The air in the sanctum sat still, as though it were in shock. The sun's light poured from the gaping hole in the ceiling of the sanctum, as a dark cloud passed. Every single ray was drawn to the Workstone.
Red moss slowly shuffled and shifted. The tubes connected to the body were disturbed. The Workstone itself groaned, as the body upon it slowly lifted itself up. His open chest sealed itself once more, the flesh binding in a glorious strength.
The stitches holding his jaw were absorbed into his musculature leaving only a dark seam. The moss slowly fell off his body, revealing his reformed skin, and frame.
Roe'nika watched in awe as the broken body she had collected almost a month ago, raised its frame. She had known the Blood Witch was capable of doing many things. But raising the dead? That was a mockery of creation itself.
Nhea's amber eyes glowed with joy as she watched the patches of moss slide off his body. All her patience, the hardwork she had put in and every risk she had taken, had finally paid off.
Time seemed to slow down as his face was revealed. Reality seemed to hiccup as he arose.
He breathed.
The forest breathed with him, a slight wind picking up within the sanctum.
The trees bent towards the sanctum.
The cries of the birds turned into screams. A large flock flew overheard, their calls filling the sanctum.
Nature itself began to sing a symphony.
Roe'nika's hair stood on end as she watched the being, now arisen. The air within her lungs seemed to be held back by his own presence. She could feel the Breath resonating within her.
She had always known him as one fallen.
One with little hope of seeing the light again, even with her Mistress' intellect.
Here he was now.
Arisen.
He breathed out.
Everything was suddenly released. Time flowed normally. Roe'nika's breath returned to her. Nhea's mind was cleared.
A pair of blue eyes opened, filling the air with their cold warmth.
The dark cloud passed, and a great light flooded the sanctum, beaming off his body like a divine subject.
Silence filled the sanctum, as the blue eyes scanned every object.
They glanced from the rockface past the ancient roots, and the wooden shelves stocked with materials.
They suddenly locked on to the three females below.
Nhea couldn't hold her joy. It bubbled up and surged within the chambers of her heart, like a vessel being filled with living water. She had hung on to the slight hope.
And lo, it had bloomed.
Nekea's eyes opened, as she stirred upon Roe'nika's lap.
She lifted her gaze to Roe'nika's face, still feeling disoriented from her flight. Roe'nika's eyes seemed to be locked on to something, her breathing disturbed.
Nekea traced Roe'nika's gaze, and her eyes widened with shock.
"Quantum.", Nhea said, her voice shaking, as tears filled her eyes.
The blue eyes stared into hers warmly, and a little smile formed on Quantum's face.
Quietly he said, almost amused.
"What's the matter? Haven't you seen a bald man before?"
Nhea rushed forwards and embraced him, her little body holding on to him like a jewel.
Quantum embraced her back, holding her close, gently rubbing her hair.
Tears of joy poured down her face, little groans following with every tear shed. She had held unto him dearly, desiring to repay every good thing Quantum had done for her sake. Even if it meant following him to the end of the world. Quantum was like no other to her. Not a replacement for her mother, but a guardian for her troubled soul.
A comforter.
A redeemer.
She had finally gotten him back. And she wouldn't let him go.
Ever again.
Roe'nika and Nekea watched as the two bonded. Her attention drawn to her Mistress, Roe'nika exclaimed.
"Mistress!", a deep welled relief within her voice.
Pulling her close, she hugged her.
"Sorry for leaving so suddenly, Roe'nika.", Nekea said, her voice still recovering from her vision.
A servant reunited with her Mistress. A child reunited with her only guardian. Beautiful things filled the sanctum.
The dreamy sounds of serene silence. The warm light of the sun. And the abundance of life.
The mood slowly shifted to the new entity seated on the Workstone. Even Nekea had had her doubts about something so extraordinary as resurrection.
Nhea released her hold on him, his hand resting on her hair. Roe'nika helped Nekea on her feet. Her legs were still weak from her summoning, the events were burned in her mind. She leaned on Roe'nika's shoulder.
"Q-Quantum.", Nekea began.
Another thick silence sat within the environs of the Blood Witch's abode. Roe'nika and Nhea listened with keen attention.
"Your Creator summoned me into her presence. I was whisked away to an unknown realm. A ruined city with a structure like none I had seen before. Its grim citadels belittled the edifices of Infernis. And then there was this being, a giant one, more than a god. It took me to this mountain, telling me the One desired to see me."
Nekea paused, steadying herself in Roe'nika's arms. Roe'nika spied her Mistress.
"Mistress, you need rest.", she whispered.
"No. You must hear this.", she said, shaking her head.
Nekea continued.
"She was a radiant being, a light I had never seen before, many times brighter than the Sun. I barely survived standing in her presence. By her own mercy, one of her servants shielded me."
A fear began to build in Roe'nika's heart towards Quantum. And his supposed creator. His origins were dangerous enough. She had witnessed the bloodshed in the Akar Forest. But with every word that came from Nekea, the fear only grew.
