[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7oQVf7m.png[/img][/center]

[center][h2][b]&[/b][/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uI0loBg.png[/img][/center]

She sunk into the hotspring with a contented sigh.  The water reminded Asceal of the mountain snow melting on her skin, but she would be quick to preface that by saying the warmth was a great deal more pleasant.  Shimmering trees above her cast pretty reflections on the water and the sounds of an island filled with life echoed through the forest around her.  It was peaceful, and that was what she needed.  

After all that had happened this was a welcome reprieve.  She hadn’t forgotten her pledge to stop the next disaster that befell Galbar, or at least try to, but it hurt nobody for her to put that out of her mind here.  At least for a moment.  She let the water take her burdens and began to float on her back, slowly drifting atop the steaming hot spring. Sadly it seemed that universe would not let her relax, as a familiar voice chimed into her mind.

[color=lightblue]”Hello Asceal, I hope this isn’t a bad time, but I’d like to speak with you.”[/color] spoke the directionless voice of Azura [color=lightblue]”It’s nothing urgent, but I find myself a touch trapped at the moment and thought would be as good time as any to get in touch with you.”[/color] 

For a second, Asceal panicked.  Her eyes shot up to her glowing dress, hanging on a tree branch not far from the water.  She nearly jumped out of the water before she realized Azura was speaking in her mind, although that didn’t stop her from scanning the forest around her to be certain of that.  She swam over to the edge of the spring and sat on a conveniently submerged root before replying, a hint of resignation in her voice, [color=C5FAFF]
“It’s no imposition Azura.  You say you’re trapped?  Do you need help?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”No No I’m quite alright. Sorry. Should have phrased that better.”[/color] Came the apologetic reply [color=lightblue]”To jump to the end of events I was going to speak about, Li’Kalla is currently taking a nap on my back and I don’t believe I can move without rousing her. She seems to be having a. um. pleasant dream? So it would be a shame to wake her.”[/color] 

[color=C5FAFF]“Li’Kalla?  The Goddess of… Rain?  I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity to meet her yet,”[/color]  Asceal looked up and wondered if snow was a sort of rain.  Had Li’Kalla filled the mountains of Istais with the fluffy white substance?  She would have to thank Li later, if that was the case.  Asceal ran her hand through the water and tried to focus, [color=C5FAFF]“So what was it you wanted to tell me, Azura?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”She’s lovely, if a tad fragile. So I highly recommend paying her a visit.”[/color] Azura said cheerfully, before her voice became more stern as she turned to more serious matters [color=lightblue]”I agreed to share information I gathered with you and Aelius regarding Katharsos, so that is what I wish to do, if you have the time?”[/color] 

[color=C5FAFF]“Yes,”[/color]  Asceal matched Azura’s tone, and then some, [color=C5FAFF]“And I have some things of my own to tell you, albeit about another one of our peers.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Then I suppose it is only appropriate that I do as well. After I returned from the stars where i verified what you saw in their fires first hand I ended up battling a storm created by Orvus that was tearing across Galbar faster than the speed of sound as it chased his ruinous moon. I tired to fight it alone, then teamed up with Ashalla to successfully corral it to a Maelstrom just south of the western spinning continent.”[/color] She explained.

[color=lightblue]”Afterwards we got to talking and I discovered that Ashalla had met Katharsos in person and from her I learned a few things about him. He has a gateway, a vast vortex of souls, just to the east of the oldest continent, the one shaped a bit like a dragon's foot. It seems the monster is burning the souls to create something called soul ash, a raw resource from which all the new souls of the life we have created forms.”[/color] 

[color=C5FAFF]“I’ve felt it,”[/color] Asceal muttered aloud, [color=C5FAFF]“And before you go on Azura, be wary of Orvus.  I’m glad you managed to restrain his storm, but he’s already made an attempt on Phystene’s life.  I’m afraid Katharsos isn’t the only one we need to worry about.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”I had feared this would be so.”[/color] Azura responded, the weight of the many trials yet to come weighing heavily on her words[color=lightblue]”Parvus’s fears of divine conflict are coming true then, and here I thought I would be the first to... No. I should explain further first. Ashalla showed me something she had made working with Katharsos. Soul Oysters she called them, little shellfish that supposedly ‘cleanse’ the ash of its impurities. Whatever those are. As a result they create small pearls out of the ash. Like solid souls. I have turned this technique to my own ends and have invented an art that can make souls themselves into solid crystal, allowing them to resist the pull of his pyres and vortex even after death. It’s not a perfect solution. I have had no practice with complex souls such as ours and the end result is not more a storage state than a life after death at the moment. But it’s good enough for what I want to do.”[/color] 

There was a pause in her dialog before Azura continued [color=lightblue]”I’m gathering my strength Asceal, preparing for a day soon to come when I will return to the pyres and free all those that still remain from his infernal clutches. I will crystallize their souls and bring them back to a place I have prepared at the top of the world, where they will be safe from the pyres forevermore.“[/color]

