Look to the Skies

[Lucius Zephyrinus]

How long had it been since his boots touched this place. How long since he had seen the wonder that was Yalanze? Once it was finished, the plague had been ended, he left this world for another. In his absence it seemed much had come to pass but this hero was restless and could never remain in one place for long. While Yalanze fought for it's very soul he was off saving other worlds, yet now he was summoned back here. The very core of the world called out to him through the void, disrupting his travels and returning him to the Creche. In a very strange way he was bonded with Yalanze, she had a strong spirit that spoke to him, much like the Storm Blade.

Storm blue eyes gazed around the room in wonder as if it was the first time he had set foot here. As the power flowed into him, his eyes crackled with electricity, a visible sign of this rooms essence. Yet for all the glory of this room he remembered that there was a reason he had been called back here. Unsure what was happening, he lowered the hood of his travelling cloak and surveyed his surroundings. He was not disappointed by what he would find her either, that much was certain now. The very chamber resonated with the soul of one being who was accepted by the Creche as a sacrifice and her soul was now being remade into a vessel for the power here.

"What wonders you have called me to bear witness to. I could not be more honored." he spoke softly as if he was talking to the Creche it's self. As her body reformed into a hollow vessel, her energy was smashed together with the power in this place. The process was not elegant, after being super charged her soul was stuffed into the empty shell that was crafted here. Yet even so, Lucius bowed before her in wonder as he watched the process. Never before had he bore witness in person to this event, even if there had been a few gods since he became the keeper. Yet this one soul was special, perhaps more special than any other vessel that would be forged here. Inside her she carried love enough for the world, compassion for all people and all things. Her new vessel was to be protected, worshiped and adored as the goddess of love.

Rising Lucius bowed to the woman who would come from the swirling energy in the room. His smile was bright, his presence commanding and his voice gentle. "Welcome to the Crèche. Your soul has been found worthy among the chaos below to be reborn into something wonderful. You are safe here, do not worry, you will come to understand with time." he said extending a hand towards her.

[Mari]

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She didn't know what had happened. One minute she was in Heaven as she felt her connection with the Creator re-establish, hearing her brothers and sisters sing to her and the next she was being handed over (if such a thing made sense given that she was a soul and non coporeal). To a place that most assuredly held the Creator's touch and blessing. At first she felt nothing but a soothing calm as her soul was infused with the energy of the Crèche. She felt something outside of herself happening but not having anything other than a vague impression she ignored it for the most part.

It reminded her of when the Creator had first shaped her. At first she slept and rested, then slowly became aware as her brothers and sisters welcomed her into being. This however, felt far more lonely. Then suddenly, her being was shoved into it's new vessel. In an instant her memories came flooding back. More than many beings could process unless they were angelic or god like in nature. Thankfully the mind that this new vessel held was up to the task and before she could become overwhelmed she felt things click into place with an inaudible click.

She gasped out loud as she felt suspended in air for a moment before her wings popped out and she lightly drifted to the floor. Her form had been clothed in a coral dress with gemstone accents. Around her arm the artifact of her office clung gently, looking bejeweled for the moment to go with the rest of her outfit. Silver sandals bedecked her feet and as her vision came into focus she saw a man who looked as though he had been through a war. His words made no sense to her. Her brow wrinkled in confusion and fear shone in her eyes but she took his hand. It felt odd to be touching another being and she swallowed involuntarily. He seemed kind and sincerely wanting to help her.

"Who are you? How did I get here? I was with the Creator and then the next thing I know I'm here. I...." Her voice trailed off as she recalled throwing herself in front of Vlad so he wouldn't be hurt.

"I died...." She shivered, suddenly cold as she remembered the sound of Samael's blade. She shook her head, her long black hair flowing about her. The sides were held back by a clip that mirrored the cuff on her arm. "I have to get back! My family needs me. Vlad is caught up in the power of his mantle I can't stay here! The war that is going on will harm the world!"

