The night that I thought I’d forget is returning. Why now? I have not dreamt of that night in many nights.
Do you remember those nights that turned to dawn? Those beautiful days when the sun beamed so bright on the horizon giving it's warmth to all the land around us? The beauty of it... some nights you'd beg me after a night's patrol to hold your hand while the "sun came up from it's slumber" as you'd say... the innocent phase of life we went through that was... when all you cared about was sitting up in the morning with me to watch another beautiful day to begin. I wonder wherever your soul is now is there a time when the sun shines for you... if so know that my hand is holding yours while a new dawn begins my sweet, Dasya
I did not hold the strength I was confident about... I failed to be the thing I strive, I failed to think ahead of a situation, I was once again a foolish girl with a dream to be something I could not be... my head ran forward into the thought I was capable of helping someone and all it did was lead to another failure on my belt, another failure to the countless ones I have hanging off me like chains, dragging on the floor behind me. What a miserable existence I live don't I? What has my false veil brought about me this time? What have I done to myself? I got myself killed that is what I did. Sprinting off to help anothers lost soul in the tiniest thought that I am someone capable of saving others. How can I do that when I barely have the capability to protect myself. At last stupidity and naive thoughts of a false image of myself caused a neuri-leopard to gladly rip open my throat and spray a cave wall with my blood.
'You remember that pain don't you? Even if it was for a split second you experienced it that overwhelming agony as this creature took chunks out of you, throwing you down and showing you that you aren't capable at all. No, experience, no worth and no strength. You might as well lied down and gave up in that moment. How one can say that there is 'strength' in your 'soul' for coming back is beyond me. It was not strength that brought you back but cowardiness to not want to face the punishment for your actions. There is only one end for someone like yourself and you know it's the truth. Accept your fate. We are not fighters, we are worthless.'
I laid in a field of golden asters on a warm winter morning, the sky was a mix of night and day as the sun was starting to appear on the horizon. Though the season was cold it felt comfortably warm. No tension sat in the air and the feeling of pure peace was all that could be gathered. My hand brushed over a few of the asters and in this place of beauty I felt complete. Where was I? Who was I? What was this all? Never entered my mind as those questions did not worry me. It was not long though till the sun finally came into full view, rising from the horizon ahead and slowly moving into the air, the dawn had come, the new day had begun. I looked upon this beauty in the sky and was blown away by it. For each dawn I had seen, for every morning I prayed too, for every sunny day there was none that matched this sight. Words cannot describe what I saw nor how to match it to anything but take my word when I say this was the most beautiful dawn I had ever sat my eyes onto. It's light was brighter then anything I had ever seen yet it did not harm me, my vision did not hurt and I simply did not want to turn away. Eventually though something began to form within the rays from the sun, was my eyes playing tricks? No, they certainly were not. There was a forming figure in the rays of light. Soon a body came into existence, it was humanoid, it had no features but long shoulder length hair, two bright white eyes and a ever so welcoming smile. Their hands slowly reached out to me, beckoning me to step towards it. What was this? Questions flooded my head and before I could ask anything it's lips parted but no words came out as everything returned to normal. I was laying in bed yet again.
There I was yet again, my head laying in the field of golden asters, the feeling of the cold-warm air touched my skin and the sound of birds this time filled this valley. My eyes sat upon the rising sun in the distance, the horizon grew more brighter and brighter with each passing minute. This time I was aware of where I was. Not sure of it's exact location I was still most aware of this 'dream' like state. I had no control over what I saw but I was in control of my own body. My mind raced with questions, my thoughts were wondering what to say when I saw the figure again. Maybe they'd answer me this time? Maybe I would not wake up before I could ask a question. I held my breathe and looked upon this morning. It was as beautiful as the last one in this unknown paradise, this time I could see some animals running about in the distance. I could hear the birds singing their tunes and I felt such a presence of happiness in this mysterious domain. No sight of pain, no sight of earthly woes. This was just true peace. I braced myself as the sun began to rise up higher and higher now, it shined so bright that it almost made me blind. I was hesitant to look for a few short seconds but I needed to see this sight, I needed to see who this was. As my vision met the sun it's beauty eclipsed anything that was possible. There was a blazing warmth to it's sight, a feeling of completeness in it's presence. What was this feeling? It felt like someone had fulfilled me with every happy memory I had and multiplied it by a thousand. The rush was undoubtfully breath-taking and in seconds I fell to my knees just staring up to it's sight. But no figure came before me, no humanoid on this dream. But a presence was felt, there was something here. I felt it's hands grasp my shoulders and before I could turn my head to meet it's gaze my vision faded and once again I was staring at the ceiling. Yet, my hand touched my amulet that hung around my neck and the question rang into my head.
