The Gior - Tiraxius Prime - Eclipsi, Capital of the Eclipsimundi Empire - 6492 E
(Another Collab between me and Shadrack. All original artwork is NOT ours. Most of the images have been edited by Shadrack.)
A new day was beginning; Shivan’s Eye was glittering and shining gently through the thick foliage of Tiraxius Prime’s famed jungles. The yellow tints of color from its energy were flowing, as if a small river of liquid light was struggling through its obstacles. An usual sight, as the light of this world isn’t natural, but magical. The sight could be mistaken with that of the beginning of a new day in a paradise to the ignorant traveler, as the influence of Shivan’s Eye was indeed embellishing its surroundings. However, this day felt strange to the inhabitants of this world, precisely focused on the Eclipsimundi empire and it’s Prime, Eclipsis. Usually, there is tension and a sensation of stress, natural to a predatory creature, but on this particular day, everyone within Eclipsimundi Empire felt relaxed with a sense of fulfilment. Inside her great palace, Eclipsis sat upon her throne; she too, felt the odd sense of fulfillment. At first, she merely shrugged it off as an odd eruption of emotion, however, it persisted. Eclipsis silently thought, entirely ignoring the advisors and record keepers blabbing on about reports and statuses of the empire, and eventually came to the conclusion that Shivan had blessed them somehow, and for some reason. Although she could not fully understand, she felt like she knew, and it only seemed logical at this point. She slowly leaned down towards the collection of advisors, startling them halfway. “Silence…” She said to them, not commandingly, but suggestively. “Is there a reason?” An advisor asked. “Do any of you feel that? The notion that things will be better? A sense of accomplishment?” She asked them all. “Um… Well, now that you mention it, yes, most of the empire as a whole has been telling others, and the advisors, about these feelings today…” A society advisor answered. Another long period of thinking crossed, before Eclipsis then raised herself back. “It is clear that Shivan himself has blessed us for our actions, possibly our respects... What we have done to earn such a privilege is still unknown to me, however I will reflect and think. Tell the people to thank Shivan for such a blessing, and be honored to hold it.” Eclipsis said to them.
As the Aura Node of Greed continues to stretch across the skies of Tiraxius, nearly mid-day, the Gior seemed to all gather into local temples and their own altars to praise Shivan with expectant minds. A small rumble in the ground started to be felt underneath the feet of all the people, though it wasn’t very noticeable yet. As this rumbling was gently shaking the ground, some chunks of valuable crystals that the Gior have never seen before started to spire upwards from deep underground. It was a white glowing crystal that came from deep within the crust of Tiraxius. It’s value seemed to be exceeding even their most precious Azurite and gemstones, as it was sending sparks of light all around it. But it was not the first one. Another one spired upward just next to it. Some may think this to be concerning, because what if one of them just yanks itself into the houses of the people, but the way they all seem to be coming to the surface was orderly and caring, almost as if an intelligence was purposefully avoiding populated areas. Some crystals did grow out of the ground and inside some trees thus cracking them in half, but this was safe enough away that nobody was hurt. These crystals seem to be growing more and more and as they were growing further away from the centre of the Eclipsimundi empire, they were growing bigger and bigger. At one point, one of them grew just tall, wide, and bright enough in the distance that Eclipsis herself noticed it from her throne, but again, this was far from the last. They kept growing even far into the mountain chains beyond their kingdom but close enough that nobody else could lay claim on them.
These crystals seemed to be emanating a strange energy that upon being close to them, the elderly were rejuvenated, and the sick made healthy. Not a source of endless life, but one small piece of this crystal worn as a necklace or on a ring, could prolong the life of all Gior well within the thousand years. Beside this, their influence seems to be showering their crops with some sort of white glistening mist that has begun curing all sickness from their crops, and even enhances the health of their cattle. What sort of secret underground environment, could these things come from?... Gior young and old came to inspect the strange crystals that had just erupted from seemingly nowhere, many keeping their distances, pushing others to investigate, while the brave, idiotic, or both, moved towards some of them to investigate, some even taking the risk as to touch them. Those that did claimed to feel far more lively than before, even the few interpreted elderly returning far younger than previously seen. Eventually, Gior from all across the Eclipsimundi Empire began to investigate these odd crystals, many geologists and inquisitive scientists began gathering few samples to study, and eventually, the entire empire began to extract this new resource. Eclipsis herself finally stood from her throne and peered outside of her temple to see the rumors for herself. She stood with a mixture of awe and confusion as she saw crystals spiraling up into the clouds, and more still forming across the horizon. Many believe the strange phenomenon to be a divine intervention, however, nobody could point it back to Shivan, as he had never done something like this, nor has ever caused an intervention of this scale. Eclipsis ordered harvesting operations to collect this new resource, as well as an increase in border guards to stop other powers and nations from stealing the deposits. Scholars, clerks, engineers, and writers came to study this new material, and the very base of medical knowledge was being reshaped, reformed, and replaced by this new supposedly holy material. Medical wards were already starting to utilize the crystals to heal wounded folk, and not long after that, hunters wearing these crystals as jewelry came to find that animals somehow became easier to hunt.
