#valicos

Epilvik had been in range of Oz’s communication; his mate Rhuua, and himself were visiting Halaa as she often liked to stay in one of her childhood homes. He was able to answer the distress call expeditiously. The message had come through with perfect clarity, meaning Oz was decently close. He quickly mounted one of their companions as he kicked off, heading south so as to avoid the Mag’har settlements. It wouldn’t due to get into a turf war at the moment. “What’s going on? Oz? Where are you, what do you need, tell me and I’ll be there with all due haste!” Epilvik called responding back into his own communications crystal as it glowed a dull gold to signify it had been broadcast-ed specifically back to Oz rather than to Te’Amun. 

Oz scrambled for the door, enraged to his very core, and out for blood. A dark haze had come over his vision, and his mind was on one thing, and one thing only: Valicos was going to die. Before departing, he yelled into his comms, “Lunri, h-he got her. Telaar, she’s... I’m going to kill...” His comms cut out as he dropped it, and took off after his brother, determined to hunt him down. His mind had completely snapped at the sight he had just beheld. He was gone before help could arrive. 

Epilvik listened to the instructions, raw, primal anger and fury emanating from Oz’s voice. He kicked his mount into leaping bounds as they covered the terrain far quicker than he ever would have normally. He looked down at his crystal as it made a dull thud on the other end. “Come on Arkanos, Telaar, fast,” He whispered urgently to his wolf as they galloped across one of the rope bridges into the city. Epilvik activated a track embedded in Oz’s crystal so he was able to head to the last location Oz had been in. He found himself at what appeared to be just a regular home, and by the front door was Oz’s dropped comms crystal. Epilvik leaned down to pick up the crystal, and dropped it in his bag as he dropped down from his mount. As he entered the building, he called out, “Oz? Lunri? Is anyone here?” He drew a long, curved, but ornate knife, not liking the darkness in there, but continuing onwards, deeper in until he would find someone or something. 

He would hear very light, but audible groans. As he continued down the entryway, he would find Lunri in the living room, slouched in a chair with Sha’Tari dead in her lap. Both were blanketed in blood, but Lunri was scalped, scared, scorched, and a long, sewn up gash was along her lower abdomen. Her eye patch was off, so he could see the long gash usually hidden beneath it from years ago. 

Epilvik quickly bolted towards them, gasping at the horrendous-ness of what the room proffered. While he may have been a hard military man, who had seen millennia of wars, the sight of the newborn dead in its mothers lap, gore, blood, splattered and spilt out around them, blood gushed over several pieces of furniture, the sight of it all, even he could not ignore. Tears rushed to his eyes as he stepped forward. Kneeling beside Lunri, he reached out and placed a hand on her bare chest as he leaned his head against it, to try and see if she was still breathing. They would be avenged, however with the amount of blood and cuts, tears and rips, he couldn’t tell what condition she was in. 

The pallid colour of Lunri’s skin showed just how much blood she had lost. Not even thinking twice about it, he ripped off part of his shirt, and whipped out a canteen of clean water to clean her face and upper body. With all the cuts, and dried blood caked on her, not to mention the bruises, it was hard to see if she was still losing more blood. He was loath to move her just in case it would upset any closed wounds and cause her to die in his sight. Once that task was completed, he ran back outside, and returned with 2 stout wool blankets, and his loyal wolf companion, Arkanos. Gently, he wrapped the baby in one of the blankets and cleaned its face so it simply appeared as if it was in a peaceful slumber, and in some ways he supposed it now was. The other he wrapped around Lunri, knowing the dire emergency she was in, he resided to taking her to his mate immediately. Rhuua’s medical expertise would be able to heal her, provide her the needed sustenance, and clean her; all things that could not be accomplished here. He checked her one last time before he moved her for anything he missed, and noted the majority of the dried gore seemed centered on her lower abdomen and head. Satisfied there were no openly bleeding wounds, he hoisted her up and gently carried her to Arkanos, and set her against the wolfs fluffy soft mane with the baby in her arms. Epilvik could not bare to depart the two. He knew she would want to say her goodbyes and lay Sha’Tari to rest as their culture demanded. He swung up into the saddle with ease, and was careful not to disturb Lunri. He took his crystal comms device out, and set it for Rhuua. “My dear, prepare your medical room. Lunri has been... you will see, the worst has happened. She needs immediate help, likely a blood infusion,” he called out into the crystal as they begun to padder off. He knew speed wasn’t required this time around. Too much jostling could worsen her many wounds. 

