[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UaHi87Z.png[/img][/center]

[hider=An ominous visitor]Yalen sliced off a quarter of the baguette and cut it into two pieces. A typical Perrenchian tartine would be something light and sweet, but growing up on the plains of Miatto had given the country boy a more savory preference. He topped his bread with a slice of cured meat and ripened cheese to create a simple open faced sandwich. Yalen took a bite and inhaled through his nose, allowing the flavor to spread across his entire tongue. 

[color=#FD5E53][i]Nothing beats the taste of home.[/i][/color] He thought to himself, before clearing his palette with a sip of water. [color=#FD5E53][i]Home… home?[/i][/color] Yalen put his food down and looked around the room in confusion. He was back in his dorm at Ersand’Enise. The room was just as ordinary as it was when he first moved in. The same bed. The same study desk. The same curtains.

Were they the same curtains? Yalen remembered them being chestnut colored. He scooted out of his chair and walked towards the window to inspect further. The seed of an idea took root in his mind as he pinched his fingers around the creamy white linen. He shouldn’t have been able to cross the room so quickly in his condition. Yalen wiggled his toes, something he hadn’t been able to do for a couple years now. This was all wrong. 

The flustered teen threw the curtains open. The rough paved streets of Ersand’Enise looked the same as they ever did… except that the buildings had no windows and the academy town was completely devoid of people. The trees seesawed between green and red as if they couldn’t decide what season it was. 

[color=#FD5E53]“Please tell me I’m-”[/color]

[color=black][b]“Dreaming? Indeed.”[/b][/color]

The unexpected voice gave Yalen a disturbing sense of deja vu, bringing him back to his first meeting with the paradigm. He turned around without hesitation. The uninvited guest sat on the edge of his bed. Their features were completely obscured by a hooded cloak, though the individual had a vaguely feminine silhouette. She? rose up and sidled towards the young monk with a confident stride, stopping when the two of them were only a couple feet apart. Every instinct in his body demanded he run away. This person had the shape of a human, but their presence felt alien. Unnatural. Powerful beyond measure. It took all the willpower Yalen had not to make a sudden move. 

[color=black][b]“So you understand what you’re dealing with. That’s good. I like smart people like you.”[/b][/color] The woman chuckled. 

Yalen’s eyes fearfully darted around the room. [color=#FD5E53]“Wait, are you- are you real?”[/color]

“[color=black][b][i]Very[/i] real child, so I suggest that you stay calm. You don’t pose a threat to me here, but if you test me I’ll make sure that you don’t wake up for a long time.[/b][/color]” The stranger’s tone of voice remained steady, but the underlying threat they made was clear. 

Yalen nodded. He llicked his lips nervously before speaking once more. [color=#FD5E53]“Who are you?”[/color]

The hooded woman smiled. [color=black][b]“You disappoint me Mr. Noyel. Or was it Mr. Castel? Hm. Out of all the do-gooders Hugo sent here, I expected you to recognize your enemy the quickest.”[/b][/color]

[color=#FD5E53][i]Noyel?[/i][/color] Yalen’s brows furrowed in confusion. The lady raised her hand upwards. The air in the room began to change, and above the interloper’s palm it appeared as if space-time itself was being deformed. Though he had never seen one in person, Yalen could sense the foreign, unholy energy of an aberration. 

[color=#FD5E53]“The Traveler!”[/color] His hands unconsciously went for the holy symbol wrapped around his neck. He gripped the half-sun medallion like a protective charm. 

[color=black][b]“The one and only.[/b]”[/color] The aberration disappeared in her closed fist. The Traveler’s soft smile turned to a smirk as she gazed upon his Dordian icon. [color=black][b]“Look at yourself. Do you believe me to be a demon? It’s sad to see an intelligent mind like yours be clouded by deception.”[/b][/color]

Finding the courage to speak against this unfathomably powerful being was almost too difficult for Yalen. His voice began to falter, yet despite his terror there was still a spark of defiance within. [color=#FD5E53]“You may not be a demon, but you certainly consort with them villain. Why do you come to me?”[/color]

[color=black][b]“Hmm. I suppose it’s because I find you interesting. Yalen, the pacifistic choir boy from Miatto. Despite not being able to hurt a fly, you’ve killed quite a few beasts on your way here.”[/b][/color] The Traveler's lips curved into a smirk.

