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Events post #332: The Second War of Night, Part XXIV: Blessed Be the Light
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9/10/2022 at 4:14
Anonymous
Everyone
The Second War of Night, Part XXIV: Blessed Be the Light
Some weeks following the defeat of Isalemei, Enorian's worries for the Maelstrom's health and well-being were comforted by the God's appearance in Raim Vale. Having washed up on the beach, Slyphe remained injured but in good spirits in spite of everything, and Benedicto, Orunmila, and Saltz dutifully helped tend to Them following the battle. Essence came forth in droves to help restore the Maelstrom to full health, and They are expected to make a full recovery.
~ ~ ~
In early Haernos, the Exarchs addressed Enorian to tell them of an ancient duamvi custom initially brought up by Saebi following the battle in the Pash Valley some scant few weeks prior. In Rewh'va, it is tradition to commemorate the sites of major battles and to honour the sacrifices of the fallen by building modest temples, places of worship and remembrance. Heartened by the Beacon's shift into the Hammer, Exarch Berrad invited Enorian to share in this longstanding tradition, proposing they travel together to Kald, Saluria, and the Pash Valley to pray.
The citizens hastened first to Kald, and when the Exarchs joined them - Aban, Berrad, and Saebi all - it became clear something was not right. Having initially shown signs of due to the dark star some weeks prior, now they each appeared outright pallid and nauseous, the darkness causing them physical pain. The huge group of Enorianites looked to them with concern, but Berrad insisted he was fine despite the similar looks of consternation from Saebi and Aban.
Calling for silence, the Inquisitor gave a rousing speech on tradition, and the importance of markers, symbols to remind all of the light's victories and the triumphs of the righteous over evil. He recanted the tenacity of the Kald villagers, the devotion of the Templars in seeing to the town's defence, and of course the display of the light's power from the Lord Unbound. Aban and Saebi bolstered his words with prayers of their own, their faith in the light on display and leaving no doubt. Drawing to a close, Berrad closed with "the light will always prevail," encouraging the others to do the same. As they did so, with fervour in their hearts, the nearby villagers completed the construction he had requested, and now a modest, burgeoning temple stood near Kald's heart.
The group ventured next to Saluria, and the symptoms of the dark star seemed to grow worse as night drew closer, the Exarch visibly struggling to remain focused. Gruffly he turned aside Aban's offer of aid and resolutely pressed on. At the Square of Sonn, Berrad, again supported by Aban and Saebi, raised his voice again. This time he waxed briefly on Saluria's history with the Shadow, reminding all present of their tenacity in denying Ohlsana the shard of Truth's Sword that rested therein. Even as the Exarch seemed to slightly lose his footing, he refused to yield, proclaiming the strength of resolve and inexhaustible will required to battle the darkness.
Promising no mercy for those who dabble with the profane, Berrad spoke of remembrance for the fallen, his head craning skywards as he hesitated, but finally exhaled a sigh and spoke. To the Dragon, She who felled Murgraxis, he gave reluctant praise before inviting what was by now a congregation, to join him in declaring, "We will always hold the line." Voices many responded with ardour and fire. Shaking off their lethargy, the Exarchs gestured to the newly finished temple, and the group dwelt there a short while in prayer. Expressing their wishes for the space to forever stand as a tribute to the Shadow's defeat, the Exarchs shared few words amongst each other, reluctantly admitting that they were struggling to endure the dark star's torment.
To the Pash Valley they hurried in order to complete the sojourn. By this point, the three native duamvi were visibly haggard and struggling. The Exarchs stood as one in solidarity and, propped by the comforting arm of Saebi, Berrad began his final homily with remembrances about the recent battle with Isalemei, but soon veered off course to topics entirely unexpected. In a departure from his usual scathing, permanently-disappointed tone, he began to speak of how he felt about Enorian when first he ventured from Rewh'va, informing them that he had first thought them weak and lacking in faith, a people easily broken in the war he, and the Exarchs with him, had fought for a lifetime. With monumental effort, he admitted that he was wrong, before resuming the prayer with fervent tributes to the Maelstrom's bravery, and to all who stood against the Shadowbound Djinn and its Ember.
Raising his arms aloft, Berrad loudly denounced evil, purifying the space around them. Streams of fantastically bright light formed in his hands, the illumination surging towards the former camp of the Shadow General and transforming it, rendering it pure and sacred and true. The temple, wrought of light and free of befouling corruptions, stood proudly in remembrance. "We shall never forget," he declared in sombre intonation, the gathered group responding keenly soon after.
As the ritualistic tradition drew to a close, Saebi took charge, her waning strength leaving her voice weakened and lacklustre. Meaning to return to the pyre, she and her fellow Exarchs made the journey as one, each propping up the others as they sought help from the Triad to deliver them from their suffering. The flames seemed to soothe them somewhat, though they each of them remained pallid and sickly. Berrad led the proceedings again, reaching out to Aban and Saebi to join hands with him. Quelling some unvoiced concerns that they were returning to Rewh'va, he began a final prayer - a final plea - for succour from the Three Most Holy.
