Private [Centerra] Reminiscence Shard Archive Heist

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Matthew extended a gloved hand toward Valery, his other boot resting lightly against the railing. "Allow me to assist you down," he offered, his voice imbued with the calm assurance of a gentleman. Should she accept his hand, he was prepared to execute a swift yet graceful maneuver: sweeping her off her feet and gliding down to the stage below, where he would carefully set her back on solid ground. The entire action would be fluid and controlled, as though rehearsed.

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"...alright," Valery said carefully while she took the offered hand. She trusted Matthew, so all of this must be part of his plan right? They'd jump down together and-

Valery blinked as he suddenly scooped her up, and with her in his arms, glided his way down onto the stage. It was quite the show for people who were watching from everywhere else in the room, and Valery's face was even redder than before. She had not expected him to just pick her up like that.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she chuckled and tried to force some composure back into her cheeks, before turning her attention to the people in the room. They were, of course, stunned to see what happened and the shock factor left them motionless for at least a moment.

It gave them a chance to make their next move.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

With Valery's hand securely in his, Matthew smoothly swept her up into his arms, cradling her with the effortless strength of a seasoned warrior. He took a leap of faith off the balcony, his wings unfurling in the same fluid motion. The air caught the broad span of his wings, and they glided gracefully down onto the stage below. As they touched down, Matthew's eyes met Valery's, his expression adorned with a charming wink and a confident smirk.

"Of course," he replied, savoring the pause that followed before adding cheekily, "I ~love~ seeing justice done."


The onlookers, their attention captured by the duo's unexpected aerial entrance, burst into a mix of gasps and applause. Even for a venue accustomed to grand displays and theatrics, this was something entirely new, entirely spellbinding.


In the midst of the crowd, a cadre of suspicious figures exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing as they sized up Matthew and Valery. These were the kinds of individuals who trafficked in the shadows, and their expressions betrayed their unease at this sudden turn of events.

"A new act, or an unwelcome interruption?" mused a Rodian decked out in extravagant attire.

"Doesn't matter. They're in the way, and they need to be dealt with," retorted his Marbecretian companion, his hand subtly moving closer to the blaster at his side.

Whether the crowd knew it or not, the atmosphere had shifted. A palpable tension filled the air, focusing everyone's attention on what Matthew and Valery would do next. The stakes, already high, had just been elevated.

Watching from her secluded vantage point, Elara's fingers tightened involuntarily around her blaster rifle. Her helmet's HUD flashed with biometric readings, the temperature indicators spiking in tandem with her rising alarm. They weren't supposed to do that. She had them in a controlled situation, and now this?

She raised her blaster, the targeting reticle aligning on Matthew's form for just a moment before her senses kicked in. The crowd, the witnesses—it was too risky to take a shot. She hissed in frustration, the sound muffled by her helmet.

"Kriffing amateurs," she muttered, unable to intervene but still tracking every movement they made. "You haven't seen the last of me."

Matthew and Valery had successfully turned the tables, leaving Elara fuming but impotent to act, at least for the moment

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"Justice, huh?"

This time, Valery hid her embarrassment better and pouted a little while she looked away and into the stunned crowd. They were stunned but some even applauded the two, perhaps because they thought it was part of the show. Valery snickered because of it and looked over her shoulder at Matthew, all while she was trying to figure out their next steps. Sure, the plan had worked and they weren't getting shot at, but there was still no sign of the shards.

"How can we find them?" Valery was quick to ask, hoping he'd have an idea.

It'd be quite shocking if he had the two of them go for such an elaborate and elegant entrance, only to have no plan about how to actually get to the shards.

...he had a plan, right?

Valery turned to look at him, blinked, and stepped a little closer, "I sense trouble, so we have to be quick. That lady is probably trying whatever she can to get us removed."

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Matthew met Valery's eyes with a reassuring gaze, his own eyes flicking briefly across the crowd and then back to her. "Ah, justice takes many forms, and sometimes it's served with a bit of flair," he chuckled softly.

