[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DLGhcA0.png[/img] [sub]The Learner, The Martial Dancer, The Compassionate, The Wanderer[/sub] & [h1]Qiang Yi and Zhengwu Crew[/h1] [/center] [hr] She awoke refreshed, having taken a small catnap after the events of the night and morning. She looked up at the ceiling, letting the waves rock her back and forth. It would be a rough one today. She groaned, remembering what she promised to the servants. Though she was excited, she had her own doubts about being a teacher. How could she ever fill Hermes shoes? Both her mothers were excellent teachers, and Arya was only ever good at learning. But, she would try, if not for them, then for herself. She sat up in bed, remembering the conversation with Shengshi yesterday put a smile on her face. It felt good to relieve herself of such a burden but that was not the only person she needed to talk to, now was it? There was Kalmar, and she let out another sigh before falling backwards on the bed. Her hair grazed the wall, and she thought about what to say. After a long minute of back and forth with herself, Arya sat up again and shut her eyes. [color=ivory]”Hello, Kalmar. I know you can hear me, so before you you speak I want to say this- I am sorry for running away, for letting my anger get the best of me, and for murdering those servants. I don’t know how you feel about me now, but I just wanted to let you know that I regret what I did and can only ask for your forgiveness.”[/color] she whispered aloud to herself. For a time there was silence, and it seemed almost as if there would be no response. But then the Hunter’s voice could be heard inside her head. [color=orange][i]What is there to forgive?[/i][/color] he asked her. [color=orange][i]The attack was against Shengshi, not I. If you learned from it, and don’t let it happen again, then I see no reason to hold it against you.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”Oh Kalmar.”[/color] Arya sighed in relief, with happy tears beginning to well up in her eyes. [color=ivory]”I missed your voice, Kalmar. I really did.”[/color] she said happily, holding her hands together. She took a deep breath to calm herself and said, [color=ivory]”I’ve learned a lot since I left. Many lessons, good and bad. My anger has been under control ever since, I swore it to myself that I would never let it happen again.”[/color] [color=orange][i]Good,[/i][/color] the voice answered. [color=orange][i]Now what has happened to you since I last saw you?[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”A lot.”[/color] she said, [color=ivory]”Well were to begin? After I left you both I traveled through a desert, got attacked by a sandstorm and then met a Kostral! Her name is Split-Tooth and she is my friend. We decided to answer Choppy’s quest and went on it, traveling far and wide until we called for a delivery and she came, giving us a coffee and,”[/color] she paused to take a breath, [color=ivory]”A giant bunny! With horns that produce food and I named her Penelope! I had to trade my ring for her though, but it was worth it. Then we traveled to Choppy’s sphere and delivered the coffee but, uh, then we all got seperated and I got wounded by a Lurker.”[/color] she said softly. [color=ivory]”But Kalmar, then I found myself on Tendlepog, and Hermes found me, or I guess Poppler did but they took me in and I call them moms now. Oh Kalmar they have two beautiful boys named Chagatai and Wenbo and such a lovely home. Um then the servants came and asked for help on a quest, so I’m on a boat right now traveling to a small island to deliver…”[/color] her voice went silent as she thought about telling him the truth, but she shook her head. It was best not to worry him, [color=ivory]”To deliver a cargo. We left a while ago, but the trip shouldn’t be too long and I can get back to Tendlepog. That’s about it really… oh, um, I might also be a Ward of K’nell now, too.”[/color] she said cringing. [color=orange][i]K’nell? I never met him.[/i][/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange][i]And what of Orvus?[/i][/color] he asked her. A silent phew escaped her. [color=ivory]”He’s a good one Kalmar, he’s taught me many things within his Palace of dreams. But you will never guess what Kalmar, my father...he…”[/color] her voice went silent. [color=orange][i]What?[/i][/color] Kalmar asked, with a mixture of concern and impatience. [color=ivory]”He created another child! I have a sister, Kalmar!”[/color] Arya’s voice was full of bubbly excitement as she giggled aloud and in her head. [color=orange][i]He did?[/i][/color] Now Kalmar was surprised. [color=orange][i]Go on.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”Uh huh! Shengshi told me that she was looking for me, so I haven’t actually met her yet, but I really want to meet her, Kalmar. I want to know her, what she looks like, how tall she is, how her voice sings, her stories of adventure… everything. You know…”[/color] she paused, [color=ivory]”I was confused at first, even a little jealous, but I can’t blame her for being born, now can I? I don’t care that she knows my father better than I do, all that matters is that I get to know her too.”[/color] she said smiling. [color=orange][i]Hmm… I’d help you find her, but I have other things to focus on right now.[/i][/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange][i]You should know that I made life of my own. Their names are Makab, Roog, and Karamir. Some might consider them my children, though I don’t know if Makab or Karamir would consider me their father - it seems as if everyone has a different definition of what family means. Anyway, it isn’t likely, but you might encounter them in your travels.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”That’s alright, Kalmar. She’ll find me, I know it. Now, those all sound like boy names. Except Roog, that sounds… well it doesn’t matter what it sounds like. I know boys can be difficult, but why wouldn’t they consider you their father?”[/color] she asked innocently, thinking of Chagatai and Wenbo. Kalmar sighed. [color=orange][i]In nature, there is normally a process which leads to children being born by their parents. Roog, Makab, and Karamir were not created through that process, and neither were you. I used to put a distinction between fathers and creators - all fathers were creators, but not all creators were fathers. Yet you consider Orvus to be your father, and he considers you to be his daughter. Meanwhile, other gods name be ‘brother’ even though I share no parentage with them. It is confusing.[/i][/color] There was silence from Arya as she digested the god’s words. Slowly she began to realize that It was such a Kalmar thing to say, and she disagreed. [color=ivory]”Kalmar, do you remember when you found me? I was cast out, alone and afraid. But you took me in, you and Arryn… Did you know that I consider you one of my father figures? Shengshi and K’nell being the others. Orvus is my father, for he created me with his own power and I am of him. He did not mean to create me, but he did and here I am. It doesn’t matter if you share parentage or blood, I think? All that matters is that they look up to you, and you do their best for them, through the good and bad times. Now please tell me, that you did not cast them aside like my father did to me. Please.”[/color] she said on the verge of tears. [color=orange][i]Cast them aside? No. Makab is with me right now, and before that he has always been under Asceal’s care. Karamir? I did send him off on his own, but I made sure he had everything he needed, and he can contact me at any time. Roog? I left him under the guidance of Katharsos, his other creator, who has chosen to accept him as a ‘son.’[/i][/color] The Hunter then paused, as if in thought. [color=orange][i]As for what you think defines a father… that interpretation is valid, I suppose. It is something I must think on.