Episode 46

Episode 46: Midnight's Mourning

After everyone has gotten themselves onto the Whirlwrecker, Praxis goes back to the beach one last time. She sticks a crossbow in the sand, in memoriam of her cousin, and picks up Neant to take with her. When she does, the black sands roll back to the cool browns and beiges it once was.

Everyone returns back to Kahlessi and breaks the news. Devastation takes over the occupants of the Shepherd. Baird, Wood, and Gem take their time to rest after encountering the Godslayer again, while everyone else processes the upsetting news.

A day passes, and Railund informs everyone that a funeral service will be held at the Spirit temple, accompanied by the Kahlessi High Priests other than Simica, as she is still assisting Xavier on his quest for his Divine Weapon. Exhausted and upset, everyone files into the temple for their closest chance to say goodbye to their lost friend.

Praxis gets up to speak first, as Taylansta’s cousin. She starts off by claiming Taylansta isn’t really dead, and makes a promise to find xem in due time. She mentions how Taylansta always had a ‘never say die’ attitude, and firmly believed xey would live forever. Xey had that even when her and xem were children. Praxis also mentions that Taylansta’s parents died when xey were very young, presumably from Moritsum, the same disease that Taylansta had. As kids, they always had each other, but grew apart as they grew older and found their own niche. She admits guilt to having not spoken to Taylansta much in the moments leading up to xyr death, and pledges to get xem back to right those wrongs. After her speech, Praxis rushes out of the room.

Railund speaks a bit after Praxis. He details how loss is something he’s been acquainted with for years, but this loss stings harder than the others. He takes the jacket he received from his brother Baird as a reminder and a sign to be cautious and to be loyal to one another moving forward. Railund promises to stand by the kids, and always have their back when fate comes for them. He promises a loss like this will never happen again.

Andrew takes the podium afterwards. He admits that he did not know Taylansta well, but still recognizes xyr accomplishments and good deeds. Taylansta was one of the people that saved Andrew’s mother back when Ikar was burning, and for that, he is eternally grateful to xem. He vows that Taylansta’s place among the Gods is certain. As he speaks, he realizes that someone crucial is not in attendance. He leaves for a moment, and comes back with Scrungus, who wasn’t initially there at first. Scrungus comes in, donning a mask after having his face brutally disfigured by Godslayer. He doesn’t say much, but still comes to the front to pay his respects. All he says is that Baldr taught to respect allies who die, and apologizes to Taylansta and everyone before trudging off. Andrew speaks up again, saying how everyone should come together to light each other’s way in the darkness. He makes the symbol of Valdos with his hands before going to sit again.

After a period of silence, Wood makes his way towards the front to speak. Disheveled and exhausted, Wood tries his best to speak, but not much comes out. He rips out some of the pages from his Divine Manuscript, and places them on the memorial. All of his words sound very defeated and pained. He admits that Taylansta would always listen to his stories, even when they were fake and make-believe. He cries as he admits that this is not a make-believe tale, and that this is incredibly real. He sobs as he says his last goodbye.

Baird limps to the front after Wood, reading his speech from a crumpled up paper. He admits how hard this is for him, but mostly maintains his composure. He details Taylansta’s ferocity, xyr drive for life and glory, and how it is something everyone should learn from. He then explains a fond memory he has of xem, telling everyone how Taylansta was one of the first people he ever came out as gay to. He remembers that comfort fondly, and tries to reflect on a happier time, but ultimately fails going forward. He also mentions how not a lot of other people on the boat really gave Taylansta a chance. Baird even admits that maybe even he didn’t know Taylansta as well as he should have. His guilt about watching Taylansta die and not even remembering all of it will haunt him for a long time. Baird ends his speech by remarking how, for Taylansta to die at the hands of the Godslayer means that xey were a God just waiting for xyr time. In xyr memory, Baird promises to become a God just like xey were.

Lastly, Captain Methandi makes his way to the front and kneels. He leads off with a prayer, sending word to Polizan to grant them grace and recovery. He continues:

“I promised you would become gods, and I failed Taylansta. Doubt will surely sow among you, though I beseech your forgiveness. Our trials will be fraught by phantoms unthinkable, this path will lead to the very ends of Velstrana itself. I make you this promise once more today in the light of their house, in the fragmented memory of xyr life. It shall be your destiny to become gods, for when we stand at their helm, when we sit upon their throne, when we walk their trodden ruts. We shall do so with vigor long departed from their celestial bones. My father failed you and did not guide us through the night. However when we become the gods, no more will wraiths like the Godslayer haunt the hallowed ground we will have once walked. There is a rapture to come, a glorious cleanse of disease, violence, and death. Once we become the gods, we will deliver utopia upon the blighted soil and restore mercy to these lands. The once benevolent gods now feed us vitriol and brimstone to which we must forsake, and prepare to bathe in our transcendent Grace yet to come” (Methandi, Episode 46: Midnight’s Mourning).

He ends his speech with another, different prayer, promising that they will all reunite and see Taylansta again in the afterlife. With this, the funeral concludes.

Despite the speeches, it's clear that there are still emotions left to be unpacked. Everyone talks with one another in the temple for a bit, still airing out their grievances and feelings.