I'm walking down a long dirt path. No sun shines in this place but a grey sky seems to stretch above me with no source of light in it. A large forest sits on both ends of this path, the trees within it hold no life however and looked to withered away, forgotten to time in this unknown place. I've no idea where I am, what reason I am here or even who I am in this moment but I seemingly walk with a purpose. I need to go somewhere, I need to be someplace. Step, after step, my body moves on for what feels like a lifetime till eventually I reach my unknown destination. Now I stood upon a hill overlooking a valley and as my eyes peered down I saw a field of golden asters. It stretched for miles upon miles but somehow my eyes were able to spot a figure laying within them. It appeared to be a woman dressed in orange robes, I couldn't make anything else out besides that but she didn't seem to notice me. But some how I felt like I knew who she was, there was this level of recognition or familiarity with her. But, I couldn't think on who she was, or what she was doing. As these thoughts came to mind though my vision was moved towards the sky as it began to darken now, though it was grey and dull already it now became pitch dark in a few seconds. No light seemed to manifest but the girl in the field gave off a light orange hue to her. I watched as she rose to her feet and looked around, did she too not know where she was? Maybe both of us ended up lost here. Soon though I noticed something in the dark behind her, something was forming. It was encased in shrouds of night but I somehow could see it's figure forming and it was large, it towered over the orange robed woman and almost engulfed her entirely. Instincts kicked in and I went to shout out for her to look behind but nothing left, my voice was raspy and my words didn't form. I tried again, and again and again, shouting or trying to shout to her to watch out. But, she didn't hear me and the figure of darkness grew even more larger now into an unimaginable height. In agony I let out another raspy attempt to shout but before I could even do such a thing something grabbed me by the throat, a cold feeling of dread was put into my body as it's hand grabbed me and bone chilling words left it's mouth from everywhere around me. "Truly a shame" is all I heard as it kept my vison upon the lone woman in the field of golden asters, forcing me to watch darkness and possible evil loom over her unknowingly. The hand of this unknown entity tightened around my neck more and I could see my vision beginning to fade away, black spots appeared in the corners and the air in my lungs was ceasing to exist. I struggled and struggled against it's strength but it felt like it was beyond me even, beyond anything a mortal could face upon. My feet kicked into the ground and my body jittered about as it tried to free itself. "Truly a shame." it repeated once more as my vision was now nothing, the last thing I saw was the darkness engulfing the woman below...
My vision returned and once more I laid on my bed, my eyes fixed to a different ceiling, my entire body was in pain and my hand reached upon my bandaged neck. A groan escaped from me as I reached for my dangling amulet and clutched it tightly as thoughts faded in and out now.
"I do not squint looking straight at the sun, I am not blinded by fear. Oh, Morninglord, show me your light."
| |
BEHOLD THE ARRIVIAL OF THE MORNINGLORD BEHOLD THE ARRIVAL OF THE MORNINGLORD BEHOLD THE ARRIVAL OF THE MORNINGLORD (https://i.imgur.com/7YnwLGl.jpg) Quote The sight of a never ending wasteland greeted my vision, the endless sands stretched for miles upon miles, past any point of reason. I travelled along it without much thought nor idea where I stood. This place was unfamiliar to me yet I knew it like it was all I did know. No sun shined in this sky, no stars glittered the above, just a empty darkness almost. It was like someone didn't think up of the 'sky' in this place and all there was in the horizons was a void of nothing. This was the same for the sound of this realm, it was dead silent and without a peep. No wind, no wild-life, not even the sound of my own breathing could be made out. |
The fire cackled as the wood burnt away, the smoke fading into the abyss joining it in a dance of dominance. The glow of the camp fire was the only source of light within this thick misty prison on where I sat. Ideally I watched the fire, awaiting for the arrival of someone, my hand sat upon my glowing warm golden disc amulet, a soft tune is what I hummed as time seemed to creep by. Eventually though from the mists came a figure that stood no taller then three-feet in height, her hair was shoulder length and dark in colour. Her facial features weren't able to be made out for some reason or another as my eyes tried to focus on her face it always seem to move out of focus, like something from afar but she stood so close. The rest of her dressed in what she wore on that faithful night. A oversized robe with simple stitches of horses and flowers around it.
"Is this real?" Was my first words spoken as my vision settled on her. The little girl just stared at me for a few moments in silence as my question almost echoed out in a way, but not. It sounded as if my voice repeated far off into the mists. "Is anything here real, sister?" She finally replied now, her voice sounding like she did when we last spoke. "Mmm... I guess that is true..." I exhaled deeply and turned my vision back to the flames, it's heat faintly touching my face and almost itching my aged burn mark by this time. "What is it you wished to speak to me about then?" The girl said as she walked over and sat across from me, that unfocused face staring at me.
