Chapter 100 - Prince of Life
The forest became deathly still as the trees and vines creaked into their final positions, completing the living barrier around Yuzu and Argus.
In the darkness beyond Yuzu could see golden and black strands of creatures laying in wait in the canopy. Every so often the blue light of Argus’ lantern would glint off a pair of eyes hiding in the darkness. Yuzu paid them little mind, as none of the threads entered the barrier.
There was only one thread that would approach them: The master of these unnatural woods.
Yuzu and Argus stood calmly in the center of the ‘room’, their eyes cast towards a certain direction.
After some time the wall in that direction rustled and shifted into an arched doorway, and from the darkness beyond a number of thin, elegant vines began to grow and wind their way into the room.
Along the vines delicate bell-shaped flowers with long stamens began to bloom, a soft green light glowing from within each bulb. They circled around the thick, angled tree trunks that formed the roof, looping down in long strands full of flowers that illuminated the area.
Argus kept the lantern held aloft, streams of fog still spilling out onto the ground. None of the plants that had grown around them dared approach the pool of drifting grey fog that gathered at their feet.
After the flowered vines had finished circling the room and settled into place, a single figure walked in through the door. After she entered the room the doorway closed, sealing them in.
She was tall, athletic, with light olive skin. Her long hair that reached down to her waist was gathered into thick, rough braids that resembled vines. She had high cheekbones and a broad jaw that was typical of southerners. Her clothes were made of leather and furs, though she was scantily clad by Kumin standards. She did not carry any weapons on her except for a crooked looking staff topped with a leafy, bulbous head.
From her attire Yuzu immediately recognized that she was from the Fuha Wastelands to the south.
The woman walked forward to the edge of the fog and knelt down, bowing her head respectfully. It was clear that she was doing her utmost to avoid any appearance of aggression or ill intent. She avoided looking directly at the two figures standing in the center of the room, keeping her eyes lowered.
“I am Medusa, elder of the Marked Devout, humble follower of the Great Prince Deka.” The woman said, introducing herself clearly. Her voice was lilted and raspy, and she had a heavy gutteral accent that Yuzu recognized as typical of the less civilized peoples from the southlands. Despite her heavy accent, she appeared quite fluent in Kumin language and customs as she placed her hand across her chest. “Please pardon me for my rude greeting, there are many ears in this forest, not all of them friendly.”
Yuzu raised an eyebrow, confused about the respectful treatment they were receiving.
“Are you responsible for the changes in the woods?” Argus asked, “And the events in the city in recent days?”
“Yes, but also no.” Medusa kept her head bowed, her voice full of hesitation, “We did not want to sow chaos in the streets. It was Lord Noga’s people who caused the mess by disrupting our ritual.”
“What ritual was this?” Argus inquired.
“One to bring back His Divine Kingdom.” Medusa said, “To cure the drought that plagues this land.”
Argus nodded, a deep look in his eyes as he turned to Yuzu. He spoke to her directly, using his powers of concealment to hide his words from Medusa. “She speaks the truth, mostly.”
“You’re reading her thoughts?” Yuzu asked.
“Yes. She is guarded, but she can’t hide her thoughts from me.” Argus replied, “It appears that she has received guidance from the Demonic Prince of Life to assist us. Or rather, you, specifically.”
“Me?” Yuzu turned to look at Medusa with a confused look on her face.
“Yes, you.” Argus grinned, also looking towards Medusa, “Your status as the White Maiden has granted you some respect amongst the higher powers.”
“Who is this Prince?” Yuzu asked Argus.
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“He is a demi-god that was vanquished in the past era during a great war between Gods. He was an ally to Okuron, the God of Knowledge and a brother to Jagrash, the Prince of Death. Though Okuron perished, the legends do indicate that Deka was able to escape and hide in his Divine Kingdom, the Verdant Wild.”
Yuzu raised an eyebrow as she looked up and down the ten year old boy in front of her. This caused him to grin as he shook his head,
“No, I’m quite sure I’m not a reborn Okuron. I have done quite a bit of research to confirm this.” Argus said, “He fell in battle and His essence was scattered into the Aether. Whatever alliance he had with the two Princes has long withered away. I hold no connection or fealty to this woman or her God.”
“The important fact here is that Deka appears to be, or was at one point, an ally of Fate. After all, Medusa claims that they have been acting as steward to this shrine of yours.” Argus’ rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he closed his eyes, “Strange, I don’t have any recollection of this fact.”
Yuzu frowned as she turned to Medusa, “What do you want from us?”
