Epilogue: Caja
Caja paced restlessly around the hall of the refuge building in Randar, her movements sharp and anxious, the click of her boots echoing against the cold stone floor. Riza and Oyna stood nearby, watching her in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The tension in the air was palpable, thickened by the weight of the recent notifications: Trina had received an aspect, Vina had lost her Asharaina title, and, most disturbingly, they were no longer her Dedicated. Caja’s mind buzzed with questions, the foremost one escaping her lips. “Why would Trina take her title?” she demanded, her voice sharp with frustration.
The question lingered, unanswered, as Oyna stared silently at the floor, her expression inscrutable. Of all the guards present, only Riza seemed willing to speculate, though her hesitation was evident. “Maybe… she… didn’t try to save someone?” Riza ventured, her voice strained, as if the mere suggestion pained her.
Caja’s gaze swept the room, defiant. “We’re all safe here!” she insisted, her tone edged with disbelief. As if to mock her assertion, words flashed into view, freezing the breath in her lungs.
New World Quest: Stop, Vina.
A collective gasp swept through the room. It had been centuries since Trina had issued a world quest, and the abruptness of this one struck like a hammer. “She’s talking to Vina!” Riza exclaimed, her voice filled with both fear and astonishment.
Caja’s eyes narrowed as she studied the message. The comma was telling, subtle yet commanding. “It’s not a quest. It’s a command,” she pointed out, her voice cold. “She’s ordering Vina to stop.”
“She won’t stop,” Oyna interjected, her voice unwavering. “Whatever she’s doing, she won’t stop.”
Riza glanced at Oyna, puzzled by her certainty. “What makes you so sure?”
Oyna’s eyes blinked, and then she fell silent, as if the answer was too much to share. Caja watched her carefully, piecing together the fragments of what she knew about Oyna’s past. Even Caja’s partner, Ulesi, had once believed that Vina was The Shaper reborn. Though Caja hadn’t believed Vina to be overly cruel like The Shaper, she knew enough about Vina’s struggles with that dark legacy. The thought of what The Shaper had forced upon her friend pained Caja’s heart.
“The Shaper made sure of it,” Caja murmured, the realization settling over her like a heavy shroud. Silence followed her words, thick and uncomfortable, and Caja, unable to bear it, quickly turned her attention back to Riza. “Riza—”
World Quest Failed: Stop, Vina.
“Yeah?” Riza’s response was soft, but the disappointment in her voice was unmistakable, a faint echo of their shared dread.
“What happens to The Family now that Vina’s lost her title?” Caja asked, searching Riza’s face for answers she wasn’t sure she wanted.
Riza hesitated, her brow furrowing as she considered the implications. “Legally, nothing changes. Her masterpiece—her legacy—is what holds value. The title and the masterpiece are separate. But… I imagine The Lords Halos won’t be kind to her name. They’ll drag it through the dirt.” Riza’s fists clenched at her sides, a physical manifestation of her simmering frustration. “But what I don’t understand is this: What did Vina do that Trina didn’t want done?”
Caja shrugged, her thoughts swirling with possibilities, but she kept them to herself, seeking to draw out Oyna’s perspective instead. “What do you think?”
Oyna spoke slowly, her voice carrying an edge of reluctance. “Vina possesses skills that defy Trina’s system. When I obtained the Blood Runes skill, the system gave me an error as well. Perhaps Vina has acquired another forbidden skill.”
Caja’s skepticism showed in the arch of her brow. “During a fight with Zel'alor?”
Oyna tilted her head slightly, the gesture so subtle it was nearly imperceptible—a silent shrug. “We don’t know if Zel'alor is there. Vina has warned us that The Darkness lies. Her paintings show that Haco lies. Maybe her sister, Etana, lies too.”