Tears of frustration began to well up in Yalen’s eyes. “Those creatures were maddened by the very forces you seek to control! The aberrations sow chaos wherever they are found! You’re going to destroy the world!” 

The Traveler wasn’t smiling now. She sighed and turned her back on him. When she came back around, Yalen was no longer speaking to the woman from before. Rather, he saw the face of someone he’d known since birth. It was an orphan from the monastery, his big sister Colette.

[color=black][b]“I am not trying to destroy the world, Yalen. I am trying to save it. The aberrations, as you call them, are not evil. You do not realize the good that can be done with their power.”[/b] [/color]

The tears that came unbidden now spilled down Yalen’s cheeks. [color=#FD5E53]“Y-you… what sorcery is this? Stop. Please. My sister wouldn’t utter such lies. She…”[/color] His breathing was becoming heavy with emotion now. Everything looked blurry. 

Colette rolled her eyes and raised her hands in exasperation. The second Yalen blinked his eyes, his sister was gone, replaced by a hairless man with an eagle-like nose.

[color=black][b]“As I expected, you are far too emotional. I suppose it was the same when you slew those Halassa. I’m sure you were about to vomit.”[/b][/color] The man came closer to Yalen, prompting him to instinctively back away until he was pressed against the window sill. [color=black][b]“Listen to me. The church has been lying to you.The madness can be cured. If I am allowed to accomplish my goals, what you witnessed tonight will never happen again.”[/b][/color]

Yalen felt ice crawl through his veins. He never thought he could hate someone, but right now he was looking at the Traveler like a pile of walking garbage. [color=#FD5E53]“You would blaspheme against the church? Do you not have enough enemies as it is?”[/color]

The bald man waved his hand dismissively. [color=black][b]“I have a number of enemies. More than I can count. You don’t need to be one of them. I have already made allies out of your classmates. They have seen the proof of my work. Unlike you, their minds are no longer clouded by the lies of their fellow men. What about you? Do you worship the gods, or the priesthood? Do you truly think a mere mortal can speak for the will of the Pentad?”[/b] [/color]

The fledgling priest was wavering, but he remained unbroken. The Traveler was inhumanly charismatic, but nobody would forsake their entire world view based on the hearsay of the century’s greatest criminal. Yalen’s throat was almost too sore to speak. 

[color=#FD5E53]“What- what proof?”[/color] At that, the Traveler’s face morphed into a rapacious grin. 

[color=black][b]“Emotional, but open-minded. Yes, I knew I could believe in you.”[/b][/color] He was so close now that Yalen could feel his hot breath. [color=black][b]“You might be useful to me… but not yet. Not as you are.”[/b][/color]

The entire room became dark without warning. Fearing the worst, Yalen closed his eyes. He felt his body become weightless. The moment passed in an instant. The two of them now stood inside an unknown residence, though it had a similar interior to the room Yalen had fallen asleep in. Were they back in the real world now? At the dining table, Ayla and Zarina were having a meal together. They did not seem to notice the presence of two intruders standing right in front of them. 

[color=black][b]“I know how far you would go to protect them. You’ve been that way long before you swore yourself to the Creator. I admire that about you.”[/b][/color] The Traveler moved so that he was standing behind the two girls, still blissfully unaware as they chatted and ate. Yalen’s attention shifted for a mere second, and now it was Jocasta running her fingers through Zarina’s ash black hair. The monk bit his lower lip but continued to watch expectantly. 

[color=black][b]“But it’s not enough. Unlike this one, you lack the ultimate resolve. Sometimes… offering your own life isn’t good enough.”[/b][/color] Jocasta traced her fingers along Ayla’s face. The latter continued talking to her friend like nothing was wrong. Those fingers slowly began to close into a fist. At first, neither of Yalen’s companions reacted, but as the seconds ticked by they grew increasingly uncomfortable. Utensils fell to the ground as both girls exhibited visible signs of distress. They grabbed at their throats; the universal sign of someone choking. 

[color=#FD5E53][i]She’s going to kill them![/i][/color] Yalen began searching for drawing sources, planning to form a counterspell in retaliation. It was for naught. The shadows in the room, compelled by some sinister will, writhed around his hands and feet. He struggled violently, but could not find the strength to break free. All Yalen could do was bear witness to the horrible scene in front of him.

[color=black][b]“Were you going to try and knock me out? This is what I’m talking about boy. You’re[/b] [i][b]weak[/b][/i].”[/color]Jocasta, no, the Traveler, didn’t seem at all interested in her victims. They were now clawing at their skin in abject terror as she continued her speech. 

