Meanwhile, back in the infirmary, whilst Dylan was headed off on her quest to find the prison of Black Dahlia.
Valorisa yawned, and stretched her arms toward the ceiling, as she awoke from her nap. "Oh, gods...I needed that..." she murmured. The marten, now feeling quite rested and who was now ready to take over her shift from Colin, then gasped as she turned and saw him collapsed on the floor. A huge gash, apparent in his lower abdomen, as he lay there.
"Colin!" she exclaimed as she leapt from the recliner and rushed to his side. "Gods, who did this? W-What happened, why didn't you call? Why didn't you wake me?"
The prairie dog placed a paw gently on Valorisa's arm, as she knelt next to him, almost beside herself and quite close to being in tears.
"Shhh..." he murmured, managing a weak smile. "Don't cry lass...Tears...cough...aren't becomin' of that pretty face o' yours...besides, ah...ah' need yeh' tah' do somethin' fer' me, okay?"
Valorisa nodded. "Anything," she replied. "What is it?"
"Dyl...cough...Dylan...sh-she made off with a very special artifact. Compass...you need to get it back..."
"A-A compass?"
Colin nodded. "I...I don't have enough energy... to explain. Just...it'll be very dangerous, lass...if she is able...tah' make her way to the place where that compass leads. Not just bad fer' you or fer' me. Bad fer' the whole blamed continent of Mintara. Now promise...you'll get that compass back?"
"I promise."
Colin's smile remained weak, as he gained a more relaxed composure. "Good..." he said. "Glad...ah' can trust yeh, with this, lass. Also, one more thing. Ah'...Ah would like yeh, tah' consider that spare room yer' brother and yeh' stayed in when yeh' first arrived...a-a permanent residence. Ah'...Ah have no illusions, that ah'm not makin' it out of this..."
"Colin..."
"Shh...ah'm a tired, well-traveled cleric who's seen his share of the world, and who came to terms a long time ago, lass, that none of us last forevah'. Now let me say my peace, alright. Ah...am...cough, allowed one last wish aren't I?"
Valorisa nodded. "Yes," she replied. "Just don't over-exert yourself."
"Alright," Colin conceded. "Ah...Ah just...want yeh tah' know...ah realize this is Balan callin' me. And ah'd appreciate it, before that time comes, that ah' can be assured my wife and daughter, won't be alone. That ah' know ah' can, at the very least, rely on those who are mah' friends, tah' be there for them in the long and bitter absence. So...will yeh do this for me? Will yeh' take up residence in that spare room, so ah' at least know they'll have a friend of the family tah' rely on, in case they need it?"
Valorisa nodded. "I will." she replied softly. "I promise."
"Good."
Colin winced. "Ah'm...gonna...miss you lass..." he said with a smile. His last words trailing off, as Valorisa did her best to keep smiling. But all the same, found it hard, as tears trickled from her eyes. The marten respectfully closed the eyes of the marten before laying him down.
She closed her eyes and folded her hands over him.
"Originator bless you," she whispered. "May you ride on the warmth of the four winds, to his palace which sits at the center of all. May the pines whisper your soul along the labyrinthine path, and may you find the peace and light which sits at the center of the labyrinthine way, which is sought by all."
The marten sighed as she concluded the blessing. She didn't know if the marten traditions were acceptable, when one was asked to put the soul of a Labyrinthine way cleric to rest. She simply hoped that they would be, as these ways were all she knew. They were all she could think to offer, so as to ensure that the prairie dog was provided at least some kind of solace before she had to turn her attention elsewhere. Mainly, back to her unconscious brother with whom she was getting a bit frustrated with at this point. Valorisa upon standing and upon returning once more to the beside of her younger brother, urged him to please wake up. To just get up if he could, as she needed him to help her figure out the next step.
"I...I've got no idea what to do..." she whispered, as she pleaded with Donovan to wake up. "Colin is gone...Dylan has the compass he was protecting. I'm supposed to get it back, and I don't even know why the compass is important or what it does...Dells. Why won't you wake up?" she snapped as she shook her unconscious brother. "Just...why do you always do this to me, huh? Why do you have to be such a trouble magnet? Oh, come to the five-year celebration of my nation, dear sister. Oh, everything will be lovely and fine, dear sister. Yeah, you told me that. I listened. Now look at us. I'm up a creek, you're knocked out, and I'm talking to you, like I expect that's all it will take to wake you up." Valorisa, who then issued a dismissive scoff, sadly had no clue just how powerful her voice was. Or even how powerful the stimuli of everything in the physical world had been on Donovan. As he, from within his, in his subconscious world. From within his, shar'mem, as the marten race referred to it, truly was trying with all his might to break out of the waking dream he was caught in.