Riza hesitated, her expression conflicted as she glanced around the room before motioning for the guards to leave. “I was using the Listen skill on the battlefield,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, as if sharing a dangerous secret. Caja stopped pacing, her attention fully on Riza. It was rare to see Riza break protocol, and the anticipation in the air was electric. “I heard Etana ask Vina to take back the aspects she had given to Trina. It doesn’t make sense. Why would she return an aspect, just to steal it back?”
“Vina wouldn’t do that,” Oyna said firmly, her voice like steel. “Etana might want more aspects for her necklace, but Vina doesn’t support her sister’s ambitions.”
World Quest Updated: Return the stolen Aspects 5/127
Caja was about to speak when the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, drawing all eyes toward the entrance. A charavara figure appeared, draped in the long robes, escorted by two of Riza’s guards. Their arrival was unexpected, and Caja’s heart quickened as she recognized their attire—a Ralenar, a messenger of authority. “Ralenar?” Caja asked, her voice laced with surprise as she instinctively straightened.
The Ralenar’s face was obscured, but their presence commanded attention. When they spoke, it was in Avathari, deliberately excluding the others from understanding. “You are reclaimed. The Kalenar desires to speak with you.”
Caja bowed her head, adhering to the custom she knew so well, and responded in the same tongue, matching the Ralenar’s cool composure. “I will go because The Kalenar calls, but I have been released for many years now.”
The Ralenar lifted a hand, holding it flat and palm up, a gesture Caja was surprised to see. The arrogance on display floored her. She was surprised to hear Riza audibly gasp as well. “Through unity we prevail,” the Ralenar declared, their tone imperious.
Caja turned her palms flat against her thighs and saw a displeased look cross The Ralenar’s face. She had dared to declare herself an equal. “Each path is ours to plan, every adventure ours to start,” she recited, quoting Avathara’s ancient words, refusing to be cowed.
The Ralenar’s expression twisted with disdain as they slowly closed their upturned hand, shutting down the exchange with a finality that left Caja bristling. “Maybe on Stigandore, but not on Palitern.” Without waiting for a reply, the Ralenar turned and swept out of the room, leaving a tense silence in their wake.
“In Trina’s name, the balls on that one!” Riza exclaimed. “Upturned hand? Does he think he's Kalenar?”
Caja gave a light laugh. “They don’t have balls, and they probably want…” but her sentence trailed off. Vina was there, materializing out of thin air like a phantom summoned from the depths of her nightmares. Caja’s breath hitched at the sight of her friend—armor in shreds, scars crisscrossing her neck and chest, her eyes haunted and distant.
For a moment, Vina seemed lost, trapped in some unspoken torment. But when her gaze met Caja’s, she recoiled, a sharp cry escaping her lips—a mix of fear, pain, and confusion.
“Vina?” Caja’s voice was barely more than a whisper, but it cut through the tension. Riza and Oyna were on their feet in an instant, their concern etched clearly across their faces.
Vina’s hand trembled as if struggling against an unseen force, her movements hesitant and frail. Caja reached out without thinking, clasping Vina’s hand in her own, a firm and steady grip that anchored Vina in the storm of her emotions. Caja felt every tremor, the quivering of muscles barely holding on.
Vina’s eyes flooded with tears. It was as if a dam had burst, releasing a torrent of pent-up emotions that Vina could no longer contain. Caja pulled her close, wrapping Vina in a fierce embrace as Vina’s legs gave way beneath her. The sobs tore through Vina’s chest, echoing in the solemn quiet of the refuge hall.
Holding Vina tightly, Caja felt an overwhelming need to protect her, a burning resolve to keep her safe from whatever had brought her to this breaking point. She tightened her grip, whispering quiet reassurances as Vina wept, her body trembling. But when Caja’s hand came away slick with blood, she stared at it, horrified. “She’s bleeding,” she said, her voice full of confusion and fear.
Riza rushed forward, her hands quickly inspecting the wound on Vina’s scalp. “It’s a deep cut. We need to stop this bleeding now,” she said urgently, guiding Caja’s hand to press against the injury as she searched through her pouches.
