When True Tranquility Blooms from Chaos
Ardyn and Varric's spirit bodies did not walk across the fold; they spread across it. As they did so, the paleness of the fold began to take on a vibrancy that was uniquely its own. With each tick in the increase of vibrancy, the fold learned or remembered something different.
And each time Planar learned or remembered, a subtle pulse of excitement ran through the fold and Ardyn and Varric's spirit bodies. It was like small electrical currents triggered by the body's need for something vital yet unknown.
Within this, Varric's scales reacted and changed, and as he began to evolve, he triggered an evolution in Ardyn's spirit body as well. His scales became like bottomless pools of black with deeper motes of silver that seemed to twinkle from deep within the surface of each.
Motes of light that seemed ethereal and omniscient – as if they were distant stars that had seen eons of galaxies created and ceased in a single glint.
Ardyn's spirit body reacted by expanding. It was like she was given part of what Varric shed, or became, in equal measure. She felt the calmness of her soul sea turn and roll over itself and become ancient and knowing.
Magic and knowledge ran in a myriad of currents beneath its surface. Her senses surveyed the changes as once again her hibiscus beach grew and shifted to match and accommodate the power of her dark soul sea.
As their individual changes continued, their soul tie became even more intricate and powerful. Surges of soft, sensual, and protective power rose between them. They felt ripples of heat run through their minds, spirits, and souls.
The tie moved forward and became a dense strand of six braids that then locked in a way that made their bond even tighter and more fluid.
When it was complete, they were both spent and more powerful. They sat and the fold fed and nourished them.
On the plateau, Atina and Elsa watched as Ardyn's body rose and was wrapped in a dense cushion of super-cooled air. Her skin froze as runes were etched into her skin, hot and smoking. Her skin glowed white hot, and Atina and Elsa could hear the sizzle of each mark and the smell of burnt flesh.
And Ardyn's body never twitched.
She slowly rotated – in a vertical position – as her entire body was marked. When it was all done, the vines and flowers of Elsa and the black and pink magic of Planar healed and recorded her.
Robes of the finest threading spun themselves into existence. They layered themselves onto her body and laid themselves like a second skin. They flared brightly, calmed, and became a magical outer layer of skin.
Elsa smiled. 'She has learned how to make a magical defensive skin. You need to catch up to your little sister, Atina.'
Atina's face was calm and expressionless. 'It was never possible for me to match my Mistress, Teacher.'
Elsa simply shook her head as a knowing smile played on her lips.
Ardyn's body stayed elevated – as if waiting for her return – her skin was more supple, more beautiful, her features were more ethereal, and her presence was more powerful.
Both her soul and her body had evolved for a second time in two days.
Ardyn and Varric lay together within the fold of Planar's layers. Ardyn's amethyst eyes looked up into the soft light and she understood what she needed to do to reconnect Planar to Sidus Serpens.
She began to sing and she felt Sidus Serpens open to her from one side and Planar open up to her from the opposite side. Their senses ran down the length of her song – a thread of dark amethyst – as if they hoped to meet the creator of the song itself.
They came together and Ardyn's song, presence, and love bound them together.
There was no resistance, just remembrance, and a sense of everything being right. There was a slight pause and then the soft yellows and blues of the fold brightened to dazzling golds, bronzes, sapphires, and indigos.
The light shone down on Ardyn and Varric and they felt the thanks, and the reverence.
Varric rose and brought Ardyn up with him – with a broad smile.
"As usual you have done more than I could have ever expected." He kissed her softly.
"Please remember how vital you are to me." He hugged her, not wanting to let her go.
They both knew it was time to go, yet neither of them was ready. They held on to each other – longing merging into desperation – and then Ardyn's eyes opened.
A single tear dropped from her amethyst eyes and onto the multi-colored plateau. But that was all she could expend, because she lost nothing, and when she finished her self-imposed quest she fully understood just how intrinsically close she and Varric would be.
She sighed and began to slowly descend to Atina's side. When she spoke, her voice sounded like a soft wooden wind-chime in a gentle breeze.
"Thank you both for waiting." She looked to Atina. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yes, Mistress."
Elsa smiled, her voice lingering on the wind as she disappeared from before them. "I guess I can't call you 'Little One' anymore."