MASKTOURN

Albanes didn't exactly want to be in the temple right now, with everything... happening, but it was raining too much to go out. She remained in the temple entryway, ignoring the smoldering remains of Asha's effigy, and contemplated the reliefs. Her gaze seemed particularly fixed on the headless figure... @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Rain wasn't something that deterred Invo from being outside. He traveled in shadows, after all. As long as there was something to move along with, he would. After his conversation with Cansu, and once the funeral was done, Invo slowly made his way up to the temple. He wanted to explore it, see what the Lifebringer had created in its own domain. The storm made it difficult to see most of the surroundings, but Invo could still make out the vague forms of the statues around him. He looked around, but stopped as he noticed a living form near the door of the temple. Albanes' shadow was enough for Invo to make the jump and he formed right beside her. "You're the Lifebringer," he states, rather than asks. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes startled as Invo formed near her, though she quickly regained composure with a deep breath. "Oh, hello there." She greeted. "Yes, I am. And you're one of the contestants. I believe you spoke to Naiyta before the tournament, didn't you?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo stared down at Albanes. "It did. And it spoke about you, to me," he said as he examined the younger Lifebringer. "Out of all the Lifebringers I know.. you were the only one I was unaware of. How long have you reigned?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes, at least, didn't look younger. She almost had a motherly air about her, and looked over Invo with a certain, resigned sadness. "You might have been brought in from a time before my reign. I've been on the throne for... I think about four-hundred fifty years, or so." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Four-hundred and fifty years. Invo most certainly would of known if Albanes was already the Lifebringer in his time. He pointed out towards the statues out front, but continued to look straight at Albanes. "Those statues... who are they," he questioned. He already had a vague idea, but getting confirmation from a Lifebringer would be more definitive. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes followed his gaze to the reliefs. "They're the previous Lifebringer incarnations. Or, well- the ones in between Naiyta and I. If we weren't, well, out and about here, Naiyta would have a statue on that side, near Anore, and I would have one over here." She gestured to the empty plinth. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo turned towards the statues as Albanes spoke. So they're the Lifebringers. It made sense. "Could these other Lifebringers come to life like you two?" Invo asked. "And are all those other statues around here you Lifebringers?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah... theoretically, yes, but that probably won't be happening anytime soon." Albanes hummed. "And yes, the statues around the wilds are also of the other Lifebringer incarnations." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo's expression tightened a bit and he turned his attention back to the Lifebringer in front of him. "Who is the statue without their head?" It was a tad too dark to make out the details of each statue, and even then, Invo really only recognized a couple forms with the vague lighting provided. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes's gaze lingered on the headless statue. "That... is my immediate predecessor, Yeonaixho Sehwolh. You're probably familiar with him." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Yeonaixho. Yes, Invo did know of him. "Why is he beheaded?" He asked and turned towards the broken statue as well. "None of the other statues are damaged. Can it not be fixed?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's.... none of your concern." Albanes said dismissively. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo folded his arms at that. "I believe what is my concern is for my choosing. If you simply don't want to answer, you could say so," he replied. "The first Lifebringer wasn't much useful in information. What is your goal in hosting this farce? Surely, you two are not that weak where mortal souls are needed to fix your realm." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes frowned. "You're asking about matters that are intensly private to the Lifebringer. It isn't your right- or frankly, any of your business- to ask about them." She took in a breath. "I am not hosting the tournament. Naiyta's goals and mine are not the same." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Again, what is my business is for my choosing. Not yours, petty Lifebringer," Invo glared. "If you two are not ones to share a goal, that must mean you have opposing ideals for this circus. Even in a realm meant for you Lifebringers, it seems the power struggle is indefinite," he scoffed. "What are you trying to achieve here? If not for the balance of power like that other blasted Lifebringer?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes stiffened. "When it is a conflict that does not involve you in the slightest, it is not your business. You're just poking your nose where it doesn't belong." Her tone was stiff and measured, but still even tempered. "I do not share my goals or ambitions with those whom it does not directly concern. You're being very rude, you know." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"A conflict starts when you involve mortals in your schemes. I believe your definition of business is quite skewed, Lifebringer," Invo argued. "You bring us here to die and you're upset I am being rude? You are even more ridiculous than your predecessor." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I did not bring you here. None of this is my doing." Albanes replied. "But I am not going to stand here and be mocked and interrogated by some- teenager." She frowned. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo cocked his head at that. So Naiyta was the one in main charge. That was useful information. "I am not a teenager," that much Invo was certain on. "You should of expected to be interrogated if you are a part of the being that keep us here. To be offended by it is.. childish, to say the least," he mused. "Regardless, it seems you are not exactly an enthusiastic accomplice." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes sighed. "Just because something might be 'expected'," She said in air quotes. "Doesn't mean it's not impolite." "Quite the opposite. I'm actually trying to get you all out of here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo simply shrugged. He didn't care to discuss the morale and ethics of being rude to your kidnapper. "Out? I highly doubt that. Your predecessor won't allow for it if it wants us for its power," Invo huffed. "Unless you're willing to go against it?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's why I said 'trying', and that's what 'my goals do not align with Naiyta's' means." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo didn't hide the face he made as he stared at Albanes. "..I somehow doubt that still. Is this what the Lifebringer meant when it said it was fighting for power? A power struggle between Lifebringers is quite.. humorous to me," Invo said with the slightest of chuckles. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, you can ask Naiyta to clarify the next time you see it." Albanes said dismissively. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

That just made Invo chuckle more. "Ah.. You Lifebringers are all quite amusing," he commented. "What would happen if we destroyed all of the statues here?" Invo then asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can't." Albanes said simply. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He raised a brow. "We can't?" Invo repeated. "How did Yeonaixho's statue get destroyed then?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You can't." Albanes said, hoping her emphasis might be enough to let Invo know without her having to verbalize it. "The statue was already broken before any of you got here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo crossed his arms and huffed. "Then did you break it?" He asked. "I don't see any reason why the first Lifebringer would... but you've been staring at it like a fish with a lure." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes frowned, and looked away from the statue to the temple entrance. "That's not something worth discussing with a stranger. It's getting late. I'm going to bed. Goodnight." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo stared down at Albanes knowingly. "You Lifebringers sure know how to avoid your problems," he shrugged as he started to sink back into the shadows. "Don't let that statue haunt you forever," Invo commented before disappearing completely. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs