[centre][img]http://i.imgur.com/KtaFYg7.png[/img] [colour=black][i][b]The Timeless One, The Celestial Above, Vicegerent of Fate, Guardian of the Timeline, Master of Creation, Lord of Time[/b][/i][/colour] Level 3 God of Creation (Time) 11 Might 6 Freepoint & [img]http://i.imgur.com/EDjAraP.png[/img] Lifprasil, Vesamera, the First-Born. Level 1 Demi-God 10 Might & Belvast Level 3 Demigod of Physical Space (Portals) 12 Might[/centre] [centre][hider=Summary] [hider=Kho Khan Maths] 1 day on Galbar = 1000 years on Chronos 12 hours = 500 years 6 hours (360 minutes) = 250 years 72 minutes = 50 years 36 minutes = 25 years 7.2 minutes (432 seconds) = 5 years 216 seconds = 2.5 years (30 months) 108 seconds = 15 months 86.4 seconds = 1 year (12 months; 365 days) 7.2 seconds = 1 month 0.236 seconds = 1 day[/hider] Lifprasil realises his mother is dead He knows who did it Who goes to Belvast and tells him to come with him to fight Vowzra They go north They climb the Solitary Mount They fight the Guardian They lose He lets them through anyway They meet Vowzra They talk for long on many matters Lifrapsil pledges to ensure the world goes on forever and never ends He demands the Codex of Creation from Vowzra Vowzra tells him that is impossible, for simply being near it would now kill any divine being - it is the GodKiller, and only mortals can wield it (and any who wield it cannot be in anyway influenced by divine power in ANY way. Cannot be smited. Cannot be insta-killed. Cannot be manipulated. COMPLETELY independent. Vulnerable to other mortals only. The Codex is then made to disappear from the Cube and given to an unknown mortal Belvast meets his brother, The Bard, and is given some gifts to help him on his way [-1 Might for Short-Sword; -1 Might for Bow] Vowzra: 9 MP 6 FP Remaining [/hider][/centre] Even as Vulamera's essence was sucked away by the Codex , Lifprasil stirred and knew that all was not well. Though it had been but a few days since the great battle against Grot, and even though the peace summit would soon be taking place, he knew he had to go. Something was terribly wrong. His link with his parents had never given him cause to worry about or fear for them, yet he now felt both - for his link with his mother had deteriorated rapidly. It was so faint, in fact, that it could hardly be detected or traced. But he felt it still. Taking a walk and finding a calm place beneath a tree, he closed his eyes and tried to trace the link. He had, in the past, been able to glimpse snippets of what his parents were up to when he tried hard enough, and this time was no different. Except that this was no mere snippet, for in her final moments Vulamera had sent her child a mental message relaying all that had occurred, and even though she seemed to have been absorbed into the Codex, her essence was still very much independent and alive - and so the link, though very faint, remained. Finding her, it seemed, was no issue. But getting there [i]was[/i] an issue, for Vowzra had altogether removed her from the Universe. His mother's faint trail, from what he could see in his mind, went all the way to the north and disappeared there. He would need to find Belvast and set-off with his trusty cat-friend. Perhaps having a son of Vowzra by his side would make the elusive god more welcoming and willing to do as Lif requested. He set off around the Valley to find Belvast. Belvast in the meantime was spending his idle hours plucking the fruits of the valley, taking small bites from something kind of like an apple, he supposed, sitting atop a spacious hill with his pack of knick knacks at his side. The breeze blowing by made his ears fall flat against his head, but it felt nice. Just wasn't so nice to feel Zephyrion's element swishing around in his head. Waving to some of the hain as he saw them, Belvast was at peace for the moment. Seeming to appear out of thin air, Lifprasil was suddenly towering above the small demigod, a grave look on his otherwise calm face. [b][color=B05F3C]"Oh. Hello Lifprasil."[/color][/b] the demicat greeted with a small wave as he lied on his back. [b][color=B05F3C]"How are you on this fine day?"[/color][/b] he asked, his ears popping up once again at their full length. Belvast seemed completely oblivious to the fact that there were far more serious matters on his friend's mind than how fine the day was. But perhaps the little demigod showed a wisdom too deep for Lifprasil to grasp. Or perhaps Belvast was just a kid. But then again, he had been travelling for countless millennia, it was not possible that he remained so naive...maybe this little guy hid a far greater depth and wisdom than Lifprasil realised. He would have to watch and see... [colour=orange]'Yes. Fine day,'[/colour] he said rather bluntly, [colour=orange]'but I have somewhere I need to go, and I will need you by my side. Your father has proven himself a most vengeful and terrible being, and he must be stopped,'[/colour] Lifprasil watched Belvast carefully to see how he reacted to these words. Belvast's expression scarcely changed, though there was a certain...disbelief in his eyes. Blinking twice before he answered, Belvast gave a reply of: [b][color=B05F3C]"Surely, this is a misunderstanding...Father isn't...what do you need to see him for, really?"[/color][/b] It was clear that this wouldn't be that easy at all. Belvast still loved his father, despite how long it had been since he had even met with him. [colour=orange]'Your father has stolen [i]my[/i] birthright, the Codex of Creation, and has weakened my mother so much that she will probably never again be able to manifest any kind of consciousness. I will reclaim what he has stolen, though nothing I can do will return my mother's strength,'[/colour] and though his words seemed angry yet they were said with the greatest calm and casualness, as though Lifprasil was not at all affected or concerned. [colour=orange]'We will need to travel to the north, to the great mountain there, and we will need to investigate it, for that is wher my mother's trail ends. It is my firmest belief that your father has taken the Codex and my mother's essence to a pocket dimension of some kind. Either there will be some kind of entrance in the north, or we will need to find a way to access it. I believe your ability will come in most useful for that,'[/colour] he paused and surveyed Belvast coolly for a few seconds, [colour=orange]'what do you say? Are you with me in this? Even if it potentially means gaining the ire of your father...'[/colour] [b][color=B05F3C]"I.."[/color][/b] Belvast started before he pulled his hat over his ears and eyes. He seemed...visibly distressed. Naturally, since Lifprasil was the demigod of Emotion, he'd likely be able to tell that Belvast was distressed. Distrusting. Confused. [b][color=B05F3C]"I don't know..."[/color][/b] he gave as a dodgy response. He didn't seem to WANT to answer. This was all so...out of the blue and confusing for him. Lifprasil had no desire to influence his friend's decision, it seemed...underhanded. Sure enough, Vowzra had wronged him, but he was not going to sink so low as to manipulate his friend. He did, however, perhaps out of some small amount of pity, attempt to dispel the feelings of confusion around the demicat. [colour=orange]'There there Belvast, be calm. Let us be on our way, perhaps you will clear your thoughts once we get out of this strange place,'[/colour] he looked around himself at the valley. It was a beautiful and blissful place, that was true, but it was also...rather unnatural. [colour=orange]'To the north, Belvast?'