Fading Fires [Coci]

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

​

Great Hall of Tháinbroek​

Midvinter​

The festivities carried on late into the night as Valkyri, Beorni and Aelvar all participated for the first time in history, all the while the diplomatic talks between the High King and the Lady of the Lake had long since concluded with the latter retiring for the night. Thyrian was all alone, wandering the Great Hall of Tháinbroek where many of his forefathers once strode. The faint sound of celebrations could be made out, even from atop the hill where said Hall sat. But he had little desire to join his people, instead slumping down into his throne overlooking an empty throne room. It was far from what a person would consider comfortable, though long hours spent in it had forced him to accept it as adequate.

At his side on a small table rested his crown, and in spite of it actually fitting around his head he now loathed wearing it as much as father and would only deign to wear it during official royal business. Plucking it off the table, he looked down at its fine craftmanship; it had lasted through the ages, handed down from the very first High King hundreds of thousands of years ago. He then looked to his left where a smaller throne stood empty. A deep sigh escaped him as he rested the crown upon his lap, before leaning back and closing his eyes.

"There you are," a most familiar voice roused him from his rest before it had even begun, with Thurion and Coci both entering the room from one of the side passages. "We were looking for you, brother. The worst of the festivities are beginning to die down, finally." Thyrian rose from his seat, knocking the crown off his lap onto the floor without bothering to pick it back up. Without a word he reached out for his brother and pulled him into his arms.

"Thurion," he uttered his name as if making sure it was him, after which he pulled back from the brotherly embrace. "Coci," he greeted her next, embracing her in the same fashion. "I have missed you two. What have you been up to all this time?" He managed a smile, as he was genuinely happy to see the two again. Last time was back when Thirdas was but a babe. "Did you arrive just now?"

"Safeguarding the west for you, Your Grace," Thurion dutifully replied with a smirk, placing a hand upon his broad shoulder. "Taking a load off your shoulders is the least I can do. We actually arrived in the afternoon, not long after the Aelvar did. We, uh, didn't want to interrupt your talks with their Queen, so instead we took a tour of the city and enjoyed the scenery."

Thyrian nodded to himself, before glancing past his brother to a fading hearth by one of the long tables. His eyes burned bright and intense for a couple seconds as he willed the flames to come alive once more to further eat into the log. "Come, sit with me. It has been a long day for me, and a long journey for the two of you."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She was struggling to remember the last time she had walked the Halls, it had either been for a day of celebration or a time of saddness. Never had she entered the Halls just to pay visit and it was a refreshing change. This time the Heavenshields had not been involved with such talks as the ones with the Aelvar, although she would have liked to have been their to see them. Maybe one day. However, both Thurion and herself had other business to attend too, and not just for Thyrian but for themselves as well. Setting up a new home takes time and effort as well as running the Dawnguard, they found themselves as busy as they had been when leaders of the Silver Jedi. Less stress however, and that was worth more then any glory or whatever it is Jedi look for these days.

Nothing much had changed, the Grand Hall still held the air of a welcome greeting, a warm heart and big. The banners lay around the room, shields and swords adorned the walls and at the end .. that wooden throne. Strange she could almost see Thrand there, sitting alone ruing the weight of the crown on his brow. There is a figure seated there, but not Thrand but equal with the heavy burden. Thyrian rose as they approached, a sense of quiet within him, tried and heavy of heart and upon seeing them draw near, he came to them and embraced them both with a genuine need for their company.

"It is good to see you brother", there was no need for the flattery of protocol when family meet. Although little brother always does not miss the opportunity to joke with his elder. Coci embraced Thyrian a gentle hand resting against the back of his head. And as she pulled back Coci looked into his eyes all bright with fire before looking over his features. "I see you are tired .. of many things I think".

They proceeded to the long table to sit and take warmth from the biting cold just outside the walls, "Our journey was not so tiring as you might think Thyrian", she grinned toward Thurion, as no doubt he would be eager to show his brother Skywalker and Cloudancer who in this very moment were perched atop the Grand Hall guarding. "Théo is back on Midvinter, spending some time here with his brother before heading back the Iron Empire".

