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She broke through the clouds with a giddy laugh, diving in a free fall towards the blue of the ocean. Her body was like an arrow, shot from the bow of the sky, and traveling at such a fast speed. She delighted in it, for truly, it was freedom. She loved flying, from her earliest days. As she thought of Arryn, Arya pushed her arms forward, and used the momentum to shoot off towards the island of green. She flew close to the water, dipping her finger into it. She was home, her only home now, it seemed. 

After spending a few days with Split, she had said her goodbyes to her friend. It was difficult, but the fact that she had even found her again, was absolutely incredible. Yet, at the same time, it opened up a yearning for her to travel again, perhaps find Penelope, see Wenbo, Shengshi, Kalmar, maybe even Arae and reconcile with Arryn. And the more she thought about it, the more she knew that was what she needed to do. First, she’d rest at home for a time, and then travel the world, and right old wrongs. Just like what Hermes and Xiaoli would have wanted. She had still not entered the heavenscape… It wasn’t because she couldn’t, but more so, she hadn’t tried. Not yet, anyways. There would be a time, of that she was sure. 

As she flew over the tall, jungle trees, she wondered if she should tell her family about the Moksha. Perhaps that would be a discussion for a different day. Soon enough she flew over the Marble Star, it’s beauty unlike anything she had seen in the waking world. She was happy it existed. As soon as she crossed over the tip, she came into view of the large settlement of Nebulan. It’s growth, only yet begun, but still making headway. Yet, the place was more noticeably empty. 

And as she attracted attention, most Nebulites she saw looked downcast, even sad. Though many perked up at her arrival. A small crowd gathered around her as she landed before her father’s house. 

“Arya you’ve returned!” Said a rosy colored Nebulite. Arya flashed her a smile.

“Thank the gods.” said another and Arya rose an eyebrow.

“Where did Or-” Arya began to frown. 

“Arya! Mom! It’s Arya!” Shouted the unmistakable voice of Lily, interrupting the Nebulite. Arya quickly spun around to see Lily running from the front porch before the girl flew into her arms. With a puff, her armor dissipated, replaced by a simple worn dress and a large smile. What she was not expecting was such a tight squeeze, but Arya returned it in kind as a concerned look spread across her face. What was going on?

Ava and Rowan then came out the front door, Ava bounded down the steps in her human form as Arya went to her knees. Ava hugged her tightly as well, and Arya gave each of them a kiss on the top of their heads. 

“I’m glad you came back.” Ava whispered, as she nuzzled into her neck. “I am too.” Lily said, with equal longing in her voice. Arya pulled them in tighter, a feeling of warmth blossoming in her chest as she looked up at Rowan, with her hands folded across her dress. Silent tears fell down her pale cheeks.

[color=ivory]”W-What happened?”[/color] Arya asked in a shaky voice. 

[hr]

Days turned into weeks, and weeks to months, as time marched on in the Eye. Eventually months turned to years, and growth was abound. After the initial shock of learning that Orvus and Laurien were gone, leaving Arya with a people to watch over, her grand plans for seeing the world were over. Her duty was to the Nebulites, and Vallamir who now called the Eye home. Not long after she arrived home, the Dragonborn couple left one night, and they did not return. Where they went, Arya and the others, simply did not know. Orb was gone too, another mystery never to be solved. Soon enough, the only questions she found herself asking was why Orvus had abandoned her- No, them, again. 

She could hardly believe it at first. She was adamant he would return and all would be well, but after the first year and the birth of her brother, her heart soured. Wherever Orvus had gone, it seemed he was not coming back. She wanted to believe that something vitally important had come up, but it became harder as the years went by. Then there was her sister. Laurien had left with Shenghsi, without even saying goodbye to her. Often she wondered what had driven her sister to such a course of action. Was it something Orvus did? Had she grown so cold to her, that she simply couldn’t be around anymore? She could only guess, in the end. 

She told herself frequently that all she had to do was pray. Pray for help, and she almost did, on several occasions, but in the end, she never did. Why? She didn’t really know. Perhaps she had a sour taste in her mouth, after learning what befell Tiben and how he was murdered by ‘Winged Demons’ from some foul god. She knew not the culprit, nor did she want to find out. Or perhaps she simply didn’t want to bother them. Or perhaps… Perhaps she knew not why they never tried to contact her. Was she so little in their eyes, that they simply didn’t have the time? She called herself a fool, but there was something ironic about the whole thing. 

