[Stone Lantern Shrine] Seeking what has passed [Mod please

[Jade Alanon]

Third Cycle of Optia, Season of Summer

Leaving the serenity of such places as the reflection pools, Jade and Nymira decided that they would journey outside the gates to the outlands. Both Sanguine sisters knew of the dangers that lay outside the gates, wild animals and spirits were said to roam the various hills and valleys surrounding the city and yet both remained unafraid. Jade could handle the physical while Nymira would do her best to deal with the spiritual, warrior and mage siblings would do their best to protect one another for without one the other could not survive. Jade greatly enjoyed Zinn'Sunn and all it had offered her, beauty and strength mixed with mystery of the unknown gave the city it's appeal.

It was early morning when the pair set off, not caring that the suns had only just risen as they exited the gates to the city, not many walked the streets at that time and that was one reason why they woke then, it was cooler and less people would be encountered. Nymira stayed in Virkyn form in case something attacked them, Jade carried her staff with her and her bracers secured on her wrists, Aganadara rested at her side in her bag, thrumming gently as though it held a pulse to it. It was one of Jade's favored possessions though she didn't recall everything that had occured during her visit to the Question Stone, there were times when she was tempted to return, but there was a fear inside as well, a fear that something might go wrong.

Jade knew of the Darui'Torek but she didn't fear them, she knew they had an honor code and also believed that since she was a woman, she was weak. They didn't treat her with disrespect really, but it was insulting that the Kemite men believed them more superior in the use of weapons and she set out to prove them wrong every chance she got. Next to Aganadara was ten compass rose shurikens, more weapons she enjoyed having, she truly felt like she was on her way to becoming a weaponsmaster. Nymira yawned as they walked, her voice groggy sounding in Jade's head as they walked slowly. "Where did you wish to go?" Jade shrugged as she walked. "Lets try and find some of the old shrines, they should be interesting to inspect." In Jade's free hand was a candle that she kept lit, having heard of lighting the Lantern from Nymira before they started.

Both trekked upwards, their feet were used to traveling long distances, so they were conditioned for the long trek and both were happy to keep themselves in shape. It took a few candlemarks and a few rests on the way, but soon both Jade and Nymira made it to the Stone Lantern Shrine, one of the more known shrines. Nymira walked up to the lantern slowly, as though trying to recollect something in her mind, perhaps reaching out to her human half across time. "Light the fire and then speak the name of someone departed and they may just speak back to you." Nymira spoke with a voice that wasn't guessing but had heard this before.

Jade was a bit confused at this, having had issues with her pasts, the Sanguine past and her present past coincided at times and confused the feth out of her. Jade walked forward and lit the lantern, blowing the candle out that she had and sitting in front of it, as though waiting for something to happen, she took a breath and rested her hand on the cool stone. She knew her father's name from her Sanguine past, she couldn't remember him but she knew of him from Nymira and she wished to speak with him, if only for a few moments. "Kelron." She whispered, feeling a small wedge of sadness from her bondmate at the mention of the name.

[Stargrace]

No noise could be heard from the Outlands nor from the shrine except for the occasional squawk of distant birds as they greeted the dawn of the new brightening. It was almost too quiet, unearthly so. A cool breeze shifted through the air teasing any loose strands of hair it could find or lifting up clothing material with its invisible daring fingers. Footprints of fellow beings could be clearly seen upon the ground as one arrived at the shrine, but as one cast their gaze upon the stone lantern and its surrounding area, the place held the feeling of deep uneasiness and restlessness. It was not hard to imagine spirits visiting a place such as this; the very air was only one element that haunted the shrine.

The stone lantern was always cool to touch even on the warmest of brightenings. Some believe this is because the stone lantern itself dwelt in both the living realm and that of the dead. The stone lantern held the look of knowing many ageless mysteries and being privy to many whispered secrets. It was familiar with the touch of death; the lantern was well acquainted with the warmth of the candle flame; and it looked upon the longing that entered into the living’s eyes as they lit their candles and voiced the names of the deceased.

Unseen eyes viewed the two beings as they entered into the shrine. They felt their curiosity as well as the feelings of sadness, caution and loss that penetrated from them both. The wind set its mind from playing with all it could grasp, to voicing its existence. The sound was enough to send the meek running from the vicinity as the sound would change from what sounded like a loud shriek to a deep moan, to a soft whisper and ending in snatches of a broken lullaby filled with endless grief. The wind retreated as the female Elf brought flame to the lantern’s heart. All listened intently as a name was pronounced and the wind carried the name away.

