[center][h1][color=yellow][b][u]Karamir[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=slategray][b][u]Roog[/u][/b][/color][/h1][/center] [hr] Kalgrun was not as he remembered it. As Karamir flew overhead, he saw that much of the continent had been ravaged. Huge craters dotted the land, marking the sites where meteors had struck. Entire swaths of forest had been burned by fire, or withered away by unknown force. He could only hope that the Vallamir had been spared the worst of it. It was more destruction than he had ever seen in his life, yet he felt numb. He had lost a father, he had ascended to godhood, he had been given new responsibility. All in the span of one conversation. It was almost too much to process. He could feel the raw power coarse through his veins. He could see the streams of raw mana flowing freely in the air. Even flying as high as he was, he could make out the shapes of surviving animals scurrying about. His potential was nearly limitless. It was not worth the cost. He would have given it all up to have Kalmar back. Yet Kalmar had chosen to die, and as usual there was no talking the old hunter down. Kalmar was gone. The Hunting Grounds, Kalgrun, and all the responsibilities those entailed had been left to him. [i]If he wanted it.[/i] But did he want it? Was he ready? Kalmar had asked Arya what kind of god she wanted to be. Kalmar had not thought to ask that question to Karamir. Now he had returned to a land he had not seen in decades. To see his people, whom he had never met. To deliver news they did not want to hear. He recognized most of the life and animals below him well enough, but they still felt foreign. He had been gone for too long. Part of him wanted to go back to the Eye of Desolation. To help Arya drive out those creatures. To settle into his new status as a demigod with someone who was also new to it. Maybe even... He shook the thought off. It was Arya who had suggested he take Kalmar back to Kalgrun, and he knew that was what Kalmar would have wanted. There would be time for that after... After he had seen to Kalmar's body. After he had established authority over Kalgrun. After he had met his brother Roog. After he had claimed the Hunting Grounds. After he had grown used to his new abilities. After, after, after... would there be time for anything at all? Was this why his father was so grim? Was this why he had been ready to retire from the world? He continued his flight, deeply troubled. [hr] Hours later, he came upon the Central Plains, where he had been told his people could be found. Even here, meteors and craters dotted the land, yet it was not as bad as it was further south, and he could make out various camps and villages atop hills or alongside rivers. Eventually the plains gave way to swamp, which in turn gave way to water, and soon he was at the Hunter's Eye. He circled around to the eastern edge of the island, until he spotted a familiar section of coast, and it was there that he landed. It was a place that he knew well. It was where he was made. Wearily, he gently laid Kalmar's body down on the sand, and went to sit on a nearby rock. He imagined a scene before him. A younger, confused version of himself, sparring with a younger, more confident version of his creator. He recalled snippets of his first conversation. [color=orange][i]This is life. I made you so you could experience it. In order to experience it, you must survive. And in order to survive, you must be able to defend yourself.[/i][/color] [color=yellow][i]Why!?[/i][/color] [i]Why.[/i] The question he had spent his entire life seeking an answer to, and he felt no closer to finding it. [color=orange][i]The world has dangers. If you can't defend yourself, they will kill you.[/i][/color] [color=yellow][i]But why? Why are there dangers!?[/i][/color] [color=orange][i]To make you stronger. To help you grow. Every challenge you overcome makes you more powerful. You can't see it now, but in time you will. If you want your life to be more than pain, you need to protect yourself.[/i][/color] Kalmar hadn't been wrong. He had suffered. But he had endured, and in doing so, he had learned. But still... was there a better way? [color=yellow][i]But what else is there!?[/i][/color] [color=orange][i]That is for you to find out.