"I see... That's... That's quite the history you have. Sister Vapooliar." Sister Styadesx struggles to answer as I finish explaining to her too much information. Everything they came out so raw and furiously earlier is now meek. There's a weakness about me and it's not because of any of the wounds I've faced in my recent fight.
"It was never meant to become public knowledge... So I'm not sure how it even did. No one should really know about it at all. Yet... Someone found out and they... They did what they did." I sigh, holding one arm close to my body with a limp-wristed grip. Another breath escapes me and it seals my lips shut, fuelling my destructive thoughts so gluttonously.
The only one who has consistently been there all the way is the Zaphadren-Valkinvar. She was the one who gave me my orders at Giant's Victory. She probably barely made it out of the battle herself if she ever engaged the enemy back then. But one can hardly expect a Valkinvar of her years to engage in something so petty as involving herself in my history like that.
Especially right after she showed me the very location of one of Waionr's artefacts...!
Valkinvar are above childish concerns. While it's so easy to think of what happened recently in that way, the facts are what they are. Whoever it was who assaulted me, she was Sister Ogawa's friend. I did defile her body to get myself some gear, but I also buried her properly than leaving her in the shame I found her in.
I don't really know, it's hard to say. I'm alive, she wasn't. I've taken the lives of many heretics since then, I've helped and paid off the debt such distasteful actions caused. The Siege of the Long Battery Fort was basically a result of me.
Wing-Head Allyoceer was convinced to hold her ground, split off from help. She didn't move at all until I came along. I can think all I want about theoretical's and what if's, but, the facts are simple... I saved lives with the help of Sister Ogawa's armour...
I... I...
"I don't know what to do." is all I can think to say, little sense as it makes or as much sense as it does. It's as I just said, I don't know what to do. A secret that should've never come out is now public. Everyone is now hearing about Valkinvar-Imdvarce Vapooliar...
The Coward of Giant's Victory. The Osibindah Whore. The Virginless. The Corpse Looter...
"I know I cannot offer you much to soothe your heart or mind, Sister Vapooliar. But, try not to think so hard about it. I know it sounds impossible, but it is really all you can do. Something like this is... Well, it's not something anyone has ever had to deal with. Insubordination is one thing, but a Valkinvar in your situation is practically..." Sister Styadesx struggles to say and I find myself thinking back to that party long ago. Before everything had happened with Nin, when that criminal came about.
"Traitors in the Valkinvar have always been a thing..." I mutter, a brother Valkinvar-Imdvarce coming to mind. A member of our people. A former member... He was the personal bodyguard of the youngest prince in the heretical royal family. A Valkinvar is giving his life to safeguard a prince of our greatest enemy!
We're not a perfect group. We have our faults and unfortunately, I am the latest. A coward and a traitor. One who cannot redeem herself just by coming back to the war grand-cycles after she abandoned it. It just doesn't make sense or work like that at all.
"It's a weird thing to wish for. But... Perhaps the Valkinvar will not be harsh in whatever judgement is decided. We cannot afford to lose soldiers right now." Sister Styadesx sighs, her cheery demeanour a thing of the past. I watch her head off, a downtrodden element to her posture. A camouflage that all but helps her blend in with the misery that is a dungeon. Ornate as this one might be.
Noise echoes down the stairs, a light briefly flashing in and out of existence. She stops, twisting around to look up the steps as a pair of temple guards come back down them. Gear in hand. My gear.
I move closer to the gate, eyeing them carefully as the Exalsonarden-Valkinvar comes between them and me, "Well?"
"Circumstances have led to a partial absolution." one of the temple guards answers Sister Styadesx with, her hands going nowhere near the keys. They might both hold equal authority over these cells, but one clearly commands more respect about it.
"Very well...?" Sister Styadesx goes, her hands taking up those very keys as she eyes what most likely led to this result. The medallion gifted to me by the Eurultus-Valkinvar. Perhaps it changed the circumstances of the incident...? An attack on me is as bad as attacking a Point of the Compass?
Whatever the reason is, I doubt it is as simple as me getting dressed and leaving. The two temple guard have already set aside my gear. And they haven't left. They're clearly here for me as much as they are here to deliver things.
"Use my personal office, Sister Vapooliar. Have some privacy." the Exalsonarden-Valkinvar tells me, a slight, kind smile on her face as the lock to the cell clinks open. The magic-rich bars grind on their hinges and she holds the dark metal steady. I slowly make my way out, readjusting my bloodied cape around my top-naked person.
"Thank you." I say, eyeing my path and taking it. Sister Styadesx's magic opens the door ahead of me, closing it much the same. My armour falls down around me, filling the room with a spontaneous song of banging steel. The cape falls to the floor with them and I get to finding my chest armour. I slot the cape back where it belongs and go about my typical familiarities.
However, it's hard not to notice the trembling and the shakes. I can't do anything without seeing it, without feeling it. The truth is pumping about my blood, settling into my deepest bone marrow. I am... I... I don't know.
