Renew the Pact: The Hand of Asumit: Epilogue: Raising Merek

Log Info

• Title: Renew the Pact: The Hand of Asumit: Epilogue: Raising Merek
• Emitter: Cesran
• Characters: Cesran and Merek
• Place: Temple of Eluna
• Time: August 29th, 2021
• Summary: Cesran brings Merek back from the dead. He needs to use 2 Wish spells, that are very painful given he's still suffering from mana poisoning. After Merek is brought back Cesran fills Merek in on the little that was missed while Merek was deceased.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Eluna *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

         Eluna's temple stands near her brother's, and trees of the grove often wander their vines that way, only to be chased away by the priests--much as two children might battle in the back of a cart. Eluna's temple is composed of solemn, alabaster pillars and marble, as ancient as Her brother's though more austerely kept. Each pillar represents a phase of the moon, over which She has dominion. Their surface is scribed with the words of ancient dreams, those first recorded in the known world, when mankind was first awakening to their significance.
         In the center of the temple lies a grand pool. Serene in its surface, it reflects the open sky overhead, though the temple is covered by an arched ceiling. At all times within the surface may the stars be seen. Surrounding this pool are a number of tasseled rugs, on which petitioners sit and meditate, or seek counsel for interpretation of their dreams.
         Warriors of Daeus are often found here, providing guards where the wards of Eluna prefer introspection and contemplation. These fighters bear dual symbols, signifying the tie between divine father and divine daughter. They and the priests here speak in quiet voices, reminiscent of Eluna's place as the Dreaming Goddess.
         To the north of the temple is a modest library, its function primarily in the way of records--recording of dreams, of meditation, of theories of the proper use of magic--teachings directly opposed by the Shadow Goddess, Taara. It is this last shift that has seen an increase in the number of guards among the temple, and the increased adoption of the Star of Tears among the belts of Seers.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Cesran has asked the leaders of the Temple of Eluna if he may use one of their chambers to bring back a fallen companion. He is still feeling weak from his time in the Sea of Mana, he has asked that a couple of clerics of Eluna be on standby in case Merek or himself needs medical attention. He's also asked the Warriors of Daeus to have guards ready in case the Wish spells he was using has unintended consequences. He has his staff in hand as he's been going over how to word the Wish spells so that he gets the desired results. He has 2 very large and expensive diamonds as Merek's body was completely destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. Once that is done Cesran can then try to return the body to life. He has one diamond in hand and his staff in the other.

"I'm ready to begin if everyone else is?" He looks around to each of the other people that he's asked to be here. When they all give a nod, he starts as he takes a deep breath. As he begins to cast, his skin beings to light up as his veins and arteries start to glow with a blue light that grows stronger and stronger. He grimaces in pain as his body has not yet fully recovered and using spells this powerful make it feel like burning ice has replaced his blood. He gets through it, "I wish Merek's body to appear before me, as it was right before he was killed by the threads of the void, while he was in the Sea of Mana."

There is a powerful flash as the diamond in Cesran's hand turns to dust and an impossible wind blows the ash. The ash swirls around and around in a mini-tornado before it sets down into the outline of a body. Suddenly bones begin to form, followed by blood vessels, nerves, then muscles and organs, then skin and hair and finally clothes. Before those that have gathered now lies the still body of Merek. Cesran is leaning hard again his staff as one of the clerics moves over to check on him. "I'm all right, just took a lot out of me." He says panting. "Give me a minute and I'll cast the second wish spell."

Merek's body of course would be instilled with magic when brought back the way it was, though with no actual soul in it, that means that it all begins to shift away, and only the main body will remain upon. The man meanwhile, is probably relaxing along in the Halls and beyond into the Dream Realm.

Cesran does accept a long drink of water from the water skin that one of the clerics brought. He takes a deep breath before he clears his mind and focuses on the second Wish spell. This one will be a little more tricky. He'll need to call Merek's soul back into his body. He runs it over in his head every way that he can think of to make sure that Merek indeed comes back and not some demon or angel or anything else that might want to use Merek's body like a meat suit. Cesran brings out the other diamond and readies himself as he starts to cast the spell once again. As he does, once more the lines on his skin start to light up, glowing just a strong as before and hurting just as much as the first time. Cesran has trained himself to concentrate even under the most dire of circumstances and he needs every bit of that training now.

