[b][center][h3]A Wolf's Flight[/h3] [color=crimson]Luna, the Twilight Queen Level 5 Hero 25 Khookies[/color] & [color=0072bc]Vizier Ventus, Majordomo to Zephyrion Level 7 Hero 36 Khookies[/color][/center][/b] [hider=Summarino] This post takes place 1 week after Jvan's attack on the Lonely Mountain and before Logos' invasion. Luna is teleported somewhere in the vicinity of Zephyrion's Celestial Citadel by Ull'Yang. She broods a bit over the fact that she can't be beside him for the time being but steels her determination and starts walking towards the Ironheart Mountains. Since Ull'Yang wanted her to be away for a bit, she wouldn't go against her master's orders. Concurently with this, Cyclonis and his flight are on a mission to subdue a rogue Firelord in Slag. Cyclonis senses a divine signal beneath him and discovers Luna, who was walking through the grassland. He descends upon the werewolf and greets her. Luna is at first perplexed by the sudden appearance of the djinn, since she had never before seen creatures like them but since both were capable of speaking the tongue of the gods, they communicate rather easily. A discussion ensues between Cyclonis and Luna, with the former ending up carrying her all the way to the Ironheart Mountains to meet Ventus, the temporary Overseer of the djinn in Zephyrion's absence. There, Luna and Ventus greet one another. At first, talks went rather smoothly, but when Ventus accidentally insulted Ull'Yang as well as doubted Luna's words, Luna unleashed the Uthkrein - Ull'Yang's symbol - in an attempt to prove she talked truthfully. The symbol's aura suppressed most of the djinn, except for Ventus who shielded himself from the scorching aura using his Astartian magic. Talks worsen as Ventus asks about the Memorial and the reason why Luna wants the help of the djinn. Luna refuses to disclose the reason whilst not even mentioning the Memorial of the Gods, something that makes Ventus suspicious and uncooperative. Luna offered to help fight Jvan if Ventus would send some of his djinn to find her a good place to hunt and then help her find an item (the Sunderer) but as she has managed to irk most of the djinn and won't actually say what she is searching for, they refuse. In the end they simply part ways. Ventus conjures a golden wind to carry Luna to a part of the Mahd far upstream from Vetros and its lands, yet still a fair ways away from the Venomweald. Unbenownst to Luna, he also orders one of his djinn to follow her.[/hider][hider=Khookie Summary]0 Khookies spent in this post +5 Khookies to Luna for this post. +5 Khookies to Ventus for this post. [b]Level/Khookie Standings[/b][list] [*]Luna: Level 5; 30 Khookies [*]Ventus: Level 7; 41 Khookies[/list][/hider] It was way past midnight. The sun had long disappeared from the horizon, leaving his place to the many moons orbiting Galbar and the countless stars that filled the night sky with their sparkly brilliance. The quiet of the night was occasionally broken by the buzzing of crickets and the deep mating calls of Feathered Slouches echoing in the distance. Suddenly, a peculiar wind howled, enveloping and silencing all the other sounds. The wind was followed by a flash of light a few dozen meters above the ground and the unconscious body of Luna appeared. At that point, gravity took the reigns and the werewolf's body plummeted downward. She landed crudely with a thud, displacing a lot of dust and small rocks. Fortunately, her body was more than capable of handling that small amount of beating and thus, she came out without injuries. [color=crimson][b]"Ugh.."[/b][/color] she slowly shifted her furred body from one side to the other and then back again. She extended one arm and wiggled it around in an attempt to grasp Ull'Yang's body and bring him closer to her, but it proved futile. He wasn't there anymore. A frown appeared on her face and she slowly opened her eyes, only to come across an unfamiliar night sky and sounds, unlike anything she had ever heard before. And then, the memories came back, crashing through and flooding her mind like the cold waves of the ocean. [color=crimson][i]"No..."[/i][/color] she whispered before jumping straight up and scanning her surroundings. [color=crimson][i]"..no no no.."[/i][/color] She frantically sought for the most important person in her life, but the vast grasslands of Galbar were the only thing she got. Her eyes trailed to the west where a gigantic mountain range stood tall as if dividing the very earth in two. To the east, a powerful river carried its waters from the lonely northern mountain to the southern sea. [color=crimson][i]"W-where am I? What is this unfamiliar place?"