"I am just wondering about a question..." I pulled at my amulet. "Then speak of it." She replied with a bit of harshness. I exhaled deeply and peered off to the side with a bit of hesitance. "I have a lot of... pressure and things that are expected of me. I have duties, I have things I stand for and taken vows for yet... I do not know if I am still the right one for it. I have confidence yet I have doubt..." My voice said with a tint of nerves and uncertainty.
"What is the question then of this?" She same without really a thought on the actual sentence I just said. "Dasya, I was asking if-" Even before I could finish what was coming out of me I was cut off by Dasya. "Yeira, I cannot give you the thing you seek as I do not know what you wish to hear from me. Your uncertainty and doubtful thoughts are of your own making and thus you can stop them can you not?" I blinked a bit at that statement and shaked my head. "No, it just doesn't..." I couldn't really think of what to say and just let out a bit of a puff, peering back to the fire.
"You took vows before, you took duties before, you promised things before, Yeira. You left those behind and now taken these. For reasons I do not know but I cannot tell you the future or answers to this only time will tell will it not?" Dasya said once more.
I couldn't really think of an answer. I couldn't really think at all right now. This was just another night of things that haunt me and for once I just sat in silence, watching the flames dance in the fire as both I and Dasya did not say a word to one another... let this moment pass and let me push onto the next dawn to come.
"Dear?" She said with a touch of concern, looking towards Yeira as the elven woman looked out to the slowly creeping dusky night. I blinked and noticed my head had left me drifting away from the moment but soon my surroundings returned to me and my vision looked to Annaka. "Ah, ah... I apologize... I just got a bit lost in my thoughts..." I cleared my throat, rubbing my face. "What were you saying?" I tried to return to the conversation that we were having that I already forgot. "You feeling alright?" But it didn't seem Annaka was going to let it go, her hand touched mine and she looked at me with concern. "I am fine... I am fine... just eh... thinking on things... but I'll be OK." Again, I tried to push past the topic at hand of my own sake. A few moments of silence took the air before my beloved spoke yet again. "I was saying... might be nice for us move out to Krezk... you know when we want to retire from things..." It seemed the topic was avoided and I smiled softly at her nodding. "It'd be nice for you, hm? I know you'd want to return there one day..." A few little nods from her as she squeezed my hand. "We could work under the faith here... light work nothing extreme... help out some of the orphans here and maybe set up a few programs to help them... I know a lot of them lost their parents to the rebellions and executions...." I began to fade out my thoughts once more, just nodding my head along as my love spoke about her plans and desires for the future. A bright future that was to come and one she deserved... yet when thinking of that future of both of us leaving behind the duties we have now it makes me wonder if I will see such an end? As many before me have fallen in the line of duty, the work that needs to be done to upkeep the Morninglord's message and root out the evil that walks the land is not one of guaranteed tomorrow. Though I have hope for a time where I can take it easy I know now I shall not rest till my work is done... till the message of the coming dawn is spread to all and such things may not see me resting till I am finally embraced in the arms of him, when I shall meet the light of the dawn and join my brothers and sisters...
What is that shade that sits within their eyes? What emotion matches that colour? Red? Black? Green? I do not know... but their looks is what I see now as I close my eyes. Their eyes full of emotion... the emotion is hatred, it is despair, it is sadness, it is suffering. I sense nothing but darkness and what I see is that directed at me. Directed at me for not being of this land. For the mists are not my home no matter what and those of my kind that come from outside of it have brought nothing but problems for them. Our kind doesn't belong here and we should go home shouldn't we? But that isn't possible. There is no return once the beast of the mists sets it's teeth around you. But do I even have a home to return to if I could? I changed since I was taken, my life has turned in many directions and the Yeira that came here is not the same one that is here now. I found true faith, I found love, I found friends, I found family... yet I am told I do not belong. I saw their emotion on that day, I saw their anger cause of people like me, I saw them die for this and feel as if their blood is partially on my hand yet I did not know them...I just wish to help... I just wish to help... I just wish to help...
It's all for her. This is my fault... I need to take avenge for this. Once it is over then I shall be free from this prison. Once this is over I shall escape this all. I exchanged my story for this price. I do not care anymore. I failed my duties. I failed the light. I am nothing more then the embodiment of my own problems.
But I will put an end to it all...
My story is his...
This shall begin the end of what is fate
"....Goodbye, Yeira. I hope you find your Light again. It is out there, even still. You just need to find it yourself."
Is there truly a light for me again? I'm nothing anymore. I have lost myself. I have become tired. I am exhausted. I just want to rest...
"....Where has your light gone, Little Shadow?..."
I don't /know/ where it's gone. I don't know anything anymore. I don't know what I want anymore... I just want to put an end to what I began.
"...There is still a chance for you. A chance for forgiveness. A chance for the Dawnfather to embrace you once more..."
