Author's Note: Alright, folks… one more backstory, then it's back to the plot. Although the plot kinda starts back up in this chapter, so I guess that counts?

As a fair warning, this world will be very, very different to anything else I've written so far. In fact, this world will be unrecognizable even as an AU of RWBY, but I still ask that you give it a chance. Also bear in mind that the Ruby Rose of this world is one of the few that is never called Ruby.

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(Also, since I have no confidence in my ability to describe physical appearance, I recommend that you look up two anime characters as a visual reference for the two races in this chapter: For the Avan, look up the name 'Urutori,' and for the Terans, look up the name 'Eruru.' Both are from the anime Utawarerumono, and they represent the looks I was going for.)

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Designation: [Remnant-77174]

Status: Unknown

Condition: Unknown

Recommendation: None – Timeline too distant for full scan.

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[Year 0]

Another windstorm was blowing outside, threatening to rip up their entire patch of forest down to the roots, but the young couple inside didn't even give it a second thought. Their house would stand strong against anything Nadia could throw at it.

But the god of nature no longer needed to do anything to see them destroyed; all it would take was a single word in the wrong ear and his followers would do the job instead.

Swan was breathing heavily, but she still had enough energy for a glowing smile. Her snow-white wings were spread out and draped with cool, damp sheets to keep her temperature down. Bur stood nearby and studied the tiny bundle of flesh in her arms that had finally gained a normal color after getting cleaned up. He gazed lovingly at it, as well as his woman, but in his heart he was greatly troubled. It was all he could do to keep his tail out from between his legs.

They'd just produced a child… that should not have existed.

He gently wiped the sweat from his lover's brow as Swan began to nurse her new baby, and Bur worried. That seemed to be all he could do nowadays – worry. It was unheard of for a Teran to fall in love with an Avan, never mind going as far as mating with one! There was no way he could convince his kinsman to leave them in peace. There was no way he could convince them that their child, their precious, innocent baby, was not an abomination.

"You keep grumbling like that, you'll scare the babe," said the old woman who had just helped deliver the child. Owl was probably the most direct, no-nonsense Avan that Bur had ever met, but she was trustworthy – of all people to know about the child, she was Bur's first choice. The only problem was that she also happened to be the highest-ranked member of the Avan clergy. "And don't worry so much. Argentia will watch over her. You have nothing to fear."

"With all due respect," Bur said with a sneer, "I'd rather not trust our fate to some lightfoot goddess."

"You'd rather take your chances with a forest god who delights in causing suffering?" she replied without malice.

Bur turned his eyes away, unable to argue. Nadia may have been a powerful god to the Terans, but he was not known for his kindness. Many of Bur's kin were devout followers, and Bur knew what would happen if even a hint of what he'd done here ever reached their ears.

Owl turned to the woman on the bed, speaking kindly with her aging voice, "Swan, my dear… what do you think should be done? Your man is as stubborn as all Terans are, so we can't leave it to him."

Bur scoffed, but Swan stopped his protesting with a raised hand. "She is right, my love. We kept our love a secret from both our peoples until now, but if we keep watch over a babe… that will become impossible."

A beat of silence passed in the room, broken only by the howl of the winds outside.

"Honored Seer," Swan addressed Owl with as much reverence as she could muster, "…Would you take this little one under your protection?"

Bur had to restrain himself from arguing against such a foolish decision. He knew it was right, but that didn't mean he had to agree with it. They couldn't raise the little one without drawing attention to themselves… yet if she went to live at the Temple of Argent, at the center of Avan territory, then she would not draw any suspicion. It was the only way.

Owl walked over and carefully examined the newborn with her soft, gnarled fingers. Bur watched as well, and everyone in the room noticed the detail at the same time – two prehensile wings on her back, in addition to a pair of elongated ears. The child was truly a product of two peoples.

Terans and Avans were about as different as races could be – Avans had feathered wings and thin bones, allowing them to fly. Terans, on the other hand, had denser bones and more powerful muscles that enabled them to run along the ground with great speed and agility. Along with this were the long, furry ears and tails they all had, which the Avans lacked.

This child, even as a newborn, possessed both Avan wings and Teran ears. She also had a tiny nub where her tail would eventually grow.

