[center] [h1][color=a187be][b][u]Qael’Naath[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][b][u]Carn[/u][/b][/h1] [/center] [hr] The wound had stopped bleeding by the time Qael’Naath had arrived by Cadien’s portal. So many strange things - emotions - flowed through him. Was he so tainted by mortality now that he could feel hatred, rage, fear? It didn’t matter. Even logic demanded the downfall of the winged avatar. He couldn’t do it alone though. His avatar was uniquely suited for other things but not combat and with the winged one holding that accursed blade, he needed help. He swallowed his pride as he stepped through the mortal to enter Meliorem. [color=a187be]“Cadien!”[/color] He shouted, but instantly clutched his chest in pain. No wound should hurt so uniquely but his did. Still, he bit through the pain and said: “I need to talk to you.” [color=violet]“Qael?”[/color] Cadien’s voice could be heard, as the surroundings of Meliorem came into view. The great fortress was just ahead, but Cadien himself could not be seen. [color=violet]“Whatever is the matter?”[/color] [color=a187be]“Galbar is in danger. We are in danger!”[/color] Qael said as he lifted off the ground and gently floated towards the castle. The pain in his chest eased up. Replaced by something else. A consuming fire he felt within. [color=a187be]“I need your help.”[/color] A gold-clad figure stepped through the castle’s threshold. [color=violet]“Hm? Is this about that-”[/color] Cadien stopped in his tracks. [color=violet]“By the Lifeblood, what happened to you?”[/color] [color=a187be]“My avatar was attacked.”[/color] Qael said as he stepped in closer. Under his hood, hidden by the tentacles just peeking from underneath it he tried to offer Cadien a feeble smile. His robe was still bloodied by the attack that transferred to the divine realms. [color=a187be]“It’s good to see you brother. I’ll tell you everything but if you don’t mind, I’d like to do so in a better-suited place than outside. There is much to show and tell.”[/color] Cadien furrowed his brow. [color=violet]“This is most unusual, but come in.”[/color] He beckoned the god to follow him into the courtyard. He then led him into the castle itself, through the hall of statuary, and finally into the throne room. Once in the throne room Qael took a seat at the long table. [color=a187be]“I’ll assume you’ve noticed the quake on Galbar as well.”[/color] He started. [color=a187be]“I’ve sent my avatar out to investigate it. The power coming from it was far too much for any sane god’s creation. And the insane ones don’t want that kind of attention I’ve noticed. There I’ve found a winged woman amid a glassed wasteland. An avatar, I believe. In her hands, she held a weapon.”[/color] His gaze and tone grew grim. [color=a187be]“My avatar is almost ethereal, brother. No mortal weapon should be able to harm it. But that sword did and now my own blood has soaked Galbar again.”[/color] [color=violet]“Again?” Cadien asked. “When was the first time?”[/color] [color=a187be]“When we were born I came into being with a fatal flaw. Something anathema to the logic and systems that I desired. In that age of myth, I’ve cut that chaos out of me.”[/color] And it took its shape in Qull. She who would have been his nemesis. Luckily, it would’ve appeared the Lifeblood had quickly consumed her. [color=a187be]“The wound I’ve made back then is ancient, but it opened again when my avatar was struck by the blade.”[/color] [color=violet]“For someone who claims to be a being of logic, you sure do have a flair for the dramatic,”[/color] Cadien commented as he settled into a seat across from Qael. [color=violet]“Do you know whose avatar it was?”[/color] [color=a187be]“A growing mortal affliction I’m afraid.”[/color] Qael said. [color=a187be]“I don’t. Though I suspect she killed the Sun Giant, which caused the quake and the wasteland I’ve found her in. I wish I could say if it was ordered by one of our siblings or if this is simply the case of a runaway Avatar but sadly I can’t.”[/color] [color=violet]“Just how long ago did this happen?”[/color] [color=a187be]“Very recently.”[/color] Qael’Naath answered. [color=violet]“And her ability to hurt you through your avatar. Would you say this is a property of the avatar herself, or of her blade?”[/color] [color=a187be]“I cannot say for the certain.”