[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/9ry9Z7H.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/Irxxbbd.png[/img][/center] [hr] Above the skies in a shining and glittering shape came flying in fast, only coming into great detail as it came close. A barge of sorts, although this one was golden in its entirety and the aforementioned fact it came flying to the island was a bit of a change from the other method of flying transport. It was a pleasant enough day, not terrible winds nor storms. The sun was out and it was warm enough, perhaps a bit too much for everyone's tastes but such was life on the many isles of Mydia. This was a rather special isle for what lay upon it, and undoubtedly what the Serpent triple-headed creature holding an orb had come for in some aspect. This was a place of science. It was a place of magic. And now such a creature and a shining orb one that was faceted not as a purely smooth orb but rather a gradually sloping series of plates, each in turn shining out soft invisible beams of divine energies. The creature set out inland, having jumped off the barge a scant few meters from the ground where it stopped in the air from its careening journey. It had arrived at one of the few orchards the Omniversity knew. Delicious peaches, pears and apples grew from the branches. The trees were spaced out, allowing the vibrant sun to create pathways of warmed grass. While the bigger trees offered a shady respite. Some would claim the orchard moved, ever so slowly. As if the trees were locked in an eternal slow, spinning dance. The great buildings of the Omniversity laid beyond it. Left unseen by a blind Auriëlle who sat against a tree eating an apple she had managed to pluck from the constantly blossoming trees. She knew the way back. Almost. If the trees moved they luckily did it slow enough so Auriëlle’s mind was able to adapt. She knew she had to walk about five minutes in that one direction until she came upon those sun-soaked stone path which glowed so pleasantly underneath her feet. Then she had to go right and slowly follow the curve and then take those five steps up to go inside. Or was it six steps? She felt the gust of wind hit the side of her face and looked in that direction out of habit, though of course she couldn’t see anything. For a second she wondered if someone was there. Though she quickly looked back in front of her. Seemingly staring towards nothing. Assuming the gust of wind was just that. Then a sense of serenity washed over her, it was in part unreal, most of all other feelings were present but somehow pushed to the background as the wave of serenity seemed unending. A gentle breeze flowed and no other sounds came with it for a few long seconds. Then came a soft snap from a tree and a crunch of an apple from the same direct of the breeze. A voice followed. [color=YellowGreen]"Pleasant day?"[/color] “I suppose.” Her experiences with Nalla made her realize when her mind was being toyed with. She was blind now. Sitting alone. Far away from home or anyone who could protect her. She shouldn’t feel so peaceful when she heard a voice speak that she hadn’t heard before. But she was. Any instinct that told her to run or get up and fight for her life was suppressed and she knew it. Auriëlle took another bite from her apple. “I haven’t heard your voice before.” She noted, still staring off into the distance. It would be a good pass-time maybe. A conversation with a stranger. Maybe he would know the way back to the Highlands. [color=YellowGreen]"No I suppose you haven't, but I do know you, or rather I know of you as no doubt many speak to such things. You may call me Kiim, I have two of my fellows here with me, Jaav-"[/color] [color=Teal]"Yes, hello, these are quite good, would you like an apple? Perhaps a pear?"[/color] Another soft snap and the softer crunching of fruit continued. [color=YellowGreen]"-and the other is Guul."[/color] [color=Aqua]"A pleasure."[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"You suppose it is a pleasant day, that is a fair enough way of putting things I would say from your position. We did not expect to find you outside in all truth, but it does make things easier."[/color] Well, she did hate the insides. It was cold. For the first time in a long time she realized how cold stone could feel on bare feet. And there were the others. The high voices. The laughter. It echoed around. Dazing her. Outside was open. Easier. More alone. Few of the people around here wandered through the orchards. “Are you here to kill me?” The forced serenity seemingly gave her a casual tone. As if she just asked someone for a hand. In truth, even if she hadn’t been forced to be at peace with literally everything happening she would’ve used the same tone. Blind like she was now, with the branch laying over her lap, she knew sooner rather than later someone would use the opportunity. If not the strange, four-fingered slick creature that gave her the branch, then maybe these three odd-sounding people. [color=YellowGreen]"So despondent are you already."[/color] There a soft thump of something large being put to the ground. [color=YellowGreen]"We are not here to kill you, would you like to be killed?"