"I wish for Merek's soul to once again inhabit his body and return him to life as he once was before he died." Cesran intones with pain lacing every word. The diamond flares brightly before it crumbles to ask and that same impossible wind carries the ashes towards Merek's body. Instead of settling though the ashes head towards Merek's mouth and nose, filling the once empty lungs. Cesran stumbles a bit and uses his staff to keep himself up right. Both of the clerics rush forward to support him, but Cesran, once he's got his feet under him, waves them off, "I'm okay, but how's Merek?"

All eyes go the body that's laying before them. Daeus' Warriors have their hands on the weapons ready to smite down anything unnatural, while the clerics are waiting for proof of life. Cesran narrows his eyes at Merek's body, "Live damn you...Live!"

It will take a moment, and Merek stands up from what he was doing back in the world beyond. It's difficult when about five factions want your soul. The petitioner finds a way and back into its body. The body in that ritual circle will then begin to come to life, opening its eyes. The man looks about the place, and will lift a hand to casually weave a little magic to draw whatever clothing was prepared for him to his frame.

Merek stands up and will take the time to look at all the clerics, then to Cesran. "Thank you," he offers, while the memories of what came in the Halls begin to shimmer about their way. He does remember the Sea of Mana though. He's been in a situation like this enough that it is easier to relax, although whatever's on the man's mind, well. That's for him to know.

Cesran breathes a sigh of relief as Merek's eyes open and the hand begins to wave some magic. A couple of the Daeus' Warrior's eyes light up as they are scanning for anything evil, but give a nod for the all clear. The clerics take over to try to give Merek a look over to make sure he is healthy. Cesran smiles and winces a bit as even smiling hurts, "You're welcome Merek. I'm glad to be able to bring you back, now we just have to make sure we got all the pieces for Kravar so we can bring him back. I'll be outside if you want to be filled in on what happened after you were killed. I don't know how much you saw or remember seeing, but I'm happy to fill you in. Don't mind my appearance, a gift from the Sea of Mana." He says gesturing to the lines on his face and neck that are also on his hands. He slowly heads towards the door to the chamber and nods his thanks to the Daeus' Warrior that opens it for him. He shambles out to a nearby bench to have a seat.

Merek looks about the place, he doesn't seem to mind all of the paladins. The man is a high profile mage, although he seems to be content to scratch along the stubble of his cheek, "Ya, I was kind of... Part of the Sea of Mana. Watching you all. I wasn't alive, although I wasn't exactly... You know." Not many mages really can say they became part of the Sea of Mana. "I used up what little power I had to do what I was able for that ritual."

Cesran smiles from his seat not too far outside of the chamber, "Good I'm glad you were able to help even from beyond death. We certainly needed every bit of help when fighting that creature. I'm glad that we were able to pull through in the end although I hope to never experience it again. Our bodies weren't meant for anything like that. Aya, Seldan, Serene and I are all suffering from mana poisoning, you might have some too, even though I just brought you back so be careful when casting. You'll be week from the resurrection, but I think you've been though that before."

Merek thinks about it a moment, and looks along to himself. "I will keep that in mind, although... Ya, been through it a few times. I'm not new to it, that said, it's beginning to really wear on my soul." With a sigh, he then nods a bit. "I'm glad everyone's okay besides all of that. It's likely best to get a little down time from it all after that."

Cesran nods as he has rested enough that he can get up off the bench to stand, "Same here, not a experience I wish to repeat so I avoid it as much as I can. I've heard that, hopefully you won't need to go through that ever gain. Yes I was laid up at Soldier's Defense for a couple of days after we made our way back here. Oh be on guard, the general consensus is that while we got most of the void monster some threads did slip away into the Sea of Mana."

Merek nods a little bit to Cesran, "Thank you, I will keep that in mind. I know that it might be a lot to deal with, but we succeeded in that. Which means that it's likely that this timeline will be safe. We still have a lot of work to do to keep it that way. I am going to relax and take time to myself, if that's okay with you. I can exchange letters on the information of what we all learned while there."

"You are welcome. I'm glad I didn't like the look of any of us from that alternate timeline. I'd rather avoid that at all costs. Indeed we do, there are still Animus shards out the waiting to be collected or whatever they'll do. That sounds like a good plan to me. I'm going to head to the Fernwood Pub to get some dinner in me. Give me a week and I'm sure we'll be off onto the next issue." Cesran says with a chuckle as he is slowly and carefully walking along.

Merek nods a little bit, "Alright, be well," he offers, then he waves to the man, while he checks on things, then makes a way along from the place to relax for a while.