"The hour is bleak," he began. "Ael'mael, Blade of the Host, we ask that you grant us the strength to fight on." Saebi and Aban echoed the words, as did many of the faithful Enorianites that had come with them. "But the Shadow does not relent, and nor can we." Berrad lifted his voice again. "Ubarin, Shield of the Host, grant us the will to endure, and the resolve to persist against this filth." Again Aban and Saebi called out the same words with devoted zeal, and the nearby pyre seemed to crackle its approval, its flames growing more intense and more bright. "We cannot afford to fail." The Exarch's voice, weak and strained, intoned, "Holy Nyasia, in whose radiance I am blessed to wield your flame. Sage of the Host, we pray to you for enlightenment, that this curse of flesh and fragility be cast down!"
Hallowed light blazed into existence with an intensity threatening to blind all who looked upon its splendour. For a fleeting moment, the triple figures of the Angelic Triad - Ael'mael, Nyasia, and Ubarin - became visible in the flames, dozens of eyes and faceless alien forms looking upon their most devout servants with pity and mercy. Bells pealed from everywhere and nowhere, their rich and regal voices singing hymns of the dawn and sacred chorales of light and fire. The light swirled around Aban, and Berrad, and Saebi, and before the eyes of those gathered they transformed, their flesh taking on a golden sheen, granted ascension by the Three.
As each gasped in shock, awed by the ineffable apotheosis, they laughed, smiling as they realised they no longer felt pain, no longer suffered beneath the dark-glaring heavens. Immediately talk turned to the sharing of this precious gift, boons of blood and spirit lifting their souls to renewed joy and serenity. Exarch Aban looked to Benedicto, the kinship shared between them on full display as he offered to evangelise him into the host. Benedicto accepted, and the holy light raised him up in turn. Exarch Saebi looked to Rasani, drawing similarities between herself and the Godsmith. Rasani too accepted the gift, elevated by the gifts of light and spirit. Finally, Exarch Berrad, having confessed his former misjudgements, looked to Sryaen, making an earnest offer to bring him into the fold. The Vanguard was the third to take the boon, awash in heavenly radiance.
Before the Exarchs rested, they counselled their three newly inculcated companions to pass on the gift themselves. So it was that the first three Akkari, mirroring the ascensions of the three Exarchs, came into being, ascended duamvi infused with a deep wellspring of spiritual energy with an unparalled connection to all that comprises the holy light.
Penned by my hand on Kinsday, the 12th of Haernos, in the year 504 MA.
Anonymous
Everyone
The Second War of Night, Part XXIV: Blessed Be the Light
Some weeks following the defeat of Isalemei, Enorian's worries for the Maelstrom's health and well-being were comforted by the God's appearance in Raim Vale. Having washed up on the beach, Slyphe remained injured but in good spirits in spite of everything, and Benedicto, Orunmila, and Saltz dutifully helped tend to Them following the battle. Essence came forth in droves to help restore the Maelstrom to full health, and They are expected to make a full recovery.
~ ~ ~
In early Haernos, the Exarchs addressed Enorian to tell them of an ancient duamvi custom initially brought up by Saebi following the battle in the Pash Valley some scant few weeks prior. In Rewh'va, it is tradition to commemorate the sites of major battles and to honour the sacrifices of the fallen by building modest temples, places of worship and remembrance. Heartened by the Beacon's shift into the Hammer, Exarch Berrad invited Enorian to share in this longstanding tradition, proposing they travel together to Kald, Saluria, and the Pash Valley to pray.
The citizens hastened first to Kald, and when the Exarchs joined them - Aban, Berrad, and Saebi all - it became clear something was not right. Having initially shown signs of due to the dark star some weeks prior, now they each appeared outright pallid and nauseous, the darkness causing them physical pain. The huge group of Enorianites looked to them with concern, but Berrad insisted he was fine despite the similar looks of consternation from Saebi and Aban.
Calling for silence, the Inquisitor gave a rousing speech on tradition, and the importance of markers, symbols to remind all of the light's victories and the triumphs of the righteous over evil. He recanted the tenacity of the Kald villagers, the devotion of the Templars in seeing to the town's defence, and of course the display of the light's power from the Lord Unbound. Aban and Saebi bolstered his words with prayers of their own, their faith in the light on display and leaving no doubt. Drawing to a close, Berrad closed with "the light will always prevail," encouraging the others to do the same. As they did so, with fervour in their hearts, the nearby villagers completed the construction he had requested, and now a modest, burgeoning temple stood near Kald's heart.
The group ventured next to Saluria, and the symptoms of the dark star seemed to grow worse as night drew closer, the Exarch visibly struggling to remain focused. Gruffly he turned aside Aban's offer of aid and resolutely pressed on. At the Square of Sonn, Berrad, again supported by Aban and Saebi, raised his voice again. This time he waxed briefly on Saluria's history with the Shadow, reminding all present of their tenacity in denying Ohlsana the shard of Truth's Sword that rested therein. Even as the Exarch seemed to slightly lose his footing, he refused to yield, proclaiming the strength of resolve and inexhaustible will required to battle the darkness.
