Completed Red is my favorite color [Eosi please]

[Leo Varniak]

Leo shot her an amused sideways glance at the mention that all people are born the same way, and looked like he was going to retort in some way, but then he seemingly accepted his defeat on that count, gave a little sigh and smiled to himself. Fine, fine. He wondered how long it would be before she ended up seeing his marks. Probably not terribly long. Her reply implied some inclination towards it and she certainly seemed to enjoy things going her way, but then again so did he. It simply wasn't the right time just yet, and besides he had just as many barriers to breach as she did, if not more.

"I trust they are good surprises," he replied innocently, looking up at the clouds as he did, and suddenly felt the curiosity to know what brought her to Riverfall and whether she was going to stay for long. Maybe she was traveling in company and she was only stopping to recuperate after a leg of her journey? It was a long way from Denval. He'd have to ask her eventually. He did not want to steal her from whatever life she had been living until now, but at the same time he did. For Ivak, naturally, but there was a part of selfishness there that stood out from sheer novelty.

When Eosi reassured him that she would not hate him no matter what he shared with her, he truly hoped he could believe her. She had accepted uneasy truths even in the short span he'd known her, and perhaps this would be no exception. "Thank you, Eosi. To you I promise everything will make sense in the end." He still looked worried, but relieved by her promise. If she put as much stock in her promises as he did in his, then they would be absolute. Leo's promise, while a somewhat rare phenomenon, was as real and unescapable a law as gravity or the flow of time. He had sworn to avenge the innocents killed by the Black Hand, and true enough the Druvin was dead. He had promised he'd free Ivak and Ivak walked the earth once more. And now, he had promised Eosi he would open a new world for her that surpassed her imagination.

As he considered the best angle for his approach, the girl suggested that they climb a tree of all things. Leo's last feat of climbing had been in Kalea, where he had nearly fallen to his death, buried under a snow slide and other such amenities. Under normal circumstances, the very thought of climbing would have been as alien to him as lichens to a camel. He regarded the tree with curiosity and weighed the mischief in Eosi's expression. It was a very childish thing to do, and Leo had never been a child even in his childhood, pouring over the Treval Codex at age seven. He made up his mind instantly.

"Actually, I think I will just..." he began with a frown, lightly dismissing the idea - only to uncoil like a spring just as a refusal seemed evident. "... see you at the top." In those few seconds when he had been staring at the tree, seemingly unimpressed, he'd already taken note of all the best-looking branches for scrambling up and gaining solid footholds. He knew that a plan and a head start were the only way he could possibly stand a chance against Eosi's catlike grace, and even then he thought he'd probably lose - but if she thought he was going to take it easy only because there was no money prize awaiting the winner, she would have to think again. The Zaitals weren't known as the Driven without a reason, after all.

And so, Leo Zaital grappled one of the lowermost branches in an attempt to follow through with his original plan. "Win and you get to see my marks," he called out with a grin of challenge, "but what if I win, Eosi Barlowe?"

[Eosi]

It seemed Leo was going to fire back on the subject of nudity, but it he waited a beat and thought better of it. Eosi was a little disappointed; it would have been entertaining to joust with him, so to speak. He really was quite humorous beneath all the solemnity, especially with his lopsided grin. At very first his smile seemed out of place, given his otherwise sober exterior. As the minutes passed however, Eosi was becoming more convinced that it was closer to his natural state of being. Perhaps at one time in his life, he was even happy. It could be easy to forget your own desires and needs in the face of such an overwhelming task, but self-denial served no purpose if it was needlessly constant. The Ivakian perhaps needed an intervention.

"I trust they are good surprises," he emphasized, eyes retreating to the skies ahead. They filled her with conjecture, good as the surprises were. The two of them had been recognized with the Gods – he by far more than she, but still. Was it possible to be more loved by those that made you than those around you? Eosi had always been such a misfit that at times she assumed only the gods loved her. Returning to something the Azenth said earlier, she really drank in the truth of it. They were both so incredibly different from the world in which they lived. It made sense that they were developing a companionship with one another, then. Especially given his statement that he preferred an “egalitarian” sort of friendship; Eosi did not seem to place the dark young man above her. If it came to performing a task for Ivak, of course she would. He was the last, best hope for the world if he spoke truly. But in casual interaction, the shapely little archer placed no man’s opinion above her own and she was not ashamed.

He really did seem concerned about revealing whatever story he had hidden away, fretting a bit. "Thank you, Eosi. To you I promise everything will make sense in the end." Her smile was a reassuring one. If he hurt her then it was it was better up front. Eosi felt the stilletto in her heart already, the tension causing her to over-anticipate the whole thing. Still, she’d promised and intended to keep to her word. Promises were not lightly given on her end, either. It was not something she’d linger on until he was ready though. Otherwise it would drive her mad.