[color=black][b]“How many people do you think I’ve killed? Does my karma not demand that I pay for my crimes? Why do you swear an oath of nonviolence while letting the other orders do as they please?”[/b][/color]

[color=#FD5E53]“That’s…”[/color]

[color=black][b]“The will of the Pentad? Are you going to wait for a Rezaindian to break in here and dispose of me? Talk me down while I draw the life out of these two? Do you think the gods care for your empty pacifism?”[/b][/color] 

[color=#FD5E53]“No more! I want no part of this!”[/color]

[color=black][b]“That choice is behind us now. You have a new choice to make.”[/b][/color] 

Yalen felt his right arm behind pulled forward by tendrils of darkness. He never perceived the moment the pistol appeared in his hand, but it was pointed directly at the Traveler’s chest.

[color=black][b]“It’s simple. You will decide who dies. If you pull the trigger, you can end me and save their lives.”[/b][/color] 

[color=#FD5E53]“You don’t want to do this…”[/color]

[color=black][b]“This is not about what I want. The time for talk is over. I’ll give you ten more seconds and then I end their lives.”[/b][/color]

Yalen’s mind was overwhelmed by a tidal wave of emotions. In his addled state it was impossible to parse through the individual thoughts that swirled in his head. The need to save his friends. His holy vows. The belief that even someone like the Traveler deserved to live. 

[color=black][b]“9… 8… 7…”[/b][/color]

It was too much for Yalen’s mind to bear. 

[color=black][b]“6… 5… 4…”[/b][/color]

He fell into a catatonic state, unable to act or think.

[color=black][b]“3… 2… 1…”[/b][/color]

Yalen shut his eyes the moment they died, but nothing could drown out the sound of their bones crunching as their necks broke. When the shadows finally let him go the cleric pathetically fell to the floor, no longer possessing the wits to stand upright. 

He could hear the Traveler walking towards him now, and when he imagined the devil striking him down next, Yalen nearly welcomed it. The idea of drawing never crossed his mind. His will to fight was extinguished by his failure. The tears had long since stopped. There was nothing inside now. 

He felt the gun being pried out of his hand. 

[color=black][b]“If you had just pulled the trigger, you wouldn’t be feeling the regret that you do now.”[/b][/color] A hand gently clasped Yalen’s shoulder. The sudden touch prompted him to reflexively open his eyes. 

Jocasta was gone now, and so were Zarina and Ayla. The Traveler was in the form of an old Torragonese woman now. They were back in his dorm room, as if the gruesome incident never occurred. Yalen was still dreaming. Everything felt so real that the young monk had forgotten. The relief he felt from this revelation clashed with the guilt of his inaction. He pulled at his hair in frustration and screamed. 

In time Yalen finally fell silent, and when he did the Traveler was ready to speak once more.

[color=black][b]“I just wanted you to understand.”[/b][/color]

[color=#FD5E53]“Under… understand?”[/color] Yalen’s voice was hoarse from exhaustion.

[color=black][b]“Yes. One day, you will meet someone whom words cannot reach. Someone who believes so strongly in their righteousness that no argument will persuade them. When that day comes, you will have to ask yourself.”[/b][/color] The old woman stooped down so that she was eye level with Yalen. She squeezed his chin and held his head up so that he couldn’t look away.

[color=black][b]“Is it really your duty to preserve all life? If you could save a hundred lives by sacrificing one person, is that not the true path to justice? The Pentad represents unity. Ipte. Shune. Oraff. Eshiran. Dami. Why follow one creed when you can embody them all?”[/b][/color]

[color=#FD5E53]“I…”[/color] Yalen attempted to respond, but his eyelids were growing heavy. He felt the prickly sensation of chemical magic altering his state of mind, but lacked the power to resist. He couldn’t hold on, and gave in to the peaceful oblivion of sleep. As he did so, Yalen could hear a voice echoing dimly in his head. 

[color=black][i]I still have hope for you Yalen, but you are not yet ready. Accomplish your mission. Continue to grow. When you have begun to see the world for what it truly is, I will come find you again.[/i][/color][/hider]

[hider=Morning briefing]
[@YummyYummy][@Ti][@Force and Fury]
Yalen proceeded through his morning rituals sluggishly. It would take time for his mind to settle after experiencing such a realistic nightmare. His memory of the ordeal was fragmented, but the sight of Jocasta murdering their friends rooted in his thoughts like a tumor. 

