Child of Gods Tasks - Second Task: The Lost Gods
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All the Children have been doing their part to collect information on how to find the Lost Gods. Talking to people said to have whispered about seeing them, chatting with the Clergy and just getting all the information they can. One thing they all know for certain is that they are somewhere in the Seat of the Gods. Ren is, of course, with the other Children. Conveniently he mentions, "I was tasked with finding a tome about the Gods some time ago." This tome is dug out of his bag and offered to everyone. This particular group of Children has opted go to Mataya's Fall to search for the Gods while the other Children have split into groups to do what they can to help find the Lost Gods. All the Children are on a mission to find them. Even if not together.
Dressed for travel as she was unsure where this quest would lead them, Lilah arrives much as she did to the city, though perhaps not with so much dust and dirt. She has her bag and some of her art supplies, at least what she perceives as the most useful ones. Who knows when one will just /have/ to sketch something?
Ren's words draw her attention away from studying the cracks and chasms of the ground. She hasn't visited this place other than in passing and she finds the way it's set apart from the rest of the scenery quite interesting. "Oh? I'll have to give it a full read sometime. Are there any notable clues to get us pointed in the right direction?"
<FS3> Tai rolls 1d8: Failure. (2 1)
They must find the Lost.
Ozymandias and the other Children have been hard at work to find clues and information, though Ren's convenient find of the Tome is a good omen in the Archbishop's mind. Thus they travel to Mataya's Fall. Ozymandias looks to the heavens. "Perhaps mother and father may help us." He grips the staff in his hand a little bit more firmly. Lilah's question steals his attention, and he awaits the answer.
Even without today's assignment, Berilys might have come to this place on her own. In fact, this place is sacred and always worth a visit, especially for someone who is worshipping Attia most of all the Gods and Goddesses. Berilys has so far not been affiliated with any of the Children, nor with the task to find the Gods. More than rumors she has not known - until Ren approached her about a special assignment - as a healer, in case things would go awry. Upon spotting Ozymandias, she would have greated him with the proper address, "Your Excellency." As Ren is presenting the tome to the others, Berilys stands at a distance, not meaning to be obtrusive.
Taking to the tome when it is presented, Tai would read and consider the words etched on to the pristine paper as it revealed truths about what they have come to look for. Two gods, bound to each other from the same happenstance, though not the same and perhaps opposing. Literally night and day from each other, yet harmonious after a fashion. And to find them, they must travel below this site where mournful suffering first came to be.
Tai would step away from the Tome as he looked to the others for a moment in silence. "How far does this go...?", he would say aloud, but not to anyone in particular. "...These manifestations of creation and destiny."
"Take a look." Ren encourages Berilys. "All thoughts given are of value. Yuo could give a clear idea where those of us that belong to Gods can not." He flips through the tome until he gets to the end and turns it to Lilah to look for her answer. "Nothing from the Gods is clear." says Ren. The new Santua Prince glances around, studying the possible caverns, "I do believe we just have to try our luck and hope that one of the caverns leads to where we should go."
Lilah looks down at the page, reading the bit about the caverns here. She nods and turns to look between the others. "Does any of you happen to have really good luck? If so, I think you should lead us." She laughs softly, knowing well that luck might not be all they need in the end. Her eyes rest on Tai and she grins, "It would be nice if we could just ask and they would answer directly, being our parents and all, wouldn't it? I suppose that wouldn't be as fun though."
Tome of the Lost Gods
This is a book made from gold that has pristine white pages and white leather bindings. The cover of the book has 'Tome of the Lost' on it it in elegant script that is white. When the book is opened to reveal the white pages it is discovered a story is written upon the pages in gold. It reads:
When Ossian fell to the earth from Larthin's eye, and created night and day another something else was created, a moon at night and a sun. When night became a thing with Ossian's fall and the moon formed a figure came from it, still too dark for some mortals to see what it was. However, the other Gods saw what was a figure emerging from the Moon, another God. As the God started to fly across the sky on luminescent wings, the skies began to light up with twinkling stars. As Ossian stood, bringing the light, the unnamed Moon God started to fly across the sky with luminescent wings, seeming to flee the forming sun. From the sun emerged another figure, pulling the sun up with it and pushing the moon away to follow behind the fleeing Moon God. The sun was so bright that it caused the stars created by the moon God to slowly fade away. The sun God was as beautiful as its counterpart and had wings of flames. The arrival of this God from the sun was missed by many mortals because it was so bright and shining. Before more mortals could see these Gods they fled, hearing only the whisper of Ossian's voice, their father, naming the Moon God Hilal and the Sun God Soleil. These two Gods are, currently, rarely seen by mortals, though there are some who have seen and met them.
