Valkyrie's Page of Wonder

February 05, 2010

Fallen Angel - Answers

“Do you have any brothers or sisters, Xannon?”
Sarah and Xannon sit on the front steps of her parents house. The sun had already dipped below the horizon and the stars were beginning to appear in the sky.
“I have a younger brother, Remus. He's only seven but is already showing a strong tie to magic. My parents think he might be as strong as me one day. They'd love to have two powerful children working for Bast. I'd prefer he stay out of the war and lead a normal life.”
“A normal life? If he's as strong as you say, he wouldn't be happy with a normal life. Magic is not what one would consider normal.”
“I know,” Xannon says. “I just don't want him getting hurt. This war has caused too much pain and suffering already. Thousands of lives were destroyed on the Klemayn Plains and thousands more since. There are times when I wish I could live a normal life. Free of magic, free of fighting.”
“And what would you do in this normal life? Blacksmith? Farmer? Writer?”
“A fisherman.”
“So you'd live in Hirogei then? What about me? Am I with you in this normal life?”
“But of course. You'd be my beautiful wife and we'd have three wonderful kids who would want to grow up to be just like us.”
Sarah leans over and rests her head on his shoulder.
“I hope that someday we will be able to do just that. I fear that with the way the war is going, one or both of us won't be there when that day comes.”
Xannon wraps his arm around her and pulls her close. They sit there in silence for a moment watching the stars.
“Did you know that they managed to get several of the rooms of the temple habitable again?” Sarah asks.
“That's good. The sooner they get reconstruction going, the sooner the city can recover.”
“Did you also know that the others decided to stay in the temple tonight?”
“Did they now...”
“And did you further know that my parents have night duty tonight?”
“Isn't that interesting. Sounds like it's just you and me tonight then.”
“Yup,” Sarah says as she begins to stand and head for the door. “You want to come in?”
“Yes, ma'am!”



Xannon sits outside the office of High Priestess Celeste. He and the others had only arrived back at the temple a few hours ago but he needed to talk to her as soon as possible.
The door opens and another student leaves the office. Celeste appears in the doorway and motions for Xannon to enter.
“What seems to be the trouble, Xannon?” Celeste asks after they had settled down in their chairs.
“Have you ever talked to an angel?”
“I have, yes. Why do you ask.”
“I had a dream while I was unconscious from my fight with Verana, the elf from the battle in Maerd. In that dream, I saw a angel figurine, and it spoke to me. It knew my name. Then Sarah tells me she had a dream that an angel came and carried me away. That combined with my unexplainable increases in power on the battlefield makes me think that I have a spirit of an archangel inside me. I assume that all the High Priests and Priestesses are the same way and are carrying the spirits of the archangels inside them. If this is all true am I destined to be the next High Priest of Bast?”
“Slow down there, Xannon. Let's start from the top. Are you sure your increases in power isn't just a stronger connection to Bast?”
“Yes. I thought about that but when looking back on it, I remember feeling her power flowing through the amulet then another, stronger power that seemed to come from inside me. But it didn't feel like me at all.”
“How many times has this happened to you so far?”
“Three I believe. Once when we took out the enemy encampment by the river. Once when we fought against their group of priests. And then again while I was fighting against the elf.”
Celeste looks into his eyes for a moment before continuing.
“You are right that the High Priestesses have the spirits of the Archangels inside themselves. When Rachana was killed fighting Bram, the Archangel inside her fled to the safety of Arcadia. Once a suitable host is found she will return and sleep inside that host waiting for the right moment to make herself known.
“You will also remember,” Celeste continues, “that there has never been a High Priest of Bast before. Only females have been called by Bast to serve there. Yehova calls the men to serve him. That's not to say what you believe isn't possible, it just means it would the first time anything like this has happened.”
“Is there a way for you to find out for sure?”
“There is. But you must promise me and Bast that what you see here will not be discussed outside this office. The mysteries of the Archangels are theirs to reveal in their own time and in their own way.”
“I promise.”
“Then stand up.”
Xannon stands and Celeste comes around the desk to stand in front of him. She places her hands on his cheeks and warmth begins to spread across his body.
“This will feel a little strange at first. My office has wards placed around it to keep prying eyes and ears from eavesdropping. Feel free to cry out if you must, but try not to struggle. The more you struggle the longer this will take.”
“I understand.”
“Let's begin.”
Celeste's face begins to glow white as a pair of wings begin to unfold behind her. Her eyes turn pure white as a second pair extends toward the ceiling. They both start floating above the ground as a third pair of wings appears and curve around Xannon.
The room flashes white and Xannon finds himself standing on a field of grass. The sky is bright blue without a cloud to be seen. Before him, standing in the grass, is the small white figurine.
“Who are you?” Xannon asks.
His question echoes across the open landscape, each time being spoken by a different voice.
“Are you an angel?” Again the question echoes across the land.
“She is sleeping,” Celeste's voice speaks, seeming to come from all directions at once. “Wake up little one. Tell us your name.”
The figurine looks up at Xannon. It's wings spread wide and it stretches.
“Sister? Is that you?” the figure asks.
“Can you tell us your name?” Celeste gently asks.
“I am Penelope. I was the first of the chosen of Bast. Who wakes me from my slumber?”
“I am Omphale, last of the chosen of Bast, watcher of mankind. It's good to see you again, sister.”
“It's good to see you too. It's been far too long since Rachana left to be with Bast. Why have you awakened me?”
“I was curious. This is the first time you have decided to sleep in the soul of man before.”
“The guardian of creation chooses the strongest among Bast's followers. This is simply the first time a man has filled that roll. But he is not ready for me yet. His soul is too weak. Soon through.”
“What about the times before?” Celeste/Omphale asks.
“This one likes to overestimate his abilities. He is indeed strong, and his faith in Bast equally as strong, but without my help during those times, he would have surely have fallen. Bast watches out for her own and by extension, I watch out for her own.”
“He questions whether he is destined to be a High Priest of Bast, the first High Priest of Bast.”
“His priestly rank with Bast is entirely determined by his devotion to Bast and his ability to follow orders, both from Bast and his superiors. Destiny is not gift. You will need to consult Seifer for his destiny, but I can tell you that if his devotion to Bast is as strong as his love for Sarah, he will be the next High Priest.”
“Thank you, Penelope. I will let you rest now.”
“Farewell, Sister. May we meet again soon.”
The figure folds its wings back against its body and bows its head in prayer.
“Are your questions answered, Xannon?” Celeste asks.
“Yes, thank you. This has given me a lot to think about.”
The world around Xannon goes dark and he finds himself back in Celeste's office. Her wings are gone and her eyes are normal. Her hands rest on his shoulders.
“You have great life ahead of you Xannon. I can tell you are destined for great things. But you need to learn the limits of your abilities. What Penelope has done for you so far should not be counted on in the future. When an Archangel makes themselves known it is very obvious. Be careful Xannon. May Bast watch over you.”
“And you as well, Celeste,” Xannon bows. “Thank you for all your help.”
“You are very welcome.”
Xannon smiles and exists the office.