Private Western Brisshal What Justice?

[Athena]

Lightning flashed in the sky above. The rain came down in sheets, barely held back by the leaves and branches forming the canopy above. The blindfolded priestess swung the hunk of metal in front of her, the strike clumsy and off balance. Her practice was only hindered by the slick metal grip of the training sword. That did little to stop her from continuing however. She had a reputation to build, and her clumsy excuse for combat was doing absolutely nothing to help with that. Endra expected more from her. She was certain of that.

Muddy water sloshed around her feet as she readjusted her stance. She knew a solid stance was the key to powerful and controlled strikes but it didn't seem to be helping her much at the moment. Her real sword lay propped up against a tree on the other side of the small clearing, the golden scale built into the cross guard shimmering as a stream of water from the leaves above poured down on it. Her fingers clenched, hands tightening around the dull iron hand and a half training sword.

To her, the droplets seemed to slow down around her as she swung, feeling for the first time that she might be doing something right. This felt good. The rounded edge of the blade smacked through the rain with a significant amount of power. When it came time to halt the blow the momentum was way too much and the sword went flying, slamming into the trunk of a nearby tree and causing a shower of water and acorns to rain down.

Damn it!

She cried out as the rain seeped further into her clothes.

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Rain had always been difficult for Lucia to deal with. The reason largely came from the fact that she spent her time out in the wild using tents and blankets as opposed to houses and beds. If it rained too hard, Lucia didn't often leave her tent as the risk of disturbing the mud and risking a mess was high. For that reason she stayed out, umbrella in hand, Steward floating not too far from her as she went. Unlike her need for an umbrella though, the Wraith King didn't seem to need any protection from the rain or mud as the specter floated without feet or legs to stain and the drops almost seemed to pass through him.

Though as she went, Lucia stumbled upon a fellow priestess which made her perk a brow. The girl's cries only making her that much more concerned as she tried to enter the clearing. "Are you alright dear?" Lucia asked, her brow furrowed with concern. She seemed new, struggling, for whatever reason pouring too much in to her work in Lucia's assumption. Trying to hold the large umbrella over the woman to shelter her from the rain briefly, that blip didn't go unnoticed by Lucia's steward who took action to shield her from the rain if she was going to try and shelter someone else.

"You'll get sick out here. Getting a cold in the game is just as frustrating as reality trust me. You should dry off and at least take five." Lucia offered out of worry. She didn't want the woman to just end up wearing herself down to the bone or ending up with a fever as well.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Having been so focused on her efforts, it was only the rain ceasing to fall on her that alerted her to Lucia's approach. Turning around suddenly, she stumbled backwards a step; The sheer power of the woman's magical aura causing the young priestess to raise her hand to cover her already blindfolded eyes. This was nothing compared to the demon corpse from the expedition, but it was still more than enough to cause her physical pain. Without a doubt this was, by far, the most powerful person she had come across in her time in Terra.

She slowly lowered her hand, eyes gradually adjusting to the overwhelming magical aura. More than just the magical aura, her echolocation was acting up. She could clearly see a second aura, but the sound waves seemed to pass right through it. "Do the gods not look favorably upon the willful suffering of their servants? Especially when it comes to furthering their own objectives?" Her voice was quiet now, lacking to forceful frustration of her outburst a few moments ago. As a representative of Endra it wasn't proper for her to show too much emotion to others.

"However... I was not aware this world could afflict me with its pestilence..." The words were muttered, quietly and thoughtfully. It was obvious that the potential negative consequences of her actions had never crossed her mind before this moment.

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

With a small chuckle, Lucia nodded along. In the woman's eyes that saw magical powers, she would see a complicated system inside of Lucia. While others might simply have their magic coursing through them, within Lucia, it was a complex system of pathways and tunnels much like veins carrying magic throughout her form. At one point by her head a dark magic flowed and from her heart in her chest, light magic coursed through those pathways. Both flowed through the system black and white clashing at points, small wars being waged constantly as light and dark pushed back and forth in a constant battle. Each time the contact point moved in favor of one side, Lucia gained experience as the other side pushed back harder to equal back out resulting in more experience gain. Even now standing with a small smile on her face, she was leveling.