On the last page of the book, after flipping through several blank pages, are words that seem like they are instructions.
To find those that are lost, travel to the part of the Seat of the Gods where the Goddess fell and find the caverns to travel even lower. There you will need to make choices. The wrong ones could lead you astray.
Berilys's warm greeting to Ozymandias is not ignored. He looks at Berilys and gives her a warm smile at her respect towars him. "It is good to see you as well." He bows his head to her in equal respect, though he looks to Tai as he reads the book. "Manifestations of creation and destiny? Interesting. Perhaps they represent such things. Together, yet separate. A dyad of Gods, each representing what the other does not." Ozymandias suggests.
"We could clear the caverns if we split up, though it raises the chance of harm and our preparedness towards it." He looks to Lilah. "I can attempt to lead us through the caverns."
Berilys steps forward, encouraged by Ren's words, and takes a look at the tome. After Lilah speaks up, she affirms, "It says here, 'find the caverns to travel even lower', your highness." She offers Ozymandias a shy smile. "I suppose we'll need some light, if we are to go into the caverns?"
Underground Caverns - Mataya's Fall - Seat of the Gods
Speaking with Ren directly now, Tai would ask, "How many caverns are able to be explored from this location? I assume some do not lead anywhere and others have been explored prior, so can we narrow down where to look?" Tai had noticed Lilah observing the cracks and lines of the broken terrain. "Do you see anything, perhaps?" He would ask the woman, knowing she tended to have insight in her perceptions.
Berilys not beingof the children was not a concern for Tai, though his lack of familiarty with her did not lead to prompt engagement. Still, Ren had the right of it, fresh eyes and perspectives could lead to new and better answers. Ozymandias was a known factor, to some degree however. "How might they help on this occassion? Of those here, you may be most qualified to consider what the divine wills are expecting." Lilah's thoughts on the matter were more grounded as usual though. "The humor of the Gods is still lost on me." Tai admits. "Though given the research I have done lately, perhaps they intend to convey their messages through our journey to decipher them."
She nods to Ozy as he agrees to lead. He is one of those types, she thinks, who can always be counted on in that regard. Well enough for her as Berilys's address makes her feel uneasy. "Lost on you, ha!" Lilah chuckles at the play on words, even if it wasn't intentional on Tai's part. He always seems to amuse her without trying.
"Well, let me try something... It might save us some time if it works." She rummages with a hand in her bag for a moment, pulling out one of her books, the "good" one. She flips through the pages, revealing an incredibly colorful interior of what seems to be endless paintings, drawings, and sketches of all sorts of places, people, and things. As she focuses her mind on the cracks and caverns, she lands on a blank page. Using a simple pencil, she begins to draw the lines and shapes before her, looking for something through the page that only she would be able to see if it exists.
"Pick a path then, Berilys." encourages the Santua Prince to the person he's 'hired' as a healer, just in case. When Lilah starts her drawing Ren pauses his 'order' to Berilys to watch her. For Berilys' benefit, since it is possible all the Children have been told by each other about certain things, "She can do certain things." He doesn't go into details on what, as that is Lilah's decision on how much someone not a Child gets told about her as a Lost God's child. "Splitting up can potentially lead to dangerous situations." says Ren, "If we are not together, we can not let each other know what we find and if danger awaits in a certain direction." To Tai Ren says, "It is possible. I have run into explorers who have given me maps of their exploring of the caverns." Said map is pulled out for Tai to look at, X are marked on caverns explored.
Ozymandias nods to everyone. It's nice to have people's confidence. "I will try not to let you all down." As for light, Ozymandias will lift a hand and attempt to condense electricity into his palm until it's the shape of a small ball that may spark and crackle. Enough concentration to produce light as they head into the caves. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a lightning bolt!
That would be bad.