Time passed in the living realm and the stillness enveloped the shrine. Eeriness consumed the place and not even the squawk of the birds could be heard. It seemed as life had drawn to a halt. The flame in the stone lantern flickered once, twice, and then went out. Before any action could be taken to rekindle the flame it came back to life and grew in volume and brightness until it looked like it was going to engulf the lantern. At that moment the ground seemed to vibrate as if a whole cemetery of the dead were trying to rise from their graves. The earth-shaking drew to a halt and the shrine fell to silence again. A whisper rose in the air, the words were hard to understand at first; it seemed as though many voices were speaking at once, the different tones rose and fell; clashed and collided.

One voice rose above the others and only one word was able to be understood. “Daughters...” The voice became faint, other voices could be heard in the distance; occasionally their voices rose in volume and then would seem to fade; yet their words were unfamiliar and unable to comprehend. Only one voice made sense, the one voice that was requested and wanted. “Daughters, you are well?" His voice faded as if he did not have the strength to say anymore. There was so much to say, so many queries....except there was not much time and to communicate took so much effort. The flame in the lantern knew this and its light flickered.

Deep emotion and intensity hang thickly in the air. His tone conveyed anxiety as he whispered “Why did you call me forth? What is wrong?” His voice began to fade. His last words were soft as if he almost did not dare or want to say them. “The Rhasic...” The flame in the lantern began to flicker again as if it was battling to stay alight, fighting for the communication to continue; was this for the sake of the living or for the sake of the deceased? Only the lantern knew of such matters.

[Jade Alanon]

Silence didn't often disturb Jade, in fact she often preferred it to the noise of crowds and the city and such, but the silence that permeated around the Outlands was unnerving, birds were all Jade could really hear and even that was a rarity. Nymira noticed the eerie quiet as well and stayed close to her bondmate, perhaps it was because it was so early, but neither sister could be sure and neither wished to be separated from one another in case something attacked them. That was one problem being in such a spiritual place as Zinn'Sunn, one that wasn't all too spiritual didn't know what to expect, one such as Jade. Jade wasn't religious or spiritual really, but she had respect for the gods and the spirits that roamed the land.

Jade had her instincts and knew when there was somethin wrong with a place or at least something that wasn't really right. When she and Nymira stepped close to the shrine, both could feel the sense of eeriness there, the sense that they weren't alone there, but that was what Jade wanted wasn't it? The Stone Lantern itself was impressive enough, it had stood the test of time and remained a beacon of hope to those that wished to touch the spirit realm, offering fire and a name in exchange for the possibility to see a passed one loved one. Jade had carried the flame with her carefully, careful to keep it lit by moving slowly, Nymira had told her sister of the magic the Stone Lantern was said to hold and wished to see if it truly worked or if it was legend.

Sounds and voices could be heard on the wind, it send shivers up Jade's skin yet she didn't flee, she stood her ground as she would have with an opponent she could see. To fear whatever was there was to give it strength and Jade couldn't afford to give any but herself strength. Jade had lit the lantern and set the candle aside, voicing the name of the man she wished so badly to meet again, to remember. Once the candle was lit, the voices came to a halt, the wind carrying off those voices and sounds and with it, carried also the name of her father, the man from her Sanguine past.

Jade wasn't sure what to do next, she leaned against her staff as she looked around almost expectantly, Nymira moved closer to her sister as she too looked around. Neither girl was good with not knowing what would happen next, it meant neither could be prepared for whatever came their way and that could be dangerous for them. The eeriness they had felt earlier intensified as did the silence, not even the sound of birds could penetrate the silence that surrounded them. Jade tuned to see the flame she had brought flicker a few times before going out, did that mean it wouldn't work or was that supposed to happen? Nymira and Jade looked at one another for a moment as though asking each other this question. Jade reached down to retrieve the candle she had brought so she could bring forth another flame, but she had to jump back for the flame rekindled on it's own and soon grew to engulf the entire lantern.

The ground began to shift and vibrate beneath Jade and Nymira's feet, as though the dead wished to rise from their graves, while both sisters were scared, neither fled the area, both too stubborn to admit any sort of defeat. Jade held tight to her staff and soon the ground halted it's shaking and silence returns to the shrine. The silence lasts only a few moments before a whisper reached their ears, it was faint at first and hard to understand at first, it was as though there was more then one voice that wished to speak, each one drowning out another so none was heard.

