Sylican morning

[Ebiris]

We'll gate ourselves to Jovar and barring immediate encounters/revelations we'll go visit Xerona and see if she feels chatty.

[Anastasia]

Light.

Jovar nearly overwhelms even you.

The gemstone fields of Jovar glisten, the light turning each gem into a rainbow. The light is beautiful beyond words, and a soft, subtle song emanates from the crystals. Wordless music, a steady humming that is indescribably wondrous. The sky is utterly dominated by the light of Chronias, a mantle of glory atop Jovar itself.

Those around you - archon, angel, mortal, dragon and whatever else - simply stare upwards, lost in contemplating that light.

[Ebiris]

"It's so much more here," Alicia murmurs, staring upwards and feeling the light flow over and through her like a tangible thing, feeling its unheard music in her very bones. "Latha, your thoughts?" she asks. Few others can claim to have gotten as close to Chronias and returned as she has after all, so her insights must have merit.

[Anastasia]

Latha stares up, spellbound by the light. She reaches a hand up, as if to grasp it. "So much more, and still the barest fragment I could imagine. A reflection of a reflection of a reflection of the true light, and yet this..."

"It is perfect," Antenora looks up as well, entire body immersed in the light. "Can it be anything else?"

'Come.'

Xerona's voice is within your mind, calling you. A single word, meaning clear to you. The Guardian of the Bridge of Al-Sihal awaits.

[Ebiris]

"The bridge isn't far, and Xerona awaits us," Alicia says into their reverie. "Come," she flies off towards their destination, the owner of the Liath-Flail who helped them overcome the Dark Six and free the children of Androlynne.

[Anastasia]

It is not far, distance fading as you advance. Like a summer haze parting to the first winds of autumn, you find yourself before the bridge of radiance. Here a slow but steady line of the faithful pass, Xerona admitting each and everyone further within, into Chronias.

Yet she is before you at the same time, a perfect copy. In that instant Chronias looks closer and yet ever distant. "Hail," she greets you, "You have come. Know that I speak to you as a seraph, and my instructions come from the highest."

[Ebiris]

Xerona has instructions for her? Then it was definitely wise of her to come here! Concentrating her attention on the child-like seraph before her rather than the unattainable in the distance, Alicia bows her head. Even as a goddess she must respect the highest.

"Then I will hear and heed your words, Seraph Xerona," she agrees.

[Anastasia]

Latha matches your gesture, while Antenora does so as well, but looks up after to meet Xerona's gaze. She only lingers a moment, averting her eyes.

"You and Seira have a three fold task ahead of you. Listen well." Xerona says.

"First, you must grow stronger as warriors and as deities. There is time yet as events move, you must be prepared and ready for them. Continue to oppose Shar and the other evils of Creation, as you always have."

"Second, you must find Io. The Father of Dragons has returned to Creation by empowering a mortal. Discover what his pursuit of perfection has given him."

"Third, you must find the 21. It waits and prepares for a day in the future. Its coming and its growth has strengthened us all for the times ahead. Know that 21 is the battle for a soul, and the strength of it, forged and decided in Aurora's Crusade, shall be instrumental."

Throughout this Xerona speaks, her voice searing itself into your mind. A memory so vivid you can virtually hear her words when you think of them. The light of Chronias shines brighter as the next words are spoken, "Know that now you and Seira do not stand alone. Through the actions of others, three other groups shall aid in the coming war for the fate of Creation. Io has chosen not to stand aside, and in this has taken action to bestow greater hope on Creation."

[Ebiris]

What, only three? Alicia can't help but feel the fate of creation could stand to have a few more people invested in it.

Then again the Arbiter was clear that she couldn't share what she knew, or disaster would unfold.

As for those tasks, of course the journey of self-perfection and becoming stronger is an eternal one, that she constantly exerts herself towards. Finding Io... well, Seira's good with dragons. It's possible that new prismatic dragon Baleruk could be involved - if Bahamut and Tiamat stood in the way of his ascension due to an ancient dictate from Io, it makes sense that he'd return to see what's transpired and possibly take action himself. Then there's 21. Sylvie vanished after the final battle for Lifasa, but then there's her child in Balmuria and his uncanny growth of talent. She was already watching over that to ensure the boy wasn't captured or used by those of ill intent, but if the mother ever checks up on him they might be able to make contact there.

"I understand," she says after considering all of that. "I will pass this on to Seira as well."

[Anastasia]

"In addition, prepare," Xerona continues after your agreement, "For there is one other factor. Those loyal servants of Sylica and the Cauldron, those in the highest confidence and unto a node to you and Seira, surrounding you and strengthening you; you must prepare them for the possibility of ascension of their own, for events move faster now. Io's actions have given us more hope, but all of you must become all you can, for a day may come where that is their fate."

Latha stills at that, bowed head wearing a look of surprise.

Antenora closes her eyes a moment, "Then there is another way around Ao's judgment?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia stills as well. "I had heard - recently in fact," from Ilmater yesterday, "How big a risk my own ascension was. Has... something changed?" She doesn't really want to talk about it directly since so much must be couched lest Ao find cause to interfere, but is it the Incarnation of Law back in some form?

[Anastasia]

"At the right time, you will understand. For now, merely prepare," Xerona commands. "To speak more of it now is a risk we cannot take. Go with the blessing you have already received, for in each other you shall find great strength and growth."

[Ebiris]

"Very well," Alicia accepts that she's gotten all she needs to know from this. "We'll continue to cultivate our strength for the challenges ahead. Farewell, Xerona," she looks out over the bridge and at Chronias before she turns her back on the light and opens a gate back to Sylica so they can return home.

[Anastasia]

Once back Antenora exhales heavily. "...do we talk about this," she asks aloud, turning to you. "I had not thought..." A trail off, "It is a lot to think about."

[Ebiris]

"It is, isn't it?" Alicia agrees. "Lets take a little while to think about and process," she suggests. "We can talk about it later, after putting our thoughts in order. I'll need to tell Seira too, but I'll do that when we go to discuss the Zariel thing."