[/color] The blade certainly pulsed with an energy Qael had never seen before but then again, they were gods. Creators of the ‘never seen before’. He himself had given some the blessings to remain invisible from a god’s eye. What stopped another from creating a weapon that could harm divinity? [color=a187be]“I need your help to destroy this threat, brother.”[/color] [color=violet]“Do you know where she is right now?”[/color] [color=a187be]“The glass wastes. That desolate wasteland east of the Westfold. For now she seems strangely obsessed with slaying the local spawning creatures. They look like small, glassy golems.”[/color] Qael said. [color=a187be]“As we speak I have my mortal representative heading out to gather the locals. At least those with the proper affinity for magic. They will be the wardens and rangers of this place.”[/color] There had to be vigil over the place. Divine essence was spilled in that place. [color=a187be]“So, will you help me?”[/color] Cadien frowned. [color=violet]“Tell me exactly what this avatar looks like.”[/color] [color=a187be]“Like a human woman but beautiful to an objective degree. She has horns sprouting from her hair. Horns…that feel familiar.”[/color] He had seen those horns before. In his own daughter. They were an illusion then. Now they looked real. His expression under the hood darkened as the thought dawned, but he continued. [color=a187be]“She has a set of large wings. Like a Neiyari would.”[/color] The God of Perfection grimaced, as if his worst suspicion had been confirmed. [color=violet]“I know the avatar you speak of.”[/color] [color=a187be]“Speak your mind, brother.”[/color] Said Qael. His tone matched that of Cadien as he had an inkling as well. [color=violet]“Her name is Aveira, avatar of Neiya,”[/color] Cadien confirmed, with some reluctance. [color=violet]“But that does not mean Neiya was behind this attack. She always had a hands-off attitude toward her creations, and I do not think she would seek a fight with another god for no good reason.”[/color] [color=a187be]“You know her better than I do, so I’ll trust your judgement but that doesn’t take away that Aivera’s power is too dangerous to allow to exist. She has to be destroyed, as well as her blade.”[/color] And if they couldn’t, then the blade would have to be stored somewhere safe. Somewhere away from the divine realms though. Qael’Naath would not trust that blade to stay with any god. Not even himself. There was only one place in all of Galbar where he would entrust such a relic to. [color=a187be]“If you believe Neiya to be innocent, do you believe you can bring her around to that cause?”[/color] [color=violet]“I can speak to her,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“I can send my own avatar to speak to Aveira as well. They fought alongside each other not too long ago, and did not part on hostile terms.”[/color] [color=a187be]“Be careful brother. She managed to hurt even my avatar. That is no small feat. And frankly, I see no way to resolve this diplomatically. As I said, she is too dangerous to be left alive at this point.”[/color] Qael said as he rose up from the chair. [color=a187be]“But as with Neiya, I trust you on Aivera as well. I’ll make sure at least the wastes are secured. Come to me if you made headway with either of them. This is not a matter us gods should stay distant of.”[/color] [color=violet]“Of course,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“What about that wound of yours? It will heal, surely?”[/color] [color=a187be]“With time, with time.”[/color] Qael said as he flashed Cadien a smile from underneath the tentacles and darkened hood. [color=a187be]“Last time I tried everything on Galbar to heal me. From the lake in the Luminant to the healing gift of Lucia. Only time closed it. I will be fine.”[/color] [color=violet]“Hm.”[/color] There was an awkward pause, before Cadien spoke again. [color=violet]“Another question. Whatever became of that Aurielle girl, after the Battle of Ketrefa?”[/color] For a moment Qael was quiet. Taken by surprise by the question after his daughter. He was well aware that Cadien did not fully approve of who she became. Even when Qael did. [color=a187be]“I felt it time for her to learn magic properly. She’s at the Omniversity. Though I’d be lying if I’d say she picked up the art of spellcasting smoothly.”[/color] The headmaster trained with her once every three weeks now. It was the most Auriëlle could maintain. [color=a187be]“And what about your own son? Carn, was it? The last images I saw before I whisked away my own daughter put him in a dire position. I hope he didn’t depart to Thaa’s realm.”