20 minutes later

As Epilvik carried Lunri and Sha’Tari into the humble abode that belonged to Rhuua and himself, a large bed with all the needed supplies was ready to immediately be used. She ordered and bossed Epilvik around as soon as they entered. Sha’Tari was placed in one of the cradles they used to use, with a preservation ward surrounding it. There was no knowing when, or if, Lunri would awaken. 

Lunri laid on the bed with only the blanket to cover her up, being poked and prodded by Rhuua while Epilvik fetched all the supplies like a good mate. She was cleaned up with warm soapy water, stitched with dissolvable thread, and a bag of blood was attached to her by placing an IV into her median cubital vein. Another bag was attached to the same IV, except this one contained fluids packed with water, vitamins, and proteins. He laid a wet cloth over her forehead to make sure she did not become feverish while her body tried to heal itself.  Lunri would lay there for several days, and nights. Slowly waking up more each time.

A week later

Rhuua and Epil had mostly slept in shifts for the better part of the previous week, only being able to get any true rest when Epilvik had summoned his sister and her mate to watch over Lunri for several hours on a few days. It was however one day when Epilvik was taking her pulse and temperature, the blood bag now gone, but the feeding bag still present, that she blinked open her eyes, nearly instantly hysterical.  

 “Where am I?! Who are you?! Where is Sha’Tari?! I want Sha’Tari!!” Sobs wracked her body, aching for the pain of all the memories rushing in to go away. 

Epilvik gently cupped her head. “Don’t worry Lunri, it’s just me Epilvik, Rhuua is here as well. You’ve had an... accident of some sort. We rescued you, and healed you; you are safe now.” He explained to her, unsure of whether to give her the child, fearing it would only upset her more. He tried a different tacit. “She is right there Lunri. She is right beside you, not far at all now,” Epilvik said as he pointed to the crib laying but a few feet from her head. 

Lunri looked up at Epilvik, and played with the word on her tongue a bit. “Epilvik... Rhuua...Sounds familiar. I am safe, now? How can I trust you?! He-he... He made my own mother and sister hurt me. I can’t trust anything anymore!” She would close her eyes and curl in on herself, wrapping her arms around her torso. Rocking back and forth, back forth. 

A soft knock issued on the door, and he went to go answer it, leaving Rhuua with Lunri. He rose an eyebrow when no one was at the door, nearly shutting it before he noticed the rather large sized parcel at this feet. Picking it up, he grunted at the surprising weight, and was about to open it when he noticed it was addressed to Lunri. “How does anyone know she is here?” He spoke as he brought it in to her. “Ummm, this was left at the door for you. I am not sure what it is, though it is quite heavy so be careful,” He warned as he placed it beside her on the bed. Once Epilvik saw her rocking back and forth, he realized for the first time what she had experienced went well beyond simple torture. Her very mind had been scarred and wracked by Valicos. “Who did it to you? Lunri who is responsible for the... for what happened to you?” He asked her, catching himself before he might have made her fragile state worse. He sat beside her on the bed comfortingly. “You know us Lunri, you know Te’Amun. We are in the same order, we are your friends, your family,” He tried to assure her. 

