[center] [color=orange][h1][b][u]Goodbyes[/u][/b][/h1][/color] [/center] [hr] They had flown back to the house without speaking, and not too long after they had stepped through the front door, Karamir’s energy was already beginning to flag. The shock of Arya’s ‘transformation’ had temporarily jolted him out of it, but he was tired. The sun was beginning to rise, and he had not slept since… since he had woken up from his nightmare. There had been no time. Arya had been asleep, and someone needed to watch the house. To think… for all the powers and blessings they had each been granted, none of it would be of any use should an enemy happen to stumble across them while they were sleeping. He rubbed the dark circles under his eyes, yawned, and then looked to Arya. She smiled at him and said, [color=ivory]"You’re tired, go sleep, I'll be okay."[/color] she moved some hair away from her face. [color=yellow]”Are you sure?”[/color] he asked her wearily. [color=yellow]”We still don’t know what happened to you, Vrog’s creatures could still be out there, and…”[/color] [color=ivory]"Go to sleep."[/color] she said sternly. [color=ivory]"Nothing will happen while you dream."[/color] Karamir looked as if he was about to disagree, but he was too tired, so he nodded his head reluctantly, and made his way upstairs. [color=yellow][i]Wake me up… if anything happens.[/i][/color] There had been a second bedroom in the house, one with an excessively large bed, but it was not full of blood. So it would have to make do. [hr] “[color=6ecff6]We’re here,[/color]” Arae said to Orvus as they landed. They had arrived at the Eye of Desolation, in front of the house Arya was in. “[color=6ecff6]Let us greet Arya and get Kalmar inside, shall we?[/color]” Arae also noticed the familial bond of another inside, this one tied rather strongly to Kalmar himself, and there was only one person she could think of. Arae wondered what Karamir was doing with Arya, thinking it interesting that he be with the sister of the one who wounded him so. Orvus nodded, thankful for the journey's end. He grabbed hold of Kalmar, whose layer of ice was now gone. He tried to get ahold of the God, but he himself was still weakened and his strength depleted. [Color=black]"Arae, I nee-"[/color] but he was interrupted by the door slamming open and Arya's wide eyed face staring them down. [Color=ivory]"Father! Arae! And… Oh no…"[/color] she said, a hand covering her mouth as she looked at Kalmar's body. Without hesitation the girl flew over to them and asked, [color=ivory]"Do you need help?"[/color] “[color=6ecff6]Please,[/color]” Arae answered, shifting to her human form and helping Orvus with Kalmar. “[color=6ecff6]You may be the only one who can.[/color]” Orvus then morphed into his human form, his clothes tattered and grey. The man looked tired and haggard, but he gave Arya a weak smile nonetheless. [Color=black]"Arya… It's good to see you. But yes, we need to get Kalmar inside… He… Isn't well."[/color] Arya nodded at both of them, blinking back tears as she cradled Kalmar in her arms, then floated down to the ground. Orvus slowly followed, landing behind them on his feet before falling to his hands and knees. Arae began to help Orvus at least get into a sitting position, then turned her attention to Arya. “[color=6ecff6]Do you know of any way to treat Kalmar? We’re at a loss on what to do.[/color]” Arae asked. Arya began to speak but stopped when the Hunter grunted, and his eyes fluttered open. He began to speak. [color=orange]”Ar… Arya…”[/color] he rasped, his sole remaining eye settling on the glowing girl. Then, he squinted. [color=orange]”Are my senses… failing me? How did you become… a god?”[/color] he asked weakly. [Color=ivory]"I don't know… It all happened so fast, there was an orb and then I was hot and then I was fine."[/color] she said quickly. [Color=ivory]"What happened to you? To the both of you?"[/color] she said looking between Kalmar and Orvus. “[color=6ecff6]Orvus’ Avatar, Abraxas, did this,[/color]” Arae answered grimly. “[color=6ecff6]Kalmar fought him, and was injured to this state. As for Orvus… he gave up his divinity to allow us to defeat Abraxas. Orvus is... [i]mortal[/i] now.[/color]” Arya froze in her tracks upon the porch. She turned fully to Arae, mouth agape, then looked at Orvus who nodded solemnly. [color=ivory]”W-What? That’s not… That’s… It’s true?”[/color] she said, tilting her head. In that moment, with a groan of pain, Kalmar freed himself from Arya’s grip and stood on shaky feet. He swayed, and nearly toppled, but managed to remain standing as he gripped the porch’s railing. [color=orange]”Where… is Karamir?”