[God Quest] good tidings

RONIN

THE WHITE KNIGHT

It feels strange, to climb the steps of the Aumakua at midday, but with the air sweet with the scent of salt and flowers and the breeze carrying the sound of the coast and all the people in it, Torchline has never felt more alive. And so, Ronin thinks, what better time to approach the God of Life?

The memory of releasing lanterns as a tribute to Mort is still fresh in his mind, so perhaps that's why he has another in his hands in offering as he takes a knee before the shrine. Crafted from pearlescent panes of glass, the lantern shimmers like an opal when Ronin sets light to the wick inside, and he nestles it among the other candles and offerings before sitting back.

"I heard from Noah," he says with a gentle smile. "And I hope I can do you proud alone. I know that there is no threat to fight with this now, but... for what it's worth, I completed the tasks you set for me." Reaching back, he sets Emmett's axe before him on the ground.

---

Ronin is turning in the quest he was given in when the dawn is still dark

1. Complete a training thread focusing on the use of the axe.
[Training] something to aim at - Trained with Noah with the axe.

2. Complete a training thread with someone else in possession of the axe, focusing on avoiding it on the recall.
[Training] love taps - Trained with Remi while he had possession of the axe.

3. Complete a thread using the axe for a purpose other than harming or cutting.
[SE][Training] from the ground up - Used the axe as a paperweight while reading some blueprints.

4. Complete a thread using the axe to assist someone with something.
and you'll fear what you've found - Used the axe to assist detangling some dog leashes whilst helping an old lady and her pups from the Stormbreak refugee ship.

now don’t you lose hope

I swear I never dream that we’re alone

I swear I still believe but I don’t know

vi

"Noah Olson's obligation to me is no more, it is true." Vi appears before the window of the shrine, backlit by the Leafchange sun that streams in behind him, outlining him in gold. "He is free now to find who he once was. For you, though, there is still much to be done." Perhaps there's a hint of amusement in the deity's smile, brief and fleeting though it might be, and he steps forward to examine the axe on the ground.

"You have proven through what I asked that this can be used for much more than killing," he remarks, drawing up a sleeve and reaching for the axe, which rises into the air and finds his grip with ease. "May it be of as much use to you in these times of peace as it might during conflict. Take it, Ronin Taliesin, and wield it well."

---

Ronin has completed his quest and has received the following!

Emmett's Axe | A hunting axe of pale, iridescent steel that always returns to the user when thrown. The handle is engraved with a small image of a sun.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered | Cost: Action

Table base by Sky!

RONIN

THE WHITE KNIGHT

As it always does, Vi's presence fills Ronin with the most curious, turbulent sense of calm, as if all of his bones have been hit with a tuning fork. His eyes close for a moment to centre himself, to properly focus on his god's words, though his smile doesn't fade to hear that Noah is able to focus on himself again. After years of loss and stress and conflict, he knows the other man deserves it.

Only as he senses Vi move closer does Ronin lift his head, watching the axe rise effortlessly into the air before the God of Life. He marks the subtle changes in it the moment Vi's grip finds the hilt, and he nods firmly. "I will," he vows, rising smoothly to his feet and accepting the weapon with both hands. "Thank you. I'll put it to the best use I can."

Turning the axe over in his hands as if testing his grip on it, Ronin will linger at the shrine long after Vi departs, listening to the call of the seabirds and the rich crash of the waves as they reach the shore.

~FIN

now don’t you lose hope

I swear I never dream that we’re alone

I swear I still believe but I don’t know