Questioning one’s Purpose: Part 1
At the temple of purity, Eirikur approached another of the ascended, one he recognized as having been around far longer than he. His brow furrowed before he even spoke. “Lampada. You'll forgive me, but I need guidance.”
”Speak, Arvosh. What is bothering you?” The other kyrian said, her tone firm but offering a gentle smile as soft as the robes that adorned her.
“We serve the purpose. The grand design. Right?”
”That is correct.” She answered. Her gaze searching, as she had searched countless souls before. She could recognize even with that question there was a seed of doubt in him.
“And ours is to deliver the souls unto the Shadowlands. Right?”
”That is right.” She calmly answered, tone even and calm.
“Because without us, the souls are lost and without new souls the Shadowlands would eventually run out of Anima and all would suffer.”
”As we have seen, and something we serve as Watchers.” She further added.
“Right. But we cannot interfere.” Eiridiel further led.
”Save for returning some souls to life as we deem appropriate. Where are you going with this?” She finally would ask in kind. It was clear he had a point to this, and surely she could see it, but some things were best spoken.
The once elven man drew a breath before he answered. “If our purpose is to ensure the safety of souls, and to ensure the shadowlands ever has anima, would our purpose not best be served through intervention? To save living and dead alike from predation by the fel and the void?”
There it was. The woman met his gaze as she answered. ”No. In the moment it may seem so, and you may even save a few souls in the process, but you compromise the purpose. To intervene as a watcher means those forces that threaten mortal souls will be forced to address us. In time you will judge the burdens of souls without count. Imagine having to so with demons clawing through the veil, or even should the void decide to try to invade us once again. Imagine the mortals saved telling others, only to be met by another whom you did not decide to intervene for, that fury added to their burdens. To meddle more than we do may spare a few now, but would damn countless more.”
Quickly he responded. “Under normal circumstances, I understand. But at what point do we meddle beyond the Shadowlands? Surely there is a point where we must act. We had when the Jailer-”
”No, Arvosh." She interrupted, a hand raised to stop him from speaking further. "We do not. The Jailer was a special case, I know it is why you ascended. But that threat was of the Shadowlands and to all of reality. Until such a threat arises again there is no reason to stray. The other covenants can afford to deal with matters in their own way, but for the Shadowlands to endure our Watchers and Bearers must continue their work. You must continue yours as you have.”
His brow knit, his eyes fixed on her. “So when we see smoke we must do nothing. When there are flames we do nothing. We must wait until the conflagration rages out of control?”
”A metaphor." Lampada said, a hint of amusement in her gaze. "We must trust the living to put out the fire, and that if the flames rage that must be a part of the grand design. After all, your soul still reached us did it not?”
Eiridiel stood there in silence at that. A faint nod in understanding. That furrow remained to his brow. His teeth clenched in his silence. He could not argue.
"I know it is difficult, Arvosh. You kept your memories and ascended centuries before you were ready. In a time of war no less. Everything within you calls to act. If you want my advice; Go meditate. Reflect. Remember your Purpose. Remember that while it a great sorrow to see a soul claimed, allowing it allows you to save countless others."
To that he would bow his head. "I will. Thank you for your council, Lampada." With that he would turn to leave, the beat of wings carrying him into the sky. His wings a brilliant white that threatened to darken.
