The Truth about Revan's Mother

[00:57] Looking over the injured cowboy, it seemed his chest was on fire, though no matter the rain, wind, sleet or snow that tried to topple the courier, he could blaze on just as his injury would. Taking a peek with his otherworldly vision, he would spy how the inferno would fuel itself on the mana in his own circuitry.

Revan could try to drain the mana, move it away from the burn, however, when the Fireblooded attempts this, he finds that the burn only flares up, draining more mana to feed it's flames. There would be a thoughtful click of the unlicensed medic's as he wondered how he would combat this.

A healer's one was a difficult one, especially in the world of magic, no two injuries could ever be treated the same, even this burn was like no other he had seen. There were simply the basics, and obscure interpretations you could make of them, and that's what he would have to do here.

Reaching for a scalpel, a hand would reach out and begin to drain the bite from the fire, allowing him to work on the area for a short time. A quick incision on his sternum, and a thin plate of tyrium would be pinned in place. Naturally sapping mana around it, it would do quite the job in snuffing the flames that had plagued the cowboy the past months.

With a few quick cauterizations with his energy magic, the purple tyrium would almost like my a badge permanently imbedded in his chest.

"There we are.. And.. There was something you wished to discuss? It seemed urgent."
(Revan Task)
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[01:11] The inferno borne from the depths of Infraheim itself, it was only logical that it would be unquenchable. An endless blaze. With each failed attempt from Revan to drain the mana, and quell the flame? It fed into it . . .

Pursing his lips, before pondering the Task's tenure as a medic-- Atleast until the scalpel was reached for . . . a quick incision and a thin plate of Tyrium healed all!

If you ignore it's potency and it's ability to drain mana--..

Arch was so far, blissfully ignorant to the dangerous qualities of Tyrium; for it soothed the fire that plagued him.

"Sorta' liking how it looks, but it's a touch itchy."

Beggars can't be choosers.

"Ah-... Quite urgent. Firstly, I wanted ta' discuss your stance on your war business. And I want to know 'why' you'd fight, if so."
(Arch)
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[01:17] Revan would reach for a burn ointment, apply it to the surrounding tissue that had been burned by the fires that raged nigh constantly.

"Yes, it'll be itch for some time until the grin grows to accept it. It's important you don't scratch or disturb it, or it could lead to infection and potential necrosis."

It was an ugly word, one that was sure to capture one's attention regardless of their intelligence level, and that's why Revan enjoyed using it. It should strike just enough fear in the man to keep him from messing with it.

Though when asked why he fought, he would glance to the corner of his helm as he thought the point over, a deep hum rumbling from his nyeshk chestplate.

"I fight for my family.. To burn those that have called us out and wish to hunt us.. I fight for Theria.. My home.. And the place of the Dragons.. I.. Also fight so that.. Lilly and I can freely live as we please."

There would be a nod of his head, that was truly all it was, he could take or leave the demons, he only had the handful he cared most for.
(Revan Task)
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[01:23] Infection . . . Even while taken by death, Arch can hear a certain medic screaming in the void about 'sepsis' and disinfecting wounds. Truly haunting.

"Duly noted. . . I'll try my best to avoid disrupting it." Either way, that subject was swiftly forgotten as the Task mulled over his reasoning and stated it promptly." Nodding from occasion.

The courier had quite the sour look plastered onto his face.

"Truthfully, I'm conflicted over this war. I've got people deeply entrenched on both sides o' this conflict -- Aurora is even within Myllenoris now."

Troubling as that was.

"You, Valero, Hades have been like family fer' me -- As has Dun. But I cannot deny that I ain't a fan of his decisions that spurned this conflict."

"The usual trickery and deceit..."

The demons were an unstable ally, a poor choice. But not the poorest that Dun has made.

"My faith which I believed unwaverin' is beginning to falter."
(Arch)
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[01:40] Remedy administered and further treatment prescribed, Revan would see no need to dwell on the procedure any longer. Giving his answer, he would listen as Arch spoke his mind.

Clicking his tongue as he heard Aurora had been moved, the Task didn't even know she was moved. Though Revan could sympathize, that feeling of being torn between making a choice. Lilly hated the demons, refused to work with them, she couldn't fathom how Revan could, even if he had other intentions for them down the road.

"Yes.. My father's last joke is rather.. Ill-timed.. if you ask me.. And.. I don't like how this punchline is shaping up myself.."

Revan would admit with a huff. "This is my father's dying jest, he won't have to live with the repercussions.. However.. We will.. Hades, Valero and I.. If we do not come out on top, it is our heads on the lines."

A pop of his knuckles would be heard, this war would truly make or break his family, all while Revan was trying to focus on starting to his own, to reignite the church. Yet he had demons and terraphim to worry about.

