Finding Ietus - The Truth in the Lie

[Ayithe Solete]

((Sorry for such a late reply, not had the chance to get back on Althanas in a while. I'll keep this small for now and talk to you when I get a chance.))

The shifters eyes met with Ayithe's as she watched Lorenor strike a final blow. It smiled a calm grin in her direction, a smile that Ayithe did not understand entirely, but if she thought about it, the Shifter had already slaughtered all these men, it had already slaughtered this family, and finally it had left a child - a child that could now sit in resentment to living a life without a family.

The long term effects were unclear, the motivations hidden, but at least she had survived. Hopefully, saving the child was the right thing to do - Ayithe at least believed it.

Knowledge? Ayithe thought about the words of the shifter, its lack of fear, its knowing grin that in losing its own life, it had achieved a goal it's existence was created for. She hated not knowing.

Ayithe patiently waited as it's body melted into the stone floor by Lorenor's feet. She'd ask if he was okay, but it was readily apparent. She calmed herself in the silence before the fearful weeping of the child became clear to her once more. She turned to comfort and held him in her arms as she knelt to hug. This was more than any child ever deserved to experience, for what lay in his future was now eerily unclear.

"Lorenor?" She glanced back at the warrior. "I think we should leave while we can. We shouldn't linger longer than needed."

[Ayithe Solete]

((Ending this quickly as Lorenor seems to have quit.))
Ayithe stared at the exit down the bottom of the corridor. Back to where they had started, but guards were replaced with blood, words with silence, and light with darkness. Wrecked and used candles lined the walls and floor, but none remained burning their warm glow.

Both Ayithe and Lorenor had to deal with the smell of death in the air, the strong dirty-iron stench hung in the still air - unshakable and unmoving as no fresh wind blew in. Ayithe limped slightly as they paused by the large Salvic decorated door of the Ranceed residence. It had been a frightening feeling when it first shut behind her upon entry, and even with the silence she feared what awaited for them on the other side.

Then, the world shimmered around her. Ayithe blinked and rubbed her eyes as she felt the world change. A flicker of a dark cave, and then return of the Ranceed's front door. Lorenor seemed oblivious as he pulled on the doorway, the large latch and bolt a little unusual for a door. Yet as she waited another moment, the world jumped in and out once again. Ietus was calling, Ietus was bringing her back. Was it all to end so sudden?

"Lorenor!" Ayithe reached out as she felt herself phasing away from their current position.

Lorenor turned to look but could only watch in confusion and disbelief as she faded away as if she was never there.

The wet cave walls filled her vision as she appeared to be back in the caves of Ietus. The walls as natural as any cave, but the floor carved and smoothed into a walkable surface. She looked up to the cloaked figure she recognised as Ietus. His shrouded face was nothing but a dark void, but he stood upright like a human and she could feel his presence staring across at her.

"Did I fail?" She asked presumptuous.

"No. I did, for I sent you there too late. You did enough, you killed it." Ietus replied, starting to walk away from her.

"And I saved a child!" Ayithe shouted as she followed with a hasty walk, their destination unclear.

"The child was probably better off dead. Now it'll likely grow up into the hateful vision that the enemy wanted." Ietus strode down a long corridor, his midnight black cloak masking whatever feet hid underneath. Then predicting her next comment, continued. "Do not feel the need to defend the young boy. Your motives are admirable, but this war is greater than any one life."

"You've never fully explained what you're asking me to do.... What I'm part of when I'm working for you." As angry as Ayithe felt over the child comment, she daren't argue. Ietus was too powerful to deny or refuse.

Finally, Ietus stopped by the next open room, and before her lay the sword he had shown her before she departed.

"Ah... Where to begin. So much to say, so little time." Ietus pointed towards the weapon rack that held the sword. "Pick up this weapon before you Ayithe, and I shall explain enough for you to proceed to your next assignment."

[Philomel]

Name of Judgement: Finding Ietus - The Truth In The Lie
No Judgement

Rewards:

Ayithe Solete receives:
1625 EXP
190 GP

Mutant Lorenor receives:
1320 EXP
165 GP

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

All rewards added!