eggbowl | In my blood...

In my blood...

[everything happened so quickly and so slowly, everything that happened is nothing but a haze in Dohalim’s mind. he isn’t sure what had transpired, all he can think about are the dredged up memories he’d spent so long suppressing, tamped down and never to be brought to light ever again. the despair had overtaken him, distant screams and thoughts of death clouding his thoughts as gleaming, liquid silver splashed into view. all he knew after that was unadulterated rage, wanting nothing more than to banish those with him, and to punish those who were responsible.

trails of blood and carnage followed Dohalim to the palace as he tore through any Renan in his path. they could no longer be trusted. the ideals of coexistence is now nothing but a burned up dream; he now sees their true colours. the Dahnans were not the ones at fault here, he could not blame them. but those who got in his way are pulled away by summoned vines as he continues his warpath.

blood splatters the pristine walls of Autelina Palace, an angry contrast to the calming whites, golds, blues and greens, crimson liquid staining the fresh plants and flowers lined up along the walls. countless times had he been met with Renan resistance, clearly those who are dissidents of his rule. they did not stand for very long. the audacity they had to stand up against a lord like him…

vines rip the doors open to his chambers where Kelzelik and his supporters huddle together, eyes widened to see Dohalim stand before them, rod in hand. words are not exchanged as those same vines wrap themselves around those who’d dare to oppose him, their pleas falling on deaf ears as they slowly squeeze the lives out of them. all, except Kelzelik, one of those who Dohalim had trusted the most. one who seemed to follow his every order, his every suggestion, his every dream for this realm. the blood on Dohalim’s hands are also on his former advisor’s, as he gestures to the men struggling around them]

You did this.

[Dohalim’s voice sounds strange even to him, hoarse and pained. maddened eyes stay on the man, standing unflinching as thorns burst from the vines and through those it’s ensnared. crimson blooms of roses blend with the blood as it drips from the petals as he puts to rest those who had tried to seize his realm.

when Dohalim is finally found, he’s still in his chambers, on his knees, arms wrapped tightly around himself as hands grasp onto his shoulders, his breathing is ragged and erratic]

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["I have no opposition, if you feel that is the best course. I trust you have a plan, especially if you are to keep the peace in the land."

the last thing that Rukkhadevata would like to see is Menancia's resources ravished by another tyrant lord again. the land is the first time she's seen in thrive in nearly three hundred years, and even her own astral energy had been the most abundant since the invasion. she's not one hundred percent, and she's sure she never will be again, but this is as close as she can get. while she is tired from leaving her grove, the fact that she was able to in the first place speaks volumes.

"I do have to wonder though... and perhaps Rex Lapis would be able to share his own opinion on the idea, would it alleviate some stress if we were to let the people know about us, as well? There are already rumours spreading in the palace of his... otherworldliness."]

[he can't be surprised by the rumours, after such a short period of so many incidents, but it's still a little troubling. how would they react, knowing the truth? what truth should they even share?

exhaling a soft hum, he closes his eyes before speaking.]

I... believe we are approaching the inevitability of explaining our presence, yes. Perhaps not in full, just now, but it would be better to engage the people of Menancia and see how they react to the idea of a creature like myself in our midst. I don't think they'll mistake my intentions, but that is also a possibility we must be ready for.

["I would reveal just enough for the people to know who and what we are, and what our intentions are. It would not be a lie to tell them that we are here to aid Dohalim. But if they see that their lord is taken to the both of us, it would quell some uneasiness when it comes to us as individuals, I think."]

But to gather everyone and make such an announcement would require time and effort that, I will admit, do not have at the moment. So how do you intend to proceed with that plan?

[Rukkhadevata smiles softly, if not a little cheekily. "I am to dreams as Rex Lapis is to contracts. Like him, I have the ability to dreamwalk, but I can do it better." she gives Zhongli a wink, fully teasing him.

"In all seriousness, I am the goddess of dreams. It is why I am able to offer you a dreamless sleep. But I feel as if I've failed in that regard... I should have taken into consideration that you would nap in the middle of the day."

she moves to set what she was working on onto the the table; vials with crushed herbs and tea leaves. "These are portioned for those moments where you need a couple of hours of rest. Just mix it into some warm water."]

