I rose with the sun

Zavien

Having discussed his plans with Lena the night before, there was a certain degree of peace and renewed hope in his chest as Zavien made his way up the steps, Sol close on his heels. Nerves and darkness still clung stubbornly at the edges of his mood, but his familiar light had resumed its place on his face. The smile matched the rising sun outside of the windows, melting across the sky to bring the new day - to hearten the souls of the living. Despite the events of recent months, the Dragoon had found his light again, determination strengthening his movements as he approached the shrine.

Settling before the open sky, Zavien laid out his offering: a sapling in a bright pot with a charm hanging from one of its small branches - one side showing the sun, and the other the moon. It had reminded him of the balance that Vi and Mort so delicately held, life and death, both of which he had experienced. He decided to start there as he called out to the god. "Vi. I want to thank you - and Mort - for giving me this second chance at life, for trusting me to cherish it more than the first." At first, he thought that trust might be misplaced, but he felt the instincts returning, guiding his actions to embrace every moment. "I don't want to waste a single second of this opportunity. If nothing else, I want to spend it protecting others, preserving the sanctity of life - and peace. But I feel that Caido is being threatened..." Images of the Void yeti flashed through his mind - the battle, his death. 

He steeled his resolve, hands tightening against his legs where he knelt. Taking a deep breath, he felt Sol press against the bond, adding to his own resolve. "Vi, my own strength is not enough to make a difference, but yours is." He'd heard of the god's power, and he felt the hope flare in his chest, a glint entering his green eyes as he asked, "Would you grant me one of your roses to help cleanse some of the Void influence?"

---

Zavien is asking Vi for a quest for a rose! 

If he doesn't roll high enough, I'd like to use his CotY token! <3

With so many favoured in one place, fickle spirits tend to leave you alone. You cannot be cursed when visiting a shrine by a spirit. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each shrine post).

Regional Score bonus: +1 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +1 should be included)

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

"You feel that Caido is being threatened because it is." Vi's voice is quiet, and yet its deep timbre fills the shrine like the sound of a wave breaking across an empty shore. Standing at one of the small windows to gaze out at the sunrise, backlit by streamers of pale gold, it might seem to Zavien as if the god has been here all along. And perhaps he has been - it has not been long, after all, since Sohalia had visited this very shrine for this very reason.

Maybe Vi has been waiting for the Dragoon to make his appearance, for the threads of time and circumstance to twist and knot until they find themselves bound together like this.

"Heavy words for one who has already tasted of death once." Turning from the window to regard Zavien, Vi remains unsmiling, though there is nothing unkind in his expression. "You bear the weight of that responsibility well, all things considered." Nodding slowly, they approach the Dragoon.

"What will you do with my rose, if I grant it to you?"

VI

Table by Sky!

Zavien

The voice is quiet with a confident strength that reminded Zavien of a wizened ruler who had seen many battles. It straightened his spine, awe and respect radiating from him as he took in the god's steady demeanor. Part of him questioned whether he had intruded on some calm introspection, missing the figure as he'd entered the shrine - but there was no possibility he could have missed such a powerful presence. 

When he finally turned, Zavien was not expecting the weight of the words that settled over him. They made him feel embarrassed and proud at the same time, reminding him of his own mistakes while encouraging him of his progress thus far. "Thank you, Vi. I - That means a lot coming from you." His head dipped low, committing the words to memory so he might find strength in them later. 

Vi's approach had him straightening again, feeling the hope swell in his chest alongside the soldierly instincts in the light of impending battles. "Some of my friends, leaders I trust, are making efforts to weaken Starfall - to stop whatever horrors may be brewing there. If I can't assist them physically, I would hope to give them the tools necessary to ensure their success." Succinct and detailed, a practiced report to a commanding officer. Determination flared in his eyes as he added quietly, "There are too many people suffering. I don't want to hide if there's something I can do to change that." Even if Stormbreak was not a possibility for the moment, he hoped helping the rest of Caido might give him a chance to one day free them of the Family's influence.

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

"Well said." Vi inclines his head at Zavien's report, the reasoning behind his coming to the deity, his desire to help even from beyond the immediate battlefield. "It can be a bitter but necessary thing to know one's limitations. But the most difficult lessons are the ones we ought to heed the closest." And so here the soldier stands before the God of Life, petitioning for any assistance he might be able to offer.

Nothing in the god's expression changes, but the room seems to grow a little warmer, the sunlight golden and cheerful where it streams against the walls of the shrine.

"If you are able to reflect your words in your actions to me, then one of my roses will bloom for you," Vi tells him with a gentle incline of his head. "I suggest you move swiftly. The void's influence grows tighter every day."

---

Zavien has received a quest from Vi! He will become worthy of one of Vi's Roses by:

1. Doing a selfless deed.
2. Creating life. (e.g. planting a seed and tending to it until it sprouts, or the other thing)
3. Protecting something/someone.
4. Collecting soil from the Greatwood.

VI

Table by Sky!

Zavien

The shift wasn't necessarily visible, but palpable, a weight lifting from Zavien's shoulders as the god expressed approval in his sentiments. His breath came a little easier, even as his heart continued to pound, a reminder that this was only the first step in obtaining the rose. The tasks set before him wouldn't be easy, and Vi's insistence to make haste only proved to him the importance of his mission. 

Dipping his head low with reverent respect, he didn't attempt to lighten the heaviness of the moment with a smile. "Thank you for trusting me, Vi." He tried to instill as much confidence and certainty in his tone as he could muster, willing his heart to take hold of the emotions, to spur him on as Zavien rose, his fists clenched at his side. "I won't let you down." With one final look at the God of Life, the Dragoon turned to leave, fiery determination fueling his departure so that he may return just as quickly.

[FIN]

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.