Seekers of the Stone Maker

Rhokhishi lay next to Lyla. She had been turning on and off, and Rhokhishi did her best to calm her when possible. After an hour, Lyla fell deeper into sleep, and Rhokhishi followed not long later.

The nightmares of her past plagued Rhokhishi, but something felt different this time. Underneath where she sat, the grassland surrounding Luffari looked identical, but instead of the dark clouds that rolled over that day, she only found sunshine. Sitting next to her was a creature of brilliant light, so bright that she couldn’t even look without hurting her eyes.

She placed her hand down in the grass and tugged lightly at it. When she pulled it up and out in front of her, the weight of it changed. The grass blew away, leaving a weapon of pure light in her hand. It shifted its form, changing into various weapons, landing lastly on a greataxe. Just above her hand, she looked down to see something written in it, etched into the design.

Zariel

This wasn’t just any weapon. This was the weapon of Zariel, sister of Zarin the Just, Zarin the Justifiable, a Hound of War, and what led her away. She felt the anger rise in her heart as she held the greataxe, frustrated that they had gotten so far, but she was no closer to her goal. But this could be.

In her mind, she could hear the body of light next to her, Zariel’s voice.

You are no oath breaker, Rhokhishi. You always wanted to help and protect. That oath needs to be more defined. Do you take my weapon, a weapon as ancient as Yggdrasil herself, and declare yourself an enemy of The Justifiable?

Yes.

Then you shall take on the most ancient of oaths. Become the protector you are destined to be.

Rhokhishi felt the radiant light cover her in warmth. Looking down at her armor, she could see the design of the Eternal Pillars erased away. In its place came a new symbol. A circle of knots tied intricately together. At the bottom, the knots moved up into roots that became a tree inside the ring. Rhokhishi had never seen such a design before but knew what it meant. She opened her mouth to speak, and it echoed over the grassland.

“I will find your weapon, Lady Zariel. I will defeat Zarin, protect the people, and destroy the cultish following your brother has created.”

Rhokhishi awoke. Looking at her armor, the design of the Eternal Pillars was gone. It was not replaced, but she knew what that meant. It was no longer her armor. Putting on her garments, Lyla woke not long after. She turned over, seeing Rhokhishi, and spoke.

“Myla and I received a vision from Yla.”

“I also received a vision. From Zariel.”

“Shit…”

“We should wake the others. We have planning to do.”