Toraleth approaches Wood to offer some comfort, despite his own tears. Wood doesn’t even know how to handle his emotions or how to feel, to which Toraleth reassures him and apologizes for his loss. Toraleth admits how death has always been a part of his life, and still struggles to understand how to cope with it. He sometimes feels like this will happen to them again, and worries about everyone’s safety. He tells Wood that they shouldn’t have to feel like this, and wishes that they could just be kids again. Wood is truly lost, unsure of what to tell him, but tries to relate to Toraleth’s turmoil. Wood asks if Toraleth can inform him on how Teraidrans view death, perhaps to comfort or distract him. Toraleth explains that Teraidrans don’t believe death is the end, and that those who go on will be waiting for their loved ones again. Wood thanks him for this bit of comfort before Toraleth pulls him in for a hug, asking him to promise this will never happen again, to anyone. Through tears, Wood promises this will never happen to them again.

Meanwhile, Cici and Callisto, who have both been relatively quiet this whole time, meet up to get some air, after Cici places a carved wooden dagger on Taylansta’s memorial. In an outer hall, Callisto and Cici let out some feelings they weren’t comfortable sharing during the service. Cici, dropping her accent and facade, promises all of this will be okay, and won’t let him ever get hurt moving forward. Callisto seems a bit blank as Cici tells him that the two of them will make things better. He clearly has other things on his mind that he is trying to hold back. Cici reassures him that he can talk to her, as it’s just the two of them. Callisto goes on to tell her that none of this is right, and he feels a bit distrubed by all of these events with the Godslayer. Cici feels the same way, talking about how bitter and overwhelming this all is. She says they have to make sure next time is different, to which Callisto shoots back that there shouldn’t be a next time, and these precautions shouldn’t even be options for them. She is headstrong in saying that they shouldn’t give up now after getting this far. Callisto tells her that he’s not entirely on the same page as her, and doesn’t know how he feels about being a hero or a God yet. But he promises he will try to understand her, and be with her as long as he can be. He still is harboring a bit of anger, which Cici tries to pull out of him, to no avail. He admits he might need some time by himself, and promises to catch up with Cici later.

Inside the room, Gemevieve takes a moment away from Ganymede and finds Wood, who seems distant and lost in thought when she finds him. They find Baird, who is sitting alone by a window near the altar. Gem apologizes for not being there when Taylansta died, and for not doing enough for xem. She admits that while she wasn’t there for Taylansta, she wants to make things right between her, Baird and Wood. Baird tries his best to reassure her, telling her that she did an important job of keeping the weapons safe. Baird tries to keep his head up, saying that the weapons are safe and there’s more to get, and looking up and moving forward might be the best thing. He might not believe it himself, but he tells his friends that they will be fine. Wood shoots this down immediately, showing clearly that he’s not doing well. Gem tries to reassure him as well, telling him it’s okay that he’s not doing fine. Gem tries her best to express how she wants to help, but both Wood and Baird seem a bit hard to reach. Wood thanks her before walking away. He has a moment where he might have seen something as he turns, but then shakes it off and walks the other way. Baird still speaks to Gem for another moment, saying that the two of them, especially Wood, are going to need some time to process. Baird just asks one last favor: if Gem sees anything strange to let him know. He tells her that she will know what he means when she “hears the song”. She promises she will, and gives Baird some time to rest.

Andrew also has some words for Wood and Baird. Seeing how distraught the two of them are, Andrew tries to offer his experience as guidance and reassurance. He wipes some of their tears as he tells them that while he doesn’t know what happened to Taylansta, but someone like Atlas, who wielded the weapon, might have some knowledge. Wood admits that he keeps feeling like he’s dreaming as he tries to recall what exactly happened, but can’t gather his thoughts correctly. Wood tells Andrew that he’ll try going to Atlas in hopes of an answer. Andrew vouches for Atlas, and also recognizes that this fight will be with Wood and Baird for a very long time. He tells them that in the militia, they try to carry their victories even when there is a loss. He reassures that Wood did indeed kill Godslayer, and that is surely a victory to celebrate, and the two of them are heroes despite the burdens and pains of loss. Wood comments that their victory was hollow, choking up yet again as he explains how he doesn’t feel he may ever recover from losing his friend. Andrew tells him that soon, their grief won’t be as heavy as long as they move on to make Taylansta proud and be the best they can be. Andrew shows them a large scar on his stomach, showing them how it has become a reminder of both losses and changes, and it’s all a matter of perspective. Wood thanks him and moves away from Andrew, but Baird doesn’t say much.

After a while, Praxis rushes back inside. She immediately heads for the front and makes an announcement: she is heading Zada to return Neant to Atlas to figure out what it does and what happened. She says anyone is welcome to come with her if they want, but to not get in her way. Cici and Callisto immediately hop aboard to help her. Toraleth encourages that Wood should also go, in order to figure out what happened. He agrees, despite his exhaustion, and goes to join them. Gem, Baird, Toraleth and the others decide to stay behind in order to not get in Praxis’s way. She calls for the Shepherd to leave as soon as possible, bringing Cici, Callisto, and Wood with her.