just better out here. Away from people. I like being in the wilds like this. Things are simpler." He shifted uneasily, not sure what to say or do next. "So there's no need to feel like you need to do anything, Mori. I'm more at peace out here. And it's not safe for you. Please, I'll take you back to Gridania."

"And I said I won't leave Gridania." Again with the insistence. Even if he almost got carried off by some corrupted elemental. "Really why won't you let anyone help you?"

"I don't /need/ help." A bit of a firmness to his expression and voice at that. "Being alone is the best help I've had in years." That long tail had uncoiled, brushing the ground and leaves in an irritated motion. Why couldn't he just be left to return to his shelter?

Mori blinked. He couldn't argue this. How could he? He just looked a fair bit troubled by this point and glanced off. "Fine...I'll go back, but I'm not leaving." Whatever it was being alone didn't sound like a good idea.

A sigh. "There's no point in waiting around. I'm not going back. People are..." He shook his head. Sari gently tugged on the reins again, scratching the bo's neck. "I've had enough of people." He was still intent on seeing the shrine maiden to shelter however. Especially since the elementals didn't seem fond of Mori at all.

"What did I just say?" Mori frowned at him even as he followed after. The Raen keeping step with him. "I'm not going to force you to go back or make you, so I can stay here and try as I may to do what I can. It's not like I have anything to go back to."

"Stay here?" he echoed, cocking his head to the side. The Xaela paused, looking back in confusion. "Out here? That's a bad idea. The elementals don't like you." Blunt when it came to things such as this. "They can probably sense that you have divine connections that aren't them and see you as an invader."

"An invader?" A twitch of his tail. He wasn't invading at all, and that made no sense! Were these elementals that illogical? "The auspices and kami have better sense than these Elementals..." The Raen mumbled as he followed along. "But I can at least learn to communicate with them too, no? So they won't think I am? How difficult could it be?"

"You could stay in Gridania and learn conjury. The Hearers there would likely be eager to learn your take on things." Not likely at all given how closed minded Gridanians were. Either way, Sari was leading the group that way back to civilization...not his nook in Central Shroud.

Mori was quiet. What could he say? The Raen just quieting to a troubling degree and the lead weight that was the elementals here didn't seem to help. They didn't like him. He was sure the Gridanians weren't just going to let him learn here. So many of them already stared at him oddly. Even the chocobo was an ass to him.

What more could he do? He promised to keep Mori safe so by taking him back to Gridania, he would be.

...it was only a matter of time before the shrine maiden saw how pointless it was to be around him. And he'd leave.

They always left.

"If you really want to be alone, then that's what I'll do." Mori mumbled after some period of quiet. "But you're the one who left the clan, Sari, and the company. I don't know the why of it, but you're leaving them and me...even after I promised to help you learn..." He'd never promised to fix anything. Only to show him how to hear the stars again and how everything was connected between the two. "And it's not like I got a choice now with where I am. So I made a choice to come find you of my own volition. No one told me to come here..."

"I'm sorry that I made a promise that I won't be able to keep. But I know you'll find a place with everyone's help." That one eye stayed straight ahead on the path, hand tight about the reins. It didn't...feel right to be responding this way. But it was for the best. What was the point of trying to make a new friend, a new confidant? It would be wonderful and warm and happy for a bit. But such things always ended up hollow and cold later. He was so sick of that feeling. That feeling when the pit of your stomach feels like a heavy stone left there by ones that turned their back on you again and again and again.

Sari wasn't going to let that happen again, even if that meant hardening himself against anyone and everyone else. He didn't want to. But he had to.

"...they'll take care of you and find a place for someone talented like you. I know it."

Mori just went quiet again. Why was he being so difficult? His hands curled on the edges of the robe sleeves, and he just stayed calm. Tried to at least. A deep breath and it let go as a sigh. He couldn't even feel Taiyou anymore, and so far from home the land felt different and alien. Even in Kugane it felt wrong.

At the quiet, the Qalli didn't say anything either. He was used to the quiet by now. The songs of birds resuming as they left the site of the corruption far behind. The breeze rustling the trees overhead. That was enough company. But he frowned, scenting something in the breeze. Rain was coming. Another sigh. Of course. The last few days had been rather dreary. He wouldn't put it past angry water elementals calling it down either.

"We'll stop at Bentbranch. They'll give us some shelter."

"Alright." Mori said it softly, but his attention moved to the sky a moment. Rain? Was the water elementals that restless here? There was that cold feeling again at the pit of his stomach.

They didn't want him here.

Not even Sari.

So this wasn't a place to be either. Mori had come out here needlessly and had gotten himself into danger too. What good was he? He knew it was the elementals fault partly for this too. He had never been somewhere he wasn't wanted and it was sinking into him like claws. Even the inklings of corruption could pick up on it.

The clearing of trees soon indicated civilization and not a moment too soon. As soon as the two Auri males and chocobo walked in through the gates, thunder cracked harshly overhead. Warks and other sounds from the birds stabled about the outpost could be heard with storm overhead. Handlers were already trying to soothe them. The rain seemed oddly cold, too. Letting the bird go, trusting it to settle safely among its kin, Sari stopped to talk to a familiar face.

He'd often stopped by on his patrols to help with the chocobos, always enjoying working with the animals. There was no room in the small dwellings for others. The restlessness of the nearby stream had made many travelers pause. But there was an open and clean stable. That was better than nothing. Sari had slept in far worse. Looking over his shoulder, he motioned for the Raen to follow, not saying much else.

Mori looked at the stables. He wasn't particular, but there were more of these birds that weren't that fond of him at all. At least this is what he imagined. Something with the land and the animals just threw them out of concert with the shrine maiden that had been at home otherwise in such situations at the island. He followed behind him, just glancing off as more thunder sounded.

The stable was clean, fresh hay put down. It was a side one, looking out over the open forest. One large bird slept in the one to their other side, unbothered by the storm. Sari slid the bow and quiver off his back, leaning it against a corner before sitting down. He fished at the packs at his belt and handed over a small bag. "Antelope jerky."

Mori didn't have anything on him. Not even a weapon for being out there amongst all the dangerous things. He just sunk down into a kneeling posture even as he reached for the bag to secure a few pieces of the jerky. "Thank you."

A nod was the response. Nhaama... It was easy to tell looking over Mori that he was far from used to having to live on his own in hostile conditions. Never had Sari felt like the more capable one. Sitting up, he tugged his poncho off. A light shirt was underneath it and the waterproof fur-lined garment was held out. "Try and get some sleep. I have a feeling this may last a while."

Fangs bit into the meat, and he winced at the toughness of it. He hadn't had thing kind of meat before, at least not often. The green gaze on the cloak, contemplating taking it or refusing. "Don't you need to rest too?"

"I've slept in far worse." He tried for a comforting smile. "Don't worry. I'll sleep. This is a safe place."

"I meant for the cloak, if it’s all the cover there is...it's bound to get cold." He knew he was cold. Even if it was the effect of the corrupted aether that he could still feel and sense. Had some of it tarnished him? Why was it getting so cold? His fingers shivered just a bit. "I know I'm really cold."