[/color] he asked. Arya went to his side, supporting him with an arm wrapped around his torso. [color=ivory]”He’s inside, sleeping.”[/color] she said. [color=orange]”Bring him.”[/color] Arae grabbed hold of Kalmar while Arya went off to fetch Karamir. But Kalmar simply waved her off and slumped into a sitting position against the porch’s railing. [hr] Inside the quickly flew up the stairs, and opened the door to Laurien’s old room. It was mostly plain, except for the figure sleeping in the bed. She didn’t want to wake him up, but the circumstances were dire. She walked over to the side and gently shook Karamir. [color=ivory]”Karamir. You need to wake up!”[/color] [color=yellow]”What? What is it?”[/color] Karamir asked groggily. [color=ivory]”It’s Kalmar… He’s back.”[/color] With a relieved look on his face, Karamir launched himself to his feet, and his cloak flew to his shoulders. [color=yellow]”Let’s go, then,”[/color] he said, running past Arya and out the room. [color=ivory]”Karamir!”[/color] she called after him. Karamir ran down the stairs and exited the house, only to freeze at the sight that awaited him on the porch. His gaze first went to the missing hand, then to the hole in the chest, and then to the missing eye. [color=yellow]”No,”[/color] he said in disbelief, falling to his knees next to his creator. [color=yellow]”No, no…”[/color] Arya came out right behind him, and fell beside Karamir, holding him by the shoulders as she knelt. Kalmar stared up at Karamir. [color=orange]”Your soul… it’s…”[/color] At first, Karamir did not seem to hear him. Then he blinked in surprise. [color=yellow]”Yes… Abanoc saw what happened to me, and decided to fix it.”[/color] The Hunter offered a weak smile. [color=orange]”Good. That simplifies things.”[/color] He looked at the small group gathered around him. [color=orange]”Orvus… why did you give up your godhood?”[/color] he asked. The man sat down on the porch he had built with his two hands, and sighed as he looked at them. [color=black]”Ashalla and Abraxas could have kept fighting for years before either side won, and I could not bear another sibling to be hurt by my power. It was the only way to ensure I can never again be used for evil.”[/color] he said somberly. [color=orange]”And Arya became a demigod around the same time…”[/color] Kalmar observed. [color=orange]”Can’t be a coincidence.”[/color] [color=black]”A demigod?”[/color] Orvus asked, looking at Arya. [color=black]”I… I had no idea. I swear it. I would have asked you if… if…”[/color] his voice faded. Arya looked back at her father and knew his word to be genuine. He cared deeply for her and his other children, but how had he not known? [color=orange]”You’ll both have to dwell on that later…”[/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange]”I need to speak to each of you alone…”[/color] “[color=6ecff6]I will take my leave then,[/color]” Arae said, setting Kalmar down gently and bowing, then walking outside to wait. Orvus began to get up but Arya stopped him, [color=ivory]”You two should talk first, I’m sure my father is anxious to see the others.”[/color] she said, lifting Karamir up going towards the front door. Karamir moved his mouth in protest, but no words came out. He offered little resistance, almost too shocked to function. Once they were gone, Kalmar looked to Orvus. [color=orange]”Do you remember what I told you?”[/color] he asked. [color=black]”The bit about you killing me?”[/color] he said with a wry smile. [color=orange]”The alternative to me killing you,”[/color] Kalmar grimaced, more in pain than at Orvus’s attempt at humour. [color=black]”I remember.”[/color] Orvus said softly. [color=orange]”I assume you found it?”[/color] [color=black]”Yes, I don’t think we’d be having this discussion if I didn’t.”[/color] Orvus said thoughtfully. [color=orange]”What was it?”[/color] [color=black]”To not be so alone.”[/color] he said. Kalmar was silent, as if he had expected something else. [color=orange]”I wonder how many others are driven by that,”[/color] he finally said, after a moment’s thought. [color=orange]”What will you do, now that you’re no longer a god?”[/color] [color=black]”I once had a dream… Of simple life… I’ll do that now.”[/color] he said, looking past Kalmar. [color=orange]”Well… for what it’s worth, I wish you luck in it. Some of the other gods might not believe you, or forgive you, but… I suppose I can.”[/color] [color=black]”You’re probably right… But oh well.”