The Booke of Arcana - Group 1

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Pelor and Heironious, gods of the sun and of justice pace around their viewing room, glancing every once in awhile at a pool of water in the center of the room which reflects the goings on of Elthyria.

"It's getting worse..." Heironious said, "What are we going to do? At this rate, Elthyria will fall and it will no longer be a place of peace."

"We were not meant to meddle in the affairs of mortals." Pelor replied, "However, this will escalate and once Elthyria is taken by it, it will start to effect us. Bloodraven is seeking the answers on how to become a god..."

"And our enemies, the evil gods are supporting him in this..." Heironious added.

Pelor walked to the pool and looked down into it, watching the world of man, then he smiled, "We may not be able to directly help mortals...but there's nothing that says we can't give them a friendly shove in the right direction..." The pool shifted, and rippled and then a woman came into view. She was sitting in a chair....reading. Usually there is nothing peculiar about someone reading, but she had a white sash tied around her eyes, obviously blinded by it to be reading. A snowy white owl was perched on her shoulder. It too seemed to be reading the contents of the book.

"Ah yes...Navari Valance..." Heironious muttered, "Her father was a planeswalker, wasn't he?"

"Yes." Pelor replied, "One of the last...murdered by Bloodraven because he would not join the Order. Because she was so young, Bloodraven tortured her and blinded her as a warning not to go against him...but...Thomas Valance knew he was going to be killed, and he passed his knowege onto his daughter."

"Knowledge?" Heironious asked.

"The Knowledge of the Booke of Arcana...where it lies...and how to get past it's obstacles in hopes that she could claim the book and put an end to The Order's reign. He was one of the 12 that constructed the book...going from world to world gathering up every spell not yet recorded."

"Surely Bloodraven would want such a book..."

"He knows of it, but believes it to be nothing but a myth. With that, we have an advantage over him...she is going to have to set out soon to find the booke...so we can put a stop to this before it's too late. Avery!"

There was a little pop and a small little girl with tiny angel wings appeared. She wore white robes and sandals on her feet. Golden bangles jingled on her wrists and her long golden hair flowed down to the small of her back. Her eyes were pale blue. "You called?" She said in a sweet, childish voice.

"Yes. I need you to go to Navari Valance and give her a message from the gods. Tell her it is time for her to seek out the Booke and accomplish her father's wishes."

"Pelor...surely she can't do this alone?" Heironious interjected.

"Of course not." He said dismissively, "Avery, once you speak to her, I want you to seek out these people to meet up with her and help her. I have been watching these selected individuals for awhile now, and I find them capable of accomplishing the task at hand."

Avery nodded, and from out of nowhere there appeared a piece of parchment and a quill in her hands as she began to scribble down the names Pelor gave her.

"Drios the Gargoyle (Avery jumped slightly at this name and made an accidental mark on the parchment with her quill), Jinhosa Asheye, Joshua Sage, Heiola Setilan, and Haruette Arnold." Pelor smiled at Avery.

"Done!" She said in triumph, "I won't let ya down, sir!" She said with a salute and then she put the parchment into a pocket on her robes and jumped into the pool of water.

"Now..." Pelor said, "We wait."

*******************************

Navari sat in a big comfy chair by the fire blazing in the hearth reading a big, thick, leather bound book titled "The Adventures of Sir Gwain: A Knight's Tale. She had read it multiple times, but it was one of her favorites. Luka, her snowy white owl was perched on her shoulder reading the book as well, for he was the only way Navari could see. Their telepathic link allowed her to see through his eyes so she wasn't completely blind, but saw the world from his eyes. It took her awhile to get used to at first, but now she figured if she ever did get her normal eyesight back it would be unfamiliar.

There was a sudden loud pop, and Navari jumped, the book slipped out of her hands, and with a loud hoot, Luka flew up into the rafters, Navari all the while seeing through his eyes as he flew upwards. He scanned around and saw the source of the noise - a small child with angel wings was hovering just in front of Navari's face. Seeing from Luka's point of view, she saw herself sitting in the chair with girl hovering only inches from her face.

"Who are you?" Navari asked calmly.

"My name is Avery!" The girl said happily, "I was sent to you with a message from the gods!"

Navari raised her eyebrows. She had long ago lost faith in the gods, blaming them for what happened to her...what happened to her parents...and what is happening to the world. Therefore, she did not bother wasting breath on prayer, or energy on worship.

When she didn't say anything, Avery became somewhat uncomfortable, "So...umm...anyway...I was told to tell you that you need to start...umm...the quest that your father set before you long ago...to find the book he helped create...the book that can end The Order's tyranny."

