Shards of Divinity

As I slowly walked out of the hollowed tree, I looked up at the starry sky. I held what was left of Caladbolg, a broken sword made of bark and leaves in my hand. The deed was done as my friend, and leader of the Pact, Trahearne gave his life to help defeat the Elder Dragon Mordremoth. He acted as a guide into the dragon's mind as he was one with Mordremoth in the end. In a final act of selflessness he asked to be struck down to finish the dragon off for good. I grabbed his sword and reluctantly struck him where he was trapped. The blade, Caladbolg, broke as Trahearne breathed his last in this world.

I kept looking to the stars as I grew used to the silence of my own thoughts. For the past few months, I was plagued by another voice in my head tempting me to give in. That voice belonged Mordremoth. I am a Sylvari, a being of pure plant that was made by Mordremoth. In his slumber, a human named Rowan and a centaur named Ventari found a seed that would one day blossom into The Grove, home town of the Sylvari. Both of them left us guidelines on how live peaceful lives. The firstborn sylvari appeared almost thirty years ago and our species has grown ever since.

I took in a deep breath as another sylvari joined me. His name was Canach, a secondborn, his skin was black with cracks of bark letting a red color shine through.

"It is nice having one's thoughts to themselves again isn't it commander?" I looked back to him.

"That it is. Though we lost too many good people in this fight, they hopefully are resting peacefully now." Another voice came from behind.

"I know if my mother was here she would be smiling with confidence that another dragon has fallen, Commander." I looked back to see Braham walking up to us. Braham was a norn, a race of fighters who are very honor bound and can transform into select animals. They live in the snowy mountain tops of the Shiverpeaks, looking completely human save for their towering size.

"Knowing Eir for the brief time I did Braham I'm certain she would be proud of what you have done today." I said as he held his mother's bow close. He shook his head a little bit.

"What were you and Canach talking about if I may change the subject." Braham asked as he looked at me again.

Canach spoke up, "Ever since Scarlet awoke Mordremoth with her attack on Lion's Arch, all Sylvari could hear his call. Now that Mordremoth is gone so is his voice. This whole time the Sylvari haven't just been fighting Mordremoth physically but mentally as well."

Braham nodded a bit. "Sounds like what happens when a norn tries to fight against Jormag. That is before the fall as a Son of Svanir."

I gave a soft chuckle looking up to him. "Kinda like that Braham, but at least the sons had a choice. As for us we really didn't. Once the Breachmaker hit the ley line you could hear a small whisper in your mind. As we got closer to the jungle the voice got louder."

Braham gave a soft sigh, "I'm sorry you all had to go through all that." I shook my head as Canach spoke up again.

"Even though I was forced to be here by Countess Anise, it was needed. It was nice being on the winning side for something this big for once. I just hope my apparition in Mordremoth's mind didn't scuff you up too badly Braham."

Braham let out a chuckle. "If that's your way of saying it was nice fighting with you, then likewise Canach."

Canach scowled at Braham as I asked. "What are you going to do now that this is over Braham? We have to regroup with the rest of the pact to tend to our wounded so we have a bit of down time."

Braham lost his smile as he looked at the bow again. "I was talking with Tribune Brimstone. He said he would come back to Hoelbrak with me. My mother's story needs to be told but sadly I don't know most of it. You know how close we were. She barely even realized that I was her son."

I nodded. "So Rytlock will go with you to sing her achievements in the Great Lodge then." I set my hand on his shoulder. "Take the time you need. We have a lot we need to tend to before we decided our next course of action."

Braham gave a soft nod as a woman's voice came from behind. This time is was Marjory, a female human who had joined the group as a private eye to help take down Scarlet. "The boss is right Braham. After what happened to my sister in Fort Salma even I took some time. Now both Belinda and Eir can rest easy."

Braham turned to look at her. "Well what are you going to do now Marjory?" He asked.

She looked at the two handed katana on her hip. The sword used to belonged to her sister Belinda. "Well I thought I would track down Kasmeer and head back home. My family is worried about what we set out to do here and I'm certain my sister would love to hear the good news."

Braham looked to her a little puzzled. "Do you really think talking to your sister's gravestone makes her hear your words?"

"It's worked in the past for the humans when talking with deceased relatives in the mists. Why stop tradition?" Marjory shrugged.

Braham shook his head and shrugged. "You got me there. I'm going to tell my mother's story at the Great Lodge so it's not too different."

