Pixie power (Moore)

[Anastasia]

"An attack that went wrong," Cresiel says, "I defeated many, but was ultimately subdued." He shakes his head at that, "An unacceptable failing for one of my caste. Should a solar fall in battle, all hope is lost. We are to stand as the great generals of the celestial host, but the devils were too powerful." He turns and looks out at the waves, "Yet there lies my sin. Pride crept in, so that I could not retreat a lost battle. More temperance would have served me well, I must study Domiel's lessons anew."

[Nephrite]

"I know they don't always get along, or at least, that's what I've read, but... well, I don't wish to presume anything, but I would just say that Erathaol would say all things happen for a reason, good or bad. What happened to you was... unfortunate, but I'm glad we were able to rescue you. So despite that, perhaps... don't be so hard on yourself. You've clearly learned a hard lesson, so there's no reason to dwell on it." Moore says. "At least, that's what I think. You have to learn and keep moving."

[Anastasia]

"Yes, I have to learn. I have to be better. My father has the wisdom to avoid that trap and my mother the power to overwhelm that battle. I possessed neither and fell into the pride of thinking I had both my father's wisdom and my mother's might." Cresiel closes his eyes, as if in deep thought. "I must dwell on it, because I must be better. I am a solar, the greatest of the celestial host. Too much else depends on me."

[Nephrite]

"You'll find your own Wisdom while we're here, Cresiel." Moore says reassuringly. "We both will."

[Anastasia]

"We will, as the holy mountain guides us." From here Cresiel is silent, the two wandering further.

> roll 1d100+7
<Penuche> Kowork invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d100=28

You wander a while longer. In time you come to a cleft in the mountain side, the beach extending into it. A little, half hidden place, perhaps. You note it as you pass, something to explore if you desire.

[Nephrite]

The last time he explored something like this, he met an ancient dragon!

"Hm, hold a moment." Moore says as he goes to take a look to see if it's a longer cave or just a small one.

[Anastasia]

Looking in, you can see that it doesn't close on top - light from above can get through, it's not a true cave. From the outside, you can hear the murmur of voices - and then suddenly several lantern archons fly out and by you, laughing and chasing one another.

[Nephrite]

"Oh! Hello!" Moore greets them. He will resume his walking with Cresiel if they go about their business.

[Anastasia]

Cresiel smiles slightly, hanging back. The lantern archons flock Moore, all burbling, "Hi! Hi! Hi!" They greet him in Celestial, "What's your name?"

[Nephrite]

Moore switches over to Celestial to be polite. "My name is Moore. This is Cresiel. Say, do any of you know Beniel?"

[Anastasia]

"Who?" They ask, "We're new! Who's Beniel?"

At this Cresiel clears his throat, "Moore, they're newborns. Souls that have reached their eternal reward, they probably don't even have names yet."

[Nephrite]

"Oh, I see." He nods to Cresiel.  "He's a friend of mine, a lantern archon, just like you all!" Moore says.

[Anastasia]

"I want to be Beniel!" One cheers, then another calls, "Me too! I'm Beniel!" "No, I'm Beniel!" "No, I am! Me me me!" The lantern archons fly off, laughing and arguing with one another.

Cresiel watches with a soft smile all the while, "After a life of labors, what is more welcome than the simple joys of childhood?"

[Nephrite]

"Yes," Moore agrees with a smile. "They deserve to have some peace from their hardships." With that, he will continue along.

[Anastasia]

"Everyone does," Morniel says, "But how few truly grasp it and strive for it? When laid out like this, our eyes able to see celestials and fiends, it seems obvious. But for mortals, it is a distant promise contrasting with a hard world."