Bur knew, without a doubt, that she would be seen as a monster – a Mera – by both of their peoples.

"I will accept her, Lady Swan," Owl finally said, seemingly satisfied with her examination. "When the child is weaned, present her at the Temple as a new priestess. I will see to it that she is accepted into the order, and all care will be given to her upbringing."

"And what if we change our minds?" Bur couldn't stop himself from saying. "What if we just disappear? Go where none of you lightfoots can find us?"

"There is nowhere on this planet that you could hide from me," Owl replied with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Even if you found the perfect hiding place, you could never hide from the eyes of the Goddess. And know this, Son of the Wood…" She leaned forward and pointed her stick into Bur's face as she said, "If any harm befalls this child, on your head will be the consequences."

The end of her stick lit up with a ball of white energy to emphasize her point. Bur gulped, then nodded. He did not relish the idea of being hit with Avan magic.

Owl nodded, then lowered her stick and said, "All that remains is the child's name. Tell me, dear Swan… what shall I tell our scribe to record when you dedicate the babe in a year's time?"

The child herself tried to answer by crying out with a tiny voice, grasping with tiny hands at the woman who had given birth to her that very day. Swan gazed down at her lovingly, and Bur couldn't help but look upon his child as well. It was clear that this was Swan's child, as she was born with a full head of hair that perfectly matched her mother's – it was a deep, dark red color.

"Dove," said her mother.

As Owl nodded and continued preparing the house for the presence of a little one, Bur looked upon his daughter once again. She was certainly beautiful for a babe, but considering who her mother was, that was to be expected. It was a shame she didn't come out blonde, like him, but that was unimportant – plenty of time for other offspring, you know.

But then the child looked at him and smiled, opening her new eyes wide… and his breath caught.

Dove's eyes were silver.

His child had been marked by Argentia, the goddess of the Avan. Her fate had already been sealed.

…

… … …

…

[Year 5]

Dove didn't bother trying to hide her yawn as she continued her daily writing. She didn't care that Lady Owl knew how bored she was. She wanted to go flying, stretch her wings and just glide over everything… book work was such a chore.

"Another yawn like that and I'll double your pages tomorrow," the old woman cackled.

Dove gulped, then bent down and focused harder.

And it was the same things she had to write every day, over and over, seemingly without end. It was the history of the Avan people, teachings and verses that the Brothers and Sisters of the Temple had been drilling into her head since before she could remember. Dove could recite these teachings in her sleep by now, which was the least one expected of a priestess.

She and Lady Owl were currently in a small classroom at the back of the Temple of Argent, a glorious stone building dating all the way back to the Breaking. Like the other buildings of the Avan, it stood high on a tower of rock amidst a vast collection of other towers. The Avan didn't need to spread their cities across open plains and fields like the Terans did, since they possessed a power unique to their people – flight. The wings of the Avan were capable of letting them soar across the sky, spanning the distances between towers with ease.

Granted, it wasn't quite as easy for Dove as for the rest of the Avan. For some reason, she had to flap her own wings much harder and for longer to fly the same distance as her Brothers and Sisters. She often found herself looking with jealousy upon the broad wings of Sister Alba or the wide feathers of Brother Falcon's wings.

It probably had something to do with the ears and tail she was forced to hide. According to Lady Owl, they were the ears and tail of a Teran… something an Avan should not have. Anyone besides Lady Owl who found out about them would despise her for it.

Dove really didn't want to believe something so small could cause people to hate her.

"Since you don't seem able to focus anymore… I suppose we should move on for the day," said Lady Owl suddenly, pulling Dove out of her thoughts. She blinked as she realized her writings were done.

"I… I am sorry, Honored Seer…"

"Oh save it, child. I know you don't mean it." Owl gave another creaky laugh, looking at her with those round, bulging eyes. "I know your mind. I know where you really want to be right now."

Dove's face grew hot. It was considered rude for a student of the Temple to want to get out and get some air when they were still in study. Still, this was Owl they were talking about. She always seemed able to handle the feisty young Dove.

"I'm willing to let you go out and play, but first…" the woman said with a dry laugh, "…I want to show you something. Fly with me, young one."

