Information


Ayani has a minion!

Nyoki the Angelex




Ayani
Legacy Name: Ayani


The Angelic Neela
Owner: Aisynna

Age: 7 years, 3 months, 3 weeks

Born: December 6th, 2016

Adopted: 7 years, 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Adopted: December 6th, 2016

Statistics


  • Level: 49
     
  • Strength: 101
     
  • Defense: 96
     
  • Speed: 108
     
  • Health: 108
     
  • HP: 108/108
     
  • Intelligence: 2
     
  • Books Read: 0
  • Food Eaten: 0
  • Job: Unemployed


His deep-rooted love for Shinwa is more than just your typical hero worship. He adores Shinwa, delighting in everything she says and completing any task she sets him to do without question.

He aspired to join the Order of Shinwa from a young age. Initiates are known for their fierce courage and loyalty. They serve as guardians of her temple and aids that see to her every need. While Shinwa relies on average citizens of Subeta to track down the missing segments of her blessed bracelet, there are artifacts that boost her power that can only be entrusted to the most reliable and strong-willed of allies.

On his seventeenth birthday, he went before the Orb of Shinwa, a magical device that can read the hearts of a would-be initiate and which is charged with setting the tasks they must complete to become full members of the order. The Orb read the goodness and undying dedication to the goddess, but Ayani was young and inexperienced. The Orb set him three task, each seemingly more impossible than the next.

He was to pluck a hair from the stone brow of the Lady of the Temple. He was to present the Master Initiate with a cup of water taken from the Ring of Fire. Lastly, he was to capture the light of a star and give it to the goddess without using any type of jar to hold the light.

Ayani despaired, leaving Shinwa's Temple with a heavy heart. How could he hope to finish tasks that would be above the strength of the greatest battle pet and the wit of a Scholar of Alexander? He barely saw the familiar alleys of the Sacred Lands Souk as he made his way home. He had to use his wings to steady himself as a rather scruffy-looking Angelex scampered under his feet.

She was not like some minions which are adorable to look at with nothing but a puff of fluff for brains. Intelligence shone through wide blue eyes as she looked Ayani up and down.

"You're trying for a place at the temple, am I right?"

Ayani stared, his mouth hanging slightly open. He hadn't told his own family of his plan to consult the Orb. "How...how do you know that?"

The Agelex arched her back in a luxurious stretch. "Call me Nyoki. You could say I'm a sort of spirit guide. Runs in the family. My mother told me I would know when I'd found my partner. Most people have a subtle life glow around them. You blaze like the sun. Promise to always treat me well and to feed me cream at least once a week, and I will guide you through your tasks."

"I will always care for you, Nyoki. Even if I fail, you will find no better master."

Her face was almost smug. "You will not fail. The first task is set in stone. My Insight will not allow me to read the exact thoughts of the Orb, but that much I know."

"Your Insight?"

"Better than instinct, I assure you. Now tell me the first task."

"I'm to pluck a hair from the stone brow of the Lady of the Temple."

Nyoki purred. "Is that all? Take me to the temple. It will be done before the sun sets."

"Will I need a chisel and hammer?"

Nyoki shook her head. "You only need me."

Ayani took Nyoki into the temple, bringing her before the Statue of the Lady of the Temple. Nobody knew its origin. Some said it depicted Shinwa but many others stubbornly clung to the idea that it was a lady of faerie origin that acted as a guide for travelers long before Shinwa even came to Subeta. Regardless, the statue was nearly eight feet tall and made of solid stone. Ayani ran the tip of a hoof over the long tresses of dull gray hair that hung nearly to the statue's feet.

Nyoki climbed the side of the statue, coming to perch on the head of the great lady, a paw swinging back and forth if front of the sightless stone eyes. Her claws touched on something small and round. She pressed the lever with a hiss of satisfaction. For the briefest of moments, Ayani could've almost sworn the statute was alive. Stone hands reached up as if to rub sleep from eyes that had long been clouded over by sleep. The effect lasted for only a few seconds before the statue settled back into the exact same position as before. A sliver of stone that looked exactly like an eyelash floated down to land in front of Ayani.

