[The Chapel]Clear-Cut(Veldrys)

[Xelhes]

Fall 37, 511 A.V. From Veldrys' reaction, it seemed he had actually not thought on the words he had spoken, instead simply letting them blurt out. Xelhes could not help but raise an eyebrow at Veldrys, the shock leaving his face as humor took form instead. The Symenestra had spoken almost in a guarded fashion until this point; almost as if he did plan out the words before saying them in an attempt to limit the amount of insight they would give. Like he was trying to make it so there would be no way to see past the words, or find any implications in them. To see Veldrys make a slip like this was highly amusing, despite how important the situation was. He nodded but gave a conflicted look when Veldrys asked if he knew one could heal with Morphing. "I know the theory behind it and used it...once. Healing was something I thought it may possibly be capable of, but I was unsure as well. Our energy is used to change our flesh, but I could not be sure the affect would be the same on damaged flesh...and had no desire to test it." The idea that Veldrys even knew of Morphing was odd to Xelhes. Why would a healer or priest have learned it? Then again, Xelhes himself knew of it so he had no right to assume anything of the Symenestra. "Even if it can heal though...I am not sure I could agree with it. Using it is only a last resort to me, as if even a small mistake occurs the damage could be irreversible. I know how to use the art, but it scares me; the chance that if I use it and mess up I could lose my humanity." Xelhes did not really want to discuss the subject any further. Magic was scary in general, and simply the thought of using it now worried him. Before he had been curious about magic, until he learned the actual possibilities of what could occur from it. Now it was a fearful thing to Xelhes and while he still wanted to become better at it, he did not plan to use it unless he had to in order to survive. "No, that is not something I would like to learn." He turned away from Veldrys again, truly conflicted about the idea. He would love to keep his horns but..."I do not want to run from the truth. I am part human, and keeping my horns during the day would simply be trying to reject that idea. At least, that is how I view it. Accepting this fact, that I am an Ethaefal, is something that changing my form will not aid in. Being happy probably will not occur if I cannot even come to accept my form." Xelhes tried to seem comfortable with who he was, but internally it was chaos. He did not know if he wanted to be Ethaefal or human, each having its own advantages and flaws. His mind changed from wanting to stay Ethaefal, to wanting the normal life of a mortal; never finding the middle ground between them. When Veldrys said he was glad the transformation did not hurt, Xelhes could not help but raise his eyebrow as if to question why. He was glad? Why would he be glad about something that had no affect on him; in anyway? Was his transformation something that looked painful? Talk of Xelhes looking completely different made him nod, for it was obvious. When Veldrys stated that the Ethaefal looked more beautiful in a way he gave the man a confused and almost unimpressed stare. "More beautiful? Your talking as if my human form has beauty. The only thing beautiful that I possess are my horns, nothing more. Everything else about this body and my mortal one are simply average." He hated it when others spoke of him possessing beauty, as Xelhes could not see any unless he looked directly at his horns. There was nothing beautiful about either form, and why should there be. The confidence statement made sense, as Xelhes felt more confident; with Xelhes now thinking on if he did feel different. "I feel...more whole. As a human I have no memories of being younger; no childhood. In this form I can treat the memories of my past lives as that childhood. I can feel like I actually had a family that loved me; that there were people who loved me." The memories were from ages past, but the people were just as real to Xelhes then as they were now. The words, actions, and moments had been real, which Xelhes used now. As an Ethaefal Leth was considered his father, but Xelhes had no relation by blood to Leth. He had no parents or true family, and the idea of that created a hole in Xelhes; one that he wanted to try and fill. As Veldrys told Xelhes how Denval was safe, the Ethaefal laughed lightly. That was not quite what he had meant by that, knowing Denval was extremely safe even at night. "In a more general sense, Veldrys. Denval is safe, but what about outside? It is dangerous at any time of day, but I find that the danger is more so at night for someone like me. Even though I am Ethaefal, I am more mortal than one might think and cannot see perfectly in the dark. Creatures are sure to use the darkness to their advantage." The night was a scary but beautiful thing. Denval was perfect for Xelhes though, for as Veldrys said, the settlement was safe; he could enjoy the beauty of the night in peace. When Veldrys took his arm, the Ethaefal clenched his hip tightly with his other hand, expecting the bite almost instantly. As the second ticked, Xelhes opened on eye a little, noticing that Veldrys was simply staring at his arm, in thought. "Veldrys, if you had just wanted to hold my hand you did not have to go to such lengths." Though he smiled, Xelhes' voice was thick with how nervous he was. Even his attempts to lighten the mood were not enough now, not with the moment right here. Quickly closing his eyes he braced for the bite again, unnerved, but not shaking. When the flesh broke Xelhes clamped his hand on his hip hard, trying to distract himself. The pain was not intense, but concentrated and like an extremely prominent sting. It was more than manageable, and Xelhes quickly released the grip he had on his own hip. He began to focus hard on the memories of the lady from before, who had been so kind. Her face was in his head, pale skin and short ebony hair. The memories were sure to come back if he focused; right? Focusing harder, Xelhes waited until the bite ended; not wanting to witness it with his own eyes.

