The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

"I..." Haliel's voice fades, confusion whirling inside her. Help me? Thing for which I beg? I... I thought I was helping her but I... no, I was... I was doing something before she... "What... what has to change? What... I don't understand. What am I missing? It's important. Vital. But I can't... I can't reach it."

[GamesMaster]

"You're trying to heal her," she says gently. "You're channeling an impressive amount of positive energy into her. But her shell no longer holds Life to be healed."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Marian.

Haliel sways slightly, the taste of bread filling her mouth, the feel of warmth against her, the sight of a shy, crooked smile. "Oh." Sorrow cuts her legs out from under her, sending the aasimar to crumple in a heap.

[GamesMaster]

Strong arms catch her, soft and warm, holding her gently -- comforting her. "She is lost in the dark. The light cannot reach her. She belongs to HE-THAT-IS-ZANON as you belong to HE-THAT-IS-BASTION."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"She- what?" Lightsong blurts out, the shock of this driving the air from her lungs. She- She is- but- how did-

[GamesMaster]

"It is a recent development," admits the pavitra. "She had belonged to SHE-THAT-IS-ALYDRA, but she was lured away by the promises of the dark."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel swallows thickly, her vision narrowed and blurry. How badly did I... how could I have.. What kind of paladin, what kind of Ray am I to have driven someone from Twilight to Dark? "Not even useless... worse than useless," she mumbles listlessly. 

[GamesMaster]

"Are mortals to be judged by their uses only?" asks the pavitra, gently. "Each of you are so perfect, individual and unique, I find I cannot see things that way. The both of you were created to be something special, a mortal with potential above and beyond the usual infinite potential mortals bear -- it pains me to see either of you suffering, lost."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"She has such love inside her but it's all twisted up," Haliel whispers brokenly. "She needs it so much. Family, love, acceptance. But the pain and fear of being hurt and rejected so many times... she can't trust anymore."

[GamesMaster]

"We love her," the pavitra replies softly. "We always have, and we always will. No matter to whom she belongs. But we cannot interfere with mortals' choices. We cannot step in if she does not ask for it."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Or unless someone else asks for something that they then do something with," Haliel finishes. And pauses.

[GamesMaster]

"You do not worship my creator either," says the pavitra, gently. Almost hopefully. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel blinks a few times, finally paying enough attention, finally aware enough to focus on the speaker.

[GamesMaster]

As she turns, finally, she sees the figure who holds her: a winged woman, terribly, impossibly beautiful, a fallen glaive on the forest floor behind her. "Hello, Beloved Illumination of the Melodic Harmony of Friendship. It's wonderful to finally meet you."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel stares a moment. "Uh." Her mouth works for a moment. "Our hair matches," she finds herself finally saying to a Herald. A Bright Herald, the Herald of SHE-THAT-IS-ASTEA, leader, insomuch as such things can be, of the Bright Deities. "I mean- umm, it's an honor to meet you, Bright Herald Andraste of SHE-THAT-IS-ASTEA," she corrects herself in a rush.