I preach that. I do. But I do not know if I can forgive myself... I broke vows before. I failed before. I'm nothing but the making of my own problems. This hell is but that. It's my judgement to see if I can write my wrongs. But I cannot do that. I'm incapable of writing my wrongs. My path is set. This is fate. I will die here.
"...Will be waiting for you at the end, Little Shadow..."
Mmmm...
I have a question. One simple question to ask before you go?
"Ask quickly."
What awaits for me now? After I die like this? Is there a place for me?
"Purgatory. Oblivion. You will be like me. Stuck forever here in this land."
---
Where has your light gone, Little Shadow?
---
The fire crackled within the misty fog. She set across from as her form kept shifting like the wind. Though it never focused I could tell it was her yet again in this state.
"You did it again."
I had no choice.
"You had many choices, Yeira."
I couldn't reply to her as my eyes stared upon the fire infront of me.
"Betrayed them all didn't you? Like you did wi-"
Just die already. Just die already. Just die already. Just die already jus-
"Blocking me out won't stop me, Yeira. I know you felt like the same thing you felt when I died with her. You feel at fault don't you?"
I couldn't respond. My eyes just stared at the fire in silence.
"It isn't your fault that Eloane died like that. You didn't know. That creature killed her no-"
Dasya, just let me rest. Please.
Silence fell upon the small camp we had within the mists of these dreams. I watched her form shift once more and then turn into nothing, taken like the wind. She was gone for now.
All I could hear now is his voice speaking to me. All I could think about is putting an end to him. I needed to do this.
I stood at the cliff edge as the sun rose from the East. It's beauty shined upon the land and the night was turned away, yet the rays of this solace light now curved around me. No longer was I embraced by his light, his dawn and his beauty. For I had turned away from something I was so devoted too. So connected too in a land full of twisted fates and uncertainty. I felt cold on this warm day. I felt as if night had not ended just yet.
My eyes wandered and where the sea was beneath the cliff it turned into a flowerily bed of Golden Asters. Figures rose from the lights yet I could not notice their features properly but I knew of who they were. One was a tall man bearing a sword on his back, another dressed in the greens of the Guardian within the mists, the other was a woman dressed in the colours of our dawnbringer, her face as pretty as when I first laid my eyes upon it and finally a small elven child. They chattered but I could not hear them speak. I was too far away covered within the shadows. Though some part of it played in my head."Where is Yeira?" the woman in green said. The others looked around and were baffled on the whereabouts of Yeira Behzadi.
They all turned to look up and see me. Though I was miles away they could see me fully. In the darkness they could see me."That's not her." The man with the giant sword said, shaking his head.
As he said those words the golden asters sea was washed away by thick mists once more and in a blink of an eye I now stood where they once did. Engulfed within the mists, my vision blocked."My beloved would not look like such a beast." A familiar voice said all around me."My sister isn't a creature." Another female voice said."She is a shining example of our Morninglords light after all."
The mists grew heavier and eventually I was not aware of where I was. The ground became nothing, the sky grew a dark grey, the air got thick and my breathe was lost. Voices flooded of all familiarity. All made comments but their words made no sense now. A flood of non-sense that held so much meaning.
I let out a scream of agony after what felt like life-times spent here and all returned to normal. I sat curled up against a rock within a dimly lit cave. A dying fire's light greeted me. My scaled clawed hand touched my forehead as my body shook with intensity, my heart pounded and my breathing could not be contained. In the lonesome land that took me I was alone truly. My tears rolled down my cheek once more as no voices heard my despair, no light touched me and I had made my bed with desire.My story was his after all. This was fate.My story was his after all. This was fate.My story was his after all. This was fate.
"I go by many names really. Who am I?" The infernal face said in the cackling fire camp blaze.There was that tingling touch in the back of my head. A tingle of something. What was it?
I stared at the sinister face of evil. It stared back and it's eyes burned with a recognition as if I've seen that look before. I knew who it was yet some reason it did not come to me. Like a blur."I guess some call me the..."Wait what?"I'm exchanged amongst.... after all they are the most powerful things." It said before the first combusted into nothing, flames licking across my face giving a shiver down my spine as they glazed over my face-burn.Wait... I didn't do this. I didn't do this. I didn't do this. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. This can't be it. This is for her. This is for her. What have I done? What is happening? What is this? Please. Please. Someone answer me. Someone answer me.(https://i.imgur.com/TEObdmT.png)"It's the most powerful thing after all..."END OF MEMENTO MORISTART OF UNRAVELED AND VENGEFUL
"Oh, can you tell me!
Can you tell me the way the story ends?"(https://i.imgur.com/scW9t1A.png)
Punch after punch, scream after scream, desperate attempts to grasp at the reality upon my shoulders weighed heavily. The reason to my current being was now back to me. I could remember it all. I let him win. I let him win."Such a shame..."