[Legion]

Moderator Interruption A broad shouldered shadow spread through the moonlight while behind both sets of closed eyes Xelhes and Veldrys visualizations tinted the color of blood. Somewhere in the night blanketing Denval a cracked stone sizzled and sparks flew, causing the one who held it to fumble and curse. Images opened within the mind’s eye of the Symenestra like the petals of a night blooming flower. In what was either an annoyed god’s blessing or a man made curse, the power of silakrov warped and reflected the same imagery for the ethaefal whose blood filled Veldrys’ mouth. It happened in a blink, quick as the slice of a surgeon’s tool or the pinching out of a candle. The flesh of their respective past lives swelled to take on greater detail, the shape of their stories growing somewhere between their shadows and their souls. Out of the onslaught of senses, a jigsaw piece of stunning memory flew up clear and absolute. It was a chunk of crafted and polished amber, trapping a silver moth within and cut by a master’s hand. Sun and moon light eclipsed around it and a crack blackened the surface. It flipped like a coin and the memory went out with a rattle and gasp. As Veldrys and Xelhes’ vision cleared, they were left with a disorienting pile of past life memories – both their own and each other’s -- and an absolute certainty that the stone whose name was on their tongue tips sat like a spider in the center of Denval’s web. It took all of three heartbeats for nausea to grip their bellies.

[Veldrys]

„The effect is exactly the same on damaged flesh“, Veldrys remarked. „I tested it on myself once, and it worked well, although the wound didn’t stay closed.“ He said that in a very cool, detached tone, as if cutting yourself and using magic was a very normal thing, and he hadn’t felt anything when the wound had suddenly started bleeding again. „With practice I think I could achieve even that though. As for using Morphing only as a last resort, you are wiser than me, Xelhes. You have realized something that I’m still struggling with. When you are using magic even a small mistake can cause great damage. Sometimes it’s better to stay away from it entirely.“

He remembered that he had been just as scared of magic as Xelhes seemed to be now. Why wasn’t he anymore? Was magic really worth the risk? Or was he slowly becoming addicted to it? There was something fascinating about the ability to mold your body to suit your purpose, to change yourself and others in any way you wanted, but was it right? He didn’t want to think about it. Veldrys couldn’t imagine not being a mage anymore, although he had decided to stop hiding what he was and pretend that he was human.

„No, maybe changing your form won’t help you“, he agreed. „It’s better to embrace what you are.“ But was it really better? Was it really better to accept something you hadn’t chosen, to accept a life that had been forced on you? Wasn’t it better to do what you could to be comfortable?

„There is beauty in every living being“, he said. „In your current form, in your human form, even the Myrians have a kind of beauty although they will likely eat you before you can appreciate it.“ A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as their conversation moved away from the complicated topic of magic.

And then he could already feel the Ethaefal’s blood on his lips. The world around him disappeared, the houses that surrounded them, the flowers beneath them, the stars above them. Everything became one, and Xelhes‘ face was replaced by something else, the face of a woman he had never seen before. Veldrys‘ hard began to beat faster as the memories invaded his mind. He could feel what Xelhes had felt ... or was he sharing the feelings of that nameless woman?

He could see himself as well which didn’t make any sense to him. He had never seen himself when he had drunk another person’s blood before. But there he was, the mage, the prophet that had already appeared in his dreams once, looking at him accusingly. He remembered, his attempts to save Denval, to save the world, his utter failure and his painful death.

There was something else as well, a stone. He knew that it was important, more important than any of them could imagine, but its name escaped him, for now. He knew that he would eventually remember if he only thought about it long and hard enough ...

... but before he could finish thinking that thought, a violent kind of sickness took a hold of him. He let go of Xelhes abruptly. Their eyes met for a moment, and then the Symenestra was behind the bench, kneeling in the grass, vomiting and clutching his belly. He was more miserable than he had ever been before.

[Xelhes]