​

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rdCgUXwqnI​

As big brother invited them to sit at his table, Thurion noted the crown left lying on the polished stone floor and subsequently reached down to pick it up. Dusting it off despite being flawlessly clean - no doubt tended to daily by the royal servants - he gently placed it back on the cushioned seat of the throne, and as he backed away to regard the splendour of the image laid before him he could see the silhouette of Father smiling down at him. Just as he did, the last rays of the sun were laid to rest as they passed underneath the great mountainranges far in the distance, seen through the stained glass windows behind the throne. It was as if the old man placed a kiss of goodnight upon his youngest cheek before turning to bed himself, and Thurion found himself touching the part of his face where he'd felt the sensation.

"Good night, Papa," he said aloud before joining the others at the table. Cups and cutlery still lay scattered about from the Aelvar visit, all of whom had either turned in for the night or joined the celebrations outside, and Thurion watched as Thyrian poured them a cup each. "Sorry, we're out of blue milk," he spoke in part-earnest, part-humorous tone, to which the younger brother made a grunting sound before sniffing the contents of his cup. "Just water will do fine," he replied. The King chuckled and took the full cup off his brother's hands and replaced it with an empty one before filling it with fresh cold water from a different decanter.

"A shame you couldn't bring Thirdas with you, though I imagine the journey would not be to his liking. Thrand's been eager to see his cousin again, though it would seem he has found another playmate to keep him busy." Thyrian began sipping from his cup of mead, each time leaving him with a frothy moustache and each time he wiped it off using his sleeve. "Aye, we thought it better to leave him in Théo's care. Plus any excuse to see him again does the heart good, for both of us," Thurion offered in response while placing his hand upon Coci's, caressing it with his thumb. "We did come across Thrand's little lady-friend when we arrived. Seemed like a sweet girl."

"Ióunn is the Aelvar Queen's daughter. She and Thrand first met when he stepped through the mists of their woodland realm, silly lad," he smiled and shook his head. "Those two came together as the best of friends the moment they laid eyes on each other, I think. They're inseparable now." Thyrian took another sip. "I believe their destinies may be entwined in more ways than one. I recognise the way he looks at her, like she's the most magnificent and precious being in his whole world." As he spoke his gaze drifted off, as if the couple sat across from him were but ghosts or removed entirely. "I would regard Kära with the same reverence from the first moment I laid eyes on her, so many years ago..."

Thurion's brow furrowed and he reached across the table to put his hand upon his brother's, causing him to stir from his apparent vision. "Thyrian. You must know, Coci and I did not come here to see the Aelvar or take a tour of the city. We came here for you. To make sure you are alright with Kära's leaving." Thyrian's gaze reestablished connection with Thurion. "Is there anything you need from us?" Silly thing to ask of a King, perhaps, but not when said King is your brother. "Anything at all, we're here for you."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Coci sat at the long table alongside her husband, and waited for the welcoming tankard of mead to be presented to her. She gave thanks to Thyrian with a smile as he pushed the mead toward her, the scent of it already tickling her nose. Unlike Thurion, she does not mind to partake in the drop of the Gods, Collerian blood will never be denied, although she would not be one for drinking someone under the table. Their son might have the capacity for that.

She took a few sips, listening to the brother's speak together, so little time is afforded to them to catch up when no one is around to interrupt them with affairs of state, or Jedi duty. The three are alone, and able to simply enjoy each other's company. Although Thyrian has sadness sitting on his brow. Which is understandable for his wife had been gone some time now.

Looking around the room, so familiar to her and it had not changed a bit really. It was the same as the day she and Thurion wedded here .. the flowers were gone, the aroma from the kitchen preparing the banquet vanished from time passed, but she could see the guests lined along the walls with only a corridor enough room to allow her to walk toward Thurion, on the arm of ..