Lunri would take a look at the parcel, and bring it closer to herself. “Please don’t hurt me...” She opened it slowly, unsure of it. Inside was the head of a Draenei that looked much like Oz, but also like Valicos. There was also be a gem placed between it’s lips that dropped onto the bed beside her. The gem had a faint glow to it, and resembled the gem that had been in the hilt of the dagger Valicos had stabbed Sha’Tari with. With a screech, she tossed the head to the side and scooted as far from it as she could. Fear made her eyes wide, and her breathing heavy. That face instantly bringing back all the memories and sensations she’d had to endure at the hands of Valicos. “Get it away! I do not want to see it!”

Epilvik quickly jumped up as the severed head was tossed in his direction. The head rolled on the floor, and the lifeless face of what looked like Oz or Valicos, stared up at him. “Fuck! What the shit, Oz? What the fuck has gone on!” Epilvik yelped. Shock had caught up to him he was unable but to express his surprise. He swallowed deeply, and used the lid and the box to scoop the head back in. Luckily enough, it was not gory so there was no mess as he placed it outside. “What’s gone on Lunri? What happened in that house? What happened to you?” Epilvik asked, now even more concerned than before, as he glanced over to her with a shudder of sadness.

Shaking back and forth, Lunri tried to explain. V-Valicos. Oz’s twin. Tortured me. Kill Sha’Tari. Weeks. Illusions everywhere. Mother. Sister. Mojo Stormstout. So much pain. No more please. NO MORE!”

 “Oz’s twin? He has a twin? What the fuck? Why would he...” Epilvik questioned more to himself than her, as he saw how fragile and scared she still was, her mental state dangerously affected. “Don’t worry you’re safe now, Lunri. You’re safe. Valicos is gone, he is long gone and he is never coming back. You’ll be safe now.” He assured her before he realized she knew her child was gone, too. His expression grew mournful for a few moments. “You’ll survive through this Lunri.” He promised her as he looked over to the crib where she too knew her child lay. 

Tears made rivulets down her face. “Sha’Tari...” She looked at the crystal grasped tightly in her palm, and saw it glowing. “I think she is in here. I think he trapped her in here. I want her back... But necromancy is wrong. I shouldn’t even be thinking that.”

“In there? In the crystal? How- What was Valicos- to do something like that...” Epilvik asked in surprise as he looked at the faint glow of the crystal. He considered her words before saying, “Maybe, but you’re her mother. I wouldn’t lie and say Rhuua and I wouldn’t consider exactly the same,” He responded honestly to her. 

She hugged the crystal close to her. “To do that , it wouldn’t be fair to her.” She said in a voice null of emotion. “I feel empty now.” A small, insane type of cackle issued from her lips. “Well, I guess I am empty now that Sha’Tari is out of me. How peculiar.”

Epilvik noted the way her voice turned hollow, flat, and metallic.  “Mhmm, no no it likely wouldn’t be, “ he agree softly. “Do you- do you need to hold her? We will need to consider what to do next, we can’t obviously...leave... yes,” he advised. 

Lunri nodded in acquiescence, her eyes were flat and no expression was on her face. “The ceremony should be commenced. She should be with the Light. If the Light is even there.”

Epilvik carefully lifted the girl out of the cot still wrapped in the blankets as he pulled her free of the shimmering bubble Rhuua had conjured to preserve her. He offered her to Lunri. “I will send for preparations to be made; she will have a send off that she truly deserves. Her life though short will be no less remembered than any other of our people that fall. She was one of us, and everyone will know her name. Of that, I can promise you.” He said with a smile as he passed her the girl. 

Lunri looked down at the bundle, seeing a slightly too small baby face peeking out. She would have looked just like her. Lunri touched her cold skin, and reminisced of what it would have been like. Married, a little girl... It was all for naught now. She would be putting her baby to rest before she could have taken her first breath. Lunri looked up at Epil. “It is time. She should be put to rest.”

