Unalome

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Amen woke up in the confines of his bedroom in the Royal Citadel. He and Triss had been ever so graciously accepted to remain in Queen Guan's castle. He got out of his bed stretching till his muscles ached something good as they creaked and his joints popped. The radiating light from the sun had been what awoke him, something which made him happy. It reminded him ever so much of home. The sun did not feel the same, for some reason, but it was still a stark reminder of it.

He and Triss had not been allowed to share quarters, even ones with multiple beds and rooms. He understood her concern. Guan had been warned to keep an eye on Amen after a particular event that had occured about a year ago, and didn't want Triss being involved in that or getting the blame for it in case that it would happen again. Guards had been posted outside every exit and they had been obligated to see to him every so often. He couldn't help but feel that she was being a bit excessive about it though. He got a signal from his phone about getting ready for breakfast.

He looked particularly forward to today. When they had arrived in the capitol he had heard that there was to be a festival soon. A celebration in honor of the elder tree Vitae. He did not exactly know what this tree was, why it was special, nor what it looked like, but he was thrilled none the less, if not a bit worried. Triss had promised to show him how to have proper fun in these kinds of events, and he was scared that he would not be able to get into it as everyone wanted and expected him to. He had never really been allowed to partake directly in any festivities that weren't of his own making after all. Getting casually dressed, he walked out the door and headed for the staircase, wondering if Triss had woken up by now, even as he was obnoxiously followed by a small guard force behind him.

In the well-adorned dining hall, the morning light streaming in through the large windows, Triss sat quietly at the table their breakfast had been excellently prepared. One might even so overly so, but that was not something she would ever find herself complaining about. This was her first time in the land of Vroldafn since the tensions between the country and the Toranku had simmered out and been resolved, tensions that she'd never really understood nor cared to now that they were no longer a concern. Her thoughts wandered toward what was supposed to be a festival later in the day, staring off into the distance at nothing in particular with fork all but hanging from her mouth. Until her attention was drawn to the sound of the dining room door opening, her eyes shooting to it with anticipation and she saw Amen appear followed by his entourage she threw up her hand in an excited wave. "Goodmorning! Good morning!" She spoke with clear pep in her voice. "Today is going to be an exciting day, isn't it?!"

"Beyond exciting!" Amen replied in kind, trying to hide the biting nerves. "I am ecstatic! Can't wait to see what this is all about!"

"Then you won't have to wait for long." Came a feminine voice which startled Amen from behind. Guan stepped forward and with a wave dismissed the guards. "Come, lets eat, Pharaoh." She offered as they both sat down, Amen sitting beside Triss and Guan in front of them. "There will be a collection of fairs, attractions and shops available down the city streets, and once the sun starts to set, we will head to Vitae to complete the traditions."

"Sounds like a gem of a time." Amen answered as he took a piece of egg and ate it. Even to this day did the sophisticated ways of eating ones meal stick to him. "What do you think, Lah'mi? What would you like to do first?"

Triss clapped her hands together, "That's not an easy question to answer. I mean, I've never been to one of this specific festival before. I'm sure there will lots of different things I've never seen before. All kinds of games, shows, and foods. That's what I like most about these kinds of things, every experience is unique." She chatted up as the others went about eating their food. "Please tell me, your highness, what sort of things should we expect? Anything in particular that you'd recommend? Will you be there as well?" Triss shot off questions like a rapid-firing cannon.

Guan patiently waited for Triss to finish her questions before she answered with a wide smile: "Well, seeing with you particular... predicament." She jabbed with a wink at them. "I would say that the playhouses are one of the most primary pieces of entertainment you need to see. Games, dolls, cakes, prizes. Anything you want, expect to be there. The best one if Gowith's Grand Carnival. You don't want to miss it. And yes, miss, while I will be attending, I won't be enjoying much of anything." She said as she sighed. "The duties of being a boring politician. As for the third and final thing you should try, you should go for the "Enlightened Heart" Fair. Their primary attraction is a stage where you can perform a Spirit Hymn to someone you like, love, or even just outright hate. Seeing as Humans can't really do Spirit Hymns, they now have specialists who can help ordianry humans such as us to perform our own variation of it."

Amen's head flinched at the mention of those words. "I-I am sorry... But you said 'Spirit Hymns'? They wouldn't happen to be about expressing your emotions in 'the truest of ways that it can be done'?"

Guan beamed at the man. "So you've heard of it then? It is quite something. Something to never forget and-"

"No disrespect, your Highness, but I am aware of what it is then. Not by this name but... It sounds... It sounds eerily similar to the Soul Symphonies back home in Hetep."

Guan's look of amusement turned into one of curiosity. "Hetep? That nation Izar mentioned that no one has ever seen and is uncountable miles off the coast of Hylion? The nation which have been unrecorded by Ashvattha? That Hetep?"

"Affirmative."

"That is... Intriguing as well as unnerving... But now is not the time for such thoughts! I'll leave you to your breakfast. Feel free to roam the citadel or just walk down to the fair when you feel like it! Enjoy your time!" She cheerily exclaimed as she left the room.

Triss had listened intently when Guan spoke of what to expect from the festival. Her own brow raised in curiosity as the queen and Amen seemed to fall onto an uneasy topic before Guan dismissed herself and left the room. She turned toward Amen, trying to keep up her cheery demeanor despite the sudden shift in tone. "Well, the festival still sounds like it will be fun...Right?" She asked, her question holding more implications than what she'd meant to ask. "I wonder what a spirit hymn is? Or why humans can't do it? I wonder if that means one of the Calco will help us with it." She asked, having completely forgotten about what little was left of her breakfast.

