Completed [Temple of the Sun] What the Eyes Desire

[Zeva]

75 Summer 518 AV

around daybreak

The red-haired Kelvic stretched as she walked, feeling somewhat in a daze as she trodded along. The weather had grown stranger and stranger by the day and it caused her to feel edgy and more reactive that normal. It was so oppressive and unnatural that every sound caused her to jerk or set her insides twisting and chest clenching. She hated it and hated the dark cloud that had joined the dense fog, spreading thickly over the five peaks that made up the city of Lhavit. The two seemed so in league that they snuffed out Syna's dazzling morning rays completely, drowning out all light.

Light didn't seem to be the only thing absent this morning; Zeva noted a distinct lack of birdsongs and various other morning sounds and it made her feel even more rattled. Nothing felt right or natural and she hoped it was simply because a storm was brewing. That was her hope, anyways, and partially why she was heading in the direction of Sartu peak. All kinds of things tended to wash ashore thanks to storms and Zeva had every intention of taking full advantage of the potential smorgasbord of stuff.

She only needed the murkiness that had set in today to leave.

With this all in mind, her sluggish plodding finally brought her over the long, hanging bridge that connected Tenten to Zintia, her slog slog taking her in the direction of the next bridge to Sartu. She had little intention to linger any longer than necessary on Tenten - she had never been much of a scholar, afterall - but a particular structure caught her eye and she found herself heading in its direction. Even in the gloom of the cloud and fog, this particular bit of architecture still managed to glow and she found herself draw to it like a moth to a flame. She didn't know that the reason for the glow was that an actual fire burned within - she hadn't paid too much attention when she had explored the peak earlier in the season, all she knew was that it was the most vibrant thing in her vicinity and she felt an urge to check it out.

She climbed the terraces that led to it, eyes drinking the structure up. She had never really experienced anything like a temple devoted to the divines and she found herself in awe of its splendour. The walls seemed to glitter under the weak light that did managed to penetrate the dark, heavy skies and her eyes roamed the length of it, following every line and arch. It was only as she approached that she noticed others nearby - women, cloaked in willowy robes that looked every colour of the sunrise, changing hue with every angle. The Kelvic found herself mesmerised and slowly approached one.

"Excuse me, what is this place? And can I get one of those beautiful robes?" The last question sounded more like a demand but the woman before her fielded them with grace and patience, her cuipd-bow lips pulling into a smile that lit up her face and Zeva watched as she suddenly seemed to glow like the sun. There was an odd mark around her eye like a tattoo but the colouring was unlike any tattoo she had ever seen. She'd need to ask about that too.

"No, child, these robes are only for women like myself, the Taiyang, keepers of Syna's Temple and guardians of Her eternal fire. You find yourself in Her Temple, blessed by Her warmth and love. Come," she gently motioned for Zeva to join her, the movements so smooth it looked as if her long, thing hand was caressing the air, "I'll escort you closer to Her flame."

Zeva felt compelled to do as the woman asked... even though she was disappointed by what she was told. She followed the woman quietly, being mindful of her own footfalls. The place was eerily quiet save for the crackling of the large fire and it felt oddly wrong to disturb it with her heavy feet.

[Zeva]

The large, central flame flickered brightly, defying the oppressive haze of the fog that had cloaked the city's many peaks. Its glowing, flickering dance threw shadows and warm, orange light about the broad and open interior of the temple, resulting in the floors and walls seeming in constant flux. The young Kelvic watched, mesmerised by the display of light even as her deliberately slow footfalls drew her closer to the flame. Her eyes couldn't stop wandering, soaking up the view around her - the way the floors swam in a constant flurry of oranges and shadows and the way the beautiful walls drank up the colour of the flame. The building, itself, seemed constructed in a fairly simple manner yet the finish was beyond beautiful, done in a way to make the most of Syna's light and Her central fire.

Zeva's moment of awe was gently broken by the woman's voice, "We are in need of Syna now more than ever. Do you come to pray, child?"

The Kelvic deliberated, blue eyes taking in the sun-like symbol that surrounded the woman's left eye before finding herself distracted by the way the flickering flame played with the colours of her robe and threw shadows that contour her youthful, beautiful face. Her words tumbled out without much thought, as if stunned by the sight of it all "Why do we need to pray?"

The woman only smiled, "Because - Syna is the Goddess of the Sun, Light and Sight. The days have been shrouded in fog and darkness. Zith attack without warning. We must call upon Her and ask Her to help us through these times, to find joy when so many only feel pain. She can help us see through these hardships, through these storms and fog that have plagued our city and give us the energy to make it through."

She paused and moved, ever fluid and graceful, closer to the flame yet made sure to keep the Kelvic outside the 200 foot perimeter and turned, her back to one of the many pillars that dotted the hall. "I am Adalia, head of the Taiyang. We have kept Syna's fire going for more than 400 years. It is my job to ensure it continues to burn while also aiding the people in Lhavit who may need Syna's assistance."

Zeva eyes darted back towards where the great flame flickered and Adalia sensed the Kelvic was eager to move closer. The guards nearby also became more alert but would not act unless given the sign to by Adalia.

"Only Taiyang and the Sun Guard, the men who patrol these sacred grounds, are allowed to get close to the flame. I must ask that you do not venture further; this is the closest you may get to Her fire."

Zeva was full of questions and she felt the stirrings of irritation at being told she couldn't do something. Her brows narrowed stubbornly, eyes still set on the fire beyond. "Seems silly. If the flame represents the Goddess... then why are only you lot, you Taiyang, allowed close. Wouldn't you want everyone to get close?"

She felt Adalia's small yet firm hand upon her shoulder then, the woman's words still ever-gentle and light, "Because the women of the Taiyang are blessed by Her and chosen by Her. We are all marked by Syna, entrusted with this sole task of protecting Her light. The flame represents Her and by being here, standing within Her temple and being touched by the light of the fire you are in Her presence. That should be enough."

Zeva wasn't convinced and her squared, clenched jaw said as much yet she said nothing more, merely watching the flame dance.

After nearly a chime she added quietly, the fire of her stubbornness having seemingly died down, "I have never prayed before.."

Adalia's voice was like a soothing caress, her smile and beautiful face as bright and warm as the sun that was hidden by the fog, "I am here to guide you. I will help."

[Zeva]

Zeva was not a creature who thought much of the Gods. Having been born in Nyka - the city of the Alvina, children of the Gods, she had a basic understanding of the influence they had on people and had seen this influence first hand while living with the Svefra yet she had never felt any stirrings to invest in such beliefs or reverence. For someone who enjoyed the company of others, she was still quite possessive of herself and her way of life. The thought that the Gods could play a hand in reshaping her path was not one that sat well with her. Yet here, bathed in the hypnotic light of the great fire of this temple, she found herself feeling those very stirrings.

Perhaps it was strangeness of the weather, the heady influence her current surroundings had on her senses or the way Adalia - her radiant presence and kind words - managed to soothe and caress a part of her she didn't realise needed soothing, intoxicating her like a strong brew, but she found herself lured in by it all. "Yes.. ok. Do we just, talk to Her? Like she is a normal person?" All the aggressive intensity of her earlier curiosity had melted away, leaving her words sounding small, an unfamiliar feeling of self-consciousness creeping in due to her own glaring uncertainty on the matter. Here, in this sacred space, Zeva suddenly felt a foreign desire to do the right thing. It was all a bit unnerving and her eyes ventured tentatively towards Adalia's own. The softness and warmth she found there dispelled these feelings, the woman's words easing her.

"You can. Of course. Some of us do. Yet it is best to regard Her respectfully, especially if you are wanting to ask Her for something."

Zeva pondered this for a number of ticks, her blue eyes drifting back to the flame. She reflected on what Adalia had spoken of earlier, what she had said Syna stood for, before her mind fixated on a particular word she was unfamiliar with. Zith. Her thoughts made a one-eighty and, in a instant, she was Zeva again, eyes narrowed with curiosity as she tasted that word on her own tongue. "You mentioned Zith... attacking? What is a Zith?"

The sudden shift seemed to give the Taiyang woman pause, her lips held in a tight line before, after what felt like a chime, they moved. "You must be very new to Lhavit, child." Her words were slow as her hands moved to lace at her front, causing the silken, glossy sheen of her robes to ripple, the colours shifting as if they had a life of their own thanks to the fire, "Zith are terrible winged beasts - animals and savages. They live here in Kalea, forming colonies in the wilderness and far from civilisation. They hunt those who wander into their world."

