Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
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If only it had been that easy.
At first, the blade slid trough like a knife trough warm butter, but the deeper he cut, the harder it got. They heard the voice again. "And so here stands the traitor." A loud crack was then heard as the voice addressed Elith. "You fool. As if something so puny could really wound me..." Elarion still pressed on, folding his other hand around the hilt, only to stumble forward as the already cracked sword shattered and exploded. A shard made it into Elith's throat, sending him to the floor.
As the blade exploded, the nauseating stench of sweet and rot intensified, mixing with the fumes of lava while Elarion's eyes glowed with the green of Poisonwood. He pulled his own blood from the splinters that harmed him and formed blood needles in the air. The foul air the barely seen guardian conjured fell on them as a blast of poison, decay and fire. The attack was luckily a slow one they all saw coming, and Elarion shot a quickened fireball, whose blast pressured him out of the way. Sae'lòr pulled on the poison to shield herself from the attack before striking at the guardian with her weapon as Celestine first defended herself with the flames of the blood, which was then used as a weapon to strike back. The attacks from the trio. An attack of flames and Poison, accompanied by blood darts from Elarion made for something impossible to withstand. The mass of fumes and wards disappeared into thin air.... for a moment.
But Elarion didn't cease for a moment. It was not done until they had a satisfactory end, so he shifted his focus to tracing the presence. Moments after, massive tentacles lunged from the nearby lava and flailed at the group. Celestine was quick to react, and blocked and bashed back a fair amount. Elarion responded with tentacles of his own, an empowered version of Evards was cast while Sae-lòr empowered them with the essence of creation. As Celestine slammed her shield to the ground and sent a burst of divin flames to fight Syfana's infection, Elarion surrounded his hands in a green glow and drew a circle before him. Six arcane runes appeared, and as he shouted his spell, a distortion in space opened in the circle, and flaming rocks burst trough at a blinding speed.
It really was a barrage few could ever hope to withstand, and they all heard numerous screams. The two would not realize it right away, but Elarion could tell right away. He was coated in the ashes of those who had screamed. His hair soaked with their remains. An attempt was made at attacking the group with a burning sensation of bone, skin, bark and branch, like they too were being set on fire, like the commoners of Poisonwood. Elarion zoned out then. There was nothing that mattered at that point beyond his own overwhelming rage and the enemy that dared use the screams of his dying against them. Green flames burst from his arms, and he lunged powerful blast after powerful blast at his enemy, with no intention of stopping until their enemy was absolutely annihilated.
The air became thinner and thinner. Breathing became almost impossible as the attacks made by the trio destroyed everything in its path. The cave included. The walls of the cave trembled and chunks of stone began falling from above. The ground quaked as holes opened up. Lava began pouring, and they all heard Syfana's spell laughing at them. "You will never reach her!" It mocked as the force they fought exploded, filling the cave with deadly miasma and necrotic energies. Elarion lives every day in energies like these, so he was not bothered, though the lava and the cave collapsing was something to worry about. They grabbed Elith and rushed out as the cave collapsed behind them.
As they got out, Elith was gently placed to rest back against a boulder, and the shard in his throat was removed while Elarion went to hunch up by a tomb. They failed in their mission. He had put everything on the line, and they failed. He is now a traitor. He can't go back to his woods. He was filled with worry as he wondered how they would keep alive now. They are weak, and cannot afford to send anyone out for either food or life energy. If they went south, they would clash with the far better off Taureglond faction. If they went east, they would have to pray on traveling merchants, but if they did that, it would be only a matter of time before it blew back on them. If they went north.. Well, they don't stand a chance against the Tel'Mordere. They all knew better than provoke an attack from them. No. Without Elarion and the deals he made with people from outside, his people would keep starving, and he knew this.
He was not proud of what he did today at all, and his action will weigh heavily on him for a long time, but it had to be done. The others seemed happy, but all Elarion could feel was sadness and worry. It was decided he would join Sae-lòr in Taureglond, and she even gave him a new name. Oira-osta. Eternal defender. He did not like that title one bit. He did not feel like a defender. He felt like a dirty traitor.
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
He spent the following time in Taureglond, in a tent by Arakhor's old garden, now tended by Sae-lòr. While the druids and the arben welcomed him back, he still felt like a stranger among his own. Talking with Sae-lòr made him finally see she was not his sister anymore, and this woman is something new all-together. It was a painful truth he did not want to accept at first, but the more time he spent with her, the more he saw it.
