[center][h1][color=a187be]Qael’Naath[/color][/h1]&[h1][color=violet]Cadien[/color][/h1][/center] It was a disaster. Qael’Naath had lost the synchronicity with his realm. Some glades floated in opposite orbits. Some clashed, either molding together or shattering apart. Leaving nothing but a nebulous, glittering cloud. Some of the gardens were tilted upside down. Sometimes together with their gravity. To those with a limited mind, it would look like chaos. The antithesis of the god of Magic. It wasn’t. At the center, Qael’Naath was working hard. Observing every alignment and equinoctial point with his central, blue sun. It conveyed meaning and understanding. In the past, they would’ve served as signals for Qael to enact the next phase of his designs. Now they were holdfasts. Points of recognition, so he may discern the new design. The new design his own subconscious had made, in response to the revelation of his daughters. Even though this seemingly disorderly situation was made by his own mind, he could not access its greater meaning. No, he had to find the patterns. He moved through his realm. Two eyes were open and affixed upon his plane. To observe everything from every possible point of view. Two more eyes were closed. That part of his consciousness was ruminating over memories that weren’t his. But he could see their faces and learn their names: Auriëlle and Soleira. His daughters. Sadly, those memories were chained to another. His final two eyes were shimmering. Through his avatar he was still observing all the spells form in the mana streams. Gauging the world’s magical advances. He had to actively fight a new strange sensation as well. A sensation that wanted him to speed off towards either of his children. The new plan had clearly added them to itself as well. One glade was barren and scorching hot. There was only sand, stone and harsh, punishing winds upon it. Its sole, defining feature was the black obelisk standing at the center of it. Another garden was lush and full of life. It was a complete and faithful recreation of Soleira’s cave. His mind was too divided though. Oftentimes he found himself just floating through his own realm. Motionless. Having forgotten to move or indeed, pay any attention to his physical body. Only his senses really mattered now. Several times he floated through his own portal and fell into Antiquity. Looking dazed and surprised before he got up and jumped back into his realm to continue the tasks at hand. Then, he could sense a visitor arriving, as Cadien stepped through the portal. [color=violet]“Oh dear,”[/color] the God of Perfection said, clad in his golden armour. [color=violet]“What’s going on here?”[/color] [color=a187be]“A catastrophe.”[/color] An upside down floating Qael’Naath said. It almost felt like he had just been drowning and the presence of Cadien made him realize that there really was such a thing as breathing. His mind emerged from the depths of his own thoughts, memories and the senses of the Winds on Galbar to peer at Cadien. [color=a187be]“It’s a cataclysmic, apocalyptic calamity Cadien. I might not overstate it when I say that I have made two grave and ruinous errors. Look what it has done to my realm!”[/color] He exclaimed as he gestured to everything behind him, the perceived chaos. [color=violet]“What sort of errors?”[/color] Cadien asked, inclining his head slightly. [color=a187be]“Children, Cadien! Sapient offspring!”[/color] He said as he turned around. As on cue, both the sandstorm torn glade symbolling Auriëlle passed nearby. And then the floating island filled with light and life signifying Soleira passed as well. [color=a187be]“Well… not really children. The closest thing I should ever have. Singular mortals given a seed of my power that will sprout within them. You cannot imagine my dread right now, brother. Galbar is not ready. The designs weren’t ready.”[/color] For a moment he paused as he tried to calm down slightly. [color=a187be]“I am not ready.”[/color] He said with a crushing sense of resignation. [color=a187be]“They weren’t supposed to be created for another millennia or so. Instead, somehow, an inkling of my power fled me. Not once but twice.”[/color] [color=violet]“Children?”[/color] Cadien blinked. [color=violet]“Oh, you mean like that Auriëlle girl?”[/color] Qael, once more, turned an unhealthy shade of blue as he turned around to face his brother. “You know of her!?” [color=violet]“I do,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“For quite some time, actually. I have children of my own, you see. Well, technically they’re my avatar’s. There’s four of them - wait, no, it’s six now. Anyhow, she met one of them.”[/color] For a moment Qael wasn’t sure if he was relieved or horrified. In the end, his obsession won it from both. [color=a187be]“You must tell me everything you know, Cadien. I beg of you! Who is she? How is she? W-Why is she talking to one of yours? What is happening in her life?”[/color] Cadien blinked. [color=violet]“Friend, please calm down,”[/color] he spoke in a reassuring tone. [color=violet]“She comes from Acadia. Ran from home around the same time you gave them that training site. Her mother wouldn’t stop praying for her return. Some time later, she met my eldest, a man by the name of Carn. She helped him fight some bandits, but then she lured him away from the path I had in mind for him. Rather irritating, that.”[/color] [color=violet]“Anyhow, they spent about three years travelling the Highlands. They started a mercenary band and grew uh… quite fond of each other. Then she left him, to go find out more about her connection to you. He was quite distraught. Now, I don’t know what she found - if she found anything, that is - but last I heard she was serving some vampire queen in the southern Highlands,”[/color] he spoke the word ‘vampire’ with clear disgust. [color=violet]“I’ve been listening to prayers from that kingdom - Nallan, it’s called - and there’s something not quite right about the people there.”[/color] [color=a187be]“The obelisk.”