It was frustrating at first, but soon a voice rose above the others, Jade felt her body tense as it spoke, the one word that she understood caused her to believe her call had been answered. Nymira perked up as she too heard the voice, she knew that voice, though she hadn't heard it in so long, she missed that assuring voice and had she been in her human form, she might have allowed a few tears to fall, it was their father. "It's him Jade, it's father." She spoke with such excitement in her voice, Jade wasn't sure how to react at first. Nymira couldn't speak to their father as Jade could, so Nymira allowed Jade to speak whatever she was thinking, since all three understood that not much time remained for them to speak with the deceased.

"Yes father, we are well." A father's worry of course, whether his children were well, Jade smiled softly as she listened for him to speak again, such emotion and intenstity filled the air around them. "Father, we needed to speak with you, I needed to see you, to talk with you." She knew this would be hard for him to hear, but it had to be said. "I don't remember you like Nymira does, I don't remember anything about you."

When he mentioned the Rhasic, she could hear something in his voice, was it anger or hatred or perhaps it was fear. He had lost his elder daughter to those bastards before and had his younger daughter captured by them, of course he would hate him. "We are killing as many Rhasic as we can father, it's hard for there are so many of them and the Sanguine are getting fewer and fewer, but we are doing our best."

[Stargrace]

The voice of Kelron spoke again; his words held a foreignness to it, the words were still understandable yet they lacked a certain quality...a human quality which left the words sounding hollow, warped by the difference of the astral planes. His voice did not sound like it once was, it still held emotion but the tone was ethereal. “You do not remember me...that is understandable. Did you disturb me just to tell me about killing the Rhasics? You need not do that I see the dead remember, I am the dead. What is really on your mind? That cannot be it surely...the Rhasics - ...”

Suddenly a scream erupted into the air and Kelron’s voice was cut off. The scream sounded tortured as if someone, something, was being ripped apart slowly and cruelly. The lanterns flame remained bright and still. All remained silent for what seemed like a long time. The suns had risen fully and the sky was cloudless and light. The shrine however did not benefit from the suns and seemed to be basked in shadow and gloom.

When it seemed as though the communication between the living the dead had ended, the ethereal voice spoke, “I apologise for that interruption. As I was trying to say... the Rhasics are our enemies but they do not deserve to death for their past mistakes. I do not condone you to kill, even if they are our enemy. I did not raise you to act in that way. You are no daughter of mine, you murderer ahh. The sweet child you killed sits here and weeps; the young mother worries about the rest of her family she has left behind...left behind because of you. You should have walked away you despicable child.” Anger, hostility and sadness coated the words which had more of an affect than the words themselves. Silence then consumed the area as the voice waited for the living’s reply.

[Jade Alanon]

Jade stood quietly, her heart beating quickly as she realized the Stone Lantern truly could bring forth the spirit of a passed loved one, she waited with bated breath for her father's voice to echo once more. It was a hollow sound really, void of any of the humanity he once held inside him. Nymira had come to stand next to her sister as she listened as well, she remembered their father better then Jade did and knew that their father hadn't really agreed with keeping the knowledge away from the Rhasic when they sought it, he believed the knowledge should be shared, but his point of view had been ignored and so war had broken out and the Sanguine had lost it all. Had they been wrong for keeping what was theirs to themselves? Despite whether they had made an error in judgement, it gave the Rhasic no reason to attack them as they did and so the Sanguine had a reason to retaliate and avenge those they lost.

What's really on your mind? Jade bit her lip when this was asked, he knew that Rhasic were not really on her mind nor did she wish to make her father proud with her body count for she wasn't proud of this fact either. With each life she took, a piece of her died as well, she was changing on the inside and not for the better, perhaps this ethereal father of hers could see this and would ease her silent suffering. "I wanted to hear your voice..." She sounded like a child again, a child that longed for her father's praise, his love, his words of comfort when she felt all was going wrong and her world was falling apart. Her words and thoughts were cut off by a long tortured scream that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere, it was chilling and yet it sounded familiar, as though she had heard it before, as though she had caused that scream.

Jade remained silent, not wishing to illict another scream of agony, one that sent shivers up and down her spine and nearly broke her heart. Nymira was silent as well, though whether she heard the scream, she didn't say or let on. The flantern continued to burn brightly yet the shrine had an eerie gloom around it, as though it was shrouded in the sadness of the past. The silence remained long enough to convince Jade that the connection was gone despite the lantern's bright glow, she looked down to speak to Nymira but halted when their father's voice returned.

Jade's breath hitched as he continued to speak on the Rhasic, he went against what she had been taught at Coldlight. She believed she had no choice but to kill in order to end the curse, didn't he wish his daughters to be complete again? I did not raise you to act in that way. Jade almost let out a bitter laugh at this statement, he most likely hadn't taught her to be a murderess nor had her other father as well, but both lives had taken her down that path and she had to stay true to her nature as best she could. Each word he let loose cut deeper and deeper into Jade's heart, leaving scars that she knew would haunt her later when the flames of the lantern went out and her father's voice was once again silenced. How did one argue with that?

