Children of Gods - The Third Child Falls in
|
Word from the Santua King has arranged for a group of people to enter his lands to seek out what could potentially offer information on the Children of Gods. He was not told what nor does he know exactly where it is, just that it is somewhere deep in the forests of Santua Kingdom. It is no surprise that, at least, one person from the Clergy and from the Santua Family are assured to be part of the group sent off to find this possibly item of mystery. A young Santuan woman is sent along as a bodyguard to the royals who can take care of themselves well but that doesn't change the King sends them with a bodyguard. The woman looks to be in her late twenties and she has aquamarine skin, ocean blue hair, and sky blue eyes. She is on the small side for a person from Santua. She is waiting outside the gates of the Santua Palace located in Greenleaf City. She has arranged dire wolves that have handlers that are blessed with magic that enhances the speed of animals. So, the travel to the location will be quick.
It's been quite some time since Valeria last entered the palace of her birth- her home. While she's been active in the lands, as she is elsewhere in the world, she has not taken the time to actually go home to visit her Fathers, or her family.
Still, she was given a task by the Gods and she will not waver- even if it might be slightly uncomfortable. Her love for her family is without doubt, as is her loyalty- but it's no secret she doesn't agree with the path her family takes and has forged her own. She rides easily on the back of the wolf that's been brought, bowing her head in silence to those who have shown their Princess deference as expected of a Royal returning home.
Making his journey along with the rest of the group, Nathan was inhaling for a moment with a faint frown meeting his lips. The heir rarely out in the forests but here he was, sent on a task by father and to aid his younger sister. His cloth wrapped around his body, keeping him warm and protected from the elements. His hands upon the rope of his beast, riding it comfortable while glancing across to his sister. "This seems to have been at some cost but, here we are sister."
Indeed, the clergy was present this day. Dressed in his usual fine red robes, with hints of armor underneath it, Ozymandias appeared at the palace and gave his thanks to the royals for including him in this adventure, for it has been a personal mission for him for some time. Once appearing on the outside of the city gates, the dire wolves cary them to where they must go, and the travel is swift!
Ozymandias has never ridden on the back of a dire wolf before, so it may have been comical and strange to hear him laughing as the travelling occured. When they arrive? Ozymandias takes a look around, tilting his head. "This is beautiful." The scenery, it would appear.
"Indeed, Nathan. You'll need this." Valeria says, as she reaches into her shirt to pull out a charm that looks not unlike a pearl, or other such piece of jewelry. "It will glow when we find the Child of the God." she explains quietly, "It is a gift from the Goddess Mataya, and should be treated as such." She says quietly.
"I'm sure they missed you." Valeria is always quieter at home. Keeping her opinions to herself. She'd rather not upset her Fathers- for both are deeply loved even if the path she's chosen is not, perhaps, the path they'd have chosen for her. "It hasn't really changed, has it?" she wonders, looking over to Nathan. "Everywhere I look a memory of our childhood." A slight pause, "Mostly good. But I do seem to recall at least a few times when we gave one another bloodied noses right over there, where we thought no one would see us settle things 'like proper Santuans."
Valeria smiles back quietly towards Ozymandias, nodding her head. "Welcome to Santua."
The Santua Palace is probably the only building of the Kingdom that is partially in the trees and partially on the ground. The rest are mostly up in the trees. The young woman never speaks a word to the 'party', likely ordered not too. Each person is given a curtsy appropriate to their station and indicated towards choosing their mount. Once that is all arranged they are guided towards deep into one of the less developed forests of Santua. If the young woman was not directly assigned by Kalem to the part it might be a little unsettling to where she brings them, especially when she has not spoken a single word this whole time.Her gaze slides to the necklace that Valeria offers to Nathan then back to the forest with a small frown. She doesn't rush anyone, letting them move at their own pace. She does start to try and somewhat clear a path but the forest is quite dense.
"Mm that's what they said." Nathan is exhaling deep at Valeria's voice as he's keeping up with the group and drifting his grey-green eyes across the lands as they enter further in. A flickered smile to Ozymandias as he echos Valeria's words, "Welcome to Santua. Not much has changed but nor would it for our fair home."
