155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNoLteXZZn
copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YfPplrSv0
It is said that Nova Aeria is one of the largest light elven meccas in the Ilyrian realm. Now, the Infernal City lies in the northern waters of Noir, off the western coast of Acalia in the same realm. Unlike Nova Aeria, it is a place where debauchery and depravity run rampant. Essentially, it is a city full of sin. It was not always like this, but when a spurned Auroran light elf took over she gave it a new eponym.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFTVjYdzEo
My name is Jasiel and the Infernal City of Danallis is mine.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh1IpuhBHb
"Beloved, have you seen Naelyhra? I can't seem to find her anywhere!"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVD2QnqxFb
"I told her to leave and never come back," she heard her husband call from down the hall. "I had her officially stricken from the family tree--copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b5DUtWZbK
"You disowned our daughter?!!"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT2nBHWrHQ
Pyria Jasiel stormed into her husband's study, her clothes billowing out from behind her as she stalked up to his desk, slamming her palms upon the tabletop.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡJce6o9WCWD
"Artaxerxes Nasér Vilêt! How could thou doest such a thing?" She visibly seethed when she heard him sigh in exasperation.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88paHewces
"What was I supposed to have done?" He queried. "Naelyhra is on a path of destruction and I could not allow her foolish antics to ruin our reputation, to tarnish the family name."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwQUutMhJr
"What in Ludrion could she have done to warrant such a drastic course of action, Arta?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnzF4MPNZ
"The unthinkable, Ria!" He exclaimed. "I was checking up on her because I had not looked upon her visage or spoken to her since--copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHp8675m6T
"Get to the point Arta," she deadpanned.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDM0AcQ4Hv
"Naelyhra has gotten caught up in that blasted Church of Twilight. I'm telling you she has joined a cult! She uses sanguine magick and practices the dark arts!" He stood up abruptly. "That girl is no longer our daughter."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAp7LRIEZ6
"You have no proof of such!"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25J3bHnWhd
"Proof? You want proof?" He asked incredulously. "I am your husband, if I say something is true that is all the proof you need!"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfFojn3asC
Pyria paused for a moment in dismay for she could not believe the words she was hearing. She looked to the right, then to the left, and then back toward her husband.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCgZJks4k6
"You do realize who you are speaking with, correct?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZ3z5iznL
Artaxerxes' eyes widened. She was using the same tone she used with their children when they were partaking in mischief and that couldn't mean anything good for him.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNPP69EVJg
"It seems to me that you did not understand my previous statement, so let me repeat myself. You do know who you are talking to, right? Because how dare you? How dare you fix your lips to speak to me in that manner. If I ask for proof that my child is truly dabbling in such magicks, you best give it to me." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I'm waiting! And I pray that you have a good answer."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs7vkQxcxC
"I..." Her husband sputtered. "I sent her off with all her things earlier this morn. But I assure you, I could just see the horns beginning to form on her head. She has forsaken our most sacred laws and disregarded the example set before her by us and her elder siblings! We are Aurora and she is becoming Novisere."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UBObrb4wy
"So based on the fact that Naelyhra might have had horns growing is the reason you decided to disown her," she said.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNvFu3nO4c
"It sounds overly simplified when you say it like that," he said. "But, yes."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLy4VLl542
"Oh, you're a fool."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAMtujqr17
"Excuse me?" He was flummoxed that she would even say such a thing to him. "I'll have you know—copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ69eSipIWi
"'I'll have you know' nothing... you're a fool and I have finally witnessed it for myself. I have to go," she said and swept out of the room.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ5tkUr0Ej
"Wait, beloved!" He called after her. "Where art thou going?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HDTyO79Dv
"It is of no concern to you," she called over her shoulder.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkdKViNlg4
She kept walking until she felt the warmth from Xaitis on her face and a cool breeze caress her skin. She hadn't realized how far she had gotten as it appeared that she was outside in the courtyard of their enormous chateau.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FVUuNMbPm
Pyria Jasiel.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rihZf6vFi
The voice was unlike any she had ever heard. It was divine, she could tell. The harmony of many voices speaking at once told her all she needed to know.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V4rxRtNkj
Visit me in my temple.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhFTtkgeJ2
Her temple? "If I may," she began, speaking to the seemingly empty courtyard. "Who art thou?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfCoRvYxvl
I am Ranja and I have come because you reached out to me in your heart. I heard your cry for help.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt81jrfTXi
The goddess took on a phantom form and floated before her. Her eyes widened and she took a step back, perplexity apparent. Fear colored her facial features causing the goddess to frown.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzVkGp0LFJ
Do not fear me, my child. On the outskirts of Nova Aeria, there lies my temple. A sacred place, where only those with this sigil etched onto their skin can enter.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡysRYFJvPkS
She watched as the goddess reached for her chest with a barely-there finger. Right before her eyes, a circle filled in with black ink and eight arrowheads pointing outward appeared in the space between her bosom.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcbzhXcyvO
"The symbol of chaos," she whispered before looking up toward the divine entity that was beginning to completely fade away. "Thou art the wrathful goddess of chaos!"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLB5sLh8re
Ranja merely nodded.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEpxaeFaZR
You have one hour to come to me. The very moment you see the same marking I gave you, the temple will be opened unto thee.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡciHB7jYdbP