[/i][/color] She sighed in relief at this words and was actually surprised that she had gotten through to him. She had not been expecting that in the slightest. She wiped away her tears and with renewed vigor said, [color=ivory]”Oh Kalmar you have no idea how much that warms my heart. I am glad, but please Kalmar, do not wait for them to reach out to you if they seek to talk. Find them and learn of them and from them, do not be like my own father.”[/color] she said with come confidence. [color=orange][i]I did mean to check back on them at some point,[/i][/color] Kalmar told her. [color=orange][i]Whether I consider them my children or not, they are still my creations, and I am still obligated to them. As for you?[/i][/color] The Hunter almost seemed to take a breath within her mind. [color=orange][i]I did not create you, but at the time, I suppose I did come to think of you almost as a daughter.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”That means a lot to me Kalmar, I am glad.”[/color] she said with a very large smile in here eyes. [color=ivory]”Now I told you about me, what about you? What’s new?”[/color] she asked excitedly. [color=orange][i]Kalgrun has changed. I, and a few others, have made changes to it. There’s far more life there, but it’s also far more dangerous. If you ever return, be careful,[/i][/color] he warned. [color=orange][i]Also, I assume you are thinking about Arryn. He has been doing well for himself. He has been giving guidance to a tribe of mortals, and I intend for him to move on to the rest of the species.[/i][/color] Her heart grew warm at the mention of Arryn, but more surprisingly was the mention of another mortal race. [color=ivory]”Another race? Who is Arryn teaching?”[/color] she asked. [color=orange][i]Creatures who call themselves the Selka. The group he was teaching calls themselves the Ubbo Tribe. They live on the coasts, along the southeastern corner of the largest continent.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”Selka? Ubbo? What funny names!”[/color] she said laughing. After a moment of his, she pulled herself together but only barely and said, [color=ivory]”Well, I am glad Arryn is okay. Do you think he still hates me?”[/color] [color=orange][i]Hate you? I don’t know if he ever hated you. He was angry, of course, but I wouldn’t call it hate. And by now that anger has faded. I think he would be glad to see you again.[/i][/color] She nodded to no one, feeling a bit better at how things went down between the two of them so long ago. [color=ivory]”I would like that too, one day.”[/color] she said softly. [color=ivory]”Oh! I almost forgot, my sister’s name is Laurien if you ever meet her.”[/color] [color=orange][i]I will keep that in mind. Now, I have a war to get back to.[/i][/color] Kalmar said, his voice grim. She squinted her eyes at the sound of of the word. [color=ivory]”War?”[/color] she asked seriously. [color=ivory]”Where at? What happened? Is everyone okay?”[/color] came a flurry of questions. [color=orange][i]Dragon’s Foot. The Gods Ekon and Sartravius raised armies to attack Shengshi. I came to help him. But even with two enemies preparing to destroy everything he made, he chose to end our alliance and reawaken our feud over perceived insults.[/i][/color] He sighed. [color=orange][i]It does not matter. Those armies need to be stopped. Regardless of Shengshi’s pride.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”W-What?”[/color] she asked, dumbfounded at the idea of them feuding again. She could hardly believe such a thing, and there was supposedly a war going on. [color=ivory]”Kalmar, what do you mean you are feuding again? I thought you settled it. I thought you both agreed to stop!”[/color] she said with a rush of emotions in her voice. [color=orange][i]I thought so too,[/i][/color] Kalmar remarked bitterly. [color=orange][i]But then he didn’t like my ‘manners’, and suddenly he was threatening the lives of my creations and I wasn’t going to stand for that. Not after I came all this way to help him. And in a way I am [i]still[/i] helping him despite all that.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”Ugh.”[/color] was all Arya said before falling back onto the bed. [color=ivory]”Why is it that the Gods always bicker so much?”[/color] she asked, crossing her arm across her eyes. Kalmar ruminated on that question for some time, and then he answered. [color=orange][i]Conflict is part of nature,[/i][/color] he said at last. [color=orange][i]We bicker and fight, but so do common animals, and even mortals. We all had different intentions for this world when we shaped it. Some were good, some were bad, and not all of those intentions can peacefully coexist. And though my ‘feud’ with Shengshi is pointless, I am not the one who chose to issue threats or break the alliance.[/i][/color] [color=ivory]”That makes sense, I guess. I just wish things could be peaceful.”[/color] she said thoughtfully. [color=ivory]”I… Won’t know what to think until I hear both sides of this disagreement. Until then, I’m just going to pretend it never happened.”[/color] she said sitting up. [color=ivory]”I have to get going now, Kalmar… It was good to talk to you.”[/color] she said sadly. [color=orange][i]It was good to talk to you as well. Just know this: I don’t expect you to take sides. It would be best if you kept yourself out of this. Now… goodbye.[/i][/color] And with that Arya stood up, putting some clothes on and took a deep breath. It was time for her day to begin. [hr] Bright eyes gazed upon the ceiling, going over every fine grain, every dent, and every scratch. They found nothing new, for it was all the same as it had been on the first day she had been moved in. Yet, still she searched, trying to find something new, something that brought back excitement. There was no longer disappointment in her eyes however, for she had grown use to never finding anything new. She stretched, careful not to hit the wall with her long arms, before settling back down. She didn’t really want to get out of bed today, but she knew she had to. Not for herself, but for the others, of course. [i]Of course.[/i] At a snail's pace she got herself ready, putting her long, curly hair into a loose ponytail. The length went to the small of her back, meaning it would need to be cut soon. Soon, anyways. She put on some of her old clothes, they were a bit small on her and full of holes, but Arya was not one to complain about such small things when they had bigger problems to worry about out. She stood up and made her way to the door, bending down slightly to clear the frame and let it shut behind her. As she walked past the cargo, she ran a finger across one of the boxes, and her imprint streaked across it like a jagged line. The cargo would need to be dusted soon, but it was hard for her to imagine anyone wanting to do it. It was why they were out here in the first place, it didn't deserve to be dusted. She smirked, such a thought was strange, but that was her line of thinking as of late and she continued on. The ship was silent, almost like the moon, but the steady lapping of waves against the hull and her own steps reminded her they were still on Galbar. As she walked up the steps, the sunlight beamed down, prompting her to cover her face as she ascended. When her feet reached the deck her eyes focused and fell upon a servant tied to the central mast, screaming and hollering nonsensical gibberish - on repeated occasions warning the crew about ‘the great worm’. Around him were tired and surly crewmates, some scrubbing the deck for the fourth time this morning, already, for a lack of better things to do. As Arya turned the corner to ascend to the helmsman’s post, a pair of guards gagged the man with a cloth. She looked blankly at the post as she walked by, feeling nothing for the servant. Her compassion had ran dry a long time ago, the time that one of the 'maddened' killed- She shook her head, it was a memory she didn't want to relive. Atop the helmsman’s post, she found, as usual, Qiang Yi flanked by Zhen-zhen and Zeng En, all three pouring over their maps which, on the bright side, had become quite detailed over the past decade. As usual, they were arguing over the correct course of action, with Qiang Yi insisting that he had found the right route and Zeng En shutting him down with the report on the remaining freshwater stores. Zhen-zhen had run out of books to read ages ago, and had resorted to studying the maps with an almost fanatical interest. Zeng En noticed Arya and silenced himself, Qiang Yi also quieting down at her approach. Even though it had indeed been twelve years, they bowed to her all the same. “Lady Arya, good morning,” Qiang Yi greeted. Zeng En nodded with a snort and Zhen-zhen either didn’t pay attention or didn’t care to. Arya strolled over to the map and slammed her hands down on the table, sending Zhen-zhen’s head flying back in surprise. She shot her a sour scowl and kept staring at the old pages regardless. [Color=ivory]"They'd be twelve this year, you know. Chagatai and Wenbo. Not like anyone cares."