He had lost his sister. The very sister he had promised he would come to aid.. It made even Taureglond feel empty. Arakhor.. Amywiel.. Cathalya.. Neither of the girls he had spent so much time with, the very women who made him who he is today, were no longer there. As this sank in, he started realizing how little he had left. He is now a traitor to his own people. He feels like a stranger among the druids. Everyone close to him are gone. He has nowhere to go. All he has left are his quests.
He found himself before the white tree of Elisara where he tried to commune with the tree to no effect several times... or perhaps the tree was simply not willing to speak to him... Luckily, someone who did came walking after a while. Elith, the Elisaran elder. They shared words, and Elith offered him words of encouragement. The conversation turned to the undead of his old home, and how they may be removed. Elarion told him it will be near impossible, and Elith became the first outsider to truly listen. He took in Elarion's words and listened to every reason who simply removing the undead would not work. They spoke of returning the song, and the restoration of the forest. All subjects came back to the same solution. The removal of Syfana.
They made somewhat of a plan of what to do, but one matter still remained. His surrender. Elith told him he would witness for him, but he could not promise the outcome. Elarion still thought it was something he needs to do, and the two sat out for the city. He followed Elith past the main gate where one of the Estecallon demanded to know why Elith had an Ashwooder following him with his hands raised, trough a glare and a hand on her blade. Elith told her Elarion had come to surrender after lending aid in an attempt to destroy Syfana, and it is not their place to pass judgement, it is their Queen. She told him his decision will not be contested, but she is the Queen's sword, and she will not allow his prisoner to walk about unrestrained. Elarion turned without a word and held his arms behind him. He knew the procedure. The shackles that were placed on him was different, though. They were heavy. Incredibly heavy. It felt like she had attached a ships anchor to his wrists. A wise move he saw the logic behind, as he could cause some serious damage to all around him, and he did make a name for himself during the war.
As they walked along, Elarion marveled at the new tower. It was so.... grand... They had rebuilt well.. Elisara and Taureglond. They had both put so much into rebuilding their homes.. Yet his own was still a burning ruin. It made him sneer with anger as he wondered if he was the only one who truly cared.
The elevator reached the highest floor, and the door opened....
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
As they entered the top of the tower, into the Queen's hall, they were met by two guards who walked by Elarion's side with their weapons drawn. The atmosphere was tense, and rightfully so. The last time Elarion was in the Queen's tower, it had been to assassinate her. The last time they spoke, he had sent a flame arrow trough her projection. While the Estel guard maintained a surprising calm, the wood elves from Feywood seemed ready to kill him in a heartbeat.
The Queen also remained composed and regarded the two with an inscrutable expression, and tilted her head at Elith, wanting him to explain himself. He did. As he introduced Elarion, the evoker told him there was no need, for they had met. As Elith went on to explain why Elarion was here, the sun rose with the break of dawn. The scene was.... bright.. uncomfortably so for one who had always walked the canopies of a thick forest surrounded by sharp hills. To stand in a tower like this made him squint his eyes as the Queen acknowledged Elith's words.
The conversation... could have gone better. He had come there to speak his purpose, but the Queen was more interested in him. The Queen asked why they should exempt him from punishment, to which Elarion had no good answer. He had fought for his home. That was all there was to it in Elarion's eyes. He was just a means to an end. An end that may well have been a lie, but the Queen was not interested. She rose to shamble over before him. Her pain was visible as she moved. She told him she stands a crippled Queen, but it is what she deserves. She cries in pain each time she wakes at night, but it is what she deserves. She looks at her forest from her perch, tormented by her deeds from when she yet served under her father, but it is what she deserves. She told him the sum of her sins wear her down more than any wound she has sustained would, but this too, is something she claimed to deserve. Elarion asked her if she really does, and if she really is the traitor he has known her as all these years.
She told him that depends on who she asks. That all judgements are a matter of perspective, and even if they do what they do out of loyalty and duty, misplaced though they may be, how they go about their deeds is not open to interpretation. Elarion should have stopped to think right there. Both Arakhor and Amywiel had been soft during the war, while he himself had been straight up sadistic. He delighted in what he did.. There was no regret. He did not show any regret.. and he made this clear. The Queen even asked him bluntly if he stood before her and her court, to claim the manner in which he acted in the war was justified. He answered they had fought for what they had thought was their purpose.. But he also stated he suspects this may not be true. He does not know what the truth of the war was, but he wishes to find out. He really could have worded this better. He SHOULD have worded this better, for the Queen asked him if he had not come there to make amends or to even confess to feeling any shred of guilt of besieging a city and its children.