In his subconscious world, Donovan was still in the company of Stilleto and Baretta Dashraft as all three looked to the sky at the sound of thunder which shook foundations of the earth itself, while bracing themselves amidst winds were bending mighty oaks nearly to the ground.
"The storm..." Donovan began to state, before both Baretta and Stiletto nodded in unison indicating their descendant need say no more.
"We know!" they exclaimed together. "Its speed and power have increased exponentially, and quite suddenly as well! It seems something has happened in the physical world, to shift the balance of power in a radical and magnificent way. For the storm to grow this fast and with such intensity in such a short manner of time..."
"You think Dylan has the compass?"
The sisters paused and fell silent before Stiletto nodded in affirmation. "We do," she replied for both of them.
"Actually, it's about the only event we can think of which would cause such an intense surge in the dark storm's power. If she's got the compass and has figured out how to use it..."
"Then she'll already be on the trail of finding the Garden of Black Stone."
"And on the trail of releasing Black Dhalia." Baretta added to what Stilleto and Donovan had already concluded. "That's why Stilleto and I have concluded, because of the situation, we need to use rather unconventional means, to get you out of here."
"Huh?"
"What my sister means," Stiletto hollered over the winds. "is normally you'd walk the path of the chimes, taking a lesson from each of the former Deicides who came before you! Now, given that Dylan is already so close to releasing her ancestor, we unfortunately don't have time for that! We...we have to do it another way!"
"A-Another way? And...what way is that?"
Stiletto sighed. "We're going to have to employ the Martanz'Erudis," she replied. "It's also known as the weasel's font of knowledge and is a rarely used ritual that will allow you to forgo meeting with the other nine Deicides who preceded you."
"Wha...um...is there a reason we didn't use this sooner?"
Stiletto responded with a nod. "Yes," she replied, as she crouched down and began drawing designs in the earth. "One, because we're forbidden to use it, unless the most extreme circumstances call for it, which they clearly do. Two, because it is extremely dangerous. And three," she said, as she stood once more, having finished with her construction of the arcane design, "this ritual will impart on you the lessons of all nine remaining deicides, all in a single session. You will in essence, receive what could be described as the remaining portion of Deicide involvement in marten history, all at once. I ask you try to remain strong, as most individuals might go insane, within the first few seconds of having to endure such a trial."
"But...you think I'm different?"
Stiletto looked to her sister, Baretta. The latter who then looked back at Stiletto. Both siblings choosing to shrug, in response to the question. "Neither of us...can really answer that," Baretta responded in her sister's stead. "We can say, we believe in you, Donovan. We believe, you have the heart, the courage, and the integrity of self, that has been shared by so many members of the Dashraft clan. We believe, you are capable of great things. That you are capable of the lessons which have been imparted on you, and which are about to be imparted on you. However, can you handle receiving them all at once? We...We cannot answer that, either of us. As this is not our trial to endure. It is yours."
"I see."
Donovan stepped forward slowly. "I suppose then..." he continued, "We have no other choice but to simply perform the ritual and to see exactly what will come of it. I mean, if it's true what you say. That only I can endure the trial. A trial which must be part of this path, if I am to get back to the physical world in time to stop Dylan from making the gravest mistake ever...well, okay. It seems clear then, there's nothing left to do then to just step forward and do the necessary task. Do you both agree?" the marten inquired, as Baretta and Stiletto looked to one another. A look of serene accordance, expressed across their faces.
"Yes," Baretta spoke suddenly, as she turned from her sister back to Donovan. "We are agreed. In fact...my sister and I, were agreed on this all along. We knew, the moment the storm began to increase intensity. The moment we realized Dylan had obtained the compass, that this would be the only method by which to get you back to the physical plane in a fast and efficient manner. We simply needed to know what your opinion would be."
"Yes," Stilleto added. "We are after all, spirit guides. We can do nothing, without your approval as well. We needed to hear your viewpoint, your opinion on what we were offering."
"And now that you have?"
Baretta smirked and nodded gently. "Now that we have heard you are in agreement as well," she replied, "we will begin the ritual immediately. Simply stand where you are, and Stilleto and I will do the rest, understand? Whatever you see, hear. Do not leave this spot from where you're standing. For the next few minutes, this is your anchor point. Your conduit, as your spirit is sent out of the spirit realm of the subconscious back into the physical realm of the conscious mind."