[/colour] he turned back to the demicat and smiled. Belvast's confusion faded, but the doubts were still clear as he opened a portal to his left, saying: [b][color=B05F3C]"You are my friend...and I doubt you would lie to me, but...I have my own suspicions I need to investigate. I'll come...but I won't help you if this gets violent."[/color][/b] as he slowly stood up. It was clear that he was ready to see Vowzra himself, to question him, but a very large aura of...fear permeated from Belvast. He was terrified at the prospect of losing his father, especially after the promise he'd made at the dawn of the 7th day of his life. Without hesitation, Lifprasil stepped through the portal with all the calm and coolness of one who entered their own home. Behind him Belvast followed. They found themselves on the shores of a huge lake, surrounded by thick forest. In the distance, a colossal mountain consumed the horizon. At its tip, Vulamera's mental trail came to an abrupt end. Lifprasil turned to Belvast and pointed to the mountain. [colour=orange]'There, Belvast. To the top,'[/colour] and with that, he stepped forth onto the lake and walked across its surface as though it were solid land. He kept walking until he reached the bottom of the mountain. Once there, he noticed that there was something very odd about the fog. Being near it made him feel...weak. Heavy. He turned back to Belvast. [colour=orange]'Do you feel that?'[/colour] Belvast literally hadn't moved from the spot, a portal sitting right next to him as he stared at Lifprasil. [b][color=B05F3C]"No."[/color][/b] he replied simply before sticking his hand through, the black paw visible from the mountaintop. Lif smiled, understanding what Belvast was trying to tell him with this act, one did not [i]walk[/i] when Belvast was with around, and so made to step through the portal. But it was as though his foot hit a brick wall. He tried to put his hand through it, but the portal seemed to actively reject him. He turned to Belvast with a raised eyebrow. [colour=orange]'Do you feel [i]that[/i]?'[/colour] Belvast shook his head. He didn't understand...his portals were supposed to ALWAYS work. [b][color=B05F3C]"No...this has never happened before. I can go through just fine..."[/color][/b] he said in confusion, putting his hand through once more. [b][color=B05F3C]"Try again...this can't be happening like this. It has to be something else..."[/color][/b] but Lifprasil shook his head. [colour=orange]'No, I think I know what's happening. This is Vowzra's work. This fog affects me and does not affect you, and the portal rejects me and not you. It's clear. I will have to climb,'[/colour] he turned to Belvast, [colour=orange]'you wait for me at the top, I won't take long,' and without waiting to hear any protestations from the demicat, he began climbing.[/colour] As he inhaled the fog, he could feel himself weaken once more, and the further he walked the more breathless he became and the colder he felt. Things which would otherwise not affect him seemed to affect him here. Did Vowzra think he could stop him with this, though? Did he think a bit of cold and some climbing would be enough for him to turn away? The god of Time showed himself to be something of a fool, and he was not the only one it seemed, for Zephyrion had proven himself so long ago. Despite the hardships of the journey and his weakened state, Lifprasil soon crested the top of the mountain and found Belvast waiting there. Not too far away from them both, there sat a strange figure cloaked in white, and behind him was a giant flat slab of rock. [colour=orange]'Who is that?'[/colour] Lifprasil turned to Belvast curiously, [colour=orange]'was he there when you got here?'[/colour] [b][color=B05F3C]"He wasn't."[/color][/b] Belvast said, eyeing the stranger with suspicion before he slowly walked over and looked up at them. [b][color=B05F3C]"Hello. May I ask your name?"[/color][/b] he asked, trying to be kind to this stranger. [b][color=B05F3C]"Do you perhaps also want to meet with Vowzra?"[/color][/b] [url=https://s31.postimg.org/kt9ntpikr/Got_G.jpg]The Guardian of the Gate[/url] turned his cloaked and [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5b/dd/d0/5bddd005d54286a033c843a503d33fe1.jpg]shrouded[/url] head towards Belvast. Whereas long ago his beard had reached his chest, his face was now completely obscured by the white shroud. 'I have met the Lord before and expect to meet him nevermore. He told of your coming, my Lord Belvast. And though you are Worthy, still must you prove yourself to me should you wish to pass,' and he turned to Lifprasil, 'as for you, son of Vulamera, you have resisited the fog and climbed the mount, and should you wish to pass, you must prove yourself to me also.' Lifprasil took a step forward. [colour=orange]'We are not here to prove anything. We merely wish to see Vowzra. So if you would, good sir, step aside and let us pass. We have travelled far and have no wish to quarrel with anyone.'[/colour] 'If you wish to pass, you must pass the test,' and he looked back at the ground and would respond to no more of their questions. Lifprasil looked at Belvast quizzically. [colour=orange]'Odd fellow this one, isn't he? I believe we have no choice but to respectfully oblige him.'[/colour] Belvast nods, before saying [b][color=B05F3C]"I will accept taking this test if it means I can meet my father. But...what IS this test exacty?"[/color][/b] as he tilted his head slightly to the right. The Guardian didn't give them much to go on as for what the test actually was. Even as Belvast, the Guardian stood up and drew his wickedly curved blade. He hopped off the boulder he had been sat upon and leapt at Belvast, swinging horizontally at the demicat's head. Lifprasil stood there too shocked by this sudden development to react in time. His sword's usually feisty character seemed to have been dulled by the strange fog, and his armour was not reacting as usual. Yet despite it all, he watched with unshakeable calm as the Guardian's sword drew ever closer to Belvast... Belvast quickly ducked beneath the blade, figuring that since his portals might not work on the Guardian's blade, still attempting to form a portal to effectively make the Guardian strike himself in the back with his own sword. Without pause, the Guardian quickly withdrew his sword, as though he had been anticipating Belvast's attempt to open a portal. To the side, Lifprasil had finally drawn his blade and was swinging his sword at the Guardian, but as much as he willed, his body was simply not functioning as it usually did and his normally swift and agile form felt like it was weighed down by the Celestial Citadel itself. The Guardian easily parried Lif's strike and savagely kicked the demigod's feet from under him. With Lifprasil at his feet, the Guardian raised his sword high and prepared to gore him. Belvast raised up a portal above Lifprasil so that The Guardian would be unable to strike him, and another portal behind his back. However that was merely a distraction, as Belvast then lunged forward and tackled at The Guardian's feet to knock him off balance, prepared to grab his sword if he lost his grip. Rather than stab downwards, however, the Guardian leapt head first through the portal and reappeared above Belvast just as the demicat finished his lunge, and he grabbed at the cat's head with his free hand. Lifprasil had meanwhile managed to roll over and get back up. Belvast flailed around and attempted to claw at the Guardian's arm before he growled at him, his tails wrapping around his wrist in an effort to try and get him to let go. [b][color=B05F3C]"Hands off the ears!"