After the shrine's typical flow of worshipers and prayers have been doled out for the day, the shrine was all but bare. A single figure ascends the stairs of the shrine. After walking to the water pools, cleaning his hands, making his offering, and approaching the shrine, he clasps his hands in a praying pose and looks down at the various plaques and engravings at the main prayer shrine.

"May this world set it's fate correctly, lest it all fall into the void. May the champions whom will arise reach their full potential, and may the criminals meet justice for what they have wronged. May the sins of the innocent, desperate, and ignorant be forgiven, and May there at last be peace in this world.." the figure states quietly, before raising and turning around.

The faceless man exhales a little, muffled by the mask he wears, as he contemplates to himself. The dark, tattered robe drifts slightly as the snow begins to fall upon the holy shrine. Black metal glints in the fading light.

'I may have set the events in motion that can fix things, but is that enough? I can't fight their battles for them, but they are like blind children trying to play ring around the rosy in a minefield right now...I suppose I may have to do more if absolutely necessary. ' he thinks, then exhaling a small laugh.

"Saaaa~ I suppose I am negative...perhaps i should be more of an optimist?" he says, speaking at the spirits that may guard this shrine, but audible to anyone whom happens to lurk.

……..What the hell did she just experience………Also….where the hell was she…she tried to make out street signs but they were just a blur…her cloths were ripped and singed in numerous places, her jacket was in tatters towards the bottom. Though lucky for her it fit with her dark look so passerby's didn't give it a second thought. She had lost her scarf and her pig tails were now gone leaving a wild mess of dark purple hair. Her burns were gone leaving smooth skin…another thing that was very odd…why was she healed…Though she did feel extremely weak. It was tiring to even walk, she wobbled on her feet coming to the base of stairs. ….Shrines equaled grave yards….grave yards equaled quiet place to rest. It wasn't as if she was able to find her way home with out being able to see… Her vision had already improved from black to blurs. Maybe resting here until it came back would be best.

She steeled herself and dragged herself up the high flight of stairs….maybe she’d just sleep here…The stairs were looking comfier and comfier as she climbed. Stumbling every now and then, or missing a step. It was hard to climb stairs when you couldn't see them properly.

At last she got to the top and like a ghost seem to drift towards the numerous graves. She would find a nice one to rest upon. No one would bother her hear, unable to take another step she sprawled out on the ground. Rolling on her back letting her blurry gaze drift….waiting for things to become clear in more ways then one.

As the faceless figure turns to leave the shrine, to go about his own business, a faint sound catches his ear. Turning in the direction it comes from, his sight begins to reveal things. A battered Valdis on the ground, dazed and lurking near a tombstone. Taking a few steps in the direction of her, he folds his arms into his robe, looking almost like a monk at a glance.

"Perhaps I should just kill her now...to eliminate a potential problem from manifesting later. The Soldier of Silence could add a layer of complication to things..." he thinks to himself, but then shaking his head and having a smile beneath the mask.

"Saaa~ But then again, she did do quite wonderfully today...at least her heart is in the right place, even if her bloodline..." he trails off, then pausing and exhaling, noting the snow that was accumulating on her form in the snow. She was going to get sick that way, or would she just be able to cure that too? Regardless...

He takes a few steps forward, stays about twenty feet away, and kneels down, rolling a snowball in his hand. Once it was packed enough to hold in mid-air, he casually lobs it on her head, to stir her attention.

"Now, now, now, hypothermia is for stupid people, that which I think you are not." he says, keeping a respectable distance for now.

A sudden whack and sting of cold on her face made her sit up, she couldn't really make out who ever threw that at her but she currently could hear him…a frown graced her lips as she squinted at him….should she retaliate…. Right now she wouldn't be able to aim worth shit. So with a very rude gesture towards the man with the middle finger involved she plopped down again.

”I’ll go home when I feel like it….I find this spot particularly comfy right now”

Ya that was a lie she couldn't see worth shit, at least not well enough to get home…this would be a wonderful prank to play at school for the poor blind fools with glasses…throw them all in a big pile and let them play musical glasses. She was going to have to try that now. Usually she would find a way to get revenge but she was to exhausted for that now. He would get off scotch free this time…as annoying as it was. Her head tilted to the side towards the figure, strands of hair crossing her face. She really didn't know what to make of him….his blurry figure looked like he was wearing a robe but did monks usually throw snow balls….If they did she would have to come to this shrine more often.

”What do you want…”

Straight to the point, he had to want something otherwise why bother her….

"How ladylike, or is that an offer? I apologize, but I shall have to decline." the masked figure states, mild amusement in his voice. Taking a couple steps forward, he tilts his head at her comment about going home when she fees like it, then shrugs as he kneels down and begins to roll up another snowball.

