[center][h1][color=tan] The Sundom Reborn I[/color][/h1][/center]

[hr]

[color=tan]”Climb Eesis, climb!”[/color] Lucia shouted, panic in her voice. She was chasing after the two furious avatars, whose battle rocked the heavens. The force waves from their blows were causing the wind to scream but Eesis, the giant Leon, was resolute in her charge. These were [i]her[/i] winds, after all. Even now, as she climbed the winds grew less and less but they were nowhere near close to the two. They had shot off towards the distant mountains and Lucia was determined to reach them. 

She knew not how long it had been now, but the red glow on the horizon was a tell tale sign they would not reach their destination before the sun set but she had to try. She had to-

The horizon erupted beyond the mountains. Lucia shielded her eyes and felt Eesis give a rare mewl as she turned her head, veering to the left. Her heart began to beat fast and Lucia looked out on the horizon as the glow resided. She felt only horror now. Something had happened, something terribly wrong. 

She instinctively reached out to her mother. [Color=tan]"Mother! Did you see that!"[/color] 

Lucia expected a reply but none came for a long time. She began to worry again before she was assaulted by intense emotions. Those of anger, pain and regret. It was enough to make her audibly gasps and clutch Eesis tighter. As quickly as the emotions came, they were gone.

[Color=tan]"Mother!"[/color] she screamed raw, tears welling in her eyes. She tried to send positive energy to Oraelia, not knowing if it would reach her. She felt useless.

It was in that moment however, that Lucia began to put things together. The two avatars were fighting. The bright flash had to be a giant explosion. Could they kill one another? Was it even possible? And then her mother would not reply to her, in fact, all she received were negative emotions. Lucia shivered as her heart dropped.

Solus had been killed, hadn't he?

[hr]

It was Sanya and Tevuri who met her in the courtyard as Eesis landed. Nisin also sprang towards his mate as Lucia slid off and to the ground. Sanya was by her side in an instant, wrapping her arms around her in a bear hug. She melted in that embrace, returning it in kind even when she knew what would be said next.

[color=a187be]"Don't ever do that again."[/color] Sanya growled with brimming anger in her voice. 

Lucia could have protested, could have said it was to protect her but in this case, she would admit defeat. [Color=tan]"Okay, I'm sorry my love. I was caught up in the moment. It won't happen again."[/color] she nuzzled her face into Sanya's neck. She heard her warrior sigh, grip loosening but still tight. 

Sanya leaned her own head on Lucia's and moved her arm up to caress the back of her head. Lucia shut her eyes and let the rhythm of Sanya's fingers relax her. [color=a187be]"Good."[/color] she said in a quiet voice.

Tevuri cleared his throat and then said, "Forgive me Lucia, Sanya, for disrupting your moment but we have a problem." Lucia reluctantly pulled back from Sanya, still be held tight by her partner, and looked up at Tevuri. [Color=tan]"What's wrong?"[/color]

The Cardinal frowned, a rare sight from even him. "When the flash subsided, several of the Oraeliari heard cracks. Upon further investigation we found, in several places, that there were cracks in the stone of the Castiel, and the light… It is fading. What… What happened?" He asked.

Lucia took a breath, looked to Sanya and then back to Tevuri. [Color=tan]"The flash of light, I think it was Solus. I believe he was killed."[/color]

Tevuri seemed to deflate, going pale. "By Oraeliara… No…"

[Color=tan]"Worse, I tried contacting my mother and the only thing I felt in return was pain, sorrow and anger. Solus has died and it has hurt my mother."[/color] her voice broke and she felt Sanya pull her closer. Lucia did not resist. 

"What do we… What will we do now?" Tevuri asked, looking to the ground.

[Color=tan]"I… If the Castiel is fading then we will have to leave. We should go east, towards the mountains to make sure the land is safe. There is no telling what other damage they wrought."[/color] Lucia said in a sullen voice.

Tevuri looked at them. "What of the Dunan conflict?"