[/color] She turned towards the voices and smiled as if she could see them. Yet there was something off about the smile. “There are many things I want, but I don’t want to die just yet.” She had business to finish. Finish something that was only just slowly brewing inside of her. “It’s just that these days, most people who meet me want to kill me. Can’t say I blame them.” She had killed a lot of people herself. It was only a matter of time before someone came around for revenge. Then she turned back to face forward. “So what do you want then?” A soft exhalation followed, not a sigh not a laugh not quite anything easy to tell before the voice continued. [color=YellowGreen]"We have already got what we wanted. To find you and ensure you had all the necessary components that had been given. In truth, it was quite the worry that you had been sent away or abducted by much the same ones of evil that has inflicted this burden you so fearfully keep onto now."[/color] The crunching of fruit suddenly ceased and the second voice, Jaav, spoke. [color=Teal]"Getting the Focus to you had been quite difficult in the first place after all, let alone finding you and sneaking past all these such prying eyes back then. This was comparatively easy and we do enjoy some such simpler tasks. You know Mydia is quite nice this time of year I have to say, perhaps we should enjoy time here more often?"[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"Yes, well, in any case, you may grasp that we have been around you for quite some time even if we have not met. Not exactly our interest, well Jaav liked you but personally I much preferred not so much engagement. We serve our master as he wishes in any sort of case regardless."[/color] Quietly Guul spoke, closer and coming from a direction far lower than the other two voices. [color=Aqua]"And what do you truly want?[/color] Mydia? What the hell was Mydia? She never heard of a name like that. Was that what they called the rainbow land down south? And the Focus? She hadn’t even gotten her puzzlebox yet. Which was weird considering she could ruin just about every mage she knew. “None of you are making any sense.” She said, and then kept quiet. Hoping whatever spoke couldn’t read her thoughts. In truth she wanted to see again. And when she could, she would blind every worshipper of the wretched sun goddess. Around her the world would burn. People would get slaughtered, and even blind nobody, absolutely nobody could best her. What she wanted, was to be the strongest again. So strong not even a god could torture her like. So strong that one day she could raze the heavens. “I want nothing.” [color=YellowGreen]"Aw, you are a very cute mortal. In any case, you know [i]the[/i] Focus, little golden amulet with a symbol of an eye? Has kept you alive more times then all the gods could count, hmm?[/color] [color=Teal]"'You're making no sense', I like that even a mortal can see that, eh Kiim?"[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"Shush. Do you know how you arrived here Miss Aurielle?"[/color] “Not Miss!” She instantly snapped as she even turned her head towards the one called Kiim, which was a weird name. She had gotten used to some weird names already, but that one was the weirdest. All three of them had weird names. But then her mind made the click, and touched the metal disc that still dangled on her hip. Her fingers running along the eye. She frowned. “I just… found it.” She said, seemingly looking away from the three. Despite it just having been some random disc found on her nightstand, she had kept along. Feeling some weird connection to it. The three their words started making sense. Slowly. “Who… is your master?” Jaav continued eating the various fruits loudly as Kiim replied. [color=YellowGreen]"He has many names, I'm not sure of any that you would recognize. But I can describe him well enough, or I can even show you if you like."[/color] [color=Teal]"Best to do both really, they always choose the most difficult path, that Night Elf King was half ready to be taken it to Him when he stepped aboard, both is best."[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"Hmm, how about this Aurielle daughter of Frankert and Elliénne. I will tell you of my master, and if you do not know of him, I will show his visage to you. How does that sound for the procession here?"[/color] [color=Aqua]"I wonder if any others here might be of use. We should check that out after this business is done."[/color] A small smirk grew on her lips. Show her? She was blind. All she had now were taunting memories of a better time. Apparently the three either hadn’t picked that up or were just playing with her. Whatever the case, it was a way to pass the time. She sat up a little more. Faking attention. “Very well. Tell me of your master.” She said with a slightly challenging tone. [color=Teal]"There we go, that's a good start there."[/color] Jaav interrupted and Kiim responded with a soft huff before speaking. [color=YellowGreen]"Our master is a strange one lets say. He doesn't like the current state of affairs, and he is very powerful indeed, powerful enough to maybe change things. However, there are others who are powerful like him, some you have come across yourself, they are a mixed bunch, some agree with him, and others disagree."[/color] [color=Teal]"Awful temper too, doesn't like being challenged, let me tell you. We will either explain to you in [i]great[/i] detail how you are wrong, or will get you back into line more directly."[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"In any case, he has taken a particular like to you, has aided you and kept watch over you. Showing him to you should generally explain the rest."