Post by Taelyrn on Feb 11, 2009 1:22:11 GMT -6
(OOC: This story goes outside of the norm for the Blades in two ways: First, and most importantly, it is written in 1st-person, as opposed to the usual 3rd-person. Secondly, it is being posted a bit late for the events themselves. In relation to the rest of the Blades storyline, this takes place immediately following Taelyrn's sacrifice to destroy Baalaose, and ends a few minutes before he appears outside the Forge in 'A Moment of Enlightenment'.
Enjoy.)
[glow=white,1,500]I don’t remember the pain too much. What I remember was the light, a bright flash of blue that seemed to come from everywhere at once. I remember a sound like tearing of cloth, only on a massive scale. I remember a sound like screaming coming from the object I was giving everything to destroy.
Then, in an instant, it all stopped. The screaming stopped abruptly, and the tearing sound followed. Then, the light faded, leaving my eyes blissfully useless. I sighed with relief, and gave myself willingly to whatever came next for me.
I felt nothing, my senses completely deprived of anything to sense, for what could have been seconds or an eternity. Whichever was the case, it didn’t seem to last nearly long enough. I felt a strong force, a healing force, pulling me upwards, and the directionless darkness I had drifted in for hours suddenly began to grow lighter, until I found myself floating in a realm of white light. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see my body completely intact. I looked around, seemingly alone in this vast white expanse.
“Where am I?” I asked aloud.
You are in a place known as the Radiant Plane, one of the Elemental Planes. This one’s element is Light.
I looked around quickly, trying to put a source to the voice, which seemed to come from all around me, as well as within my own mind, all at once. However, while I somehow knew my eyes were unhindered by the brightness of the realm around me, I could see no one, besides myself, anywhere.
“Why am I here? What happened to Baalaose? What happened to my allies?” I asked, unsure whether I would get a response.
Baalaose is truly dead. Your sacrifice gave his heart far too much energy, and in the process of trying to absorb it all, it was destroyed. Your allies, save those who had already fallen in battle, are alive and well, if a little disorganized. As a matter of fact, a mutual friend of ours, Pyrodeus, has already seen to it that your sacrifice shall be remembered. A rather fitting tribute, I would say.
Not bothering to look around this time, I cleared my throat, speaking louder, in a more conversational tone. “What about my other question? Why am I here? I died, didn’t I?”
Indeed you did. A warrior’s death, your kind might call it. Also a martyr’s death, a selfless sacrifice, saving millions of people you have never met, and never will. Such a death would, normally, grant you a place in Heaven, a restful afterlife, if you wished it. Such an eternity is still yours for the taking, if you choose it.
However, I have brought you here, to the Radiant Plane, to give you another choice. A choice to follow a different path than the restful eternity you could have.
I raised an eyebrow at the latest response. “You brought me here? Who are you?”
I am known by many names, in many worlds. However, the name you would know me best by is God.
I stared off into space, open-mouthed. Normally, I would have been more skeptical, more critical, but…there was some quality to the voice, aside from the fact that it literally came from everywhere, that made me believe it without a moment’s hesitation. God brought me here? What could He want from me?
“And what is the offer at hand, if I may ask?”
You know of the Warrior Angels. At least, you know of three: Pyrodeus, Cryodivus, and the thief of the Seal of Nocticertus, Tresdos. It is that last name that concerns me, and, at least for the moment, you. I originally tasked 4 of my archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, with the creation of 4 angels, stronger than any other, to protect Heaven far from its borders, in a way that no others could. To accompany those 4, I created 4 more, for a total of 8. Over time, most of them were killed, either through accidents or battle, leaving only Pyrodeus and Cryodivus alive.
I broke in, too curious to wait. “Only 2? But what about Tresdos? Was he not the Warrior Angel of Darkness?”