At her query about the shards, he leaned in closer to maintain their private conversation, his voice low. "I do have a plan."
Matthew leaned in even closer to Valery, almost as if sharing a secret with her. "I've familiarized myself with the resonance of those shards. I can sense them. Follow me."

With that, he confidently led Valery through a side door off the right of the stage, ducking past stage hands and servers and avoiding eye contact with other patrons, until they arrived at a door guarded by several figures. Among them was a Laminorian, standing at a towering height of nearly 10 feet, its skin a swirl of iridescent blues and greens. Its six forward-facing eyes scanned the surroundings with vigilant detail. Its massive tail swayed slowly behind it, decorated with shells and beads, indicating it was female.

Two other guards, human, flanked the Laminorian, their hands hovering near their blasters. Matthew assessed the situation quickly; the Laminorian would be the main concern. Their species was known for their incredible strength. However, they had a weakness— their long, ornamented tails could become cumbersome in close quarters.

Matthew winked at Valery. "Ready to create another distraction?"



As Matthew and Valery approached, Tar'lara, the Laminorian's eyes narrowed, a low hiss escaping from between her rows of needle-like teeth. She'd been alerted that the pair had evaded her compannion earlier, and she wasn't about to let that happen again. Her quill-tipped, webbed fingers twitched with anticipation. However, just as she moved to intervene, she sensed the subtle power emanating from them both.

The realization struck her— she was dealing with more than just ordinary patrons.

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"It sure had flair," Valery agreed with a smirk before she watched him lean in closer. She turned her ear to him and listened while she played along still. The people in the crowd had no idea what was happening, so the longer she could maintain that appearance, the better. Luckily, it seemed that Matthew had a plan already, so all that remained was for him to track down the shards, and they'd be out here soon.

It almost made her believe the hard part was over.

That was until the path toward the shards ended up with them standing face-to-face with a huge guard. She already had to look up quite a bit to look Matthew in the eyes, but this figure was even taller. She also wasn't alone — two other guards stood with her, and both were already preparing themselves to draw weapons. Tension in the Force was rising as a result, but Matthew didn't seem worried and asked about another distraction.

She figured that Matthew knew more about the woman's species than she did and how to handle them, so her attention shifted to the other guards. She smiled, narrowed her eyes, and with one quick motion of her hand, she attempted to pull the weapons from their holsters and bring them towards herself.

The time to play games was over.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Valery Noble


As Matthew moved to address the situation, he found himself cut off by the imposing Laminorian guard, now identifiable as Tar'lara. "We're here to recover the stolen rem—" was as far as he got before Tar'lara's tail, muscular and python-like, shot across the floor, entwining him in its powerful grasp.

Caught mid-sentence and mid-movement, Matthew was abruptly lifted off the floor and hurled into a nearby wall. The impact sent a shower of crumbling plaster into the air. A second later, he was slammed to the ground, the air forcefully expelled from his lungs.

Pinned under the undulating coils of Tar'lara's tail, Matthew's hand instinctively slid to the hilt of his sun sword, concealed under his coat. As he activated the blade, a radiant burst of golden light pierced the air, filling the dark corridor and casting shifting shadows over Tar'lara's multi-colored scales.

With a quick, upward thrust, the golden blade punctured the Laminorian's tail from beneath the coils. A scream of pain and surprise ripped from Tar'lara's throat as her tail reflexively uncoiled, freeing Matthew.

Rolling to his feet, Matthew held his sun sword at the ready. "Justice…has a way of shining through," he stated, his eyes locking onto Tar'lara's trio of pairs as he coughed for some air.

At the same moment, Valery was approached by two human guards, guns at the ready. "You're way out of your league, little lady," one sneered with a sickening smirk.

"Your boyfriend's flashy moves won't save you," the other added, leveling his gun at her. "Give it up!"