[/i][/color] She thought nervously. Luna closed her eyes and dove deep inside her mind. There, located in a corner of her spiritual sea, a small boulder the size of a human torso floated. On its surface, [url=http://orig03.deviantart.net/9e6d/f/2016/153/e/7/pokemon_sun_smash_bros__series_icon_by_mrthatkidalex24-da4sd29.png]a peculiar symbol[/url] was carved; sharp patterns forming the image of two suns, one inside the other, emanated a dim, warm light. Luna felt the familiar warmth and her stirred emotions calmed down at once. She walked over to the boulder, only stopping a few meters in front of it before sitting down. Luna extended her right arm towards the boulder and gently placed her palm on the symbol. At once, the positive messages that Ull'Yang instilled in her mind flowed through the symbol and into her. When the whole process was finished, she withdrew her hand and smiled bitterly. [color=crimson][i]"If this is what master wants, then this one shall not worry..."[/i][/color] she muttered and then disappeared from her mind. Luna opened her eyes once more. Her previous frown had long disappeared and a look full of longing had taken its place. Even thought Ull'Yang had told her not to worry about him, she still could not shake this anxious feeling. Like a splinter digging deeper and deeper into one's flesh, her animal instincts told her that a disaster was soon to come, a calamity whose proportions would shake the very roots of this poor planet of Galbar. She brought her arms closer to her body and rubbed them with her hands. Having grown accustomed to the warmth that Ull'Yang always emitted, the wolf had already forgotten how the chilling wind of the night felt on her skin, even though her fur was there to somewhat protect her from it. It would take some time for her to get accustomed to all the sudden changes. She looked north, towards the Lonely Mountain, and sighed. Ull'Yang's command still echoed in her mind. [color=00bfff][b][i]"You are by no means allowed to pass through the Gate Unguarded of the realm on the northern parts of Galbar."[/i][/b][/color] It was as if he was there beside her, but he wasn't. Tears welled up in her eyes but she quickly wiped them off and tore her gaze from the north. She picked a different direction at random and started slowly walking, whilst looking at the environment around her. [color=crimson][b]"...so this is Galbar? Hmph. Master's realm is much better!"[/b][/color] she said with a proud look in an attempt to lift her own spirits. [hr] Through the sky soared Cyclonis, his flight as true and purposed as an arrow. At his side flew a dozen lesser djinn at his command; at his back, there fluttered a cape of roiling clouds. In the Allfather Zephyrion's absence, there were many strange sensations that swirled through the hearts of djinn: lament and disarray, greed and ambition to take his place, glorious [i]freedom[/i] and yet also a daunting mantle of responsibility... As ever theirs was the role of maintaining the natural forces and balance of power, and though they bordered upon divine the wisest of them now saw through the former veil of hubris. Without Zephyrion's backing, theirs was a thankless, unwanted, and dangerous task indeed. The dark forces of Jvan were perhaps only the first that might challenge the elementals' just reign. At the behest of the council of great Djinni Lords, Cyclonis had taken his host and set out to subdue the monstrous Slag. The self-proclaimed Scion of Fire, Slag would have to be brought to heel; in such times as these, the Skylords could not suffer the insolence or insubordination of the lesser elements. Though his purpose lied far off on the horizon, something nonetheless managed to catch the wind djinn's eye. Lo and behold, far below there was a small creature, one of those unfortunate souls bound to the earth. This one was special, however; about it was an [i]aura[/i] of heavenly power that few things possessed. With certainty, Cyclonis could say that the being was touched by some divine. Slag's subjugation could wait some time; curiosity bid Cyclonis investigate, and so with he descended from his lofty wind to a more personal level, so as to better examine this being. From even that distance his perception encompassed the seemingly unwitting werewolf and took in her every detail, but to mortal eyes, there would be nothing but a playful wind and a few low clouds to be seen above. But perhaps Luna had other means of knowing that she was being observed! [hr] Luna walked through the grasslands aimlessly. She knew that she was not needed at the moment and as such, although it was with a heavy heart, she nevertheless followed through with Ull'Yang's command to not enter the Gate Unguarded and even went one step further by not even traveling back to the Lonely Mountain. In their travels all over the grand realm of Cygnea, Ull'Yang had explained about his nature to Luna, and how he was basically forced to undertake the, very painful to him, process of exploding into a supernova and then reconstructing himself. Luna could not even fathom