[/color][/b] Lifprasil swung once more at the Guardian in an attempt to free Belvast, but the white-clad man - if man he was - simply rolled away, taking Belvast with him. Once he was some distance from Lifprasil, he violently swung Belvast around before throwing him into the sky and over the mountain top, where he would find himself facing a monumental fall. Lifprasil gave a mighty battle cry, aimed at shaking the Guardian's morale and injecting fear within him, before he ran at the Guardian, swinging at his head. The Guardian, seemingly unaffected by the cry, blocked and grabbed Lifprasil's wrist, wrenching it - and with it the sword-hand - away before attempting to stab the demigod of Emotion in the chest. But despite the fog's effect on Lifprasil and his divine weapons, the armour managed to neutralise the blow, and he punched at the Guardian with his free hand, which caused him to release Lifprasil's wrist and jump a metre or so back. Lifprasil looked around himself for Belvast. 'You didn't really, did you,' it was more of a statement than a question. The idea that he had thrown Belvast off the mountain to certain doom was ludicrous. Vowzra's henchman would not dare harm the god's son. And Lifprasil had no doubt that Belvast's portals would save him if it came to it. Of course, they would. Belvast had simply been redirecting the force of his launch by hopping in and out of portals farther down the mountain before a portal opened up behind The Guardian. This was a feint, however, as Belvast simply threw a rock through that portal before closing it, another portal opening above The Guardian, another rock being flung through at his head. Belvast wasn't a good fighter, but he was a damn good distraction. The first rock hit the Guardian resoundingly, but it did not seem to faze him. He turned around in anticipation of the cat, but found nothing there. Then a second rock landed on his head from above, just as Lifprasil charged and swung his sword again. The Guardian backed away, dodging the demigod's wild swings as though he were nothing more than a child. 'No skill,' the Guardian said coolly, 'no finesse. How can you pass if you are completely reliant on your divine powers? How can you pass if this is what you become without them?' and with that, he pressed forward suddenly, slipping past Lifprasil's sword, and grabbed his face before pushing him backwards into the ground. With Lif there, the Guardian looked around for Belvast, keeping one foot on Lif's sword arm as he surveyed the area. 'Come out, Lord Belvast, for your friend and you shall find here no success. 'Tis best you both turn tail and flee.' Belvast made no noise for a minute before there wasa soft cracking noise from far below on the mountain. A portal opened up a fair distance away from the Guardian, to which Belvast's voice echoed: [b][color=B05F3C]"If you want me gone, then you'll have to actually hit me first!"[/color][/b] before another rock was flung through. Without giving away his intentions, the Guardian suddenly leapt into the air and using the tiny rock (though how is a mystery), propelled himself through the portal it had come through. The Guardian would see that portal...lead to the open air over the mountain. Belvast had changed the first portal to change the destination before The Guardian went through...and from the looks of the boulder now coming through after him, it was safe to say that Belvast had done so again. [b][color=B05F3C]"Good luck dodging in the air."[/color][/b] the demicat said, as the singular boulder barreled down after The Guardian. As he fell, the Guardian let his cloak open up, and as the air caught on it he was wrenched upwards. For though he looked big and heavy, his weight defied his proportions. The boulder which came barreling down after him provided him with a solid surface. And yet again, he defied the laws of physics by grabbing onto the boulder and running on all fours across its bottom until he reached the top, wherefrom he took a giant leap and landed back on the side of the mountain. He jumped up the cliffs, and his movements were nothing short of spider-like - what normal man could move as such, after all? No more than a minute after he had gone through the portal, he was once again at the top of the mountain, where Lifprasil met him and they engaged once more in futile combat. At last, however, the Guardian stopped and returned to his boulder, and the flat rock behind him seemed to collapse in on itself and open up into a portal. 'The Lord has permitted your passing.' Belvast poked his head through his own portal. [b][color=B05F3C]"Wait...what? But we didn't win..."[/color][/b] he questioned, confused as he stood beside Lifprasil, putting his hat back on over his ears. 'Indeed you did not. And you could not. But the Lord desires you come.' Lifprasil bowed to the Guardian ever so slightly, in thanks and as a show of respect for one who has so resoundingly bested him, before he sheathed his sword. This creature had made clear to him the weakness of his state when stripped of many of his divine support. He would learn from this vital lesson - for who knew when he would have to face truly sinister foes who could likewise strip him of his divine aids? [colour=orange]'Thank you, Keeper of the Gate. I shall remember your lesson and your kindness. Come Belvast, let us take advantage of this act of charity,'[/colour] and he swept forward and walked through the portal. The Guardian looked at Lifprasil as he passed, and when he was gone he looked at Belvast. Belvast tilted his head as the Guardian looked at him before he asked: [b][color=B05F3C]"So...who are you exactly Mister Gatekeeper?"[/color][/b] as he started walking towards the portal. For a few moments, there was silence. Then the Guardian spoke. 'Is it so important that you know, Lord Belvast? You shall most likely never see me again, and it would do the world no harm should you forget me altogether. It would certainly do no good should you retain memory of me.' Belvast hopped up onto the Guardian's stone and said: [b][color=B05F3C]"What harm is there in knowing a name then? And you're speaking as if I'd never come back here...the convenient thing with my portals is that I can go anywhere at any time. So, who're you to say I can't come back?"[/color][/b] as he gave the Guardian a wide smile. [b][color=B05F3C]"Besides, my mother was fond of keeping promises. So if I promise to see you again, I will."[/color][/b] The Guardian raised his palm to stop the demicast from saying anymore. 'You are, as I have known since my inception, a most kind being, Lord Belvast. And it would certainly bring about within me a great joy to see you here again. But you misunderstand me. I do not say that you are barred from this place, it is merely a matter of what is possible and what is not. Is it possible, Lord Belvast, for someone to return to a place that does not exist?' Belvast too, raised his palm as if to stop the Guardian from saying any more. [b][color=B05F3C]"Of course it is."[/color][/b] he said rather simply, as if he didn't even have to think a moment about it to know it was true. [b][color=B05F3C]"Even if you aren't here, I can always find you again."[/color][/b] The Guardian bowed his shrouded head as if in thought. 'Then, should you find a way to make the impossible possible, I shall hold you to that promise, and shall wait on your return. And perhaps, if souls have a place where they all finally gather in the end, our meeting will be there, and there will you learn my name,' and with that, the Guardian shrunk and disappeared, and a tiny white spider skittered off the boulder and away. Belvast blinked a few times as he watched the Guardian disappear, the spider that likely was him skittering away. A small smile crossed Belvast's lips before he jumped into the portal after Lifprasil. [i][color=B05F3C]"Someday then, surely."