Xhyvas laughed, his deep rich tone filling up the mountain top. Little Rhaus snorted as well, patting Kelski’s shoulder fondly. “My Kelvic friend is always suspicious, even of The Gods, it seems.” The Statue said in his rich ceramic voice.
Truthfully, Kelski hadn’t meant to be looking for the negative. But the God seemed forthright, and hoped he’d be forthcoming in this.
“My Gnosis, Sea Eagle, is one of Possibilities. I give the bearer of my Mark the ability to see potential pathways, indeterminant happenings, and uncertain outcomes into the future; a breath, a heartbeat, a chime, a bell, or even what doing something now might mean for a hundred years from now. It is not an easy gnosis. It can be a burden. But you are a planner and a distance viewer. It is time you used your amazing eyes for looking not just into the distance but into the future. I think it is something you can handle and use with responsibility and leadership.” He said gently, watching her expression change as she took in all he said.
Kelski was silent for a while, drawing in a calming breath and exhaling slowly. She was still resting on her knees, seeing his position, she shifted so she too was once more resting on her rump with her legs folded in front of her. Silver eyes met green ones and she spoke one more question. “Why do the Gods need us mortals? Why do we even garner your attention?” The Kelvic asked softly. As she did so, Little Rhaus reached out and touched the Kelvic on the ear, stroking a stray lock of her braided ombre hair back behind her ear. His touch was gentle, almost soothing, and for once his heart was in his ceramic eyes.
“There is so much power in your attention. Though you live short lives compared to ours, you burn so much brighter than you even know. And there are those among you that light up on the mortal realms like a torch or beckon. You Kelvics are often these sorts of creatures with that kind of light. You can affect so much more than you know. And while your lives are brief, what you do with them matter. When you die, we tend to bring your souls closer and see to it that you live again. People do, you know… and though you call yourselves mortal, the vast majority of what you are isn’t. Kelski, you live over and over again. A step in one direction might not be the whole of the path in this life, but you will continue on the pathway you have chosen in the next one. This life isn’t your first and it won’t be your last. And every incarnation, you burn brighter. We Gods burn as well, but it is a slower more smoldering fire. Unless we have your attention, your prayers, and your eye…. our existence becomes nothing and we fade away. The easiest way to kill a God is to give them no attention or to erase their name from the lips of Mortals. I…. existed a long time this way, surviving that which I would not have survived otherwise. It’s time I grow my power. What happened to Morwen proved that to me. We are not infallible. We make mistakes and we are vulnerable. Help me Kelski. Become one of my followers. Loan me some of your light.” He said gently, then reached out and took both of her hands.
Kelski’s eyes were still locked with his, green bleeding into silver and silver cooling the burn of green.
She took his hands and she felt his power fill her momentarily. Possibility exploded into her. And in that moment, when his grip was firm, she understood all that he was and all that he meant with his words. And in that instant, she knew she’d chosen right and that Little Rhaus had not steered her incorrectly. Her hands tightened on his and she threw her head back, her hair loosening from its braid as her neck arched and his mark burned across the top of her breast in the center of her chest. It’s looping shimmering opulence and obvious gnosis, but not one anyone currently living would recognize.
Kelski closed her eyes a moment… not against what she could see with her back arched and her head thrown back.. but what she saw within her own mind. She was not built to contain Xhyvas’ power nor to sustain his touch. She knew it as acutely as he did… which caused him to act immediately.
For a moment in time the silver in her eyes went green, as bright as Xhyvas’. And then as he let go of her orbs lightened back to silver. She was gasping – panting even – as she laid her palms open on her leather encased knees and she brought her spine back into alignment and her head back to where her eyes reconnected with his. She continued to stare at him. Her lips were parted, as if she would speak, but instead she said nothing. His Gnosis lit her eyes and she felt her future whirl before her, possibilities cascading through her mind even as the power he momentarily infused her with waned and died. And as it did so, the whirlwind of images in her mind also faded and she blinked, relief evident.
