Author: Silver Star, Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 5:51 PM, Post Subject: Mortals in a Goddess's Fight - Part Two [P][Event]

The most confusing thing about this World Tree, Ernest decided, was that, apparently, the entire world was run by a tree. She raised an eyebrow, somewhat intrigued. As for this tree being able to decide whether it was a boy or girl based on its whims… Well, she decided not to think about that. Theological questions could be saved for when the world wasn't in danger.

She supposed she should have heard the stories, had she actually seen a storyteller in the past four years. Well, she decided, at least, if I don't know much, I'm always learning. She had learned more in the brief time she'd stayed here than she had in most of the rest of her life.  Even what she had been able to find just by looking around was amazing.

She jerked her attention back to the conversation when she realized Angela was still talking. Would she like some wine? Ernest considered for a second. "Sure," she said. "You know, I've never actually had wine before. Is it good?"

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 6:21 AM, Post Subject: Mortals in a Goddess's Fight - Part Two [P][Event]

In truth, Angela advocated for peace not only because Dalanesca was her friend but because she cared greatly for the world that her children were growing up in. It shined brightly in her eyes no matter how sick she appeared. She aimed to make the world peaceful at any cost. The world had many dangers and much darkness but she found it to be relatively nice place to be.

Before she went into the world tree Angela smiled. “Oh, I made it. Fashioned it from fresh cut diamonds and the hardest metal I could get my hands on. The blue is just because I find the sky lovely in the summer.” She smiled at Ernest. It was odd that such thought had gone into something like that. Even when she was out of time her mind still worked in mysterious ways. 

Getting them to a bench Angela took a deep sigh of relief. “To be honest, I’m shocked you’ve never heard the stories. At one point there was one World Tree. It had the power to make mortals immortal with a large stature of power. Eventually, it found itself torn into two different Trees. One for each of the continents of Revaliir. Our World Tree on Canelux is the one who ascended the gods here. The World Tree of Parvpora did the same but it succumbed to madness, no one was sure why. The World Tree is the being to who keeps all of Revaliir a float, well I suppose Canelux. He or she depending on its mood that day, keeps a watchful eye on Parvpora.” 

She sat back on the bench and chuckled. “Would you like some wine? I have a finely aged one I kept for a special occasion and this might as well be the occasion to break it out.”

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon Jan 9, 2017 4:26 PM, Post Subject: Mortals in a Goddess's Fight - Part Two [P][Event]

Ernest sighed with relief when Angela said she was alright. For a second there, Ernest had thought Angela was going to fall over dead. She almost protested, though, when Angela tried to return her magic. She was still worried about Angela, despite the fact the goddess said she was okay. Her worry was confirmed when Angela mentioned that everything would be fine, but she might not.

She almost laughed when Angela said not to get angry with Dalanesca. Not because that was what Angela had done - if anyone should target Dalanesca, it should be Angela. It was simply because, after all that had happened, Angela was still advocating for peace. Even in her anger, she had not actually harmed Dalanesca.

She really did laugh at Angela's comment about the taste of the metal - it was so odd of a discussion at this point that it was funny. She sobered up quickly, though, when Angela mentioned that she might not be fine. Ernest had to admit that she was worried about the goddess. She could barely stand up on her own, and she still looked unwell. Ernest decided not to comment, though. Arguing with goddesses never went well.

Angela's musings about the World Tree awoke her curiosity. "No," she said, in answer to Angela's question, "I have not heard of the World Tree." As she pulled herself to her feet, she added, half jokingly. "Where did you get that metal, by the way? It's very pretty."

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Jan 9, 2017 4:04 PM, Post Subject: Mortals in a Goddess's Fight - Part Two [P][Event]

Angela had done something rather stupid. It was really stupid. She knew that she was slowly losing this war with Dalanesca because she was refusing to fight back. Always wanting to be the pacifist if she could Angela stood firm with her belief that she could not harm Dalanesca. However, when it came to push and shove Dalanesca had hurt her husband and son. She was just glad they were living, they couldn’t die anyways but the relief was there.

She pulled herself up from the ground to look at Ernest and she gave a simple smile. “Well… I would like to believe I’m alright.” She held up a hand and watched as Ernest’s magic swirled around it. “It wouldn’t do any good to try and pump magic into me girl. You were so happy to receive it. It’s a gift, and you can’t give back gifts.” She gently took the girl’s hand to return it.


“I pumped out everything I had and I made sure that Dalanesca wouldn’t be able to launch any attacks for a while. No worries child, what happens in the realm happens. But we must remember not to be angry with Dalanesca.” She kept saying that and yet she had gotten angry. Angry enough to put Dalanesca far into her temple where she could get out.

She coughed up more of the strange metal and she made a face. “It tastes awful. Like a mouthful of salty diamonds and liquid iron on my tongue.” She lifted herself up with Ernest’s help and smiled at the girl. “Everything will be fine. I might not be but everything will be fine. I promise.” She rubbed the girl’s head a bit and took a sigh bigger than she was. 

“I wasn’t planning on starting out my day by going after the World Tree today. He’ll get me back I’m sure. Was he was a he today? Or a she today?” She looked locked in thought on the matter and decided best not to think about it. “Have you heard of the World Tree my young Ernest?”

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon Jan 9, 2017 3:53 PM, Post Subject: Mortals in a Goddess's Fight - Part Two [P][Event]

Angela had vanished. It had been as quick as that. One minute, Ernest had been watching her storm across the courtyard, and the next she had been gone. 

Naturally, Ernest had panicked. 

A week ago, it wouldn't have made a difference, she was certain. But things had happened since then. Dalanesca's attacks had been getting stronger, and the whole realm shook so hard that, at times, Ernest was certain it was tilting vertical. Angela, after barely a day, had banned anyone from leaving. Ernest had obeyed. It was natural, and she wasn't planning to leave anyway. Now with the world outside as messed up as it was.

But, apparently, two of Angela's court had snuck out while no one was watching. Angela had gone to rescue them, and had come back, barely two minutes later, storming with rage. Not at them. Ernest supposed, oddly, it would have been at them had they not gotten hurt. Instead, the goddess's rage was directed at Dalanesca.

That was when she had vanished.

Ernest waited. Every minute felt like an hour. She had never worried about Angela before, but today, the goddess didn't seem herself. She barely seemed to have control anymore. Ernest knew what it was like when a goddess lost control. Now happened - sieges and wars of gods and goddesses set against each other. They didn't need more anger running through this conflict. Dalanesca already had plenty.

Ernest had just begun to feel like Angela would never return, as if she had flown away to the stars, when she heard the shouts. People were congregating near the gates, and Ernest half-slid, half-pushed her way through the crowd. She could tell what they were looking at. All across the visible parts of Revaliir, chains were shooting up, a silver-blue wall of metal, twisting itself around and across itself before vanishing again into the earth. Ernest had no doubt this was Angela's doing. Who else would have the strength - or the willpower - to do something of this magnitude?

The lights vanished, and the crowd dispersed. But Ernest stayed. She did not know why she was waiting, but she did, all the same. She watched the again-empty lands, not sure if she was surprised that nothing else was happening. 

Behind her, she heard a hacking cough, and spun around to see Angela collapsed on the ground. 

She ran toward her friend before she knew what she was doing. Angela looked awful, coughing up some strange metal, skin blackening before Ernest's eyes. Ernest's fingers touched Angela's shoulder, and she could feel almost a pull on her magic, as if the goddess had somehow been drained. She wasn't sure what to do, but she let a little of her magic go. Angela had given it to her, and Angela could have it back.

"What did you do to yourself?" she asked, full of worry. "Are you alright?"