Epilvik dipped his head sadly in mutual hurt for the pain and suffering that Lunri now faced, saddened by her heart break. Lunri held out the gem for Danarshi as he moved to take the stand. She could visibly see Avareia clenching her hand reflexively. She wasn’t up to date with much of Te’Amun, so was slowly processing all of the mournful news one tear at a time. She eyed the man to the left of the Justicar, but said nothing as she turned her attention to Danarshi. As Lunri looked over at Ashaar, she saw him bowing his head in solemnity. Seeing the pain in her eyes from the tragedy she went through was too much for him to watch. He remained quiet as the funeral proceedings went on.

Danarshi turned his head and watched Lunri as she opened  the ceremony, a supportive expression present up his face. As she began to lose control of her emotions, the Anchorite issued her with a nod of understanding. As the soul gem was offered to him, he calmly approached the woman, placing each of his hands around her own and politely taking the gem from her. A moment later, he returned to his spot and clasped each of his hands in front of his waist in a respectful manner, the soul gem still held within them. His eyes also diverted down towards the ground beneath them. “The very day that the grim news of Sha’Tari’s demise had reached me was a dark day indeed. Many a tragic death have I witnessed across the span of my life, though, -this-... this was a tragedy that was -never- meant to unfold,” he expressed, falling into a few seconds of silence. “Sha’Tari, in Draenei, means “one that is born from the Light”. Though our young sister was taken from  us early as to never see the waking world, that does not necessarily mean that her journey was cut short. Though the life within her physical body was taken from her, her spiritual one was  not. In life, Sha’Tari would have grown to serve many of us faithful, and have become known as a fellow sister. Now, in death, her spirit shall be freed, and, despite the wicked actions of the monster who claimed her from the the Material Plane, she will still hold the ability to roam the world, freely, and venture to whichever destination calls for her. As her name resembles, she shall indeed be born from the light, and continue to linger among us forevermore,” he finished, finally lifting his head back up to face the group. “That is all that I wish to speak on. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak on our fallen sister.”

The petaltush beside Avareia stared blankly at Danarshi, virtually understandig only a few words that escaped the Anchorite’s mouth. He waddled up to Lunri and offered a single starflower, freshly picked from his home in Draenor. He then waddled back to Avareia, still confused on what Danarshi said.

Ashaar, and Epilvik stood quietly, listening to Danarshi’s eulogy, trying to remain stoic, but both could feel tears welling up in their eyes. Avareia frowned as her gaze flashed from Petaltush to Lunri to Danarshi. She pulled her hood down as a few sniffles escaped from her.

As Danarshi delivered his speech, her shoulders shook despite her attempts to keep herself composed. As Petaltush waddled up to her, and delivered her a flower, she patted him on the head and tucked it into her hair. When she got home, she would preserve it and frame it, she decided. After a few moments to compose herself at least somewhat, she addressed the group again. “Thank you, Danarshi, that was perfect. Danarshi will release her from the crystal next, as I have already said my goodbyes in private. Anyone is welcome to do so before she is released. After that has been done, her body-” she points with a shaky hand behind her. “Will be burned in holy fire. When you are ready, Danarshi, unless anyone would like to speak their good byes.”

Danarshi’s eyes remained trained upon his peers ahead of him, expectant that at least one of them would have a few words to share. Lunri stood off to the side, looking down at the crystal in Danarshi’s hands as Avareia stepped past the Justicar and the mysterious man towards Lunri. After a few moments, she continued her stride to Lunri, and pulled the Draenei in for a tight, ‘welcoming’ hug. Avaraei said nothing for moments whilst Lunri was still in her grasp, but she pulled back and stared down at the crystal and murmured under her breath, “Light be with you, child, and darkness shan’t corrupt you further.” Lunri hugged Avareia back tightly, welcoming the woman’s tight embrace and kind words. “Thank you, Avareia.”  Avareia reached out to Lunri’s hands and squeezed them tightly; possibly exchanging a brownie or two with the hand holding. She flashed the Draenei a small, warm smile before stepping back next to the Justicar.