Fall 37, 511 A.V. There was no reason to continue talking about magic as Xelhes simply moved his attention else where, as if observing the setting once more. A subject as complicated and diverse as magic was not something they needed to talk about, especially if it could possibly bring about a conflict. Magic once had fascinated the Ethaefal, but now it was simply a fearful thing; though still useful in many ways. "If I do not embrace who I am, than what can I? How could others be comfortable with me if I cannot even be comfortable with my own skin? This is the body I was given, and I have to make the best of it. I would like to hope that when Leth took my soul he did not do it because I ran away from life." This body was awkward with how it changed forms, but it suited him well. At night it was even less fragile as that of mortals, thanks to Leth's energy being the only sustenance that he needed to survive. An amused laugh left his lips when Veldrys spoke of beauty existing in every living being, the Ethaefal not quite agreeing. "I guess, but," Xelhes said, with a unsure expression. "I would have to...disagree to an extent. Beauty can be found in many things, but to me beauty is beyond flesh; unlike how many think. Who someone is and how they act, those are what can make one beautiful. Those who murder out of pleasure, who rape or steal, who work or use the temple of whores, and those who drink there pains away. In actions like that, in people life that, beauty can be difficult to find." It sickened him to think about it, and how people would retreat into such activities just to relieve themselves of some troubles in life. Life was difficult yes; but did people really have such little self respect as to throw away various things? The entire concept was a mess to Xelhes, who saw the obvious wrong with the list he had made. "Those are just my views, but I find them true. I've been alone...for a very long time, and miserable for a good fraction of that time as well; but I will never become a person who does the things I listed. I have respect myself too much, I guess..." Xelhes did not care if the words were offensive as he found them to be extremely true. People could be doing such better things with there time than getting drunk and wasting money. As red covered everything in his mind, Xelhes kept his eyes clenched shut; not wanting to witness the bite still. Wisps of memory came in, then an image of a stone that was cracked, before it vanished from view. When he saw it something clicked inside, like it was the switched needed to regain those memories. A stone that seemed familiar, and had once been of the utmost importance. Then he was smashed by a wave of memories, ones that had the individual he was in the past, and a man whom he had never seen. To say that it hurt was an understatement, his mind being bombarded with images that transcended time, and the feeling that some did not belong. He had never seen that man, and the memories felt completely foreign, as if he was an invading presence in his mind that could not be denied. With Veldrys quickly jerking away from the Ethaefal, Xelhes' eyes snapped open, meeting the Symenestra's with nothing but confusion and pain. As Veldrys began to vomit Xelhes tried to get up, to move somewhere that would not have him puking over the remaining flowers, only to quickly fall onto his hands and knees and vomit himself. He felt horrible, his mind and body exhausted while his body also felt like it was now made of stone. Shaking from his sickness, the Ethaefal threw up once more, a hand going around his extremely painful gut; as if holding it would somehow fix the pain. Turning towards Veldrys again, he noticed the man seemed to be in just as much pain as Xelhes. "Veldrys, does this norm-?!" Before he could finish another wave of vomit left his body, emptying his stomach completely, though the shaking stopped. He did not have the energy to get back up from where he was, not yet, and so stayed as he was glancing at Veldrys. For a moment Xelhes had worried that maybe his blood had been so disgusting it had made the Symenestra sick, but that would not explain why he himself was ill as well. These were not signs from being sick out of nerves, as the vomit could happen but not this burning pain that had replaced the feeling of stone. Taking deep breaths and absorbing as much energy from Leth as he could, the Ethaefal slowly felt his body return to normal, though the energy never returned. His mind was more clear now, the memories far less distorted but still a mess. The moment of death was clear, the pain of the fire incinerating his abdomen almost life like, but aside from a few scattered thoughts the rest was still a blur. Slowly moving he made it back to where Veldrys was and despite the small distance between them it felt like it had taken ages. Leaning his body against the bench he turned to Veldrys, smiling because he did not know what else to do. "If this is a normal result...maybe we shouldn't...attempt it anymore?" The pain had returned, and caused him to take breaths between words in order to suppress it. Being ill was something he was not accustomed to, let alone being this ill. He had sad his previous words with a tone of humor in it though, as if hoping it would somehow help reduce the pain they both felt. Of course it was not a normal result, not based on the expression Veldrys had made while getting sick. Xelhes could not be sure, but it looked almost as if the Symenestra was in shock about what had happened. Shock was something Xelhes also felt, though he was trying to hold it back, as having both of them in such a state even if for a short time would not help. It was then that Xelhes thought of something, about the prophet in particular. He had not appeared until Veldrys had used his magic, while he had memories of the woman long before meeting Veldrys. The prophet felt like an invader in his mind, an individual he did not know, yet the man also felt familiar at the same time. Could it be...? "Veldrys...what did you see? I saw things I wanted to...and an individual who does not reside in any memories; an invading presence. Did you view the sam-?!" Turning to the side Xelhes prepared to vomit once more, though instead he made an odd heaving noise. There was nothing to throw up, just like he thought, and so had to dry heave instead. Once he stopped, he turned back to Veldrys, resting his weight into the bench and leaning into it. He did not even want to know how bad he looked right now, as being this sick would surely make even an Ethaefal look rather ugly; Veldrys himself looking like a mess from being just as ill. Xelhes had another question as well, but did not want to ask it yet. He could not help but wonder; what do we do now?

[Veldrys]

The Symenestra could hear Xelhes‘ question, but he was unable to answer as spasm after spasm wracked his body. He vomitted again and again until nothing came out anymore. He was kneeling in the grass, trembling all over. As he finally raised his head a fraction to meet Xelhes‘ gaze, his face was chalk white, and he looked exhausted. „No“, he whispered. „No, this isn’t normal.“ He tried to stand up, but he felt so weak that he decided that it would be better if he remained sitting in a grass a while longer. He wasn’t sure if his legs would support him. If he didn’t move too much, he had the terrible nausea halfway under control.

„There was something I didn’t tell you“, he said and sighed. „A short while ago I treated two men. They had fallen ill after using their gnosis marks. Strange things are going on in Denval at the moment, but I thought I would be safe. I’m an outsider, and I was blessed by a different god. I took a risk when I drank your blood. I don’t think we should try this again in the near future.“ He stopped here, closed his eyes for a moment and took a few deep, slow breaths.