"Come now, self-destruction is not the same as penance dear. Doing something that might cause you harm would only hamper your efforts to strive further the next day." She tried to advise hoping her words were helpful. After all, Lucia herself was a priestess as well, she sympathized with trying to be recognized by deities in this world that seemed fit to treat people as bystanders then major players. Though on the topic of ailments and pestilence Lucia nodded along. "Recently there was even a bit mission involved in a particular disease 'Red Fever'. Illness is unfortunately very real here, some can manifest it and others cure it, but it is a very real thing." Lucia explained hoping that the woman wouldn't cause herself any more harm then already might be inflicted.

The most important point though was making sure she didn't over exert herself trying to be pious. "All things come with time and effort, to try and push forward ahead stubbornly I'm afraid might negatively effect your efforts. Patience is a virtue even in this world after all." She tried to assure making an effort to offer her umbrella.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Athena cocked her head to the side slightly. The woman was making some interesting points, although she had her own issues with the logic. She was momentarily distracted by the complex webs of magic flowing through the lady in front of her. When she refocused the conversation had already shifted to a topic that she was more than familiar with. She could almost feel the swarms of fever fliers crawling over her exposed skin again, sinking their teeth into her flesh.

Her mouth twisted into a grimace. Disgusting.

"A misnomer, I'm sure. Those incompetent MIT members showing their true colors. Red Fever was significantly closer to poison than a disease." Her beautiful face twisted once more into a scowl, shifting her weight and crossing her arms, obviously displaying some sort of deep seated annoyance with the group.

"I do have a question for you, if you would be so kind as to enlighten me." She regained a little control over her facial expression now that she was returning to the topic of training. Her fingers grasped the offered umbrella, making sure to continue holding it over the two of them as best she could. "Would it not be better to injure oneself finding their limits in order to know them? Or is there a better way? How does one know if they are trying hard enough unless they try too hard first?"

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

With a bitter smile, she couldn't help shaking her head. "Incompetent huh?" She asked, thinking back to her frustrations in that lab, the reasons she didn't stick around. It was like cavemen smashing ingredients together without caring about the consequences, they were given no other options. However frustrating it might be. The talk of it being closer to a poison though made Lucia shake her head. "As someone who participated in it, it certainly was a disease I'm afraid, even if it weren't it doesn't make your situation of catching a cold any less likely." Lucia spoke dryly.

Though the woman's question made her tilt her head, it was an amusing question, one that likely came from a place of anxiousness and impatience she thought. She wouldn't judge someone for their style but it was a a dangerous prospect in her mind. "No, not at all dear. If that's how you go about it I'm afraid you're approaching it from the opposite angle. It would be like rushing to the end of your life span so you know how long you'll live then asking me how you would know how much time you have if you don't find out, sure you'll find out, but you'll end up dead or ruined." Lucia shook her head as she explained.

Though if Athena seemed uncertain of her example, Lucia would try to clarify. "I'd be weary, you shouldn't view your breaking point as your limit. It's best to push gently towards your limits, a little further each time rather then trying to rush towards that finish line." Lucia tried to offer what she hoped was well rounded advice for the woman. "Why not take five for now, get a change of clothes and something warm to eat?" She tried to offer.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Athena considered the woman's words carefully. It was as though a veil had been lifted and she finally understood something that she had been thinking about for a long long time. She had always had a tendency to push herself too hard, likely due to her disability and the desire to prove herself to others.

"I see..." She spoke thoughtfully, eye downcast slightly as she processed the advice. "Only someone with experience in the matter could break it down as succinctly as you. Perhaps my goddess sent you here to answer my questions."

She felt a little guilty about accepting any more help from someone who had already helped her so much, however, she also felt it would be quite rude to refuse her invitation. She moved to pass the umbrella back to Lucia, slipping out from under it's protection and dashing across the small clearing to retrieve her sword. She did her best to use her enhanced senses to dodge the worst of the rain, although it was clear that she lacked the speed to do so with any real success. She sprinted back, attempting the same maneuver and failing spectacularly.