Though he normally left his bed before the final hour of Ipte, it was now approximately 2:30 HS according to the time telling device on the wall. Last night’s bath still sat in its basin, the water now completely cooled. The sun would be well over the horizon by now. There was plenty of thermal energy within Yalen’s drawing range to heat the water to a more tolerable temperature. He stripped off his nightwear and slowly lowered himself into the washbasin. The sudden chill made goosebumps crawl up his skin. 

After cleansing himself, Yalen retrieved his Dordian uniform from a nearby basket. The caretakers had been gracious enough to have it washed during the night. There was another gift as well. At his request, the staff had provided him with a set of leg braces that were approximately his size. The simple devices were little more than two metal rods connected by a crude hinge, with several leather straps that wrapped around the calf and shin. The braces fit over his legwear, and his outer robe covered everything so that Yalen’s appearance was essentially the same. 

The tethered priest had mostly gotten by with walking sticks and makeshift foot bindings up until now. He was rather stiff when he walked around the room. Still, it was a considerable improvement to Yalen’s mobility. Perhaps now he wouldn’t be such a burden the next time the team found itself on the run from a sand wyrm. 

[color=#FD5E53][i]Dear Oraff, today I ask you to renew my heart with strength and purpose. Forgive me the errors of yesterday bless me to follow in your footsteps today. Allow all who bear witness to feel your presence in me. Hold my hand precious Creator, for your servant cannot make it alone.[/i][/color] Yalen secluded himself in bedside prayer for a few minutes, but was forced to finish his silent conversation prematurely. If he took too long he would be late to breakfast and someone would be troubled to come and fetch him. 

Yalen took a deep breath before opening the door to his room. He would try his best to act normal. Last night was just a dream. Last night was just a dream. Last night was just a dream. He threw the door open and crossed the threshold in one swift movement and then shut the door closed.

The worst possible person happened to be the first one Yalen met today. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going and nearly got run over by Jocasta’s wheelchair. 

[color=ffdead]“Oh, uh, sorry.”[/color] The tethered girl quickly apologized, but he was not so swift in his reply. He tried his best to suppress it, but the dream forced itself into his mind all the same. Logically he knew that Jocasta would never do something so evil, but a more primitive part of Yalen’s brain instinctively viewed her as a threat. The look of fear on his face lasted only a moment, but it would have been obvious to her if she was paying attention. 

[color=#FD5E53]“I-i-it’s okay.”[/color] Far too obvious. He had to get it together. The cleric tried to play it cool as he and Jocasta made their way to the morning meeting. All the while he could feel her stealing glances at him. The others joined them soon enough in various states of alertness. The students reached the dining room right on time. The warden was present as usual, as well as Marceline and another woman. Once the pleasantries were dealt with the briefing began immediately. 

Yalen was uncomfortably silent the entire time. It was already difficult to keep a straight face with Jocasta around, and now he had to sit near Zarina and Ayla as well. It was as if he was looking at a pair of ghosts. In his unsettled state he was barely able to absorb the conversation at the table. The warden sounded like he was speaking from across the room. 

Breakfast must have been served at some point, because without warning Yalen had a plate of churros held in front of his face. Now brought back to earth, he looked up to see Ayla smiling warmly at him. 

[color=#FD5E53]“Thank you.”[/color] He whispered, plucking his share and placing it on his empty plate. Everyone continued to ply the warden and his entourage with questions while Yalen stared at the churro like it held the answers of the universe. 

[color=598527]“Mein Gott!”[/color] Marceline exclaimed,  [color=598527]“You were in a Refuge?”[/color] She blinked. [color=598527]“I had thought to ask but didn’t want to be insensitive. How did you ever get out?”[/color] She turned to regard the rather quiet Yalen. [color=598527]“You too?”[/color] 

Yalen raised his head to look at Marceline but failed to find his voice right away. His mouth dumbly hung open for a second as he mustered a reply. 

[color=#FD5E53]“I… uh… no…”[/color] He shook his head. [color=#FD5E53][i]None of it was real! Get a hold of yourself! They’re looking at you![/i][/color]

A tall cup of coffee floated across the table and landed in front of Yalen. Zarina’s stern glare threatened to drill a hole in his head.

[color=C78A2C]“Drink it. All of it.”[/color] She commanded. 

