Illuminated Dev 3: Ritual of Light - The First of Three

[16:09] He had been around to see Tristinia- although the Drakanite wasn't around, and so Eivor just stuck around in Frontier for the time being. Steps are slow, small and quiet, arms loose by his sides and a single hand in one of hos pockets all the while.

He'd just tilt his head over to the side, following Hina around after she beckoned him over.

"So, where are we going?"

A bit of pause, then.

"You know, you won't get jumped in Frontier, don't need me acting the body guard."
(Eivor)
[16:18] A new dawn rises.

Over the horizon of the desert rested the early morning sun - the most pure of light to start a beautiful day.

These signified a new beginning. A new chance for happiness and improvement.

Of Hope and Illumination.

And thus, she'll beckon him over, nodding her head all the while, preparing for the first step towards the rites of her faith; the Illuminated of Jiuweihu, and work towards furthering her connection to the deity of the Sun.

Despite these trials and forthcoming rituals, still under the effects of Fantasia, battling the mental and physical fatigues that pester her so, she'd not waver from her obligations towards divinity that kindly blessed her people - the Kitsune.

"Towards the water," she says, somewhat rushed in tone. However, her pace of speech slows, turning towards him as she traverses through Frontier towards a small lake nearby.

"But, perhaps not. I just thought you'd want to help me out with something simple today, that's all." Hina comes upon that larger body of water just below several homes. Lily pads floated atop the liquid, peacefully.

The sun continues to rise.

"Have I ever told you about the story of Jiuweihu? How she blessed the Kitsune?" And that is where the teenager will begin with her venture; to describe the legend of her people.
(Hina Lam)
[16:26] He'd blink a couple different times, lifting a hand up and pointing his finger towards him, and then towards the lake, bits of confusion lacing him so. He did nod when she mentioned helping her out, however.

"Yeah? What about the water?" a pause, and the teenager turns our a tad, walking over and crouching down to peer into the it, blue gaze tracking those Lily pads wandering about, floating, "D'Ya want me to... dive in?"

A bit of pause.

Did she lose something in there?

Though at the question to follow, Eivor just crosses his arms over his chest, shifting his weight onto one foot and glancing back at her.

"Not really, no. Just that the Kitsune are those blessed by her."
(Eivor)
[16:47] His first question isn't answered, but to his second - Hina shakes her head, declining his inquiry to dive into the waters below.

"No, no. Actually, this is different today- much different," she says, repeating those words rather hushed.

When Eivor turns towards the little teenager, she'll do similar, though just shift in his direction with a light-hearted smile lacing her visage, almost defeated by the bloodshot eyes of her restlessness and constant alters in her stance.

"A long time ago, over a thousand years ago and more, there was a divine war," she begins, glancing towards the waters before them. Comforting to view, the waves along the water pulsate gently towards the cliffside surrounding it.

"A fallen angel had attacked Jiuweihu, sealing her in a mountain." A pause then, and she'll continue shortly thereafter, reaching out a single hand first to allow a spark of pyres to ignite just above, circular in their creation.

"-and the sun faded." With that same hand, Hina motions a quick, closed grip that immediately diminishes that flame. "Twenty nights went by. A man, known as the Emperor, would fight the forces that sealed her, with seven other samurai." Another pause, and her smile widens a tad.

"Eight more nights go by, but they eventually make it to the peak of the mountain, and she speaks to them, thankful for their swords and strength, but offers the wit of a fox." She turns away from the water, gesturing towards her ears and tail.

"And they accepted her, being blessed as her people. One final night - around a day of time, and they freed her from the mountain. This is the story of the first Kitsune. Those samurai braved the forces of a fallen angel to save Jiuweihu and were blessed by her."

It was simply fate. A butterfly effect of events that would allow one such as Hina herself to be here on Meranthe. "With that, a new dawn rose over Eternia. The sun returned to our world." She huffs out a soft laugh, silencing briefly again, allowing Eivor to soak up the details.

"To move on from that, she has a set of rituals for her faith, the Illuminated." And again, the little teenager gestures towards the water before them. "This will be my first one. To meditate before the Sun and accept the radiance of the Sun. No distractions, in the middle of a lake."
(Hina Lam)
[16:57] A single eyebrow lifts upwards as the boy's form sways slightly back and forth all the while. The blues of his gaze trace about her finger even as she explains it, watching the sparks of pyres ignite- and then be snuffed away.