She panted, out of breath from the small amount of exercise. "Maybe I do need to give myself some recovery time. I will gladly take you up on your offer." Although she had absolutely no idea where in this forest they would find shelter, let along something warm to eat. She reached out her hand to take the umbrella back to hold for Lucia. "I am Athena. It is a pleasure to meet one as wise and powerful as yourself."

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

With a small chuckle, Lucia reached out a gentle hand to pat the girl's head. Her touch sweet as if trying to soothe any disappointment or frustration that might be left behind from the advice she offered. "I speak from experience I suppose. Once upon a time I tried to do everything myself, I poured over magic and destroyed my body causing many injuries trying to be different. While I was successful in the end, I don't think I achieved anything faster then I may have if i'd taken things slowly and methodically." Lucia explained as if hoping her own story might be helpful.

Though hearing her willingness to relax and take 5 was something of a relief. Lucia didn't want the poor woman to shatter herself in the rain being stubborn at least. Nodding Lucia beckoned to one side and began to walk making sure Athena was as sheltered from the rain as she could as she went. "Then let's head to my home." She spoke as she walked with the girl in tow she introduced herself brightly. "I'm Lucia Mierz, but you don't need to be so polite. In the end we're both players in this world, my experience or power doesn't really change the quality of person I am." she insisted, not being one for etiquette and brown nosing like some might.

As they walked further, Athena would be able to notice other undead and skeletons. Their bodies woven together with magic, drawing power from the stars, planets and sun to keep moving, they became more numerous and noticeable as they got closer to her camp. When they entered, she'd see the bustling atmosphere of a busy work camp, dragging materials and logs from the forest to stack into a pile. Though the workers were weak, the armored undead were a bit stronger at about C or B rank in power. She led Athena towards her camp site, taking her own shoes off so as to not track mud in trying to ask Athena to do the same. "This is my usual spot, warm and comfortable comparably. Do you want a change of clothes?" She'd ask, offering Athena a towel to dry her hair at least.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Her head tilted down demurely at the gesture of reassurance. It reminded her greatly of the elders at her shrine encouraging her in her studies. She drew her sheathed sword closer to her chest, almost hugging it and she followed the necromancer.

"It is the privilege of the powerful to say something like that. A person's power is their worth, tempered even more by their experience. Such as a piece of coal can become a diamond, and a piece of iron a sword."

There was more to what she was saying, but she kept it to herself for the moment. She would rather not provoke someone who was being so kind to her with what was simply conjecture. Even if she believed that conjecture to be fact.

Her head cocked to the side as they approached their destination, picking up quite clearly the shapes of skeletons. Instead of murdering and destroying they seemed to be working productively. Somehow this was more terrifying than the former. Had she stumbled upon the beginnings of a necropolis and its evil overlord? Necromancy was certainly evil, but something about these undead felt different from normal. She didn't like it, making a mental note of the location in case she had to find her way back at some point when she was stronger to make judgement.

Bending over as they reached the camp site, Athena loosened the webbed leather of her sandals with some difficulty, slipping her feet out. "I did not know there was a place like this here in the forest." She accepted the towel, running it over her soaked hair. "If you have some to spare, just while these dry off, I would gladly accept your offer." She paused. "I suppose I should ask why you would extend such kindness to one such as I?"

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Hearing a person's power being their worth made her frown. Lucia'd always tried to find value in everything after all, her undead was a good reflection of that as well. Certainly the powerful ones might be more handy in a conflict, but everyone played their part. "I'm not so sure about that dear. Power is a transient thing; power today could be weakness tomorrow. Refining yourself is definitely important, but to say it's used to evaluate one's worth and merits I worry might warp your view point." She offered, if the woman seemed confused though, Lucia would rub her chin as if trying to think of examples. "All of the sword skills in the world won't save you from cold. All of the medical knowledge won't save you from a hungry tiger. All of the warm shelter won't save you once you contract a flesh eating illness." She offered hoping her analogy wasn't too terrible, but it illustrated the nature of power in context.

