Seeking the Light [Open!]

Kristopher walked into the Atheneum, such a familiar place for the Ascended man. He flickered a fanged grin at the sight, rolling the sleeves of his new button-down shirt up to his elbows.       He looked around the large space, remembering what it had been like nearly 150 years ago. Gods above… He still couldn’t believe it had been that long…       His fingers trailed over the dusty books and tomes of the shelves, his other hand in his pocket. As he approached one of the bookcases, a small grin was worn on his lips, seeing the grooves upon the false books. The man pulled at them, opening the doors to reveal the hidden shrine.       Intense eyes roamed over the offerings on the shelf around the obsidian sphere. Everything was covered in dust and cobwebs, and Kristopher wondered just how long it had been since someone had come and prayed there. How many people who left those offerings were still alive? How many met their end before their time? What story did each item have to tell?       He had been changed at that shrine. He prayed to the New Gods to ascend, and they had granted him his request. It was so long ago that he truly couldn’t remember the voice of the goddess who helped him.       The man felt the disrespect of abandonment the shrine received. He released a strong puff of air, blowing as much dust away as he could, then he removed the handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the sphere clean, touching it softly with bare fingers.       He withdrew his hand and slipped his necklace off over his head, looking at the twined metal pendant. He hadn’t taken that necklace off since before his change, but he needed an answer more than he needed something of sentiment. ”Light mother,” he whispered, ”your son calls on you for help.” He had fed on multiple people since rising, but they were temporary solutions to his true need. ”More than a lifetime spent trapped underground… I ask for your help, Divine Mistress. Please.” Kristopher kissed the necklace and carefully placed it on the shelf near the sphere, lowering his head and hoping for an answer. Kristopher