A Change in the Winds [Private - Kaseki]

With every step the child took as she swiftly glided through the trees of the woodlands, an innocent giggle echoed throughout the area. Despite the thickness and crowding of the many evergreens that surrounded her, the wind had found its way, winding through the openings and blowing against her green hair that was so much softer in this youthful form. Slowing down to a halt as she flattened herself against the tree, she looked around thoughtfully and in curiosity, wondering where Ferra may have wandered off to. Having a fairy companion to adventure with you when the day was slow had always made events much more cheerful and less lonely.

"Now where did you fly off to, I wonder..." she murmured to herself, the silence seemed to last longer than she expected. A game of Hide and Seek was always full of suspense - especially since the fairy was small - able to blend with the wind that blew and not make a sound at all. Stepping off from the side of the tree, the young child looked around thoughtfully as she scratched the back of her head. Her emerald eyes focused on the path she had entered from... nothing. Was something holding her up? Or had something happened? She didn't usually take this long.

Walking down the path once more, now in concern, Rhiannon rubbed one of her eyes and stepped through the clearing she had first came from. "Ferra?" she called out? "Are you still playing?" There was no response. It wasn't uncommon for Ferra to disappear like this, but it was as though the whole environment of the forest had shifted into an uncomfortable silence. No birds, no bugs... just the sound of a howling wind as it made its way between the trees. "Well that's not very good, now is it?" she sighed.

Although she didn't feel anything "evil", she didn't exactly feel very comfortable when the entire forest went silent. Usually that meant some large source of power was near by, and the creatures of the woodland were unsure of what to make of it. If that was what it was, then Rhiannon would have to go seek out what it was, in case they were a threat to the Sealed Temple. Looking for Ferra would have to wait. She probably decided to hide as well if something was wrong. Still in the form of a small child, Rhiannon began to walk in the direction of the meadows that were just outside the forest, wondering what or who she'd find.

Eyes wide and frozen in surprise, all the noise that seemed to gather behind was suddenly silent as she heard someone call out to her. Narrowing her eyes in confusion, she whipped around to see what appeared to be a... spirit of sorts? Tilting her head in confusion, she didn't say anything at first, but as she looked up above his feet, which he appeared to be dangling from at the cloak, Ferra flew down alongside him and then around Rhiannon's head. "I found the intruder!" Ferra giggled triumphantly.

"Intruder...?" Rhiannon murmured. Sure he looked a bit scary, but with such an ungraceful entrance, he couldn't be that bad could he? Rhiannon was one who could see the beauty in all creatures, no matter what the appearance, so she was always sure to have a reason before attacking without warning. This, however, did not mean that she never allowed herself to become a bit more threatening, herself. "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"

In a swift move of the hand, the Goddess immediately changed form, her body engulfed by a white light as she grew in size and appeared to look much older as the aura faded away. A staff in hand, her grace immediately stepped forward, letting her free hand move up slightly as she manipulated the branches he hung from to move down slightly, gently letting him settle to the ground to recollect himself. "What is your name and what is your business here?"

There was a change in the tone of the spirit when he spoke, almost in awe when she had first transformed. Tilting her head slightly in curiosity once more, she waited to hear his response quietly and sat still as the wind blew past them once more, her evergreen hair flowing with rhythm of the hums that followed. Kaseki was his name. Going to a Horde group. A Horde group? What in the world was that. Despite being considered an 'all knowing' goddess... she was really out of the loop with kingdoms and their slang.

"If I may ask, what exactly is the horde? A horde of what?" she frowned. With only one eye lit, there was a mesmerizing violet light and it was one of the most beautiful colors she had ever seen. Purple was such a complicated color. It could be associated with anything - beauty, royalty, darkness, or light. It was everything and nothing at all, and that was what made it so enamoring to her. The colors people chose for themselves could tell the stories of their lives.

As he began to speak of the flower he was finding, he had scrambled into his cloak and pulled it out as it rested gently in the palm of his hand, reaching out toward her. As she took a step forward, she looked down at the plant and smiled lightly. A beautiful lotus of electric blue. To Rhiannon, the lotus was a symbol of many things - a sign of beauty and purity. Innocence and life. It was a symbol of the sun, where without it, there would be no life on this planet. It grew from the muds of the earth, but always appeared virgin; untouched by the impurities that resided within.

"That is a very beautiful lotus in particular," she nodded. "Where did you find it? Is it for a woman, perhaps?" she smiled in suspicion. Perhaps one of the most genuine signs of affection, a beautiful flower for a beautiful woman was what she usually came across when people came picking flowers from the forest. "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself. I am Rhiannon. I protect this forest." The goddess was not interested in giving herself the title of a God; she did not care for that reputation. All she wanted to be known for was her dedication to the woodlands.