The forced smile faded at that. He scooted closer and draped the heavy knit garment about the Raen, tucking it in close. Then with zero hesitation he moved to sit by him, close enough to touch and share body heat. Not an uncommon thing in such environments and he didn't think twice. "I guess going from the island climate to here would be rough."

"M-maybe..." Mori shuddered a little. The little extra warmth was nice, and so was the presence of the cloak. Sari promptly just being leaned against, and he turned his head just enough that the horn didn't dig into a shoulder. A cheek there was chilled. Almost like the opposite of a fever. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have come. I should have just stayed, but I didn't want you to think everyone didn't care, especially since I promised..." He was mumbling away in that space.

Oddly enough there was no awkward blush or any embarrassment at the close contact. This was out of necessity to keep Mori warm. The Qalli watched the downpour steadily increase. It was good they'd found shelter cause it was falling harshly out there. "You did what you thought was right, Mori. I'm not mad. You're kind to do so." Even if there was no need. The kind man was just another person that would eventually grow sick of him. "Sleep, this'll last all night, I think."

Mori closed his eyes and rested there. What more could he say? There was a tired sound and he curled up there. "Why is it so cold? It's not that cold is it?"

"No, it's not." A frown as he shifted a bit to look down at the other leaning against him. Mori /was/ leaning on his magitek arm which could be colder even under the fabric of his shirt. That flesh hand raised to rest against the shrine maiden's forehead to check his temperature

And he would find it cold to the touch. Though Mori's eyes had already shut and he looked to be falling asleep readily. No arguing about it.

That frown remained, making the young hunter look older in the dim light. All he could do is pass some of that celestial aether to bolster the other's immune system and keep him warm by staying close. Another heavy sigh. Here he had hoped to get some fishing done today. Nhaama truly hated him.

That felt nice. Mori rested there. How could he admit to everyone he couldn't do a whole lot anymore. That without the connection to the shrine he was crippled, and now out here where it was dangerous for him. He let out a Mumble and just curled arms around the magitek one as he snuggled in close. "Taiyou...what can I do..."

A blink. Who could find comfort in that ugly thing? It was cold, lifeless. What an odd man... A few more moments of passing that fortifying aether before his hand fell away and he leaned his back against the wooden wall of the stable again. The long tail was curled about them both, the end giving an occasionally swish. Closing his own eye, the song was soft in the loud downpour of the rain. The lullaby he remember from his mother. It was in the Steppe tongue but hopefully it would offer some comfort.

At least Mori seemed to be a bit better from that healing aether. Whatever fragments of the corruption that had coiled into his aether from the elemental were still there. His aether was just too far aligned with water after all. Made it too easy. Though the mumbling stopped at the sound of the singing even if it was low and soft and the Raen just rested there.