She stepped out of the study and flapped her wings, taking off with ease. Dove was close behind her, but she still needed more room to gain height. It took a bit too much effort to follow, but eventually they made their way to the highest room of the Temple – the Silver Room.

Unlike the rest of the Temple, this room was not meant to be seen by any but the High Seer and her one disciple. It was a small space made with the finest cuts of limestone and quartz, and filled with exquisitely crafted silver decorations, including an incense burner on a chain, 4 perfume dishes, and 4 ornate candle holders. Dove did not wonder at this – to the followers of the goddess, the number 4 was considered holy.

If she was letting Dove see this room, then did that mean…?

"You're still a few years away from it, but yes," the woman said as though reading Dove's mind, "…I will name you my disciple. Soon. You will be in line to take my place as High Seer of the Temple of Argent."

Dove should have been excited, or even honored, by such a notion. Instead, she was… troubled. "Am I really the right Sister for the job?"

Rather than answer, Lady Owl stepped into the room with reverence and carefully opened a jeweled box at the center of the altar, revealing a fine circlet of silver and precious stones. At the center of the piece shone a crystal of such pureness and beauty that even the roughshod Dove had to stare in awe.

"There is no one else," Owl replied, holding the circlet. "You are the only one who is meant to wear the crown."

She carried it forward, letting Dove take a good look at it. The jewel in the center glowed with a light from the inside, like someone in ancient times had taken a star from the night sky and mounted it in silver.

"Touch it, my child. See for yourself."

Dove did as she was asked, gently placing one finger against the crystal. She expected it to be slightly warm to the touch, but little else.

Instead, her vision went white…

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Figures walking along the dirt. Teran.
Figures flying through the air. Avan.
Walking along the edges of a sphere,
broken down the middle,
each taking one half for themselves.

Behind and above both groups stands a woman
with light shining forth from her eyes.
Radiant silver hair encompassing the cosmos.
The goddess watches over all.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Dove pulled her hand away like it had been burned. She was sweaty, breathing hard, as she tried to figure out what she had just experienced.

"You see?" Owl said with a measure of kindness, "The Goddess has chosen you to show Her Visions."

"I… I… I don't wanna see… any Visions…" Dove was more shaken by that show of power than she wanted to admit.

Lady Owl carefully put the jeweled circlet back in it's box, then turned and regarded the young Dove with her usual, overly serious gaze. "In time, you will understand the importance of your role in the balance of the universe. In time."

They eventually made their way back down the many floors of the Temple, all the way down to Dove's room, where Lady Owl looked at her with that old gleam of mischief back in her eyes.

"I think you've been flying enough, child. How about you go for a run instead?"

…

… … …

…

[Year 10]

As it turned out, Lady Owl had regular business in the land of the Terans. Her offer to let Dove go for a run was related to that – as in, Dove was allowed to hide her wings and pretend to be a true Teran during these trips.

And, after doing it for five years, she'd become quite good at it.

Ant, as she called herself on the ground, found it easy to strap her wings against her chest and hide them under some robes. Then it was a simple task to tie her hair back and let her tail hang loose beneath her robes. Nobody in the Teran lands had ever seen Dove before, so she didn't have to disguise her face at all. She simply had two lives, now – Dove the Avan, and Ant the Teran.

Over the few years she'd been running on the ground, Ant had picked up a few friends – Tar, Hin, Wag and Pey, all boys about her age. They were all faster than her, but none of them could keep running for as long as she could. During their runs, Ant could always outlast them.

They were fun days. Ant came to love her life on the ground almost as much as her life on the wing. Lady Owl made sure she had as many opportunities as possible to stretch her tail.

But something changed today. Wag, one of the boys of the group, asked her to run with just him. No one else.

It sounded like a challenge.

…
…

She bounded over a fallen log, easily clearing it and grabbing a low branch to swing for more distance before landing. Wag was only a moment behind her, huffing already. If he wanted a race, he wasn't trying too hard to win. There were still a fair few Teran traditions that no one had bothered to explain to the young priestess-in-hiding, so his behavior was odd at best.

"Is that all you got?" Ant taunted as she cleared a small creek, easily finding the path on the other side.

Wag gave a determined growl as he put on some speed. Ant chuckled as she also increased her pace.