"There wasn't a place originally. I made it; I have a few little camps like this." Lucia explained with a warm smile, the undead working were all beings she was proud of naturally, even the mindless mechanical ones were citizens of her future kingdom. Though when she asked about spares, Lucia offered her a spare dress, it was a little plain but warm at least, gesturing to a partition for her to change behind if she wanted. When asked about her kindness though she simply shook her head. "It's my duty as a Priestess too, though my subordinates would liken me more to a Saintess I'm afraid that title's a bit more self-proclaimed. Helping people struggling or in need is an important part of proselytizing, not that I'd want to sway you personally, but it's not bad to keep an open mind."

While Lucia spoke and helped Athena, the Wraith King would gradually set a table, plates, glasses, tableware. As if unsatisfied with the nature of the dazzling glasses, the Wraith King would occasionally wipe one with a cloth before adjusting another slightly. The steward busying itself with cooking utensils and stored materials to throw something together.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

While she respected the other god's, at least most of them, Athena was of the firm belief that there was only one god truly worth worshipping. She scooped up the dress, slowly making her way over to the partition. "I would rather have power today and weakness tomorrow over weakness every day." She slipped out of her clothes with difficulty, the wet cloth sticking to her and making the process of changing a major hassle. She plopped the wet clothes onto the ground a few moments later, a puddle quickly forming underneath them.

"My very being is dedicated to my goddess, my body, as weak and frail as it currently is, is a temple to her. I do not feel as though my current power is enough to represent her strength and wisdom, or to properly enforce her justice." She opened up from behind the partition, pulling the dress over her head and adjusting it.

"Have you ever felt that way? Or is my faith just too weak, even now?" The woman finally asked, bare feet padding on the floor as she made her way into the open. The robes had given her a sense of authority, but now that she had changed out of them she seemed much closer to her actual age. Perhaps it was rude of her to ask what might be a very personal question.

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Lucia couldn't help shaking her head, it seemed the analogy didn't quite hit home. Thinking of another way to phrase it the best she could she continued with a sigh. "More; A doctor's power is different from a swordsman's power. Which would you say is more valuable? I don't mean to become a doctor, but at the very least, if you've worn yourself out doing one thing, it wouldn't be unreasonable to develop something else during your rest period." She tried again, to properly frame what power might mean. She seemed at least to be thoroughly invested in the sword, but at least while one was exhausted they could try other skills that wouldn't compound stress of their body.

While the woman was changing though, the Wraith King worked, though it seemed a simple stew on the exterior it carried scents of thyme and sage. The ladle occasionally sinking into pot to stir the contents making sure it was still meal worthy churning slices of pork and potatos until he was satisfied. Though he reached towards the wine rack Lucia hesitated trying to stall him with a gesture causing Mortimer to likewise think twice. Lucia wasn't certain at least about the woman's opinion on liquor and thought it best to simply stick with a warm meal.

Of course when asked about representing her goddess, Lucia leaned her head back with a sigh. "I'm not sure anyone will ever really feel prepared to enforce a divine will or represent a divinity in this game I'm afraid. They appear so sparsely and at the same time ask a great deal for their intervention. My own Goddess only intervened in my events three times to date, and two I had to die for unfortunately." Lucia spoke with a bitter expression clearly having peculiar feelings on the subject. Her dedication didn't waver, but now that she was on her last chance, Lucia had to weigh her real life obligations against a visit from her deity.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

It would be different for her, she was certain of it. Once she proved herself she knew her goddess would appear to her often. She crossed her arms, uncomfortable with the avenue of conversation they were going down. She had initiated it of course, but she felt like any way she responded would put her on thin ice. If she spoke those thoughts aloud it would certainly seem as though she were saying Lucia's faith was weaker than hers. Of course, it was, but she would rather not antagonize her host. She was different; She was special; She was chosen. She was destined to become the mouthpiece of her deity.