[/color][/i] he thought as he ran after his friend. The best part of being a wanderer, he had to say, was the people he met. Five minutes after Lifprasil left Galbar, Belvast followed. As Belvast appeared in Chronos, Lifprasil turned and looked at the cat. [colour=orange]'By the gods, that took you a fair while!'[/colour] he muttered, looking back at the two strange figures who were dressed very much like the Guardian. They had not permitted him to move from his place for over three years. 'Not until Lord Belvast arrives,' they had said. And Lifprasil had been powerless to do anything about it, and so had sat tight. He was, however, a patient being. And though this pushed his patience and calm to the edge, he quickly came to understand that it was yet another opportunity for him to understand his limits and took it with good humour. Belvast looked...confused.[b][color=B05F3C]"But...that couldn't have taken more than a few minutes..."[/color][/b] he said, looking around at the two Gaurdians. [b][color=B05F3C]"Well...since I'm here, we can proceed, correct?"[/color][/b] The grim guardians bowed respectfully to Belvast before turning and leading the two demigods further into the Chronos hinterlands. They passed by flowing rivers, trees blooming with the sweetest fruits and animals unlike anything ever seen on Galbar. At one point they passed by a few Lifprasillians who gave Lifprasil a hostile glare. The demigod looked at them and instantly recognised the warriors who had been sacrificed when Astarte and Zephyrion experimented on the strange rock. To his surprise, he felt guilt tear through him very suddenly - he had not even paused to grieve for them or tell others of their sacrifice back then. He himself had swiftly forgotten them, and their names did not come to mind as much as he tried. [colour=orange]'Is this where souls come after they die?'[/colour] Lifprasil asked one of the white-clad humanoids leading them, but no response came. They eventually reached the foot of a great mountain, one of many others, and there upon a boulder, upon which grew a tree within which was a man-sized hole, sat Vowzra. And he was reading a book. [centre][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/12/11/3d/12113dc63e5489d2b59f51397d1c6c4c.jpg[/img] [i]And the fiery haired Prophetess did come to them, and all knew her as Ely, and though in their hearts they knew her to be true, yet did their tongues reject her[/i][/centre] Upon their arrival, he closed the great tome and looked up. Lifprasil looked questioningly at the book, for this strange plane had dulled his senses and he could not tell whether it was the Codex or not. Vowzra seemed to read him like he read the book, however. [colour=black][i]'Worry not, 'tis merely [b]The Record of the Eskandars[/b],'[/i][/colour] he assured the demigod, [colour=black][i]'not the Codex. Indeed, there no longer is a Codex.'[/i][/colour] Before Lifprasil could say anything, however, the god's eyes turned upon Belvast and he smiled. [colour=black][i]'Come here, child,'[/i][/colour] he said, [colour=black][i]'and ask me those burning questions of yours.'[/i][/colour] Belvast looked a little hesitant to do so, but after a moment ran over to ask: [b][color=B05F3C]"Father, what color is time?"[/color][/b] which, was the first question Belvast really asked growing up. More of a nostalgic saying than anything. [colour=black][i]'Whichever you choose to paint it with,'[/i][/colour] the Lord of Time replied, [colour=black][i]'and there are those who would add, "so long as it's black", but I am not one those.'[/i][/colour] Belvast smiled widely as he remembered those precious first seven days of his life, taking a seat and bowing his head. [b][color=B05F3C]"It has been...a long, long time. I'm glad to see that you're well."[/color][/b] he said, removing his hat, humbling himself before his father. Vowzra cocked his head slightly. [colour=black][i]'And did you ever think that I will not be well? Wherever you are Belvast, and whenever you be, know that your father is well and watches carefully over you. Now, tell me, what have you done and what have you seen?'[/i][/colour] it was not that Vowzra did not know, but there was something within him which wanted to hear Belvast say it and see him as he relayed his tales. Lifprasil, realising that he would still have to wait, came and sat down beside Belvast - and though Vowzra had killed his mother, he bowed humbly before him and showed him the respect that every god was worthy of. Belvast smiled eagerly, before recounting his journies from the moment he left home. For the thousands of years he had lived and the countless places he visited, he recounted each with astounding clarity and familiarity. The people, the places, the food, the animals, the feeling of the breeze on his ears, the times where he was scared, where he was brave, where he saved and where he was saved. All the little days and years of an immortal demigod, all spoken within an hour with aplumb excitement and attention to detail. If there was one thing Belvast had done, it was to remember to heed his wanderer's spirit. He hadn't only visited everywhere on Galbar that was nailed down within the last century, he had also for a time lived there. Breathed there. In Belvast's mind, every place had left a mark...one he was proud to talk about. Lifprasil gazed with interest at Belvast as he recounted his tale. He had to admit, he had never seen Belvast speak with so much passion and excitement...the emotions which fed off him were as nothing Lifprasil had ever felt around his parents, or around Zephyrion for that matter. He looked at Vowzra and wondered what exactly he had done to cause Belvast to feel this way towards him. Even as he sat there, Lifprasil knew deep within that his tie to his mother was nothing like Belvast's tie to his parent. Was it simply Belvast's personality? Was he naturally more attached? Or did the fact that he, Lifprasil, was the demigod of emotion, mean that such emotional attachments affected him less than others? He could not be certain. [colour=black][i]'And now you have travelled here,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra said at last, [colour=black][i]'with this son of Vulamera, this Little Empeor. Tell me, Belvast, why did you come with him?'[/i][/colour] Belvast looked up to Lifprasil before clenching his hands and saying: [b][color=B05F3C]"He...says that you have something that belongs to him. And that you have wronged his mother..."[/color][/b] as he looked down, unable to accuse his father to his face. [colour=black][i]'And what do you think of that, Belvast?'[/i][/colour] came his father's calm question. Belvast looked between the two, fear in his eyes. [b][color=B05F3C]"I...I feel that I don't know enough about the situation to make an accurate assumption...but I do not think Lifprasil would lie to me and come all this way with me for nothing. Father...do you have the Codex of Creation?"[/color][/b] [colour=black][i]'No, I do not think the Little Emperor would lie to you. But he may well be mistaken. After all, a belief that one is right does not make one right, is that not so, Belvast?'