[/color] [color=violet]“He is here,”[/color] Cadien answered. “In this realm. Alive, too. I suspect he may return to Galbar one day.”[/color] [color=a187be]“Can I see him?”[/color] Asked Qael. [color=a187be]“I want to see what sort of a man my daughter has been giving her heart to.”[/color] [color=violet]“I suppose there is no harm in it,”[/color] Cadien shrugged. [hr] Carn sighed. He had been in the midst of another training session, when his ‘father’ spoke within his head, summoning him to the keep. He did not resent Cadien’s influence as he once had, but it was nonetheless tedious that the God of Perfection expected him to come when called, even if he was already in the middle of other things. So in no particular hurry, he had made his way there. Past the bridge, down the road, up the stairs, through the courtyard, through the hall, and into the throne room. He had been expecting it to be just Cadien, but to his surprise, another figure was present. “Who is this?” he asked, turning to the figure, noting the bloodstained robes and the stains they had dripped onto the carpet below. [color=a187be]“Ill mannered.”[/color] Qael said as he looked at Cadien. Momentarily ignoring Carn before giving the mortal the fullest of his attention. For a second the god of magic was quiet. The glowing eyes underneath his hood saw more than light. Yet when he looked at Carn he saw nothing to like. [color=a187be]“There is barely a speck of mana clinging to you.”[/color] He said before lifting his legs up and floating cross legged over the ground. [color=a187be]“I suppose it is proper that I give you my name now. I am Qael’Naath. God of Magic. Father of the one you love. Or is it loved these days?”[/color] Carn’s eyebrows rose slightly, and his eyes widened. “Where is she?” he asked at once. [color=a187be]“On Galbar. Somewhere safe where she can focus and ponder upon her greater destiny.”[/color] Qael said as he floated a bit around Carn. [color=a187be]“She still thinks of you, you know. Even after she turned blind. It’s most odd. She made a bust from memory in your likeness. I can see the similarities.”[/color] Then he leaned in closer. [color=a187be]“Though I think she got the nose wrong.”[/color] He said before leaning back again. [color=a187be]“But you haven’t answered my question yet, Carn of Cadien. Is it love or loved?”[/color] “I…” he said, nearly choking on the words. “I don’t know.” [color=a187be]“That’s a most disconcerting answer.”[/color] Qael said before turning to Cadien. [color=a187be]“Would it be okay if I conjured a pitcher of wine?”[/color] [color=violet]“Feel free,”[/color] Cadien said, with a wave of his hand. The god of magic gave a grateful nod and then turned back to Carn with his arms outstretched. In his left appeared two silver cups. They were unadorned. In his right appeared a silver pitcher engraved with a Oraeliari bending water around her. He poured both cups full and offered them to Carn, taking the other for himself. The pitcher he held a moment ago remained floating in the air as if gravity just didn’t exist. [color=a187be]“What troubles your mind when it comes to my daughter?”[/color] Qael asked as he sipped the rich, slightly sweet tasting red wine. Carn was silent as he examined the cup. He brought it to his lips and took a long sip, as he mulled over the question, though it was clear his hesitance was over how to phrase it rather than any actual doubt. “Where is she?” he asked at last. “Is… is she happy? Is she safe?” [color=a187be]“She is not.”[/color] Qael said, not the least bit worried about that answer. [color=a187be]“You should know her well enough to know that Auriëlle simply doesn’t do happy. Or safe. I ask again: what troubles you about her?”[/color] Carn’s eyes narrowed, briefly, and then he stood straighter. When he next spoke, his voice was filled with new resolve, and it was no longer in short fragmented sentences. “Where should I begin?” he asked. “It has been over a year since I have seen her. I don’t know what happened to her, or where she is. I don’t know how she has changed, or if she would accept how I have changed. I don’t even know if I will ever see her again. An easier question be what [i]doesn’t[/i] trouble me about her.” For a second Qael swirled the wine in his own cup just as he let the words of Carn swirl through his mind. Eventually he let out a somewhat exasperated sigh. He dropped the cup as it started to disintegrate into sparkling dust. The pitcher and Carn’s cup vanished in the same way. [color=a187be]“You’re not destined for her.”