The child and the young mother...gods those two still haunted her dreams at night, the sweet innocent child that had begged her for mercy, the mother that had asked for Jade to spar her son's life in exchange for her own. Jade had almost walked away, they had been her first two innocents, but their innocence hadn't been enough to keep her from plunging her blades into them, retrieving the crystals that lay within them. Jade's sadness turned into rage as she glared at the air around her, how dare this man call her such things! Jade started to speak, but Nymira surprised by speaking first, her own anger evident in her tone. "How dare you side with the Rhasic against your own family. Do you forget what they did to us?! They attacked us, they killed your elder daughter and tortured me, how can you forgive them so easily for their murders yet condemn your own children!"

Nymira didn't regret any of her words nor did she regret defending her sister. "We have done everything that has been asked of us. Would you be such a traitor as to wish your daughters to remain uncomplete in exchange for the lives of the Rhasic....how could you?"

[Stargrace]

“How could I? How could I you ask.....the answer is simple you disgust us. I hope you go through a grotesque, painful slow death. It is what you deserve for each victim you have killed. And then when you get here...” The voice held a joyful tone. “When you get here you will get what deserve.” The voice laughed, a cold and malicious laugh that seemed to absorb what little light was in the shrine. Before any more words could be spoken from either parties the laughter was cut-off just as the voice had earlier, but instead of a scream, there was silence for a time, the lantern’s flame flickered and a voice spoke again. “Daughters I am so sorry. I am so very sorry. I tried to warn you earlier. The words after the scream were not my own words they were the Rhasics. I tried so hard to stop them but there are many here and they are more powerful than I.” There was a pause and then the voice spoke again. “Did you really think I could say that to you?” The voice sounded deeply hurt.

Before the living could reply he spoke again. “The Rhasics know how much it hurts you to have to kill -- that is why they mentioned the child and the young mother. I hope it brings you peace to know that they are not here despairing and grief-stricken. They are here but they are happy, they are free in a way they never were in life‘s realm.” There was another moment of silence in this time his tone had changed to take on a more sad tone. “Do you not know that I love you? And how proud I am of you? I wish you did not have to carry such a heavy burden. I wish you did not have to suffer as you do. But know that I will always be with you and watching you -- I wish I could do more.” The ethereal voice sighed. “I have always been proud of you never doubt that.” The voice of Kelron’s spoke one final question before falling to silence to allow the living time to answer and comment on all he had said. “So tell me now and I promise it will be my voice that replies...the Rhasics have now had their fun. What is on your mind?”

[Jade Alanon]

Nymira and Jade both fumed angrily at what had been said to them, but below the anger was something else, sharp cutting pain along with guilt. Was their father right? Where they wrong for the killings, it didn't make sense since their father had been a Sanguine and should have shared a similiar hatred for the Rhasic. Jadewas beginning to see that summoning his spirit had been a mistake, she should have known better then to disturb the dead in order to seek answers, it never went well, Jade learned her lesson. It was when their father wished a painful death upon them both that Jade turned away, ready to walk away from the joyful words that hurt her so badly, she felt guilty enough, what she had gone to her father for had been words comfort, not condemnation.

Nymira stayed in place, growling such a deep angry growl, if their father had been in front of her, she would have lunged at him, she knew Jade was walking away but did nothing to stop her, why would she want to stick around anyway. She didn't know this man like Nymira had, like Nymira remembered him. Nymira had been so close with their father, sharing a love of arcana. How dying could have changed a man didn't make sense, Jade hadn't changed at all and she had died as well, though she had been brought back. This just couldn't be the man Nymira had looked up to for so long, could it?

Nymira had started to turn to follow her sister, having not more to say to the spirit when the voice halted abruptly, silence following it. The flame still burned, flickering a moment before the voice came back. Both sisters halted and turned to look at the lantern, both still angry about what had been said to them, the names the spirit had used against them hurt so badly. They wouldn't have stopped, but the words the spirit said next caused them to turn around and approach the lantern once more. Jade didn't know if she could trust this voice again, not after what she had heard before, but Nymira inwardly smiled as she recognized her father, this was the man from their past. She believed him about those damn Rhasic taking over and saying such horrible things.