[/color] she said with little emotion. [Color=ivory]"Twelve years and we still are at sea. The water supplies are low and once again we'll have to go back to land with nothing to show for it. The others are growing restless, or growing mad and I… Don't even feel like waking up some days. So no, it is not a good morning, Captain."[/color] Qiang Yi cocked his head to the side and sighed. “You’re repeating yourself, My Lady. You said the exact same thing, word for word, yesterday - and the day before.” He shook his head. “Maintain faith and the Exalted Creators will reward us with our destination,” he said enthusiastically and raised his fist. Zeng En frowned a little, but repeated the words and raised his fist. Zhen-zhen simply tighten her hand into a ball and went ‘ooo’ with an almost draining level of ennui. “But yes,” the captain continued, “it looks like we will have to turn again; HOWEVER! this time, I have cracked it, I am [i]certain[/i]!” [Color=ivory]"Yes. The Exalted Creators."[/color] she said sarcastically. [Color=ivory]"Look at you three. Do you even believe the words you say anymore or has it just become natural?"[/color] she sighed, frowning and turned to Qiang Yi. [Color=ivory]"Go on then, [i]Captain[/i], what new scheme of yours will claim more lives?"[/color] she said bitterly. The captain sucked in a deep breath through the nose, the brush in his hand nearly snapping in half. Zeng En and Zhen-zhen both glared at Arya. “Lady Arya, with all due respect, we are doing our best to complete our god-given mission. All aboard this ship know what such a mission may cost them; however, assuming the mission -will- be the end of us is -not- appreciated.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed some sea salt out of the corners of his eyes. His once silky black hair had become unkempt and wild with time. “Now, the plan…” Arya exhaled a deep breath, saying, [color=ivory]"I am… sorry, that was uncalled for."[/color] she said sheepishly. “Yeah, it was,” snapped Zhen-zhen. Zeng En whacked the back of her head and she once more fell back to her maps. Arya glared at Zeng En. The quartermaster did not, however, seem very content either with the apology. Meanwhile, the captain dug through the tall pile of maps until he found a very detailed portrayal of the southern coast of the Dragon’s Foot. He snatched a piece of charcoal and drew a series of almost desperately quick lines from the Nanhese delta to an empty point in the middle of the eastern ocean. When done, he tapped the point ecstatically with the charcoal and circled it again. “Here! Instead of setting off south from the Henshan, we go straight east - just east all the way. See, w-we know that the island is somewhere in the eastern sea. We know it’s -not- south of the Foot, and heading east from the Kick gets us nowhere but to that colourful place with all the shells… What did we call that again?” “Yanhai, I think,” said Zeng En with a rub of the chin. “Yeah, that was it… Anyway! THEREFORE! it must be--” He drew a straight line east from Mt. Eldahverr, marked on the map as Henshan, and straight south from the Great Soul Reef, marked on the map as Yanhai. Once more, he knocked on the map with the charcoal, breaking off the tip. “Here! It must be here!” Arya looked at the map with an intent gaze, following Qiang Yi's lines as he drew. As much as she was skeptical about the plan it was really their only option. [Color=ivory]"Hmm. Okay… okay. Good a plan as any."[/color] she said. Qiang Yi beamed at her approval and squeezed Zhen-zhen’s shoulder. She barely reacted. “Then it’s settled! We will return to Nanhe to refill the water tank and then find the island!” He laughed a little maniacally to himself as he skipped over to the stairs and went towards the bow. Zeng En followed the captain’s movements with a saddened expression and looked down at Zhen-zhen. “Sorry I hit ya,” he mumbled. Zhen-zhen sighed and shook her head. “No, it’s alright. I was being dumb…” [Color=ivory]"The fault is mine."[/color] Arya said to the both of them, her expression softening. [Color=ivory]"Look. I know we don't see eye to eye anymore, but you don't have to hit her, Zeng En. I can take the criticism, I'm not a child anymore. And no, you were not being dumb, Zhen-Zhen. You were merely sticking up for the Captain. I… Should be going now."[/color] Arya said sadly, beginning to leave the same direction Qiang Yi had. “Good day, Lady Arya,” Zeng En mumbled. Zhen-zhen said nothing. She walked down to the bow and went to the edge of the ship. Wherein she leaned up against the railings and looked put at the endless sea. Somewhere out there was their destination. She just wondered if they would ever find it. [hr] Roughly a month later, the tired ship sailed into the sweet embrace of Nanhe once more. The remaining crew screamed their lungs out in joy as they mindlessly hopped over the edge and into the waters, bathing and swimming to their heart’s content. Qiang Yi saw to it that the ship was at the very least anchored to the river bank before he, too, dove into the river with a gleeful cry. The servants all dropped their salt-stained skins and splashed each other with wave after wave of fresh water, laughing all the while. Meanwhile, still tied to the main mast, the maddened crewmate kicked and howled, wanting desperately to swim as well. Zhen-zhen, the last remaining crew member aboard the ship, sat staring at the animalistic servant with tired, scowling eyes. [Color=ivory]"Zhen-Zhen?"[/color] came Arya's soft spoken voice from behind the smaller woman. She didn’t really answer, merely hummed to whatever was listening as she stared at the wild man in front of her. She wagged lethargically from side to side where she sat and the tune in her voice was quite similar to one Arya had heard a thousand times aboard - only it was terribly flat. Arya said nothing more as gentle hands wrapped around Zhen-Zhen's arms, guiding her away from the man. Arya bowed her head, and then said, [color=ivory]"Come on, let's get you to the water. Wouldn't you like that?"