She went to move but felt a wave of dizziness "I can't stay here I have to go and stop him....He doesn't know what he's doing." Her body felt odd and uncoordinated and she stumbled a moment before the shoes she was wearing transformed into bejeweled flats that matched her gown. Inwardly she focused hoping her husband could hear her, 'VLAD!! I'M LOST IN A PLACE CALLED THE CRÈCHE. COME GET ME!!!'

Marina felt stupid, as the dizziness of her new body made her feel like an awkward turtle that flopped around and didn't know what to do. "No offense, Sir but I must get home. My husband and children need me. They're in the middle of a war with the dragons and my husband resurrected a lich dragon after I was kidnapped." She was babbling incoherently, mostly out of shock and a real desire to help her family not to make itself extinct with it's own petty issues.

Then it hit her. She had died. Her family might not even be looking for her. Everything she knew might be gone. She had no idea how much time had passed. Her knees buckled and she fell, her hand still in Lucius' own.

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Tagged: Lucius
Words: 654
Outfit: OUTFIT
Notes: She's in shock.

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[Lucius Zephyrinus]

There was a moment of confusion on his end for a moment as she spoke. He was not surprised that she was afraid but confused as to what she meant by creator. The Crèche was mother to all here on Yalanze, as far as he knew any way. Perhaps this was something that he had long forgotten, that there were those who still held faith in earthen gods. With that in mind it all sort of clicked with him what was happening here- she was an angel previously. Her sacrifice must have triggered the change within her and that was why she was dragged here. It was usually rough for them, considering they usually knew where they were going to return to when they died. This time was different, however, and final as she would not return to her heaven when she perished. Once her spark was finished she would now return to the Crèche to be recycled for future use.

"Your death was the ultimate sacrifice which the universe saw fit to reward. You have been given a new gift, your vessel remade in the power of the gods. You have ascended past your old form and joined the Yalanzian Pantheon. Just in time too if you ask me, it was starting to get a little quiet in here." he added. His attempt at humor was probably lost on her at the moment though due to the sheer terror of her situation. She did not know the final outcome of her sacrifice, what had become of the moment in which she perished. Unfortunately he could not help her out there, he had only just returned to this world himself through the portals. Wrinkling his brow in a frown, he let go a slight sigh as he tried to make sense of what she was saying.

He tried to do his best to reassure her but it seemed that in her confusion she was frantic. Steadying her when she swayed, he tried to lead her towards a bench that manifested. Here in the Crèche one could manifest what they needed most with but a mere thought. "You'll have to relax. Your vessel only just reformed and you are not acclimated to your new power yet. If you leave now there is no telling what might happen. You could simply fall apart and die a final death this time." he warned with a concerned expression. He was blunt, sometimes painfully so, but he did not believe it right to withhold such important information. "Instead of worrying, let us see what we can see." he stated, moving towards the center of the room.

Closing his eyes he tapped into his power, opening a shimmering blue portal that seemed to reflect images within it. At first it panned over the battlefield she spoke of which was eerily empty, save for a woman hugging a tall blonde man. His sensing allowed him to scry for the things she yearned for most in this moment due to the power of the room. He lingered for a moment before the image rapidly changed to a man dressed in dark leathers. He paced back and forth in his chambers like a caged beast, occasionally throwing something over in a fit of rage. He appeared like a man haunted, unable to escape the fate that was laid out before him.

Finally the last image drifted to another dark haired man, quite a bit younger than the first, and he simply seemed to be asleep. The angle of his scry did not reveal to them any other details for if it had it might have been quite a bit invasive and embarrassing for the lady. Opening his eyes once more, he looked to Marina for a moment before he relaxed. "The people you are worried about are fine for now. You must put yourself first for the moment." he said. It was hard, he assumed, for a parent to make that sort of decision.

"I am Lucius Zephyrinus, you are?" he asked.

[Mari]

“Pantheon?” she asked as she glanced about. His joke did get her to smile weakly, “Well if you and I are the only members no wonder it was quiet…” Her attempt to joke fell flat as she tried to wrap her head around what had happened. “I felt this bracelet in my robes and then it attached itself to my arm when I was being held captive...” She gestured to the jeweled band that graced her right arm now, “It changed into a bow and arrow. I didn’t use it to hurt anyone but it did help me find my family.” She said softly as she tried to make sense of everything.