Sanya's grip tightened in a brief squeeze, enough to signal her affection and decision to butt in before Lucia spoke. With a sharp sigh, the typically quiet warrioress spoke. [color=a187be]"Humans will always war, Cardinal. It is what they do when the tribe grows large enough. Helping the people left behind by the conflict is the best we can do unless we are keen to choose a side. As for the Dunans.. they were blind three decades ago. Nothing has changed."[/color] As customary lately she looked the taller Oraeliari straight in the eyes as she talked to give some dauntless weight to her words. Lucia knew she was a divisive figure - a few winged allies found her abrasive. Just like every other place, Sanya made herself the outsider in time. [color=a187be]"Going east will mean walking into the heartlands of the dunans' enemy. Wherever we go, I doubt we can rely on rulers."[/color]

[Color=tan]"We still have to try. Solus is… He was part of my mother and so am I, so are the Oraeliari. We have to make sure his demise did not spawn any other unfortunate events."[/color] she leaned her head against Sanya's neck again. [Color=tan]"Please?"[/color] she whispered to her warrior.

Sanya exhaled sharply and raised her hand to hold Lucia's head close to her in an attempt to offer some meager comfort. [color=a187be]"No doubt people are going to be fleeing raiders, bandits, forgotten beasts even before we take this new event into account. The people will need help. Just because we leave does not mean we need to turn the disaffected away. Do you agree, Cardinal?"[/color]

Tevuri nodded. "Of course. We should strive to help any in need, regardless of their circumstances. We shall need to find a new place to call home though. To Shepard this lost flock."

[Color=tan]"He is right."[/color] Lucia murmured. [Color=tan]"We will have to find some new place to go. But for now, we should depart at once."[/color] she squeezed Sanya again and then pulled away but not before planting a kiss on her cheek. She then looked to the Cardinal, hands on her waist. [Color=tan]"Cardinal Tevuri, we need to take what we can from the Castiel. If you could instruct your Oraeliari to do this, I would be grateful. Only what we can carry for a long journey. Sanya and I will see to the artifacts, the pilgrams and the Joyfs."[/color]

The Cardinal nodded once more and departed at once with a flap of his wings. Lucia then looked back at Sanya and outstretched her hand. [Color=tan]"Shall we get started my love?"[/color] she said with a smirk and wink. Sanya scoffed quietly and offered a mere twitch of her lips. It was enough, when one knew how to read the ancient fighter. Without a word, she moved to take Lucia's hand and squeeze it.

[hr]

It took a day to get things in order. The Oraeliari worked quickly and with efficiency, gathering everything that could be taken and storing it large rucksacks. Much of what was being built at the Castiel would have to be left behind as try as they might, they could not take everything. Sanya and Lucia had the much harder task of persuading the pilgrims to leave. Much of them were distraught at the fact the Statuette was going to be taken. Most called it a betrayal of the deal and try as they might to show reason, the hearts of men and the hopes of women were not so easily dissuaded. Most left the Castiel proclaiming that the Dunalands and Westfold and everything in between would hear of this. A few chose to follow them wherever they might go. 

Sanya assured Lucia that if anything came of it, they would deal with it then and there. Their next task was gathering the Joyfs who had not left with their queen and giving them owners so they could be looked after. There were many happy people despite the looming dread. 

That morning the two donned their armor, had their belongings on their backs and the artifacts in hiding on their persons, they were ready to see what the east had in store. As Eesis and Nisin flew up above, Lucia had decided to walk, much to the relief of Sanya. It was also good news for the few non-Oraeliari among them, who also needed to walk. As a procession formed, it became clear that many winged mortals chose the same venture in support of the Sun’s Daughter, while others followed from the sky, acting as scouts and guides.

With the Casteil mainly picked clean, the long caravan of pilgrims, Oraeliari and supplies set forth towards the east. A solemn and uncertain affair, kept together by the stern determination of the Cardinals, and the unflappable readiness to face the known openly displayed by Lucia and supported by Sanya, The once grand keep was left quiet and hollow, with cracked and faded stones where Solus once mighty influence had now faded - a mournful monument to the vanquished giant - and was left to be used by those in need of shelter, both human and beast, eventually to be reclaimed by nature.

The path east followed the natural outcroppings and cliffs of the dense dunan landscape, where cleared valleys of beautiful meadows interchanged freely with difficult terrain - thorny bushes, sharp rocks and steep cliffs. The same terrain that had made the Casteil a strategic centrepiece now worked against the caravan travelling by foot, the path forward not always clear. The Oraeliari were superior in this regard, and between their capability to trace a path from above, and help bypass particularly dangerous areas, they still managed to keep a good pace. Few hints of predators like hydras and wolves were seen as well - even those animals who had been reported to be more ferocious and bloodthirsty of late made themselves scarce when Eesis and Nisin patrolled the sky above.