Just then, Elara, the armoured woman who'd been observing them earlier, burst into the fray, guns blazing.

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

Ouch.

That looked like it hurt - the woman's tail was quite the weapon and Matthew had taken a decent hit. Despite it, he was able to draw his weapon and injure the attacker, but Valery wasn't really able to focus on it too much. The other guards had reached for their weapons and made their approach - it hardly worried her but their comments got her to raise an eyebrow way up.

"Little lady? Really?" Sure, she wasn't that tall but she was built like a warrior. Though, she supposed the robes she was wearing hid most of that, and only showed off her more feminine features.

She sighed, and as one finger moved to pull the trigger, Valery's lightsaber slipped into her hand from within her sleeve, and a violet blade ignited. She deflected the incoming shot and almost nonchalantly flicked her other hand up to summon the Force and send the two guards crashing head-first into the ceiling.

Just in time for Elara to arrive, who opened fire immediately as well.

"This isn't a fight you can win!" Valery called out while she deflected the woman's shots. "Surrender your weapon, now!"

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

While Valery was skillfully dealing with the human guards and Elara, Matthew shifted his attention back to Tar'lara. He tightened his grip on his sun sword, its golden blade shimmering in the air like a slice of sunlight. Seeing Valery deflect bullets and return fire with the Force instilled a burst of pride in him. "She's quite capable, isn't she?" he mused to himself, his eyes meeting the pained gaze of the Laminorian guard.

"Surrender, Tar'lara," Matthew commanded, stepping closer. His eyes were intense, the golden blade of his sun sword casting a warm glow on his face. "Or are you willing to lose more than just a piece of your tail today?"


Tar'lara hissed, eyes narrowing. She was calculating, assessing whether or not the struggle was worth continuing. Her tail writhed in visible agony behind her, but it was her pride more than her flesh that had been cut deep.


Meanwhile, the human guards, dazed from their abrupt and forceful meeting with the ceiling, slowly regained their senses. They looked at each other, then at Valery, her lightsaber a blazing streak of violet authority. The realization that they were outmatched settled in.

"We're not paid enough for this," one guard muttered to the other.


Elara, dodging Valery's deflected shots, was having her own moment of reckoning. Her eyes darted from Valery to Matthew and then to Tar'lara. Her trigger finger hesitated for a fraction of a second.

"Enough!" She shouted, holsters her weapon. "It's clear that the odds are not in our favor."


Hearing Elara's words, Matthew turned his attention back to Tar'lara. "You hear that? Even your own allies are conceding. It's time to stand down."


Tar'lara's eyes narrowed as Matthew's sun sword retracted. "You think this is over?" she hissed menacingly, clearly not willing to give up just yet.


"Not by a long shot," Matthew muttered under his breath, sensing a greater tension in the room, and yet an odd smile graced his features. Before he could react, however, a rumble resonated through the building, shaking the very foundations.

Cracks appeared in the walls. The rumble grew louder, turning into a roar that echoed through the room.

Suddenly, a portion of the ceiling was torn away as if it were paper, and an elegant silver dragon descended, its feathered wings spread wide and its body adorned in intricate armor. The dragon let out another roar, this one tinged with a sense of authority.


Stunned, Tar'lara recoiled her tail, her three sets of eyes widening. "A dragon? In my establishment? What madness is this?"

Elara glanced at Tar'lara for guidance. "Boss, should we continue the fight? That thing looks like it means business."


The dragon's blue eyes shimmered as it looked down at the assembly.

Matthew stepped closer to the dragon, giving it a respectful nod. "Your timing is impeccable. Tar'lara, Elara, I highly suggest you listen. I assure you, dragons are not known for their patience. This is your final warning. Cease your hostilities. The shards you have stolen are not yours to keep."

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"It's clear that the odds are not in our favor."

