Child of Gods Tasks - First Task: The Transformation of the Second Child
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Liam found himself visited by Larthin one morning while Liam was having a meal with Essa. Well, Essa was more behaving as a servant than really eating. As she does. The petty God just suddenly appeared in a chair opposite of Liam. "Liam, my darling son." he greets, "You're going on a journey to the mountains. Off with you." That is all Liam gets from Larthin before the God snatches food off his plate and disappears.
For Kelvin it is a bit more chaotic, confusing, and the godly feel involving his message is both familiar and unfamiliar. It is clearly not one of the known Gods but he knows it is a God. This God just gives him images throughout the day until he feels obligated to go and find Liam, as they often involved the Child of LArthin known as Liam. It also involved going to Blessed Light Mountain Range.
Essa just seems inclined to go where Liam decides to go, as is tradition for her.
Liam blinks as his father appears, there is look to him when he calls him his darling son, he leans back in his seat as he eats some food off his plate. He watches Larthin, "But..." before he can get it out his father has vanished..."Essa..." he pushes his seat out and looks to" Seems we are going on a trip." he sighs out looking to Kelvin.
Kelvin's difficulty on this day was not whether to follow the visions, but interpreting them correctly so that he could follow them as they are intended. Unlike previous visitations, which were clear and concise, driven with purpose, this one leaves him feeling scrambled as though he were not the intended target, but rather intercepted bits and pieces of various visions meant for others. The feeling of them is not the same as with those of others, but he makes a crude list of what he can remember and tries to puzzle out what they are intended to mean.
What he takes from the visions he can piece together is Liam the adopted sone of the King of Santua. Kelvin is familiar with this particular child, having been notably adopted into his own kingdom's royal family. That was where he would start, unsure of how difficult it might be to find the man or convince him that he intercepted a message from one or more Gods.
Opening a portal, he steps lightly into his base in Santua and hustles to the palace where he requests an audience with the prince regarding a message from the Gods. He waits patiently, hood back and presented for service, for some kind of response, assured by his people in the city that the prince was there.
Liam looks to Kelvin nods his head, "Come." he is standing near the table with a cup in his hand taking a sip, there is a smirk on his lips as he looks over to Essa then back to Kelvin as he comes into his living space. "Yes?" he says simply looking to the man as he moves to pick up another bit of few and chew it as he rolls his shoulders some.
"I will prepare my lord." she murmurs quietly to the prince and does exactly that. She does it in short order, as she is long since experienced to know what to take along for Liam. Once prepared and Liam is ready to depart they do to meet up with Kelvin. Kelvin and Essa get Larthin's voice in their head 'If Liam dies, you guys will pay the price. Assure my son survives.' It is not a request from the petty God. Gods knows what price Larthin will extract if his son dies. It is Liam that Essa looks too,"Are you ready to go, your highness? To where bidden? She has arranged for horses so that travel is short. There is even mortals who are skilled in amplifying the speed of animals arranged. Essa is thorough in her duties.
Kelvin begins to Liam with something that might resemble a bow. His head ducks down and he steps back to almost kneel with his left arm across his abdomen. It look like a very strange variation of one anyway. "My lord, I believe I have received some kind of communication from the Gods. I have had direct communications with them recently so I am somewhat familiar, but this I do not understand. It has something to do with the Blessed Light Mountain Range, but I do not know what. I do believe, however, that I may be of some assistance as I have been to the Gods in the past."
He falls quiet again, leaving it at that when he hears Larthin in his head. He gives a nod to know one in particular and clarifies with finality, "Larthin in particular wishes me to assist."
Liam looks to Essa as she gets things ready for them, he nods to Kelvin, "Then come, I believe Larthin has a reason for me to go." he kind of rolls his eyes, "Let us go then, shall we?" he smirks downing the rest of his cup. "If he wants you to assist then so be it." he nods looking to Essa, "Yes, I am ready."
Ozymandias has arrived.
To Kelvin, "I have arranged a horse for you as well. They are picked to suit people who can't ride and those who can." Off to the arranged horses the little servant moves. She assures Liam is helped onto his horse then Kelvin. Once they are situated she also gets on her horse and gives the 'order' to the horse 'blessers'. Once everything is sorted and they are off it takes very little time to get to the mountain range. Essa arranged a fair bit of speed for the horses. "Do you sense any direction?"she asks the two men. Liam would feel a pull that guides him deeper into the mountains. Towards the most dangerous parts of the range.