[/color] she asked quietly. Zhen-zhen looked up at Arya with round, empty eyes. For a moment, she said nothing, even as she was picked up and guided along. Then, at the edge of the deck overlooking the river, she nodded her head as droplets began to roll down her cheeks. “Yeah… That’d be nice…” Then she skipped off the edge and into the river below. She stayed underwater for a long time, but the girl that broke through the surface a few minutes later was not the same that had jumped. Zhen-zhen grinned from ear to ear and swam over to Qiang Yi, casting herself over his head and pushing him under the surface playfully. With a sigh of relief at the sight, Arya viewed her companions in a new light. It was good to see them like their old selves and a small smile crept up in her eyes. She then stretched her own limbs and cast herself into the sky. It had been a long time since she had flown. While Arya soared about, Qiang Yi stepped onto the green banks of the river and stuck his hand in the clean, pure sand. His skinless body soon recovered its layer of sand, this one much cleaner than it had been for many months. He had drunk deep in rich waters and for the first time in longer than he could remember, his eyes had the beautiful algae green and water blue colour of the river. More and more of his crew crawled onto the banks, their eyes all the same, though some opted for a muddy layer of skin instead of sand. Qiang Yi counted the heads. Thirteen years, it had been, since the crew left the Dragon’s Foot for the first time. Now, all that remained of the once proud forty sailors were eighteen exhausted souls. Li Shan had swam ahead many years ago during a terrible storm… Yong Mei had been murdered in cold blood by a maddened crew mate, whom Qiang Yi had had executed promptly thereafter. A part of the captain was certain that all this would change as soon as the mission was over, yet a thought itched in his head, telling him that all of it was, in the end, pointless - no rewards would be waiting for them in the end. Then again, it wasn’t about the reward - although one would be nice. They had suffered quite a bit, after all - perhaps just a small favour from-- NO! He could not allow himself to think such heretical thoughts and-- “Captain?” asked Zhen-zhen with an uncharacteristically concerned look. Qiang Yi jumped and found that everyone was staring at him. He felt his breathing speed up and looked back at Zhen-zhen with wide eyes. “You were talking to yourself,” she continued. “T-talking to myself? What, is the captain not allowed a few mumbles every now and then?” he said and let out a sheepish chuckle. The people around him furrowed their brows and looked at one another. Zhen-zhen took his hand in hers and sighed. “Look, cap, you’re under a lot of stress, we know. Just-... Know we don’t hold it against you.” Her following smile ignited a flame within him, though it did not manifest the way he wanted it to. Qiang Yi pulled his hand to himself and scowled. “What is this nonsense you’re saying, first mate?” he said and stood up. Zhen-zhen and the others frowned and sighed. Qiang Yi rubbed his hand a little and sucked in a breath through his nose. “Right. Refill the tank and prepare to sail out again.” Calls of protest and widened eyes spread throughout the crew. Zhen-zhen rose to her feet. “Cap! We -just- came back! Let us at least have a day or two--!” “No!” Qiang Yi retorted. Zhen-zhen and the others went quiet. “The sooner we finish the mission, the sooner we can return home and rest. Now obey!” Reluctantly, the crew swam out to the ship and climbed aboard. Zhen-zhen remained staring at Qiang Yi, who regarded her with a raised brow. “What’s the matter?” he asked. Zhen-zhen merely shook her head and swam back to the ship. Qiang Yi remained on a beach a little longer, staring out across the river. “You are unworthy,” came a voice and the captain tossed himself around. There was nobody there. [hr] The flow of the air through her hair was refreshing as it could ever be, and for the first time in such a long time, Arya giggled. She whipped in the air, carelessly and relished in the moment to let herself escape from the confines of the ship. She did not fly over the open water, one too many times she had almost lost her way. She shivered just thinking about. It was one thing to be lost as sea with a crew, but another entirely all by yourself. She traveled well away from the ship, and from prying eyes, touching down on a soft beach, the water crystal clear and inviting. She stripped her clothes off and waded in, letting the cool waters flow over her. She let herself float, and just once, she relaxed. Her relaxation was interrupted by a bird. A colorful creature that landed on the shore, talking about images and warnings of something. She swam closer, perplexed by it. She had never known a bird to speak before and then, the images of Asceal and Azura came forth, and a small squeal of surprise came from Arya. Her eyes went wide as she realized they stood upon a massive whale, somewhere in the dark and a great inferno was behind them. She had not been expecting that. And then Holy Azura spoke; [color=lightblue][i]“Good people of Galbar…”[/i][/color] and Arya listened, her face devoid of any emotion. She watched the griffon die, and heard the wails of the dead, and listened to Azura speak of the soul crystals and salvation and freedom and sleep but the only things she could dwell on was that death meant burning and the only alternative was to be trapped inside a crystal for eternity. Then the projection faded, but the images of the griffon did not leave her vision and her expression became one of horror. It was all too much. She quickly scrambled out of the water, and landed on her knees upon the sand. The alma flew to a nearby tree, as Arya began to hyperventilate. She couldn’t believe it, none of it. She had never thought of death, but now that she knew what awaited her, she was consumed by fear. She exhaled in a wail, beating the sand with her fists as the black tears came. [color=ivory]”It’s not fair… It’s not fair!”[/color] she said, yelling at the Alma. [color=ivory]”How could they do that? How could they…!”[/color] she said crying and she cried for a long time. The toil of the journey, now coupled with this, all came crashing down upon her in an instant. It all felt pointless to her. To burn, or to sleep without dreaming. To her, both were as equally horrifying to behold. How could anyone choose? Why even make an alternative place to go, when it did little to comfort those that were dead? What was the point behind it all? Upon her hands and knees she looked down at the sand, then up at the Alma, who stared at her as if waiting for her answer. [color=ivory]”Go away.”[/color] she whispered to it, [color=ivory]”Go away!”[/color] she said, standing up, but it did not move. [color=ivory]”GO AWAY!”[/color] she screamed at it, and after a moment the thing flew away. She fell to her knees again, holding her face as she sobbed. [color=plum]”Arya…?”[/color] came a rich voice from behind her. Arya removed her hands, wiping away her tears and said, [color=ivory]”I’m fine! I’ll be at the ship in a minute.”[/color] she said shakely. [color=plum]”Sister.”[/color] said the voice, and Arya’s eyes went wide, realizing that she had never heard that voice before. Fearing some sort of trick, she slowly turned around to see white, glowing eyes staring at her. The woman was tall, much taller than any she had seen yet, wearing a tattered cloak riddled with stars and upon her back a hilt of a sword could be seen. Her hair was long, colored like a nebula and she was beautiful. [color=ivory]”L-Laurien?”[/color] she whispered, and the woman nodded. Arya got to her feet, and both stared at each other for several moments. She looked so familiar, yet so different then she, but it was unmistakable. She was of her father’s work. [color=ivory]”Sis-”[/color] she choked, beginning to cry as Laurien bounded over, embracing the small girl in a bear hug, as they fell to their knees. [color=plum]”I found you.”[/color] came Laurien’s broken voice. [color=plum]”I found you.”[/color] she murmured again, holding Arya tight to her chest. The girl knew not what to think, but she felt small, like a child once again and somehow, it felt right. It had been so long since she had gotten hugged, and it felt wonderful, especially by someone who she knew to be her kin. Laurien began to stroke Arya’s long hair, and let go of her hug so that they looked at eachother. Both could hardly contain their smiles, and Arya began to giggle as happiness welled up inside of her. [color=plum]”I can’t believe it,”[/color] Laurien started, [color=plum]”I finally found you, after so many years and all because I heard someone yelling. And it was you, Arya. It was you, and… I’m so relieved and happy and we have so much to talk about out.”