Nymira almost felt guilty that she had believed the words had been her father's, though Jade didn't share that guilt because really, she didn't know the man, didn't remember him at all. Jade placed her hand gently on her bondmate's head and sighed, as though offering and seeking comfort. Jade went to answer but was cut off as he spoke again, the anger Jade had felt earlier intensified, though this time it was directed at the Rhasic that continued to torment her even once she killed them. They haunted her dreams, plagued her with their screams and cries for mercy, now they sought to further torment her by making her believe her own father hated her for the acts she had done. It was reassuring that the child and mother were truly happy now, death was a release, not a punishment.

His voice was mournful when he spoke again, Jade wanted to say yes, wanted to show him that she had been a dutiful daughter and remembered everything they had shared when she lived in her Sanguine past, but she didn't, she couldn't remember anything about her father and that saddned her and even made her feel a bit guilty. Had they gotten along? Did he accept that she had been a warrior rather then a mage? So many questions about her father that she didn't have answers to and really, after the Rhasic had taken over once, how did she know they couldn't again, that they would tell her what they knew would hurt her?

The fact that he was proud of them seemed to mean so much to both girls, that was what they wanted, to know that their efforts didn't go unnoticed, unappreciated. He said he would always be with them and that helped as well, having their father watching over them thrugh all their heartache, encouraging them with his presence and reminding them that he loved them and was proud of what they did. What was on their mind? Jade had come here in hopes of speaking with the man that escaped her so easily, she had been tricked into believing that he hated them for their killings, but this voice seemed so sincere, perhaps she could trust that it was really him.

"You, you're on my mind father." She paused and sighed, it sounded odd, she knew that, but it was true. She hadn't come here to ask him important questions regarding the Rhasic because he was dead, he couldn't help her, but he could help her to remember him, remember the past. "I don't remember you father and that causes an emptiness inside me. Nymira remebers youwell enough, but I feel as though you are a complete stranger to me. I want to remember you, remember if we fought often, if we had a name for one another, just something I can hold onto like Nymira does with you and her in regards to arcana." She might have sounded as though she was whining and perhaps she was, maybe she was jealous of her father's and sister's relationship, ahd she been in her past as well? "Are you able to help me remember, just one memory, I don't care what it is."

[Stargrace]

There was silence for a time as the spirit of Kelron contemplated and sifted through his memories from his former life; a sigh seeped through the air before he softly spoke. "My life, and the memories of living, seem like a vague dream here. Most of the things I found important in the living realm seem trivial from here but alas, some things are still important and dear to me; that being the two of you. And so my daughters, patiently give me a few moments and I will try to give you a memory..."

The flame in the stone lantern flickered and no sound could be heard from the spirit realm. In the living realm however, the sounds of birds could be heard exchanging news with one another in loud chirps. The brightening was now warm and bright and the shrine seemed to have changed its demeanour from formerly being eerie and chilling, to now appearing more welcoming and ordinary. Just before the silence from the realm beyond seemed to outlast the few moments the sisters were told; the voice of Kelron spoke. "I - I can remember you were always a fighter; you loved your weapons and although sometimes I wished you could have been more like your sister and be more interested with arcana, I was so proud of you. I knew you could look after yourself, no matter what life threw at you, that was reassuring although a father never stops worrying about his daughters..." His voice faded, almost as though he had fallen into deep contemplation or perhaps was lost in the memory.

Time was pressing on and Kelron felt as though there was still much more to discuss. When he was about to ask if there was anyrhing more he could help his daughters with, another memory surfaced. "I can remember I used to secretly watch your blades training. I was never good myself with weapons and did not feel the passion that you did, but just watching you...you looked so beautiful dancing with the blades. My warrior princess." The voice of Kelron fell to silence again and he did not bother asking what more his daughters wanted to know from him. For the first time the spirit wished he was back in the living realm again. He wished he could be with his daughters in person; to look them in their eye; to let them see his love and pride, to embrace them; and if he could, if he could he would become a student instead of the tutor and learn weaponry to deal with some Rhasics himself.

[Jade Alanon]

The silence that passed made Jade uncomfortable really, made her wonder if it truly was her father that she spoke with, she had been tricked before and she couldn't handle the painful words again. Nymira waited as well, though she didn't offer any words to her father, she had her memories, Jade didn't and really, Nymira had more with their father because of their love of arcana. Kelron hadn't really agreed with Jade's weapons training because it wasn't as peaceful as arcana and to him, it was more dangerous, he didn't want to lose his little girl to such a brutal thing. When the spirit did speak again, Jade was saddened that his memories were vague, he wouldn't be able to tell her much, though a smile touched her lips when he spoke of their importance to him, it felt good to make someone feel good. He asked for a few moments, which both sisters granted, though they were apprehensive about it, fearing the Rhasic regaining control.