[color=#FD5E53]“T-thank you…”[/color] Yalen murmured. With a shaky hand, he brought the cup to his mouth and drank deeply. Zarina literally wouldn’t stop staring at him until he finished it. He forgot to blow on it and burned his mouth. The scalding liquid soothed his body and filled him with a rush of energy. It was sickeningly sweet. How many sugar cubes were in there? 

A hot drink was all it took for Yalen to realize how hungry he was. He was able to take a few bites of his meal before the group departed on a tour of the facility. Before everybody could make it out in the hall, which simmered, open to the elements, under a colonnade, Jocasta spoke up. She glanced awkwardly in Yalen’s direction and then at the others, with a small, reassuring smile.

A pang of guilt throbbed in Yalen’s chest. His unwelcoming behavior must have offended her somehow. That wasn’t fair. This was not the girl from his dreams. Someone this sweet and innocent could not be a murderer. He would force that idea through his head as many times as it took. 

[color=ffdead]“You... you all go on w-without me,”[/color] she told them, a couple of pushes from the entrance. The sequins and faux-gold embroidery on her green and white dress caught a few rays of the desert sun and sparkled and her blonde hair, done up in an elaborate fashion, shone in a halo about her head. [color=ffdead]“I have… s-something else I need to do quickly.”[/color]

With that, Jocasta was gone. That was a bit of a disappointment. Yalen would have to apologize to her later. The rest of the gang continued strolling through the compound at a brisk pace. The girls were deep in some conversation that had nothing to do with him, so Yalen silently walked alongside them while taking in the scenery. Once in a while one of the residents would wave at him in passing or give him a knowing nod. It was probably easy to tell that he was tethered just by looking at his footsteps. 

The party stopped at a ramp and some stairs. The priest chose the stairs, desiring to explore his full range of movement with the braces on. It was a comedic affair. Yalen descended the stairs like a waddling duck, to the amusement of the rest of the group. Marci couldn’t help but look at him. 

[color=598527]“You’re still on four,”[/color] she observed almost reverently. [color=598527]“Lucky.”[/color]

[color=C78A2C]“Keep at it, hotshot, and you’ll be faster than me.”[/color]  Zarina winked before continuing onwards.

They reached the bottom and continued on, heading towards the pool area. It was teeming with half-dressed children and teens. The sounds of play and laughter helped Yalen perk up somewhat. He had half a mind to jump into the water himself. He knew how to swim, though in his current condition he might only be able to tread water. 

A small curly ball of energy came streaking out of the pool, headed straight for their group or, rather, one member of it in particular. [color=ec008c]“Mistuh Yawen!”[/color] Rita made it a few more steps before tripping over her own feet, only managing to avoid a faceplant by sticking her hands out and absorbing the impact. She lay there on her stomach for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to cry. They apparently didn’t have swimsuits, so the kid was in her underwear and showing a fair bit of plumber’s crack. [color=ec008c]“Oww,”[/color] she pouted.

[color=#FD5E53]“Rita!”[/color] Yalen broke away from the tour group, nearly tripping on his own feet in the process. In the same moment he tore off the outer garment of his uniform and wrapped it around the child’s body to preserve her modesty. [color=#FD5E53]“Are you okay? Where does it hurt?”[/color]

Apparently comforted, she returned to a more neutral expression, quirking an eyebrow. [color=ec008c]“Owaph,”[/color] she muttered. [color=ec008c]“Whewe doesn’t it huwt?”[/color] She rolled onto her back and sat up, examining her palms and rubbing at her knees. Thankfully she didn’t look seriously injured.

Yalen gently took Rita’s hands and pulled her up. Rita was running circles around him the moment she was back on her feet. Unfortunately, his coat was a bit too large for her. It fell off her shoulders and into the sand. He sighed and flapped it in the air as best he could. So much for having clean clothes.  

[color=ec008c]“Come on mistuh Yawen! Play with me! Play with me!”[/color] Yalen’s fate was decided. It was physically impossible for him to say no to such an adorable kid. There was a good hour or so before everyone had to meet up at the gate. He looked towards Marci and the others and waved at them. 

[color=#FD5E53]“You all go on ahead! I’ll catch up later!”[/color][/hider]

Summary: Yalen didn't sleep well and spends breakfast acting like he sees dead people. He has some new leg braces to replace his cane for the time being, but he still walks kind of funny. He has separated from the group to keep a kid named Rita company at the swimming pool.