A Light Extinguished

[The Templar 195]

 

 

It was another day in Aesterwald, thought the expectant mother, a blizzard beating against the city of Vanderfell. Mia had expressed her concern over Airon's lateness, thinking he might not come out naturally at all. All such gloomy thoughts, were banished as the father came in after his long trip. Pleasantries were exchanged, and a gift she had been sewing and embroidering for him was finally finished; A white silk cloak, edged with golden thread, and the clerical symbol embroidered in the same.

 

It was time. Mortified at the thought she had wet herself, her husband and closest friend stared at her frozen form, before the doctor had realized the child was coming. Preparations went underway, and the fearful mother-to-be had her hand taken by the faithful knight that took her in, "Lenia, it'll be alright." He whispered, his voice betraying his fear. She squeezed his hand lightly, as they waited for the appointed time.

 

The child was coming. Agony swept through her, radiating outwards from the womb. "Push, when you feel the contractions now Charlotte, we'll get through this!" Her doctor would say. The words never reached her, as the pain was all she could think about. "Do something Mia!" Exclaimed her concerned husband. "I'm trying! Charlotte! You need to breathe and push! You can't go unconscious now!"

 

It was no use. She kept growing weaker and weaker; The pain was too much. "It's no use, she's too tired!" Exclaimed an increasingly worried doctor, "Charlotte, push!" Yet it was not to be. Feeling helpless, her husband manifested holy light to ease the pain, setting forth, unintended consequences...

 

She was dying. The dim realization made it through her mind too late, the cleric's well-intentioned actions ceased her heart and lungs. The pain had stopped, but there was yet one job to do, as they fretted. "The baby!" Mia would exclaim hurriedly, "Lyuin, take care of her, I need to cut it out!" A scalpel was reached for, and used, the infant extracted blue and gray, from asphyxiation.

 

The child would live, thought the relieved doctor, as a strong cry began to come out after some heart-stoppingly frightful resuscitation.  But as for the mother; Death had claimed her this night, and he was not to let her go of his unbreakable vice. Shock and severe trauma rocked both husband and friend; Life had been given, and life had been taken away. One, had lost the moon to his sun; The other had lost her only real friend.

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

It was warm, she thought. Why would the seven skies be warm? Looking around, she saw herself cloaked in a loose robe of white silk, her feet bare. "Where am I?" She spoke aloud, her stutter curiously not manifesting. An overwhelming presence would flood around her, lights of white, blue, gold, and silver, would each manifest like a rainbow. Soon, the image of a stag with horns holding up the stairs themselves would appear in the distance. Gold, is it's fur, shining of it's own light.

 

She stared, and was unashamed of such, staring for quite a long while before movement caught her eyes. She glances quickly, and staggers, falling and yet remaining upright. In the distance, were those who truly loved her as family, the family she never had. Gathius, Lucius, William, and a silver-haired high elf she did not know, until their eyes locked. She was looking at a mirror of herself, except taller, and blue-eyed. "H-Haelun?" She stammers, looking at the arrayed deceased, seeing sad smiles on their faces. Her eyes are drawn irresistably to the stag's light, and she goes solid, as if warring against something.

 

Just as soon as it began, it ends, a single nod being everything, as she casts off her mortal deeds as a cleric, to the deity that empowered her. She would step lightly, happiness flooding into her with each slow step towards her kin, until she skips and twirls like the little girl she was, prior to her connection. Lenia Avern, known priorly as Charlotte de Silvarois, has made her choice. The Silver-Haired Demon, has moved on from this life.

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

                                                                    

                                                                                             Lenia Avern, wife of Lyuin Avern

[The Templar 195]

Couriers are sent out, with black envelopes as their package, adorned in black. Recipients would receive their letters in whichever order they were found.

 

 

Janos Ith'ael

Uncle Janos, I have no doubt that this letter comes as a surprise to you, seeing as how I have not kept in contact. As the courier may have expressed, you are receiving this letter to inform you of my death, not that you will mourn it. Even after the abuse you inflicted, I still remembered you as my kin, despite the urgings of those around me. I still, know not how much of the abuse was you, and how much was the demon inside of you. Regardless, what you have sown, you shall reap. Should you wish to avoid this fate, you will seek out the Itharel, and let yourself be purged of the Iblanic force within. -Your once-adoring niece, Charlotte.

Seth Calith

Maln, I truly apologize deeply, for not remaining within Annil'sul, after seeing Janos within. It would seem that death has finally caught up with me regardless, though I know not the means. I request that you do not mourn for me, for I am truly free of the pain and suffering you attempted to ease, at long last. -Lenia

Watcher

Dearest Watcher of the Descendants, greetings in the name of Tahariae. I wish we had been able to speak, one last time, so that I might have apologized for the irrationality of my youth. It was never my attention, to inflict harm upon you for the brotherly affections that you showed for me. It grieved my heart, that I had misread them as the lust most showed for me. By the time I had realized this, you were already gone. May Tahariae the everlasting, forever illuminate your path. -Lenia

