God of Love, Adastro

 

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Intro

Many are aware of the tale of Adastro, the one who could hear the music of peoples’ hearts,

but fewer know the details of his journey. 

His own path that he walked was marked by wonderful moments and enchanting encounters,

but at the same time, filled with loneliness, darkness and sorrow. 

And through his journey, he was never bored, never lost, never discouraged. 

Because he was a man with a purpose!

His mission, to help those in need,

encourage those who were broken and bring comfort to other souls

who stood lonely. 

His biggest reward, the happiness on people’s faces, the gratitude that he received,

a genuine sentiment for his support. 

He believed that if people believed in themselves they could accomplish great things

and so push the society to grow and improve towards a better tomorrow. 

And with that goal and philosophy in mind he marched. But it’s not that simple as it sounds,

for no path in life lays flat without obstacles.

And in this tale, the final obstacle stands gigantic with sharp claws, long fangs and thick wings!

Year 876 of the First Age 

Adastro reaches adulthood and immediately departs for his mission.

He already knew what he wanted to make out of his life for years now,

and had long ago prepared mentally and practically. 

He has confronted his noble family many times before. According to his parents

he was supposed to inherit and manage part of the family business.

That’s fine though, his siblings could take care of that. They seemed so eager to do so anyway.

No one’s purpose in life should be forced. 

With that mindset he left his home, luckily with a considerable weight of currency in his bag.

But he didn’t rely much on that to go by. During his travels he did labor for local communities,

assisting with necessary work, while at the same time earning some pocket money.

He visited all corners of the earth, supporting the poor, treating the sick and teaching people that,

although setting goals to obtain more in life is rightful, it is also important to appreciate what they have,

or they will never obtain true happiness. 

And people will gather around him in taverns and inns, listening to his stories.

Stories about his travels, some funny, some dangerous.

Stories about the Grooven, those goofy creatures that dwell in the most secret corners of the Highlands.

Stories about Razierkna, the Land of Nightmares, and the lurking monsters with their yellow eyes.

But the one that Adastro never spoke about was Mogmei,

the flying beast that was flying around the lands and terrorizing villages with its blazing breath.

No one spoke about that one, unless necessary, but it was concerning him,

as its presence was becoming more and more frequent. 

Adastro was keeping that thought at the back of his mind as he was narrating those stories,

and the kids were ecstatic about it. Enchanting and mysterious as he was,

he always left his audience wanting more, before departing with the promise of returning again for another visit. 

And over the course of time, Adastro became quite famous. Astro, they called him. “He is here!”

Would say many with enthusiasm when he was arriving in a town or village.

His encouraging words and helpful actions would reach those in need

and a rumor grew among the societies of the gyarii that Astro could hear the sorrowful hard.

And when people felt low, they would pray that Astro would listen to their sadness and find them.

Adastro and Bowl

And so he did. His instinct would lead him to those who needed him most.

One time, he visited Bowle, the keeper of the watchtower in the outer fields of Inmaar.

It was a lonely job. Bowle was responsible for keeping an eye on attacks from Aphelion, the Dark Realm,

and for notifying in time, so that the city could prepare for battle.

The watchtower was isolated from the rest of civilization and only some farms could be spotted in the distance.

“It gets really lonely and dark at times. Especially during the annual festival.

You can see, even from here, the thousand warm lights in the city of Inmaar. Making me wish I was there.”

Astro was listening to Bowle’s words, while softly playing his lute,

an instrument that he was carrying in all of his journeys and was practicing from time to time.

“I guess I deserve it though. I did have my share in life, and then some. Fame, money

and a beautiful and caring wife. But it wasn’t worth obtaining all that for all those people I did wrong.

Many suffered because of me. Many ended up in the streets. This is how I repent for my actions.

I could ask for a shift change

but if maintaining my post means that someone else gets to be with his family then I’m satisfied.”

Then Bowle paused for a moment, eyes softening. “I just wish… I could see her again,” he said finally. 

His wife Yoelle, had passed away a few years ago, due to a sickness.

The only pure and beautiful thing in Bowle’s life, he thought.

That’s when he realized how miserable he was and decided to repent.

To take on the duty of the watchtower guard and keep the city safe until…maybe he meets her again in another life. 

“A strong connection that two souls share is never broken. They carry those memories as they wander,

oftentimes on their own journey, and through the course of space and time,

they end up finding each other once more.” Said Astro and looked at Bowl’s eyes with a comforting smile.

“I’m sure, you will meet her again.”

Bowle gave him a sideways smile, showing his gratitude for Astro’s words and comfort.

Then he considered the young man for a while, expressing a genuine concern.

“Are you okay with this though?” asked Bowle and Astro raised his head. 

“Mmm?”

“Traveling from place to place, offering help and comfort, essentially living life for others?

