Hornet's story

28th of Shar 358

50 to 80 years ago, Hornet woke up in a plane that isn't their home plane. They grew up in Feyheim, on top of a plateau. They lived with their family of them and twelve others. They were very sheltered, though they only learned this after the fact. They were not allowed to leave the plateau, let alone even entertain the idea of leaving. One day when they were young, a bird flew by. They had never seen a bird before, so they went to go see what the bird was. They were scolded for this and this made them upset, so they tried to leave. They didn't think much of it, not even thinking about how to get down the sheer sides of the plateau. They fell off, they only really remembered falling and waking up somewhere different. They woke up with the inky markings on their skin.

These markings were not as spread out as they appear now. Hornet did not know what it was, and they didn't know whatever it touches it evaporates. They believe it ages anything it touches so fast that it turns to dust. They thought it was cool but very scary. They thought how to cover it up, figuratively and literally. Eventually, they linked up with a magic tattoo artist, who helped them find a way to cover it up, which they decided on ropes and clear gloves. Hornet says it is hot and functional, haha.

Over time and the more stuff that gets evaporated, the more the mark grows on them. Hornet has no idea what it is and no one they've known knew about it. However, it is not a high priority for them to figure out right now, they say it is manageable. They pulled aside their ropes to give us a better look at them. They were dark, almost like they were absorbing light. But it was also a bit reflective, like how hair is when it is wet.

They talked about how they got their name. They didn't have a name for a long time and one day, with alcohol involved, they were referred to by something along the lines of Hornet and it stuck. They remember their old name but they don't see it as important. They are not the same person as that person.

Fathom wishes to stay to help Asmod. After hearing his story, I can feel the same. Surely there is a world where his powers can be used for a good use. Maybe willpower would help with controlling it, like Hornet said. However, Asmod is afraid of their very nature coming back and of the voice coming back.

These ruins are to be learned from, according to Asmod. I already learned a great deal from it with seeing its entire history. But maybe what we are supposed to learn is about who is here, not what is. The others think it's a waypoint but Asmod says the lesson is the danger of power and that problems, destruction, and anguish will always be in this world. After some talk about the Ruins of Creation and about Asmod's power, Asmod asks if we found what we were searching for here and that we have someone we are looking for so we should go. Fathom offers Asmod an invitation to join us for a little while, and he says it is a bad idea to bring someone along with destructive power, let alone have two of them in the same group, most likely referring to Hornet.

Asmod asked us all what we all thought about him, remarking we have been quiet, probably me and Hymn. Hymn says he was quiet because it is not his place to talk, and Hornet refutes by saying all because he is made of stars doesn't mean he's not a person.

I was asked for my opinion. I said I didn't have much of an opinion because I have been writing everything down. I told Asmod that his story is very interesting. He says we all have interesting stories and wonders how we all got together in the first place. This makes me think about my place in the party. A powerful masked man, a celestial being made of stars, an elf who's able to turn things to ash with their touch. I feel... out of place almost. Maybe I'll feel less out of place when I get to know the others more. I've already learned a big deal about Hornet from this talk, maybe I should put the same effort of learning into Fathom and Hymn.

Asmod stands up and puts his lute down and stands up, pulling off his robe. The first thing I notice is the circular hole where his heart would be and all the burn marks and tattoos all over his body. He says he would come along but what has happened to him cannot be undone and he was never given a second chance. He is not "still here" and he has learned a lesson, as have we. He says he is merely a trial and that we have succeeded. He is thankful for hearing our stories, for returning his eyes, and convincing him he can change. He says we can do this for others as well. He steps away from the obelisk and as he does, he turns into a golden dust and blows away, leaving behind a singular floating golden strand, emanating a soft golden light.

Fathom goes up to the golden strand, without a word. He grabs the strand, it wraps around his hand and makes his veins glow for a second, then it recoils from his grasp. We all decide to try it. I tried next.

When I grabbed the strand, I felt it weave its way out of my grasp and up my arm. It had a burning sensation on my skin, not hot enough to make my nerves recoil but hot enough to where it hurt a little. I felt this warmth make its way to my chest. I looked around and it was like time stood still. I felt at odds for a moment, like I was being given a choice. I stood in this state for a moment, unsure what to think. I thought about Memory, I thought about the others. I chose to hold on. As I did, the strand recoiled from me, landing in front of me. My skin cooled down and something felt different.

Fathom suggests trying together but Hymn decides he will go first by himself. They pick up the stand and it recoils like it did for me and Fathom. Hornet takes their turn, grabbing it very carefully and slowly. I see it whisp away into their heart, and their veins glow a bright golden color. The strand doesn't recoil, like it is accepting them. I smell burning flesh for a moment and something appears on their chest. The glow goes away.

Fathom asks what's different and Hornet says they feel more aware and capable. Whatever was on their chest, it looks like it was burnt into their skin. The markings that were exposed on them move on their own, like soap on water. They form into a different shape. The mark looks like a brand and has a metallic, almost crystal sheen to it. It looks like it has depth to it, as its view changes as I move my head around.

Fathom offers we should take the road again or to see where the blood trail went. Hymn remarks that he might be able to get down into the ravine. A piece of him falls off and takes the form of a starry lizard and heads towards the ravine.

While this happens, I have an idea. What if I were to use my ability on the necklace I made for Memory? Would I be able to sense its past like I did for the beacon? I'll try it when we get a rest next.

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