The one God who she would have asked, the one who did have the time, (mostly), was in Paradise with her mothers. A place, she seldom visited. For all of its wonders, for all of its promises and endless potential, her life was rooted more deeply every passing day, upon the soil of Galbar. She never told them about what was truly going on in her life, and when she did, it was always half truths. She did not want to be a bother, after all. If she herself had lived in Paradise, she wouldn’t want anyone to ruin that, especially those she couldn’t help in person. That would break her.

But none of this ever deterred Arya, nor greatly brought her spirits down. She realized the situation was unfortunate, that it was even at times depressing, but she had her family there. She had Rowan, Ava, Elowyn, Lily, and Doron. Plus Myra and the Vallamir, and the entire host of Nebulites at her back. They were her people, and they needed her as much as she needed them. Life was abundant and she took upon herself the roles she had cultivated over her lifetime. She taught the Nebulites and Vallamir how to write and read Shengese, which they then modified to their own standard. Language was eventually shared between the Vallamir and Nebulites, and the two species flourished by the others side. 

Arya also taught them how to dance, which many took a liking too. On many nights, many would gather around a great bonfire and sing and dance in merriment. It became tradition to dance under the Moksha, when Veradax hung low in the sky and the Garden bloomed with the brightest light. So to did Arya teach them to fight and protect themselves. After the incident with Tiben, she knew it was the only course of action, especially without a God to protect them. She could only be in one place at once, which is why she also founded an order to maintain the peace. They named themselves, Knights of the Black Tear, after Arya herself and all she gave to the people. It was poetic in a way. Lily and Ava were the ones who came up with it, and it the others agreed. The Knights were equipped with the sharpest spears and knives, and pieces of reptile hide to act as a layer of protection. Arya even fashioned wooden swords for practice, in hopes that one day she could give them weapons akin to Wreanon, but that seemed… A ways off. 

Lastly, Arya taught clay working, after the Dreamers. The jungle was rich with clay deposits, and many took to it as a pastime and eventual job. And as the tenth year dawned upon them, the Eye was in a state of blissful peace under Arya’s watch. She took on the role of leader, and punished those accordingly. Everything was usually minor, like stealing food, or disputes between neighbors. Then there was the accidents, and unfortunate deaths. They were uncommon but did occur several times every year. What broke her heart most, was the wails of a new mother whose baby would never fly. She could never grow use to it, else a part of her would die, she knew. It reminded her of what the Moksha was able to do, but how did you teach a baby? Or even a toddler?

She felt guilty that she had the answer for the afterlife, and she could hardly give it away to those that needed it most. Slowly she became disillusioned with the Pyres, and it was not long after that she told Rowan, Ava and Lily how to enter Heaven, and swore them to secrecy. They did not understand why K’nell had done what he had done, but they did not object, even if they were immortal. Next on the list was Doron and eventually, Elowyn. The two children had rekindled Arya’s childlike joy. Elowyn was the daughter of Ava and her partner, Ciellion. She was just a baby, not even two months old. Her skin was a light purple, with darker swirls. Her eyes, when open, were starry white like most others and being so young, her hair was only just beginning to grow. It was too soon to see what color it would be. Then there was Doron, the rambunctious ten year old who had a knack for getting into trouble. He was short for his age, at least a head shorter than the other children of his age. His skin was golden brown, glowing ever so slightly. Sat atop his head was curls of golden hair. Strangest of all, his eyes were black, same as Arya. His appearance, much like her own, was an oddity or rarity, among the island Nebulites and there was nothing wrong with that. 

Life was what it was in the Eye, after all. 

[hr]

There was a crack of wood on wood, followed by heavy breathing and a growl. The smell of sweat hung in the humid air as the sun beat down in the clearing. The clearing was behind Orb’s old home, which had been expanded upon and added too. Much of the original architecture remained, as well as the engravings, which were the basis of other rock carving projects that had erupted across the Marble Star with eager vigor. The home had been turned into the order’s base of operations and where members could go and train, sleep and attend meetings. 

The clearing itself was rather just a stretch of cleared forest, and modified with targets, and grass dummies. There was a cache of wooden swords to the side, as well as long sticks and throwing spears. A back balcony had been constructed in the house, very carefully, and took about a year to complete. It wasn’t terribly big, but had a good vantage point for the clearing. Arya stood up there now, hands folded across her chest. She wore simple cloth garments that covered her more sensitive parts, and her hair was held into a bun. She looked down upon Lily and Myra, who were fixated opponents. Lily, in her Nebulite form, had grown up to be taller than even Arya. Both the twins had actually. She wore the same attire as Arya, and had her hair in a loose ponytail. 