„I saw you“, he replied. „But you were a woman, a follower of Leth. You were sent to retrieve something, a stone. I saw your past life – and mine. I was a prophet once, human, not this here ...“ He gestured at his body. Sometimes, in his darkest hours, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had been born a Symenestra because the gods had wanted to punish him for the failure in his past life – or because they had a task for him. „As I died, I made the most important prophecy of all. I also received a prophecy in my current life, a warning. How can it be that you saw my past self? Viratas‘ gnosis doesn’t work that way.“

Another pause as his hands went to his belly. A part of him just wished to crawl into his room and lie down, but he couldn’t break down now. This here was too important. „The stone“, he whispered. „Did you see it as well? Do you know where it is? Do you know its purpose?“ There had been the mention of orbs in the prophecy that Viratas had given to him. Had he meant the stone he had seen in his vision? No, Viratas had spoken as if there were more than one, but then again ...

[Xelhes]

Fall 37, 511 A.V. All Xelhes could feel after being told this was not a normal result from Veldrys' power was relief. He had hoped it was not a normal event, as it would make him never want to do it again, let alone the amount of suffering Veldrys would have to go through every time it occurred. The Symenestra looked no better than the Ethaefal, and probably felt just as bad to. The fact that Veldrys' face had become even more pale was almost shocking to Xelhes, considering how pale the man already was. Seeing him try to stand but only to fail made him feel bad, knowing he was in the same situation but also how upsetting it would probably be. The reason Xelhes himself had not tried was because he knew he could not, and if he had only to fail it would have made him very unhappy; not wishing to look like a toddler in front of another. Learning that Veldrys had already heard of a similar situation and the results of it made a sour expression appear on Xelhes' face. So, Veldrys had heard that along with the recent problems in Denval there was another problem that it when a gnosis was used one apparently became ill. The fact that the man had taken a risk, let alone on a total stranger was not one Xelhes was proud of. It made him think that he was partly to blame for their current situation, even if he had no knowledge of what the possible outcomes could have been."Why...why did you take such a risk?" Xelhes questioned, looking confused but also slightly happy. If it had been a life or death scenario Xelhes would understand because he himself would not turn a blind eye from someone who needed aid unless it was a helpless cause. Yet, to simply help a stranger with their own goals despite becoming this ill; it was a concept that Xelhes did not quite get. Even so, he was slightly happy that Veldrys had taken the risk to simply help him considering most people would have turned away if any risk was involved for something such as this."If I was someone close to you I could understand that you took a risk for a selfish desire I had, yet I am just a stranger to you. So to say I am confused would accurate." Xelhes said, wincing a little as a pain ran through his gut. The nausea was still there but he felt far better than before, no longer throwing up his gut and his body felt lighter, though exhaustion still racked him. He listened to the Symenestra, though turned his gaze away and looked up at the stars; relaxing his muscles and letting out a breath. "So, those other memories are yours. The prophet who died alone...just like me. I wonder if anyone even knew..." He had been badly injured before tossed off a cliff, with the drop so far that his body would probably be further destroyed once impact occurred. Would anyone have known, or cared? In that life he had never been with a person and never been told he was loved, even by the man who raised him; only that his efforts were appreciated or rather, her efforts. The gesture Veldrys made did not escape Xelhes' vision however, the Ethaefal turning towards him with an almost angry expression. "Veldrys," He started with a voice that was calm, kind, and yet at the same time extremely firm. "Try not to talk like that; do not refer to yourself as 'this here.' You make it sound like it is a bad thing, despite the obvious that it is not." Taking another breath, the pain lessening, his expression softened and the firmness of his voice faded as well. "I may not know much about your people, the Symenestra, but they are not something to be unhappy about. From what you have taught me so far they sound like a people to have pride in, as they understand the value of life more so than most humans ever will." Xelhes said, his tone honest and kind. He did not need Veldrys doubting when they were already ill and talking about important matters. Though the Ethaefal's words were true to him, his reason for saying them were rather selfish as he wanted to try and understand as much as he could about what was going on. A prophecy? Xelhes had heard rumors of a man who had a God speak the future to him in Denval, and the memories of Veldrys' past told him of the prophecy spoken ages past. Still he wanted to be sure that the prophecy were ones he knew, and so he asked, "Would you mind reciting them to me; both of them?" Maybe he could understand a piece of the prophecy, though it was a very unlikely outcome. For some reason he just knew it would not be something he could comprehend on his own, but maybe if he worked on it with Veldrys and they both used each other, an answer could possibly be found. Smiling while shaking his head a little, Xelhes said, "You spoke of it yourself: 'strange things are going on in Denval.' This might just be one of those stranger occurrences...or could it be possible Viratas willed it?" The idea just came to him now, that maybe the god himself caused his. If the gnosis was an expression of Viratas' power, who was to say the god could not have a direct influence on what it was capable of. Could it be possible Viratas made it so they both say their own past lives, and each others? To what end? While not proven the possibility was there, for Xelhes at least. Most of the nausea had left but the exhaustion was getting worse, making Xelhes want to simply pass out right where he sat. Veldrys himself looked like he wanted nothing more than to rest but was trying to ward it off, so the Ethaefal did the same. The slew of questions that Veldrys fired at him made the Ethaefal blink for a moment, and then chuckle; only to regret it form the muscle pain it brought about. The Symenestra was expecting a lot out of him considering how tired he was; considering how tired they both were. "You should know as much as I do, Veldrys. My memories are yours, and yours mine; remember? I will try to think of anything else if I can..." Xelhes spoke the words quietly, the exhaustion showing up halfway though banished on the last few words. He tried to concentrate on the memories he had, to make them clear or find some importance in him. A mission from Leth to find a stone, yet instead he only ended up dying. A fall down the cliff and then...thoughts? Yes, he was recalling them, the last words he had spoken to Leth before his body died. Sounds became words, and words connected into sentences; and the Ethaefal gave a small, sad laugh. So, that was the truth. "I was a fool." The Ethaefal said, a sad smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes dimming. Leth had not abandoned him like Xelhes had thought, but instead done what Xelhes had simply requested. As Isolde he had failed, yet he prayed for Leth to give him rest so he could search another time; when his strength had returned. That was why he fell to this world, not out of Leth's desire but Xelhes' own. The god he had blamed everything for deserved no blame, for he was only doing what Xelhes had asked. The notion hurt him greatly, that he had thought so ill of a being that had only wanted to help him. How would he ever gain Leth's forgiveness? Would Leth even care about him now? It might have shocked the Symenestra if he saw it, but a single tear did leave the Ethaefal's eyes. The thought that he had betrayed his father, that he had brought this loneliness onto himself was heartbreaking in its own way. Everything was his fault, and he had simply tried to blame another for what he had considered a miserable existence. Shaking his head, his thoughts clear and the memories coming together he turned Veldrys but did not look him in the eyes; not wanting the Symenestra to see just how upset he truly was inside, or the chaos that now brewed in his mind. "The stone...Leth wanted me to find it and return it to Denval; that it belonged to the people of Denval and was rightly theirs. What the stone was capable of I do not know, the memory of that is not intact. A name though..." The Ethaefal thought for a moment, trying to recall what it was. It rested on the tip of his tongue, and on the edge of his mind; so obvious yet still hidden. A stone of amber, that had encased a silver moth for all of time. He knew of the Amber Tree that Isolde had created in her story, but that could not have a connection to the stone. Still, it brought back the memory, restoring another piece of his past; and would bring about a bigger change when it melded with the others. A crack in the stone, and two revolving forces around it; Syna and Leth. Focusing on the image in his mind it came to him, making him feel like a fool when the answer came about. Nodding to himself he looked up at Veldrys again, though avoided eye contact and said, "Solduvan...I think. Maybe Salduvon?" The exact name he was not sure, but the two sounded right; or extremely close to being right. Knowing it was not really the moment to ask, Xelhes still had to, the memories of the prophet still rather fragmented and unusable. "Veldrys...can you tell me about who you were? The fragment I have, its just of a man who died alone. Our deaths, they seem almost similar to me and I am just wondering....if the lives before were as well." It was not his business but Xelhes was curious. So far he and Veldrys had gotten along quite well, and the idea that it was because their lives in the past could have been identical was a possible reason why. Had Veldrys once chosen to be alone, or was it simply that no one wanted to be with him? Even Xelhes was not sure of his choice back when he lived as Isolde; when he dedicated everything to Denval and trying to better it. People had never really tried to know him in that, unless it was the children he would watch and tell stories to. Back then, they simply thanked him for his efforts and that was all; thinking highly of him and yet never trying to get close. It was a life where he had felt adored and that he had found his purpose for existing; yet it was a life filled with loneliness and the hidden sadness of never having someone care about him as Isolde the woman, not Isolde the healer.