The Gior - Tiraxius Prime - Tahek, Agricultural Village of the Eclipsimundi Empire - 6492 E
View attachment 9688Garum’hisk, an elderly Gior, stood at the fringes of a farming town within the Eclipsimundi borders, contemplating four of the visible moons that shone their yellow halo through some particularly large clouds that day. He just reached his 178th year, and has seen a lot of action in his day, of which he was part of and misses those days. Though the action of the day was a widespread miracle all over the Eclipsimundi empire, these crystals haven’t quite got to rise from the ground where he is sitting. A particularly faithful worshipper of Shivan, he actively talks with Shivan, though not knowing his God doesn’t necessarily respond, Garum’s love for Shivan is expressed in constant prayers. He would be considered a wise sage, due to being overheard by others, when he is alone like this, speaking to Shivan in worshipful language. He is a particularly strong hunter, as he still has active reflexes and is pretty good at throwing spears, and using certain pyrokinesis magics that he learned throughout his life. He can quite easily start fires, throw lances of fire from his hands, and also absorb fires or extinguish them with a mere command. Unusual for any Gior to be able to control this kind of magic like that, but for the fact that Garum’hisk has a particularly unusual connection to Shivan’s Eye the aura node of greed. Tonight, Garum’hisk is rather tired, as, though he usually is energetic and powerful, he’s nearing his late elder years. “Arghhh… Oof… My Lord and Father Shivan! I plead for forgiveness for my weakness as I rest on this log tonight. Do not cast me from your glory, I beg!” Other Gior getting ready to rest could hear him, but they were used to his constant prayers, for which they praise him wholeheartedly. He is a respected member of society due to his faith and honor. In the village of Tahek, the “solid light crystals” as they were dubbed, have not yet risen, and some Gior soldiers riding Spearhead Thisilhydras rushed through the village drawing the attention of Garum’hisk and his family; as they were rushing further and further towards the borders and beyond. “YAAHK! Faster!” one soldier was shouting to his ride. “Make way! Make way! Her Venerated commands us to prepare and fortify the perimeter of our glorious empire!” Another soldier spoke. “Uuh.. um, excuse me brother!” Garum’hisk stuttered as he was trying to approach one of them. Coincidentally, this particular knight happens to have trained with Garum in his youth. “Garum’hisk! By Shivan’s Glory! AHAHA! Come here ya old master!” A surprised Zorex’Hurk climbed down from his ride and rushed to meet his old teacher. “Ooh… Zorex? Praise Shivan! How glad I am to see you came to visit an old geezer like me? May I ask you why the knighthood is visiting these humble frontiers tonight?” Garum asked. “So you have not heard?” Zorex surveyed the town with a glance, and saw no crystals and no sign of any tremor taking place here, then he continued in surprise, “Huh… I guess it hasn’t reached this place yet…” The curiosity was energizing old Garum’hisk “What hasn’t reached? Forgive my bluntness...” As soon as he spoke those words a rumble was beginning to be felt beneath their feet. “You are about to find out, old master! But I would urge you to look at the top of the mountains…” as he said that, he was scanning for a peak on which a particularly tall crystal was barely visible through the thick foliage of the surrounding jungle. “... Right there!” He points to one such crystal top. Garum’hisk was not seeing quite clearly, but could see a shine of light above the leaves. Then Zorex added “Nevermind, I think you will soon see what I mean...” He said this as he turned his sight to the rumbling ground, with Garum following him curiously. Suddenly, a tree fell just a couple dozen feet where they were next to a tree opening. And out came another one of these magnificently glowing and radiant white crystals, as it was spiraling and towering high into the sky. As this was happening, Garum fell to his knees and started praying to Shivan without a second thought; his faith was so powerful that despite knowing Shivan’s usual interventions are not this large or active, he was quite willing to attribute any and all miracles to his beloved deity.