I slammed my head into the ground and screamed more, my voice by now was straining from all this. It felt like my throat was going to rip apart by now but I couldn't stop this. I couldn't stop the anguish, this hatred boiling within me."Such a shame..."
Blood came out from me this time, splashing down my lips as I let out a strained scream.You know what you need to do though, hunter. What awaits you lays in this land. You gave up your most important aspect. This is your chance to take revenge isn't it?I needed to do this. No matter what. Nothing else mattered in my head anymore. My life was nothing more then set up for this point wasn't it?
These words came out of my mouth, these weren't thoughts. Who was I even speaking to at this point? Who knows. I just knew no matter the cost, no matter the blood I will spill from myself, no matter how far I need to go I shall bring an end to this creature. I shall shove him into the light of the dawn. I was still faithful... wasn't I? This is part of the plan. This is what needs to be done, for all their types must meet the coming dawn. This was it wasn't it?
Soon the light flickered from the morning into my small cave home. My eyes wondered around as I only noticed now I had lost track of time as the fire was now long dead. My hands were raw red, my throat felt like it was going to fall out and my body was full of both anguish and rage. The voice in my head kept repeating the words from the fire. This was my chance.
Maybe once I rid Dhimiter from this hell I shall do the same to all his kind.This was my fate, this was my story.
We found what I craved the most. The tomb of the Dawnless. Here it was... I was so close to what this mess became and soon the tool to defeat him was going to be in my hands. All this shall be worth it...
The tomb was encased in divine magic, a lifeless but preserved corpse of a faithful sat peacefully upon an altar behind this encasement. A burning orange light sat in the middle and even in this state of rage I could feel a touch of the divines on my skin. Repulsed and disconnected it made me but I could sense the touch of the Morninglord was strong within here.
The group and I bickered on how to get through the encasement. Ideas and thoughts got thrown around but I couldn't wait. This was too close. The desire ravaged my entire being, I couldn't see anything but the end of the tunnel. It was so close and without much thought I shoved myself through the encasement.
To my surprise it worked...
My body fell through and now I sat on the other side of it. It felt like nothing I'd ever felt. Even in my state this was something completely peaceful and warm. Maybe a bit too warm...
I turned to look at the group at the other side, peering towards my sister Arshtat and before the words could leave my mouth my entire being felt intense heat.
In an instance fire consumed my entire body. All I could was scream in intense agony and pain. My throat gave out so quickly and before I could muster some plea for help the last words I heard was."Yessy!"And then darkness.Yeira Behzadi was no more.
Darkness. Nothing. Empty.This was death wasn't it?In the end I failed. My efforts were for meaningless. Yeira Behzadi the one who couldn't do enough. This was the end of her story....What's that light?It's familiar, there is a touch of feeling of homely to it. It's coming closer to me... what is this feeling? Isn't things over?...Soon the light she saw engulfed her entire existence and with a flash her vision went from a void to light once more. Yeira fell to her knees in the middle of this beaming bright light. Her light. Her story. Her faith. Her soul. Was all hers once more..."There is still a chance for you. A chance for forgiveness. A chance for the Dawnfather to embrace you once more..."It clicked... he had taken his last breathe to give her a chance more. Maybe a joint of the Morninglord and him but the spirit of the once faithful knight that tried to speak to Yeira in her husk now gave his last light for hers once more.There was a chance at a new future, a new dawn, a new morn to come. She was to finish what he could not.Yeira Behzadi, the little light, was once more.END OF UNRAVELED AND VENGEFULSTART OF THE FAVOURED SOUL OF THE DAWNAlign my heart, my body, my mind
To face what I've done and do my time(https://i.imgur.com/caIvK0J.png)
"You've some nerve showing your face again, Yeira."
The voice of my woundwart, the love of my life that was now staring at me in anger. Hatred and sadness."After everything you did!"
Annaka snapped out at Yeira in rage. She berated her every decision, her every mistake, the decision she made to pact with a devil in her rage-filled state. The words blurred out for the young elf who knew this was coming. No matter what she still did damage."What's your reason?! Hm?! WHAT IS IT, YEIRA?!"
There was no words, excuses or reasons. All she could do was look to the floor as tears formed in the corners of her eyes, slowly drippling down her cheeks.
Annaka just stared at Yeira. The elf quietly crying and having no words."I am leaving here, Yeira. Do not come looking for me or I will hurt you.""I still love you, Annaka...""If you loved me truly you wouldn't have done what you did."With that Annaka stormed out of the temple, leaving Yeira standing alone in the dimly but warm lit sanctuary of the eternal dawn. Her face covered in tears as her eyes looked up to the statue of her faith, the Morninglord himself with his bloodied lips.From death, life. There is always another morning. In the dawn, beauty reigns, and the way is clearer.