He doesn't interrupt, instead the teenager's eyes flickering towards the sun momentarily amidst the explanation. If she looked, she'd notice him pressing his fingers to his thumb as she went over the number of nights- as if adding it all together.

"The Emperor was the first Kitsune, then? Or the Samurai were?" he'd finally crouch down a bit, index finger dipping into the waters below all the while, swirling to create just the tiniest of vortex, "That's almost a month without sun..."

At the mention of rituals, though, he'd nod towards her- she had mentioned something of the note before; Ritual of Aversion. Although at the final few words?

"No distractions? You sure you want me 'ere?" that finger is lifting off of the lake, pointing towards his own face instead, "Like, I'm not much good for anything 'ere other than... well, distractions, right?"
(Eivor)
[17:08] Her perception of Eivor counting on his fingers is met with a lighthearted glance and a giggle. "The story doesn't mention if the Emperor accepted the wit of a fox," she explains. "Only some of the samurai accepted it, though!"

As was explained in the book she used to read, 'Twenty-Nine Nights, One Dawn', the narrative wasn't clear on if the Emperor truly accepted the fate and destiny of the Kitsune, and to that, she'll shrug.

"But, yes. Jiuweihu is our Sun. Without her? There would only be darkness on the world." A nod then, and she'll turn, spectating Eivor's passive movements of shifting the waters to his whim.

"I don't mind your distractions, actually. I think they would be good to help me maintain a focus on accepting her light." Was that offensive in a way? Perhaps it may have been - "It'll be like testing me to make sure I can really do this, you know?" She adds, hoping to alleviate any offenses if they were present.

"Anyways, this would be the Ritual of Light. The first of three." Hina pauses, preparing the boat that sat at the edge of the waters.

"To meditate at the highest peak of time, until dusk. She does allow breaks for hydration, but otherwise? I have to keep a focus to her, and only her, and accept her radiance in me for that duration." Hina nods and opts to remove her silvery cloak gifted to her from Svengalf.

"..and, I have to be almost bare, as clothes shield out skin from her. So.." Her words trail off awkwardly, but she hoped he'd understand the purpose and ambition of the ritual.
(Hina Lam)
[17:20] "Well, that's opposite of great," he'd mumble at the prospect of a world without sun- without light; oftentimes he'd embrace that warmth as if it was from Ualdir's own pyres, after all.

But, still.

The raven haired teenager nods at the following words. And then, without any further words, just plops down onto the warmer grounds with a bit of thud, crossing his legs over the grasses and getting himself comfortable, leaning back all the while- the open palms of his hand against the surface underneath supporting his weight.

A gesture is made towards the lake now, leaning back in the moment- although at the Kitsune's final few words, Eivor just blinks once, closes his eyes, and then blinks a couple different times.

"I... can close my eyes, or something..." he'd offer awkwardly, though not pushing the topic any further than that. Instead, he'd just shake his head from one side to the other momentarily, gesturing towards the lake again.

"Anyway, go ahead. Will try to be quieter than usual."
(Eivor)
[17:33] "That's up to you," she says, wandering south towards the boat set upon the waters. "Either way - this is for fully accepting her light and uh-" What's the word she's looking for then?

A light pep in her step, "-soaking in the sun, as they say." A nod given then, and the girl hops in, carefully rowing the ores of the boat to get herself to the center of the lake.

Thereafter, she gives a glimpse back towards Eivor and a thumbs up to follow.

A deep breath is drawn in, and she shifts away, glancing towards the sun emitting intense heats down upon them both.

"Jiuweihu," she begins, smiling contently towards the astral body of her goddess. "I don't have one of your Illuminated to watch over me, but I hope you'll see-" Hina pauses, allowing that deep breath to slowly protrude.

"-I am your child, and I accept your light in me. So, please, watch me, will you? Watchme grow familiar with your light. Wash away these worries and pain I'm feeling, and let me bond with you. I am loyal to you and your faith."

Despite the pain racking the nervous one's little person, and the mental anguish of adrenaline stricken thoughts formed by addictive potions not remedied, she'll continue on in her ambition.

