Abandoned

She wished she could say that she had been left with a sense of profound elation, relief, enlightenment, and purpose upon finally meeting her first Pillar; instead Vastad’s cold and callous words left her feeling loss, regret, bitter resentment, anger… but also pity for the Pillars. The Gods needed the faithful. Pity for the Vaux. They were seen as necessary sacrifices.

As for Voah, she was to be forgotten, at least for a time, her boon officially revoked. There was no questioning that now. Her Gods had abandoned her, or at least had no immediate concern for her. She was left kneeling in the desert, wincing at the sudden barrage of years catching up to her.

Vastad had spoken of choices and paths but at the same time he had all but promised they would meet again, that they had parts to play in the War, and that Voah would indeed meet her demise. It didn't seem as if she had a choice. But she was alive.

She lay crumpled in the sand for some time, staring off into nothingness. She was dehydrated, her tears long dried up, her skin baking through desert garbs, and her arm wound in pain again. Finally, a generous shadow covered her with shade. Such a blessed shadow to give her some peace from the harsh sun. Suddenly there were arms around her.

Gonyaul was there...