Elegy for the puppets [Satu]

[Tarot]

Sagallius smiled at Satu like a father might do. What a marvelous child Drainira had found; so much potential! Like a wind-up doll, one merely had to charge her and point her in the right direction. She would do the rest. It didn't matter if she had to face horrors not meant for the mortal mind. She would do it gladly and then ask for more. There was a thin line between total freedom and total slavery. Thin as a string. The doll responded to Satu's control and manipulation. Clumsily at first, perhaps because the Konti had chosen to focus on fine motor control, perhaps one of the harder things to do. Nevertheless, Satu's single-minded obsession made her a very proficient student, and her vivid visionary mind allowed her to picture the desired motion in great detail. It soon became clear that each finger she moved only held as much meaning as she gave to it. She could have controlled the puppet with just her thumb, but with so many commands placed on a single finger she would quickly get overwhelmed by the complexity - at least at her level. By assigning different body areas to each finger, she could make the task easier on her mind. If she needed finer control, she could assign more than one finger to the same area. In time, this would come very natural to her. The main difficulty, once she adjusted to the control itself, would be in the strings. They were somewhat… frail, especially if she moved farther away and stretched them thin. She could feel the tension on her fingertips, and their color changed ever so slightly when it happened. If her manipulation was too sudden or lacked enough grace, then a string might break. It would snap with an unpleasant sound, much like the string of a musical instrument, but one only she could hear. If the target, unlike the doll, was unwilling, then that would be a factor too. This had a lot in common with music, only it was a body being played. Slowly, the doll began to move under her touch. Wild swings of the limbs at first, then, little by little, with more grace and precision. While Satu was initially unable to control arms and legs at the same time, she quickly learned to divide her attention between the two, and the doll pushed on the wet soil to pull itself up. It was standing! After a couple more minutes, it was firmly set on its feet with no risk of falling down. A replica of Satu with a deep crack running down its face was gazing upon the stormy world of Mizahar. "Splendid!" said Sagallius. "Controlling the living is much like this, with a few differences. First, you can only lay strings on someone if they don't suspect you are trying to control them. Second, they will probably try to resist you. At your level, the strings will likely break after a short while. Still, long enough to create an opening in a fight or make them do something… interesting. Third, you cannot use this to make someone take their lives by their own hands. And fourth… there are a few individuals - enemies - who are immune to this power. What would you do to someone who can't be freed no matter how badly you want to save them, Satu?" He inquired gently, stroking his long beard. The rain was subsiding now; the eye of the storm was behind them. The physical one, at least.

[Satu]

Elation! And though she was only learning to manipulate the strings, Satu’s Heart sung with the possibilities the mark on her hand represented, the possibilities of Control. Slowly, the doll moved. Beautiful arms, then long legs jerked with unaccustomed sensitivity in Satu’s fingers. Pleased, she watched as her smallest wish became reality. And she loved the little doll more for presenting her with the opportunity to learn from its movements. Soon! Soon we will dance and soar together! Soon we will change the world and save its peoples! The Konti finally understood. She had the Control! Others would now listen, to her! And do her bidding. Visions of good and just acts filled Satu’s mind. What joy there would be! Altruistic thoughts filled her head, only to be interrupted when the doll suddenly stumbled over its own feet during her distraction. As Satu worked to regain control, the delicate strings snapped, the sound jarring to the Konti’s ears. Sagallius spoke then. His voice so quiet and caring, like the tide in an inlet cove, it washed over her and focused her thoughts. That he had enemies saddened her and she tried to understand. “But why? Why would they resist when so much is offered?” Satu questioned, as if the thought of someone rejecting such an opportunity was not to be believed. Contemplating this, she tried to find the words to express herself, “It would be a kindness to… disperse them. So that others might not be – led astray?” she asked Sagallius, looking for confirmation. Her pale gaze fell to her hands and then the doll. “We could help you…” she offered, lifting her eyes to his. So quickly had the doll been accepted into her life that Satu would not dream of not including her. They were one! And Satu had claimed her as a missing part of herself. “Please let us help you! Whatever you needed… we would do it, gladly we would, for you!” She beamed in adoration, and her eyes held the light of a fanatic. She did not truly know what she was asking. And she looked admiringly at the back of her hand where Sagallius’ gnosis mark now sat. “Everything will be alright, now that I have this!”