First, to remove the majority of her attires - the girl reveals her skin to the light, allowing it to wash her person with a warmth and a goal to completely familiarize herself with Jiweihu's light.

And it is then, Hina will set herself upon the center of that boat in a seat, legs crossed, and begin focusing all bits of attention towards the light of the Sun beating down upon her little person.
(Hina Lam)
[17:34] {Item} You picked up Rowboat..
[17:43]
{LOAD GAME}

[17:46] He'd remain on the grounds there, legs crossed, form leaning back, just watching throughout- all the way from the girl rowing towards the center of the lake, to when she starts praying, talking to her Pantheon- Goddess, rather.

No words escape him for most parts, although hand does grip upon a couple rocks scattered over to the side- and he'd idly start dropping them into the waters- the splashes are light and quiet in nature, but they exist nonetheless, perhaps subconsciously, or perhaps for the sake of a minute distraction.

She did want certain challenges in her focus, didn't she?

Otherwise, Eivor would just watch, still and silent.
(Eivor)
[17:52] {Item} You picked up Rowboat..
[17:58] To focus was a task. The pain pulsating throughout her body, the addictive spells of temptation trying so hard to surface in her temple, and thunks of rock entering the waters where Eivor was tossing them in.

To create the sun as her focal point - the center of her universe. It was almost daunting to find herself in, but she won't waver from her ambition to attune herself with the light of the Divine that blessed her people.

Every distraction was drowned out by the Sun's radiance. Hina remained in place with her hands upon her lap, focusing all attention in absolute to the heat engulfing her body. She was immersed in this spell of concentration.

As Jiuweihu would shine down upon their world, the little Kitsune would opt to accept every bit of her light gleaming on her skin, taking it all in, and acclimating herself to the Sunlight above them.
(Hina Lam)
[18:01] There's one last stone that's those into the water- with a bit more force this time around, skipping a couple different times, reaching to the middle, and then drowning a couple feet away from where Hina's boat rested.

He'd remain quiet still, just observing.

Although the boy does push himself back up, straightening his legs and getting back on his feet. Those hands slip into his pockets now, weight shifting from one foot to the other as that gaze flickers towards the sun- bright and hot, prompting his eyes to narrow.
(Eivor)
[18:29] Hours had gone by at this point. How many? Hina didn't know, and she was without a break by now.

A deep breath in.

And out.

And again, she repeats the procedure, focusing on the Jiuweihu's light shimmering down upon herself and invigorating the essence with a cleansing beam of sunlight.

Deep breathe in.

And let it out.

Over, and over, maintaining that focus.

The sun was at its peak, and the radiation of its rays were intense in the desert.

But eventually, the little Kitsune finally allows her attention to shift towards the bottle of water she had nearby in the boat. It's lifted to her lips, and the cool liquid is poured in her mouth, swallowed, and placed back down.

This was the only break in approximately six hours that she's allowed herself to get, performing her task as one under the deity's luminosity. No words are spoken, no further observations made towards anything more.

Hina was simply sharpening her mind, allowing pure heart into her goal to adapt to Jiuweihu's light, and to prove to her deity that she need not the guidance of one of her Illuminated children to observe her measures, for she simply would prove to the goddess of the Kitsune that she was under an oath to her, loyal, and staying true to her word.

To watch her.
(Hina Lam)
[18:41] His arm reaches out, wiping the sweat off of forehead and he'd just narrow his eyes, a breath escaping outward in a rather audible manner. He wasn't sure how long it had been- seconds turned into minutes, which drifted into hours, and Eivor had lost track of time at some point.

He just watched her, quietly now, still, too- not bothering with the stones anymore, just letting the clouds float by and sun's embrace fall down from heavens above.

He'd take a couple steps forward eventually, watching her drink the water, and then he'd plop down onto the grounds, his legs dipping into the lake all the while.

"Close to finished?" the voice comes bit loud, although he doesn't expect any answer.
(Eivor)
[18:59] Hina did not answer him. The sun was at its peak, and her explanation earlier of the Ritual of Light's purpose may find him eventually, but despite that?

Her attention was entirely tunneled on the Sun's illumination above, allowing it to flourish within her, wholly accepting that of Jiuweihu's embrace.