Haaah. One would not be unwise to say that dreamwalking is far from my normal repertoire, indeed. A... bull in an antique shop, one might say.

[it's just a reality to him, even insomuch as Rukkhadevata is teasing him. this is why he made so many contracts, isn't it? to cover his weaknesses in a way that he could never do otherwise. his gaze flits to the vials, then to Dohalim, a soft smile playing on his lips.]

In fairness, I should have asked if there wasn't something about the daytime. It is an oversight that's remedied, and with no further harm done. As for the efforts - if there are any oversights to her efforts, I can step in to inform the remaining necessary individuals.

["Yes... I suppose we should anticipate the odd person not believing in us as gods. Or the Dahnans getting angry at us for forsaking them during the Renan invasion."

that... is more of a probability than she would like to admit. humans are so quick to judge, and without all of the information, they can draw the wrong conclusions and convince themselves that they're right. this, she'll have to navigate carefully to mitigate discourse among those who would feel like they were betrayed. she wouldn't blame them in the slightest, though, not when Menancia is sill recovering from Kelzalik's attempted coup.

"Though, I do have faith that dreamwalking to inform the people of who we are and what our intentions are would... soften the blow, so to speak."

she gently places a hand on Dohalim's leg again, wanting to offer a bit of comfort.

"With that out of the way... I suppose we should discuss Umbra. I..."

Rukkhadevata hums softly, wondering if this is the best course of action, for the time being. she's still looking for other solutions to cleanse the spirit, but she's slowly starting to run out of options and time.

"I may be able to alleviate some influence it may have on you."

Dohalim's eyes widen ever so slightly as he sits up a bit in Zhongli's lap]

...You can do that?

I expect it is an allegation we'll have to answer to at least once.

[which will be a whole slew of issues, but nothing they can't handle. particularly, it's nothing she can't handle, because while Zhongli can go on about things, he's aware that he's not... the easiest person to listen to.

on the subject of Umbra, Zhongli pauses, glancing to the other deity quietly. he's not sure which method she intends to employ; surely nothing drastic, when they'll both be needed for most of this effort, but how much can she really alleviate in the interim?]

... I admit, I still find myself curious on this matter as well.

"Umbra has taken hold of Dohalim's subconscious, yes? It's a matter of soothing some of the rage. I've felt it last night... If I cannot soothe it that way, I may be able to create some sort of barrier. It's a bandage approach, but it may help."

it also does help that Umbra isn't as hateful towards Rukkhadevata than it towards Zhongli. that, she still has no clue as to why. perhaps it sees him as a threat of some sort. but by that logic, would she be seen as just as much of a threat? or is there something deeper at play that even she can't see?

Dohalim, on the other hand, looks a little hopeful for this. the fact that the goddess can silence it for just a little bit is more progress than he ever could have hoped for. what he truly wants is for Umbra to get out of his head completely, but if she's still looking for a way to do that, but still give him this, then... he can't complain too much, can he? if it'll prevent him from hurting others and Zhongli, then who is he to argue?]

When can you do it? Can you do it now?

[Rukkhadevata shakes her head slightly. "I will have to do it when you are asleep, and once I've regained some of my energy back. Between waking Rex Lapis up and making the journey here, I've spent a bit of my own energy doing so. I will be able to later tonight, if you would let me rest here for a time."

Dohalim sort of slumps back against Zhongli's chest; he won't lie and tell himself he's not disappointed, but he can't exactly demand that the goddess help him now. if she needs to recover, then he will let her, obviously; the last thing he wants is for her to injure herself]

...Alright. If you need to rest for longer, then I can wait.

[Zhongli listens to this as well, offering a wry smile as Dohalim gets his answer. It's an unsatisfying one in some ways, but...]

Worry not. [He leans down to press his lips to the crown of the Renan's head, one hand cradling his cheek gently.] We have something for the interim, and it will only be until tonight.

Ah— to that end, shall we have a guest room made up for you, Rukkhadevata?

