Canlanma Tales, Part 3 [Repost]
3: Adventures Await
She reaches the gates with a sigh of weariness. It has been a long trek from the Capital to the Holy City, but it is worth it. She touches the archway of the entrance to Peponi and draws a shape on her chest before heading in.
76th Day of the 52nd Cycle of Night. The woman smirks to herself as she slinks through the crowds. A few faces barely regard her as they keep to their rituals. Different parades of people float by with incense burners and incantations. Different gods and goddesses drift with them as they shower blessings on their followers. One of the gods turns their face to see her. They stare at each other for a moment. It is not a surprise to see a god on this given day, but this god seems interested in her. It gives her a formal nod as it follows its disciples and continues to spread blessings on them. The woman winds her way around the packs of followers until she comes to a small temple with no door. With a glance to either side, she pulls out a necklace and waves it toward an empty space. The space shimmers and empties to allow her in. As she passes through, it seals again with no witnesses.
The woman pulls her cloak slightly as she enters the pristine temple with its small banners and altar. She tugs at the fastener and mutters a phrase. The cloak shifts its color from black to white in gradient as she walks toward the altar. With a bow, she grabs the incense burner and sieves a lily-scented powder into it. As it begins to smoke, she takes the ribbon and metal chain and begins her chanting. More figures drip through the temple and recognize the chanting. Some of it in a familiar tongue, some not. The smoke pours in a ribbon-like pattern, coursing along the floor and into the air with different reflections of light and darkness. The smoke pours to the back of the room where two figures stand in observation of the woman. The woman senses their presence and changes the chant she hums. She changes the direction of the smoke so the ribbons float in a slightly different ribbon pattern. The two shift against the wall as they recognize the chanting. The lily scent takes on a new, heavier musk as the chant shifts its perception.
“It is the Senatus.” The woman says with a long gaze toward the other two. “Would you be willing to postpone your chaos for a day?”
“Animus-” One starts.
“Novel Writer, I am always willing to postpone my battles with your Guardian.” The other interrupts. “It is a matter of mutual agreement.”
The first sneers and returns his attention to Animus. “To make peace with a Prince? Only in the Void!”
“Then perhaps I need to send you both there.” Animus suggests with a smirk. She pauses to catch their reactions. “Samuel. Hani. Please. This is a holy place, and on an important day for me. Do not spoil it with your pettiness.”
Samuel collapses his hood and steps forward. “Ani, do you know how hard it will be?”
“It is only hard if you decide it will be hard.” Hani counters as he also takes off his hood. “Novel Writer-”
“Enough. Both of you.” Animus flattens the conversation. “If you want to continue your debate, go outside so one of the other temples can settle it.”
Samuel and Hani glare at each other. Samuel leaves with a swift step, leaving Hani and Animus alone. Hani looks to Animus and chuckles. “He is really concerned for you.”
“Overprotective, I think.” Animus returns with a giggle. “But it is what makes him a Guardian. Protective, willing to guard so I do not have to.”
“Doesn’t overprotecting the Novel Writer become an issue?”
“Sometimes, yes. I might want to speak with Elyon about that. Sometime soon.”
The incense lilts into nothing as the last of the smoke dwindles in the midst of the two. For a minute, the whole temple is silent. The noise outside of festivals and conversation stops just at the temple’s walls. Hani stares at Animus and wonders what he should do. In an act of decisiveness, he clears his throat. Animus blinks and smiles at him. “So, why are you here? I didn’t think you would want to come into this temple.”
Hani stares at the ground and smirks. “I was wondering if you wanted to go on an adventure with me.”
Animus laughs. “Of course I would! When do we start?”
Hani blinks a few times in astonishment. “Are you sure?”
Animus walks away while she swings the incense burner, unaware of what Hani’s concern seems to be. She places her empty hand on the altar and chants one last time.
Hani catches the incense burner to catch Animus mid-incantation. “You of all entities should know that my journey is a wreckless one. And dangerous for you especially. It will lead me through unknown territories and places that even light has not resided.” He locks eyes with Animus for one more concerned moment. “Are you sure you want to go on this adventure with me, Novel Writer?”
Animus keeps her calm eyes on him. “Without question.”