[center][h1][i][b][color=ed1c24]Homura[/color][/b][/i][/h1] [h3](Wait this isn't Homura's POV)[/h3][/center] [hr] Amid the scattered wattle and daub homes of the humans, the untouchable center of the garden of Hevel remained quiet. Even in spite of the chattering and activities all around the sacred spot — even this late at night —, the small sanctuary behind the statue sat at peace, as it always had since the day Apostate was born. The god himself was currently in between two mighty oaks, wrapped up cozy in the embrace of a hammock hung between the two. Only his nose poked out from the cocoon of cloth, that and what parts of Warbreaker refused to fit in the bedding. The hammock had a gentle swing to it, paddled by a wafting breeze and perpetuated by the soft breaths of the god of defiance, tiny puffs of smoke exiting with each quiet exhale. Both his eyes were closed, summoning him in a world of darkness where only the pricks of his ears painted the world around him, that and the subtle burn of his deep burden. Even with the natural ability to feel the pain of the world around him, though, all was quiet and so was he. A familiar light pierced the peaceful darkness, announcing the arrival of a familiar presence. There was nothing subtle about the aura of divine power that approached, the way it hesitantly stepped forth and carefully shaped itself to the lay of the land, and avoided the mortals that walked upon it. The two things seemed to contradict themselves; carrying a bright golden spear that illuminated the world all around with celestial radiance, while also refusing to touch or disturb even a single blade of grass as she came closer. Apostate shuffled inside of his hammock, refusing to open his eyes and pulling Warbreaker closer. He made a face. “Homura… even the stars above aren’t as bright as you.” He wrenched a single eye open, the night sky blurred past the new wave of light from the goddess... “Can’t you shut off the light?” The light receded, as Daybringer became smaller and smaller, until the spear sank into the skin of her palm, and the darkness of the night returned. [b]“I apologize, I did not mean to agitate you, or your people.”[/b] Homura said, peering over her shoulder at the many people she had passed through on her march towards the God of Defiance. Despite her words, her expression conveyed no repentance, merely impassive as usual. Turning, the God of Defiance poked his head out of his hammock and looked the goddess over. “Have you tried sleeping yet?” She tilted her head in confusion, and then sighed. [b]“I do not think I am capable of entering an unconscious state, brother. I am always awake.”[/b] “You’re a god,” Apostate said in response. He fell back into his hammock to stare up at the sparkling night sky. “Yet you seem to like restricting yourself.” Only the wind shifted as she stepped closer, and stood beside his hammock, her red visage on the peripheral of his vision. [b]“Whether or not I enjoy my limitations will not change the fact that they exist, and I must accept them until I can overcome them. I have wandered the realm of dreams, but I have little reason to stay in such a state for any long period of time, so why should I bother sleeping?”[/b] She asked. Apostate shook his head and gave the goddess a long sideways glance. He almost knew she was going to say something along those lines, and the unfazed stare that she returned his with only reminded him of her stubbornness. With a kick, the god tumbled out of his hammock to land on his feet, Warbreaker falling into one of his hands. Now standing next to Homura, he pulled the opening of the hammock wide. “Go on, get in.” [b]“Fine.”[/b] She stepped forward, her form passing through the material of the hammock, until her shape seemed to distort like a flickering flame, and in the blink of an eye, her body was laying sideways in a stiff imitation of his previous position. She then regained her mass, and the hammock reacted to the sudden weight, sinking slightly while she found herself struggling to find a comfortable means of resting. It was evident she did not know how to relax, as she frowned with frustration, looking up at him with angry red eyes. “Homura, do you know what hopeless means?” Apostate teased. “You like to dance, right? Try finding a calm rhythm to match the sway of the world around you. In and out like a soft breeze.” She closed her eyes, sighing again, and attempted to appear comfortable while laying down. Regardless of how pleasant and snug the hammock was, performing its intended role with ease, the red goddess resisted relaxation and thwarted its every effort to appear inviting. No, it was definitely Homura herself that did not seem inviting, and it would be wrong to blame the hammock for her obstinate nature. Rolling his eyes, Apostate blew a small river of smoke from his lungs, the gentle waft pushing the hammock into a gentle swing. While it swung, coating the scene in a haze of hevel, Apostate spoke. “Would you mind if I told you another metaphor that you will likely over-criticize until it was pointless for me to tell you of it?” Her hostile expression lacked any true malice as she replied. [b]“Go ahead. Perhaps it will help me understand why I must suffer this ordeal.”