Elith even shook his head as he listened to the Evoker's poor choice in words, and Queen Yu'syu looked to him with both disappointment and chastisement. Elith looked back to her and closed his eyes. His disappointment in Elarion's words were obvious. As he once more opened them, he told her Elarion had come here for judgement.
Elarion told her he is a destroyer, and had never known anything but death and destruction. That he does not know if he could ever have a place in her world, but he cares deeply for his home, and he wishes to see it restored to its former glory. Yu'syu asked what rightful glory that would be, a stronger, bigger Poisonwood that will not loose another war when it, inevitable, strikes at its neighbor once more. He told her no. They need to face reality. They lost the war. They need to accept this. He told her it took him a great long time for him to accept this himself, but if they are to ever regrow, the eternal conflict has to end. More so if it is based on a lie.
She asked him if he speaks for all of his people, and if once Poisonwood is restored, if they will live in peace with their neighbors? How will this peace look like for one who only knows destruction, and noted that these were his words, not hers. He told her he does not know if there even is a place for someone like him. He looked to the edge of the tower, and thought back to when Sylvox had offered them to come with him, and Cathalya had stood at the edge and nearly jumped.
The Queen told him he does not realize how hollow his words sound, and asked him if his heart was simply made of stone, so much so he is not willing to look inwards? She told him if he accused them of starting the war, then they all did what he is asking to do. They looked elsewhere for answers. He told her that is what they were told. It is what motivated them. Why his own still accept becoming shambling corpses. To have their revenge. He told her he now knows this is not true, but why so many were so eager to fight.
He should have stopped to think right there, for she saw what he didn't. His heart was hollow. Perhaps it was his upbringing in the woods. Perhaps it was how desensitized he had become from living in the ashes of his home.. Perhaps...
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"I am curious, Elarion. Before I pass my judgement, were you and me listening to your own words, how would you think? What verdict would you give one such as yourself?" His shoulders dropped. As did his gaze. He knew he was not the right person to stand here, yet he had to try. Her comment on what his heart was made of weighed heavily on him as he just did not know anymore. As Elith watched the back and forth with increasing discomfort, he decided to add in a few words. "My Queen, it is obvious that the Evoker, Elarion has seen trough the lies of his forefathers." The Queen held up her hand to pause Elith from speaking further as she kept addressing Elarion. "Do YOU even know? Perhaps you expect, or even hope, that I will suggest a course that will make you see the world with different eyes? I might do that, Elarion, but it will not be done without sacrifice. Choose your decision and words wisely."
He looked back up at the Queen. "I know it has to happen... I do not know what my path or role in this new world will be, but I know my home has to fall, should it have a chance to regrow. The world I know has turned out to be a grand lie. I do not know how I will come out of it if I ever uncover the truth, for all I have now... is mysteries to uncover.. Our past.. The location of..." He trailed off then and he clearly hesitated. It is definitely not the best time to tell her of her fathers missing remains.. especially as he was among those behind the removal of her aunt's.. "...an ancient artifact sacred to us both.. What will happen after, I do not know.."
"I do not, and cannot presume to speak for the world at large, and I am QUEEN. We can only speak for ourselves. Put aside the imagined wants of your forest and your people. What do YOU hope for yourself? What manner of elf do you hope to be? The greatest change comes from within. When when finds their true course in the world, the world will accommodate. For better or worse."
"I... do not know... My life goal had been for a false purpose.. I had hoped I would be the flame that protected my sisters... but now even they are gone.. All I have left is chasing mysteries.." "You did not answer my question. Chasing mysteries is a goal, an ambition, that lies outside yourself. Which virtues do YOU as an elf, wish to embody?" This question hit him hard. All he has ever had was his ambitions. Goals to chase. Duties to fulfill.. In the forest, there had never been time for virtues. You were a tool, and that is all there was to you. He thought to the highest ranking elf still in his home. He was not even sure if that elf was even alive. His eyes were empty. He did not talk. He just performed. This was the model Poisonwooder... "I do not know.."