Mia de Silvarois

Beloved, I know that my death has been a tragic shock, and that this letter may only add further pain, but I must convey in death, what could never have been conveyed in life. Your touch kindled something I sought after for the rest of my life. You were the first to show me the tenderness of love, restoring my broken heart with your selfless love. Though I may have moved on from your love I remembered it always. Janos had almost driven me to suicide, with his abuse. Nightly, I would cry to sleep, whispering your name. It was only through Mandru's assistance, that I was given the courage to escape the demon in elvish flesh. And yet, once I had obeyed Mandru's order to kill you for your supposed heresy, I was wracked with anguish. Though I didn't hesitate in the act, every waking moment was hell, like my mind was being turned inside out by the act. Worse still, I took your husband, for my own, abusing his selflessness to fill the void left by my sin. Your children, I cared for as if they were my own, going so far as to being called “Mama” by them. The crimes I committed against you, were the greatest sins I have ever known. I was undeserving, of your tenderness and forgiveness, all those years later. You forgave me anyway. I see that you will be a magnificent priestess of Tahariae, following in William's steps. Please take care of little Airon for me, and do not let him follow in my footsteps. P.S. Please, take care of Isaac, the happiness we shared was as genuine as I had believed Marcus to share with me. My death will disturb him greatly. -Your loving blood-sister, Charlotte de Silvarois, Adopted Daughter of Ser Jeremiah di Silvari, knight of the crimson rose.

Jakir Axem

I do not expect this letter to bring mourning to your eyes, Jakir. Regardless, there are words that still require to be said. You were once the High Paladin of the Clerical Order, and you had abandoned your duties to leave all the leadership to a fragile little girl, too young to understand what she was doing. Your negligence, led to the violence against the Temples, and to my own numerous deaths. You and I shared something special, as we worked together to heal the sick, but it became clear that you desired something more than a friend. Regrettably, I was not ready for such with you. I did not let you down easily, but with your confession of love, everything you had done until then became revealed in the light of lust. When we healed, was it to glorify Tahariae, or to worm inside my underwear? By not putting the faith first, you weakened both of us, leaving our cause of purity weaker than it had been before the confession. In my death, I charge you with one duty, so that Tahariae may be glorified at last in your actions. Lay down the carnal pleasures, and purge the impure as demanded by our patron. Cleanse the shade, and slaughter the necromancer. -Lenia, former High Priestess of Tahariae.

Mandru Vonschlichten

Dearest Mandru, I hope this letter finds you well. It would appear that death has taken me into his bosom, freeing me from the tormentuous hell I have lived in for the last thirty years. I owe you innumerable thanks, for the opportunity you gave me to escape Janos' grip, but I also deeply regret following your orders that fateful night. I killed my only friend, the only woman who would have died for me, on your orders. Words cannot convey the torments I witnessed following thereof, but it still remains, that you were my benefactor. I have little doubt that it was you, who encouraged my rise within the Order, despite all the trouble that I caused. I do not begrudge you the absences you took, leaving the weight of your leadership upon my shoulders. I was not ready for that weight. The letter seems unfinished, and unsigned.*

Airon Avern

Dearest Airon, my darling baby boy, it truly grieved my soul, at the possibility I would never see you grow up. I do not know what Lyuin has told you of me, but the truth is what will be contained within. Do not think less of him, should he have withheld or changed information, as he has his reasons. I was a powerful priestess of Tahariae, wielding the holy gifts of healing and arm in his name. I lived my life in service of the Archangel before mentioned, serving the true deity's cause as my own. I was a Mali'thilln by birth, as pure-blooded mali'aheral are called. You are related, quite distantly, to the family of the murderer Janos Ith'ael, one of the shades that your maln and I detested so for their murderous tendencies. I was blood-sister to your godmother, through her father's blood-pact. But lastly, the only advice I can give you from beyond the grave, would be to guard your purity jealously, to respect the flowers of the unattached Mali'aheral women. To seek only the worthiest of Mali'aheral to take as your wife. A Mali'thilln by the name of Seth Calith, can assist in this endeavor, though his standard of conduct, will be strict. I love you, mali'i, always know that I always wanted you, and always sought to raise you. -Your loving Haelun, Lenia Avern, daughter of Azatae Ith'ael.

Lyuin Avern

Izzie, it grieves me that this this letter has come before you. I always thought we would live out our days, raising little Airon side-by-side. It seems that Tahariae saw fit to do otherwise. Stand firm in the faith, brave paladin of mine. Weep not for me, for the torture of my life has been lifted. You will be a magnificent father to little Airon. I will always love you, even after death, my loving knight. -Your beloved wife, Lenia Avern

[Paint 51]

Once Lenia entered the heavens, she would notice a man, a man she knew well, yet he looked strong and young and stood with a sense of happiness and bravely; something she may of never seen from him. William looked over to her with a wide smile his black cloak being pushed away from himself, revealing his arms he holds them out to her' beckoning for her to come in for a hug.

"Welcome to the heavens, Lenia welcome to a land where there is no suffering; and a warm embrace of light and comfort all the time, for this is your final resting place and the place you deserve for so many years of selfless service" He'd clear his throat, a tear coming from his eye "I missed you, old friend." 