She sat down quietly, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders, “I understand. I’m afraid for my family. Vlad is the Angel of Death. He will kill all the dragons he can get his hands on unless I can talk to him. Is there a way for me to at least speak with him? He thinks I’m gone.”

His comment that she put herself first made her nod. She was very tired and frightened of all that had happened to her. She’d been very isolated for a long time and to be suddenly confronted by a stranger and be in a strange place unsettled her. “I…well my birth name is Zadkiel. But the last incarnation I had I was Marina Drăculea wife of Vlad Drăculea, Queen of Sylthanus. I know the title sounds pretentious. It was my husband’s idea. I’d have just been happy being me and not a Queen.” She offered her hand to shake, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Lucius Zephyrinus. Would you mind telling me what I am supposed to be the deity of and what you are the deity of? This is all so confusing.”

She sat because she was physically tired. Mentally her thoughts were confused and she felt like she was going through a million things at once, “What happened to the other Gods? Where did they all go? Are they elsewhere?” she asked. “I don’t mean to be a bother I just know so little of everything and for all that I was a Queen, no one really listened to me.” Her voice grew sad with that. Everything she had tried to do had failed horribly. Her children were hell bent on destroying themselves and her husband was Death itself. The weight of it all made her eyes tear up, “I don’t understand why I am worthy of anything when everything I ever tried to do failed horribly.” Her shoulders slumped and her wings sagged sadly, “And why do I still have my wings?” she asked in confusion as they settled themselves on her back instinctively. “I look like a cheesy Valentine Card.”

[Lucius Zephyrinus]

The worry radiated from her like an aura, much like her new power that he could sense strengthening. She was filled with doubt of what she was, what she could and would do. Being a god did not always mean that one was sure of themselves, they were just as vulnerable as mortals. At first most did not understand why they were chosen- especially those who did not seek it out for themselves. While he could relate he did not fully grasp how they felt because he sought out this power, the chance to become a hero and the opportunity to make a difference. In this instance he had no idea how to help her with her current problems, it had been years since he had an attachment to anything or anyone else.

"They'll be okay, especially since you are alright. The problem is if you do not focus, this is going to take longer. We need to figure out just how stable you are. The sooner I can evaluate that the sooner we can send you on your way." he said with a soft smile. It felt like he was a physician for the Crèche rather than it's keeper, he often checked the power of those who passed through. Closing the scrying portal he had opened, he moved to the bench and sat beside her saying nothing for a long while. She had many questions that he wanted to answer for her but he wasn't sure that she was ready to hear the answers she would get.

Lucius could only laugh as she explained her old life. So she was an Angel, that made more sense to him when he thought about it. That was why she was so close to death in such a physical way, she was to cage the beast. "You kept your wings because technically you're still an angel. You're simply a lot more powerful, maybe even on par, with the one who brought you into being." he explained casually. Granted she didn't have the power alone to create entire worlds but she was definitely strong, carrying such powerful feelings within her. Harnessing the power of love was perhaps one of the mightiest of things that could ever exist.

Then her questions turned outward and she wished to know more about things here. With a laugh, he shook his head at her slowly. "There have been very few of us since I became the guardian. There are those that came before me but they are all unaccounted for now. As for new gods since my induction? Well, you're pretty much it beyond Vlad. Though I never knew him personally, the Crèche does not have power over what he is, he is something different entirely." he said. It was the one that that he did not understand but Vlad never appeared here to his knowledge or perhaps he simply could not see it. Moving on to her final question, he nodded and smiled at her. "But of course you would be wondering that, as I was originally but I see it clear as day now." he announced.

"You are love. You are the source of all that is good in this world, love, hope. You bring light to those creatures down there, even the ones who have closed themselves off to their soul." he explained. The way he explained it he made it sound like she was the end all be all of gods and in a way she was. Certain stations could be replaced instantly but it was much harder to find someone who was such a pure source of love. "The manner of your death was what lead you here. You chose to throw your life into fates hands out of love for another being. Such selfless acts would turn a mortal into an angel but as an angel there was nowhere higher you could go except here." he said with a gentle laugh.