[Tarot]

The last droplets of rain fell gently upon Satu's wet hair as the dark clouds moved swiftly, West-bound. A tiny ray of sun dared to break through the black curtain, but there would be no rainbow with a pot of gold today. Satu had gotten the gist of maneuvering the doll, and after the first fall, the Satu-puppet stayed upright by its own effort. Apparently it knew how to walk even without the Konti's assistance, and probably would so if ordered to. As for the Benshira, he nodded and smiled at her reply. "Yes, that is one solution to the problem," he said, confirming her suspicions, "it's not their fault, not really. They just can't see the light, because they belong to a goddess of false light… Priskil, the One that Blinds. She seeks vengeance on me for I seized the power I needed to make my dream come true - as everyone with a dream should! Gifts are meant to be used, would you not agree? To have the gift of divinity and let it waste away in total idleness when there is so much to do, so much to change… it is unforgivable. And so, I seized that power from a god that didn't deserve it. He and Priskil had a liaison going, and so she hates me now. Ah, but I have another task for you, young Satu. One that you can carry out at your leisure." The man let out a deep sigh and continued his speech. "I have, it seems, a traitor in my own ranks. Because my followers are so free to do as they please, every once in a while one of them will start being selfish. Greedy. Using my gifts for petty reasons that do not befit us. This person has done just that." He pointed one arm in Satu's direction, and suddenly she was assaulted by a vision. It was unclear if Sagallius caused it all, or the mark of Avalis was helping with that. Still, Satu was exposed to flashes of memories she had never experienced before. An old - almost ancient - woman, her face almost totally in the shadows, sitting on a rocking chair and knitting. Except the thread was the magical one of Sagallius' gnosis. "She is the Crone," said the god, slowly. "I once trusted her a great deal. But then Drainira broke free from her prison, and the Crone found herself surpassed. Her heart has become a slave to envy and resentment. She has started to abuse my gifts and she needs freed. You must free the Crone by any means you deem necessary, young Satu. This insane old woman is a danger to the world… however, because I value freedom so much, I cannot stop her without breaking her free will. But what I cannot do, you can… and I know, if it's you, you can defeat the Crone." One-mark neophyte versus three-mark former Champion. Perfectly fair.

[Satu]

The small ray of sunlight danced upon the Konti’s wet and dripping hair, lighting the water droplets radiantly. The wetness did not bother her, and its layer of moisture actually appeared to benefit the shimmering scales, making them shine magically. Priskil! Satu had heard of the goddess of Light before…, goddess of false light! She corrected herself. She had not known the goddess was false, but again Sagallius had opened her eyes to the truth of things! Face full of innocence, she nodded, now that she could see clearly, it was apparent that the misguided world needed changing. “I would do the same!” And she meant it; she would take what was needed from the hands of the foolish and lazy! “You are much more worthy than Him!” she said, and wondered how she had not realized this before when she first heard the telling of the story of Priskil and Aquiras? How perfectly Satu understood now! “I know what it is to trust and be betrayed! But that it should happen…” she started to say as the vision overpowered her. Her body jolted with the surprise of it as it filled her mind, and her eyes closed and eyelashes flickered as the images played. “Who is she?” Satu breathed lowly, still within the embrace of the vision, “She looks so old.” Her sight inward and full, she could never get used to the agedness of other races. Satu opened her eyes as the vision left her. Already accepting of the task, she questioned him, unknowing and uncaring of the risks, “How do I find her? Where is she?” Because there was no doubt in Satu’s mind, that the Crone should be freed. “Can her thread be severed, or cut? Or taken away? Would that give her Freedom?” She asked, frowning as she thought. Satu closed her eyes again for a moment. She needed to be smart about this, but sometimes it was difficult to focus and think, let alone plan… she was used to action and movement, not the workings of the mind and thoughts! A new way of thinking, that was what she needed! Her eyes shifted, for Sagallius she would try! After all, Sagallius only had her best interests at Heart! The god had not said exactly what the Crone had done to betray him, but Satu did not care in why’s or explanations, the Konti trusted him completely. What reason would he have to mislead her? On some level Satu still understood this was no idle task, Drainira had taken the Crone’s place, surpassing her even. And the Konti had seen firsthand what the Golem was capable of during her time at Opportunity. The thought caused a shiver to run down the length of the HeartSeer’s spine, and Satu’s head twitched. If the Crone was anywhere near Drainira’s overwhelming skills then… Cutting the thought off, Satu refused to think upon it. After all, she was not alone anymore and her gaze settled fondly upon the doll. Taking one cool, porcelain hand into her own hands, Satu was reassured. She had assistance! “What would help us? What must we do!” she asked, wanting to please him so much that she was easily led further down the path.

