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Wayward: Missing (Book 5)
20 - Finding the Path

20 - Finding the Path

Temple [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHeoVUlHu-eAz6iT478W3Iuup4xxDri1yMliDxXsaYG9RQ2T8-dpT0fyDwO_LpGND8H46IIgHhjIioum7-6DJTOKg0QElS_9snjMIXx-YkNiOiC14Mz2_TRh1afW8DesKxARsiRtMzlPl4gZGbTE6-oh=w621-h931-s-no?authuser=0]

The priest of Scholar arrived once more to help Phoenix to her feet and guide her to yet another temple. This one more curved and reminiscent of the Taj Mahal with intricate carvings of fantastical places carved into the marble exterior. She paused at the front door that would most likely lead her to yet another divine being and glanced at Lester with pleading eyes.

He chuckled and patted her shoulder consolingly, “Last one,” he reassured, then opened the door and nudged her inside.

“Welcome, wanderer,” Phoenix was greeted by a dark skinned woman with emerald hair dressed in a dark green cloak with a nautical compass star emblazoned over the left side of the chest with what seemed like simple traveling clothes underneath. The woman had long tapered ears similar to the runeforged and cinderen but this woman’s were even longer and she was noticeably missing the other species indicators so it was obvious that she was something different.

“I am Kyleen Lastrand, a Priestess of the Traveler. It’s an honor to meet you in person,” the newcomer said with a relaxed smile.

“Priestess Lastrand is originally from the elven nation of Serenydi to the northeast of Tulim,” Lester interjected, as though in answer to her silent musings.

The elf smiled and nodded in affirmation, “Indeed. I have traveled far and wide and my journey has brought me here to guide you to my deity and offer my assistance should you accept their favor.”

Phoenix winced slightly, “So Traveler wants to get all handsy too?”

Kyleen laughed brightly, “I’ll leave that for the Traveler to explain. Follow me, please.”

As the priestess turned to lead the way, Phoenix gave Lester one last look, who nodded reassurance, then followed after the newest stranger.

The first floor of this particular temple tower seemed like a war room with framed maps covering every wall and large tables splayed out as three dimensional models of various places. If she ever wanted to plan a journey to anywhere this was the place she would want to stop by first.

While she knew that eventually she would need to plan exactly that in order to accomplish her divine task, based on what both Paul and Scholar had said she wouldn’t need to worry about doing that for quite a while as they prepared to bunker down for the impending blood moon and she focused on getting stronger.

The thought finally formed a question that had been brewing in the back of her mind and she voiced a question to the priestess, wondering what information the elf might be privy to, “Warrior mentioned that this blood moon would be the worst one in history, why does he think that?”

Kyleen seemed to hesitate but continued walking and answered, “I would not dare to presume the reasoning of a god, especially one that does not whisper to me, but it has become increasingly known that one of our own has betrayed us in an effort to assist the invading Soul Reapers.”

“One of our own?” she repeated in question.

“The Purifier, god of cleansing, has called upon his followers to assist them in not only destroying our Reality Rifts,” the priestess explained cautiously, “But in also performing forbidden rituals to extend the blood moon in an effort to both thin out resisting forces and cause more deaths and thus more souls will be reaped.”

“That’s horrible,” Phoenix whispered back. Then paused a moment before adding awkwardly, “Paul said he was a former Paladin of the Purifier…”

Kyleen nodded, “Yes, he was quite the talk of the city a few years back when his journey brought him home and his path forked,” the elf said, then glanced back at her before continuing, “I’m not sure if it’s my place to explain that particular situation.”

“I would rather not say something careless to him, especially if we’re going to have to fight his former church too,” Phoenix pointed out, hoping to not have to make her mentor uncomfortable with asking him these questions directly. However, she had a feeling that she would want the story from him either way and amended, “Actually, nevermind. You’re right. I should hear it from him and get his side of the story first. I owe him that much.”

The priestess nodded in understanding and returned to the story, “Anyways, those rituals that managed to go off have basically caused Krafti to… Are you familiar with how our moons behave?” The elf questioned and Phoenix reminded herself that Kyleen wasn’t a priestess of Scholar as she nodded and the woman continued, “Well, it basically seems to have increased its maximum mana threshold substantially and increased its absorption.

“Which in turn seems to be causing the event to already be arriving about a year later than normal, and it’s building up an even more massive amount of mana that it will take longer to expunge. In effect, instead of a single month of blood moon level monster spawns, experts are estimating about ten months.”

Phoenix blanched, “Ten months of people being crammed together in the city as the world outside gets destroyed by monsters?”

“It is an understatement to say it will be a difficult journey for everyone,” the priestess said forlornly. Then gave her a sad smile, “It will take everyone’s effort in finding the path to victory.”

Phoenix had barely noticed the other levels they passed by on their way up the tower as she worried over the upcoming struggles the whole world would be facing soon. When they arrived at the top floor, she almost cried at the sight of another glowing deity that she was sure would cause her more pain in the end.

Her curiosity was slightly peaked, though, as she couldn’t tell if this one was a god or a goddess. Perhaps, it was the lithe features of the elven species they portrayed, with teal instead of green hair like the priestess, but there weren’t any strong sex characteristics on display for her to assume with. She tried to steel her nerves as Kyleen gestured for her to continue on and cautiously walked forward, stopping a few meters away to give a respectful bow.