"Saaaa~~it's physically impossible for the human body to derive comfort from temperatures about twenty degrees, with wet snow around. Why don't you appeal to the priestess for a night's sanctuary? Clearly you are disturbed by something, or perhaps just disturbed in general. It doesn't suit you. Do you wish to speak? Have a sympathetic ear?" he says, then tossing the snowball, this one landing on her chest.

"In any case...don't get hypothermia, pneumonia, the cold, or all three." he says, waiting to see what the eccentric one does next.

“Explain people who live in igloos, or vacation in a hotel made of ice…I heard its quite lovely….and I can’t stand holier then thou people…plus I was banned from the temple when I was eight….apparently they don’t like fake body parts in the temple water…or spiders in the donation box’s…or industrial glue on there staffs…I could ‘EooWW!”

Once more she bolted upwards, digging snow out of middle of her breasts….the snow ball partly went down her shirt which did in fact feel really really cold. She let out a small growl throwing the boob snow at the figure missing my quite a large margin which then lead to a large string of very unladylike like curses.

” Damn f***ng dum**** mother ***** ba*****”

If it wasn't for that youma or pig tailed girl with blinding arrows she would be able to aim properly and not be bothered. Obviously waiting on the graveyard till her site cleared was not and option and she wasn't about to ask for help. She stood up her hand placed on her hip…guess she’d muddle into some ally way ….couldn't be anymore dangerous then a temple graveyard. Though …wait did the guy said suite her how would he know what suited her or not….

”…..You’re creepy….I usually like creepy but I've had my fill for the day…. How in the seven hells would you know what suites me and what doesn't. Why do you care? Why go out of your way and why not answer my previous comment. People just don’t lend a ear without expecting something in return. What do you want from me”

You could tell her eyes were not focused; it was obvious something was wrong with her vision now.

The masked man ignored the string of curses. One who has done what he has is hardly phased by something such as a few foul words. He knew what they were directed at anyway.

"I don't, it's more a broad assumption I made in an attempt to look more sympathetic. You're trying to act tougher than you really are, you really should quit it before that which preys upon young women creates yet another tragedy." he says then shaking his head. This exchange of wits wasn't going to accomplish much. The decision to let her go and let evolution take care of itself came again, but there was something that stayed his hand from doing something.

"Most people want something. I suppose I do as well. Your well being is all I look for right now. If you mean some kind of favor or materialistic goal, then I have none." he says, then shrugging.

"If you will trust me to allow me to get close, I might be able to help you. It'll be breaking the rules a little, but I think in this circumstance I can get away with it." he says, then patiently waiting for the response.

At least it was honest about when he lied, she could accept that and she showed it by nodding in acknowledgment. How ever his explanation on what he wanted was not something she excepted. She crossed her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow. He was being inconsistent, first this suited her business then he said that was just a guess and now once again he was acting as if he knew her personally…which was it. But it was obvious he wasn't going to give her an uncriptic answer. She accepted that…for now. Then he asked for permission to get close…at that she tilted her head a smile gracing her lips.

”You may come close….but I can’t promise I won’t bite”

A small giggle escaped her lips.

”Although what rules are you referring to? The leash I’m kept is not so short it dictates whom I meet in the streets or accept help from”

"..There are things other than the laws of men that people have to answer to. One day you will understand it well enough, and perhaps you will understand the rules that I have to adhere to as well." he says, as the crunching snow signaled his approach to the partially blinded lunatic. As he stopped about two feet away, being within arms reach of Valdis, he then extends his right hand.

"Don't ask how I do this, and don't do something stupid so as to be in this situation again, for I may not be able to intervene." he says calmly as a green aura manifests around his hands. The light expands and covers Valdis' upper body, as something begins to impact her around the eyes. The sensation would be disorienting, as if something were going backwards inside of her for a few moments, while the rest of her was going forward. When the result ended, she would likely be very dizzy.

However, when the light fades, Valdis would find that her vision was back to the way it was before the encounter with the creature. The figure would take a few steps back, and then waited to make sure Valdis wasn't completely messed up by his actions.

This man was weird, other laws ect…well they were in the shrine chances were he was talking about other worldly powers. She could see his blurry form coming closer, until he was close enough to smell the scent coming off of him. Her curiosity was peaked….what was he going to do….after all her day was full of surprises at this point anything could happen…

…anything did happen…

Her world was turned upside down, inside out and right back right again….by the end she was cross eyed and swaying, finally falling down on her butt….her poor butt was getting abused today…She blinked a couple of times…then a couple more times…Her vision came back to focus and she could see again. She immediately flicked her attention to whom she had thought was a monk…but now looking at his face clearly she was wrong….

”…what…how…who….WHAT THE F*** “

She jumped up and pointed at him.