Zeva watched and listened as the woman continued, "They were never thought of as a true threat to Lhavit. Some were known to prowl the Unforgiving - the wilderness that extends beyond the peaks of our fair city, yet it was unheard of for any of these creatures to ever get any closer than these fringes. That was... until this season. It seems they have come with the fog, snatching people and children from our very streets." Adalia's hands slowly moved as she spoke, sliding up her arms until she was holding herself as she finished.

Having lived the bulk of her life at sea, Zeva had never had any experience with monsters of the land. Hearing of these creatures, she could feel and understand the fear that tinged Adalia's words and now had a name - and reason - to affix the city's unease to.

"Come with the fog..." she repeated before venturing further, trying to piece things together, "Does that mean the fog that's been around all season isn't normal?" As twisted as it was, Zeva found satisfaction in the notion that Lhavit wasn't just a foggy city - it had been one of the few things that had niggled at her since her arrival.

Adalia visibly relaxed at this shift in topic, her arms falling away as she straightened, smiling, "No. Lhavit is a beautiful city and this fog is smothering her beauty. Being on the mountain, we are close to the sky and it is a city of the sun, moon and stars. Even my gift, the mark Syna has given me," Adalia paused, then, and motioned gently to the symbol around her eye, "is affected. Usually I am able to see far distances, but the fog is unnatural and unlike anything we have ever experienced before."

Zeva sensed there was something else she wanted to say yet, with a swallow, the woman fell silent.

[Zeva]

Zeva's curiosity boiled and bubbled now that the mark around the woman's eye had been address. Lacking any and all tact, she addressed the sun-like symbol, cocking her chin upward as she spoke, "What is it. That thing around your eye?" She couldn't quite understand how something so obvious could be a gift - but therein lied her lack of understanding of the Gods and their gnosis marks.

Adalia only grinned, causing her face to glow, "It is Syna's gnosis mark, Her gift to me. It's called Inavalti and it allows me to focus on objects and see them across vast distances as if they were close. Whatever her light touches."

Gnosis mark. Zeva was vaguely familiar; the Svefra - or, at least, those chosen by Laviku - were born with one. It had allowed them to survive on the sea better than any normal human. Being an Avikki Kelvic and having her own unique abilities to enable her greater ease along the sea, she had never put too much focus on the marks but this - Inavalti - was definitely interesting. "So it makes you see better?" She was trying to see if it was worth looking more into, if it were something that could benefit her on top of her already specialised eyesight.

Adalia chuckled - whether at this type of questioning or at the way the Kelvic's interest jumped from one thing to another like frogs jumping from one lily pad to the other in the pond outside. "It's... different. Syna is the Goddess of sun and sight. Her light reveals that which is hidden and, thus, Her gift enables me - and those bearing Her mark - to see things illuminated by Her sunlight more clearly, sharply, even at a distance." The Taiyang woman paused and moved a hand to lightly touch the tip of a finger to the top ray before moving it to the second then the third that pointed down over her cheek, "I'm a priestess and marked three times so my gift is stronger than those only marked once or twice."

Zeva watched as the fabric of Adalia's robes shimmered and shifted with the flickering light of the flame once more, ever-mesmerised by the sight and the way it moulded over the woman's frame, and dwelled on this. Illuminated by sunlight. So that was why her gift was affected by the fog. Her pale hues flicked back to the woman's as she voiced her assumptions, "Whatever the light touches... so it doesn't work in the fog since it blocks out the sunlight?"

Adalia confirmed the Kelvic's deduction, "Yes, sadly. If Syna's light is obscured then I am unable to use Her gift." Her bowed lips pressed into a line, then, eyes still warm and her patience evident despite the obvious frustration this reality caused her.

Zeva held back on commenting about her own enhanced eyesight - her own well suited for such dim conditions - and, instead simply nodded as her fingers toyed with the bottom of the sash wrapped at her hips. She remained silent for nearly a chime, internally mulling over their exchange and all the new information it had provided her. One thing, in particular, stood at the forefront of her mind and she lifted her chin as she spoke of it, "The Goddess of sun and sight..." She paused again as Adalia gave a small nod in affirmation and then continued her train of thought, "So I could pray for her to help.. reveal things to me? Make things easier for me to see them?"

