again and again and again

High above the curve of the world where the atmosphere gave way to eternity, the stars gathered—close, curious, pulsing like the heartbeat of the cosmos itself. The void between constellations shimmered with golden light, thick and ancient, the kind that only appeared when something sacred stirred in the silence. And in the center of it all, poised upon a celestial platform spun from threads of pure starlight, stood Safrin.

She was radiant in a way she had not been in some time, her sorrow tucked behind the swell of something new. Her arms were bare, ink-dark and spangled with constellations, and the gown she wore pooled like nebulae around her feet, casting glimmers into the endless dark. There was no mourning in her tonight—only expectation. Only pride.

"Come," she called, her voice carrying across galaxies, echoing into silence and filling it with song. “"The world awaits."

From the shadows behind her, where the starlight had gathered into a radiant cocoon, the figure stepped forward. He was no infant, not here where time bent and bloomed at her command. He emerged fully-formed, broad-shouldered and strong, each movement echoing with the confidence of the heavens that had raised him.

Zenith.

His skin was sun-kissed bronze, his hair a wild tumble of dark strands that glinted faintly with silver as though dusted by the cosmos itself. And his presence? Massive. Centering. As though the stars bent a little closer just to bask in the gravity of him.

Safrin turned, and her smile—sharp and indulgent—softened at the sight of him.

"You are the balance," she murmured, stepping closer to place a hand on his chest. "Born of the sea, raised by the stars. You are who will raise the eyes of those who forget to look up at the stars."

With a flick of her hand, the cosmos parted to reveal the curve of Caido far, far below. Cities like pinpricks of flame. Storms curling over distant seas. The dark blot of Starfall.

"Go," she said softly. "They do not yet know what you are. But they will."

And the stars behind him flared in approval.

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zenith's awareness converged from where he drifted through the stars. Pulled by the gravity of his mother's presence, he hardly paid them any mind now, focused on heeding her call. Stepping through the shadows, his clothing just as dark, his eyes found Safrin immediately.

As she placed her hand on his chest, one of Zen's came up to clasp it tighter to him. His silver eyes met hers with warm affection and silent steel. Small stars swirled into existence in the air beside him, blues, purples, and flickers of white colliding to carry his words. His oath. (I will.) Zen would ensure that the stars remained in the minds of all of Caido, across every region, deep into every sea. As for those who scorned their existence, scorned his mother, Zenith would rain heaven's wrath upon them. He'd enjoy it too.

As the Demi-god's eyes shifted to Caido below, they sharpened. They flickered over the cities below with something akin to hunger, dark and promising. The starry words beside him shifted as Zen refocused on his mother. (I won't disappoint you, Mom. Where should I begin?)

Or be burned by their light

Zen

Safrin’s smile curved slowly, dangerously, as her son’s hand curled over hers. The flicker of stars that formed his vow—his oath—danced like a secret only they shared, and for a moment she merely looked at him, at the broadness of his shoulders, the quiet command in his gaze, and the power woven into every breath he took.

"Good," she murmured, her voice thrumming low with pleasure, with pride, with promise. "Because I did not make you to be small, Zenith."

As he turned his gaze toward Caido and asked where to begin, Safrin stepped beside him, her hand now at the back of his neck as she pulled him close. Her lips brushed the side of his brow—affectionate, reverent, but laced with steel. Around them, the stars pulsed brighter. "Begin where the stars are fading," she whispered.

She turned to face him fully again, fingers now brushing the edge of his jaw as her cosmic presence coiled around him like a velvet storm. "Find those who have forgotten. Remind them. You will walk the ground as proof of my love and protection. But should they spit on it…" The starlight in her eyes flared—once, hard and bright—"Let them burn."

Then, gentler, her fingers drifted to the star-born curls at his temple.

"And when you’re ready… we’ll make sure they know your name."

Bask in the Light of the Stars

Zen's eyes gleamed as he absorbed his mother's will. From his time in the stars, he knew exactly which places were in need of his presence. Those where the stars had been dimmed for far too long. Where the people had turned to other Old Gods, or simply none, and left his mother behind. Unforgivable, if they didn't change their ways. (Yes.) The stars in the air flared in response to Safrin's eyes, as if already attempting to scorch the world below. He should start a list of names.

As Safrin played with his hair, Zen's head tilted closer, relishing in his mother's affection. I'll see you soon, Mom.) Once he had his feet under him, he'd return.

Soon the quiet hum of the stars was replaced by crashing waves. Standing on the coast of the Arclight Ocean, Zen glanced up at the stars, wistful but determined. It was time to begin.

-[FIN]

Or be burned by their light

Zen

Come play!M

In the wind you hear voices. It sounds like children playing some kind of game with laughter and mischief. Then one screams. There’s a call for ‘Mom!’ ‘Papa!’ and other adults as the laughter stops. Glancing towards the direction of the commotion, you’ll see fins cutting the water. A pack of echo sharks lucks, ready to leap up and grab any who fall for their trap.

---

You’ve encountered a pack of echo sharks. This counts as a common creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.

Echo Shark (common) - A dwarf species of shark known for hunting in packs, the Echo Shark can live in both freshwater and saltwater. They are able to mimic any sound they’ve heard and band together to increase their range of vocals. The sharks use the words and sounds they’ve learned to lure unsuspecting prey into the water, where the sharks will then leap up and drag them into the waves.