[/color] Orvus said, getting up. [color=black]”I… I’m sorry for everything, Kalmar. I never want you to… to end like this.”[/color] he said, his voice full of sorrow. [color=orange]”I doubt you threw yourself onto that tree,”[/color] Kalmar said rather drily. [color=orange]”Then again… you did make the tools that Abraxas used. But… no changing that now. You helped stop him, and you sacrificed your godhood to do so. If something like this happens again… it won’t be because of you.”[/color] the Hunter breathed deeply. [color=orange]”Arae is next.”[/color] Orvus paused at the porch steps, and looked back at Kalmar. He gave him a simple nod before descending. A little later, Arae appeared. “[color=6ecff6]You wanted to see me, Kalmar?[/color]” Arae asked. Kalmar nodded. [color=orange]”I did. I have a request.”[/color] [hr] Karamir paced back and forth restlessly. In a few days, it was as if his entire world was shaken up. His soul was decayed, then fixed. Arya was a demi-god. Kalmar was horribly wounded. That last detail was the most alarming. And it seemed there was nothing he could do but wait. He felt more powerless than ever. [color=ivory]”Karamir.”[/color] Came Arya’s voice. He stopped, clenched his fists, and then unclenched them. [color=yellow]”What is it?”[/color] he asked, not looking at her. [color=ivory]”Take a deep breath.”[/color] Came Arya’s soft voice. Inhale. Exhale. He turned to look at Arya, who sat on a chair, legs crossed, a worried expression on her face. [color=yellow]”I just… I never thought that… well, he told me, but…”[/color] he took another breath. [color=yellow]”Do you think he will be alright?”[/color] [color=ivory]”I… I honestly don’t know. Gods can take punishment but…”[/color] her voice faded for a moment. [color=ivory]”I wish I could do something.”[/color] she said, getting up. [color=yellow]”What I told you… about him beating me for nine days… when I said that, I didn’t have all my memories. It wasn’t entirely true.”[/color] he said regretfully. [color=ivory]”I was… I was hoping as much.”[/color] she said, crossing the room to look at a wall of artifacts. Karamir nodded slowly, tears coming to his eyes. [color=yellow]”He did hurt me, yes. But he also taught me how to hunt, how to fish, how to forage… how to survive. And while he did send me away, he gave me everything I needed - clothes, weapons, blessings. I could have prayed to him at any time, and he would have answered, but I didn’t. I hated him, and I was too stubborn. It… it took me far too long to realize I judged him too harshly.”[/color] She turned her head to look at him, then graciously flew to him in a blink. Arya then embraced him in a very warm, comforting embrace. [color=ivory]”Shh. It’s okay, he knows. I was just like that when I was young. It happens, there’s no sense in dwelling on it.”[/color] she said, her voice kind and knowing. Something about the way she spoke, or the way she touched him, warmed him and made him relax. He returned her embrace. The tears stopped, and he continued speaking in a calmer voice. [color=yellow]”In the end, it was he who sought me out. I didn’t pray. I didn’t swallow my pride. He had to find me. He apologized, he gave me more gifts, he gave me permission to call him father, but… he is my father. And I shouldn’t have needed gifts to realize that.”[/color] Arya said nothing, but simply stroked the back of his head. Timed passed, and he did not know how long they held that embrace. [color=yellow]”How do you feel about this?”[/color] he eventually asked. [color=ivory]”I’m sad…”[/color] she said. [color=ivory]”And angry and and… I feel like I need to do something.”[/color] she said. [color=yellow]”What can we do?”[/color] [color=ivory]”Bring him comfort and listen.”[/color] Karamir only nodded in response. Arae opened the door to where the two of them were, looking worse for wear. As she fought to hold back her tears, she said to them, “[color=6ecff6]Kalmar would like to… to see the both of you.[/color]” Arae’s reaction dashed much of his hopes, but Karamir nodded. He looked to Arya, and then made his way toward the door. Arya followed. Kalmar had not moved from his seated position against the porch’s railing. He looked up at Arya and Karamir as they exited the house and knelt beside him. [color=orange]”I am dying,”[/color] he said. Karamir shifted his gaze downward and closed his eyes, attempting to restrain tears. Arya put a hand on Karamir's shoulder, white tears beginning to flood from her own eyes as well. [color=orange]”You’ve come a long way,”[/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange]”Both of you. I’m sorry I was absent for most of it.”