You are too young to carry such a burden.”

Astro gave a reassuring smile to himself. He knew who he was after all.

“Living life for others, eh? It’s not as you say. This is my role in this world.

Offering help is what I do and this is how I’ll leave my mark. And with that help,

I’m certain that people will do better for themselves.

Maybe my help will be just the boost they need for people to grow and develop,

and with them societies will do too. And then many marvelous things can happen.

For example, I might not be a great musician but with my help other talented musicians,

or artists, or writers, or scientists, or anyone that finds courage through my actions will grow to be something better.

And then the world could be something better. And so what I do,

would be my own contribution to a greater tomorrow,” said Astro, almost musically, as he never stopped playing his lute.

Bowle was satisfied with that answer, seeing the determination in the young boys’ eyes. “

Hmmm, you are not as bad a musician as you think. Your music is quite… relaxing actually.”

When Astro walked away to leave, he could hear from the rhythm of Bowle’s heart,

that part of the weight of his sorrow had been lifted. He was refreshed thanks to him,

and would keep on serving his duty, keeping the city safe, until his time was due. 

Adastro and Levonne

And such was the nature of Adastro’s work that some people were calling him ‘Healer of Souls’ and others

‘The Comforter’. But despite his kind nature, Adastro was also a warrior.

Or rather, it was that kind nature that led him to train upon the blade. Because, although he despised it,

sometimes there was no way around violence, if it is to protect the people he cared for. 

And the lands were filled with dangers and threats. One day, when he returned to his hometown, Ikara,

a place at the eastern foot of the Highlands that bordered the land of the nightmares,

he found that it was being raided by monsters. And so he joined the resistance and helped push away the attackers.

Bloodshed was unavoidable and at the end of the battle, Astro was left wounded.

So he stayed in his tent to rest, sitting there on a small stool,

slowly applying pressure with an oiled towel against his wounds.

The night fell silent around the camps, a respectful gesture for the fallen,

and only the flickering sound of the fire was tickling his ears. 

Then, a figure appeared at the entrance of his tent, and with soft movements of her hands,

pushed the fabrics away to enter inside.

Adastro got up. It was Levonne, a girl he knew since childhood and kept very dear in his heart. 

“I heard you joined the ranks.” She said as she took a step closer, her eyes filled with relief that he was safe

and underlying excitement to see him again. 

“Levonne…” Astro stood tall and looked at her. There were things to say, but the battle had left him numb.

Eyes were speaking louder than words.

“You seem wary,” Levonne said.

Astro’s mouth curled to form the tiniest of smiles. “Well, maybe that’s because I am.”

It was a simple answer, yet he said it jokingly, almost sarcastically, so as to lighten the mood,

finally relaxing in her presence. 

She could tell though. His eyes were filled with hidden pain. It wasn’t just the after effect of the battle.

It was the pain of seeing many souls suffer, people who fell into despair.

He would so many times end up into the darkest side of life, trying to help those in need,

and despite his optimistic nature, sometimes that burden was too much to bear.

“I was uncertain at first. You said you would go on a big journey to help people and make life better for everyone.

It worried me that you would get lost into that endeavor, but you seemed so determined. And so I prayed.

For those who are lost to find their way. For those who stand lonely to eventually find a true connection.

And now everyone across the land calls your name.” She took a step closer.

“You have accomplished so much, Astro.” 

They were encouraging, those words coming from her mouth. Adastro did feel the satisfaction of his deeds,

but he knew that his work was far from done. Especially, when he could see that vision clearer and clearer.

That vision of a critical battle yet to come. His path would inevitably lead him there.

But that day was not today and Levone was standing so gracefully in front of him right now.

“It is a wonderful thing, you know. Seeing the gratitude on people’s faces. Making it worth all the trouble.

The satisfaction that you set another’s life on a course for a greater tomorrow, it’s like… the best feeling in the world.”

His eyes were glimmering and finally Levonne smiled, seeing the enthusiasm on his face.

But then she narrowed her eyes, making a pretentious grimace. “Even better than being with me?”

she asked playfully. 

Astro smiled in response and hugged her, lifted her in the air, spun her around, until he finally kissed her.

“How can anything in the world compare to this?” he said.

Acalacna

It wasn’t long before he was off again. Off to his lonely journey. Reaching the darkest edges of the world.

Yet, he was never truly alone. For, there was a presence that was watching him from above.

Something that would accompany him and offer comfort in the darkest of times.

It was Acalacna, the Queen of the Falcorii,

the giant birds of high intelligence that soar through the skies above the snowy mountains.

They are peaceful animals but never really approach the gyarii. 

Adastro was an exception though. When he was young, he found Acalacna fallen in the land of the nightmares

after a fierce battle with Mogmoi, the flying beast that was terrorizing the lands.