the amount of courage it took her master to actually go through with the whole process, but he had told her that not even he knew the magnitude of damage it could potentially cause to the Universe, should he forcefully stop the cycle. And so she bottled up her sadness and steeled her determination. She did not know how long it would take for her master to come back, but she would make sure to be by his side when he was back. That meant she would have to actually survive in this unfamiliar planet. Nevertheless, Luna was nothing but awed at the sheer amount of variety of life existing on the surface of Galbar. Although it was late in the night, that did not mean no animals tread the lands. She came across some packs of nocturnal Fleet-footed Manglers, but they seemed to steer away from her path once she walked inside a certain radius of them, seemingly afraid of her. Luna could only scratch her head, not knowing what exactly was that made those weird lizard-like animals fear her, but she didn't really think about it further and opted to just keep walking. Eventually, she even came upon a sleeping Brush Beast and it's cub. Luna marveled at the sheer enormity of the beast and could only compare it to the Four Cardinal Beasts of Cygnea. Surely they would be able to fell such a beast. She sneaked around the sleeping beast as quiet as was possible, and it was only until she was a good fifty meters away from Its location that she resumed her previous walking pace. Luna panted lightly. She came to a stop and wiped the sweat that had accumulated on her forehead. She had been walking for some time now but had not made much progress towards the Ironheart Mountains. She scanned her surroundings for any potential ponds or lakes she could rehydrate. The absence of food and water didn't really affect a being like her, but going without them for a substantial amount of time still took a toll on her body, however strong it may be. That was when she felt the wind suddenly picking up. Her hair was blown back as she steadied herself. Certainly, the wind would pick up throughout the night, that much she knew from her previous travels. However, this particular kind of strong breeze gave off a rather odd sensation. Luna looked upwards but was only met with endless clouds. She squinted her eyes, trying to figure out what was it that she was feeling, but came up with nothing. [color=crimson][b]"Huh, must have been my imagination..."[/b][/color] she muttered and started walking once more. The elementals above circled in a wide berth around where Luna walked, and though they flew at what was a lazy pace by their standards, it was enough to cut through the air and whip down a playful breeze. For what would have been an agonizingly long time for most, the timeless beings were content to simply watch, listen, and smell. The gales and eddies contorted in strange ways, and Luna might hear the occasional howl from the emptiness above. It was those wind djinns' peculiar manner of speech. [i]"Though its poise betrays fatigue and sadness, it presses on."[/i] [i]"A Divine has blessed this one with vigor, but the question is which god! This one carries a touch my winds have not felt before."[/i] [i]"Would the Vizier approve of our meddling here?"[/i] [i]"We have done nothing but watch!"[/i] [i]"The Council would want us to take this creature to them."[/i] [i]"The Council would want us to carry on with our Sacred Task! It is our mandate to conquer Slag, not to rest idly."[/i] [b][i]'Silence,'[/i][/b] came the telepathic thought of Cyclonis, and his subordinates had no choice but to obey their lord. [b][i]'We shall reveal ourselves to this one,'[/i][/b] he stated simply, and there was no dissent. Amongst a host of elementals, there was never dissent or objection; they obeyed nature's hierarchy and submitted fully to their lord's designs. What had been a playful breeze around Luna was at once transformed into a violent whirlwind as a dozen vaporous djinn circled about her. Cyclonis then drew his cape about him and descended in person, and from the clouds there manifested a visage of the storm. Whirling winds drew the mist into a humanoid form before Luna (though it towered over her) and from Cyclonis' hands, he conjured a spear of lightning. As was custom, he hurled it far into the distance; it was both a display of power and declaration of peace to cast aside one's lightning. [b]"You face Cyclonis, Skylord of the Divine Wind,"[/b] a voice called out from the storm in the language of gods. He meant no overt hostility and only a proper introduction, though his intent might have been lost upon one not accustomed to the ways of djinn. As if confirming Luna's earlier gut feeling, at one moment she walked against the wind toward the Ironhearts and the next moment, she found herself surrounded by the countless whirling visages of strange beings made of pure wind and cloud. Luna braced herself; at first glance, it seemed like the strong winds suddenly started raging and threatened to carry her away. However, to her surprise, it felt like tempests actually retained their distance and avoiding to actually come in contact with her. Luna looked a the swirling vortex that surrounded her and felt perplexed. [color=crimson][i]"What is this? Is it some kind of special environmental phenomenon, unique to this planet?"