[/color] [color=Aqua]"Perhaps give her a name first? One of them at least, perhaps the same as he gave to that Vampire Queen?"[/color] They knew the vampire queen. Auriëlle perked up with her mention. They knew her, which meant they had heard of her at least. That was her way back. “You’ve just described my mother.” The sorceress said. Auriëlle had no fond memories of the woman. All she knew was pain and tears. Feeling as if she failed her every time she couldn’t summon a candle flame. Those deeply disapproving eyes had a way to make her so small. They had crushed her heart. In the end, she put her in a shadowy corner to just write on parchment. A stain upon the bloodline of the great Simain Flameweaver. “But I doubt she would’ve send for me after all this time.” As powerful as Elliénne was, she could not have made the Focus, or gain servants capable of bending the mind. [color=YellowGreen]"Hardly,"[/color] Kiim scoffed, [color=YellowGreen]"We would not answer to some insignificant Acadian. You think too small."[/color] [color=Teal]"In truth most Acadians are frighteningly disappointing, you would think given the state of that city they would be more moral and yet they always find a way to fall short."[/color] [color=Aqua]"Ekh-Rus, to put a name to a power beyond your knowledge."[/color] “Never heard of it.” Auriëlle responded, truthfully so. “But considering how haughty you talk, I will assume he is a god.” [color=YellowGreen]"And she got it. Ready to be shown? Or would prefer not to know one of your benefactors?"[/color] [color=Teal]"I should ask for seeds to plant from these trees..."[/color] Jaav ending his speech with another soft plucking of fruit and subsequent crunching. “You could just name his domain.” Another voice spoke. Auriëlle recognized this one. The headmaster. “The trees here were shaped by the gods themselves. I could give you the seeds but the trees would be no different than any other.” His voice became louder. No, not louder. Closer. “You make odd friends, Auriëlle.” The sorceress remained quiet, still curious how the three would show their master when she was blind. [color=Aqua]"Unfortunately our Master gave specific instructions on this matter. We may only speak specifics after showing."[/color] [color=Teal]"A shame at that, it must be good health, something which is rare outside of the careful crafting."[/color] [color=YellowGreen]"You are one to talk of strangeness indeed. Do you have kin? You are apart from even the long forgotten in form, new or alone?"[/color] A muffled reply of Jaav through another set of crunching, [color=Teal]"Perhaps both, many gods are fond of such things.[/color] “She’s in a…delicate sta-“ The headmaster was cut off by rock breaking the earth open in his general direction. Auriëlle couldn’t hear him for a second, but knew he was still around. Her strongest sorcery couldn’t touch him. “Very well.. if you insist.” “Show me.” Auriëlle said. [color=YellowGreen]"We will speak more after."[/color] The three fell silent, even Jaav stopped eating, Aurielle felt the lightest of touches on her hand. An idea, or memory, a vision perhaps? Whatever it was it was in her mind, skipping past whatever barriers to sight had been constructed. She was in a foggy place, a place of smooth stone as far as could be seen. Strange towers of seeming unending heights stretch across the horizon. The fog roiled in upon itself and then she was no longer where she was. Still in this vision a place of stone and fog, but there was a mountain that was not of stone, or dirt or anything of Galbar and the earthen land there. Corpses, of every kind, every race Aurielle knew, and many she didn't. Animals, plants, trees, all dead made up this mass. Then it moved, shifting towards where she viewed it from, an eye flowed across the mass, one contained in a circle of spikes and as large as she was in her entirety. It stared unblinking when it set upon her. Her mind was bombarded with thoughts, ideas and concepts in fragmentation. Her mind tried to make sense of it all. [center][b]Good. Death. Protection. Savior. Souls. Morality. Apocalypse. Righteousness. Afterlife.[/b][/center] Each came with sensation, with fragments of images, of other ideas that slipped past. It ended with a finality on the last. [center][b]Bliss.[/b][/center] Then she was back, her mind was her own and the soft touch retracted from her. The visions faded again, leaving her blind. At first she was embracing the bliss but something inside of her moved against it. Made her realize the wrongness of it. About everything she had seen. For a second she was calm, and then suddenly, frantically, scrambled to get up while she grabbed the focus, ripped it from its bindings on her hip and threw it on the ground. She felt sick in her stomach. No, no she was not some favored servant of death! She killed… yes. She killed a lot, yes. But she had no love to die herself! She didn’t want that peaceful tranquility. She looked up as if she wanted to say that. As if she wanted to defend herself. Words fell short though. So instead she turned around and tried to stomp away as best as a blind girl could. The Headmaster moved quickly in between the Three and her as he picked up the Focus. “She will want this back… sooner rather than later.” He assured them. “And when she will, I will return it. That is my solemn promise.” He looked up to face them. There was no fear on his face. “Now I would imagine your master wants her to return to her duties. I cannot let you take her though. My own master will not allowed it.” [color=Teal]"I did say that revealing such was bad to Him did I not? They never do understand even if they've been set out."