[color=ivory]”Both of you still need to work on your footwork!”[/color] Arya exclaimed, [color=ivory]”You have the hitting part down, now all you need to do is the dancing part. Again.”[/color] There came a grumble from Lily as she took her place opposite of Myra.

[color=ivory]”Did you say something Lily?”[/color] Arya said, unamused. 

“No, not at all!” the girl said, with a deadpan stare on Myra. 

Myra stood with a sparring sword in one hand, and the other behind her back - a technique that she had come up with, and insisted on using with any one-handed weapon. She cast a sardonic look at Arya, before turning back to Lily and pointing her weapon toward her.

Lily grimaced slightly, before twirling her own sword, then using the momentum to jab forward at Myra. With a flick of her wrist, Myra parried the taller woman’s weapon aside, stepped forward, and reversed the course of her own weapon to swing at the now vulnerable opponent. The Nebulite girl snapped her arm back and up over Myra’s head, allowing the wooden blade to catch her opponent’s with a crack. Lily then sidestepped Myra to the right and brought her own blade back down to strike at her. 

Myra sidestepped the downward strike, and as the wooden blade passed she launched into a lunge at Lily’s stomach. The blow hit, knocking the wind out of Lily as she fell to her knees. Quickly she pushed herself up and got back to her feet with a scowl of frustration. 

Myra turned to Arya. “I think you said something about my footwork?”

Arya rolled her eyes and said, [color=ivory]"It's not about making yourself look better Myra. It's about growing and learning together. You'll learn that one day."[/color] Her gaze turned to Lily, who had begun to pace as she stared daggers into Myra's skull.

Myra frowned. “I lose, and I am criticized for not fighting well enough. I win, and I am accused of trying to show off. There’s just no pleasing anyone, is there?”

[Color=ivory]"No one is criticizing you, specifically Myra and you aren't being accused, it's simply the truth. Instead of making sure Lily was uninjured you turned to me and mocked my previous assertion of the two of you. Surely, in your wisdom, you can see the problem there."[/color] Arya said coolly.

Myra frowned. “I waited until she got back up,” she pointed out, before turning back to Lily. “And you weren’t injured, were you?”

"Not anymore." Lily gritted through her teeth.

“It’s just a fight,” Myra said, her frown deepening. “It’s not personal.”

"Of course. Nothing personal." Lily feigned a smile.

“I think the problem,” Myra went on, “was that you over-committed yourself, and let me get too close. You are taller than me, and your arms are longer, so you have more reach. You could fight in a way that keeps me at a distance, and then maybe I won’t be able to attack you,” she suggested in a neutral tone.

"Gee, thanks for the tip Myra." Lily said in a sarcastic tone before looking up to Arya, "I'm done for the day." Before dropping her sword and flying off. Arya frowned as she watched Lily go, she could tell the girl was angry at herself for losing again, but Myra did have a point. 

[Color=ivory]"That's all for the day then."[/color] Arya said looking at Myra. 

Myra stepped forward and knelt to retrieve the discarded sword, carefully brushing off the dirt and grass. “That’s it?” she asked, sounding disappointed. “There’s nobody else I can train with?”

[Color=ivory]"Well… Everyone else is out on their patrols as you know. I guess… If you really want to train more…"[/color] Arya said, floating down to the ground. [Color=ivory]"It's been sometime since I trained, how about it?"[/color] she asked Myra.

“I don’t see why not,” Myra said with a shrug, before holding out Lily’s sword.

Arya took it and stepped back as she twirled it within her hand. She faced Myra before bowing, then taking a defensive stance, sword twirling, her posture relaxed and the expression on her face blank. 

Myra, meanwhile, resumed the same stance she had taken before: one hand behind her back, one foot ahead of the other, and her sword held forward. She waited for Arya to make the first move.

With a frightening burst of speed Arya was upon Myra, feigning her first attack, a slash at her upper arm, before jabbing at her stomach instead. Myra recognized the feint a split-second too late, the wooden blade striking her stomach before she could block it in time. 

The blue-haired girl doubled over, gasping for breath… A look of concern erupted across Arya's face as she went to make sure Myra was okay but Myra then swung her blade out at Arya’s knees. The blue-haired Vallamir rose to her feet, offhand clutching her stomach while a defiant expression remained on her face.

Arya was hit and grunted, but did not fall over. She stepped back and smirked at Myra. [Color=ivory]"Clever, knowing that I'd check to see if you were okay. But now it won't work twice."[/color] Arya said, resuming the same position she had earlier. 

