Vescrutia: Legacy

“You don't know what you're talking about..”

Khei’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Qarinah, the weight of her words pressing down on her. She had heard of the Four Horsemen, legends passed down in whispers, but she had never truly believed they were real. “I’ve heard that story.” Khei said slowly, her voice filled with skepticism.

“But it’s just that, a story. I don't know where you got these tapestries, or who made them, but Arcturus wasn’t destroyed by magical horsemen; it was destroyed by the Trinity—warriors, not mythical beings. Men, not fables.”

There was a sliver of uncertainty restraining her words. Enough for her to reflect on what she remembered.. She lived within Arcturus for a time, but it was destroyed when she was still a child. She never saw what happened, or who was responsible.. only legends and rumors.

"What do you really want from me? No more lies."

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Current Energy Level: 90%
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Qarinah's eyes softened, though the predatory edge lurking beneath her golden gaze never fully disappeared. At all times, the woman radiated an air of ancient wisdom, her presence both alluring and intimidating.

"I assure you, my dear, I have no reason to lie. .." she began, her tone gentle almost coaxing as she gestured gracefully toward a nearby table.

–Said table was laden with ancient scrolls and weathered tomes that pulsed with a subtle, arcane energy. Each item shrouded mystery secrets, the remnants of eras long forgotten.

"These," Qarinah continued, her voice taking on a reverent tone, "are but fragments of the knowledge I have amassed over millennia. They are proof of the truths I speak."

Her eyes, now gleaming with a strange mix of pity and understanding, locked onto Khei's with an intensity that made the younger woman’s pulse quicken. "The tale of the Trinity," she said, shaking her head slowly as if lamenting the naivety of the world, "a convenient fabrication—an illusion crafted to soothe the fears of the masses, to offer them comfort in the face of incomprehensible horrors. But the truth, my dear... the truth is far more terrifying."

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the air between them. Surely, Khei could feel the gravity of what was being revealed, the enormity of the knowledge that Qarinah possessed. "The Horsemen," She continued, her voice now a low, ominous murmur, "They are very real, Khei. And they are not legends, not myths. They are harbingers of death, agents of the apocalypse. And you bear a responsibility—a burden—to decide how you will act upon their return.”

There was a moment of silence, the weight of Qarinah's words hanging in the air like an ominous cloud.

"The hour of reckoning is approaching," Qarinah continued, her voice firm, yet with a strange, almost maternal care. "This world will need the collective strength of every being who wishes to see it survive. And you, Khei, are a crucial piece of this struggle."

Khei felt a chill run down her spine as Qarinah's words settled heavily upon her. The concept of the Horsemen, ancient entities with the power to unravel reality itself, was nearly inconceivable. Yet, here stood Qarinah, a being of such profound power and wisdom, asserting that these horrors were not only real but on the cusp of manifesting.

Conflicting emotions surged within Khei—fear, doubt, anger. She had spent years evading the darkness that plagued her, only to be told that this same darkness might somehow be the world's salvation. The idea seemed preposterous, but Qarinah's unwavering conviction made it difficult to ignore. Khei’s gaze met Qarinah’s with a mix of skepticism and reluctant curiosity, her usually sharp, dry tone softened by an undercurrent of disbelief.

"I'm not saying I'm convinced, but.." she began, folding her arms defensively. Her words were delivered with a distinct accent, carrying a rhythmic quality that highlighted her agitation. The notion of being part of some grand prophecy—entertaining the idea felt like madness. But the alternative— ignoring the warning, walking away from whatever this was– felt even more dangerous.

She paused, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the puzzle Qarinah had presented.

“If I were to believe you,” Khei continued, her tone tendered with both determination and apprehension, “..what exactly is my role in this so-called prophecy? How am I supposed to fight something that has the power to ‘unmake’ the world?”

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Current Energy Level: 95%
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With a flick of her wrist, Qarinah summoned one of the scrolls from her table, the ancient parchment floating gently into the air as if guided by invisible currents. Her eyes, alight with arcane knowledge, narrowed as she began to unravel the scroll, her psionic energy bringing forth a tapestry of holographic images above them, illuminating her words with a spectral glow.

“The pantheon you are entangled with,” she intoned, her voice steeped in reverence, “are known as the Primordials. There are four of them, each an embodiment of ancient terror that predates even the oldest of civilizations.”

As she spoke, the ethereal light above them illustrated her words with vivid clarity. “These are ancient entities, beyond the scope of mortal comprehension. They have been revered as deities and feared as devils, their capacity for devastation beyond compare. Yet, their true essence is seldom grasped. They are not inherently malevolent; the cataclysmic destruction they leave in their wake is not born of malice but is a mere byproduct of their very existence.”