[/i][/color] She stretched her hand to try and touch the howling perimeter and was greeted by the harshness of the winds. She quickly retracted her hand whilst winching in pain. [color=crimson][i]"It seems like I am trapped inside some kind of swirling vortex... Should I wait it out? Hmm..."[/i][/color] Luna thought for a couple of moments. That was when she actually started noticing tiny blinking lights coming from inside the inside the storm. [color=crimson][i]"Oh, what is this? Why do I get an awfully eerie feeling from those lights? It's as if I am being watched by the very wind!"[/i][/color] She thought inwardly as every hair on her body stood up. And then, it appeared. Carrying the very winds as it's cape, the strange wind creature descended a few steps in front of Luna. The combination of lightning on one hand and its impressing height, towering above her by not a small margin, Luna took a few steps back from the wind djinn, only to find herself with her back on the wind wall created by its subordinates. The wind djinn hurled it's lighting in the distance, and after the thundering sound of its landing reached their ears, it introduced itself with a sonorous voice. Fortunately for Luna, she had been bathing in Ull'Yang's aura for almost 6 million years. It was not a stretch to say this being's aura, in front of her master's, was like what the earth is to the heavens. Luna took a minute to recollect her thoughts and then spoke out in the tongue of the gods as well. This, however, she did not know. For all she knew, this tongue was the common tongue used by all beings. She had been taught this tongue by Ull'Yang himself and as such, had become very quickly extremely proficient in it. [color=crimson][b]"This one's name is Luna. I am a companion of the Stellar God, Ull'Yang. May I know to whom your lordly self own their allegiance to?"[/b][/color] She said most eloquently. The air churned and from within the misty form of Cyclonis there came a reply, [b]"The faithful djinn answer only to our Allfather Zephyrion, though our god has seen exile and now we rule ourselves..."[/b] [color=crimson][i]"Ah, so It is Zephyrion that these... djinn? Yeah, that's how it called themselves."[/i][/color] Luna thought while listening to the djinn talk. [color=crimson][i]"Exile??"[/i][/color] This was a first for Luna. Ull'Yang had never before told her that it was possible for gods to get punished. [color=crimson][i]"Although, If the gods themselves could die then getting punished with exile is definitely possible as well..." [/i][/color] [b]"You are well met, Luna, for though I know not of Ull'Yang we offer no enmity to the righteous."[/b] After a short pause, he decided to offer a word of advice, [b]"In these ill times Jvan is at large and its monsters now roam as they please; beware of the dark and the depths, for the foolish Earth hath seen fit to offer the abominations refuge."[/b] Luna was taken aback a bit when Cyclonis said that he had not known of Ull'Yang. She thought that knowing at least the names of gods was a given. [color=crimson][b]"Although you say you have not heard of my master, you have been bathing in His light since time immemorial. He is the Sun that lights the day and the stars that illuminate the night. He is the one and only, First Star of the Universe and creator of galaxies."[/b][/color] Luna said fervently with a glint in her eyes. [color=crimson][b]"I have heard of the might of Zephyrion, the Bringer of Change. Although I have been isolated from the rest of the world inside my master's realm, he has taught me a great deal of things about the Outside..."[/b][/color] she told Cyclonis. [color=crimson][b]"However, he has not commented on these... monsters you are speaking of. Jvan? How can a god threaten the very thing they have given birth to?"[/b][/color] The First Star, of all those countless lights in the sky? A glorious spectacle to be sure, but still nothing more than one grain of sand upon the sea's shore. That Zephyrion did not bring Change but rather [i]was[/i] Change was an intricacy that Cyclonis did not bother to correct, for it was a more grievous ignorance to be unaware of Jvan's horrific designs. [b]"The Jvan's dreams are only of blight and destruction; it is content only with stealing, twisting, contorting, breaking, and then reforming its unfortunate find into an abomination. It is called the Cancer that Breathes by some, and for good reason: I have witnessed firsthand how Jvan has sought to corrupt and destroy our kind, so as to impede our vital and Divine-mandated purpose. It similarly twists and destroys the beings of flesh, those creatures made by other gods. The egregiousness of Jvan's crimes have only grown with time; whispers abound of Jvan slaying the Divine known as Vowzra."