Asceal took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes.  Azura had accomplished more than she’d thought possible in such a short time.  Soul crystals.  It wasn’t a solution, but Asceal wouldn’t gainsay the plan when she had nothing better.  At the very least Azura had given them time.  [color=C5FAFF]“Thank you,”[/color] Asceal’s tone was one of genuine gratitude, [color=C5FAFF]“If we can save them from the Pyres, even if it’s just to have them wait, it’s worth it.  I’ll do whatever I can to help you Azura.  You won’t be confronting Katharsos alone.”[/color]

 [color=lightblue]”Thank you“[/color] relief in her response was palpable, as if she had feared that she had gone to far [color=lightblue]”This means alot to me.“[/color] 

[color=C5FAFF]“It’s the least I can do,”[/color]  Asceal replied kindly, even as she pondered the implications of what Azura had told her.  She sunk deeping into the water, her hair splaying out around her as it floated on the hotsprings surface.  There was a pause before she spoke again, this time hesitantly, [color=C5FAFF]“I have something I need to tell you, though.  I found an island while I was exploring the world.  An island that had been… Burned.  Sartravius.  There were a multitude of injured birds on it, and they claimed to be your creations.  I saved the ones I could Azura, but I can’t say how many died.”[/color]

There was a long sullen silence [color=lightblue]”Damn him.“[/color] she finally cursed, [color=lightblue]”Why? What could they ever have done to deserve that?“[/color]  another pause, and then she concluded that  [color=lightblue]”This is my fault. I wasn’t there. I couldn't be there. I didn’t make them strong enough. But there's just. Why are there so many? I can’t fight them all!“[/color] Azura bemoaned.

[color=C5FAFF]“You can’t,”[/color] Asceal admitted bitterly, [color=C5FAFF]“And neither can I, but we still have to try.  If nobody even tries to stop them, then what will remain?  I only wish there were more of us.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”If only.“[/color] Azura agreed [color=lightblue]”I’ve only met three apart from you and Aelius. Parvus is a manipulative snake who preaches peace with a sword at his side, Ashalla does not appear to even understand what empathy is even if she seems harmless enough and I don’t believe Li'Kalla is built for fighting. I don’t suppose you’ve had any more luck than I?“[/color] 

Asceal shook her head before realizing Azura couldn’t see her.  She flicked her forehead and spoke dejectedly, [color=C5FAFF]“No, I haven't.  Phystene was traumatized enough by Orvus’s attack.  I don’t think she’s one to rush into another confrontation.  Shengshi, for all his hospitality, seems to be struggling to keep his own peace.  I don’t understand his feud with Kalmar, but it’s enough for me to suspect neither of them can be relied on.  As for Parvus…  Well, I’m not sure he’s what you say.  I agree he isn’t one to stand and fight, though.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Perhaps I am being to harsh on him. Still. That is disheartening to hear. It will be us three against the darkness then.“[/color] 

[color=C5FAFF]“Us three…”[/color]  Asceal muttered.  Three against how many?  It seemed every day that one of the other gods was committing some atrocity.  They wouldn't be able to stop them.  Unless.  Unless it wasn’t just three of them.  Hadn’t Shengshi made Xiaoli?  Hadn’t [i]she[/i] brought Liana to life?  Asceal stood in the hot spring and grinned, [color=C5FAFF]“Maybe not, Azura.  Shengshi has a companion he made, Xiaoli.  I wonder, what if we made our own allies?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”That does seem wise[/color] Azura replied [color=lightblue]”I’ve made creatures to perform tasks already, so making weapons rather than tools could work. To have power in more than one place would be exceptionally useful.“[/color] she agreed.

Asceal frowned at the mention of ‘weapons’ but agreed, [color=C5FAFF]“Yes, it would.  We can’t be everywhere Azura, but they could.”[/color]  The Goddess paused to exit the hotspring, water steaming off her as she brightened, [color=C5FAFF]“And perhaps those unwilling, or unable, to fight might create beings that aren’t so encumbered.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Perhaps, or they be able to lend us aid in other ways. Something to consider.”[/color] came the response. [color=lightblue]”indeed you’ve given me a lot to consider, so thank you for that.”[/color]

[color=C5FAFF]“And thank you for all you’ve done Azura,”[/color] Asceal spoke earnestly as she stepped into her dress, [color=C5FAFF]“I’d have never thought of these soul crystals of yours.  I don’t think I can properly express my gratitude that you did.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”I do what I can, and I also got lucky. It’s ironic that Katharsos own handiwork was inspiration for the power we will use to oppose him. Thank you for listening Asceal. I’ll see you when we are ready to strike, if not earlier.”[/color]

[color=C5FAFF]”Until then, I wish you luck.”[/color] Asceal pulled the shoulder straps of her dress on and took flight, heading to the gateway to her sphere.  She had much to consider herself.

[hider=Summary & Might Costs]
Azura has a phone call with Asceal.
They talk about how much Kathy and the other gods suck.
They plot a soul heist and lament how few gods seem willing to stand and fight team evil.
Asceal suggests making their own allies.

[b]Might Costs:[/b]

[i]Asceal: 
No Might Spent

{0 FP & 0 MP Remaining}

[5/5 Towards Remedy Portfolio]

Azura:
No Might Spent 

{0 FP & 0 MP Remaining}

[/i][/hider]