“It will be easier from here on out.” He said gently. Then he reached out and put a hand over the mark beneath her clothing that flowed across her breastbone above her breasts. “Thank you.” He said softly, the gesture also one of thanks.
Kelski started to smile, to say anything at all, but her eyes suddenly widened. Flanking Xhyvas on either side of him were two giant creatures. They had leathery wings and bodies that looked almost like humanoid bats, yet with more chiseled features almost like the God they seemed to be guarding. Xhyvas noted where she was looking and laughed gently.
“I mentioned them earlier. Gasviks. This pair is usually with me… but there are others out in the world that will seek you. Do not fear them for they will honor my mark upon you. This is Akalas and Linaval.” The creatures bowed their heads one at a time as he named them.
Kelski offered them a smile and a quiet “Hello.” It was all she could manage at the moment. Her mind was still slightly distressed by what she’d just been through and what she’d just seen. “I… I am glad to meet you.” She finished, even as Little Rhaus laughed. She turned her head and looked at him and he raised his ceramic eyebrow thoughtfully.
“I can’t see what he’s introducing you to and by your expression they are something impressive. It’s all rather… entertaining. I might write a song about this.” He said, swinging his legs, which translated to thumping on Kelski’s shoulder. She gave him a look, one half-annoyed and half amused, and shook her head.
“My life doesn’t need to be a song. But I’m sure Xhyvas wouldn’t mind you composing one in his honor.” Kelski murmured, amused at the statue trying to lighten the mood. Little Rhaus just grinned, and shrugged as if he’d already made up his mind.
Xhyvas rose then and offered Kelski a hand. She took it and he gently pulled her to her feet. Once standing, the God released his grip and gestured around. “You should take a look around this Dominion with your magesight and my gnosis invoked. I think you’ll like what you see. There are so… so many possibilities here.” He said thoughtfully, and stepped back. The creatures with him made room, moving with him as if they anticipated his actions. The Gasvik were far larger than Xhyvas, though their presence didn’t set Kelski on edge. They were oddly comforting, in a way she couldn’t actually put a finger on.
“This won’t be our last meeting, Kelski. But remember your promise. Tell others of my existence.” He said, stepping back, and then he simply vanished, the Gasvik with him. Kelski reached up and pulled Little Rhaus off her shoulder, bringing the ceramic statue close to her. She nuzzled his cool head and turned him so she held him against her chest and did as Xhyvas said. She filled her eyes with power from her core and scanned the Dominion again. There were glowing bits of power scattered around, some looking buried in the earth or hung from that made up part of the natural landscape of the mountain top. Her jaw dropped as she realized there were bits and pieces of power calling to her from everywhere.
Slowly the Kelvic circled. With her sight it became clearer and clearer that there was a treasure trove of items surrounding her, hidden in the confines of the thirty by thirty magical world. The Gnosis on her chest blazed to life as she saw the possibilities stretching out before her. She could hunt here for years and not find it all. And she would… she knew.
The Kelvic walked to the nearest source of power throwing off a powerful aura and its possibilities singing to her through Xhyvas’ gift. It was laying out in the open, in plain sight… a bluish lavender stone with an almost man-like rune etched on it among other markings. Kelski felt its power as she scooped it up and it melded with the palm of her hand. Little Rhaus squirmed, leaning out from where he was cradled in her left arm, squinting to see.
“A Stone of Tuvrenan, here?” He said, his voice filled with awe. He turned and looked up at Kelski even as she watched the stone merge into her palm. “Do you have any clue what that is? How valuable it is?” He asked, startled.
Kelski shook her head. “No… but I see the possibilities in it. I see its power and its ability to help people heal. Little Rhaus… all of this… all of this is a lot to understand at once. There is treasure all around me… around us. Including you… including me. This is a place of treasure.” She whispered, slightly in awe.
He nodded. “You aren’t wrong… not with that in your hand. Let’s go home, Kelski. Let’s think about this. You need time to absorb it, maybe talk to Gilthas. It’s been… a lot. This whole day.” He said softly.
Kelski nodded. “You are right. Lets go home… “