There was nothing Sari could do here besides keep him resting. The sun was still up, even if hidden by dark clouds. When the moon and stars eventually did come out, they'd likely be shrouded as well. If only this stubborn Raen would just go back to the company where he'd be safe and cared for. All he could do now was keep him warm and relaxed.

~~~~~~~~~~

The storm continued through the night and fortunately the stable was dry and the close quarters warm enough. Sari eventually slept as well, priority to keep Mori warm and healthy. And he slept well, used to rough accommodations. This was heaven compared to some places he'd had to camp previously. At sun rise, grey skies still lingered. Yawning, the Qalli blinked slowly as he woke. Jebe was sitting on his head, pulling at his hair. What a good morning. Waking, he went to check Mori's temperature.

Mori was still cold. A bit warmer than he was earlier thanks to the care that had been taken, but still a slight chill ran through the young Raen. Those eyes not yet opening. He seemed to be deep into slumber despite the conditions not being idea to what he was used to.

To anyone used to the Shroud, it wasn't too terribly cold. That made Sari quite concerned. Despite the Raen's protest it would be best to get him to Gridania and the conjurers. He shifted the magitek arm around Mori's waist, going to help him up, pulling one of his arms over his shoulders in the motion.

Mori stirred a measure with that. Those eyes opening halfway and looking up lazily to the other. "Hmmn....Saranqerel?" He mumbled as the mess of hair fell into his face. It was still cold and those odd voices were still there. The fractured sections of aether still deep within his own. "Did you sleep well? I didn't talk too much in my sleep did I?" He hadn't, of course. He had gone quite silent after his initial sleep riddled murmurings.

"I slept fine. And you were seemed to have slept well." No telling him of going back to Gridania. It was necessary. "Do you think you can sit up on a chocobo? You don't seem well enough to walk..."

"If the creature will allow me." Why did Chocobos hate him so much? The Raen just looked up over Bentbranch. He didn't quite recall getting here. No. They had walked here and there was some fuss about Gridania, no?

"I'm sure he was just agitated with the storms coming in yesterday. They can sense such things." Slowly Sari helped the other Au Ra up and out of the stables. A light whistle and the stubborn bird Mori had rented strolled up as content as can be.

<Behave, alright,> he coaxed. <Your master isn't feeling well.> He reached out to scratch the bird gently under its bridle, earning a small kweh in return. "Can you grab the saddle and help pull yourself up? I can give you a push if needed."

"Yes." Mori moved along to grab the saddle, and one foot into a stirrup before pulling himself up onto the seat. His hands gripping hard as he moved. Getting into a saddle wasn't too hard, but it proved difficult when his body felt so cumbersome to him. Being clumsy wasn't unfamiliar though. He had grown up pretty quick to his height. Even at nineteen he was taller than most his age.

Sari kept a hand in contact with the other male until he was steady. Once he was seated he reached up to pull the poncho about to keep covering as much as the taller as it could. "Hang in there just a little longer, alright?"

"I'll be fine." He mumbled, but he wasn't exactly sure of that either.

Mori looked towards the way they were going. A tiredness in his look but fingers clutched the reins all the same. What was he doing out here, and now he was getting helped along again. So frustrating!

"Sorry...I came out here to help and now it's turned around completely..."

"Don't apologize." Taking the reins in hand, intent on walking, Sari guided them out of Bentbranch and towards Gridania which fortunately only a few malms away. "Though, forgive me for saying that it was foolish to run out here in a place you don't know. The forest looks serene but if you don't know where to go, a lot of people have died."

"So...?" Mori mumbled. "If I would have died that wouldn't have been awful, would it?" A frown. "Everything else is gone. Without the shrine..." He had no purpose. He was raised for one exact thing and now that was no longer there. Mori looked down and hair fell in his face. At least that masked any tears, but his breath was like frost on the exhale.

The hunter looked up with a frown of his own. "The answer is never dying. No matter how sad you are. As long as you're alive, you're winning." Against what, he didn't know. But it's why he'd never sunk low enough to turn a blade to himself, as close as he'd been a few times.

"I have no purpose." He finished the statement. "To sit around and be babysat? Taught to use a sword?" His nose wrinkled a bit with those thoughts. but he closed his eyes. "I can't even feel Taiyou anymore."

"You wanted to make sure I was ok. You can mentor and look after those in the company if you wish. Nhaama knows they need guidance." So many folks coming and going of all kinds of life. Having someone to talk to about divine guidance would help. As to the auspice, he couldn't say much. The knowledge of such things was beyond him.

"That's..." A shift and his head bowed a little lower. A hand clutched a bit tighter to the reins. He fought the urge to lean forward against the bird's neck. It was like the more troubling thoughts he had the colder everything got. "So you're going to push me away too?"

"It's not a personal thing, Mori." He looked back to the path. The dirt trail was thankfully firmly packed and the rain hadn't made it too terrible besides some puddles here and there. "I'm just sick of it all. Dealing with people. It has nothing to do with anything you've done."

"But..." The word drifted off. Really what more could he say? "You're still a friend, right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be making sure you're safe and sound if I wasn't." A brief smile up. It wasn't a lie. Even if he kept his distance, if someone he knew came to him for help, he would help.

Mori smiled just a bit at that. Again those hands tightened on the reins. He didn't want to spill over and out of the saddle after all. That would be embarrassing. HIs green eyes just shut and form leaned forward. Hunched and looking smaller than he would have in good health and back home. "That's...good." A tired sigh. Frost again. "I...don't think I can help anyone...anymore..."

The Xaela's steps slowed at that. Remembering what he'd been taught on the Steppe and his research. Aetherial irregulations manifested in different ways for different people. That frost...was definitely a sign. "Mori?" Letting go of guiding the bird, Sari drifted back to rest a hand on the lower part of the Raen's back. "What's wrong?"

"The shrine is gone." He frowned. That was just one piece of the whole. "I can't hear the Kami at all anymore, Sari." He turned his head to look towards him. "So how can I help the dojo? Where will I go when they don't need me or find out I can't do anything for them?" It was easier to go find Saranqerel than it was to tell them something was the matter. Though this cold? It was separate from that. Something that started once the water elemental had crept in, but it was certainly doing something to the Raen's water aligned aetheric balance. It seeming to dip a large portion of it towards ice as if playing catalyst to the change.

The touch of the healer could feel that cold spike instantly even without probing aetherially to see what was wrong. This wasn't some mild fever from travel and a scare. And Gridania at this slow pace was still a bell away at the very least. Aetheryte travel was a no no in this state. The Qalli had no linkpearls. He had to tend to this himself. Sari pushed down panic, taking a breath. Shelter first.

"That doesn't matter, Mori. They don't care at all what you can or cannot do." Trying to be reassuring as he pulled the bird off the path and back towards the stream...far enough fortunately for that corruption to be gone. His current dwelling was close.

"Is that so?" He asked. Though he wasn't sure if he believed it.

It was ridiculous how he felt. Normally it was easy to just fake it out really. No one didn't need to know his abilities were gone. Just smile and say thoughtful things that sounded like he could still connect with the Kami and understand the lands.

"I don't know for sure. They failed you, right?"