[/i][/colour] but Vowzra did not wait for a response, [colour=black][i]'as it stands, I did have the Codex of Creation, though I no longer do. And I did not wrong Vulemera, but she wronged herself,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra paused there and turned expectantly to Lifprasil, for he knew that the demigod had words to say, and he bid him speak. [colour=orange]'I saw you with my mother's eyes. You took from her the Codex, and you sealed her essence within it. There can be no doubting my link with my mother and my eyes, it was your doing. And then you took the Codex away, which is, as you must surely know, [i]my[/i] birthright. And you brought it here,'[/colour] Lifprasil had gotten to his feet at this stage, as though in preparation to face off against the god. Vowzra cocked his head. [colour=black][i]'[b]Your[/b] birthright? By what manner did the Codex of Creation, the amalgamation of the will of the gods, Fate, and Amul'Sharar, become the birthright of a lowly demigod who contributed nothing to it? Sit down and be silent, child, for you have little understanding of what you speak,'[/i][/colour] but Lifprasil was unfazed by this and remained standing. [colour=orange]'With all due respect, Fate and Amul'Sharar gave the Codex to my mother, and I am her heir. The Codex [i]is[/i] my right.'[/colour] Lifprasil took an insistent step forward, but the Lord of Time waved him away dismissively, and he found himself seated next to Belvast once again. [colour=black][i]'As I said, you have very little understanding of what it is you are saying. Let me explain to you what occurred in those times aforetime, and how it was that your mother usurped the Codex from me.'[/i][/colour] Belvast remained utterly silent, well aware of this not really being his fight. Especially since, in the end, it was at his father's whim whether they would go home with the Codex or not. There was not much two demigods could do against one of the most powerful gods, after all. Lifprasil looked at the god curiously. Was there something he had missed? He nodded deferentially at Vowzra's words. He would listen and see. [colour=black][i]'In those bygone before-eons, when my siblings fought amongst themselves as viciously and bllindly as they do now, I was of those who chose to watch. That was a mistake,'[/i][/colour] the Time god admitted to his error with surprising ease, [colour=black][i]'for it meant that when at last Fate intervened and siezed the Codex, none remembered my part. Though she was a goddess of the mind, Vulamera was the first to forget that it was I, not her, who was entrusted by Fate with the Codex. And when I came to take it, she robbed me of it. Yet, though Fate and Amul'Sharar made to intervene, I bid them leave her be. For I knew that what is Fated will be though all strive against it, and what is not meant to be will not be though all strive for it. And it was never Vulamera's to have the Codex - and look what it brought her,'[/i][/colour] his eyes pierced Lifprasil's, [colour=black][i]'did you see into your mother's mind towards the end, Little Emperor?'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil broke the god's gaze and looked away. For he had felt the strangeness which ebbed from his mother these last few years and the steady loosening of her mind's firmity. [colour=black][i]'And so it was not I who punished her, but she who with her own hands siezed both crime and punishment. I merely brought to an end her suffering - though were the decision mine, she would suffer yet.'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil gave the god a cool glare at these words, but respectfully maintained his silence. If Zephyrion had taught him anything, it was that gods did not like being interrupted. [colour=black][i]'You see, the Codex now returns to its Fated caretaker. It is no one's birthright. It was created by the gods and is the right of none other than Fate. And as was always meant to be, it is now no longer the Codex, but the raised fist of Fate which brings low whomsoever Fate doth please, and raises high whomsoever Fate wishes. It is the scourge of all transgressors. It is the GodKiller.'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil shook his head, clearly unconvinced by what Vowzra was getting at by all this. [colour=orange]'No, I do not enjoy this idea of there being a "grander order" than those that shape the Universe we reside in. Fate, I hope you can understand, is no master over me. It neither controls me nor my destiny. I foresee a future, a vision for a great world order where all creatures can live together in happiness and delight. A world where all the creations of the Divines can intermingle with fluidity and peace. This is my vision, this is what I shall work towards. And no "Fate" or "destiny" will be standing in my way. Though you are a mighty god, you cannot tie me or anybody else down with this, and I hope you will excuse me for saying so, distorted vision of yours, Lord of Time.'[/colour] [colour=black][i]'Of course Fate does not control you,'[/i][/colour] the god of Time retorted, [colour=black][i]'for Fate is fluid. Destiny is in the hands of creator and creation alike.'[/i][/colour] The demigod of Emotion frowned and again shook his head. What cryptic riddle was this? [colour=orange]'Now tell me,'[/colour] the demigod said, for he had decided that he would learn what he could from this seemingly knowledgeable god, [colour=orange]'why does Fate need to strike down transgressors? What do they transgress against? And what role do all these "gods" serve in the cosmic game?'[/colour] as he asked this, Lifprasil took out a little, aged game piece carved from the jaded stone of the Celestial Citadel. He rolled it around between his fingers before throwing it to Vowzra who caught it in a hand and inspected it. [colour=orange]'If the Divines are truly "gods", then why do they need to be influenced by something greater than themselves? What is the need for this greater order and what do they need to be unified for or against?'[/colour] and then the demigod motioned towards the game piece in the god's hand, [colour=orange]'is the creation of the Universe a game? Are Fate and Amul'Sharar just toying with the gods? Tell me. Tell me or...well, we shall otherwise have to fight, would we not? And I most certainly would not like that!'[/colour] he attempted to stand up again but found himself rooted to the ground. Realising this, he quickly settled down and pretended he had not tried to get up at all. [colour=black][i]'Fight whom you will, Little Emperor. You shall find Vowzra with you sometimes, against you sometimes, but with Fate always, and thus with Ultimate Order. But the true question is why should you fight me at all? Why do you not side with the Ultimate Order, the Order that ensures the Dignified Fate? For all things must and will come to an end. Whether that end is Dignified or not is in the hands of creatures like you and Belvast. You see, each Timeline has its own Fate. It is my duty to ensure a particular Fate, a Dignified one - the Fate of the Correct Timeline. If I do not act as I do when I do, then the Timeline will be lost and the Dignified Fate with it. The Will of Fate is not concrete - and so 'tis my duty to make the best Fate concrete.'