Yvinne

LVL ??? Goddess

EXP: MAX | HP: 100% | MP: 100%

[ Patron Goddess of Xael ] [ Great Hero ] [ Eternally Bereaved ] Location: High Church of Light, Gildevaar City, Royal Capital of Earsthall Status Sealed

The private sitting room of Deehra al Thieste, the Voice of the Goddess, whom I’d come to see, was still a gilded cage as always. The room was nice enough…actually, it was rather lavish with brocaded silk, gems, and precious metals everywhere the eye could see…but the beautiful decor was just a mask for the steel bars and iron chains that lay beneath the surface.

Deehra’s private chambers were guarded very closely, both inside and out, every day and around the clock. Outside in the hallway were two heavily-armed guards, and inside were two nuns-in-waiting, sitting primly on floor cushions as they awaited orders from their Mistress. The shifts were switched out every 6 hours from a small pool of dedicated people, all of which had been specially trained for their role.

Never permitted to leave Church grounds, she chooses to spend most of her time here, where the guard dogs are obvious, at least.

The explanation on paper was “to keep Her Holiness safe and well-cared for”, but I knew better. Wherever there is power, the power-hungry will flock like moths to a candle flame, and if my experience on three different worlds has taught me anything, it’s that religion always collects power. Lots of it. Often more so than royalty or military forces…so, one could say that most, if not all, religious institutions are bound to be moth-riddled.

I’m sad to say that even the religion here on Xael is no exception. Though the clergy is always changing as the generations come and go, it’s still chiefly made up of stuffy old goats who all all set in their old-fashioned ways. Dee really ought to have the most power here out of everyone, considering her station, but…they only see her as a useful tool; the means to an end.

And that end? Well, me, of course.

You see, Dee is the only member of the Church that I will speak to, either directly or indirectly. It was a hard lesson for me to learn in the beginning, but now I understand how important it is for me to limit my direct influence on (and contact with) mortals, if only to avoid the inevitable power struggle that follows. To keep squabbling down as much as possible and to make sure I have an ally within the Church hierarchy, I created a unique position within the Church that only I am able to assign to someone to - the Voice of the Goddess.

Deehra, though this is not the body she was in when I first met her, is the girl I chose at the moment of her birth to be my dedicated eyes and ears in the realm of mortals. I appear before her, as I am now, to deliver information, news, and any orders I might have.

In the eyes of the clergy and the world, as you might expect, this makes the Voice a very important person…one who needs to be controlled. They think to use her power and influence to achieve their own selfish goals. Anything that is said or done around the Voice, even if meant to be in confidence, is reported back to a bleating herd of dusty goats…this includes the words of anyone who comes here, be they peasant, merchant, Queen, or Goddess.

Unfortunately for them, Dee isn’t the weak-willed slip of a girl they expected her to be. There’s a lot about her they don’t expect, and that’s just how we both like it. We’ll use their own bullshit political tactics right back against them.

Leaning back into the white leather sofa, I crossed my legs and accepted the cup of tea offered to me by lily-white, unblemished hands. “Your hospitality is impeccable, Deehra, as always,” I said calmly before taking the first sip, winking so that only she could see. She was sitting across from me on a white leather chair, wearing layers of flowing white gauze-like cloth that made up her vestments. There was a short, round glass table between us that held the tea pot itself, as well as a plate with tiny sandwiches cut into bite-sized triangles.

“Of course, Your Grace. I am pleased that you are pleased. It is my duty to serve as best I can.” Dee’s tone was modulated and quiet, and her eyes were downcast; a picture-perfect example of a demure holy woman. But again, I knew better.

[ “Ha ha! That’s the way - lay it on thick, Dee. The sheep listening in are likely eating this right up.” ] That was my nickname for the spies dressed as nuns; brainless, obedient, useless sheep.