Her gaze grew more intense, reflecting the weight of the knowledge she shared. “Y'golath the Void Wyrm, Cth'ari the Endless, Vorath the Celestial Blaze—these entities exist either in indifferent isolation or are wholly ignorant of the lives they obliterate.”

Turning her attention back to Khei, Qarinah’s eyes held a mixture of awe and solemnity. “The Primordial within you, Ul'duin, is distinct. While the others deliberately avoid one another to preserve their existence, Ul'duin is driven by a primal, insatiable urge. It seeks unity, not out of a desire for completeness but from a raw, primal compulsion to consume them.”

She gestured to the scrolls and artifacts spread before them, her voice dropping to a near whisper as if sharing a grave secret. “These texts reveal their nature and purpose. They are not meant to exist in isolation. When Ul'duin has consumed the others, the Primordials will be restored to their true form, their original power fully realized.”

Qarinah’s expression softened slightly, though the gravity of her words remained undiminished. “So there, I've revealed to you the extent of my knowledge.. I cannot reveal what I do not know– their locations are as much of a mystery to me as they are to the rest of the realm.”

She said, causing the visuals to cease. She then rose from her throne and made her way over to her table of tomes and antiquities, collecting a few of them in her arms.

“However, I may be able to guide you to one. Deep within the Lost Wastes, where time and reality twist and contort, there lies a forgotten temple. In its depths, rumors of a living inferno that blisters hotter than both of ours suns.”

Khei's eyes darted between the vivid, holographic illustrations conjured by the scrolls and Qarinah’s intense, unwavering gaze. The weight of the revelations about the Primordials—ancient entities beyond the scope of mortal understanding—pressed heavily on her. A shiver crept down her spine as the full impact of Qarinah's words began to coalesce in her mind.

"Alright.." Khei said, her voice laced with a blend of skepticism and reluctant curiosity, a trace of exhaustion threading through her tone. "Let’s say I buy into this.. You’re telling me that this beast inside me is just a fragment of something much larger, something that’s driven to consume the others to become even more monstrous?"

She crossed her arms, her expression darkening as she absorbed the enormity of Qarinah’s offer. "And to start, you expect me to just waltz into these Lost Wastes and locate some forgotten temple? A temple that hasn't been seen in what, a couple thousand years– and then kill the sun monster sealed inside? Yea sure, should easy enough."

Khei said sarcastically as she exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing through her hair, struggling to maintain her composure. "Honestly, none of this sounds like good plan. I don't even know how much of it I believe, but if you’re offering a way for me to understand more about this– Ul'duin entity, and maybe even how to keep a leash on it.. then I'll play along."

She said reluctantly. "I’m not saying I trust you completely, but I can’t ignore the possibility that you might be right."

Her gaze locked with Qarinah’s, a mix of defiance and curiosity sparking in her eyes.

"Lead me to this temple.", Khei said with a resolve that cut through her uncertainty. "I’ll see what I can find."

Her words carried the weight of determination, confidence, and trepidation, reflecting the internal conflict she faced as she prepared to confront yet another formidable challenge.

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Current Energy Level: 100%
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"Before you depart, Qarinah began, her voice smooth and melodic, "I have prepared something for you." She moved toward Khei, holding a bundle wrapped in rich, dark fabric that seemed to hum with a faint, ancient energy. The artifacts within resonated with power, each one a testament to the ages from which they came. She extended the bundle to Khei, her eyes gleaming with a blend of reverence and purpose.

"This," Qarinah continued, carefully unwrapping the bundle to reveal its contents, "is the culmination of all we have discussed. It is a collection of scrolls and tomes, some originating from your own tribe, long thought lost to time. Now, they return to you." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in, knowing the significance these relics would hold for Khei.

Qarinah’s hand reached toward the scroll still floating above them, drawing it into her grasp before adding it to the bundle. "This will serve as a map to the borders of the Lost Wastes," she explained, her tone shifting slightly as she handed Khei a small, weighty pouch filled with coins and jewels. "And here is your payment."

Her gaze flickered toward the amulet that Khei had stashed away, the one she had so carefully procured. "As for the amulet," Qarinah said, subtly gesturing toward it, "you will keep that as well. It is not just an artifact—it is the key to the temple. The place you seek is not merely hidden; it is sealed by ancient wards that only this amulet can unlock. It will be your passage, your guide into the depths where the Primordial slumbers."