At her suggestion of tree climbing, her counterpart stared at it unenthusiastically. Eosi felt a pang at his reaction. He had already revealed how tired he was. It had been foolish of her to suggest such a thing. For a moment she began to bemoan her frivolity. "Actually, I think I will just..." He trailed, frowning. "... see you at the top." Springing into motion, he headed toward the tree. She gave a delighted little gasp and took off after, giggling like a school child. So it was deception, then? Leo was very good at it for being so artless otherwise. As he reached one of the lower branches she was hot on his heels, eyes scanning the verdant maze for handholds and footholds.

“Win and you get to see my marks," he began, grinning. "but what if I win, Eosi Barlowe?"

His challenge put a boiling into her veins. All too quickly, she replied: ”Then you get a kiss!” Her barking laughter echoed in her own ears. She wrapped both hands around the lowest limb and braced her feet against the tree’s base, half-walking and half-hoisting herself up. Zaital had gotten in over his head with her when it came to climbing, as Eosi had been scrambling up trees as long as she could remember. Still, in her haste she slipped a few times. It didn’t slow her quick ascent. Well not until she ran into that bird’s nest.

”Ah!” The Inarta cried, her head coming up underneath of a neatly woven basket. She wore it like a crown for a single second before ducking the irate dive of its owner just in the nick of time. The mockingbird cried furiously as she replaced it back on the fork of the branch, and internally she was grateful that there were no eggs within. The bird gave a haughty little cry and settled back in it, glowering at the young woman. Eosi glared back, recalcitrant even with the wildlife she encountered. By the time she’d resolved the whole affair, Leo was far ahead. Eosi grumbled plaintively as she caught him up, her head poking out the top of the tree to be on level with his, a minute or so later.

Leaves wildly stuck out from her curls, and mournfully she picked them out. ”You win this time, Zaital,” she said, glaring at the offending bits of foliage. ”Clearly.” The loss of seeing his gnosis made gave her a whole new reason to be annoyed with herself, failure washing over her. What did she say she’d give him if she – Eosi’s heart did a little jig all of the sudden. In the rush to beat him, she’d offhandedly promised a kiss. In comparison to nudity it seemed rather small. But in retrospect she realized it’d been made with no intention of being fulfilled. Eosi had assumed she’d win, after all. That was a fatal error in judgment.

Her cheeks reddened considerably. ”It’s lovely weather up here,” she hedged.

[Leo Varniak]

Leo had always found it very hard to use his own powers of release on himself. Much like the difficulties inherent in tickling oneself, for some reason the blessed feeling of unwinding that he had already offered to the half-Inarta tended to escape him when self-directed. It was at times like this - or when unleashing fire - that he could relieve his stress, and he was grateful to Eosi for the chance to do so. He still wasn't going to let her win for it. A contest was a contest and it would dishonor both the challenge and the opponent if he took it lightly. Naturally, it didn't change the fact he had climbed far fewer trees than her. Syliras was a castle city of stone, with hardly any wood to be found. Kids sometimes took to the roofs and he had done his fair share of hiding from bullies, but an actual bona fide tree was something else entirely.

He managed to hoist himself up, but just as his feet parted from the ground, Eosi's crystalline laughter announced that his prize for winning the race would be a kiss. He almost lost his balance for an instant as he leapt on the next limb and stole a glance behind his shoulder. "Deal!" he breathed out with the fire of the contest in his eyes. And why not? This was just like a tourney, and little did it matter that he'd always had his differences with the Syliran Knights. It just seemed very appropriate. His grin faltered as he took in the prodigious speed of Eosi's climb compared to his own. She was zapping from one branch to the next as if possessed, already halfway through catching up on him. No more looking over his shoulder, then.

Leo climbed slower, but steady, remembering the old story of the hare and the tortoise and hoping it hadn't been just a comforting tale for losers around the world. He couldn't move faster than this without putting his neck on the line, anyway, and he would rather live to experience defeat than leave Eosi with the task of burying him in the Sea of Grass. There was no doubt that she would have overtaken him well before the end, and he was already mentally preparing for it when it appeared that the girl met with an unforeseen incident involving a hummingbird and its nest. "Attack, my minions!" he teased her, not stopping to witness the entire scene but stealing an amused glance whenever he could.

He was breathless by the time he finally managed to rest his back against the trunk on the uppermost layer that felt safe for a person of average weight. He had just enough time to marvel at the expanse of landscape all around him and wonder what in all of the Ukalas had been taking over his mind, for him to be here, exhausted and happier than he could remember being in... he didn't know how long. Finally, Eosi emerged and joined him up there, looking flushed and more than a little embarrassed. 'Then again, in a contest of sore losers, someone's bound to be disappointed,' Leo thought. He suspected her blush was not entirely to blame on fatigue, either. Here was someone who'd made the archetypical drunken bet and was being called on it while sober. There was something endearing about it, he had to admit.