"Wave," she mused quietly as she stood before him, turning her head to face the path that was beyond them, darkening in the shade of the thick trees that were ahead. "That is a name I have not heard in thousands of years," she sighed. She had not seen or heard from any of the Gods in many, many years. They generally didn't work together well since they had very different motives from each other. The only one who she considered herself to be somewhat fond of was Oski - though she was only fond of his company and memory, more so than her time with him. She was corrupted in his presence, blinded by power.

"But Monsters? I highly doubt that," she chuckled slightly, "What makes a creature of the earth a monster? If we are evil in our ways, human or not, then that is the true monster. I have met countless 'monsters' in my days... all misunderstood and kind-hearted beings who were simply judged for their appearance or culture. It is very disheartening that the humans cannot see past their own discord," she sighed. She loved humanity, but they were so judgmental and discriminating to others unlike themselves.

Noticing a sadness - a sort of grief come over Kaseki, Rhiannon's gaze softened a bit more as her smile had faltered. Had there been a woman in the past? Had she brought back a bad memory? She surely hoped she had not ruined the poor spirit's day. "I'm sorry if I have spoken out of line. I was simply curious of what your endeavors were for." She had a way about her that was unspoken, and she never meant to hurt another being's feelings. "Why would Wave say such a thing? He of all beings should know what it is like to be considered a monster. Gods are feared, despite their kindness if they show it. That is why I do not wish to be considered among them once more. I do not want others to fear me like my brethren."

Seeing this pure sadness from the spirit sunk Rhiannon's heart deep into the depths of her chest, pounding away and aching for his lost sorrow. She had a sense of empathy in a way, able to feel the emotions poured out from another being herself. She was able to relate to those in need. Perhaps that was why she was so easily accepting of those around her. She understood them more than others seemed to notice. Kneeling down to her knees in front of him as he bowed, she gently rested her hand to his cheek, slowly bringing his face up to face her as she smiled sadly. "You do not need to bow to me."

So Wave had promised a home to poor Kaseki then, but it was obvious that either a home was not provided, or not what he had expected. It was disheartening that people had to promise things to others for their own gain, rather than to give out of the goodness of their hearts. Every creature of the land deserved a chance of comfort and happiness. A home should come naturally. Looking into the eyes of Kaseki intently, she pursed her lips for a moment in silence, simply taking everything in.

He was very upset. Tears forming a puddle in front of him at her feet, but she kept her hand placed gently on his cheek, feeling his suffering more so. He was old. Very old, much older than most, and he had lost something precious to him. "You may stay in the forest if you so please," she nodded. "The forest is a home to many, like myself, and it offers homes to many more in need."

Confusion stirring in her eyes as she watched him talk of having to find homes for the other, she wondered just how many of them there were that he wished for her to help. His hand now rested in hers as he gave her a pleading look, the pain in his expression causing her to stir inside uncomfortably. She felt so terrible for him. What must have he gone through to feel such immense pain? Would there be anything, other than finding the homes for others to bring him peace?

"I... I'm not saying you must hide. I'm saying you are welcome to live within it. That is not the same as hiding," she murmured, her voice wavering slightly. "If the forest is not suitable then where? Where would you build homes for the others?" But when he looked up and the sorrow suddenly turned into rage, his voice became anguished and threatening, to which her grasp over his hand slightly tightened in surprise. With raised brows and eyes wide in shock, she watched as the sorrowful being suddenly became angry and... talking in first person?

As fast as he had changed to the vicious tone, he suddenly soothed once more in his sorrow. His pleading voice begged her again as he rested against her palm and she bit her lip in apprehension. Ferra was silent during this, but Rhiannon had turned and looked to the small fairy and beckoned her to give them some privacy. Obeying, the very slowly fluttered off into the distance and out of sight and Rhiannon cleared her throat, trying to think of a suitable response. "I wish I could help find you homes for all of your kind, but... how many are there? And where would we find homes for them?" she started.

"I must admit, while I am a Goddess, that does not mean I'm able to do everything... and especially at ease. I protect something sacred within the grounds and I must make sure it is always protected. If I go away..." she turned her head to the side. "I have recently been visited by an old friend who may need my help... and I worry for his safety if I do not aid him. I wish I could do it all, I wish I could help all of you, but I cannot be everywhere at once and please everyone easily. I can help the best I can, but I cannot promise I'll be able to find homes quickly."

