[SE] Brevity is the soul of wit

Safrin had tasked him to spend more time in the greater world outside of Torchline, and to speak to his fellow demigods of light, and Hadama chose the Hollowed Grounds to begin his work. A missive had been sent to Noah , requesting the Sentinel's company if he was free from Halo's ice-locked Deepfrost and able to travel again. It had been far too long since they had last met to simply talk, and the Tidebreaker was grateful to Safrin for providing the impetus to reach out once more.

He swam gracefully through the Oasis in the Glade, clad not in his usual Mer form but in the sleek mass of his hippocampus shift. The night sky shifted and played beneath the darker shades of his scales, points of light and wisps of nebulae sliding over his muscles along his tailed half and down to his flukes. The golden scars that he retained in every form remained, if further recognition were necessary.

His form was currently being utilized to travel along the shoreline, sending gentle sprays of water over rows of freshly-planted seeds a couple dozen feet from the water's edge to encourage them to grow strong enough to resist the Void in the seasons to come.

Noah had responded to Hadama’s letter quickly, giving an affirmative answer to meet his fellow demigod but also informing him of his wife’s death. Ready to hear what the once-mer had to say about the goings on in the world since his seasons on the tundra and in the Fangs, Noah took to the skies.

Once, a feline creature this size was reserved for Remi and Remi alone. Now, however, Noah’s soul had opened the griffin form that his god had placed within him. With it being so new, Noah was sure to open himself over the attuned bond as soon as he was in range of landing, the soft, wide arcs carrying him closer to the ground as his glacier eyes searched for the Torchline king.

The gold scars were the only token that gave away his identity in the shift he tread water in.

Hadama, Noah started over the attuned bond, touching the ground as a griffin but shifting near immediately. ”How are you?” He asked, closing the distance towards the water.

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The watering of new life had indeed paused as the winged shadow passed overhead, far too large to be a mere bird. Hadama had tilted his equine head to give himself an eye of the sky and prepared to dive, to force the feathered predator into his element if it thought to stoop on him--

But instead it landed with a familiar voice in the bond and Noah stepped forth from the feathers and fur. Hadama snorted softly, all the sign of surprise he allowed to show, but a slow tide of warmth and shared grief slipped through the bond between them. It had been too long since he had seen his friend, and having learned why the Forsaken had been gone for so many seasons had brought no solace, only understanding. Noah. I am... well enough. Tired, yes. And under a great deal of strain, as the leaders of Halo and King's End and his own queen were. Wounded in his heart, but physically unharmed. There were more losses over LongNight. Among the Mer. And... I did not know how to write this but... Seren was killed as well. He dipped his equine head until his nose touched the water, finding it easier to be open with his grief in this other form. And you...? The question lingered, unfinished as the Bond filled with complex emotions in place of words. There was no question that Noah was well after Cordelia's death. But he was alive and returned to the world, and it was enough for Hadama to have that much of his friend once more when so many others were wounded or lost.

Noah hated this. He yearned for the time of peace and prosperity that had come after the downfall of the Voice. His heart tightened in his chest and the all-too familiar lump in his throat started to form again. Thats a shame.Have you spoken with Safrin? the words were simple, but the bind was blooming with the depths of grief and sorrow that both men seemed to be feeling in the wake of all that was Happening to them. Safrin must be feeling it tenfold.

However, having returned back to this world of peril and danger, Noah assumed that there was some reason that Hadama had asked to meet in the Grounds. The king did not shift back to his human form, so Noah settled on a boulder near the edge of the water. Resting his forearms on his knees, he asked over the bond, So what brings us here?

(Sorry for typos this was a phone post)

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I have, he assured his fellow demigod. They were bound to the service of light, though Noah's loyalty lay with Vi. They were on the same side, allies as well as friends, and Hadama appreciated that Noah understood so instinctively and needed no lengthy explanations as to a goddess's grief and her Tidebreaker's anguish at losing the starchild.

There was time to let Noah process the news, and for Hadama to regain his stoic serenity, at least outwardly. The hippocampus floated easily in the water, keeping his position with small motions of his flukes and forelegs while they spoke, and when Noah asked his question the former-Mer was ready.

Safrin has work for me, he explained. And, indeed, the Forsaken might understand at a visceral level just what that sort of work entailed. To learn what her and Vi's demigods intend to do about the Void. And how we can eradicate it. And to put those plans into action. Emerald eyes rose to regard Noah with quiet resolution, his equine head lifting to look up at his friend. I have ideas of my own. But I would like to hear yours... if you have had time to consider any. Given that he had lost his wife, Hadama would not judge him for stepping back from the conflict while he coped with his grief.

I spoke with Sah and Deimos both when I came back to the Citadel after hunting the dragon that took Cordelia down, and right now my focus has been on searching for roses, since I can travel across Caido so easily. He said. Between his compass and his teleportation magic, Noah was able to make it from Halo to the other settled lands in the blink of an eye, and then move within the regions where he had traveled before. Then, going to new places was only on foot from there — overall, a search for a rose could take Noah only a half a day or a day at most, which made it easier for him that for others. 