He treated her wounds and played her his music, and since then they became friends.

And from time to time, Acalacna would take Astro on her back, taking him on a ride through the skies,

a sole privilege that no other gyarii could have. And for that he was extremely grateful. 

But the falcorii are lonely creatures. They fly in the highest and most isolated places of the sky

in order to feel the freedom of owning the space around them with no one else to distract their peace.

And so the encounters of Adastro and Acalacna were rare.

However Acalacna always kept track of Adastro’s destinations and was watching over him from above

wherever he went. 

Eventually his journey led him to Falcney, the snow village in the northeast part of the land,

where in the mountains above, most of the falcorii had their nest. At that time, Mogmoi made his entrance.

With his blazing breath, he threatened to claim this land as his own and destroy everything in his wake.

Both the gyarii and the falcorii of these lands were in great danger. 

And so, Acalacna appeared in front of Adastro. She stared at him with pleading eyes

and then looked towards the skies where Mogmoi was taking flight.

Adastro understood. Acalacna has already fought Mogmoi before and was defeated.

It was clear that she couldn’t do it alone. She needed the help of that gyarii with whom she was bonded with.

And Adastro knew that it wasn’t an easy thing to ask. Because going against Mogmoi comes with a great risk of one's life. 

“You are scared, aren’t you?” asked Adastro and Acalacna’s head lowered. He took some steps towards her.

“I am too!” He was shaking. Mogmoi was a terrible beast and every time he saw it from a distance,

it was frightening him, let alone watching it manifest in front of him. “But I knew this day would come.

I have been preparing for a long time now. I am ready, as any man can be.”

Adastro climbed on top of Acalacna’s back. “It’s scary, but there comes the time when one has to fight and not look away.”

He caressed her neck and Acalacna raised her head. “We rise now, my friend. Together. You and I, we can do it.”

Adastro drew his sword and Acalacna spread her wings. “We rise now. Let’s take this battle…to the skies!”

And so it begins! A legendary battle between two monarchs of ice and fire and a single gyarii riding the clouds.

Acalacna was unleashing her blizzard like a hailstorm against Mogmoi

and Mogmoi was answering with his magma eruption.

And Adastro was wielding his astral energy to launch spears of lightning towards the beast. 

The heavens were shaking and the lesser falcorii were hiding frightened in their nests.

Noone had the courage to go against that terrifying monster and so they were praying

that Acalacna would emerge victorious. 

Then Mogmoi found an opening and unleashed a powerful scratch towards Acalacna’s side,

injuring Adastro’s shoulder as well. The mighty bird shook and faltered, starting losing height and consciousness,

making the rest of the falcorii tremble and worry. However,

Adastro applied an electric shock to bring Acalacna back to life and boost her blood flow, and so the battle continued.

At some point they reach the summit of the highest mountain.

They were fighting with all their might but Adastro came to a brutal realization.

That they could not win this fight. Mogmoi outclassed their strength in every way possible.

He stood there, a gigantic presence, too strong to defeat, even for Acalacna, the Queen of the Sky. 

But he wouldn’t give up because there was one last hope.

A hope that he was carrying within and spreading it to all those souls that he met on his journey.

And so Adastro dropped his sword and took out his secret weapon.

His lute! And was with that lute that he played an inspiring melody.

A melody that he was practicing so many times before during his travels

and was bringing him courage on his darkest moments. 

He was exhausted, his hands were shaking. His playing was unstable,

but the muscle memory was a driving force of his own, lifting his spirit,

and reminded the souls around him of something! 

That in many periods of our lives one has to travel alone.

To find his purpose, to learn himself, to obtain freedom.

And while searching within, he understands who he is and what he wants to be.

But there are critical moments when all those lonely souls can come together.

And while they join forces they can accomplish great things, each one contributing in their own way.

To those who can hear me I say; Find your courage and come fight for what is worth.

Some obstacles may be too big to overcome when facing them alone,

but many souls can push through together.

And no obstacle is too big today. Because today UNITED WE STAND!

And then a miracle happened. Hundreds of the falcorii birds gathered around Adastro and Acalacna,

standing by their side. They were reminded of a feeling more powerful than fear.

Love!

It was the love for their fellows and family.

The love for their homes that drive them to come together.

They didn’t want to lose any of them. They wanted to find the strength to fight for them.

And Adastro had given them that strength, and so the tides of battle had changed.

The combined number of the Falcorii overwhelmed the blazing beast as they charged with determination

and so Mogmoi stood no chance against them.

Eventually Adastro’s deeds granted him the favor of the people

and when ascended to the sky he became a star deity, with a Star Temple built below him. 

And so Adastro’s star stood bright and big above the coldest peaks of the snow mountains

to warm the hearts of the lone travelers and remind them

that a wandering soul is not lost when it has a purpose…