Baretta picked up a stick and began drawing shapes in the ground. She drew a circle with a cross in the center and motioned for Donovan to stand on it. "This will be the anchor point I mentioned, understand?" she inquired, as Donovan nodded to affirm before he then watched her draw even more shapes. A diamond tipped arrow was drawn, at the base of each of the four cardinal direction points. North, South, East and West. What looked like rays or sunbeams, were drawn at the four complementary direction points. Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast.
Baretta paused after having drawn these shapes.
"The diamond arrow," she directed Donovan's attention. The dyadem'paathi. It is a symbol of guidance. A reminder that from out of the point where all things begin, will the events of our lives then create for us a multitude of options, paths and directions, from which only we alone can choose from. They are our paths in life. Our roads. No one else can make the decision of what roads we will take, as no one in the world has faced the same sequence of events, which create these roads that are laid out before us. They are unique. They are special and defining for the growth of all individuals. The dyadem'paathi, is a part...of what helps us develop, into who we are."
Donovan nodded. "And the sunbeams?" he added. "What are those?"
"The sunbeams?"
Baretta smiled, as she turned her gaze to where Donovan indicated. "Ahh," you refer to the Lux'Or'jyn." she stated softly. "In basic Mintaran, it translates roughly, 'Light of the Originator,' or as it is also known on the mainland, the Lux'Balani. The light of Balan. In either form, and under either name, its purpose is the same. In this symbolic form, and particularly in this mandala, the light of Balan or Light of the originator, is represented as the protecting and guiding light, for those who walk their dyadem'paathis throughout life. Through this light, he provides quiet wisdom and moral guidance to aid the individuals of this chaotic world, toward finding their best possible path and outcome. With these symbols, we are asking the protection and guidance of Balan's light, as you walk the dyadem'paathi that will show you the wisdom of the remaining Deicides all at once, and which will return to the physical world.
Baretta crouched down and drew four more shapes. Four curving arches, which spanned the spaces between the diamond arrows and the light of the originator symbol.
"These," she explained to Donovan as she drew, "comprise the final symbol for this Mandala. This is the Pavys'Or'jyn. Otherwise known as the Shield of the Originator. It imbues a request for protection from the Originator, while the ritual is performed. With this drawn..." Baretta looked over to Stilleto. "We're ready," she instructed her sister. who nodded, and then picked up a large wind chime, and began gently striking it with a stick, producing a serious of low, mesmerizing tones.
"Balan," Baretta declared as her sister played this music. "Originator, Great Hart, Or'jyn, and creator whose names are endless..."
Stiletto hit one particularly strong note, as her sister made this pause, to acknowlege the storm they were facing, as well as the deital being. Baretta, then continued stating. "I beseech thee creator...hear these words. You, whose domain stretches far beyond the physical. Whose command and power throughout the universe, reaches far into the metaphysical. Who acknowledges that the pleas of the spirit realm, are none the lesser, when compared to those offered from the physical and conscious world..."
Baretta inhaled deeply. "Great one," she uttered softly. "We invoke your blessing for the rite of Martanz'Erudis. Protect the one, who stands anchored at his point of origin. Through this symbol, guide him back to the origins he seeks. Guide him from this place to the physical realm, in which his spirit began."
Stilleto struck a prominent note once more. Baretta, again ignoring it as a part of the rite, as she stated, "By the dyadem'paathi, the paths of life which we all discover, which are results of our actions, and which we follow to consequence of their helping to shape us into the persons we will become, let this Dyadem'paathi, now guide, shape, and aid young Donovan, as he departs us and returns in efficient manner to the conscious world."
Two prominent chimes struck by Stilleto.
Donovan began to feel lightheaded. He started to hear gentle whispers, and began to see faint images that he assumed were from the past, as he experienced a turbulent mix of emotions. Sadness, joy, anger, stress. All these things coming at him at once. He understood now as Baretta and Stilleto continued the ritual, why they warned him it would be an ordeal. He was experiencing all at once, the culmination of what had been experienced by nine different Deicides.
The marten winced as his legs wanted to buckle at the weight of it all. He gritted his teeth and began to sweat, as he knew he had to follow Baretta's instructions and remain standing. He had to remain planted right where he was, or else this might not work. Or worse, he could end up stuck with some horrible side effect, that would be worse than what he was enduring right now.
Baretta turned to Donovan as she saw him struggling.
"Are you okay?" she called over the wind. "We can stop and try to find another way, if you don't think you can do this..."