"But are you willing to find out? Are you willing to let yourself be purged of all power so that you may walk this world anew, see it anew, and judge for yourself anew?" "...I am." The Queen nodded, her expression solemn and grave. She turned to look at Elith, who was leaning on his staff. He looked from Elarion to the Queen. "The Phay Puigh (washing of soul) has not been done in a century, Elith Sianicen. It is not something we do lightly, and there is always a cost. If I ask that it be done, I have one condition. Elarion will be in your charge, an elf committed to your care, your tutelage and wisdom. All his decisions will reflect on you. His words, his deeds, they will be as much your responsibility as they are his. This is the responsibility you must take if you deem Elarion worthy of leniency."
Elith listened quietly and took a moment to watch Elarion, who was still looking at the floor. He could see how lost the young evoker looked now that he had lost everything, and how lost he was without a cause. A far cry from the destroyer who broke into the tower and defeated him months ago.
"Evoker, you witness now the meaning of "Estel"(Hope)unfold.[/color]" He paused. "You have been given a second chance." He looked to the Queen then. "My duty is to the elves and this one could do great things, if properly trained. I accept your condition, my Queen, and I am thankful for the opportunity. Every deed of his, shall reflect on me, his standing will reflect on mine and so will his words." The Queen nodded once, then spoke with finality. "Then it is decided. Elith, take Elarion to the chamber of Elisara's Tears."
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Hope. The word he had hated from how much the traitors loved to throw it around. Now, for the first time, he understood it. His lips quivered and his eyes closed as he was given a chance at a new path. He followed Elith down trough a maze of stairs where they ended before a fountain. His defeated eyes moved to it, and his posture was weak after the meeting. "From now on, your deeds will reflect on me." Elith smiled. "Please, do not prove my faith ill placed." "I will not, elder. ...will I retain my memories?" Elith inclined his head. "Who knows. For everyone, it is different." he smiled. "It depends on the person. In your case, I am pretty sure you will need the memories to not forget why all of this happened." Elarion nodded. "Should I.. write everything down.. Just to be sure..?" Elith shook his head. "If you trust me, I will tell you the story." "You have held your words so far.. Let us do this.."
Seven sages entered the room as the two spoke. One of them motioned to Elith to take the place where Elarion stood, and for Elarion to step into the waters, as each took a place between the pillars surrounding the fountain. As he did so, the ashes coating his robe seeped from the cloth and trailed off into the waters, showing the green color that was originally beneath. One could not ask for better symbolism of what was about to happen.
"Bare yourself so the Seldarine know you are willing to cast away vestiges of poisoned power." One of the sages said.
"Lay in the water so the Seldarine know you are willing to be washed clean." They continued one by one.
"Speak your name so the Seldarine know you are willing to renounce who you were."
"Drink of the water so the Seldarine know you are willing to taste purity."
"Bathe your face in the water so the Seldarine know you are willing to wash away past sins."
"Bend your knees so the Seldarine know you are willing to embrace their blessings."
Elarion sucked in a long, slow breath as he opened his robe and let the ash soaked garb fall into the waters. The water purged it like Elarion was about to be. As he lowered himself to the waters, he said "I am Elarion.. Last of house Hanolen.." He lowered himself to lay in the water, letting it wash over him and soak him. As he does, the ashes he kept his hair painted with washed away too, showing the original light blonde that had not been seen since the day his sisters left with Sylvox. He parted his lips and drank from the water before he pushed to his knees.
"So it must be done, so it will be. Elith Sianicen, Chosen of Elisara, your words will shape this sacred ritual to call the attention of our gods."
Was said by a sage as Elarion brought the waters in cupped hands to wash his face. Elith nodded to the sage as Elarion purified himself.
"Speak the words, Esteemed One, and we shall echo them. Raise your hands, Esteemed One, and we shall raise ours. Turn yours gaze heavenward to our gods, and we, too, shall look to the heavens."
Elith began to speak, and the sages echoed. "As the sun chase away the shadows and as Elisara granted us hope, let this one become new, leave his memories intact, for there is no future without history."
"As the sun chases away shadows, so too shall it chase away malice!" "As dawn replaces twilight, so too shall hope replace despair!" "As light banishes darkness, so too shall courage banish doubt!"
"Let Hope take the place of the Poison and walk among your kin, not as an enemy, but as a brother."