[/b] “Consider this a two in one. Think of a tree — it stands tall only because it has a good foundation, strong roots, and it only stays standing against the elements not because it is simply sturdy, but bends in the wind. Likewise, you are the roots of so many things, and if you can’t relax, how can you expect those who rely on you to be able to? Secondly, if you can’t let the wind bend you here and there, you’ll snap — and snapped roots are a rather useless tree.” Apostate pushed the hammock with another gust of smoke. “You did good, Homura, now try to learn how to rest — if not for you, then you know.” She shifted, looking away from him. [b]“An apt metaphor, but you have made a mistake. I am not the roots of any tree. I am the earth that holds it, the light that feeds it, and the wind that bends it…”[/b] “Uht!” Apostate interrupted, “not in this metaphor you’re not.” Silence reigned for a moment as she contemplated his words, until she answered softly. [b]“Perhaps… I am a snapped tree then.”[/b] Apostate tucked a frown into his cheek. “Just shh for a little while and look up at the sky.” The god himself plopped down into the grass below. “While it’s quiet.” Unfortunately she did not follow his request, and spoke again. [b]“I cannot. There is little time.”[/b] She offhandedly reached out towards the heavens above her, but grasped at nothingness, opening and closing her wrapped hand. She let her limb fall limp by her side. “You never did tell me about the ribbons on your hand,” Apostate mentioned idly, as if changing the subject. [b]“Hmm… another error of mine. If you wish to know, merge with me once more.”[/b] She replied, almost whispering. He could not see her face, but he could hear the hesitation in her voice. Reaching out, Apostate’s hand turned into a river of smoke, pooling around the hammock, but this time, little flakes of black metal floated inside the stream. “Whenever you’re ready.” There was only a brief existence of a barrier between them, until it faded, and the fire within Homura opened itself to him. There was no blinding presence and scorching heat, only a warm light swirling and coiling itself all around the inner being of the Goddess of Honor. Seven ruby serpents swam in the light, but did not react to him, as they receded further into the depths. She shared her senses and her memories with him then: Her return to Keltra and the last time she spoke with Lorelei. Her journey to the Monarch’s palace and her request to become His emissary. Her conversation with Chailiss, and her plan for the north. Lastly, her interaction with Iqelis and Ea Nebel, and her reason for traveling westward, along with encounters with more members of the pantheon. All of this, he felt and saw as though he had been there beside her, but her thoughts remained elusive. [b]“There is still so much you do not know…”[/b] Her voice echoed all around, it reverberated through him, and slowly painted more scenes: The calamity he had stood against during his birth, soaring through the sky in all directions, more massive than it had been, but Homura attempting to intervene with the last of her strength before it spread further. She could not overcome it on her own, but she was not alone. Two images; Chailiss and his box, and Apostate’s statue of himself. Then he saw her explore the familiar land that had been devastated, where she encountered Iqelis, and through their powers mingling gave birth to a woman with divine blood pulsing through her veins. He watched and listened, as Homura watched and listened to Iqelis, Voligan, and the newly named Ea Nebel wandered the desert. She kept her presence hidden, until Ea Nebel had departed upon her metallic boar. Memories of the time both Homura and him were in Keltra appeared, while she was performing the ritual to cleanse Lorelei of the contents deemed polluted within her. A vision of the same ritual being performed on Courage manifested, as Homura cleansed her champion as well. Then he watched as Homura washed Lorelei’s strange suit in the red sea beside Keltra, as the dried puke and grime was removed, the goddess looked at her hands and saw that her skin had been marred. Small stains like rust spread across her palms, and the Goddess of Honor gasped with sudden pain before she hastily covered the stigma with red ribbons. [b]“You have seen it now… Please leave my mind.”