He was, but he was not created as such. Recently, great damage was done to the foundations of Heaven itself, sending many of my angels to Etrah as Fallen. During the chaos that followed, Azrael, the only archangel who was not tasked with the creation of a Warrior Angel, did so of his own volition. However, before he could give the angel life, Tresdos stole the Seal for himself, taking its power, and becoming a Warrior Angel. It was never meant to happen, however, due to the circumstances of the situation, I could do very little to change it. During the battle with Baalaose, Tresdos was slain by Cryodivus, thus freeing the Seal of Nocticertus. Pyrodeus has since collected the Seal, along with Tresdos’ blades, and sealed them away within his Forge.
“But, with Tresdos dead, the problem is solved, correct?”
Unfortunately, no. The Seal of Nocticertus was created in the same way that Michael created Pyrodeus. Now, in the same way that I created Cryodivus to act as Pyrodeus’ counterpart, so must a counterpart to Nocticertus be made, a Warrior Angel of Light. That is why you are here, Taelyrn.
I blinked, struggling to wrap my mind around what I was being told. Or at least, what I thought He meant. “Wait…just so we’re on the same page…you want to recreate me as a Warrior Angel, to act as a counterpart to the Warrior Angel of Darkness?”
Exactly. I could very well create the being myself, in an instant. However, Tresdos began life as a human. While he was an angel when he stole the Seal, he still carried with him a lifetime of human experiences. As he was the first Warrior Angel of Darkness, a part of himself will live on forever within the Seal, making any future Angels created from it more…human. I need the Warrior Angel of Light to be similarly human in nature, to truly act as the balancing agent to the Seal, and whoever should next inherit its power.
I looked down at my feet, closing my eyes in thought. “And if I say no? What happens then?”
Should you choose not to become the Angel of Light, you will still reside in Heaven for eternity, living out the rest of Time in Paradise. The Warrior Angel of Light will be created from my own energy, much as Cryodivus was. It is your choice, Taelyrn. I gave your kind free will. It is your greatest gift, and even in death, I will not revoke it.
I nodded slowly, showing my understanding. I ‘sat’ on the apparent ground where I had been standing, thinking hard for a long moment. I could live forever, in Paradise, no less, or I could return to life as a Warrior Angel, fighting alongside Pyrodeus and Visignis until I was stopped from doing so.
It didn’t take long for an old, familiar voice to speak up in the back of my mind, reminding me just how much fun battle could be. How I had enjoyed fighting alongside the two before, as well as our other allies. How I still owed Visignis an apology for severing his hand. I nodded again, to myself this time, and stood.
“Do it, Lord. Whatever you need to do to me to make me your Angel of Light…do it.”
Very well. You will not remember what happens to you next. When you awake, your change will be complete, and you will no longer be Taelyrn, the Man with Two Souls. You shall rise, reborn, as Taelyrn, the Warrior Angel of Light!
I smiled, and I could almost feel Him smiling with me, as my vision faded, my other senses following soon after.
== 7 Days Later ==
I stood at Heaven’s Gate, a heavy gray cloak wrapped around my shoulders. It was held closed at the neck by a small, white gold chain, anchored on both ends to the cloak by two small, white circles. Each of these circles was marked, a symbol of my power and my station. A simple, 8-pointed sunburst, adorned with 2 wings, filled the circle. The cloak was a gift from Him, allowing me to blend in easier among the mortals by concealing my wings, which appeared to be tendrils of pure light. A little distracting to humans, even by the standards of the Warrior Angels.
Do what you will, child. You have your freedom to do as you please, so long as you remember your responsibilities. Do you remember?[/i]
I smiled. Of course I remembered. “A Warrior Angel must answer the call to defend Heaven and her interests, and must not act against Heaven, or its Creator. Such was the downfall of Tresdos, the Thief of Nocticertus. His arrogance and focus upon his own interests made him lax in his own defense. Even after his ascension through Magres Xerfal, an act which should bring us closer to the Creator, he continued to act only for himself. In the end, it was that arrogance that destroyed him, even more so than Cryodivus’ blade.”
Very good. You have learned well. You must remember, however, should Nocticertus’ power be given form once more, you are not to assume he is your enemy. You must act as the new Angel of Shadow’s guide, his counterpart, should there ever be another. You are opposites, yes, but you are not foes. Now, my child, I have only one question: What will you do now?[/i]
I nodded throughout His reminder of my role, then smiled at his question. Stepping through the gates, I put up the hood of my cloak, concealing my face. Merging with the light around Etrah, I called back, “I’m going to go get my sword back.”[/glow][/color]
Enjoy.)