Her final question was perhaps his favorite as he loved to show off. Closing his eyes he opened another scrying portal that showed them a calm and beautiful ocean. Lucius drew several deep breaths and raised his arms as he did so and what came next was horrifying. The winds kicked up violently as the water swirled dangerously, bolts of lightning struck angrily from the sky as if sparks flying from the anvil of the gods. Dark clouds covered the area, turning it pitch black as heavy rain poured from the sky with such density that it obscured the view. As quickly as it came, suddenly it all started to recede as the sun crept through the clouds and he opened his eyes.

"I am wild, like the storms and so my power is dominion over such an unpredictable element." he explained with a laugh.

[Mari]

She knew he spoke from the heart but he did not know her husband and children the way she did. He did not know how much trouble her children and Vlad could get into now that they were grown and had nothing to guide them even the miniscule amount that she had. Her wings sagged as she sat there. "I suppose you are right. It's not like they listened to me anyway. I was a failure to all of them." There was something about talking to a total stranger that made her more open. Maybe it was because for the first time she felt lost or because there was no one spying on her and judging her every word to find flaws with it. "Forgive me, I am not normally so morose but with the events surrounding my death it's a bit hard to process. I am grateful they are alive at least. I half feared the children would murder each other and Vlad would go insane so I suppose if they are alive for another day it's another chance for them to learn and grow."

"I see. I suppose I am grateful for someone to talk to. Its...been a long time since I could speak freely and be listened to." she admitted to the elder god quietly. Having to fake a smile and pretend to be something she was not was a sort of armor but now, in this new form everything was processing. How badly her life had been in Sythanus when Vlad wasn't there and how her very presence had caused him problems. Her children had been a joy but as they grew they distanced themselves from her as if they were ashamed of her. THAT had hurt the most. She had cried many nights and prayed for the words and tact to reach her children. She loved them; that had never changed but she doubted they loved or even wanted her in their lives. Katya saw her as a week Stockholm Syndrome wife incapable of leaving even after she had been freed but she failed to account for the trauma that would have hounded them if she had left. They never would have been safe. They would have been hunted till they were dead and that was no life for teenagers raised to privilege. Their father's loss was hard but to tear them away from everything would have been cruel. They were adults and they had to learn on their own right from wrong and regardless of their choices she would love them still.

"I do?" she blinked at his explanation, "I don't understand. I never seemed to reach anybody when I was down there so how could I do it now?" It completely confused her and shook her out of the doldrums a little. "I mean I try not to be cruel or hurtful. Even if the demons were turning Vlad and my children down a dark path. I thought if I objected too strongly they would chalk it up to my angelic nature and want to do the exact opposite of what I advised." She admitted, "Forgive me I am babbling but I'm trying to process a lot at once and explain myself so you can get a better understanding of my mindset. I suppose I see what you mean but there have to be a thousand angels that sacrifice themselves a day. It's all a lot to take in." she admitted as she rubbed her temples.

Watching him work she blinked, "That is amazing. Do you just randomly cause storms or do you have a purpose to your work? Is it mood based?" This was something that interested her. While asking about someone else she didn't have to think of all her failures and worry for her family. "I suppose since I am here I should ask questions..." she added embarrassed.

[Lucius Zephyrinus]

As she continued to put herself down he could only chuckle lightly. She was so hard on herself but she did not yet see what he saw in her life. For every failure she had success, even now he could feel the strands of fate re-working the destiny of her children. If only she knew what was coming for them, her song would be so much different. "You are too hard on yourself. Children listen to no one, it is a constant no matter what changes. Have some faith that something took root and you will be rewarded in the end." he said. Even he was much like her children from the sounds of it when he was young. Yet that did not mean that change wasn't just around the corner.

"Death is not easy for anyone." he stated simply in reply to her apology. A simple truth that most did not seem to grasp, no matter how prepared you were, you were never actually read. "Here you can say whatever is in your heart and I promise I will do my best to understand." he replied. While he was a wild man who loved to fight he was also gentle when it came to others, he knew when to stow the crap and listen. Yet for her maybe he did not have all of the answers since she too was an oddity like her husband. Somehow she came here while he had never stepped foot in this room, it even puzzled him who was suppose to have all of the answers to questions like this.