Adalia's lips pulled into yet another warm smile, the sight of it hypnotising the Kelvic, making her feel as if she were being wrapped in a cozy embrace, "You can, if you wish. It wouldn't hurt for everyone to pray to Her to help disperse this fog and bring Her light once more." It was Adalia's turn to pause and she eyed Zeva, "Is this what you wish to pray for?"

The Kelvic's eyes had drifted off to the side, staring unfocused at the place where an adjacent pillar met the floor, shadows and fire light swimming around the curve. Her mind was suddenly elsewhere, thinking about the shoreline she was now eager to scour for pretties and various other goodies she'd likely encounter. If she could get a Goddess' assistance in this endeavour, then all the better.

Her eyes flicked back up to Adalia's own light ones, her full, freckled lips spreading in her own smile this time, "Yes."

[Zeva]

The Taiyang priestess mirrored Zeva's smile, her small hand reaching out to lay upon the Kelvic's upper arm. "Then we shall start." Her hand moved, lightly falling away and moving to gently touch Zeva's back as her other hand moved languidly, motioning away from the flame and towards one of the grand arches that would lead them out into the courtyard.

The Kelvic straightened at the feel of the woman's warm hand against the silk of her shirt and failed to move, curious, as her pale hues swam over the woman and then in the direction she had motioned in. Her thick brows drew into a furrow, frustration plain on her freckled face and her words tumbled out gruffly, "That's outside.. away from the fire." It made no sense to her to walk away from the fire that seemed so important to everything this woman did.

Adalia's smile did not falter as she supplied an answer to Zeva's unspoken question, "I find it best to pray in Her light. Even with it so obscured, She is still present during the day and your words will be clearer to Her beyond these walls. The fire may be our way of honouring Her, but there is nothing stronger than seeking a bond with Syna directly." Her expression changed to one of encouragement and the Kelvic lingered in place long enough to take a deep breath. It all seemed silly to her but, she supposed, if she wanted the Goddess' assistance then she might as well play along. All previous notions of respect and reverence had melted away, replaced by more familiar feelings: want, need, greed.

The pair moved quietly through the temple, Zeva now only minding her footfalls so that the delicate, delicious swish sound of Adalia's robes were all she heard. Steps lead them down and out to the manicured courtyard, the area spreading out before them, welcoming the pair into the beauty it possessed. Filled with colourful, well tended flowers and healthy green bushes and ferns, the Kelvic once more found her eyes roaming, soaking everything up that she could. Syna's light was still absent, hidden away behind the increasing cloud cover and lingering fog yet the courtyard remained bright, as if bent on not succumbing to the muted tones of the sky above. There was a pond at its centre, the water looking like a dark, silvery mirror and Zeva's eyes paused as they came upon it. She felt drawn to it yet the feeling of Adalia's small, warm hand on her arm made her pause, attention shifting back to the woman.

Adalia's posture was poised and ready, her other hand moving with fluid grace as she pressed it to her own chest. "You wish to ask Syna for her help in revealing something to you. To aid you in seeing something more clearly." It took a moment for the Kelvic to realise this was both a statement and a question and she gave a firm nod of her head. "Then repeat after me:"

"Syna, Goddess of the Sun, I come seeking Your help. I am but a humble mortal yet I hope You might hear me and gift me Your radiant presence."

Zeva hesitated momentarily, unsure if she was suppose to mirror the deep, steady intonation the priestess had used. She had never tried to change her speech or mannerisms yet thought she might attempt for appearances sake. Her words tumbled out almost clumsily at first, the low, reverent tone obviously forced and foreign, "Syna, Goddess of the Sun, I come seeking Your help. I am but a -" she paused for a tick, her blue eyes darting momentarily to the side as she hurried over the next two words, "- humble mortal... yet I hope You might hear me and gift me Your presence."

"I come to Your Temple, seeking greater sight in these dark days. There is something I wish for You to reveal to me. Brilliant and Joyful One, I ask for your assistance in this if you might so wish it to be."