At that thought, she lowered her gaze and considered what might have become of their once friend, Connor Harrison. It was not until Thurion took her hand in his and caressed it, did she snap out of her thoughts only to hear him offer any help to his brother. "Of course we are here to help you. Your father did not bear the burden of the Crown alone before you arrived. We were here for him, as we are here now for you".

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

There was no hiding nor denying the growing smile upon his lips as both his brother and sister offered their services to him, and he reached across the table to take both their hands in his, completing the triangle of unity. His inherent warmth would spread up their arms and through their being, like gentle rays of sunlight caressing them. "I love you," he told them, his closest family next to Kära and the children. Though his words may come across as rather sudden, Thyrian felt the need to say them sooner rather than later.

His brows began to furrow as he then pondered for a brief moment. "There is something you could help me with, come to think of it," he realised and rose from the table. "Come on, I'll show you." He beckoned the two to follow, leading them through the nearest side-passage. Walking down the corridor, he snatched an unlit torch from the wall before they turned the corner to find a sturdy steel door, sealed shut and clearly not of Valkyri design. "We had this thing installed not long after moving in. It can only be opened conventionally from the inside," he explained while pressing his palm against the cold metal, concentrating as he summoned the Force. A loud clanking was heard from the other side as they door became unlocked.

"Cool," Thurion couldn't help but give voice to his initial thought. Thyrian smirked before stepping through into complete darkness, only to have the unlit torch go up in flames the next second. "Cool," came Thurion's voice a second time. The torchlight revealed a stairway leading downwards. "Watch your step, these stairs can be rather treacherous. Built a very long time ago." The path went down, down, down, deep into the earth underneath the Great Hall. At a source of light could be seen from the bottom of the stairway, and as they stepped inside the circular room they found themselves standing before a great forge, its embers glowing faintly.

A wave of his hand had several more torches light up in unison, providing more than enough illumination to see clearly. "This forge was here when we first discovered this place. It may well have stood here for thousands of years, known only to a handful at a time. Kära has always been a student of alchemy and so she spruced it up a bit and now uses it whenever she feels the urge to create." While the two were given time to explore the ancient room, Thyrian produced his work, wrapped inside a piece of cloth. "Since she and little Theryn left for Aurum, I've had... trouble sleeping. So I came down here and just started hammering away. It didn't take long for me to find it strangely cathartic, and so I turned it into something productive and created this."

He presented them with the freshly-forged blade, removing the cloth. "I call it 'Brimstone'."

"Cool," said Thurion a third time.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She suddenly found herself embraced with strong full arms of Thyrian's, as well as Thurion's. It was very evident he was pleased they had come, and a rare show of emotion and even voicing his love for them and Coci took it to heart. "We love you too brother", she pulled back with a smile before kissing his cheek. Things do change with time it seems which was one of the reasons Coci always held hope for some thing of greater good for the rest of the galaxy. At least that is what she always tried for, even if only for the time in which she stood upon any star.

Thyrian had not been idol these days pasted as he lead them down a narrow tunnel into the depths of the Grand Hall. Darkness surrounded them before torches lit in unison around the room which was fitted out as forge, similar to most with one major difference .. it was the forge of force users. It reminded her of the Dark Heart, filled with shadows and darkness seeping in around them, the graveyard of Makem Te with Thurion, and countless ruins in which she had investigated for things of embued items and the like. Many ghosts walked along those tunnels as well and although there was no 'sense' of anything of that ilk, she could not help but feel uncomfortable.

The third time Thurion had said cool, caused Coci to turn to him with a smile. After all this was his big brother showing them something he had been working on with a large amount of fine art to it. "Brimstone", she repeated as if her mind was searching for a better name but would not find one. "Seems to fit.. you". She smiled at Thyrian now while shaking her head.