Ozymandias has his sleep disturbed by Mataya and her flashign concerned images about Liam. Ther Goddess clearly wantsOzymandias to join the three current adventures. However, it is Ossian that turns out to transport Ozymandias. Well, sort of. A white stag is waiting for the Archbishop to take him to join Essa, Kelvin, and Liam. Once Ozymandias has mounted up the stag runs to join the group. It is a bit off that Mataya was the one bidding Ozymandias to join but it is Ossian that brings him. Mataya is pretty flashy when she wants people involved. It is an indication that there could be something wrong with the Goddess.
The Archbishop had slept so soundly.
Yet his dreams are disturbed by his mother. THe Second awakens her scion and his eyes open, thunder sounding as Ozymandias awakens, as if to herald him. He flexes his fingers as he rises, reaching for his red robes and as he descends through the temple, he sees the White Stag that awaits him. His hand reaches for his bow and a quiver of arrows.
"Yes, mother."
And swiftly, he mounts the stag, which takes him to Essa, Kelvin, and Liam. While he considers it strange that his mother's hand is directly involved in this, he doesn't question it. When he appears before the others, a steady chill is exerted from him upon arrival.
"Hello, my friends. It appears the Gods bid me join you."
Kelvin goes along quietly, not offering more than he was asked. It was different to be doing this in the presence of a Santuan royal and so he does his best to keep watch as they ride. He wasn't going to countermand any orders made but the danger was already noted specifically. He twirls daggers between his fingers idly as they ride along, never knowing what to expect.
When Ozymandias appears on a stag, it is unexpected but not surprising. He greets him with a firm nod and a quick, "Welcome, Archbishop," then his attention swiftly returns to scouting the roads. He was still nervous of what might be encountered after his last mission from the Gods and ruled out nothing. He watched the roads, the trees and even the skies.
Liam nods his head, "It seems the Gods want everyone on this adventure." he rides with the others, he looks like maybe he is really not wanting to be on the back of a horse. He rather be sitting back in his room eating. But alas he is here on horse back heading for a Mountain for who knows what.
The group goes further and further up the mountains. Eventually the horses, as they are not Divinus trained horses, have to be left behind. Once they are pretty close to a mountain peek Liam will feel a pull towards a narrow cavern. It is very dark and unsettling by just the entrance alone. Weird sounds come out of the cave bu thereis no doubting that the cavern is where they need to go. Essa is just quietly pulling a small cart with some extra stuff, in case they need to camp for the night. she is slower than the rest due to not being the strongest. She has stuff for camping, though. Just in case.
Bowing his head softly, Ozymandias was ever a servant of others, despite the good fortune he has received in life. He greets Kelvin with a smile. "Thank you." And then to Liam. "So it would seem. The First seeks a greatness for you. It would appear as though we are to assist you in such. Let us be wise in our journey..."
He looks up. "And understand the benevolence that is sought for you." He remarks to Liam, and soon enough, they dismount the horses. He keeps his bow in his hand, in the event that they will need it. Magich as, at times, been strange on such journeys.
"Trust your instincts." He tells Liam, before he turns to Essa. "May I help you?"
Kelvin scouts ahead, his eagle eyes making surer that whatever is in the mountains doesn't get the drop on them. How they might fight what is there was a different story they would have to figure out later, but not being taken by surprise was a big step in being on the right side of that outcome. He sneaks up ahead, disappearing at times, trying to not to be seen first by anything else that may be hiding.
He reappears at regular intervals, explaining, "There is a place in these mountains meant for the two of you," nodding respectfully to Liam and Ozymandias. "I've heard of it and have approached, but never entered." There weren't many places of interest he had not heard of or been to by now. "Perhaps that is where we are meant to be."
Before heading off to scout again, he falls back towards Essa when Ozymandias offers to help. "If you wish to leave that cart, I can retrieve it for you later. No need to struggle." He adds belatedly, and pointedly, "It isn't the quietest... And the more eyes looking out for trouble with hands ready for defense the better."