[Tarot]

The Benshira man chuckled. "So many questions, and yet the answer always lies within yourself, young Satu!" The god placed a gentle hand upon the Konti's shoulder, paying no heed to the fact that she was wet and dirty. His hand felt strong and charged with the promise of power. No, she wasn't alone anymore. She had found her Call, had she not? "The Crone enjoys destroying lives for her sole entertainment. She has lost sight of our greater quest. Do not let her old age fool you, even nearing one hundred winters she is as lucid as a woman in her prime. She comes from a branch family of the Alahean royal line, you see, known for their incredible longevity. She has woven my strings for seventy years now. It is a shame that things must come to this, it really is." Sagallius shook his head sadly. "I could tell you where she is, or how to deal with her, but that wouldn't solve anything. There are things you must see and experience for yourself. You must open your eyes to the truths of this world before you can be a true harbinger of freedom. You have been through a lot, but it still isn't nearly enough. The mover of Hearts is one who had her Heart moved first. By the time you find the Crone, you will have found the answer within your Heart… you will know exactly what to do with her. And because of that, there is a third gift I want you to have besides the mark and the doll. The gift of connections." The man produced a small thing from a fold of his robe and slipped it into Satu's hand. It seemed to be a blue gem of sorts, shaped like an octagonal prism. As soon as the Konti's fingers latched onto it, the number 4 flared on its surface in glowing red lines. "Connections are like unseen strings linking all of us together. The goddess Cheva is the undisputed mistress of these bonds, but I have studied the Chavena long enough to be able to forge these Linkgems. This is the map that will lead you to the Crone, Satu. Let me explain how it works…" He gestured at the big number four. "See that number? It is your 'degrees of separation' from the Crone. It means that four people, four steps stand between you and her - or, more precisely, that you know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows where the Crone is. In other words, you are still very distant from your target. When someone touches the Linkgem, their own degrees of separation from the Crone will be shown. The Crone herself is 'zero'. Those who know her location directly will show 'one'. Those who know a 'one' are shown as 'two'. So, you know at least a 'three'. Numbers can change, too. If you should meet a 'one' and get to know them, your number would become a 'two'. Likewise, if your connections to the Crone die, your number might go up." Sagallius pushed the item firmly into Satu's hand. "There are only a few exceptions. Gods do not count, or else you would be a 'two' since I am obviously a 'one'. You do not count, either, so people will not become a 'five' just for knowing you - it will make things easier for you. And Drainira does not count, since she has no soul that can be tracked. She has no number and her connections don't matter." Hopefully Satu would understand why the god was giving her this strange tool. He wanted her to train at using 'connections' to her advantage. As a HeartSeer, she should be a natural at it. As she hunted the Crone, the Linkgem would force her to consider other people and what they meant to her quest. And what she could do to make them cooperate. It was a sophisticated breadcrumb trail that moved between the Hearts of people.