"I.. Will not be hurt if you wish to leave Theria, Arch.. You must do what is best for you.. You do not have the same chains that I do.. However.. We could also always use your help.. And a courier to look after us." There would be a faint warmth to his uplifting tone
(Revan Task)
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[01:50] Torn between two cities, both have sculpted the Courier into the man he had become -- The Jester of Chaos, Dun Task provided him with lodging, weaponry, A post-office. Most of all? The closest semblance to a family that Arch would ever have-...

While, Asta Hargrave and Regulus Grimmoire, Alongside Amalia and Finn Ghede provided for the Cowpoke as well. Trusted, and accepted that stranger within even that sacred Vale . .

Two different worlds.

Two different families.

"It pains me-.. it would pain me to leave, and it'd pain me to stay."

"But-- I've not always looked after all of you-... I've kept secrets, to protect your Father from repercussions. Hidden a terrible truth, from you and yer' brothers.

"That ain't right o' me-..."
(Arch)
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[01:57] Another nod would soon follow, he still understood how conflicted the courier was. He was apart of the family that had declared war on Esshar, and he refused to ever surrender the name he valued more than anything. He would stand by his family and overcome their foes by their side, contributing wherever he could.

However, he wasn't exactly happy entirely in Theria- no, that lie with his Fiancee. The only one who could truly bring him to smile, the one to show him what passion felt like. He felt like he would lose her, and the thought would pull his heart into his guts. It almost felt suffocating to think about, still paralyzed just by thinking it, how could he even offer any advice to his elder?

"Again.. Do.. What you must.. Look after yourself, first and foremost.. And have faith the rest of us are strong enough to do the same."

It was the best he could offer, however, at the mention of having kept secrets, the horned helm would tilt. Protect his Father from repercussions? Arch was a long time family friend, there were countless secrets he could tell, but what would be the one on his mind now?"

".. We all.. Do what we have to.. But.. What have you been hiding.. And.. Why tell me now?"
(Revan Task)
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[02:07] Time to fess up, a hefty stain upon the Brawler's soul was about to be erased.. "Because you're old enough to make your own choices-... Revan. You-.. do not have to make the same mistakes I have, or yer' father has" Something that Arch previously alluded to, but never specifically dived into . .

"For I... have lived a life full o' guilt and misery. Secrets kept, lies spouted-.. Meanwhile, your fathers yearns to declare war on Esshar -- For WHAT?! A sick prank?"

Whatever the aim. The Elder Task would soon be departed from this world, and those triplets would inherit the mess left behind; how could the Courier simply stand aside and allow that...?

"I-... Mentioned it vaguely to Lilly, durin' one of her odd attempts at formin' a friendship." Lillith was absolutely over her head.

Be that as it may? The Courier confided in her.

"I vaguely knew your mother-... Kaida. Driven from her sundered village and arrived to Theria -- she's what I've been hiding.. and the true nature behind her demise-..."

"It wasn't suicide. Or death durin' labor."

"It was murder."

One more loose end that was tied up.

"Durin' the expedition to Terraheim-.. Dun even blurted 'bout killin' someone's mother. In tha' heat of the moment, it was likely brushed off as nonsense-.. But it was no lie."
(Arch)
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[02:22] Revan's jaw would be locked in place, braced to receive whatever information the messenger had for him. The Task could see the weight bared on his shoulders, hearing that same line again. Do not make the same mistakes I have, or yer' father.

Why did he keep repeating it? Though, Revan would be glad he did, because then he would realize, he never asked what mistakes his father had made. Revan always took his father's word as gospel, the absolute truth, he thought as his Father's son that surely he wouldn't lie to the one he was training to be the best liar to the world.

Though hearing his mother's name, the name his Father never dare speak, it would send shivers down the Fireblooded's spine. What was a small tingle would become an uncontrollable spasm as he uttered the word.

Murder.

Rising to his feet he looked like he wanted to run, but had no where to run to, ready to fight, but had no opponent to face. Revan's teeth would be grit now, gripped with grief and anger- murder, who would?

"My Father.. Confessed.." He never loved her.. He took what he wanted from her and cast her aside- was this the dragon's way, Or was this the mistake the cowboy spoke of? Falling back into his chair, the helmet would be pulled off as he ran bandaged hands over his eyes and through his hair.

"W- I.." He didn't no how to respond. He always wanted a mother growing up, craved the warm embrace, the compassion, the love he was neglected. However, his father decided he didn't need it, was that something he never should have pursued? Had he grown too soft- or was he on the right path, growing with Lilly.

His breathing would grow ragged, he never thought his father would lead him astray, but his desires were for Lilith and Lilith alone.. Why did the two have to be at such odds?

