[ti]location[/ti] NOONLIGHT SHRINE

"We give our thanks, to nature." Tiernan explained, eyes closed as he took in a slow breath. Rae was nestled at the roots, Fa'linrush standing at the edge of the tree, looking straight up. "And to the gods that protect us." Fal'inrush warbled, voice rising up through the branches. Rae'shalare pawed at the dirt, nosing at the loam gently.

So as it turned out, the nearest shrine to the Surge Steppes no longer existed. Which was odd, but she didn’t have time to get into questioning that. For now, Taylor had a little buddy to get patched up! Heading instead to the Shrine in Birchwild Grove, she slowly approached, eyeing the huge tree warily. It wasn’t the tree itself that had her on edge, but rather the huge fucking Moltres in the upper branches.

“Okaaaay...” she murmured to herself, watching how none of the other players around seemed in any way disconcerted by this. “Okay. I guess this is good and normal then...” Shrugging, she did her best to look casual and unconcerned as she approached the ancient shrine. One eye lingering on the other players nearby and how they approached and interacted with the area. Eventually, it would seem her hesitation became too much, and Mumble released himself from his pokeball in a flash of white light, before calmly and contentedly waddling his way over to the trunk.

After a moment, he seemed rejuvenated, and turned expectantly back to Taylor. “Oh! Oh, you’re good?” she asked with wide eyes, receiving all the sass of a duh eye-roll from the little water-type in response. “Well okay then!” The woman laughed. “Let’s get back to kicking some feathered butt, shall we?”

Like many before him, he wasn't exactly close to running out of health. But he wasn't far off or anything, and he felt that it would be far better to go into the tall grass with full health. For taking hits and dishing them out. Hibiscus had tried saying that he didn't need it, that they should just look for more Pokemon, but Caspian knew better. That was just him trying to get into the thick of things sooner rather than later.

Moltres was apparently roosted up high, and there was a little brief note that said something about praying for war. But even with the potential buffs that could come with a blessing from the great legendary bird, Caspian decided to forego that. He just started this game, he wasn't exactly hoping that there would be some kind of great big war starting already. That could be a fun sort of event to do later, but... well he only had his Bulbasaur right now! Just reading that was enough to make Caspian decide he really needed to look for another Pokemon.

Sighing softly, Caspian reached out and placed a hand upon the trunk of the great tree. And just like that... he was full up and ready to go back out there.

<Why is it called Noonlight Shrine?>

Silvermoon paused, looking back at Kintsugi. They.... "I, um, I don't know." They answered, squintin at the tree as if it could give them answers. It didn't do much, branches waving softly in the breeze. "Um, well, there's a Moltres up there, and noon is the brightest part of the day... so that's peobably why?" It felt like a fair guess.

Kintsugi only nodded, moving to sniff at the exposed roots. Hopefully the big pokemon wouldn't mind that Silvermoon had brought a friend...

The shrine never got any less breathtaking, each time Verai traveled to it. The sunlight never lost its wonder, the tree never any of its grace or elegance. Even when the massive bird could not be sighed in the boughs, the tree- the area was still filled with wonder.

But it still seemed less, somehow. Verai looked up, at the clear sky, and found himself wanting. For a rush of wind, the growl of thunder, the strike and flash of lightning.

But nothing came, and eventually, Verai quietly left.

That Shroomish did some major damage. Artemis was in Athysh's arms as she walked to the Noonlight Shrine. This was supposed to be the place where she could heal up before going back into any other possible wild pokemon battles. The question remained, on if this was actually going to work, though. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. Do I touch the shrine?" Athysh stared at the giant tree, life seeming to radiate off of it.

She put Artemis down, the Rowlet moving sluggishly to keep up with her. This made Athysh keep her pace slow as they made their way up to the base of the tree. Curious, she held a hand out to the tree, wondering if it felt physically how it seemed to feel from the radiating life. As she touched the tree, she felt something, and looked down at Artemis who seemed to be energetic, and was flying once more.

"Let's do this, Artemis. Let's show that Shroomish who is boss."

Verai returned once more to the shrine. He had seen the option come up, before, hesitating at the edges of his vision. He had simply ignroed it until now.

The foognus had wanted to go with him- But he was quiet, and disliked fighting, and Kitten was loud, and very much liked fighting. It was clear the two couldn't hope to be on a team together- and Verai would not force that. He had asked the foongus what they wanted, and quietly the foongus had spoken. Of the trees and grass, of helping grow and become strong, so that even more could be helped. It was a noble calling- and a far cry from whatever Verai was doing in this game.

So, he had returned to the shrine. He'd translated the words at the edge of the screen, and found they held a solution. "This place is a legendary's domain," He explained, voice quiet, respectful. He approached the tree, setting the foongus down amidst the roots. "They need pokemon to serve them- to help keep the area safe for visitors. Does that... sound like something you'd like?"

The foongus thought, quiet, and nodded.

Verai took a step back. "Vibrant Moltres, as I have aided your sibling, so too do I aid you- I offer you this pokemon, that you might exalt them as your servant."

The tree shifted, and with a burst of flame- and the faintest smell of lightning- the foongus was gone.

Verai has exalted the foongus