Caja’s heart pounded as she pressed against the wound, the blood warm and unyielding. “People don’t bleed in refuges,” she said, disbelief coloring her words. “Vina doesn’t bleed.”
Riza applied a balm to a bandage and secured it against Vina’s head, though the wound continued to gush. “It has to be self-inflicted,” she said, her voice strained. “But why would she—”
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“Doesn’t matter,” Caja interrupted, her eyes never leaving Vina’s. “What matters is she’s here. We need to keep her safe.”
As Vina’s sobs began to quiet, the distant look in her eyes faded, replaced by a weary awareness. Caja loosened her hold slightly, giving Vina room to breathe, but she kept her close, unwilling to let go entirely. Vina’s gaze fell to the blood on Caja’s hands, and the sight seemed to ground her, pulling her back to the present moment.
“I can’t… anymore,” Vina whispered, her voice raw and broken. Caja recognized the deeper meaning behind her words—Vina could no longer control her blood. Gently wiping the blood on her own armor, Caja spoke softly. “What matters is you’re alive. But Vina, you’re still bleeding. Can you stop it?”
Vina closed her eyes, nodding slowly. “Yes, but… it won’t heal.”
Oyna stepped forward, concern etched on her features. “What happened?”
“Zel’alor… I… I hurt it,” Vina said, each word heavy with unspoken horror.
Caja glanced at Oyna, her expression a clear warning. “Later. Let’s focus on Vina right now.”
Vina swallowed hard as if clearing a painful memory, “Are you all safe?”
“Yes. This refuge is still secure,” Caja reassured her, squeezing Vina’s hand.
“What about Ann and Etana? Where are they?”
“We think they’re still fighting alongside Haco on the western front,” Caja explained, her tone gentle but firm. “Do you want to go to the wall and see?”
Vina’s face paled, her eyes distant once more. “I can’t. I have to stay in the refuges. I’m not Asharaina anymore.” She turned to Riza, her voice tinged with desperation. “Can you keep find them? Bring everyone back to Valanire? I’m not Asharaina anymore.”
“You’re still Lady Esca,” Riza said with conviction as she placed a mixture into Vina’s trembling hands. “We’ll bring your sisters too.”
Vina nodded, clutching the mixture tightly as she took a wobbly step back from Caja. “Thank you. I’ll… I’ll see you in Valanire.” With that, she vanished once more, leaving behind a silence filled with unspoken fears.
Caja stared at her bloodstained hand, her mind heavy with the implications of Vina’s altered state. Oyna watched her, the weight of her knowledge evident in her eyes. “You know why her vibrance is so different,” Caja said, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Oyna nodded slowly. “She made a desperate choice. I will not expose her though, even if I disapprove of her decision.”
“You should clean that off,” Riza said, nodding toward Caja’s blood-streaked hand. “Vina’s blood isn’t safe.”
Caja sighed, her thoughts swirling. “I know. Whatever happened, it pushed her to the brink.” She paused, then spoke of her intentions. “I need to handle something before the portal ring is ready.” She was halfway to the door when a figure materialized in the hall. Caja turned, eyes widening in recognition. “Etana?”
“Where’s Vina? Is she back yet?!” Etana asked anxiously. Her eyes seemed to search Caja’s.
“You just missed her.” Caja said in surprise, not looking away as she stepped back into the room. “She’s gone.”
Riza stepped forward, giving Caja a glare. “Lady Esca, Vina instructed us to invite you back to Valanire. We’re waiting for a portal ring to be converted; it should be just a few hours before we can rejoin her. We were hoping Ann…”
“I can’t right now,” Etana said in a hurry, her eyes never leaving Caja’s. She took a step forward and spoke again, her tone harsh. “I know all about you. Are you going to hurt my sister again?”