The main village where Lady Owl was doing her business was still several minutes away, so Ant knew no one would likely interrupt them. Wag had always seemed eager to show off whenever they ran together, but Ant simply took it in stride. She sometimes heard the other boys giving Wag a hard time about it.

She spared a glance behind her and was surprised to find the boy slightly red in the face. And grinning.

Surely he couldn't be tired already?

She darted up a small hill, grabbing a thick bunch of low-hanging vines and swinging over to a crooked tree trunk. Her dark hair glittered red in the sunlight that flitted through the branches. Wag maintained his speed, not giving her any chance to pull ahead.

Lady Owl had told Ant about her parents, and she often wondered if this was the life she would have led had things turned out slightly different. If she had been raised by her father, a proud Teran, rather than the followers of Argentia.

Suddenly Wag put on a burst of speed, catching Ant off guard. He tackled her the moment before she took another running leap, dragging them both down to the grass, in a clearing at the edge of a steep cliff. Before she knew it, Ant was on her back looking up at the young Teran boy who had caught her. He was still red in the face and breathing hard, but he didn't seem tired from the run.

A new smell hit Ant's nose in that moment, a musky smell that she recognized deep in her gut. Her smile vanished.

Wag did not let her up. "I caught you fair and square, girl," Wag said between breaths. "Now I claim you for my own. Father will approve of you as my woman."

"No… I can't…" Ant tried to protest, but Wag's larger frame was more than she could budge. Fear began to overwhelm her.

"You would dishonor your family? You would deny me what is mine by right of contest?" Wag's smile grew hostile as he suddenly slapped her across the face with the back of his hand. "You are mine now! My mate!"

Ant's vision went blurry from the slap, and that was all the opportunity he needed. Wag reached down and grabbed at her robes, ripping them off… and revealing her strapped-down wings.

The change happened in a heartbeat.

Naked desire became pure rage in an instant, so fast that Ant's head almost spun. Wag darted back, spittle flying from his mouth as he screamed, "You… you're a Mera! A monster! How dare you try to seduce me!"

The Teran religion spoke of unnatural monsters made from parts of multiple creatures of nature, known simply as Mera. Their existence was seen as an affront to the gods, and most of them were supposed to be killed on sight. Even Ant had heard of them, but to be called such a name… by the goddess, that hurt.

"To the depths of Taros with you!" Wag reached down and picked up a large rock, then tried to attack her with it. He clearly meant to crush her skull.

In her panic, Ant reared back and gave the young Teran a mighty kick in the center of his chest. Her leg made a dull snap as the large bone of her thigh broke clean in two.

Her own screams nearly drowned out those of Wag as he fell backwards… off the cliff.

A few seconds later, another low thud echoed from the base of the cliff, and then… silence.

Heavy, damning silence.

Ant started to weep, both for her leg and for her soul – how could the goddess forgive her for what she'd done? How could anyone forgive her? She'd just killed a person!

After a scant few minutes of silence, the rustle of feathers preceded an old, withered voice. "Young one… there you are."

Owl had found her, as she always did. Even with her eyes nearly useless, nothing got past the old Seer.

Ant could barely form words as Owl got to work setting a splint. She eventually did, though, and the old woman calmly sat through her tear-stained account. By the time Ant's leg was set, she'd admitted to everything.

"Your Avan bones couldn't support your Teran strength, which is why your leg broke." Owl smiled gently and put her gnarled hand on Ant's shoulder, saying, "You did nothing wrong, child. The boy was foolish to invite you to his contest without making sure you knew what he was doing. Be at peace, little Dove."

The child continued weeping, unconvinced of her innocence.

"I know the tenants of Argentia better than anyone, and I can tell you that you are guilty of nothing," she said with a sudden conviction. Ant… no, Dove… wiped her eyes and listened. "I do not condemn you, and neither does the Goddess."

Still sniffling, Dove reached down and unstrapped her wings from her chest. She discarded the straps, muttering, "I won't need these anymore. 'Ant' is a murderer now."

"Don't be too quick to disown your Teran blood, my child," Owl said with a raised finger. "Despite your hardships, it is still a part of you. If you would hear the words of a stubborn old bird, I would advise you to remember and hold onto your life as Ant. Let it serve as a balance to the life you are soon to begin."