She angled her face away from Lucia. "Very unfortunate..." She lapsed into an awkward silence. She took the opportunity to gracefully make her way over to her sandals, only now relinquishing her great sword, setting it down next to them with a clunk. "Would you mind elaborating on the circumstances that led to those interventions?" The other woman seemed unhappy about something, but the opportunity to learn something about divine intervention in this world was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

"Perhaps by hearing how they came about I can learn something from your experience. Of course, if it isnt too painful of a story for you." A minor look of concern appeared on Athena's face as she glanced back up at her.

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Lucia cracked a small smile at the thought of her goddess, they had a good relationship despite the struggles. It was just hard to motivate her to move personally beyond giving Lucia power indirectly. "Mm, the first was when we first met. It was the first event of this game, I was but a humble archer cursing arrows. In those days it was harder to grow, without a large event or epic boss battle to drop the required item, you would never be able to acquire higher level masteries." Lucia explained. Back then Necromancy was a high tier power, one that couldn't be achieved without a Necronomicon. One that could only be found in world boss battles or dangerous life threatening events. "She offered me a chance though, to grow if I believed in myself enough, so I took it, and died for it, it melted me into soup." She spoke of the bitter memory while shaking her head, a horrifying death but she continued despite that. "After dying though she found me, I rode her gondola to the other side, she told me I didn't have to stay, and so I came back with her blessing that was my first death, and my first step to becoming a Saintess and her priestess."

Lucia would hold a cup up for Mortimer to pour her some coffee, once it was warmed, she'd take a brief sip before continuing as if finding her place in her head. "The second, was in a battle against the elemental Azogg. Such was my devotion and effort up until that time that she offered to intervene at the cost of my life. Seeing the condition of my friends at the time and the power of the monster, I didn't want to lost our chance so I accepted. She came down, and with a fist decimated a large portion of it's health before she carried me back to death once again." Lucia explained while shaking her head. "Unfortunately this was before we knew about being UI locked... Otherwise I may have been a bit more choose-y with my lives. While it might have been riskier, I'm sure we would've managed with our own power." She exhaled a sigh of regret. She certainly didn't blame her deity, it was a deal offered that she simply didn't understand the consequences of. While she might change her mind if she went back, it wouldn't and didn't change her opinion or feelings for the divine being at all.

"The third, was during the attempted assassination that we were tasked with in a big event quest. Despite it being an assassination event, I worked hard to change people's mind, even by force to negate the quest. Rather then Zeus, it was better to protect him for the greater good of the common folk so we betrayed the quest giver and fought other members of the party until they were forced to agree. In the end we were all attacked by crystal ants, and the Goddess asked me for a sacrifice again that Zeus instead stepped in to pay. She wanted his eyes, but he offered his arm, and the Goddess accepted, and saved us by erasing the crystal ants." Lucia spoke with a nod. That was perhaps one of her more fond memories where her machinations had relevance even to today, a small thing she helped to achieve that to this day was paying back in the form of an NPC that supported the player cause.

"This however, is why I say it is difficult road." Lucia explained with a dry smile. "I'm considered heavily favored, the most favored you could say, Chosen even. I was the only player even interested in spending time at the temples, helping the locals, doing charity work up until I became what I am now... And this unfortunately is the most that can be done." Lucia spoke with a shake of her head. Despite her best efforts and her dedication there was only so much she could encourage her deity to intervene on. Whether it was because Synra paid a price to intervene as well or needed her to do so to cross over, she didn't know but it was difficult for even her, she felt the need to caution others.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Athena was not really in a position as a new player to understand the actual context of these stories. They sounded epic, but she could barely picture them. They sounded to be on a scale equaling or greater than the expedition she had just been on. Still, as she had hoped there were lessons she could learn, even if they were simple as the god's not seeming to help unless a price is payed. "I see. I'm not sure I follow the difficulty part. Death is a small price to pay. This Zeus guy seems like he payed the real price, living with a disability. That guy is still paying in a way to this very day." She paused. "If he's still around that is." She clasped her hands thoughtfully in front of her.

"It seems to me the solution just comes back down to power again. We need power rivaling the gods so we can intervene in their place!" Athena exclaimed, gesturing with her hand as though it were obvious. "The god's must want to help us, but cant without payment of some kind. That is why they have envoys like you and I." She nodded, starting to pace slowly. "We need power to intervene for them."