"Marvelous," he nodded, still with the hint of heavy breathing on his voice, "this was a great idea you just had. A string of great ideas, if I may add." He waited for her to make herself safe and comfortable - as much as possible given the circumstances - and helped her brush the leftover foliage from her hair. He was aware of her proximity and understood she had put herself in a corner, offering more than she seemed ready to give. Was he going to claim his prize then? The temptation was there, he had to admit. She wasn't a true classic beauty in the ethereal way of the Konti, yet her attractiveness stemmed from sensuality rather than prettiness. Leo hadn't had many chances to befriend girls his age throughout his exceptional life, but he had eyes. She looked her best when emotions flowed into one another on her face. It would be a challenge to convey her charm on canvas, he decided.

And the idea came to him, unbidden, and he realized he'd have to speak it immediately or not at all. It wouldn't pass a closer scrutiny of his rational mind. "It just occurred to me that you promised me a kiss, but didn't specify when." He sounded innocent, meaning he was being clever. "Sadly, it seems like I'll have to wait for you to dispense such a gift at your convenience. Today, tomorrow, a hundred turns of the sky from now..." He was offering her a way out of her predicament, if it could be called such, but he was doing so by upping the ante and ensuring he would meet her again. "But I'm afraid you won't be able to just ride into the sunset until your debt is settled. We don't want to anger the gods with defiance, now do we?" He cleared his throat. "I hope you won't ride into the sunset afterwards, either. You'd plunge into the Suvan Sea."

He tilted his head, amusement starting to melt back into a more serious state of mind as he offered: "I kind of cheated. Consolation prize?" He punctuated the words by turning a little sideways and lifting a couple inches off the back of his shirt. Something was there, something covering his skin in blazing coils. And it looked very large indeed.

[Eosi]

"Deal!" He cried jocularly, only peering back for a fraction of a second. It seemed Leo was far more formidable than even she realized. Though incredibly slow, he used the torpid pace to his advantage, checking ahead of himself at he went. Therefore, he didn’t come upon any nests or hives unaware. Upon her conflict with the angry bird, he stole a glance behind his shoulder and laughed. "Attack, my minions!" A slow smile crept across her cheeks involuntarily. In a normal circumstance, Eosi would have laughed herself silly. However this not a normal circumstance – it was a race – and it was one she was losing. The Inartan woman did not take losing well in nearly any circumstance.

Surprisingly, one look at Leo’s face and things seemed to improve. He was happy albeit completely spent. They both lounged indolently against the base of the tree, breathing hard. "Marvelous," he responded with a hint of fatigue coloring his tone, ”this was a great idea you just had. A string of great ideas, if I may add." She waited to respond as she was still catching her breath. As she began fixing her mane of hair, his hands joined her in the effort, causing her to inhale sharply. The way his eyes lingered on her face… Her light blush bloomed substantially, the tops of her cheeks flushing to a bright peach. Eosi was quite aware he’d see all this, but there was no use in concealing it. She wore her emotion proudly, for better or worse.

"It just occurred to me that you promised me a kiss, but didn't specify when." He feigned transparency. ”Sadly, it seems like I'll have to wait for you to dispense such a gift at your convenience. Today, tomorrow, a hundred turns of the sky from now..." His voice trailed, in the hopes that her thoughts would follow. Eosi considered his proposition. It would mean she could wait. However, if she were being completely honest, there was little else she wanted to do at that moment than kiss him. Leo had fine features and a supple looking mouth, non-descript as he might seem. She was coming to truly appreciate how ordinary and yet extraordinary he was. Beyond all the innocent flirting and grim revelation, Leo had a darkness that lurked just beneath the surface; it was the kind of look that could put a woman’s stomach into knots. That particular string of ideas led her somewhere intimate, forbidden, and she immeditately put it to rest. With some difficulty, Eosi had to remind herself she just met this person. It wouldn’t do to take things too far. She felt like she'd known him for a hundred years or more, somehow.

Leo continued his compromise. "But I'm afraid you won't be able to just ride into the sunset until your debt is settled. We don't want to anger the gods with defiance, now do we?" The proposition was wholly without guile. Eosi broke from her hypnotic stare and laughed once more, her blush very slowly receding. "I hope you won't ride into the sunset afterwards, either. You'd plunge into the Suvan Sea." The light laugh transitioned into a full on chortle, and she shook her head. ”I think recent discoveries have uncovered that the world is indeed round.” She made a wry face. ”Alright then. We’ll put the heroes’ reward on hold.” Eosi released a grateful little sigh. ”For now,” she added ominously, grinning.