Liam gets off his horse, looking around. But something is off, he closes his eyes rolling his shoulders. His eyes open again, his eyes looking over to a cave, "This is the place." his steps turn him in that direction, almost like he has no choice in the matter. He looks to those with him, then back at the cave as they get closer.
"Ah..I couldn't put you out like that, Archbishop." says Essa quietly to Ozymandias. At the suggestion to leave the cart she turns her attention to Kelvin 'Oh no I couldn't leave it behind. It has things Prince Liam needs." For little Essa, it seems, Liam's needs come before anything. She glances at the prince in question, in case he wants her to leave the cart as suggested. When they get to where they need to be Essa, at least, is willing to leave the cart outside the cave. Once everyone is ready they can enter the dark cavern. The sound of dripping water, their feet, and the wind blowing through the cavern echoes hauntingly. On the ground, not to far into the entrance, s a torch that could be lit for light, if they haven't sorted out their own already.
Told that she couldn't put him out like that, Ozymandias shakes his head. "Nonsense, my friend." He approaches closer to Essa, a kindness in his eyes. Though his warmth shifts to look upon Kelvin when he reappears, nodding to the man. "I see." He looks out towards the mountains. "You have shown us great espect not to enter those grounds until today. Though I fear it will be required of you in the support that you bear."
He nods at Essa. "Come." He turns to Liam, as if to encourage him to extend the invitation. Yet, as Liam invites them, Ozymandias follows behind him.
Kelvin gives Essa a nod and doesn't argue, allowing the attendant to move on. He tilts his head slightly to Ozymandias and confesses, "I think instead it had more to do with the cost of angering the Gods was not worth the curiosity that would have been satisfied, but it is an honor to be able to show respect all the same, regardless of the reason." He flashes a small smile and returns to his task of scouting out ahead.
He keeps in the shadows which is very easy now and goes without lighting a torch, instead favoring the darkness to creep about in. His eyes could make out images better than most in the darkness and the light of the others' torches was more than enough for him. He twirls his dagger in his hands idly, keeping his fingers busy while his senses take over. Skirting the edge of the cave, he makes sure the way is clear for Liam, counting traps among the dangers he watches out for.
Ozymandias has partially disconnected.
Liam says, "+log/shop log""
As the group enters the dark cave it becomes eerily quiet, only their steps echoing. At first the torches work fine but as the group gets deeper they flicker out and the echo of their steps disappears. Ozymandias is the first that seems to disappear from the rest of the group. Did he accidently take a wrong turn since he didn't have steps to keep him aware of the others? The darkness doesn't really make it clear what happened. Next it is Essa who disappears. One minute Liam feels her hand lightly on his arm to help guide him in the dark, the next her gentle touch is gone. Did she trip? Did someone use magic to transport her? No one knows. Finally, it is Kelvin who disappears. OR was he the first? It is very hard to know what happened to Kelvin as he does 'disappear' in the shadows very easily. Sure, it is hard with Essa and Ozymandias but more so with Kelvin. Liam isn't sure how he knows they have al disappeared he just knows they have. The pull to find wht draws him is stronger than the desire to find his companions. They are likely okay, right?
Liam reaches out when Essa's touch leaves his arm, "Essa...Essa...." he whisper out into the darkness, breathing deeply worried for her he attempts to try and stop and find her. But its not working his feet continue to walk forward.."Gah." a grunt comes from him as he continues to press on further into the darkness.
Though the darkness Lim finds himself continuing the silence deafening. It seems like hours later, but likely ten or so minutes at most, a light starts to show at the end of the cave. It doesn't seem to get closer even as Liam walks towards it. It is like it is mocking him, taunting him. When it finally seems to get closer Liam finds that his steps are suddenly over air. A pit. Down he falls into it. Loose rocks fall from where he stepped off into air. It is quite the long fall.
Liam grumbles the entire time that he is walking, this was not what he wanted his day to be like! This was not what he was planning for, but then after a few steps he blinks something wasn't right! "Essa!!!" he cries out as he starts to fall, he tries to get himself close enough to the edge to try and grab on to slow himself down or stop!