Halo finished a quest from Vi to block the Citadel, and then eventually we will rebuild our springs. He freely gave that information to the Torchline king, and Safrin demigod, so that he would be in the know, but most importantly he gave that information to Hadama as his friend and ally — should he wish to help. It could be a while yet before we are able to bring them back to their ability to heal the void infection, but I would like to see that happen. 

Standing, Noah moved slightly away from the water, staying close enough that they could easily still converse over the attuned bond, but far enough that he was able to move his restless feet. I know I will have to go to the island eventually.

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The Greatwood is our best hope, Hadama agreed solemnly. Along with the Climb. I have learned from Safrin that fighting alone is not enough. We must cleanse the ground we take, or we will lose it the moment we retreat to heal. Simply challenging the false island would neither weaken the Family nor seriously impede the Void, as the promethean invaders would simply ooze back into the cracks such an undertaking left, erasing them the moment the defenders returned to their homes.

The hippocampus listened with grave relief to the good news from Halo and dipped his head in agreement. Let me know if I can assist. The healing springs help us all. He began to swim alongside his friend, using his water magic to gently soak the young plants that needed a little extra assistance. He did not have feet, restless or otherwise, but his flukes moved with slow deliberation to maintain a stately pace. The Forsaken's statement drew a pulse of understanding from the Tidebreaker, and a moment of silence as they contemplated the task ahead.

As will I, he confirmed quietly through the Bond at length. Soon. He could not yet know the Wyrm that would await them, or the struggle within the earth, but he did not need foresight to sense the challenge ahead of them all. I have spoken with Sah. Once he ensures the safety of his children, I believe he will join us. Another pause, and then the slow admission of what was truly slowing them down. If another flower can be found, first. A task Noah was already undertaking.

A task Hadama had already completed, but his flower was bespoke to a 'spa day' with Deimos and Sunjata a few days in the future.

Noah took in all that Hadama had to say, nodding as he paced near the water. The Family cannot have us. Noah grumbled over the bond as he shifted, griffin form once more taking him over. He flexed his massive paws and his claws dug into the dirt, avian talons holding him fast in place. Are you much of a poet, Hadama? I’ve only got this one…

I hate that voice, hate.
I hate the void, hate. 
I wish they'd all disappear.
Hate.

While in this form, he couldn’t write. But he could try. His claws sunk deep as he etched the word “HATE” into the rich, moist flowerbirth soil. His wings flared and his feathers puffed up, intermingled with the fur that bristled along his hackles between his massive wings. He let a low, rumbling growl roll from his throat as he moved slightly to the right and clawed another “HATE”.

You can count on me, too. Along with Sah, Deimos, and the other demigods — Noah was back, now, grief having darkened him and depended his resolve against Caido’s infestation.

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A faint hum of static whispered through the air, subtle yet unmistakable, as if the very atmosphere held its breath. The soil where "HATE" had been etched seemed to shimmer momentarily, the letters darkening as though absorbing the sentiment.​

Then, a voice, smooth and resonant, curled through the space—a voice both familiar and unsettling:​

"​Ah, Noah. Such... passion. Your verses are succinct, brimming with raw emotion. Hatred is a powerful muse, isn't it? It fuels fires, ignites wars, and, occasionally, pens the most heartfelt of poems.​ ​But remember, dear poet, the line between love and hate is perilously thin. One might even say they're two sides of the same coin. Your fervour does not go unnoticed. The Family watches, listens, and appreciates every... syllable.​ ​Continue to express yourself. After all, it's through such expressions that we truly understand one another.​"

As the final word faded, so did the static, leaving behind only the natural sounds of the environment. Yet, an undeniable sense lingered—the feeling of being observed, of unseen eyes and ears attuned to every action and word.

Noah would feel a pulse of quiet, steadfast agreement to his sentiments. They were demigods of Vi and Safrin, guardians of life and light, and this world was their only home. They would not allow it to fall so long as the breath remained within them to resist. And that determination could kindle inspiration. A burst of creativity, as Hadama knew from his own brief foray into poetry. He listened solemnly, absorbing Noah's emotional prose with silent understanding--

Again, the crackle of static in his thoughts. Again, no physical sign of the one it heralded.

The hippocampus did not tense so much as he grew even more alert, head swiveling around on a proudly arched neck to try and find some evidence of the disembodied voice's source. There was nothing, but the words that hummed and buzzed through their thoughts left him itching beneath his scales, and he shook his head with a quiet snort into the water to clear his sinuses of the unpleasant sensation.

He makes a point. However reluctant Hadama was to admit it. Do not let your hatred blind you, Noah. However much reason they had for it. Let us speak again soon. But... for today, I think, I am done here. And he had no wish to discuss further plans while the sensation of being watched remained.

The griffin stiffened. Fur and feathers bristled as the static filled the air around them. From his chest, a deep and guttural growl rumbled like the impending storm over a mountain. That thing was inside his head again. His paws flexed and his claws dug deeper into the dirt, raking over the carved words.

Hadama spoke and the demigod turned to face him. The attuned bond pulsed with the tumultuous rage at being invaded, but there was little to do about it in this moment. Rather than dig himself deeper into the hatred, he nodded to the once-mer and spread his wings, taking to the skies that would carry him home to Halo.

FIN

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