[/color] Qael said. Of course, that’s the reason why it was on her glade. He felt a void growing in his chest. Normally he would not have cared at all for a vampire queen. What else could she be but a small pawn in the grand designs. Yet now he did care. Vampires were amongst the more dangerous of mortals. If this Auriëlle was serving it, she was amongst the wrong people. His panic turned into cold but calm despair. [color=a187be]“What do I do now?”[/color] What was there even to do? [color=a187be]“She came looking for me and I never answered her. What could I possibly still do?”[/color] Cadien shrugged. [color=violet]“When I guide my own children, I tend to do so indirectly, and only speak to them personally in exceptional circumstances. Sometimes, they have carried out my will without even realizing it. So, if you’re concerned for this Auriëlle, but you don’t believe she will welcome your aid or guidance, then try to offer it without making it clear that it’s you. But first, spend some time observing her. Learn her habits, her opinions, her prejudices. Her strengths, and her weaknesses. If you try to guide her without knowing her, then she might not react the way you expect.”[/color] [color=a187be]“That would require me to know where to guide her towards.”[/color] Qael’Naath said. Deep down though, he knew what direction she should be taking. If only he didn’t feel this strange, almost vile, mortal need to protect her. Like how mothers will protect their cubs. He knew he couldn’t do that. Not with Auriëlle. The truth was that in his grand design, she already had her place. He just had to admit it. [color=a187be]“She’s not the least of my problems though.”[/color] He then continued. [color=a187be]“Soleira. Oh sweet Soleira. My four winged angel. She loves all, Cadien. You cannot imagine it. Such love. She wouldn’t dare hurt a fly. They will hurt her. Galbar can be a cruel place. They will harm her and scar her.”[/color] A strange new fire rose up in Qael’s chest. Even though he couldn’t talk to her [color=a187be]“I might do as you say. Watch her. Observe her. Try to-“[/color] Yet he had no idea what to do with her. The presence of her glade assured him she was part of the plan though. [color=a187be]“-protect her.”[/color] He added when he found the appropriate word. The thought gained resolve though. [color=violet]“They’re your children,”[/color] said Cadien. [color=violet]“It is up to you what you use them for. My own children, I’m trying to get to stabilize the Highlands. A difficult task, all things considered. Carn is preparing to take Ketrefa, but fixing Ketrefa is just the first step. There’s Nallan in the south, Ha-Duna in the west, the Iskrill in the north, trolls and vampires everywhere… and who knows what else?”[/color] He shook his head. [color=violet]“The other gods and their meddling…”[/color] Qael’s focus shifted. [color=a187be]“I know what you mean. Though sometimes their meddling is what makes Galbar such an interesting place.”[/color] Then his mind went to the Highlands. It was such a small region. Yet it had seen an almost unfair share of attention from all the gods now. Even though he did not share Cadien’s distaste for all things Iskrill, troll or vampire, even he had to admit that things were slipping in that land. [color=a187be]“But the Highlands require attention. It’s a staggering task, brother. So what’s your plan? Beyond this Carn taking the city of Ketrefa?”[/color] [color=violet]“[i]If[/i] he takes it,”[/color] Cadien corrected. [color=violet]“But I have a plan in place should he fail. Either way, what I do next will depend on what state the city and the surrounding regions are in.”[/color] [color=a187be]“Why not simply make sure that he succeeds?”[/color] Qael asked. [color=violet]“I have given a great deal of aid, but the act must still require some effort and skill on his part. It must appear as if a mortal has solved a mortal problem. Otherwise, they will learn nothing from the incident, and may try to revert back to their old ways at a later date. If I simply forced them to change, then they would do it only because I demand it, not because they understand why.”[/color] [color=a187be]“I see. Well, it would seem I will have to keep my eye out for Ketrefa then.”[/color] Qael said, before two of his eyes glimmered again. [color=a187be]“Forgive me brother. My duty demands my attention. I must leave you. But I am grateful for the information you have brought me about my daughter. Know that I owe you a favor.”[/color] With those words, and a small bow, Qael flew up again. Only to seemingly freeze up mid-air. His body floated motionless through his realm as he returned his attention to the matters of his realm, his family and magic itself. [color=violet]“Hm...”[/color] responded Cadien, not entirely sure what to make of Qael’s odd behaviour, but it was clear the God of Magic’s attention had gone elsewhere. So with a final shrug, Cadien turned and left. [hider=Summary] Qael’Naath’s realm is in a state of perceived chaos. He has lost sight and understanding of the great plan his own subconscious creates and shows through the orbit of his glades. A she tries to perceive the new plan, he is also ruminating over Oraelia’s memories and observing Galbar through the Winds of Magic. Cadien arrives in his realm, asking what’s going on. Qael’Naath explains that he made a mistake in the form of children. Daughters, to be specific. Their existence destroyed the old plan and forced his subconsciousness to formulate a new one. Cadien says he knows about one of Qael’s daughters, Auriëlle, and tells him about her. The god of perfection then offers some advice on how to handle and guide kids. As he has six of his own. Qael, though, isn’t sure towards what he should guide them. Or at least, for Auriëlle, he isn’t certain if, as a father, he can accept her role in the designs. He then raves on about Soleira, how she is too good for Galbar. Vowing he will protect her. The conversation shifts towards the activity of their siblings in the highland and then Carn’s quest to take Ketrefa. Cadien offers some more insight into why a mortal must take and fix the great city and why he, as a god, cannot help more. Then Qael says he must return to his work and Cadien leaves. [/hider] [hider=MP&DP]No MP or DP used in this post[/hider]