Their innocent play could not last. "I kind of cheated. Consolation prize?" The Azenth offered, the lighthearted banter fading away as he turned a bit and lifted the back of his shirt. For a moment she was incredulous, uncertain what lay before her eyes. It almost looked like roiling fire emblazoned across his skin. The Inarta realized with another little gasp that her observation was correct. Leo was showing her a glimpse of his gnosis. Her hands yearned to touch it, to see if it truly burned. ”That’s beautiful,” she trailed, the words as ambiguous as his had been. The ends of her fingertips reached out to brush the revealed patch of skin lightly, so as not to alarm him. He was so much warmer than she’d originally thought. ”Ah,” she sighed delicately. Afterward she withdrew almost immediately, not desiring to push him any further.

He’d just proven something to her. Her mind’s irritable little voice chastised her for even doubting him. From what she’d seen, the mark was enormous as it reached well beyond the shade of his clothing. There was no reconciling that for the moment, but something about the size troubled her. Leo must have omitted something, somewhere. Still, he said he’d keep no secrets. The fact that this incredible individual was bestowing such attention upon her was astounding. Not because of what he offered, but rather how happy he made her. She hadn't felt so alive since she'd left Denval, years and years ago. Whatever he’d say in the coming hour she’d promised not to hate him. Eosi would cling to that promise, even if it were the only reason she had left.

”So,” she said sheepishly. ”Tell me your tale, Zaital.”

[Leo Varniak]

He thought he read the slightest bit of disappointment at his proposal that the prize should be deferred. It went to prove just how unfathomable women could be, wanting one thing and its exact opposite at the same time. If the truth be told, a part of him had wanted it, too, more intensely so than was appropriate for someone he had just met. Maybe it was just how frail he was under the layer of intimidation that had become second-nature to him, one she apparently had no problem cutting through. And under normal circumstances, there would have been nothing wrong with letting go for once.

But he had annihilated her home town, probably erasing her family from existence. These weren't normal circumstances, and he was glad he hadn't taken a kiss from her. It would have made the next part even more unpleasant than it was going to be. If anything, she wouldn't think he had taken advantage of her with full knowledge of what he'd done to her. It would be painful enough to hurt her, and a dreadful thought hit him in full force. 'This is how the rest of your life is going to be. Anyone you meet will have had someone taken by you. They will have a reason to hate you, and there's nothing you can do about it. No matter what you do from now on, no matter how virtuous you become, this fact can't be changed.' The finality, the inevitability of it all were a fitting punishment for someone who had dished out judgment on others for the better part of his life. Such thoughts visited him frequently, but it was only now, in front of someone he felt a true connection with, that the true extent of the curse had manifested.

Thankfully, her eyes were focusing on the visible part of his gnosis at the time. Her delicate touch sent a light shiver down his spine; it was the first time anyone ever saw his champion's mark, let alone touched it. Because of the sheer emotional energies involved, he had been having issues with his self-control since the day of his final marking and Eosi's touch wasn't helping with that. For all the distraction it brought, he missed it sharply when it was gone. Eosi's voice transported him back into focus and he gave her a solemn nod. No sense in further prolonging this peculiar kind of torture for both of them.

"For five hundred years," he began, barely breaking eye contact now, as if seeking constant feedback from the depths of her soul, "the Zaital family has been at the forefront of a secret mission. Simply put, the main purpose of our bloodline was to free Ivak from imprisonment. The world needs him, and even the gods who shackled him must have known that, because they went to great lengths and took incredible risks to keep him alive. Our numbers have fallen, due in large part to our mortal enemy Rhysol. The god of chaos is the true mastermind behind the Valterrian... he orchestrated Kova's death and poisoned Ivak's feelings. Just as Ivak is raw emotion, Rhysol is emotion gone bad. He corrupted so many hearts to make sure Ivak would go mad with grief, but his true purpose was to slay his arch-enemy. Sylir, the god of peace. Rhysol created a world without peace, the one we were born in." Leo extended his arm to encompass the scenery around them. His speech was flowing like a river, and he seemed to have a knack for storytelling.

"I found myself at the vanguard of our ancient mission. Together with my allies I sailed to Wind Reach where we suspected Ivak's prison may rest. And, as incredible as it may sound, I opened the door of his cell and helped him step out." He grabbed at the cloth of his shirt and pulled it much higher than before, giving Eosi an unobstructed view of his entire back. The tattoo - but it could be no tattoo; it was too detailed and three-dimensional for any work of man - stretched across his back in several layers of coiling flames centered on his spine. It seemed to radiate physical heat, and one could almost expect to see smoke rising from the mark. "Then, he made me his champion," were Leo's laconic words. There should have been joy in his eyes, but he seemed to be growing more melancholic by the moment.