"See Jade," Nymira started as they waited, "You have always been loved and always will be, father is dead and always will remain a spirit, but he is with us." Jade nodded, she knew this, a part of her had always known that, but being reminded helped greatly, she needed to know that she lived this life for a reason, though a life of vengeance wasn't much of a life at all. "Not vengeance, redemption, we seek to redeam ourselves and restore what was taken from us." While Jade didn't argue, she didn't fully agree with what Nymira said, you could say it any way you liked, it was still revenge for a past wrong done to them, but who was to say the Sanguine hadn't been wrong for holding back the knowledge like they did. There was two sides to every story, The Sanguine and the Rhasic both had their sides and both believed themselves right and the other side wrong.

While the spirit world remained silent and cold, the waking world around Jade warmed up, the suns finally rising high in the sky, giving Jade and Nymira a different sort of comfort, giving light to the stone lantern, taking away the eeriness and replacing it with a certain sense of normalcy, though Jade and Nymira both knew that it was far from normal. Birds were heard in the background, though Jade didn't concentrate on their songs, her focus on the Lantern, needing to hear her father's words again. A few more moments and Jade nearly began to despair that the connection was completely gone, just when they were getting somewhere with him too. Just when Jade thought they should leave, the voice returned and with it, her hope did as well.

Always a fighter, that sounded like Jade alright, never had she been the peaceful sort, this proved it. She clung to her weapons, despite her elven nature, perhaps it was the Sanguine in her that kept her from being a nature loving elf, that and Jerack and the massacre of course. It felt good to know that her father had accepted her even when he wished her to be more interested in arcana like Nymira, he didn't push arcana on her knowing she actually hated it. She felt a twinge when he spoke of taking care of herself no matter what she was thrown at her, but she didn't believe that to be true, she knew the truth of what was going on inside her, she was crumbling inside beneath the pressure of a war she didn't remember and the life of a hunter that was hunted. "I wish that were true father," she murmered beneath her breath.

Jade so wished she could return to a time when things were more simple, books and blades, bickering with her sister or listening to her play her violin with masterful hands. No war, no fear of love lost, no bloodshed and pain that followed, guilt was such a painful to bare. She felt a small surge of surprise when he spoke another memory, a small piece of her that remembered what it was like to live back in time was susprised and pleased that her father had secretly watched her practices. When she had a weapon in her hand, she felt complete, while life was a walk, fighting was a dance, one she knew quite well. My warrior princess. That did it, it triggered a memory to come to her at that moment, her eyes glazing as she remembered back to another time, another life.

She was human again, the Krevion stood proudly behind the young woman as she bore two swords, her teacher had not shown up just yet, leaving Jade to her own devices for the time being. She had just had a rather nasty fight with her younger sister and came out to where she practiced so she could calm down and clear her head. The swords were her pride and joy, sharped and cleaned till they shone, they were such a perfect mixture of beauty and destruction, neither blade had ever shed any blood but her own, but they would someday if any chose to attack her home.

She closed her eyes, letting the motions come to her naturally, her muscles flexing and her body moving fluidly as she moved through various lessons and techniques she had been taught. She would become a weaponsmaster someday, that was her goal and she was getting closer with each day she practiced. Her heart gave her a beat she could dance to, moving the blades quickly and effortlessly, a beautiful sword dancer. She was fully unaware that her father had followed her to the spot, watching his elder daughter practice with her weapons, something he never understand. How could such a sweet young woman have such a passion for fighting, for war?

Kelron's attention was taken from his thoughts to look towards his daughter, he saw her blood on the one blade of her sword, a cry of pain stiffled as she felt to the ground, she moved well and was graceful, but she was no master yet. She had gotten distracted and sliced her leg pretty good, the blood dripping on the ground in a small pool, gods did it hurt. Even though she was in pain, she cursed herself for her mistake and sought to stand only to fall again, cursing once more. Kelron ran forward, hating to see his child in pain, she was far from a child, but she would always be his first daughter, his little girl.

Jade saw him coming and tried to stand quickly to show that she hadn't made a mistake, but with another cry of pain, she fell, unable to stand on her own. She sighed with frustration and looked up at her father as he came to kneel next to her, checking the wound before giving a small laugh. "My warrior princess, how did you do such a thing to yourself?"

Nymira had seen the look in his sister's eyes and had been silent, knowing Jade had gone back to another time in their life, memories were precious and she had just gained another. When Jade came out of her memory, she smiled and looked down at her leg, as though she would see the same wound from her past. "We wish you were here father, but we thank you for coming to us when we called."