He looks at Ren. "I agree." To answer Tai. "Uncertain. Though something tells me there is a secret hidden beneath these hills and through the caves. Let us hope we can discover what the caverns hide...what the tome is helping us to find." Though Ozymandias chuckles. "That is how the Gods speak. Often in riddles, but always in good faith. We will honor them by following the path they've laid." and with that, Ozymandias looks to Berilys. "Choose wisely. I will go where you choose." and with that, Ozymandias begins to walk!
Berilys looks towards the caverns when Ren tells her to pick a path. But it is Ozymandias who conjures a source of light, and so when he starts to walk she hurries to his side. "What about the entrance over there?", she suggests, pointing out a dark hole in the rocks.
As Tai is granted a map with certain locations explored previously marked upon it from Ren, he bows his head in a nod of appreciative respect before coordinating it with Lilah's efforts. Hopefully it would allow whatever might be seen to be focused on potential routes. As Lilah concentrates on her depiction of the area and Ozymandias leads the way Berilys is suggesting, Tai comments to both Ren and Lilah, "Perhaps luck will guide the way after all. Or perhaps we can refer to it as intuition when the tale is recorded.", he then smirks at the idea.
As she finishes drawing, the sketch springs to life. To her it's full of color, but otherwise, it's just drawn with pencil and looks pretty ordinary. Lilah makes a soft "oooh..." noise and lifts her eyes just as Berilys points to an entrance.
"You must be quite blessed by the Gods, Healer, or have a very deep insight. Where you picked leads to the center of life for this place. Well, what remains of it. Or, maybe Ren is the insightful one and knew who to pick? Who knows?" She closes the book and tucks it away, falling in step beside Tai with the others as Ozy leads with his lightning.
When the path is chosen Ren follows along behind everyone, his expression pretty unreadable. He doesn't seem overly concerned. Into the caverns they go to begin their search. The caverns are quite confusing but, for such things, they are quite lovely. The group is going to have to put a bit of effort into figuring out just where to go (Everyone: +roll tracking or perception. Feel free to pitch an alternative roll if you think it would work)
<FS3> Ren rolls Tracking: Good Success. (8 1 1 8 1 1 4 7 1)
<FS3> Berilys rolls Perception: Great Success. (1 4 1 7 8 1 7 4 7)
<FS3> Lilah rolls Perception: Embarassing Failure. (1)
<FS3> Tai rolls Perception: Success. (8)
<FS3> Ozymandias rolls Perception: Embarassing Failure. (1)
Ozymandias and Lilah basically flounder about and get lost. Luckily the rest of the group, especially Berilys, is able to find them because they hear the calls of the two lost Children. Along with finding Ozymandias and Lilah, who stumbled pretty close to where they need to go, the group finds an unexplored path that leads quite deeply into the cavern.
Labyrinth of the Lost - Underground Caverns - Mataya's Fall - Seat of the Gods
Ozymandias listens for Berilys's suggestion, and when she finally gives it? "An excellent suggestion." the Archbishop agrees and heads in that direction. "I like the sound of intuition, though I suppose any story requires a good bit of embellishment." He teases. Though Lilah's map is well done. "A wonderful trick." He tells her with no small amount of impressed touching his expression. Though he starts to get a little slower.
"I wonder if there are natural light sources in this cavern. Though...I must say, I have no idea where we are going. I may require extra help."
"Prince Ren told me to pick, and here we are," the healer replies with a humble smile. "It is a wild guess. I'm not aware of being particularly blessed?", she replies to Lilah. As Ozymandias lights the way, she looks around in wonder, once they find the garden in the center of the labyrinth.
At first the Labyrinth is nice, calm, almost friendly feeling despite the complexity of it and the statues that don't allow people to pass. It doesn't seem like the few people present are a threat. They, at first glance, seem very friendly. That quickly changes as the faces of the miling about people become more sinister, "Just what we bee waiting for." says the 'leader' of the group. "We knew some of you would eventually come once e found this place. A place only those with the Blood of Gods can pass has to be filled with riches." It is no small group and by the stat of the labyrinth entrance, they have been camping out for some time. Clearly they have found their way to, at least,t he center of the labyrinth.