The Santuan Prince hits the ground but, thankfully, it doesn't seem to have hurt him beyond a few little scratches. Before him a miniature version of himself appears. He can't be much bigger than Tinkerbell would be. If even bigger. The small sprite tilts his head, "Clumsy, aren't we?" says the little guy with a laugh. "And you are a Child of the First God? You must be a disappointment." mocks the little sprite, clearly trying to provoke Liam. Perhaps the fates of Liam and Essa are intertwined because beside the sprite prince appears a little Essa and she quietly dips her head. Away from him she glances then to her prince she looks and at his nod she moves around the pit bottom to light torches, bringing light to the room. Liam's Essa is strapped to the wall, unconscious. The sprite-Essa moves towards the full sized her but is blocked by something and she gives a sad look to both Liams. "We can't save her, 'Prince' Liam. You can, though." says the sprite, "I wonder, will you save just yourself or Essa and your companions too?" Under the 'real' Essa the ground disappears and she hovers over a bottomless pit. The only thing stopping her is the bindings that secure her to the wall. Those don't look like they will last long, though. "Would you put your life before others? No one would be surprised or blame you. After all, you are the Child of Larthin."
Liam growls at the small sprite as he picks himself off the ground dusting himself off, "I swear if any hard comes to her or to them." he moves to where Essa is hanging over the pit, "I swear, if you harm her!" he spins on the mini me.."What do you want! " he looks at his long time assistant a deep frown on his face forms.
It is the sprite Essa that responds to the question, "He is you, you are him, your highness." Her tone is exactly as respectful and gentle as Liam's Essa. "An aspect, perhaps? I am an aspect of her." The small Essa tilts her head towards the bound Essa. "Those not Children do not typically have a sentient aspect of them. You and her have intertwined fates. At least that is what I think." Again the little sprite moves to her 'large aspect' but is again blocked. However, this time she gives a cry of pain. Something doesn't want her to get close to where she belongs. The cry draws Sprite-Liam's attention and his face shows concern and he pulls Essa back and behind him before he turns to Liam, "It is pointless to threaten me. My Essa is tied to yours. Would you truly risk her for no reason? As Essa said, I am you, you are me. You should know my response would be the same as yours." Sprite-Liam looks to the dangling Essa, "MY only order was to question you and see how far you would go to protect those you care for." He speaks with mild reverence here which likely means he was told by the First God what to do. "I don't know if putting Essa in danger was part of it or even if it was intended to be real." It is unlikely that LArthin is involved in Essa's danger because he likes to make sure people /know/ he is involved and currently there is no presence of the First God, save for a mild touch, as if he were blocked and trying to get to his Child.
Liam looks to his little me watching him, his eyes squinting then Essa gives a cry of pain, "Essa! " He moves over to the smaller one kneeling down. "Who spoke to you?" he looks to the small sprite, " Who is here? Show yourself I demand it!" he stands up looking around, he tries to move to the large Essa and see if he is blocked from doing so.
When Liam tries to go closer to the dangling Essa he is not held back like Sprite-Essa but he is habit with an unbearable shock of pain. The sprite-Liam winces in pain and he says, ignoring the question for the moment, "Would you risk her for no reason?" Almost grudgingly he says, "You have to answer or I can't help you." He glances to both Essa's then back to Liam, "The binding is tearing. Answer quickly." There is a tone of urgency in the voice of Sprite-Liam now. Sprite-Essa has fear on her face as she moves towards herself once more but alters to go towards Liam instead. She clearly wants to protect herself but, as expected of Essa, no matter if she is a Sprite or herself, she puts her prince first.
he is hit with*
"Augh." he stumbles back wincing, falling to a knee breathing deeply, "NO! I would never risk her for any reason!" he growls through clenched teeth. "I can not let her die!" He stands up again and this time he looks like he may rush to try and grab her before the bindings break. "Help me!"