"But I get the feeling your work is incomplete?", she walked over to take a look noticing the beautiful craftsmanship of it from hilt to along the blade etched with Valkyri symbols. Her hand reached for it toward the hilt but did not take it up, rather the force flowed from her hand searching it through the light side of the force, an old habit she supposed but the blade bared no ill intent. "How can we help to complete it", she looked up from the blade into Thyrian's eyes of flicking flames.

​

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Thyrian met Coci's dark gaze and nodded before moving over to the forge, placing the sword upon the anvil. "A sword, Father once told me, must be an extension of your arm if you're to wield it properly. Anyone can hack and hammer away with a piece of metal, but true swordsmanship requires more." He looked down at his hand, clenching it into a fist which then proceeded to burst into flames. "Cold, lifeless steel can never feel like being part of me. It needs to become like me - a creature of fire and flame." Looking back up at his brother and his wife, the flames covering his fist died down the moment his palm opened.

"Brimstone shall be made true to its name, but I need your help to make it so. By imbuing these runes," his fingers ran up along the blade, "with the power of the Force, and the ferocity of fire."

Thurion stepped closer to remark upon the craftmanship of his elder, noting the runes carved up along the blade. "I have experience in this," he nodded. "As does Coci, I believe? I can channel the Force into the weapon, and while you engulf it in fire Coci can manipulate the molecules and bind them to the runes using Art of the Small." He glanced over at Coci. "That is how it works, right?"

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

“Yes”, she looked to Thurion, “and no”. She approached them both standing by the blade resting on the table. “Force crystals are complex in structure on a molecular level, their crystallographic nature will vary from one to the other”, she turned her attention of the blade once more. “I must first ascertain the crystal’s lattice structure, locate the electronic band structure and imbue the ‘fire’ within the energy band, the cleavage maybe narrow but I will be able to work with it”.

“We must be unison at all times, and it would be best if we form a conduit of the force between the three of us and .. I will need your blood Thyrian. Only a drop”. This was going to take them time and energy, they would be exhausted by the end of it.

Coci began. Her arms raised palms facing downward directly over the crystals within the blade, she summon the lightside of the force to her, pulling it in to her core swirling in a light that grew in power within her. The torches in the room went out, only to be replaced with the softness glowing from her. The connection between Thurion and herself strong with every passing year, their bond thick and powerful but even he would notice a change in his wife, her strength had grown over these last few years beyond anything even she imagined or had ambition for.

If Thyrian had never known of the lightside of the force before, he was about to. He would learn of the actual strength of it, equal to if not more, dangerous then the darkness. It could be just as corruptive in the wrong hands or minds. Yet, it is beautiful in its power, breath taking.

Her force tendrils seeped into the crystal, one by one bring to her mind’s eye the intricate lattice of their form, she could sense and feel the energy within them which would help bind the ‘fire’ to it. The fire of the blood, his blood. The surface tension of the atoms, hard and set fast but they would move with the force. It was time for them to join her ..

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] ​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Uh... Yeah, that," Thurion tried his best to follow Coci's detailing of the process, with the two brothers quietly shrugging rather dumbfoundedly at one another. At the mention of her needing a drop of his blood, Thyrian produced a small dagger with which he casually punctured the tip of his index finger without the slightest hint of pain. Immediately a hot, red bubble of blood formed where the dagger had pierced him. Thurion watched as the droplets fell upon the blade and the runes carved from Force crystals by his own hand.

One stray drop fell upon the anvil upon which the blade rested, and as it splattered upon the black steel a faint hissing sound was heard along with steam rising up from it. Thurion looked up at his brother's face, but he was too busy witnessing the full power of the Light as Coci began the ritualistic process to notice. It somewhat terrified the younger brother, realising just how different his elder was from most human beings. It also made him realise there was just cause to Thyrian's feeling uncomfortable with himself, and not just plain self-doubt that any sane man would feel in his position.

He then observed his brother's whole body become engulfed in flame as he too summoned the Force to his side, allowing it to fill his entire being and lighting up the room further, adding to Coci's luminescence. Thyrian's Force aura was undeniably darker to the senses, bursting at the seams with sheer destructive power. Yet there was also a remarkable tenderness to it, and the flames rising from his body moved in a calm and soothing fashion.