Even with a clear sky, flying scouts and a steady pace, it took just under a day to negotiate the landscape and reach Conmeadh, the nearest peasant community on their journey east. For them, sightings and interactions with Oraeliari had become a part of daily life, and both Lucia and Sanya had personally visited the village before. When they learned that the entire host was travelling east, never to return, the approximately four dozen villagers and farmers packed up their households and joined the caravan. There was no option - they made it clear they desired to follow Lucia, and those few wary among them quickly closed ranks when they realized the birth idol was still in their possession. So the whole caravan settled for the night, helping scavenge the supplies and tools of Conmeadh to make place for them among the travellers. Humans and Oraeliari working together with a unified purpose.

It was then in the quiet of camp, a chill breeze coming down from the north that Sanya found herself wrapped in a blanket with Lucia besides their fire. Sat in the middle of their growing procession day by day. Lucia was quiet, staring into the flame. Sanya knew that look of hers, it was one of deep contemplation. Of thoughts that she wrestled with. Sanya would not press it yet, for Lucia would confide in her eventually, as she always did. Still…

Lucia yawned and stretched her limbs as she got up, kissing Sanya on the cheek. She wandered off to bed, leaving Sanya next to the fire. The warrioress watched her slide off silently, before resolving to watch the fire. She wondered how many nights like this it would take.

[hr]

A full week passed in their journey towards the mountains. Though they did their best to navigate and contact villages as they passed, sending Oraeliari scouts to speak with those they did not pass close to, fewer and fewer country folk were willing to pack up and leave. Between deeprooted druidic belief, old animosities, and promises of protection from the eastern tsardom, only a scattered few joined ranks, more akin to luck-seeking stragglers than villages keen to escape the natural disasters and war. The only guarantee was Lucia. Interacting with the daughter of Oraelia was a sure way to convince all but the most stubborn westfolder, and even a few whitecloak druids managed to slink into the growing caravan. There was a growing rank of violence-seekers as well, people wronged by Dunan grudges, or trampled by passing warriors, that pledged their service in transparent hope of conflict down the line. These scant few troublemakers found themselves under Sanya's command in all but name, as her stern promises to keep people safe at any cost seemed to both frighten and appeal to them.

Even with fliers in the air, news of their travels seemed to precede their presence, and a mere nine days after setting out the first advance scouts came from the northeast; two figures on boarback lined up on the horizon and followed them for nearly a full day before vanishing behind a hill. Still, the procession pushed eastward.

On the twelfth day, Oraeliari scouts began reporting a strange taste in the air, and ash clinging to their wings as they flew across the countryside. Indeed, the next village said the same. The eruption of the mountain in the far east had not affected them much, but it was noticeable even here. They learned of a great shockwave that had set trees ablaze and knocked down buildings. The villagers told them to turn back around. Yet Lucia was resolute in her decision. Stubborn even, and they pressed on still despite the warnings.

Beyond that ominous warning lay the grounds for doomsayers and panic. Animals grew increasingly wary, to the point that the following farmers started complaining when their pack beasts infrequently required several minutes of cajoling to keep going - it was a dark sign of what awaited closer to the devastating monument in the east, and the dark cloud that continued to grow around it like a festering wound in the sky. Its' dominion over the landscape soon became clear; oraeliari scouts reported a strange whitening of the ground, and flecks of grey and white gripping their wings.

The next village was empty. Structures were toppled or burnt down, and the homesteads had been ransacked of all worth. Whomever had once lived here had fled, been taken, or otherwise abandoned their homes. Soon after, the ground shifted from its green and brown untamed beauty to a pale sheen. A grey and white coat that silently fell from the sky to paint the land in hues without color. At first Sanya thought it looked like snow, a sentiment echoed by others in the procession - but she had seen ash before, just not in such an overpowering quantity. It covered everything, like an invasive and inescapable layer of dust. A blanket of death, heralding with it a growing difficulty of doing even mundane tasks to keep the procession going. Scouts could not fly for long before their wings were weighed down, grass and bushes were covered with flecks of ash, and even the paths once trampled for safety were becoming hidden beneath a layer of grey. 