With that, the goddess was gone and Jasiel was left to her own devices.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oRJ6lvF77
Not one to blatantly disobey a higher being, she made haste for her living quarters to grab a few necessities and her favorite cloak before leaving the estate entirely in search of the sacred temple.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNHZGdtdno
Jasiel had been flying atop her favored steed, a winged stag called a peryton, when she suddenly saw the mark Ranja gave her hovering over something in the sky. Urging her peryton to fly toward the ground, it didn't take her very long to find the temple.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75W0T6VttY
After making sure that her steed was secure in a nearby stable, she walked toward the edifice with the mark she bore on her skin.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AOJh3wRyv
"Halt."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zjUvxrUtp
She was stopped abruptly at the point of a broadsword. She stammered over her words because she was unsure of what she should do next. The hulking figure of the guard slowly came into view as the shadows released their hold on his being.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh64KFmXNy
"Sigil," the man said.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaIyfAj7Mw
She nodded in understanding and exposed the mark.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7nd8sRj5T
"Enter."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jDkXXcX4Y
She stepped inside and took in the sheer magnificence of the temple.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z5trhwfcr
Come, my child. I am pleased to see that you made it with plenty of time to spare.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RjdsE6rGv
She followed the pull in her chest to the very center of the edifice where the goddess was waiting.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjfqWIz6kR
There you are, my dear. I have the solution to all your worries regarding your family.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlAONecx8A
Jasiel sighed. "Whatever it is that you asketh of me, I will do."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIvzUQwW8b
None of that pish posh. You may think of me as a friend, no need to use such elevated language.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyS7ZwIgKV
"Okay."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvkYCLpDA7
What is it that you desire?copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPGzXWdtdT
"I just want my baby back. I haven't the slightest clue where she is. I would give anything to at least see if she is all right."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD4XklS4dO
What if I were to tell you that your husband's accusations were true. That your daughter has indeed become a patron at the Church of Twilight, following in the doctrine of Bek'Uns and its various teachings.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3Zz5MpyBv
She thought long and hard about this before responding with her answer.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡH29MLQWq03
"At this point... I do not even care. I believe that magick is magick and putting labels on gods-given gifts is limiting the power we were meant to have anyway. If Naelyhra truly is a follower of Bek'Uns, then she must know something the rest of us don't. Artaxerxes claims he is following the right path in his teachings but, lately I've become very unsure."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dfqEMso7F
I see. Never feel guilty for these feelings as your husband is a fool and has been leading your family to ruin for quite some time now.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7hYe8g9O0
"Really?" She asked.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIe66o96y5
Yes. Now, how do you want to proceed?copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdVzCBYT9W
"I want nothing more than to have my family back together but with my husband so set in his ways, that will never happen. I want to be with my baby, but I still need to be there for my other children. Naia and Garrik need me just as much as she does."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FXzZzSVMV
Very well. You shall have all that you desire.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDiuhUgown
"How?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMJr0LFdrR
This is what you must do. You must return home and reconcile with your husband, telling him you have come to the conclusion that he is right. This is when the façade must begin as your youngest child will come to you in three days' time. It is imperative that you and your other children be ready to receive her in secret.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0QI127jOs
"Why?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHu5LhdYQU
Your new path can only begin once all of your children are safe and their futures are secured. Naia is of the age to marry and soon prospects will be making themselves known. Settle for none, because the wolf who will be king is the only union blessed by the gods. As for your son, Garrik, you will have to stay by his side and always in his ear lest his father's teachings get the best of him. copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNsAU0WXfZ
"I understand."copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP8B5fpFCj
Naelyhra's life will be difficult but fret not because the three of you will be with her in spirit. When she comes to you, explain all I have said to your offspring. Explain the views of your husband's teachings and then speak to your own. Your children will see how opposing views can bring a marriage to ruin and the example of yours will become a cautionary tale for their own futures. Layout these facts so that it is very easy to understand and allow them to come to their own decisions. You must stress that these instructions come straight from me as it is not my intent to cause any further discord among you and your children.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiBlNOL63U
Once decisions are made, none of you will be able to see Naelyhra in public after this first meeting. You will side with your husband in public and with your daughter in private. copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I9lfjeA67
After your son and daughter are married and well taken care of, you will die to the world. The news will spread like wildfire and when I call upon you, travel to Danallis where I will make you ruler over all.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWIr1kGBju
You will be known forevermore as the Red Helion and your word will become law.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡSydeHGM66q
"Oh blessed Ranja, wrathful goddess of chaos." She fell prostrate on the ground. "What did I do to deserve such kindness?"copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX8Jom0sY3
You are the mother of greatness, Pyria Jasiel. Your children will grow up to change the world because of your teachings alone.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tn75IN61r
I did everything the goddess told me to do all those years ago. She alone is the reason why all my children are alive and well. She has blessed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I owe her my life, my love, and my all.copyright protection151ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ2v4RV8BT
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