He looked over his shoulder and sought Eosi's eyes once more. "I am here to spread the news of Ivak's liberation, but in a way the world already knows. As I unsealed the door, an immense amount of pent-up Djed - wild Djed - burst out of the prison. I assure you, it was not Ivak's doing. Still, all that energy shot across the sky and spread to every corner of the lands. You may know it as... the Djed Storm of 512." A short pause.

"And you will know me as Leo Zaital, Ivak's champion... and the worst mass murderer in living memory." He had to fight to keep his eyes open, but he forced himself to. He still had his pride as a Zaital, and while his sorrow ran very deep, he regretted nothing. "I'm sorry."

[Eosi]

There was an agonizing silence that hung between them as her fingers grazed his flesh, and he gave a delicate little shiver. The fact he seemed to enjoy it almost made her flush again, this time with pleasure. Still, Eosi was grateful for the hasty retreat. There were ambiguous lines to walk in a first meeting and she was very quickly becoming uncertain of where to place him in her mind. She hadn’t anticipated becoming so wrapped up in the mysterious stranger so quickly. It was as if she orbited him suddenly, clinging to the purpose he lent her. He had waltzed into her life and gave it direction, meaning. There would be time to think later, when she was free from his intoxicating presence. It was actually a gloomy thought.

"For five hundred years," Zaital said by way of introduction, ” "the Zaital family has been at the forefront of a secret mission. Simply put, the main purpose of our bloodline was to free Ivak from imprisonment.” His gaze held hers steadily, like her countenance was a window to his guilt. ”The world needs him, and even the gods who shackled him must have known that, because they went to great lengths and took incredible risks to keep him alive. Our numbers have fallen, due in large part to our mortal enemy Rhysol.” This was consistent with his earlier explanation regarding the human soul. The Inarta knew of Rhysol and what he stood for, but quite ambiguously. ”The god of chaos is the true mastermind behind the Valterrian... he orchestrated Kova's death and poisoned Ivak's feelings.” That was a new explanation. With this flood of information, it seemed all she’d known previously was nothing more than a perverse omission. People were fed the abridged version of the world’s history. They lived their whole lives not knowing Leo’s truth.

”Just as Ivak is raw emotion, Rhysol is emotion gone bad. He corrupted so many hearts to make sure Ivak would go mad with grief, but his true purpose was to slay his arch-enemy. Sylir, the god of peace. Rhysol created a world without peace, the one we were born in." The natural counter to peace was chaos, after all. The truth seemed self-evident as he spoke. The carefully composed notion she had of the world was splintering around her, like so many spidery cracks in a looking glass. Her expression was engaged, thoughtful; it was a mask of neutrality. Eosi gave an appreciative little grin to the graceful arc of his arm. For being a bit clumsy in his movement, he had a talent for gesture. It drew her into the tale further.

"I found myself at the vanguard of our ancient mission. Together with my allies I sailed to Wind Reach where we suspected Ivak's prison may rest. And, as incredible as it may sound, I opened the door of his cell and helped him step out." As he said this, he lifted the back of his shirt up in earnest, allowing her the full view of his gnosis. Eosi’s lips parted and breath hissed out between clenched teeth. Starting from his spine lived a gorgeous, lifelike tapestry of flame. She could nearly feel the warmth the mark emitted, and the yearning to touch it again nearly consumed her. That accounted for the strange sense she’d gotten. He seemed so very sad. "Then, he made me his champion."

There seemed to be a tumultuous climb inside her being as his eyes caught hers once again. They were nearing the conclusion to his little narrative. "I am here to spread the news of Ivak's liberation, but in a way the world already knows.” The vague precursor filled her with dread. ”As I unsealed the door, an immense amount of pent-up Djed - wild Djed - burst out of the prison. I assure you, it was not Ivak's doing. Still, all that energy shot across the sky and spread to every corner of the lands. You may know it as... the Djed Storm of 512."

For a moment she grew eerily still, her eyes distant. The news struck her like a blow the same way it had when she’d gotten word in Zeltiva. Irrational anger ebbed and was suppressed with compassion. There was rage for Rhysol the unknown antagonist, fresh anguish for Ivak’s betrayal and helpless agony over the loss of her only home, sacrificed for the freedom of her God. Emotion rattled around her head like so many coppers in a hollow tin. ”And you will know me as Leo Zaital, Ivak's champion... and the worst mass murderer in living memory." Grief poured from his every orifice. "I'm sorry." In the cacophony of feeling, a prevailing voice rang true. Eosi’s mouth opened and her eyes softened, a single glistening tear running unbridled down one cheek. She placed both her palms gently against his exposed back, and rested her face against his boiling flesh.