[/color] [color=ivory]"It's okay. We wouldn't be here without you."[/color] Arya said tearfully. Karamir nodded. [color=orange]”Arya…”[/color] Kalmar said, shifting his gaze from Karamir to her. [color=orange]”You’ve obtained godhood... somehow. What do you intend to do with it?”[/color] [Color=ivory]"I...I think what I've always wanted to do… Help others."[/color] she said wishfully. Kalmar nodded approvingly. [color=orange]”That’s good. Just… be mindful of who you help. But now that we know mortals can obtain godhood… that has me thinking.”[/color] [color=yellow]”Thinking about what?”[/color] Karamir managed to ask. [color=orange]”The Gods decide Galbar’s fate,”[/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange]”But how many of those gods actually know what… what it is like to [i]live[/i] on the world they have built? I didn’t. Not truly. I tried, but… I never needed food or warmth or drink. Maybe… if more mortals were gods... it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”[/color] Arya blinked. She tried to find the right words but couldn't think of any. [color=orange]”In truth, I’m not even sure I need to die,”[/color] Kalmar admitted. [color=orange]”There might be a way for me to survive. I even have one or two ideas, but… I’m tired. I raised a continent from the sea... I filled it with life... I helped... guide those who needed it… I stood against… the forces of destruction when I was needed… and I lived longer than most creatures have a right to…”[/color] [color=yellow]”You’re… you’re giving up?”[/color] Karamir asked, shocked. [color=orange]”Maybe I am,”[/color] Kalmar nodded grimly. [color=orange]”I never thought this day would come, but… here it is.”[/color] [color=yellow]”But… what about me? What about Arya? Arryn? Or Kalgrun?”[/color] Kalmar looked back to Arya. [color=orange]”Will you take care of Arryn when I’m gone?”[/color] She nodded as tears streamed down her face. Kalmar breathed deeply. [color=orange]”Thank you,”[/color] he said, and turned back to Karamir. [color=orange]”As for Kalgrun… I leave it in your hands, if you’ll take it.”[/color] Karamir’s eyes widened. [color=yellow]”M-me? But how? I’m only one person…”[/color] [color=orange]”As I said,”[/color] Kalmar continued, [color=orange]”If more mortals were gods, it would not be a bad thing.”[/color] Then realized dawned. [color=yellow]”No…”[/color] Karamir whispered. [color=yellow]”No!”[/color] he said again, this time louder. [color=yellow]”I’m not ready for that. I… I haven’t accomplished anything. I’ve made mistakes. I’m not ready,”[/color] he insisted. [color=orange]”You’ve accomplished more than you think. As for your readiness… none of us were ready to be gods when the Architect called us here. At least… I wasn’t. I wasn’t much smarter than a wild animal, whose only concern was his next meal. I… did what I could to learn, but… I’m not fit to watch over the Vallamir or the Jotnar. Not as a guide, or a leader… and that’s what they need. You may not be ready now… but you are better poised to learn than I was.”[/color] Those words gave Karamir pause, and his expression turned thoughtful as tears ran down his cheeks. Arya walked over to Kalmar and hugged him gently. [color=ivory]"I wish you wouldn't go."[/color] she cried softly. [color=ivory]"You were my first… first friend and I'll never forget the time I had with you."[/color] Kalmar hugged her back. [color=orange]”Thank you,”[/color] he said softly, as a single tear trickled from his own eye. [color=orange]”This… this would have happened eventually, to either you or me. Nothing, not even gods, are eternal. Maybe I’m being selfish by dying first, but… I’m sorry.”[/color] [color=ivory]"Don't be sorry. You won, no one can deny that, and now you can rest. I…"[/color] she pulled away, a thoughtful look on her face, [color=ivory]"What if I told you that… That you didn't have to die fully. That you could go somewhere else, rather than burn."[/color] Kalmar raised an eyebrow. [color=orange]”To tell you the truth… although I made a deal with her, I don’t have much faith in Azura’s plan.”[/color] [Color=ivory]"This isn't Azura's crystals… but K'nell's Heaven."[/color] [color=orange]”K’nell?”[/color] Kalmar blinked. [color=orange]”What has he done? I thought he was gone.”[/color] [Color=ivory]"He is gone. Tendlepog, Xiaoli, Hermes, the Palace, most of the dreamers. He created an infinite paradise and I know how you can get there."