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!
In stark comparison to his last quest from the Voice, this one has gone by quickly, and Nate is damn proud of what he’s managed to accomplish, with help from the other members of the Family. Granted, he hasn’t been waylaid by cats and sickness and smugglers deals this time. Who would have thought a shrine was simpler to pull together than a single eye?
Amun and Neron are already with him, deep in the black heart of the Climb, a false night stretching above them as they wait for the others Nate has invited to join. They only need two more, and Nate had put whispers in ears before he’d come out, hoping others would show up.
Knowing there should be others on the way somehow makes him more impatient, Nate pacing around the Obsidian Cathedral, stopping himself from touching the erected shrine, from making minute adjustments to wires and stone. He doesn’t want to risk toppling it, even if it means he’s left with a sullen restlessness.
Nate has completed the steps to have the new shrine erected, and just needs it activated.
Laser beams we're about to awesome all your dreams
There’s no reason not to come, when she can do it so easily. And she can bring a friend in smaller steps, so they can traverse Caido a little more quickly than just walking. She’d say walking is for peasants, but oh, remember your roots, Ms. Theskyra. Remember where you came from.
The last hop sets them down in the Climb and she releases her companions hand only to place it on their shoulder, double checking to make sure they aren’t too ill from the teleporting. When everything seems to be alright, the Wraith nods and heads towards the designated place, neatly sidestepping areas that seem rather dangerous until they head through the tunnel to the Obsidian Cathedral. Hmmm. Good choice. There’s already a shrine there, but hey - what’s one more?
Besides, their’s looks better. “Looks good,” she calls out to her brothers before joining the small group.
Having shifted back from the dragon form, Amun had moved a short distance away. Partially, it was to avoid any further run-ins with the lava wyrms, now that he was vulnerable to them. Mostly, though, it was to avoid discussing having bitten Sunjata with Nate. The potter had already explained it had happened during the illness and wanted to leave it at that.
So he lounged against a nearby wall, brushing soot and picking imaginary threads off his pants. Keeping his eyes downwards, he hummed to himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the Hailstorm and the "doctor" as they waited for whoever else was supposed to show up.
When Wessex arrived, Amun glanced up. Grinning at her, he nodded. However, he didn't speak up.
"If you keep pacing like that, you'll wear a trench into the floor," Neron drawls, a fanged grin on his face. Like Amun, he's seated on a nearby rock - one of the 'pews' that makes up the Obsidian Cathedral. Between watching Nate pace and watching the shrine as if it might jump to life at any moment, he can't help but feel a little excited. Neron has never been present for anything like this before - it's interesting to say the least.
Then the Wraith and her companion arrive, and Neron glances over his shoulder at the sound of their entrance. Raising a hand in a greeting, he gets himself on his feet and straightens out his clothes; not that there's much to do for them with the work done to build the shrine just under his belt.
If Bastien was ill from his trip with Wessex he didn't show it, a bright smile on his face and his hands rubbing excitedly together as he looked about the Obsidian Cathedral. It was beautiful, in a savage sort of way; perfect for their Goddess. "Nate! Amun! Neron! Hello! How wonderful we can meet here under these circumstances." For helping to make something new for the Voice was always a good circumstance, of course.
He walked around the shrine Nate had made, appraising it from all angles. Not how he would have made it, but Bastien had a tendency to make everything rather baroque, and that would admittedly not have worked within the dark, straight-lined building. "Good work indeed."
We're aware they're trying to take away our dreams
the rocks work as hard as the stars, to be what they are
"It looks more than good, my bright ones." The shrine that Nate has erected in the middle of the Obsidian Cathedral begins to crackle and spark with blue light, and the stones lift and hover, as if suspended by magnetism or something other. Power rushes out of the new shrine as the Voice fills it with her presence and her light, and she appears behind Nate as if to still his pacing.
"You have done well, to create a place for us in an environment like the Climb. I daresay that the journey was not easy for you." The cathedral hums with power, and the Voice extends a hand as if to gesture them all to gather close. "This is a moment for celebration."
Neron and Amun are already there, but Bastien and Wessex both are good to see, Nate stepping forward to greet the artist and the demi-god before returning to his pacing, waiting for something. Waiting for the fruits of his labour.
Whatever burden drives his mind, his steps forward lifts with the first crackle of the Voice’s voice, Nate slowing, turning to watch the shrine come alive with power. It’s even better than he had imagined, bright and warm, like the goddess herself.
Nate let’s the Voice’s presence soothe him, drawing in closer to her when she gestures, a wide smile on his face. ”I’m glad you like it. The place and the shrine.” He falls quiet again though, content to listen, to celebrate, as she asks for it.
All dressed up like a switchblade knife Let’s hang in love from the gallows
As the Voice arrived, responding to their presence and Nate's call, Amun beamed at her. However, he didn't speak, letting the doctor take the lead given that this was his show. When he only spoke once, the potter nudged Nate with a shoulder. "Thank you for taking the lead on this." Amun flashed the doctor a smile.
Then he turned to face their goddess. "How should we celebrate? Some music, a little dancing?" He laughed as he did a shuffling step, swaying to music that only he could hear.
"Or do you have another task for us?" Looking around at the group, he nodded at them. If she did, they could handle it.
the rocks work as hard as the stars, to be what they are
"Another task? You have enough to do already, my bright ones. Take a moment to rest, to replenish yourselves. Revel in the fruits of your labour, however you may."
The Voice glances between her children, and the Obsidian Cathedral continues to buzz and hum with new power, with the presence of the New Gods which now blesses it. The Ascended gather close and will find themselves invigorated without the need to feed, the fledgling shrine filling them with the Voice's power and appreciation.
And so they may stop for a moment and celebrate, to reflect on how far they have come and the decisions and victories that have led to this shrine, to this new foothold in Caido.
Congratulations, you have now activated a new shrine in the Climb!
