City of Heroes - Auguries of Innocence
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour."
- William Blake, "Auguries of Innocence"
Ragnarockette paced back and fro, worried. Her concern was not for her magical skills because she knew she could perform the ritual, but rather to what Praetorean would face while in the Dreaming Lands. Not even the mightiest mage could totally protect him there, and all she and the others could do was to stand in the area between worlds and pray all went well.
She had had to wait for the proper Time of Power and find a proper place -- she had wound up requesting permission to use the Guardian's base and now she waited for the others to arrive, hoping that Dr. Savage had gotten her message to come and assist her -- his rune magics would be more than useful. The more people there, the better, especially if they were friends to Cal -- it would help keep him anchored to the Waking World.
She wondered how long it would take for the others to arrive. Time was a commodity they didn't seem to have.
"Miss Maxine?" Ragnarockette sat next to the nude woman -- the early preparations for the ritual requiered her to be cleansed and purified, and she had assisted her with it, having asked everyone else to wait in the next room, so to protect her modesty. "Here... you might want to bite this." she carefully placed a folded piece of thick cloth between her teeth. "It's going to hurt... a lot. I'm sorry."
She winced at the thought of what she had to do, but there was no other way. If she entered the dreaming without her brand, she would risk being prey of all the denizens of the dreaming -- while with Sygny's rune etched into her, nobody would dare incurr the wrath of a Valkyrie.
Taking a moment to ensure that the thin scalpel she had borrowed was clean and ready, she carefully placed it against the soft skin between her breasts and very carefully began to cut the runes that made up her name "Sygny" - "New Victory". Blood spurted, but not much, as she had aimed only to cut a few layers of the skin. As soon as the contours were done, she wiped the blood, not being able of looking into Max's face. She'd have to etch her name into, more than the bone, into her very soul.
Setting the blade aside, she picked another instrument, the one that would allow her to peel the first layers of the skin inside the countur the had traced. She could feel Maxi tense, droplets of perspiration arising on her skin, but she did not dare to look. While Cygny carefully pulled and cut chunks of skin off, she murmured ancients words of power that would reduce the bleeding and the swelling ... but she couldn't prevent the pain. The pain was not caused by her body, but rather by her soul, which was being now engraved with Cygny's own name. Any manner of creature in the dreaming would recognize what had branded Max and would stay clear.
It took her hours, or so it seemed, to finish. Ragnarockette was hurting all over from the strain, from the position she had taken and moreso, from knowing and sensing what horrendous pain Maxine was enduring. Several times, she found her eyes swelling with tears, but she fought them off, not wanting to distract herself.
Finally, it was over. Placing aside the gruesome instruments, Ragnarockette placed her hand hovering over the raw patch on Strong Girl's chest, and her hand flashed with white fire, searing the skin below. She steeled her heard when she heard the muffled scream that that drew from Max, and held it there for 10 whole seconds, counting to herself under her breath, before pulling her hand back and contemplating her name, engraved with blade and magic into the other woman's chest.
Taking a cloth, she dampened it with water, and gently dabbed at Max's face, then helped her take a drink of water, recommending her to rest for a moment. This had been the easy part, the hard one was about to start. She pulled a light sheet over her, then moved to ask all the others to enter the room. Everything had been prepared in advance, and all they needed to do was just to enter and sit in their designated places.
When all were in their places, Sygny nodded to Max, telling her she was about to go under.. and if she had any question -- this was the moment to make it.
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Ragnarockette had been unable of giving to Max the answers she sought. She had never talked to the Norns herself, or known personally anyone who did. All she knew was from the tales the Skalds sung, and from the stories of other people. She could only tell her to be polite, truthful and not attempt to talk back to the Norns.
Under her breath, she whispered a prayer. Gods help Strong Girl as she walked the Valley of Dreams. Around the lying Maxime, tall candles burned, a rune etched into each of them. Sygny dropped a lit match into a large bowl with prepared special leaves, and watched fearful as the smoke rose, and began unfurling around them all... she got one good look at all of those who would stand with her at the Dreaming gates to assure that Strong Girl would find her way out.
Then, it all went black, as the smoky fingers of magical sleep overcame her.
***
"You will see Yggragil, the Tree of Life. Clear your thoughts, focus only on your wish to see the Ladies and walk to the Tree, and at its roots sit the Norns. Whatever you do, don't stray from your path."