Both sprites look relieved at Liam's answer. It seems if he hadn't answered quickly things would not have gone well. Forward the pair darts and the little Liam leaps onto the arm of Liam as he reaches for Essa as she starts to fall, "This is the only time I'll be able to dictate what you become. From here on it will be random when you are in danger." the sprite says as he and the sprite Essa fade away. Around Liam and Essa as they fall down into the pit s silver light forms, encasing Liam and her completely. As it fades Liam will notice a tattoo on his arm before he suddenly starts to shift into a winged Pegasus. Liam's might not know what he shifted into but he does instinctively know he is one of Ossian's mythical creatures. On his back is Essa. He is able to easily fly to the top of the pit to set her down safely. Just as he reaches the top Larthin breaks through what held him back. The expression of the First God is thunderous. To think /someone/, or thing, was capable of stopping the First God. Even if for a moment. Was it one of the other Gods? An undiscovered one? A mortal capable of affecting the Gods?
Liam nods his head to little liam as he grabs Essa and pulls her in closer, holding her to his chest. Once he is shifted and fly's her back up to the top placing her down on the ground. If still a pegasus he gently noses Essa on the ground. When Larthin finally breaks through he steps back looking to his father.
The servant stirs a little at the nudging but doesn't wake up yet. She's at least alive and mostly unharmed. The First God flicks his hand, forcing Liam to turn back to being a human. "That wasn't a part of it." says the First God, indicating he was involved with the behavior and questions of Sprite-Liam. It is no secret Larthin is fiercely protective of those he cares for. Vengeful, even. So, he wouldn't put his own Child at such a risk nor someone his Child held close. He moves close and clasps the wrist of the arm that Liam has the tattoo on, staring at the glow for a moment, "You must have answered correctly, Liam. As expected of my Child."
Liam is forced to change and looks to Essa, he breaths deeply seeing she is at least alive. He stands up looking to his father, when he moves to clasp his arm to look at his knew tattoo, "Father, if you were part of this. Who tried to stop it, I could feel the struggle you were having trying to reach here. Who put her life in danger." he frowns seems he has the same view of when people fuck with those he cares about.
"You find out, Liam." says the God. Of course he doesn't give an actual answer. The Gods rarely say directly on matters. "Use it to show them they do not mess with my Children or their loved ones." Larthin turns Liam's hand upwards and into it he places a silver and gold braided bracelet. There is a plaque on it that has a diamond in one corner and illegible words written on it. Perhaps the language of the Gods. "When those you hold dear are in danger their name will write on this bracelet. Along with one or two words to guide you to where you need to go to try and find them before it is to late."
The young prince clasps the braclet in his hand, "I will, I will show them." he breaths deeply looking to the bracelet then to his father. "They will pay." he is angry, he looks to Essa worried.
"I'll send you home. The others as well." Ozymandias, Kelvin, Essa, and Liam all find themselves teleported back to Tranquil City, specifically to Larthin's temple. Just as the shadows that transported them fade away Essa stirs awake. LArthin has no doubt already gone 'home'. The expression of Essa become frantic, "Prince Liam!" Around she looks until her gaze falls on him. Tears fill her eyes, completely ignoring the rather deep cuts and dark bruises she got from her experience. She was out for most of it, "I thought I had lost you forever, your highness. I didn't know what to do."
"Essa.." he kneels down to wrap her in his arms, "Shhh, it is okay. We are back home, its going to be alright I am here." he holds her to him, a frown on his lips. "When I find out who did this, they will pay for it I promise you." He moves to pick her up. "Lets get your wounds cared for."
IT takes a couple sniffles before Essa calms down enough, "I'll support whatever you decide, your highness." OF course she will, Essa has been a servant for Liam most of her life. "I never doubt anything you say." She doesn't struggle or argue with being picked up. She hasn't gotten in the right mind yet to try and behave properly or anything. "They aren't that bad."
Liam shakes his head moving to place her down on a place she can lay down as he moves to gather the items needed to take care of them, "Its alright, just relax and let me do this." he pets her hair and kisses the top of her head. He is sporting a new tattoo and bracelet on his wrist.
A gentle smile is given by Essa to Liam, "As you wish, your highness. I'll always do what you want. OR what you need done." As in unless it is against his best interest Essa will not object to any decision Liam makes. She stares at the tattoo then the bracelet and looks up questioningly.
He comes back over to sit back down, wet cloth, bandages and solve to put on the bruises and wounds. "Essa, what do you remember?" he asks in a soft voice as he starts to gently clean the wounds.