Yeira simply just let her tears drop to the floor, the desire to chase her now former lover was there but she knew it was a fruitless decision. Her actions brought her to this moment and no matter how much it hurts this is part of the journey ahead.
The rain poured down on my face as I sat in front of the quiet memorial, surrounded by flowers. The lake behind it was shrouded in a light mist that heightened the connection to the goddess to whom this memorial was dedicated. I set the spear across my lap and took out a yellow silk cloth from my pocket, matching the Golden Asters around the memorial. As I tied the cloth to the end of the spear, my mind wandered, reflecting on Del's sacrifice and the weight it carried.'Purgatory. Oblivion. You will be like me. Stuck forever here in this land.'
Del's fate weighed heavily on my mind. Though I knew the Morninglord guided me, I couldn't help but feel that Del's sacrifice had been the real one. He gave me a second chance, and his end-goal now rested on my shoulders.From death, life. There is always another morning. In the dawn, beauty reigns, and the way is clearer.
The words echoed in my mind, both comforting and challenging me. I felt uncertain, unsure of whether I deserved this second chance, but I knew that playing on these doubts would only lead me back into darkness.There is still a chance for you. A chance for forgiveness. A chance for the Dawnfather to embrace you once more...
The voice in my head spoke the words I needed to hear, reminding me that I could still find redemption and that the Morninglord was waiting to welcome me back into his embrace. Though the darkness always loomed nearby, I knew that I could not let uncertainty and doubt drive me back into its jaws.
I preached forgiveness, redemption, change, and mercy, but now I needed to practice them for myself. It would take time and effort, but I had to forgive myself while also remembering the things I'd done. The darkness of old and these misty lands always lie within reach, waiting for me to falter and return to the path of shadows. But I could not afford uncertainty anymore. I had to keep going, make a change, and live up to the expectations of the Morninglord and Del's sacrifice.
As I finished fitting the yellow silk cloth to the end of my spear, my mind returned to the present moment. Flipping the spear over and back, I smiled softly, reading the names etched into its surface. The original 'Dasya' had faded over time, but the new name on the other side, 'Eloane,' shone bright and clear. My two sisters, one of blood and one of chosen fate, now guided my spear forward once more.In this act of remembrance and renewal, I felt a sense of peace and purpose.
With a fluid motion, I spun my spear and drove its sharp tip into the straw dummy's chest, aiming straight for the heart. Stepping back deftly, I twirled the weapon around me like an extension of my own body. Each move felt powerful and precise, as if I were a force of nature. With another spin, I thrust the spear into the dummy's chest once again, imagining a target mark in my mind. My feet moved effortlessly, guiding the spear with ease and grace.
The world fell away as I lost myself in the fluid motions of my spear technique, each move executed with precision and grace. In my mind's eye, the straw dummy transformed into a sinister figure clad in black, a white mask obscuring his features. His eyes burned red, and his voice echoed through my mind, cutting like razor wire."Such a shame..."
The words echoed again, goading me to attack. Anger and frustration boiled inside me, and with a fierce scream, I yanked the spear from the dummy and lunged at the phantom assailant. But my emotions had gotten the better of me, and I stumbled, losing my footing. The spear slipped from my grip and clattered to the ground as I fell forward into the soaking-wet earth. The rain began to pour down, soaking me to the bone and bringing me back to reality.
A low groan escaped my lips as I rolled onto my back, gazing up at the dreary sky. The rain pelted my face, and I closed my eyes, letting the sensation wash over me. My thoughts still galloped like a herd of wild horses, charging across the Desert of Blades towards an unknown destination.
I took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing to anchor myself in the present moment. It was all too easy to lose my sense of direction, to let my emotions run amok and carry me away. But I refused to let that happen. Slowly, deliberately, I calmed my mind, taming the wild thoughts that threatened to derail me. The rain continued to fall, but I was at peace, centered in the eye of the storm.
Reality settled around me once more, and I pushed myself up from the muddy ground. Even as I regained my bearings, my emotions remained uncertain, leaving me feeling unmoored and adrift.
But I refused to let that hold me back. I retrieved my spear and turned towards the straw dummy, now a lifeless practice target pockmarked with countless stabs to the chest. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I spun the spear between my hands, feeling its weight and balance. Despite my earlier misstep, I felt reinvigorated, eager to continue my training and perfect my technique. With a renewed focus, I resumed my practice, the rain and mud forgotten as I lost myself in the dance of combat.
I was mentally prepared to share my story with them, but as I began to speak, I realized I couldn't breathe. It wasn't just a momentary lack of air; it felt like an invisible force had gripped my throat, making it hard to inhale. My lungs gave way, and I collapsed onto the ground, desperately trying to loosen whatever was holding me. The voices around me were muffled, and my vision began to blur as I struggled to get air. I could feel my life slipping away second by second.Darkness. Abyss. Void.