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil had cocked his head and appeared deep in thought as the god continued. [colour=black][i]'Chaos is no common foe of mine, nor Order a friend. But to both do I reach out when 'tis their Time, and by so doing do I advance the Greater Order - or what may be seen as the Essential Chaos. There should neither Perpetual Chaos be, nor Perpetual Order: thus is the Ultimate Order, the Essential Chaos, the finest balance, the Greatest Timeline and Truest Fate,'[/i][/colour] he rolled Lif's game piece around between his fingers. [colour=black][i]'As for whether the world is a game - only those who cannot See the greater picture believe that to be the case. Your Vulameras. Your Jvans. Your Astartes and, to a lesser extent, your Illunabars. One must leave that narrow field of vision and rise up above it all, one must elevate oneself, that one may - in some little way - see the world as Fate and Amul'Sharar see it. For they are the greatest beings in the hierarchy that we gods and those mortals can see. And once one reaches them, one must look further up the hierarchy for answers, and then further still. The pursuit of the Truth, Little Emperor, is a life in itself. One must not be half-hearted about it, one must not be hesitant in seeking it out, but one must with courage and without shame sieze every opportunity to discover it, even if that means opening up the darkest caverns of one's essence and Seeing into it. But even as we seek, we must know the limits. We must not do as Vulamera did. We must not by deception and low-handed means seek to discover the Truth. For one who opens and looks within the Codex can never understand the Truth. How can one whose mind is ill-prepared to receive it take it? Just as the untrained mortal cannot survive the heat of battle, the raw mind cannot withstand the torment and trepidation of the Truth - else we suffer the Fate that Vulamera suffered, and accursed are we if we learn not from the past and grave mistakes of others.'[/i][/colour] Having listened to these words, something akin to wonder began to gleam in Lifprasil's eyes. [colour=black][i]'I cannot claim to have been made privy to the Truth, and I do not believe that Fate and Amul'Sharar themselves know it. But from the disjointed, fragmented shadows of memories from a thousand godly lives, this is what I can say I with some confidence know: are they divines that we see? - to whom mortals beg and plea. Nay, listen!'[/i][/colour] and at this Vowzra leaned forward and whispered, and he spoke as though he had at the tip of his tongue a most weighty revelation, and though Lifprasil found himself completely baffled by the god's cryptic language, he leaned in too, [colour=black][i]'divines only shadows be, cast by bodies we heed not.'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil shook his head. [colour=orange]'I...I don't think I understand. What is it that you mean?'[/colour] [colour=black][i]'Listen! Listen. Here, I will talk plainly. In this world, comrades, there is but one true God, there is but one truly Ultimate Being,'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil was about to interrupt, but Vowzra over-rode him for he knew what the Little Emperor was thinking to say, [colour=black][i]'and no, 'tis not Fate of whom I speak, or Amul'Sharar. 'Tis Time itself, Little Emperor. For you see, I am a god of Time, but I am not Time incarnate, and I have seen the Hells of Time and have felt the flow of the Time Stream; and Time itself is [b]alive[/b]. Or at least, that is what reason dictates. For I did not create Time. It was present in the times aforetime, of that there is no doubt. I merely set it a-ticking when the Universe burst into being, and now regulate its flow as needs be. Fate and Amul'Sharar merely do as Time commands - or perhaps they are not high enough up the hierarchy to receive commands from it direct, and so receive it from a delegate, which may itself receive commands from a delegate, and on and on till it finally reach the Great Being itself - Time Incarnate. Time, like Fate, is fluid. There are a near infinite number of Timelines - though this I cannot ascertain, for I see only one - and we, with our choices and decisions, move along any set Timeline. But it is for me, the god of Time, to ensure that all choose the Correct Timeline. What is the Correct Timeline, you ask? It is the one that leads to the Dignified Fate. And what is this Dignified Fate of which I speak? It is the end where Fate and Amul'Sharar are best pleased with us all. "Aha!" You may now say, "we have caught you! Why, oh Vowzra, is that so important? You are merely forcing your prejudices and personal beliefs upon us!" But listen here, and understand what it is that I say: it is because their pleasure means Time's pleasure, and Time's pleasure means that we will at last break free of this perpetually repeating cycle and rise up the greater hierarchy, and that means we will come one step closer to grasping the Truth,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra sat back and raised the game piece high above his head, looking into the Chronos heavens which opened up into the Gap. What, he wondered, was going on in that strange rift? Why did his own Timeline soon, very abruptly, come to a halt? Which of his siblings would it be? Where were...where were those eyes... [colour=black][i]'This world, this plane of existence, is not the real world, Little Emperor, and neither is the plane on which Fate and Amul'Sharar dwell. The real world is the one we will achieve once we reach the top of the hierarchy and seek the answers from the Great Being itself,'[/i][/colour] and with this Vowzra turned his ancient head and surveyed Lifprasil. [colour=black][i]'So what, Little Emperor, will you do? Will you side with the forces which will lead us to destruction? Or will you uphold the Ultimate Order and help this Universe towards the Dignified Fate?'[/i][/colour] For a long time, Lifprasil did not say anything at all. He clenched and opened his fist, then clenched it again. And even as he sat and thought about what Vowzra had said, he felt the strangest feeling overcome him, a twinge on the periphery of his consciousness not at all dissimilar to what he had felt when he confronted Grot: a presence hanging there on the edge, so vast he could not help but be paralysed with intimidation. [colour=orange]"Wh-what do you see as a 'Dignified' end to this Universe?"[/colour] Lifprasil asked with a slightly trembling voice, his mask of calm slipping ever so slightly, and only with difficulty did he replace it - so overwhelming was the feeling! He got up suddenly and started pacing, finding that Vowzra had released him from that seated position. It helped regain his calm. Turning back to the god, after having paced under the watchful eye of Time for a while, he spoke out once more. [colour=orange]'Are you but a slave to the intentions of the Ultimate Order? Have you no vision of your own?'[/colour] though his words seemed accusing, yet did he say them with a calm and level tone. [colour=black][i]'You doubt my vision, Little Emperor? After all you have heard from me? Know that I See with an Eye unlike any of my brethren, for the Time Stream is as a book before me. But even I cannot See with clarity always, this I do not deny. The parts of the Timeline that I can see are limited, but those that I can see I See with absolute vision and clarity, and all that I See leads to the Dignified Fate, and thus I aspire towards it. I can only do as I See, Little Emperor - and can you blame me for it? Would you have me do and bid others do as I do not See? Now I neither command you to do as I do, nor to see as I See. For you may look on your own, and see for youself,'[/i][/colour] and with that, he pointed behind him, over the mountains and to the centre of Chronos where the Cube sat, [colour=black][i]'you have but to read the Cube, therein is all the past recorded, and therein are the many futures held. And each sees a future none else can see. Each sees what each wishes to see. It is in one's hands to make that vision come about. It is one's choice,'[/i][/colour] he paused here for a few seconds before he added, [colour=black][i]'it becomes a choice between one's desires and the good of all. The Undignified Fate, the pursuit of desire, or the Dignified Fate, the pursuit of Truth. 