Still gasping slightly, Myra began to circle to the right, bringing her weapon to shoulder level and pointing it forward.

Arya did the same, but opposite of Myra. She eyed her opponent, waiting for her to attack. The air became palpable with anticipation, but still, Myra did not move. It would have to be Arya. The nebulite woman began to dance, letting the fluidity of the movement to bring herself closer to Myra. Her blade began to spin quickly within her hand as she made her approach. 

Myra, however, did not allow Arya to close, instead choosing to backpedal away.

In another burst of speed, Arya was upon Myra, slashing her sword at Myra's right side. Myra blocked it just in time, then stepped forward and attempted to swing her weapon across Arya’s stomach. In a flash, Arya parried the swing and with the hilt of her sword, went to slam it into Myra's stomach.

Again, Myra went down, coughing and gasping. But then she dug the blade of her sword into the ground and used it to push herself back up, breathing heavily.

Arya looked over at the girl again, a flash of disappointment came over her, coupled with excitement. Then a wave of guilt hit her hard and concern was painted across her face as she felt disgusted with herself for feeling that way. Shakely she said, [Color=ivory]"I think that's enough for today, Myra."[/color] 

At those words, Myra’s legs gave way. She slumped to her knees, gasping more loudly and panting more heavily. It seemed as though she had been hurt more than she let on. “You… think…” she choked as she coughed onto the ground.

Arya threw her sword to the ground and rushed over to Myra, catching her before she fell and hurt herself even more. All previous thoughts abandoned her as she focused on the girl. She cradled the girl, a strong sense of guilt and anger at herself came in droves. [Color=ivory]"Oh I'm so sorry Myra, I didn't think I hit you that hard. I-I… Just breath Myra. Breath."[/color]

“St-sta…” she tried to speak between breaths, but couldn’t, and so she knelt there gasping as Arya held her. Minutes passed. The pain began to fade, and her breath was correcting itself, so she tried again. “Stop… throwing... swords,” she breathed. “People worked… hard… to make… them.”

Arya rolled her eyes before laughing. [Color=ivory]"Oh Myra. Your life is far more valuable than a sword. We can make more of those, but not you."[/color] 

“You say that, but the others…” she coughed. “They’ve been busy… lots of children… won’t be long before they replace us…” Myra, for her part, didn’t have any children at all, and over the years seemed to have completely avoided coupling with Nebulites or even the other Vallamir. Many had tried to woo her, of course, but after so many years of refusal that vast majority had given up.

Arya ran her hand through Myra's hair, getting rid of the dry grass that had found a home and said, [Color=ivory]"Your uniqueness can't be replaced Myra. Not by others, not by replacements. Is… Is that why you haven't had children? Are you afraid you will be replaced?"[/color]

She shook her head. “No… that’s not it…”

[Color=ivory]"Mhmm. Then what is, dearie?"[/color] Arya cooed softly.

“Well…” she thought about her words carefully. “When we first got here, the Nebulites kept trying to get us to come to the tree. There was something about the way they acted… they expected it, some even seemed to feel entitled to it. The others went, but I didn’t. Then, months later, children began to be born, and the ones who made them had to raise them, but I thought… if I had children, shouldn’t it be with someone that I trust? But I didn’t have a bond with any of the Nebulites, and the other Vallamir had already paired up with each other. There was nobody left for me, nobody I felt attached to…” she took a deep breath, “or at least nobody who felt the same way.”

Arya embraced Myra gently at the end of her confession. She felt sorry for the poor Mir and strangely, she felt the same way. [Color=ivory]"You're not the only one who feels that way. The Nebulites… They had a predisposition for that lifestyle, I fear Laurien corrupted that further and Orvus did nothing to stop it. But I also know that someone is out there for you. He or she might not be here but one day you will find them or they will find you and it will just click."[/color] she said with a smile.

“Has something like that happened for you?” Myra asked, looking up at her. “Did you meet anyone during your travels?”

It took a moment for Arya to respond. There was someone who she thought once but… She hadn't seen him or heard of him in a very long time. Another unintentional side effect of the Palace leaving. [Color=ivory]"I… There was someone once, or perhaps there could have been. I don't know."[/color] she said.

“What happened?”

[Color=ivory]"I woke up."[/color] she said, smiling softly. [Color=ivory]"Now… Enough of me, how are you feeling?"[/color]

“I don’t feel like I’m dying, at least…” Myra muttered. She pulled herself free from Arya, and rose to her feet, offering a hand to help her up. “There is something else I’ve been meaning to tell you…”

Arya took her hand and rose, then placed her hands on her hips. [Color=ivory]"Oh?"[/color] she said.