"I failed myself." Blunt, pulling the bird along at a quicker pace. "I made mistakes and I was too weak to prevent them." Short and to the point statements as they followed the stream up an incline. The peaceful sanctuary of the Lifemend's glade could almost be felt. If anything hopefully the protection of that old magic would help...and not exacerbate things.

It was nicer here, or he felt that somewhere better was up ahead. The aether here was not very comforting for him in many of the places in Gridania so far. He reached out to brush the chocobo's feathers. "So...retreating is the end?"

"For now, aye. Maybe...once I'm a bit stronger I'll go back. There are still people in the Lantern I care about." Up the rocky slope, the waterfall thundering nearby. The slope parted just enough under the waterfall to avoid getting drenched. Inside the protection of the landscape and the calm aether of the ancient tree stump, this was safe. He had a sleeping roll rolled up, hung from the ceiling to avoid creepy crawlies along with a few other supplies.

Calming the bird to stop, Sari went to get that bedroll down. Then over to help Mori down. "Slowly, I got you."

Mori moved to get down. He wasn't entirely bad at this part at least. It was clear enough he didn't have enough physical training with horses or chocobos to be good at this! Let alone the physical training. He tottered back once upon the ground falling in towards Sari as his legs decided they didn't want to work for a moment.

Expecting it with whatever was ailing the shrine maiden, Sari was sure to catch the taller man easily enough. That magitek arm was a blessing in so many odd ways. "You should lay down and rest. I'll see if I can figure out what's going on, alright? If it's something I can't heal we need to get you to Gridania."

Mori nodded. "Alright."

So something was wrong with him. An attempt to look within himself was made, but he found it hard to sense anything at all. Maybe that was the flaw with trying to examine one’s own aether, especially when not in a state of calm. If anything that moment made him shiver all the more. The Raen half following, half leaning upon the smaller Xaela, until he got to where they were going and he sat down.

"Did...did that thing do something?"

"It's possible." All the study and research on healing Sari had done ever since his return from the Steppe moons ago was bouncing about in his head. "You have divine aether but it's not attuned to this land. It's like a poor immune system." He unrolled the blankets and held them up, indicating Mori should lay down.

The cavern was always shaded, the waterfall thundering near. But sunlight leading to the glade on the other side promised an open sky if needed.

Mori sunk down upon the mat. He wasn't going to fuss against sleep. He knew sleep was one of the best ways to stabilize and regain aether. Though he closed his eyes and rested there. That sounded silly. None of the places he walked had been this harsh until now. "Or these...elementals are not as benevolent as some would make them seem..." A frown as he shivered. What an odd thing to have so much of his aether turned against him and not to mention turned to ice of all things.

The heavy woolen blanket was laid over the Raen, tucking him in. "They aren't. But they are an ancient force that was here long before any of the mortal races. It's by their grace that Gridania exists at all. Now try and rest. I'll do a thorough exam of your aether."

"That sounds like..." He tried finding a more elegant word and just opted for the Hingashi equivalent: <"poop."> Though green eyes looked up to Sari then. His lips raising in a small smile. "Thanks. I swear...I'm not usually this useless..." He'd have to do something in return. Just without his abilities he may as well been just that. Useless. A fact that gnawed at him even in private.

Though Sari had been trying to learn Doman, that word he didn’t know. He tried to give a reassuring smile as he rested a hand on the blanket over Mori's chest. "Don’t worry about anything besides resting and recovering. I'm not expecting anything in return. We are friends, aye? So these things shouldn't need repayment." Worn fingers glowed in the dark with silvery aether as he went to pinpoint the corruption in the Raen's aether.

A sigh left him. What a difficult situation, but he'd resign fussing about how even then he should do something in kind. Mori closed his eyes and just rested into the covers. They were supposed to be warm, right? But his body was the thing radiating cold.

The touch was nice. Warmer than anything at the moment right now, and especially as the aether went to work. That mere look showed that the fragments the water elemental had left behind in its brief contact with him were changing the Maiden's naturally water attuned aether over into umbral aspected ice and it seemed to be feeding into the string of depression he was feeling too in sudden waves.

Whatever had corrupted the elemental had likely created this effect as well.

A deep frown as Sari could almost see those freezing aetherial pathways. He was no conjurer in control of the elements. HIs bloodline's healing came from the movement of the stars above them, the guidance of ancestors who'd joined Nhaama's nocturnal ranks. He knew how to mend wounds, cure certain ailments like poisons but this...

A deep sigh. But he had to. Help was too far. He couldn't call anyone. <Mother, Father...please don't have left my side yet,> the Qalli whispered quietly. <Guide me.> Sari moved a hand over Mori's body, 'gathering' the corrupted aether in one spot. Trying to remember his studies. What defeated ice. Fire likely. But his own aether tended towards wind. That would be of no help. And fire aether was rare in the Shroud. But he'd have to try and push that corruption out. Gaze steady, concentration on his face, Sari 'pulled' at the ice, the celestial healing trying to entrap and confine the ice in 'chunks.'

There was a low sound. Discomfort as the aether was moved and pushed against its natural flow to concentrate where that 'ice' was. If the bond with Taiyou hadn't been severed with the loss of the shrine, there would have been fire there to reach out towards. It was why the Auspice and the Maiden worked so well in balance to one another. Now? It wasn't there. The Raen’s fire aether inherently a lesser thing.

The aether didn't resist the attempt, however. Saranqerel would be successful in that much. As long as it was contained and bound in place it wouldn't leak out and keep trying to convert the rest of the astral water.

A relieved sigh as he managed to contain it. Now...removing it would be an issue. It was still Mori's aether, it couldn't just be thrown aside without consequence. He had to soothe ice back into water. Which meant he had to push back corruption.

"I'm sorry if this feels unpleasant, Mori..." He didn't add that he had no idea what he was doing. It was instinct now. His concentration stayed firm, the thundering of the waterfall an oddly calming monotonous sound. Water to water. A glance over. Perhaps that natural water aether of this place could be pulled in as the ice was pulled out? Nhaama...that sounded terrifying to even attempt with his lack of experience.

Mori reached to rest a hand against Sari's. A moment of reassurance as he picked up at the unease. Yes. He think he understood what the other was thinking of doing, but the maiden had no ability to heal anymore or refine aether. He could reach it and create connections but to heal? Without Taiyou's presence he had lost that. He at least knew what to do.

"Use the water as a river, the stars can align with the aether and guide it. So trust in the way the two align." A weary little smile then to reassure him.

The worried look on the Xaela's face was plain to see. "I don't want to do something wrong." If he killed this kind man instead of healing him...that would be it. he'd be done.

"Don't worry," a small smile, "you'll do just fine."

His tail was coiled close about the two of them. But...he had to. Either way Mori would die. Sari could do nothing and watch the other be consumed by malignant aether or he could try. A nervous gulp, trying to steady his concentration again. Listen to the water's force not too far off. The sun was crawling in the sky, chasing away the remnants of the night. But the stars were still there, he knew it. Could feel them. The light of the stars flowing down in his mind, up the water, into the cavern. The substitute aether was here, available. Now...

It was like weaving. He could do this. he'd been practicing. And so Sari was quiet as he worked, trying to slowly trade out the aether 'piece' by 'piece.'