Normally, Ozymandias notices everything. The subtle shifts in a person's body language, their facial expressions, the works. Yet....strangely, he doesn't notice the young woman's frown. Nor does he notice that she has been rather silent, and normally he'd ask questions. But perhaps its part of the wonderment of this forest. The welcome from both Nathan and Valeria, the Santua Prince and Princess, respectively, makes him smile kindly to them. "Your highnesses, you honor me with the warm welcome." He seems to look ahead then. "The path is dense...We may have to try and move through single file."
Valeria, as often is the case, moves to take point- nodding her head in quiet thanks to the guide. "Thank you." she offers softly, just moving to walk forward on the back of the wolf and get closer to whatever destination was their intended final stop. A small kindness, perhaps, but a kindness none-the-less. "be on your guards. There are beasts in all Santuan forests."
Hand tightening on the reins of the beast, Nathan is nodding firmly at Valeria's warning while rooting themselves further into the forests, "And it may not just be the beasts that strike. Who knows what else has called and set up here as home."
The guide dips her head to Valeria at her thanks and steps back to let the Princess take point and take the group through the forest. To one direction her hand lifts to point, indicating that is the way to go. Towards one f the other directions the young woman looks, her expression betraying nervousness about something that way. She still doesn't speak a word. THere is a hint of urgency to her when she looks in the direction that gains a worried expression once more. She starts towards the direction she originally indicated and an unsettling sound comes from the direction of the worried expression. It sounds like something collapsing. As the noise settles there is a faint cry out. It is uncertain if itis human or animal. The silent woman stops and looks back in the direction, seeming to weigh whether to press on or urge for going to check what happened.
"I agree." Ozymandias mentions on the topic of being wary of what may come out of the woods to get out them. Though, as they move on, they hear the cry in the woods, and Ozymandias's expression grows sour. "Something is in trouble." He tells them all. "I will go investigate." He looks at Valeria. "Princess, you know these woods better than I ever will. Will you accompany me?" He looks to Nathan and the guide. "Continue onward as best you can, we can catch up with you. Or you may wait for us. We should not be long."
"You should both go check that out." Nathan's eyes are in the direction of the noise before turning and dragging the wolf-beast on further through the forest. "I will keep this mission moving for father, you should both see to whatever that is."
Valeria nods quietly over to Ozymandias. "Yes, of course." she says as she looks back to Nathan and the others, "Worry not. These forests were where I first learned to fight for my life." she teases the Archbishop as she turns the wolf to move with the holy man. "I'll make sure to run towards the danger if needed. The Wolf should know the way back home, and if you need to go just urge it to go." she says simply, "It'll take care of its rider." The very tall woman assures the man of the cloth. "Very good, Nathan." Val nods quietly to her Brother, the Heir before turning her wolf to walk next to Ozy's.
Ozymandias nods softly to Nathan. "Thank you, your highness. We will return shortly, and hopefully Valeria will keep me alive." He chuckles, teasing the princess. But guided towards the sound of the shout. Hopefully, as Oz and Valeria's wolves walk side by side, they can investigate the source of the noise...and not be too late.
The silent girl gives Ozymandias and Valeria a concerned expression when they make to depart. She gives Nathan a similar look but they have made the decision so the silent woman doesn't try to stop anyone. along side the Santua Heir she moves, letting the Archbishop and the Princess do their own thing with no complaints. The path the silent girl and Nathan take seems pretty safe, if rather slow. They are in a dense forest, after all, so getting somewhere quick, even for a Santuan, is not to be expected.
After getting passed the initial density of the forest Valeria and Ozymandias find themselves in an unnatural clearing. The trees have all topped to the ground and at the center of the unnatural clearing is what looks to be a child but the dense trees surrounding the small clearing and the distance makes it hard to be certain. The 'child' seems to be looking down at the ground, from the tree branch the child sits on.
Valeria frowns, holding up a hand as they approach the clearing. "Something isn't right." she states simply, looking over towards the child from the back of the wolf, calling out. "Yo! Small one! What is this place?"
Valeria's voice carries with a surprising regal authority. She has, up until now, been quiet around Ozymandias- but now, her voice booms like only a royal's could. "It is not what I would expect to see so deep in the forests!" she offers simply, and waiting. She's careful- always cautious. A child may be in trouble- or maybe it's a trap. There are a many dark things in this forest.
Passing further into the forest itself, Nathan's presence with the group continues further away to leave both Valeria and Ozymandias with the noise that was heard. Instead leading the group on behalf of his father through the woods, his gaze and eyes keeping a track of anything that might strike against them.