By now Thurion's eyes burned a bright blue as the Force came to him, completing the trinity as he sought to aid Coci in her endeavours, lending her his considerable strength. All three were now completely attuned to the Force, more intense than any meditation session could possibly bring about. As they all poured their energy into the sword, whether she noticed or not Thurion reached out to hold Coci's hand.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The power of the force that built around the room with the conduit of the three was indescribable in strength and might and would seep into the very walls to remain there forever, a signature of their presence, a remembrance of them once they pass. But for now the power concentrated on the blade of metal and crystal. Coci did not witness the blazing fire from Thyrian, nor the hiss of steam that issued from his blood upon the anvil, her focus was purely on the work at hand.

The force provided her with means to take up the blood without corruption of any essence from her, and place some of it on each rune, once that was complete she began to interface his molecules with the hard surface tension of the runes, joining them to atoms, locking them so they would become one with the other .. they would become the same. The energy needed for this poured through her, from the brothers both, through her arms into her hands. The work was slow, the work was intricate akin to the lattice of crystals.

Small beads of cold sweat rested on her brow, made colder by the warmth of Thyrian filling the room around them as his body stood emblazon in fire, the heat from Thurion searing white light that come from his eyes flicked with a soft hue of blue added to it. His hand on her’s although unfelt at this moment strengthen their bond even more that was possible, the power they have between them remains to this day victorious, there was doubt in her mind that there would be no one in this galaxy that could defeat them when joined in force.

In this room time had passed unknown to them, hours of centred concentration but finally her part was completed as the last of his blood attached to the rune. To the eye the crystals changed colour to a soft rose and lay awaiting the final part to play. Coci pulled back the force, her part done and now she felt the hand of love resting on hers, she turned her force power to Thurion. Feeding him with what energy she had left sizzling along their bond into his chest. “It is time”, she turned to look each brother confirming their part to play was ready.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

When given the signal by Coci the two brothers nodded to one another as their considerable powers were solely focused on completing the ritual. Thyrian let loose ferocious flames from the palms of his hands, pouring them onto the blade with devastating heat, while Thurion focused on trapping the essence of the element within the crystal runes now infused with the older brother's blood by drawing strength from his beloved. The blade lit up like the sun from the sheer heat and stress, yet the almighty phrik metal would not break nor bend.

As Thyrian poured more and more of his strength into the weapon, his red flames began to turn to a deep purple hue, before changing once more into a bright blue. His face contorted and a loud roar could be heard over the searing flames; it was as if he was working out a bit of grief by giving it his all, from sins committed in the past to the loss of first his mother, then father. Yet the prevailing emotion that came to him was an intense love - love for his family. For his brother. For his Kära...

Deciding that now was the time, Thurion managed one final bright light of Force energy which sealed the runes shut, and everything went quiet. Panting heavily, he looked first to Coci at his side, then up at his brother still engulfed in flames. Their eyes met, and the fiery giant reached out towards him. Not wishing his little brother to fear him, his booming voice echoed through the room. "THANK YOU..." Just as his hand found Thurion's cheek, the blue flames died away revealing his human features once more. "Thank you for being my brother," he said in his normal voice shortly before his legs all but gave way and he stumbled where he stood, having to lean against the forge for support as suddenly he was overcome with exhaustion.

While Thurion embraced his wife, Thyrian's attention was set upon the blade still resting upon the anvil. By outward appearance the metal looked just as it had hours earlier, but as he grasped it by the hilt the runes lit up with a fiery glow, as if a river of molten rock resided within. Finding his footing, he stood straight as he drew the sword from the anvil and held it aloft with both hands. "I can feel the Force surge through it," he said, amazed at the sheer amount of power housed within. He looked over at Thurion and Coci, and the next moment the blade became wreathed in flame once more, this time powered by the crystal runes.