It wasn't comfortable. Moving aether from a body and refilled it had a discomfort to it that merited his eyes closing once more and hand clenching upon the other's. Though the ice eased away and seemed to flow away with the movement of the water aether from one point to another.

The tightening of the other Au Ra's hand on his worried him. But progress was being made, he could feel it. So Sari did the only thing he could think of to comfort, something that didn't require much thought. And he sung that lullaby again, soft. The river of celestial infused water aether continued to bind onto the healthy strands, chasing the ice away. It would take time. Likely a long time to Mori. A half bell later, Sari was sweating and hands shaking from the effort.

It was certainly comforting. Though the Raen surprisingly was tough enough not to pass out. No. This hadn't been too bad. Just uncomfortable as aether was replaced. No wonder the menders at the shrine often used remedies to put the others to rest. Even he was sweating a bit after that, especially now that he was suddenly back to normal after being so cold.

"Your voice is lovely..." He mumbled in that tired state.

Sari wanted to lay down and sleep himself after the tension seeped from his body after that long of healing effort. "Thank you...though it's not really..." His magitek hand, unable to channel aether all this time, went up to brush hair from his face, the dark strands stubbornly stuck there with perspiration. "How are you feeling?"

"Just accept the compliment." There was a little laugh at that, but he wasn't laughing at the Qalli. Not really. He just opened his eyes back up to look back up towards Sari then. "And better...thanks...you should rest."

He was quiet for a moment, trying to assess if the shrine maiden was truly ok before he reluctantly nodded. There was no way he was capable of another marathon healing session like that even if it was needed. Slipping his hand free frm Mori's, Sari settled down on the cool rock, arm under his head. This was fine, comfortable enough. His eye drifted closed, facing the other.

Mori shifted about where he laid on the mat and just turned about. The aether was fine. It didn't seem like any part of the corruption maintained itself since it wasn't something that had the right barbs to stay stuck. The shrine maiden just starting to drift off themselves to fall asleep again. "You should use the blanket too..." The raen mumbled.

But the hunter was already out for the count, exhausted. Jebe peeped, the sound echoing in the cavern. He wanted to be fed, dammit. Guess he was finding his own food. The bluebird flit off towards the area of the Lifemend Stump.

[theriskbreakers-rp]

Ashelia Riot stands before the Gates of Judgment; her eyes are closed, and though she is steady on her feet, she looks to be deep in meditation; as she stands, seemingly oblivious to the world, Ishgard's horns of war begin to blare. The Horde approaches on the northern horizon. Livvy Ahtynwyb: ...This is it. Chakha Sagahl readies for battle. Sylvan Rain: For me, this is almost a relief.. If we win this we will finally be free of this wyrm. Nivelth Ajuyn is quiet, merely pulling out her tome and summoning her egi to float behind her in readiness. Ashelia Riot: ...Is everyone ready? Iieha Beautemps: ...As... As ready as I can be. Chakha Sagahl bounces on her feet, eager to get going. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn stamps her feet on the icy cobblestones. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: I wish I shared 'er optimism, but, well, I got my voice an' I got my bow, so... Varaelian Nilhandril steps forward and puts a hand on Iieha's shoulder. Varaelian Nilhandril: You can do this. Ivaan Arkwright nudges Rivienne Marcellus with his elbow. Ivaan Arkwright: Stay away from any precipices, okay? Ivaan Arkwright’s face is stone, though Rivienne Marcellus knows him well enough to know it was an attempt at reassuring humor. Rivienne Marcellus slowly turns to Ivaan and chuckles. Rivienne Marcellus: Nay, I shalt not fall, not when theres blood to be spilt. Art thou ready then, Arkwright? Ivaan Arkwright: I am at your side. Alaq'it Moks: The faster we are done, the faster we are home for dinner! Think of dinner. Alaq'it Moks prays solemnly. Iieha Beautemps looks over her shoulder to Varaelian Nilhandril and tries to give a reassuring nod. Ashelia Riot: As soon as the first wave touches down, the vanguard will charge. Van, lead yours at the first sign of encroaching flyers. A'zaela Linh says nothing, a blank expression on her face. She's anxious to be sure, but she was ready to fight Nidhogg again. To truly finish him. Varaelian Nilhandril: Aye. Good luck to yours. I'll keep the skies clear as much as possible. Etone Greennote chews the tip of an feathered quill while awaiting further instructions, his grimoire's pages threatening to flip over in the wind. Sylvan Rain: One thing we must remember... Nidhogg is more powerful than when we first fought him. Of course, so are we, but even still... The wyrm's bloodlust is unmatched. Be careful. Livvy Ahtynwyb nods to Sylvan Rain. Rivienne Marcellus nods to Ivaan Arkwright. With a mighty roar, the first of Nidhogg's brood alight upon the Steps of Faith. Iieha Beautemps feels herself practically freeze at the sound. Nivelth Ajuyn prays solemnly. Sylvan Rain: It seems things have begun... Ashelia Riot brandishes Rampager. Ashelia Riot: FOR EORZEA!

Chakha Sagahl: We'll send this shade to the Lifestream where he belongs and be back in time for tea! I'm not scared! Ivaan Arkwright draws in a slow breath, and dons his helm, locking his visage away within. Nivelth Ajuyn moves to clasp her hands together in prayer, murmuring softly under her breath, and then joins the warcry. Chakha Sagahl lets out a cheer. Varaelian Nilhandril turns to face the few with him. Varaelian Nilhandril: Ready yourselves and try not to hit me. Thanks. Alaq'it Moks: You are tall enough that I will see you in the crowd, I think. Rivienne Marcellus: Let us see how many shalt fall... Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: D'ye think ever 'bout wearin' like, a tunic? A nice, red dragon shirt. It'd be ever so 'elpful. Alaq'it Moks fails to understand Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn. Varaelian Nilhandril: Yes, because making myself so incredibly visible is always a good idea. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: Well, I'll do my best, then, shirtless. Iieha Beautemps dons her globe given to her by Hraesvelgr, keeping a steady concentration with her aether... Sylvan Rain tilts her head from side to side, an audible crack heard. Sylvan Rain: Let's put this godsdamned thing down for good. Chakha Sagahl: I'll watch your back, Master Sylvan. Livvy Ahtynwyb charges at the Grand Steward's call, immediately finding a dragon to fend away from a hapless Ishgardian knight. Overhead, several flyers drop in behind the vanguard, one of them headed straight for Alaq'it. Alaq'it Moks: O-OH DEAR. Alaq’it Moks rolls aside as fast as she can, but scrapes an ankle on a flagstone. Varaelian Nilhandril: Go! Varaelian Nilhandril calls, seeing another wave coming right after. Without hesitation, he roars into the fight. His teeth bared, he swiftly gets into the air and grabs at the drake after it fails its mark. Alaq'it Moks looks shocked. In mere moments, the bridge is filled with Ishgardian and Dravanian infantry alike, and the skies are swarming with dragons. Sylvan Rain: ...Van is a... dragon? Now I am truly confused... Iieha Beautemps watches carefully her allies around her ready to mend wounds when she can. The roars of the dragons muddle her thoughts... Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn quickly fires off a wide broadhead arrow at the passing dragon's tail, and shouts out a booming battle-song over the din of dragons. Etone Greennote quickly scratches quill to parchment, scrawling out some overly detailed arcanima. Tearing out the page, he crumples it and directs it toward Alaq'it's direction in hopes of shielding her from a future attack. Alaq'it Moks finds her self separated and somewhat surrounded, but moves toward Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn's song. Ashelia Riot, true to her word, takes up the back of the vanguard, taking out several of the dragons that slip past the vanguard. Iieha Beautemps: Come close to me and let me enchant you with strength! Iieha Beautemps draws from a card drawn; the Balance. The aether around her glows an odd tint as she utilizes the dragon aether deep within her to enhance the card further. Fire engulfs her allies to give them more stamina to push forward. A'zaela Linh spares no pardon, her spear finding the weakest points of a dragon's armor whenever possible. During the fight her blue aura flames around her once more, and her jumps become more frequent and stronger. Rivienne Marcellus: Death awaits them. Rivienne Marcellus’s voice is soft, though her blade slices through the very current as she rushes straight towards one of the dragons tearing into the infrantry. The bit of enchantment gives her enough stamina to push through the ranks and make her way to her mark. Ivaan Arkwright jerks his halberd free of the spine of a dragon headed for Iieha Beautemps, his eyes never leaving the sky. Ivaan Arkwright: Mind yourself. Sylvan Rain releases a large burst of aether from open palms, forcing two larger wyrms onto their sides before quickly charging forward and with an aether-charged fist she plunges it through hide and scale. Varaelian Nilhandril opens his talons and caught another larger threat and swung around, breaking it upon the walls and continuing after another with more in pursuit. Nivelth Ajuyn fires spell after spell, infecting dragons with sickness and slowly chipping away at them as the others move to finish them off. Her egi goes to pull several down, using a miniature tornado to do so. Alaq'it Moks looks at Varaelian Nilhandril in disbelief. Alaq'it Moks: And he thought WE'D accidentally hit HIM! A shadow looms overhead, dark enough to blot out even the sun. Nidhogg descends, charging toward the first target in the air he sees - Varaelian Nilhandril. Chakha Sagahl stops at the presence of a great wyrm approaching. She dodges a spinning wyvern, pointedly stepping on a fallen Ishgardian banneret's face as she runs. Iieha Beautemps looks to Ivaan with a furrowed brow and draws a card, sending it his way. She enchants it further with her draconic aether, her body glowing a purple hue giving off a powered balance to the man. Iieha Beautemps: I'm fine! Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: Well, look, right, that seems t'be what 'e's 'ere about... ah, bilge. Sylvan Rain: Come, beasts! Can you not crush a single woman?! Sylvan Rain shouts as she catches the incoming swing of dragon claws and after grounding herself, shifts her weight and with a sudden burst of aetheric energy throws the creature to the side. Alaq'it Moks: You THINK? They all move so fast, how can you ev-OH NO YOU DO NOT. Livvy Ahtynwyb looks up from a sword thrust at the elder wyrm; her face is one of pure horror. Rivienne Marcellus takes pause for a moment and gives a glare to the heavens as it darkens around her. A frown touched her features and she sees the beast descend, toward another, she didn't make time to register who it was - even. Rivienne Marcellus: Watch the heavens! Varaelian Nilhandril's roar was drowned by the fury that escaped the elder wyrm as it descended the skies and knocked him from the skies and onto the bridge below. Iieha Beautemps's eyes widen when she hears a crash onto the bridge. Her body shakes when she sees who descends from the sky. She almost feels her feet wanting to move, to run. Not away but towards. Iieha Beautemps: Drahn y morn! Sylvan Rain stops to see Nidhogg descend from the sky. She tries to hide it but she can't help but smirk, muttering to herself. Sylvan Rain: Finally... Nivelth Ajuyn: Althyk protect me. Alaq'it Moks stops and sighs. Alaq’it Moks: We will not be home in time for dinner, I think. Etone Greennote nods wordlessly as he scribbles across his gaudy grimoire casting a spell of protection on Varaelian Nilhandril and the rest of his group, following up with a round of shielding magicked barriers. Etone Greennote: That'll 'elp a lil, innit? Alaq'it Moks nods to Etone Greennote. Nidhogg lands, his vantage such that he now stands between the Riskbreaker vanguard and the support. Ivaan Arkwright found himself staring up in awe at the black shape swooping in from the north. It was bigger than he thought. Taking up a defensive posture he stood at the ready, constantly adjusting his aim to launch himself at the wyrm as soon as an opening presented itself. Iieha Beautemps: Nidhogg please, I beg of you! Stop this! Iieha Beautemps moves forward. Livvy Ahtynwyb shields an Ishgardian officer - a very tall Hyuran woman?! - as rubble flies everywhere at the wyrm's descent. Alaq'it Moks: THEY ARE-- Dusk Mother's breath, they are separated from us. Nidhogg simply roars in Iieha's direction; he charges straight for her, lashing his tail out behind so as to knock over all at his flanks. Varaelian Nilhandril shakes his head and pushes himself up and rushes forward, grabbing at him to hold him back as much as he could. Sylvan Rain: Do not waste your breath on this hopeless creature, Iieha. A petty beast that has gone mad in his bloodlust! Sylvan Rain steps forward, pointing a finger directly at Nidhogg. Some might thing her mad for challenging the wyrm in such a way, but Sylvan had never been more ready to destroy this damned thing. Rivienne Marcellus narrows her gaze when she watches Varaelian Nilhandril fall, and a growl emits from her throat, a guttural sound. She looks to the blood of her blade and then runs to one of the few surviving soldiers, pulling them back behind her, she pushes a few to the ground to avoid the violent lash. Alaq'it Moks scans the skies for Varaelian Nilhandril but cannot pick him from all the things being knocked about in the encroaching darkness. Iieha Beautemps shouts as the aether surges around her. Iieha Beautemps: Don't...don't say that! Don't say that! Iieha Beautemps feels her body tensing up as Nidhogg has drawn closer. Ashelia Riot is ready to charge the wyrm from behind, despite knowing what is at stake if she does. Suddenly, another dragon approaches, one just as large as Nidhogg. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn two-steps a little over to the right. Livvy Ahtynwyb: That's... Iieha Beautemps: H-Hraesvelgr, Hraesvelgr! Ah... you're here---! Ivaan Arkwright had been a breath from launching once more, but the second roar of the approaching Hraesvalgr halted him. Hraesvelgr and his kin descend at last, and the two wyrms of the first brood have their standoff. Though they speak in their own ancient tongue, their words ring clearly in the minds of all in the vicinity. Chakha Sagahl: Such incredible power... Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: Such incredible volume. Now angered, the wyrms begin a duel in midair. Iieha Beautemps draws a card as she listens to their words. The Bole is drawn and with her ancient aether she enchants it and uses it on Vidofnir and Vedrfolnir. Iieha Beautemps: Fight with your might and protect those in need!! Varaelian Nilhandril lets go as he is swiped away and slinks off the cliff and back into the sky and land safely away to let his wounds rest for a moment. Sylvan Rain: Hmm.. Perhaps the words I exchanged with Hraesvelgr held some weight after all... A'zaela Linh: I'd say we have Iieha to thank. Iieha Beautemps: Hraesvelgr please---! Please keep fighting! Please! I believe in you! Iieha Beautemps tries to further channel up as much as her aether as she can. It's almost as if a low roar is heard from her surging aether. Rivienne Marcellus helps up the few that were not wholly injured and keeps her eyes to the skies as the battle takes flight above. She gives them reassuring nods before taking her blade anew and turning her attention to the path ahead while the shouting continues. Etone Greennote continues to feverishly scribble across the pages of his grimoire, ripping and crumbling a seemingly infinate number of pages into the aether in an attempt to shield and heal his charges. The redhead's Eos fairy, Greenbean, assists with spot healing as well. The dragons' fray seems endless, more so for its viciousness. Aether of great magnitude and power swirls around the duo as they fight, encircling them completely until they are obscured from view... At last, a single dragon form falls from the heavens, its wing clearly broken. It is Hraesvelgr. Iieha Beautemps lets her globe fall to the ground as her hands cover her mouth in shock. She can feel her entire frame shake. Iieha Beautemps: N...No... no... No... Iieha Beautemps’s feet tell her to move and she tries her damned best, sprinting off to reach for him. Sylvan Rain: Iieha! Be careful! Sylvan Rain runs to her side, making sure she isn't flanked by other dragons. A'zaela Linh: Iieha--! A'zaela Linh immediately sprints after the young woman, fending off what dragons she can on her way. Varaelian Nilhandril: Iieha! Stay back! Nivelth Ajuyn focuses more on destroying the rest of the dragons that are headed for the city, the sickness consuming the horde, and then re-focuses on Nidhogg. Nivelth Ajuyn: Well. Looks like our cavalry died. Iieha Beautemps's tears well in her eyes as she thinks that the dragon has been slain... Ivaan Arkwright: Sylvan, CATCH! Ivaan Arkwright scoops up the discarded globe and hurls it to the Roegadyn, not wishing the young woman to be unarmed. