Venture to the South

[Hilana] Rickter prepares for a return visit to Solunarium, accompanied by pack mates from both North and South.

Apart from the two major metropolitan centers in the kingdom, The Atraxian Expanse is home to tens of thousands of Solunarians. Some of the Vastii still hearken back to their days as nomads, roaming the open desert and braving its many trials, but most have formed settlements along the River Vasta or around nearby oases. Most of these settlements in the present day are completely self-governing, but there are a few in the vicinity of valuable resources, which are overseen by representatives of the greater kingdom. Unlike the two fortified cities of Solunarium and Tertium, many of these smaller settlements live under the constant threat of desert squalls, droughts and attacks from desert-dwelling predators, like Tusk Titans and wild wyverns.

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Rickter
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Where Lykos had hoped to find peace of mind in sharing the reality of His situation with the sisters, their attentiveness never failed to impress him once they touched upon even the subtlest of differences within Him. In truth, there were questions born from the fact that they had suspected the inevitable, whether they knew or not from the beginning that such would be the case, or it was something they figured out along the way.

Hannah took note of the translation Athalia provided, seeing as how the rogue was practically fresh to the southern sands. She undoubtedly displayed interest in the conversation they regarded, yet held reservations about the subject altogether, as it also seemed news to her. Hilana further confirmed the state of reality when she pointedly remarked on Rickter and Lykos, and how their current dynamic indeed painted them as 'two halves of a whole' as it were. There was also the fact that it went deeper beyond that, given that both personalities were that of Divinity altogether.

Which was why Lykos looked away with a solemn gaze for a brief period.

"I'd like to think so." He first started, given the consideration that all of Rickter's experiences became His own first, and in turn, Rickter had memories from when Lykos had assumed personification. "What we already share in terms of memory is already etched into heart. Before too long it'll be synonymous, where all things between us are simply as one." That somehow tugged a heaviness in the chest He hadn't considered, and, of course, the fact Rickter felt just as strongly empathetic regarding the fact also.

"Would it not impose risk upon our own state of being, then I most certainly would reach out to the Powers over Solunarium. Great as they are and though sworn I am," Lykos affirmed with sense of appreciation in his tone, "I fear the challenges it would impose are too great. As much as I've gathered, we Divine touched beings are... fickle if anything. The repercussions of separating Rickter and I would far outweigh the prospects."

Even if we could, do you know what those might entail?

The inquiry within His mind sparked a minor crack with His lips, as Lykos couldn't hide the amusement He found in the moment. "Even now, Rickter questions these concepts. Truthfully, I can't say for certain what would happen, but I can imagine the possible scenarios that would follow. And two of the same Deity existing separately? That would only tangle with the fact each would have claim toward the same Domain, and I for one do not wish to contend against what is rightfully Rickter's."

As Lykos paid each of them a gentle smile, he steadily walked forward with a lazy stroll, minding the sand as he stepped with Athalia's hand still grasped in one of his own. "As I had said before, I'd like to think something will remain after I've..." He honestly didn't even know how to word it. Lykos knew He was slowly merging with Rickter, transitioning to become a singular entity once more as He understood it. But there had to be more He didn't quite grasp, which left the Wolf with questions, such as whether Lykos himself would simply vanish or was it akin to death?

"Well, after it happens, I'm certain everything we've shared together will remain. It's imprinted in both memory and soul, so regardless of what lingers after, you'll always be a part of that re-" As they continued their walk, the Wolf's other arm laced out to gently grasp Hilana by the arm. The action had clearly sparked genuine surprise in Lykos, before his gaze drifted out with realization as to what had taken place. Rickter had reached out instinctively, and from what the Wolf observed, there was well good reason behind the intent.

Do you hear that? Rickter resonated the Wolf stood froze in place, as a predator would once it stalked new and unfamiliar territory. It was a very low sound that could've been easy to miss were it ignored, but there was no doubt that Hilana and Athalia would both notice it once they too observed a moment. The shifting of grain beneath the sand several klicks ahead of their position, as of something with mass stirred beneath the desert before them.

"Apologies, Rickter's detected something." He assured Hilana with a loosened grip, knowing the younger sister was more than capable of protecting herself. Therein perhaps existed another difference between them, with Rickter always being the more protective one and Lykos the more supportive.

While I'm eager to let you take the helm on this venture, I would like to approach issues like this with a personal touch if that's alright.

And what exactly did you have in mind?

Let's just say I've quickly gathered how they do magic down here in Solunarium, and while I'm all for a learning venture, I'd be glad to give the Sentinels a real show of magic.

Giving it that 'personal touch' you're famous for up North, then? The Wolf smirked in amusement as his gaze shifted back from the empty desert ahead toward the sisters and Hannah.

"Lana, Lia, Hannah." He started so that the three would detect the shift in His tone, indicating the fact Rickter had resumed control once more. "While I've every intention to let you share more time with Lykos, I'm afraid there are dangers ahead that I would rather deal with personally, firsthand. Not that I don't doubt any of your abilities, mind, but I'd like to use this as an opportunity for me and all parties involved." Rickter then proceeded to grin a bit wider toward the three of them, as Hannah crossed her arms with a sassy look shared in her posture.

"Care to see a bit of Kalzasan magic at work?" He posited with a near playful tilt of his head.

word count: 1031
"Dialogue" Monologue
"Telion" "Hannah" "Lykos"
"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan" "Vastian"
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Hilana Chenzira
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When he mentioned those who had ascended to a level of divinity being fickle beings, both sisters frowned. That was a rather direct insult to the Founders, considering the fact Hilana had just recommended praying to them, and neither of them appreciated it. Both of them were devoted to Varvaerynism, and while Hilana was fairly accepting with the host of other divine figures that she had met thus far, insulting He of the Sceptre and She of the Scourge was enough to irk the two Vastian women. “I meant helping keep you as you are now. Rather than being absorbed and part of Rickter,” Hilana’s tone was dryer than it had been, but she wasn't scathing. Yet. “I have been honoured by meeting Them. They are not fickle. Perhaps there are others that are, but the Founders are not.”

In any event, she didn't know what the Founders could do to help him in this regard, or if They even would, but that didn't mean it wasn't worth talking to Them about it if Rickter and Lykos were genuinely concerned about it and wanted to exhaust any and all avenues to try to maintain the two as they were now. Chances were, they were prepared to let it go, as the sisters had been, and if that was the way of it, then that was the way of it. It was their life, after all, and they were the ones that needed to live it.

When he grabbed her arm, Hilana paused, blinking her Semblance into being and scrutinizing the area around them. She could see where the Sentinels had built their wards, and beyond the space, there was something decidedly big coming. Founders, not those again. "Sandlion pupa," the Vastiana explained when she found it. "It won't be able to come through the wards that the Sentinels made here, but beyond those..." Well, they'd see it emerge, there was no doubt about that. The pupa's ability to hunt was devastating, and the desert-dwellers were bound to destroy any of the eggs that they found, considering how damaging they could be. Hilana blinked away her Semblance so that she could see it properly when it came out.

Well, Hannah was in for a treat, if one could even call it that, and she had a feeling Telion would be extremely upset to find out about it... Still, Lia made a gesture to indicate that Rickter could go ahead. If he wanted to, then they would let him take the lead on it. Especially considering this was going to be a brand new creature for them to deal with.


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