[Veldrys]

„I thought that whatever was happening in Denval wouldn’t affect me“, Veldrys replied as Xelhes asked him why he had taken such a risk. He was still trembling slightly. Was that the shock or the first sign of a fever? If Cian’s and Theo’s illness was anything to go by, it would take at least a day or two before he would function normally again. „That was arrogant of me, I suppose.“ He shrugged his shoulders. „As for your being a stranger ...“ Another shrug. „... according to the Viratassa all blood is precious. A stranger is worth just as much as a friend, and a healer is supposed to help all those that are in need. You were in need. It’s as simple as that.“

„If anybody even knew what ...?“ he asked. „If anybody even knew that I died, back then? I don’t know. There was a woman who took care of me when I fell ill, but I’m not sure if she was there when my life ended. She was a stranger. I didn’t have anybody, no friends, no wife or husband, no children, no lover ...“ The prophet had been even more lonely than Veldrys was now. In his current life he had at least his occasional visits to the temple of Nikali, the Kelvic Lucette, a few people that had almost become friends.

„You don’t know everything“, he replied as he heard Xelhes‘ words, as he saw the angry expression on the Ethaefal’s face. „There are some things about my people that I never told you, things that would give any man nightmares. Do you know that I once tried to make myself look human and ran away? It took me a long time to feel anything resembling pride for my people and for what I am in this life.“ His voice was filled with bitterness. Earlier he had decided not to tell Xelhes about the Harvest, but maybe he would after all, so that the Ethaefal would understand why he felt the way he did.