"No!" Donovan cut her off. "I-It hurts, but I can do this! I have to do this! If Dylan has the compass like you said, we don't have ugh...t-time to try anything else! Besides...it could be worse, if we cut this off midway. D-Don't worry. It's not like it's gotten so bad...huff...that I can't still do basic math. I can still add two and two, so it's not like my brain has turned to butter!"
"You're sure?"
"Positive. Now finish it!"
Baretta expressed a concerned look on her face, but nodded firmly. "Balan, great creator!" She expressed loudly, "By the symbol of the Lux Or'jyn, the symbol of your divine light, and your serene guidance, I ask with your intercession that Donovan be guided as if by a gentle wind, back to the physical world! Guide him, for the benefit of all, I implore Great creator!"
"Mfff!"
Donovan moaned as he suddenly felt a surge of energy ripple through him, that made him feel like a tree which was being uprooted in a very strong gale. The voices of nine Deicides were getting more distinct as well. And so were the images they provided, of what had happened in their lives. Places they had seen. Things they had done. Lovers, loves lost. Battles won and lost on various battlefields. Most focusing around the great war between light and dark, between marten and ermine, as respective agents of Balan and the Omnifarious, which lasted until the tenth Deicide, Aloysius St. Abbot, had taken the Genesis Gauntlet to the Mainland, where he'd requested his followers to bury it with him upon his death. This request had severed any connection between the Genesis Gauntlet and the Talons of Omnos.
Donovan realized as he felt himself torn away from the spirit realm but was still experiencing the visions provided by the past Deicides, that it was partly his fault this whole mess had occurred. "Dear dells," he whispered to himself, as he felt his spirit get closer and closer to the physical realm. "I helped Colin to re-discover and to unearth those Gauntlets. The talons...must've reawakened and started manipulating Dylan almost immediately after we unearthed them...Dells. What have I done?"
The marten wouldn't get much time to answer his own question.
Instantly, he gasped as he snapped his eyes open. The marten back in his physical body, it was a rather startling experience, to not only awake to a bright light right above him, but to have his sister hug him so tight, that he could barely breathe.
"Ack!" Donovan gasped as his sister latched onto him. "V-Val...Val!" he gasped. "I...I need air! Can I have some air, please?"
"Huh? Oh!" Valorisa backed off quickly having forgotten that even compared to before, when they had first arrived on the shores of Mintara five years ago; after training with Da Ji Inari, her strength then, was nothing like it was now.
"Sorry," the female marten apologized. "Just...you were out of it for so long. I didn't know if you would ever wake up. I was worried you might be dead. And there is just so much going on here, that needs your attention. After you were knocked out, when Sergeant Sinclair tried to cover you from Dylan's attack, we brought you here. That's where I ran into Colin. And...well, he sent Sylvia off for reinforcements. She still hasn't returned. So I hope everything is okay there. We're holding our own, for the most part. Even without their Sergeant major, the other commanders have contained the fighting to the Eastern, Northern, and Southern parts of the city. They were in the courtyard for a while, but we managed to push them out of there, so that's some stroke of good luck, I suppose."
Donovan nodded. "Good," he replied sitting up with a groan. "I knew I could count on you and my soldiers," he said. "W-What about Colin? Where is he? I want to thank him for taking such good care of me."
"C-Colin?"
Valorisa got a somber look on her face as she nodded to the figure of the still prairie dog. Whom she had since covered with a sheet, as a way of respecting the dignity of his now deceased body. "I...I'm sorry..." she stammered. "There was so much going on. I was exhausted from taking care of both you and Severus. A-And Colin told me it would be fine, if I took a short nap. I swear...if I'd have known what was going to happen while I was asleep..."
Valorisa trailed off, as Donovan stood from the side of the bed. "Val..." he murmured, as he slowly approached and gently placed a paw on her shoulder. "There's no way you could've known. You can't expect yourself to have stayed awake twenty-four hours a day, trying to stay prepared for an event that you didn't even know was going to happen. You...you realize that would have been ludicrous, right?"
Val nodded.
"I know," she replied softly. "I just...I feel like I failed Colin. What if I had stayed awake an hour or so longer? Would I have been able to sense the assassin before they made their move? Would I have been able to counter the strike, giving Colin time enough to get away? Would I have been able to ensure his survival, instead of...of..."
"Instead of what?"
"This?"