The last piece of my armour slides on and I clutch the medallion tightly. What was nothing more than a means to show off its authority now turns to a source of comfort. The warmth of the fire-magic infused ruby is an assurance. Sister Pymonsia is looking out for me, she has to be as that is the only way this makes sense. There's no explanation otherwise.
"Whatever... Best get to it." I mutter, heading back out of the office and coming into view of the temple guard again. One steps aside, ensuring both will be behind me. One raises her arm, directing me up the stairs.
"It was lovely seeing you again, Sister Vapooliar! Try not to make it a habit?" Sister Styadesx calls out and I offer a silent hand as she stumbles her mood about. She vanishes from view, the rising steps and the stone walls blocking out the dungeons from all but my thoughts. The halolight continues to shine on me and I find myself in the open, waiting for my escort.
"We have orders to bring you to the Chamber of Traitor's Judgement." one explains, heading in front with a surprisingly casual posture.
"Did they explain why?" I ask, hoping this lack of refinement is some indicator of anything helpful.
"No, all we know is that your medallion there is to blame." she says, her tone flat and neutral. At least giving her the impression of being so.
"I see." I say, finding my steps lighter as my prior thoughts at least confirm something about this whole affair. Sister Pymonsia *is* looking out for me, or, at the very least, my association with her gives the impression of it.
We pass gardens and through empty halls. Wind whistles in the free, open sky and the Orbital-Halo shines on through. A far cry from what the journey was like the last time I found myself 'imprisoned' so very recently. One almost has to wonder an odd little thought about the prisons of the Valkinvar themselves. More so for show than practicality...
But, it's clear that's not true.
"Here I am again." I can't help but say, staring up at the Chamber of Traitor's Judgement and its grand architecture. All of the temple grounds are certainly grand, this place, however, is grand is ways unlike the rest. More than one god calls this place his home. Even a goddess does.
"Proceed on your own." one of the temple guards quite mysteriously adds as I approach the door. The approach devoid of the sights of earlier cycles. I look back to her and the other temple guard, narrowing my eyes at the pair.
"Aren't you meant to accompany me into here...?" I ask, quite vividly recalling how roughly I was treated before during my last visit.
"It matters not. As we said, this is different." the same temple guard answers and they both fly off. A safe distance comes between us and the air bursts with a sonic boom. My brow settles, my frown coming into a strong, assured being.
"This is certainly different..." I mutter, opening the door on my own with some strain-filled effort. I practically shove the door the last few paces and slip in before I can be crushed.
"Ah, you've arrived." Sister Pymonsia calls out, her voice bouncing about the empty chamber.
"Eurultus-Valkinvar Pymonsia, what is going on?" I ask, flinching at her invasive gestures and caring actions. Her magic slips through her nostrils and fills out mine, soothing my pain and easing my wounds to nothing. Now, outside of my memories and the damage to the barracks, there is no sign there was ever a fight. It's funny, really, one could get away with so much if they had a strong enough healer with them.
"I heard about what happened and I stepped in. An investigation has been opened up as to why your bed was as it was. It will take some time." she answers quite authoritatively, her arm wrapping around mine to guide me about. I suppose we need to remain in the Chamber of Traitor's Judgement for the duration of this conversation. It's not a bad place to walk, one almost never sees this place. Though I can't say I'm happy to be here either way.
"I cannot tell you anything, if that is what you were hoping for. I'm as clueless as to you are. I left the meeting with you, went to my barracks and it was just like that. Clearly no one else had reported it so whoever did it somehow managed to slip in without anyone noticing them at all...?" I say, losing my mind over the details as so much of it makes no sense.
The barracks were empty when I arrived, the surrounding land, too. It was like the divine themselves had pulled a prank on me. There was no way everyone just came in the way they did like that on their own. It... It makes no sense at all, the way things were.
No builders were doing maintenance, repairs or construction and these things have never interfered with Valkinvar before. Artisans walk the halls every cycle and we move around them. There's no reason for them to be in the barracks, anyway. They've never been there since the building was finished centuries ago. They're only coming back as well to fix things, if they're even given the right to use the resources?
"All the more reason for an investigation. The ruckus was one thing, but the armour of a fallen sister is another thing entirely. Noustoster-Valkinvar Aimaboryim is involved as much as I am. Though she is questioning all those who have residence within the barracks for the time being." Sister Pymonsia explains and I nod along.
"That's good to hear..." I say, an ominous cold taking me over as the sounds of doors opening reaches my ears. The noise and the feeling are unrelated, but it certainly puts a frightful jump into me.
"Careful." Sister Pymonsia chastises gently, easing my tense muscles with a quick quip. I give her a mock glare and turn to meet the intruder. Or, well, welcome sister of the Valkinvar as a whole. The Zaphadren-Valkinvar.
"Sister Vapooliar, I imagine you have some explaining to do." she says quite warmly though notably colder than Sister Pymonsia has been thus far. The latter tightens her grip, her eyes closing and her smile growing.
"That she does." Sister Pymonsia answers back, her touch turning protective as she angles our walk in such a way to keep my distance from the Zaphadren-Valkinvar. I hide my frown behind an idle look about, not sure what to make of this potential power struggle. Severe or otherwise.