Amen snapped himself back to reality. Realizing how he might have made his dear Triss worried, he put on a brave and convincing smile once more, trying to dismiss the grim implications of what this could mean. "Like I said, Lah'mi, it will certainly be a day to remember. As for why you type of humans can't do it... I am not sure. Seems like some kind of interesting topic we could find out more about well down there? Well, either way, I am sure the Calco will be happy to help us out if we need them to. I am ready to head out when you are, dear." He said before gulping a sizable portion of he breakfast, in case she was in a hurry. Even if she wasn't, it felt to down his food without restraint now that the queen was no longer here.

"Hm, I guess you're right. We'll just have to figure it out later but yeah, I'd love to head down. We have a lot to experience before the main event at sundown, I think we should start with the Carnival or maybe some of the games?" She said, standing up from her seat after she'd watched Amen all but devour his breakfast, a sign she took as him being as eager to see the festivities as she was.

Amen was struck by several thoughts. He considered the idea of that fair. If he was lucky, it could work similarly here as it did in Hetep. "I am quite interested to see this Enlightened Heart Fair, but we should save that for later. Right now, I want to experience the things I haven't gotten the chance to in the past. Come on, Triss, lets get to it." He said as he led her down the stair and out through the great doors. Well outside, they were greeted by countless citizens and travelers. This Festival was held all throughout Vroldafn, but all the same, this was very crowded. Not insufferably so, but enough to be something of an inconvenience.

The smells, the sounds, the feeling and the laughters from happy children was downright intoxicating to the foreign man. For but a moment he felt the child swelling up inside him, turning to Triss with wide eyes and said: "Where do we be- \*cough\*. Sorry, I mean, where shall we begin?" he asked, catching himself in his enthusiasm, quickly quelled by what his older mind knew was "decent behavior". "You said something about the games? Wanna go there first then?"

As they got close to the playhouses, they were all but overwhelmed by the arrangement of games to be played. Manyt magical ones to accomodate the spellcasters and ordinary ones to be playable by the magicless male demographic of Vroldafn. "Where does one even start?!" Amen cried out, more so out of excitement rather than frustration or confusion. He then noticed a booth where one could win prices if played well enough. The prices ranged from tokens, jewelry, magical items and, of course, giant stuffed animals. "See anything that appeals? Games or otherwise?"

The festival was much larger and more crowded than any she'd been to before, upon hearing Amen's question she looked around and tried to spot the different games and booths amongst the people. Seeing small objects with targets painted on them, she pointed it out to Amen and began to trek over to it. Upon seeing it she realized it was some sort of shooting game. The three small objects that seemed to float either by magic or some sort of mechanism did so in random patterns as the current player aimed a toy gun at them. The Calco man fired, hitting on of the target and quickly took aim at the next. Shooting again the target suddenly moved to the side and the man had missed as a result. With that the buzzer sounded and the man sat down the fake weapon. The person manning the booth giving the male what seemed to be a consolation prize for the loss. "What do you think? Could you win it? Those targets move really weirdly." She said as she turned back to Amen.

"Perhaps you haven't been paying attention, Lah'mi, but I am the Pharaoh. I win all contests." He said as she shrugged his shoulders, getting ready. He stepped up and paid a small fee to play the game, and as such, he took the gun in his hand and waved it about, getting used to its shape and means of firing. He stood by the bench and laid aim as the targets began to move. One bullet was shot and the target was hit. Moving on to the next target, he fired and sorely missed. Just as the attendant was about to reclaim the gun, Amen threw more coins on the table. Nodding in response, he fired again, this time missing the first one immediately. Paying once more, he fired two times, both of which hit, then came the third one. Just as he pressed the trigger, the target moved out of the way, dodging the bullet. "Alright sir, if you would-"

"One last shot." Amen said simply as he doubled his payment to silence the woman. Once he had done this, rather than immediately lay aim, he backed up six paces and then laid aim. First two bullets were fired and struck well at their target. He began squeezing the trigger, then backed off from it. He quickly threw his hands around the trigger, to which the target moved in a swift motion, but as it did, he squeezed the trigger in earnest this time, and hitting it square and center. The people around the booth cheered for his victory. He then turned to Triss and winked playfully before repeating; "I win all contests. Go and pick your prize, Triss."

She watched enthralled as he shot at the targets with an endearing degree of determination, finally having completed his task she joined in with the crowd that cheered him on. Picking out a medium-size stuffed animal that resembled some weird flat-faced dog that had been mixed with a dragon. Chosen solely for its comically large eyes that took up the fair majority of its face. "You did but I admit after your second try I started to worry," She teased, holding up the mishmashed stuffed creature up to him, "What do you say we name it?"

He turned to see the stuffed animal and could barely contain the laugher. "Freak sounds fitting, but lets not be that cruel to the poor little thing." He joked as he started to pet the ugly little animal. Noting the fluffiness of the animal, besides the parts that were "scaly", he thought of a silly name, but then again, weren't stuffed animals supposed to have silly names? "I can only think of the names Fluffal or Squish-Snout." He said as he chuckled. "What do you think? What should our wee stuffed baby be called?"

Triss turned the stuffed animal around and looked into its eyes as she considered what they should call it. "Hm, Fluffal sounds nice and it fits for the most part. Besides that, I think she likes it." Triss said before moving the stuffed animal so that it looked as though it were nodding its head up and down. She then turned it back around to face him, getting her point across with playful barking noises as she lifted it up and down like it was jumping with joy. "Thank you, Amen, it's very cute. I'll treasure Fluffal forever." She said with a bright and warm smile.