"She told me…many things I don't understand yet. Snakes, a dog, a tree being burned, they're beyond me. But one thing stands clear. She sent me to tell you that she seeks you, just as you seek her."
Quantum's eyes widened as the words hit him. He had been wandering for a very long time, all he had being the faint whisper of her voice. In deep loneliness and frustration he dwelt, believing he wasn't doing enough. It was heartwarming, that his creator had been just as worried about him.
" 'Destroy the Chaos', so she said.", Nekea added, her voice darkening.
Quantum smiled as the words met his ears.
Of course.
It had to be.
There was an annoying barrier stopping him from reaching her.
Chaos.
It had deafened him, making her voice null.
Trees swayed outside, their branches brushing against one another.
He had killed a god millenia ago.
It had risen again, in the form of many nasty heads. Spitting venom and poisoning the life of the world.
Quantum looked up at the gaping hole high above him. Nhea followed his gaze. The clouds drifted seamlessly through the sky, forming many shapes as they passed.
He said in a mildly terrifying voice.
"I can hear her again."
He was glad to take on his role as god-slayer.
"Say,", Quantum began, turning to Nekea.
"What is that essence that surrounds this place?"
Nekea looked at him with a puzzled expression. Her brows furrowed as she thought hard.
"I think you mean…the Breath."
A slight wind blew overhead, almost listening to the conversation.
"Oh…that's what you call it…the Breath. It is quite inviting. It tingles my skin.", Quantum said.
He went on.
"Do you mind, teaching me to harness it…like you do?"
Nekea gasped slightly. The request hit her like a boulder. Only she truly understood what it meant to teach the One's Chosen.
It was an art she had mastered years ago, simply by dwelling alongside creation itself. It was subtle.
Sensitive.
It could almost be described as a shy force within nature.
But looking at Quantum, Nekea could see it.
It danced around Quantum. Happy. As though a savior had come.
The savior had come.
All he had to do was reach out to it.
It had accepted him in a moments notice. Nekea remembered the hardship she went through; walking over hills, meditating in deep darkness, training her senses to be dulled, so a new one could arise, sharpening them all. For many months she went through this. It had approached her warily. She had to let it know that she was worthy. No one instructed her. She was the only one with the eyes to see the truth—
The Breath that flowed throughout the world.
To teach Quantum would be a new breach into the unknown. Most likely, he would master it instantly.
Nekea answered, "Absolutely. I cannot reject the plea of the One's Chosen."
She bowed her head.
She knew the power she was dealing with. Its mere presence drove her mind blank. And the most interesting part of it was Nekea knew that wasn't even a fraction of the One's power.
"Then so be it then. Let me slay Chaos with your sword. Enlighten me, Herald"
His voice calm like steady waters, sounded through the sanctum.
A shiver went down Roe'nika's spine. Her lips curled. She didn't know whether to give in to the inviting aura on the surface or the fearsome one beneath. Both of them steamed off his body in equal proportion.
Light and darkness dwelling in a continuum.
Nekea's eyes widened as she heard the name the One had called her. Quantum knew this even in his slumber. Nekea couldn't hold back her amusement. It broke out in slight laughter, surprised Roe'nika and Nhea.
"Yes. I will.", she said, still smiling.
Roe'nika stared in disbelief. She had never seen her Mistress so elated before, and over teaching the Breath.
"I would also like to know,", Quantum began.
"Herald seems a bit too formal for me. Tell me your name."
His blue eyes seemed to pierce right through her, speaking straight to her soul. Nekea slowly answered.
"Nekea. Its Nekea.", she said, struggling to hide her pleasure.
Roe'nika smiled alongside her Mistress.
Nhea beamed with joy, whispering, "Everything's all right again."
"Oh, and…this is my trusted servant, Roe'nika."
Roe'nika suddenly looked up and around.
Quantum's eyes were on her.
"Uh…p-pleased to meet you, uh…S-sir Quantum?"
"Just Quantum.", he said.
Nekea giggled alongside Nhea.
Roe'nika didn't understand. Were they seeing what she was seeing?
Quantum admired the scene before him. He desired this kind of peace. But he could only sustain it after fighting all the battles, and decapitating the damned hydra completely.
Nekea looked up. The sun had risen high in the sky. The chirps and twitters of birds outside met her ears. However, the forest stood in a stillness that wasn't quite right.
Suddenly, a tremor rang through the forest.
There was a shatter, like glass.
Nekea's smile disappeared.
She clenched her chest as a sharp pain tore into her heart. Her crimson eyes could see it all.
Dreaded mankind approached, their swords shimmering in the sunlight.
"Mistress!", Roe'nika gasped, as Nekea's knees hit the grass.
"The barrier...They broke it...", she groaned.
Outside, disturbed birds flew eastwards, frantically crying out to one another. Distant cries of creatures cut through the air, the turmoil seeping through the forest like venom.
Far away, at the fringes off the abode, an army stormed onwards. The sounds of marching ruumbled in the forest. Banners held high, white clad warriors leading them, they burned through the forest.