Welcome to Gaia! ::

The sentry looked out over the world it had known for countless years. Even as it took in the ruins -with only a partial wall evident- of the Herald Sanctum, the memory of buildings, gardens, and overall beauty, continued to assault whatever senses it still had.



It is obvious as you look around that this place has seen better days. It is a valley with a lake, surrounded by mountains. Only the remains of a wall are still obviously visible.

The Guardian sat, and waited. When the last sacrifice was made, they all gave off a very strong light. The white light encompassed them all and bleached out the whole Sanctum. All that could be seen were the Heralds and the Guardian.

White teeth flashing in the light, the Sanctum Guardian smiled. "The sacrifices have been made, and the Sanctuary of the Heralds will exist for at least one more generation. Thank you, all of you."

And with that.... the whole world went white.

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Alone in the new Sanctum, the Guardian looked around. Its energy was almost spent, and it would have to return once more to being the silent and invisible protector of the sanctuary. It couldn't help but notice the differences already. Time would be the telling factor to all the complete changes, but the Sanctum was bigger and more wide spread.

Even as the Guardian disappeared, the Sanctum recreated itself.... in the image of its own Sacrifices.

((NOTE! ALL the Heralds were sent back to a single place.... there is now an angel figurine -looking suspiciously like the Guardian- in the center of the Gaia Cemetary made of the pure silver stone similar to the sacrifice slabs. It is assumed they all disperse from that point.))



June 30 - July 2 =When questions were directed at it, then the being turned its glossy eyes in the direction of the speaker. It waited a little bit before speaking.

"Well, as I mentioned, you all must make a sacrifice. This could be anything - something from your person, something you made, or a direct object made from any powers you may possess. Many of you are young, very young, so your powers may not be fully developed. However, given this extreme situation, I can help you tap into them if you so choose this path." It wasn't completely sure this would work. Last time, the Heralds had directly connected the Sanctum to themselves. Obviously, this hadn't lasted once they all 'forgot' about this sanctuary. It hoped that maybe this method would last longer.

"This wall here can serve as the platform for such sacrifices. It will also help to bridge the gap of old and new." Or so it hoped.

It looked around expectantly. A couple came forward. One took a sharp rock and cut off a bound lock of hair. Another pulled out -quite painfully, too- a feather. Both put their sacrifices on the wall next to the sitting being. The hair and feather glowed a little bit - the sacrifices were made.
June 21 - 29 = Begins Page 4 As happened recently, all the Heralds had another instinctual drive leading them to the wall of the valley. Despite having vines, vegetation, and other acts of nature surrounding the ancient ruins; the wall itself was untouched as if an unseen force repelled and denied any attempts to reclaim it.

All the Heralds gathered after a time, and their glittering eyes looked around expectantly. Unspoken questions were shot about, but no one -not even Shayna and Taka who had been here before- knew why they were called to this wall. Some had already made themselves comfortable, the feeling settled that they would be there for awhile.

Some time passed, and finally the air itself stirred. A form gathered on the wall, and a mist swirled around. Carefully, something manifest. It was a man, or maybe a woman... gender could not be easily determined. The face was smooth and beautiful as any woman, but had edges that no woman could claim. The long white hair was mostly pulled in a simple braid down the beings back, but wisps of it escaped and fluttered in an unfelt breeze. It's hairless chest was bare, and definately not one belonging to a woman. Long feathery wings, which marked this being as obviously a Herald, were folded on the back. The only clothing was a white cloth wrapped around the waist.

The figure sat on the wall gracefully, leaning on flawless legs. Bright blue eyes surveyed the Heralds, and finally a smile broke out on the being's face. "Hello, younglins. I am sure you are wondering where you are. This is the Sanctum, a Sanctuary for the Heralds who survived the fusion with their sacrifice. It has been in existance for a long time, before history was written. The first Heralds live on Gaia among the inhabitants, but after a few centuries decided they wanted a place they could call their own.

"With sacrifices of their own, they made this place. It looked very different back then." The still semi-translucent being looked around the valley almost wistfully. "Anyway, aeons passed. With each new generation, the Sanctum took on new qualities. Centuries ago, the Heralds started to forget -just as you all have slowly forgotten- about this place. The Sanctum suffers without its Heralds to regenerate its power. A Storm came, and toppled the buildings they Heralds had created. Too late, they realized their mistake, and some who tried any last-minute efforts were caught under the debris. Without anyone to help, they soon died and their very essence was given back to the Sanctum, and it was allowed to live on some more -but it was changed. The buildings no longer stand, and all that is left is this single wall."

The being patted the wall it sat on affectionately and turned back to the Heralds that still stood, sat, and watched, in front of it. It said no more, but remained as if waiting for them to realize the implications.
June 13 - 21 = Begins Page 2 All Heralds heard the call, no matter where they were. Immediately they went out to their 'birthplace'... meaning the slab of stone where their sacrifice was given to them. If they are simply too far away from their stone, then it is assumed they tagged along with another Herald and used that stone as their 'portal' instead (Note: All Heralds no matter what; you do not need to RP this out).

As if in a daze, they realize they are not where they were once more. They are in a gorgeous valley. All around this valley are obviously treacherous and impassable mountains. In the middle lies a glittering lake.

Forests and greenery are around as well. The sound is silence, except for the whispering of the breeze over the lake and through the leaves of the vegetation. There are no signs of animals in the entire valley.

For now, there is nothing to do... except wander and meet the other Heralds who are obviously in the same situation as your own.
June 6-12 = During the month of May, every Herald's been having stranges recurring dreams. What could they mean?

... Prompt Considerations: There are three dreams to choose from. Keep in mind, your Herald has only had ONE of these... and every night your Herald slept it has had it. Here are the choices...

Dream One: You are walking through an are very much so not like Gaia at all. The sun is always shining, and a soft breeze caresses your silk-like clothes. You spread your fully grown wings and beat then hard to the ground. With that one powerful stroke, you are airborne, where you rise to perch on a pillar's top. Looking around from your area, you see an ivory-pillared temple. Around that are many gardens, shops, houses. Beings much like yourself stroll around: large wings in many shapes and colors, silk robes, long flowing hair... Life is good, you never want to leave.

Dream Two: A storm has taking over paradise. The trees and plants are thrashing all over, hitting pillars and stone. A few Herald-looking beings have stayed, but they only remain as broken and bloodied corpses. As you watch, the buildings break and fall as lightning from the unnatural storm strikes. No one is there to stop it, not even you -someone who is watching- can help.

Dream Three: The place you are is being renewed. The sky is blue, the grass is green.... but something is seriously... wrong. The ivory pillars have fallen and lay in ruins. Vines and flowers have overrun them, nature seems to be taking its course. A feeling always nags in your mind, "What's happened? Can it be fixed?"