It turned to fateful evening when the dark became blackness before them that two scouts returned to the camp with news, a great band of lights was heading in their direction, like pinpricks in the dark. They would arrive by morning at their current pace. Lucia thanked them for the news and bid them eat something to keep their strength up. She said little else but returned to the confines of their tent where, with a few soft words, they went to bed awaiting the morning. 

[hr]

It turned out all those lights were people. Refugees leaving their dying lands, the fiery mountain sealing their fate the moment it had erupted. There were thousands of them, all lost and afraid. It broke Lucia’s heart to know what had befell them and she could not shake the feeling that she was in some way at fault. Perhaps if she had gotten to Solus faster or prevented him from leaving… Regardless, she now felt responsible for them. Here were people that had lost everything and they needed help. 

Near midday Lucia called a meeting with all of those who retained some sort of leadership. Elders, wise men, matriarchs, and those who others believed in to do the right thing. Many came and many listened to Lucia with only a few outright refusing to acknowledge her. She told them of the calamity of the mountain and she heard their testament. As the ash piled ever on Lucia knew what she had to do. Get these people to safety in a new land. One that could be good to them and they to it. There were shouts and angry voices, many not wanting to leave their lands but the reality of the situation settled in. No one was safe anymore. Not here. Not in the Dunalands or even in the Westfold at large. It was time to return to a place Lucia knew in her heart as her first home. For home now was wherever she was with Sanya, who stood by her side constantly. By that night it was decided by the majority, while a few slinked off in great anguish never to return with their people, the time to move further west was at hand.

It was time to return to the Sunlit Temple.

Later that evening Lucia returned to the tent with Sanya and it was there she faltered.

She sat down on their bed and sighed, rubbing her chest. She stared off into the distance but spoke all the same. [Color=tan]"I don't know if this is smart Sanya. I don't know… I… I feel as if there is a weight on my shoulders and in my chest. Like someone is pressing down and in. I feel so…"[/color] her voice faded to quiet as tears began to wet her face. [Color=tan]"I'm scared."[/color] she looked at Sanya, eyes wide and trembling.

Sanya came to sit beside her then, arms wrapping around her trembling form with swift but respectful grace. [color=a187be]"I do not claim to be smart, either, but I know what these people need. They need hope, a new chance at life, and someone who will lift them when they cannot. Wherever this path takes us, it will be better than here. To give them a perfect life is not your burden, but we can save them from damnation."[/color] Sanya sighed, and leaned sideways to place a soft kiss on Lucia's forehead as she pulled her in. [color=a187be]"Wherever the road takes us, we will face the challenges together. Wherever we can, we will do right by the land. I am with you, my beloved Lucia."[/color]

Lucia melted into that embrace as silent tears fell down her cheeks. Sanya's warmth was like a beacon to her, a pillar of strength against uncertainty. With it she felt as if she could fly. [Color=tan]"I love you, you know? More than anything else in this world, Sanya. You give me strength in times of doubt. You support me when I'm falling and keep me up. So thank you, my Sanya. My greatest and true love. I love you."[/color] Lucia whispered into her, before pulling away and kissing those lips that still made her heart beat fast. She could stay with them forever if she could but she knew better. [Color=tan]"I'm glad you're here with me, I know I don't say it enough. It will be a daunting task before us but my worry fades, I have you to lean on after all."[/color] she smiled and went in for another kiss.

[hr]

The journey took months with so many hungry mouths to feed and as word spread of a final pilgrimage to the Temple, led by Helgen Lucia herself, more and more joined them. Where once was a small band became thousands as they trekked across the dunalands, avoiding the war and only fighting when necessary. And when it did come to a fight, with the Oraeliari's help, many could be healed of sickness and injury. They took from the land when they had to and gave back in return, planting seeds from the Luminant and beckoning them to grow. 

Lucia and Sanya leaned on one another as the daunting task of creating a nation lay before them, but together, they could accomplish anything. And they would.