Mere minutes later, after Garum’Hisk and the soldiers finished praying and worshiping, Garum turned his gaze with a bit of anger to his hut behind him and shouted: “Grua! GRUA’HARUK! GET OVER HERE RIGHT THIS INSTANT, YOU DISAPPOINTMENT!” A tall, skinny Gior miserably stepped out of the hut. “Whaaaaaat now daaad?” He asked, deeply annoyed. As Grua was coming out, a few more crystals yanked themselves out of the ground right in front of his eyes. Garum’hisk was pointing straight to the crystals as they were yanking themselves out of the ground, one after another. Zorex knew Grua quite well, and was having fun bullying him and making fun of his physical weakness. He started to laugh as Garum was shaking his head with his eyes closed, in both disappointment and worshipful demeanor in a display of body language delivering the message without words; “I told you so”. Then Garum’Hisk started to speak after sighing in disappointment, “I am sick and tired of constantly trying to get you to understand the wrong of your ways; hopefully this will change your stupid mind!” As he pointed towards these crystals, a small piece of crystal broke off from the top and fell right next to Garum and the soldiers. It was almost as if the very forces of creation were agreeing with the intentions of Garum to build up genuine faith. Suddenly, Garum jolted with energy and started to shine with a golden yellow energy, as his whole body seemed to regenerate, even some old battle scars were beginning to heal right in front of Grua and the soldiers. Zorex’Hurk heard of these kinds of miracles taking place earlier in the day, but never saw it for himself, until now. He was awestruck as his beloved teacher was being rejuvenated right in front of his eyes. “First of all, everything has a scientific explanation, Second, this is obviously some geological anomaly, and lastly, your ‘holy’ delusions are painting this as some intervention… These crystals are probably filled with radiation that is repairing your body… Besides, if this was a ‘holy’ intervention as you claim every single one of my inventions that worked had ‘magically encountered’ even when I did my mathematics and calculations myself, then why is it happening everywhere, and not just for us?” Grua said defiantly and ignorantly. “Hey! Heretic Nerd! Watch out! You're gonna get a face full of ‘Geological’ power!” Zorex said that as he picked up a small piece of crystal and threw it aiming at Grua’s face. Grua turned towards Zorex, but before he could even react, a loud cracking sound echoed across the field, Grua lost his footing and spun into the mud. A small pool of blood lay in front of him, and a slight trickle ran down his nose. Grua then did what he usually does when he gets hurt, and started cowering to avoid any additional pain as he held his nose.
“Ouch! Wow… I seriously did not expect these crystals to be this tough… Anyway… HAHAHAHAAHAHAH!” Zorex prided in his punch as he saw Grua cower away. At this, Garum’hisk was disapproving of this behavior, and he knew honor, despite the heartache that his son was causing him with his faithlessness, he took a stick and shoved it into Zorex’s stomach just enough to make him cough. “Grrrrr… It seems you still haven’t learned respect, even in the face of defiance. I hope Shivan has mercy on your time in battle!” He said with annoyance as he turned towards his son, “Your defiance is never-ending son, remember what that very crystal that hit you did for me? If you are such a genius, you should know what to do with it for your injury!” Grua’haurk grabbed the crystal that had just hit him, scorned at his father, then placed it on his nose. The bleeding had almost immediately stopped and the injury quickly healed. “I hate both of you…” He groaned as he got back onto his feet. “If this is really a ‘holy intervention’, then why would it heal me? Of all the loyal and faithful, why would it bless a ‘heretic’ as you keep calling me?” Grua shot defiantly. Grua’s body seemed to have also gained a small bit of muscle mass as he was applying the crystal to his jaw. And in his last words, both his father and Zorex were left silent and confused, as his reply really did make too much sense for it to be answered by any believer. “What?” Grua asked them. “Nevermind… This is pointless anyway. I will resume my mission, old master… My apologies for my display of dishonor. We have to fortify our borders as per the commands of her Venerated. From what I’ve seen here tonight, I can now understand why we need to fortify. If others put their hands on this crystal… I dare not think of the bloodshed…” As he said that, Zorex climbed back on his ride and called his fellow knights as they took off. As this happened, Garum’Hisk waved at him saying, “Be blessed my disciple, may Shivan carry you to glory!” Grua started to walk, and noticed an odd increase in strength as he walked. His legs felt firm and steadier than just a few moments ago, and he felt more physically confident. He looked back at the crystal in his hand, then to the rest of them, then himself. “How did you feel when you touched that thing?” Grua asked his father. “Uhh… I don’t know… huh… now that you ask…” He said as he stepped back and forth, lowering himself and doing some squats, making him look a bit ridiculous, but it was excusable as indeed he felt like the strength of his golden years returned but he also felt less fuzzy and clouded by weakness. He was indeed firm and stable and abnormally strong. “Wow... I will be worshipping our CREATOR, Shivan, right in your face! PRAISE YOU, FATHER, GOD ALMIGHTY SHIVAN! This indeed is a blessing… I think I can even…” As he said that he lifted his hand and yanked a small branch of a tree off it and slammed it into the ground with the mere power of his mind. This power he lost control of as he was losing mental accuracy due to his age. “Yes… I can see why you would ask me; I feel like i’m as strong as I was ten years ago, and focused as I was before you were born! What do you feel?” He asked with a smirk, knowing his loud shout of worship only annoyed his son even more. “Uh… Somehow stronger… I… There must be a scientific explanation for this somewhere in the libraries… My journals and catalogs possibly…” Grua responded, his ego obviously being crushed as he ran into the house and started frantically looking through notes and papers, and skimming through scrolls and novels. He came running back with a bag of notes and papers; although he found some kind of answer, he didn’t read them all properly beforehand. “It says here that this is a geological anomaly, as crystals of this shape and size have been found underground before, although none with these kinds of properties… But it also says here that these abilities are present due to the crystals theoretically being incredibly deep underground, which is where… Uh… Most of our world's largest magical deposits are… Thought to be located…... Did I actually write this?... Uh... Which could mean that there are some magically infused… Materials…...” Grua trailed off, fully realizing what he had just read. “AAAHAHAHA!!!” Garum’hisk laughed compassionately and satisfied, as he saw that his son still used the word ‘magic’ in his writings. “I love you son, despite you being a pain in my sore eye… huh… my eye isn’t sore anymore… well I guess there’s still faith to be found in you after all!” he chuckled. As they were speaking, the shear radiation of these crystals were affecting yet another hut. With a smaller number of disciples of the elder Garum’hisk, among them, a particular one, was a more unstable character. Her name, Rahar’Thesk. This peaceful energy was not mixing well with her character, and probably her magical instability. She shot up from her bed so quickly she practically lunged off it. She looked around her room frantically as she started feeling some unnaturally strange feeling of peaceful contentment and fulfillment. “AAAAAAH! WHAT IS THIS FEELING?!?!” She shouted as she slammed a fist into the floorboards. “Ah… There’s Rahar… I can hear her ‘delightful’ voice even from a mile away… Son your ‘favorite’ classmate has awoken, and she probably demands answers. I wouldn’t want to be standing there; hehehe… By the way. The feeling of peace and fulfilment is another thing that should have tingled your senses this morning” He spoke teasingly, having another go at annoying his son, but without any anger this time. Rahar suddenly smashed through her doorway, looked around at the crystals, immediately assuming they were the cause of all this, and started hitting them with her bare fists. Only a few moments after, she howled in pain as both her fists came down on the crystal one final time.