As I gasped for air, a bright light appeared before me, and my eyes opened to find myself lying on the wooden floor of a dimly lit sanctuary. My lungs were filled with air once again, and my heart raced with renewed vigor. However, my memories were hazy and indistinct, as if I had just awakened from a dream that wasn't entirely real. I felt more than just tired; I felt dreadful, as if something within me had shifted. Suddenly, a realization struck me deep in my core, and something clicked into place.I was not free.'"It's the most powerful thing after all...".'
Bowing down before the diminutive altar, the gilded effigy of the Rosy Dawn deity stood tall, its limbs outstretched, crimson staining its lips, yet its grin remained unchanged. My fingers tightened around the suspended medallion, as it emitted a radiant glow from its disc. Despite the somber, overcast heavens above Barovia, I could sense the comforting rays of light emanating from afar, enveloping me in its warmth. Its presence was undeniable, and I knew that no matter what, its caress would always be felt upon my skin.
With the rising sun to the East as my witness, I uttered my daily prayers in a routine manner. My words flowed from the depths of my heart, my thoughts and body in perfect harmony with the present moment. This daily blessing was a treasure, a precious moment that I got to share with the Morninglord within the confines of my own mind. Each sentence, each word, each thought was in perfect alignment with His teachings. Though the only audience to my prayers were the woodland creatures on the periphery, I sensed a tangible presence around me. I knew that He was watching over me, as if His glowing, radiant hands were resting upon my shoulders. I felt His love, His connection, and His hope coursing through my entire being. Though I had faltered before, and the darkness still loomed around me, I clung onto the hope of a second chance. Redemption, mercy, and love were the only things I could hope for, and I believed they would come. Was I being naive or delusional? Perhaps. But my love for the Dawnbringer, the embodiment of hope, renewal, and new beginnings, was unshakable.'"It's the most powerful thing after all...".'
The words continued to echo in my mind, the feeling of being held back was not easily shaken, but I knew I had to persevere. I couldn't afford to falter now, for the opportunity bestowed upon me was nothing short of a miracle. Del did not offer me this chance to squander it. There were still things that needed to be done. Del gave me my chance, and the Morninglord bestowed upon me my hope. No matter what, it was all in the name of the light, and the opportunity for all.
As I lifted my amulet to my lips, my prayers coming to a close, I softly kissed the sun-disk, uttering that familiar phrase that was known to all who followed the faith."May Thy Lips Be Cleansed."
The camp-fire crackled and popped, casting dancing shadows across the peaceful area. By the small shrine dedicated to the Morninglord, I sat with my book, scribbling notes in my journal by the light of the flickering flames. All was well, or so I thought.
As I rose from my chair to change into my armor, a sense of unease crept over me. Was it just my imagination, or was there a presence lurking in the shadows?
Suddenly, a voice pierced the stillness, emanating from the very heart of the fire."What is the most powerful thing...?"
As the final words of the sentence finished, a sudden burst of flame erupted from the campfire, engulfing the area in a hellish glow. The once flickering flames now raged wildly, consuming everything in their path until nothing was left but a smoldering heap of ash where once a camp-fire peaceful sat.
In that split second of chaos, time seemed to slow to a crawl. The clouds hung motionless in the sky, the wind ceased to stir the trees, and the very world around me held its breath.
In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of movement. My instincts kicked in and I whirled around, ready to face whatever lurked in the shadows. And there, before me, stood a figure. Someone or something, I could not tell.
The face of the figure was indistinct, as if my mind could not quite grasp its features. Did I know this entity? Was it familiar in some way? Uncertainty clouded my thoughts, but I had little time to ponder this as the figure suddenly materialized before me, holding a skull in its outstretched hand.
The figure spoke, its words echoing in my mind. It was chilling and assertive."I am always here..."
In an instant, the world snapped back into motion, as if a switch had been flipped. But my body was not prepared for the sudden rush of movement, and I was overcome by a wave of nausea that threatened to engulf me.
The world spun around me, and I felt myself falling backwards. Before I knew it, I was lying on my back, staring up at the starry night sky above Barovia. The constellations swirled and danced above me, their patterns distorted by the dizziness that still gripped me.
I struggled to my knees, my head pounding as I clutched at my temples. The world around me swam in and out of focus, and I fought back the urge to retch. But as I took in my surroundings, I realized something odd.
Despite the chaos that had just unfolded, everything seemed...normal. The inferno that had erupted from the campfire was nowhere to be seen, and the flickering lights that had died out with the voice's appearance had returned. It was almost as if the events of the past few moments had been nothing more than a dream.
My brief moment of relief was shattered as my eyes fell upon the shrine to the Rosy Dawn God. In the blink of an eye, the head of the idol snapped clean off, splitting the small golden statue in half. I stumbled towards the wreckage.
