Random Event: Mysterious Observer Finale
Your brain momentarily freezes as you stare at the person in front of you, every thought in your head coming to a sudden stop as you stare at her face. Even the world around seems to slow down as you struggle to comprehend what's in front of you. It's the Ash Maiden, and she's talking to you. Oh holy fire what do you do, what do you, what do you do, you know what to do. Quickly you drop to your knees in a deep bow. "Oh please forgive me, Ash Maiden, I did not know I was in your presence."
You hear another laugh, "Oh child, there is no need for you to bow." She takes a seat cross-legged on the edge of the cliff, "Come now, sit, I'm afraid I've had quite enough of bowing in my life."
You scramble into a sitting position, stammering apologies all the while. But she just cuts you off with a wave of her hand and you snap your mouth shut. "Now child, as I said, I am sure you have many questions."
"Oh I couldn't possibly question yo-" She cuts you off again.
"I want you to try Illona."
You still can't comprehend that fact that the Ash Maiden is in front of you, talking to you. She looks so different from the last time you saw her, clad in the full-regalia of the Scarlet Empress. You brain still stutters, but you have to answer, so you blurt out the first thing that pops into your head. "Why did you leave us? Everything was going so well, now everything is falling ap-" You cut yourself as her eyes flash with green fire, "I'm sorry!" You cry, "I-if that offends you I can ask som-"
She blinks slowly and shakes her head, "No no, that question is fine, I was just looking to see-...no nevermind that. I left because it was for the best. For everyone."
You work your mouth, that doesn't answer your question but-...no she wants you to ask questions. You muster all your courage. "But why though? Everything's falling apart, now my sister's might die. How can that be for the best?"
"Oh Illona, you are doing better than you think you are. It is true that things may appear dark, and perhaps it would be better if I were still leading. But I can see many paths to walk, and this one was the best. I will not always be here, and it was for the best that I left when I did, while you and your sisters were still young and full of life."
"B-but-" you stammer "You're immortal! H-how...how can you be gone one day!" It's true, she doesn't look any different from when you last saw, almost ten years ago. And even then, she looks like a woman in her thirties, and has for decades.
She lets out a laugh, "How kind of you, my child, and it is true that death shall never claim me. But even the deathless can die, the only thing permanent in this world is the First Flame, and eventually I would be called to stand by his side."
You slowly nod, that at least makes sense, "But why now, why not in a thousand years?"
"It is as I said, this was the best path. While my flesh and my blood was still young and full of life. There were other's that worked, but none as well as this one, and many had the chance to go down...darker paths. No, the future lies with you and your sister's Illona." She gives you beatific smile, "You have done better than think."
"But what do you want us to do?" A part of you is elated at her praise, but most of you is just confused, scrambling to make sense of what you're being told.
"Whatever you feel is right Illona. You wear the crown now, it is no longer my decision to make, nor is it my place to interfere."
"But do you have any suggestions at all?"
"Have you read the scriptur-" Her eyes flash green again, "My now, you have memorized it. Quite an impressive feat for one so young. Then you already know my suggestions."
"But-"
"No, my child, I understand your confusion, but trust me it is for the best if you discover the truth for what it is in your own time. You will be richer for it."
You take a deep breath, you have so many questions all swirling around, a stark difference to earlier, but you need patience. You can do this, clamping down on your tongue to keep from blurting out another question. No, you need to think about what you want to ask. "Alright, I...I will try and keep that in mind." Suddenly another question comes to mind, "What about the blessings I've received?"
"Hm yes, your magic. A wonderful and terrible thing you've been gifted with. It's power will aid you greatly, but do not let it consume you my child." You see a flash of something on her face, lines of age or worry, but they disappear before you can be sure they were even there. You gulp at her words.
"But, where did it come from? The First Flame or-"
"Or what child? All things stem from the First Flame eventually...but that is not what you were asking. No, you did not receive your magic as a direct blessing. It is in your blood, just as it was in mine. It is a mortal power, of the vessel that contains your soul." She frowns, "Many men have let that power, and their lust for more, consume their soul, twisting and tainting them, until they served it. Be careful you do not walk their path."
All of a sudden the faint feeling in your gut takes on an altogether more sinister air, and a shiver runs through your spine. It is a warning plain and simple, one you would be stupid to ignore. But something else also draws your attention, your mother's eyes and their fiery light stirs something in you. A memory of last night, when you turned the key inside yourself. "What about the key? Last night I...it unlocked something. My vision...it isn't the same."
"Ah yes, I see you discovered that particular use for the Key. Quite a useful little thing if you know how to use it. I would advise you keep it close. But as for what it unlocked, that is for you to discover, and perhaps unlock further." Once again the fire in her eyes rises for a second, before dying down, "It is a gift, to see the world as it is, and perhaps was, or maybe will be. But be careful, The Truth is a terrible thing to behold, few can look upon it in all its glory. But I believe you will go far my daughter."
A dryness invades your mouth, and you feel something pressing on the edges of your consciousness. Memories of endless fractal patterns begin to surface, and behind your eyes the world begins to unfold. You catch sight of a towering golden figure in front of you, but it is washed away in warm golden light as you blink and the world returns to normal.
Your mother gives a tight smile, "You have nothing to fear my child, you handled it better than any other I have known, but you need to learn to walk before you can run." She glances at the at the setting sun, almost completely vanished by now. "It appears my time is drawing to a close, far to little for what I would prefer but such is life."
"Why now?" You blurt out.
Your mother pauses, "Hm?"
"Why talk to me now? Why meet with me now? Why?" A slight bit of emotion works its way into your voice as your heart hammers in your chest. When you were young you often wondered why you never saw your mother, why you only saw Sauliā or the servants who cared for you. As you grew older you realized who your mother was, and why she could never have raised, and you accepted it. But now, in front of the woman who was your mother, speaking to her for the first time...it...it hurts.
Her face softens, "Oh Illona...that pain is natural. I...I am truly sorry I could not be there for you in the way a mother should. It was...difficult, I could say it was for the best, and that would be true but that does not make it right. I was hardly a mother to you, and even I can never change that." You both stand, and suddenly she has her hands your shoulders, "Even now, this is likely the last time you will see me for some time in this life, if ever again. Even this meeting is risky, but please let an old woman indulge her curiosity" She pulls you into a hug, and her body feels warm, fire burns in her chest. Though as the sun sets beneath the horizon and darkness descends the warmth fades. The body of your mother turns to ash in your hands, carrying itself away off the mountaintop.
You hear Her voice faint upon the winding, fading away into the background. "But always remember I am watching you, and I am proud of you. My daughter."
You stand there for what feels like hours, looking out across the darkening mountains, until you feel a hand on your shoulder. Asya lightly pulls on you, and you both turn away, making your way down to the camp.
[ ] Tell you sisters about the meeting
[ ] It is your secret to keep
[ ] Only tell some of them
- If so, Who?
A/N: And thus ends that event chain. Feel free to begin rampant speculation while I try and finish Turn 6.
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