["I would not mind a room, if there is one to spare. I am not sure how long I will stay, but I would like to stay for a time, in case there are any side effects of the tea, or if my abilities are not enough to quell Umbra."

Rukkhadevata offers a small, but sheepish smile before she continues.

"Also... I have not seen the city for a while. I would like to see it again. And I've heard the library is rather extensive... Perhaps I will be able to find a clue as to how to cleanse Umbra."

honestly, she's been so lonely for years, aside from her aides who've kept a watchful gaze on the realm. she does feel remorseful that they've had to witness history as it unfolded in front of them, but it was the only way she could keep an eye on Menancia while staying in her grove.

Dohalim watches the goddess for a moment, pondering on something. if it's a matter of a lack of elemental energy, then he wonders... and perhaps this could help Zhongli too in the future, if he needs it as well... he glances up at him]

Zhongli, do you still have my master core?

Should they take well to our presence, it would be a pleasure to introduce you to the wonders of Viscint. It has been... rather longer than we expected for this path to unfold, hasn't it?

[Zhongli speaks it with some regret; though their paths were different, there was a lot of loneliness in both deities. He hopes, at least, that her path shielded her from too much of that regret before now.

But at the question, his thoughts are brought out of such a depressing place, blinking once.]

Mm? Of course. [It's different from summoning it from Dohalim's body; there's something almost protective about the space it rises from, as though keeping it there was dangerous for it (or perhaps more likely, the space it inhabited).] did you have a thought to using it?

[It's really no surprise that he can somewhat guess Dohalim's intent, close as they are.]

Yes... I'm hoping it'll work.

[it's frightening just how responsive the master core is when Dohalim picks it up; he can't deny the thru of energy inside of it. But it also doesn't fail to remind him of everyone who's lost their lives, and the silver lake left in their wake. How could he forget...

Swallowing his nerves down, he sits up slightly as he holds the sphere in one hand, and places his other on top of the one Rukkhadevata is resting on his leg. It shouldn't be too hard to... he can easily draw its power, so it shouldn't be too hard to pass it through him to another.

And, after all, this is their astral energy as well. If the deities can't use the master core, then maybe this will work instead.

Dohalim's eyes glow indigo as he pulls from the core, letting it pass through him before guiding it to flow to the goddess.

And Rukkhadevata watches on, feeling more rejuvenated than moments before. She hadn't even thought about doing this (and even if she had, she wouldn't ask it of Dohalim). But she should stop him soon, knowing just how self sacrificial he can be.

"Dohalim," she nudges his hand with hers. "I'm quite alright now. You can stop."

But he doesn't, not yet. He shakes his head, letting more of that energy flow]

[it's safe enough, in the short term. the energy in the master core is something of a mixture of their individual ones, but that doesn't hurt things much.

but there's another issue, after all. Dohalim's own body as a filter is a danger, especially when he doesn't have full control over the core - and his habit of self-sacrifice rises up again as she speaks.]

... Dohalim. Stop.

[he reaches out then, to place a hand over the master core itself. it should be just enough to disrupt the flow between them - the vague discomfort of something Zhongli knows full well can absorb his own energy is nothing if it gets him to stop. the other hand reaches to curl around the Renan's, gently trying to ease it upward.]

I don't believe we would be very pleased if you came to harm in an attempt to help us.

[even Rukkhadevata has a small frown on her face as Zhongli stops Dohalim. While she does feel better, and she does have to commend the Renan for his thinking, is the cost of it truly worth it? Especially when he can easily harm himself, or worse, open up an avenue for Umbra to poison his mind even more that it already has?

"Rex Lapis is right... I do have to thank you for the boost in energy, but I feel with something like that, we must tread carefully."

She looks at the master core warily as she reaches out to touch it. There's a chill that overtakes her for a moment; it seems her suspicions may be more correct than she thought. Even with her own vast knowledge, she herself can't even claim to know all of how the master cores work. But the taint contained in it...

She shouldn't bring worry to Dohalim for the time being, not when what brought them to this point was Umbra itself. She'll discuss this with Zhongli later and figure out what the next course of action would be. It's helpful for the both of them, yes, but Dohalim is also very important to the both of them.

