Nobody Epic

  I'm finally home. She peers through the pouring rain at the abandoned city. She was one of the first to leave when the citadels had fallen but that was years ago. Everyone had gone now it was utterly devoid of life. She looked up at the bluff where she had spent most of her childhood. Dreamer's Park is what they had named it. She saw a lone figure obscured in the rain or was it just a tree. She swore she saw something move up there. She lead Wildfire into an old house near the park. She told Rook to scout around but otherwise they were to meet back here soon. The house had been picked clean by scavengers over the years. She caught a glimpse of something in the doorway. A firefly!. It danced in a blue glitter she could hear it whisper and sing. She thought the trail had gone cold when they were at the river they called  the Serpent's Tears. A big waste of time is what she called it.

She followed the tittering firefly up the path. Soon it was joined by a few more. Eventually hundreds of them coalesced down the path. It was ironic they were leading her back here where it all began. She walked up to the statue and ran her hand along its base. Only Nicci's still stood. The rain and the fireflies  streamed down its face. It was almost like she was crying. Ayrlyn's statue had been shattered, pieces of it had been strewn around the park. What had happened? She hadn't been gone that long. The earthquakes had destroyed much but these statues should have been fine. She slowly walked around the park until coming to the bluff. An unfamiliar mound of stones was there. A cairn. Who had built this? What unfortunate soul had been laid to rest here? Something glinted upon the stones. It was the small plaque that used to be affixed to the statues base.

We stood against the world and won.

A small necklace of rubies and sapphires hung upon it. She looked up. The fireflies had joined into a twister that spiraled to the skies above. Their song had become a chorus of sadness and regret. Still it was a sight to behold. Slowly it dissipated into the rain one by one the fireflies started to wink out until a  blue glowing form remained. It stood upon the rocks.

Come closer she heard it call

Athera approached cautiously. She had heard of phantoms and other such things. She moved forward until she was close enough to make out the features of a young women much like her. The garb she wore was so exotic and beautiful. It didn't even seem of this world. A slow realization crept on her. Athera trembled and gulped she had spent days on end starting at those statues pretending to be her but how was it possible?

"Are you real?" Athera whispered. The spirit did not seem to acknowledge her any further.

Nicci smiles

I'm speaking to you from a place where time and space have no meaning.

I left this trail because I saw my death before it even happened.

I have seen what you might become.

I need your help.

Listen closely Starseeker ,she wouldn't heed my words , I hope you do

Athera's eyes widened.

She only seeks revenge now her feelings of losing me have consumed her.

She walks down the wrong path, a dark path.

I cannot feel her anymore she may be lost

You are my last best hope

You can save us all Starseeker.

Please make me sing again, let her hear me sing

Nicci turns and gazes at the ocean

But first You just need to wake up

Athera shook her head. "What do you mean"

Wake up .....................

Wake up ....................

She shook her head groggily.

"WAKE UP" Rook yowled. " You have been sitting there on the horse for like five hours taking the longest catnap I have ever seen"

She could still hear Nicci humming a beautiful melody. Athera wearily rubs her face and looks around. They were still in the mountains. She sighed. Just another dream she said to herself. Wildfire was drinking from a small mountain lake ringed with trees. She hopped down from her horse and knelt down to splash some water on her face. She peered in the perfectly clear lake. A haft of blue silver caught her eye. She reached down and pulled it from the sand. She was awed from what she uncovered. The cool water streamed off the most magnificent bow she had ever seen the likes of. The technology was otherworldly. Blue steel shined brilliantly in the sun. Oddly enough it seem to have no string.

Along its haft it was adorned with Sun runes. She found that she could read them perfectly.

We are coming home this day
Lost, but now we found our way

Heart of steel
Crown of blue
Hearken to the winds, they are calling you