When the trees and rock at last gave way to fields of tall grass populated by blazing stags and humble Leon's, anticipation began to well up in the host of followers. They were at last nearing their destination, where the golden grasses of the Prairie kissed the Highlands proper, merging and living in harmony. The Sunlit Temple was spotted at last by the Oraeliari scouts, who said it was sparsely populated, with a few villages here and there. The temple itself only had a small following still as many saw the place as sacred and it was left mostly untouched. Mostly.

By nightfall they arrived before her old home and Lucia felt a sense of calm wash over her. It was good to see it again, still as splendorous as it was the day upon her birth. Indeed, it remained intact and whole, only chipped here and there and in some places there were cracks, but the power invested into it by her mother lasted. A small band of elders and a couple cardinals approached the winding path that led up. Clothed in druidic white with golden tattoos on their faces was a small band of three men and two women. Their skin tones were darker then the average highlander and one was of prairie descent in entirety. 

"Greetings travelers, what brings you to the sun kissed temple?" A man with a grey beard stepped forward, in the setting light she had a hard time seeing his details but she knew he was older. 

Lucia stepped forward, having long cast aside her armor for simple garments and a traveling cloak. She put down her hood and the caretakers murmured. [Color=tan]"I am Lucia, daughter of the sun and I have returned to my home, seeking a place for my people to settle down and live in peace from the horrors of war to the north."[/color]

They knew who she was, for with great awe in their eyes did they bow. The old man spoke quickly now, his regal voice full of warmth. “Lucia! Oh great Lucia! Welcome home!”

[color=tan]”Please, there is no need to bow. I insist you treat me as any other if you can. We have much to discuss and I need sound minds for the days to come.”[/color] Lucia said, standing a little straighter. Sanya walked up next to her and stood by her side. 

The druids straightened themselves out and looked at her expectantly. It was the old man who spoke up first. “Humble Lucia, I am Tinero and behind me are Dalf, Katarina, Ugo, Ia and Mump. We have taken care of this temple for as long as anyone of us can remember, hoping that one day you would return again. And here you are.” Tinero smiled, “Come, come let us talk and eat. You must be hungry.” 

Without further words, the group began their ascent. Lucia took Sanya’s hand as they walked side by side, waves of old feelings began to stir up inside her, as they usually did. It was so long ago that she arrived there, where she was born in a world so different then it was now. There were no great conflicts or people to worry about or wars to deal with… Just peace, happiness and love. Perhaps they could return to that, in time.

As they reached the temple proper another wave of nostalgia hit her and she squeezed Sanya’s hand, feeling it returned as Sanya briefly leaned into her. The interior was much the same, stark white with a pool of sparkling water. It was clean and smelled of citrus and fruits. Rooms had been constructed out of clothes and furs, where those that took care of the place dwelled. More furniture had been brought in, along with tables and things that brought comfort. The druids brought them to a quiet area and they all settled in for a long talk. With Sanya at her side, Lucia told their tale and her plans for the future. Elders and druids spoke alike about their concerns and ideas and it was well after the sun  had come up that their moot was finished. 

Lucia and Sanya found themselves overlooking the prairie from the temple. A warm breeze ruffled their hair and brought with it the smell of rain. 
Lucia turned to Sanya and she turned to her. [color=tan]”Are you ready for our greatest adventure yet?”[/color] Lucia asked. 

Sanya pulled her in for an embrace and settled her forehead against hers. [color=a187be]”Of course my beloved. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”[/color]

There was silence as they gazed into each other's eyes and those old familiar feelings of peace and happiness returned to Lucia, as they always did when she was with Sanya. Her comfort and home. It was anywhere with her. 

[color=tan]”Perfect.”[/color]

[hr]

[hider=Summary]
We uhhhhhh… We witness Solus’ death through Lucia and her camp. They want to go investigate and find out that the Castiel is falling apart so everyone packs up to leave. They journey towards the explosion over a few weeks or months or something idk. The landscape begins to change and they begin to meet more and more refugees as the volcano begins to snuff the land out. Eventually, with a large host of people now following them, Lucia and Sanys decide to abandon their quest and journey to her homeland at the Temple. More months pass and Lucia is at last overcome with a strong sense of nostalgia as she views the Temple at last. She meets the caretakers and realizes that the next thing to do, with Sanya by her side, is to build a better future.
[/hider]

[hider=MP]
None I think
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