It amused him that he had to do very little actual talking, she seemed to piece together things on her own. Leaning back against what appeared to be nothing, he smiled as he placed his hands behind his head. "Even now you care, despite all that has been done or said. You continue to prove what I have explained to be correct. Just because it did not appear to be working does not mean that it did not." he said. Lucius had been to many worlds where things were never as they seemed, he learned to think in ways that made little sense to anyone else. "Stay the course, it is the right one. Don't let a little storm knock you off the path." he said with a slight chuckle at his own expense.

"There are a thousand angels but none of them are you. Fate chose you, for what and why? Well that is not up to me to determine, you're the only one who can walk that path." he said. His answers were most likely maddeningly unhelpful but he did his best to try and aid her. Yet the conversation somehow turned to him after his little display of power before her eyes. There was a pensive look on his face as he gave it thought, often the storms had no purpose. When he was mad, so were the skies, when he was angry once more as to were the skies and so on with his emotional spectrum. "I guess they are, I never really paused to give it thought. Sometimes I do it because it makes me feel better and servers a purpose. Sometimes it just happens." he explained.

"Fire away, I'm sure I can answer almost any question." he said. Though he was surprised she had yet to consider one very obvious possibility. He said that she could not leave yet but never did he say that it was impossible to bring someone to them.

[Mari]

It seemed like Lucius had the patience to hear her out and for once Mari was glad. This was one situation she knew nothing about and she wasn’t going to lie about being scared of the weight on her shoulders for it. “I feel scared and overwhelmed. Who am I to make decisions for other people? It’s just. I’ve spent so much time doing what I am told and following the missions that I was given that the thought that I will have to make decisions on my own is a bit…intimidating. I don’t want to hurt anyone.” She exhaled slowly, “I’m used to being able to meditate and hear the creator to steady myself. Can I do that here?” she asked him softly. She’d had children of her own but she’d never lost sight of the fact that she too was a child of the creator. An older child to be sure but one who still needed her parent. That was what had made life bearable in Sylthanus. The knowledge that one day her children and herself would meet with her other family and she would be able to mourn Ian properly.

She laughed genuinely at his words. “I was always the sibling that looked after others out of the Archangels. Many of the others forged ahead or thought I was silly but I just…it was how I was made.” She shrugged, “I have such wonderful siblings who have done such amazing things. Even the ones who drifted were once so full of life….” Those thoughts made her sad, “But that was a long time ago when things were much different…” She blinked tears away, “But anyway then we were given humans to take care of and now all these other races as well.” She smiled in spite of the sadness, “No one knows me any more but I remember what they have forgotten.”

“Ohhhh. I hate to think of you being angry or sad but I suppose if you were not you wouldn’t appreciate joy so much.” She smiled softly at him, “You bring rain to the flowers even as you may bring damage to other places; such is the way of the world but it all helps things to progress as they are meant to.” She wanted to bring him comfort, “I am sorry you spent so much time here alone. It must have been lonely for you.” She slowly began to feel a sense of belonging to this place.

Her mind turned and she looked at him such a thing turned in her mind but even as he thought she should ask she thought of this as his space and so wondered aloud, “This is your sacred space. Am I allowed company here beside yourself? I would not defile your private space or offer umbrage to you. But perhaps we could bring someone here? Like…Vlad. You said he had not been here and it might help stabilize him. He needs to know I am okay and I need to let my children know. They are scattered all over but….Now I can visit with all of them and not just the youngest ones! This is wonderful!” She grew excited at the thought, “They could meet each other finally with no harm coming to them based on where they were. We can light a candle for my first husband Ian since he passed and things will slowly mend. Especially Matthew. His heart is broken from losing his love Autumn. My poor boy has been running away from things for so long.” The thought of Matthew made her eyes well up. “I must do right by him if I can. His heart is so fragile. He needs someone to listen to him.”

