Wrath and Purity

Immaculate white light briefly blinds your vision, summoning you to the Divine Fulcrux of Lantra,
the Empyreal with a trail of pure, glittering starlight.

Avaris pauses, antennae snapping up in surprise.

Avaris slows, standing before the veil. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he steps
forward.

The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded
on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they
collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the
open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white
koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push
and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of
assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of
several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer,
each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters.
Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here.
Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower
blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a
beautiful, enchanting light.
There are no obvious exits.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Welcome, child of the Light."

Avaris's attention snaps immediately to the pool, the crimson plumes of his
antennae flicking almost horizontal as they flit down and forward. Stepping in far enough only to be
clear of the veil, he lowers himself to one knee, head bowed. His voice is steady, a calm harmony of
interwoven buzzes, as he says, "Thank You, Lady."

You think to yourself: A fluttering sense of excitement, and faint nerves - Swiftly suppressed, and
readily overwhelmed by an almost disbelieving sense of awe. "What does one say to a Divine?" A
pause, in which there is a firming of purpose. "What needs to be said. She will know the truth of
it."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Your prayer contained many questions, and I am pleased to answer them - particularly
to one so young and eager for Wisdom. Yet what I wonder most is what question is of most import to
you, Avaris of New Celest? For even a Goddess cannot presume to know what draws a mortal to Her
audience."

The red feathers that extend forward from Avaris's smooth brow slowly ease in their
rigidity, gradually lifting to a more upright position - still alert, but undulating faintly, as if
flowing in a slight current. Still, he keeps his head bowed, all four of his hands clasped over his
heart, and he is quiet for a time as he considers.

You think to yourself: An unhurried introspection, a delving into the depths of who and what he is -
As far as he is able to see, at least. Sifting through sentiment, intent and desires, searching and
probing, measuring and weighing.

Eventually, Avaris speaks, and though his voice is quiet, it is certain. "Does my
anger make me impure, Lady?"

Motes of starry light gently twirl about the star lotus at the centre of the luminous pool, twirling
with patient thought at your inquiry.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Do you believe so?"

The tips of Avaris's antennae twitch downwards briefly, before resuming their
liquid rippling. "I would say rather that I fear that it might, Lady. I do not know what to believe,
in truth."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Anger is a much misunderstood emotion."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Tell Me, child. Do you suppose that any being that has lived a hundred years or more
is a stranger to anger, or wrath?"

Unbidden, Avaris's upper right hand drifts up to run a finger through the thick
fluff of his mane, coiling a pristine white tuft about the hard carapace in slow, twisting motions.
"I think that the longer one lives, the more one is forced to bear witness to acts and circumstances
that would inspire anger. I cannot pretend to know the mind or heart of one who has lived so long,
but it is less that they would be a stranger, and more that they might have the ability to quash the
spark before it becomes a blaze of wrath."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "To quash it, hm? You speak of it as if it is a simple matter. Surely if it were so,
you would not be so vexed, or so distraught at its existence."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "You speak of anger and wrath as a failing, and yet a fire does not burn without
something to fuel it. What fuels your anger, child of the Light?"

Avaris's hand pauses, as if becoming suddenly aware of what it is doing, and
swiftly drops to rejoin the others upon his chest. "I am young, Lady, as You know. I believe there
are a great many things that I struggle with, that my elders may not. A veteran soldier would not
have much trouble with a child wielding a pointed stick, but another child might." A slow curling of
his fingers, tightening them from laying flat against his carapace, into fists of hard, angular
chitin. When he speaks, this time, there is an undercurrent of tightly controlled tension in the
chorus of his voice. "Injustice. Corruption. The abuse of the good, the innocent, the weak."

You think to yourself: A stirring, in the very core of his being, as a distant coiling of steel
cable, slowly growing taut.