[ “Isn’t it amazing how they never learn? You’d think they’d have caught on after several hundred years or so, but…” ]

[ “No, no. They’ll never bother to question what they see in front of them, so long as its exactly what they want to see. Power-hungry people tend to be the same, in a lot of ways…which makes them easy to predict and even easier to deceive.” ]

“Your best is appreciated. Now, about the reason for my visit today,” I took another sip of my tea, maintaining the illusion of having an important conversation with Dee, while the real discussion was taking place in a much more secure fashion; in our minds.

“Yes, Your Grace. I am listening,” Dee said and bowed her head reverently as she set her own tea cup down.

[ “I do wish you’d pick different tea, though, Dee. This stuff tastes like-” ]

[ “Like the inside of a donkey’s anus, I know. But it is quite useful, you have to admit.” ]

I didn’t want to admit it, because it tastes so horribly, but it did have a very important use. The leaves contain a natural effect that nullifies compulsion magic of all kinds; meaning, this tea makes sure we aren’t caught unawares by magically-tainted food or drink.

[ “Yes, yes, it is very useful. Just…do remind me the next time I invent a tea leaf with magical healing properties to make it taste like something other than the ass of an ass.” ]

I watched Dee’s eyes glint merrily as we spoke via telepathy and smiled - she was so very good at hiding her real thoughts and emotions. I suppose she did practice over several lifetimes, and since I’ve restored her memories after each rebirth, she’s got a lot of historical information to go on.

Nostalgia washed over me suddenly as I gazed at her, remembering all of the old names and faces she’s worn over these many lifetimes. I’d originally intended to choose a new Voice after the death of each predecessor, but Deehra - born as Thiesta Ameeriam back then - called me to her death bed and made a request that, frankly, I’d never expected in a thousand years.

“Lady of Light…I have had the honor of serving you for eighty-three years, and yet I feel like I have not done enough.”

“Thiesta, you have been a wonderful Voice for me. I could not have asked for any better than you.”

“Lady…would you grant me one last selfish request?"

“Anything within my power, of course. Ask."

“Please…forgive my impertinence, but…I beg of you to allow me to continue to serve as your Voice in my next life, as well. I can think of no other life I would want to live than this.”

I had come to rely on her friendship as much as I did her loyalty, so of course I agreed. At that moment, we entered into a Contract, she and I. Roughly once a century, she lives and dies and is reborn again, always within the Capital itself and always to a different commoner family. As proof of our bargain and her standing, she is born with two unique characteristics: lavender eyes that match my own, and a silvery-white birthmark on her upper back in the shape of a pair crossed daggers, my sigil. When a girl child is born who possesses both my eyes and my sigil, the Capital throws a fantastical celebration to welcome the new Voice to Xael. She is allowed to remain with her family until reaching 5 years of age, at which time she gives up her old life and family for a holy life on sanctified Church grounds.

However, she and I are the only ones who know about the Contract, or that she is always the same soul, just given to a new body. Nor does anyone know that she is reborn with all of her previous memories, or that this is all of her own free will. Any questions, such as why the Voice always assumes the surname of la Thieste, are answered by one simple word: tradition. In reality, it is to break the Voice free from the bonds of politics and mundane affairs, and also to honor the request she made of me, so long ago.

“I wanted to let you know that I’ll be going into seclusion to meditate for a time on other ways in which we may combat the recent increases in monster activity and strength. I expect to be gone for several weeks, if not longer…if this answer were an easy one, we’d have already found it, after all.”

[ “Eh? Several weeks, hmm? What are you actually going to go do?” ]

I could practically hear the incredulity in her unspoken voice. That’s my girl.

“I understand, Your Grace. What do you wish of me?”

“Since I will be in seclusion, I will not be reachable, even in the event of an emergency. I was hoping you would be able to handle affairs alone here for me until I emerge again. So, you see why we need to keep this hush-hush? You know I hate to make special requests like this, but I don’t want to cause a panic, and if I am found to be gone with no explanation…”

“Lady of Light, don’t fret. It is no problem at all. I’ll always help Your Grace with whatever tasks she needs, no matter how important or mundane they may be,” Deehra responded smoothly.