The flow of destiny need not a map apparently. Another small smile touches the lips of the Luminat Noble. Their winding trek was one he paid particular interest in and it almost caused him to miss the route being led by Ozmandias and Berilys. Once they came upon this hidden chamber with a spectrum of colors bathing the area in a nearly iridescent glow. The guardians that towered beyond the area meant to rest and consider the task before them wete noted... as were those who awaited them.
They would announce their intent as Tai did no such thing, stepping forward and shfting his weight as he calmly took them in, though not reacting before the rest.
Lilah smiles at Berilys's humble remark. "Maybe, maybe not. There is a lot we find out about ourselves when we challenge our limits."
As they come to the maze, her steps slow. She is generally not the type to rush into a fight and these people do not look very friendly to her. Best leave dealing with this to the experts of blades and elements as she sees no reason to capture their likeness.
"A spectacular guess all the same." Ozymandias looked around at the walls. He knew the mystic tongue, perhaps he would find something here that would give a hint as to what the Gods intended for this place. Though it was a small surprise as they approach this hidden chamber with a spectrum of colors, Ozymandias ceases his lighting and he seemed to pant a little. "Holding that was...taxing." He didn't seem exhausted, thankfully, but it took a toll as all magic does.
Yet he sees the guardians that towered and he looked at them. "What wonders are these?" He questions curiously, his eyes in wonder as he held his steff a bit tighter. Hopefully they were not hostile.
Berilys had hoped for things to go smoothly. But then again, why would she have been hired if there wouldn't be some risk for some trouble at least? When she sees the armed men approach them, she tries to fall back a little, and her hand reaches for the dagger at her belt, not that it would be much use.
Tai would try to step between those who were not prepared for combat and the would be aggressors. He did so slowly, but deliberately as he kept his gaze forward and upon the enemies before them near Ozymandias at the very least. His left hand rested upon the pommel of his blade as he shifted his weight again, slightly bending his knees.
The statues, for the moment, do nothing but block the way. It is the group of bandits that pose the properly. their faces makes it clear they are planning on keeping at least 1 person alive as their prisoner. More if they had it their way. "Come with us quietly and no one gets hurt." Their expressions make that a lie.
At the back of the group he came with is the Choisian Lord. He has gotten his bow prepared, just in case. His hand briefly touches the ring he wears, as if it braced him for battle.
While she had been training a bit in combat, her skills were far from useful in most circumstances. At most, she would get in the way, or worse make herself a complication for the others. Instead, Lilah grips her bag's strap and backs up to keep out of the way.
The battle had begun and just as the terms were laid out, Tai would swiftly move forward, swiping low at the closest bandit, though his blade did not find purchase beyond the armor there. Unfortunately, this left his sword hand exposed as the bandit countered with a twist of his own blade, cutting in to the back of Tai's hand as the flat of the blade luckily catches against the armor of his hand to prevent more damage as Tai steps away, bleeding freely.
This is not her way. To attack others with a blade and do harm. As if to confirm this, Berilys strike with the dagger misses the villain that is moving in on her. Good thing is that the bandit misses her as well with his blade. From the corner of her eye she notices a hit and blood, and her brows furrow, taking note of the strike and noting Tai's hand down on her mental to do list.
Ozymandias narrows his eyes as the fight is on! Bandits had arrived. "You're right. No one will get hurt." He moves his staff forward. "Go." and Ozymandias moves like the wind. Before he was a Luminat prince, he was a member of the Tepes family of Choisi. A martial house. He had a weapon in his hands by way of his staff, but he also literally had a sword up his sleeve.
He lunges forward, blade drawn as the movement of his cloak helped blind, as well as reveal some armor. Old practices die hard. As he moved, his blade strikes at the leader's chest, intending to pierce through his heart and kill him instantly. He was a warrior first, and he reels that back with his mother's love.
He moved like the lightning he commanded...and one must twonder if his robes are red naturally or by blood.
The bandits all go for an attack and don't seem to do well. They miss and all. They are blinded by whatever riches they think thye will get. Ren is seeming to put effort into fighting but not as much as he should since he keeps missing.
The man who was leading them seems to have gone down, after Ozymandias attacked him with his blade. The other bandits are still fighting though.