"I'll be alright, now. I won't have to rest nearly as long."

Dohalim takes note of her frown, and Zhongli's hands on him. Had it really been that bad? He feels fine...]

If you're sure. I just want to help as much as the both of you have helped me.

You needn't worry about that. Taking care of yourself is a help to myself, if not both of us, Dohalim.

[Zhongli shifts to lace their fingers together, squeezing gently as he does. it's a bit cheesy, but... he'll allow himself that much. it certainly keeps the attention off of the concern he notes in Rukkhadevata's reaction. beyond the taint, it really is just... they don't really understand the master cores. besides, neither of them has ever been the type to create technological marvels, and thus it'll take some time to work it all out.]

[there's a small hesitation before Rkkhadevata picks up the core and moves it to the side. she really can sense both of their energies within it, which only makes more sense that Dohalim felt the need to become something of a conduit to flow energy back to her. perhaps it's because she's the goddess of knowledge, but something doesn't sit right with her when it comes to the master core, but then again, nothing ever really does when it comes to anything from Rena and the Helganquil.

perhaps there might be something in the palace library on the subject. if all goes well with her and Zhongli's revelation, then hopefully she can go digging through the archives. perhaps she may also find something hidden about cleansing the corruption.

but, for now, she'll push all of that aside as she offers the both of them a warm smile and a pat on Dohalim's leg.

"Yes, you really should take care of yourself. Who else am I going to ask to give me a tour of the palace and city?" a small tease to lighten the mood. "The palace is a lot bigger than what I remember it being."]

Autelina was around before the invasion?

[that comes as a surprise to Dohalim. he could have sworn that all of the palaces and castles on Dahna were built because of the lords and their need to show their power over the slaves. he hates the idea, but he's also grown to like Autelina palace.

"Autelina was originally built as a small shrine and a place to store archives. I'd visited several times myself, in the past... but most of what was hidden, I've taken to my grove. There are things hidden in the pages of tomes I didn't want them to get their hands on."]

Mm. Many of the features in the surrounding areas are actually of Dahnan origin, but their actual locations are often hidden or the information was obscured under Renan renovation.

[Zhongli furthers the explanation, inclining his head. The history isn't all as kind or gentle as one might think either, but...]

In many ways, Dahnans and Renans aren't so inherently different. Much has been lost of the history, both good and bad. Beyond that, it's as rukkhadevata says - there are a fair few articles of information that shouldn't be found by most of today's people.

["And, that is to say, this goes for both Renans and Dahnans. Even before the invasion, there were pieces of information only meant for the eyes of the gods... and their mages."

the goddess supposes there isn't any harm in telling Dohalim about the mages; he would have to dig deep to try to make a connection between them and the "Renans" of the present. though, Dohalim's next question does calm the worry of him making the unlikely connection]

Mages?

["Yes. Believe it or not, there were magic folk before the Renans descended. Their numbers were small, but they were present. Followers of the gods, they were tasked with watching over the land where we couldn't."

Rukkhadevata sighs softly, her smile faltering. "They were the first to go. I was able to hide a few of them away but..."

she obviously doesn't go into detail of the truth behind their dwindling numbers. of course the mages she has watching over Menancia now are descendants, but even then. she still does feel remorse for what her children have gone through, generation after generation. she glances up at Zhongli for a moment, not being able to hide said remorse. it seems that even she wasn't spared from it, hidden away as she was.

she supposes that's why she's so protective of Dohalim. the fact that the man had and still continues to show the compassion her mages had shown in the past, and the talent to wield astral artes... she must do everything in her power to protect and save him. he can't fall into the hands of the corruption]

So... there are none left, then...?

Whether or not there are mages left is... a complicated circumstance. In short, their bloodlines are still intact.

[He places a hand over rukkhadevata's at her expression; there's not overmuch he can do to relieve that pressure of remorse, and little to say, especially in front of Dohalim.]

In Menancia, there are no known Dahnan mages. In other countries there has been talk of them, but... you must understand. Due in part to their long subjugation, Dahnans fear that which is unlike the norm. Mages were never a common breed, but now... most of those who remain live their lives in silence, hidden away from their brethren and the Renans alike, for fear of being hunted or worse.