She paused, realizing that she wouldn’t be able to do enough damage to the crystal, and that it really wasn’t worth that much of her time. Holding one of her hands, she clenched her fists again and slapped the crystal with her tail, leaving a small crack on it. She then scorned at the thing and started walking away, kicking mud and dirt around furiously. Others around the area just shook their heads, stared at her, and those in her path ran to hide. Garum’hisk shook his head while confidently chuckling in amusement and slammed his hand on his son’s back in a way to point him to deal with what’s heading his way.
“Time to grow up boy! She will… Ehahaha… She will be a good mate for you ma’boy! Heh… Nevermind… I regret even saying that…'' He said a bit regretfully as he wheezed silently. “Dad… She’s not even my type… In fact, she is the entirely opposite type… She’s better off using me as a toothpick than a teammate… Let alone a partner…” Grua said as he cringed a bit as he thought about it. As his father was surveying his son’s slightly leaner body, and thinking of how he himself felt rejuvenated, he was thinking to add to this comment as Rahar was furiously approaching them with her bleeding fists. “... Huh… I mean, you don’t look as pathetic as you used too an hour ago… Definitely…” He interrupted himself as he grabbed his son’s biceps and squeezed one slightly. “These HOLY crystals, hehehehe, are doing you a mercy by the looks of it. Keep 'em near you and you might even survive an encounter with Rahar!” He added with amusement and a tint of humor against his son. “Garum’hisk... Why does Rahar feel so… Happy? Rahar needs an answer!” Rahar shouted to Garum, now approaching faster after noticing him. A small crystal yanked itself out of the ground just between Rahar and Garum just enough to delay the inevitable encounter and giving time for Garum to think. Not that it would stop Rahar… “Is Garum broken? Why is Rahar happy? Rahar cannot feel happy!” She asked him again. “Ooh, my girl… Haha, don’t spite your old… Hah... Now young, it seems, teacher. I was thinking you would ask my ‘Genius’ son over here.” Garum said, nudging his son. “Wh… Wait what? Me? I… Uh…” Grua whispered, stuttering frantically. “Ok… Grua, why does Rahar feel happy?” She asked as she turned to face him. “Uh… Well… I mean, it's just a theory, but… Uh……….. Magic???” Grua stuttered. Rahar looked down at the crystal in front of her. “Crystal makes Rahar feel happy! Rahar does not feel happy!” She shouted, smashing the crystal with both her already somewhat bloodied fists, leaving a small crack in the crystal, and decent-sized cuts in her fists, which made her remember the injury only after, then started kicking the crystal until it shattered. Grua started freaking out and hid behind his father, believing the sudden act of violence was for or against him. As this show of hilarity was taking place, far into the dense flora of the jungle, bushes and branches were breaking. There was a significantly larger crystal amid the trees, but through the buildings, it’s light could still be seen. Suddenly, a lower toned roar could be heard that made even Garum’hisk cover his ears, and a vertigo feeling due to the blast of chaos coming from the crystal. That crystal was changing color to a dark purple, and started cracking and breaking apart as red lightning was shooting off from it in all directions, igniting jungle fires. A snarl and groan could be heard, almost like the sound of another Gior, but it could even be mistaken for the groan of a prime. Though none was known to be here despite this.
