[center][h1]Journeys IV[/h1][/center] [hr] Viho flew for a long time, for his mission was by divine decree and nothing would stop him from reaching his goal. He had to find his Lord, deliver Homura’s message. Though, he did find it embarrassing to be already flying back to the North. He hadn’t even been gone for that long. What would his Lord think of that? What would Winter think of all of this? Would he even want to leave the North to visit Keltra? This Iqelis… The name was foul even thinking it. But he was their enemy? He had slain a fellow deity? All life was under threat? And the Green Murder! The one who had slain the bjork and defiled the north with innocent blood. Perhaps his maker would like to learn the truth and Homura could provide assistance in combating such a vile god. So Viho flew faster than he had ever flown before. For this was a message that could not wait to be told. It was paramount and he had to do this. All by himself, no divine aid this time. It was true, after all, despite Homura readily wanting to give him a gift- Viho did not think himself worthy enough of one. WIthout Chailiss, Fear would have died, and Viho would have delivered a corpse. The mere thought of such a thing sent shivers down his flight feathers. He was glad Fear was alright, and even happier she had been able to reunite with her sisters. Even Courage! What a name, a name that provided relief to his aching heart. He had thought her dead for sure. It would have been a terrible failure on his part, unable to see her down in the depths. He had to be better, stronger, if he was ever going to be worthy. So he flew. Over the land with its trees, grass, and hills. With its fresh smells and vivid scenes. Then over the ocean, soaring high up above as the great blue shimmered below him. It rolled and flowed and smelled of salty brine. The currents were good to him and propelled him ever on. When a storm threatened to impede his progress, he took no chances, and flew high up above. He crested the storm and was meeted with the eerie quiet. The stars and moon were his only companions and the distant rumble of the storm began to lull him to sleep. It was so peaceful up there. Away from the world and all of it’s problems. Eventually the sun began to rise upon the distant horizon, painting him in early morning light. The sky became one of color. White to yellows into faint oranges and deep purple melding into blue. It took his breath away but his only complaint was that it lacked any red. But there was green amidst the blue, like a hazy image. He was close to home. [hr] Upon entering the north he felt his maker’s presence and went to it. It led him to the east, and the great forested region of pine and water. Things did not look out of the ordinary but why had his Lord not answered his prayers? He soon found the answer. A great swathe of land had been destroyed. Like someone had tunneled into the earth upon the surface in long straight lines. He found his Lord where the destruction ended. He began to speak but stopped when he saw the tell tale signs of battle and the utter state of his maker. Chailiss knelt on both knees, staring at the dirt beneath him. His chest bore terrible scars and that box sat beside him. Viho landed with silent feet before him and gave a bow. He waited and he kept waiting but Chailiss never spoke. Anticipation welled up inside him and it forced the great owl into action. He looked up and spoke, “My Lord, what has happened here? Are you alright?” He waited for what felt like an age for a response and when it finally felt as if he would have to speak again, Chailiss finally stirred. [color=deepskyblue]”Never take for granted the life that surrounds you, Viho. It is fleeting.”[/color] His voice was raw. “My Lord…” [color=deepskyblue]”Death will come to us all, either when we are ready or not.”[/color] He looked up at Viho then. There were no tears in his weary eyes, just a mask of cold upon his face. [color=deepskyblue]”Why have you returned, my champion?”[/color] “I…” Viho took in a breath. “I found the Lady and spoke to her. Now I bring a message from Homura to you, my Lord. The Goddess of Honor gave me this quest, after I delivered Fear to her safe and well. Your assistance saved her life and for that I am thankful.” He bowed. Chailiss gave a nod. [color=deepskyblue]”What does the Lady wish of me?”[/color] “She wishes to speak to you. She says she has found a means to uncover the identity of the Green Murder and will share it with you. Or if you have already found out, she said she will assist you in handling it.” [color=deepskyblue]”I’m sure you saw the land with your eyes, Viho. Though I never found out her name… We are well acquainted, the Green Murder and I. The Goddess of Honor could not help me with this then. It remains to be seen if she does anything about it at all.”[/color] The god sighed. [color=deepskyblue]”Anything else?”