The prophecy – no, the prophecies – were troubling, but at least they were a better topic than the desperate struggle of his people. There was a chance that he would be able to help Denval, but he wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to save the Symenestra. And thus he nodded as Xelhes asked him to recite the prophecies.

„The first one was given to me by Viratas, the day he marked me“, he began.

"Ware the butterflies of precious paint
Writ large upon the fallen's walls
Find the root of entropy's taint
Fuse the orbs ere Denval falls."

„The second one was the one I made when I was human, centuries ago.“

"Syna will send her sun-singer
To Denval for the lovers' prize
Alas, he will not mend the ties
Cut by Firelord, holocaust-bringer.“

„I have no idea who the sun-singer is or what the lover’s prize is, but I know that the Firelord is Ivak, Ivak who was responsible for the Valterrian. I think I knew ... I knew that the world would end, but I couldn’t do anything about it!“ He clenched his fists, frustrated. „I don’t know if Viratas willed it. Maybe he had a hand in it, maybe not, but the result is the same. Strange things are happening ...“

As Xelhes said that he had been a fool, Veldrys looked at him. „You weren’t any more of a fool than I was. We both failed ...“

„Solduvan ...“ he whispered and shook his head. The name seemed familiar, but he didn’t know why. „I already told you that I was a prophet, a human, living in a place called Alahea that doesn’t exist anymore. I was blessed with the gift of sight, or rather the curse. I made prophecies. I saw how and when people would die. I knew when I would die, that I would die young, and as a consequence I didn’t let anybody get close to me. I didn’t want to hurt them. I tried to use magic to prevent my death, but it turned out to be the very thing that killed me. Even in my current life I cannot stay away from it. But you already know that.“

„We both failed. Do you think things will be different now? Do you think we will find that stone?“

[Xelhes]