The bushes moved through the fires as the giant reptilian figure disappeared deep into the jungles, leaving behind a pile of shattered worthless crystal which was barely shining an odd purple light, and was nowhere near the white and bright light it had previously. A faint blackened smoke was fading near the now shattered crystal, the remains giving off an odd feeling of dread and discomfort. Most of the fires didn’t last very long, and those that remained struggled to survive, as the rainy, humid, and wet climate of the rainforest made it difficult for any wild fires to survive for long. Garum’Hisk was on his knees trying to resist the sudden feeling of vertigo and slowly caressing his ears after the deafening lower toned screech and the booms of thunder that the red lightning which was visible even to them, hurt him. “...By Shivan!... what was that? What just happened? Am I to mistake these crystals? Are they not blessing? I clearly saw that crystal turn destructive just like that!” Garum’Hisk showed a bit of fear after the event. Though the rest of the crystals were not showing any sign of instability. Perhaps his son can bring him comfort… As this did not happen all by itself. “Im… Sure there is a scientific explanation…” Grua jokingly said. “Rahar knew it! Crystal bad! Crystal bad!” Rahar shouted triumphantly. “What if it has something to do with the strange guy that was just over there?” Muh’s voice suddenly appeared behind Garum. For a large Gior such as Muh’jak, it was quite surprising how he managed to arrive unnoticed. Garum’Hisk immediately turned behind him and slapped him with his tail as a reflex, as he was already in discomfort and wary from the distorting noise that the now dead crystal had created. He was not alone, as many villagers were on the ground, some even vomiting due to the nausea. But Garum’Hisk is known to be among the strongest. “Why in the Glory of our Creator must you do that, Muh!?” Garum replied annoyed. “I dunno... You didn’t pay attention... So… Uh… What happened?” Muh asked. “Some crystals showed up, which are affecting the whole empire, and they are popping up all over the place...” Grua answered. “Rahar does not like them… They make Rahar happy… Rahar is not supposed to be happy!” Rahar said. “Well… I'm not sure if any of you noticed, but there was some other Gior over there being all mysterious-like… All that stuff didn't happen until after he showed up…” Muh said, pointing in the general direction of where the strange Gior had been. “It’s true teacher!” A farmer approached Garum’hisk, stumbling as he headed his way. “Some shadow seeming like an oversized Gior appeared next to the crystal next to my house as I was tending to some of the crops. Only after it touched it, the crystal seemed to quickly grow dark stains of shadow and purple light, soon thereafter, the whole chaos… an...d...… uh… uh...” The farmer suddenly fell on his knees and vomited, as he was one the vertigo affected the most. “So these crystals are a blessing after all... '' Garum'hisk replied nudging at his son yet again. “I dare not think what kind of darkness was that Gior wielding if it couldn’t heal him like it did us… By the way, Rahar, you might wanna grab one of those crystals cause though they resisted your punches they heal you… ask ma’boy over here… hehehe…” Garum replied with improved hope.
“We should probably try to rest up. There’s a lot of questions that need answering tomorrow… maybe I’ll head to the nearest military fort and start digging for answers. Grua! You said that these crystals were found in the past, in your writings… can you do me a favor and… eh.. I regret asking.. But continue doing your research? And keep that crystal near you. You might need the strength it gives you. Who knows what we are in for these days… We only just won a war, and now this is happening. It is a clear sign of blessing from our Creator!” He rambled as he got up and looked at each of the Gior around him… Displaying that he indeed is always reliable to be encouraging and strong as a teacher. “Well… Uh… There were crystals just like these ones found deep underground… They did have some form of magical properties in artificer history, but nothing near this potent or powerful… The deeper our people dug, the more powerful the magical presence seemed to be within these materials… Hypothetically speaking, these crystals came from our worlds underheaven… According to the religious writings and ancient tales of history at least… It is said that material from our worlds underheaven react violently when met with… alien, magics and forces… but this is all old ancient history far long outdated, messed up, or misunderstood… Although I disregard this theory, at least a little bit… Even I now see some form of truth, or at least evidence of it…” Grua said. Rahar picked up a crystal, at first startled as it started to heal her wounds, but she then started to relax. “Hmm… Maybe crystals are not so bad…” Rahar said thoughtfully as she applied them to her wounds. “The war... The war… Uh… What war?” Muh asked, confused. “Eeeeeh… Of course you wouldn’t know… I mean the first disappointment would be you, because my son is my son, and I love him, despite him being an heretic, he’s a