<FS3> Lilah rolls Reaction+body: Good Success. (7 5 7 4 4 4)
Watching from the back, Lilah is on her toes as the blood starts flying of both enemy and friend. Seeing Berilys go down, she finally acts, rushing forward to pull her from the melee. Her hands moves to try and staunch the bleeding on the healer's chest.
This had quite the other way than she had intended. Berilys should have kept to the back, but here she was, stabbing at one of the bandits. One strike she had taken to the chest, before she realized that she'd have to get away. But too late. Another hit from the broad sword, and she slipped and fell. Fell into a dark void of oblivion, hardly noting how Lilah pulled her away from the fighting.
The Santua Prince mostly misses when he plunks his arrows at people but he does hit often enough he is not a complete mess. Ren creates the idea he is putting all sorts of effort into fighting but, really he isn't.
The bandits, as expected, put up quite a fight. They are pretty do or die. they made that clear from the start, after all.
After taking the wound to his hand, Tai is forced to switch from his dominant hand to his offhand, atleast that is how it seems. Luckily, Tai eas trained in balancing his martial form. Like a still pool of water reflecting back the world around it, he simply mirrored his stance before reengaging his target.
The exchange lasted for some time, and he tried to protect Berilys as she was assaulted by the same target he had chosen. But, ultimately, he failed to do so. Thus, he changed tactics, cooperating with Ozymandias' movements and striking at openings that were left as strikes and maneuvers continued to be exchanged. There were no true critical strikes, but the cumulative damage the enemy took far outweighed the damage taken by the duo of combatants. As Berilys was taken away from the fray by Lilah, Tai found himself able to concentrate on ending the aggressors.
Ozymandias, for an Archbishop, was an excellent fighter. His blade ran red with the blood of his enemies. The leader was killed in seconds, with his blade slicing straight through the heart and killing him before he could much react after an initial swing. Afterwards, the fight was like poetry where Ozymandias was concerned. No strike found its purchase against him as he kept moving.
A bandit was swung at by Ozymandias, his sword hoping to find purchase in the base of the neck. Otherwise, teamwork took care of the rest of the opposition. He worked closely with Tai, Lilah, and Ren to clean this up -fast-. Berilys was incredibly vital, however she suffered a wound!
The Archbishop stood tall and he looked around to see if any more were left.
He turns to see Berilys injured and a few other injuries among the party. "The day is ours. But we have wounded. Who here is skilled in medicine, by magic or by hand?" Ozymandias asked a little tiredly.
An unfamiliar presence fills the labyrinth entrance and the bodies of the bandits burst into flames. Everything becomes unbearably hot but comforting. Though, there is no person or God body present that could have caused it. The flames, though, definitely have a Godly feel to them. It is a good bet it is one of the Lost Gods making their presence known, sort of. For a moment Berilys' body is also encased in flames but these ones, though the same Godly presence, does not feel ending like it did for the bandits. Though she is not healed there is no doubting that Berilys is out of the possibility of risk once the flames leave.
Ren blinks a little at the flames but doesn't comment. Instead he murmurs, "We should move on." When he says that the statues speak, "Answer the ridle to pass." With that, they give a riddle for the people to solve (I haven't thought one up for this time so +roll a specialty you feel would help you solve a riddle. I'm giving you more free range with this roll. As long as you convince it it makes sense, any roll will work).
<FS3> Ozymandias rolls Education: Success. (6 6 5 3 8 3 5)
<FS3> Lilah rolls Artwork: Great Success. (1 1 3 5 3 5 6 6 4 8 7 8 2 2 8 2 5 6)
<FS3> Tai rolls Teaching: Good Success. (1 8 3 4 3 2 2 5 8)
It takes discussion among everyone to solve the riddle. Each guess they attempt in order to solve the riddle seems to be close but no cigar until Lilah makes that 'ping' moment and is quickly followed by Tai then Ozyimadias. Lilah is able to give almost exact solution, Tai is pretty exact himself but less than Lilah. Ozymandias also solves the riddle but it is not as clear cut as the other two. One wrogn word and he wouldn't have.
"Thank you." Lilah relaxes as the heat floods the room, a feeling not so unfamiliar to her, and her prayer is acknowledged. Her head lifts to look to the others as the statues speak. She stays kneeling beside Berilys to tend to the healer, who is safe but not fully recovered, while discussing the riddle with the other three. She makes a connection to a poem she read once which starts to link things together for them.