Zeva's attempt at replicating the priestess' tone was improving yet it still sounded silly to her own ears, "I come to Your Temple, seeking greater sight in these dark days. There is something I wish for You to reveal to me." Her mind jumped in then, supplying a mental addition to her prayer, 'All the pretties you can find,' before continuing. "Brilliant and Joyful One, I ask for your assistance in this if you might so wish it to be."

[Zeva]

There was silence for a long, drawn tick of time as Adalia merely stoof there, smiling that same warm smile. Yet there was something more to it now, deeper. A sense of pride from seeing a layperson interact with the Goddess she was so devoted to. Zeva stirred, sending the woman a sideways glance, "Is that it?"

The priestess nodded and let her hand finally fall from the Kelvic's arm. "That is it." Zeva sensed there was more and the woman continued shortly thereafter, "prayers do not always have to be so formal but you spoke it well." Adalia stepped forward, drawing herself in close to the Kelvic and raised her hands - slowly, delicately - and lightly cupped Zeva's freckled cheeks. "I thank you for allowing me to take part in your first prayer. I hope Syna hears you and wish you Her blessing." Her smile broadened then, hands lingering a moment longer before dropping away.

Zeva, sensing a finality and not entirely sure how to react to what just happened, attempted a smile before turning away. It felt a bit odd. Like there was meant to be something more, yet Adalia seemed satisfied in what had transpired and looked to be in no hurry to provide any further explanation or direction.

Being left to her own devices, Zeva glanced tentatively up at the sky, as if now the sun might suddenly break through the gloom, yet all she saw was thick grey cloud cover. Her lips drew into a stubborn line, nostrils flaring as she sniffed her displeasure at the lack of dazzling display from the sun goddess, and, at last, her attention finally returned to that pond. She stalked towards it as she adjusted the fine-wool covering she wore wrapped around her shoulders and then crouched at its edge.

She discovered that it was filled with brightly coloured fish - all varying patterns and shades of yellow, orange and red to keep with the theme of the temple - but they quickly scattered once she hunched over the water. She heaved a disgruntled huff, eyes scanning and searching for their brilliant little bodies yet they all had seemed to sense her animal nature and hide themselves carefully beneath lily pads and rocks. She trailed a hand along the grassy edge of the pool before slowly dragging a finger across it, disturbing the water and sending ripples racing out across the cloud-pattered surface. She watched the display quietly, waiting for the surface to calm before wiggling that fingers around - just below the surface, as if it might tempt some of the fish out of their hiding places.

It didn't.

Properly disappointed now, the Kelvic sighed and the cursed the fish under her breath before finally righting herself once again. She tucked a vibrant tendril of red-orange hair behind an ear and then turned, ready to continue on her quest after this seemingly pointless deviation.

However, a voice called to her just as she was nearing the terraced steps that would take her back to the belly of Tenten. "Excuse me. Is this what you were looking for?"

The voice was unfamiliar, lacking the mixture of strength and grace that Adalia's had held, and it caused Zeva to pause and turn, her curiosity piqued. Before her was a young woman dressed in the same beautiful robe of the Taiyang. A symbol similar to Adalia's wound its way around her left eye yet it only seemed to have one ray, the colour almost matching her molten coloured eyes. Zeva regarded her curiously as she approached, watching as this new Taiyang woman moved her hand up, palm opening to reveal a glittering, opalescent necklace on a bright gold chain. Zeva's eyes fixed on it, her focus so great that she almost missed what the woman said.

"I spotted it in the pond not far from where you were looking. It must have fallen off." Seh appeared shyer than Adalia and her movements were a bit unrefined as she took the ends of the chain and hesitated before offering it, "I can help you put it on if you'd like?"

Zeva's eyes flicked up to the woman's, overcome with shock at the sheer luck of it all. She moved a hand to pass over the cool, pale stone, the stirrings of a smile pulling at the corners of her lips. "Of course." She did her best to sound sincere despite this being an obvious lie, "Thank you so much." And, with that, she turned and slid a hand beneath her wild mane, lifting it to allow the woman greater ease of fixing the chain around her neck.