Ayani took up the stone hair as Nyoki scrambled down and took up her new favorite riding place - nestled between Ayani's shoulder blades. Ayani took great care to balance the stone hair, afraid that it would break. He was halfway to the Orb Room when a disturbing thought came to mind.

"Nyoki, what if the Orb rejects this gift? There was nothing said about the aid of a minion. What if the Orb thinks I didn't complete this task myself?"

"Do you think Shinwa's helpers never work together, Ayani? Do you think they all keep rocks for minions? It was my destiny to bind myself to someone great and in doing so, it becomes my responsibility to help my friend and master to do greatness. Do you think I would choose you if my presence would cause you to fail?"

"Of course not. I'm sorry, Nyoki."

Nyoki purred her forgiveness.

The Orb absorbed Ayani's offering, glowing green for a few seconds before settling back to its neutral white glow. The first task was complete.

"We did it, Nyoki...but how in the world are we supposed to take a cup of water from the Ring of Fire?"

Nyoki showed her teeth in a wide yawn. "The hour is late, Ayani. Let us take a meal together and enjoy the comforts of our beds. There will be time to think through this mystery in the morning."

Ayani bought Nyoki all the supplies a minion needs to stay happy. As a token of gratitude, he also bought a small carton of pure cream, filling a white porcelain dish on which her name had been inscribed in gold letters. Nyoki contentedly lapped the treat, purring all the while.

Morning found the friends standing side by side on the edge of a giant crater that appeared to be made entirely of fire. The Ring of Fire is a natural wonder of Subeta which rivals the Coda Caves and the Arctic Lights. According to legend, every reborn potion has a drop of eternal fire that is called by magic from the swirling center of the fiery whirlpool. It is just one of the many ingredients required to give a pet a fiery coat without bringing them to harm.

"How are your magic skills, Ayani?"

"Every Neela is a strong wielder of magic...why do you ask?"

"I need you to call fire from the very center of the whirlpool."

Ayani didn't see how this would help him obtain the cup of water he needed but Nyoki had not failed him yet. Using a few muttered phrases, he brought a ball of fire the size of a baseball to hover over his hoof.

"Good, now keep the spell going and wait here for me. I'll be back within the hour."

When Nyoki returned, she came with a hikei who was dragging one of the sand sledges often used by traders looking to take their goods beyond the Souk and out to the rest of Subeta. Nyoki waved a paw at the stranger. "This is Falawin, a native of Arctic Frost. He does quite well selling his ice blocks to the natives of the Sacred Lands. He will help us to complete this task."

Ayani curled his lip. He had been to Arctic Frost on a family vacation once. He hated every moment of the chilling wind and blowing snow and could think of nothing good that could come from a winter land. Nyoki undid the tying ropes on Falawin's sledge with the flick of a claw, revealing a think hunk of ice. "The piece he brought is too big to sell easily. Direct your fire to break it down, and he will let you take the water from its edges. Since it is water taken from the heart of the Ring, it will satisfy your need."

Ayani did just as Nyoki instructed, quickly filling his cup and assuring Falawin an easy profit. It took Ayani almost a full day to make the journey back to the temple. He presented the cup to the Master Initiate with a shaking hoof. The M.I. took a deep pull on the cup and sighed her pleasure. From the last few drops, she created a floating disc of water.

"Take this to the Orb as a token of my gratitude."

Another green glow was proof of another completed task.

Ayani spent many days thinking over the third task, for in this, even Nyoki was stumped. How could one capture a star? Both could fly into the heavens at will, but starlight obeys its own will and does not readily give up its chosen place in the heavens. Stars are a very territorial force.

They tried to coax the star to follow them with the temptation of a few dark matter flakes. They ever tried flattery, telling a young star in the celestial language of its beauty and perfect light. They could never get the stars to move far from their point of origin.

It was Nyoki once again who came up with the solution. An established star, even a young one, is too set in its ways. They needed to be there when a star was born, to make that star believe that its place was at the center of the orb.