'And were I a slave to the Ultimate Order, Little Emperor, that would be nothing to take shame in. It is not shameful to be a slave to that which gives Liberty. For are we not all slaves? Who isn't a slave? Who isn't enslaved by one thing or another? Is it not, then, the greatet liberty to be enslaved by the greatest Liberator? Indeed, if one takes up one's base desires as a master, ne'er will one prosper. It is my goal that we all achieve the Dignified Fate, wherever on the Time Stream that is, and however the Timeline twists and turns on the way towards it. Whichever Stream holds in it the Dignified Fate, that is the one I will unquestioningly deem as the Correct Timeline. [b]Anything[/b] that deviates from that is an aberration and will lead to disaster, and must therefore be neutralised. The suffering of one is a little price if it means the liberation of all, including that very one who suffered. And you ask me what the Dignified Fate is, exactly. Now that, I cannot say, for it is in constant flux. Fate is Fluid, the Timeline adjusts as we forge our destinies. What does not change, however, is the aspiration towards that Dignified Fate and the rejection of everything that makes us stray from it.'[/i][/colour] Yet again was Lifprasil silent as he thought deeply on Vowzra's strange words. Though, like Zephyrion, he spoke loftily, unlike Zephyrion's there was actual substance to his words. At last, his eyes widened in realisation. [colour=orange]'But...why? Why [i]must[/i] it end? If untold eternities lie soft in the bosom of Time, why are we forced to drive it all to a conclusion?'[/colour] Lifprasil seemed visibly upset by Vowzra's revelation. The idea that all things had to end was understandably upsetting, especially for an immortal being who knew not the woe of those who lived no more than three-quarters of a century before they forever expired. Yet slowly, ever so slowly, his expression lightened as a grander scheme began forming within the fog of his mind, and the fog cleared away till it stood in all its pristine glory in his mind's eye. [colour=orange]'Yes. Yes. There is no Dignified [i]Ending[/i] as such, but rather, we ourselves must, as one, ensure the grinding on of Time. We must create a Fate where all things can live and reside in one space, and all may be free; and Time in that space move ever onward. Things must be given a consistency to blossom into something truly liberating, they must be given Time. And to prune a Timeline to a close would be to stomp out something that may be better than a Dignified End: a Dignified Continuity. Why would Time ever be satisfied with or wish for this "Dignified End"? Endings are final, a finale to Time's plight would mean a finale to all things, would it not? Surely that is not Time's goal, but rather, its goal is that we elevate ourselves to a great, a grand and Dignified Continuity, forever and ever.'[/colour] Though Vowzra did not See as Lifprasil seemed to see, yet did he respond positively to the demigod. It was, at the very least, a start along the right line, even if his ideals and subjective feelings yet obscured his vision. [colour=black][i]'Yes, yes. There may well be a continuity as you say, though I have never Seen it as you wish for it to occur. The only continuity I know of as the relentless continuity of the cycle in which all our godly essences are eternally stuck. For instance, I have, with certainty, lived before. In many Universes, and in the Hells of Time themselves. And your father and I have most certainly crossed paths before, of that I am certain. We gods are far older than this Universe. We have existed before, and if we do not break free of the cycle as I have mentioned, we will certainly exist as we do now yet again. What this suggests, more than anything, is that Universes end - indeed, must end, for all that is created must come to an end - but Time continues forever. Just as men live and die, but their spirits live eternally, so too do Universes begin and end but their spirit - the flow of Time - continues forever, so that new Universes rise and fall, ever and ever, in an infinite number of dimensions, with an unknown number of divine essences. And perhaps, over each dimension - each world - there is a Fate and an Amul'Sharar, or guardians not too dissimilar to them, and they watch and oversee. But this calls up the ultimate question of why this would occur...'[/i][/colour] at this, he looked at Lifprasil, [colour=black][i]'and why do you think, Little Emperor?'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil looked down and thought, but he made no response to the Lord of Time's single question. [colour=orange]'Vowzra,'[/colour] the Little Emperor said at last, [colour=orange]'I will support you. But I will do so my way, on my own terms. I will support you insofar as that ensures the Dignified Continuity. And I want the Codex back, it is my birthright. However, if this Dignified Fate that you speak of is the only solution, then I will oppose it ever, and as forcefully and with all the arms and power that I can muster.'[/colour] Vowzra was silent, and again he looked at the jaded game piece. With a little smile, he closed his hand around it and turned to Lifprasil one last Time. [colour=black][i]'As for your promised support; do as you See. And it is my hope that you will grow wiser yet and See the wisdom in all things coming to an end. For, though you may fight it and reject it, it is a Truth which the Universe itself testifies. You have but to look around you, and you will See that there is nothing but it has a beginning and an end,'[/i][/colour] and Vowzra thought once more on the abrupt end he saw for himself, [colour=black][i]'even gods.'[/i][/colour] Lifprasil looked up with some shock at these words, but he could not deny it. After all, where was Reathos? Had he not felt, with his very own mind, his father's destruction of that god? And What of Julkolfyr? And what of his own mother? Vowzra threw the game piece back to Lifprasil. There was around it a small layer of bark. Lifprasil looked at the god in confusion - what was this for? [colour=black][i]'When that bark wilts and breaks away, you will know that yet another one of those beings which think themselves so great and so mighty and so wise has gone the way that all things go,'[/i][/colour] the gravity of the words descended very slowly upon Lifprasil's shoulders, and once they had done so, ne'er again would their gravity lift. Such was the weight of knowledge, such was the weight of one simple Truth. He looked uncertainly towards Belvast, wondering how he would react to this revelation, but the demicat seemed oddly relaxed. Perhaps he had not registered what Vowzra's cryptic words meant... [colour=black][i]'And as for the Codex. It is no longer the Codex. It is the GodKiller. Neither you nor I can so much as approach it. Only those beings we deem inferior, those mortals of our creation, can approach it. It is a killer of divines, its presence will tear us apart or eat away at us or cause us to fall apart over endless eons. And no god will have power or might over they who wield it. It is the clenched fist of Fate, and none wield it but the weak, those who we look down upon. Those whose lives are as leaves upon the wind before the ever-constant trees of our own. Yet look and See how mighty, with Fate, the leaf shall be,'[/i][/colour] and even as Vowzra spoke, the GodKiller was released from the Cube and disappeared from Chronos altogether. Back to Galbar it went, in the hands of an unsuspecting, unsuspected mortal. [colour=black][i]'So what arms and what might and what strength do you think you can muster that will halt the inevitable? Do you deny Fate? Then watch, Little Emperor, and I am with you among the watchers.'