[/i][/color] He had found out. That there was suffering far worse than what Kalmar had inflicted on him. Diana's cruelty, Laurien's betrayal, Vrog's abominations. But there was joy as well. The power and freedom he had felt when he flew for the first time. The clarity and thrill he felt when Abanoc taught him. The comfort and happiness he felt from being near Arya. And there was still more for him to experience, but he would do so as a divine, rather than a mortal. Another tear began to roll down his cheek, but he wiped it away. He had to be strong. He rose to his feet, and walked into the forest to gather leaves, branches, bark, and other kindling. Arya had asked him to bury Kalmar, yet after some thought he realized that was not what Kalmar would have wanted. Animals would only dig up the corpse anyway, so it would need to be encased in some sort of structure, but that would be a waste of time, materials, and space. And even if the body could somehow be prevented from rotting... was this how he wanted to remember his father? Caked in blood, an eye, a hand, and half of his teeth missing? Clothes torn and ragged, a gaping hole through the chest? No. He emerged from the woods with armloads of supplies, and began to build a pyre. [hr] The Pyre was complete. Kalmar's body laid atop it peacefully, bow placed over his chest. All that was needed now was to light the wood. He held out a hand, and mana swirled around it. Then he conjured it into fire. Not a flickering spark, but a fist-sized ball which illuminated the night. What would have taken him months of training now came naturally. It was almost too easy. He looked down at his creator one last time. [color=yellow]"I'll never forget you..."[/color] he whispered softly, as he lowered the flame to the wood, and it immediately began to catch. He stepped away as it began to spread, and watched it burn in silence. He was immediately disheartened by the fact that, while Kalmar's clothes and the wood he rested on were flammable enough, the flesh was not. Kalmar remained unburnt, even as fabric was scorched away and the wood turned black, then white. Karamir clenched his fist and cursed himself for a fool. The God of Cold, even while dead and stripped of most of his power, would not be burned by ordinary fire. He should have known better. There was a gentle shake of brush and foliage behind Karamir and the pyre he had built for his creator. Out from the woods, padding forward on all fours, was the jet black form of Roog, son of Kalmar. The Wolf God’s eyes blazed in the light but there was hardly any fire to be seen. Several scratches and wounds were yet visible on his form, glowing and moonlit. Whether the Wolf had been watching for minutes or hours, Karamir could not know, but now Roog had revealed himself. [color=slategray]”A good end.”[/color] Karamir turned to the newcomer, and realized he could sense the divine energy which emanated from its body. It took him only a moment to figure out who it was. [color=yellow]“Roog?”[/color] he ventured. [color=slategray]”Correct,”[/color] responded the wolf as he strode closer, his gaze locked on that of Karamir’s. There was a slight limp in his stride and his shoulders were held low. [color=slategray]”You are Karamir. Our creator spoke of you, once. It is right, what you do.”[/color] [color=yellow]”Is it?”[/color] Karamir asked, turning toward the pyre. [color=yellow]”He is unburnt.”[/color] Roog’s gaze wavered from Karamir’s, bronze eyes turning as well to the pyre of the First-Vallamir’s making. The hint of frost scarpered from the flames but, nevertheless, the man-god’s skin would not set alight. Unsurprising. Roog walked to the edge of the pyre, looking down upon Kalmar’s corpse; one dead father, as many mortals had seen and would see in their lives. A hallowed day, considered Roog, but one most bitter-sweet. [color=slategray]”He fought to the end, and lived a life worth living; your path was the right one. Now I will send him the rest of the way.”[/color] Roog thought inwards, to that ever blazing furnace that was his divine heart, and in an instant his body set alight in spectacular black flames. The divine light of his celestial creator blazed on the cthonic hide of man-god one, the conflagration biting and snapping at the air. Gentle sparks from Roog’s hide jumped through the air before settling to nest upon the pyre, the pile of wood and brush catching light and slowly spreading the flame to Kalmar’s form. Roog watched as those black fires consumed his man-father’s form, flesh devoured slowly and hidden from view by the rising blaze. [color=slategray]”May you find a welcomed end in your next life, Father.”[/color] Karamir watched their creator and father burn in silence, until the black fire had obscured the corpse completely. [color=yellow]”He died… content,”[/color] Karamir said, after a moment’s thought. Roog looked to Karamir after a long moment of staring into the fires, eyes studying Karamir intently. At last he spoke, quietly but just loud enough to carry over the crackling of the flame. [color=slategray]”That, I expect, would be the only way he’d allow himself to die. I envy him for his freedom but loathe to see tomorrow with one less good First-Born to safeguard the days to come.”[/color] Karamir nodded, continuing to stare into the flames. [color=yellow]”He wanted me to take his place.”[/color] Roog’s eyes turned to slits as he gave Karamir a twice over; though he had heard of the man, the entity that would be the model for the Vallamir, he did not himself know him. Nevertheless, Kalmar’s will couldn’t be challenged nor did Roog wish to; he trusted his creator had chosen well. If his deeds today alone were something to go by, he was at least wise if nothing else. [color=slategray]”An acceptable alternative; I trust you will act with wisdom as you did today. I hope we may always be as brothers in this life, for the sake of all living things.”