genius and needed; but you, Muh!? Pfff… Anyway… You better read up on it sometime; and get ready, cause you are coming with us tomorrow! Also son… you’d better put that chunk of glory beneath your pillow tonight! Keep that really close...” Garum’hisk said, addressing his son, and scolding Muh. “What? I didn’t hear anything about a war…” Muh protested. “Ah yes… The war... Rahar was happy in the war… Rahar wishes war wasn’t over yet…” Rahar said, thinking back after the mention of the war. “Thanks dad... But I don’t think anything against Shivan… I know he is there, I just don’t find a reason to worship him as much as yo…” Grua almost finished before Garum opened his eyes wide and grabbed him by his mouth, shushing him and rushing him inside the hut. “ARE YOU MAD?! Do you want to get beheaded? I know and understand you, but the law isn’t as permissive! Oof... This life… May Shivan grant me mercy!” He said, expressing concern for his son. “Right… Sorry... I forgot about the limited freedom of speech in Eclipsian Law… I should have studied and memorized that a bit more…” Grua said shamefully. “Thankfully I’m different now and can better cover for you. My youth has given me back some abilities I used to master well… You may remember my forgetting spell… Lemme give it a try” As he got out of the hut, he started forming circles of yellow light with his hands, as wide as his whole torso. Concentric circles of yellow power formed as he started to speak to the magic “In Shivan’s Name, and by the power of His eye, I command all who heard my son’s recent blaspheming words to let them pass them by!” As he said that he clapped his hands together through the concentric circles of yellow electric light siphoned from the environment, and with a blow from his mouth, a shockwave of electric yellow greed energy consumed the recent memory of everyone who heard this night’s blaspheming attitude from his son. Shortly after, he rushed back inside the hut to not influence the recently wiped minds of the Gior with questions as to why he came out of the hut. Afterwards, he sat down on one of the seats in his hut. “Wow… It's been a long time since I have seen you cast a memory wipe spell… Or… Any spells really…” Grua said with both amazement and approval. “Heh… Old age son… It was old age. Something that seems to genuinely have left me. I couldn’t even believe it myself, old age weakens several magical talents before it weakens our physical states. I can truly be in shock right now, as I do indeed believe my youth was returned to me!” He said thoughtfully as he was looking into the blazing fire, of which a stew was being boiled. He even looked genuinely younger as the signs of old age from his face and scales were cleared. If anyone was to be breathless, after the adrenaline charged evening, was Garum’Hisk. Not an easy set of events to process after all… “Huh… You really are younger... That's… Interesting…” Grua said, finally noticing the full scale of the rejuvenating changes that have applied themselves to his father.
Grua stepped outside again, looking around, he then ran over to one of the affected Gior. “Juvask stole your lunch again, you should probably do something about that…” He said, before running over to Juvask. “That guy over there knows you stole his lunch, I'm not sure if he’s all that happy about it…” he told him. He then continued running around the place causing all sorts of shenanigans and screwing with their memories. When he was finished, he led Rahar, Zorex, and Muh into the hut, then eagerly watched outside the window for shit to hit the fan. Shortly afterwards, all the affected Gior looked around. They did not know who had made them know all this new information, or even why they know it now, unaware that they were all made up lies and stories. Some started to confront each other about things neither of them actually did, but they believed they did or that they had happened. Most were passively over with, but some broke into arguments, some of those then broke into short lived social fights, physical or verbal, and a swath of distrust had spread among many of them very quickly. “What's going on? Why is everyone fighting?” Muh asked. “Rahar feels like she forgot something… Wait, is that fighting? Rahar go join them…” Rahar giggled eagerly, stepping outside to join the social fights. Zorex, being a knight, also stepped outside to try and rally his platoon to enforce peace on the people and break the fighting. To very little success as the mess Grua created even included his soldiers, and even they were fighting. Zorex’Hurk was dodging some punches and some staff swings, though some were hitting him nonetheless. Meanwhile, Grua was laughing at Zorex, though trying not to make it too obvious. But a problem quickly arose… Rahar is now enjoying the fight all too much, and Zorex’s “luck” was just about to get “better”, as a fight is about to take place between him and Rahar. As Zorex attempted to weave his way through the crowd, he tripped on a tail and ended up slamming into someone familiar. Rahar kicked him off of her and turned towards him. Zorex whimpered a bit at the sight and gulped. He got his staff ready and checked his armor. “Oh boy… Here we go…” he said woefully.