Marjory smiled, "You're talking to people who are still breathing. I'm talking to a rock, but yes same concept. Speaking of plans though, what are you going to do boss?"

I looked at her as Braham turned to me. I looked at the broken sword at my side. "I will be heading to The Grove. The Mother Tree will want to hear about this news even if she is still wounded. From there I must ask her what is next for us Sylvari now that we are freed from the dragon." I looked to Canach. "Will you come to speak with her?"

Canach shook his head with a sigh. "Reluctantly, yes. Countess Anise said I was yours til she gives me new orders. So unfortunately where you go I will follow commander."

I nodded softly. "I'm certain she will be happy to see you again Canach. I know you reject her and the Nightmare Court but she does still care for her children." As I finished another Sylvari came out of the hole. This time a female named Caithe followed by a Charr, a race of walking lions, named Rytlock.

"Rytlock, what is your word on the situation?" I asked as he turned to me.

"Well commander, as far as I can tell it was that egg that drove her to betray us for a bit. Seeing as that's all settled she's fine now." Rytlock said as he faced me using his thumb to point to Caithe.

I looked to her. "It's good to have you back with us, but I want you to remember what I said. If you cross me again when we are facing off against something like Mordremoth again I will not hesitate to end you. You have a lot of trust to rebuild Caithe and I know you can, but for now the ice is thin."

She nodded as Rytlock asked. "So what's our next course of action Commander?"

I looked at Rytlock. "What do you mean? You all are free to do as you please now. Only person I have any say over is Canach from Countess Anise."

Canach moved his hand to his forehead shaking his head gently. "How could one be this dense." He let out a sigh as he punched my shoulder gently. "The Pact has succeeded twice where Destiny's Edge alone has failed. I'm sure if you asked any of the members, including the two in front of you, they would follow your orders because you've shown your abilities. As for your friends, like the other two, they already see you as the group leader. On top of that with Trahearne shedding his mortal coil to this world, your acting role of leader of the Pact is a bit more permanent now. No matter the treaties people have signed or the animosity between races you have managed the impossible. You have united Tyria to fight a bigger threat."

Rytlock nodded. "He is right. My sword is yours and so is the rest of Destiny's Edge. I'm certain Logan and Zojja would agree." He smiled as Caithe stood next to him nodding in agreement.

Marjory smiled. "And you have lead us well so far Boss. So I don't think we will be leaving any time soon."

"That's for sure. Beats sitting around in Cragstead doing nothing." Braham added.

I looked at them all. "Well as for my group it's not surprising to hear they would follow me but hearing this from you Tribune it is. As for being leader of the Pact this will be odd. We made Trahearne the leader due to the fact that all the orders respected him and he would show no bias. I am of one of the orders so that may fall into question."

Rytlock shook his head. "I doubt it. You have proven your ability to care for everyone inside of the Pact like your own family. I'm certain they will follow you no matter what."

Braham popped his knuckles. "And if they don't then you tell us Boss and we go from there."

I shook my head waving my hands a little bit. "That won't be necessary Braham. At that point, if it comes to it, we will find another leader for the Pact that is welcomed by the orders." Braham nodded in agreement.

"Well the night has come to us. We should head back to tell the Pact of our victories if others have not." Caithe said as the group agreed.

We began to walk away from the tree we were just in as Rytlock turned around with a mischievous grin. "How about one more thing before we go."

Rytlock pulled out his sword Sohothin as it burst into flames around the blade. He struck the ground as a small trail as fire began to rush towards the tree. A couple seconds passed as Canach, Marjory, Braham, and myself looked confused at what Rytlock had done. Soon we heard small explosions coming from the tree before a loud one erupted and a large amount of fire shot out from the cave we were just in.

"Tribune what was that?" I said shocked.

Rytlock chuckled as he looked up as the tree didn't even flinch. "Damn thing is more resilient than I thought. It was a going away present for Mordremoth. If there were any more Mordrem hiding in there they are kindling now."

"Rytlock, am I to believe that you had your own explosives or did you swipe the few I had from my person." Canach asked with a hint of annoyance. Rytlock turned to face him with a smirk.

Marjory shook her head, "If Trahearne were an Asura that would have been a proper burial if I remember their culture right."

Rytlock turned around with a smile, "Well let's get back to camp. I'm certain the others are worried sick about us."