"Brimstone has been awakened."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The entire room had been filled with the power of the force, the very air seemed to shift and swirl around them all, the connection between the three kept on until the work had been completed. Thyrian stood ablaze centering his power and concentration to the blade, Thurion within the blade itself. She could hear a humming, like some soft song of the past, strangely like a lullaby but so vague in meaning it was impossible to make out any word or meaning to it. It was almost as if another was in the room with them, out of 'hands reach', but there was more to this sensation of the force than the three. Behind the brothers a shadow shifted, Coci put the vision down to her fatigue and the atmosphere of the place, and what they were doing, but she could have sworn it was a figure of a woman who raised both her arms and placed her hands upon the shoulders of the two of them. A soothing calmness filled the room, and for a brief second a flash of green light blend within the force aura of Thyrian and Thurion.

Thurion took her in his arms and almost collapsed under the exhaustion of the work, she held him close to her for love and support, as Thyrian stood holding Brimstone aloft inspecting it and marveling. Coci cupped her husband's face with both hands, a smile given to him in that moment before she reached up to kiss him softly.

The light in the room slowly faded a little as they all withdrew their connection to the force, yet Brimstone filled in the lack of light spreading a yellow glow around the walls. And yet the shadow moved still within it, stopping just near Thyrian. He had not seen it, but Coci knew now as she had remembered the day that their mother have 'visited' Thurion and her but on Tabaqui, so many years ago. She remembered Thyrian in the early days of his return to Midvinter, the day they had met to speak on the past, he had asked her why his mother had not appeared to him. Coci did not have the answer, how could she?

"Thyrian .. Thurion", she said as softly as any whisper. "Brimstone is not all that has awoken". She looked and nodded her head in the direction of the shadow that now shifted and formed clear of a woman with long golden hair and beautiful emerald eyes. Coci squeezed Thurion's hand for comfort as tears began to moisten her eyes.

It was Sarah..

​

[member="Thyrian Hearthfire"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

Slowly turning towards where Coci had indicated, the sight of a Force Ghost materialising before their eyes alone was enough for Brimstone to simmer down until its flames were extinguished, its light replaced by the bluish hue of the spirit filling the room. It was a first for Thyrian to witness the will of the Force take shape, but when said spirit took on the likeness of someone so dear to him so many years ago, the King's legs gave out and slowly he slumped to his knees and looked on as the shape of his mother appeared before them all. For now he simply stared in disbelief, not knowing what to say.

"Thyrian, my sweet boy," Sarah's voice danced upon his eardrums, immediately causing tears to well up. "M-mother...?" His own voice trembled, as frail and vulnerable as a small child's.

Thurion stood watching when first laying eyes upon the form of Sarah, his birth mother, marvelling at the way she appeared as if summoned. He soon moved to join his brother on the floor, kneeling before the figure. Thyrian had placed the sword on the ground in front of him as if leaving an offering to the spirit. His hand found Thyrian's shoulder as he leaned in close. "It's alright, Thyrian."

"Mother, I..." he struggled to find the words. Any words. But his attempt was swiftly silenced by their mother's Force Ghost floating towards him, her hands caressing his hair and face. "Oh, my child... What has the world done to you?" Her voice was full of sadness and pity as her fingers traced the deep, horrid scars littering his face. "Such pain you've been subjected to, always caring for others and never yourself." Tears ran down his cheeks, undeterred by the ghostly fingers cupping them.

"I-I tried, Mama. I tried so hard...!" Sarah hushed him, resting his head against her abdomen. "You were always so dutiful, Thyrian. Like your father before you." Her touch was like the faintest gust of wind caressing his face and blowing through his hair. "Sarah," Thurion gently interjected, before correcting himself. "Mother. Father, he... he fell."

