Home again

[Anastasia]

"I will. ...You are not the only sister Jessica has here," Latha adds after, "I will watch over her as you have watched over us all."

[Ebiris]

"Thank you, Latha," she parts from the deva. "I'll go and take Jessica to Io now. Before the hour is out Sylica will have four deities to watch over it."

Thus she teleports off to find her sister.

[Anastasia]

Jessica sits on a bench in one of Liberton's gardens, alone. Her hair is unbound and loose, a warm breeze blowing it out. She is in her combat gear and ready to go. Her face, never truly beautiful, is at least at peace as she basks in the sunshine. Her Sashes of Shadow seem pitch black against the sunlight right now, flowing in steady, constant spirals.

"Sometimes I remember," Jessica says, "Do you remember when you returned from an adventure, and I told you of my first change by informing you that I could see in the dark?"

[Ebiris]

"Yes, who knew that celestials were so infectious?" Alicia says dryly. "Of course we'd do far more and far quicker if we went to the prime without any protections now."

Of course this also means Jessica and Antenora are off limits for visiting the prime themselves since they can't be made proxies and it'll be some time before they'll have avatars ready.

"I spoke to Latha and I've made my decision. Are you ready?" she holds out a hand towards Jessica, armed and armoured herself now just to exercise due caution for any trip away from home.

[Anastasia]

Jessica's answer is to take your hand and squeeze it tightly.

[Ebiris]

Squeezing it back, she opens a portal to Io's realm. "Prepare yourself, Jessica. This will entail far more than improved night vision."

[Anastasia]

And thus you again stand before Io. He looms over all and declares, "Have you made your choice?"

[Ebiris]

"Yes," Alicia nods. "Although... before that. Before you're changed, tell me what kind of goddess you will be, Jessica?" she asks, looking at her sister, wanting to hear her say it in her own words.

[Anastasia]

"A protector in the shadows," Jessica looks up to Io, "The blade of the innocent, that sees those cast into night's darkness through to the dawn. I will walk the night so others may live to see the next day."

[Ebiris]

Alicia nods after that. "And who can deny that Creation is in need of  just that? She's ready, Io," she turns to look up at the progenitor of dragonkind.

[Anastasia]

"Then rise," Io says, as the divine seed appears again. It is less luminous than before, "Kascha has already risen. One more remains after this."

Jessica steps forward, hands just outside of the seed, as if cupping and supporting it. "It's so beautiful, sister. I can see everything. The stars, the sun, the planes, everything. I..." A flash of light, for a moment all overwhelming, all overpowering.

Jessica has gained divine rank 0.

[Ebiris]

Alicia closes her eyes at that flash, only opening them as it dims and looking on Jessica. "Then take your place as eternal caretaker of Creation, Blade of the Innocent," she intones.

And as she did when Antenora ascended, Alicia celebrates this with her faithful, sending visions to mark on Jessica's ascension, letting them all know that a new goddess has joined Sylica to serve as a protector in the shadows. And for a few more days she'll answer prayers in more dramatic fashion too.

[Anastasia]

As you send your will forth, Jessica comes over...and hugs you tight. No words, just your sister holding you.

[Ebiris]

She hugs Jessica back, even armoured as they both are. Holding it for a moment she slackens her grip and then parts. "Lets go home, Jessica. Sylica waits for your presence."

[Anastasia]

"I'm finally awake," Jessica says, "I feel like I've awoken from a dream since before birth."