The star lotus seems to unfurl at your words, spilling forth more light into the luminous pool as
the koi fish dance about its centre, their graceful ballet somehow shifting to a more complex
rhythm.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "What reaction are We to have to injustice, if not righteousness? When the weak are
downtrodden and the good are abused, what response is there but to feel rage at this unspeakable
reality?"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "That is the purpose of anger - to inspire action, and to draw from the well of
strength to do what must be done. There is a time for forgiveness, but there is a time for zeal and
fervour, too. To seek to rid oneself of anger is to rid oneself of the power to enact change in the
face of adversity and evil."

Avaris dips his head further still in acknowledgement, his chin dipping far into
the thick halo of his ruff. "I...Admit to some surprise, Lady. You speak my thoughts and feelings on
the matter with uncanny precision. Please, do not take this as criticism, but I had thought that You
and Yours might take a dim view on such harshness. You are all so kind, and gentle of heart, from
what I have seen thusfar."

Soft laughter as light as a gentle rain ripples about the luminous pool, the melodious sound
resonating throughout the Fulcrux.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Do you suppose that healers are pacifists? We, who are closer to war than any, save
the soldiers that enact it?"

The luminous pool ripples once more, this time to reveal the reflection of a Basin of Life you do
not quite recognize. War bloodies the earth, and the countless fleeing forms of Divine locked in
futile battle retreat from terrifying, gargantuan horrors that fill the centre of your very being
with dread. Then the vision fades, replaced by the healing mounds of ethereal. You see an endless
array of broken bodies, and in their suffering, you recognize your inability to prevent this
senselessness, or to do much more than to prolong the inevitable. You cannot save them all. "You
cannot even save only Her," a voice seems to whisper, as if heard from behind. Grief grips you for
but a moment, but then in its absence, a slow rage burns, quiet and steady, like a candle that
refuses to extinguish. It forever lives in you like a heartbeat, unseen.

The laughter jerks Avaris's head up, a ripple of scintillating motes of brilliant
blue scattering across the inverted teardrops of his eyes, as his antennae flick and twist towards
the pool. He seems on the verge of replying, only to pause, staring into the vision painted upon the
luminous waters. The chitin of his fingers creaks as he squeezes his fists tight, the glossy white
of his carapace grating against itself, quivering with suppressed emotion. Unbidden, his wings snap
open, the immense span of white flooded with a galaxy of glaring eyes, which pulse and throb with an
angry, bloody light. Catching himself, he ducks his head in mute apology, folding his wings back
down across his back. He is silent for a time, nearly visibly mastering himself.

You think to yourself: A bright, harsh blend of emotions evoked by the visions. Sharp-edged fury at
the atrocities, at the shattered forms beyond salvation, deep disgust at the aberrations that have
caused it, and an echoing sympathy, an ache for the grief not his own.

A soothing mist falls over the luminous pool, clearing the tranquil waters that ripple about the
immaculate star lotus.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Know that within still waters, there may yet lurk depths. I may not wear My wrath as
a blade, as those of the Second Circle might. The art of healing is too delicate to allow for such
expressions of grief and rage and melancholy. It demands precision and focus, a clearing of the mind
in order to do what must be done. Yet even so, I have more than enough fuel for My fire."

"I..Am sorry that You have suffered so much, Lady. I cannot imagine the hurt You
must carry in Your heart, nor what You have loved, and lost. That You continue to be kind, and to
heal others, after enduring such is...Humbling beyond words." As Avaris speaks, his voice is low, a
soft murmur touched by deep sorrow that whorls his eyes to a duller, more saturated blue. Letting
out a slow breath, he eases the pressure of his grip, the lambent crimson of the eyes upon his wings
fading to sullen embers. "How do You do it, Lady? How do forge on, despite everything?"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "The persistence of Life in a world that forever faces Destruction is the healer's
way."

Avaris nods at this, tapping the angular edge of a thumb against his chest. "True."
The sanguine plumes shift and flow in ponderous ripples as he lapses into silence for a time.
Eventually, without any traces of doubt or chagrin, as if merely stating a fact, he says, "I am not
a healer, Lady. I am not as inclined to forgiveness and tolerance as the others in New Celest seem
to be." A brief, renewed pulse of red light flares in the markings upon his wings, on either
shoulder, and the single, glaring eye upon his brow, but fades swiftly. "I cannot tolerate the likes
of the Wyrd, and do not understand why they do. What are Your thoughts on it, if I may ask?"

