Spiritually Driven 11 (Patreon)

Spiritually Driven 11 - or ‘The Traveler is ‘God’, but I am quite the Messiah in this Dark World’ (Destiny/Destiny II, Spirit!SI)

EDIT: We saw how Sathona and Aurash turned into, let’s give a look into Xivu Arath’s view on things.

The sound of fine blades clashing was a common one within the halls of training.

To Xavan, An Ragaar and Tir Balok, this was where they were born. Clash and fight, improve and become greater. Claw their way into success or perish before the blade of others. Never once accepting defeat as the end of things, but the beginning of something- either a new chance at learning, or the glorious end that all warriors should aspire to.

However, today was not meant to be ‘serious’. It was a spar, vicious as it should be, yet something was missing. The focus. Their mother was clever in hiding away when something was bothering her. Usually, it was something like an irritating development caused by her siblings, but today was different.

She looked… upset. Not angry, not wrathful- she looked lost.

The God of War had never appeared like this, not even with her own family. It was odd, and it had the young trio concerned. None spoke during the spar, however. Distraction was weakness, and their mother was quick to understand that as the clash drew to an intense stalemate. She was holding back due to her unfocused mindset, and the lacking performance soon brought her own attention to it.

“Enough.”

One word the young warriors knew to respect as they dropped out of their combat stances. There was silence, it was difficult to not just question their own thoughts, and yet this pause was not meant to last.

“Children, today I will grace you with a story no one in this Hive will ever dare to entertain. I want you to learn, to understand and to keep this to ourselves from today onward.”

An untold tale? That was something quite valuable in their minds. Yet, this felt… unpleasant for some reason. Especially due to how tense their mother was. And the first line of that narration settled them into why this may be a rather awkward topic.

“You know who the Flame Oracle is. I told you many times about him.”

The trio nodded, yet Tir Balok spoke up. “Our grandfather, tied to the Light.”

“That is indeed the case,” Xivu Arath tensed a bit before proceeding. “Yet, before we were casted away from him, there is one tale about my rise to power together with my siblings that had been long removed. It was by the decision of the Worm Gods this was kept from anyone but… us three.”

This specific detail had them confused, this time To Xavan piped up on the matter. “Why so? What could be worrisome to be stricken out of the Myth of Origin?”

“The only chance we had to never take this oath.”

…

“M-Mother, you are saying that-”

“I have not been a willing conscript to the will of the Worm Gods. Not like my siblings,” Xivu Arath continued. “I was the one that listened to your Grandfather’s warning that what we were seeking was foul, and tried to have the ship sold off for an army of mercenaries.”

…

“W-Why are you telling us this? Mother, this could be seen as evidence of betrayal.”

“It wouldn’t be betrayal, without true loyalty to this cause to begin with,” The God of War interrupted flatly. “To Xavan, Tir Balok- I love you dearly, but the situation we will soon face will cause Oryx to seek your introduction to be Taken.”

The three warriors tensed up at the news. Being Taken was… a ‘honor’. But the Clan of the God of War didn’t truly believe that. The notion of losing all forms of mental independence was… terrifying.

“W-Why?”

“There will be a plot to try and lure your grandfather- my siblings claim that it will succeed, but I can tell it’s too flawed and delusional to find victory. And with that anger, a need for Oryx to expand their guard will come up. He will seek better warriors- you three are worthy in his eyes and… you are dear to me.”

If they were taken, Xivu Arath would be leashed to be submitted to the Taken King. Something that had been the subject of many harsh conversations as none within the clique led by the God of War wanted their patron to become a puppet.

“Which is why… I have to tell you a plan I have created to spare you from this fate,” The proud warrior announced. “And I know you will not like it.”

Another nervous exchange of looks unfolded, but their mother pushed forth.

“While their plan will unfold, you three shall reach your grandfather and swear allegiance to the Light.”

…

“T-That would mean betraying-” An Ragaar tried to say, but his voice was outmatched by his parent’s own upset tone.

“Something I never wanted. Not for myself, nor for you, my children.”

This interjection struck harder than anything they ever heard. Their mother hardly treated them with that kind of warmth, and to hear her voice crack a bit felt like… something seriously concerning. They knew she was already toeing into heresy, but they were… in an agreeing position to what she was saying.

Oryx was still looking to expand his clan of warriors, and claimed they would put a leash around their mother’s neck. Not only that, they would also be stripped of the means to have freedom of thoughts.

That detail alone made them wary of their potential future if they didn’t listen to what their mother wanted from them. Not only that, but they knew it was truly hurting her to say this as she stepped closer, crouched a bit and… hugged them.

Hugs were rare and, when those happened, it was because something hurtful was going on either for them or their mother.

“You three will never stop to make me proud, I know this much. I trust you to be dutiful warriors that will keep on honing your skills,” Xivu Arath spoke softly, their body, hardened by combat, mellowing like how they used to as little children being tended by the strong God of War before them. Strong but faltering. “This is our last spar, our last hug… for a long time. I will try to be back to you, but I need to do the one thing that your grandfather has taught me to accept- sometimes, we have to let go of those we care for to save them. And you three… deserve better.”

The hug lasted for an eternity for the four of them, with An Ragaar trying his hardest to not let go, but was ultimately pulled away by his sisters. For now, they will have to mourn silently and let the pain course through in the privacy of their mind.

The next days were going to be tedious, but they knew how to be strong for their mother and themselves.

Yet, while the pain did sizzle within Xivu Arath’s chest, the God of War refused to hesitate. Several Millennia had given her the chance to burn away the very pain that had driven her in that mad lust of battle.

Gone was the agonious pursuit of a deadly solution to fill the deep hole within her soul, the gap still open and bleeding at times, but no longer being a horrendous pain to face each night due to the memories of the past tormenting her from time to time.

Only blissful regret and sense of personal defeat remained as she conceded she was as impotent as her father had been from stopping her children from being taken, one way or another. The only thing she could do was to give them to someone that would care for them rather than someone that would just see them as tools of war.

…

So… this is how it feels. I… I think I get it now, dad.

—------d-d-d-d—----

AN

I will probably not take votes for Spiritually Driven since… Well, I think we are in ‘going to have a thread’ territory. So, it’s best to not vote for it or you will get your other choices voided~.