Despite the difficulties of those spells of temptations attempting to whisper sweet nothings in her mind, she manages to push them back down by willpower, and allow herself to indulge her person under her deity's guidance.

More seconds to pass, more minutes of showering oneself under the light of Eternia.

Those minutes passed further into hours, and eventually?

Those last six hours passed by leisurely. The howling winds of the desert across the lake were the indicator of the luminescence of their Sun befalling the horizon, allowing night time to dawn on them now.

Their world cools down as the Sun sets. Breezes pass by upon a pale complexion of the Kitsune, and soon enough the sun will depart from their half of the world now.

Twelve hours of the ritual, from dusk until dawn.

The Ritual of Light had been completed. The first Ritual of the Illuminated faith of Jiuweihu.

And she flutters her eyes open finally, speaking then, quiet - to herself - to Jiuweihu, "Jiuweihu, please see my efforts. I won't disappoint you, I promise. Your light will lead me on a path of your principles, to protect my friends and family, to acknowledge you as you might me. I am your child, Jiuweihu, and I'll prove that to you every step of the way."

Finally, the teenager grabs her bottle of water to consume the last half, standing up from her meditating position to replace back on her attires and row the ores of the boat back towards the shore, anchoring it, and glancing to Eivor.

Hina's face was red, as was her body. Such was something to occur when sitting in the sun for as long as she had.

The girl felt enlightened by the ritual, truly. A light laugh is made.

"Now it is. For twelve hours, I had to sit below the Sun and accept her light in me." For once? She didn't feel the spells of temptation overtaking her at that moment, but she knew- she knew - she would have to face that reality in time in the second rital, that of Aversion, to steel away from temptations.
(Hina Lam)
[19:07] She had said she needed help with something 'simple', and by this point, Eivor had realized that she was understating the simplicity of it to lowest of low hells.

Only indication of time being how the morning skies turned into darkness of dusk, and Eivor was sure that at certain points, he straight up dozed off for a couple hours.

At the very least, it got colder by the time evening's breeze started settling down.

"Huh?" he'd blink a couple different times, perhaps in a bit of daze, opening his eyes up and glancing towards her as she prayed- even if she wasn't talking to him.

He'd just watch, perhaps a tad dumbfounded, having her row back- incredibly tanned in the moment, but to be fair, so were his features to a degree.

"Twelve?" he'd mumble, blinking some more, "Twelve...?"

The words are repeated, and it takes a few more seconds for them to finally set in, and Eivor just shakes his head from one side to the other rapidly.

"You owe me big time..." there's a narrow of eyes, and he'd get back up, slowly stepping over to the side, "Lookin' like you're feeling great for the first time in forever."
(Eivor)
[19:17] "Uh, yeah- twelve," she repeats nervously. It had been twelve hours, but she felt quite enlightened by the situation of attuning herself to Jiuweihu.

Regardless, Hina finishes placing on her attires and stepping towards Eivor thereafter, a simple laugh made in gesture of his words. "I suppose I do owe you for helping me." Another nod to follow, and she bends a leg to fix her sandals around her leg.

"I feel great for once. You all believe in me, and you all trust me, so-" she pauses in her words briefly, fixing her stance and stepping close to him. A friendly disposition laces her features, and her stance assumes it so. "I have to show you all that I can do this without failures."

She ponders then; her next Ritual. Aversion. It would be one of the pinnacles of her strength - to resist the temptation, but for her own ritual? There was a twist that she'd not presently speak on. Rather, the girl glances around before laying eyes back upon Eivor.

"So, for this - what do I owe you, then?"
(Hina Lam)
[19:21] "I'll take a raincheck on that. Will decide what that's gonna be later," he'd offer her a weak grin in response, patting her upon the back- though the motion was rather hard, maybe enough to send her stumbling a bit.


His arms drop over to the side yet once again soon after though, weight shifting about, "Alright, let me drop you back home, then."

Afterward? He wasn't sure, possibly a return to Aphros; Tristinia was more than likely asleep by now.
(Eivor)
[19:22] Hina Lam does stumble some from Eivor's pat on her back. She manages to balance herself back on her feet, however, and follows him in tow.
(Hina Lam)