Nyxthorn 3 - Koru/Xayah/Ema

Even with the increasing volume of metal striking stone and the indecipherable chatter of everyone in the cavern, the prickle as a whole took the lead to hurry back to the Matriarch once she was within view.

“There we go. Hopefully, they don’t spook again for a while.” Xayah smiled, watching the small creatures start nuzzling and climbing on the Matriarch’s head. She knew them running off again was inevitable, but hopefully it just… wouldn’t be within the next couple days. 

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Koru sighed with relief at the sight, a warm smile rising to his lips. “Brilliant work, my star,” he nuzzled his wife. “And thank you, Ema, for your help.” 

The Empyrean gave another one of her slow and formal nods. “It was my pleasure. And I return the sentiment. Your resourceful magic and excellent performance made short work of this task.” Her voice lacked much enthusiasm, but it was soft, glad. 

The hustle and bustle of the cavern had quieted down given the Matriarch’s distress and shifting, but as soon as the little ones came running over to her side, she seemed to sigh a heavy breath of relief. Her muscles relaxed as she watched her companions play around her, settling in their places near her head. With her relief, one could swear she almost smiled, through all her crystalline teeth and lack of eyes- she was relieved. 

The Caregivers tended to her in the moment, and seemed to make sure she was well and good before anyone was allowed to continue their work. A much needed break to many, the three watched as Vayrons, Empyreans, and more went to take a drink of water, enjoy a replenishing snack and stretch their sore muscles. It had been a lot of work to get this far, and they were almost done. Koru could only wonder what came after the Matriarch was freed from her crystalline prison.

—

Xayah nuzzled Koru in return, a soft smile on her face as she enjoyed the affection before returning her focus to the nyxthorn and the Matriarch. As well as the many reosans and other humanoids who were taking the chance to rest. Everyone needed to, really. A break for not only the ones working away at freeing the Matriarch, but she herself also needed the break. It was already proven to be an unpleasant and painful experience for her at times. Something like that takes a toll on everyone.

“I wonder what will come after she has been freed,” Xayah thought aloud as she settled in to rest as well, watching as the nyxthorn waddled about and the Caregivers tended to both them and the Matriarch.

They were ever dutiful in their tending. Feeding her the foods she favored, filing harsh points of crystal, and generally providing a comforting word and touch. Let alone how they tended to the rest of the workers when needed- even they were being offered sweet snacks in thanks for finding the nyxthorn and guiding them back to the Matriarch.

“Where do you come from, Ema?” Xayah asked after a few moments of quiet, turning her head to look up at the Empyrian curiously. “There are reosans from all over, and I would be lying if I were to say I wasn’t curious about it all.”

—

Koru laid down beside Xayah and rested his head down. After so much physical labor and utilizing his magic, his mind was tired. Before work would resume, he’d bask in the moderate quiet while it lasted. 

“For once, I can’t even imagine.” He replied, half absently as he watched the Caregivers work away. “This is all so foreign to me, despite all we’ve learned of the clans to this day. What will Oris do given his influence is changed down here? Will the Matriarch get reburied after a time or will she attempt to go to the surface?” The possibilities were many and Koru wasn’t sure he favored any more than the others at this moment. He was uncertain, and his magic had been too spent to use his sight for any clues. He needs his brazier, his fire.

Xayah’s question pulled the Empyrean from her quiet thought— one would assume she was thinking. The old veil turned to the Vayron, nodding. “I reside here, in Vitalus. Far to the Western shore, there lies a city above a city. Those floating islands are my home.” She explained as though reminiscing of home. “I am a priestess at a temple there, tending to others’ minds and bodies as they come for my aid.” 

“Explains your magic,” Koru chimed in, lifting his head to be polite. “That sort of care might be useful to tend to the Matriarch, would the Caregivers permit it.” 

Ema looked over to the large Haedian and her attendants. “I have offered my aid to the Haedians in many ways here. I have healed, I have soothed, but the Matriarch is under intensive care and attention from the Caregivers, I will not impose on their duties.” She nodded decisively, then stood from her place. “Work is soon to resume, and I must return to my duties among the clans. Thank you, Xayah, Koru, for inviting my aid for this task.” 

Koru sat up for their goodbyes, nodding his head in turn with Xayah. “Thank you as well, Ema, and good luck to you.” The empyrean parted into the open chamber, out to tend to any sprains or bruises.