[center] [img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjY2LmFmM2QyMy5WR2hsSUVSeVlXZHZibUp2Y200LC4y/medusa-gothic.regular.png[/img] [/center] [hr] [color=9e0b0f]”It’s not your fault, Michallis. There was nothing you could do. It was just... fate.”[/color] Minerva said coldly, her voice betraying her words. She rested a hand upon a figure covered in a long cloth. Even though the sun shone brightly down upon them in that clearing, she felt no warmth. Only a biting numbness that ate at her heart like some sickness. Michallis fared no better. The man, who at one time stood so high, with a twinkle in his eyes at all times, was cast lower than she had ever seen him before. He sat a ways away, as if afraid to get any closer. His posture was slumped, and he was coated in dry blood from fresh scars upon his chest, arms, and legs. His clothes were in tatters, but he wore them all the same. He looked vaguely ahead of her, his eyes glazed over, ringed with red. He looked awful. So much so, that she could barely hold her own gaze upon him. She looked down at the small silhouette underneath the cloth. Gently she pulled back the cloth, to reveal a small pale face of ten years, with little pointy ears and small stubby horns. His hair was black, as were his tiny scales. But his eyes were shut, and they would never open again. Tears ran down her cheeks as she squeezed her eyes shut, but the image had been implanted into her mind forevermore. Death had never been so cruel. She lifted the cloth back up and over Kellin’s head, before opening her eyes again. [color=9e0b0f]”But it is my fault, Minerva.”[/color] came Michallis’ hoarse voice. She snapped her gaze to him, beginning to shake her head. [color=9e0b0f]”No it isn’t.”[/color] she retorted. Michallis then leaned forward, fresh tears streaming down his face as he balled his fists. [color=9e0b0f]”If I hadn’t wanted to take him hunting, this wouldn’t have happened! We should have stayed home, like you said, but did I listen? No, I didn’t… And… And now he’s gone. Because of me...”[/color] Minerva blinked and then snarled as she stood up, her own left fist balled up as well as she pointed a finger at her partner with her right, [color=9e0b0f]”You don’t get to take the full blame! Stop trying to burden yourself with both of our guilt. You know I’m just as much to blame as you are. I could have went with you, I could have kept him home and and… Just held him in my arms just like when he was a baby. But I can’t do that now, because I wasn’t there to protect him, to protect the both of you. And that, Michallis, is my fault.”[/color] she said, before bursting into tears again. Slowly she fell onto her knees, placed her head atop her son’s chest and wept again, gripping him tight. Michallis bowed his head further, and said nothing else, even if he had words to say, she would not listen. Much like himself, she was just as stubborn. And the entire world grew silent as it listened to the lamentations of a grieving mother. [hr] It was later did they at last bury their child underneath a lonely tree. In time, it’s roots would cradle their child like they had, but now for eternity. They did not speak to each other, even when Minerva tended to Michallis’ wounds, down at the stream. Neither of them ate that night, in their expanded tree house, nor did they share in warmth as they slept. Minerva tried at first, but sleep would not find its way to her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling. Only when the moon hung dimly in the sky overhead did she get up. Taking a single blanket, she walked softly to her Kellin’s room. And in the dark did she lay herself upon his bed and took comfort in his scent. It wasn’t her baby, but it would do. It had to. [hr] Michallis found himself in the nightmare again. It haunted him ever since that fateful day. Over and over again, he was powerless as he watched Kellin die. He tried, in vain, to prevent his son from dying but no matter how hard he tried, nothing ever changed. Then he woke up, alone with the sun barely rising. Things just weren’t the same. It had been two weeks since that fateful encounter in the woods and he was slowly recovering. He was still sore, but the bruises were starting to fade. Slowly he sat up and quietly got out of bed. He walked to Kellin’s room, like he always did in the mornings, to see Minerva’s sleeping form. She barely left the room anymore, causing him great alarm, nor had she said anything to him since. Every time he tried to initiate a conversation, he was never given any sort of acknowledgement. It hurt him, but he understood. He moved past the door, and into the food stores. Everything was running low, for he had been too injured to do much of anything. Perhaps