and we believed enough

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Seasons churned and altered, a thicker tide of uncertainty and strongholds in the midst; but at the very least, within the intervals and changes, they could say Halo remained formidable, proud, and stalwart. Its community had once more reached grander heights on strengthening defenses, and in the wake of restlessness, they could at least be satisfied that some aspects were precise and sure.

Comfortable in the patterns now, save for the newest addition strapped to his chest, the Sword and Evergreen came along within the Citadel, hastening towards the outstretched portions of shrines and offerings. His hands were full with the latest extension of their gratitude, nestled fruits and berries from the greenhouse, along with the amounts of stone dragged in from the Fangs and molten tiger portions behind him on the sled, Evie carrying the rest – before kneeling and placing them along the intervals, a long breath unfurling. Erebos squirmed at the movement, and he dared not laugh, but permitted the range of his smile before nodding and smiling at Evie.

Proceeding with the venture, his deep rumble echoed throughout the hall. “Frey, thank you once more for the opportunity you have granted Halo. We have done everything asked.” From mining wares amidst the frozen caverns, to liquid metal from a molten tiger, to strengthening the walls of the Citadel itself – capable and defiant once again.

--

This is a turn-in for Halo’s Regional Quest for a means to strengthen the Citadel walls, acquired here: silence empty space

Tasks. There is no time limit. There are currently 10 active Halovians. This means 5 unique characters have to participate. Characters can participate more than once. Deimos and Evie must participate in at least 2 threads.

1. A PQ of 4 (or more) Halovians mining stone from The Fangs and bringing it back to The Citadel. - Deimos, Noah, Evie, Sah - https://cotf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=9182

2. A thread of three Halovians collecting the liquid metal that drips from a Molten Tiger. (Don't hurt the tiger!) - Sah, Noah, Soleil - https://cotf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=9199

3. THREE threads manually strengthening the Citadel walls and/or gates in whatever ways you see fit:
- Marcus, Soleil - https://cotf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=9257
- Evie, Deimos - https://cotf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=9187
- Luka, Deimos - https://cotf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=9263

DEIMOS

Evie

Come rest your bones next to me
And toss all your thoughts out to the sea

The new season has brought a great deal of change, and Evie has taken it all in stride even when most of it has been quite life-changing. She'd even go so far as to say she has taken it with grace. Luckily, even the most startling and widespread revelations have only improved her life, and the smile that sits warm and immovable on her face makes that clear.

Erebos' squirming does in fact manage to make Evie laugh under her breath even though Deimos manages to withhold his, though she shares a conspiratorial look of fondness with him. She places her own offerings next; a cutting from her greenhouse where the leaf had been utterly free of chlorophyll and grown white and fragile, a small dish of sweet cream to complement Deimos' berries, and a small pearl she'd purchased in Torchline on their trip before the birth. "Thank you for strengthening us season after season," she adds on, grateful for the continued guidance of the dual-aspect herald.

I'll pull up each of our anchors
So we can get lost, you and me

Frey

"Now look at this sweet thing."

For perhaps the first time, as Frey appears, golden and clad in snow moss and peppermint bark, they completely ignore the offerings laid out before them in lieu of sweeping towards Deimos and the little one strapped to his chest.

Seeming simultaneously even taller than the Sword but also a very reasonable height, they peer down at Erebos to coo over the infant, pleased enough by the sight of him.

"A fine job, as always," they croon to the two Wardens. "And your work on the walls wasn't bad either." With a wink they step back, and an imperceptible ripple floods out of them, across the two leaders and out, out towards the Citadel walls.

"It is done. Congratulations."

---

Halo has completed its RQ and has received the following:

Stronghold | If activated by a member of Halo's council (including appointed positions), the Citadel walls will rebound 100pts of damage upon anyone/thing that strikes them. Requires a 5 post cooldown between uses. Must be deactivated by a member of Halo's council (including appointed positions).

and the only solution was to stand and fight

The Sword didn’t expect the attention to be solely on Erebos, but he couldn’t help but laugh, grinning all the while as the babe cooed in return, a tiny fist curling and uncurling along the sling. His eyes went back to Evie, proud of multiple accomplishments, extending a wink to her once more before ensuring his focus pertained to the herald, and a rumble in return for the measures brought forth. “Thank you for everything, as always.” Another gesture of fortifications, might, and strongholds to ensure Halo’s persistence remained; bit by bit, time by time. The walls were just another step in a prolonged effort of sanctity and shelter – the next surely to follow.

{FIN <3}

DEIMOS