Navari stood up and picked her book up off the floor, "And why can't they do it themselves? They're gods. Surely they can just come on down here and get the book themselves. For that matter, they're gods. Can't they just wave their hands and kill all the members of the Order? That would be much more convenient."

Avery looked offended, "They aren't allowed to meddle in the affairs of mortals! It's against their rules!"

Navari laughed, "Luka, point me to the bookcase." Navari's view of things shifted as Luka, from atop the rafters, looked over at the book case. Navari made her way over to it slowly, being careful not to bump into anything, and slid the book back into the book case, "Well then that is a problem isn't it?"

Avery screwed up her face in anger, "Ooooh! But you PROMISED YOUR FATHER!"

Navari froze. Avery had evidently struck a nerve, "That...was long ago. Before my parents were murdered...and before I was tortured and blinded. I can't keep my promise."

"You have to, Navari...that book is the only way the Order can be stopped...and only you know the way to it...don't think about this as being a mission to complete on behalf of the gods then, but think about all the innocent people who are being forced to do evil things for the Order...who are being killed by the Order...they need to be stopped, and you're the only one who can do that."

"Alone?" Navari said, contemplating things.

"No...I was given a whole list of people the gods think will be beneficial to you on this quest." She smiled, "Once I'm done here, I am supposed to go fetch them for you."

Navari thought for a moment. "What do you think, Luka?" She asked the owl. Luka ruffled his feathers before answering, I think we should do this. We've been stuck in this tower for AGES...and it is only a matter of time before The Order starts clearing out this forest for more of their cities. I think we should do it.

Navari sighed, "Fine. I will do this...but it's not for the gods. I'm doing it for us mortals. The ones the gods have seemed to forgotten."

Avery didn't argue. She was just happy she got Navari to oblige, "Tomorrow...tomorrow..." She thought about Drios the gargoyle, "Tomorrow night I will have everyone here in your tower...then you can set out." With another "pop!" Avery disappeared.

Navari heaved a heavy sigh and fell back into her chair. Luka came and perched on her shoulder once more, Come on, Vari. This will be a grand adventure! We can finally avenge your parents, and yourself.

"Yeah.." Was all Navari had to say.

[Attn: Drios, Hemiola]

Avery chuckled, "I knew you would say something like that." She nodded, "For your information, the gods never abandoned anyone. They have their own battles they're fighting in their realm to keep the world out of the hands of the evil gods. They can't take care of everything that's going on in their realm, and yours." She crossed her arms, "Now is not the time to explain it. That will come soon. I know what you seek, what you are questing for, Drios." She grinned, and pulled a circular medallion that was on a leather thong out from the pockets of her robes. It had a flaming sun etched into it. She held it up for him to see, "Sadly, I have it. If you want it so much, you will have to cooperate. If you cooperate, you get it now." Avery shrugged, "If you still refuse to go on this quest, then I will replace the sun medallion where I took it from, and you can continue on your quest to find it yourself. The choice is yours."

[Attn: Drios, Hemiola]

"Ooooh...and suddenly the wild beast is tamed!" She giggled,"All you need to do is go on this quest...help the sorceress Navari Valance find the Booke of Arcana...and put an end to Alex Bloodraven and the order." Avery's face grew very sad, "All that has taken place is not the gods' doing. Bloodraven is very powerful. He worships the gods of evil, and they help sustain his power...the gods of good are under a tight thumb. War rages in the realm of the gods. They can do nothing to help the people of Elthyria...but they have waited years to find the perfect candidates to bring the Order down and restore peace to the world." Her eyes filled with tears, "They do care, Drios, and as much as you hate them, you should still see it as an honor that you were chosen to help rid the world of its filth...to restore peace to the land...and of course, to bring your people back. You will be a hero." Avery sighed, "But again, this is not the time to explain everything. Will you go?" She held up the medallion, "Or, will you decline?" The medallion vanished, "It is your choice. I can not force you."

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios, Avery)

They were both eating some more, pretty quiet too, till a large, yet strange sudden pop sound could be heard. Hemiola steped doing a backflip took and had her hand on one of her small weapon. She was nervous especially that her hood was down. Although that was till she saw the actual form of the person, if you could call it a person, since it was more a divine creature.

Before she could do any more observation or say something about the invitation, the huge growl the younger boy did had startled her at first. She wonder if it was the same growl as before when he went hunting. And also if he was hiding his true identity like she was doing earlier. Hearing him talk rudely to the tiny angel, it sure had done a change of personality, but she was feeling pretty much the same way about the gods.

''I don't quite like the god attitude either ....but, joining forces with peoples agaisnt the order would be quite promising. For the world and for me as well, i've been waiting too much to quick some order butt.'' She thought as she listened some more the the other two wich she didn't want to interupt.