it was time to change that. He grabbed a slice of dried meat, and scarfed it down. Then he moved over to a rocky bowl, nestled next to an assortment of clothing. It had been a lucky find one day, out exploring. Michallis then bent over the bowl and used his hands to splash water on his face. When the water settled, he was shocked at his appearance. He was gaunt, his beard unkempt and overgrown. A droplet of water then rolled into his eyes, causing Michallis to shut them tightly as he fumbled around for a towel. When his hands finally found something dry, he used it to wipe his face of any excess water. When he opened his eyes, he found himself looking at a small leather shirt. Kellin’s shirt. His brow furrowed as the weight of emotions came crashing down around him again. He shook his head quickly, suddenly aware of just how many things in their home were of their son’s. He began to breath quickly and muttered, [color=9e0b0f]”No. Not today. Not today.”[/color] as he placed the shirt back down. He needed to get out of there, and since they needed food, he used that as an excuse. He grabbed Minvera’s spear, for his was gone and made his way down the tree. Everything was a reminder of his son, but perhaps he’d lose himself in the forest. For a time. [hr] [color=black]”Minerva.”[/color] came a strange voice. [color=black]”You need to wake up.”[/color] And she thought for a moment, half asleep, hardly registering. But as her mind broke away from dream weavers, she realized that it was not the voice of Michallis. With a start, she bolted upright in the bed, covering herself with her blanket as her eyes groggily focused upon a tall figure of black and stars, standing over her. Instinctively she shouted, [color=9e0b0f]”Michallis!”[/color] but there came no thundering reply and she was afraid. [color=black]”He is not here, Minerva. But do not worry, I mean you no harm. I am Orvus, father of Laurien.”[/color] the god said. At the mentioning of Laurien’s name, Minerva relaxed slightly. She had not seen the woman for a very long time, she had almost forgotten what she looked like. But the appearance of Orvus jolted her memory. She lowered her blanket slightly, and narrowed her brow at the god. A god. It was crazy to think about, to even wrap her head around. She had no idea what to even do. [color=9e0b0f]”Why…”[/color] she said meekly before clearing her throat, [color=9e0b0f]”Why are you here?”[/color] [color=black]”I apologize for the intrusion into your home. I have only come to see if you still occupied this area, for Laurien’s sake. I owe my daughter many things, and she desired to know what became of the ‘Dragonborn’ as she called you. So here I am.”[/color] he said. [color=9e0b0f]”I see.”[/color] she said quietly, [color=9e0b0f]”And where is Laurien?”[/color] [color=black]”She resides in the Eye of Desolation. A place, far from here. She wished to come herself, but out of the two of us, I travel much faster.”[/color] Orvus said again. [color=9e0b0f]”Well, um, here we are. Doing great.”[/color] she said with a fake smile. The gods eyes narrowed slightly, before turning to a mix of concern and sadness. There was no doubt in her mind then, that he knew. There was no lying to a god, was there? [color=black]”Your heart weighs heavily with loss.”[/color] he said, bowing his head slightly. [color=black]”This place, now only a reminder of what was and what could have been. I know this grief, this pain and no one should have to fight it alone, else we be consumed by it entirely.”[/color] She blinked back tears at his words and nodded slowly. [color=9e0b0f]”Then how… How do I make it go away?”[/color] [color=black]”Time. And loved ones.”[/color] he said. And Minerva’s thoughts turned to Michallis, wrapped up in his burly arms, safe and secure. She closed her eyes and took a deep, ragged breath. She knew not what to do, but nod in agreement again. She knew a part of her wanted nothing more than to blame Michallis, and another part of her wanted to hate him for the loss of their son, but she knew she couldn’t. It was irrational for her to think she could ever blame him for the accident, or ever hate him for what he couldn’t have done. Her grief was shared with him, after all. [color=black]”You know.”[/color] Orvus began, [color=black]”Perhaps it best if you come with me. The both of you.”[/color] he finished, rubbing his chin. Minerva cocked her head to the side as she looked up at the god. [color=9e0b0f]”Go with you? To this… Eye of Desolation?”[/color] she said thoughtfully. [color=9e0b0f]”But… This is our home.”[/color] [color=black]”A home is a people, not a place. And Michallis is your ‘people’. Despite its name, the Eye is a good place, and you won’t have to be so alone anymore, out here in the middle of nowhere.”