Amen smiled brightly at the silly gesture, but it was adorable all the same. "I am just happy that I could bring you some joy today. Ever single coin was well spent for that purpose. So then! What next? More games? Maybe some of those attractions? I think-" He suddenly halted himself as his eyes caught view of something. "Come! Come on. You are gonna love this." He said with a bright smile before grabbing her by the wrist and gently pulling her along.

Further in to the center of the attraction, where a large group of people had gathered around to see what was going on. Over the sounds of awe in the crowd could be heard a high howl and hiss. It was an animal, and whatever it was, it was big. As they got close and pushed their way through the crowd, with a cheer to deafen any individual in the mass, he pointed towards the caged in pond. "That, my dear, Is a dreadmare." He said proudly.

In the pond thrashed a sixteen foot long fish-like creature. Somelike like a monstrous seahorse with five lashing tails, it thrashed and twirled and twisted its body to escape its bonds. He did pity the creature, and he wanted to help it, all while showing Triss' its beauty. "That creature is an infamous animal back in Hetep. Respected, feared and renowned for its ferocity... Wanna go say hello?" he asked as he pointed to the sign where it said: "May the daring approach." together with an image of a man going up and touching the animal.

Triss looked on at the creature with an unsure look on her face, a sense of pity that the creature struggled to strongly against its bounds but with nothing to show for it. "I didn't know that Hetep and Ashvattha shared different types of animals." She said, tilting her head as she watched the beast. When he asked if she wanted to approach it, she shook her head a bit. Not a no, but a shake of hesitation. "I don't know, I wouldn't want to hurt it or for it to hurt me. It really doesn't look very happy, what makes it so feared? Does it hurt people?" She asked, the unsure look remaining on her face as she looked up to Amen, hoping his knowledge and guidance would fill her in.

"Many are afraid of them because of their ferocity. Their independence and pickiness in the choosing of their family, ripping apart the ones they deem unworthy of their trust. Do no worry though. I used to have a whole school of them in my old menagerie, making friends of them. I know how to handle them. But if you want some proof... Feel free to join me if you want to." Amen said as he stepped forward waving for permission to enter the cage. Once he was let inside, the door closed behind him and the crowd went completely silent. The beast struggled even more so now than previously, feeling threatened by Amen's presence. Amen walked up to it smoothly and seemingly indifferent to the situation.

The beast thrashed and wailed until the most feared thing happened. The beast reared its body and tore up the chains with its strong forelegs, eventually ripping itself free from all its bonds. The people shrieked in fear for Amen's sake as the guards came with electric rods with the intent to subdue it. Amen shouted at them and called them off. "HOLD ON! Shock this poor thing now and you might as well just put it down." he said with an unfathomable calm. "Let me handle this. I have experience. I can make it calm down for you." He said as the beast tore off its own muzzle.

"Your funeral, pal." Said the guard as they halted their approach, but still held themselves at the ready as they still didn't want a bloodbath to happen. The animal wailed and hissed at Amen. He gripped the dagger on his belt, but nothing more than that. The Yellow beast reared its head, the massive horn on its head pointed at him as it prepared to charge. Amen then proceeded to approach it. He kept his hand up in the air as he approached it, as if he intended to pet it. "This, my friends, is a sign of trust. Notice though how I also hold my dagger in its hilt. This fair creature needs to know that I mean no harm but am ready to fight back if it decides to attack. Similar to itself. The important matter when handling any Dreadmare is the following; Don't put yourself in a superior position, then they will attack. Do not put yourself below them, then they will attack. Always approach as an equal. Isn't that right girl? Oh! And, of course, don't try this at home."

The creature seemed to soothe itself, still hissing but slowly calming down as he approached it. "Where did you come from, friend? Did you travel a bit too far? You are quite the bit away fro home." He joked as if it could understand him. His hand fully outstretched both he and the creature were now slowly approaching eachother at equal pace. Meeting halfway, its maw and his palm met, pressing firmly against one another to the awe of the public. "There there, Cessy. There there." He whispered smoothly as it calmed down in full. He then looked to Triss in the public, a bright smile on his face. "You ready to meet some new people, Cessy? Triss! Want to try and say hello now?" He called with a calm grin on his face.

Triss was as amazed as the rest of the crowd when the Dreadmire calmed down and allowed Amen to touch it. Feel less hesitant, though only slightly more so, by its now calm demeanor over how it had acted earlier. She followed behind Amen, approaching in a similar manner to how he had but without weapon on hand rather holding the stuffed animal close to her. She stood beside Amen and placed her free hand gently onto the creature upon which she stroked it gently. "Wow, it's hard to believe it was thrashing about only a minute ago. It's like a completely different animal now."

Amen smiled softly at her courage. The Dreadmare nudged its mighty body against Triss' palm, essentilly returning her touch. The powerful creature was gentle in its touch, trying not to use too much of its might. There was a deep rumbling in the depths of its chest. A sign of contention and approval. "Isn't she? Dreadmares are amazing creatures. I was all but adopted by a school of these in my youth. I once fell into the pool which held them, but rather than attack, they held me close till I stopped shaking and then helped me up and out. They are very human in a way. They don't like it when people try to be lesser or better than them. They want a real bond."

The mare then turned from Amen and looked straight at Triss, its eyes wide and innocent, far from the aggressive beast it had been previously. It nudged its snout against the bottom of Triss' chin and then backed away from the two of them. "She just showed her appreciation to you. She has seen a lot of humans today, but none as kind and trusting as you." He said before he took her wrist and guided her out of the cage. "She wants to be alone, to rest now. We should probably let her." He said as they exited the cage. He turned to the guards around the cage and gave them an instruction that he probably didn't have the right to give, but he did all the same: "Unless you have more and better chains, I'd suggest that you either remove the Mare from here or keep the watchers at a distance in order to not agitate it. And obviously, no more visits inside." He said before they walked back into the crowd. "Now ain't that a memory for life?"