With trembling hands, I picked up the broken pieces of the statue, my eyes darting around the clearing in search of any signs of danger. The feeling of nausea still lingered. I brought the broken pieces of the statue close to my lips, my eyes closed as I muttered under my breath."Dawn rises to burn away the darkness... night shall cease when the new day begins... night is no more when you are with me, Morninglord..."
As night fell, my thoughts wandered to a disturbing imagery of flames, shadows, and the looming specter of death. The memories of our time in his tent came to mind, where we shared a moment of warmth and camaraderie, basking in the blissful feeling of nearing completion. However, the tranquility was suddenly disrupted by a sinister force that engulfed the tent in darkness, smothering any remaining light and casting an ominous shadow upon us.
In the blink of an eye, our dear friend fell, his life extinguished by a brutal slash that spattered blood all around us. The sinister shadows showed no mercy, and soon the tent we sought refuge in was consumed by an inferno of flames, choking us with smoke and igniting a primal panic within. My chest heaved with the weight of the moment, but we had no time to process the tragedy that had just unfolded before us. The dark night had come for us, claiming our heads as its prize. Without a moment's hesitation, we rushed out of the blazing tent, clutching our fallen comrade's lifeless body, while the flames raged behind us with an intense fury. I gazed back at the inferno, and in that moment, I felt a deep sorrow and fear set in.
I found myself transported back to the unforgiving desert, where our tent lay engulfed in a raging inferno. The monstrous shadows loomed ominously over the destruction they had wrought, basking in their dark triumph. Amidst the deafening roar of the flames, I could hear her piercing screams, begging for mercy that would never come."Dasya... I'm so sorry..."
I repeated her name over and over, my body no longer my own, lost in a chaotic haze. And then suddenly, the world snapped back into focus and I found myself curled up against the comforting warmth of the temple wall. My faithful brother sat beside me, murmuring prayers of encouragement in a hushed tone.
I'm sorry, my dear. My emotions got the best of me once more.I could not stand it anymore. I could not let it continue. Yet, my actions were futile.I'd be failing my faith's beliefs if I was to stand by. I hope you understand this well. If I return you can scold me....Is that a light once more? I wouldn't expect something so sudden....What...?END OF THE FAVOURED SOUL OF THE DAWNSTART OF FINAL CHAPTER.
THE WEEPING DAWN.Dance upon the stars tonight
Smile and pain will fade away(https://i.imgur.com/cvyxGHO.png)
Death. It was there - waiting for her, the sweet morsel of a cold embrace long owed it's rest. Neither it could traverse to her nor her to it.How many more times, could she keep getting away from this? This was the last time. Her last island - everything else, suffocated and gone in the dark. This is surely what Eloane had succumbed to as well.It was only a matter of time..."... Dawn rises to burn away our darkness""Please be safe, flower. Please..."
"You look lost and alone, Little Light."
"You observant aren't you, Inkis?""It's just like before. Like when we first met. Right here. When your hope was but dim. I remember when I saw you first, Little Light. I wanted everything. I wanted your light."
"You got a light though. You got what you wanted. What else do you want?"
"Your light.
"Your bastion only barely remains. Soon, you'll be with me. Within the mists forever. To become something more then you are now. To be with Eloane."
"I'm not going anywhere with you! Shut up! I'll take my last breathe before I go anywhere with you!"
"Do you want to see her, Little Light? I can show you, Eloane."
...
A figure emerges slowly from the shadows. Behind the flickering light barrier, a familiar silhouette takes shape. Her voice, though recognizable.
"Yeira."
...
"You aren't real. You aren't real. This isn't amusing, Inkis. THIS ISN'T AMUSING!"
"I'll have you soon, Little Light."
"I'm so sorry, friend... I'm so sorry..."
Heavy footsteps resonate through the darkness, approaching from beyond the shadowy figure. They draw nearer and nearer to Yeira's concealed prison.
"You are safe, Yeira. You'll be home soon..."
As the figure's final words fade away, its form melds back into the darkness. From within, another familiar voice reverberates, and a group of figures emerge.
"Yessy!"
Is this real? Am I safe?
The darkness was finally destroyed. Dhimitir was no more. My pain and guilt should have been lifted, yet Inkis took what he desired.
He took my flower...
All I could do was watch and cry as she crossed the gate into the unknown, disappearing forever. Though I received my farewell, closure eluded me
Months have passed, yet I feel as raw as I did on the first night. My tears have dried, but a deep hollowness lingers in my chest.
I can only pray now. O Morninglord, please guide me through this pain and suffering, that I might endure and find peace at the end of my days. May a time come when You welcome me into Your eternal sanctuary..
A time will come for the eternal dawn to break, for You to return and dispel the darkness shrouding this dreadful place.
May Thy Lips Be Cleansed
THE END OF DESERT SAND FEELS WARM AT NIGHT.