[/color] he said softly. It was true, she could not imagine herself anywhere else without Michallis and as much as she enjoyed this tree of theirs… It would never be the same again. [color=9e0b0f]”I… I need to speak with Michallis first. I can’t make a decision without him.”[/color] she said. Orvus nodded in agreement. [color=black]”Of course. Speak to your husband. He arrives now.”[/color] Husband? Was that he was to her…? She shook her head and got up. Before leaving the room, she looked back at Orvus, who said nothing, before making her way down the tree. Michallis’ voice was not far behind. [color=9e0b0f]”M-Minerva! What are you doing!”[/color] he shouted, dropping the carcass of a deer to his feet. She smirked, before saying, [color=9e0b0f]”I’m coming down to see you, of course.”[/color] and when her feet touched the ground, she turned around to see Michallis standing before her. He still looked awful, but not nearly as he had been. She probably looked no better. There was silence between the two as they looked over one another again, and took in each other’s scents. Then they both began to speak, before going quiet. Michallis gulped and said, [color=9e0b0f]”You first.”[/color] Minerva was about to tell him to go first, but thought better of it. The dragon girl scratched her head before saying, [color=9e0b0f]”I’m… I’m sorry for ignoring you, Michallis. I just… Needed to be alone.”[/color] she said, looking to the ground. [color=9e0b0f]”There’s no need to say sorry. I… Understood.”[/color] the man said as he shifted awkwardly. Minerva looked back up at him, [color=9e0b0f]”There is though. You’re hurting just as much as I am, and what did I do? I shut you out, Michallis. I can’t imagine how I would feel if you did the same to me. It’s selfish, and I’m sorry.”[/color] Michallis opened his mouth to say something, but instead gave a small nod. That wasn’t like him, but she found it strangely warming. [color=9e0b0f]”There’s more. You are my love, Michallis. And I am yours. The only way we can…”[/color] she paused trying to come up with the right words. [color=9e0b0f]”Make the pain and sadness and grief subside... Is by going through it, together.”[/color] she said, a tear falling down her cheek. [color=9e0b0f]”Minerva.”[/color] Michallis gasped softly, before moving towards her. He then embraced her, in a tight hug and Minerva did the same. They stood like that for a long time, before Michallis pulled away, still holding onto her and said, [color=9e0b0f]”I’m so sorry.”[/color] [color=9e0b0f]”Michallis.”[/color] Minerva said, putting a hand on his face. [color=9e0b0f]”It was an accident. If you can’t accept that, then we will never get anywhere, my love.”[/color] she whispered. Michallis leaned in to her hand, and shut his eyes. He took a deep breath, and then said, [color=9e0b0f]”I’ll try.”[/color] before opening his eyes once more. [color=9e0b0f]”There’s one more thing, Michallis.”[/color] Minerva lulled, half closing her eyes. [color=9e0b0f]”Do you want to move?.”[/color] Michallis furrowed his brow. [color=9e0b0f]”Move? But where would we go… Kellin is… buried here.”[/color] [color=9e0b0f]”I know. But we always promised him we’d go on an adventure. As a family.”[/color] she said misty eyed. Michallis’ brow relaxed and he nodded. [color=9e0b0f]”Okay. Yeah. Just… Where would we go?”[/color] [color=9e0b0f]”The Eye of Desolation.”[/color] she said with a soft smile. And as Michallis kissed her brow, she knew everything would be alright, in time. [hr] [hider=Summary] We find our Dragonborn Heroes in the midst of a tragedy. Due to this event, Minerva keeps distance from Michallis as she mourns. Michallis understands why, but is also suffering just as much as she is. Weeks pass, and one day Michallis decides to leave the house to go hunting after much internal debate. Minerva is then woken from her sleep by Orvus, who has come by as a sort of wellfare check, at Laurien's prompting. What he finds is concerning and he sympathizes with her. They have a good talk, and Minerva realizes somethings. Orvus then offers to take them to the Eye of Desolation, to get away from their grief for a time. Minerva then says she needs to talk to Michallis first, and the two Dragonborn then find each other at the base of their house tree. Minerva opens up to Michallis about what she was feeling and so does he, promising he'll work on not blaming himself for what happened. The two then agree to go with Orvus, to fulfill a promise they once made. [/hider] [hider=Prestige] Michallis; The Dragonborn 4 Prestige Starting +1 For Minor Role +1 For Major Role +6 Ending Minerva; The Dragonborn 4 Prestige Starting +1 For Minor Role +1 For Major Role +6 Ending [/hider]