”YOU! Thank you BUT Explain what the hell is happening, first a creepy demon in the park shows up, magical girl pops in burns my ass, weird cats with crescents, my wounds heal quicker then they should and now no face fixes my eyes….and whats up with the mask…”

"Ah...the hunters have already been deployed? Well then, it's only going to escalate until they are all defeated or the magical ones are slain." he says, then shrugging as he begins to take a few steps away from Valdis, she could see and if she really wanted to have her questions answers, she would probably follow one way or another.

"I believe you are old enough to remember when this world at least had seasons other than winter. That the spires that are called 'Obelisks' associated with the 'Covenant' began to wreak a disaster upon this world. Many have fallen, more will still fall yet..." he says, pausing and then shaking his head slightly.

"But that girl you saw, she will have the potential to defeat this 'Covenant' once and for all. However, she will have to struggle, grow, and gain her allies whom have similar but different powers from her, and when they have come together, they will unlock the potential to set things right. If they should fail, then every living being in this world will die, consumed by a devouring shadow that will surround this world." he says, continuing to walk and moving towards the main complex of the temple.

She blinked again …was he walking away …and there goes those freaking cryptic answers. Valdis took a couple shaky steps towards him, her mussels protested the movements. But it was just exhaustion she had experience pushing threw that. As he began to somewhat answer her question a deep pit of fear began to form in her stomach…the covenant…the obelisks the gravity of the situation that she had found herself apart of was quickly setting in…. Her paled face clearly showed that she had defiantly brushed upon the implications of what the man had said. Now normally she wouldn't believe this world will come to the end nonsense but after today she was willing to put it as a possibility…and the thought was terrifying.

In her pause the man had walked even further away from her, with a quick jog she caught up to him gently grabbing the fabric of his sleeve.

”w..wait….I accept things are walking on the edge of a sword as you say but I still do not understand…what is going on, how do you know all of this…actually better question is which side are you on…”

She tilted her head to the side; looking up at the faceless mask. Valdis had many questions flying around in her head…so many she was unable to organize them…at the moment she felt as if she was caught in the middle of a raging river unable to break free from the current. She was frightened, frightened at the prospect of having the end come near or worse the possibility of having to be apart of it. .She let go of his sleeve.

”I still don’t understand what is going on…”

It was an admission of defeat….Valdis herself look lost…something not even being tired and unable to see had done…How could anyone receive such news…understand it….and remain the same with the enormous weight of that knowledge. It was like throwing someone in the deep end who could not swim…

"I am neither enemy nor friend to them. I do what I must to set the timeline right. I cannot fight their battles for them or aid them directly any more than the minimum required. If I were to do the job for them, then they will never struggle, they will never develop, and they will never grow. How I know? Well that is my gift...in fact, it may be to a lesser extent, your gift as well." he says, with a dark chuckle, then shaking his head slightly. He turned to face Valdis, his taller form more obvious to her. It was obvious he was made for this sort of thing.

"I see that look of terror in your face, in your soul. Why? What I tell you should be a relief. There is now one where there used to be zero. The impossible has become possible. Give into despair now, and you shall be useless. Give in to hope, and you shall be useful. There is no middle ground." he says, clearly having a view that most people are weak, but he viewed Valdis as having the potential to make a difference.

He took a few more steps toward the temple, however he was keenly listening out for Valdis' reaction.

Valdis listened as the words drifted to her ears, a life line was thrown in those words. Sinking despair was replace with a spark. Her mind slowly began to pick up speed once more, next thing no face would know a snow ball came flying at the back of his head.

”Gifts, useful, hope”

Another snow ball came flying after.

”Stop dancing around with cryptic answers and give me a straight answer.”

Valdis didn't get even she got ahead, another snowball came flying at him. Though this was good, showed Valdis regained her fighting spirit. Even if it did mean pelting the man who was in a round about way trying to help her.

”You say I may have the same gift as you what is that? What can I do?”

Another snow ball went flying…now it was just self satisfying to pelt the big figure with snow.

"Cryptic answers? But it'd be no fun if I gave it to you straight, that plus I'd implode from breaking the rules that govern my powers." he says, half seriously as to possibly be serious or not. Whether it was true, well that would be for the insane one to decide.

The sensation of snowballs pelting his back could be felt, causing him to turn around and blink at her for a moment. Well, she was suddenly feeling better, hopefully this was going to stick and not just fade off into some kind of depressive, wrist slashing despair later. Focusing on not retaliating on the snowball attack.

"Your gifts...well, you are capable of healing quite rapidly, as I'm sure you are already aware. With training and practice, you may be able to extent this to aid others in need. Further, your mind's eye may be capable of visions of events to come or events around you. This is in particular an ability that I specialize in...however I am afraid I cannot properly train you...though there is somebody whom can." he says, ominously waiting for a response. Though the mask concealed it, he had a mischievous smile beneath.