Those had been Ragnarockette's last words before Maxime had fallen into a magical sleep, courtesy of the leaves she had preparated. And Max had followed the words of the young Valkyrie, and closed her ears and eyes to all the manner of strange sounds and sights she was seeing. Yggdragil, the tree of creation, whose branches stretched out beyond the heavens loomed in the distance, and after a walk that seemed to last both a hundred years and just a moment, she found a little cave nested into the massive roots of the tree.
A little glint in the distance revealed to her three figures, the light increasing as she came close, and showing her a young dark-haired girl dressed in what seemed a pure white silk sheet. The girl watched Max with interest, but there was something mischeveous in her expression, dangerous knowledge dancing in her eyes, a stark contrast with the voluptuous and quite naked regal red-haired woman lying in a large rug of furs - her bosom impressive and the roundness of her thighs inviting - who barely paid attention to the heroine. The last of the three looked like a dark-skinned woman, her hair tied into multiple braids and wrapped in a mantle that hid her eyes. Her flesh looked firm and young, but at times, when the light flickered, something seemed to be underneath, old sagging flesh, and greasy matted braids who might or not be moving. Her eyes, however, remained always unseen.
All of them seemed to watch a large puddle of water which contained images that shifted and changed before Maxime could figure them out. Except for the young girl, the others seemed to be oblivious, until a deep female voice resounded, softly but briming with power: "What is your business here?" The sound seemed to resound from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, surrounding her. The maiden and the red-haired woman looked at the veiled woman, as if she had indeed spoke, but Max was certain she had not seen her lips move.
Before she could ponder on the matter, the regal woman finally deigned to watch her and say with a slow, paused voice, speaking not only in english but for some reason, with a faint Irish accent "She lives still. No living dreamers dare so far into this realm." then she added slightly irritated "It is for that reason we sit here."
The young woman answered excitedly "She bears the mark of one of the daughters of War. It must be important!" Maxime noticed, surprised, that the youngest woman's accent sounded, for some reason, strangely British.
They both looked at the veiled woman, and this time her lips moved as she spoke, in an exotic, undefined accent: "Your thoughts speak for yourself. They guided you to us. What is it, Daughter of Eve, that made you risk your life to come to the Fateweavers?"
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((By Rhynner))
Maxine bowed herself down to one knee, as a knight wouldbefore his king, as the warrior she was. Showing respect she bowed her head toavert eye contact, but had it high enough to observe the 3 woman, alert foranything they may try. Not that she could do anything if they did. Maxine spokeloudly but with humility as she made her requests.
“I am Sonya, daughter to Var’ruk and My’la, last livingwarrior and member of the people of Voldaria. I humbly come before you to make two requests, one for a friend and onepersonal.
The first request for my friend is this. Jasmine Cross, alsoknown as Luna Red has had her fate alerted by someone other than yourselves. Webelieve this to be the work of a mortal man, a man named Mender Silos. He hasmany secrets and has altered Jasmine’s fate to hide his secret. I wish torequest that you restore her fate to its original course.
My personal request is this. I wish you to remove the curseof immortality that has kept me alive for twelve thousand five hundred andtwenty eight years. I wish for an end to my life once and for all.”
Maxine then bowed her head down slightly for a few secondsto show she was finished and returned it to its original position, where shewatched them intently for their answer and the price they would ask.
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The young woman clapped her hands excitedly "Oh, she's immortal? Can we keep her?"
The other two women looked at her with clear aggravation, but she only smiled charmingly and flipped her hair. The tanned woman, Urd, apparently, reached into the air, and a shimmering strand appeared between her fingers. The other two mimicked her, and suddenly, the three of them were looking at it, the strand having become long and apparently originating inside Max's chest.
"I remember when I first pulled this strand out." the Maiden said, grinning.
"Aye, and I remember when I spun it." the Mother said, calmly.
"And my blades will see it yet, and put an end to it." the Crone finished.
There was a moment of silence as they pondered in something, then they exchanged looks, and suddenly the Crone rose in fury, her mantle falling at her feet. Her eyes were a cruel, icy blue, filled with frozen fire that seemed to bore into the core of Strong Girl, as the Norn pointed a finger at her. "You selfish creature!". Thunderclap crashed in the distance with each of her terrible words. "You dare come to us to ask for a solution of a problem your own decisions and selfishness sustain?"