[/b] [color=crimson][b]"Ah, so It was Jvan that drove Vowzra to his demise... Indeed, my master was greatly affected by his siblings' deaths."[/b][/color] Luna said and lowered her head. A gloomy look appeared on her face as she recalled Ull'Yang's sudden outburst and subsequent actions. She raised her head and looked at the wind djinn. [color=crimson][b]"So I take it you are on a mission to combat the forces of Jvan? Has an all-out war already started?"[/b][/color] [i]Deaths? So this detached Ull'Yang felt both the departure of Reathos and Vowzra, even from so far away.[/i] Though it would not be easy to perceive, Luna's words stirred some shame and frustration in Cyclonis. To be sure, his quarry [i]should[/i] have been Jvan's monstrosities, but instead, he had a Firelord to deal with. [b]"The Noble Basheer and the Esteemed Murmur (though he be strange indeed!) do lead a Righteous Crusade against all Jvanic filth. As in for I, my host is left with the unsavory task of bringing to heel a rogue Firelord. In times such as these, the djinn must be united, and so by the Council of Djinni Lords I was sent."[/b] [color=crimson][b]"Mhm, indeed,"[/b][/color] Luna said. In her mind, she was taking note of the names and titles Cyclonis mentioned. Since she was going to be walking through these lands for some time, it wasn't a bad idea to be on the good graces of a powerful race. These djinns seemed to be able to bend the forces of nature to their will and thus, would prove to be quite troublesome if she were to make them her enemies. [color=crimson][b]"You said that the god Zephyrion was exiled from this realm. If your overlord is not present then who is exactly leading such a powerful race like the djinn? I presume that would be the Council of Djinni Lords that you also mentioned earlier?"[/b][/color] [b]"The Conclave of the Winds has dominion over the skies until great Zephyrion's magnificent return, yet the djinn of other elements insist upon following their own Scions and Kings. The strongest amongst us all is Ventus. As the Allfather's Vizier, his word has clout and carries weight even over the quarrelsome, lesser elements."[/b] [color=crimson][b]"I see. Would it be possible for this one to meet with your Vizier Ventus?"[/b][/color] Luna asked the wind djinn. There was a collective recoil in the circling elementals upon that request, and then a few howls that could have been outright laughter. Cyclonis, at least, remained cordial enough in his response. [b]"Since long before this land flourished with life Ventus stood by Zephyrion's side; in his time he has seen the birth of all these so-called 'demigods' and the rise of civilizations. He stands near the brink of infinity, and there are those that think erelong he will join our Lord in Divinity. And what are you, a creature of flesh, before his brilliance? I warn you that the Vizier is not to be trifled with."[/b] From the vortex surrounding Luna came a dozen whistles of agreement. Luna smiled at Cyclonis' remarks, as well as the djinns' whistles surrounding her. [color=crimson][b]"I assure you that I have ways to protect myself from beings of great power. Since I first met him, my master has always been kind to me and thus, I've grown quite competent."[/b][/color] Luna said as she adjusted her hair in a proud manner. Although these djinns might think she was just a being of flesh, she did not mind showing them what she was capable of, if that was the only way to make them bring her to Ventus. [color=crimson][b]"I'd like you to bring me to your Vizier if such a thing isn't out of your powers to do so. Otherwise, you can also point me to his direction and I'll travel there alone."[/b][/color] [b]"For what purpose would you speak to my Lord? He does not entertain any who deign to take his time,"[/b] Cyclonis retorted. [color=crimson][b]"Not even someone directly under another god? Well, that is odd. I would think that since Zephyrion is missing right now, you djinn would do anything in your power to have another god backing you up,"[/b][/color] Luna said casually. [b]"And you think that Ull'Yang would join us in our fight against Jvan?"[/b] [color=crimson][b]"I am confident that he would not be supporting Jvan, that is certain."