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The deity smiled gently and said in an androgynous voice, “Welcome, young wanderer. You have journeyed far to arrive here. Not many traverse the cosmos before arriving within my awareness.”

“Not all of it was by choice,” she admitted a bit shyly, “I am grateful for the experience though,” she admitted and paused a bit uncertainly, distracted by the view she suddenly noticed as the temple walls were missing on this uppermost floor, being open to the air and a chill breeze grazed across her skin, ruffling her hair.

She shivered slightly at the tickle across flesh and took in the view of the temple district from above with its colorful collection of towers, the three she visited being some of the tallest but one stood taller still. A grand golden castle tower that seemed topped with a crown glimmered in the daylight and even from this distance she could see giant gemstones embedded into the elegant engravings covering its exterior.

She wondered exactly which god it belonged to and figured that if she had to bet, her money would be on the god of money or monarchs, maybe both.

“I believe you know why I had my servant bring you to me,” the Traveler said with a look of amusement, interrupting her introspection.

“Ah, yes,” Phoenix replied eloquently, “Well, kinda? Scholar and Warrior gave me skill- I mean, knowledge tomes, to help in my quest for Hero and Rebel.”

The genderless deity smiled once more and stated, “Yes, I requested your presence to offer my favor and fix a fault within you.”

Phoenix's face scrunched up in confusion, frustration, and a bit of offense. She knew that she had many faults but she wanted to fix them herself now, not have some divine entity tinker around with how she was.

Laughter interrupted her internal monologue, “Do not make such a face, young wanderer, it is not a personal failing of yours,” the deity assured, then appeared again only half a meter from her and she reflexively placed both her hands over her soul mark, fearing the pain and fatigue.

More laughter filled the room at her reaction and the Traveler said reassuringly, “I see my siblings have caused you a bit of trauma there. Summon your [Guide Book],” they commanded and, like it had a mind of its own, the book appeared without her own prompting, as though it was happy to assist the deity.

Traveler lifted a hand to touch the open pages, “Wait!” Phoenix shouted as she reached out and snagged the book pulling the open pages close to her chest, “Please…” she begged the slightly surprised deity, “Please, not another quest… I… I don’t think I could handle more responsibility… I’m already pretty overwhelmed right now.”

Even more laughter came from the Traveler’s lips as they responded, “My dear wanderer, do not fret so much. I only wish to improve upon it, that it may help guide you better in your travels.”

New Quest: Path of the Traveler

The deity Traveler has offered to alter your talent along with their divine favor.

Objective: Gain Traveler's favor.

Objective: Upgrade your [Guide Book].

Reward: Uncommon maps.

The Wayfarer gave a weary sigh at the words scrawled upon the pages in front of her and silently nodded her consent. Then the deity reached forward and placed their hand upon the book, causing it to glow for a moment.

Ability [Guide Book] has been updated.

[Guide Book] can now display maps and images.

Phoenix glanced up into the deity’s face glad that it wasn’t another quest but her heart sank a moment later when Traveler gave her a mischievous smirk and their hand passed through the book to set a single finger upon the center of her chest.

Quest: Path of the Traveler

Objective complete: Gained Traveler's favor.

Objective complete: Upgraded your [Guide Book].

[Maps of Tulim] has been added to your collection.

Quest completed.

20 [Crystal Mana Bits] have been added to your collection.

To her credit she didn’t fall this time. She wondered if she was strangely getting accustomed to the overwhelming pain of a knife slicing through her heart and piercing her soul. While she didn’t fall, every muscle in her body was trembling fiercely and she felt as though she was paralyzed in place.

“I will not keep you from your rest any longer. Safe travels, Chosen One,” they said in a slight tease before vanishing.

Kyleen returned to her side, slipping an arm around her waist and lifting her own over the elf’s slim shoulders in an effort to help her move.

“No more gods, right?” the Astromancer asked blearily.

The priestess gave her a pitiful smile and nodded, “No more gods. At least for today. Let’s get you back downstairs to Priest Ravone and back to your mentor.”

“How do you know Paul’s my mentor?” she asked, trying to distract herself from the residual pain.

“As a priestess, my deity has a direct connection to me. They impart information as they deem necessary through whispers in my mind.”

“Isn’t that kinda cheating? Why doesn’t everyone just become a follower of Scholar so they can know everything?” she inquired, half contemplating doing that herself.

Kyleen laughed, “Many followers of Scholar do exactly that. But even she is limited in what information she can dole out. Plus, it costs the gods a bit of their power whenever they directly act in the world, so they don’t do things without reason.”

“Are they the kind that are worship-powered?”

“Something like that,” the priestess admitted, “Their clergy grant them power and in return they spread their influence, grant blessings and powers, perform miracles, and ideally help make the world a bit better.”

“So they need people to act as their agents?”

“For most things, yes. What you witnessed when meeting each of them was an avatar projection. Even maintaining something like that costs them a trickle of their power, though the cost is less in certain places, like their sanctuaries.”

“Huh,” Phoenix grunted, “That’s an interesting little tidbit. Does that mean if the gods do visit you in, let’s say a random meadow in the middle of nowhere, then they must really think you're worth it?”

The priestess laughed once more, “You are worth it, Phoenix Fraser.”

“I sure hope you’re right. Otherwise, I’m starting to think Hero and Rebel made a crappy choice on what to waste their power on.”

“It’s not a waste,” Kyleen said resolutely, “It put you on the path here.”