The bodies dissipate into flame and Ozymandias's eyebrows raise. "...perculiar." The presence that fills the labyrinth feels...unfamiliar. Yet it becomes uncomfortably hot in its comfort. The flames have a feeling of godhood to them. "One of the Lost may be near..." He questions for a moment, though he looks at Berilys's body as it's encased in flame, It is not of ending...
He hears a riddle.
"What is there one of in every corner and two in every room?"
The question earns Ozymandias's full attention. Even as others guess the answers to riddles, Ozymandias says "A letter? O, maybe?" With a little uncertainty while he discusses it with the others.
The blazing heat that washes over them in a way that was oppressive and yet familiar to be within the presence of. Tai covers his eyes a bit, shading him from the all encompassing radiance. As the light subsides a bit and the true test begins, Tai considers what is being asked of them. It was an obscure riddle to be sure, purely referential and thus the context had to be considered. Once a frame of refernece was agreed upon, it then just took a bit of wit to resolve. .... .....
When the riddle is solved the statues shift to the side to and open the 'entrance' into the abyrinth for everyone to traverse though and get to the other side. The maze is very complex to get though. So many twists and turns (+roll tracking to get to the middle, or +roll tracking-2 to go straight to the end).
<FS3> Lilah rolls Tracking: Embarassing Failure. (1)
<FS3> Taya rolls Tracking: Good Success. (8 7 8)
<FS3> Tai rolls Tracking: Failure. (6)
Lilah looks up from Berilys's form as the statues shift, silently wondering at the magic used to give life to this place. She seems hesitant to leave Berilys though, wavering. However, with the help from her God-parent to heal the brave woman, she finally decides that she is protected enough here. Rising, she follows after Tai, looking to the others to guide her as she is surely to be lost in such a labyrinth of twists and turns.
It was unfortunate, in Tai's eyes, that the riddle itself was merely the beginning of what was to come. The fact that combat had ensued and the party had suffered some damage and set backs due to this was of course not part of the design for this journey, at least not overtly, but the riddle obviously was. This maze as well must be part of it too, and it was not easy to traverse. A lack of reference to what direction to take or even what the ultimate goal would look like caused Tai to meander just slightly less than Lilah would end up doing. Luckily, they were not the only ones paving the way forward, so there was hope yet.
Confident that she can lead the way through the maze, no matter how they all ended up here, Taya motions to the others to follow. "This way, I think," she says, and she seems quite gifted in making her way through. "No, turn left here. Then another left. We just need to keep moving this way."
Tasks from the most petty and selfish of Gods is never easy. This is well known about his personality. He is, after all, one of the more difficult Gods to appease. It is rare for him to do anything for people without personal gain. The maze area gradually darkens, the indication he is making his presence known. Where the entrance to the maze is a black tunnel appear s and through it the plains of Seat of Gods and part of Luminat Kingdom. Taya is basically shoved though by Larthin's little Shadow minions. It seems the petty God wants, at least, two of his Children present and he picked his current favorite.
When they start goin through the maze they twist and tur in the exact directions Taya gives. Two of the statues have moved to protect Berilys and a soft unfamiliar chill fills the air. Though, Tai might find it vaguely familiar as one of the Children of the Lost Gods. Tai hasn't done a prayer, nor has Taya, Ozymandias, or Lilah so Berilys must have met some sort of condition to get the attention of the Lost God. A white beam spreads over Berilys and she is placed on the other side of the maze to wait for the rest to join.
Upon their arrival at the center of the maze they find themselves in the visible garden. A genderless voice starts to tell the tale of the very First Child of Gods, it is clearly not speaking of Kamala. There is no name or gender said about the Child. It speaks of the person having to face all their tasks alone, as at the time this Child was the only one. There is no great details about each task but many about how the Child asked many for aid with little concern for pride. The story also tells of the Child's life before growing up. What is not told is whether this Child ascended or not. A lean for the mortals might be towards 'likely not' since until the Lost Gods were brought up, there was no mention of more. Though, there is also a chance that if the Child ascended they did not want their name whispered as a God, much like the two Lost gods.