[Stargrace]

"It is my pleasure daughter. I wish I could do more for you. I know how hard this must be for you especially when you cannot remember what the Rhasics were like and you know only the way things were from your sister. But no matter what you think, know that you are doing what you have to to retore and complete yourself and your sister. There is no other way to do that. On the exterior you are strong but I know even my warrior princess must feel internal pain. I-I am sorry for my part in that and that of the Krevion's. Remember for what the Rhasic's did to you and your sister they deserve to suffer pain. And while you may bring this to them in their moment of death it is then over, they are free and at peace. But you still must endure, you must live with the pain of your internal conflict and the curse that was place upon you. You both have the raw end of the deal so please do not feel pity or sorrow for the likes of them. Is there a way, any way I can strengthen your own resolve?"

The voice of their father halted and the sound of soft crying could be heard. Kelron had been rather secure from the events and hardships of the living realm. After all why would one wish to see such sorrow of the living realm when they resided in eternal peace? Upon his daughters coming to him, calling to him, Kelron had no choice but to notice the past and present events of the living realm and it dismayed and ashamed him for ignoring his daughter who needed him. Anger anew washed over Kelron so much that the other spirits kept at a distance and looked upon him with alarm. "I would do anything, anything to take away your suffering; to give you a normal life -- a life you deserve. I am truly sorry for being of little help and for not paying more attention to my daughters as a true father should. What do you want to know, what can I say and do from this realm for you? There must be something, anything I can do to help you, to ease your pain and wipe away those tears as I once did in life?" Their father sounded almost frantic as he said the words while at the same time he cursed the unfairness and cruelty of the living realm.

The memory of Jade's seemed to stir within their deceased father's mind at the same moment it resurfaced within Jade. Like Jade Kelron relished it, took joy from it and held it close to his heart. Suddenly he spoke in wonder "I remember, oh I remember daughter. You were so angry at yourself for the mistake. I can remember thinking your enemy best tremble in fear on your and your blades arrival. Pride and love will always be my one and foremost feeling towards you. And when you do find your way to this realm and to me I will hold you and never let you go. Life is cruel my daughters but this place is not, this place is not."

[Jade Alanon]

Jade could feel a weight being lifted from her young shoulders, other weights still rested there and they would always be there, they would be until Nymira was restored to her full human form and their souls were whole once more. A burden would always rest on her shoulders though because she was the older sister, it was her duty to care for Nymira and see that she was always protected, she remembered how she had failed to protect her sister during the attack on the Krevion. Jade felt her eyes water when she thought back to those moments, she heard most of what her father was saying, but her mind wasn't there, it was back in a memory, one that Jade didn't want to go back to but did anyway, a memory that Nymira was pulled into as well.

It was early in the afternoon and Jade had been putting a book away in her section, listening to Nymira play her violin with a smile on her face. Both sisters had gotten up early that morning to finish their chores because it was a special brightening, it was Jade's birth-brightening and they were going to spend it together just having a good time. Never could sisters be more different yet close as they were, they did so much together despite the fact that they were different as fire and ice. Nymira also thought it the perfect time to tell Jade about her engagement to Daekon, everything was going just perfect....

Jade's teacher ran into the section Jade was in, moving past Nymira to get to her older sister, she looked quite worried, which caught Jade's attention quickly. "What is it? What's the matter?" This caught Nymira's attention and she stopped playing her violin so she could hear what was happening, she was ignored of course because she wasn't like Jade or her teacher, she wasn't a warrior, she was a mage skilled in elementalism, like their father was. "You must get your weapons and hurry to the front, the Krevion is under attack!" Jade's eyes were wide in shock, why would anyone attack the Krevion?!

"Nymira, stay here!" There was no room for arguement in Jade's voice as she ran out of the library, Nymira would surely be safe here while Jade went out to help protect her home and all the knowledge that resided within. Her heart beat quickly and wildly as she retrieved her gleaming blades from their resting place, she could hear screams and arcanists crying out. Explosions were heard echoing through the various halls, screams of pain and death were heard, Jade had been training for this for eras, she had to protect her home and family as best she could.

Jade brandished her weapons as she ran outside, she saw the advancing Rhasic, those knowledge-greedy bastards had gotten fed up with getting restricted and now were attacking. Jade wouldn't let them through, they had done nothing to deserve the knowledge and so now they decided to steal it. Jade joined her fellow warriors, unfortunetly there weren't too many for not many Sanguine chose the path of the warrior as Jade had. Jade didn't see at first that Nymira had come outside, her eyes wide from the bodies that littered the ground, she brought up her weapon and began to cut down as many people as she could. Nymira's eyes were wide as well at the sight of her people being killed without mercy, how could the Rhasic be so evil? Her heart about died when she saw a familiar man approaching her sister, it was Daekon and he was aiming to kill.