"As water crumbles the mightiest of rock, so too shall compassion crumble heart of stone!" "As mother embraces child, so too shall brothers embrace brothers, and sisters sisters!"
"The path lies agead, fear not to thread it. You are not alone."
"As shepard guides stray animals, so too shall we guide stray brother!" "So it is spoken, so it will be done!"
"Rise, Elarion. Last of House Hanolen of the Poisonwood, but first of the City of Elisara."
For one who have only known hate and pain, this was all incredibly uncomfortable. Listening to them made him tremble. It was just so uncomfortable. He wanted to rise. He wanted to blast them. He wanted to blast them so bad.. He wanted to get up and run.. But he remained.. From somewhere above, water falling down on the fountain and on the supplicant in the water. Yet now, rather than spilling down, drops of water began rising from the pool. From unseen windows up above, light of dawn spilled into the chamber, bathing it in hues of glittering gold. From unseen windows above, light of the moon, the touch of Sehanine, spilled into the chamber, bathing it in wreaths of radiant silver. The light shined on Eliths armor and face. Beneath the old sorcerer's skin, a white hue became visible. The arcane essence of the elder echoing and tuning itself with the ones of the Seldarine. The sages all spoke in unison. "May the star of the Seldarine ever guide you!"
Registered Member #24916
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Elarion looked up with squinting eyes. It was all just so bright.. It was blinding.. It was frightening.. but he feels it.. The comradery of the Elisarans.. The hope they would always talk about.. He felt it.. But it was still frightening.. More so with this being the light of the Seldarine he had cursed for letting the war between the elves happen.
The whole chamber was flooded by a golden light, so powerful it was near tangible, near liquid as the water. The murmurs of Elith and the mystics all began to fade, until there was only eerie silence. In his mind, an image of an island being born was forming. Verdant forests blanketed its skin. Brothers and sister held hands and rejoiced in the orchards, groves and meadows. Children playing in the shallow waters of a glittering river. Three children, two daughters and a son. They all seemed so familiar somehow. As did their mother. They all turned their heads in tandem, gazing into the distance... or perhaps they were looking at Elarion.
He too, was standing at the bank of the river. They smiled at him and waved him over. He watched the image, not knowing what to make of it at first.. If the light was provoking him with these images, or if they were trying to show him what once was.. or what may one day be... but when he saw the four... No.. they couldn't possibly be.. He stood and tried to approach them. As he walked towards them, feet wet from the river, footprints left on sand and pebbles, they began to glow. They were smiling, but the glow made them blur. Fade. As he walked to bridge the distance between him and then, he found an outstretched hand. He stopped as they started fading before him... but with a hand stretched out before him, he hesitated at first... then he took it.
As he blinked and opened his eyes, instead of living mother and children, he found three statues. Were they always there? He looked about. The chamber was near empty, save a single elf. It was this elf's hand that was outstretched to Elarion. Elith's. He helped Elarion up. "Welcome home, Brother."
Elarion blinked as it all disappeared from him, standing there with a confused for... a moment? A while? Did all of this really happen? He did see those four, right? Then he saw the statues and he remained just as confused. "Elder... This.. All this.."
"From now on, you walk the path of Elisara." Elith smiled. "For the good of the elves." He nodded. "It was real, but some happened just for you." He paused. "You lied here for quite a while." Elarion needed some time to let this all sink in.. Then he looked back at the four statues. "I waited. It would have been unbecoming for you to wake up alone, without a clue." Elarion was still in a daze.. "You see these too, right?" Elith nodded. "Yes." "They were not here before... Queen Elisara... Princess Talyrenne.. Prince Syann.. And this must be Liara.." Elith nodded. "The Seldarine shaped the statues to offer you a memory."
Elarion stood there for even longer, needing some time to just watch the statues.. It had been a.... long day. His vision... Emotional. The elves of Thain... the very first elves.. The royal family.. His prince, the eternal king.. and his family.. All inviting him to them..
Elith brought him a new garb and a new staff. He advised Elarion to not go near Ashwood, to which Elarion replied he can never return, for he is a traitor. Elith placed his hand on Elarion's shoulder and told him "You are a traitor to a false order who demanded fealty based upon lies. As..." He seemed to be about to add something, but instead shook his head and smiled. "Do not torture yourself. Farewell, Elarion. I will be calling on you soon." After speaking, he shimmered and faded from view.
[ The Island of Thain ]
Onta-Crona