”I don’t hate you,” she replied after a minute or two of just resting against him. It was so insane, so irrational. Nothing made sense. Her relationship to Leo Zaital, to her faith and to her family had gone haywire all at once. Every preconception shattered, Eosi felt like a drained little girl, her only desire to comfort the man who’d orchestrated it all. There was no directionless anger to fight. The woman felt his sorrow in the way he spoke. The embrace was for him. ”I understand the pain you carry now.” She’d been whispering into his skin. Tilting her head away, her eyes beseeching, she began anew: ”I do not blame you. It would be a trivial thing, to blame you. I blame Rhysol.” As the name fell from her mouth it was filled with quivering rage. ”His crimes cannot go unpunished.”

From there, she had no clue what to do with her body. At the point he’d severed her tentative control, Eosi had been acting purely by instinct. Like a domestic cat in the wild, she was suddenly visceral and free. Still, she made no effort to move. She could taste his grief; it tasted like ash in her mouth.

[Leo Varniak]

Regardless of its outcome, the confession brought him an unexpected sense of relief. This ravine had existed between them from the very start, waiting for him to jump over and for her to catch his hand on the other side. His part was done, hers was about to begin. Leo had no idea how he would have reacted had the roles been reversed. Her faith might come to the rescue, but then again the hearts of people were mostly uncharted territories where roads forked without warning. Her hate would have been painful to bear, more so than that of everyone before her, but he would have to carry it and, maybe, in time, learn how to soothe it.

He tried to read Eosi's expression throughout the tale, but found her concentrated lines difficult to interpret. She was mostly taking in the information, and making inner judgments for herself, like a natural born Azenth. The familiarity was almost uncanny. Maybe he was underestimating her by a large margin and resolved not to do her such a disservice. He could begin to see the emotion overflow on her face as he approached the apex of the tale. A part of him regretted not being able to look into her eyes for a moment when he exposed his gnosis for her to see. They felt reassuring in a way he couldn't explain. He needed to look into her once more at the time of the final confession; it wasn't something he could tell her as a simple bystander, a witness.

Then he watched her become secluded, as if her soul had left the body and were traveling vast expanses where he could not follow, and averted his gaze, turning and leaving his significant mark to face her as his second front. He was not going to interrupt her heart's flight, but her emotional upheaval crashed into him like waves against the rocks. Conflicting feelings raged within the girl, taking turns at the front of her awareness. He drank of them all, avid for understanding, but they didn't quench his thirst for answers. There was a peculiar scent to her emotions that he was beginning to recognize, like a signature. She tended to reveal but a fraction of what she really was. Inside, she was a creature of incredible complexity, and the range of her feelings reminded Leo of what he knew about the rainbow. He had been told by one of his tutors that the rainbow was a human concept, only seen through human eyes. Other animals could see far broader arcs and colors he couldn't dream of, no more possible to explain than one could share the meaning of red with a blind man.

She placed her hands on his back, and his breath stilled for a moment. Then, he let out the air in his lungs in a long stream and enjoyed the feel of Eosi's palms and their light motions in sync with his breathing. He didn't usually appreciate being touched, which made her proximity even more surprising. For a long minute there was only the gentle pressure on his back and his heartbeat punctuating the silence. Then, her announcement that she didn't hate him - even though he'd come to half-expect by now - sent a flood of relief through every nexus in his body as her breath tickled his skin. She had accepted him, and in doing so she had proven a bigger statement on the nature of people, understanding, forgiveness and moving on.

He turned slowly to meet her eyes once more, and admired her resolve to make Rhysol pay, even if a part of him never wanted for her to confront that bottomless evil. Her words resonated with absolute truth. "The gods have heard you speak, Eosi. I may have learned more from you on this day than you did from me. I'm glad I found you on my path." He wasn't sure what to do now, but the answer seemed natural enough as he took one of her hands in his and marveled at the drying tear on her face, betraying her inner turmoil. "Will you let me ease your sorrow as you've eased mine? Will you accept Ivak's blessing from me now?"

[Eosi]

The storm of emotions within began to quiet, but she knew it was merely the eye of her own personal hurricane. Things would resonate more acutely in private as she had her nightly meditation. Alone, she could indulge the true depth of the pain Leo had inadvertently inflicted. When she touched him, his body tensed for a moment. Eosi could feel the way his muscles became taut, before he slowly exhaled. They loosed again, rippling out beneath the fleshy fabric of his back. The contact between them was supercharged. His literal heat provided an immense comfort to the shapely Inarta and soothed the ache that had taken up residence at the base of her throat. Naturally, when he turned and broke the small embrace, Eosi felt bereft. Empty almost, but not for long.

"The gods have heard you speak, Eosi.” Leo took her hand, which came as a surprise. She’d been so incredibly forward that a part of her lashed at the intimacy, rejecting her in his stead. A part of her felt an incredibly guilty. She’d violated a personal boundary that rightly should exist between them, especially given their newborn relationship to one another. ”I may have learned more from you on this day than you did from me.” His words were both a shock and an honor, for she could not see herself in that light. Whatever touched his eyes when looking at the mark of her grief – that single tear – she could not understand. ”I'm glad I found you on my path." That was altogether too kind of him to say given the circumstance. What was she to him, anyway?