Nathan has left.
Ozymandias and Valeria move across the densely packed forest, and Oz is stopped by a hand, and he sees what lies before them. "We should take this with caution...this feels wrong, and I'm unfamiliar with this forest." Then Valeria is calling out to the 'child'. "Maaayyybbeee we shouldn't try and aggravate the unknown." Ozymandias suggests. But he's moving forward all the same, his eyes focused on the child.
Valeria frowns quietly as Ozy continues forward- but she has a duty to protect the man. She urges her wolf forward with some level of caution, not trusting this situation at all.
The response of the child can't be heard, it is unclear if it is distance or the voice is just that soft. The branch the child sits on is starting to crack. The crack is very loud, especially since the area is unnaturally quiet for a forest. There is no sound of twittering birds, crickets, flowing water, the rustle of trees and pushes, animals travelling about, nothing. When Valeria and Ozymandias start moving forward they can feel the ground crumbling behind them, giving no choice but to keep going forward. If they don't keep going, things are going to get mighty concerning, if they aren't already. Even the fallen trees are crumbling behind. If one or both of them dare to glance behind it is found to be a deep pit. It is unclear how deep it goes. The crumbling trees and ground fall into it. One wouldn't think they looked mostly alive just moments ago for they look to be dust, at best. The 'child', now it can be seen, somewhat, doesn't look natural for either animal or human. It lets out an unsettling laugh and the pair is sent falling into the pit below. As the pair falls the scent of flowers fills the area. It is so powerful, calming even, that it is clearly not human. However, the scent creates the feeling of protection, even if it doesn't seem to fill fast enough to keep the pair from falling to the ground of the pit. Despite the savior attempt Ozymandias and Valeria are going to find themselves in a world of pain (one of you can try taking the brunt for the other).
Nathan's Guide is still silent as she keeps at his side, head tilted slightly to watch him. Once they are a bit of a distance away from the other two she scurries in front of him to get him to stop. She tries to indicate the necklace given to him by Valeria, her expression question. Perhaps she wants to know what it does. Her and Nathan are held up by this attempt to communicate back and forth. The back and forth doesn't last long before Nathan seens the girl turning around to go back, very quickly, in the direction of Ozymandias and Valeria. He can't keep up with how quickly she is moving.. or does she seem to fade out of existence?
The 'Child' is gone before they can get a clear look at it but one thing they know is that it was not human or a common animal (absolutely setting up for you guys to find a mythical creature in the future).
Valeria and Ozymandias, while falling in this pit, will discover a feeling that their magic is not working properly.
<FS3> Opposed Roll -- Valeria=survival+reaction Vs Ozymandias=survival+reaction
< Valeria: Good Success (5 6 6 5 5 7 8) Ozymandias: Good Success (8 8 3 8)
< Net Result: Ozymandias wins - Marginal Victory
Valeria hadn't been expecting an attack- she hadn't been expecting the world to fall from under them, or the child to disappear. "Shit!" she says, as she leaps from the back of the wolf to tackle Ozy off the back of his beast- if they're falling getting one of these massive beasts falling on top of you was a sure way to die- as they fall, she tries to protect him. TO wrap her arms around him and hold him. "I've got you!" she calls!
The ground rumbles, and Ozymandias is tackled off of his beast before he even knows what's happened by Valeria! "Oof!" Ozymandias grunts as he hits the ground, even as she tries to hold him. But they are suddenly falling into a deep pit! As Ozymandias knows not how far or deep this joke is, he tries to use his magic, but the electricity flickers out! "Damn, Mataya preserve us!" With a bit of pop locking and a roll of his arm, he breaks free of Valeria's mighty grip and rotates them, so that the Archbishop may take the brunt of the fall. "No, Princess, let me get you!" Ozymandias pleads as they fall.