[/color] Laurien said happily. Words momentarily escaped Arya as she nodded in return, using her hand to feel Laurien’s lips and nose. It was odd to see, but at the same time, it felt right on her. She began to giggle again and said, [color=ivory]”You’re so big.”[/color] and at that, Laurien beamed a smile before chuckling out loud. Her laugh was sweet, Arya noticed and quite infectious. Between her chuckling she said, [color=plum]”Oh Arya, I’ve waited a lifetime to hear your voice, and the first thing you say is, ‘You’re so big.’”[/color] and at that, they both began to laugh until tears rolled down their cheeks. Arya hugged Laurien again, and the tall woman gently patted her back. [color=ivory]”I...I never thought you would find me.”[/color] Arya said suddenly, looking up at Laurien, [color=ivory]”His-his holiness told me about you so long ago and… for some reason I began to think you didn’t exist, like you were some made up thing but here you are. When I needed someone the most.”[/color] she said with a mix of sadness and joy. Laurien pulled Arya tight to her and murmured, [color=plum]”Here I am, and I’m not going anywhere, Arya.”[/color] And the small girl believed her. Later the two walked down the beach, talking about their lives, how they ended up where they did. Laurien's story was impressive, her sister had always been one step behind her but she never gave up. Even when she arrived on Tendlepog, only to hear from the Warden that she was gone. She had continued on, year after year trying to find Arya and only by a stroke of luck had it finally happened. And Arya told her about her life on Tendlepog, of her mother's Hermes and Xiaoli and of the boys. Then she told Laurien about her time on the ship and the many challenges they had to overcome and they still had nothing to show for it. Then at last, when the conversation turned quiet, Laurien asked her why she had been yelling. This a light sigh, Arya told her of the Alma and the fate that awaited them all. As she opened up about her deep fear, Laurien was silent and patiently listening. At last when Arya finished, Laurien began. [Color=plum]"It's okay to be afraid. The Alma visited me as well, but I already knew what awaited us. I learned from our father, who learned from Katharsos himself. He's not so bad, at least not the tyrant they make him out to be. He gave me this, after all."[/color] and Laurien showed Arya the black soul pearl around her neck. It a was surprised to say the least, and a pretty one at that. She wished she had brought her own necklace from the ship, finding the similarity amusing. [Color=plum]"Do not be afraid of the end, Arya. I know it is not what any of us really thought would happen, but it is what is. We die, and we burn so that our souls can be recycled and more life can be born. Without that, if all of the souls are stolen by Azura and Asceal, then there will be no more life. Babies will be stillborn, life will stagnate and the world will die in the end. Their only solution is to hoard the souls until they can find a better one. That doesn't sound like a good idea, now does it?"[/color] Laurien said thoughtfully. And coming from her sister, Arya did not feel so afraid anymore. Her words were comforting, but the problem still persisted. [Color=ivory]"But it looked so painful when that griffon burned."[/color] Arya said sadly. [Color=ivory]"Yong Mei and the others… they all burned too. Oh gods."[/color] she said crying. Laurien did not say anything for a moment and then sighed. [Color=plum]"Yes, I can only imagine why the Griffin screamed. Perhaps it was not ready to go? Perhaps it did not know what sacrifice it was making? There is no telling if your friends burned in the same manner. Maybe they did, maybe they accepted their fate and maybe still Azura captured them to live alone in the dark. In the end dear one, we can only find out when the time comes. And when that day comes, it will be okay."[/color] Laurien said. Arya stopped in her tracks and began to shake lightly as she looked to Laurien, who turned to look at her with concern. [Color=ivory]"I… Don't want to die."[/color] Arya said. [Color=plum]"Oh honey."[/color] Laurien said before embracing her sister once more. [Color=plum]"Nobody ever wants to die, Arya. But you shouldn't live your life with death constantly on your mind. I fear death as well you know. But I've realized I can never be happy if I live in constant fear. If it happens, then I will go out with a smile because I know I lived my life well. And as unfair as it is, I know that when I burn, I do so as necessity for more life to flourish."[/color] she said softly, stroking Arya's hair. After a moment, Arya pulled away from her sister, looking up at her with a soft smile. [Color=ivory]"I… Thank you, Laurien. Thank you."[/color] [Color=plum]"You are so welcome."[/color] Laurien replied with a smirk. [Color=plum]"Now… I can only imagine what impact this has had on your crewmates. We should get back to them."[/color] [Color=ivory]"Oh no… Come on!"[/color] Arya said taking flight with Laurien following behind her. [Color=ivory]"They're fragile as it is, and on edge. I can't imagine this is improving anything!"[/color] [Hr] Arya’s prediction could not be more correct. Where there had been joy and celebration mere hours earlier, there was now chaos and confusion. Aboard the deck, some crew members knelt screaming before the Alma while the rest, including the officers, flocked to the statue of Shengshi with folded hands and desperate prayers. “Does this mean Li Shan burns endlessly in the sky despite a lifetime of faithful service, Lord?!” Zeng En demanded of the statue. “Does it?! Will we also face infinity in the flames?!” Qiang Yi tried to calm the racket, but it was evident that he, too, had completely lost his mind, reciting zealously passages from the Classic of Wisdom regarding the eternal reward for service to Shengshi: “[i]Loyalty to our Lord; dedication to our skills; master these and stretch for more; death’s reward turns greater still![/i]” Zhen-zhen sat in a corner, clutching her head as she howled in horror. Meanwhile, the man tied to the main mast kept screaming, “The end is at hand! We will all [i]BURN[/i]!” Arya landed first amidst the confusion and horror of the servants. Next came Laurien with a stoic look upon her face. Arya began to say something but her words were drowned out by the praying and shouting. Then there was a loud humming sound and then an eruption from behind her that shook her very bones. She turned around to see Laurien one handing her massive sword into the air, shooting a beam of scarlet energy. She nodded at Arya, as if beckoning her to speak. Arya turned back to the servants and shouted, [color=ivory]"Everyone stop!"[/color] The beam shook the whole crew to silence and they cowered before the two titans. Qiang Yi blinked a few times and pointed a shaking finger at Laurien. “L-lady Arya, who…” His stammering voice managed little more before he was forced to silence by another scream from the madman on the mast. “It’s come! Our end has come! BEWARE THE CLOAK OF STARS--!” The mad stopped screaming suddenly, for he was suddenly untied and tossed over the side into the river by three very vexed people. Qiang Yi blinked over at the affair and turned back to Laurien, much calmer now. “Pardon that… Who is this, i-if this one may ask?” [Color=ivory]"This is Laurien, my sister!"[/color] Arya beamed happily. [Color=ivory]"And she has come to help!"[/color] and as if on cue, Laurien put away her sword and bowed to them all, an enormous smile crossing her face as she did so. When she stood up Laurien spoke, [color=plum]"Long have I searched for my sister and to find her in one piece, by servants of his Holiness no less, I am honored. Thank you."