She nodded her head in agreement, "Mhm, It was. You really know a lot about Dreadmire." She said, holding her stuffed animal close to her chest. "If all you have to do is be calm and treat them with respect why do you suppose that people are scared of them?" She asked as they continued to walk around the festival. "I mean, like you said, people are like that too. As long as you're nice them more often than not they're nice back."

"The issue lies with that we do not see people when we see the Dreadmare. We see an animal. Just another beast. And because Dreadmares are pack animals, many come to the conclusion that it means that they have an alpha, a leader that calls all the shots, when in reality, any Mare that tried to assume that title through force would just be ripped apart by the whole pack. They decide among themselves who will lead based on who has the most insight." Amen explained before proceeding. "Besides, noticed how I held my dagger when I entered? You can't be an equal if you are defenseless, and if you are not an equal, then you are a meal to them. That is the scary part. It is a thin line that you can't be sure that you are really walking unless you have experience first hand. But firsthand experience often results in people dying."

They continued to walk the streets, and in the distance, he could see the grand stage that Guan had been talking about for the "Spirit Hymns". Not thinking that it was just the time yet for that, he asked; "What would you like to do now? There are still many more games to try, and I hear that the sweets around here are to die for." he asked, feeling himself getting more and more childishly excited, but this time, he refused to back away from said excitement.

Her ears perked at the mention of sweets, "Guan did say that there would be a lot of tasty things to try out. I wonder if Vroldafn has any unique candies or sweets that the rest of Ashvattha haven't gotten to try just yet." She said, as she looked around at some of the vendors when she spotted something called, 'Vrokum' to which she pointed out to Amen. "That must be very..." She started before pausing to think, "Vroldafn-y?" She finished as though it were a question. She grabbed him by the wrist and the two got in line, it took a bit to reach the front but when they did she ordered a serving and paid with her own money this time. After a moment of waiting, they were handed a small paper bowl of little gel-like squares. "You first!" She said, as though having suddenly gotten cold feet for trying something wholly new.

Amen was equally curious as her to try these new cubes of various colorations. Although, unlike her, he did not suffer the same cold feet. He picked up one of these "vrokums" and popped it into his mouth. "Hm... Reminds me of some sort of jelly. Just more robust and sweet. Quite delicious. I think I got the taste of... Did you call it apricot, I think?"

After seeing him try the small square, adequately satisfied he didn't begin to melt or instantly burst into flames, she tired the Vrokum as well. She popped one into her mouth and chewed it curiously, trying to figure out the flavors that made up the sweet treat. Swallowing it, she looked at Amen, "It is rather...nutty? But I can taste lemon too, and maybe some other fruits?" She said, not entirely sure of her own ability to tell tastes apart. "But it's good, very sweet too!" She continued, a bit more sure of herself this time.

"Agreed." he said with a nod as they began strutting around the streets to see whatever other treats and attractions could be found. After many hours of standing in line, playing games and watching other animals that were considerably more friendly, who were frantically petted by Triss, they neared the time of the sunset. Feeling encouraged to try the Spirit Hymns, he began to guide her towards the stage. He had had a certain difficulty confessing his true feelings to Triss ever since the time at the inn, feeling that he didn't quite have the right to do so. All the same, now he figured that he might as well try. Shoot for the stars, so to speak.

As they neared the stage, he saw how the line to the stage had shrunk quite a bit, probably due to most having tried it already. "Why don't you start? I want to see how you do it." he said as he took their little stuffed animal from her arms and sat himself down. "Me and Fluffal will sit here and encourage you all the way through."

Triss stepped up to the stage, a bit nervous now that she was up. "*What would I say, how should I say it?*" She thought to herself as she approached the Calco standing on stage waiting for her. She approached the woman and the two began to speak, Triss getting a better understanding of what a spirit hymn was and what it was supposed to mean. She nodded along as the Calco spoke, feeling she understood more or less what it was that she was meant to do. Finally, the Calco raised her hand and what appeared to be a spell was cast onto her though no effect was immediately felt. The Calco then explained the purpose of the semi-spell and told her that it would help with the hymn. With everything explained and the resonance cast, it was time for Triss to sing. Though she still wasn't quite sure about what. She thought for a moment, though it felt like much longer as though the line was indeed short there were still those waiting for their turn. With that pressure on her she simply decided she would sing from her heart. She began to sing about her adventure over the past year and her journey alongside Amen, though she wasn't a very good singer she gained confidence as she went on with her aria. She sang of the time they'd spent together in a mostly smooth but poorly sung manner and she sang about how much fun it had been to experience it all with him. When she was done, she let out a sigh, catching her breath after the song before heading back over to Amen.

Amen had fluffal clap with its fuzzy paws as Triss came back down. There were even several people in the crowd who applauded her. Not necessarily for her skills, but for her courage and ability to actually speak from the heart rather than what was on her mind. Most of these applause were therefore from Calco who actually understood what went into this. "You did great, dear." Amen said as Fluffal nodded its overgrown head. "I am quite proud. Now, if you don't mind, I intend to take my turn on that stage. Watch over Fluffal for us now then, would you?" He said sweetly as he handed back the stuffed animal to her.

As Amen got up to the stage, the calco woman offered to help him, to which, with great surprise, he rejected it. Even if she wasn't innately capable of Soul Symphonies, a song sung by him would all the same be far more impactful than an ordinary song, spiritually if not emotionally at the very least. With a deep breath, he took to the stage, ready to express his feeling in full.