Donovan spoke gently as he motioned to Colin. "I don't know," he murmured. "I really don't Val. I just...I'm sorry. We can't go back in time, and replay events so that they fit the outcome we might desire. It's not, that I wouldn't like to. Colin was my friend too. I must let you know, if I could change things in any way, so that he was still with us, I would. But we must think about what Colin would want. Think. What do you think it is, he'd want us to do, right this very moment?"
Valorisa sniffed.
"He'd want..." she replied wiping a tear from her eye. "He'd want...for us to get the compass back."
"Excuse me?"
"D-Dylan. His last words. He told me Dylan and a companion of hers were responsible for his death," Valorisa stated quietly. "His final wish was that we not only reside in house with Searcey and Maxine, to make sure they were not alone during this time of grieving. That they would have friends who were like family, who would support them. But...he said it was essential we get the compass back which he was trying to conceal. I don't know why. I don't know what was so important about it, that someone would kill him over it..."
"...I do."
"Huh?"
Donovan shook his head. "Never mind," he said. "I don't have any time to explain. I know where Dylan is going. Hopefully I still have enough time to cut her off!" He called as he started for the door. Donovan at that moment, then was about to leave the room, when he heard his sister yell, "Wait! What about the reinforcements!?"
"Huh?"
"The reinforcements," Valorisa reiterated. "Seargeant Sinclair left for the Bristlespines to get reinforcements on Colin's orders soon after you left. She still hasn't returned, and I'm a little worried because I heard when eavesdropping on a conversation between Dylan and Sheldton that she has an agent embedded somewhere in the clans of the Bristlespines."
"And you fear for the safety of not just the Groundhogs, but for Sergeant Sinclair as well."
"Well...them and one other."
"Hmm? Who?"
"Searcey."
"Searcey?"
Valorisa nodded. "Yes..." she replied concernedly. "Call me crazy if you like, but during a head check earlier, no one could find hide nor hair of the child. It's my fear, she may have run off with Sergeant Sinclair. That she may have convinced Sergeant Sinclair of a justifiable reason why she should go along on the Sergeant's trip through the Astrolabe."
"Oh."
Oh!" Donovan exclaimed suddenly, his eyes widening as everything clicked. "Wait you mean...Oh Three, that girl went through the Astrolabe with Sylvia thinking this would be some adventure, not knowing there was an assassin waiting on the other side!?"
Valorisa shrugged. "The way Dylan described it, I don't think anyone knows," she replied, trying to calm the situation. "And knowing Searcey, I don't think she went in recklessly with the belief that this was going to be some fun adventure or anything like that. I think...she fully intended to go, with the mindset of trying to help one way or another. I don't know how she thought she could help. Maybe she thought her immense knowledge of culture and history would be useful. Who knows? All I know is...we can't be too harsh on her, Donovan. Yes, she probably should've consulted someone before she went. But consider the situation at the time. Her father and I were tending to you and Severus. You were knocked out. The city was and is still, under siege. She probably figured she had to do something to prove to you that she wasn't just sitting on her tail so to speak. So..."
"...So she went and did something." Donovan said with a sigh. "Alright, fine. I see your point. Just...you should probably be the one to go get her and to deal with things in Bristlespine alright? Gods, I know she meant well, but with what happened to Colin and with what has to be taken care of in regard to Dylan..."
"....You don't trust yourself to stay calm, and to not lose your temper with her?"
"Not really."
Valorisa managed to chuckle, even amidst all this impending doom. "Alright," she conceded in a quiet voice. "Alright, you win. Fine. I'll take the Bristlespines. Meanwhile though, what may I ask are you going to be doing, while I'm juggling the tasks of foiling an assassin, rescuing a young marmovulpine and recruiting aid for the defense of your fledgling nation?"
"Me?"
Donovan raised the left corner of his mouth. "Why," he replied as he smiled in that typical mischievous manner of his. "I'll be in Solmani Marsh. Dealing not only with Dylan, but probably much of the same. Trying to recruit allies to the defense of my nation. Making sure those I care about who live in Solmani are safe..."
"...Keeping an eye out for Sheldton."
"Huh?"
Valorisa sighed and shook her head. "I didn't bring it up earlier, because I didn't realize you were going to Solmani Marsh," she murmured. "But now that I do know this fact, I feel it only prudent to warn you that Dylan won't be the only enemy out there who has a vendetta against you."
"Oh?"
Valorisa firmly shook her head once more. "The fact is," she stated, "Dylan also broke Sheldton out of his maximum-security prison. She's enlisted him as one of her agents, and she sent him to Solmani with the permission to do as much damage as he feels is justified against those who he claims did act unjustly against him."