Jade didn't know this man and she was certain Daekon didn't know Jade either, both loved ones and one would die, Nymira knew it. Word's caught in her throat, if she called out and distracted Jade, Daekon would have a killing shot and would take her sister from her, but if she did nothing, Daekon would fall beneath Jade's sword. Love or family, which could she choose, she shouldn't have to choose really, it wasn't fair! Jade chose for her sister, she saw the coming Rhasic and moved forward, bringing her sword down across and killing Daekon in one slice, he didn't suffer before he died at least. Nymira couldnt believe it, tears welled up in her eyes and she fell to her knees in such sorrow that it was overwhelming, the man that she had loved was dead.

Candlemarks passed and yet Jade survived while others fell, Nymira cast her spells to help as well, but the Sanguine were losing. Nymira had seen their father fall at the hands of the ruthless Rhasic but she was unable to do anything, Jade hadn't seen and really, Nymira was glad she hadn't. Nymira thought that she was going to die long before the darkening was through, but she was wrong, it wouldn't be her who lost her life. A cry of pain brought Nymira's attention to the front lines, it was Jade's cry of pain. She had been wounded, her right arm hanging useless at her side, the sword she had been holding laying on the ground and yet still she fought on. Jade was in pain and she was losing, many had fallen around her and yet she continued to fight. Finally Jade was struck with a fatal blow, her own sword had been magically picked up and thrust into her side, it was a fatal strike and yet she didn't die right away. She bslowly bled to death, watching through blurred vision as the Krevion was looted and burned, she watched through her pain as Nymira was cuffed from behind and taken away. She had failed the Krevion, failed the Sanguine and worse yet, had failed her younger sister whom she had promised to protect.

Both came out of the memory breathing heavily, tears in Nymira's eyes while Jade was breathless, at that moment they both heard soft crying, did that come from their father? Neither could be sure, so both were silent as they waited to hear Kelron's voice again, almost afraid they had lost the connection. It was a relief to hear his voice again, feeling the amount of emotion their father held even as a spirit, how much he really meant what he said. Nymira smiled and nodded while Jade remained stoic, wishing did nothing, it was useless. "Nothing father, you can do nothing from the realm you are in, I'm sorry but it's true." Nymira looked to her sister a bit shocked, but she could see the memory of her own death echoing within her eyes. "You have given me back some memories father, memories of you that I couldn't have found on my own and for that I am thankful. I got what I wanted, I got to know you some, I won't be greedy in asking for more then that."

Nymira wiped away her tears, still shaken from her own memory, how could the gods be so unfair as to put her through such a thing? Put them through so much and keep forcing them to continue through it. If they died, they would be brought back to continue on, the curse was just that, it was a curse that was getting harder to lift with each era that passes. Jade thought perhaps their time was over for Kelron had been silent, but it was merely to relish the memory they had shared, the memory of her father watching her train, watching her cut herself and curse herself for her foolishness. Despite the pain of the last memory, she had to smile at the pride and love in her father's voice, she had been a force to reckon with all that long ago and even now she was. "She still is like that father, a warrior to make the Sanguine proud," Nymira echoed in, pride in her voice as well. Jade never felt so loved as she did then, surrounded by her only family.

"I wish to see you father, but I must say that I hope it isn't soon, I'm not ready to stop fighting yet. I'm tired but not completely worn out. I don't wish to rest in your embrace until the curse has been lifted, only then can I really rest."

Nymira smiled, the look in her dark eyes mischevious as she looked up to the sky. "Perhaps you could bless your elder daughter for she has finally found love," Jade wasn't about to admit it, so Nymira would for her. "You remember how duty became before her heart, even back when you were alive she was like that. But a young man in Natura has stolen our Jade's heart."

Jade glared at her sister, but she couldn't deny it was true, she was in love. Would her father approve?

[Stargrace]

"Love? Who in the world could love you? A cursed ill begotten killer. He had a death wish if he dares socialise with the likes of you. Does he know you are a cold hearted bitch? Does he know that you lust for innocent blood? You filthy whore." The voice faded but the words hit home, they seemed to wrap around Jade's heart, a vine of bitter thorns that momentarily sucked all the beauty that had just existed between Jade, Nymira and their father. The voice could no longer be mistaken for Kelron's and al