It is said that Nova Aeria is one of the largest light elven meccas in the Telyssian 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.
My name is Jasiel and the Infernal City of Danallis is mine.
"Beloved, have you seen Naelyhra? I can't seem to find her anywhere!"
"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--
"You disowned our daughter?!!"
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.
"Artaxerxes Nasér Vilêt! How could thou doest such a thing?" She visibly seethed when she heard him sigh in exasperation.
"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."
"What in Ludrion could she have done to warrant such a drastic course of action, Arta?"
"The unthinkable, Ria!" He exclaimed. "I was checking up on her because I had not looked upon her visage or spoken to her since--
"Get to the point Arta," she deadpanned.
"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."
"You have no proof of such!"
"Proof? You want proof?" He asked incredulously. "I am your husband, if I say something is true that is all the proof you need!"
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.
"You do realize who you are speaking with, correct?"
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.
"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."
"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."
"So based on the fact that Naelyhra might have had horns growing is the reason you decided to disown her," she said.
"It sounds overly simplified when you say it like that," he said. "But, yes."
"Oh, you're a fool."
"Excuse me?" He was flummoxed that she would even say such a thing to him. "I'll have you know—
"'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.
"Wait, beloved!" He called after her. "Where art thou going?"
"It is of no concern to you," she called over her shoulder.
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.
Pyria Jasiel.
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.
Visit me in my temple.
Her temple? "If I may," she began, speaking to the seemingly empty courtyard. "Who art thou?"
I am Ranja and I have come because you reached out to me in your heart. I heard your cry for help.
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.
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.
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.
"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!"
Ranja merely nodded.
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.
With that, the goddess was gone and Jasiel was left to her own devices.
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.
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.
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.
"Halt."
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.
"Sigil," the man said.
She nodded in understanding and exposed the mark.
"Enter."
She stepped inside and took in the sheer magnificence of the temple.
Come, my child. I am pleased to see that you made it with plenty of time to spare.
She followed the pull in her chest to the very center of the edifice where the goddess was waiting.
There you are, my dear. I have the solution to all your worries regarding your family.
Jasiel sighed. "Whatever it is that you asketh of me, I will do."
None of that pish posh. You may think of me as a friend, no need to use such elevated language.
"Okay."
What is it that you desire?
"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."
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.
She thought long and hard about this before responding with her answer.
"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."
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.
"Really?" She asked.
Yes. Now, how do you want to proceed?
"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."
Very well. You shall have all that you desire.
"How?"
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.
"Why?"
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.
"I understand."
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.
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.
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.
You will be known forevermore as the Red Helion and your word will become law.
"Oh blessed Ranja, wrathful goddess of chaos." She fell prostrate on the ground. "What did I do to deserve such kindness?"
You are the mother of greatness, Pyria Jasiel. Your children will grow up to change the world because of your teachings alone.
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.
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