"Act unjust...he tried to reverse and rewrite the fabric of space and time, so that the Anaton Covenant would be the rulers of Solmani in place of the Pentarchy! His sentence was weighed and carried with concern for every otter in the empire. Concern that if one group of ultra-traditional, xenophobic radicals ruled through an ability to change reality at will, no progress would ever be made. It would turn into a static society where while other societies moved forward, their society would become frozen in a pocket of the past. And where anyone who dared to speak towards such ideas of progress would eventually be branded as traitors. No, it was agreed what he tried to do was too dictatorial. It was too close to the concept of trying to make oneself a god. That was why they stripped him of his titles and placed him in a cell all his own. Because he'd become too unhinged to interact with progressive society."
"I know," Valorisa stated calmly as she crossed her arms. "And now he's loose, threatening those who sentenced him to that fate. What are you going to do about it?"
"What am I...?"
Donovan sighed as he pondered this. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "I really don't know," he repeated as he then shook his head. Quite baffled as to how he was supposed to solve the situation. "I suppose...I'll figure it out when I get there. That is after all, how I solve most of my problems right? Just, solve them step by step as I go along?"
"Mmm."
Valorisa rolled her eyes. "That would be the typical Donovan method, wouldn't it?" She replied with a sigh. "I take, you haven't even taken in account then, that while we're gone no one will be watching the body of our dear departed ally?"
"Not true."
"Huh?" Valorisa and Donovan both turned as a third voice spoke up. "Ah' said not true," the growling voice of Severus stated again, as he seethed and groaned a little upon trying to sit up in bed. "Agh...I-I'll do it," he growled. "I'll...watch the body of Colin I mean. It's the least I can do for the little prayer-keeper. He and I may have had our differences. We may have had different faith views and different philosophical beliefs. Him, believing there was a greater power who aided us in times of need, and me believing that all we could rely on to get us through life was ourselves. But still...he was a good man. Not the type who deserves to have his body or possessions defiled by types such as these. So by my honor....Ugh. Yes, I shall stand vigil over the one called Colin. Mff. No matter how long it takes for you two to return."
The wolf wobbled on his feet as he tried to stand. "W-Whoa!" He exclaimed as he was upright for but a few seconds before he started to fall backwards. Valorisa, with those highly trained reflexes of hers, then proved fast enough to catch Severus just before he hit the mattress of the bed.
The wolf chuckled as he looked up at the female marten. "Seems..." he murmured. "That every time you and I meet, I end up on the awkward side of the encounter. This is, what? The third time now?"
"Mmm-hmm. You're keeping count?"
Severus blinked. "N-No." he murmured, turning away for a moment, as Valorisa gently helped him lay back down. "Just, making an observation that this was the third time."
"Oh?"
"Yes!" Severus growled uncomfortably, as he tried to conceal the red tone that appeared in his cheeks. For he had never gotten used to being this close to Valorisa. The only woman he knew of, who made him feel this alert to his surroundings. Her paws, which Severus could feel, were soft and delicate like a moth's wing as they brushed against his fur. Her blue eyes which were like precious sapphires as she gazed down on him with a tender expression. The scent which emanated from her red and blonde furred body that was a pleasant perfume of cedar, blended with fresh rainwater and jasmine...Severus couldn't help but take a breath as Valorisa stood over him.
"J-Just stay safe..." was all he could murmur, as he let his mind capture and savor this moment. "I...I'll do what you ask of me, and keep watch over Colin's body until you get back. Just know...when you do get back, I have something important I feel I need to address with you, okay?"
Valorisa gave Severus a confused look.
"O-Okay..." she replied softly. "I mean...if it's important, we could address it now, if need be..."
"No."
Severus shook his head. "Go," he instructed the female marten. "Dylan has caused enough damage. Donovan made it clear, that he needs one person to focus on the issue of the Bristlespine Mountains while he deals with Dylan herself. We both know, I'm too weak to fight, and that I'm still recovering from what happened on Ourobouros Isle. You're the only one here, with the strength to handle the task. Go. I'll be here when you get back. I may be weak, but I certainly don't feel so weak that I'm about to croak. You and Colin made sure of that."
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely! Now go get your pretty tail out of here. Go save the world and what not. Save the world, stop evil coup de tats, that's what the Da Ji Inari train for, right?"
Valorisa nodded confidently. "It is." she replied with a smile. The female marten after having finished her conversation with Severus, then returned her attention to Donovan who was now waiting for her at the door.