"Will you let me ease your sorrow as you've eased mine?” His admission that she’d helped in some way brightened her outlook. When overcome with sorrow, Eosi tended to descend into a dark place. ”Will you accept Ivak's blessing from me now?" The proposal was altogether different than when it was first offered. It was the natural conclusion to all that transpired. Through the smiles and laughter and even the tears, she knew what she was to him after all. Eosi knew what linked them. Together they’d carry the heavy weight of that unshakable purpose. Even if only for Ivak, she would follow him to the ends of Mizahar and back. Her life was irrevocably altered, like the eruption of a volcano. An apt metaphor. Time ticked away after the end of his question, as she again became lost within herself. There was a conclusion forming in her stare, and resolution came at last.

”Yes.” The word ghosted from her strangled mouth. ”You must know how I feel.” He’d have some power to know her emotion. Anyone marked by Ivak did. That much she knew. Being his Champion, it could be assumed he then felt her heart and the way it trembled in her breast. An overwhelming resolve surged within it, comprised of love, fury and delirious joy. ”I cannot live any other way now than the one you’ve shown me.” He really had changed her. ”I won’t live any other way, even if you were to spurn me.” No matter how Eosi saw herself, there would be no other goal. In that moment she knew she’d die alongside Leo Zaital. There would be no happy ending, something he’d previously alluded to. She’d been shot from the God's bow and began her whistling flight, blind and rushing toward whatever end fate held.

”I’m ready. Show me.” She felt it, too.

[Leo Varniak]

Leo Zaital had been many things in his short but meaningful life, but there was one he'd never identified himself with until now. He had imagined himself a guardian, a force, an avenger, even a simple adventurer; not even once, before or after his ascension, had he thought of himself as a priest even though he had occasionally given that word as an answer when asked about his job. But a priest he was, and no moment had ever felt as sacred to him as this. He witnessed a vow being made that would forever entwine their lives. People always made promises beyond their ability to keep, but Eosi's oath - for an oath she was giving him - rang of finality in every word. It was humbling to be in the presence of such a woman who probably couldn't even see how special and rare her spirit was.

As a priest he accepted her vow with a deep bow of his head. It must have looked ridiculous to an outside observer, this taking place on a tree, but in the sphere they had built around the two of them everything would be kept pure and untainted. The gesture was charged with respect and understanding in a way words would only manage to mangle. In thinly veiled words she had offered him her life and she meant it. It was all he could to honor her decision with his entire soul. Only a fool might even entertain the idea of spurning such purity of intent. He did not know how his story was meant to end, but he knew Eosi Barlowe would be a major part of it. One day, he was sure, she would wield the very power he now prepared to use on her.

"I hear your vow," he murmured, his hands still not letting go of hers, even though his grip was weak enough that she'd easily slip away if she so wished. "Even when I am dust in the wind, I will not forget. May our ashes mingle one day, at the end of our flight." Then he gave a deep breath, preparing to unleash his power. It felt like a first time, for all that he had done so many times now. Never before as a priest, however. And his lips slowly broke into a smile as the words of a prayer sprung from somewhere in the magma of his intellect.

"Let me be the one that keeps the cold at bay,
give me strength, make me deadly, help me nurture,
let me give and let me take, let me blaze and let me crackle,
spare me nothing, feed me evil, let me rise and let me cleanse,
and even if I should not live to see the morning,
let me burn in the memory of tomorrow's fire."

He let the silence linger a little further before closing his eyes. He felt nothing around him except the skin of her fingers in his. Still, he needed no sight to tune in on her emotions; he was quickly growing familiar with that vortex of hers and he approached it with surprising confidence. The years and a string of painful failures had taught him subtlety in the art of release, and his will to soothe her was strong. His touch on her inner heart was delicate, almost a whisper, a tiny cut on a string, no more. It was all he needed to start a far greater reaction.

And there would be long forgotten memories being brought back on the surface for her to see, and there would be reflection within and without, and there would be loss of things small and big, and there would be happiness and there would be pain as she began to unwind faster and faster. And there would be flashes and fragments of truth, always misaligned and now merging for an instant, and there would be flight and recognition and worth and pleasure all mingling together. And there would be mystery and marvel and things seen from all sides at the same time and there would be time going backwards and sand flying to the upper chamber in the hourglass and there would be a fleeting glimpse of truth and desires. Everything would be there, summoned by that tiny cut. He wasn't trying to empty her, but to fill her to the brim; not to explain her, but to charge her with even more wonder in a singularity of all emotions coming together.

Then, and only then, did he open his eyes again.