[/color] she said with a smile. [color=orange]”So that’s where they went…”[/color] Kalmar was incredulous. [color=orange]”Why am I only hearing about this now?”[/color] [Color=ivory]"Because… K'nell did not know how the other gods would react to this. He wanted to ensure that it would be kept secret, for now, until the time is right for Galbar to know. I don't know when that time will be… but I do know that it's beautiful in its own way."[/color] she said softly. Kalmar leaned back and looked up. [color=orange]”If this is an alternative to Pyres… I’ll go there. If only to get more information and have a word with K’nell about it. One last… task. This secret could prevent... a lot of conflict.”[/color] [Color=ivory]"Kalmar…"[/color] she began, [color=ivory]"I know. I know. K'nell asked me… To only tell those I trusted. I want to tell everyone, I do but… I just don't know if I should."[/color] she sighed before moving her head next to his ear. There she told him the secrets of Moksha and how to enter paradise. She pulled away misty eyed and hugged him again before pulling back. [Color=ivory]"I'm fortunate enough to be able to visit… So, this won't be a forever goodbye."[/color] she turned to Karamir. [Color=ivory]"I'll teach you how to visit as well."[/color] she said with a soft smile. [color=yellow]”I… I’m still not sure it’s right,”[/color] Karamir said hesitantly. [color=orange]”Karamir,”[/color] Kalmar then said. [color=orange]”Will you accept godhood?”[/color] [color=yellow]”I… I don’t know…”[/color] [color=orange]”It’s your choice. But there is no one else I would give it to.”[/color] Karamir looked to Arya. [color=yellow]”There… there was a time when I wanted this,”[/color] he said quietly. [color=yellow]”And now that I don’t, it’s being offered to me…”[/color] He looked down at Kalmar, and took the god’s hand. [color=yellow]”I’ll take it. I’ll… try to follow your example.”[/color] [color=orange]”It’s not a perfect example, so don’t follow it too closely,”[/color] Kalmar cautioned. [color=orange]”Now, listen closely. You can claim both Kalgrun and the Hunting Grounds. Kalgrun should be easy. The Hunting Grounds… that will be more difficult.”[/color] he let go of Karamir’s hand, and pressed a finger to his forehead. [color=orange]”I’m blessing you so that you will be able to track the gateway. It moves, attaching itself to one animal at a time, which must be hunted in order to access it.”[/color] Kalmar’s hand dropped, and Karamir took it once again. [color=orange]”I have told Arae about this. Should anyone doubt your claims, she will vouch for their truth. Should anyone try to steal what I have promised you, she will help you get them back. Use your abilities wisely…”[/color] [color=yellow]”I will,”[/color] Karamir promised, as fresh tears began to reappear. [color=yellow]”I will. T-thank you.”[/color] [color=orange]”Good,”[/color] Kalmar said. [color=orange]”I’m sorry to you as well. I… am thrusting a lot of responsibility on you. Now… if there is nothing else… I think it’s time.”[/color] [Color=ivory]"Thank you… For everything."[/color] Arya said, crying. Kalmar nodded, and with one final smile, he held his remaining hand before the hole in his chest. Raw power began to flow forth, condensing into a swirling ball of ichor and essence in the palm of his hand. His skin turned pale, he began to breathe heavily, and what was left of his blood began to flow freely from the wound. [color=yellow]”G-goodbye father…”[/color] Karamir managed. Kalmar took one look at distant Moksha, then back at Karamir, and mouthed ‘goodbye’ in return. With that final farewell, his head slumped down, and his breathing stopped. Kalmar was dead. Karamir turned and immediately wrapped his arms around Arya, tears streaming forth like never before. She embraced him and let her own tears fall in turn. Arae walked onto the porch, staring at Kalmar’s body. Her sadness began to well up inside her more than ever before, and she could not help but shed tears as well. Getting onto her knees, she put her hands together and silently prayed for the rest of his days to be peaceful. Karamir pulled away from Arya, wiped the tears from his eyes, and shifted his gaze to the ball of energy that still floated in Kalmar’s hand. Tentatively, he reached out to grasp it, and then rose to his feet. [color=yellow]”Whatever happens next…”[/color] he said to Arya. [color=yellow]”Thank you. For everything.”[/color] Arya went to Arae's side and knelt down with her, placing a hand on her back. She looked up at Karamir and said, [color=ivory]"You're so welcome. Be… Safe..."