Caylim Grace's Story

Slowly, the door to the Inner Sanctuary opened, and out walked Mora's guard, Rolaf. Slowly he walked to the goddess, his armor reflecting the light as it hit him, and leaned over. Softly picking up the hand of the sad goddess to kiss it.

"Lady Takira... Lady Mora wishes to see you, but i must ask... that you leave your weapons here. We cant take another chance my goddess." Slowly he stood up, holding her hand still, and took her into the sanctuary.

The Sanctuary, a massive sphere of light created by Mora as her personal home. Inside it can be anything Mora wishes but, because of her weakened state, she chooses to only have a bed, nothing more, and there she lied.

In her bed she held the hand of the her younger sister, Takira's older sister, Caylim. With a weak smile, Mora held out her other hand to Takira. "Young one... It pains me to have you look at me in this state... Come to me... Come to your big sister." Her face was pale, with the scars truly showing now more than ever. Underneath she wore nothing but what she needed, for the uncomfertability of cloths was something she didn't want to hassle with right now, and as Takira walked closer, she saw for the first time, the stab wound in Mora's left side, exposed to help the wound breath.

Tossing her dagger aside, Takira ran to her sister's bed, forgetting all nobility, and threw herself to her knees beside the bed, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh, Sister Mora, Sister Mora!" she sobbed, holding Mora's hand tightly, "I swear, I shall find who did this to you, I swear it! I may not be strong, but I will ask all of my creatures to search far and wide for your attacker!" She felt foolish, being reduced to such a state before her sister's, but she could not help it, her heart burst with such feelings of sadness. "They shall not escape my fangs, my claws!"

"Oh, Caylim," she turned to her other sister, hiccuping her tears, her eyes swollen and red, "you will help me, won't you? You must, oh, please Sister Caylim!"

"Takira...Stop." Mora said placing her hand atop her little sisters head. "The thief is long gone... But before he was able to leave the temple i delivered him justice. He will never be able to use his right arm again, or walk for a while with his left leg, but notice how i say thief. He wasn't here to kill me, he wasn't trained to kill, he was trained to steal his target, and escape..."

"I fear he is one of the Old Ones, and has taken Banatrix..." She says with a blank stare, her eyes closing shut as she try's to channel her energy for a moment to look for the sword. With a sudden gasp of pain she grabs her side, letting out a loud shout from the pain. After regaining herself she grips Takire and looks down at her sister. "Listen to me young one... You were to young to remember the war with the Old Gods, but this time they will come back even more powerful... What you must do is go to Grim Forge... To the Black Anvil... Gather a group of humans and the other gods, sisters. If Banatrix is dropped into the fire's, the Old Gods will be released, and we will lose our only weapon to stop them.."

With a sigh, Mora softly closed her eyes and let go of her sisters hand, then turned to Caylim. "Sister... We can not lose the sword. Find my apprentice, Chachare, and a man named Athos, and bring them both to me. Athos is a shady man, but we can trust him. If he fights back, you know what you must do Caylim." With a smile Mora softly closed her eyes and lied back in her, soon falling asleep.

"Please my lady's, Lady Mora needs her rest. You may come back to see her tomorrow Lady Takira..." Rolaf says picking up the still sad goddess, slowly walking with her in his arms to the door. "That goes for you Lady Caylim." He says with a soft look into your eyes before walking Takira out of the sanctuary.

Caylim watched with soft eyes as her sisters spoke. She thought it better to remain a silent listener. Takira, although Caylim loved her dearly, was so quick to seek revenge. It was unwise to go running around the city looking for a one armed limping man. Caylim could only imagine the hysterics the people would get in to.

Mora gave them instructions on what to do, and Caylim nodded understanding her purpose. "If he fights back, you know what you must do Caylim."

Indeed she did. She hoped it wouldn't come to that, but she nodded. She was about to speak when Rolaf reappeared taking Takira with him. She was inconsolable to the point of being unable to walk. She loved Mora like a mother, which Caylim understood. Although the Moon Goddess looked older, Mora was the first New God. The one who banished the Old Gods and brought on the age of Peace. Caylim couldn't ask for a better older sister.

"Rest sister, we will be back soon." Caylim finally managed to speak. She released her sister's hand, releasing three yellow butterflies to keep her sister company. "Don't lose hope."

