Pavo reached the top of the Observatory, her apprehension spiking. The gentle glow of the Yggdrasil tree's leaves intensified as she approached, shimmering in the darkening sky.
You have come. The peaceful presence stated, a little unnecessarily.
Pavo nodded. Yes. What did you mean before, 'that can't be completely true'?"
The tree's radiance dimmed slightly to match its sorrowful tone. Your journey is not yet complete. I'm afraid that you still have a great task ahead of you, but you must leave the Observatory to fulfill it.
A task? Pavo questioned.
Yes. Of course, the final decision falls upon you.
Pavo stifled a sigh. What is it?
You must go to Stornway, a city in the Protectorate. Once there, you will find the Quester's Rest inn. You must wait there until it is time, and do not tell another soul.
Just wait? Why? Pavo asked.
Listen closely to this prophecy, my child;
One day, the train of promise will arrive.
An attack from below will rock the clouds, throwing a young Celestrian into the path of a hero.
Darkness will erupt and destroy everything in its path.
The young hero will defeat this darkness, but not without the fall of a noble warrior.
Only the pearl of prayers can restore that which is lost.
Pavo stayed silent for a moment, the words echoing in her mind.
You, my child, will play a key role. When it is time, the hero will appear in a state of grief at the Quester's Rest inn. You will be there to guide the hero. I do not know exactly when this will occur, but you must leave as soon as possible.
How will I know when it's time? Pavo asked.
I will send a message from the heavens. And…I apologize for your harsh path thus far. I wish you well, my child.
Before Pavo could say more, the radiating leaves dimmed into their normal state. Pavo waited a moment, hoping that it would speak again. She finally turned away, her head spinning with frustration and worry.
She had only just returned, and now she had to leave again? The Yggdrasil tree didn't even say if she would come back. It wasn't fair…but something in her mind clicked, as if knowing that this important task was something she could not afford to skip. She trusted the World Tree, even if its wise words meant leaving again.
Pavo sighed, wondering how Aquila would take it. She was almost afraid to see his reaction, seeing as what happened after she disappeared. Could she really just leave him and not even tell him where she's going?
Another thing she had to worry about was Jaturou and Cannibelle. Not only had the great Yggdrasil tree told her not to tell anyone where she was going, but it would be hard to bring them with her. Their appearances would cause a disruption among the mortals, and they would more than likely be attacked. She would have to figure something else out.
Pavo started walking down the stairs as the thoughts whirled in her head, subconsciously walking down the familiar steps.
She didn't want to leave them in the Observatory, in a strange place where many of the Celestrians may not approve. She doubted they would want to stay, anyway.
An idea sparked in her mind. Maybe she could—
"Pavo?" A deep, aged voice spoke from behind her. She blinked and straightened, her trance broken. She looked around, realizing she had walked into the Center Room. She stood right before the Portal, its soft blue light tinting her features. Strangely, Taregan didn't seem to be anywhere in the room at the moment. Instead, Apus Major approached her through one of the various entrances, his cane accompanying his shuffling footsteps. Although his gat remained slow, he still held an air of wisdom and authority.
Pavo immediately kneeled. "Greetings, Apus Major."
"No need for formalities. You may rise." He said. Pavo rose, easily standing a foot above the older Celestrian.
"Do you want me for something?" she asked.
Apus Major shook his head. "No. I think it is you that needs something."
Pavo blinked, his incredible intuitiveness leaving her at a loss for words.
He continued. "You are troubled. Torn between destiny and family."
"How do you know?" she questioned.
"I've seen many things in my time, and I know an extraordinary person when I see one. Even your wings are a testament to that."
Pavo glanced at her ash gray feathers, and then turned back when Apus Major continued.
"I do not know of your exact fate, but it seems that you do not wish to leave Aquila. Am I correct?"
Pavo nodded. "I've already left him once, and look at how he pushed himself trying to find me. I'm afraid that if I leave for a longer time, then he might actually…die."
"I understand. But," he continued, "there is one major difference between the situations."
"What is that?"
"Before, you suddenly disappeared without a trace. Of course he would be worried about you. But now, if he knows that you have to leave, then at least he'll have the peace of knowing that you left willingly." He explained.
Pavo contemplated his words, the whirring questions starting to settle with answers. "There's something else."
"Yes?" he queried.
"The Yggdrasil tree said that a darkness will erupt. Do you know anything about that?"
"No, I do not." Pavo opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her. "I believe that message was meant for you. If I needed to know, then it would have contacted me."
Pavo conceded, realizing that the prophecy really didn't give that much detail on that subject anyway. "I should leave as soon as possible."
"Yes, but I think you can afford a night's rest here. And I think it will give you time to prepare and think about what you want to say to Aquila. If you need anything else, you may come to me."
Pavo bent at the waist in a bow. "Thank you."
"Remember, you are always welcome here." He left the Center Room, leaving Pavo alone. She turned to look at the Portal one last time, and then exited the area. She asked around and looked through the Observatory until she found Jaturou and Cannibelle being healed by a Celestrian priest. She approached as the priest finished a deep gash in the Clawcerer's arm, the magic mending the injured muscle and skin.
Cannibelle waited nearby, already fully healed. Pavo passed by Jaturou and headed for her, sending a reassuring grin in Jaturou's direction. He returned the gesture, and then timidly returned his focus on the priest.
Cannibelle, leaning against a wall, straightened as Pavo stopped in front of her. "Hey." She greeted.
Pavo nodded, showing that she acknowledged the salutation. "I need to ask you a favor."
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