[Eosi]

Leo truly did understand. He bowed his head in a reverence, fully acknowledging the impact of her words. Eosi observed him in awe. "I hear your vow," he spoke quietly, never relinquishing her hand. The fact he held on still sent a thrill through her emotionally deprived soul. Whatever she was to become to him; his friend, lover or simple confidant was more than she’d ever had with another person. The woman had lovers, had friends… But none like the strange and beautiful man that held on so negligently, giving her freedom to break away. Her fingers clenched more desperately, to share the depth of that sentiment. They’d always be linked. "Even when I am dust in the wind, I will not forget. May our ashes mingle one day, at the end of our flight." That struck her more profoundly than a wedding vow. Their very essence would be entwined, to the ultimate end.

He took a calming breath and kept still for a moment. Eosi was caught up in his every last move. Finally his lips turned up in an unexpected, breathtaking smile. She was twisted around him like a bit of twine, unable and unwilling to break free. Then he spoke words she’d never forget. Not a day would pass where she’d not recall each syllable with startling clarity – a beacon amongst her otherwise dark past.

"Let me be the one that keeps the cold at bay,
give me strength, make me deadly, help me nurture,
let me give and let me take, let me blaze and let me crackle,
spare me nothing, feed me evil, let me rise and let me cleanse,
and even if I should not live to see the morning,
let me burn in the memory of tomorrow's fire."

Her face, her body was hot. Every part of her felt like a living candle, guttering at each wisp of his breath. Something was coming to fruition. Eosi felt it in her veins, the way the blood within surged. Silence settled in, thick like the murkiest fog and laden with the unknown. It was ripe and filled with implication. The moment before felt almost like a lurching. Like free falling into a vast ravine. The Azenth gave a tiny snip to the thread that held her tentative self-possession and she fell headfirst. It was a tidal wave of everything that’d ever shaped her, crashing over her fragile form. Her knees buckled as it hit, and she nearly fell into his arms.

Her Father held her high, her halo of rich curls stained vivid auburn glowing in the glorious sunlight. The little girl’s heart burst with love and freedom and the feeling of flying. It was the all-consuming love of childhood, where he was a titan in a world of mice. Her mother cradled the girl to her breast and kissed her ivory forehead and never since had Eosi had felt so complete. Tears ran unbridled down her cheeks at the sorrow as it faded into a bleak expanse of illness and regret. Her Mother sat in a chair and wept, clutching the aberration that protruded from her neck. The Inarta wept too, both of them knowing the abrupt and gruesome end that laid in wait. Death was a predator stalking her every move. It plagued her dreams, clawed at her desperately with a ferocity she’d never before known. Eosi wept bitterly again and again at the deep anguish as Dira claimed her prize, at the guilt she knew in her infantile escape.

There was pride and strength and glorious freedom as she worked at her craft. The pleasure of pulling a bowstring taut. The sweat and toil of becoming a martial artist. The endless discipline of learning and meditation. The bold courage in her sparring with others, wooden axes protruding from whitened knuckles. There was even the quiet simplicity of feeling cracked parchment between her fingers, or the smell of newly printed paper. Eosi had such depth that the smallest feeling could move her to tears, floor her with anxiety or lift her up to the heavens. There was Syna’s face amongst it all, smiling and radiant. It punctuated her dreams and it was a comfort. There were the drawings of Ivak and the pendant she wore on her neck and the immersion she felt when hearing his lore. There was always fire – always - for that was what she’d always been. Eosi was a living flame, illuminating the darkness.

There was a rush sensation as it moved chronologiclaly. She felt the pleasure of love-making and the darkness she so carefully hid. How pain thrilled her to the core. How she loved the coil of rope around her wrist, removing her tenuous control. How silk felt on her bare skin and how she’d relieve herself in the dark of the night, lonely in the void of the stars – always crying out for a partner as she reached her limit and retired to weep. It was so desperately sad suddenly, directionless and remote. This was how she truly felt in the now. The little girl had been broken, her Father and Mother were gone. The heap of ash that was Denval tortured her dreams. She just wanted someone, anyone.

And then there was Leo. His face, the way she saw it; it was simple and yet gorgeous, dark and intriguing. Her heart was a hummingbird and beat furiously with love. Desire. Guilt. Compassion. Regret. An overwhelming sense of connection and responsibility. It was all so much. Then her consciousness hit the bottom with a dull thud, the last drop spilling out. She was weeping, yes. Her hands cradled her face. It was a wonder she hadn’t fallen off the branch. It was difficult to say what’d happened excepting Leo was still there and touching her in some way. Had he seen it too? Was that just her? It’d all been so intimate. Like a flowering bud opening it’s petals to the sky, Eosi too had bloomed in the comfort of his grasp.

Her eyes opened, weakly to look upon his face.