"I’ve seen a thousand wonders. I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes. But not until that moment, had the miracles been seen." he began, his tune synced with his being and rhythm. As fleeting as a shadow my joy passed by unnoticed. The loathing that ruled me, is gone, and I stand face to face with the man I should have been. Dreams now dared to dream of that which would have been. Thanks to you, my heart’s been redeemed. You are the star to reignite my heart. Who brought back that part of me. The man I ought to be!"

Amen's song continued on, growing in strength and a passion that was reaching for a crescendo. He had not dared to say it in words, to express his love. With all things hopeful, this would get the point across to her. He did however notice many people who stared at him in awe for his song. None of it mattered. All that was relevant, the only gaze that meant anything, was hers.

"Who i’ve been, you have seen. The man I now will be; no more a scam, going forth as best I can. You’ve brought back what was to be. The man that I now Aaaaaaam!" he sang to his hearts content, drawing out the final word like he stood before an audience in a grand musical. When it was over at last, the crowd erupted in applause and whistles. As he got down from the stage he waved to the crowd as he neared Triss. Her reaction, the results of his musical confession, it did not matter too much. He just wanted to have it said. He did not know exactly why, but it felt as if it would be foolish to not do it now. "What do you think? Did it sound good?" He asked, somewhat nervously.

Triss was nearly bouncing on her feet, holding Fluffal closely to her chest as Amen approached. "It was amazing, It's really hard to believe how good you are at singing. You barely even spoke to the Calco lady but you did so good that even the other Calco were clapping for you. Your song was really beautiful and it was really sweet too." She said as the stepped-up closer to him. "I don't wanna jump to conclusions or anything," She continued, a red hue now beginning to appear on her face. "But was your song about anyone in particular?"

Amen's first reaction was a raised brow. He was astounded that it did not have entirely the effect he thought it would have, if at all. Are their kinds so different afterall? It did not matter anyway. "Well... these symphonies, when performed right, only really work when directed at someone the singer cares about... Damn it, that is way too cryptic. Now I feel distant. Yes, it was directed at someone, but a very special someone. It..." He reached towards one of the hands that held Fluffal and took it in his own. "It was meant for you, Triss. You... You matter a lot to me. You have given me so much light, so much joy and fun. Things I thought was supposed to have been denied me. You showed me otherwise." He said with his eyes locked onto her hand before he worked up the courage to look her in the eyes. "I don't say this lightly. I don't think I've ever said anything like this before, but... I love you, Triss." He finished as his hands tightened softly for but a moment, as if the sting of rejection had already hit him. "I don't exepect you to necessarily share these feelings. But I think it should be said. I want it to be known that I believe that there is a chance for us... Am I fool for thinking so?" he joked at the end with a chuckle.

Triss was slightly taken aback by the confession, her cheeks an even rosier red than before as she stammered to say something. "I-well, me? Love?" She started, feeling like a deer in the headlights. "I mean, Amen, that's really sweet and I'm extremely flattered by it. I really am. I care about you too, you're a good person as far as I can tell and you've always been really nice. I like you, I do, I really do. I'm...I don't feel quite confident in calling it love, I don't really know if I know what love is. But I do care about you, and this journey this past year has been a lot of fun." She said, feeling uneasy, "I'm sorry if that isn't exactly what you wanted to hear and no, you're not a fool for thinking anything. Like I said, I do like you. That should be obvious by now." She said, avoiding his gaze, not wanting him to feel rejected but not quite having the confidence to explain everything to him outright.

Amen's smile never left his face as he squeezed her hand softly to soothe the woman. "You do not need to justify it. Like I said, I didn't necessarily expect to hear something similar in kind. I just felt that you deserved to know at the very least." he said with a chuckle. "I am not deterred, however. Until I hear an explicit no, I won't give up on the idea. I hope I haven't made you entirely too uncomfortable. I would like for you to atleast be able to look at me." He joked. As they stood in a strange silence, not quite uncomfortable or cheery, there was a sound of a horn and the announcement to head for the tree Vitae. "Come. This should certainly be worth seeing."

Thanks to the newly forged alliance with the rest of Ashvattha, a network of portals had been set up across key points in Vroldafn. As they entered the portals they then stood before a cave, one which had been hollowed out of the mountain. Amen gestured with his head for Triss to come along as they entered. A darkness that was only held at bay with the torches along the walls started to envelop them. Eventually the fiery light faded to be replaced by a soft, warm blue glow in the opposite end. As they came through the other end, Amen stood astounded by the sight of the great tree. Bark of pristine white, blue leafs that radiated a soft glow and fruits which hung from its branches that looked most appetizing. "This... This is beautiful." He said.

"Isn't it?" Came the voice of the Queen elect from the side of the pair. "Come, you should have the best view in the cave." SHe said as she waved for them to follow to the shaped staircase to an elevated postion on the ridge.

"It is," Triss agreed as they followed the queen up the staircase. Ascending the staircase they went up until they came out on a ridge that overlooked the tree and the ground around it where many Calco had already gathered. "Wow, it's really incredible up here. But what exactly is this tree and what are the traditions about?" She asked curiously to no one in particular though she was sure only one of the two people within earshot would have the answer to her question.

"I've been equally curious about that. It even seems a bit familiar..." Amen stated, feeling an odd sense of deju vu over this tree.

"The Vitae tree is as old as Vroldafn itself they say. A similar tree exists on the Echo Isles. The tree is a symbol of what we came from, why we are here and our unity. It is said that its roots spread all across Vroldafn as well. That's why it was such a tragedy some time ago when the tree began to die. A dear one to me ensured its survival however. Ever since we have decided on this festival becoming a more regular celebration so that we may never forget what binds us togehter. When we celebrate, we offer a small tribute to the pools below. Anything from coins ot trinkets and more. Its a way of showing respect."