Danarshi watched the two sisters embrace. As she utters her wish upon the fallen child, he himself peers down at the gem that remained tightly grasped within his hands. He released a silent breath of a sorrow nature. Ashaar remained silent, but gave Lunri a sympathetic nod as he worked hard to keep his own composure. He may be a smart-ass in most occasions, but he knew that this was no time or place for humour, and he was shit at expressing real feelings. So, he remained quiet and respectful.

Justicar Epilvik took a few paces forward. “While we may not have known one another Sha’Tari, know you held a family and those that cared for you in the Order as much as any other. Although your life was tragically short, and cut from you before you had a chance to shine, to show others what you could achieve, and what you would bring to the world. Though you might not have the chance now, the world nonetheless is forever changed by your presence, and you have affected your mother, who will carry on your memory and your future with her, wherever she goes. She who can tell your story, and in the your memory will not fade, but it will live on, and be acknowledge by our people forever more,” he spoke gently before stepping back once more.

Ava’s petaltush grumbled as the Justicar nearly stepped on him. He looked towards Lunri, and let out a loud call: HYRAAAAAAH!” He blinked a few times, “Wrong one,” he stated in his gruffy voice. “Hyy-RUH, podling bless you, child. You gone too soon, like my dinner.” He stepped back next to Avareia and nodded sagely.

Danarshi’s eyes remained trained upon the soul gem as Epilvik uttered his words about Sha’Tari. As the Justicar finished his speech, the Anchorite peered up at him long enough to issue him with a respectful nod, clearly appreciative of what the man had to say. A smiled cracked at the corners of Lunri’s mouth as a brownie or two was pressed into her palm. Avareia knew just what she needed this day. She merely issued a curt nod to the Draenei so as not to let anyone else know of the exchange. As Epilvik began to speak, his words speaking volumes as always, she hugged herself tight. It was hard to let the Order see her so weak, but deep down she knew they understood. A low nod was offered towards the Justicar as she did not trust herself to peak at that moment. Emotions were roiling inside of her like a monsoon trying to tear her heart away. But at the words of Petaltush, she couldn’t help but chuckled. Epilvik had the opposite reaction to the Petaltush, gritting his teeth at it as he attempted to refrained from kicking into the water. Danarshi also pursed his lips and ground his teeth at Petaltush. He issued the Podling a rather distasteful look before diverting his attention. It would have to do. He expected much worse from a Podling. “It is time, brother.”

Danarshi glanced towards Lunri as she informed him that the time was nigh to send the young spirit away. With yet another nod, the Anchorite shuffled to his immediate right, settling within the middle of the rug. Slowly, he lifted the soul gem up until it was in front of his chest. He opened his fingers and rested the gem upon his palms, so all could properly see the insidious crystal. “You shall not be forgotten, young Sha’Tari. You shall live on within our memories, and soon, we shall come to meet you, I am sure of it, “ he shared in finality. A mere moment later, his hands are bather in the brightness, retaining it’s original form and colour. As time passes however, the surface of the gem would indeed, begin to change, it’s violet purple gradually turning to a holy gold. “Roam free, Sha’Tari. Dioness aca,” he said in farewell. At sudden, the soul gem physically pulsates and releases a puff of unholy energy. The magic that bound Sha’Tari’s spirit to the soul gem has now been broken, and the young Draenei is able to free herself from her crystalline prison. Lunri feels a blissful moment of peace as she sees her child lift into the air. Her tears of utter sadness shift to those of happiness, and a smile breaks her gaunt features. "Fly free, little one. Fly free."