"You ready?" Inquired Donovan as he extended an arm through the doorjam. Valorisa's response, a simple nod as she approached and replied, "Yeah. Let's do this." Before following her brother out the door. Valorisa once having left the infirmary behind her brother, then watched as he closed the door behind them and locked it, so no one would disturb Severus or Colin. The two siblings after this was accomplished, then began to make their way down the hall to the Constellatory. Donovan leading the way and conversing with his sister the whole time.
"So..." Donovan exclaimed anxiously as they walked. "One more time, you've got the plan? You know what we're gonna do, when we get to the constellatory?"
"Yeah."
"What?"
Valorisa smirked softly. "Simple." She replied. "You're gonna set the Astrolabe for two separate locations. First, you're gonna send me through to the Bristlespine Mountains since its location is probably still locked in from when Searcey and Sergeant Sinclair went through, right?"
Donovan nodded.
"Yeah," he replied. "Though I don't know if it's still locked in. I may have to enter it again. Remember? Since Dylan has the compass, she probably used the Astrolabe to get to her desired destination. Also, you told me she sent Sheldton Tan to Solmani Marsh, and I doubt he suddenly has his own personal portal either."
Valorisa nodded. "Fair," she replied. "Okay, so after you re-enter the location of the Bristlespines into the Astrolabe, and send me on my way, then you will enter the location for Solmani Marsh, and head off to stop Dylan. Correct?"
"Correct," Donovan replied. "Though, if you'll wait a moment, I do have something for you, before you head off into the unknown."
"Oh?"
Valorisa stopped short as she and her brother found themselves in front of the doors leading to the Constellatory.
"What is it?" she asked, as Donovan suddenly placed his second, third and fourth digit in triangular arrangement on her forehead. Valorisa moments after he did this, gasped as she felt a sudden burst of wind spiraling about her body.
"What...What was that?" Valorisa asked as the gust dissipated just as quickly as it had sprung up. "I...I mean..."
"What did I just do?"
"Uh...yeah!"
Donovan chuckled. "Call it a gift," he whispered. "I've learned a lot, since I was out of it, surprising as it may seem. What seemed like hours to you, was like days to me. I've spoken and studied with ancestors of our lineage, going back to the very founder of our family tree. And one of the last gifts they gave me, before I had to leave, was the accumulated knowledge and experience of every Dashraft, who has held the title of Deicide before me."
"Deicide?"
"It's...complex," Donovan replied. "I'll explain the fine details later. I promise. We just don't have the time to cover all the fine details right now. To summarize, I've been chosen to carry on a family legacy of ensuring that the natural balance between light and shadow remains balanced. This is why Derik Dashes-for-the-Raft, sealed Dahlia Frostwood, his former love turned the most powerful and terrifying sorceress Mintara has ever seen along with her army, in casings made of pure obsidian. It's why Baretta and Stilleto Dashraft fought for the Martens and otters and the forces of light, against the remaining ermine loyalists whose descendants after the fall of Musteladonia, would be those who partook in the Ermine/marten wars, and why Aloysius St. Abbot, who was also a Deicide hid the Genesis Gauntlets, because as long as they were dormant, the power of the Talons of Omnos would sleep as well."
"Wait...so..."
Donovan sighed. "Yes," he murmured. "We woke the dells-blasted Talons of Omnos up, when we dug up the Genesis Gauntlets!"
Donovan clenched his fists, an irritated expression on his face. "Just...we have to stop this, okay?" He murmured under his breath. "We opened this can of worms, I need you to help me put the lid back on, okay? Please."
Valorisa nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "Though, it would be nice to know what this 'gift' you gave me is, so I know how to use it."
Donovan nodded as he pushed open the door to the Constellatory. "Right," he replied as he led the way inside. "Sorry, I forgot. What I gave you is a portion of Celerity Dashraft's essence. Known as the Fifth Deicide, she was also said to be able to move so fast, that she could outrun the swiftest of Frondeer and the most powerful of the mighty gales. I don't know how much of that is true. But I figured since you and I will need to cross great distances in short amounts of time..."
"...She was the best Deicide to channel?"
"Yeah."
Valorisa chuckled. "Well thank you," she replied. "I appreciate anything I can use to help me in my task. Now, shall we get on with it?"
"Oh, most definitely," Donovan urged as he continued to lead the way through the main area of the Constellatory. He and his sister, grateful for the fact that the city guard had finally managed to at least push the invading forces away from the university. It made it much less worrisome regarding not only their own safety, but also regarding the safety of the students gathered in this room.