[ “Damn it, Dee, I really hate that title…” ] But my long-time friend just glanced at me with laughing eyes and I could only smile back. [ “As for what I’m really doing, remember when I told you that I might try a summoning, since it seems like the Calamity really is happening? I mean, we’re pretty certain it has already begun. Hell, the Demon Lord might ev-” ]

[ “Yes, yes, Vin, of course I remember. We had just figured out h- Oh, no. Don’t tell me…” ]

[ “Okay, then, I won’t tell you. That part, anyway.” ] I grinned at her from behind my teacup, knowing she’d figured it out already, but I still felt like being a brat. Just this once.

“As you say, I know you will handle it with utmost care. I will leave it to you, then, my Voice,” I said, sitting back up straight. I replaced the tea cup on the short table that sat between us and looked up at Dee’s face to gauge her reaction. Her expression was unreadable so I took the opportunity to stick the tip of my tongue out at her.

…Okay, so maybe I’m a brat around her a lot. But who can blame me? I can’t act like this around literally anyone else…

“Yes, Your Grace. Thank you for allowing me to receive you, this day.” I could almost see the sarcasm dripping from her words, but it was all in good fun, and I knew it. This was what I valued so much…this rare taste of normalcy. IBefore Thiesta entered my life, how long had it been since I last had a real friend? Xael was…no, I can’t think about him right now. I have no time for tears or regrets.

[ “Please send me a note by raven if you hear any news about a wandering nutjob in strange clothing - that’ll likely be my hero. Similarly, I’ll send word if I happen to find him. … Or her.” ]

[ “Damn it, Vin! You don’t even know the gender of the hero you sum-” ]

[ “That’s not important! Anyway, erm, that’s all…so I’ll be taking my leave now…” ]

I stood up perhaps a little too quickly and smoothed my midnight-blue gown out with both hands to mask my embarrassment. I might be a Goddess, but I’d originally been born a human and I still had some of those annoying automatic emotional responses to things, like this blushing nonsense. Dee stood up as well and bowed deeply to me, as was tradition. I regained my composure and said my formal and fake goodbye, “Good day to you, Deehra al Thieste. Go always with my blessing.”

[ “I’ll be going incognito as an adventurer to look for him. Her. Bah! Whatever they are, I’ll find them.” ]

[ “Just be safe, Vin, please. The world needs you, and you and I both know that you’re not exactly invincible right now.” ]

I can’t hide anything from her, can I?

I gave her one last smile as I turned to leave, hoping it was reassuring enough. I also noted that the two nuns-in-waiting had definitely overheard and memorized the whole audible conversation. I could see how hard they were trying to act as though they’d heard nothing, which was a good indication that our plans were still working.

[ “I will be safe, I promise. You as well, please? Goddesses might not need very many things, but I need you.” ] The ominousness words of caution mixed with our shared gratitude in the air between us, making the room feel cramped and uncomfortable, yet familiar.

As I left Dee’s sitting room and passed the two sentries outside her door, I heard no response either in my ears or my mind. But I didn’t need to hear her thoughts to know what they were: she’s deathly worried, both for me and for all of Xael. And on top of that, I’m sure she feels a sense of helplessness in the face of what’s happening. That was just her way.

When she first agreed to become my Voice centuries ago, I had granted her special skills and abilities at the same time I began the cycle of her rebirth. She is, without a doubt, the most powerful mortal on this world…only myself and the Faerie Queen could give her a run for her money. But…

Despite having so much power, there’s nothing she can do to stop the coming destruction…and since my powers have been sealed, there’s nothing much I can do, either. Our only real hope lays with this hero, but I’ve lost them.

With a failure like me for a Patron Goddess, I’d be worried to death, too.