"Of course they can stay in the forest!" Rhiannon smiled. "No one has to fight, we're all on the same page here. All life is welcome in the forest." As she let her hands fall from his cheeks and onto her lap. He began to speak of her help within the kingdoms and her smile had faltered as she looked up thoughtfully. "If I aid my friend, our visits to the Kingdoms, however long, could prove so. I may be able to open their hearts, but I cannot promise you it will be easy."

There was a silence between them once more as Kaseki's expression had changed into the angry demeanor once more. His voice became wretched once more as he suddenly called her out. "Huh..?" she mumbled in a bit of confusion. Was he accusing her of being deceptive? Frowning as her eyes fell to the ground again, she bit her lip, wondering what exactly he was seeing in her?

She had a third form, yes, but that wasn't her actual appearance. That was only a spell she used when she needed to grow stronger. If her normal form wasn't going to be enough to stop an oncoming force, she needed to prepared. "I'm sorry if you see me to be a liar, but this is my true form." she spoke softly. "I do have another form, one of the forest, one that I have allowed myself to take on so that I may protect the sealed grounds more efficiently if you would like to see that."

It took a lot of power to transform. Not only was it a completely different makeup anatomically, but it also completely changed her power levels and general abilities. She became much stronger, alert, and able bodied, though she suffers great deals of fatigue when she changes back. "The form you see now is how I've always looked, since the days of creation. Green hair, green eyes... kind of tiny. I'm not as powerful as the other Gods, so I had to take on a new form that would help me become stronger."

She had the power at one time, though. She was not always as kind and gentle as she is now, and those are her greatest regrets in all of time. Before she became the protector of the forest, she walked an unclear path of trial and error. Oski took her under his wing, giving her all the power in the world, and she relished in it. Corrupted by such darkness, the realization hit her when she saw the fear in children as she searched for more power. She saw the death of many creatures, all by her hand, and this haunted her.

She had all the power in the world, and she let it go, fell from her pedestal, and hid from Oski, fleeing to the forests.

"That God..?" Rhiannon mused quietly, more to herself than anyone. Whom was he talking about? Oski? Sure, he had his... power trips in the past, but Rhiannon was going to make sure that never happened again. "My friend who I mean to aid only wants what we all seek, and that is to prevent evil from taking over." His words filled her mind with questions as she looked around thoughtfully for a long moment. What was she going to do?

She hated standing on the sidelines, but she also hated the idea of having to pick a side and kill the others. Why couldn't the gods just get along? Wouldn't there be more harmony that way? If everyone had just gotten a long, the world would be in a much better state than it was. Perhaps it was time for the hero to make an appearance... to show himself before the Sealed Temple. If the doors had opened for him, then he truly was the savior of the world, or so legends told.

"I understand your concern, but I will make my decision when the time is right. I cannot be hasty when it comes to wars, and my brethren." She sighed as she slowly rose from the ground, looking around silently as she scratched the back of her head. "I will do what I can to avoid as many deaths as possible."

"You're a fool." Kodai laughed, "That will get you killed as well." he was laughing with each word. Each syllable dripping with venom. He meant what he said, every bit of it.

"You'll disappoint Kaseki. Force once he had hope. But here you are, and you don't even know how to help. Ha! Some goddess you are!" he continued to boast, "Soon I will take over this body. Soon I will unleash it all. I, Kodai, will save this world. Your time is long gone." He lay there, his face pressed against the ground. It looked like a clocked puppet, or even that the goddess had killed Death himself.

But in reality, Kaseki was sobbing. He was pushed away into nothing, in the corner of his own mind with nothing to hold on to. Everything he did seemed to lose purpose. He was losing purpose. How could Kaseki offer a haven to the shunned beasts of the world?

He couldn't.

At least.. not alone...

Annoyance filled Rhiannon as she sighed, hearing the voice continue to insult and doubt her judgment. This bitter creature inside Kaseki obviously had some sort of control over him that was... unwilling at the least. "I'm the fool?" she chuckled as she smiled at him softly. "I understand your detest, but frankly, I don't really give a rats ass..." her smile then faltered as her gaze became cold and unmoving, hardening on his red eye. She stayed quiet for a long moment, simply staring at the unfortunate creature before she turned a foot.

"If anything happens to Kaseki, I will blame you for it. And do not underestimate my abilities. If harm comes to him by your doing and he suffers a death most foul, I will seek you out and make sure you live an eternity of suffering, ten fold," her voice became threatening, with a scorn that was much harsher than her gentle and comforting voice. Facing away from him, she began to step off, walking away with a stoic expression. 

She had no patience for cold hearted beings.