When Elara spoke up, Valery narrowed her eyes and kept an intense glare fixated on the guards. She could tell that they were afraid and hesitant about raising their weapons a second time, and she wanted to keep it that way. Intimidation wasn't a preferred method of ending a fight, but it sure felt a lot better than injuring them or worse. If they knew what was right for them, nobody was going to get seriously hurt today.

But that choice was theirs to make.

The one problematic factor still remained Tar'lara, who seemed too prideful to surrender. She couldn't hope to defeat Matthew on his own, let alone the two of them. But something still kept her going, and Valery was worried that it'd lead to further escalation. At least, until the ceiling collapsed and something even more surprising interfered. Valery blinked and looked up with widened eyes when a huge dragon appeared.

She had seen similar creatures in the past, but this one was a lot more elegant. Certainly fitting for the planet and its people, but still surprising. What was next? Fairies and goblins appearing to join this battle?

"I suggest you listen to him. You can't defeat even one of us, so don't put yourself at risk," Valery told them, knowing it'd hurt the woman's pride even more, but it needed to be said.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: @ Valery Noble

Ignoring Valery, Tar'lara locked eyes with Matthew and his dragon ally. "Pride has its costs, but cowardice is more expensive." With that, she lunged forward, her tail swinging with deadly precision toward Matthew. Her sinuous body moved quickly, glidding forwards at breakneck speeds.

The pearly silver and white dragon unfurled its feathered wings menacingly, its icy blue eyes narrowing on Tar'lara. As her tail moved toward Matthew, the dragon lunged with surprising speed, slender maw opening to reveal long rows of teeth, each the length of daggers and sabers alike.

Matthew, with his sun sword, still ignited, pulled back just as the dragon's jaws snapped shut, capturing Tar'lara within its fearsome maw, but not fast enough to avoid the fine sanguine mist, and spray that followed the vicious actions, leaving Matthew's white robes and face coated in the life-giving liquids.

Caught, Tar'lara struggled futilely, letting out a muffled, angry hiss, her body and tail coiling around the dragon's neck and tightening as the tails end slapped about frantically. The dragon's massive claws tore in around the cooking snake-like body and rending sections of flesh away. A few more sickening crunches followed before the snake woman's body went limp and slack. Matthew sidestepped and dodged a falling heft of tail and the dragon reared its head back and started to swallow what was once Tar'lara whole.

With a decisive movement, the dragon swallowed, its eyes glowing momentarily as it finished. The act was both shocking and gruesome in its finality causing the rest of the opposition to begin quaking in their boots.

Witnessing their leader's grim end, Elara and the other guards went white as sheets, their weapons clattering to the ground. "We surrender! We surrender!"

Matthew turned to Valery. "Sometimes the path of least resistance isn't the safest. We should move quickly, we've made more than enough of a spectacle." He located a simple crate, plucked it out from a hidden compartment, and slid it towards the dragon. The dragon's claws snatched it taught and Matthew offered Valery a step up lacing his fingers to offer her a stepping boost for her foot. "Climb a board and we'll depart."

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

Valery wanted to try and stop the woman from attacking, but she had made up her mind already. Matthew was clever in how he responded to it, but Valery could barely watch as the Dragon took her in its maw to crush her despise her resistance. The bone-snapping and cries of horror echoed through the room, and at the end of it all, a person had died for no reason. Why couldn't she just surrender?

For now, she shoved those thoughts aside and looked up at Matthew, "Right, time to go," she said, still a little stunned by what she had seen just a minute ago. Blood and gore weren't new to her, not with how many battles she had been a part of. This just felt... different, and in a sickening way.

She could have lived.

"Where are you taking us?" Valery asked, after she put her boot down into his hands and used him as a boost to get up onto the Dragon. Then... she looked around for what to hold onto, and tried her best to sit still and tight. Valery had always loved fast rides and adrenaline, but this was actually a bit scary.

What if she fell off?

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Valery Noble

Matthew looked at Valery, sensing the unease in her eyes. The death they had just witnessed weighed heavily on him too; it was a reminder of the stakes they faced, and the desperation that drove people to such ends.

