Hear Me, as the bush needs water to grow, and the flowers must be tended to before they wither, send your blessings of the holy sands before your servant dries into dust.

A lost soul cries out into the night sky. The sands of the hourglass run thin, as the soul finds no answer to the Blackstar. With time running out, the soul’s fleeting life seems certain to end.

Let me overpower the certainty of death.

The prayer finishes. A weakened hand clutching to his Haladie refuses to let go. His armor of faith is cracked, yet still protects him from the void that awaits his demise.

‘Aal’s faithful servant. What causes you to cry out in a place like this? Nourish yourself with my words, carry yourself back to the fortress and rest. Take comfort that your prayer has reached Aal.’   
 

The words resonated with the lost soul. His mission to discover the truth of the Blackstar had reached an unfortunate end. But to return to a fortress filled of those who deny the teachings? Those old men who revel in the power they have over the servants of Aal? Perhaps he should obey the command, return to where his journey began and turn his brothers back towards the true path, and not that of the false leaders.

‘Of all Aal’s servants, I appeared before you, and in this form, I will reveal the truth. I am the truth, so return and pray, for there you shall fulfill the rest of your mission. If each of your deeds is a grain of sand, then you are the reason for the Great Desert. You have filled the space between Valencia and Mediah with your heroics, and with these deeds you need to take comfort and spend the rest of your time under Aal’s blessing.’

As he listened to the words, the lost soul began to reflect on the commandments of Aal. The first disciple, Barhan, took the words of Aal and committed them to scripture. The final disciple, Kayal, spoke of the Blackstar’s fall and how it would open the doors to Paradise to the north. However, the Blackstar did fall, yet Paradise had not opened its shrouded gates. And in that moment, the mist in his mind began to fade, and clarity was once more his.

Stand aside false herald, for those of pure intention would not speak with a serpent’s tongue.

In that moment the ground around them shifted as thousands of sand colored snakes slithered away, revealing a grand city in front the soul and the herald.

‘Take stock of your surroundings servant. Your birthright surrounds you. Breathe in the city, let it fill your very being. Bow before me and I will ensure that your blood sits on the throne of Valencia for the rest of time.’

‘The serpentine shadow whispers of a paradise filled with false hope’.

The soul was now fortified by the teachings of Aal.

‘The serpentine shadow whispers of a paradise.’

The soul realized what it was he must do.

‘The serpentine shadow whispers.’

The soul reached out.

Servant of Hadum, with Aal on my side I shall not falter. This servant is loyal only to Aal, and I must do what is within my power to best serve him. I am the Blade of Aal so prepare, foul creature, for today will be your last.