[/color] He said, as he put one hand on Carn’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes. [color=a187be]“Move on.” With those words said he uncrossed his legs and turned to Cadien as his feet still floated a few inches off the ground. [color=a187be]“I thank you for your hospitality and I wish you good luck in our shared matter.”[/color] Then he floated around Carn to leave Meliorem. [hr] Carn had endured the remark in silence. It was not the first time he had been told that. After Qael was gone, Carn looked to Cadien. “Was this all you brought me here for?” Cadien shrugged. [color=violet]“He asked to see you. I did not plan this.”[/color] “Are all gods so judgemental?” came Carn’s next question. [color=violet]“Many are. Of course, you hardly helped yourself, what with that attitude of yours.”[/color] “Do you know of any ones that aren’t?” he asked next. [color=violet]“A few,”[/color] Cadien answered, rising to his feet. [color=violet]“Why?”[/color] Carn thought for a moment. In truth, he was beginning to grow tired of Meliorem. Although he had enjoyed himself, he was beginning to fall into a routine. A repetitive one. He needed something… different. And the only way to find that would be to venture beyond Meliorem’s boundaries, or ask Cadien to create it. He knew which solution he preferred. “I would like to meet them.” [color=violet]“A dangerous proposition, Carn,”[/color] Cadien chided. [color=violet]“Especially if you continue to speak to them in such a manner. Even your fellow mortals would take issue with that, yet alone gods.”[/color] Carn frowned. “So I can’t leave?” [color=violet]“Oh, you can leave,”[/color] Cadien answered. [color=violet]“Just be mindful of what I said. I cannot protect you if you are in another god’s realm, nor will I start any feuds on your behalf if you offend the wrong being. Be polite, be respectful. The songs taught you eloquence and manners. It would be best if you used started using those against people other than them.”[/color] “And if they don’t respond in kind?” [color=violet]“Do so anyway. You cannot control their behaviour, but you can control your own, and if there is no fault in the way you conduct yourself, you are blameless in whatever comes next.”[/color] Carn frowned. So he would have to grit his teeth as higher beings judged him and talked down to him, without truly understanding him, just as Qael had a few moments ago, and just as Cadien had when he was first brought here. He would have to be polite even if he was insulted or belittled. It was unfair, it was unjust, and it was demeaning. But it was the price he might have to pay, for a little adventure and variety… “I will depart tomorrow,” he decided. [hr] [hider=Post Summary] The post opens just after Qael got stabbed by Aveira. He decides that something needs to be done about her, [color=a187be]“but it’s not because I hate her or anything, b-baka.”[/color] He enters Meliorem to talk to Cadien about it. He’s very theatric about it - covered in blood and initially being vague about the entire thing until Cadien presses for more details. Anyway Cadien begins collecting information, eventually deducing that Qael’s attacker was Aveira. Which is a bit concerning. But knowing how little Neiya pays attention to her own creations, he concludes that she probably didn’t order it. Still, he decides to speak to Neiya himself, and also send his own avatar to confront Aveira. Then Qael asks to see Carn. So, Cadien brings Carn in. Qael disapproves of the fact that Carn isn’t a [s]lawyer[/s] mage. Then asks him some questions about whether or not he still cares about Aurielle. Eventually Qael decides that Carn isn’t meant for her, and tells him to move on, before leaving. Carn then turns to Cadien and is like: “What the fuck was that?” and Cadien is like: [color=violet]“I don’t know.”[/color] The conversation then moves on, with Carn deciding he wants to meet the gods, partly because Meliorem is starting to get a bit boring, and partly because he wants to know if all the other gods are also super judgy. Cadien warns him that he needs to be more polite and some of the gods can be very petty, but Carn decides to accept that risk. Because uh… adventure! [/hider] [hider=Prestige Summary] [b]Beginning:[/b] 58 +5 for 10k+ characters [b]Ending:[/b] 63 [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] No MP or DP was harmed in the making of this post. [/hider]