[/color] Karamir nodded, looking past the flames and out across the water. It was strange, to not only meet one of his brothers in the flesh but to have that connection acknowledged. [color=yellow]”There is still a lot I need to do,”[/color] he said. [color=yellow]”I need to claim the Hunting Grounds. I need to inform the Vallamir and the Jotnar of our creator’s death. I need to assess what state they are in. Find out who their leaders are, what they know…”[/color] he sighed, before turning back to Roog. [color=yellow]”What about you? What will you do, now that our father is dead?”[/color] [color=slategray]”I will act on an ambition I believe our Father would have supported; through this I shall honor him and do right by the world.”[/color] [color=yellow]”What ambition is that?”[/color] [color=slategray]”I seek the Red Haired Woman that came to me in my dreams,”[/color] responded Roog, seemingly thinking inward to remember the vision he had been gifted with during his first death, [color=slategray]”From her I believe I will receive the answers I seek.” Karamir furrowed a brow. [color=yellow]”Who is this woman?”[/color] [color=slategray]”I am not certain. I had intended to seek Kalmar’s wisdom on the matter; I believe her name may be Seihdhara, though, of this I cannot be sure.”[/color] [color=yellow]”Seihdhara…”[/color] Karamir said the strange-yet-familiar sounding name. [color=yellow]”Kalmar told me of all the gods upon my creation. I think she was one of them… I also don’t know if they ever met. Do you know where she is?”[/color] [color=slategray]”One of the First-Born? I should not be surprised . . . No, I have no clue where I might start my journey; I trust not on Kalgrun, however. If she did reside here, it would be reasonable to assume I would have found her already. She must reside elsewhere but now the answers will elude me even further.”[/color] Karamir stroked his chin thoughtfully. [color=yellow]”The most straightforward approach would be to pray to her,”[/color] he said. [color=yellow]”Or try to find her sphere.”[/color] Roog seemed to grind his teeth in thought before responding to Karamir, turning over the man’s words in contemplation. [color=slategray]”I do not believe my prayers will be heard. But findings her sphere would not require her. Surely there must be other First-Born with the knowledge of its location?”[/color] [color=yellow]”I’m sure there are,”[/color] Karamir nodded. [color=yellow]”Abanoc is the God of Recording. He sees everything that happens on Galbar. I’m sure he knows, but… he doesn’t like interfering in Galbar’s events. It might be worth asking him, though. Then there’s Arae - she’s the Goddess of Family, and considers the other gods to be siblings, so I’d be surprised if she couldn’t tell you [i]something.[/i]”[/color] [color=slategray]”Mother-Goddess may be the first step; I know her and I imagine she will be amenable to my questions. Perhaps prayers to these gods may provide the answers I seek.”[/color] Karamir nodded, and then rubbed the back of his head as his expression turned reluctant. [color=yellow]”I should also tell you about a place called the Infinite Maze.”[/color] [color=slategray]”Why?”[/color] Roog’s eyebrows rose with interest, watching Karamir’s expression intently. [color=yellow]”It’s the sphere of Eurysthenes, the God of Puzzles,”[/color] Karamir answered. [color=yellow]”And it connects to a number of other spheres as well. It’s how I first found Abanoc - I was walking, and then suddenly I was at his Observatory. If you need to find Seihdhara’s sphere, or meet new gods… it might be worth a try. Only problem is, it’s unpredictable. Arryn entered only minutes after I did, at the same place, but we never found each other. And while it only took me ten days to get out, it took Arryn months. There’s no telling how long it will take you. I wouldn’t recommend it, but it is an option.”[/color] Roog considered this new information with apprehension; it was utterly against his nature to allow himself to be caged in such a manner. Nevertheless, to have the option available would be beneficial. Ideally he would find answers elsewhere but if all other options failed this would be his next step. [color=slategray]”Thank you, brother, your assistance is most appreciated. If ever you are in need, we are bound to such purposes together. It is as our father would have wanted.[/color] Karamir nodded in agreement. [color=yellow]”If and when you leave, I have some requests.”[/color] Roog’s ears turned to Karamir and his eyebrows visibly raised; requests were not something he expected. [color=slategray]”Requests?”[/color] Karamir nodded, and found that he could not meet Roog’s gaze, as the unpleasant memories came rushing back. [color=yellow]”If you ever meet a woman named Laurien,”[/color] he said quietly. [color=yellow]”Be careful around her. Tell me exactly where she is, and do not trust her.”