"Calm down, sister." the young woman said "Not everyone has your Sight...." again that malicious smile "Human, the solution to your problem lies within yourself. While you fear being hurt and shield your heart against normal human feelings, you doom yourself to be immortal and endure the weight of ages alone. You are alone for eternity, and will only stop being alone when you let others come near. You are immortal because you are alone."
"This is the price we ask for our advice." said calmly the red-haired woman. "That you know that you alone can end your curse. That you suffer the humiliation of knowing your cowardice, your dread of being hurt, and therefore, keeping everyone else away has been the reason for your own affliction."
The young woman smiled as she combed her hair with her fingers: "Ah, but, Sisters, she made a second request, did she not?"
The red-haired Mother sneered "Then she will have another price to pay."
"What else could she have that we might want?" again spoke Skuld, the youngest
"Nothing." said the eldest, drily. "She has nothing. She is empty, uncaring... she protected herself from others so much that her heart is barren. There is nothing there for us to feed from: no dreams, no desires, no aspirations, no love, no hate. Nothing."
"Then we will give her nothing."
"Oh, Sisters, she has asked for help."
"Little one, learn your place." the eldest said, severely.
"I know my place perfectly well." the young one pouted slightly and almost in challenged watched Max with the same mischeveous grin. "Your friend was the victim of a Time Lord... one with many many secrets, especially his identity. And others too -- the healer and the Sword... they too fell prey to the Time Lord's interference... because he wishes them not to reveal his name."
"He will learn his place in Time." grumbled the Eldest, a few low thunders echoeing as she spoke.
"I think he already has, sister" said the red-haired woman, Verdandi, dryly.
"I know his true names: Mender Silos. Nemesis. I have power over him. He will pay."
The youngest snickered at the debate of her two elder sisters and winked at Max "Sisters, that was not what was asked of us. She has asked you, Eldest of us all, to help us set her friend's past straight. As it should be. You two are the only ones who can do it." She smiled sweetly. "After all, I only start things."
"No." said Verdandi, sternly. "The Eldest is right, she" she pointed accusingly at Max "is barren. She cannot meet our price. Daughter of Eve, find someone who truly and really loves your friend, and is ready to sacrifice something dear for said person. Don't insult us with your empty, meaningless, cold life. Awaken, and remember our words."
***
With a start, all the heroes in the room woke up at the same time.
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(by Rhynner)
When Maxine awakened, fury raged inside her, and through the weakness she thrashed out. Anything and everything around her she picked up and threw in any random direction away from her. Until finally all that was left near her was the drape over her and she threw that off as well, showing the many scares on her back and the three at her heart. She was bare and naked now, humble before all in the room and she didn't care.
Maxine then slumped over on her knees, her face to the ground resting on her crossed arms as she bitterly wept in anguish over her utter failure. No resolution at all to what she wanted so badly. To end her existence once and for all and find peace in the after life, whatever that may be.
And some of that was also for Jasmine. She utterly failed her as well. I am the one that can pay any price and bare it. I am the one that can live with any price and continue on. How is she supposed to spare Cal now. They only want to take away that which he would bring most dear to them, his love for Jasmine, or his love for her. Maxine knew Cal still had something for her even though things didn't work out. It was complicated like every relationship she allowed. Now he would have to lose one of them to save Jasmine. But which would it be? They should choose me. He deserves someon that will love him back.
Maxine finally through her bitter crying got out "I failed." She continued to cry quietly, waiting to hear what the others had to say.
*******
((By Omnistar))
Cal paused for a moment, allowing Max to vent.......he had recovered the sheet from where Max had thrown it, and after she had settled down, he covered her again. He squeezed her shoulders gently, hoping to relaxe her if even for a moment. He saw the anger and despair in her eyes, and wondered what it was she had requested of the Three. He felt so helpless and useless just then, not knowing what to say or do exactly.
Seeing how upset Max was, Cal turned to Sygny. His own anger grew and was evident in his eyes, but he breathed deeply and waited, not saying a word. After all of their preparing and arranging, their efforts had apparently fallen on hardened hearts. No one could say exactly what had happened to Max while she was under, but she made it evident that the Three were not satisfied with her. No, they were not in the mood for bargaining..........whatever their price would be, it would be a hefty one.