Fall 37, 511 A.V. Xelhes simply shook his head when Veldrys said he thought he would not be affected, and nodded when the Symenestra said it was arrogant. It was a risk he should not have taken or exempted himself from, though then again the risk was not major. Further talk of blood being equal simply made Xelhes unhappy with the answer. Blood being equal to Xelhes meant you would treat others of different races the same you would one of your own, with respect. Blood being equal did not mean you had to aid them in their selfish endeavors, or to treat them as you would a close friend. It was then Xelhes realised he was looking at this the wrong way and simply being ungrateful. "It was foolish to ask. I should simply be grateful for your help and not looking for reasons on why. Thank you." Xelhes said, quietly though completely honest as well. That was all he wanted to speak on the subject, unhappy with how he had treated it and embarrassed as well. Veldrys questioning what Xelhes had meant about his words made the Ethaefal blush, or at least sort of considering his skin could gain almost no color. Again he was embarrassed for speaking out loud though reminiscing about the past often made his mind drift, yet his body would still be responsive. Rubbing his eye the Ethaefal said, "My attacker disfigured my body, and my fall probably made my body unrecognizable. I just wonder if anyone even knew I had died...or cared. Cared that I had died, and not that my services as a healer would be missed." Had anyone loved him in that life? None of the memories said so, and even thinking on it friends were scarce too; the only people who really spoke to him beyond pleasantries being children. As shallow as it sounded it made Xelhes wonder if his form as Isolde had been an ugly one, despite knowing how she had looked. Hearing Veldrys say there were things he did not know, that would give men nightmares, made Xelhes sigh lightly. Taking a moment to think the Ethaefal inhaled and said, "I may not know everything about the Symenestra, but you also do not know everything about the Ethaefal or humans. Some of the things that we do, that someone of any race does, can give any man nightmares. People sometimes do it in order to cause nightmares, to make another fear or hate." The small smile Xelhes had tried to maintain as much as possible faded, and instead his expression was one of sadness; a sadness caused by an inescapable truth, or so Xelhes considered it. "My example may be weak but in my past there was an adolescent, a very young blacksmith, who did such things. When ever he could he spoke stories in order to scare children, to make them scared of everything. One was of trees that lied just outside Denval, demons that when one walked near them would remove their roots from the ground and drain the blood of that person; when the leaves turned red a had devoured the blood of another yet always thirsted for me." Xelhes spoke, sadness in his tone while he thought on the past. Another sigh left the Ethaefal before he turned from Veldrys saying, "Can you guess why he did it? I asked and he told me it was 'because he liked it when the little pricks cried.' It brought him pleasure and happiness, seeing children suffer and fear the world; to fear themselves. Like I said though, this is a an extremely mild case of what humans do to each other, let alone those of another race." Xelhes had no idea if his words would help Veldrys understand that while he thought his people did horrible things so did many others. It had been a weak example, but it was the one Xelhes remembered best. Then talk of the prophecies occupied his mind. Just as he thought, they meant nothing to him. He tried to think of what they could mean but it was all blank, his past life only being involved in trying to find the Stone and then killed shortly after. Yet Vedlrys' words did indicate something; he had died most likely shortly before the Valterrian occurred. No, no one would have known of his death or cared, not with that occurring. The frustration Veldrys felt was obvious and the memories from the past made Xelhes act almost out of instinct. When ever one of the children had been upset he had always tried to reassure them as much as possible, even if it was for only a moment. He place a hand lightly on Veldrys forearm, giving a calm almost parental look to the man. "The world did not end, everything around us proves that. The damage was substantial, yes, but the world survived and fought. In time it became what it is today, a place where all of us could live. Our people lived, as did our souls. Is that not proof enough?" Xelhes spoke softly before blinking and quickly retracting his hand, giving it a strange look. Maybe he could reclaim what he had lost if he used those memories and went with with instinct; his body different and the memories fragmented, but his soul having a form of physical memory of the actions from his past. Yet it bothered him that he had acted like that on impulse, let alone the fact that Veldrys was not some child to be spoken to in such a manner. Choosing not to respond to the Symenestra's comment about Xelhes having also failed, the Ethaefal simply listened to the past life Veldrys had. It would be better to simply let Veldrys believe he had meant failing his mission and not for blaming a god for everything. Listening to the life Veldrys had as a human confirmed that while they both had been lonely, it was for different reasons completely. Without Veldrys even asking Xelhes went on with his own story, stating, "Back then I lived here as well, in a Denval that was before Valterrian. I spent my days working as a healer more or less, tending to the sick and injured with various herbs or medicine. Aside from that I would be praying to Leth, gathering herbs, telling children stories or playing with them, and sometimes even defending Denval if a threat came about. Spending time learning to use the longbow properly was useful when an aggressive animal came to close. I was happy with that life, it felt like I had found my purpose is helping others...but it was a life that somehow felt empty at the same time. Being alone, I am unsure if I chose that. In the memories people were kind, saying they admired me for my abilities, yet no one tried to get to know me and there are no memories of being told I was loved. The man who raised me acted more like an employer than a father and only the children spoke to me past pleasantries, so..." Commenting on Veldrys past was something Xelhes did not want to do, as the knowledge of knowing when one would die was not a pleasant thought. How horrible had it been for the prophet to know that, to force people away even though they may have loved him? The entire situation was no a happy one; a prophet who refused others to save them heartbreak and a healer who had never been told or shown she was loved by any other than children. Would their current lives play out to be just as unhappy when everything was said and done? "I wish I could give you an honest answer, Veldrys; I really do. As Isolde my power was so limited as all I had were: herbs, medicine, and my bow. In this life I am even more limited, almost powerless. If it is just us two with our current capabilities...I just cannot say. I am going to try, I have to, but just the two of us does not seem like enough." He wished there was some way he could be helpful but all the skills Xelhes had were most likely ones Veldrys had as well, just more capable with them. How could he help find the Stone when he was so limited? The Ethaefal would look, he had promised Leth, but with just Veldrys as an ally it seemed almost impossible. Even more so, the Stone could be anywhere in Denval with no specific point of reference and Xelhes had no idea on how to even find an indication of the Stone's presence aside from physically seeing it. With a small, nervous laugh the Ethaefal said, "Well, this should be a fun little task." Using his arm muscle to practically lift his body up, Xelhes slowly stood up, his muscle weak with exhaustion but the sickness calmed considerable. He could not help but think it was because of his body, using Leth's energy to constantly fuel itself, had aided in the recovery though his aching muscles cried a protest at the notion.

[Veldrys]

Veldrys didn’t say anything as Xelhes wondered if anybody had missed him when he had died, back in his past life. He was still thinking of his own past. Maybe he should have taken a chance. Maybe he should have tried to forget the vision he had had of his own death. Maybe he should have found somebody to keep him company at night and fathered a child. All that he had left to those that came after him had been that prophecy, and it had been too late to prevent it. It had been too late from the beginning. He had lived his life in vain. There was no point in life if your bloodline ended with you ...

As Xelhes told him the story of the blacksmith who had liked to make children cry, the Symenestra shook his head. „My people aren’t like that“, he said. „They don’t hurt others because they enjoy it. At least such behaviour is not the norm. For us it is about nothing less than the survival of our race, a constant, desperate fight against extinction. Do you think it’s wrong to harm another being if it is the only way to assure your own survival, Xelhes? I’ve spent most of my life wondering about that, but I have been unable to come to a conclusion so far.“

He sighed. Xelhes‘ example had been lacking in certain regards, but it still helped him understand a little. It had made him think. „No, I suppose the world didn’t really end“, he murmurred. „It was merely end of the world as they knew it. It was changed nearly beyond recognition.“ He noticed that Xelhes had placed a hand on his forearm and looked at him for the longest time, but he didn’t move away. In a way he found the brief contact comforting.

„You were wondering if anybody missed you when you died“, he said after Xelhes had told him the story of his own past life. „The children, they probably missed you. They missed your stories and the games that you played with them. There was somebody that cared about you.“ As far as he was concerned Xelhes‘ life as Isolde had been far more pleasant than his own past life. Isolde hadn’t known that she would die. She had had the children. He on the other hand hadn’t had anybody. He had been such a fool ...