[/color] Laurien bowed again. The servants looked confused at her, but Qiang Yi nodded slowly. “Y-yes, of course! Any friend of His Lordship is a master to these servants. As Your blessed s-self addresses Him correctly, this servant can assume that You have met His Lordship, yes?” Slowly, the others began to crowd around the two girls, the anxiety in their eyes fading no time soon. [Color=plum]"Yes indeed! His Holiness welcomed me aboard with open arms. So long ago now, it seems. The bathhouses were so lovely, but that's beside the point. I am here now, to offer my assistance with your quest. If you'll have me."[/color] she said. The servants gave each other the first comforting smiles in hours. Zhen-zhen stood up, her eyes ringed with red. “Whatever makes this quest finish faster,” she muttered, much to the agreement of the surrounding crew members. Qiang Yi shot her a vile glare, but quickly turned back to Laurien and Arya with a maniacal grin. “Yes! Yes, Your Ladyship is -most- welcome aboard! Please, follow me so we can find you a suitable bunk to sleep in.” It was Arya who spoke next, [color=ivory]"Wait a moment! We need to discuss what we all just heard."[/color] Arya said, her voice full of sadness. She took a deep breath before exhaling. [Color=ivory]"I know it is a lot to take in. I was the same as all of you after Holy Azura spoke. I am of the firm belief that we did not need to know such things, and the fate of the dead. It… does us no good to dwell on what happens to us when we are dead. We are alive now, and we should continue to live to our fullest. When our souls are burned, we are making the ultimate sacrifice. We become soul ash, so that life can flourish after we are gone. The soul Crystal's offer no such thing. We would be stuck in a rock prison, unable to do anything even sleep and for who knows how long. But I will also say this, I'm not telling you what to chose, I only offer advice I heard from Laurien. That is all."[/color] Arya said, looking to Laurien with a smile. Her sister returned the smile and nodded. [Color=plum]"What Arya said is true and I stand by her words."[/color] the tall woman said, placing a hand upon Arya's shoulder. The servants frowned at one another, but slowly nodded. “Yeah… Yeah, that’s reasonable,” went Zeng En. “But… Li Shan still…” He swallowed and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. Qiang Yi, on the other hand, beamed at Arya. “Yes! Yes! -Just- as I was saying! No need to panic, no sir, no need! We give ourselves for life to prosper - just as His Lordship would have wanted!” He stood alone celebrating for a moment while the others stared at him in deep concern. Zhen-zhen walked over to him and squeezed his hand. “C-captain, are you alright?” Qiang Yi froze and looked down at her. “Why, yes! Never been better, ever! Now come on! We have a quest to complete!” He turned around and took one step before rubber-necking back. “Who said that?!” he snapped. The crew members’ eyes went wide and Zhen-zhen felt a burn in her nose as tears pooled in the corner of her eyes. “Qiang Yi, n-... Nobody said anything.” “O-oh,” said the captain. “Is that right… W-well, get to it, then! Hoist the sails and take us to the island!” Reluctantly, the crew members got to work. Arya and Laurien shared a concerned look, Arya most of all. She had seen such things before. The paranoia, the thought of whispers around every corner. Quickly Arya caught the sleeve of Zhen-zhen, sharing a wordless look of knowing. Zhen-zhen blinked at her, then looked away. “He’s tired,” she said. “Years and years of harbouring guilt, making mistakes, taking the blame… It’s broken him down. It’s never been this bad, though. He’s been on edge for a while, yeah, but… Now he’s hearing things and-...” She choked down a sob. “... Oh, Lord, what do I do…” [Color=ivory]"Zhen-Zhen… You aren't alone in this."[/color] Arya said before embracing her in a hug. She held the hug for a moment, sobbing into Arya’s shoulder. Then eventually, she began to wriggle her way out, shaking her head. “S-sorry, it’s just… We’re not really supposed to… Hug,” she muttered. “But thanks.” Reluctantly, Arya let her go saying,[Color=ivory]"I know, but sometimes, you really just need one. Just keep watch on him for the time being, and we'll figure something out."[/color] she whispered to her then smiled, looking up at Laurien. [Color=ivory]"Come on, I'll show you around."[/color] she said to her. The ship was soon back at sea and the crew with the fate of fire added to the already prominent fear of the ocean, were more on edge than ever, despite Arya’s heartwarming speech. Qiang Yi poured over the maps day in and day out, his eyes trembling with energy whenever he observed landmarks and stars than matched his predictions. Zhen-zhen and Zeng En tried their best to cheer him on to avoid any outbursts, but with every passing day, they grew more and more anxious at the captain’s deteriorating mental state. The ship kept a steady course, however, and soon enough they had set out into open sea, the kick-off from Mt. Eldahverr luckily passing without incident. From that day, the captain barely rested, his eyes constantly comparing the stars to his charts. The course had to be steady - it had to. The distance was too long to allow for even the slightest error. In the black of night, as only the Garden lit up the sky, Zhen-zhen found Qiang Yi by the statue of Shengshi in prayer. She hesitated to approach, knowing full and well that interruption would lead nowhere. So she sat herself on the stairs, waiting for the whispers to quiet down. However, after a time, she heard sobbing. Her head slowly turned and her misty eyes fell upon the once-proud and mighty captain Qiang Yi, groveling and hammering at the floor, whispering loudly about his failure and how he wished he had died years ago. She could not sit and watch. In a burst of speed, Zhen-zhen stormed over to Qiang Yi and grabbed tightly both his shoulders, glaring teary daggers into his shocked orbs. “Listen to me, Yi,” she snapped through the sobs, “You are -not- a failure, you hear me?!” Qiang Yi opened his mouth to retort, but Zhen-zhen was faster. “No! You are -not- a failure! You are our captain, and the finest captain to ever exist at that! I-...” The sobs overtook her voice for a moment. “... I will not sit here and listen to you wishing for your life to end--” There came another sob. Qiang Yi’s tense form relaxed a little. “... I cannot,” she continued, “I cannot bear to hear it… Not you, Yi… Not you...” Qiang Yi pinched his lips together and sniffed as he brought a hand to his face. He blinked to the side and looked up at the statue of his master and creator, its ceaseless, stern glare fixed on him. A voice echoed through his mind, “She’s lying… She holds you responsible for their deaths… You see them? You see their faces? Yes… Imagine that, huh - twenty-two blessed souls, all dead…” “... Because of you.” In a burst of strength, Qiang Yi pushed her away and crawled backwards while screaming “GET AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!” Zhen-zhen pushed herself up and covered her mouth with her palm. “Y-Yi?” she sobbed, but the captain scrambled to his feet. He hurried over to the table with the maps and rummaged through them until he found an inkwell. He clutched it tightly in his hands and turned to Zhen-zhen whose eyes widened with terror. “Wh-what are you--” “You hate me,” he said. “You all hate me.” Slowly, he approached. Zhen-zhen pushed herself backwards, but the railing on the edge of the deck halted her movement. “N-no, Qiang Yi, we lo--!” “Love me?! What foul nonsense. I have done [i]nothing[/i] but bring shame and disappointment to our crew and quest - I have had the dagger in my hand with every loss. How can you love someone, no, some-THING like me?!” He charged at her. Seeing it as her only option, Zhen-zhen tumbled down the stairs to the main deck. As she collected herself and tried to stand, a hand grabbed the collar of her rugged dress. There stood the captain with the