Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Favian - 17

The trek into the eastern forests of Irusu uses a leisurely forgiving path by calming creeks and an abundance of fruitful trees Favian never imagined seeing in his lifetime. Trees still remain in the mainland, but the soil of Horaizon's plains no longer provides the nutrients necessary for proper growth and the widespread conifers of Myrlysa's hills don't bear sustenance for mortalkind. Although Nuvoluce's vineyards survived Nightfall and her people adamantly ensure they continue to thrive, their delicate plants hardly compare to the diverse orchard surrounding Favian now.

Upon emerging from the deep, subterranean civilization of the Moonlit, Favian found himself in Myrlysa. An unfortunately long distance from his destination in Taikira. Even moreso as he was well aware would not survive a journey straight east through the heart of the Gravelands to reach Horaizon. Instead, he had to venture south to keep to the coast where moonlit are rarer to encounter. Trading caravans didn't mind his company, though they'd grow weary of his lack of usefulness. The benefit of his travel was in observation of the mortal realm, and now that he's reached Irusu he truly understands the horrific desolation wrought by Nightfall.

Ruko breaks the silence between them as they walk. "I can't imagine not being able to wander through nature without worry. We don't have any fauna that pose a threat to mortalfolk, but even if we did nothing could keep me from exploring all of this beauty."

Favian realizes that, despite taking in his surroundings, part of that is keeping an eye out for moonlit to hide from at the slightest sign. "It's breathtaking, hard to believe a place like this still exists in the realm."

Ruko hums lowly in agreement. "I'm not sure you're going to find what you're looking for at the temple."

"It's an entire temple?"

Ruko holds up a hand to calm Favian's excitement. "Nothing at all like the Ignited Temples. This is significantly smaller, but still enough I'd say we could call it one."

I'm still excited, anything like this would have been destroyed in the mainland. "I can't be sure what I'm looking for until I see it, but at least it will be very interesting."

"It's an interesting thought that something here could be keeping moonlit away. Instead of sheer luck of them not finding the island."

"There's countless of them in the Kromitic Sea. They show enough intellect in the mainland that I'm certain they're aware of the island. Unless, for some reason, the saltwater gets to their brains. I think it's safe to say something is keeping this place safe. Finding out what would be invaluable for the survival of the realm, yet anyone that's looked into it has failed to reach a conclusion."

Ruko huffs, "I didn't realize anyone had researched it before, but I suppose I've been away from a properly updated library for too long."

Favian sighs, "The few that have did so under the guise of Ukiyo's festivals out of concern for what the Ignited Temple might do to them for investigating outside their jurisdiction."

Ruko frowns and seems lost for a few moments processing an inner resentment. He scans around for any sign they aren't alone. "Can I tell you something very private and personal? No one can ever repeat it."

"Of course, I've always been good at keeping secrets." That's at least half of a lie, but who am I going to tell?

He sighs with exhaustion, "I'm ashamed of my priesthood, I wouldn't wear those damned robes if the village begged me. It feels like a different lifetime when the local priest drew me in and mentored me into the Ignited Temple's doctrine. He was a good old man, he actually seemed to care about the old ways, but he fell victim to the hands of moonlit while traveling. I was still young in my studies, so when a new priest was stationed in our village I blindly followed his teaching." He sticks his hands into his pockets to keep from fidgeting. "I completed that education and showed up here ready to convert the "lost" population of Irusu. The way they accepted me, yet completely rejected my attempts to assimilate them "into the light"? They made me realize something was wrong and I reevaluated. Things were still early in what the temples have become since Nightfall, when word of the executions made their way to our ears I was devastated. The old ways never condoned such cruelty and conspiracy, they never meant for this war against the night."