„We can try and become stronger“, he replied as Xelhes said that the two of them didn’t seem like enough. „I’ve become a much better healer since I arrived in Denval. I received a mark from Viratas. Maybe we aren’t currently strong enough, but that can change. My offer to teach you still stands. And in the meantime we’ll just have to search all of Denval. We can’t give up before we’ve even begun, can we?“

As Xelhes stood up, Veldrys tried to stand as well. His legs trembled a bit, and he leaned onto the Ethaefal for support. „I think you’ll have to accompagny me home tonight“, he stated. „Otherwise I’ll probably sleep on a bench in the Chapel.“

Fall 37, 511 A.V. Veldrys’ comment about how the Symenestra were not like the man Xelhes spoke of caused an amused smile to cross his face. The point of the story had not been to compare the Symenestra to that man, but rather that everyone had the ability to cause ‘nightmares’ with some even trying to. Maybe the story had come across as more offensive than Xelhes had intended, which was not at all. Perhaps it would be best for him to keep his comparisons and stories to himself when around Veldrys, just in case. The question that was posed to Xelhes made him blink for a moment, genuinely surprised that it was asked. The situation of extinction in general was a surprise to Xelhes as he knew the Symenestra were not large in number, but nearing extinction was far less than he had imagined. It was an interesting question, one Xelhes had never thought on before; especially when the answer he arrived at was not a true answer. With a sad smile, he said, ”I do not think I can be one to judge if it is right, or wrong. When you think about it we act like that out of instinct…well, more like self-preservation. An example would be if I tried to kill you, right here and now. Would you simply sit there and let me have my way, or would you fight back in order to survive? If I was the one being attacked there is no question, I know I would fight back. Should my defense end up killing the attacker, animal or other, I would probably feel guilt…but I would never apologize for my actions.” Giving a definite answer to the question was something Xelhes found impossible; there was just no way to truly know. ”I am not sure if my answer helps you at all…it is a very complicated concept. Some would think it is fine while others would consider it an abominable act. If it truly is the only way to survive though, then…what else can one do?” The Ethaefal said, his voice expressing the internal conflict going on. Yes, it was a very difficult matter and while Xelhes wanted to say yes, there was a part of him that said it was wrong. The Symenestra’s face told Xelhes that his attempt at comforting him about the world he deemed lost had not been very effective. He had tried his best, but sometimes comfort was not what one needed; sometimes it only made things worse in the long run. Smiling to himself he spoke, quietly, ”The world did change, but like you said some things remained. Fragments of the old world still exist, our souls included, and they can be found if one is willing to seek them out. So long as those pieces remain, I do not think that world was truly lost.” Whatever Veldrys may think the world had not ended, not to Xelhes. It changed, adapting to the catastrophe that had occurred, but still left pieces of its old form around and that was more than enough. The look Veldrys gave Xelhes, let alone the length of it made, the Ethaefal decide to suppress such actions from occurring again. From what he could tell Veldrys did not seem happy with the physical contact, Xelhes committing such a fact to memory to avoid any problems later; to prevent it from happening again. Veldrys’ words brought him comfort, though almost in a bitter way. Maybe he was right and those children had missed him, but what if they did not? As time went by did they forget him just as they would some toy? He did not want to think on it, nor give a response to the man’s statement. Xelhes knew Veldrys had probably said it to give comfort, but in a way it had caused more hurt than anything else. ”We could try, but still…there is a limit to what two individuals can do. I will still try, I promised I would, but I do worry.” He said, unsure of the various events that could occur while searching for the Stone, let alone when it was found. If there was a conflict Xelhes would be useless; he was not built for combat, unlike Veldrys. Giving the Symenestra a polite chuckle he said, ”I would hope your offer still stands since I am counting on your help; books can only go so far. Also…you’re right. We cannot give up without trying. Besides, it would be rather harsh of me to leave the task to just you.” It was not a task just for Veldrys to do on his own, and Xelhes doubted it was something only one person could do alone. Maybe that had been the biggest faults of their past; trying to solve their problems on their own. Had they somehow gained help in the past, would things be different in the present? The sudden extra weight that the Symenestra put on Xelhes made the man stagger, his aching legs using all the strength they had to stay erect. Veldrys using him for support had come as a surprise to the Ethaefal, an extremely silent and mild curse leaving his lips. After spending a moment to regain his balance and adjust to the new addition, Xelhes turned his head to Veldrys with an amused smile, saying, ”Next time you might need to warn me, remember I am just as exhausted as you. If I fell down I can assure you there would be no getting up; I would have stayed there until morning.” A laugh left the Ethaefal though it was quickly silenced by a wince as his abdominal muscles screamed. Despite the nausea having left he still felt miserable, that bench Veldrys had spoken of sounding like an extremely wonderful place to stay. Positioning himself so that he was supporting Veldrys better he waited for the man to begin walking, giving him a nod. ”Sure, I will help you get home if you lead the way. Hopefully it is not too far so that I can return back to mine as well. Passing out on the way there does not sound like a lovely idea, even if Denval is rather safe.” He could not help but imagine waking up against some building, his clothing and money robbed. Definitely not a pleasant thought at all, and one he would try to prevent from coming true.