[/b][/color] [b]"I would grant your request, then. But is that frame of yours robust enough to endure a flight upon my winds? We shall see,"[/b] he answered. The air rippled as he uttered incomprehensible commands to his twelve djinns, and the vortex around Luna was broken. That humanoid shell that Cyclonis had assumed so as to more easily communicate was gone as well, dispersed into little more than a cloud of mist. Like a panther springing upon its prey, the cloudy body of Cyclonis descended to consume Luna within its fog, and then a thousand buffeting gales of wind swirled to lift her up. Luna smiled and braced herself for the collision. She instantly fell down on the ground, making herself as flat as possible. She had used this same trick many times back at Cygnea when she was traversing the cold mountains of the northern continent. In those high altitudes, the wind was fierce and overbearing. So, she had tested many things out and this tactic was the only one that perfectly countered strong winds like those of the djinn. As she fell down, her nails on her hands and lower paws elongated and pierced the earth, keeping her firmly in place. Luna stayed there and waited out the rampage of the wind djinn with a smirk on her face. [b]"Clinging to the earth in fear will bring you no closer to what you seek,"[/b] the storm called out. The cold air that was Cyclonis' breath worked its way underneath Luna and began to lift more forcefully. [color=crimson][b]"Oh, fear? It has nothing to do with that!"[/b][/color] Luna retorted. She rolled her eyes when Cyclonis increased the intensity with which he was pulling at her. [color=crimson][b]"Since you want me to fly so much, then so be it,"[/b][/color] Luna said plainly before letting go of the ground. But after her mind had some more time to process Cyclonis words, she realized that he harbored no ill thoughts. [color=crimson][b]"It seems I've misunderstood you,"[/b][/color] she said in an apologetic manner as mist started surrounding her. [color=crimson][i]"However, just to be on the safe side;"[/i][/color] a thin film of magic enveloped her, protecting her from Cyclonis' chilling winds. Not even a second after, the werewolf was swept up by the air currents. Since [i]he[/i] wanted her to fly so much? It had only been by her pleading that he would grant her the honor. Her mindset required correction. [b]"Know that it is a rare favor that a Skylord would carry another being, especially being that we were occupied by another task,"[/b] he chided. From within the bowels of a cloud Luna's sight of the world below was obscured, but the occasional glimpse of the ground was offered when the cloud shifted shape. They were high, at a height impossible for any birds to near, and moving with incredible swiftness. Even so, the journey took some hours and there was little with which to pass the time. Whilst Luna was suspended in nothingness, the djinn occasionally broke the silence to speak to one another. Their language was impossible to discern, but from their tones, it was clear that they did little more than bicker with one another. After some time, the long-silent Cyclonis spoke with his voice deeper than all the others, and at his command, one of his subordinates parted from the group to fly on ahead. [b]"That one will tell Ventus of our coming and bid him meet us,"[/b] Cyclonis explained to Luna. When at last the gales slowed to a still and the cloud unfurled to release Luna from its clutches, she found herself upon a windswept summit somewhere within the Ironhearts. It had been a couple of hours since her feet had touched solid ground and as such, Luna took some time to balance herself out. When she finally raised her head and looked around her, she was flabbergasted by what she saw. The faces of those few that had surrounded her upon Cyclonis' appearance perhaps seemed countless, but now there was a new meaning for such a word. Hundreds of djinn floated around the peak, and at the center was one bigger and grander than all others: the Vizier. Luna's eyes locked onto the towering djinn in front of her. She could feel the razor sharp winds swirling about; just a few more steps in front and she would find herself in a pretty precarious situation. [color=crimson][b]"It's a pleasure to meet the Vizier,"[/b][/color] Luna said and slightly bowed her head. In her mind, she was already giving a lot of face to the djinn. After a short pause, she continued. [color=crimson][b]"I am Luna, a companion of the god Ull'Yang. I suppose a being like you who was in direct contact with Zephyrion would have knowledge of the other gods?"