[/color] Karamir descended the porch steps and took ten steps away from the house. He turned back to face them, and looked down at the orb in his hands. Then slowly, he pushed it into his chest. The orb sank through the fabric of his tunic, and into his flesh, before disappearing entirely. He could feel the orb pulsing within his ribcage, full of power, but nothing else happened. For a moment, he only blinked in confusion, then looked up at the two questioningly. Nothing had happened. Why didn’t- Then he fell to his knees and began to scream, as the orb expanded and energy surged throughout his body. His hands clutched at his chest, where the pain was greatest, but he felt it all over. His eyes began to glow, and as it had with Arya, blood began to fountain from his mouth. He grew deaf to the rest of the world, and slowly his vision began to fade as well. Images flashed before his eyes. Kalmar. Atalantia. Pyrdon. Phystene. Diana. Vrog. K’nell. Keibrik. Ruby. Arya. Arryn. Temujin. Abanoc. Liv. Chopstick Eyes. Laurien. Mnemosyne. Orvus. Arae. They were all familiar, to some extent or another, but then he saw one image which was a complete stranger. A great humanoid dragon stood before him. He had never seen such a creature before, but it was this vision which lingered the longest. It stared at him wordlessly, and then Karamir detected a strange glowing energy in the air. It was mana. Despite having harnessed it, he had never seen it with his own eyes before… yet somehow he knew. The mana coalesced around him, filling him. Both his pain and the vision began to fade, until there was nothing. [hr] He awoke, lying on the grass in a pool of his own blood, and slowly reality came drifting back. Arya looked down at him, a worried look in her eyes. [Color=ivory]"How do you feel?"[/color] she asked, offering him a hand. Karamir took her hand, and as he was pulled to his feet, he saw the golden energy all around them. Ignoring her question for the time being, he held out his other hand, and pulled some of the energy into it to form a tiny ball on his palm. [color=yellow]”Do… do you see this?”[/color] he asked her. She raised an eyebrow. [Color=ivory]"The ball? Why?"[/color] [color=yellow]”This is mana… I can see it now. It’s everywhere. I… I knew it was everywhere… but I can see it…”[/color] [Color=ivory]"Mana… But… How did you get mana? I thought you'd inherit hunting?"[/color] she said confused. [color=yellow]”I… don’t know. I saw a… some sort of dragon… and then we were surrounded by mana. Somehow, I just [i]knew[/i] what it was.”[/color] he said, as he allowed the ball of mana to disperse. “[color=6ecff6]Mana, huh?[/color]” Arae said, watching Karamir test his newfound abilities. Allowing herself a small smile, she added, “[color=6ecff6]That’s rather interesting. Haven’t seen that in a long… huh?[/color]” Her mind went cloudy, then she shook her head. “[color=6ecff6]No, never mind. Just… do take care. You’ve only just become a god, after all.[/color]” Karamir looked toward the porch, and a fresh stab of grief surged through his heart. [color=yellow]”K-Kalmar…”[/color] he said, running over to where Kalmar’s body now rested. Arya walked over quietly and rested a hand on his shoulder. [color=ivory]"He's gone…"[/color] she said. [Color=ivory]"He should be buried on Kalgrun… That seems right."[/color] she said squeezing his shoulder gently. Karamir gave her a solemn nod. [color=yellow]”I was thinking the same thing. Will… will you come with me?”[/color] [Color=ivory]"I want to… It's just… Those creatures might still be here and I can't leave this place undefended, not yet."[/color] she said. Karamir was crestfallen. [color=yellow]”Oh… I see… I understand…”[/color] he said dejectedly, as he looked away from her. Another tear rolled down his cheek, then he lifted Kalmar up and gently slung the Hunter’s wounded and ragged body over his shoulders. [color=yellow]”I’m… going to go, then. I… we will meet again,”[/color] he told her. She quickly grabbed hold of his free hand and said, [color=ivory]"I'm sorry, I am. But we will meet again."[/color] she said, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. [Color=ivory]"I know it."[/color] she said with a giddy smile on her face before letting his hand go. Taken aback, Karamir’s hand reached up to brush the spot where she had kissed him. [color=yellow]”I hope so,”[/color] he said, giving her a wan smile as he blinked away his tears. [color=yellow]”I’ve been hoping for another dance.”