[/color] “Yes. There is another matter she wishes to convene with you on, though I do not know what. You have been invited to her keep, Keltra. Though she may not be there when you arrive, I was told one of her heralds, Pride, would fill you in on the topic.” Viho looked upon his maker, apprehensive about what he had to say next. Something had happened to his Lord, something terrible. More bad news… It could worsen everything. [color=deepskyblue]”I suppose that’s only fair. On account that I do not wish her in my own lands. Maybe that can change… We will need all the allies we can find. There’s no use in petty squabbles. But a journey to this Keltra? I have not left this land since… I’ve never stepped foot on another continent. Who would watch over? Who would ensure this does not happen again? Can I risk it?” he seemed to ask those questions aloud to himself. “My Lord… There is more. The Lady Homura also wishes to inform you that Iqelis is an enemy. He… He slew a fellow deity and wishes to destroy all life. She said, be weary of the eye that weeps the tears of time, with sinful claws stained by god blood. I am sorry, I did not wish to be the bearer of bad news but the message is complete.” Viho said in a quiet voice. [color=deepskyblue]”Death… Without it we would know nothing. With it, fear. Thank you Viho. You have done well.”[/color] Chailiss rose to his feet. He steadied himself. [color=deepskyblue]”I shall go to Keltra to see Homura or this Pride of hers. I will leave the North unguarded for a time. I’m sure something terrible will happen, as is this place’s constant luck.”[/color] he sounded defeated. “No! No my Lord. Please, I shall stay and defend it!” Viho exclaimed with a puff of his own pride. He would not let the North be defiled by those that sought to undue everything his maker had created! [color=deepskyblue]”No.”[/color] Chailiss stated. [color=deepskyblue]”You are needed elsewhere.”[/color] He was crushed in an instant. “My Lord? Where else could I be needed if not in the defense of my home? Why would you send me away? Why? Wh-” [color=deepskyblue]”I won’t lose another!”[/color] The god shouted, silencing Viho. What did he mean another? What did he… It was a sudden sinking feeling. There was a reason he found his creator in such a state, wasn’t there? If he had lost a fight, his condition would warrant more than a scratch. “What ha-” Chailiss shook his head. [color=deepskyblue]”I have not the heart to speak more than this, Viho; My daughter, your sibling, died fighting the Green Murder. And a part of me with her.”[/color] The news struck him in the face. His sibling? One that he had never met, one he would have liked to have met- gone. He stumbled back. “I… Is there nothing we can… Surely there must be something we can do?” The God shook his head again and shut his eyes. [color=deepskyblue]”I will not lose another champion. I will not lose you, Viho. Anything that befalls the north, shall be equally returned. Forever more.”[/color] He opened his eyes and Viho felt as if they were piercing his soul. [color=deepskyblue]”Promise me that you won’t seek vengeance. Nor revenge. You are a wanderer, an explorer. Not a killer. I will deal with my Kin with the help of my Kin. Promise me, Viho.”[/color] Viho wanted to scream, wanted to lash out and shout out his grief but the Owl held his tongue. Begrudgingly, he yielded. “I promise.” No matter how much he thought otherwise, no matter how much he wanted to make someone pay- His Lord was right. He was an explorer and a wanderer. [color=deepskyblue]”Good, Viho. Now, listen close. You are to seek out Zenia. Tell her I am in need of… Good company and aid. Journey to the obelisk in the North, there you will find where she is through her own eyes.”[/color] He gave a small smile to him. [color=deepskyblue]”Do this for me Viho. Fly, fly and be free.”[/color] He touched Viho’s chest and departed in him the location of the obelisk and Viho knew he too, took the location of Keltra before he let go. “As you wish, my Lord.” Viho turned and outstretched his wings. He flapped them but then looked back at his creator. “I am sorry for her loss, father.” Viho then beat his wings and carried himself into the sky, flying further north. Chailiss watched him go and clutched at his heart. [color=deepskyblue]”I am too.”[/color] [hider=Summary] Viho ruminates on the message of Homura. He travels fast to the North, the land and sea below him a pretty blur. He travels high up into the sky, where the stars kiss the Galbar and he finds peace so up above. But his journey continues on and he finds the North as he left it, but… The tell tale signs of battle let me see something amiss. He finds Chailiss, well, he finds him all depressed and doesn’t glean much as he tells Homura’s story. Chailiss eventually slips that Viho’s sibling was killed by the Green Murder. This sends him into rage but he tempers himself for he has another task. As Chailiss will go to Keltra, Viho will seek out Zenia. [/hider] [hider=Vigor] 4 vigor Nothing spent. [/hider] [hider=Spirit] Viho starting = 14 Spirit +1 for post +1 for main char +1 for medium length -2 to fly really fast = 15 Spirit [/hider]