Something however made her flinch, especially when the angel took out a special looking medaillon. Drios seemed to have been searching for this, just from his look she could tell. Her mouth had sliped letting words coming out ''The sun medaillon... interesting I've heard of it before....'' She said rather neutral.

Then came the angel calling Drios a wild beast... That part made her confused and if he's not human wich he was surely not because of the growl he did earlier, she wondered what he was and why he needed this sunstone so much.

She then advance some more and says ''Well Drios, I don't exactly know what you are, however I do not think being called a wild beast would be too harsh except for the tamed part maybe haha. But~ Wild beasts sure are the more interesting and most unpredictable. '' She said on a playfull tone then adding ''What if I would call you the beautifull young wild beast ?... I mean you must have been a real one to fight this thing earlier'' She finished pointing the big boar with a smile.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios, Avery)

''Aww don't take it this way i'm just curious of what race exactly you would be, wich I think is quite natural. Especially meaning that i'll surely join the thing as well, that'll make us teamates.'' She said to Drios talking nicely and smooth with a smile.

She then look at the little angel while Drios had gone away for a sec to get his things. ''Though don't think that i'm doing this for the gods either, cause I too felt quite abandoned by them. I'm doing it cause I wanna quick the order's butt, although alone it would be suicide...... you can say I've been causing them some trouble over the years. '' She said with a tiny grin.

When Drios came back and gave her an other reply she answered playfully again ''Hmmm~ I'll decide of that myself if I ever see your true self. You never know some women could have weird tastes into what they call beautifull.'' She did a little wink in the end.

[Attn: Drios, Hemi]

Avery chuckled at Drios' threat, but did nothing to egg him on further. He could do nothing to harm her, as she technically wasn't of this plane, but as much as she wanted to challenge him, her mission was to get him to accept the quest, so she didn't want to do anything that would make him change his mind.

At his mention of the medallion being his once it was handed to him, Avery shook her head, "It is not yours. Once the quest is over, the order is gone, and your people restored, it will go back where it belongs. It is yours only temporarily." She grinned. Should she tell him? No. Not yet. She would wait, "It is enchanted. It will be able to sense when the quest has been fulfilled, or it has failed, or if you decide you no longer want to go on the quest. Either way, whichever it senses, it will automatically disappear from your clutches and go back to where it came from."

Avery turned her attention to Hemiola, anger laced in her voice, though she tried to remain calm, "Go on. Blame the gods for the way the world ended up. Most of it is the doing of the people of the world and the choicest hey make. The gods have no control over the choices you pitiful mortals make. If the gods really abandoned the world, they wouldn't care, but they are doing everything they can to keep evil from completely ruling the world. As long as there is good in the world, there is hope. If the gods truly abandoned you, the world would already be lost, but it is not. It can be saved, and they are working for that end. Personally, I don't understand why they would choose people to go on this quest who have no respect for them...but they have their reasons. Perhaps one day, you will understand." She summoned the sun medallion and threw it at Drios. It landed on the ground at his feet. She waved her hands, and a portal appeared, "If you want to go on this quest, this portal will take you where you need to go."

[Attn: Drios, Hemi]

Avery listened to what Drios had to say, and when he stepped through the portal, she spoke to him through a telepathic bond, "I know more about you than you think I do, Drios the Gargoyle. I know you have suffered, and you can hate the gods as much as you like, but you need to realize that it was the Order that brought ruin to your people, not the gods, who are trying hard to save your people and restore peace. Know this, only the gods can restore your people. You can do nothing to save them, and though you hate the gods with every fiber of your being, and blame them for what has happened, they will still save your people for you in the end because they care. Perhaps one day you will feel guilt for hating the ones who are trying to stop this. Maybe one day, you will open your blind eyes."

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios, Avery)

Drios turned before entering the portal and she didn't answered, but she had a wondering look on her face thinking ''What does he mean by this? ....hmm. When he went in she then look at the angel and answered her.

''Well understand, peoples who were praying so much to the god that never helped in the end when the order started their attacks....are quite frustrated with all this... Avery....It is true however that it was peoples who made others of their own suffer.... though still these gods weren't there when it was possible to save thousands of peoples... but now a lot of races are going instinct and are most likely....not going to be able to rebuild like before...Or even worse could totally vanish.... I two had surely lost faint in gods when I saw my people get killed or captured.... Although at the time I was simply a kid, I couldn't do much except watching even my own mom get killed in the process right ?.... I know they probably have a lot to do, but it would have been better if they would have done a move way before that.'' she said looking rather sad and angry at the same time.