[/color] [color=slategray]”A simple request,”[/color] replied the Wolf, eyes flashing with curiosity, [color=slategray]”One I will gladly do for my brother. If I encounter her, I shall do as you wish.[/color] [color=yellow]”Thank you,”[/color] Karamir nodded yet again. [color=yellow]”For my second request… there is another woman named Arya. She recently became a demi-god, just like me. She is Orvus’s daughter, and Laurien’s sister, but she is not like either of them. She saved my life. If you somehow meet her, and she needs help, and you can spare it… will you do it?”[/color] Roog seemed to contemplate the question more deeply then, the idea of helping someone he did not know and could not judge the morality of. Nevertheless, consideration had to be taken regarding whom made the request. [color=slategray]”If she is as you say, then I shall keep to your request; that is all I can swear to.[/color] Karamir nodded. [color=yellow]”Thank you again,”[/color] he said, and then looked up at one of the flowing golden streams of power, that only he could see. [color=yellow]”There is something else I need to tell you.”[/color] He held a hand, and golden mana swirled above his palm, forming into a ball that then became visible. [color=yellow]”This is mana. Not many know of it, but it’s a source of power that gods and certain mortals can tap into. It lets them do… extraordinary things.”[/color] [color=slategray]”Mana?”[/color] Roog leaned in, eyes flaring from the golden light as his senses absorbed every detail of the cascading corona of energy, [color=slategray]”And what allowed you to claim this source of power?”[/color] [color=yellow]”I don’t know,”[/color] Karamir admitted. [color=yellow]”Abanoc told me of its existence, and I was able to use it. Then when our father gave me his divinity… I had a vision, of a strange type of dragon, and then somehow I became able to [i]see[/i] it. I think… I’m now the God of Mana, if there wasn’t one already.”[/color] [color=slategray]”An interesting prize, to be sure; I have little doubt you shall use it rightly. May you hold to Kalmar’s principles, brother.[/color] [color=yellow]”You as well,”[/color] Karamir said. [color=yellow]”Good luck.”[/color] [color=slategray]”May the next time we meet be under brighter circumstances.”[/color] With that Roog turned and loped back into the forest, his mind occupied with thoughts of distant places and a woman of red hair. What he had learned today would keep with him and, by all observations, Roog had gained a brother and ally for the loss of a father and creator. Karamir watched him go, and then went back to watching the flames in silence. [hr] Eventually, the fire burned itself out. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained but a pile of ash, and Kalmar’s Bow. Karamir retrieved it from the pyre’s remains, and brushed it off. He had thought it would be fitting if his father’s favoured weapon burned as well, yet found himself relieved that it was not. But it seemed different, somehow. More powerful. He would have to investigate that later. With one hand he scooped up a fistful of ashes. He was a god, he could create, he reminded himself. He closed his eyes and a pouch formed around the small handful, with a string which he then put around his neck. In some form, his father would always be with him. He looked down at the rest of the ashes, piled on the beach, and called upon the mana in the air around him. The wind began to swirl, lifting them high into the air, and then scattering them so that they gently rained down upon the island and the water. It was done. Kalgrun was Kalmar’s Ground, and so it was a fitting place for his body to be put to rest. Karamir turned and walked back into the woods. There was more to be done. [hr] [hider=Post Summary] Karamir returns to Kalgrun and takes note of the damage. He arrives at the Hunter’s Eye, at the place where he was first created. He builds a pyre and attempts to light it, but Kalmar’s body suddenly becomes too cold to burn. Then Roog appears and uses magical demise fire to make sure the job is done properly. After that they talk a bit. Karamir talks about Kalmar’s death and last wish. Roog accepts Kalmar’s decision, then talks about his vision of Seihdhara. Karamir suggests that she might be in her sphere, or that Arae and Abanoc might know where she is. Karamir then tells him about Laurien and Arya: that Laurien is a danger but Arya is a friend. Zee, why didn’t you read the main post before the summary? Lastly, Karamir also tells Roog about mana. Roog then leaves, while Karamir waits for Kalmar’s corpse to finish burning. With that done, he retrieves Kalmar’s bow, which remains unburnt, puts some of Kalmar’s ashes in a pouch to wear around his neck, and scatters the rest into the air. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] 1MP (discounted to 0 via demise port) to infuse Kalmar’s Bow with the Power of Demise. Arrows shot from this bow are set alight with black fire, and inflict instant death on unextraordinary creatures. [/hider]