[Satu]

Satu felt the slight weight of the blue Linkgem in her palm. A talisman! From Sagallius… He would show her the path to the Crone, even though it was in his own way and she couldn’t quite see it. Blinking she stared at the FOUR. “I am a Four,” she said flattered, “and I know a Three.” Her mind, so slow these last three seasons felt the new sensation of inspiration blossom. The Three must be found! The Konti’s pale eyes shifted back and forth while her tongue darted over her top lip, she would need her wits about her to do what he asked… The answer lies within! “The Alahean royal line,” Satu considered, did that point the way? This line of long-lived humans? The Crone’s age meant nothing to the Konti; aged women were commonplace in Mura and often held positions of power for great expanses of time. What bothered Satu was the fact that humans aged so badly; her nose crinkled at the remembered vision of wrinkles and lines on the old woman’s face. But then, Sagallius appeared to be an old man as well. And for a moment, Satu became lost within his glorious and wise eyes, for one such as him, lines and crevices were a wonder to behold. And Satu then thought of all the people she had ever known. Would she call them friends? What did that word even mean to her now? If there were people close to Satu, she had either forgotten them, or buried their memories in the depths of her core for safekeeping. Instantly, the importance of every single person the Konti had ever known shifted to a single digit on the prism. Satu vowed to find their numbers though any means at her disposal. Connections, through them Satu would find the Crone! This was her purpose! “She weaves your strings?” Satu asked, filled with more questions as she looked at her own fingertips where her own strings seemed to originate. “And the ones I use as well? If she were to be… freed after all this time, is there another who would do it? Weave them I mean.” The HeartSeer was concerned for him and it showed in her emotional voice. And surprisingly, even after all the betrayals the god appeared to still care for the Crone. Sagallius the Compassionate! Her mind sang, for it was a lesson that all could learn from! “And please, tell me how she destroys them, Sagallius? So I may spot them when I see them. To think she has given up the quest, for selfish reasons!” But he spoke again, You have been through a lot, but it still isn't nearly enough. That was what he said. And in that deep place unknown to her, the Konti cried the tears of the lost. But in her mind, and in her broken Heart, she understood. Her face reflected this inner sadness, but his words compelled her - Sagallius saw the truth of things while Satu could not. And though she had thought herself already transformed… it was not enough. The Puppeteer saw the possibilities of perfection within her. She must strive to reach it!

[Tarot]

"Ohh, that was just a figure of speech. She weaves my thread in that her strings cover the lands with their intricate plotting. She has dozens - perhaps more - under her control. Most of them live with the dark secret and allow themselves to be manipulated, for who would trust them again if it was known that their wills are not always their own? No, most likely they would be exiled from their hometowns, perhaps killed for good measure." Sagallius spoke softly, hoping to show Satu what it meant to wield Cordas. To control from the shadows, pulling on the strings as needed, and bring about great changes from unseen vantage points. "You see, Cordas is at its strongest when the person does not know who is controlling them. By keeping her identity hidden, the Crone ensures her continued power. Her victims don't stand a chance to be freed unless they were to meet the Crone. Then their wills may prove strong enough to break their strings without help." Sagallius smiled. "Now, young Satu, use your mind. Your strength does not only lie in the suvai or Heartsense. The Crone's victims are most likely number "Two"'s or above, meaning that they don't know the Crone in person. Why? Because if they were 'One's, they would be dangerous to control - they would know her. Which is a liability. And so, when dealing with a One, you must assume they are allies to the Crone rather than victims who can be freed." The god reached out with his left hand and pressed a finger against Satu's forehead. There was a short surge of power, and Sagallius explained himself. "You can now see the Crone's strings if you focus your Heartsense on someone and pay careful attention to their colors. Normally someone with fewer marks cannot see the strings of those with more, but this exception is my final gift to you. Make good use of it." "And I will help you as well, Satu!" the doll spoke shyly, as if fearing another beating. It wasn't evident how the doll could possibly help, but it offered a suggestion filled with good will. "I can teach you how to cut the strings with your suvai!" It picked up some confidence and looked at Satu expectantly, hoping to receive her favor.