When the voice stops and the pages of the book stop turning the book is found to be on the last page where a phrase in Mystic Tongue is found (You can understand it if you have the mystic tongue. You can offer a prayer to the Gods to learn it or ask someone who does).
"Thank you for guiding us, Taya. I would have been lost in there forever if it weren't for you." Once they arrive and the voice begins telling of the first Child, Lilah quietly wanders around the garden as she listens. Her face shows the emotions she feels while listening to the tale, one of concern and awe, thinking of someone like themselves alone in doing all their tasks. But perhaps not entirely so with the Gods to guide them. As the voice stops, she stops wandering to look upon the book and the language she doesn't know. Perhaps it is something like what wad relayed to them before.
It was imperceptible, and yet it still was almost felt that the darkness surrounding them some how had sway on the way Taya moved forward with confidence. Nudging just that little bit, but perhaps it was the blood loss from Tai's wound. He squinted a bit and rubbed the loose cloth he'd tied around the wound before noticing that behind them a bright light shown. It was not like the one before, pale and white and more subtle to behold even a glimpse of. In a strange way, comforting, but in a distant fashion, like being watched over more than bathed within. He furrowed his brow as they continued on, his mind contemplating just what they were doing here ultimately and the way the Gods had been interacting.
It took but a moment for him to decide that if these were the two lost, and some how Lilah and he were related to this, that the second presence had something to do with him. As they arrived and begin to hear of the tale of the first child, Tai would close his eyes and bow his head slightly, both listening intently and also... giving greater consideration to the fruits of this journey. Languages he did not know that held key pieces, the ultimate fate of humanity and the Gods. A lot was at stake. He would take a bit of time to ask for assistance for the first time he could recall.
<FS3> Ren rolls Tracking: Failure. (1 4 4 3 4 3 6 2 2)
I am glad to help. It is important that we work together, to use all of our talents, to please the gods. I will not disappoint," Taya declares with confidence and a measure of ferocity, as if she rather might be a bit ruthless herself. She listens to the story and she looks to the book to read the phrase.
Looking from the passage, Lilah lifts her head to glance between the others there. "Are any of you able to read this? I feel that it might have some clue as to what we're expected to do from here."
Ren observes, "Seems our blood is neeeded to find them. Shall we proceed to the end of the maze or discuss what it could mean?" He seems inclined to just move on. In his mind the solution is obvious. Though, he does not force the issue and lets everyone decide.
Should they decide to proceed and discuss possibilities along way, they still have more confusing maze to go though but it is easier than the start was (+roll tracking + 1). Seems the challenge was the getting to the middle more than getting to the end. At the end is a long dark tunnel that seems to have a blind of crystals, vines, tree roots, black shadows, and beams of moon and sunlight blocking it. Though, they seem to shimmer briefly when any of the Children get close. A note, if Berilys was asked, she would likely say she sees nothing since this entrance is only visible, until opened, to the Children.
<FS3> Taya rolls Tracking+1: Failure. (3 2 5 4)
Having heard the words of the divine from two sources at this point, Tai blinks at what he has come to understand. The hidden nature of the Gods was temporary, perhaps waiting for the right time and the right people. It is likely that time and fate simply worked differently for the gods and was less linear or immutable for them. The perspective of mortality skewed the way that those venturing for the truth could attempt to understand. "I... think I can." Tai would state as he concentrated on the text a bit more. It was as simple as Ren had put it though, they simply needed to press forward from this point together. "Our answers lie ahead, one way or another. We will only have philosophy and conjecture here." Tai would state as he'd begin to step forward towards what ever end may come.
<FS3> Tai rolls Tracking + 1: Failure. (1 5)
<FS3> Lilah rolls Tracking + 1: Failure. (2)
<FS3> Ren rolls Tracking: Good Success. (6 6 5 1 5 3 7 4 7)
"I presume that we get to the end of this labyrinth and then we pray," Taya replies as she leads the way confidently into the maze. She seems less certain of herself this time, narrowing her eyes slightly as they walk, and at one point, she makes the party pause so that she can focus. Afterwards, the path seems very clear, as if someone gave her the key to the labyrinth, and she leads without error.
"Well, I'm certainly more willing to try praying before spilling blood. There was enough of that earlier... Though I will do what is necessary to progress our mission in the end, if that is what's needed." Lilah follows them blindly, hoping that they will be able to find the way out as well as in, as she is hopelessly lost and can't recall which direction is which any longer.