She stood from her knees and gave her sister one last farewell before exiting the room. Takira immediately ran up to her, crying into her shoulder. "It will be alright Takira. Now is not the time for tears. We must gather the townsfolk."

"Rolaf, send a messenger. We're looking for able bodied citizens. Don't reveal how dire the situation is, but tell them it is a special quest from Mora herself." She explained. "Quickly, we don't have much time."

Takira took Caylim's hand quickly, trying to smother her sobs, and stared up at her, "I know I am not strong. I know I cannot deliver justice, but...they've hurt her. I can't forgive them...I won't!" She remembered hearing Athos' name before; the birds often sang it on the wind, telling stories of how he hated the Gods, all of them. Takira sniffled again, and sighed, trying desperately to regain her composure.

"I shall...go and bathe before the guests arrive," she softly whispered, then dodged away towards her chambers, biting her tongue to stifle her cries of anguish.

Caylim sat in the marble tub, the clear water washing over her body. It was always important to clean oneself before being in the company of the humans. The goddess shuddered at the idea of them seeing her with greasy hair and muddy feet.

The smell of jasmine wafted into her nose and she sank into its sent. All flowers bloomed during the day, releasing their scent into the world. To be enjoyed by all. Except for jasmine. A beautiful flower that only bloomed at night, under the moon's watchful gaze. Caylim surrounded herself in it, giving her a piece of the moon even on the sunniest of days.

After a good long soak, Caylim climbed out of the tub, immediately donning a long dress with beads coming off the shoulder straps. She pulled a headband around her forehead, letting her wavy locks take the shape they chose.

Takira was still not ready. Probably crying in her tub, trying to clean her feet. They were always dirty from her adventures in the forests. Caylim stood in the hall between their rooms and waited.

Takira lay under the water of her deep tub, breathing easily through gills on her neck, staring distrustfully at her feet. They always seemed to slip out from underneath her whenever she wore shoes, which was why she was usually bare foot; however, if there were to be guests in the house, she had to appear actually goddess-like.

As she climbed out and dressed in a simple tunic and wrap-around sandals, she thought about what rumors were being spread about her through the human villages. People said that she had no right to be a goddess, since she did not stand for anything, like her sisters. She did not stand for hope, or justice; she was merely a glorified druid. Takira couldn't really argue with the things they said.

She walked out into the hallway, her hair still dripping and hanging heavy around her head. With an embarrased smile, she runs her fingers through her hair, smelling like forest air, and looks at her sister.

"Caylim...? I know I'm old enough to do it myself now, but...can you do that braid thing you used to do to my hair when I was younger? Pretty please?"

"Caylim...? I know I'm old enough to do it myself now, but...can you do that braid thing you used to do to my hair when I was younger? Pretty please?"

Caylim smiled at her and nodded. Takira was definitely old enough to do it herself, but it still pleased Caylim that her younger sister would still come asking for her help. Although Mora was the mother goddess and took care of everyone, Caylim couldn't help but feel like she needed to take care of her two sisters.

They were always off, doing who knows what, and it concerned the middle sister to no end.

Grabbing Takira's hand, Caylim headed to her bed chamber. Setting her little sister down at her vanity, Caylim immediately began working on her sister's tangled hair. It was always tangled, and covered with twigs and leaves. Caylim combed through the locks, careful not to cause her sister too much pain. It was difficult, since every five seconds the comb would catch a snag and Takira would wince in pain.

It took far too long to comb through Takira's hair, but once it was down Caylim immediately got set on braiding it. Takira's hair was longer, so the braid always stretched down her back. Caylim wished her sister would braid it more often, it would make it so much easier for her to take care of. Plus, it would be in a better shape after her runs through the forests. There might still be twigs and leaves in it, but at least there wouldn't be so many knots.

Caylim tied the end with a a dark ribbon to contrast her sister's white hair. "There, try not to lose this ribbon, okay?" She mused.

Their laughter was interrupted by another one of the faithfuls stepped into Caylim's chamber. "There is a visitor for Mora, but I though it be best that you saw him first." The young girl kept her head bowed as she spoke, afraid to look up.