As Danarshi completed the ritual, and Sha’Tari is released from her crystal prison, suddenly there was a flash of light from above, and a gem, hovering high above them, well out of reach, glowed to life, casting a holographic image above the order. The image showed the room that Lunri was all too familiar with, where she was tortured for days, weeks, almost months. Images flashed revealing the details of her torture, complete with the sounds of Lunri screaming in agony, the dark figure standing over her looked an awful lot like Osgoth, though more sinister looking. Lunri laid fully exposed on the table, for the whole order to see, and excruciating details of her torture were played back bit by bit. The images only lasted for a few moments, but it all culminated in the image of the man cutting Lunri open, pulling out her unborn child, and stabbing it with a dagger.The gem in the hilt of the dagger could be clearly seen, glowing as he held the child in the view of whatever recorded this image. Finally, all that could be seen was the image of the man’s face as he looked down upon the members of Te’Amun. With an evil grin, he said the words, “Prepare”. The image cut out as quickly as it started. As Lunri saw the images being played over, she shouted out in defiance, “No! No more! I cannot take anymore!”  She puffed up in anger, her hands clenched at her sides as purple veins popped out of her arms and her body was filled to the brim with adrenaline. "YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME AGAIN." Without thought, lightning crackled along her arms and to her hands, and she aimed them towards the gem. A rage filled roar emitted from her as she aimed the lightning towards it, and released it, overdrawing on her chi as she does so. In response, her body collapsed to the floor, having utterly exhausted herself. She laid there curled up, a shaking slobbering mess murmuring 'no more no more'. Epilvik also released a ragged dagger, and several bursts of holy energy at the image until the gem that was projecting the image shattered, shooting small, and mostly harmless shards down on the group.

Ashaar watched the images with a look of sheer terror on his face. He had no idea the extent of the horror that the poor woman had endured, until now, and he was infuriated. The audacity of this evil sonofabitch, to have set this up to further break Lunri, Ash couldn’t even fathom it. He gritted his teeth as he watched, and when the final image of the man appeared, telling them to “Prepare”, Ash balled his fists up and shook his head, taking a shard of the gem to the cheek without so much as a flinch. As blood trickled down his cheek, he looked at Lunri, and his gaze softened. What she must be going through right now, he had no idea, but his earlier promise still held true. If he was needed, he was ready to fight any fight for any member of this Order.

Danarshi’s eyes were quick to dart upwards at the sudden sound that appeared. He too moved his head as he noticed the floating crystal. He furrowed his eyebrows in some measure of concern, though, once he realized what was unfolding before them, his heart felt as thought the Void itself had crushed in around it, countless emotions of negativity flooded throughout him. Any who looked at him would see that we was struggling to watch the recording, his teeth clenched. As the scene came to where Lunri’s abdomen was to be cut, Danarshi could not hope to continue watching. The man diverted his vision to the ground, and sealed his eyes shut; hearing it unfold was enough to send shivers down his spine. As it was clear that the worst of it had passed, the sinister word, “prepare” ringing from the crystal, he is quick to snap his head back up. Though the projection shatters only seconds afterwards, the Anchorite had been given enough time to make out the wicked Draenei’s face. “Valicos,” he muttered, his voice sounding of hatred and loathing.

Epilvik ached to break him, to destroy him entirely. His fury, aggression, and anger playing out over his features as he was filled with intense hatred at seeing in person what had been done to Lunri and seeing her reaction to it all over again. He bellowed at the image, “You will not come here and victimize our people, you will die for what you have done, nothing you can do, say, or plead will stay our wrath. You will die so slowly and painfully you will think Kil’Jaeden himself is flaying your body.” He snarled in fury as the image dissipated.

Avareia -immediately- rushed over to Lunri, possibly tripping over herself once on the small ‘journey’ over. After the man’s dramatic showcasing was done, she reached her palm out to collect one of the shards that rained down. Clenching the crystalline fragment in her hand, she grasped Lunri and pulled her into a somewhat protective shell whilst he laid on the ground.

Lunri flinched at the touch of the older Draenei, and whimpered. “Please, no-” before realizing who it was. As it dawned on her, she hugged the Draenei. Her body shivered in fear, and she ached to cry it out, but no tears would leave her clenched eyes.