[/b][/color] she asked and raised her brow in curiosity. If not even Ventus knew of her master, that would mean Ull'Yang was truly mysterious to the rest of the world. She didn't know what she would do if that was the case. Luna was in a most difficult position, one that required her to receive assistance from other races if she wanted to survive until Ull'Yang's return. [b][color=0072bc]"Be well met and at peace upon this tranquil summit, Luna; I am Ventus, Majordomo to Zephyrion. Zephyrion did indeed tell me what he knew of Ull'Yang, just as he did for each of the Divines, but... we thought Ull'Yang had succumbed to an ill fate,"[/color][/b] he spoke most delicately. The Vizier could hardly say that Zephyrion had compared Ull'Yang's imprisonment within the form of a star to that of Slough's stillbirth. Luna was startled by Ventus' words but managed to keep calm and gave out a bitter smile instead. [color=crimson][b]"My master had indeed been caged by Fate inside a most painful destiny. His nature as a star ordained that he would face death at the end of each age, only for him to be resurrected once again. This endless cycle of death and rebirth left him mentally and physically drained..."[/b][/color] Luna said with sadness in her eyes. [color=crimson][b]"Nevertheless, he persisted through each and every cycle, and still does! In the time between rebirths, he created his own isolated realm, untainted by the touch of the other gods. In this realm of life, we lived, withdrawn from the rest of the world. But alas, with the death of the four, my master... changed."[/b][/color] Luna said, the pain evident on her face as she talked. [color=crimson][b]"He did... something. I still don't know how he did it, but he succeeded in breaking his shackles. After that, we traveled here to attend the Memorial,"[/b][/color] she finished. Luna did not reveal to the djinn that Ull'Yang had temporarily cast her away for some reason. That Luna spoke of the death of four gods was entirely lost upon Ventus; he knew only of what had befallen Reathos and Vowzra. More interesting was talk of this 'Memorial'. [b][color=0072bc]"Zephyrion did not know Ull'Yang had the capacity for such things,"[/color][/b] Ventus offered back after some hesitation. It was untruthful to say that he did not have a tinge of doubt about Luna's story, but he entertained it for now. [b][color=0072bc]"What is this Memorial of which you speak?"[/color][/b] Luna's delicate eyebrows frowned upon hearing what Ventus had to say. She gazed sharply at the djinn lord and said, [color=crimson][b]"Did not have the capacity? This is a god we're talking about here. Be they crippled or in the clutches of death, they are still capable of wiping this whole realm of yours from existence."[/b][/color] Luna pointed at Ventus and added, [color=crimson][b]"do not take lightly the power and authority a god possess, for it'll be the short path to your demise."[/b][/color] Luna then closed her eyes and the symbol of Ull'Yang started taking shape on her forehead. A scorching aura surged outwards, passing through all of the djinn's ethereal forms. [color=crimson][b]"Does this quell your doubts? My words are true, Vizier Ventus."[/b][/color] Many of the smaller djinns collectively recoiled from the burst of energy, but the larger among them simply seethed and endured its heat. Cyclonis, if Luna could find him among the crowd, looked especially furious that his guest had dared such a thing. Ventus was quick enough to throw out a hand as if swatting a fly, and a barrier of some strange magic blocked the aura from reaching him. It left him feeling rather drained, but Ventus nonetheless gave Astarte silent thanks for the powers she had granted him so long ago. Luna restrained the aura emitted from the Uthkrein, and the temperature of their surroundings quickly returned to normal. However, one could clearly feel that the aura could be unleashed at any moment if they looked at the symbol engraved on her forehead. Luna's hostility had gone too far, and now Ventus' melodic tone was not so kind, [b][color=0072bc]"Be it known that I have witnessed a god's power on many an occasion. And now I caution you against trying the might of our kind."[/color][/b] He gave a short pause for the gravity of his words to sink in, and then demanded, [b][color=0072bc]"For what purpose did you seek me? You would beg refuge, I presume?"[/color][/b] The werewolf looked at the djinn surrounding her that were seething with anger. Ull'Yang's symbol faded as she sighed before addressing Ventus once more. [color=crimson][b]"Pardon my indiscretion, for I simply sought to warn you,"[/b][/color] Luna told him. [color=crimson][b]"Indeed, I have not come here to become an enemy of you and your kind. My master has given me a mission, the contents of which I cannot disclose right now. What I can say, however, is that I will need your cooperation. Of course, that does not mean it will be a one-way deal. You can state what you want, and I'll do it if it's in my power."[/b][/color] Luna stated her request with a smile plastered on her face as if nothing had happened. She was not so transparent in her wants as Ventus would have liked. He had asked why she came, and even after hearing what she had just told, he still knew nothing about what she actually wanted. [b][color=0072bc]"You would ask our cooperation in [i]what[/i]? Our tasks are many and sacred, and though immortal we do not waste time."