Caylim squeezed her sister's shoulder and stepped over to the faithful. "Look at us when you speak, young one." Caylim smiled lifting the girl's chin. "It is disrespectful."

Exiting her chamber, Caylim was immediately greeted with a unfamiliar face. He seemed to completely contrast with the brightness of the castle, his darkness standing out.

"Can I help you with something young one?"

The assassin waited, something he was used to doing yet this was different. Lying in wait on the roof of a building in the pouring rain on a winter night was preferable to this hell in the lobby of the Gods. The seconds passing by were like torture. Then an elegant almost angelic voice echoed out down the stairs to reach his ears.

"Can I help you with something young one?"

Athos turned to lay eyes on the beautiful Goddess of the Moon, the champion of hope, the patron of the stars, Caylim Grace. Long, silken robes hung off her well defined frame. Ornate beads accented her ethereal attire and the light sound of the beads clinking together could be heard as if drifting on the wind. The cold gaze of Athos finally came to rest on her face. While beautiful she proudly bore a long scar along her left cheek. Instead of sullying her appearance instead it added character the face of the Moon Goddess. Framing the home of those swirling blue and purple gems that were her eyes was white silver colored hair that seemed to almost shimmer. Athos stepped forward and gave the stunning Goddess a respectful nod.

"Caylim Grace, Goddess of the Moon. I've only ever heard of you from your faithful. This is our first meeting. I am Athos. Your Elder Goddess Mora Ven has requested my presence."

Athos said respectfully but hardly with the blatant kindness of most mortals in the presence of a God.

After walking Athos down the vast hallways of the house, they reached a wall, a wall of complete stone.

"Acreo, sarvas, Mora." After speaking a simple phrase the wall opened. Yes, opened. From the stone wall, formed a door, and through the door there was... Nothing. Only a light blue mist through it. "Come, Athos. This is the Inner Sanctuary." The Inner Sanctuary, considered the most holly place in all of Atherea. Here, Mora smote Praxus, and trapped his soul in Banatrix. "I assume you know the history of this place... But we arnt here to talk about what has happened. Were here to talk about whats going to happen next."

Slowly, she walked through the opening into the mist. Disappearing into it.

"I am Athos. Your Elder Goddess Mora Ven has requested my presence."

He spoke with respect, but not like the faithfuls did. Caylim could feel his emotions towards the gods. They were not of pure hatred, but she could sense the edge. Something happened to him, long ago, that caused him to be angry. She couldn't help but ponder over what could have happened.

"Ah, so you are Athos." She mused walking around the tall man. "My sister was not kidding when she said you were shady." She couldn't help but laugh, whether the young man understood her joke or not.

She stopped in front of him, keeping herself a fair distance from him. She eyed him, up and down. His black hair sat untidy on top of his head, but his blue eyes seemed to pierce straight through Caylim's body. He had pain hidden behind those eyes. She made note of all the scars on his face, there were so many. And no doubt there were plenty more hidden elsewhere.

"The moon shines down upon you, Athos," Caylim said as more of a question. Most of the faithful believed that Caylim was the moon in human form. Able to walk upon the earth and smile down upon her subjects. But that wasn't the case. The Moon was a Goddess within itself. Caylim was the daughter of the Moon. Reborn again under her strength and power.

The Moon was a part of her, but all and all they were two separate beings. Often times, Caylim found herself questioning her mother's choices and ideas. But she smiled down upon this man. Staring at him long enough, she found herself realizing why.

"You are an assassin," She mused. "Using the darkness of night as your cover, and the moon as your guide. No wonder she likes you so much."

Their conversation was interrupted by Mora's voice echoing through the chamber. Caylim nodded. "I hope to see you again in the future." She smiled stepped aside to let Athos make his journey to Mora's chamber.