"Respect? To a tree? Is it sacred somehow? Connected to any gods or such?" Amen asked, getting intrigued by the giant vegetation.

"Not to any particular gods, no. We discovered our deities long after the Calco were born from here. According to legend, the Calco race was born from this tree, much similar to the inhabitants to Echo Isles claims to be born from them."

Amen stiffened. "Born from them? Are... Are there any proof to this? Have it ever been seen?"

"No. Neither from here or the Echo Isles, though the latter is very much so due to no outsider being allowed into the inner circles in any way shape or form. It is simply a legend, like how so many religions claim to have the answer to how humanity's origins and what the definitive afterlife looks like, you know?" Guan said, waving her arm casually. "Besides, many of the traditions would suddenly turn very macabre if it was true. In honor of the ancestors who gave themselves to save this tree, we eat of the fruit so we never forget what they worked for. It is a lot of remembering with this tree. The fruit is delicious too. It is enchanted, so whatever is your favorite taste sensation, it will become. Spicy, sweet, sour, it will taste as such. If you want, I may give you permission to be the first to taste one."

Triss was enthralled by the story, hanging onto Guan's every word as though she were a mother telling a rather thrilling bedtime story, only piping up when she was finished. "People coming from trees? That's an interesting story, I've never heard anything like that before. But are you sure that it would okay for us to be the first? I mean, even in good faith we wouldn't want to impede on your traditions, Ma'am. You've shown us so much kindness already after all. What do you think, Amen? Should we take her up on the offer? I wouldn't mind if you don't." Turning to Amen for guidance, given his knowledge of rituals and traditions, wanting to know if he thought they would be overstepping their bounds by being the first to participate.

"I don't know more than you do about these things. But if the regent herself says that it is fine for us to go ahead, then... I don't see why not. But..." Amen then looked to Guan-yin once more, curiousity and concern splayed over his features. "With your permission, your grace, I would like to test something down there. I won't harm the tree or even touch it. I just want to try something with the fruit. To test a thesis, one might say."

Guan seemed to ponder this request, but also a bit miffed by the suggestion. "You wish to test the legend? I don't expect results, nor do I think anyone else would. But you testing it and failing could discourage some of my citizens. To have definitive proof that the legends are false... I don't wish to deny you, but I don't know if I dare take the chance to see you do it and not succeed. Kindly just eat the fruit, think a prayer, and come back here, okay?" She requested with a now more relaxed smile.

Amen nodded. They both then proceeded to walk down the steps and towards the tree to sample the fruit. No one seemed to object at their approach. The two of them stood before the grand tree and picked a fruit each. He saw Triss take a bite of it and found himself shakily ask her how she liked it, all while holding his own fruit close to his face, seemingly preparing to eat, but in actuality, he was whispering something.

She bit into the fruit, the outside feeling rough to bite through at first but giving way to a chewy inside. However, her brow raised at the taste, finding it not to be the one she'd expected. Chewing it and swallowing it, she looked toward Amen, "It's not bad. I just wasn't expecting it to be salty. Though, Guan said that it was supposed to change base on who was eating it, right? So I doubt yours will taste the same." She said, finding his hesitation odd considering how quick to jump into things he'd been that day. "Something the matter, Amen?" She asked to check up on him.

"All well... I hope." Was the last thing he said as he dropped the fruit into the pools below. The fruit fell into the waters, sinking slowly. As it did, the crowd looked quizzically at Amen, confused of his actions, but not Guan. No, Guan was teeming with rage at this point, but she made no show of it because of the lack of reaction from the crowd. Seconds passed them by. Then half a minute. Then a minute. Nothing. "I don't know what I was expecting." He said discouraged. He waved for Triss to follow. Then he heard something. Gasps and a ripple. The crowd had just noticed something. The rippling of the waters grew louder. Amen turned around, and there, in the waters, a shadow was forming. Growing larger and larger. Then the shadow began to take form. And within short, the shadow emerged from the waters. From the radiant pool emerged something that very much resembled a Calco, but still not quite. A woman, tall as a man of their kind, scaled from top to toe, and and eyes as impressionable as the those of a young child. "Where am I?" She asked, like a lost child who had just woken up from a long sleep in a foreign place.

Amen stood shocked, much like the rest of the crowd, dumbfounded on what to do next. Guan did not quite know whether she should be furious or at awe of what had just transpired. Amen stepped before the woman, giving it a look of someone who did not know what to believe anymore. "Do you know where you are?" He asked.

"You... I have... Memories of you." It replied.

"Memories? You must be mistaken. You were just born." he countered.

"But you made me... Does that make you my father?"

Amen started to shake. Without thinking, he started to back away. Another step. And another. Before long he was now running out of the cave. "This is not possible." He hissed to himself as he did. The Calco men and women he passed reached out hands towards him, not to hinder him, but almost as a sign of reverence. "AMEN! HALT!" Guan shouted at him, but he just kept on running. Confused, the woman turned to Triss and simply asked: "Are you my mother?"

Triss couldn't believe her eyes, what she was witnessing was like nothing she'd ever seen before and seemed to coincide with Guan's tale of Children being born from fruit. She watched Amen back away in what seemed to be fear and utter disbelief and she was shocked to see the reaction. Upon the fruit-born child's question, she threw up her hands, "P-probably not, pretty sure I'd remember giving birth." She said as she too back to back away, not wanting anything to do with whatever just transpired.

"TRISS!" Guan called out from behind. She approached the newborn woman, draping it in a robe to shield it from the curious eyes of those present. A host of guards followed behind her as she looked towards Triss with equal looks of disbelief. "Go find Amen. I don't want him wandering now after this."