Promising no mercy for those who dabble with the profane, Berrad spoke of remembrance for the fallen, his head craning skywards as he hesitated, but finally exhaled a sigh and spoke. To the Dragon, She who felled Murgraxis, he gave reluctant praise before inviting what was by now a congregation, to join him in declaring, "We will always hold the line." Voices many responded with ardour and fire. Shaking off their lethargy, the Exarchs gestured to the newly finished temple, and the group dwelt there a short while in prayer. Expressing their wishes for the space to forever stand as a tribute to the Shadow's defeat, the Exarchs shared few words amongst each other, reluctantly admitting that they were struggling to endure the dark star's torment.
To the Pash Valley they hurried in order to complete the sojourn. By this point, the three native duamvi were visibly haggard and struggling. The Exarchs stood as one in solidarity and, propped by the comforting arm of Saebi, Berrad began his final homily with remembrances about the recent battle with Isalemei, but soon veered off course to topics entirely unexpected. In a departure from his usual scathing, permanently-disappointed tone, he began to speak of how he felt about Enorian when first he ventured from Rewh'va, informing them that he had first thought them weak and lacking in faith, a people easily broken in the war he, and the Exarchs with him, had fought for a lifetime. With monumental effort, he admitted that he was wrong, before resuming the prayer with fervent tributes to the Maelstrom's bravery, and to all who stood against the Shadowbound Djinn and its Ember.
Raising his arms aloft, Berrad loudly denounced evil, purifying the space around them. Streams of fantastically bright light formed in his hands, the illumination surging towards the former camp of the Shadow General and transforming it, rendering it pure and sacred and true. The temple, wrought of light and free of befouling corruptions, stood proudly in remembrance. "We shall never forget," he declared in sombre intonation, the gathered group responding keenly soon after.
As the ritualistic tradition drew to a close, Saebi took charge, her waning strength leaving her voice weakened and lacklustre. Meaning to return to the pyre, she and her fellow Exarchs made the journey as one, each propping up the others as they sought help from the Triad to deliver them from their suffering. The flames seemed to soothe them somewhat, though they each of them remained pallid and sickly. Berrad led the proceedings again, reaching out to Aban and Saebi to join hands with him. Quelling some unvoiced concerns that they were returning to Rewh'va, he began a final prayer - a final plea - for succour from the Three Most Holy.
"The hour is bleak," he began. "Ael'mael, Blade of the Host, we ask that you grant us the strength to fight on." Saebi and Aban echoed the words, as did many of the faithful Enorianites that had come with them. "But the Shadow does not relent, and nor can we." Berrad lifted his voice again. "Ubarin, Shield of the Host, grant us the will to endure, and the resolve to persist against this filth." Again Aban and Saebi called out the same words with devoted zeal, and the nearby pyre seemed to crackle its approval, its flames growing more intense and more bright. "We cannot afford to fail." The Exarch's voice, weak and strained, intoned, "Holy Nyasia, in whose radiance I am blessed to wield your flame. Sage of the Host, we pray to you for enlightenment, that this curse of flesh and fragility be cast down!"
Hallowed light blazed into existence with an intensity threatening to blind all who looked upon its splendour. For a fleeting moment, the triple figures of the Angelic Triad - Ael'mael, Nyasia, and Ubarin - became visible in the flames, dozens of eyes and faceless alien forms looking upon their most devout servants with pity and mercy. Bells pealed from everywhere and nowhere, their rich and regal voices singing hymns of the dawn and sacred chorales of light and fire. The light swirled around Aban, and Berrad, and Saebi, and before the eyes of those gathered they transformed, their flesh taking on a golden sheen, granted ascension by the Three.
As each gasped in shock, awed by the ineffable apotheosis, they laughed, smiling as they realised they no longer felt pain, no longer suffered beneath the dark-glaring heavens. Immediately talk turned to the sharing of this precious gift, boons of blood and spirit lifting their souls to renewed joy and serenity. Exarch Aban looked to Benedicto, the kinship shared between them on full display as he offered to evangelise him into the host. Benedicto accepted, and the holy light raised him up in turn. Exarch Saebi looked to Rasani, drawing similarities between herself and the Godsmith. Rasani too accepted the gift, elevated by the gifts of light and spirit. Finally, Exarch Berrad, having confessed his former misjudgements, looked to Sryaen, making an earnest offer to bring him into the fold. The Vanguard was the third to take the boon, awash in heavenly radiance.
Before the Exarchs rested, they counselled their three newly inculcated companions to pass on the gift themselves. So it was that the first three Akkari, mirroring the ascensions of the three Exarchs, came into being, ascended duamvi infused with a deep wellspring of spiritual energy with an unparalled connection to all that comprises the holy light.
Penned by my hand on Kinsday, the 12th of Haernos, in the year 504 MA.
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