Donovan cast an eye toward the older students who were working to reassure the younger ones. A vibrant smile appearing on his face as he headed upstairs with his sister. Glad to see there was a supporting presence, even after the shelling had quieted down.
"I'm glad to see at least a few are staying strong in this," he whispered to his sister quietly as they circled upward along the cantilever stairwell. "Dells...I wish I'd never undertaken the quest for those thrice cursed gauntlets. Aloysius had the right idea, having them buried with him, far from the shores on which they were forged. If we'd let them lie, the others might never have woken up, and the spirit attached to them might never have gone seeking another Frostwood to manipulate."
"Donovan, this isn't your fault..."
"Isn't it?"
Donovan sighed. "There is an Omnosdai out there right now," he snarled. "A who-knows-how-old, daemun, whose kind is one of the most powerful in existence and who for the past 1175 years, has manipulated every ambitious Frostwood in history into unwittingly aiding her attempts to release Dahlia from her prison, until she was put into hibernation when the Genesis Gauntlets were buried."
"You mean when we dug up the gauntlets..."
"Yeah." Donovan replied sourly. "It also woke up Lunastra Summersbane. And she started right where she left off. She got in Dylan's head. Played off her ambitions. Made Dylan think, this would be about achieving a new empire for weasel-kind when really this was just about an end-goal of freeing Dahlia."
"Wait, so...then Dylan's not the enemy here?"
Donovan shook his head. "Probably should've clarified that, "he murmured. "I mean true, I may be absolutely seething right now, at what she's done. And true again, forgiveness may take a long time, if ever. But that doesn't mean I'm so stupid, that I can't see who the real enemy is. Dylan is a pawn in a bigger game. If anything, I'm trying to save her tail before something awful happens to her. Because unless I miss my guess, Dylan is not going to come out of this unscathed."
"Huh. We better hurry, then huh?"
Donovan smiled and nodded. "What do you think I'm doing?" he said as they got to the top of the stairs and entered into the Astrolabe room. Valorisa as she followed behind her brother watched as he then wasted no time pulling out two charts and gave them a cursory examination, so that he knew what star positions needed to be used, to approximate each teleportation.
"Dells..." he murmured as he looked the charts over. "I wish sometimes I had Searcey's brain. She's able to dial and operate this thing and doesn't even have to look at the charts. She knows what landmarks are associated with what constellations. Has it all committed to memory...ah, oh well. I think I've got this. Let's see. Should be Hammer, maiden, and shield for Bristlespine," Donovan murmured, as he turned the wheels that were associated with each of the Astrolabes three lens. The first lens, thus finding itself in alignment with the constellation of the Hammer, painted on the domed ceiling. The second lens, he aligned with a painting of groundhog maiden, and the third of a shield. The Astrolabe itself once its lenses were in alignment then hummed to life. Sparks flying off it for several seconds as the rings began to revolve about one another. All of them going faster and faster, until finally they settled into a design of one singular ring that sustained a portal leading to the Bristlespine Mountains.
Valorisa looked back to her brother as the portal rippled in front of her.
"Any last words of advice?" She called out, as she prepared to step through. "I mean, anything I need to know, before I step through this portal, or anything?"
Donovan nodded. "Take a deep breath," he replied. "It's gonna feel like you're getting plunged into ice cold water."
"Gee, thanks."
"Hey, you asked for advice!"
Valorisa rolled her eyes. "Next time, I'll just skip it," she replied. "Here's best of luck to both of us, alright?"
Donovan nodded. "Good luck!" he called as his sister stepped through the portal and vanished. Donovan once he had seen his sister off, then started re-calibrating the Astrolabe for Solmani Marsh. Now, it was his turn to step through to the other side.
Hopefully, Dylan and Sheldton weren't having too much fun without him.
"I'll just have to be fashionably late," Donovan murmured as he focused the first lens on the twins, the second lens on the orchid, and the third on the Frondeer, and then waited for the Astrolabe to go through the same process which it had before. Rings revolving over and around rings, they again moved faster and faster until once more settling into the form of a singular ring. One, which this time sustained a portal that led to the marshes of Western Mintara. A portal that Donovan casually approached, and which he stepped through. His body swiftly vanishing, he faded from the room of the Astrolabe room of the academy and reappeared somewhere near the mired fens of Solmani Marsh located on the Western shores of the Mintaran continent.
Great. He'd arrived safely. Now if only he had some clue as to where Dylan or Sheldton were...
"Donovan?"