"I don't know what to do.."
(Revan Task)
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[02:33] Truthfully? Arch and Dun weren't all that different from each-other; both had made horrific mistakes. Casting those who loved them to the wayside - to be forgotten. Sliding down the wall, with his face covered by his palms-..

"For all the wrong I've done? I bare this curse. All this guilt, this anger and this sadness-... But. Yer' father is at the end of the rope. That humanity seems to have withered.

From a lowly peasant born of Sudbury. To commander of Osrona's City Watch. To the Clown Prince of Crime. To the Elder of the Fireblood-.. Now? The Bane of Esshar.

Leaning his head back against the brick wall, the cowboy never provided that warm embrace, or compassion to his own children-.. A mistake that he wished to rectify. However, time was running short . . .

Death loomed closer and closer, even with this? He had so much to do.

"Make your own path, Revan-.." Sharply inhaling, before rising to his feet. "Your father. Your family. Me? We cannot choose tha' life that you want to live-.. That's your fate. Your destiny."

"I can only provide advice; and I advise you? Speak with Lilith, and please-.. Don't abandon her like Dun abandoned Kaida. Or like I abandoned Athanoti and Aurora."

"Be a better man then we were." That's all the wisdom that Arch had left . . .
(Arch)
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[02:34] Truthfully? Arch and Dun weren't all that different from each-other; both had made horrific mistakes. Casting those who loved them to the wayside - to be forgotten. Sliding down the wall, with his face covered by his palms-..

"For all the wrong I've done? I bare this curse. All this guilt, this anger and this sadness-... But. Yer' father is at the end of the rope. That humanity seems to have withered."

From a lowly peasant born of Sudbury. To commander of Osrona's City Watch. To the Clown Prince of Crime. To the Elder of the Fireblood-.. Now? The Bane of Esshar.

Leaning his head back against the brick wall, the cowboy never provided that warm embrace, or compassion to his own children-.. A mistake that he wished to rectify. However, time was running short . . .

Death loomed closer and closer, even with this? He had so much to do.

"Make your own path, Revan-.." Sharply inhaling, before rising to his feet. "Your father. Your family. Me? We cannot choose tha' life that you want to live-.. That's your fate. Your destiny."

"I can only provide advice; and I advise you? Speak with Lilith, and please-.. Don't abandon her like Dun abandoned Kaida. Or like I abandoned Athanoti and Aurora."

"Be a better man then we were." That's all the wisdom that Arch had left . . .
(Arch)
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[02:51] Slumped in his chair with his face in his hands, he didn't know if he should cry, scream, or both. He would simply be imprisoned within his own mind, his own worries, how the last talk with Lilly had gone poorly, but they still tried to reassure one another.

Hearing how the Cowboy carried all of the guilt, rage, and sorrow in him, hearing how it ate away at him, Revan knew he didn't want to befall the same fate.

Then thinking to how Valero held their father to a much more lesser esteem, hearing how he was at the end of his ropes it would seem to all make sense. He had grown to scarred over, callous, throwing the continent into such chaos was all he could do to feel something one last time.

Even as Revan justified his Father's mad antics, there would be those lingering fear of how much he took after his father.. Would he turn on Lilly as his father did on Kaida?

Though Arch would break him from his stupor. "Follow.. My own.. path..?" All he had known was the path his father put before him.. And the Dragon's Tooth.. No decaying.. However.. He found himself in the fireblooded, now with the experience of being a leader.. Surely there could be new life to breathe into that?

Again, he had even more to speak to his Fiancee about, but even before hearing Arch's final words, Revan knew what he wanted. He wished to start that family that the two of them had dreamt of. A few slow nods would be given, it was all he wanted, really, to be better than his father, to build on his legacy- but how could he build on rubble?

"I.. Will do my best.. Arch.. I have.. Much I need to meditate on.. I know.. It wasn't easy.. But I.. Thank you for sharing this with me.. I.. Don't know what I wish to do now.. But.. I will go stronger from this pain.. I assure you.."
(Revan Task)
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[02:53] Arch says, "Now-... I just gotta' try to talk to Hades and Valero. I ain't wantin' them to die for this."
[02:53] Arch says, "Far tougher I imagine."
[02:53] Revan Task says, "I will.. Pass on the news if.. i see them.."
[02:54] Revan Task says, "Again.. Thank you, Arch.."
[02:54] Arch says, "Just-.. heed my words."
[02:54] Arch says, "I got some letters to write-.."
[02:54] Arch says, "Amends to make."
[02:54] Revan nods solemnly.
(Revan Task)
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[02:54] Revan Task says, "Best of luck to you, Arch."
[02:55] Arch says, "You as well, Revan.."