"We're heading to a sanctuary safehouse for now," Matthew replied, helping her secure herself on the dragon's back, and atop the close fitting exotic saddle. "But first, a brief detour. I think we could both use it."

With a gentle mental nudge to their dragon ally, they lifted off, the powerful wings sending gusts of air swirling around them as they ascended. For a moment, as they left behind the scene of chaos and death, there was an almost surreal peace. The dragon's scales shimmered in the pale light, and its feathered wings seemed almost ethereal as they cut through the sky.

Matthew looked over at Valery, his face flushed from the wind and his eyes alight with Adrenaline. "Hold on," he advised, just as the dragon tipped its wings and they soared higher, breaking through a layer of clouds.

And then they were gliding, the dragon's wings spread wide as they rode the currents. Below them, the world was a living painting of lights and shadows, distant and dream like. Up here, they were alone, isolated from the turmoil.

Yet, the higher they climbed, the colder it got. Matthew could feel the icy wind cutting through his clothes. He withdrew his thick heavy velvet lined cloak and wrapped it about Valery.

"I know it's cold," he finally said, raising his voice to be heard over the wind. "But sometimes it's good to rise above it all, if only for a moment."

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"I couldn't agree more," Valery said once she got settled into the saddle, and waited for Matthew to sit down behind her. She leaned forward a bit, just so she could tightly hold on, and waited for his signal. Having no idea it happened telepathically, she was taken by surprise when the Dragon launched itself into the air with a powerful swing of its wings. She yelped at first, then grinned and even laughed at the rush of adrenaline.

It felt like taking off in her speeder bike, but somehow even more intense!

"This is amazing," she told him as they just kept climbing higher and higher. It meant that the air was getting colder too, and Valery despised the cold. She had grown up in a tropical jungle, so whenever things got cold, she was quick to draw the Force around herself as a blanket, or rely on warmer clothing. Her current robes... caught a lot of wind.

But before she could adjust to it herself, Matthew wrapped his cloak around her, and she offered him a thankful smile. "Thanks, that's much better. You're not too cold yourself now though, right?" She asked to be sure, or else she might offer an alternative to him.

Valery then listened to his voice and looked down from atop the dragon with a smile, "It's certainly beautiful from up here, and I can't say I've ever been on a dragon's back before either. I love it~"

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Matthew's laughter, imbued with a rich and melodic timbre, resonated through the frigid air. "Ah, you need not fret, fair Valery. Our celestial constitution permits us greater tolerance to the caprices of this lofty climate, compared to those bound to the earth below.."

As the dragon ascended still higher, its pearly white and silver scales catching the last of the setting sun as they finally reached the apex of a towering mountain. Below lay the Temple of Radiance, a sanctuary of enlightenment. It stood as an architectural marvel, embodying the sacrosanct principles of the Sunstar Order. Pillars adorned with intricate carvings soared to the heavens, and fountains and water falls with crystalline waters murmured in the distance. Its gardens bloomed with vibrant flora. Here, where the very air seemed to hum with divine energy, the path to spiritual ascendance was more than metaphor—it was tangible.

Beside the landing platform, a variety of dragons rested each a unique blend of feather and scale. Their wings spanned the spectrum of colors, from the fiery oranges of an evening sunset to the deepest blues of a midnight sky. Yet, they all shared a grace that rendered them resplendent in their individuality.

Matthew then guided their dragon companion toward a perch beside these stunning creatures. Her wings, magnificent and mighty, folded gracefully as they touched down.

The surrounding view of the vast expanse of mountains and valleys below was captivating.

Matthew looked at her, his eyes alight with reverent enthusiasm. "Ah, the rapture one feels when soaring above this world's constraints is an intoxicant like no other. It is a pleasure that I am pleased to share with you."
Crystal, the magnificent dragon with scales of pearlescent white and silver, turned her head to gaze at Matthew and Valery with eyes that shimmered like twin sapphires. "Ah, Matthew, a flight most splendid, wouldn't you say? However, let us not forget the parchment that awaits your quill. Reports, summaries—your duties call to you as insistently as the wind calls to our wings."