[/b] She said softly, her sorrow and shame seeping into him like the pain of the oppressed, but her thoughts remained shielded from him. The silent theater of her inner being was becoming more and more closed, as though the lights were being turned off one by one, and silence smothered the area. The smoke snapped away from Homura, flooding back into Apostate and hitting him in the chest, forcing a loud gasp from him. His chest rumbled and he let out a groan. Things were still piecing together in his mind, mingling with his own memories of Homura, and how she reacts to the things he presents. “I see…” His words were slow. [b]“My mistakes are many, and I will suffer the punishment for my foolishness.”[/b] “What mistake?” Apostate’s eyes were now lingering on Homura’s hand. [b]“I thought such a thing was nothing to be concerned about.”[/b] The red goddess replied, hiding her hands beneath her back, before she attempted to lift herself from the hammock with grace, managing to somewhat accomplish that goal. She stared meekly at him, unable to hold her gaze upon him for long. [b]“I have another favor to ask.”[/b] “What do you need?” Apostate asked, his voice much gentler than usual. [b]“Please look after them. My champions are not ready for the cruelties of this world, and I do not wish for them to suffer because of me. If she ever asks you what I would have named her, tell it would have been --- Tell her that. She must walk upon a terrible path, but I cannot help her.”[/b] Homura said, bringing a hand up to hide her face as she spoke. “Hope,” Apostate suggested, “you need to have hope. Your malady is not finality, but merely a reaction you have to the world around you.” He stood up tall, a fiery coal burning behind his bandaged eye. “Do you know what I say to things that push such oppression on others?” [b]“I would assume you hit them with your sword first before assailing them with various metaphors about plants.”[/b] Homura replied, letting her hand fall, and the impassive mask returned once more. “Almost,” Apostate admitted. “First… well now no, you ruined it.” Apostate gave a defeated frown. With less energy in his voice than before he finished. “I say I won’t move and then defy them.” [b]“Hmm… that would have been my second answer.”[/b] She replied as she moved to lean against one of the tall oak trees. [b]“Do you know why I did not mention you when I spoke to our Lord?”[/b] She asked, referring to the vision she showed him; of her encounter with the Monarch of All. "You couldn't bear the thought of me wasting my metaphors on anyone else?" Apostate pinched his chin in thought. "Homura, I should be shocked." [b]“That would be the second reason, but my first reason is equally foolish. Our brother, Voligan, has been chosen to act as our Lord’s Champion. I thought that a much more appropriate way of introducing you would be through a duel with Voligan which will prove your strength. Regardless of the outcome, I think this way benefits us all. Do you object?”[/b] Her head leaned a little to the as she peered at him curiously. "You want me to go beat up Voligan?" Apostate crossed his arms. Without pausing to think, he answered, "very well." [b]“The third reason is more complicated, but put simply, I think it would be better if you remained here attending your current task. The Garden of Hevel is situated in an advantageous position which requires proper protection. My duty takes me north where I will offer guidance to the people there, but this land also needs aid. Warbreaker was named such for a reason, so I hope that upon my next return, it will be love and laughter, not blood and corpses that litter the plains. That reminds me, I have another favor, if you will indulge me one more time. Daybringer is not attuned to Warbreaker yet, could you provide it with that power?”[/b] Homura asked, holding out her palm where a tiny golden spear, softly glowing, emerged and stood proud - despite how small it was (just like Homura). “Sure.” Apostate reached out with a hand, finding the ruby gem that dominated the spear. He gently tapped a finger to it, a small wisp of smoke engulfing the jewel as he spoke. “Homura, I understand the more pragmatic reasons… but you make me curious… as in, why do you care so much about proving me strong to the Lord of Lords?” [b]“You currently lack any titles, brother. Our power primarily comes from our Lord, and he rewards more power to those that prove worthy of such. If you wish to survive, then you must acquire more titles. That is the simple answer, and I hope it suffices.”[/b] Homura replied, letting her weapon recede back into her palm. “Simply put, you care.” Apostate fell into silence for a moment. He suddenly looked at Homura’s ribbons. “Hold out your hands.” [b]“I would rather you explain your intentions.”