Well its seem like I made it to the deadline after all. Shout out to Ther 'Vadam aka The Sanghilil Swordsman (or as he know as here) for helping me edited so don't forget to thank him and you should check out his stories. Again thank you all for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy. :)
(Outside the city of Kilk, December 12, 1713)
It was about year since Ripa saved Agatha from death on that cool November night in 1712. Since then Ripa had quickly gain her trust and soon he began to teach her of the sangheili cultures and even the covenant religion. At first it was difficult but with patience and much restraining she became strong and wise in the ways of the sangheili traditions. Within a little more than half a year she completely learned the sangheili tongue and most of the covenant's history. Within four months she learned simple combat skills and how to partially command a ship and small battle strategies. She would regularly travel to High Charity and be tested by the prophets in her unnatural abilities. However, today Ripa and Agatha were traveling to the Inanrar keep to gather supplies and to also meet Ripa's uncle. Ripa's uncle, Kaidon Luro 'Inanraree, was amazed when he heard that his nephew was chosen by a god and was eager to meet her. Ripa hadn't seen his uncle in years and had been a long time since they had spoken as well.
After awhile the two could finally see the keep beyond the trees and the lake that lay before them. The keep consisted of tall circular structures with two towers on the east and west side and one tower on top of its dome. Its walls were tall and thick, and like a baby in its mothers arms the keep's walls sounded the city, protecting it from any harm. It remind Agatha of ancient kingdoms which her mother once told stories of. "What this city?" Agatha asked " The city of Kilk Aggie, the place in which I trained in the art of combat. And soon where you will train." Ripa replied. Agatha was then excised to hear this but did not experience this feeling though. She once been to the city of Boston with her mother that was a long time but city of Kilk was far larger than Boston. She put though horrible thoughts of the past aside and walk beside Ripa to the city.
As they enter the city Agatha eyes widened, in her eyes the city was covered in gold and silver, the streets were covered in precious jewels. She had only heard cites like this in stories and myths of her home. In truth the city did not look like the legends, however it was still beautiful in a illustriously wonderful way. As they walked on the steps Agatha saw a sangheili in red, bronzes, and sliver armor. "Nephew it's been many moons!" said the sangheili "Uncle!" Ripa replied as he greeted him. "How have your journeys been for you?" Luro asked. Ripa responded telling his uncle a short overview of his adventurers for the last three years, even the events that took place almost a year ago. Luro was baffled to hear this but soon return to his nephew's company. They spend the next five minutes talking about various subjects but then Luro noticed Agatha. He then looked to her, kneeling down to speak to her on closer height and spoke to her "Excuse my manners young one, I am Luro 'Inanraree, kaidon of this clan, and you are?" He asked, his voice curious and polite at the same time as he acknowledged Agatha's presence. "Agatha." She replied as she gazed at him, her eyes taking in his armor, features, and appearance.
"Agatha...hmm, it's an unusual name but nice all the same." Said Luro, his voice calm and subtle. "Thank you." Replied Agatha, her voice small but grateful for the older sangheili's words to her. "Well we should really continued this convention indoors." Said Luro as he stood and gazed at Ripa, his facial expression requesting a opinion from his nephew on the suggestion. "Agreed." Ripa then said as Agatha nodded in turn, the small group moving inside into the great halls of the keep. Art covered the walls and ceiling in a gorgeous display of masterful and strange styles, telling the stories of great heroes and legends from the past of Sanghelios and the Inanrar clan. Agatha was once again overwhelmed by the amazing sangheili architecture and art which seemed to live and breathe with the very soul of the Sangheili culture. "These, Agatha are the great stories of our clan, the strongest Kaidons, few Arbiters, and warriors of our bloodline." Said Luro while pointing at the great wall. "Arbiter?" Asked Agatha as Luro eyes widened with shock that she did not know or recognize the word. "I must have forgotten to tell her" Ripa said to his uncle. "Your are forgiven nephew, we will time to tell her at the feast." "A feast, for whom?" Agatha asked, "For you. It's not every day we get the pleasure of a holy one in our halls." Replied Luro. "Yes...right." Agatha said with a small tilt of her head, Luro and Ripa turning and walking with Agatha as they made their way to the feast.
After the feast Agatha left the hall and went to a deck for some air. She was later joined by Ripa as they both look towards the valleys of the west. "Ripa what is a arbiter?" Agatha asked. " Well Aggie, the Arbiters of old were the rulers of sanghelios that would lead their people though times of need and eras of peace. Now they are the vanguard of the great journey and will be called upon to strike down the enemies of the journey in times of great crises. But one thing is certain about arbiters, that they will die in battle." Ripa replied. "When was the last time an arbiter was called?" Agatha asked once more, her mind questioning and inquisitive on the title. "A long ago when I was a boy, although I don't remember the exact reason, now then let's go home." said Ripa. Agatha nodded, they soon went home with supplies that they will need in the coming days and with tired eyes. Once they reached home both fell fast asleep.
That night Agatha had a dream of something dark and dangerous, it felt ancient and evil, as if it only spread the will of destruction. At first she saw nothing but the darkness in front but then she heard horrible screams in the distant, the desperate cries unrecognizable and violently shocking. She also heard something else, a rocky, grinding cold voice whispering in her hears which spoke with dark and old power.
I have walk among men and gods for eternity
Time has no end, no beginning, no purpose
I once wandered in time seeking forgiveness
atonement for my horrible crimes against god and man
Death and Destruction follows in my living wake
evil will never be conquered by light
but the light cannot be extinguished
I live in a prison of my own demise
I am lost in time
With this accursed voice in Agatha head, she shook and fell to her knees within the dream as it felt so real. She scream in pain as her head pounded with agony and then it stopped, the pain slipping away with the voice. She then saw a light and started walking towards it cautiously, weary of any possible danger it might bring. Then when she was close enough she heard the same deep, grounding voice whispered in her hear "touch the orb, find the light," the voice said. She hesitated for a moment but then after some thought she decided to bend to voice's command. She then placed her hand on the orb and a light came upon a large mass that to Agatha was a most unpleasant sight
"W..What are you?" Agatha asked with her voice partially full of fear. "I am what came before, what remains, and what is to come. I am a monument to the sins of your fathers, and a testament to the decisions of your mother. I am retribution, destruction, and death reborn." The mass said as it turn to her reviling itself to her. The mass was a horrific sight with decaying greenish gray skin, a giant mouth with six wide mandibles, and a strange sickly mist exiting its body. In day of old he was known as a Gravemind, scourge of the past and plague of the world, the information appearing suddenly into Agatha's mind. "And you are a witch by some and god by most. Once abandon, now found. Once loved by none but one, now love by all who have no eyes to see the truth hidden before them." Agatha took a step back unsure how to respond to the gravminds oddly correct statement. "H...How do know these thing." Agatha asked again with fear showing thought words. "I have listened thought time and space, I have seen many yet they do not know of me. And all will soon heard my voice once more." Agatha then felt a slight touch and then found herself wrapped in one of its long arms. She try to break free of the abomination but it was useless and she felt as if she was be infused into the gravemind, becoming part of the gravemind. As she scream in fear it said "Do not be afraid I am peace, I am salvation." Then Agatha woke up from the horrible nightmare and found herself in tears and sweat. She went to get a drink trying not to wake Ripa in the process and went back to bed. The rest of the night did not allow much sleep for Agatha but with time she fell under its spell for tomorrow she will need all of her strength.