What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
After the stars had winked out in the approaching dawn, Zavien gathered his sword from the Observatory's balcony and immediately made his way to the shrine, having completed all the required tasks. He could see the rising sun just beyond the opening in the shrine, the first rays peeking through the clouds to melt against the sky. With plans laid out for the day, he didn't linger on the sight, laying his sword in front of him along with a dark purple-blue scarf with silvery stars stitched into it and a jar of the jelly he'd come to love from the village.
Sol gave him a sleepy grumble as he finally caught up, flopping heavily on his leg. Patting the dragon's head gently, Zavien called out, "Safrin. Do you have a moment? I've done what you asked of me." There was a soft smile on his face, his voice more certain and hopeful than when he'd seen her last, the light returning to his gaze in the midst of healing.
The light of dawn had only just begun to kiss the stone walls of the shrine when the air shifted—not with wind, but with warmth. A gentle pressure, like gravity bending toward grace. Starlight—impossible in the rising sun—filtered down through the gaps in the ceiling as if the stars themselves refused to leave without bearing witness.
Safrin stepped into being on the edge of that morning light, her form coalescing in a sweep of indigo silk and shimmer, like the trailing edge of night refusing to surrender. Her eyes, luminous and unreadable, found Zavien first, and the faintest smile curved her lips—not quite joy, not quite pride, but something softer. Quieter. Knowing.
"You've brought me jelly?" she teased, voice still thick with stardust, as if she'd stepped straight out of the heavens. "And starlight I can wear." Her fingers grazed the scarf reverently, admiring the tiny stars stitched into the deep blue fabric. Then, with deliberate grace, she reached down to touch the hilt of the sword, her thumb tracing the shape of it.
"You've changed," she said simply, stepping closer. It wasn’t a question—it was an observation, an affirmation. "Your eyes are steady again." Safrin tilted her head, stars catching in the cascade of her dark hair. "The road to healing is not straight. Or easy. But I see you’ve taken it anyway, and for that I'm proud of you."
As always, Safrin's appearance amazed him, like the molding of light into a physical form. His own smile brightened a little, lowering his head to indicate his deep appreciation for her attentions. Her words immediately warmed him as he lifted his eyes to watch her. "I wasn't sure how cold it got in the stars but thought you might like it all the same." Shrugging his shoulders at her teasing tone, a flush of embarrassment brushed against his cheeks. "And I just really liked the jelly, so I wanted to share it with you."
When she stepped closer, Zavien felt like she'd somehow glimpsed straight to his heart, to the ray of hope he slowly nourished and the monsters it now kept at bay. He smiled almost as freely as he might have months ago. "Thank you. Having a purpose in your quest helped a lot, and I didn't do it alone." His hand lingered on Sol's head as he thought about those who had listened to his story or trained with him, each method chipping away at the darkness. It certainly took a village.
Zavien lifted his green eyes to the goddess again, seeing a similar shift in her. "I'm happy to see your own radiance returning, Safrin. The world was much dimmer without it." He dipped his head in respectful reverence, genuine compassion for the goddess and her recent loss warming his words.
Safrin’s gaze lingered on Zavien’s bowed head, her features softening with something nearly maternal. The warmth in his words, the sincerity behind them, stirred something quiet and vulnerable beneath her usual celestial poise. A faint smile tugged at her lips—not radiant, not grand, but real.
"You’ve always had the heart of something greater," she murmured, her voice like moonlight filtered through sea-glass. "Never stop following it."
One hand lifted to brush gently along the back of his knuckles, her touch fleeting but full of meaning. [says]"You may not have done it alone, but you walked the path I set before you. And you did not falter."[/saya] Her eyes flicked briefly to Sol, then back to Zavien, the light behind them glowing a touch brighter.
"Rest now. Enjoy all that you have and when you are ready for more, you know where to find me."
And with a last glance, a shimmer of starlight swept through the shrine, and Safrin was gone.