Caja flinched at the accusation, but she held her ground. “No! Of course not. In fact I already made a life promise to both The Family and Riza personally that I would never harm Vina again.”
Etana scowled as she turned to Riza. “Keep an eye on her.” Then she stepped forward and vanished.
Riza watched Caja closely, suspicion lingering in her eyes. Caja, feeling the weight of that scrutiny, raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know what she’s talking about.”
“You should go,” Riza said firmly, but her tone left her words open for interpretation.
Nodding, Caja slipped out, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Vina. As she stepped outside, she noticed something extraordinary—the refuge barrier had expanded, stretching far beyond its original boundary, enveloping much of Randar, including the entire western wall. The sight took her breath away. “What in the world did you do, Vina?” she whispered with a mix of awe and trepidation as she gazed at the altered cityscape. In the distance, more barriers shimmered into view, rising like sentinels above the rooftops, each marking another refuge enhanced by Vina’s unknown actions.
Grabbing a tied-up mount, she swung herself onto its back and rode through the city streets. With a subtle shift of her features, Caja altered her appearance, adopting the guise of a more nondescript figure, blending seamlessly with the throngs of people. She couldn’t afford to be recognized now; her mind was set on finishing her business so she could return to Vina as quickly as possible. As she weaved through the winding roads, she passed through several newly expanded refuge barriers, their translucent walls now an unmissable feature of Randar’s changed skyline.
At the southern gates, Caja dismounted, tying her mount to a post before making her way to the command post. Disguised as a Ralenar, she slipped past the guards with ease, navigating the labyrinthine halls until she found herself in the heart of the building, where The Kalenar was deeply engrossed in conversation with his advisors, a map of the city spread out before them. Her arrival was marked only by a discreet hand sign, catching The Kalenar’s attention.
Valtor’s eyes flickered up, and he returned two quick gestures in response. “Sit. Please.”
Caja positioned herself against the wall, her posture relaxed but her mind alert. Though every instinct urged her to return to Vina’s side, the travel restrictions held her back, forcing her into a state of uneasy patience. Etana’s piercing examination of her earlier had left her unsettled, and she tried to refocus, letting the cadence of Valtor’s voice ground her.
Even without his armor, Valtor cut an imposing figure, his ashen gray skin marred by scars that told tales of countless battles. The sinew of his muscles spoke of strength honed over years, and his presence exuded both nobility and an underlying danger. He commanded the room with a quiet authority, his voice measured but unyielding. The lines of age etched around his eyes hinted at a lifetime of wisdom, tempered by moments of humor that softened his otherwise daunting aura. When the last advisor left, Valtor dismissed them with a nod, leaving only Caja in the room.
“You're too graceful to be Charavara,” Valtor said, his tone carrying a subtle note of amusement. “No disguise skill could mask your elegance, dear Valchirin,” he remarked with a slight smile.
Caja sighed, letting her disguise fall away. She covered half of her face, embarrassment coloring her features as she turned slightly away. “By Narpel's mask… Caja!” Valtor exclaimed, momentarily taken aback. “I didn’t expect…” His hands moved to his sides in a rare display of humility, a sign of equality between old friends.
“You’re greeting all chirin like this now, Valtor?” Caja laughed softly. “You’d have more success if I were really vara,” she teased, uncovering her face fully.
Valtor paused, a mix of amusement and embarrassment flickering in his eyes. “Clearly, I’m out of practice. I’ll need Ulesi to remind me of the proper ways,” he chuckled, stepping forward to touch her shoulder lightly, the gesture both familiar and comforting. “It’s good to see you, old friend.”
Caja returned the touch with a smile, though it faltered slightly as she spoke. “The paths I’ve walked have kept me away for too long.” Her smile slipped entirely as she continued, a forced lightness to her words, “Sadly, Ulesi has ended our partnership. Seems I’m as troublesome as you.”
Valtor’s laughter was edged with a deep sadness, his eyes betraying a shared pain at their mutual losses. “Well, maybe next time, we’ll find companions who can endure our madness.”
Silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken regrets. Caja’s gaze shifted to the far wall where a portal ring sat, covered in blood runes, an artifact that had been the source of much speculation. “Were you able to activate it?” she asked with quiet urgency.
Valtor looked back at the ring, his expression hardening. “Getting Vina to convert it in that small town was simple compared to this. Even if we could get it working, I worry the path home remains closed. I’ve heard you’ve been with Vina. Tell me, what’s your assessment?”
I…” Caja hesitated. She had time to gather her thoughts on Vina, but the girl was developing and changing so rapidly, Caja was constantly reevaluating. “She is a complicated person. And yet…well she claims Zel'alor is abducting our people and said she managed to wound it.”
Valtor’s eyes sharpened at her words. “Vina’s already killed several of our newest adventurers outside the city. The markings on the portal ring, and now this claim against Zel'alor—it aligns with our suspicions. She is Larathana.”
Caja’s throat tightened. “You sent me to find her, and I’ve spent more time with her than anyone. I’m not convinced, Valtor. Even if she hurt a Valchara, it doesn’t mean—”
Valtor’s laugh cut her off, rich and resonant, though his eyes were somber. “You’ll see what we see in time.”
He turned to leave, but Caja reached out, stopping him with a quiet call. “Kalenar?” Her voice carried the weight of their long history, filled with a rare formality that brought a flicker of confusion to Valtor’s eyes. She retrieved a golden disk from her pocket, holding it out for him to see. “Regarding my other quest, I found this on Seassa’s remains.” She swept it over her bracelet, and with a soft click, the bracelet detached from her wrist, falling toward the ground.
Valtor’s reflexes were lightning quick, his hand shooting out to catch the bracelet before it hit the floor. His eyes widened as he inspected the object clutched in his grasp. “Shaldimara?” he whispered, his voice filled with awe as he fiercely closed his fist around the bracelet.
Caja nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she pressed the disk into his other hand. “Yes, but only you can test Valtara.”
Valtor quickly swept the disk over his own bracelet, not bothering to catch it. “Stolthin’s grip…” he gasped. “It’s been so long.” Valtor flexed his hand as if moving it for the first time in decades. With a final movement, forming a fist, Valtor immediately vanished, replaced by another.
“Tharimak…” Caja whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she fell to her knees, overwhelmed by the sight before her. To see the legendary adventurer, alive and standing before her, was a moment she had never dared to hope for, even knowing Valtor’s lineage. Her voice trembled with reverence. “Valtor, what will you do?”
Tharimak’s face bore the lines of countless battles, his gaze filled with the weight of ages. Though Valtor’s spirit lingered, Tharimak’s presence was overwhelming, carrying an authority born of ancient wisdom and unbreakable resolve.
“I will stop Zel’alor,” Tharimak declared, his voice steady and unyielding. “No more of our people will be sacrificed in this world. This threat must be contained, and it is my duty to see it done.”
He paused, his eyes boring into Caja’s as if searching her soul for unspoken truths. “Caja, you must return to Vina,” he continued, his tone firm but underscored with a quiet, protective concern. “Your connection to her has not gone unnoticed. Among our people, the whispers grow. Many believe she is Larathana, and whether that belief stems from fear or fact, it cannot be ignored. Your fates are entwined now. To protect our future, we must ensure that Vina’s path does not lead to our destruction.”
Tharimak's gaze softened slightly, though his words remained firm. "Your future is now intertwined with hers, and to protect our people, we must ensure her actions do not lead to our undoing."
As his words settled over her, the room seemed to pulse with an unspoken urgency. Caja’s heart pounded as she absorbed Tharimak’s command, fully grasping the implications of her next steps. Her return to Vina was not just a mission—it was the linchpin in a battle for survival, a fight against forces that threatened not just Vina, but the safety of her homeworld.