Responding to Guan in the only way she could think to, she simply nodded and began to move through the crowd who kept their eyes forward toward the child now that Amen was no longer within their sights. Following the cave, the blue light of the tree eventually gave way to torches. Not helping it, she continued to look back every now and again as though expecting or hoping that someone was following her, someone who might have answers she did not or a way to explain what had just happened. Coming to the mouth, she saw the faint outline of Amen at the front, just beyond the cave. Remembering Guan's order she picked up her pace and ran to him, "Amen!" She yelled as she approached, her voice echoing off the cave walls. Once she was beside him she stopped, "What's going on? What happened back there? Are the fruit really people?!" She asked, her questions seeming more frantic as she went on.

Amen had his face burried in his hands as he walked towards the wall beside the cave entrance. "I won't pretend to know even half of it... I should have realized... To quell some disturbing fears, no, the fruits are not people. I don't understand how exactly it works, but that... Thing is not the fruit. It is just a creation made from a seed being placed within the pools. A magically infused fruit is changed and mutated, essentially ceases to be one thing and becomes another." Amen said, progressively growing more somber, eventually reaching a point where he seemed like he was about to cry. "I don't understand... This shouldn't be. The apocrypha can't be right." He raggedly sighed out as he contemplated something.

"If one part of it is true then... What else is true?!" He suddenly cried out, both sad and angry. He then looked to Triss, who still appeared confused. He reached into his bag, picking out a book, and an old one it would seem. "This is one of the black books of Apophis. An apocrypha, non-canonized scripture regarding the tales of the gods and the conception of Hetep's afterlife. It has many... disturbing passages. One of which is regarding that tree in there... We... We made them. We made the tree and by extension... We made the Calco." he breathed out at last, as if he had been keeping it in, trying to reject the truth of it.

Triss realized quickly that, while she knew what all of those words meant separately, she didn't quite understand exactly what it was that he was getting at. "I-I guess that isn't a good thing? Right?" She asked as she moved in front of him, "But I'm sure everything will be okay. I mean, nothing really bad has happened or anything. Guan seemed a little mad but I'm sure we can talk it out with her. If anything you proved the Calco's faith, right?' She aske, not really sure of herself or what was going on.

Amen looked at her, a defeated look in his eyes. "You don't understand, Triss. This book has existed for centuries if not millenia. It describes perfectly how the tree works, what happens and how and why it was made. If that is true, then... That could quite possibly mean that so much more of its content is true. I didn't want to believe it. It was all too horrible... It describes so many things. The creation of the Sangyn vampires. The conception of the old gods of Hetep. The state of the afterlife and so many more things... If this book is true, then so many things regarding Hetep may just be false. So many traditions, so many stories, so much of our faith... It may all just be one big hoax."

Before he had the chance to say anything else, Guan called out from the cave, a distinctly rageful look on her face. "Well! I hope you are proud of yourself. Everything and everyone in that cave is now regarding you as some sort of Messiah or some sort of divine emissary. I would have you flogged had you been my citizen for causing such a rucus. I fear that you have now set things in motion that can't be undone."

"I agree..." Amen said quietly under his breath. He looked from Triss over to Guan. "I should probably leave now. Clear my mind and let you calm your people in peace."

"I think you should," Guan replied. She nodded to one of the guards at the gateway. "The portal will take you to the Vroldafn borders. From there you may go wherever you would like to go. Just... You probably shouldn't return... Ever."

He looked to his traveling companion. "I am sorry that I couldn't make this a bit more lighthearted. I should go. If you wanna go somewhere else, I wouldn't blame you. I... I will need some time to think everything through."

"No, I can't let you just run off by yourself. I wouldn't be a very good guard or friend if I let you go an do that." She said, moving closer to him before turning to Gaun and bowing to the best of her ability, "I sincerely apologize for any trouble we've caused. I promise it was not our intention to make your job more difficult, Your Highness." She then turned back to Amen, "I guess we should go before we end up causing more trouble. We can sort this all out then, okay?"

Amen simply nodded as they stepped through the gate. With just a few more skips and jumps, they had ended back up in the capitol city of Hylion. Amen looked ahead towards the council building. "Triss... I don't mean any offense, but could I have some time alone? I need to think about... Everything. I should... Probably talk a bit with Izar too. Tell him about our travels." He said with a halfhearted smile.

"I... O-of course." She said with a hesitant tone. "I, um... I'll see you later?"

"Of course." he replied, his face brightening up a bit more. From there they parted ways and Amen walked up towards the grand building. He had a lot to talk about.

## A Fateful Parting

A week had passed since Amen had returned to Hylion. He now sat by the harbor of one of the local cities, awaiting his beloved friend's arrival. He had discussed his plans with Izar, he had told him what little he dared to say, and he had ultimately come to a decision he was not quite comfortable with, but also not entirely discouraged from. It was a necessity as he perceived it now. He only hoped that she would not be angry with him. Looking around himself, trying to find her, he dearly hoped that she had acquired his message and was coming.

Triss was able to pick out the tall man easily from the crowd and made her way through the horde of people who crowded the docks and harbor. She wasn't entirely sure why they were to meet here but after their last meeting ending on such a sour note, she hoped this one would be much better now that he' had his time to think. Breaking through the last few obstacles in her path she waved her and at Amen energetically. "Long time no see!" She said, quasi-teasing as it had only been a week but given they hadn't been apart for more than a few minutes this past year it felt like quite a long time. "How have things been? I hope everything is alright, It was nice being back in Hylion for a bit to see the family but I couldn't help but wonder how you were doing. You know, since things didn't really go so well in Vroldafn. But I guess they didn't really go as bad as they could have..." She said, as continuously talking out of nervous awkwardness.