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

Shaking her head, she couldn't tell if Athena was so confident because she knew the game too well or because she didn't. Though Lucia couldn't agree that death was a small price to pay while she had people in reality relying on her, while she had things she wanted to do in life. "I think it depends. Death has varying levels of permanence after all. For them, for Zeus you could say, they get only one chance, so it's better to live with one arm and keep doing good then to lose that chance. For us players, we might get more chances, but that doesn't make each one less valuable necessarily, particularly if one is needed to call upon those powers." Lucia tried to offer. In her mind death was a heavy penalty, perhaps too heavy in her mind.

The thought about power to help the gods and intervene in their place was niche though. Lucia did understand and sympathize with such a belief, to an extent she too even agreed with it. "To an extent I certainly agree, they would benefit if we were strong enough to support them, strength that we simply lack at the moment. To consider a power rivaling though I believe might be dangerous though. God forbid we achieve such level of power, what then? I fear those rules might come as a consequence of that level of potential, at least, all things do come with a price, and powers of that magnitude would no doubt need to be restrained in some way." Lucia spoke with a sigh and a bitter shake of her head. Unfortunately they just didn't know, but she did have some basis to her theory. Simply that there were more gods now then there were when she first began in the game, they had to come from somewhere.

@Athena

 

[Athena]

Athena started to twirl her hair between her fingers, listening to the more experienced player. "To live, disabled or in pain, or to die and move on to paradise? To die for others is a surefire way to enter 'valhalla'. Not literal Valhalla of course, but paradise for the warrior. I think I know which one is the smaller price to pay." Her head tilted downwards, as though inspecting her own hand even though she lacked the sight to do so.

Without realizing it she started to grind her heel into the floor. "The only rules the powerful have are self imposed. Otherwise they aren't gods in the first place but puppets of a system even greater than them." She grimaced, an ugly expression at odds with her beautiful face. "I will have enough power to make crush evil beneath my foot. And if I have to surpass the gods to bring true justice and judgement to this world I can and will." She glanced up quickly, expression faltering as she was fully aware that she was likely crossing a line with her words that she definitely shouldn't. She edged towards her sandals, feeling that after that little outburst she had probably more than overstayed her welcome. Or worse, Lucia might try to stop her ambitions.

@Lucia Mierz

 

[Lucia Mierz]

With a soft chuckle, Lucia couldn't help shaking her head at such an ethereal goal. Valhalla, if it was literal valhalla she might have understood a faith based argument, but to imply otherwise while still searching for such a paradise seemed like a dangerous misconception. "There are a lot of names for such a place, Valhalla, Elysium, The Hero's Hall. While I don't want to dissuade anyone from a noble goal of sacrificing for others, I feel it's a little harsh to draw a line between 'Living' for others as opposed to 'Dying' for others. As you said, To live, disabled or in pain, struggling, fighting doing what you can with what you've been given or choosing not to. The smaller price to pay, certainly, but is your goal to haggle for paradise or leave as lasting a legacy as you can?" She asked with a dry smile as if hoping she could encourage the woman to not look upon dying so easily as an option. No one's goal should be racing to their end for promises, should they happen to meet there end, there was no harm in having faith in them, but to race towards it seemed disastrous.

Of course, Lucia hearing that the rules of the powerful were self-imposed, it was unfortunately up for debate. The reason, naturally, being the lack of an apex role. "Everything has it's own rules dear, to not have rules is to be entropic. Just as we have rules and needs by which we must live and follow, so too should deities have their own rules and systems, as the possible beings above them-- this system." Lucia spoke, gesturing with a hand to pull up her menu as an example. "--Has it's own rules and system. To not have that, to deny balance dear is to become entropic; One day something means this, another day something means that, perhaps justice could mean something one day, maybe judgement change to something else the next." Lucia tried to explain, the importance of those rules and regulations the best she could. Chaos after all, had always in her mind been a true villain opposed to genuine 'evil'.

@Athena