With a graceful flick of her claws, a crate was set before them. " Handle them with the care they deserve."

Matthew nodded graciously, his eyes meeting Crystal's. "Your timely reminders are as ever invaluable, my dear friend. Ah, the Reminiscence Shards. Thank you for safeguarding them, Crystal. These must be accounted for; their importance is not to be underestimated."

Crystal inclined her head, her eyes meeting Matthew's. "Of course, safeguarding treasures such as these is a duty I hold in the highest regard. I am pleased we were able to reclaim them from the clutches of those who would misuse their power."

A warm smile stretched across Crystal's draconic maw. "I am eager to unite with Wild Fire. It's been too long since we've spoken. I shall seek their company while you attend to your earthly matters."

Matthew chuckled softly, "Indeed, your rendezvous with Wild Fire shall be as poetic as it is overdue. Go, find your pleasure among the heavens while I tend to matters here."

With that, she turned her attention to Valery. "And to you, Miss Valery, may the winds always lift you, and the sun forever illuminate your path. Our skies are richer for your presence."

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

Valery snickered a little herself, "I'd definitely consider myself bound to the earth, so thanks." The extra layer around otherwise thin robes helped a lot, and prevented her from having to rely on the Force for staying warm. But these little troubles quickly faded from her mind when the Temple of Radiance down below became visible to them through the clouds. It was breathtaking, and vaguely reminded her of some other Temples she had seen throughout her travels.

Just... very few had been this beautiful.

But if that wasn't enough, Valery soon spotted the other dragons down below as well, and she could barely believe her own eyes. The Galaxy was full of mysterious beasts and fantastic creatures, but dragons were really something special.

With Matthew's guidance, the two soon made their way down, and carefully stepped off the dragon's back. Her gaze then turned to Crystal, and she listened quietly. Seeing Dragon's was one thing, but hearing them speak and learning just how intelligent they were, was an experience she never thought she would have.

Matthew had definitely saved the best for last.

Finally, Crystal turned to Valery, and was met with a warm smile from the Jedi Master, "Thank you for having me, and thank you, for coming to our aid," she said, her gaze turning to the dragon who had crashed the party earlier. His arrival had resulted in a rather gruesome death, but one that sadly couldn't have been prevented.

"You're not going to hate me if I leave the paperwork to you, hm?" She asked Matthew with a smirk.

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Valery Noble

Matthew couldn't help but grin at Valery's quip about paperwork. "Ah, you're in luck. I have a peculiar fondness for bureaucratic intricacies," he replied, his eyes twinkling with a blend of humor and sincerity.

Carefully lifting the wooden crate that held the reclaimed Reminiscence Shards, he settled it securely on his shoulder. "Let's see these safely stored, shall we? And perhaps rid ourselves of any lingering traces of battle." The weight of the crate seemed not to bother him, as if the significance of its contents lent him strength.

"As for your gracious company at dinner, it would be an honor. Not only can I share with you the art of shard creation—a skill well worth acquiring, I assure you—but I've also prepared a little gift that I believe you'll find enlightening." He extended the invitation with a respectful nod, fully aware that the evening held promises of both culinary and intellectual feasts.

"And, if I may, I would be remiss if I didn't express my gratitude for your assistance today."

 

[Valery Noble]

Centerra

​

Wearing: Robes
Tag: Matthew of Valendale

"Oh really? You sure I can't drag you back to the Coruscant Temple with me? I think you'd love it there, and I could really use the help." She grinned and watched him lift up the box with shards like it was nothing. Not too surprising that he had that strength, but after their little battle earlier, she figured he might have wanted a bit of rest. But if handing over a coat, handling paperwork and carrying the heavy weights wasn't enough, he still had more to offer.