She pinked as she realized she was babbling. “Again I have let my thoughts run away with me.” She smiled wanly. Feeling as if she was imposing on his kindness.

[Lucius Zephyrinus]

A soft smile came to his face as she admitted her fear, another reason she was chosen. Marina was absent arrogance and self righteous notions of importance. To fill her station she was required to be the best of them, her resolve beyond reproach. With every word spoken she further cemented the cosmos decision to raise her to such a lofty perch. "Your fear grounds you, makes you easy to relate to, and ultimately easy to follow. You do not need to make choices for anyone, you are present merely to guide those in pursuit of such virtues." he said with a short laugh. Most thought being a god was all commandments and wrath but there was more to it than that. One had to understand the people, their needs and the world they were a part of or face being forgotten.

"Your creators presence cannot be felt here. His power does not pierce the veil of the Creche, you must travel beyond the walls." he instructed. It was perhaps the one place scrying and magical connections did not remain active inside of, this place was meant to remain under wraps. There were too many beings out there who would seek to misuse the power of such a place should they ever manage to step foot here. Having been of Earth once, Lucius did not even trust the almighty god that was said to have created his home world. Before he would have laughed religion off as a silly tale, yet here he stood now a god himself wielding the power of nature as a spear much like a famous Greek god from his home world.

There was a nod in her direction as she spoke of his emotions, his power. She started to think like a god which was becoming of her station. With one hand they gave and the other they took to balance the scales. "It is how I keep myself from falling to despair, knowing that even my rage may do some good for this world. It is my duty to keep the storms in check or else they would consume the world." he said. He loathed to think about what might happen if his power was unleashed to run rampant across the surface of Yalanze. It's surface would become almost uninhabitable like many of the worlds out there Yalanze was linked to.

At the mention of Vlad, he shook his head. He was unsure what his presence here might do to the realm and so he paused to consider. "He is bound to gaia, I could not force him here even if I wished it. You will have to go to him, which the time draws near for you to do so. I fear that I have kept you from your true purpose and would see you back to Yalanze as soon as you are ready." he said with a grin. At first it was he who held her here, unsure of what might happen but he could see that she was stronger than he could have imagined.

She would not be at peace nor take in what he required of her in this state of mind. Rising to his feet, he extended a hand to her to do the same. "I would have you at peace for the trials to come. Tend your family, their wounded hearts and return to me when you are finished." he said with a laugh. Placing both hands firmly on either of her shoulders, he smirked at her. "My apologies," he started but did not explain. Instead his power filled her, she would become a bolt of pure lightning as she was belched from the sky in a blue streak.

"So it begins." he mused happily.

[Mari]

She did not mean to be rude to Lucius, it was just her nature to always be busy. Even when she had been forced to rest for the birth of her children, Mari had maintained a presence wherever she was. She made certain that things were done to her specifications and that she was not idle even when resting. Staying in Sylthanus had been difficult because her movement had been severely curtailed as well as her actions. In this space she felt renewed as if she could run and do anything that she had been denied in the castle. To laugh and dance without reason or purpose was a wonderful thought. Yet for all this, she listened to what the Elder God had to say.

“I imagine this to be a bit like…getting ones own home away from the family?” she asked for confirmation as she listened to his soothing voice. “Your storms do good then and it is well that you are the one that controls them. I doubt another would have the presence of mind to do such a thing.” She knew how many vampires had abused weather control and it was part of the reason Sylthanus had nothing last long on the land. There was simply too many selfish people to put storms to good use so when it was needed the rains did not come as wished. People and crops suffered and still the greed rolled on. It made her sad to think on it and she forced herself to focus on the task at hand.

A look of relief filled her face, “Oh good. There is a war brewing and I would hate for unnecessary bloodshed to occur because Vlad is in one of his moods.” She explained to her newfound friend, “I shall return presently. Now that I have seen this place, barring it being locked to me, I should be able to return upon my own power, yes?” she asked him as she looked up at him, “I shall do my best. Apologies for---“ she was cut off as she was turned into a bolt of pure power and launched as if from Mount Olympus itself, to the unsuspecting world below.