Private Home of the Ancients

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Information

The Light of Ashla, Champion and Avatar of Ashla ​

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Objective: Discover Midwinter.
Location: Near to Heavenheim, Midwinter
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Ljósspjót (spear) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Thurion Heavenshield

Eina had never been to Midwinter before, though she had heard a great deal about the place. She knew her ancestors had originally come from here, and recent events had only increased the planet’s importance. And since she was, truth be told, half L'lerim - something she had inherited from her mother - she felt it was important to visit. Even in the Netherworld, she had often heard of Midwinter. So in recent times, she had wandered the planet, never making contact with the locals, remaining immaterial and invisible the entire time - her presence undetectable to those around her. She had even visited the Nexus on the planet, which came as a pleasant surprise to her. Its effects were very similar to those found at the place the Valkyrja called home.

After a long visit, the angel-winged woman finally took on physical form near the capital, choosing a vantage point from which she could observe the city. She appreciated the locals’ simplicity and the fact that technology had not yet firmly embedded itself in this world. Sanctuary shared some of these same traits, and many Valkyrja, as well as the Children of Ashla, lived in similar fashion. In the Netherworld, there was little need for advanced technology - most preferred to use what could be made locally. The living, who ventured into the realm of the dead, of course brought technology with them - just like the HPI - but Eina didn’t believe that disturbed the world of the dead. On the contrary, she sometimes found it helpful when assisting others.

Eina allowed the chilly wind to tousle her hair and wings as she watched the capital from afar. She did not fly, only stood on a high ledge; she did not wish to draw too much attention to herself. Of course, she knew that her presence would likely cause a stir in the Force, as she shone with a golden hue within it, a living vergence. She had become a part of Ashla, knew the thoughts of the Oversoul - the countless spirits who had merged with Ashla after death and now made up a shared consciousness. Though Eina, Geiseric, and their two children were also part of Ashla as Lightborn, they had retained their own minds and personalities.

It was precisely because of this strange state of being that she did not wish to reveal herself to the people living here. She had no desire to interfere in religious or supernatural beliefs. Eina had long since grown used to being venerated as a Living Saint on every Ashlan world. Though she did not understand religion or its necessity, she respected the faith of the living and did not wish to alter or influence it with her own presence.

For a time, as she explored the world, she considered approaching the local rulers - but in the end, she chose not to. She did not want to upset anyone or provoke discomfort by merely existing. After all, the people of this planet did not worship Ashla, and more importantly, Eina had always been an atheist. So she chose to remain unnoticed - at least until she would soon leave. For now, she lingered just a little longer, enjoying the view.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Then came a man, a lone wanderer in a tattered robe of grey and a walking stick in his hand. The hood of his cloak fluttered in the stronger winds this high up, exposing the hint of a golden beard. He spoke not, for who was there to speak to? Certainly not Eina L'lerim-Vandiir in her ghostly aspect.

The wanderer waved his hand, fashioning for himself a bench from a few rocks, then sat down on the cliff's edge right beside the angelic being, not saying a word. He sat there for a long time, contemplating. He looked upon his city, trying to tell members of his family apart from the rest, but they all looked like tiny dots from his elevated position.

He turned his head towards Eina, offered a faint smile, then moved over on the stone slab. He patted the empty seat beside him, as if expecting someone to sit with him. To any bystander, the old man must surely look addled in the mind; mad with grief, such as in the case of his dearly departed wife. Did he expect her ghost to come sit beside him?

"It's beautiful up here, is it not," he asked nobody. "I must have climbed every hill, every mountain and every tall tree in Westmark. This is one of my favourite spots. Doesn't take me too far from home, either."

The hooded man rubbed his knee, aching from the climb.

"Have you come to take me to the Golden Hall," he asked then, only in half-jest. "T'would not suit me ill at this time..."

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

Information

The Light of Ashla, Champion and Avatar of Ashla ​

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Objective: Discover Midwinter.
Location: Near to Heavenheim, Midwinter
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Ljósspjót (spear) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Tags: Thurion Heavenshield

Eina continued to wait, her gaze still fixed on the capital city. In truth, she did not expect to receive any visitors. Yet, after a while, the woman sensed a presence, one that felt all too familiar. Though she had never met this person face to face, Eina had felt them before, among others, on Tython, back when the Maw had threatened the Galaxy. That presence had been there, too.

She wasn’t even sure what she had expected. Perhaps nothing at all, certainly not to meet someone here who had also been part of that battle. For the time being, however, she simply watched the city and the distant horizon. She only turned around once the owner of the presence had drawn nearer.

That was when she saw the older man; though of course, “older” was relative. Compared to Eina, he was likely still in his childhood years, as the woman had lived for several centuries in the Netherworld, where time passed differently than it did in Realspace. In that moment, she did not speak to the man, who clearly bore the air of nobility. She merely inclined her head respectfully and returned her gaze to the distance. Only when she heard his palm make contact with the stone did she look back again.

The motion was clear and unmistakable, even she understood what it meant. Eina drew in her wings and stepped over to the stone slab, then sat down as well. After his question, she turned her gaze to the man again, a gentle smile appeared on her face as she nodded.

"The whole planet is beautiful." she told him.

Truthfully, both Eina’s aura and her voice might have felt familiar to the man. Her voice was exactly the same as that of her mother, Ingrid L’lerim. Yet, while the Eternal Empress’s tone was cold and devoid of emotion, Eina’s voice was warm and full of feeling. As for her aura, it felt as if Ingrid’s Force signature had been blended with someone else’s. If Thurion had ever encountered Adrian Vandiir, he would likely recognise it.

The woman blinked in surprise at the man’s question — as usual, she did not understand the half-jesting remark. Such things still eluded her comprehension. Because of that, she shook her head firmly and looked at the man with sincerity. Perhaps it was some kind of religious matter? For a moment, that thought occurred to her.

"No, I simply never had the chance until now to visit and get to know the world where my ancestors came from." she said honestly. "I’ve felt your presence before on Tython, but we’ve not met. I am Eina L’lerim-Vandiir." she introduced herself.