[Lyuin 65]

Lyuin Avern's letter remains closed, the black envelope tucked into one of the many inside pockets of his coat, untouched...aside from perhaps a weathered corner touched by rough hands or stained by tears.

 

It would remain that way for sometime.

[Gathius di Silvari 73]

Mia stares at those dead eyes, her head resting on Charlotte's chest for the longest time. Her body is num, her arms limp at her side, still covered in Charlotte's blood. She has long since cried out all of her tears. She couldn't believe she was dead. The baby cries, and she forces herself to move, walking to the baby, smiling and sucking on her hand. She was hungry. She forces a small smile on her face for Aila's sake. Though the smile is a stark difference to what she feels inside. Agony.

[Avacyn 1712]

What awaited the silver-haired girl, beyond the grave, was a world as had been prophesied by the many desperate souls upon the tortured soul of the mortal world, who longed for something better in the after life. They would get it, when their time came: and now it was Charlotte's. 

A step upon the warm cobble paths that made up the Seven Sky's roads, and the newly-awoken soul is greeted by the heat and comforting warmth of a familiar forge: that of Wallport's manor. A glance into the building reveals a blazing fire, and she lays eyes upon a young, smiling boy. He brushes a bit of his light blonde hair from his eyes. 

"Hey, Charlotte. I finally finished your order- Real sorry it took so long, but I wanted it to be perfect for when you arrived." He extends his hands outward, holding a silver circlet in his calloused hands: shaped like a stag's antlers, intertwined. He raises his hands, and places it upon her head. He would then go to grip her hand. 

"Welcome home."

[Samler 1564]

Seth frowns as someone seeked him, cautiously accepting the letter and returning to the safety of his home, his frowns only deepens as he reads the letter and sighs deeply.

"And so, another one fell. Little.. Surpise.. They all die in the end." He shakes his head with a small grimaces. "And I even liked her.. At least Anya and Elleyun can still lighten up my day, hmm?" He speaks to his plain staff almost as it was a person. "And Ceriren too, yes." He sighs. "I at least seemed more sane then I spoke to the dog..."

[dandan1350 479]

Ivanus stood atop the tower of the Sacred lights home as ever adorned in his Itharel plate. His hooded face disguised the face of what people thought to being an emotionless hunk of armour, twisted in a mixture of thought and pain as he played over the current affairs in his mind many a time. His hands clasped together, gauntleted fingers interlocking as a single plated finger was kept free to idly tap against his hand. There he stood, silent and watchful, tired and conflicted as his emerald glazed eyes scanned over the horizon of the mountains that scattered the landscape view he received from the balcony. A short few moments after glancing across his eyes connected with a small dazzling light near a mountains peak before a shudder ran down the man’s spine, an unusual thing for him to feel. He paused his tapping, eyes moving back over to where the he had first thought the spark to appear from, his hands slipping from their lock and one curling up and around his hood to pull it from and reveal the young elf's face to the harsh and colder winds of the high altitude. Squinting as his hands then fell to the balcony and he gripped the stone support tightly his golden plate digging into it and indenting the seemingly solid stone as his lips began to move committing to an inaudible murmur, his calm expression fading as his lips formed into a small frown.

 

“Another one leaves us..”

 

He hand loosened around the support as he moved to stand himself up, head flushing with thoughts as the armoured hulk began to storm down the halls his boots booming down the freshly laid out wooden slabs. His turned, turned again, down a flight of stairs, across a hall, down another flight of stairs, again another turn, again another hall. His small journey seemingly endless as he moved to reach his destination with thoughts flooding and rushing through his mind.

 

“Who fell? Where was it? Why?” The questions repeated over and over again in different styles each time, disturbed by the now missing clerical aura he began to slow his pace and took a cool and calming breath as he reached the wooden door that would end his journey, opening and stepping into the darkness of the room in front of him the Itharel disappeared for many hours, the slight ***** of tool against something sounding out and the odd crash of something else erupting from behind the closed door as work was held there.

 

Seven hours it took the man as he glanced down upon his creation in a new location, a beautiful garden concealed within the depths of what was known as the infinity vault to few. Infront of him laid out was a small tombstone rested beside a few others as he trail a hand across the thin stone to wipe off some left over residue of the chiseling that had occurred.

 

“Rest now, my child. Your service is done and your burdens are lifted, thank you for fighting beside us whether you healed the ill or fought back the scourge of this world you will not be forgotten.”

[Jake the Dog 290]

Jakir slowly lets out a pained breath looking down at the letter closing his eyes "So,Charlotte. That is how you remembered me. I loved you, for a time. But I look back and I saw it was born of my own loneliness." He lets out another deep breath hands shaking as he lays the letter on the table. "You always were the better cleric dear Charlotte. But I shall miss you, one day we will meet again and maybe be friends again. I will miss you dearly but I know you are not alone. So go, Charlotte. Go in the embrace of Tahariae. We will meet again soon, but not yet. My work is not yet done. I will keep you in my heart like many others will, and... would of been an amazing mother, I'm sure of it." The war cleric opens his eyes heading out into the world.

[Glyc 234]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.