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: Don't get separated! They'll drive a wedge atween us! Sylvan Rain turns, catching the globe and lets it levitate in her hand as she hands it off to Iieha Beautemps. Sylvan Rain: Focus! We must see this through... Iieha Beautemps: No---! I have to save him, I-I have to I have to!!! A'zaela Linh: I'll help her. Stay with the others, Sylvan, please. Rivienne Marcellus motions to her men to flank the dragons to try and give passage to those rushing forth; golden eyes are narrowed as she moved along with them, cutting down the remnants that stood in their path. Nidhogg lands. Nidhogg: Thou art weak, Hraesvelgr - a slithering wyrm who fawneth on the vermin who should rightly be his prey. For a thousand years I have fought without cease - and thou didst think to prevail against me! Ivaan Arkwright does his best to advance in the general direction of the fallen wyrm, but is constantly stopped by more foes in his way. Nivelth Ajuyn runs up next to Ivaan, spreading Bios and Miasmas in her wake, then launches another wave at the ones in front of the dragoon, weakening them severely. Sylvan Rain: Hraesvelgr will be alright, but we must stop Nidhogg lest this destruction continues. Sylvan Rain dashes past Rivienne Marcellus, looking to her briefly with a nod. Her voice erupts into a roar and she intercepts a larger wyrm that was heading in the direction of the others. She releases the power of the Forbidden Chakra and her fist collides with its face causing it to fall on it's side. Sylvan Rain: Rivienne! Finish it! Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn points at the dragons, helpfully, and remembers to shoot at some of them, but the smaller ones this time, having reasoned that firing even a Roegadyn-sized arrow at Nidhogg might as well be flicking sticks. Iieha Beautemps finally makes her way to the fallen wyrm and her hands touch the mangled wing. The blood stains her hands and her body shakes. She's trying to use the aether around her to heal but tears overcome her and her focus is lost. Iieha Beautemps: Hraesvelgr please... please don't die. I don't want to lose you... Iieha Beautemps’s aether whips widely as finally, the wyrm speaks to her in ancient tongue. Hraesvelgr: Sohr dran hern. Alaq'it Moks heads forward to attempt stabbing smaller dragons where Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn has shot them. Livvy Ahtynwyb fends off an entire pack of dragons - a dozen or more - from reaching the fallen Hraesvelgr and the girl beside him. Ivaan Arkwright lashes out, the serrated blade of his halberd crashing through the thin neck of the wyvern that had been harrying him, a gout of dark blood splashing across his armor. Rivienne Marcellus sees Sylvan and the company push from the corner of her eye. At her attack, the maiden rushes and bashes the side of the face with her shield, only for steel to rip through from underneath it and pierce the throat. Rivienne Marcellus: More! Bring me another! Iieha Beautemps presses her face into the feathers of Hraesvelgr's face. Iieha Beautemps: I don't want you to die... I don't want us to give up, but... what can we do? Iieha Beautemps feels herself weep harder as the dragon bares his teeth to her. Hraesvelgr: To give up? I lend my strength and you would shed tears? Hraesvelgr grunts low in his throat as he urges her to pull away. In that moment his eyes open, but there is a hole in one of them. Iieha Beautemps, being ushered back, takes notice. Did Nidhogg take his eye?! Sylvan Rain: Another, you say?! Sylvan Rain is perhaps a bit too excited for this, but she obliges Rivienne Marcellus by propelling herself to the nearest dragon and in a single blow to the knee, dislocates the joint. Sylvan Rain: One more! A'zaela Linh rushes to Iieha Beautemps's side after finishing a battle with another of Nidhogg's brood. She shifts her lance to one hand so that it is still at the ready, but she places her other on the girl's back. She knows not what to say that could possibly quell her sorrow, but she knows she must do something to help. Hraesvelgr: To challenge my brood brother, take my full strength. Use it. Do not let it go to waste. Iieha Beautemps’s hands reach out to the massive eye offered to her. Hraesvelgr: I shall rest and you shall fight. Iieha Beautemps holds it in hand, the aether practically bleeding from it. Livvy Ahtynwyb looks over her shoulder at Iieha Beautemps... and stares in awe at the thing in the girl's hands. Ashelia Riot: An eye! A'zaela Linh sees this as well, her eyes widening. Her first urge is to run away from the bloody thing, yet...she does not. Iieha Beautemps: The aether bleeding from it... it's not like Nidhogg's. It's different. Iieha Beautemps looks to the resting Hraesvelgr and then to A'zaela Linh. Iieha Beautemps: I... have to use this for us. A'zaela Linh would in any other circumstance have shaken her head and run, but finds that she can't entirely say no. She trusts Iieha Beautemps, but she has no plans on putting her hands on the eye herself. Ashelia Riot: All diversionary units! Keep the Horde with us! The others must be allowed to fight the wyrm uninterrupted! Sylvan Rain's attention is stolen by the dragon eye and she calls out to the other Riskbreakers. Sylvan Rain: Do not let Nidhogg obtain the Eye! Protect Iieha! Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn pushes forward to fire on the lesser drakes circling their master. Fhiliht Merlhaemrwyn: Is that, uh.... legal?! I mean, allowed? I mean, with th'eyeball. Ashelia Riot: CUT THEM OFF! KEEP THE HORDE FROM THE EYE! Alaq'it Moks fumbles through her pack; the fray cannot be allowed to come forward. Alaq’it Moks runs forward with... kupo nuts?! Alaq'it Moks: YOU WILL ALL BEHAVE YOURSELVES! Alaq'it Moks launches the nuts toward the Horde and hides. The kupo nuts EXPLODE with an enormous bang and the Steps of Faith crumble. An entire section, the one containing Nidhogg and the vanguard, separates from the rest of the bridge. Iieha Beautemps holds the eye and feels the bridge begin to break. Iieha Beautemps: W-What's happening?! Alaq'it Moks: They are... they are cut off now, well and truly. We must hold our own here. The aether from the eye dispels, spreading its power to each of the eight fighters facing Nidhogg’s shade. Livvy Ahtynwyb has partaken of such power before, and it is easier now that she has a team she fully trusts. A'zaela Linh: ...Kupo nuts. Iieha Beautemps channels her own aether around her and the eye. There is a vague shape of a massive dragon around it that ushers a roar as the eye disappears into aether and spreads among all of those present on the bridge. Ivaan Arkwright had been on the other side of the explosion, but with a simple jump the obstacle was cleared, the dragoon rejoined with the party. Sylvan Rain: Everyone together! It is time we ended this! Rivienne Marcellus runs down the back of the dragon and points her blade forward, holding her shield up, and grounding herself, from any incoming debris coming her way. Ashelia Riot: TWELVE BE WITH YOU!

[skyholding]

A’onisya Aesthetic

BOLD what applies to your muse.                                                                   Remember to REPOST.                                                                                             Feel free to add to the list!

[ COLOR ]  red. brown. orange. yellow. green. blue. purple. pink. teal. silver. gold. grey. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. royal purple. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green. magenta. pastels. bubblegum pink. blood red. ivory. sky blue. white. black.

[ ELEMENTAL ] fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. day. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. clouds. light. smoke. umbra. penumbra. char. darkness. ash.

[ BODY ]  claws. long fingers. fangs. teeth. wings. tails. lips. bare feet. freckles. bruises. canine. scars. scratches. ears. wounds. burns. spikes. sweat. tears. feline. permanent wounds. chubby. curvy. short. tall. height. feathers. webs. eyes. hands. muscular. slender. trained. piercings. tattoos. strong. weak. birdlike. shapeshifting. junoesque. svelte. long hair. short hair. dark circles. big. voluptuous. small. prosthetic. experimented. cyborg. halos. horns. wolfish. effeminate. frightening. ethereal. angelic. demonic. metallic. angular. scales. barbs. vertebrae. barbs. tendrils. tentacles. sharp. soft. unusual. shapely. unnatural. disproportionate. spindly. monstrous.  

