Role

Chapter 36

The Searing Light of Redemption
Added Fri Oct 7 06:26:29 2022 at level 51:

Lady Azorinne made herself visible to me for the first time a few days later.
We spoke of progress and of joy, and she gave me a hug the likes of which still
warm me as I write this.

The ninth and tenth testimonials came shortly thereafter as well. Neryndaen, a
Paladin and Voronwe a ranger, both of the Fortress bore witness to the
Androsphinx. They spoke of my deeds as eight other souls had done so before.
Upon the final testimonial, the androsphinx flew to the heavens to speak to the
Lords and Ladies of the Light. Others gathered to bear witness to what was to
come next, including Prixm and Lyrien. I tried my best to reach Tilea, to
invite her to that moment, but she was not long for our realm.

When the androsphinx reappeared, he hovered in the air just feet away from the
cliff at the shrine of my Lady, Azorinne. He dropped to the stone ledge one paw
at a time and padded over to me.

I have spoken to them, he said.

I steeled myself, nodding. His feathers fluttered auspiciously in the breeze.
He then wrapped his wings around me, obscuring me from all others. A
glossolalic prayer rung out from the mountainside, sung by thousands of unseen
voices. Heatless flame enveloped him and its brightness seared the eyes of all
in attendance. Within his wings was not safety, but burning fires of the Light
so hot that they were beyond anything I had sensed nor could sense. As they
faded, his wings were lowered. My body was covered in ash, flaking off like the
snow that covered the moutainside.

I let out a long, slow breath. I opened my eyes to see myself surrounded by
friends and changed... smiling through tears as I opened my eyes. The
androsphinx backed away slowly, his head bowed in reverence to the impossible
song that still surrounded the shrine.

I whisper to him, Thank you. For always.