[/color] Kiim turned to Jaav sticking a tongue out before replying to the Headmaster. [color=YellowGreen]"In truth our master was more concerned that her soul had been stolen away by one of the immoral ones. Assessing her current state and presenting our Master was secondary."[/color] Guul broke in, [color=Aqua]"Would it be possible for us to receive a tour? In not now given what may be urgent, perhaps in sometime when things are more free?"[/color] The Headmaster looked almost elated when the Three told him their master did not want her back just yet. She had only just started on the path. She didn’t see it yet, but there were bigger things written in her destiny than perhaps even the gods realized. “Her soul will be safe for as long as she stays on this island. My master will see to that.” He swore to the one called Kiim. Then he turned to the one called Guul. “There are, indeed and sadly, more pressing matters I must attend to.” Though those pressing matters were not Auriëlle. “Perhaps should you all return in a few years’ time? When a few more mortals have taken residence here and the Omniversity can be witnessed in its fullest glory.” He proposed with a friendly smile. “It will be an honor to guide the avatar of a divine through its hallowed halls then.” Guul nodded as Kiim replied, [color=YellowGreen]"We shall return then."[/color] They stood up from the resting position they had adopted, Jaav spoke before anything else. [color=Teal]"One last thing, although you may know of such things in general terms, it may be of some interest to the specific for your records and times of future when your pupils or theirs grow hungry in desires of the mind. A person of your talents might find interest near the canyons of the great Eastern Isle, a place stands most visible that houses a great thing there."[/color] “All I teach can already be found on this island.” The headmaster said with a friendly voice. “So I have no need to endeavor beyond here.” He let the words hang in the air for a second before continuing: “But if the place is as interesting as you say it is, the Lady in the Mists has doubtlessly already put clues on this island pointing towards it.” Kiim and Jaav turned, as did the whole of their body, Guul replied before turning her head with them. [color=Aqua]"As long as such is known, the Lord of Mana's hand was most appreciated in the creation of the matter of interest to your kith."[/color] Kiim spoke as the three walked back to the barge aloud back towards the headmaster, [color=YellowGreen]"Perhaps you'll gain kin too at some such time."[/color] The headmaster just smiled but kept his words to him. He didn’t need his kin to return. In truth he didn’t really remember anything about his life before waking up. The tomb seemed to have siphoned his memories of his life before. When he woke up, he was the only one to do so. That night it was strange to reseal tens of coffins. Each containing the husked remains of what might’ve been family, friends, a lover. Yet feeling nothing for them. “I bid you farewell for now.” The triple serpent avatar returned to the barge, an easy divine leap up the few meters to its deck and they were off once more, the Golden vessel rapidly receding from the skies near the Omniversity. [hider=Summary]A triple-headed creature flies in a boat towards a particular island in Mydia. Where he lands in orchard where Auriëlle is just chilling. She first just thinks she heard the wind, but then the three heads begin talking. Auriëlle is aware that she is supposed to panic but isn’t. She asks if they’re there to kill her. The triom\, Kiim’Jaav’Guul, call her out on her despondent attitude and ask if she wants to be killed. She doesn’t, but she figures sooner rather than later someone would come around to take vengeance. Then they ask what she really wants, but she knows she shouldn’t put that in words. She wants her own vengeance upon the sun goddess for taking her sight, and then she wants the heavens to burn. Then the subject shifts to the golden amulet, her Focus. For the first time Auriëlle realizes how weird the metal disc really is. The three offer to show her their master and the man who gave Auriëlle her focus. Right then the Headmaster of the Omniversity appears, telling them they could just tell her. Apparently their strict orders were to show alone. Again the Headmaster bids them not to do it, but is interrupted by Auriëlle. Who refuses to be called “delicate”. The three show her visions of their master. Accompanied by the concepts of Good, Death, Protection, Savior, Soul, Morality, Apocalypse, Righteousness and Afterlife. At first it feels nice, but Auriëlle is still alive. The wrongness of everything starts setting in. Realizing the Focus was from something as anathema to life as the god of death, she throws away the disc and walks away as best she could. The Headmaster takes it, promising the three that it will return to her when the time is right. Him and the three hold a short conversation, where they hint at the existence of some magically interesting location on the Eastern Isle of Mydia.[/hider] [hider=Prestige] [b]Post Length:[/b] 19.6K Characters +5 Prestige >> Auriëlle +5 Prestige >> The Headmaster [/hider]