\\\\\\\ An Island Shrine, Unknown Planet \\\\\\\

The Shrine was a unique and ancient structure, always looking beautiful and kept up, yet no one had ever seen the mysterious Goddess who had called it home, save the Shrine's single occupant, a servant who had dutifully watched the structure waiting for the return of their Goddess. It was said that every six years she had chosen the next maiden from the travelers to the shrine, and trained her in secret in the night.

Sivir did not believe the legends, of course, but she had hoped if she was chosen to be the next maiden, perhaps she would be able to warn the Goddess of the people of V'Rion, and the King and Queen's cruel plot. She had snuck in with the others, sent to bring the offerings of dried fish and meat, even if her people had long abandoned the beliefs, their willingness to supply the Shrine Maiden was commendable.

Already the others had left, and she alone remained. She shed her unnecessary coat and began approaching the shrine from far off. Crossing the cobblestone path, she passes the privacy screen for the prayer room, and finds herself not alone. A man, blond and obviously not of her people, she realizes she is staring as he looks toward her, before resuming his prayer. Lighting her own stick of incense, she places the stick in the appropriate place, and kneels to the shrine in her own prayer. Once done, she looks up to see the man still kneeling, and when she tries moves she sees why.

An elegant gold mask, encrusted with red jewels for eyes that shone in the island sun, and designs of swirling silver lines, reaching out from the bridge of the metal nose and surrounding each of the six eyes. Sivir realized the mysterious Shrine Maiden now stands over them, silently judging them. Quickly falling to her knees, inspired by the bowing man, she feels the woman come closer and feels pain as her sharp fingernails prick her bare shoulder. Daring to hold her breath, she feels the woman walk away and over to the man, and he too draws in a sharp breath. "Stand," she orders, "Your offerings have already been taken; why do you come to me, when your people have not returned to this shrine since twelve years prior?" The mask had muffled her voice, but still it had a commanding tone, one she and the man could not ignore.

"I am Kelrin, I am the healer of the Ex'cr, and I beseech your mistress' aid," the blonde announces, "I am seeking a rare healing ingredient held within the volcanic caverns of the V'Rion Kingdom." The woman lowers her robed arm and tilts her head towards Sivir.

"I-I come to be the next shrine maiden," she says, "I-I wish to serve, once your time has passed, my people have forsaken her, but I w-wish to speak to her." Turning up to her, she notices the masked woman look towards the man, grabbing his chin with her nails.

"You speak the truth, healer, but you also are not telling it all," she says "And you, child, in your heart I see you wish to try and trick me, but you truly wish to see the Goddess for now ill reason, I can see that as well." Walking towards the woman, she puts her hand to Sivir's forehead, and she gently feels a pulse of energy from the touch. "You, well, I believe you will do fine," she says, "But you healer, you cannot go to the other side of the island, lest the huntsmen find you and seek your death ever since your little war had started six years ago, I believe your kind wouldn't be welcomed there..." Turning to Sivir, she can almost tell the woman behind the mask is smiling.

"Yes, child, you will be the one to get what he seeks," she says, "You want to prove yourself, dear liar, then become worthy of your request and retrieve the herb, I'm sure he can inform you of the one..." Walking back into the shrine, the woman disappears. Looking to each other, they both realize she has left their next moves up to them.