Randsford (prime)/Vignette: Sins Must be Paid
Title: Sins Must be Paid
Author: Randsford (prime)
A pair of eyes slyly roams deep into Icemule's secluded forests seeking its prey. These eyes glow like hot golden coals in the darkness, seeking threats in proactive self defense. Energy has waned in this part of the forest that would normally keep predators away, the frost has grown ever colder as hearts continue to turn inwards and not outwards. The eyes dart ever deeper into the environment sensing a loathed presence, this hunt has born results as the eyes shift into position overlooking a hidden glade in the distance.
Within the glade a figure all clad in white kneels before a frozen altar, he remains silent with his eyes closed and appears deep in thought. The glade is barely visible except for the figure, altar, and the remains of a dilapidated camp. A brief subtle echoing growl permeates the air from the figure's armaments, the growls signal to the figure he is no longer alone as he begins to speak.
The figure begins, "It has been a long year since I set foot within your hallowed grounds, basked in this Enchanted Glade. I permitted darkness to root within my heart and imbue my actions." He takes a moment to pause choosing his words carefully before continuing, "Icemule deserved better, You deserved better. I did the only thing I know to do, I left to severe my heart from this world. I chased leads seeking to temper my vengeance upon my foes; I ran in chase of a lost friend, one of the few guardians that remain."
He exhales deeply bearing his sins to the altar, "Hearts around me were frozen, much as this altar remains, I allowed the frost in and had only myself to blame. I succumbed to Northwatch's politics instead of remaining neutral, it is easy to blame others but it was my own folly, my actions, and no others. It takes true strength to admit our shortcomings, to face the darkness within our hearts and so I come before you now seeking my redemption, seeking to fulfill the oaths I took."
The figures' stance takes on a new resolve as a red and pale pink light begins to fill the air amidst his prayers, "Goddess I return to spread your love, hearts remain frozen but those willing to challenge the darkness remain." The rumbling echo in his armaments intensify offering growls and snarls with his prayers as he continues, "By your grace, lend me your flame once more! Lend me your will not to smite but to unite others through your compassion! I lost my way before, I may lose it again, but as long as your flame fills my heart I shall not be beyond redemption. I am your diving shield, wield me as your instrument to find balance for all hearts seeking love." The figure opens his eyes revealing their lost brightness as he works his way to his feet.
He removes his aegis from his shoulder, pounds a fist to the emblem on his chest, and bows deeply to the altar. An angry howl reverberates from within his armaments as a pair of ethereal wolves erupts in a dazzling display of light illuminating the sacred grounds. A pair of silvery white and emerald green lights flood the glade as the beasts dash out in front of him; they flow in an outward arch that traces the woods as they meet at the opposite end revealing the heart-shaped clearing. The beasts continue to dart around the clearing kicking up snow in a blinding display that ignites the protective enchantment of the glade.
The golden eyes grimace in pain as they look away stunned by the power of love. Shaken the eyes regain their composure as they dart around seeking the glade to no avail. The eyes grow dark and vanish leaving nothing in its wake.