Dove wiped her eyes again, this time for good. She knew what Owl was talking about.

"It's time for you to take up the crown, little Dove. The Goddess awaits."

…

… … …

…

[Year 15]

Owl was obviously near death's door when she placed the circlet of the goddess upon Dove's brow, yet she persisted in living for another few years anyway. The Brothers and Sisters of the Temple were all in a wonder at how stubbornly she kept going.

But Dove was glad for it. She was nowhere near ready to take the position of High Seer just yet.

The pair sat just outside of the Silver Room once again, this time as proper Seer and Disciple rather than an old woman and a snot-nosed kid. Owl was going over the histories again, speaking from memory – her eyes had completely closed last year, leaving her unable to read anything. Despite the gravely rasp to her voice, Dove listened as intently as she ever did.

Not once in the last five years did Dove set foot outside of the Temple of Argent. She dared not. Even now, the sting of guilt over the death of Wag had not waned in the slightest. She was convinced that the Terans would never forgive her for it, even if the goddess herself did. Dove had devoted herself entirely to her training from that day forth, denying herself the freedom she once craved as Ant.

She scratched the back of her head, letting the deep red hair tickle the back of her neck – Owl insisted that she keep it long enough to hide her ears, but beyond that she said nothing. Dove elected to let it grow long, and she currently had it tied into a loose ponytail that fell just between the base of her wings.

The circlet of the goddess sat upon Dove's brow as she listened. The crystal at the center continued to glow with a faint light.

"Ages ago… before the Breaking… before any life walked about on Remnant…" Owl spoke slowly, her words slightly slurring together with age. "…The Goddess did battle… with the Eternal Darkness."

All at once, Dove's vision went white again. She was getting used to this by now – the visions had become regular occurrences ever since she started wearing the circlet.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

A room made of metal, with tiny, colored torches all over
and filled with strange men, not Teran or Avan,
all arguing. A large map on a far wall with lights
all over it, many of them red.

Towns and villages filled with strange men,
women and children with ears atop their heads…
Suddenly blown away by violent explosions.
Uncountable explosions all over the world
destroying everything.

War.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

She'd had this vision before, and it troubled her now just as it always did. She had no idea what it all meant, but it always came at the same time during the histories. To her, this implied that what she was seeing was the actual truth… and the histories were lies.

She didn't want to believe that everything her people knew was based on falsehoods.

Owl was still talking, "As the battle raged on… the Goddess used Her power… and cracked the very planet in two."

Another vision came, once again showing Dove a scene that appeared to contradict her beliefs.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

One explosion that outdid all others for pure, raw damage.
A cloud like a mushroom, touching the sky itself.
Power and destruction that dug into the dirt, down
into the core of the planet. A chain reaction.

Devastation. Ruin.
The Goddess watched it all from above,
her glowing eyes filled with sadness.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Dove remained quiet as she thought about that vision. The histories implied that the goddess had broken the world, but her vision suggested that it was the strange men and their explosions that did it. It was almost too much to think about, but Dove knew that the visions had come before… so they would come again. She had time to ruminate.

"In Her grief… at what She had done… the Goddess sought to fill the world anew… with Her children," Owl said as she finished her sermon. There was a lot more to the histories than this, but the old woman always kept it brief. Dove remembered most of it: rather than create children from scratch, the histories claim that she took the birds of one half of the world and re-formed them into the Avan, then took the beasts from the other half and re-formed them into the Terans.

And yet, the third vision that came was the most troubling.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Another room of metal, filled with more of the strange men.
Glass tubes all around, with bubbling fluids and pipes.
Within the glass floated creatures unformed.

Some had wings, like the Avan.
Some had tails and ears, like the Terans.
Some simply had extra ears, or horns, or tails.
Others had antlers. Others had two heads.
Still others had the lower bodies of snakes and horses.

The strange men appeared to approve of some while
deciding to dispose of others. They seemed to think
themselves as gods, giving and taking life at a whim.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Dove would have told Owl about the visions if not for this last one. It challenged everything they ever taught her at the Temple. It challenged her very faith.

