echoes of truth | ❝ to all of my children to whom.... ❞

[heranswers]

song of hope

BOOK 5: OUR SONG

Our song of hope, she dances on the wind
Higher, o' higher
E'er our hearts endure and remain forever strong
Standing tall through the dark do we carry onCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[heranswers]

[ Venat slowly approaches the pair of Miqo'tes, as they had called themselves. A set of sisters, and while their differences are obvious? She can see far more similarities between them. Especially to a pair of members from the Convocation. While Emet-Seltch may not wish to see the similarities, and Hythlodaeus most certainly accepts some version of their tale? Venat believes it in full. They are not only from the future, but they are future lives of the pair of twins that now hold the seat of Azem. The seat that she very well prepared them for.

She has so many questions! So very many thoughts and concerns that come to mind of the future. Moreso, she desires to know of the lives that the future versions of the Azems have shared thus far. Other than the Final Days, what road brought them here? Surely, her future self knew who they were, and most certainly picked them as her Champions because they are the Azem twins. Old friends, reliable, and a love not only for adventure and the world, but the souls that live on it. Who better to entrust the future of any form of Etheryis to?

Venat comes to a stop to survey the pair. The elder sister--Alkaid--has walked some steps away. She sits on the ground, hands in her lap, short hair with pink ends obscuring her gaze. Venat can tell her thoughts are yalms away and perhaps not even in their present. The younger sister--K'thisru--stands near the railing and looking up at the stars above. A smile spreads on the older woman's face and she chooses to address the younger first.

How very like the twins indeed. ]

It would seem we must wait a time for our answers. A scientists work is never done, I fear. [ The smile remains on her face as she stands beside the smaller woman. The height is even the same in comparison to her proteges. If nothing else, it is endearing to see so much of the pair remains the same no matter the age, life, or broken soul. ] Which means we are left to ourselves for company and some form of entertainment. Your sister seems preoccupied, so perhaps we should keep one another busy until she wishes to join us?

[elpides]

[ Much has transpired and much remains on K'thisru's mind as she stands close to the railing, surveying the stars above her. They came to Elpis in search of answers, but there are so many mysteries and questions that still remain.

Certainly, Emet-Selch does not seem inclined to answer them, and Hythlodaeus, while quite kind, is also quite mysterious. So too is Venat, and yet K'thisru thinks she might be more willing to speak with her if she asked her to.

But at the same time, she does not wish to trouble the woman, nor upset her with her questions and her too-persistent nature. That is why she finds herself hesitating rather than approaching, so when the other woman approaches on her own, she finds herself looking at her in surprise. ]

I think that applies to adventurers too. [ Scientists have their work, and adventurers have their intrigues, and both seem to be in ample supply. ] Do you mind? Even if you have to wait, there must be other things that are keeping you busy.

[ She does not wish to cause a delay or any more trouble than they evidently have, if Emet-Selch's disdain is any indication. ]

I- Well, she often is preoccupied these days. I try to help, of course, and I'm there when she needs me. [ As they always have been, even when they were small. ]

[heranswers]

Yes, so it is. Our hearts are never quite satisfied with merely one place. While the circumstances are dim, I hope that your experiences in my time have given your adventurer's heart a lively beat. As well as your sister's, for I am certain the pair of you share such a trait. [ They must, as they are of the pair of twins that she loves so deeply. ] My presence in Elpis cannot surely be just for the friend who invited me. Perhaps it is a greater destiny at play that has made it so we have met. As such, let us share this time together, for I have no doubt that Emet-Selch will demand all of our time shortly.

[ Venat looks once more to the sister that has secluded herself. She wishes to know what pulls at the woman's heart; what it is that makes her so melancholy. Such things may not be her place to know. Therefore, Venat decides that if K'thisru or Alkaid wish her to know, then perhaps they will bring it forward in their conversations. ]

Then, I shall occupy your time until your sister wishes to join us. [ She takes a seat on one of the benches, patting the empty space beside her. A gentle smile takes her face. ] Come, share what troubles your heart. I sense that there are a great many things that weigh you down. Do they relate to the Final Days? Or, are they worries for your sister?

[elpides]

If I could, I'd comb every inch of this place and talk to every person who has the time. [ She is well aware that there are those who have no interest in idle chatter, and she would not make a pest of herself. But her curiosity is clamoring to be satisfied, even though she is trying to not be an annoyance. ] Do you think so?

[ The notion of destiny is one that keeps coming up again and again, and yet she wonders if that really is what is directing things now. Perhaps she ought not even speak with Venat or her peers, but that curious streak of hers won't settle down now.

