The Mantle of Divinity

[TheWhiteWolf 1096]

 

 

Spoiler

 

As a lone figure strode along the ridge of a vast mountain range, gazing down at a valley of pestilence and decay, memories resurfaced within their mind. They recalled a profound conversation from a distant land, words spoken by a powerful entity whose name still eluded them.

 

‘...Descendant-kind cannot destroy Divinity, unless Divinity is what you wish to mantle..’

 

With each step, the figure carefully navigated the gruesome remains of a decaying creature, afflicted with a mysterious disease. Finally reaching the edge of the ridge, they peered down upon the nightmarish scene below. Monstrous creatures with twisted bodies and putrid flesh roamed relentlessly across a landscape of festering sores and toxic rivers. A foul wind blew across the valley, forcing the figure to shield herself momentarily, revealing a weary woman beneath the hood.

 

..The Manipulation of the Stream of Souls is all the Divines wish to achieve. You walk in the footsteps of Divinity, not knowing that you wish to become the same thing that you hunt...

 

Silently, she gazed upon the dying world, one among countless others she had encountered in her cosmic odyssey through the infinite realms of reality. Few had experienced what she had, attaining a power many would find impossible to comprehend. Throughout the countless years of her existence, she had shattered the boundaries of possibility, transcending from a young orphan in Petra, struggling for survival, to being bestowed the Mortal Arts of the Shepards. Eventually, she shed her mortal coil and achieved the dreaded apotheosis of a Wight Barrowlord. And yet, her power continued to burgeon, liberating her from the confines of her domain and allowing her to traverse the physical barriers of the universe at will, commanding the very expanse of the Cosmos at her fingertips.

 

However, a singular destiny loomed before her, the words of that fateful conversation resounding once more.

...if you wish to believe that the souls of a small hamlet would harm Divinity, then you shall enjoy your erasure from existence upon the creation of such a weapon...

 

Astark lowered her gaze to her right hand, clenching a fistful of damp earth from her homeland. In the distance, the bestial creatures sensed her presence and roared hungrily, alerted to her intrusion in their blighted domain.

 

"The Mantle of Divinity..." she murmured, pressing her closed fist to her chest, her eyes ablaze with cosmic radiance.

 

In an instant, she vanished from the ridge, leaving behind a world consumed by decay.

 

Her feet touched down upon the earthen floor of an underground cavern, concealed beneath the world of Aevos above. Invisible to the eye, fine grit and sand, along with the remnants of extinguished candles and incense from her escape ritual, were scattered about her feet.

 

A passing hooded figure, an Acolyte adorned in red robes, hurried by, head bowed in reverence. "My Lord" they addressed her in passing.
 

Astark offered no response to the nascent Acolyte, merely granting a fleeting acknowledgment with her gaze before the figure scurried deeper into the cavern. Continuing on her path, Astark contemplated the weight of the Mantle of Divinity—an insurmountable task that lay ahead. To become that which she sought to destroy...

 

Approaching a weathered table strewn with scattered parchments, she swept her hand, causing the top layer to disperse, revealing a diagram depicting a massive gateway carved from stone, adorned with ancient runes, and featuring a stone phylactery at its center. A gateway to the forsaken plane.. She knew what she had to do if she was to secure freedom for her people, but what would it cost? Once again, the words of the entity echoed in her mind.

 

...if you wish to believe that the souls of a small hamlet would harm Divinity, then you shall enjoy your erasure from existence...

 

In response, she released a breathless sigh of defiance, accepting the path she had now chosen for herself.

 

"Then we shall take such power from the source.."

 

Spoiler

Found some time on my hiatus to get a bit of writing done, this details my characters thoughts and plans about an upcoming Story Arc i wish to pursue for her. Should be fun for all those that get involved along the way. Hope you all enjoyed and see you all again soon!