PRAYER - XAYAH & KORU
“Beloved… The gods caused this.” Xayah murmured quietly to her husband, expression pinching as she thought through everything they’d been told so far. What they could see right before them, in the form of the Matriarch. “I don’t think it would be wise to pray to Oris to fix this. He caused her current state- I’d worry some other catch would be involved if he offered his help to her again. I don’t think the others will be keen to help. But… maybe Empyria will extend her aid again?”
It was worth a shot. Xayah hadn’t ever prayed, but this situation certainly called for it. No stone left unturned, if you will. At least with praying to Empyria, the worst that could happen is a no. Or a lack of a response at all, that is. Xayah couldn’t confidently say the same for any of the others.
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“All the tales written of the Gods and their influence upon our world seems so small compared to bearing witness to the aftermath. First, the divide ruptured by Cosmsis’ tail, then learning of the blessing of Empyria, and now Oris’ boon torturing the Matriarch.” Koru hummed, face twisted in remorse. Such terror held Vitalus in its past, with hiding, separation, and now rekindling lost roots. Koru could only imagine what it all felt like for the Tyrians.
“It’s worth a try. perhaps she will hear the call of the masses again, and aid the Matriarch to heal.’ He gave a half smile to his wife, before looking around them. “It’s been years since I’ve truly prayed to a god, decorations and offerings and all, but for this, we best give it our all.”
Koru began thinking of a good calm location, with some makeshift totem of reverence, and some offerings to Empyria. Fruit, flora, anything nurturing should please the God and pair well with their prayer for aid.
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“I suppose in a way, it is thanks to her aid that we have Keela. If Empyrians did not exist, then she likely wouldn’t either.” Xayah mused softly as she started gathering up whatever they could use. Perhaps some incense would work well too? A calm place to pray, with the offerings of bounty. That’d work well for the task at hand, probably.
“But… I agree. I have felt small many times in my life, but never have I felt so… insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We are but ants compared to it all. Compared to the Elder and Matriarch both, let alone the gods themselves.” Xayah took a breath, brows furrowed with her worry as she looked to her husband. “I want this to work, but… How do I know I’m doing this right? I have never done this before- is there even a wrong way to pray to her? Obviously no acts of violence in her name or blood offerings, but… I don’t have a frame of reference here.”
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The mention of Keela softened some of the tension in Koru’s brow. Xayah was right in that; they had a beautiful daughter carrying Empyria’s blessing forth in their line. They were fortunate for her, as much as they were surprised. Humming a chuckle to himself, he gave his wife a soft kiss on the shoulder, before helping her organize their assortment of offerings.
“A prayer to a God can be as elaborate as a painting, or as loud as a song, or a quiet whisper at the odd hour of the night in your bed. It’s the sincerity of the prayer that counts.” Koru spoke from experience on that regard. Praying to some God to aid him in his terrors when he was young. He can’t say any of them listened, but he found comfort in Cosmosis, and that was enough. “We want to do our part, to help these Tyrians find peace and resolution to their struggles and isolation. Even with all the incense,” he lit the sticks with his paw one by one, “and flowers, and gifts… Our sincere plea is what matters.” He smiled to Xayah as she fussed over the details of their display. With another small kiss on her temple, he drew a breath. “Shall we try?”
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Xayah relaxed some as Koru explained, the tension melting from her shoulders slightly as she adjusted some of the offerings one more time. There was a large portion of her that was worried this wouldn’t work at all, that her uncertainty on what to do would somehow nullify their efforts. Not trying at all wasn’t an option, though.
“Yes.” Xayah agreed, turning her head so she could give Koru a nuzzle as a tense sigh escaped her in a puff. “The offerings are as ready as they’re going to get, after all.”
The vayron sat next to her husband, her tail curling around him as the pair settled to start praying to Empyria. Xayah ignored the uncomfortable feeling that she wasn’t doing it right to instead close her eyes and just… do it. To think of their daughter and the Matriarch, the many haedians who needed their help- needed Empyria’s help.
