[2913] [13757] Pool of Enquiry [Caregivers p1]

The weight of the Order’s hostile territory still lingered on Pyrrah’s shoulders, but as he and Theneras stepped into the Caregivers’ domain, things felt... different. Quieter, sure, but in a way that made the silence almost suffocating now. It had been a long journey. Pyrrah let out a slow breath, glancing at Theneras. After the mess with Shira, neither of them had much to say, but it was clear they were both glad to be out of there. That didn’t mean what was ahead would be any easier, though. Theneras had suffered heavy blows from the Harbinger, and his steps were slow, but steady. He kept close to Pyrrah and his peppy personality definitely had suffered from the physical load of recovery.

Their guides, the Haedians leading them deeper into the heart of the Caregivers’ sanctuary, barely said a word. Pyrrah caught a few side-glances, but they seemed more interested in watching them than talking. Eventually, the cavern opened up to a space like nothing Pyrrah had ever seen before. Crystals lined the walls, glowing soft and faint, casting shimmering light across the still water of a huge, mirror-like pool at the centre. Theneras couldn’t help but release a gasp of wonder. The Caregiver Haedians were here too, observing, watching, judging. The Matriarch’s Handmaids, apparently. Their eyes followed Pyrrah and Theneras closely, and at the head of them all was the Governess; the same Haedian who’d pulled them out of the Order’s reach earlier. Pyrrah could feel the tension in the air, like they were waiting for something, sizing them up without saying a word. A calm before the storm, in a way.

Finally, the Governess stepped forward, her voice calm but carrying the weight of command.

Governess~ "The path before you is not one of words. This is a test of your soul– your essence. The pool will reveal who you truly are."

Pyrrah blinked. A “soul test?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but he threw a quick glance at Theneras. He was fairly sure his friend Zarumaal would have much better insight on such a thing– and Pyrrah almost kicked himself for not listening to the man drone on about his practice..

Theneras’ owner wasn’t much into the whole soul happening either. She’d gone and found mediators and mediums and spiritcallers for her own affliction, but Theneras was never present to really know what was going on with that. Or what to expect.

Pyrrah-Vos~ "So, what... We just walk on in?"

He tried to sound casual, but inside, his nerves were kicking up a storm. What exactly was this pool supposed to show? He’d done a lot—some good, some... not so much. That being said, he was hardly a sinner so to speak. Was it going to pull out.. everything?

The Governess didn’t answer directly, just nodded to the water. Pyrrah let out a slow breath, shot one more look at Theneras, and stepped forward.

Pyrrah-Vos~ "Alright, here goes nothing..."

He muttered, pulling off his gear and stepping closer to the water’s edge. The crystalline surface shimmered, casting faint glimmers on his fur– seeming almost iridescent. As his paws touched the water, a chill ran up his spine. But it wasn’t unpleasant. He waded in, the water deepening until it reached his chest. There, he felt the pool’s stillness soak into him. The water mirrored his reflection perfectly—no distortions, just him staring back at himself. It was unnerving. But as the Governess had said, this wasn’t just about his image. He felt something beneath the surface, a pull, like the water was probing deeper into him than any physical look could.

Memories flickered at the edges of his mind—flashes of the past. Battles, healing, moments of uncertainty, of pride, of doubt– Pyrrah could see himself in the eyes of others. Those he’d helped, those he’d fought. It wasn’t all good, but it wasn’t all bad either. But he felt it, rocking gently at his core.

Theneras watch as Pyrrah entered the water, a grimace on his face. Ofcourse, he couldn’t really see what they were seeing, so Pyrrah just awkwardly stood in the water and the Haedians around them nodded in seeming approval. Or so he thought, or hoped, anyway. He too, took steps forward, looking down to the water and the environment below. It reflected the crystalline ceiling above them, and in them, Theneras swore he could see something. He could see… himself. 

The chaser looked back up, or tried to, but his head refused to move and for a moment it seemed like the crystals were growing larger, and larger, until the entire pool’s reflection was one giant shard. He stumbled, disorientated, and fell down in the process as his mind too started giving him flashes of his past. His struggle in his early life, his adoption into the clan, his owner’s own feverish condition haunting her and him trying to do all he could to alleviate the stress on her life, his desperation to prove himself to her leading him into these caves- all of it rushing through- and out- into the careful watching eyes of the Handmaids.