[glow=white,1,500]I don’t remember the pain too much. What I remember was the light, a bright flash of blue that seemed to come from everywhere at once. I remember a sound like tearing of cloth, only on a massive scale. I remember a sound like screaming coming from the object I was giving everything to destroy.
Then, in an instant, it all stopped. The screaming stopped abruptly, and the tearing sound followed. Then, the light faded, leaving my eyes blissfully useless. I sighed with relief, and gave myself willingly to whatever came next for me.
I felt nothing, my senses completely deprived of anything to sense, for what could have been seconds or an eternity. Whichever was the case, it didn’t seem to last nearly long enough. I felt a strong force, a healing force, pulling me upwards, and the directionless darkness I had drifted in for hours suddenly began to grow lighter, until I found myself floating in a realm of white light. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see my body completely intact. I looked around, seemingly alone in this vast white expanse.
“Where am I?” I asked aloud.
You are in a place known as the Radiant Plane, one of the Elemental Planes. This one’s element is Light.
I looked around quickly, trying to put a source to the voice, which seemed to come from all around me, as well as within my own mind, all at once. However, while I somehow knew my eyes were unhindered by the brightness of the realm around me, I could see no one, besides myself, anywhere.
“Why am I here? What happened to Baalaose? What happened to my allies?” I asked, unsure whether I would get a response.
Baalaose is truly dead. Your sacrifice gave his heart far too much energy, and in the process of trying to absorb it all, it was destroyed. Your allies, save those who had already fallen in battle, are alive and well, if a little disorganized. As a matter of fact, a mutual friend of ours, Pyrodeus, has already seen to it that your sacrifice shall be remembered. A rather fitting tribute, I would say.
Not bothering to look around this time, I cleared my throat, speaking louder, in a more conversational tone. “What about my other question? Why am I here? I died, didn’t I?”
Indeed you did. A warrior’s death, your kind might call it. Also a martyr’s death, a selfless sacrifice, saving millions of people you have never met, and never will. Such a death would, normally, grant you a place in Heaven, a restful afterlife, if you wished it. Such an eternity is still yours for the taking, if you choose it.
However, I have brought you here, to the Radiant Plane, to give you another choice. A choice to follow a different path than the restful eternity you could have.
I raised an eyebrow at the latest response. “You brought me here? Who are you?”
I am known by many names, in many worlds. However, the name you would know me best by is God.
I stared off into space, open-mouthed. Normally, I would have been more skeptical, more critical, but…there was some quality to the voice, aside from the fact that it literally came from everywhere, that made me believe it without a moment’s hesitation. God brought me here? What could He want from me?
“And what is the offer at hand, if I may ask?”
You know of the Warrior Angels. At least, you know of three: Pyrodeus, Cryodivus, and the thief of the Seal of Nocticertus, Tresdos. It is that last name that concerns me, and, at least for the moment, you. I originally tasked 4 of my archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, with the creation of 4 angels, stronger than any other, to protect Heaven far from its borders, in a way that no others could. To accompany those 4, I created 4 more, for a total of 8. Over time, most of them were killed, either through accidents or battle, leaving only Pyrodeus and Cryodivus alive.
I broke in, too curious to wait. “Only 2? But what about Tresdos? Was he not the Warrior Angel of Darkness?”
He was, but he was not created as such. Recently, great damage was done to the foundations of Heaven itself, sending many of my angels to Etrah as Fallen. During the chaos that followed, Azrael, the only archangel who was not tasked with the creation of a Warrior Angel, did so of his own volition. However, before he could give the angel life, Tresdos stole the Seal for himself, taking its power, and becoming a Warrior Angel. It was never meant to happen, however, due to the circumstances of the situation, I could do very little to change it. During the battle with Baalaose, Tresdos was slain by Cryodivus, thus freeing the Seal of Nocticertus. Pyrodeus has since collected the Seal, along with Tresdos’ blades, and sealed them away within his Forge.