[/i][/colour]With these final words, Vowzra stepped forward and signalled for Belvast to follow him. When Lifprasil made to follow, the two strange guards stopped him. 'Ah, I see. Very well. I shall remain here and wait then,' he smiled amicably as he sat back down and thought on all that had been said. Belvast looked back at Lifprasil as the two guards stopped him, a sad look in his eyes as he realized just how...frustrating it must be. To have come all this way with nothing to show for it. Bowing his head slightly to Lifprasil, Belvast followed Vowzra, wondering just where they were going. Vowzra walked slowly up the mountain, Belvast following after him. The very earth below them seemed to aid them in their journey, and before long the mountains were far behind them and the strange wasteland beyond them, until they arrived at a place layered with crystals as far as the eye could see. [colour=black][i]'You follow a friend who will endanger you often, Belvast,'[/i][/colour] his father said at last. Belvast stared at the crystals in awe as he walked, before answering Vowzra with: [b][color=B05F3C]"Aww, not really...Lifprasil doesn't have me go out and fight anybody. Besides, as long as I have my portals I can stay safe..."[/color][/b], sounding fairly confident in his powers. The Lord of Time bent down and broke a piece of crystal from the ground and inspected it carefully. [colour=black][i]'That may be the case, Belvast, but I cannot take risks. My Time swiftly melts away and soon my ever seeing Eye will no longer See, and I shall no longer be able to watch over you. And so, before that comes to be, I must unburden you of the risk you bear by following the Little Emperor. I have prepared for you some gifts which shall, with Fate's will, aid and protect you on your way. Here,'[/i][/colour] and with this, he threw the demicat the little blue crystal. Once Belvast had it in his paws, Vowzra spoke. [colour=black][i]'You shall soon begin to feel it. When you do, let me know how it feels,'[/i][/colour] and with that, they began walking once more, deeper into the Chronos heartlands, until they reached the Cube, and upon it sat the Bard. [colour=black][i]'Belvast, say hello to your brother,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra turned to the cat and gestured to the Bard. Belvast gently ran his index finger...-ish paw thing over the blue crystal, curious as to what it was, besides pretty. Placing it carefully in the palm of his hand, he followed Vowzra along, occasionally looking down at the crystal to see or feel a change. Then as he was looking down Vowzra mentioned a brother. Wait...BROTHER? Belvast's gaze shot up and he stared long and hard at the Bard. [b][color=B05F3C]"W-Wait...you...me...b-brothers?"[/color][/b] he questioned, pausing for a moment before tackling the Bard and hugging him. [b][color=B05F3C]"Hello! I'm Belvast!"[/color][/b] Or at least, he tried to tackle him. He just ended up jumping into the Bard's lap with his arms about his brother's torso. The Bard laughed and put his arms around the little cat. [colour=olive][i]'And does the one and only Belvast need any introductions? Father has told me much about you, and I have often looked into the Cube to see how my older brother fares. 'Tis good to meet you at last, Belvast,'[/i][/colour] and with that, he placed the demicat beside him on the Cube. [colour=olive][i]'Is it Time for [i]that[/i] already, father?' the Bard asked. But Vowzra did not respond, 'don't worry, I'll take care of Chronos. And the Victors.'[/i][/colour] Vowzra nodded absent-mindedly at the Bard's words. [colour=black][i]'Did you make it?'[/i][/colour] the god asked him at last, at which the Bard nodded and jumped off the Cube. Near the pond lay a small, white chest plate, greaves, shoulder-guards and gauntlets, and the Bard turned around and gestured for Belvast to come closer and try them on. Belvast tilted his head curiously as he saw the strange white armor, and was confused on why Vowzra didn't answer the Bard. Slowly making his way over, Belvast put on the armor carefully, wondering if this too, was a gift. Still clutching the crystal, the demicat waited for a change in feeling while donning the armor. [colour=olive][i]'This is armour made from the silk of the Chronos Silk-Spider. Did you see the white-clad Victors who accompanied you? And the Guardian? All were clad in armour made of this silk, and their cloaks and shrouds are all of it. It is so light that you can't even feel it, but at the same time, you will not find any armour better than it. No metal can match it in toughness or weight, unless the metal is somehow magically altered,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra came up beside the Bard as his son spoke. [colour=black][i]'Between the Sertzstone and the this armour, nothing should be able to harm you. Yet I shall also gift you with this dagger and this bow, and it is my hope that you shall never find yourself so hard-pressed as to need either,'[/i][/colour] and with that, the god wrapped a little spider-silk belt around Belvast's waist, which had attached to it on one side a sheath wherein a long dagger sat, and on the other sat a bow sheath wherein was a little bow, and to which was attached a quiver. [colour=black][i]'May they serve you well, my child,'[/i][/colour] the god said. The Bard looked at his father as he spoke, and a little sadness seemed to permeate through them, but he quickly turned away and returned to his place upon the Cube, and there he sat and played a little happy melody with his divine lute. Belvast wasn't entirely sure what to say, dressed in armor that felt as light as a sock and looking like a proper midget cat warrior. But one thing he knew was the sadness that seemed to bleed through the two. Slowly patting Vowzra's back, Belvast asked: [b][color=B05F3C]"Is...Is something happening?"[/color][/b] as he continued to hold onto the little blue crystal. Vowzra made no reply, but he reached for Belvast's paw and tapped the blue crystal a few times, and it seemed to burst into life all of a sudden. [colour=black][i]'Ah, there we go...'[/i][/colour] the stone glowed and rapidly became warmer - though it got no hotter than what Belvast found comfortable. [colour=black][i]'Feel it now?'[/i][/colour] Belvast gave a small nod and held it close to his heart. [b][color=B05F3C]"Its very warm...and toasty. What does the stone do exactly?"[/color][/b] he asked, ears perked up with his curiosity. The god rubbed his son's head affectionately. [colour=black][i]'That, little Belvast, is for you to find out. Explore it, be kind to it, and in Time you will reap all the good you put into it.'[/i][/colour] The Demicat purred slightly as his head was rubbed. [b][color=B05F3C]"Thank you...um...does the stone have a name?"[/color][/b] he asked, feeling a sort of...spirit. As if the crystal was listening. [colour=black][i]'A name...yes. It does have a name. And it will tell you in due Time,'[/i][/colour] Vowzra replied. Belvast nodded, tucking the crystal into his pocket, smiling as he hugged his father. [b][color=B05F3C]"Thank you for...all of this. And for seeing me."[/color][/b] [colour=black][i]'Not at all, Belvast. It is I who should thank you for coming so far. Now return to your friend, and remember the Ultimate Order always, the Dignified Fate.'[/i][/colour] Belvast didn't bother to argue...he had a feeling Vowzra had a reason for all this as he always did. Slowly walking away, Belvast looked back towards his father and newfound brother and flashed a smile and a wave. [b][color=B05F3C]"Until we meet again!"[/color][/b] A small sad smile spread across Vowzra's human face, and he nodded. [colour=black][i]'Yes. Until we meet again, Belvast.'[/i][/colour]