All at once, a strange silence fills the chamber, the once ever-present sound of the rippling waters
stilled and stifled. Even the statuettes that surround the pool seem to look upon you coolly,
thought the star lotus at the centre of the Fulcrux remains stoic and poised.

His shoulders draw taut as a subtle tension slips into every line of Avaris's form,
the motions of his antennae growing still.

You think to yourself: A slow onset of wariness, and the itch to go for his weapons, to prepare for
imminent violence - Suppressed immediately. He would not fight, but nor would he run. If he has
stirred the anger of this Divinity, then he will meet it unbowed.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "I am an Elder Goddess. I am not beheld to mortal politics or whims, and New Celest
shall have My patronage no matter whom they ally with. And yet, I would not ally Myself with My
cousins of the Glomdoring. The essence of Viravain is warped, changed, from the immanidivinus
etherea. What She has wrought is a pestilence - and I would not have Her rot extend to the Light."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "What Raezon has done to Her, and what She has become..."

A suffocating white light flares with the Goddess's displeasure as the Traitor's name is uttered
with loathing, Her calm voice filled with the quiet undercurrent of a threat.

You think to yourself: A diminishing of tension - Or, rather, a redirection of where it springs
from, as the source of the change in the atmosphere becomes more apparent.

Avaris makes no effort to shield himself from either the light or the emotion in
the Goddess's words, his head lifting to regard the pool with a sober, direct gaze, the facets of
his eyes cold and hard as cut sapphires. "We are in agreement, Lady. I have seen evidence of
potential corruption within the citizens of New Celest already, though I have scarcely walked its
streets. That those of the Wyrd are allowed to freely walk in the Light, to whisper their honeyed
poison in the ears of the citizenry is..." He trails off, the disgust, the sheer contempt in his
layered voice growing so strong as to lend his words a harsh, hissing rasp. "Abhorrent."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "I believe in the strength of New Celest and those who walk in the Light. Should the
Star Council see merit in their arrangement, I am but a distant observer of their political affairs,
not a participant. Just as they would not dictate My feelings on My cousins, I do not seek to change
theirs. But should the Lady of Thorns or the Silent seek enmity with Me and Mine, I will not hold My
tongue."

You think to yourself: Flashes of memory - Being brought into the Glomdoring, to learn of the Wyrd,
and see it for himself. The building horror, the anger and revulsion at beholding the Wyrdling, of
learning of the source of the Wyrd. The overwhelming urge to cut down the abomination and the one
that strokes it as fondly as a pet, set aside in favour of concern for the corruption of the female
Kephera that walks beside him, as comfortable with the slime and the rot as if it were the halls of
her own home.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "It is a sad truth, My child, that not all who are afflicted desire to be heale."

You yawn suddenly and mightily.

A shimmering curtain of multi-coloured light surrounds you for an instant as your wounds are healed
by divine intervention.

(( ^^^ This was SUPER WHOLESOME and such a nice little touch, I loved it so much.))

Avaris nods once more. "That is more than fair, Lady. I am no politician - I lack
the deftness of tongue, the adroitness of mind, and flexibility of morals. I will see what change I
can effect, nonetheless." His upper right hand disengages from its brethren, turning palm up,
sweeping slowly outwards. "I do not understand such, Lady. Still. I did not come to disturb You with
talk of such aberrations." The hand lowers, settling upon the broad expanse of his armoured thigh.
"Forgive my directness, if You would. Do You believe there is a place for me among Your order?"

Soft laughter as light as a gentle rain ripples about the luminous pool, the melodious sound
resonating throughout the Fulcrux.