"Learning something interesting over dinner, and a gift as well?" She smiled and brought a hand up through her hair, "I'd be a fool to say no, wouldn't I?" She then dipped her head and followed after him.

"I'd love to join you, and please, it was my pleasure to help. I'm sure the Jedi, or myself personally, can count on you in the future for help as well." Hopefully with less dragons tearing people apart, but she knew his help was going to be quite useful either way. He was skilled, and most importantly, his heart was in the right place.

"Where to?"

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

Valery Noble

Matthew chuckled at Valery's enticing offer. "Ah, the Coruscant Temple is an alluring prospect, indeed. Id be happy to join you after I finish up my task here. Although," he gave her a meaningful glance, "the idea of mutual aid in the future sounds quite appealing."

He then led Valery into the Temple of Radiance. The name wasn't just for show; upon crossing the threshold, one couldn't help but be awed by blend of natural light and ethereal illumination that filled the space. Majestic archways framed halls that seemed to stretch infinitely, each path offering its own journey toward enlightenment. Walls carved from the mountain itself were adorned with tapestries that recounted the history and teachings of the Sunstar Order. Soft, harmonic chants echoed from distant chambers, where acolytes practiced their meditations and rites. Despite its grandeur, the temple exuded a humble wisdom, an invitation to learn and grow.

"This way," Matthew beckoned, leading her down one of the winding halls to a chamber designed for personal rejuvenation. "Here, you can freshen up." He gestured to the fine woodwork and unadorned yet thoughtfully arranged furniture. A selection of robes and attire, practical in design yet luxurious to the touch, waited for Valery.

After giving her time to change and refresh, and after Matthew excused himself to do the same, Matthew then guided her to the dining hall.

Matthew led Valery through the labyrinthine corridors of the Temple of Radiance, their footsteps echoing on the polished stone floors. They arrived at a set of grand double doors, ornately carved with motifs of the sun and stars, symbolic of the Sunstar Order's principles. With a gentle push, the doors swung open, revealing the dining hall in all its evening grandeur.

The room was a feast for the senses. Long, polished oak tables were laid out end to end, forming a welcoming communal setting. Above, an opulent chandelier made of intricate glass and crystal hung, casting a warm, golden glow throughout the room. The walls were adorned with tapestries and murals depicting historical and mythical events significant to the Order, lending an air of nobility to the space.

But what caught the eye most was the food. Spread across the tables were platters heaving with a wide array of delectable dishes: steaming roasts adorned with fresh herbs, bowls of hearty stews, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables, fresh from the Temple's gardens. Trays of freshly baked bread emitted a comforting aroma, and a selection of fine cheeses and cured meats offered something for every palate. In the center, a grand centerpiece held an assortment of wines and non-alcoholic beverages, from which anyone could freely partake.

Matthew gestured for Valery to behold the scene. "This is where we gather at the day's end, a place for everyone to come and share in the day's toils and triumphs. A feast for body and soul alike."

As they moved closer, they noticed the young squires, aspirants, and pages who played their part in maintaining the communal spirit of the hall. They bustled around, some replenishing the food and drink, while others cleared away used plates and utensils. Despite their youth, they carried themselves with a dignity and discipline that spoke to the rigorous training of the Sunstar Order. Their attire was simple but elegant, practical for their chores yet befitting the environment they found themselves in.

Matthew guided Valery towards a quieter corner of the hall where two seats waited for them. "Here, we can dine in peace while still partaking in the communal atmosphere. And once we've had our fill, I'll show you our grand library. There's something there I think you'll find quite interesting."

Once they had settled in and started their meal, he took a moment to reach into his robe and produced a shard. It was a Reminiscence Shard, impeccably clear, almost like glass yet glimmering with an inner light. "This is for you," he said, offering it to her with a reverent grace. "These shards are more than just keepsakes; they're repositories of wisdom, experiences, even emotions. awaiting the imprint of your own unique essence."