When they approach the blocked tunnel that, currently, can only be seen by the Children of Gods the path quakes a little in their presence but does not move, yet. The path seems to be waiting, as said, for them to do what they are to do. Offer the prayer to go through the tunnel to what is likely the falls being spoken of.
When everyone has said their prayers, including Berilys, Ren, and Ozymandias, the 'gate' pulls away one at a time. First the shadows, then the crystals, then the flowered vines, then the tree routes, then the moon beams and finally the sun beams. Considering how each God presents their arrival, outside the Lost Ones, it is a good bet the 'blocking pieces' split according to the Order of the Gods. Though the tunnel the group goes to discover themselves at a rather unique waterfall.
Hidden Waterfall - Underground Caverns - Mataya's Fall - Seat of the Gods
Upon enter the room at the end of the tunnel it is found to be glowing white and just starting to shift to Gold. At the moment they are unaware of it but it seems it is dawn outside. In the 'living quarters' sits two figures that look neither female nor male. One has a white glow and the other a gold glow. The glows have the feel of gods to them and strongly resemble the glow from the orb necklaces that help identify the Children when Tai and Lilah were found. Bothe Gods glance to the arrivals, in unison. "They are here." says the one with the golden glow. "My daughter." they smile to Lilah and the white glowing god is more distant. They do get the smallest of smiles that is given to Tai. Though the Moon God doesn't speak, it is hard to miss the feeling of affection towards Tai. After 'greeting' their children the two Gods focus on the others presence. It is the sun God that speaks, "THank you for finding us. We wanted to leave but Larthin decided this way would be more entertaining. I leave at dawn and Hilal leaves at dusk. We do not often get to be the two of us. I am Soleil."
Lilah closes her eyes and prays once they reach the blocked tunnel to discern her parent's desires in the matter. Comforting heat washes through her being in response and she hears, or rather feels, the answer. She opens her eyes just as they begin to be pulled to the space beyond.
What they see causes her head to tip back in wonder at the gravity-defying water. This must be the center of life that revealed itself to her in her drawing of the deadened area above. Her gaze lowers to rest on the Gods, a smile breaking out on her face. Perhaps she should feel completely awestruck, but instead Lilah can't help but feeling entirely comfortable in this place as if all the pieces of a lifelong puzzle have finally snapped together in meeting her parent like this. More than just a feeling, a presence.
"It's good to finally see you so clearly," she beams at Soleil. Her gaze moves to Tai's parent, curious about the relationship and nature of the pair and what it all has to do with she and Tai being connected.
Ozymandias was here. A little bit silent and perhaps unhelpful, but here. He witnesses the arrival of the gods and Ozymandias's eyes widen and he kneels in their presence. Larthin was petty indeed to trap them in this place. He says nothing, struck into wonder from silence
Placing his hand upon the rocky barrier that quaked at their proximity, Tai would beseech the entity he was bound to for entrance just as the others did in their own way. The gathered aspects of the Gods would dissipate one by one as the collective prayers were answered and the waterfall was revealed. a restful place full of imagery, but lacking substance they would find. The truest things within the area seemed to be a duo of god beings. Tai observed them both, but his attention focused on the second God who did not choose to greet through words. Tai would choose to bow, both good and wounded hand by his side as he bent forward slowly in reverent greeting.
As he raised his form, he would say, "The Sun and Moon... Soleil and Hilal, that is. Resting together here and now at the whim of Larthin so that they may be found simultaneously. And with them, the story of another. The first child. Still yet to be found if ascended. Are you both here to guide the way, or just to finally be known?"
Hilal studies Tai a moment, frowns slightly, then moves close and passes their hand over him. A bit of a chill surrounds Tai and a moon beam pillar of white surrounds him as the bright light fades away, Tai will find that he is completely healed (if you still got code damage, put in a request so I can get Ceres to show me how to clear it). The frown fades from the quieter God and Soleil smiles to Lilah again, "It was not time for you to see me. Now it is and for Tai to see Hilal. You are our children. I was born from the sun and Hilal from the moon." as the book said about the actual twin Gods. "You guys can stay and learn what we can tell you."