...I see.

[Dohalim looks between Rukkhadevata and Zhongli; it isn't to say that he suspects that they're hiding a deeper truth behind everything, but he is curious about the unspoken words between them. is the knowledge of the mages that much of a secret that they're hesitant to tell even him? he supposes, for their safety, even though he wouldn't actively go out and try to find and harm them, it might be for the best. but still, it won't exactly stop him from gently prodding the topic]

You said you were able to hide some of them away... Have they since then...

[Rukkhadevata's shoulders drop slightly, a small frown on her face. "Ah... Aside from the few watchers I have, it is as Rex Lapis says. There are no known mages in Menancia. I've tried to feel them out, but what with our waning powers and Dahna's astral energy shifting so drastically over the centuries, it's hard to say for sure whether they've died out completely or not."

she wishes that she could tell Dohalim the truth. she doesn't like lying to him, but... he's in no state to learn of it just yet. not when he's so unstable.

Dohalim sits up slightly, a sort of ambitious look in his eyes]

For those who you still have close to you, would you be able to send them with a message to the areas that could potentially have them? I want to offer a refuge of sorts.

["Dohalim... I'm not entirely sure that's possible..."]

Mm.

[Zhongli closes his eyes for a moment, considering his words. There's no sense in getting his hopes up unnecessarily, but... it's not unreasonable...]

... it would probably be more effective to just keep an ear out, ultimately. As you know, the land outside of Menancia is effectively out of our purview - if any mages still exist in the other countries, the chance that our names have persisted is practically nil. It would be a... terribly delicate circumstance, if they believed the idea of refuge at all.

[It would take a great deal of effort, he suspects, to unravel the hurt done to Dahnan mages by Dahnans and Renans alike. They would have to meet Dohalim and decide he was trustworthy on their own... and having someone around who often looks like a humanoid zeugle would probably not help matters.]

If you are determined, we could form an agency for gathering information outside of Menancia, and comb through what we find for potential little oddities. Of course, this does hinge on the other Lords keeping their domains open to travel.

That... Hm, my fellow lords are not so keen on making it easy to travel between borders. They like to keep their slaves-- [Dohalim practically spits the word out] --Under their thumbs. Why would they do anything else but when the Crown Contest is on the line?

[lifting a hand up, Dohalim rubs his forehead, feeling a dull throb behind his eyes. is that Umbra? or is it his own exhaustion finally catching up to him? he sighs softly]

If it's already hard enough for the Dahnans to escape the realms, how could we hope for the possibility of reaching those mages? There has to be another way...

[Rukkhadevata ponders on that for a moment, her eyes trailing to the plants lined in Dohalim's room. of course... if it were to work, the messages she could receive won't be as clear as listening to her plants within the realm, but all plant life is connected somehow. she just has to wonder if she has enough power to do so without having to siphon off of Dohalim.

"All plant life is connected in the world. I may be able to gather some information that way. If I hear anything, we can plan out and dispatch a small number to them. Of course, Elde Menancia's borders between Mahag Saar and Cyslodia are open that it will be easier to send a small group out, but Calaglia and Ganath Haros may be a little trickier."

the goddess leans over to pat Dohalim's leg gently as she offers a small smile. "This is also something we can think about when we've all had a bit of rest. I think we've had enough excitement for one afternoon, don't you think?"]

Yes, quite so. And there isn't any reason to rush overmuch; I doubt even the most merciless of Lords could wipe out the remainder of the mages, truly. It is much safer to take it one step at a time, baobei.

[Zhongli nestles Dohalim against himself a little more then, reaching to brush fingers through his hair.]

Worry not, we will do all in our power to see your hopes to fruition. It is, after all, what we both hope for.

[to see his ambitions through and his hopes made manifest... yes, that is a wonderful goal, and one that they can hopefully manage. even if it's difficult, they're still Gods, they still have some power.]

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In my blood...

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Tfw you're so sure you hit post but APPARENTLY FUCKING NOT

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