The stone and its gold plating felt oddly warm against her skin and she admired the weight of it once she felt it fall to its new resting place against her strenum once the woman had finished clasping it. The woman's words felt distant as she lifted a hand to toy affectionately at the piece. "There."

The Kelvic turned, her fingers still clasping the stone and the young woman beamed, "Beautiful." Zeva soaked up the word, letting it warm her.

"The jewelcrafters at the Shining Diamond could help make sure that clasp doesn't fail again. I'd hate for you to lose something so nice. It looks like it was made just for you." The guileless sincerity in which the young woman spoke only fanned Zeva's ego and glee.

"The Shining Diamond. Yes. Of course." Her words were distant, focus still fully on the new pretty now in her possession. Suddenly, the words made sense to her and she managed to tear her attention away from the gem long enough to get her next few words out, "Where is that?"

The young Taiyang smiled brightly, yet her face lacked the same stunning sunniness that Adalia's had had, "Oh! It's on Zintia, within the Surya Plaza."

Zeva smiled and nodded as her attention drifted back to the necklace once more, her hands having yet to leave the stone that hung from its length. She only nodded as she tucked this information away, feet barrying her away and back in the direction she had previously been heading. No thank yous, no goodbyes, just a renewed desire to get back on task. This necklace was obviously a sign that Syna had heard her and she was eager to see what other goodies the Goddess might have her store for her. Without her knowing, the stone began to glow, faintly at first but then more brilliantly as she continued on her way, activated by the Kelvic's strong desire.

[Zeva]

 

Skills

Land Navigation - 1XP
Observation- 5XP
Interrogation - 4XP
Stealth - 3XP
Investigation - 3XP
Socialisation - 3XP
Deduction - 2XP
Intelligence - 2XP
Leadership - 1XP
Prayer - 1XP
Impersonation - 1XP
Subterfuge - 2XP
Fishing - 1XP

 

Lores

● Location: Tenten peak
● Zeva: Drawn to bright, shiny things
● Location: Temple of the Sun
● Temple of the Sun: Architectural characteristics
● Interrogation: Demanding answers
● Taiyang: Get to wear beautiful, colour-changing robes the colour of the sun
● Taiyang: Keepers of Syna's Temple and guardians of Her eternal fire
● Stealth: Being mindful of ones footfalls
● Temple of the Sun's eternal fire: Characteristics and significance
● Syna: Goddess of the Sun, Light and Sight
● Adalia: Priestess of Syna and head of the Taiyang
● Adalia: Physical and social characteristics
● Taiyang: Have kept Syna's eternal fire going for more than 400 years
● Taiyang: Female religious guides marked by Syna
● Sun Guards: Men that patrol the temple
● Temple of the Sun: Only Taiyang and Sun Guards allowed near the eternal fire
● Prayer: It is always best to be respectful - especially if you are asking the Gods for something
● Zith: Winged beasts
● Zith: Live in colonies in the Kalean wilderness
● The Unforgiving: Wilderness beyond Lhavit
● Zith: Have started attacking Lhavit in Summer 518
● Zith: Have snatched people and children from the streets
● Zith attacks associated with the strange fog?
● Fog of Summer 518: Strange to Lhavitians too
● Lhavit: City of the sun, moon and stars
● Gnosis mark: Gift from the Gods
● Syna's gnosis mark: Appearance
● Syna's gnosis mark: Level of mark indicated by the number of rays the sun symbol has
● Inavalti: Syna's gnosis
● Inavalti: Abilities, powers and restrictions
● Adalia: Thrice marked by Syna
● Gnosis marks: Three marks makes one a priest or priestess
● Praying to Syna: Best done outside to connect with Her light
● Prayer: A prayer to Syna for greater sight and clarity
● Impersonation: Mimicking Adalia's intonations and mannerisms
● Subterfuge: Looking away when telling a lie
● Temple of the Sun: Beautiful courtyard with a koi pond
● Fishing: Wait for water's surface to settle before trying to lure fish
● Fishing: Using a finger to act as bait
● Zeva: Loves to have her ego and vanity stroked
● Amulet of Desire: Characteristics
● The Shining Diamond: Jewellery Shop located within the Surya Plaza
● Amulet of Desire: Gift from Syna

 

Misc

Amulet of Desire aquired; seasonal challenge complete.

~self grade~