''Still...like you said there's still hope, only... This hope is so working on a small tread that it could crumble easily. However you can count on me as well...'' She said with a small smile slowly entering the portal.

[Attn: Hemiola]

Avery listened to, to Hemiola, who entered the portal before she could answer, so she to, spoke to Hemiola through the telepathic bond, "No. It wasn't possible. The evil gods have gained power far beyond those of good. Most of the gods of good have disappeared. There are only a few left. They can do nothing for your world until they first regain control of their realm. If their realm is lost, then so to will Elthyria fall. This is war. There are always casualties. It is unfortunate, but true. Perhaps one day you to will understand."

The portal vanished and with it so to did the little messenger.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Avery, Drios)

Surprised by the telepatic message entering her head, she let go of a small sound.Then listening to it she reply trough her head hoping it would reacht the little angel. ''I see... well I just hope we'll be able to restore most of the world... And I wish them luck on their side. I just hope we'll have enough peoples to succeed into our own fight.'' Her thought was on a sweet and caring tone. It's not that she didn't care it's more that she would have hoped a move would have been done earlier.

She then looked around and said ''Woah, sure is a huge collection of book around here.... I see you're already exploring Drios. You seem to be searching for something... What are you looking for ? I could help you search, I don't mind.'' She said with a caring tone approaching him.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios)

''I see, I'll see if I can find anything....'' She said taking a good look on the sun amulet design. ''I'll go look on the other shelf right there.'' Starting to walk to the other shelf she looked at the book one by one, sometimes taking out some that would have similar design, but replacing them right away as it wasn't what he was looking for.

She then spotted a couple of books that looked much older at the top level. ''mmm...old books like that could have a better match...'' Looking around for a long ladder she let go of a sigh and look up. ''I wonder where they hide those ladder of them to go that high up and doesn't quite look like it's solid enough for me to be climbing up there.'' She then turn to Drios who was looking on the shelf right next to this one.

''Say....Drios... You've seen a large ladder around here ? I found some interesting old books up there, but the shelf would probably fall if I would climb up there so... '' She said waiting for an answer.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios)

''Hmm~ Someone want to adventure a bit too far I see.'' She said on a rather teasing tone. She then went to the ladder he showed her by pointing and took it to the emplacement of the books she was talking about.

Going up the ladder she looked at the books and at her surprise, those were even older then she thought. Taking them out one by one just enough to see the front, she looked at them hoping to find what he was looking for. One of the book however was so old that she actually had to take it off completely to blow on it because it had too much dust on it.

By blowing on it, of course she could now see the cover, but it made her sneeze as well ''A..a...ATCHOUM ! Man talk about dusty...hey...'' She said passing her hand on the book cover to see a bit more of it. ''Hmm... This one is awfully similar design....'' She said opening it to see some more.

''hum, Drios, I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but it is talking about the sun amulet. Except some passage aren't exactly clear due to the book being old and dirty.'' She said loudly for him to come closer.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios)

She closed the book and before she could actually turn herself to look at Drios, he got right next too her with such a long bound that she only got surprised. However she did not have the chance to say anything as the wheeled ladder had lost it's balanced. The next thing she knew she was sent flying and then she knew she fell on something and some book had fell on her.

Opening back her eyes she saw that she was on Drios wich had knocked the books off them and he laughed. ''My, that sure was a nice jump, yet dangerous one.... '' She said with a small smirk talking about his jump from earlier. At his talk she replied ''Falling for you eh ? Maybe when you'll be older, friend.'' She said teasing him as she stayed on him and started to laugh at her turn.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios)

''Hmm~ You really are an interesting individual you know that ?'' She said on a teasing yet calm tone to him when she was done laughing. At his last statement she nod and says ''Indeed I guess we'll have to clean the mess we just did, although before I actually go off you...'' She stoped talking and slowly approached him only to give him a small kiss on the cheek. ''Thanks for breaking my fall, that was really courageous of you.'' She said with a smile.

Then she got up to let him get up at his turn. ''Oh and the book must have fell in this pile there, I sort of droped it in the fall.'' She said starting to search in the books.

~Hemiola Setilan~

(ATTN : Drios)

She looked at the younger boy who was obviously blushing and the only thing that crossed her mind at that instant was ''Cute...Ah...there is the book'' She took the book that he had been looking for out of the pile and put it on the side so it wouldn't get mixed up as she was cleaning up the mess of book first.

She then turned to him and said ''I know you probably won't want to tell me, but .... why exactly you need this thing ?....Oh nevermind, I really don't want to force you into telling me about it hehe....Tell me when you're ready to talk about it.'' She said feeling a bit bad she even asked.

''Hope I didn't ruin his good mood with this '' She thought while she was still cleaning up.