[/color] And then he was gone, taking flight toward the north, and to Kalgrun. Arya watched him go. “[color=6ecff6]Arya,[/color]” Arae said. “[color=6ecff6]Before I leave as well, I thought I should mention a few things about Laurien. Are you aware of what she’s done to Orvus, and more recently to Karamir?[/color]” Arya spun around to look at Arae and sighed. [Color=ivory]"Yes… I know."[/color] she said with sadness. “[color=6ecff6]Well, I’ve visited her shortly after, in order to give her... punishment. She’s been cursed. She will always be on the run, never staying in a single place for too long,[/color]” Arae explained. “[color=6ecff6]I know she’s been through a lot already, but I couldn’t allow her crimes to go unpunished.[/color]” She looked around, making sure Orvus was not in earshot of what she was about to say next, then continued with a whisper, “[color=6ecff6]In order to break the curse, she must change. She must become a better person, find peace within herself, and finally make peace with you and Orvus.[/color]” Giving a small smile, she added, “[color=6ecff6]It’s a family matter after all. I thought it should be settled by family.[/color]” Arya scrunched her nose and sighed again. [Color=ivory]"I don't even know who she is anymore, Auntie. But… Thank you for doing that. Hopefully one day she comes around. I suppose I should try and find her eventually."[/color] Arya said. Arae nodded in agreement. “[color=6ecff6]There’s also the matter of her children, Andromeda and Phoset. The journey she is taking is a long and difficult one, so I gave her the choice to either take them with her or leave them in my custody. She has chosen the latter, and they are in my domain at the moment. I will extend the choice to you as well: take them into your custody, or leave them with me. I promised Laurien they wouldn’t be harmed, and I hope that still holds true should you decide to take them in.[/color]” Her eyes widened, [color=ivory]"She had children?"[/color] “[color=6ecff6]Yes,[/color]” Arae answered. “[color=6ecff6]A boy and a girl, both bright and beautiful.[/color]” [Color=ivory]"Uh… Yes, bring them here, if you would, please. I have no doubt you would raise them properly, but they are my family, and they'll be looked after here."[/color] she said with a smile. Arae nodded. Without another word, Arae transformed into her dragon form and shot up into the sky, returning to the Dragon’s Crown. Arya watched Arae leave and then after a moment went to go find Orvus. It was time for some more answers. [hr] [hider=Post Summary] Karamir and Arya return to the house. Karamir is exhausted, so he goes to sleep. Some time later, Orvus and Arae arrive with an unconscious Kalmar. They try to get him inside, but then he wakes up. He sits down and demands that they bring out Karamir. Karamir and Arya are, naturally, quite distraught by this. Kalmar decides to speak to everyone individually. First, Kalmar talks to Orvus. They talk a bit about Orvus’s path. Kalmar says that he is willing to forgive him, but not without warning him that some other gods might not. Orvus then leaves to go be with is family. Then he talks to Arae, which happens offscreen. I’ll get to that. Finally, he talks to Arya and Karamir together. He reveals that he is dying, to their shock and sorrow. apologizes for not having a more active role in their lives. Then he talks to Arya about what type of god she intends to be, and also requests that she take care of Arryn after he is dead. She agrees, and then tells him about Moksha. Kalmar decides to go, primarily so he can find out what the hell K’nell was thinking. Kalmar then reveals that he intends to leave both Kalgrun, his godhood, and his sphere to Karamir. He has already revealed this plan to Arae, and requested that she assist Karamir by acting as a witness for his last wish. Karamir is naturally shocked, and doesn’t believe he is ready, but Kalmar points out that none of the original gods were ready either. He explains that Galbar needs gods who actually know what it is like to live on the world, instead of watching it from a detached perspective. Eventually, Karamir is convinced to accept it. Then Kalmar dies. Karamir ascends to demi-godhood, becoming the God of Mana. He heads back to Kalgrun to bury Kalmar’s body. Arya stays to deal with the piggut infestation. Arae then tells Arya about Laurien’s children, and offers to transfer them into her care - Arya accepts, and then goes to find Orvus. [/hider] [hider=Might Summary] [u]Kalmar[/u] -1 MP (discounted to 0 via hunting portfolio) to praise Karamir with the ability to sense the location of the Hunting Grounds gateway. [/hider]