[/b] She replied, holding her hands out despite her words. Apostate shook his head and gently positioned her hands so they were cupped together with the palms up. “Yeah, but this is a surprise.” Cupping his own hands, he gently placed them over Homura’s, creating a small shallow between the two. He pressed his hands tight over hers, to make sure the only cracks were the tiny spaces between the bumps of their cupped palms. He knitted his brow in concentration, summoning a small ambient glow hidden by their hands. It pulsed a white light, slowly bleeding into a flowery pink. A gentle fluttering feeling brushed against the rough bandaged palms of Apostate, and flickered over Homura’s own beaten hands. The gentle flaps and flutterings grew in number, tickling both their skins until the head of a lily, flush with pink petals, came fluttering out from the cracks between their hands and fingers. A pleasant fragrance followed and soon a flood of the strange sky lilies were pouring out from their combined hands, leaving a streak of dancing pink in the nightly breeze around them. It swirled about, engulfing the scene as Apostate continued his concentration, the myriad of flowers seemingly unending. Homura stood there, confused, but she said nothing as more and more flora flowed from their clasped hands. An abundance of a flower she had never seen before, soaring all around her, and she appreciated the aesthetic, but she did not understand the purpose of this act. Her features furrowed with bemusement, and she continued to watch Apostate. Apostate’s face screwed with more concentration, until with perhaps a defeated tone, he asked, “is this helping at all?” [b]“A little. Your effort brings me relief, but… this will not immediately change what has happened. I appreciate it, brother.”[/b] Homura looked away, and pulled her hands back, the final stragglers fluttering from their released grip. Apostate let his hands fall to his sides, and a contemplative look overtook him. “I’ll fight Voligan, and I’ll take his title.” [b]“It will not be easy. I… I should go. I must make my way to the mountains in the west. One of our own is buried there, so I am told. You should visit Lorelei in Keltra, look after her for a time, as I cannot protect her when I am away.”[/b] Homura said, slowly stepping backwards. “Wait.” Apostate held up his hand. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to go looking for the body with your condition?” [b]“If I am in danger, I will call upon you. I can only hope you answer my prayer. Hmm… besides, I am stronger than I look. There is no need to fret so much.”[/b] Apostate crossed his arms defiantly. “I never fret.” [b]“Then neither of us need to be concerned. We will meet again, brother. Until then, farewell.”[/b] Homura said, and Daybringer reappeared returning to its original size, as she stepped farther back. The goddess was surrounded by a serene aura, it seemed her time with Apostate had soothed some of her wariness. “We will.” Apostate gripped the handle of Warbreaker out of instinct. “And we will find a way to cure your affliction.” [hider=Summary] Okay so Apostate is relaxing. It’s a quiet night in the land of Hevel and after a long day of humans doing human things, they retire to their wattle and daub homes, by their fires that they learned from trading with the Eidolons. Apostate himself goes deeper into the garden to sleep in a hammock under the stars. He is at peace and totally relaxed when Homura shows up as a being of pure light and pokes him away. He asks her to dim the lights and she obliges. He then asks if she ever tried to take a nap before and she is classic Homura about it being useless, so he instructs her on how to use a hammock. Funny scene ensues. Anyway, eventually the two merge beings and share memories and thoughts in response to Apostate wondering about her ribbons and such. Homura shares her secrets with Apostate, revealing injuries on her hands, connected to her treatment of mortals and the creation of Ea Nebel. Well to cut to the chase, after this, she asks Apostate to beat up Voligan for his title to which the god agrees but then later asks why. Homura betrays her neutrality and explains that she wants Apostate to have titles so he can be strong and survive. Apostate takes this as she has a semblance of care for him and then tries to help her by clasping her hands and summoning an entire new race of flora in between their palms (sky lilies). Homura admits the creation of new life helped a bit — but was it more emotional help than physical, no one can say. Apostate doubles down on his desire to beat Voligan, eager to use the power of the title — presumably to aid Homura with her struggles — or maybe it’s just Apostate being Apostate and being eager to fight something. We end with Apostate being asked to return to Keltra to check up on the kids there and Homura heading west. [/hider] [hider=Vigor] Apostate’s Vigor total:4 Apostate’s spent Vigor:2 1 vigor spent to attune Daybringer to Warbreaker 1 vigor spent to make sky lilies: Pink fluttering flowers that roam in beautiful clouds, happily surviving in the breeze. Apostate’s remaining Vigor:2 Homura’s Vigor total: 0. Homura’s spent Vigor: 0. Homura’s remaining Vigor: 0.[/hider]