120 Ashan 720
And so it seemed, Yeva of Rharne had survived.
Pushing through the barrier, remnants of magic clung to the coils of her wild hair, sweat and dust and dried blood painting her clothes and skin, but she had survived. Against odds and circumstance, she now faced Faldrass with breathless accomplishment as lightening crackled between the stones they all so desperately fought for and -
She honed in on the man she was still bound to and she stepped forward, slowly. She could still feel the pain, the soft ache on the edge of her consciousness, the fogginess. And she knew - This was Nir'wei. Him. And as Faldrass required water, her tether closed his eyes to concentrate. And Yeva closed her eyes as well, clearing her mind as best she could to allow him to focus without her own distraction.. It was difficult - she could feel the burning he felt, and knew not what he did. It was hard not to ask questions in her own mind, to keep her feet and hands in place instead of reach out and wish to mend the many broken.
"NOW!"
Brown eyes snapped opened to see the glorious Oasis Nir'wei had summoned and the arrow that exploded the world around them. A brightness flashed and she turned her head, raising a hand to block the explosion of light and wind, dust kicking up once more.
"It is over. You freed me. I am... I am free. Thank you."
Faldrass was now in the shape of a humanoid figure, searching each of them with a question that shocked her.
"This is the Heart of Scalvoris. We will rebuild here. Will you join us?"
Some of them agreed quickly, while others, like herself seemed to weigh the question. What were they rebuilding? "I..." she seemed to notice Balthazar, who looked a mess and needed her help just as much as Nir'wei, it seemed, agree. His white hair was dirty and he clutched his head pitifully, making her wince at the sight. How different he was compared to their other excursions, "I vowed to help Faldrass and my friends," Yeva looked at her team, her acquaintances, and then the other who she did not know personally. Many had not made it to the cavern. No Ari'sora, no Wald, no ChiChi. No Tio Silver. Yeva searched the cavern for little godling, wondering if Cassion had thrown him into a pit or if he had simply abandoned them as he had on the mountain. A flash of conflicted emotion caused her to frown and she crossed her arms. After a moment of silent resolution, Yeva bowed her head, "I will not go back on my word... I've made it this far."
What would her parents think, should they find out how she went through a cave, was nearly crushed and killed, crossed plains of lava on nothing but a thin ledge and now stood before a multitude of great beings? How different this was to the orchards and taverns of Rharne! Yeva lowered herself humbly, "I would be honored to join you... To help you rebuild."
And the wounded, they needed her. With so much lost, it was easy to forget what might be gained.
Pushing through the barrier, remnants of magic clung to the coils of her wild hair, sweat and dust and dried blood painting her clothes and skin, but she had survived. Against odds and circumstance, she now faced Faldrass with breathless accomplishment as lightening crackled between the stones they all so desperately fought for and -
She honed in on the man she was still bound to and she stepped forward, slowly. She could still feel the pain, the soft ache on the edge of her consciousness, the fogginess. And she knew - This was Nir'wei. Him. And as Faldrass required water, her tether closed his eyes to concentrate. And Yeva closed her eyes as well, clearing her mind as best she could to allow him to focus without her own distraction.. It was difficult - she could feel the burning he felt, and knew not what he did. It was hard not to ask questions in her own mind, to keep her feet and hands in place instead of reach out and wish to mend the many broken.
"NOW!"
Brown eyes snapped opened to see the glorious Oasis Nir'wei had summoned and the arrow that exploded the world around them. A brightness flashed and she turned her head, raising a hand to block the explosion of light and wind, dust kicking up once more.
"It is over. You freed me. I am... I am free. Thank you."
Faldrass was now in the shape of a humanoid figure, searching each of them with a question that shocked her.
"This is the Heart of Scalvoris. We will rebuild here. Will you join us?"
Some of them agreed quickly, while others, like herself seemed to weigh the question. What were they rebuilding? "I..." she seemed to notice Balthazar, who looked a mess and needed her help just as much as Nir'wei, it seemed, agree. His white hair was dirty and he clutched his head pitifully, making her wince at the sight. How different he was compared to their other excursions, "I vowed to help Faldrass and my friends," Yeva looked at her team, her acquaintances, and then the other who she did not know personally. Many had not made it to the cavern. No Ari'sora, no Wald, no ChiChi. No Tio Silver. Yeva searched the cavern for little godling, wondering if Cassion had thrown him into a pit or if he had simply abandoned them as he had on the mountain. A flash of conflicted emotion caused her to frown and she crossed her arms. After a moment of silent resolution, Yeva bowed her head, "I will not go back on my word... I've made it this far."
What would her parents think, should they find out how she went through a cave, was nearly crushed and killed, crossed plains of lava on nothing but a thin ledge and now stood before a multitude of great beings? How different this was to the orchards and taverns of Rharne! Yeva lowered herself humbly, "I would be honored to join you... To help you rebuild."
And the wounded, they needed her. With so much lost, it was easy to forget what might be gained.