It took much patience and careful planning to make their plan work. The star they chose was drawn to the glow Ayani called up to coat his body. It clung to his flank as he hurtled over the skies of the Sacred Lands to skid to a halt in the temple. The star rushed forward upon entering the Orb Room, for even the light of an angelic pet cannot rival Shinwa's Orb.

The Orb turned red. The star hung above it, shuddering in confusion and fear. If it did not find a home soon, its inner flame would burn out.

Nyoki twitched her tail. "Ayani, ask for the help of the goddess! Quickly, before we lose the light!"

"I can't call to her, Nyoki. She is too grand and perfect. She will never answer the summons of one who cannot complete her task."

"You must! Your task is to present the star to Shinwa. If she won't accept it through this tool of her power, you must lay it in her hand, though you anger her and lose your hope of joining the Order. She will forgive your clumsiness, but not the death of this star. It is a great crime to kill a star, Ayani. You know that as well as I."

Though he did not feel worthy, Ayani lifted his head and began to sing the chant that was Shinwa's own prayer. The unlit torches around the room flared to life as the goddess materialized beside the Orb.

She took the star in her hands and touched it gently to her lips, releasing it to fly to the very top of the Orb. The Orb turned a blinding shade of green.

Shinwa rested her palm on the top of Ayani's head, smiling and speaking in a gentle tone. "You have passed my every test, young Initiate. From this day forth, you shall be counted among my greatest worshippers."

*****

Ayani has successfully completed hundreds of missions in the service of Shinwa, rising in rank until only the Master Initiate is above him. You may see him hovering at Shinwa's back if you go to offer your services. He acts as guard, quester and potion assistant. Nyoki is never far from his side and even saved the initiates from the evils of a Maleria sympathizer who tried to unleash a poisonous smoke into the temple.

He knows he will never be anything to her but a loyal servant and while he sometimes dreams of her perfect lips, he is content with his lot in life.

Unless her task sends him into the icy passages of Arctic Frost. The other initiates sometimes tease him about the thick fur cloak he wears over his shoulders when he must brave the horrible snow.

The one thing they do not give him grief about is his knitting. Crocheting, actually, but members of the Order can rarely tell the difference. Ayani always has at least a few skeins of wool in his personal chambers. In the evenings he loves to unwind by making a nice hat or a fuzzy pair of mittens. If Shinwa can create magical clothing on her loom that protects the wearer, why shouldn't her greatest guard relax and unwind with a soothing crochet pattern?

If you can think of a reason, I recommend you keep it to yourself. The guard that once took on a hydragellos to protect Shinwa does not take kindly to taunts about his skill with a crochet hook.

/insert art here/
Profile template by Lea
Story by Pureflower

Pet Treasure


Shinwas Goblet

Shinwas Weather Orb

Colossus Potion

Pink Yarn Octopus Plushie

Kore Early Thaw Cozy Yarn

Shinwas Blessed Water

Shinwas Healing Wine

Shinwas Shield of Reflection

Shinwas Flower of Morning

Shinwas Key

Shinwas Rose

Shinwas Key

Shinwas Birdie

Shinwas Orb

Shinwas Helmet of Protection

Shinwas Battle Wings

Shinwas Bow

Shinwas Sword of Victory

Shinwas Amulet of Mercy

Shinwas Crystal Pendant

Shinwas Back Up Staff

Essence of Shinwa

Shinwas Magical Potion

Shinwas Defense Potion

Shinwas Shampoo

Shinwas Healing Wine

The Legend of Shinwa

Shinwas Flower of Morning

Shinwas Soap

Shinwas Flute

Shinwas Goblet

Shinwas Dark Matter Plushie

Shinwa Scratchcard

Silver Crochet Hook

Crochet Hooks

Tarnished Crochet Hook

Yellow Crochet Headband

Green Crochet Headband

Sunshine Serenade Yarn

Candytastic Yarn

Gray Abandoned Yarn

Basket of Yarn Ball Bombs

Years Gone By Sepia Yarn

Pet Friends