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Zeroth
@Rune_Alchemist@ERode@Pyromania99@PaulHaynek
Initially, the forest was silent. Nothing but the leaves rustling lightly with the wind as Donovan set to work. It first seemed as though there wasn’t a reply to be had, and It would only be when Donovan moved to the third log would he finally receive a reply from the forest.
“...arrogance, as expected of humans.” The wind would reply. Though he could not see the deer, it was no doubt close by, just hidden among the trees and forest itself. “...yet even creatures such as I desire socialization, and it has been long since that child has been here.” A pause as Donovan continued to work, likely considering whether it wanted to bother with answering the questions. “...very well. Ask your questions, human, but I will make no promises to answer everything.”
The creature’s opening comment provoked a friendly chuckle from Donovan. "Aye, we do tend tah be an arrogant lot don't we?" As the man straightened himself, his cheery smile faded into a somber frown; pausing from his work as he stared into the trees. "Aye were hopin’ ya could elaborate bout’ th’ prophecy o’ sorts ya mentioned earlier. Is ‘what was drowned by the Moons tears’ connected to et? What’s supposed tah be imprisoned ere’? And is there any way to stop yer forest from gettin’ flooded?"
“Prophecy? Nay, history repeating. Humans desiring that which they should not, above all else.” The wind seemed heavy, as though the beast was sighing. “For creatures with a history of changing history, and independence of all Gods and Beasts...they can be surprisingly dependent. As for who they depend on...the one they have always served in that village. The One Who Illuminates. The Hag and the Old Man. The many faced, yet faceless God of Knowledge. They believe him gone, but he watches his experiments closely.” A cryptic reply as always, but at least this perhaps would set him on some sort of correct path. “But...as I am of the Earth, the mysteries of the Divine and their history before the earth woke from its slumber eludes me in their entirety.” It replied, the wind seeming to sigh in mild annoyance, carrying the salty scent of the sea. “I only know what the winds tell me. What the rumors they bring me from the human tales and tongues.”
There was a pause, the wind growing still, before Donovan would smell the salty scent of the sea as a gentle breeze carried it from the ocean.
“As such, I know not the particulars. Only that the humans say that, The Moon's tears, when she grieved for her slain family, flooded the ravaged lands, drowning the monstrosities that roamed and sending all to a deep slumber.” The wind stilled, a heavy, musty scent making it suddenly hard to breathe. “The nightmares of those days are not something this one has experienced, nor do I have a desire to. All I know are what the winds say, and I am told should they wake once more, the winds will cease blowing for eternity.” The wind seemed to still, almost fearful before blowing into an agitated gust of wind. “But to prevent it would mean to stop those who seek it, and leave none alive.” It continued bluntly. “They deserve what they sow.” A pause as Donovan would gather the next piece of wood. “...perhaps you could bargain with them, but trusting him and making deals with it inevitably end in misery for mortals while he sates his maddening curiosity. And do not ask for my aid, human. The forests will regrow, and the winds will continue to blow elsewhere.”
Donovan froze in place at this revelation. There was far more at stake than just the forest being flooded-- this mad god's obsession threatened to unleash apocalyptic horrors into the world at large. "That be damn grim indeed." the large man spoke gravely as he wiped a cold sweat from his brow, "Th' place tha moon dropped us… There were a large stone guardian patrollin' tha place… An' in the belly o' the prison, there were a demonic garden; massive in size, yet shackled tah it's prison..." Donovan drew his weapon and openly presented the emblem tied to its handle before the surrounding woods. "Aye alsuh found this there… Dunno what god were tied to that place; or this emblem ere, but does it have anythin' tah do with th' comin' storm? Were it one of th' Knowledge God's experiments? Or were it somethin' else?"
There was a pause. A moment's hesitation as the wind seemed to consider this information.
“A garden, you say?” The wind playfully rustled the leaves of the trees. “I can not say for certain. The wind occasionally brings words from the places that those of the Shadow dwell. Of a garden, where one of the few Immortals of the old world was laid to rest by the Sage Urumna before they ascended to be with the Moon, so their blood could bring life to the forests and plants once more.” A pause. “...but demonic, you say? The same that pup is from? Hm. Perhaps there is more to that tale than the winds tell. Nor do I know of this stone guardian you mention nor its connection with the Moon.”
The winds gently caressed the Emblem Donovan was holding.
“...That Emblem though...is a relic of a far older time than even the old world that was destroyed.” It replied. “I do not know. I only know that in the very oldest of places, I hear of an old, now forgotten Deity. I know not much else, but those emblems and motifs often are found in places connected to it. That particular one you carry...I can not say, but there’s a certain divine energy coming from it.”
Donovan rubbed his chin as he mulled over the elder beast’s response, old and wise as it was; wasn’t as knowledgeable as he’d hoped on the matter. If the seed was indeed related to this tale regarding the ‘old world’, perhaps the it’s destruction was unnecessary. Maybe, just maybe, there was something beneath that smooth black surface worth saving; something that could be redeemed. However hopeful he was to try and make the most of what tools were available, the man knew that such a notion as purifying the seed without destroying it was wishful thinking at best… But one could always hope.
Staring at the emblem held in his hands, Don conjured a small group of his workers with a gentle whistle, "You lot carreh this back to th’ camp, an’ stack et with tha’ rest." he spoke firmly, wasting no time in putting them to work before turning back toward the expanse of trees. "Thank ya fer yer wisdom..." the man’s voice paused for a moment, "Actualleh, there somethin aye should call ya? Don’t think yah ever gave meh yer name."
“I am the winds themselves.” The reply came after a moment. “The gentle breeze that carries the birds through the air. The furious winds that blow away even rock to dust. Upon my horns rest the sky, forever holding it out of the reach of the unworthy. My kin and humans named me as Kyrnith. ”
With that final word, the winds fell silent, blowing somewhere to the east and the beast left with it, having deemed it having spoken enough.
Before long, several pairs of ethereal humanoids would emerge from the treeline followed closely by Donovan himself. Even as he drew near to the fire, it was as if the shadows themselves clung tightly to his stonelike expression. Even as his workers began to chop the logs into proper pieces of firewood, he did not speak-- instead opting to silently eat his share of boar meat. Once again he drew his hammer, and untied the emblem from it's handle; instead opting to fashion it into a form of necklace that he would then tuck under his shirt.
Sleep was going to be difficult to come by tonight.
