Tears of Hope

Mictlan. Outside of the bones, there are plenty of little spots where one could be in private if one wished. Though rarely, do the Sith-makar actually move in private.

Harkashan has set up a small little shrine. A bowl of bone containing blessed waters. The wind playing with a few bone chimes hung up on a set of stacked stones. Warm incense burns and drifts towards the forests beyond.

The lava-colored Sith-makar touches his snout for a moment. He has learned of the restrictions of this spell, so he will have to carefully maneuver how he wants answers. To learn of the death of a God with just yes and no is... well... most difficult.

How did it happen? Why did it happen?

But first... to make contact. So, he begins to pray to the Death Singing Dragon. A rumbling dirge lifting from his muzzle and into the skies.

The scent of burning incense seems to grow stronger all around Harkashan. At first nothing seems to happen, and then all too quickly the connection snaps into place. It's an indescribable sensation that he knows instantly. It's vaguely, like having someone else in his mind, but where being controlled in some ways is an intrusion; a stranger bursting into your home. This is more like a welcomed, honored guest politely entering into ones space. "Begin." The voice says, using Harkashan's own voice to speak.

Indeed, this is a sensation he knows. It is not just through Communing that he is familiar with this sensation, but also through his connection with Thirku. There's a patience within him that draws out deeper when he senses that intrusion.

But unlike with Thirku, which is an always present presence, which sometimes grants him vision unbidden, this one practically knocks and then slips in welcomed.

First, establishing context.

"A vision has recently come to a Seeress of the goddess Eluna." And in that moment, he closes his eyes, and draws upon memory to bring that vision to the forefront.

The moon rises in the sky, a crescent, round and seamless. A flash, a man standing at the shore in the sea. The moon descends, slowly, creeping toward the midnight water. A flash, a womans voice sweetly calling. The moon slips silently into the ocean and the water turns red. A flash, crimson spills across the tide.

He pauses for a moment, letting his mind take hold of this memory. Then, he rumbles; "There are fears this may refer to a future death or transmutation of Eluna. But in that, comes the matter of Taara and Eluna fighting over the Sea of Mana. From my understanding, this all relates to the one named Animus." Continuing to lay out context.

"So now I wish to learn of what happened to Animus, and what could have caused his death. So I may extrapolate and relate it to the happenings now." Purpose.

So, he begins. First, to ensure he is going off of a solid foundation.

"Is Animus Dead?"

The voice, the presence hesitates a moment, and then answers. "In the mortal definition, yes." It seems that this particular question needs, or deserves clarification. And an interesting clarification indeed.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Religion: (9)+13: 22

A most interesting clarification indeed. But it's one that bears clarification. After all, Harkashan is no Scholar - Shaman he may be.

It has him make a thoughtful hum for a moment. But, he must proceed.

"Using the mortal definition for now then. Was Animus turned to his current state by a God, or multiple Gods' direct deeds?"

There's another moment of hesitation, then the answer comes through Harkashan. "Yes."

Yes. Hesitation. Why hesitation? Is this a tough subject, or is there more to this answer? Perhaps those Gods had allies. So many interpretations. He could spend thousands of Gold just honing in on the exact answers...

But he must move on.

"Is Eluna at higher risk than normal of dying in the near mortal future?"

This time the answer is near immediate. "Yes."

Yes. Immediate. And that... is concerning. He notices he's clenching his jaw, and tries to relax for a moment.

Where does he go from here?

"Can this death be prevented through mortal means?" First, to see if interference is possible.

Again the answer comes quickly. "Yes."

Relief. Interference is possible. Okay. By all means, he should focus on that. There are many questions to ask about what her death is like. What the future looks like without Eluna.

"I am glad." Especially because, if Vardama wished for Eluna's passing, that answer would not have been yes. Especially so quickly. This means that he has an ally in this.

"I wish to help guide my allies, and aid Eluna in protecting her life. But I am going to need a sign." He rumbles to the one within him. "A direction..."

His head tilts. The sea became red, they interpreted it as Eluna dying.

"Is reuniting the Shards of Animus the way you suggest we go about this?" Remembering Seldan mentioning this.

There's again that hesitation, and then almost reluctantly the answer comes. "Unclear." A disappointing answer, in truth, but perhaps it might offer more insight than it seems to.

Unclear. So... perhaps they don't know how to save Eluna. That would make sense. If Eluna is under threat in a way that she might...

"Is the disruption of the Sea of Mana directly correlated with the heightened risk on Eluna's existence?"

There's a nearly immediate response yet again, hurried so quickly that it comes out of Harkashan's mouth almost on top of his question. "Yes!"

The sudden Yes leaves Harkashan panting for a moment, touching his chest, trying to get his breath back.

"Can the disruption be resolved through Mortal Means?" Again, this.

The answer is slower than the previous one, but no less certain for that. "Unclear."

Unclear. Well... that's fair.

So... he tries it this way.

"I know you can only answer me yes or no. So, this will be my final question..."

He smiles softly; "Is there a message you wish to pass on to me, to give me guidance on how to proceed?"

“Yes.” Comes the reply, and then, a poem; a prophecy blooms in Harkashan’s mind.

That which is deity can not end Though what is rent must you mend That which is deity has no start Though you must find each little part.

The balance of gods must ever be So return the Man to the Sea Lest the world fall to the null Find why the Moon is not full.

That which is deity can not end Though what is rent must you mend That which is deity has no start Though you must find each little part

What is beginning will at last stop The Hopes tears begin to drop What lies have been spoken Are tomorrows stories forever broken.

Yes. Harkashan's body eases a bit in that moment, and he closes his eyes. When a prophecy lifts to his mind. One that speaks of the details he was trying to find. Ever expect the gods and their kin to speak in riddles though.

He commits it to the Memory of his Blood.

And it certainly seems that Seldan was on the right track. Find the parts of Animus, seems to be the goal. To bring the balance back to the Gods.

The Man of the Sea is Animus. So returning him to the Sea makes sense. So, bring the shards there. The world falling to the Void sounds bad though...

Find why the Moon is not Full. That, they will have to ask of Eluna. That is a question to ask there.

But what lies have been spoken? Tomorrow's Stories seems to relate to Fate, but what is the lie?

He jolts 'awake' after the poem, having sat there pondering the poem for hours, without realizing that time had passed. A touch of a Sith-makar to his shoulder, checking up on him. The incense burnt, and the waters spent. Tears on Harkashan's face for some reason.

"I need to talk to Seldan..."

-End