Danarshi took point after Avareia, the Anchorite tossed the purified soul gem aside and fell into a kneel beside her them, placing each of his hands upon Lunri in some crude effort of calming her. “It is okay, Lunri. I was only a projection. You are safe, and as long as we remain within your reach, you shall remain that way.” Danarshi proceeded to peer off into the distance. “Valicos shall pay, dearly, for the atrocities that he has committed, “ he muttered in a rather hushed tone. It was loud enough that Lunri and Avareia could have picked it up, though it was unlikely Epilvik or Ashaar could have heard it from their distance.

Lunri nodded at Danarshi, and tugged him closer, needing the presence of those few she could trust. “I can’t do it. I just… I can’t. He’s left me so broken, and frail.” A numbness spread throughout her body, and she took her arms off of Ava to wrap them around her trembling body. “The-the body. We must burn it before he can take it. He cannot take her. Please, no.”

Ashaar didn’t know what to do right then, and felt really out of place. He wanted to help comfort Lunri, but that seemed to be covered, so he made use of himself by inspecting the perimeter to make sure there were no more threats.

Avareia slid the crystalline fragment into her small crystal pouch attached to her belt before her eyes scanned the area for the other crystal. After a few moments, she found it. Her ‘lifeless’ gaze bore into the fully-shaped crystal before she focused back to Lunri. “Let’s get started, shall we?” Avareia untangled herself from Lunri and pushed herself up, soon offering a gentle helping hand to her. Lunri nodded and took her hand, standing up on wobbly hooves. She draped an arm across Ava’s shoulders to help steady herself.   

Danarshi placed a reassuring hand upon one of the woman’s trembling arms. “He shall not have her. I am certain what we had just witnessed was merely staged. He is not here, nor would he dare tread upon such holy ground. Sha’Tari is safe, her spirit and her body. You are right however, and I shall not disregard your wishes.” A couple of moments later, he returned to his hooves and turned himself to face the corpse of Sha’Tari. “It is time that we complete your daughter’s passing into the afterlife. When you are prepared, I shall bathe her in holy fire. She shall become one with the Light, full so.”

Mr. Petaltush wandered over the ex-soul crystal and poked it, making sure it wasn’t going to burn his fingertips. He grabbed it and ran it over to Ava. Avareia pursed her lips as Petaltush handed over the crystal. She tucked her face downward whispering into Lunri’s ear. They whispered back and forth for a few moments, as Ava was offering to make it into jewelry for her. For the moment, Lunri took the crystal from Ava until the ceremony was over.

At that moment, Danarshi placed his undivided focus upon the small fetus, that of which was Sha'Tari. The sight was undeniably grisly, and was enough to turn even the stomach of Danarshi, of all people. "Are you prepared, sister?" he asked once more in reassurance, directed at Lunri. He would not dare cremate her daughter without her utmost permission.

Avareia perked up. "May I help?" Her gaze bore into Danarshi, as if her eyes were saying 'pleasepleasepleaseplease'.

Ashaar walked up to the others after he was done making sure the perimeter was secure "There's no one here but us, that gem was obviously planted before the proceedings, and whoever left it, is long gone."

Danarshi peeked over at Avareia, and did not hesitate to nod at her. "I would be honoured if you were to lend your hand in the process, though the decision ultimately rests upon the shoulders of Lunri," he reminded her, his eyes turning to Lunri in curiosity.

Lunri looked between Danarshi, Ash, and then at Ava. “Thank you, Ash, it would mean a lot if you would help Danarshi, and Avareia. Please proceed before anything else can go terribly wrong.” She nodded at the three of them, giving her permission for all three to help. Somewhere in the process Epilvik had to leave to assist his wife, Rhuua.

Ashaar nodded at Lunri. “Of course, anything you wish.” He looked to Danarshi. “What do you need my help with?”