[Satu]

As Sagallius explained Cordas and the risks its users faced, Satu was a perfectly pale student, listening with her whole being. Cordas was powerful, especially if played at from the shadows. It was dangerous to be known, and dangerous to be found out. Always enemies surrounded her! Would they never let her be! The Konti’s mind whirled. She wanted to be powerful! And though she was unaware of the insanity that gripped her, she knew her actions needed to change to better utilize Sagallius’ generous gift. What that meant for the unbalanced HeartSeer remained to be discovered. “I need to be… different,” Satu stated simply, “…secretive and cunning.” Deceptive. Koa’s word from the Talobian mud pit flew into her mind. The Konti had learned that lesson well: through deception, the gullible and weak would fall. Always had others underestimated her, now she would use their ignorance to her own great advantage. The wheels turned in her mind, and Satu smiled as more connections were made. Understanding filled her as the she drew the first tentative lines between her experiences and the knowledge the god shared with her. And then his finger came towards her, as she watched hopefully, a willing subject to his considerable will. The god touched her, and her eyes fell closed; pale lashes softly fluttered as a surge of power forced its way into her. It was over too soon. “Oh thank you,” she exclaimed, in awe of his generosity, “I will use it Sagallius! In your honor, I will!” Satu then smiled kindly at the kindred Doll. “You shall show me all you know!” she enthused to the golem, laying a soft hand upon its wooden arm. “When Sagallius has finished with us, show me how to cut the strings… and we will cut, and cut, and cut! We will work tirelessly until nothing is left of her tainted threads!” Her eyes glowed at the thought for she had quickly become jealous of the Crone’s previous status with Sagallius. The god had given her so much; the doll and the Linkgem and now, this sight. But the small pressure in her palm brought her back to herself. Looking at the prism, Satu understood the meaning of the various numbers. But that was not all she had learned. The Konti now understood that the Crone’s numbers also applied to her. Satu needed number ones and twos for herself. She needed allies to offer protection from the hateful. And she needed the unknowing and weak-willed “twos” to lovingly bind with Sagallius’ strings. She needed both to continue his quest but… “But what is our ultimate goal?” Satu wondered. She couldn’t remember Sagallius saying it before, not specifically. Though he might have, his words had such a hypnotic quality to them, it was hard to focus. What were they striving for? If she did defeat the Crone… what then? “What do we work towards?” It really did not matter to the Konti what his goals were, she would do whatever he asked, she only wanted to make sure she did not fall into disfavor like the Crone.

[Tarot]