As the tensions were rising between the Gior, a rather hilarious fight was about to take place, a Skek appeared from the depths of the jungle. This was no ordinary Skek, as his eyes were shining with a bright yellow light. He rested down for a bit as he was watching the stupidity of the action that was taking place before him. He was contemplating, and though Skeks are intelligent, they are not normally sentient enough to perform such actions. This was a different being seemingly in the form of a Skek. He was a powerful and rare Gior Shaman who mastered metamorphosis, whose presence was pretty imposing to almost all Gior and his mental energy was strong enough to make people feel compelled to fear him simply by looking at him. He especially is recognised by the elder of the village, of whose friendship he enjoys the most. He was once even saved in a battle back when they were both younger. He doesn’t seem interested in interfering with the conflict, but rather showing a sense of amusement even, if you could recognize a Skek’s laugh… Zorex was clenching his fists as he was holding his staff tightly and anxiously, as many Gior around them were throwing punches at each other and some even laughing it off as if they were having fun fighting. “Rahar! Please don’t do this! We need to stop this fight, before someone gets seriously hurt!” He pleaded as he was gulping away his pride. “Rahar wants to have some fun first though… Besides; Crystal can fix if anybody gets hurt...” Rahar said, beating her fists together and getting into a readied position. “Ah… Drack! Shivan, give me strength!” Zorex first stepped back and adopted a defensive position. Rahar reared back and made a full charge towards Zorex, but she got knocked around by the crowd, making her lose her balance and nearly falling over, right in front of Zorex. Zorex chuckles a little at the sight, though regretting the laugh soon thereafter, as he lifts his staff into the air to try to knock Rahar out. A swift rounded flex of the staff as he breathes out and focuses, he manages to avoid the crowd just enough to slam Rahar on her chin. Rahar looked up at Zorex, a bit winded, but otherwise fine. She stood back up, now looking down at him. “Zorex should not have done that… Rahar is not happy…” She grunted, pulling back and winding up a hefty swing. Zorex gulped yet again nearly peeing himself. But luckily he managed to lift his staff up and tightened his grip to block Rahar’s blow, almost causing a bit of a sore to her fist from the aggressive block. “Rahar! Stop! We have more important work to do than fight!” He tried to reason with her. “Nah, Rahar is just getting started! This is fun!” She responded menacingly. Zorex thrusted his staff into Rahar, only for it to collide weakly into her stomach and bounce off of it. “Did Zorex try?” She asked him, staring down at his staff. At this, Zorex whimpered like a pathetic worm and gulped as he just shot in the opposite direction, trying to put some distance between himself and Rahar. “Zorex will not escape Rahar that good…” Rahar said, lunging forwards and getting tripped over by a crystal, causing her to fall flat on her face. “Rahar… Now thinks Zorex can…” She said, defeated. Zorex, looking behind him, saw Rahar face flat on the mud, as he was running in the opposite direction, partly due to being pathetic, but also because he did not consider this fight worth the injury and the effort when he had real enemies to hunt. At this, right in front of him was this Skek with a glowing yellow aura and glowing yellow eyes staring right dead into his soul.
A rather confusing sight, but the sheer mental pressure that Grovar’Nusk was creating with his mere will was causing further anxiety as it is. As Zorex saw this, he stumbled and fell face flat in the mud right in front of Grovar, who was in his Skek shape. Rahar saw this irony. “Haha! Zorex is afraid of Skek… Wait… Or is Zorex afraid of Rahar? Zorex wait for Rahar!” She called out, no longer interested in fighting. Grovar’Nusk, the mighty Shaman of Shivan, started to increase in size as his feathers were falling and his beak started to grow razor sharp Gior teeth as yellow lightning was shooting from his body but not too powerful lightning, as it was merely magic discharge due to the unusual kind of magic that metamorphosis is. Zorex and Rahar could see this, and Zorex had enough stress for a pointless battle already, so he just threw his face in the mud and grumbled in exhaustion as bubbles of mud could be seen rising around his face. Rahar stood with fascination. “Ooh… Skek is Gior now… Or… Was Gior Skek?” She questioned him and the sky at the same time. “Does Gior speak Skek, or does Skek speak Gior?” Rahar asked. “Oh… Hard thinking makes Rahar’s head hurt…” She said, sitting down. Grovar’Nusk glared at the pointless battle, and as he finished changing in his true form, he even looked slightly down to Rahar. He lifted his right hand and with a mighty voice he shouted at everyone: “STOP THIS NONSENSE!” His voice echoed and flowed as it was carried by ancient magic fueled by powerful greed energy, amid this, a blast of force rushed from his lifted hand, pushing everyone in the whole village to the ground, stopping them from fighting. Including Garum’Hisk and his son in the hut were affected, though, obviously, they were not fighting. Rahar was blown onto her back from the blast. “Oh… Rahar thinks Skek Gior is mad now…” She said while sitting back up again while scratching her head. “Hello Skek Gior… Rahar is Rahar,” She said, pointing at herself. “and Zorex is Zorex…” She pointed at Zorex. “Rahar had fun fighting, but Rahar thinks fight is over now… Yes?” She said. As Grovar’Nusk was surveying the area, seeing all the previously fighting villagers face flat on and in the mud, he seems to have ignored Rahar, as he is not used to anyone calling his name being that far off, or anyone showing poor manners towards him due to his, well... Demeanor, and lifestyle. He channels unholy amounts of greed and wrath energy from the Demon; Shivan Oromirus Kassadar, and has dedicated his soul to the cause of Shivan’s mission, therefore deemed worthy of channeling and calling upon Mulgathian magic in his times of need, or when seeking revelation. A moment later, he turns his gaze to the hut of Garum’Hisk and his son Grua. He knows Garum well, as he was a friend in battle and even a bit of a mentor in his younger times since before he was chosen for this holy path. Looking back at Rahar, he now saw that she was looking at him when she mentioned ‘Skek Gior’ instead of his name. Usually he would react more violently to such disrespect but due to circumstances and having background knowledge of certain types of Gior like her, he merely made a scornful look at her. He then started heading to the Teacher’s Hut. “What Rahar do?” She asked Zorex as Grovar walked away. Zorex lifted his head from the mud, as his tail shook with fear, and turned slightly towards Rahar to answer her “That’s.. That isn’t ‘Skek Gior’ you fool! That’s one of the holiest shamans of our Lord and Maker! His name is Grovar’Nusk, and is well known throughout all of Gior civilization… You’ve done a huge dishonor calling him one of the lowest of animals… Uhhh… Why do I bother? I’mma be sleeping in this mud now... “ He said that as he splashed his face back onto the mud in humiliation. “Didn’t look special... Rahar thinks Skek Gior is being silly... Up!” She said, pulling Zorex out of the mud. Grua was still laughing hysterically, even though he had been pushed onto the floor by some unseen force. “That was one of the best pranks I have ever pulled!” He said in between bursts of giggles. “Shut up son!” Garum hysterically turned towards Grua, as he knew who was coming. “You should have paid more attention to the voice that caused the blast! You know who’s coming! I need to greet him with proper respects...“ Garum said as he frantically got himself ready and displayed deep concern for his son’s well being as he was getting ready to try to meet Grovar at the door. Grua looked around and stopped everything immediately, pulled himself up and ran to his room in terror.