What sort of world would let monsters like that exist? What sort of goddess would allow them to live?

"Young one," Owl said suddenly.

Dove gave a start, then quickly apologized. "I am sorry, Lady Owl… I was distracted."

Owl gave a dry cackle. "Oh, I know… you and the Goddess… are talking about me behind my back…" She gave a mighty, toothless grin at the idea.

Dove smiled as well, but didn't explain further.

Owl's own smile faded as she grew serious once again. "Do not let your heart be troubled, young one… the Goddess shows only truth… love… and She seeks to help those who… seek Her out. Trust in Her… and you will never lose your way."

Dove gave a bow, mumbling, "Yes, High Seer."

Owl took a deep breath, then pointed her face to the sky above. The light of day was fading. Night was soon to fall. "My time has come," the old lady croaked. "I have seen you grow… from a babe to a young woman… and now it is time for you to… walk this road alone."

Dove's throat locked up as the tears filled her eyes, but she remained silent. She'd known this day was coming for a long time, but… so soon? Was she ready to say goodbye to the only woman she'd known her whole life?

"I go… to meet my Goddess… Fare you well… High Seer."

With the last of her strength, Owl opened her wings and flapped. Her body seemed to rise without any effort, almost like it was being carried away, as she slowly glided west towards the setting sun. There was no fanfare, no ceremony, and no lighting of candles – she simply flew off, ready and willing to meet her goddess face-to-face.

Dove watched until the old woman was a speck in the clouds, then fell to her knees and wept.

…
…

One week later, Dove sat in her private study for the first time.

As the new High Seer of the Temple, Dove was required to take a regular sabbatical. This was both to help her refresh her mind and body as well as attune herself to the goddess. The study itself sat atop a particularly tall tower of stone, still in sight of the Temple but distant enough that she had some privacy.

Doubts had filled her mind ever since Owl made her Departure. Doubts about the histories. Doubts about her faith. About the goddess herself. About the truth.

Terans believed that creatures called Mera were abominations that needed to be killed.

Avans did not believe that such beasts could exist.

Yet… if Dove's vision was to be believed… both Avans and Terans were fundamentally the same as Mera. This was news that could destroy both of their civilizations if it got out.

Dove walked about the small room quietly, carefully lighting the four candles according to tradition. She shut the windows and door, then seated herself on the cushion and closed her eyes. For several minutes, Dove fought to clear her mind of all doubts and fears, simply letting herself exist in the moment.

Upon opening her eyes, Dove was hit with another vision… but this one was longer and more intense than any that had come before.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

A young man with a sword walks across the land, fighting
monsters and men as he travels. He gathers allies and friends
as he moves, helping those who cannot help themselves.

Seeker.

A young woman stands before five massive, angry faces,
though she stands resolute. They have done evil deeds,
and the young woman is here to punish them.

Enforcer.

A young man takes point, protecting a group of children
from unseen threats. A woman stands behind him with a
dagger in her hands, ready to use it but unsure.

Vanguard.

A young woman stands atop a hill that overlooks the world
trying to warn them of coming danger, but no one listens.
A cat sits atop her shoulders. Four colors finally take
notice of her words.

Herald.

A scarred man battles with dark enemies, fighting for not
only his own life, but the life of one he has sworn to protect.
Yet his greatest enemy is himself.

Warden.

A young woman stands at the center of everything, watching
as the cosmos wraps around her but powerless to affect it.
She sees all, but she is not all. She wants to save one man,
but knows that doing so may doom all men.

Scion.

… … … … … …

A babe is born in a cabin in the woods, surrounded by wind
and storm… but the goddess is there, protecting her.

A child touches a glowing crystal… and the goddess is there
speaking gentle words into her ear.

A young girl runs through the wood, pursued by a boy with
foul intentions… but the goddess is there, defending her.

A young woman cries, alone for the first time in her life…
but the goddess is there, giving her soul comfort.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

Dove's eyes were brimming with tears as the vision ended, and she beheld a wondrous sight – sitting across from her was the image of a beautiful woman, hair a radiant silver and eyes like the morning and evening stars, robed in the cosmos itself, and brimming with the power of creation.

Dove beheld the goddess Argentia.