She placed the bundle into Khei’s hands, her fingers brushing lightly against Khei’s before she withdrew them. "The temple will test you, challenge you in ways you cannot yet foresee. But I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion."

As Khei took hold of the gifts, Qarinah’s expression softened, her intense gaze giving way to a hint of something almost protective. "Know this, Khei–the path you are about to walk is one that few have dared to tread. You carry within you both a burden and a destiny. What you choose to do with it is yours alone to decide, but remember—you are not alone in this. I will be watching, from afar, of course. Do not hesitate to seek me out. I may answer... sooner or later.”

Khei’s fingers tightened around the bundle, the ancient scrolls and tomes feeling heavier now with the weight of responsibility they represented. Her mind buzzed with everything Qarinah had just revealed, the reality of her situation settling in more deeply than before. But as she prepared to respond, a thought struck her—something that had slipped through the cracks of their intense conversation.

Her gaze, which had been fixed on the artifacts in her hands, slowly lifted to meet Qarinah’s. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, mingling with the curiosity and wariness that had marked their entire exchange.

“I just realized,” Khei began, her voice softer now, tinged with a hint of embarrassment. “I.. never asked you your name.”

It was an awkward moment, considering everything they had discussed. Khei had been so focused on the information, on the weight of the destiny that had been thrust upon her, that the simple act of asking for a name had seemed irrelevant. But now, as she looked at Qarinah, she saw something more—a potential ally, someone who might be more than just a mysterious figure dispensing cryptic advice.

She let out a small, almost nervous chuckle. “..with all this talk of ancient, cosmic horrors and hidden temples, I kind of skipped over the basics.”

Khei shifted her stance, the realization making her feel a bit more grounded, as if she was connecting with Qarinah on a more personal level for the first time. She didn’t know why, but knowing this woman’s name suddenly seemed important—as if it might offer some insight into the enigmatic figure who had just handed her the keys to an unfathomable journey.

Her eyes searched Qarinah’s, looking for something more than just answers about the Primordials. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.” Khei continued, her voice steadying. “And I’m grateful for the guidance. But if we’re going to be working together—or at least, if I’m going to be following your advice—I’d like to know who I’m dealing with.”

The gravity of their conversation still hung in the air, but there was a new layer now, a subtle shift from mere transaction to something that could resemble trust. Khei wasn’t sure what to expect from Qarinah, but in this moment, she felt a connection that she hadn’t noticed before—a connection that made her wonder if this woman might be an ally in more ways than one.

Her grip on the bundle tightened, and she added, “So, what do I call you?”

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Current Energy Level: 100%
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Qarinah’s lips curled into a soft, knowing smile as she watched Khei grapple with the newfound realization. Her eyes, deep and unreadable, shimmered with an ancient wisdom as she studied the young warrior standing before her—this girl who bore a burden far heavier than most could imagine, yet still had the presence of mind to ask such a simple, human question.

She took a step closer, her movements graceful and deliberate, like a predator that knew precisely when to strike and when to hold back. Her hand gently reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Khei’s face, the touch light but strangely intimate. It was as if, in that moment, she was acknowledging the shift in their relationship—a subtle, unspoken bond that had begun to form amidst the talk of ancient horrors and impossible tasks.

"You may call me Qarinah," she said, her voice laced with a velvet richness that made the name feel like a secret shared in the dark. "And I assure you, we will get to know each other more very soon."

Her eyes held Khei’s for a long moment, the air between them thick with unspoken promises and mysteries yet to be unraveled. There was something in Qarinah's gaze—a mix of warmth and something darker, something that hinted at layers upon layers of depth that Khei had only just begun to glimpse.

"All in good time, dear," Qarinah added, her tone playful yet tinged with an underlying seriousness that suggested she knew far more than she was letting on. There was an almost motherly quality to her now, a subtle shift from the enigmatic guide to something more nurturing, more protective—though still undeniably dangerous.

She gently nudged the bundle in Khei’s arms, her touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if imparting some of her own strength into the objects she had gifted. Then, with a small, almost dismissive wave of her hand, she took a step back, her expression returning to its usual inscrutable calm.

"Now, run along, dear. I need to prepare dinner.” Qarinah said, her voice taking on a light, almost teasing quality. “And you have much to prepare for.”

With that, Qarinah stepped back into the shadows of her throne, the light in the room dimming slightly as the ancient scrolls and tomes once again hovered back to their places, the air thick with the promise of secrets yet to be revealed. The finality of her words hung in the air as Khei departed, a curious mixture of dread and anticipation settling in her chest as she stepped out into the unknown.