Once Ozymandias and Valeria hit the ground entangling with the floral scent are the brightening prismatic rainbow lights that often announce the arrival of Mataya fills the pit and her cry of 'No!'. It causes the pity to make a shattering sound, as if whatever was causing the magic of Ozymandias and Valeria is breaking with her word. Into view Mataya appears, floating down from just a bit behind the pair. Tears tumble down her cheeks, betraying that both are important to the goddess. Probably for different reasons. Ozymandias is probably obvious to why since he is the Archbishop of Mataya. If it weren't for Ozymandias Valeria would be out like he is. He is breathing still, barely. However, he's not moving. Valeria can move, vaguely, so she can roll off of Ozymandias, at least. It is hard to say if she can do much more. When Mataya makes it tot he pair she touches Valeria lightly to assure she is alive but away she glances, "Can't" she seems to say to no one. Ozymandias is inspected next by the Goddess, "Can." she says this time.
whatever was causing the magic of Ozymandias and Valeria not to work
<FS3> Valeria rolls First Aid: Failure. (2 2 6 3)
<FS3> Mataya rolls First Aid: Failure. (4)
<FS3> Valeria rolls Survival: Good Success. (3 1 7 5 8 1 7)
<FS3> Valeria rolls Tracking: Success. (1 6 6 1 2 1 7 6)
The words are perhaps meant for another who materializes, and in the moment she does, the scent around her grows stronger. A young woman appears beside Mataya, at least she looks similar to a mortal woman with dark long hair. When she takes in the damage, there is a quiver in the air that surrounds her, as Attia lets out a soft sigh. She wears a plain garment of white shimmering fabric. When her golden eyes find Mataya, she nods. Attia looks towards Ozymandias, but her attention then turns towards the young princess.
Valeria frowns as she kneels next to Ozy, looking him over carefully- rolling off to look over to the Goddess- bowing her head. "You old idiot." she growls softly, "The world would not be upset if I was gone, you tend to more people than I do." she whispers quietly- she's met Mataya before, and while it is obvious she respects the Goddess greatly her concern, for now, is for this noble priest who's harmed himself for her good.
So focused is she on Ozymandias, that she doesn't notice the other Goddess appear, preparing as she is to carry this man out, but first... She must endure.
With one arm hanging a bit, she looks to her shoulder before giving it a harsh yank- grunting in pain as a dislocated shoulder is forced back into joint by the powerful woman. She's well beaten, certain she's got a twisted ankle and possibly worse- but now. She will suffer to help this noble man. She kneels to lift Ozymandias, slowly turning to face back towards Mataya gain. "I will get him to my family's castle, it isn't far... I will move with all haste and do all I can to save him....." She pauses slowly, realizing another is here. She again bows her head, "My Ladies."
- BOOM!*
The last thing Ozymandias hears is the cry of Mataya that shakes the foundations of the world. He feels Valeria move off of him, but after that? His eyes drift close, deaf to the words of Mataya, and by proxy, Attia. He lays still, but somehow, he is breathing. A little coursely?
As such, anyone can effect him in any way. He is largely unconscious.
A light touch is given to the arm of Attia. It is unclear if it is for gaining comfort or reassuring the younger Goddess. "Live" are the words whispered in the ear of Ozymandias as she leans into him, her touch lingering still. Valeria is touched, "Stop." she tells the princess, her tone assuring. To Attia she glances and does her rare speaking of more than one word, "You won't make it." The pit trembles with the chain of words, rocks and tumbling down the walls of the pit, breaking free of it due to the fact Mataya is speaking. It is during this that it shows Ozymandias is starting to glow a crimson hue with crystals forming around his body. It doesn't seem like the coffin that the Seer who died got but a protective shield to aid the glow. Both disappear after a moment before he turns out completely healed by Mataya. It is now just him having to wake up naturally.
"There is hope," Attia says, and her voice sounds light and musical, as a smile forms on her features. "Do not fear." She reaches out and her hand touches the bruised shoulder that Valeria set back in place. "Just... breathe. Inhale. I shall take it from you... the pain..." In the moment that rocks start to tumble down upon them from above, the flowery scent turns into more, a protective layer that prevents the debris to hit the princess. "You must not... die." Whereas Ozymandias is protected by the crystals forming around his body through Mataya's will and power, Valeria finds herself wrapped in the comfort and protection that Attia's powers lend her. Should Valeria look she might note that tears are starting to run down Attia's cheeks, as she regards the princess with concern that might stem from a deeper bond.
"No.. it's okay, you need not take from me..." Valeria whispers softly to Attia, "Need not take my pain unto yourself." Despite it being the Goddess who does just that- it is the nature of both, it seems, to accept pain from others. She takes a breath, though, as her body is saved- healed by the Goddess. "Ahn...Thank you, Goddess..." she says then, as that divine power flows through her. Protects her. Saves her.