For just a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

…

…

… … …And just like that, the vision ended.

Dove was engulfed in the near-blackness of her dimly-lit study once again as the vision of the goddess faded away. She was sweaty, out of breath, and in need of water… yet felt a joy and satisfaction unlike anything she had felt before.

The Goddess had shown herself! To her, of all people!

Dove spent the rest of the day simply praying and giving thanks to the Goddess for everything she had seen. It was clear now that even though she had lost faith in the Goddess… Argentia had never left her side.

Dove had never truly been alone.

…

… … …

… … … … …

Chapter 29:
The Prophet

… … … … …

… … …

…

[Year 20]

The Goddess had shown her many things over the years.

She'd seen the visions of the truth behind the histories many times, still without fully understanding what she was seeing. She'd observed events on worlds beyond her own. She'd witnessed battles from the other side of the cosmos.

But never had they been anything more than Visions. The Goddess always sought to teach her things, to reveal Her truth in a way that would benefit all who heard it.

But then the Scion appeared. In the flesh.

Everything was different now.

The small girl with the long, fleshy ears had not woken up yet, despite arriving nearly two days ago. Dove had tried her best to keep the traveler comfortable, but there was only so much she could do. She had figured out how to give the girl a drink of water, but she remained asleep.

Dove spent the day after the Scion's arrival in constant prayer and meditation. Her heart was filled with worry about the other travelers and their fate. That blast of light and power had to have done some serious damage; she worried about what to tell the girl whenever she awoke and asked about them.

The blonde young man, the Seeker… he seemed important to the Scion. Dove didn't want to be the one to tell her that he might be no more.

But then she remembered the first Vision she had seen regarding the travelers, although she didn't know them as such at that time. All 6 of them still had a destiny to fulfill – the Goddess would not allow them to be destroyed before those came to pass.

As the sun set on the second day, Dove finished her evening meal and resumed her watch over the Scion. She was prepared to watch over the girl as long as needed.

Tonight, however, a new Vision awaited her.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

The Goddess watches over the entire cosmos,
her radiant silver hair encompassing all of time and space,
every world a thread in the fabric of reality.
Upon her brow sits 7 stars, in a circlet similar to Dove's.

As she watched, the 7 stars of Her crown came loose
and floated into the vast network of worlds,
scattering into the infinite realities of existence.
The Eternal Darkness loomed behind Her, ready to strike.
Her power had faded, and It was ready for victory.

… … …

One star set itself into the head of a staff,
held by a wizard.

One star hid itself within the heart
of a Queen.

One star placed itself in a vast treasure room
of lesser gods.

One star split and became four, hiding in the souls of
four young maidens.

One star hid within a metal box, jumping between worlds
with impunity.

One star hung itself from the neck of a woman
with long ears.

And the last star set itself
into the center of Dove's own crown.

The Goddess pointed, and Dove knew what She wanted.
She wanted Dove to return the 7 stars to Her.
If not, darkness would consume them all.

…/ …/ …/ …/ …/

When the Vision faded, Dove was face-to-face with the Scion… who was wide awake.

And staring back at her with the same silver eyes.

Floating above her head was a word made of light, a name unlike anything Dove had seen before: Meriliel. The Scion was also looking at something above Dove's head, and a quick check of a nearby mirror confirmed that another word of light was floating above the priestess' head, but written in a strange, flowing language she didn't understand.

By the Goddess… what was about to happen to her? To them both?

… … … … …

… … …

…

A/N: Several years ago I had the idea for an alien race that evolved in two different directions after their planet split in half – one race growing wings, the other growing animal ears and tails. Their story would have culminated in a sort of Romeo and Juliet way, similar to Dove's. Since I'll likely never have the chance to use this race any other story, I brought it here. And don't worry – this is probably as far from the source material as I'll tread while still claiming it's simply an AU. I just wanted to see how different I could make this world.

(The names of Dove and Ant are a nod to the Aesop fable The Ant & The Dove, by the way)

As for Meril, I think I have a plan for how she'll fit into the overall narrative now. Hopefully I can come up with enough tension and build-up with the other members of the Concurrence Crew to give you guys a good payoff by the end.

Next chapter: I, uh… … … I don't actually know yet.

=^..^=