"That, you will need," the Benshira nodded, "and why not? Nature bestows different gifts unto different people. It only makes sense that you should play to your strengths to compensate for your weaknesses." The man seemed lost in thought for a moment, his deep and powerful eyes gazing somewhere upon the horizon. Satu's question brought him back to reality. He smiled. "What do we work towards?" he repeated. "Allow me to show you, young Satu." The god spread his arms, and suddenly reality shifted around the Konti. Strands of shimmering color enveloped her vision like a swirling cocoon of pure energy. After a few seconds, they dissolved, showing Satu a vision of the same place, but under vastly different circumstances. Sagallius stood by her side, and instead of the scattered ruins there was a city on fire. The smell of smoke and destruction filled the air. "Look." He pointed his finger in front of himself, and Satu was presented with the vision of an army, perhaps the first army she had ever seen in her life. She definitely had never seem that many people in a single place. It exceeded Mura's population many times over. Even Syliras' busiest tier could not compare. "And behind you." There was a second army behind Satu. They stood exactly between the opposing sides as they prepared for battle. "Fear not, they cannot touch or see us. Their strands and ours share this location, but they belong in the past." It did not make the charge any less impressive. Battle cries echoed through the plain as the front lines made a desperate rush towards the center - towards Satu. Sagallius appeared calm, but watchful. The armies clashed, and the matter of nightmares came true. Soldiers gutting their enemies within three steps of the Konti was the least of things to be seen here. Satu could see the blood being spilled, its metallic smell making her weak on her knees. It was just like being there, only they couldn't see or harm her. From behind the first line, wizards threw deadly orbs of fire at an angle. They exploded as they touched the ground, digging blackened craters and making charred limbs and assorted shrapnel fly. In response, the other army charged with long spears and full body heavy armor, impaling dozens where they stood. "This is man, Satu." The first army fell back. "Send in the golems!" The ground shook as beasts of metal, tall as three men and equipped with enormous battle axes, shredded the spearmen as if they were clay and butter. From the other side lightly armored squads rushed into the front line, casting weighted nets on the golems and making them trip over. The monsters fell upon their own ranks, squashing grown men into puddles of brains and guts. "This is man, when left to his own devices." Catapults loosed their projectiles, which broke as they hit the ground, drenching the air with a strange violet gas. Soldiers screamed as their hands began to rot and their flesh melted from their bones. "This is man without guidance." A head rolled, the empty eyes staring right up at the Konti. All around there was only chaos and carnage. "And even now, in the present, when man is trying to recover, this is what he is rebuilding. It's only a matter of time. Men like to think they are free, but most of them don't even know the meaning of freedom. What they need is someone to guide them, both in the Ukalas and on this world. Imagine a world without wars. A world without poverty. A world without unhappiness. A world in which everything is decided for everyone's good. This world can only exist with a benevolent ruler ensuring everyone's freedom." Sagallius turned to Satu amidst the noises of battle. "And since someone's got to sit on that throne, it may as well be me."

[Satu]

Easily the vision came to the Konti’s sight, while a hazy smell of smoke filled her nostrils. The city burned uncontrollably and it tore at her Heart to see such destruction. Before her stood a vast army, and behind her was another. Armies of men with of such numbers she had never seen. Their emotions were muted, so long ago had they died, yet still they harbored their Hates and Angers, Prides and Aggressions. Dark shadows of emotions floated about her and around her like a thick fog. Only the god at her side kept the fear at bay as the men charged towards them. She was immobilized and softly trembled at their advance. As hardened as she had become since leaving Mura, the acts committed in front of her now, and in such great numbers, was beyond compare. War was truly the most horrifying thing she had ever seen. This is man. Blood! Death! Cries of pain! And bolts of magic. Why did men do these things? This is man. The HeartSeer thought she knew men. But she did not. Even with first hand knowledge of the beasts they could be, this was beyond imagining. War! War so brutal that their cries filled her ears and Heart with pain upon pain, and it surrounded her. This was man! Blood spurted from a wounded man near her, and she flinched from it, even though its stain could not reach past the years to touch her. Eyes wide, tears flowed freely down her face, and her mouth was a rounded “O” at the atrocious actions around her. No sound came from her mouth, and she stood silently sickened. Each time a weapon struck, it pained her soul. Each jab, every spear thrust and crimson stain on the ground invaded her mind and left its mark upon her. Sagallius explained and Satu listened, helpless against this new shock. “They are brutal! So very brutal!” Satu wanted to close her eyes to the carnage, but it would not have mattered, it was already imprinted upon her mind. And a part of her was glad, for now she would never forget what men were capable of, and horrifying as it sounded, it would keep Sagallius’ plan for a better future in the forefront of her mind. Satu could imagine a peaceful world; after all she had been raised to a life without strife. But others had not, could they learn to live in harmony? Perhaps, but men? Men like these? No! It was impossible! Their egos were too strong! She whispered in her lilting voice, “Men are cruel, mad and vicious…, like dogs wanting for a strong master. They are not capable of living peacefully. Even if they could, they would never agree to it. They do need direction, they need you, Sagallius!” The god signified Hope amidst the tumultuous chaos of hate and death, and as she looked at him, her face lit with a teary purity, “They truly need you to help them.” Looking back once more at the dead and dying Satu vowed not to let this come to pass ever again. “In my own small way, I will help you, how ever I can! Even through my one set of strings.”