Danarshi shuffled to the side in order for Avareia and Ashaar to have the appropriate room upon the rug. “Very well. Raise your hand and walk fourth, with me,” the Anchorite explained, in which he does, indeed, life his own hand and wandered fourth towards Sha’Tari. “Now place said hand upon her,” he continued, doing as he described and placing his hand upon the small body. He was struggling to keep a neutral expression upon his face as he did this.

Lunri wanted to cry, but could not. Her body felt broke, bruised, and drained. It had only been a few hours, but it felt like an eternity. As she stood behind the group, she nibbled on a brownie before walking up to Ava and firmly grasping her free hand.

Seeing that his compatriots are prepared, he momentarily closed his eyes and released a deep, audible breath to control his inner emotions. “Now,” the command echoed down the hall from his lips. Holy fire erupts from the palms of the Anchorite’s, Ava’s and Ash’s hands and meets with the flesh of Sha’Tari. Immediately she caught fire, lighting the motionless infant aflame. All three remove their hand from the child, and take a step back. Once more, Danarshi clasps each of his hands together and rests them in front of his waist, properly closing his eyes and facing towards the floor. “Stand with me, my friends. Let us issue Sha’Tari with a minute of silence sh she has earned.” The Crystal Hall of was wrapped back up into it’s eerie but welcoming silence. Shamans could be heard practicing in the distance, making sure to give the group their space. A few moments pass, with Lunri resting her head on Ava’s shoulder and their hands clasped together as they listened to the holy fire. The crackling of the flames was somewhat unlike that of an ordinary fire. It was oddly calming, in a manner that was beyond description. The very sound of it brought calmness to the group, a reassurance that Sha’Tari had safely passed on, and she would find happiness, even if it was not within the Material Plane itself.

As the silence lingered on, Lunri took a deep breath and once more stepped in front of the group. “Thank you, brothers and sister for coming. It means a lot to me in this time of need. I-I think I would like to go home now and rest.” Her voice sounded dull, empty of all emotions. She just wanted sleep, and watch the rain beat against her window. To hear the crackling of the fire, and forget about her woes.

Danarshi too opened his eyes and moved his head back up as Lunri broke the silence. He watched her with a sympathetic expression as she spoke. At last, he stepped fourth, and offered the woman a supportive hug. “No, sister. Thank -you- for allowing us the privilege to witness the passing of your daughter. We are each in your debt,” he eventually responded, backing out of the hug afterwards. “If you -ever- require -any- of us, do not hesitate to call. You are in the safest of hands, my sister.” He bowed before her. “The time shall come that Sha’Tari is avenged, this I vow. I will not rest until justice is delivered upon Valicos, and Osgoth is found,” He uttered. “I shall leave you to rest, sister. Dioniss aca” He at last turned to make his exit, wandering towards the Seat of the Naaru.

Ashaar nodded at Lunri, solemnly, trying to put on a smile to comfort her. “Farewell, sister. I assure you, that I will be with you and the order every step of the way as we hunt down this man who did this to you. You have my word.”

Lunri waves a thin hand at Danarshi as he leaves, murmuring “Dioniss aca, brother,” at his back. She looked over to Ash, and politely nodded at him. “Thank you for coming, Ashaar. Perhaps we can chat after I am myself again. Until then, dioniss aca.” He sighed sadly, and then straightened himself. Walking out, he puffed up his chest to act stoic, and fight off more tears as he left.

Avareia held out her palm to Lunri. “I’ll get the choker back to you as soon as possible. All of my supplies are set inside of my workshop… which is not here.”

Lunri hesitantly set the crystal and the choker into Ava’s palm. She stared at it for a moment before meeting the Draenei’s gaze. “Thank you, Avareia. You have been much help to me.” She embraces her in a tight hug, nearly squishing her. “Dioniss aca, sister.” Avareia returned the hug, equally squishing her. She clenched her gloved fist around the crystal before sliding it into the same small baggie the choker is in. She looked around, picking up all the shattered crystalline fragments from the strange man’s entrance.