She looked down into Thurion's eyes, then up to Coci standing over him. "I know, little one. I felt his passing in the Force the moment his heart stopped beating." Her gaze dropped for but a moment in mourning. "He is here with us now," Sarah then offered them all a kind smile. "He is part of Living Force, as are we all. But more than this, he never left you. He is still alive, in here," she settled a hand upon her heart, prompting Thyrian to look back up at her. "As am I."

Again she took Thyrian's face in her hands. "I remember a boy with eyes not filled of fire and regret, but of the deepest green like rolling hills of grassland..." As Sarah spoke Thyrian's eyes began to shift colour, the ever-present flames fading away leaving a lush green in their wake. "There's my boy," she grinned wide and placed a most tender kiss upon his forehead. "You never failed me, sweetie, or your father. All of us falter and fall from time to time, but the truest test of character is being able to get back up. You have done far more than your sense of duty requires, Thyrian. We are both so very proud of you."

Her form began to dissipate, causing Thyrian to reach out in desperation. "Mama, don't go... Don't leave me again," he whimpered like a child. "I am always with you, my brave boys. You are both part of me, and I of you." Before disappearing entirely, she offered a grateful nod to Coci. From one mother to another. "Go now, children. Live. Love."

The spirit now returned to the Force, Thyrian turned into his brother's shoulder and sobbed as the younger comforted the elder. Once most of his tears were felled, the two rested their foreheads against the other's. "Thyrian, your eyes..." They yet clinged to their past selves, impossibly green like those of their mother. Like those of his firstborn. Soon, however, the green turned yellow, then orange, then finally red as they regained their former appearance, flickering to life once more. As they did, the torches along the walls of the room lit up as well.

"Come on, you. Let's go find something to eat and a drink to down it with." Thurion stood up and offered his hand. Thyrian wiped away the remainder of his tears and sniffled one last time, then turned to find Brimstone at his feet. Picking it back up he accepted Thurion's hand and rose to his feet, returning the finished blade to its sheath and bringing it along as they journeyed back up the stairs to the Great Hall.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"]​

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3k0YufjNfE​

It is said that when one is with the force and has the ability to appear before others, they need a means to be able to do it, a connection. When Sarah had first appeared to Thurion, Nina had been in danger, left alone while her parents had been taken to the Netherworld. She was only a child and because of this immediate danger to her son’s daughter, Sarah was summon. Now, here in this room, a son so much denying himself and although that had excepted himself had joined through the power of the force, coupled with her and Coci’s love for her family, this strength between the three had once again, provided the connection in which she could appear.

Coci had seen it too, for the brief moment it had appeared, Thyrian’s eyes had turned to what they once were, and allowing a brief moment of remembrance of his own, of himself before life took innocence away from him. Before life experience changed his path. Yet, in all those days before his return to his brother, he had always been there, just different. It was strange to think, that all those years ago when she had pulled the trigger and sent the pressure slug to his heart, that that moment, would change him again and bring him back. There was no way Coci could have known back then, she had not even met Thurion but destiny knew. Or was it the will of the force.

She lead them back up the steps, only pausing for a moment as Thyrian resealed the room. There was silence between the all, each one deep in their own thoughts and besides what words could be uttered that could express true feeling for what just happened. The three of them had joined in a union that would now be their connection through the ages and beyond, their connection should one of the pass into the force, one could summon the other.

The Grand Hall sat quiet, all the Valkyri that serve in the Hall had returned home for the night, but that did not matter, in fact is was perfect. The kitchen still warm from the cooking hearths, still lit to keep their embers for the coming of the dawn, she stoked to boil some water for a good long brew of caf. There was plenty of left-overs from the feast and she placed the plates of roasted meat on the table, some mead if Thyrian preferred that, and some blue milk.

In the distance, the sound of a cockerel crowed.

She walked behind Thurion and Thyrian, placed her hand on their shoulders and placed a kiss on each of their heads, with a smile, then she wrapped her arms around Thurion. “Why don’t we take our food outside, sit and eat it while we watch the Sun rise”.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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[SIZE=24pt]The end[/SIZE]​