Driven by a renewed sense of purpose, Pag and Aviva continue to explore the ruined city of Kyrbane. The weight of the refugees’ stories fuels their determination to find the Lunar Oracle, hoping she holds the key to stopping ProlixalParagon and ending the devastating war that has gripped the land.
As they venture deeper into the city, they witness a heartbreaking exodus. Families and individuals pack their meager belongings, their faces etched with despair as they prepare to flee their homes. The once-vibrant streets of Kyrbane are now choked with the dust of destruction and the ghosts of happier times.
Pag approaches a group preparing to leave, their cart piled high with belongings. “Where are you going?” he asks, his voice filled with concern.
An elderly man, his weathered face creased with worry, sighs heavily. “Anywhere but here,” he replies, his voice raspy. “The fighting… it’s too dangerous. We’ve lost everything.”
His words echo the stories of the refugees they encountered earlier. The war has spread like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path and leaving behind only ashes and heartache.
A young woman steps forward, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. “They say there’s a safe haven in the north,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “A place protected by magic, where the war cannot reach.”
“A safe haven?” Pag echoes, his interest piqued. Could this be the answer they’ve been searching for? A place of refuge for the innocent, a symbol of hope in the midst of despair?
He turned to Aviva, his eyes questioning. She shrugs, her expression unreadable. “It’s worth investigating,” she says, her voice barely a whisper.
Their conversation is interrupted by a commotion nearby. A group of refugees argues amongst themselves, their voices rising in anger.
"You can't leave!" one man shouts, his face contorted with rage. "This is our home!"
"It's not safe anymore," a woman pleads, her voice filled with desperation. "We have to go."
The scene unfolds before Pag and Aviva, a stark reminder of the chaos and desperation that war breeds.
“This reminds me a lot of home.” Avivas voice was nearly inaudible.
Pag turned to her, not wanting to push her with the question that hung at the tip of his tongue.
“The look in their eyes. Its like the look they had at home when the Keiligorn broke the pact.”
“Why did they break it” pag asked.
Aviva was silent long enough pag thought that she wasnt going to answer then she gave a huff, closing her eyes and lowering her head.
“The Keiligorn, their a prideful stubborn race that prides itself on its unwavering commitment to law and order. they viewed Ma'vahen's actions as a grave betrayal of the pact that had bound their two civilizations for millennia. The Kellin's decision to seek retribution, to prioritize individual vengeance over the established legal framework, shattered the Keiligorn's long-held belief that the Kellin shared their deep reverence for order. The delicate balance of peace, meticulously maintained for two thousand years, was irrevocably broken.”
“The Keiligorn saw Ma'vahen's actions not only as a transgression against their pact but also as a dangerous precedent that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their society. The potential for chaos, for the unraveling of their meticulously constructed order, was unacceptable. Their response was swift and decisive: the eradication of the Kellin and the retrieval of the Genesis Rocks.”
“The thing is that the Keiligorn understood the power that resided within the Genesis Rocks, their ability to shape reality, to create and destroy while remaining unchanged theirself. Minds that could continue unchanged, the memories, the knowledge, the ideals. They had long believed that this power could be harnessed in the pursuit of their ultimate goal: a universe governed by absolute law and order. My people, the Kellin, we’re the only ones who possess the knowledge to create these powerful artifacts. Because of that and Ma’vahen we now represented a threat, a source of instability that had to be neutralized.”
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Aviva took a shaking breath. “The Keiligorn's pursuit of the Genesis Rocks as a source for their flavor of law and order became so intertwined with their campaign against the Kellin. In the end they decided to erase all traces of the Kellin, to eliminate the possibility of the Genesis Rocks falling into the wrong hands, hands that might use them to further destabilize the delicate order they so fiercely protected.”
They stood in silence for a moment and a sense of calm washed over Pag. It’s subtle, a gentle pull towards a specific direction. Aviva sensed it too, her eyes shooting open and widening in surprise.
“Do you feel that?” she whispered, her voice hushed.
Following this unexplainable pull, they weave through the fleeing crowds and crumbling buildings until they reach a small, unassuming hut nestled amongst the ruins. A faint, warm glow emanates from within, beckoning them closer.