The assassin stood in the inner sanctuary, beside the Chief Goddess Mora Ven and Caylim Grace the Moon Goddess. The one place Athos never thought he'd find himself is in this most holy place surrounded by two deities. Athos flicked his gaze to Mora for the briefest of seconds, noting her uneasy stance and the hint of pain in her face. The blade cut deep it seems." He thought to himself as she spoke. His brilliant mind still trying to acurately guess the motives of the divinty around him but that was proving difficult fruit to bare. The simple answer would be for him to track down the attacker but something about this entire meeting seemed off. There was no reason any of the Gods needed to actually meet with Athos in person if they were merely hiring him to kill a thief let alone bring him into the inner sanctum. Remaining silent and reserving judgment Athos said not a word as Mora dissapeared into the mist that opened. Before following after her his mind shot back to Caylim still unsure of her meaning when she commented on his profession. You are an assassin," She mused. "Using the darkness of night as your cover, and the moon as your guide. No wonder she likes you so much." She had said, her words echoed in his mind. "Who was she?" He wondered but said nothing as he took a step after Mora and entered the mist.

(For the plot conserning Mora, Athos, and Caylim, please post in the Inner Sanctuary. From here, the plot conserning Takrie, Zee, and the orgenization of the party to find the assassin.)

"Athos...You have slain my servants for years. Killed creatures that i have held close..." Slowly she turned around, looking Athos in the eye as he walked in with her. "This is my world... I can craft it into anything i wish... Like your personal hell... But, this isn't my way, and instead i have another idea."

"Here, in this very room 76 years ago, i defeated the Baron... And captured his soul into the sword Banatrix." As she spoke, the sword appeared in the air, floating between the two of them. The sword was long, and gleamed with power. But, it wasn't what the assassin expected from a legendary sword of a goddess. It was simple, VERY simple. In fact, the sword its self looked to be made of iron.

"Banatrix holds the power to capture the souls of anything it strikes. The Old Gods are trapped inside of it, and it has been taken. If there released, it will start the 3rd Reckoning." Slowly, a whole world formed around the 3 of them, but then soon it started to crumble. Fire, lava, darklings, and blackness soon take over the lushes land that once existed.

"What you see, is the future if the Old Gods are released, and we can not stop them. This is where you come in. You shall be declared a free man, my guards will not hunt you, and i shall erase your name form history. A clean slate. All you must do is find the sword, and bring it back to me. But, if the Old Gods are released, there is one more thing you can do."

"Atop of Angles Landing there is a shrine, out of reach of the Old Gods." As she spoke, the room started to feel cooled, and snow started to fall around. It was the summit of the mountain Angles Landing, the highest mountain in all of Atherea. "The shrine holds another ancient weapon. Baron Praxus's "Eternity's End". It is an ax, forged in the Black Anvil much like Banatrix, only it does not simply capture souls... It can kill us. It is the only weapon that can kill a god, and it MUST not fall into the Barons hands." After speaking, she started to coff. Holding her stomach and she leaned over and spat up blood into the snow.

Caylim ran to her side qwickly, holding her up right, "Sister! Are you alright??" She asked in a panic, but Mora put her hand on her soulder, and stood up straight. "Yes". She said sternly, "I am alright... Just tired..."


"Athos..." She said standing upright again, griping Caylim as she grunted in pain, "You, and Caylim, are the only creatures in all of Atherea that know of this... If you fail in stopping there plan, you must find the ax... And bring it here... But first, you must stop the sword from reaching Grim Forge, and the Black Anvil. If the sword is dropped in the fires, then the 3rd Reckoning shall be upon us..."

Soon after speaking, the snowy mountain top faded into the normal mist, only with a bed behind Mora. Slowly she walked to it and sat down on it, lieing out in the bed. "Caylim. There is a visitor in our hall. Please, great her. After that, pack everything you will need. Then, when your done, you can find Rolaf at the gate leading out of the city. Athos, you too must prepare for the journey. Meet Rolaf and the others at the gate when you are ready to leave... That is if you are going. But Athos, i am putting my trust in you... Please, for the good of Atherea, do not fail me..."

Shortly after, Mora closed her eyes and fell asleep. The door opening behind Athos back into the house.

"Caylim. There is a visitor in our hall. Please, greet her."

Caylim nodded helping her sister into her bed. Mora adding more things for her sister to do, and Caylim nodded. "Do not worry Mora," She chastised. "Rest. You have done enough for today."

Her sister protested against her words, but Caylim pushed her down gently. "Rest, Mora."

Her sister finally collapsed, giving into her tired body. Caylim walked over to the entrance gesturing for Athos to follow. "I hope you will be joining us, Athos. You would be a valuable asset."