inkwell in his hand, its black content afoul with soiling particles. She tried to pull herself loose, but his grip was iron. “Y-Yi,” she sobbed. “Please…” The captain’s quivering eyes did not part with hers as he slowly shook his head. “You despise me… I-... I will not be made a fool of again… I am… I am worthy. His Lordship said I was worthy!” He uncorked the inkwell with a flick of the thumb. “No… No, Yi, PLEA-!” Like the point of a knife, the opening of the well stabbed into Zhen-zhen’s chest, filling it with the dark liquid. Like a poison, it spread through her, its dirty nature crippling the spirit maintaining Zhen-zhen’s form. She gasped and looked down as the sand on her body took on a darker shade. With a trembling hand, she grabbed the captain’s fist and shook her head, her mouth agape. “P-... Luh-... Ease…” The spirit within was conquered and water and sand fell to the deck with a splash and a dunk. Qiang Yi stood there, still clutching the dress of his first mate in his left hand and the inkwell in his right. Then he collapsed to his knees, letting out a screaming howl of despair. The thunders of footsteps rushed up the stairwell behind him, lead by Zeng En, Arya and Laurien. “Captain, what ha--” Zeng En began, and spotted the clothes, the inkwell and the black water underneath the clothes. The calm, collected warrior, so long a loyal friend of Qiang Yi, saw nothing but red. “You… Murdered her…” Qiang Yi looked down at the inkwell in his hand and the cloth in his other, then at Zeng En. “YOU MURDERED HER!” Zeng En screamed again and charged at him. [Color=ivory]"Zeng En, wait!"[/color] Arya shouted, grabbing the man by his arm, then sweeping his legs out from under him, the warrior crashing into the deck and squirming under Arya’s hold. Laurien in the meantime calmly walked up to Qiang Yi and outstretched her hand. The broken captain did not react - he merely gazed at the hand with a misty, lost look, and it was hard to tell whether he actually saw anything at all. Laurien took the inkwell and cloth in one hand and in the other she gripped the captains shoulder like a vice. [Color=plum]"Arya. Should I kill him?"[/color] she said coldly. At this Arya grew sad and let Zeng En go. [Color=ivory]"The punishment for murder is death, but we need him still. What's left of him, to guide us to the island. He… tie him to a post."[/color] she said. “No!” Zeng En boomed as he stood up, the remaining crew flanking him on either side. “He dies now. A soul for a soul. To Henshan with this quest! We turn home and tell His Lordship we-... We failed!” Many among the crew grew anxious at the suggestion. Zeng En grit his teeth as he looked around. “This mission has taken too much from us. It is cursed - the cargo is cursed - the island is cursed!” “Zeng En,” the captain muttered. The quartermaster shot him a hateful, yet pitiful glare. “Don’t speak such foul heresy,” he continued, “this… This is a god-given mission, and we are--!” “To Henshan with the gods,” Zeng En spat. Qiang Yi and the crew froze, and Zeng En looked around at what had become a flock of enemies. “You take that back,” one of the crew members snapped and shoved him into another who shoved him back. “You spineless coward,” came a second comment along with a punch. “Heretic!” came a third, backed up by a kick that brought the warrior to his knees. Arya stood and began deflecting their blows as she stood above Zeng En. [Color=ivory]"Stop! All of you stop! You're acting like children!"[/color] she shouted. The crew members backed off, but they glared daggers at Zeng En all the same. There came a laugh, this time from Qiang Yi. The crew looked upon him with disgust as the captain stood up and gently pushed Laurien’s hand off him. “Look at us, people… A moment ago, you stood loyally by our quartermaster, demanding my head - now, it’s his on the block, all because of a simple sentence.” He stared up at the sky and stretched out his arms slowly. “So much death - some at the hands of nature, some at our own - all to serve the Exalted Creators…” He snickered. “... Maybe this mission indeed is cursed.” He looked past Laurien a little and gave a weak smile. “We have arrived.” The others turned to the front and began to scream. “BY SHENGSHI, MOVE!” Zeng En bellowed as he tossed himself to the side. Laurien dove for Arya and Arya barely knew what was going on before they both were in the air. The ship collided with the stony shore, sending splinters of wood and planks flying in every direction. Unprepared servants were catapulted forward, many crashing into the masts and splitting apart into sand and water. Zeng En and Qiang Yi, as well as a few others, were fortunate enough to dodge all the dangers aboard, crashing instead onto the sandy and rocky beach. Laurien held tight to Arya as they floated above the crashed ship. It hurt to see it in such a state after so many years and now it was just as broken as all of them. As if sensing the urgency in the air, the two landed and began helping the servants. Qiang Yi lifted his head weakly out of the sand and stared up at the rocky cliff with the cave entrance to Sanvādam and began to giggle. “We… We made it.” The giggle became a maniacal cackle. “WE MADE IT!” He rolled over on his back and raised an arm into the air. “You see us, blessed K’nell? We made it… In Your honour, and in His Lordship’s honour, we made it…” A shadow blotted out the heliopolis over Qiang Yi’s head and the captain froze. “With the blood of your people, you fiend!” Zeng En roared and brought down a huge boulder. Qiang Yi rolled out of the way with newfound reflexes and got to his feet, just in time to dodge a second strike from the warrior. He kept losing ground as Zeng En forced him further and further back. Eventually, Qiang Yi’s back slammed against a stone wall. To the right was the sea; to the left was more stone - he was trapped. Zeng En closed in. “You were a good man, Qiang Yi,” he muttered through rage-fueled sobs. “Pure of heart and soul! Yet you became… This…” He hefted up the rock; Qiang Yi shrunk before the giant. “I hope the pyres burn extra hot for you, YOU MONSTER!” Zeng En never lowered the stone; instead, it fell at his own feet. The captain looked on in terror as a black, legless humanoid slowly slithered its way through Zeng En’s torso, two chalk-white eyes scowling hungrily. Zeng En’s body twitched and wriggled, but the giant managed one final, hateful glare at the captain before the spirit exited him and his soul was consumed. With an empty ‘fuff’, Zeng En’s gi fell to the ground along with several litres of water and sand. Qiang Yi crawled further up against the wall, his breath like his heartbeat. The echo’s eyes blinked at him with ravenous intent and started floating closer. Then, in a burst of black smoke, it exploded, the blade of another black shadow outheld where the echo had been. The nightmare, which had been in stasis for the last five years for a lack of better things to do, had no eyes, yet Qiang Yi could feel its hateful stare. That was when the captain noticed the multitudes of similar black spirits floating around, slaughtering his crew - then, a little further down the beach, he saw Arya and Laurien defending a small group. They were, however, outnumbered. The captain looked up at the nightmare, but it had already left to fight. He then looked down at the empty clothes of Zeng En. “... I’m sorry, old friend,” he whispered as his eyes began to water. “I’m sorry for all of this…” He remained sitting for a while, his mind floating back to all the memories… Li Shan and his builders making those beautiful statues to the gods; Zeng En sparring against Yong Mei on the deck; Zhen-zhen and her smug smile… Another sob. He clutched his face with one hand and suppressed a scream. It had all been because of him, but only because he had made it so. In his fear of the others’ hatred for him, he had caused so much suffering. In trying to prove wrong the demon in his head, it had possessed him - he had possessed himself. He once more looked at Laurien and Arya, both of them losing ground. The servants they had been defending had long since been killed. The captain was the sole servant left on the beach. Even the nightmares were struggling. He clenched his fist and rose to his feet. There was only way thing to do now. [Color=ivory]"Get behi-"[/color] Arya tried to say before being set upon by an Echo. And she watched them, one by one, die before her own eyes. The servants, her friends and her family. She spun wildly, 9n then defense and lashing out only when she could, while Laurien cut down anything that got too close. She needed the flute, Xiaoli’s gift to her. She had almost forgotten about it, hidden within her room. [Color=ivory]"I need my flute!"