As they approach the hut, they hear a soft voice singing a haunting melody. It’s a song of sorrow and loss, but also of hope and resilience.
Pag gently pushes the door open and steps inside, Aviva close behind.
The hut is sparsely furnished, with only a simple bed, a table, and a few chairs. In the center of the room, bathed in a soft, ethereal light, sits a woman unlike any they’ve encountered before.
Her long, flowing hair is the color of moonlight, and her eyes shimmer with an otherworldly glow. She wears a simple white robe, and a silver crescent moon pendant hangs around her neck. She radiates an aura of peace and tranquility, a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction that surrounds them.
The woman stops singing as they enter, her gaze meeting theirs with a gentle warmth. “Welcome,” she says, her voice soft and melodic. “I have been expecting you.”
Pag and Aviva exchange a look, a mixture of awe and apprehension filling their eyes. They stand before the Lunar Oracle, knowing their journey has led them to this moment.
Pag and Aviva stand in awe before the Lunar Oracle, her presence radiating an ethereal calm that contrasts sharply with the war-torn world outside. The oracle acknowledges their arrival, confirming she has been expecting them. The moment crackles with anticipation, signifying the importance of their meeting.
"You have come seeking answers," the Lunar Oracle states, her voice carrying a melodic quality that hints at an ancient power. "The path you tread is fraught with danger, but also with great purpose."
Pag stepped forward, drawn by the oracle's captivating presence. "We seek knowledge and guidance," he says, his voice carrying a newfound confidence. "We need to stop the war and the suffering it brings."
"The war is but a symptom of a deeper corruption," the Lunar Oracle replies, her eyes reflecting a profound sadness. "A darkness has taken root, twisting hearts and poisoning minds."
Aviva, ever the pragmatist, stepped forward. "We seek a cure for Tombs Rattle," she says, her voice firm. "And we need to know how to stop ProlixalParagon."
The Lunar Oracle nods, acknowledging their requests. "The cure you seek lies within the Lunar Empire, hidden within the sacred gardens of the Moonstone Temple," she reveals, her words carrying a weight of ancient wisdom. "But be warned, the path is treacherous, guarded by those who serve the darkness."
Pag’s heart raced as he processes the oracle’s words. The cure for his illness, an answers to his countless burning questions, lay within the enemy's territory. The challenge seemed insurmountable, but the alternative - succumbing to the disease and losing this avatar- was not an option.
"What about ProlixalParagon?" Aviva asks, her voice edged with urgency. "What can you tell us about him?"
The Lunar Oracle's expression darkened, her eyes clouding with a shadow of pain. "They are a pawn in a larger game," she says, her voice heavy with sorrow. "A puppet dancing to the tune of a malevolent force."
"But he murdered the crown prince of Draggor!" Pag exclaims, his voice laced with disbelief and anger. "He is the reason for this war!"
"Their actions were orchestrated," the Lunar Oracle explains, her gaze piercing through Pag's outrage. "they are a member of a guild, a brotherhood bound by oaths of secrecy and loyalty. Their motives are shrouded in darkness, their goals a threat to the very fabric of this world."
Aviva gasps, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "He's in a guild?" she whispers, the implications of this revelation sinking in. “Which one?”
The Lunar Oracle nodded, confirming their worst fears. "I cannot say more than I have," she says, her voice heavy with foreboding. " they are coming. seek out the other oracles of the lunar empire if you wish to know more."
Pag felt a chill run down his spine. The danger is far greater than they imagined. They are not just facing one rogue player but an entire guild operating in the shadows, their influence spreading like a virus.
“We must stop them,” he says, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.
The Lunar Oracle places a hand on his arm, her touch surprisingly warm and reassuring. “You are not alone,” she says, her voice filled with a gentle strength. “There are others who fight for the light, others who stand against the darkness. Seek them out, unite your strengths, and together you may yet prevail.”
She then paused, her gaze turning distant, as if peering into the future. “A great sacrifice will be required,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “A choice that will test your very soul.”
Pag and Aviva exchange a worried glance. The weight of their responsibility settled upon them, heavy and inescapable. The fate of the world, it seems, hangs in the balance.