As they left the room, Caylim released a few yellow butterflies to fly around the inner sanctuary. She smiled at her sister and left. following Athos. "I have to go and greet our new visitor. I hope to finish our earlier conversation."

She smiled at the assassin hoping to ease the tension she could clearly see in his shoulders. "Unless you will pass up this opportunity. If that is the case, then I hope the moon continues to smile down upon you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave of you."

She smiled again, and walked briskly to the front entrance. She was greeted by a woman with maroon colored hair, and seemed to be weakening at the sight of the sun. She smiled. "Another favorite of the Moon. Come in, child. Get out of the sun before you collapse."

Zee eyed Caylim, Mora's sister, trying not to show disgust. By the standards of the culture surrounding the Gods, she would be deemed beautiful: curvy, nice hair and eyes and such. Zee rolled her eyes when the girl wasn't looking. Her attire barely held any surviving attributes about it. What a waste.

"Thank you," Zee replied as politely as she could, keeping her hands hidden of course. All she needed was for Caylim to see the insignia on her palm. "The Goddess made a summons. I intend to answer it and lead the way to Grim Forge. I know the path and hope that I may aid the Goddess in anyway that I can."

Hoping her voice sounded sincere, which it always did because of her extensive training with the Forest Rogues, Zee felt safer within walls. The sunlight's attacks faded and she relaxed a bit more, the burning gone. It was hard to read Mora's sister's expression at first, but she was a gentle thing, easily persuaded. Zee put on a smile, sweet as honey, and nodded to Caylim's hair.

"I like the color of your locks...reminds me of the Moon and all her majesty."

Internally, Zee groaned in frustration. Sucking up never felt nice.

Caylim eyed the young one. Her body signaling she was hiding something. It amused her that she believed her to be gullible. The moon was her aid in judgement of people, since the moon saw all. Even in the brightest of days, the moon still showed it's face.

"I like the color of your locks...reminds me of the Moon and all her majesty."

Caylim laughed at the remark. She could feel the Moon pulsing through her body, giving her a reading on the maroon haired girl. Caylim smirked. "I see," She mused. "Come with me, I think my sister will find you...interesting."

Caylim walked ahead of the girl, her fingers latched behind her back. She felt the beads of her dress jingle as she walked, the Moon continuing to pulse through her. She would have to speak with Mora before speaking with the girl.

The Moon is cautious. Her vibe is completely thrown by her. Something is...wrong.

Taking a glance back at the girl, Caylim saw the girl following. Her eyes darting back and forth scanning all of the Hall. As the neared the Inner Sanctuary, Caylim stopped the young one.

"Wait here," She said. "I must speak with my sister before she meets with you."

[Ignore]

Caylim smiled at the young maid and thanked her for informing her of Mora's situation. On the inside, however, she was fuming. It wasn't the first time Mora had locked herself away in the Inner Sanctuary.

Granted this time, Mora had been injured and did need to rest. Usually, it was because Mora was being a brat. Goddesses or not, they were still sisters. And they treated each other as such.

Sighing, Caylim made her way back to where she had left the maroon haired girl. "I am sorry, but Mora is not taking visitors at the moment. I guess it falls on my shoulders to deem if you are worthy to go on this quest."

She smiled, even though the situation was not really a happy one. She was still getting a strange vibe from the Moon, but she wasn't getting a clear picture as to what the feelings were.

"I am sorry, young one, but I did not catch your name."

"Zee," she answered, eyes narrowed to the Goddess. "I have no other title."

Caution struck her spine and she nearly dropped to a crouch, almost expecting Caylim to attack her. For some reason, Zee felt she knew the secret, knew what was pressed to her palm less than an hour before.

But also, Zee knew she was safe. The insignia protected her.

"Will you accept me?" she pressed, not liking the need for persuasion. "I can fight and am quick. Provide me with the chance to prove myself to you, Goddess."

Hating her own voice as she begged, Zee forced a smile and watched herself kneel before the girl like a devoted follower. It horrified her, even if it was a lie. Her Master had instilled the rules of life quite plainly her first day meeting him. Don't trust the Gods, being the most enforced. Yet she knelt, knees not liking the hard surface.

"I devote my mind, body and soul to you. I will protect and serve. I will guide. Please...do me this honor."