“But, with Tresdos dead, the problem is solved, correct?”
Unfortunately, no. The Seal of Nocticertus was created in the same way that Michael created Pyrodeus. Now, in the same way that I created Cryodivus to act as Pyrodeus’ counterpart, so must a counterpart to Nocticertus be made, a Warrior Angel of Light. That is why you are here, Taelyrn.
I blinked, struggling to wrap my mind around what I was being told. Or at least, what I thought He meant. “Wait…just so we’re on the same page…you want to recreate me as a Warrior Angel, to act as a counterpart to the Warrior Angel of Darkness?”
Exactly. I could very well create the being myself, in an instant. However, Tresdos began life as a human. While he was an angel when he stole the Seal, he still carried with him a lifetime of human experiences. As he was the first Warrior Angel of Darkness, a part of himself will live on forever within the Seal, making any future Angels created from it more…human. I need the Warrior Angel of Light to be similarly human in nature, to truly act as the balancing agent to the Seal, and whoever should next inherit its power.
I looked down at my feet, closing my eyes in thought. “And if I say no? What happens then?”
Should you choose not to become the Angel of Light, you will still reside in Heaven for eternity, living out the rest of Time in Paradise. The Warrior Angel of Light will be created from my own energy, much as Cryodivus was. It is your choice, Taelyrn. I gave your kind free will. It is your greatest gift, and even in death, I will not revoke it.
I nodded slowly, showing my understanding. I ‘sat’ on the apparent ground where I had been standing, thinking hard for a long moment. I could live forever, in Paradise, no less, or I could return to life as a Warrior Angel, fighting alongside Pyrodeus and Visignis until I was stopped from doing so.
It didn’t take long for an old, familiar voice to speak up in the back of my mind, reminding me just how much fun battle could be. How I had enjoyed fighting alongside the two before, as well as our other allies. How I still owed Visignis an apology for severing his hand. I nodded again, to myself this time, and stood.
“Do it, Lord. Whatever you need to do to me to make me your Angel of Light…do it.”
Very well. You will not remember what happens to you next. When you awake, your change will be complete, and you will no longer be Taelyrn, the Man with Two Souls. You shall rise, reborn, as Taelyrn, the Warrior Angel of Light!
I smiled, and I could almost feel Him smiling with me, as my vision faded, my other senses following soon after.
== 7 Days Later ==
I stood at Heaven’s Gate, a heavy gray cloak wrapped around my shoulders. It was held closed at the neck by a small, white gold chain, anchored on both ends to the cloak by two small, white circles. Each of these circles was marked, a symbol of my power and my station. A simple, 8-pointed sunburst, adorned with 2 wings, filled the circle. The cloak was a gift from Him, allowing me to blend in easier among the mortals by concealing my wings, which appeared to be tendrils of pure light. A little distracting to humans, even by the standards of the Warrior Angels.
Do what you will, child. You have your freedom to do as you please, so long as you remember your responsibilities. Do you remember?[/i]
I smiled. Of course I remembered. “A Warrior Angel must answer the call to defend Heaven and her interests, and must not act against Heaven, or its Creator. Such was the downfall of Tresdos, the Thief of Nocticertus. His arrogance and focus upon his own interests made him lax in his own defense. Even after his ascension through Magres Xerfal, an act which should bring us closer to the Creator, he continued to act only for himself. In the end, it was that arrogance that destroyed him, even more so than Cryodivus’ blade.”
Very good. You have learned well. You must remember, however, should Nocticertus’ power be given form once more, you are not to assume he is your enemy. You must act as the new Angel of Shadow’s guide, his counterpart, should there ever be another. You are opposites, yes, but you are not foes. Now, my child, I have only one question: What will you do now?[/i]
I nodded throughout His reminder of my role, then smiled at his question. Stepping through the gates, I put up the hood of my cloak, concealing my face. Merging with the light around Etrah, I called back, “I’m going to go get my sword back.”[/glow][/color]