You think to yourself: A pulse of warm gratitude as the weariness fades.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "I suspect I am a much different deity than the one you believed Me to be when you
entered this Fulcrux. Yet if you still find My ways true, and seek to serve Me, I ask but four vows
of those who would serve Me."

Avaris a brief, sidewards flick of his left antennae accompanies a rippling wave of
glittering motes of good humour, setting his compound eyes to sparkling briefly. "I find Your ways
truer than ever, in truth, Lady. I am much relieved, and I admit, surprised." He sobers, nodding
decisively. "I do, if You will have me."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Do you swear to uphold the pillar of Purity, and to stand against the impurity of the
Taint and the Soulless, and to protect the integrity of the Basin and of the soul without
compromise?"

The faintest throb of baleful light flows through Avaris's markings at the mention
of the Taint, though his voice is clear and level as he responds, "I swear."

In answer, the light flickering about the star lotus at the centre of the Fulcrux brightens with new
light, as if inspired by your words.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Do you swear to uphold the pillar of Devotion, and to offer your undying loyalty to
Me, to My city of New Celest, and to the Holy Supernals of Celestia whom I cherish?"

Avaris lightly taps all four of his palms upon his breasts, the contact giving
birth to a quiet, crisp clack. "I swear. Always, and eternal."

The gentle music of rushing water resounds as the star lotus unfurls its petals further, shedding
boundless light onto the luminous pool as the promise is sworn.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "Do you swear to uphold the pillar of Fortitude, to defend and advocate for truth and
justice, without being swayed from your path by obstacles of doubt or fear?"

The red, curved lines of his antennae flick back as Avaris dips his head in a firm
nod, his voice filled with an unwavering conviction. "I swear, Lady. I will not be bowed, not be
broken."

Brightening at the fervor of your vow, the star lotus's light illuminates the cavern, spilling on
the statuettes in filtered rays of white.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine
voice echoes, "And do you swear to uphold Wisdom, the last of My pillars, and in doing so swear to
pursue knowledge for the betterment of others, and never for the greed of selfish gain?"

His left hand, the uppermost, frees itself to place a pointed finger atop the red,
stylised eye that sits upon Avaris's brow. "I swear. All that I know, all that I learn, will be
turned to the good of others."

Pinpricks of celestial light coalesce into the faint outline of a star lotus, which blossoms open to
reveal the regal figure of Lantra, the Empyreal.

Her slight and statuesque figure exuding a sense of restrained dignity, She is a radiant immortal
and possessed of a quiet and unassuming stillness. The Goddess's olive-skinned complexion shines
with the dusky radiance of youth, and yet the ancient burden of duty weighs heavily upon Her
shoulders, carried with a silent and practised grace. Lost to contemplation, She appraises Her
surroundings with a distant air; the grey-tinged gaze of Her celadon blue eyes remains as fathomless
and inscrutable as the hazy mists of a waterfall. Despite the seriousness of Her first impressions,
however, a gentle smile graces Her lips with an almost maternal tenderness. Her every movement is
characterised of an unhurried elegance and poise, reflective of an inner peace as She emanates a
soothing white light.

Shimmering tresses of palest starlight spill down Her shoulders in a curtain of white to end at Her
waist, nary a strand out of place. Motes of silver and celadon blue interweave through Her
immaculate coif, their whispers of colour evoking a breathtaking celestial radiance.
She is wearing:
immaculate vestments of purest white starlight that wreathe Her in a celestial glow
a cascading veil of mist and water lilies that shrouds Her and trails at Her feet
elevated sandals of woven willow leaves that leave lambent motes with each step
a gold damask cope clasped with a radiant star lotus that covers Her shoulders in a heavy mantle
a bracelet of woven water and starlight shimmering upon Her wrist.

Her voice gentle and Her expression soft behind Her veil, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "Then I welcome
you, child of the Light, as one of Mine. May you walk as one of My wanderers before the Veil."

Lantra, the Empyreal baptises you into the Before the Veil of the Divine Order of Lantra, the
Empyreal.