[/color][/b] [color=crimson][b]"Oh, do not fear that I will be wasting your time. No no no, that is not the case. Although I am quite competent in navigating the plains, mountains, and forests of my homeworld, in this foreign land of Galbar I find myself quite at a loss. I need someone to travel and guide me in my journey to retrieving a certain... [i]item[/i],"[/b][/color] Luna said cryptically. [color=crimson][b]"And although I too am Immortal in a sense, I still require food and water to sustain myself, unlike your kind I presume. I would not ask for you to fetch me food, however. If you steer me towards a forest or grassland where I can hunt in preparation for my journey, that would be enough. If you can do all this for me, then I can offer you my help in combating the forces of Jvan."[/b][/color] [b][color=0072bc]"What you ask for is within my power to give, but should I? Always, the full truth evades your sly tongue. You have yet to tell me of the memorial that you came for, and if I am to assist in procuring this item that you search for, I would know what it is,"[/color][/b] [color=crimson][b]"I find it hard to believe that the race who call themselves the 'Skylords' does not know of everything that has happened or is happening beneath their kingdom,"[/b][/color] Luna commented with a smile, but continued. Ventus, vaporous as he was, seemed to stiffen in distaste. Luna lacked charisma. [color=crimson][b]"Still, I don't know much. Only what my master has revealed to me. From his words, I deduced that the god Toun has raised a peculiar pillar right in front of the gate to the broken realm Jvan spat out after returning from her calamitous battle with Vowzra. On the pillar, Toun engraved an oath that forbade all gods who sign it to hurt, with the intent to kill, one another."[/b][/color] She answered Ventus truthfully. [color=crimson][b]"This is all that I know,"[/b][/color] Luna placed her hand over her chest as if taking an oath of speaking the truth. [color=crimson][b]"As for what I seek, as I previously said, it has nothing to do with you. Would you meddle in the pursuits of a god?"[/b][/color] The Vizier answered without hesitation, [b][color=0072bc]"Your knowledge concerning this memorial is new to my ears and to hear it I am most grateful; the anomaly that Jvan created in the north did not evade our attention, but we have not neared that unnatural place for fear of being corrupted by her taint. As in for your request, it is respectfully refused. Here I am the final arbiter, and it is indeed my business to know just what you would have my aid in acquiring. I will not enter such a pact blindly!"[/color][/b] [b]"Were glorious Zephyrion here, he would cut the last breath from you for hurling insult, withholding secrets, and then having the gall to ask for aid,"[/b] a familiar voice said, but Ventus averted his gaze from Luna and towards Cyclonis with a fury in his eyes, and there was silence once more. Cyclonis' remarks fell on deaf ears in Luna, as her whole attention was directed towards Ventus. She sized the djinn up - or whatever she could size up, his form wasn't exactly stable. She pondered if she should reveal her purpose of wanting assistance to the djinn, but in the end, she decided against it. Amongst the messages Ull'Yang left Luna was the location of the divine weapon, Sunderer. Having it would guarantee her survival in this strange planet of semi-corporeal humanoids and mountain-sized beasts. So as one would expect, she was not going to reveal such important information to one random djinn. [color=crimson][b]"Hmph, then I guess this meeting has been nothing but fruitful for the both of us. Well, I did tell you about the memorial, but that hardly seems to amount to much..."[/b][/color] Luna said dejectedly. [color=crimson][b]"If you would bring me down from this mountain so that I continue my quest, I would be grateful."[/b][/color] the werewolf told Ventus. It was the first time she had ever met such a stubborn being ah! [b][color=0072bc]"Gods keep you well,"[/color][/b] he bid her goodbye, [b][color=0072bc]"there lies your way."[/color][/b] From the Vizier's breath came a golden wind that hummed with the First Gale's power, and it swept across the summit to envelop Luna. She didn't do such a thing as resisting the winds this time around. Gentle yet unassailable, this one was stronger than that of Cyclonis and it carried her a long ways even without Ventus there to direct it. Ventus had sent the wind to carry her to the fertile Mahd, well upstream from Vetros and its lands but not so far as to be in the wild climes of the Venomweald. Soon her figure was nothing more than a fading dot on the horizon, bound for the sacred lands in the west. It was then that Ventus turned to one of his skylords. [b][color=0072bc]"Follow her."[/color][/b]