"I.. will not die." Valeria says, "Far too stubborn." she remarks, offering a kind smile back to Attia, trying to allay her fears. "I must survive. I have not completed my work."
In Ozymandias's subconscious, where storms rage as fiercely and the waves calm in the aftermath. It is always the storm, always the wind and the chill and the rain. Yet, he hears the voice of Mataya telling to live. "I will." Is the reply in his minds eye, answering Mataya's call. The crystal surrounds him, and it heals his body of the multiple broken bones and pain from the blunt force trauma. After a brief moment, Ozymandias's eyes open slowly, and he sees the gods. "Am I dead?"
Ozymandias has partially disconnected.
As soon as Attia fully heals Valeria the orb necklaces worn by Ozymandias and Valeria glows brilliantly, far brighter than it did for the children of Gods that were already awoken. The color of the necklace glow is a dark blue hue, the color seems to have a glimmer of crimson in it but it could be a trick of the eye. The glow is, definitely dark blue though. It only started to shine once Attia saved/healed Valeria. It seems the third Child of Gods was found, unintentionally. The glow of the necklaces reaches up to the top of the bit and links with the necklace Nathan wears, who is at the edge of the pit. At Ozymandias' question Mataya gives a light laugh and shakes her head. She doesn't speak again, though, since she's already pushed the limits of the confined area the group is in. Up towards the top of the pit she points, where the glow of Valeria and Ozymandias' necklace connects with Nathan. Back to Ozymandias she looks and lightly touches his cheek. It is hard to tell but one could almost swear her godly glow is dinner and that she sways when she stands. Trick of the light, perhaps?
dimmer not dinner*
"Me... You?" Valeria wonders quietly, looking then to Attia- eyebrows knitting together slowly as the necklace glows, looking at it- then up to Attia. "Is that why seeing others hurt makes me so... " It's a difficult thing to explain, to say. "Angry... Sad...Everything?" She wonders, her voice so quiet as she speaks to the Goddess so kind. "You... are my Mother?" she wonders then, eyes growing so wide- so surprised to discover this.
She always just thought she was built different from her family. From those who loved her. It's a confusing thing to find out one is related to the Gods... A Daughter of Attia, the youngest of the Gods.
"What do I need to do, then?"
Ozymandias awakens to the laughter of Mataya. "Oh..I'm alive." He sits up then, shaking off the cobwebs. "im happy to have made you laugh, Great Mother." He smiles to Mataya, though notices how she sways when she rises, and Ozymandias rises with her as if to try and stabilize her.
"Mataya...you saved my life." Ozymandias boss at the waist before her. "I am once again forever in your debt." He tells here. Only now does he notice the glow from the necklace, and his eyes turn to Valeria.
"Roght before our very eyes. Princess, you're the daughter of Attia?" Ozymandias boss before the gods - and godchild - present. "I am honored."
"I need to," Attia contradicts, and her eyes widen with that urgent look of hers. "Heal your bones." Perhaps a bone had been broken in Valeria's arm, but it is healing, from the mere touch of the Goddess. "Ah... there..." The dark blue shimmer from the necklace seems to spread until it colors the aura around Attia - or was it the other way around? That Attia's aura is made visible by the orb Valeria wears?
"Yes." It is a simple answer to a question so much more complex, but Attia gives it nonetheless. "You are my blood. My child. You need not do anything. Just... hold still, as I give you my blessing..." She touches her own tear-stained cheeks, and on those fingertips, those tears seem to change. They become darker, and turn red as if they were blood as Attia presses her index finger to Valeria's forehead. "And thus, I bless you, my child. To live. To fulfil your purpose, as one of Our children..."
And do a vital truth is revealed! "A child of the gods can be anyone then...all they require is the awakening.
Quietly, Valeria looks over to Ozy. Then up to her brother above. Frowning quietly. This is.... obviously a surprise to her. She seems a little lost inside herself, bowing her head to Ozymandias. "I'm glad you are healed." she offers softly- before passing her now healed arm towards the man. Whatever pain she felt is clearly gone. She looks back then to her Mother, stepping forward to quietly embrace her. "I hope one day to get to know you better. As a daughter. I've never had a Mother before." she whispers into the woman's ear before stepping away, and looking up. "Nathen! We'll need a rope!"