From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
The same flash of darkness fills your mind, though like your sister you cannot place it with an image or a name. Weird. Shrugging it off you push on deeper, still searching the water for the undine.
Which, it turns out, does not want to be found.
The first sign is a splash that's different from the waterfall. Freezing suddenly, you try to focus your attention on the source of the sound, spotting nothing but a ripple of water.
The second sign is far more obvious, because all at once you realize you're under attack- by lichen, of all things.
Though they have been anything but docile throughout this endeavor, the red plants could now be truly considered aggressive, rising up out of the water to cling to your legs, your torso, your arms. "Oh!" you exclaim, eyes growing wide as you turn your face down to the rising red tide. "Uhhh, 'I'o... did the lichen suddenly become predatory toward you, too?"
"Yes." You confirm, not sounding panicked or worried even as the lichen begins to clamp uncomfortably around your muscles. A few errant strands even seem to be climbing towards your throat, seemingly deciding between strangling and suffocating you.
"I wonder if it is an instinctive defence mechanism, or if the Undine is compelling them to do this." You wish you had your notebook and a free hand to write with. As it is the lichen have pinned your arms to your sides, wrapping you in a glorious red gown of hostile growth.
"Now would be a good time to be able to breathe underwater." You comment, as remaining balanced becomes harder and harder. "Freeze." You tell the lichen, and the bits clinging to you do, halted temporarily in place. Swimming to Kai, you reach for your twin, planning to drag him out if he hasn't cunningly figured out a way for himself.
There's lichen on every piece of your body now, except perhaps your face. Your hair is red, though, and you can feel it trying to grow into a matted lump that binds your arms to your side and your legs to each other, inhibiting movement in a way that could quickly prove fatal, leaving you as bones in a watery grave.
At least you would be good fertilizer.
"It would, you agree, flopping a little, your legs moving stiffly as you bounce through the water. Nope, this isn't going to work. As much as you aren't afraid of dying, you will never claim to have no survival instinct, and it's beginning to kick in as you flounder about. Oia's already gotten her lichen-suit under control; you should probably liberate yourself as well. "K, time to let go," you announce to the plants, willing them to ease off your body enough to allow you to swim toward your sister - and the shore.
And so it is, another potentially life-threatening situation avoided with story-book accuracy. Naked, you look towards where the shrine is. Your body is red from both been grappled by the lichen but also because apparently it has the power to stain as well. You note this for later, adoring the coral-pigment of it. You aren't the impromptu artist that Kai is, but even you can appreciate this natural vibrancy.
"I think we should visit the shrine now." You say, moving towards it rather than your clothes. You feel no need for them, and what you know about the herald indicates that you're likely to be better received clothed only in what Rae has created for you.
Following your sister out of the water, you make your way onto the warm stones and splay your naked body out, reveling in the warmth of the sun and the vibrancy of the red and the presence of your sister and the simple delight of the day. Without a care for decency or sunburn or exposure you spread your body out like a lizard might, soaking in the sun.
"Yea... after we dry off," you answer drowsily, turning to lie on your stomach, head popped in your hands. "Today's been a good day, 'I'o," you smile to your twin, before settling in for a pre-shrine nap.