[/color] she screamed at Laurien as echo and nightmare fought for dominance. Laurien cut another echo in half as she gave Arya a look of confusion. [Color=plum]"A flute?! What are you going to do, sing them to death?"[/color] the woman shouted, narrowly dodging an oncoming echo. [Color=ivory]"It's-"[/color] Arya said, vaporizing an echo with a blast of desolation. [Color=ivory]"It's something like that and my mother gave it to me!"[/color] she shouted. [Color=plum]"Well go get it then, I'll cover you!"[/color] Laurien replied back. With a nod of approval, Arya flung herself between the chaotic brawl and down into the ship she went. As Arya dove into the cargo hold, she encountered Qiang Yi holding the flute in his hand right hand and a burning torch in his left. He blinked in surprise at first, then smiled wryly and offered it to her. “Here, take it and fly to safety,” he said softly. [Color=ivory]"H-How did you know where I hid it?"[/color] she asked him, taking it within her hand. “Yong Mei once gave me a list of all the items onboard, counted down to the last grain of sand… You’re not as good at hiding things as you may think,” he said and gave her a wink. [Color=ivory]"Bless her heart…"[/color] Arya whispered, clutching the flute within her hand before looking at Qiang Yi again, [color=ivory]"I'm so sorry, for all of this. We never should have left Tendlepog."[/color] “No, no… This is all my fault,” he said somberly, though he kept the smile all the same. “I succumbed to the demons within, and my friends - my family - all paid the price.” He nodded at her. “But you, you still have a future, lady Arya - a life to live alongside your sister.” Echoes slowly floated through the ceiling behind them, and Arya saw Qiang Yi stood next to a tall wicker basket. The captain shot an anxious stare at the echoes and then looked back to Arya. “Now go! Fly! Live!” With tears in her eyes, Arya nodded sadly and brought the flute up to her face, her mouth parted and she pressed the flute to her makeshift lips and began to play a sad tune as she flew away, leaving Qiang Yi alone. As the echoes around Laurien and Arya fell asleep, the remaining ones closed in around the only prey left in the area. Qiang Yi sucked in a breath and ceremoniously lifted the lid off the wicker basket to reveal the glistening orvium gift meant for his master. As the echoes came ever closer, he found himself thinking of a poem - something of a final set of words before his inevitable demise. As he held the torch above the sand, he thought of the right words: “Far away from home; Death envelops my cold heart; Here, I meet my end.” The echoes pounced and Qiang Yi dropped his torch. The orvium flashed momentarily, and then left nothing on the beach but a desolated waste. [hr] Both Arya and Laurien hung their heads, far above and away, watching the fire upon the beach. Neither had said a word to each other since the explosion, but the air was palpable between them. Then, Arya turned around and looked to the horizon. Laurien floated next to her, and placed a hand upon her shoulder. [color=plum]”I’m so sorry, Arya… They didn’t deserve that. I… I wish I could have saved them.”[/color] came her said voice. Arya turned to look at her, her face forlorn. [color=ivory]”I do too. It was… All for nothing, wasn’t it? In the end, I lost them all, I failed to protect any of them and worst of all, I told his holiness I would protect them.”[/color] Laurien bowed her head. [color=plum]”Only time will tell if it was worth it Arya. I believe it was. You learned, you grew and you made memories to honor them by. They would have wanted you to live, to go on and tell their story. His Holiness will understand that, Arya and if he does not, then I will make him.”[/color] Laurien said playfully. Arya gave a small smirk and sighed, [color=ivory]”We should get going, it’s a long way to Tendlepog and I don’t know how to get there.”[/color] At this Laurien’s face lit up an she floated to stand in front of Arya. [color=plum]”Leave it to me, sister. I know the way.”[/color] [color=ivory]”Okay.”[/color] Arya smiled. [hider=Summary] Post opens with Arya praying to Kalmar. They talk about many things and make up, before parting ways again. TIMESKIP- 12 years(To keep in relation with Hermes and Xiaoli’s children), and we open with a really bummed out Arya who has grown up a bit. She walks up to the officers on deck, who are all showing signs of wear, mentally and physically. THey’ve lost some people along the way and are again arguing over where to travel. Arya butts in quite rudely, and accuses Qiang Yi of being a murderer, (but not literally) and then apologizes because she feels bad about it man. They decide on a new course, but need to head back to the Nanhe delta to restock on water. So they do that. Arya skips through the air on DF, having a grand ol’ day, when the Soul broadcast hits. She has a minor mental breakdown at the thought of post-death fate, which conveniently leads to Laurien finding her. The two share their first meeting moment and Laurien calms down Arya’s existential panic, telling her that the flames are a much better alternative to an endless, empty sleep. Arya is soothed, indeed, and the two fly off back to the ship. There, the broadcast has caused an even bigger panic, and the two are forced to calm it down with a little help from Laurien’s space beam sword. It’s clear now that everyone’s so on edge they may as well be falling off it, so they just decide to finish the mission asap. Qiang Yi happily agrees and skips about like a madman, which makes Zhen-zhen hella worried. Arya calms her a bit and then shows Laurien around. One night, Zhen-zhen sees Qiang praying at the altar of Shengshi and goes to stop him from belittling himself. SHort story short, Qiang goes mad and kills Zhen-zhen with ink. Yikes. Zeng En, and the two girls arrive next and then everything goes to shit when the crew shows up too. Zeng En basically says ‘Fuck the gods’ and everyone starts beating on him before Qiang Yi is like “Hey! we’re here!” Bam, Cargo delivered, servants get murderedized by the echoes as the nightmares finally prove their worth. Arya and Qiang Yi have a moment, before the madman blows up the ship with the orvium they collected years ago. Arya + Laurien reflect on what happened, then start the journey to Tendlepog. The end. [/hider] [Hider=Prestige] Arya: The Learner, The Martial Dancer, The Compassionate, The Wanderer +30 Prestige Starting -2 to claim the title ‘The Teacher’ -2 to claim the title ‘The Sailor’ -2 to claim the title ‘Last of the Zhengwu’ -6 Prestige spent teaching Martial Dancing to the Servants -6 Prestige spent teaching Dancing to the Servants +1 For Minor Role +1 For Major Role +1 For Following a Quest +1 For Jolly Collaboration +5 For Quest Completion = +21 Prestige Ending [hider=Skills/Abilities Learned] +6 Prestige on Fighting +6 Prestige on Dancing +6 Prestige on Martial Dancing. +1FP for flight. +2FP for ‘evil eyes’ ability. Causes nightmares to those that distress Arya. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Ending Tune][url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-b0h9tHR0[/url][/hider]