[ WEAPONRY ]  fists. swords. daggers. spear. scythe. bow and arrow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. power loader. flamethrower. metal rods. shotguns. needles. prowess. ability. instinct. bloodthirst. supernatural. inhuman. talons. speed. agility. cunning. reflexes. talons. biomech tendrils.

[ MATERIALS ]  gold. silver. platinum. titanium. diamonds. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emerald. ruby. topaz. amethyst. metal. iron. rust. steel. glass. wood. porcelain. paper. wool. fur. lace. leather. copper. silk. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. asphalt. brick. marble. dust. glitter. blood. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. shadow. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. yarn. slime. ivory. aether. crystal. dark matter. lapis lazuli. adamantite. wootz. brass. lamé. guipé. bone. moonstone. metalloids. alloys. ceramic. alabaster. marble. aluminum. steel. bismuth. bronze. polonium. chrome. osmium. sand.

[ NATURE/EVINRONMENT ]  grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. tulips. holly. lavender. lilies. petals. thorns. sunflowers. seeds. hay. sand. rocks. snow. ice. roots. flowers. ocean. river. lake. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. swamp. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. stars. clouds. mountains. fungi. cliffs. sunlight. moonlight. darkness. wasteland. void. cities.

[ ANIMALS/CREATURES ] lions. wolves. black panther. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. snakes. turtles. ducks. bugs. roaches. tarantulas. scarabs. spiders. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. bunnies. praying mantis. crows. ravens. mice. lizards. frogs. bears. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dinosaurs. dragons. felines. foxes. centaurs. antelope. chimeras. demons. angels. parakeets. harpy eagles. seagulls. warblers. birds of paradise. parrots. toucans. crows. ravens. orioles. cobras. black mambas. peacocks. tapirs. carbuncles.

[ FOOD/DRINK ] sugar. salt. water. candy. bubblegum. wine. milk. champagne. hard liquor. beer. coffee. tea. spices. herbs. apple. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. steak. burgers. burritos. pizza. vanilla. cookies. chocolate. tiramisu. cheesecake. sushi. tempura. pasta. pastries. garlic. bread. noodles.

[ HOBBIES ] music. art. piercing. watercolors. gardening. knitting. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. murder. fighting. fencing. riding. writing. composing. cooking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defense. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. tinkering. video games. computer. phone. movies. theater. libraries. books. magazines. poetry. philosophy. cds. records. vinyls. cassettes. piano. organ. violin. cello. guitar. electronic guitar.  bass guitar. harmonica. synthesizers. harp. woodwinds. brass. trumpet. flute. drums. bells. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. motorcycle riding. eating. climbing. tree climbing. running. vivisection. reading. learning. lecturing. teaching.

[ STYLE ] lingerie. armor. cape. dress. robes. suit. tunic. vest. shirt. boots. heels. leggings. trousers. jeans. skirt. shorts. jewelry. earrings. necklace. bracelet. ring. pendant. hat. crown. circlet.  helmet. scarf. neck tie. brocade. cloaks. corsets. doublet. chest plate. belt. sash. coat. jacket. hood. gloves. socks. masks. cowls. braces. watches. glasses. sunglasses. visor. eye contacts. makeup. pantyhose. stockings. thigh highs. eyepatch. collar. bangle. torque. gorget. bracers. cuffs. body jewelry. crop tops.

[ MISC ] balloons. bubbles. cityscape. landscape. diligence. light. dark. candles. war. peace. money. power. percussion. clocks. photos. mirrors. pets. diary. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. happiness. optimism. pessimism. realism. misanthropy. loneliness. anger. family. synthetic. friends. assistants. co-workers. plushies. enemies. lovers. loyalty. smoking. alcohol. drugs. kindness. love. embracing. magitek. futuristic. ancient. science.  voidsent. cruelty. trust. mistrust. strength. doubt. reverence. ferocity. danger. automatons. metallic. allure. value. intelligent. revolutionary. defiant. advanced. engines. naïve. temporary. changing. split personality. paradigm shift. belief. freedom.

Tagged by: @crystalarcanist

Tagging: anyone who sees it & wants to do it!! This was really cool; I went purely on instinct and found the results interesting. :D Thanks for the tag!! (oh but I’ll throw it at @naihtan-jinjahl, @lifeofaernthota, and @silverlining-ffxiv if they’d like~)

[verdandir]

Deity | Verdandir Sadi

                A Reluctant Goddess                                ‘Why did you create me?’

DEITY OF: Healing, Peace, Wanderers, Acceptance, Learning

ASSOCIATED WITH: White feathers. Peaceful atmospheres.Soft singing of an unknown yet soothing language. The comfortable feeling of napping in a sunlit spot with someone safe.

SACRED PLANTS: Baby’s Breathe, White Lily, White Heather Blossoms

SACRED STONES/GEMS: Abalone Shell, Celestite, Clear Quartz, Selenite

SACRED ANIMALS: White Dove, White Hind, Dragon

COLORS: White, Silver, Gold

FOOD: Herbal Tea, Milk, Rolanberries

SCENTS: Herbs, dry scales, deep forests, open mountain air

ACCEPTED OFFERINGS:

Given the ‘Reluctant Goddess’ does not actively seek offerings, any location can be acceptable to leave one if the proper intent is there for the worshiper except where violence has been recently done or where weapons are present. Those seeking assistance from her in matters of healing, wisdom in matters of reconciliation and acceptance or to create a safe place can leave small tokens to seek her attention and try to call her power to them in some manner.

Healing Herbs: A simple bundle of healing herbs neatly wrapped and placed in pure white silk. A plea for assistance in a difficult healing or to create a space where healing aether is strong/focused. If asking for assistance in healing another, through one's own power or by another, their name must be added to the offering on a piece of parchment wrapped around the bundle of herbs.

Sacred Stones: Travelers seeking to set up a ward around their campsites calling upon her power can offer up any of the stones sacred to her that have been sanctified. However they will not work if the one setting up the ward has done violence while carrying them without cleansing either the stones or themselves first.

Books: Books on history, forgotten lore, poetry or collections of songs are all things that will please her. One who seeks assistance from her wisdom will offer such items in a sense of trade, that she might grant knowledge in return or assistance in matters of parley and reconciliation. She favours those with open minds and hearts.

Her True Name: Knowing her actual name in Dravanian will draw the Goddess’ full attention directly to the caller, regardless of the time or place. Some whisper it will actually summon the deity directly to the one who utters it, though few know for sure, so rare is this knowledge, for her true name was said to be rarely used before her ascension.

Anything offered through violence, loss of life, or theft will gain the Goddess ire and disfavour. While she abhors violence and harm, due punishment must be visited upon those who violate others and She will turn to those who will see it done where She can not. It is believed rare for the Goddess to ever personally intervene in full for any prayer answered in a direct show of power except in extreme circumstances. That is to say, calling upon her will not cause a sick person to suddenly become well, for she believes in supporting and nurturing any who might call upon her rather than simply solving their problems for them. The only time this might be different is when her True Name is uttered and she feels drawn to appear, or at least has her full attention focused upon the caller. It is said she has two forms; that of a slight Au Ra woman with brilliant white scales and silver-white hair and that of a white wyrm with a mane of silver fire. Legends say that she became known as the ‘Reluctant Goddess’ due to being elevated to her position by the faith and devotion of humans while her own kind did not even believe in the divine.

Tagged by: @lordofcrowns

Tagging: @ofthefirstbrood @xiroplays-ffxiv