But she does as requested, taking a seat beside Venat with only the slightest bit of hesitation. In a way, the woman seems too lofty to even approach; not in the sense that she is arrogant, but that she is far greater than her and her sister. Perhaps what she feels is a feeling of unworthiness to even sit next to her.

But sit she does, and she tries to think about what really is troubling her. ]

A little of both, I think. I don't know how this is all going to be resolved, and I always worry about my sister. [ Their journey has been hard on both of them, but while K'thisru wishes she could take everything that weighs her sister down and take it on herself instead, there is not much she can do besides simply be there and offer a hug and a listening ear when Alkaid needs both. ] Well, I didn't used to, but now that we have come so far and seen so many things...

[ Both of them have been changed, and she wonders if it is for the better or the worse. ]

[heranswers]

Perhaps we will have the time before we are whisked away by our mutual contact. [ The smile on the older woman's face is apparent: she too has the streak of mischievousness in her. It seems to be a trait of all Azems. ] Yes, I am starting to believe it. Far too much has begun to meld together. Nay, perhaps it better to say that things have started to align in a path in which I might see in my mind's eye. A path that I would wish to avoid at all costs.

[ And yet, if they do advert the Final Days in her time, that would mean the pair of sisters that sit beside her would not be. They would be whole and the twins. There is much to consider and think of when their time in Elpis has come to an end. Venat turns her gaze to the passing clouds above her. ]

If one remained the same at journey's end, is it truly a journey? [ She settles her arms beside her with a glance below at the woman at her side. ] These "many things" are what troubles you the most? Or, perhaps, is it something more?

[elpides]

[ For reasons she doesn't quite understand, she feels some sense of encouragement from Venat's words. Rather than telling her such things will not work out or that they are impractical, she at least seems to be considering them instead of dismissing them. That particular kindness only increases her interest in speaking more with Venat and learning from her while she has this chance. ]

Well, that would make two of us, then. [ Even though she does not know how they will forestall the Final Days, she is convinced that they must not happen. Or at least, they should not progress any further than they already have.

And if K'thisru knew the thoughts going through Venat's mind, she would find herself conflicted. It is, of course, better for the Final Days to be averted here and now, but in so doing, the lives that she and her sister have had would never have happened.

Her expression turns even more thoughtful as she considers what Venat is saying. ] Of course not. The point of a journey is learning things you didn't know before and growing because of that. [ Or something along those lines. She is the last person who would say that she is particularly wise, but that does seem to be one of the important things about embarking upon a journey.

Her gaze drops so that she is looking down at her hands as she finally responds aloud. ] I don't think either of us thought we would come this far when we left home for the first time. [ That is hardly an answer, and she does not expect it to make sense to Venat, but she is still trying to understand her own thoughts and feelings and put them into words. ]

[heranswers]

Then, as we are of alike minds, we shall work together to advert the undoing of our star. Either in my time or in yours. [ She gives a broad smile in hopes of finding the young one with her protective magic in a more relaxed state. ] A fitting notion, as it is clear to see you and your sister are still the twins that hold the Seat of Azem. While Emet-Selch may wish to deny such things due to the dilution of your aether? It is as clear to me as a purified crystal.

[ She nods in agreement. ] Most in my time view journeys as something only to be undertaken if duty calls. Far too often are we blinded by duty and cannot find the enjoyment of simply seeing what our star is. A thought I am certain Hermes agrees with, given the care he wishes to show to those creatures here in Elpis.

[ Venat falls silent for a moment. Such a statement implies that her future self did not share these memories with the two sisters when she chose them. How much of their journey has happened without the realization their path would lead them to the past? It sounds as if it is a fair amount. ]

You expected the journey you had to be very different. [ She turns her gaze to look at Alkaid once more. A familiar forlorn expression is on the Warrior's face. One she has certainly seen a particular Azem wear more than once. ] Or, is it something more that troubles the pair of you?

[elpides]

[ That brings a thought to mind that hadn't occurred to her before. It would not surprise her in the least to learn that Venat had already thought of it, because it is already quite clear to her that Venat is quite the perceptive person. ] What would happen to us if we did manage to stop the Final Days here?

[ Would they cease to exist? And what about the Source? ] Was meeting us strange? Is even talking with us strange? [ She is trying to imagine how it must feel, knowing their past selves but having met them both and speaking with them now. Regardless of how she feels about Emet-Selch, she can imagine that it must be more than a little unsettling. ]

It's- Well, it's just the journey, I think. [ In spite of herself, she feels the beginnings of a blush forming at the base of her neck. It doesn't seem proper or fitting for her to say anything except what an adventurer would say. She and her sister are the Warriors of Light, after all, and they should be able to push through anything, even when things become difficult or troubling. ]