The woman in tribal garb had remained genuflected and motionless throughout their discussion. The strange words being spoken by the two foggy beings in front of her were otherworldly and incomprehensible. She did not dare look up - she had been warned by her God not to anger these individuals.
Though she did not know their identities, she could only guess that they were incredibly powerful since they were able to garner the attention of her Lord. One was slender and tall, with long hair. The other was short, the height of a child. They were both bathed in the grey fog, their features indiscernable. She did not dare ask them for their identities, or demand any information from them. She had no doubt that a mere apprentice such as herself could be killed by them with a single thought.
At Yuzu’s words, Medusa trembled slightly, feeling a harshness to the taller entity’s tone. It took her a moment to find her voice. “The woods are wild and difficult to tame. My Lord has asked me to be your guide.”
“Our guide to where?” Yuzu continued.
“You are headed towards the shrine at the plateau, yes?” Medusa said carefully, hoping that she did not offend the figure by presuming their purpose, “My Lord wishes you to know that he has been waiting for your reawakening all these years.”
Reawakening? Yuzu frowned, she was about to ask for clarification when Argus suddenly interrupted their conversation.
“Take us there.” Argus said with a commanding tone.
“Of course.” Medusa respectfully replied.
Argus turned to Yuzu, speaking so that only she could understand him.
“I see. So this is the situation.” He muttered as his brows knit together, “White maiden, let’s visit your shrine.”
Yuzu nodded, feeling the weight of Argus’ words. She felt that there was a deep purpose in referring to her as the White maiden and the shrine as her own. He had spoken those words under concealment, meaning that Medusa could not understand them. Why had he not simply called her by her name?
“Please, follow me.” Medusa stood up and bowed once more before turning and walking to the edge of the clearing. As she approached the vines and elevated tree roots bent out of the way, forming an arched doorway.
Argus followed behind, keeping the lamp held aloft, with Yuzu keeping pace beside him. Behind them the uprooted trees groaned and the ground shook as they buried their roots back into the forest floor.
Medusa led the way wordlessly, her hands waving in front of her as if she were silently directing an audience. As they walked the plants and underbrush shifted out of the way and the trees arched overhead to block the light drizzle of rain. Two elegant strings of glowing flowers lit either side of the path that was being created just for them.
In private, Argus asked Yuzu whether she could sense any other Exalted around them. Yuzu observed their surroundings for quite some time before shaking her head.
“Those unfriendly ears that you referred to earlier” Argus broke the silence, addressing Medusa, “To whom do they belong to? ...You don’t have to worry, we are currently the only beings present.”
Medusa hesitated before saying, “The monks that watch over these mountains.”
“They are resisting the rebirth of your Prince’s Divine Kingdom?” Argus prompted.
“On the contrary... We’ve been working with them.” Medusa frowned, “It is because of them that my Lord has been able to gain a foothold in these lands.”
“Then why are you wary of them?” Argus asked.
“That is...” Medusa trailed off, “...We have maintained good relations with the monks for years, setting up hidden shrines in the wilderness of the mountains to gather energy for my Lord’s rebirth. However we have not had much progress until very recently, when the Abbott suddenly announced that he had progressed on his path.”
“The Abbott of Cloud Peak, Deacon Glass.” Argus said privately to Yuzu, “He is known to be a venerable and wise leader, an Apprentice of the Domain of Spirit.”
Argus turned to Medusa, “Does this mean he is now a Disciple of the Crescent Moon?”
“Disciple, yes... but not of the Crescent Moon.” Medusa’s expression contorted into one of heavy concern. “He has recently reattuned to the Domain of Life. The path that he has advanced on to has a deep connection to blood and sacrifice.”
“Reattuned?” Argus raised an eyebrow, “Was this with your assistance?”
“No… The Market Devout was not a part of his advancement. We aren’t sure who helped him. Also, even though this path shares the same Domain as my Lord, I don’t know if we share the same purpose. He seems committed to reviving Lord Deka, and with his assistance we have have had more progress in the past few months than in the last ten years. Because of this I have continued to work with him up to now.”
“But…?” Argus prompted her.
She grew silent for a few moments, leading the way forward through the darkness. Her back was illuminated in soft green and spectral blue light, her vine-like hair casting long dark shadows as they waved about.
Her voice was quiet and forlorn as she continued softly, “But now I am afraid... Afraid that I have been deceived. All my sisters have died on this journey. I am the only one left. And the energies of Life that we are gathering are no longer filled with lush vitality. They’ve been replaced by a cold, corrupted hunger.”