Cal stopped. This was never meant to happen this way. It wasn't Max's place to go through all of this. He rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving Max's form. His head hung low, as he inhaled a breath of smoke and fumes from the mixture Sygny had prepared.
He exhaled. "They'll get what they want." He looked over at Sygny, his eyes narrowed and cold. "For Jasmine, they can have it all."
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Epilogue 1:
“Fate only takes you so far, then it's up to you to make it happen.”
- Anonymous
***
In the world of Hod, the dreamworld grows Yggdragil, the Tree of Life, the Tree of Existence, and many worlds hang from its branches. At its roots is a cave, and at its center is a small pool of pure water. Three women watch attentively the drama that unfolds, reflected in the crystal clear waters: a man rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the woman's form. His head hung low, as he inhaled a breath of smoke and fumes. He exhaled.
"They'll get what they want." He looked over at a young blond girl, his eyes narrowed. "For Jasmine," he said "they can have it all."
The brown-haired woman turned her head towards the man, not getting up from her slumped position. "Think of me first and foremost. Make the price me for getting Jasmine back. You deserve her."
A veiled woman with dark skin passed her hand over the small pool and it rippled, the images vanishing, and both she and a handsome, voluptuous redhaired woman at her side watched a young dark haired girl who seemed very amused building a cat's cradle with a glowing thread of light: "I don't understand, Sister" said the lovely woman "Why do we always have to play the role of evil, heartless hags? You knew from the start how this would end... you ARE the start!"
Her fingers moving nimbly, the girl answered without looking up "Humans had expectations and I was just fulfilling them." she smiled cheerfully. "Besides, if I told her in advance that she would manage to pay our price and save her friend, she wouldn't even bother to make an effort. She would feel nothing, be nothing. Without feelings and joys and fears, she isn't human... and ultimately, that's what she came to us to ask."
The veiled woman remarked: "And it wasn't not our fault, Sister" she addressed the red-haired one. "that the human didn't pay attention to what you asked. You asked her to 'find someone who truly and really loves your friend, and is ready to sacrifice something dear for said person'." she pointed at the pool of water and Cal's face shimmered into sight "And she found him indeed. Such a low simple price... and she's throwing a hissy fit, as if we had asked her to sacrifice babies."
The red-haired woman sighed "You are both heartless. The girl is already in pain and not only you make me play the role of Empress Bitch, but you give her answers in riddles."
"Your love for mankind makes you silly at times." the youngest rolled her eyes "She had to feel pain, she had to suffer, she had to know despair, otherwise the first price wouldn't be met. Should we have told her "Worry not, precious, if we're informed about a royal cock-up in the fate of someone it's in our bloody job description to go there and fix it up." she wouldn't have learned her lesson... if she was smart enough to learn it."
"And what lesson was that, pray tell?"
"That both pleasure and pain, joy and grief, strength and doubt are what make you human. That if you fear the worse in life, you are held back, and will never experience the best. That you won't know all that is human, both good and bad. That you are no longer a human, and instead become something less than human, a mechanism of blood and bone and marrow and flesh."
"So you send her in despair to the Waking World, thinking she failed the task she set herself to fulfill, because you wanted her to learn a lesson? That's a painful lesson."
The mischievous smile was in the youngest's lips "All the best ones are. But in the end..." she set the glowing strand she was working with on her sister's lap "... her friend is back to what she was. As should be."
"As should be." echoed the eldest.
"What about the others... Sword, and the Nurse? Their fates also were altered." The red-haired one frowned.
"Ah, but sister, that is not our story to tell. How their fates are set straight is something we cannot do unless someone is brave enough to come to us for them." the youngest pulled he long silken sheet over her head, revealing underneath jeans and a strapless top. "We can't interfere unless we're summoned. Unless our price is met." She hobbled around on one foot, putting on a pair of sneakers, ignoring the disapproving looks of her sisters "I'm off, then. DJ Zero invited me for a party, I have seen it will be the best of the season."
Before they could say anything, she turned around from the entrance of the small cave and grinned "Oh, and don't wait up. I have also seen I am going to have a lot of fun."