Lantra, the Empyreal has appointed you to a wanderer in the mist in the Divine Order of Lantra, the
Empyreal.

(Before the Veil): Lantra says, "Welcome, My Avaris."

Avaris's wings shiver in surprise at Lantra's appearance, the feathers of his
antennae snapping up into quivering banners of blood. Swiftly, he bows his head, voice hushed with
reverence. "You have my eternal gratitude, Lady. Thank You." He pauses, glancing up. "Lady...Will
You indulge me, in a fifth vow, of my own?"

Arching a single eyebrow, Lantra rests Her hands before Her and nods, the veil of mist rippling with
the movement. "You have My attention and My curiosity," She says softly.

With a single, decisive nod, Avaris unclasps his hands from his chest, though he
remains in his position of kneeling before Lantra. Carefully, moving with an almost ritualistic
deliberateness, he lowers both of his upper hands to rest upon the hilts of his highest pair of
blades - one side sheathed in black, the other white. He draws them in a gentle, fluid motion, an
unhurried spilling of gleaming silver, and then turns them horizontal. Cradling the naked swords in
the conjoined altar of his palms, he raises them up above his head, which he lowers, and offers them
to Lantra. "If You will have me, Lady. I vow to give you all that I am, that I ever was, and will
ever be. I offer you my swords, for that is what I am - A blade. I will grow, and learn, and become
worthy, in Your name. I will devote myself to Your service, as Your Knight. I would be the sword
that shields You, that wards You from what ills that seek to strike you down. I would safeguard Your
heart, Your beloved places, and all that You hold dear. I will not give ground before Your enemies,
and I will be relentless in the pursuit of justice, in Your name." He falls silent after his speech,
still as a statue carved of white marble.

Gently extending a hand forward, Lantra raises Her palm before your twin blades, Her voice soft as
She murmurs, "Then may your swords be swift and strike those who are deserving of your ire, and may
your shield defend you against those that would see you fail. May that which is sacred find a
protector in you, and those who seek My refuge know that you are one of Mine, and thus bear My
mantle of salvation." As the words are spoken, the silver of the blades faintly gleams, as if
blessed by the incantation, and the Goddess's gaze flickers up towards yours. "You will be asked to
answer these first four vows in your service of Me," the Empyreal says, "but this fifth - this one
that is your own - I shall wait for it to flower. For you are young, and much of the world is yet
new to you. But one day, when you are ready to bear such a heavy burden as your own, I shall
remember what you promise unto Me here. And honour it as I would any oath."

You think to yourself: A ringing, clarion note of joy, as pure and bright as polished silver, along
with a bone deep sense of satisfaction, of purpose.

A minute dip of Avaris's head meets Lantra's words, the vibrating chorus of his own
strong and steady. "I will not disappoint You, my Lady. Thank You, for indulging me in this. I will
be patient, but not idle." Lowering the upraised swords carefully, he holds them before him, silent
in his reverent regard for a long moment, before he sheathes them once again. Clasping all four
hands to his chest, he leans forward in a kneeling bow. "I will not take up more of Your time, my
Lady. Please, call upon me if You should desire my attention, for whatever reason."

Her expression revealing a quiet pride in your words, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "I shall look
forward to seeing your path unfold, Avaris of the Light."

Lantra leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

A quiet breeze sweeps through the vicinity as Lantra, the Empyreal dissolves in a luminous swirl of
white lotus petals, leaving only twinkling motes of starlight in Her wake.

Lantra, the Empyreal has bestowed Her divine truefavour upon you. It will last for 10 months.

You think to yourself: A swell of warmth, quiet, but fierce as a blazing, newborn sun, ignited by
the press of Divine lips upon his brow. He will hold that sensation within the innermost vaults of
his heart, and treasure it forevermore. For now, though - Strength. He has much to do, if he is to
be sufficient to his task.

Avaris rises gracefully, bending at the waist in a deep, elegant bow, which he
holds for a long moment. Straightening smoothly, he turns and strides purposefully towards the veil,
his head held high.