Amen walked up to her and before his next actions he simply said: "Forgive me." After that he unapologetically embraced Triss in a hug. After a couple of moments he let go of her before saying: "Thank you for coming, Triss. I couldn't do anything thats coming next without knowing that I could have a moment with you. Come. Let me buy you an ice cream." He offered with a soft smile on his face, yet behind his eyes there was something else glimmering.

Triss was quick to notice the difference in his demeanor from the man she had come to know, he seemed like an altogether different person than the easier going and cheerful person he'd been before. However, despite the unease she felt or what how creepy 'what's coming next' might have sounded she felt he must have some reason for what it was he was doing. "Oh...okay, sure." She said half-heartedly as the two walked through the groups of people and eventually found a vendor not far from where they'd met. After getting her ice cream they sat down at a nearby bench overlooking the vast and seemingly endless blue ocean. "You seem tired, Amen. Is everything alright?"

"I am tired. I don't know how to quite describe it. I am haunted and relived. I am worried yet at ease. I am scared yet confident. It is a strange sensation. I've continued to read the Apocrypha and talked to Izar, and I have come to a very simple and conclusive result of it all." He said as he ate at his strawberry sundae.

Triss raised an eyebrow, hesitant to act on her curiosity but still wanting to know what is going on. "And what conclusion have you come to?" She asked despite herself.

He took another bite of his sundae before straightening his back and looking out towards the great sea. He pointed towards the horizon. "Beyond what we see before us, countless, innumerable miles in that distance is my home. There beyond the veil of sea lies the 'greatest kingdom the world has ever seen'." He said, a bright smile on his face. "I have been running from it for some time now. Scared to face the consequences of my actions back there. You have seen the results and attempts of that. But now... I think it is time to stop. As much as I wish it wasn't so, I need to go back home."

Triss was saddened by the news that Amen would be leaving, her heart sinking at his announcement. "But you came all this way and made all sorts of friends and whatnot here. Besides, you've already been gone for so long..." She looked for anything she could say that might convince him that his place was here. "I mean if being there made you so miserable and being here makes you happy then what's the harm in staying?" She said, her melting icecream beginning to rundown the cone and onto her hand. "Do you really have to go?"

"If I do not take up the mantle, someone else will. Someone else who don't know half the things I do now. Someone who would gladly proceed to invade your continent in the name of the heavens." He said looking to the horizon before turning his head towards Triss. "You are right. I was miserable, I hated what I had become and what I had done. I thought there was no hope for me. You and your friends changed that for me. As for the harm... I can't tell you all of it, but suffice to say that there would be plenty of harm in me staying. Not necessarily for me as much as it would be for the entire continent. My home is broken and I have to fix it. Triss... I would love nothing more than to stay. To stay here with you and all the friends I have made over the time spent here. You have given me so much. And now it is time for me to give back to my people."

Triss signed defeatedly, doubting she had the conviction or ability to stop him. But even if she did would she be right in doing so? She turned her entire body so that she faced Amen fully. "I-I guess that makes sense, and I can't really stop you either way. But Are you going to be gone forever? Are you never going to come back?"

His smile grew soft and true. "Heavens be fair and merciful, I will return. This won't be a goodbye, Triss. I still hold out hope for us one day. But until further notice, this will be goodbye. Just not a farewell. This place... It is too amazing to leave behind. There will be a lot of turmoil with my return to Hetep. In any other instance I would have asked you to come with me, but knowing you. what you have here, and the things which will happen back home, I can't with a good conscience ask you to. Just trust that I will return here to you all."

Triss smiled, though it was clear to see that her smile did not reach her eyes. It was only the movement of muscles, a gesture to make him feel better or perhaps one to convince herself that she was not as upset at this goodbye as she truly was. "I'll hold you to it. After all, It's rude to make a girl a promise you can't keep, but I'm sure you know that already." She said, her eyes looking down at the bench as though looking him in the eyes would break the illusion her smile held over her. Still, she could not let words be their only goodbye and so she gathered all of her internal strength and looked up at him. Leaning forward she pressed a chaste kiss on his cheek, "Like I said, I'll hold you to it."

Amen was momentarily stunned by her gesture. His eyes were wide and mouth agape. Realizing how much of a fool he must have looked like, he recomposed himself and offered her a gesture in return, taking her hand in his and kissing the knuckled of her fingers. "As I shall hold to that hope. I will not add another sin to my already heavy baggage." He said with a chuckle.

A strange man stepped up to them. A scruffy and gruff aging man with a distinct look a scent of a nigh drunken sailor. "Sir, we are ready to depart when you are." He said with his gravely voice. Amen simply nodded as the man returned to his ship. "I guess this is it. Thank you for all this time, Triss. Be sure to give your friends the same words of gratitude for me. I know it is not reciprocated, but I want you to know that I really do love you. I hope to live up to those affections soon enough... May I have a final hug before I depart?"

Without hesitation, Triss hugged Amen. Wrapping her arms around him tightly, "Don't be stupid, you know how I feel, even if I don't have the confidence to say it just yet." She said, hugging him as tightly as her small body could manage. "That's why you have to come back, so that I can say them when I'm ready to, okay?"

He returned the embrace as she had, holding her tightly, feeling her closeness and kindness one last time before his departure. "I most certainly will. I will work myself to the bone to ensure the hastening of that day. But until then, do me the favor of keep on living your life to the fullest. I don't think I need to even ask this, but one never knows for absolutely sure." He said as he parted from his beloved. With that he walked towards his ship, slowly departing now as he approached. As he sailed from the harbor back to his home, he waved his final goodbye to the woman. "Until then, Triss. Until then."