“Two days ago, Kalmar finally answered my prayers.”

[Color=ivory]"I see… And what did you Pray for, Myra?"[/color] she asked, surprised. 

“Answers,” she said. “He told me how the Vallamir were created, and why. He was surprised to know that some of us ended up here. Apparently we were supposed to land on a place called Kalgrun,” she explained, and then hesitated. “He offered to take us there, but most of us would rather stay, and the rest can’t decide.”

[Color=ivory]"And you?"[/color] Arya asked with a wry smile.

“I don’t know,” Myra shook her head. “I haven’t even [i]seen[/i] Kalgrun, but if there’s more of my kind there…” her voice trailed off. “He said he would send his avatar here soon, to take any who want to leave. I suppose I have until then to decide.”

[Color=ivory]"Arryn? Coming here? Oh my oh my."[/color] Arya said giddily. She then collected herself and put a hand on Myra's shoulder, [Color=ivory]"Do what you think is best, dear. I will support you either way. Avatars travel fast, so it should be any day now, if not hour."[/color] she said.

Myra’s eyebrows rose at Arya’s reaction, but she chose not to comment on it. “What can you tell me about Kalmar?” she asked instead.

[color=ivory]”Kalmar is the God of the Hunt, creator of Kalgrun and the second person to find me upon Galbar. He raised me for a time. He’s a good god… But at times he can be… Difficult. Thought I might be wrong, I haven’t seen him in years.”[/color] she said.

“And what about his avatar?”

[color=ivory]”Arryn, the Falcon of the Hunt. He was… My first friend. He was strong, and unafraid to protect those that he cared for, regardless of the outcome it might have had on his own person. I haven’t seen him in… A very long time.”[/color] Arya said, her voice full of sadness. 

“What happened?” She found herself asking for the second time.

[color=ivory]”It’s a long story, Myra. One that I am ashamed of. If Arryn does come… I’ll tell you after.”[/color] she gave a sad smile. 

“Alright… I’ll let you know if he arrives,” Myra nodded. “I think I’ll head home now.”

[color=ivory]”You did good today.”[/color] Arya said, scratching the back of her head, [color=ivory]”Sorry about hitting you hard Myra.”[/color]

With a nod, Myra turned and walked away.

Arya watched Myra leave, before looking down at her hands. They shook slightly. It was not because Arryn was coming, no, she only felt nervous when she thought about that. This was something else. A familiar presence came upon her and she turned around to see Wreanun floating silently behind her. 

His deep voice rang out with clarity. “You couldn’t control your swing, could you?”

[color=ivory]”No… I-I felt joy…”[/color] she whispered.

“It is what we feared, Arya. I am corrupting you.”

[hr]

[hider=Summary]

We start the post as Arya arrives at the Eye. Joy is briefly had before she’s told of everything. We then skip ten years, briefly explaining what’s happened in the eye over those years and Arya’s thoughts on things. We have some new characters and old. We then cut to a scene where Lily and Myra are training. Myra kicks Lily’s ass and she gets upset and leaves. Myra and Arya then fight and Arya almost severely injured the Mir. She holds her as she recovers and they talk for a bit about Kalmar (Because NF was in this post), and then Arryn. Myra then leaves Arya who looks at her shaky hands. Wreanun shows up and they talk and a dark secret is discovered. YEEHAW

[/hider]

[hider=Prestige]
Arya: The Learner, The Martial Dancer, The Compassionate, The Wanderer, The Teacher, The Sailor, Last of the Zhengwu
+53 Prestige Starting
+1 For Major Role
+1 For Minor Role
+1 For Jolly Collaboration. 

-20 to form Holy Order “Knights of the Black Tear”
-6 to Teach Reading
-6 to Teach Writing
-6 to Teach Dancing
-6 to Teach Clay Working
-6 to Teach Martial Combat

-2 to claim the title, “Lady of the Eye”
-2 to claim the title, “Sword Master”

= +2 Prestige Ending

[/hider]

[hider=Knights of the Black Tear]
A holy order of beings who put others before themselves. They protect and defend those who cannot do so for themselves and guide those to a better path. Before becoming a full member, they are taken as squires by a pledged individual and trained. Once fully accepted into the Order, they title themselves, Dame and Sir, respectively. Once sword making actually becomes a thing, I’ll do things with swords too, yippe. 
[/hider]