Chapter 54 – A Goddess Remembered
Chapter 54 – A Goddess Remembered
Snow crunched beneath Tyler’s boots as he dashed across the ridges of the northern peak. Guided by Zephryn’s instructions, he followed the curve of the mountain until he spotted a dark crevice nestled between two icy outcrops. The blizzard, now reduced to a gentle wind, allowed him clearer visibility—just enough to make out humanoid figures huddled at the cave entrance.
[Quest Updated: Into the Howling Gale]
[Objective Complete: Locate the Missing Climbers]
[Next Objective: Escort the Climbers back to Yandi]
Tyler slowed his sprint and approached with caution. “Hey! You all right?” he called out, voice echoing across the frost-covered stone.
The group turned in unison—five climbers, all dressed in heavy winter gear, their faces pale with cold and hunger. One of them, a white-furred rabbit hybrid, stepped forward. “You… you came for us?”
Tyler nodded. “I was sent by Shooba. Zephryn told me where to find you.”
“You talked to her?” a younger girl—part fox, part crow—asked in awe.
“There’s no time for questions now,” Tyler said. “Come on. We need to move before the weather turns again.”
One of the older Climber collapsed to his knees as he tried to stand. “I… I don’t think I can make it.”
Tyler helped hoist the man onto his back. “You don’t have to. I’ll carry you.”
With Tyler leading and [Sprint] keeping his footing steady on the slick ice, they made their descent toward the sanctuary. When they reached the broken gates of the Skyreach Monastery, the storm fully cleared above them. For the first time in weeks, sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the courtyard in pale gold.
The climbers paused at the threshold, eyes wide with awe.
Zephryn stood at the far end of the sanctuary, her jade feathers fluttering in the gentle breeze. Her white robe shimmered in the light. She seemed ethereal—like a divine figure stepped straight out of a legend.
The climbers dropped to their knees.
“Goddess of the Wind,” one whispered reverently.
Zephryn blinked. “Goddess?”
Another followed suit. “We’re so sorry to have trespassed. We had no idea your sacred lands extended this far.”
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“We seek no harm,” a third added. “Only shelter.”
Zephryn looked to Tyler, unsure of what to say. He simply smiled. “Seems like your reputation is still intact.”
Among the group, a stocky bear hybrid stood up and adjusted the carpentry tools strapped across his back. “This place… it was once a temple, wasn’t it?”
Zephryn nodded slowly.
“It’s beautiful,” he said. “Or… it was. If you’d allow it, we’d be honoured to help restore it.”
Others chimed in—a mason, a tiler, even a floral artisan. Despite their exhaustion, they began discussing what could be salvaged and what could be rebuilt. Tyler stepped back as a spontaneous reconstruction plan began to unfold before him.
Days passed in a blur.
Shattered walls were replaced with clean, chiselled stone. Stained glass windows were reassembled piece by piece, the colours returning to the sanctuary like scattered memories pieced back together. Benches were rebuilt and smoothed. Vines and flowers began to curl along the walkways.
Zephryn watched it all in silence.
She stood at the edge of her once-broken courtyard, hands clasped tightly in front of her. She didn’t speak, but the corners of her eyes shimmered. Every movement of the workers, every stone placed, was like a memory returned from exile.
Her sanctuary—no, her home—was coming back to life.
That night, she sat alone on the rebuilt throne at the centre of the courtyard. The climbers, now followers, gathered in respectful silence, forming a circle around her.
No chants. No grand ceremony.
Just presence.
Tyler stood near the archway, watching her from afar.
When she noticed him, she tilted her head slightly. “Leaving already?”
He nodded. “I’ve done what I came here to do. You don’t need me anymore.”
A breeze rolled past them. Soft. Gentle.
She rose from her throne and walked toward him. “That may be true,” she said. “But even so, you’ve given me something I didn’t know I missed.”
Tyler smiled, a little sadly. “I guess we both learned something, huh?”
She looked down at her palm and opened it. A small, glowing stone hovered above her hand—a swirl of pale blue encased in crystal.
“Take it,” she said. “It’s yours.”
[Acquired Runestone — Dash]
[Skill: Sprint → Dash]
[Allows instant traversal between two points. Movement at near-light speed. PE cost: 4]
Tyler blinked. “Whoa. This is…”
“A blessing,” she said. “That skill of yours which you use to run around, blessed with the attribute of wind.” She continued, “You helped rebuild what I thought was lost forever. You brought back worship, brought back faith. That power of yours… it’s earned.”
Tyler scratched his head. “Any chance I could get Wind Cutter too?”
Zephryn raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously asking again?”
“What? It’s a great move!”
She folded her arms. “I already told you, you’re not getting that. Don’t push your luck. I still haven’t forgiven you, you know.”
Tyler laughed sheepishly. “Fair enough.”
She softened slightly, then added, “Besides, as had I said already, the wind isn’t meant for violent brutes like you. It’s subtle. Elegant. Graceful.”
He bowed dramatically. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“And Dash suits you better anyway. You’re always moving. Always chasing. You’ll need it—especially if you plan to face the other Primordial Beasts.”
Tyler paused. “You don’t mind that?”
Zephryn shook her head. “We Primordial Beasts aren’t allies. Nor enemies. We exist within our own domains, separate and sovereign. What happens to the others doesn’t concern me. But,” she narrowed her gaze slightly, “I would be offended if I was the only one who lost her divine key to you.”
Tyler chuckled. “Duly noted.”
He turned to leave.
Zephryn watched him go, this time with warmth instead of cold suspicion. Around her, laughter echoed from the workers, and for the first time in centuries, the winds carried hope.
The goddess, once forgotten, now remembered.