As Serci's knees feel on to the soft ground outside of Angela's temple, his hands slid out into the loose soil. He drew his hands in, moving the soft dirt around as he flicked his long golden hair to the side. The air outside was a gentle warm with a cooling breeze that chilled is skin. He was just outside the palace, near the edge of cavern. A bed full of various colors of plants just outside his reach. A hopeful smile filled his face while me moved the dirt through his fingers. Today was going to be a good, he thought. What felt like years ago, a deal was made between him and Angela. His life for her contacts through out Revaliir to search for his sister. And today was the start of that promise. Behind the scenes, she gathered up her contacts though out Canelux and today he would be meeting with Head Clergy Phillips to start discussing and planning. His smile was filled with hope and eagerness for what the day might hold for him.
The sound of foot steps approaching made him turn around, his smile wider than ever. "Head Clergy Phillips. It is nice for you to finally join me." He said, politely. Phillips retorted with a scoff as he bent over and dusted off a place to sit next to Serci as he moved in closer to the bed of flowers. "I am on time, it is you who is early, Serci." Phillips said with a huff as he sat down. Phillips was older, over weight with a scruffy red beard to match his short messy red hair. His brown robes flowed nice, with very little crinkles in the fabric. A certain gruff-ness in his voice reassured Serci that he was in pleasant mood.
"Fair enough. I heard you reschueled a training session with the younger clergy. That was nice of you. You have my thanks."
"Not so, I simply dumped Jakobs on it. He's not to pleased I am shirking my duties to meet with you, but I deserve a day off in opinion." He said with a strait face, Phillips began to move the soil the flowers in sitting with as he continued.
"You'll be pleased to know, our brothers and sisters are more than happy to help. We have established contact with most of our members and, I dont want to get your hopes up, but it is looking promising." Phillips said earnestly. Serci's smile grew wider as he picked up a near by pot and moved the soil away from some blueish flowers.
"Thank you, Phillips. Shall we get started?" Serci asked, as he gestured to the plants. The two planned to pot some flowers and plant new seeds as the discussed the details about visiting the various regions Phillips contacts were located.
"I suppose. I earned Head Clergy some how, might as well keep it." He jested, as he shoved his hand into the soil, gripping the roots of a flower making a disgusted face. "I don't think I'm cut out for this gardening stuff though."
As Phillips made his joke, the whole realm rumbled slightly. The mountains in the distant shook as the two looked at each other with a worried look on their face.
Slowly, Serci responded. "I think you should take that back." As he finished, the realm vibrated, vases could be heard falling and various screams inside the manor. The tremors never stopped as they stood up and tried to find their balance on the shifting ground. Ajdreaen's voice echoed through out the air, urging people to escape the gardens. Serci and Phillips quickly began to run to the inside of the manor when Phillips pulled on Serci's cloak.
"Serci. Jakobs and the children. They're out in the fields." His eyes were wide with concern and his voice urgent. "They'll be sent to Adeluna with no money or escorts to Tar Eisale." The information caused Serci to double take as he breathed deeply. He placed a hand onto of Phillips shoulder as he looked him in the eyes. "You go ahead and get to safety. Warn the others about my absence. I'm a champion, better start acting like one." With that, he turned and left running away from the crumbling temple as he ran out to the fields.
A few intensive minutes later he could see Jakobs lean figure with a group of small children waiting just outside of a portal. "What are you doing?! Hurry up and go through!" Serci shouted. Jakobs scoffed and replied snottly. "To Adeluna? With no money or means or transport to Drea's? I dont think so."
Serci ran up to Jakob and grabbed by the front of his shirt and pulled him close to his face. "This whole realm is crumbling! I will pay for a mage to transport is to Tar Eisale! Get your ass though that damn gate!" With a distastful scoff, the black haired man went through portal after escorting the children though.
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Several days had passed since the destruction of Awakening gardens. The mood around Tar Eisale was grim as many eye's went bleak with worry over Angela's safety. Serci was the first to volunteer to look for the marble pillars but to no avail. Eventually, the whole clergy got over their worry when the nature of Angela's disappearance became clear. There was hope in the hearts, but filled with sadness. However, Serci never gave up. He always roamed the outside of the temple, going further and further, in hopes of finding a way into the decaying temple. He lay exhausted starring up at the library ceiling from the floor where he and many slept due to over crowding. He was exhausted, but restless from worry. It was when he was brushing his hair from his face when he noticed the string. Neatly tied over his ringer, glimmering red. He held it out to the faint light, looking it over.
"Well, that is peculiar." He whispered, his eye sight eyeing the string tied to his finger led out side of the temple. Careful not to disturb anyone, quietly got out of bed and followed the string out into the cold night air. The cold bit at his skin as an eerie breeze blew, disturbing the trees. He followed the string into the woods where stood taunt at a pair of marble pillars. At first he couldn't believe it. He had searched this very spot numerous of times and he refused to believe he just over looked it. But as he contemplated, it became clear to him. Angela had reawakened. Confidently, he stepped between the pillars that were a figure of his imagination.
He followed the string through a dim lit soul stream. Angela had talked about soul streams before and while it was foreign to him, he was at ease as walked through the short stream before emerging onto a beautiful beach made out of glass. Following silver torches led him to a sweltering jungle. Wiping away sweat as he emerged from jungle he beheld an elegant, giant palace. No doubt where Angela resided. He smiled as he walked up to the doors of the temple and opened them with an audible sound of the door opening.
He walked in, looking around admiring the stained glass paintings and the decor of the plants. He called out from near the entrance.
"Angela. It's good to see you doing beyond okay for your self. Are you home, or adventuring your new realm?"