Almost everyone in the village gazed upon Grovar and felt a sense of either greed, rage, or fear falling upon them, some knew well who he was and tried to frantically bow in respect as well as they could from the mud. As he saw them trying to bow, he was blessing them. Within moments he reached Garum’s Hut, and with a passionate voice he shouted: “OLD FRIEND! Teacher! Long has it been since we fought together for the GLORY of the SCALELORD!” Muh looked at the unfamiliar Gior that had just walked into the room. “Hello... You know Garum?” Muh said suddenly from behind Grovar. Grovar’Nusk’s demeanor didn’t permit any shock, nor fear, therefore the sense of surprise wasn’t much of a problem for him. He in fact even appreciated the talent of a sneaking soldier. Grovar, in his size, being almost double the size of Rahar, towered over him. Reaching down towards the location of Muh, Grovar grabbed Muh by his shoulder and stuck him to his side, almost in a friendly expression, as his enthusiasm for seeing Garum was making him feel happy, plus the crystals. “Your teacher right here; he saved my life when we were fighting certain aberrations I shall not speak of here. What’s your name? You could join the assassins of our temple, brother!” He expressed with pride and appreciation as he was squeezing Muh with a friendly grip. “Uh… But nobody was... Uh… Ok... It's Muh‘jak…” He said, scratching his head in confusion. Grua had been hiding behind one of his many bookshelves, keeping his breath shallow and his movements minimal. He couldn’t find him. He can’t find him. Grua had only ever read and heard stories of his legend, his destructive and immense power, and his place with the Mulgathian, and yet he was still terrified. Not once had the thought of Grovar passing through his village, let alone into his home, ever crossed his mind. The fear he felt wouldn’t even let him move, locking him in place. “Hahaaa… Grovar’Nusk! So... Good to see you again!” Garum hesitantly and fearfully greeted him, even though he wished he had met with him, having him this close to his son, was terrifying even to him. “What does my humble... Abode… Owe your divine presence here, holy one?” He added in visible worry. Grovar, surveying the building and sniffing with suspicion around the room. He looked down upon Garum with surprise. “Can’t an old friend meet his teacher and brother in arms?... Why are you so terrified of me? What is it that you are keeping from me?” Grovar asked, leaning closer to Garum. “Uh.. huhu… Nothing important. But surely you can visit me! I have been planning on going on one last journey to meet with you for my last day's blessings before I depart the Tiraxian coil.” Garum said with hopes to distract his attention.
Grovar, was now surveying him with closer attention, seeing that many of the battle scars he had were erased from his body; in fact, the signs of old age are no longer present on Garum anywhere. He was familiar, by now with the power of the crystals, and as a zealot like him, he also was happy to attribute this to Shivan. “But teacher… You have received a far greater blessing from our Almighty Father than my departure rituals. Now come, let us go outside, I have come to deliver messages of woe, as the age we are upon is that of great peril and potential expansion.” As he said that, he turned his head towards the direction of Grua with a bit of a smirk, seemingly having sensed his presence and recognised the energy signature of a son of a beloved friend, and decided not to advance lest he be forced to take divine action. He grabbed Garum and walked outside of the hut. Outside, the whole village was gathering around them in worshipful behavior and some of the local priests had come as well to praise the arrival of The Molten Wrath, as his kind of being was being commonly dubbed in an attempt to not use his holy name in vain, lest the wrath of Shivan would damn them to eternal pains in one of the many infernal spiritual worlds of his possession. Rahar focused after seeing Garum exit the hut and straightened up, making some attempt to remain respectful as Zorex had said she should, despite the staining globs of mud that she had been kicking around just a few minutes before. Meanwhile in the hut, Grua took a breath of replete after he heard the front door close shut again. He stood up, closed and covered as many windows to his room as he could, pulled out a book, and started stress-reading himself out of the situation. “So… How exactly do most assassins… Uh… Stay hidden?” Muh asked Grovar. Zorex reluctantly dared to approach the great Molten Wrath, as he sensed guilt in his presence for being dishonorable, but knew that he had no choice, because sooner or later he would be met by the Honorbound after his departure from Tiraxius in order to be judged anyway and he wanted a chance at redemption from his character before it was too late.