Mother Angela’s voice cut through so sharply, Raziel shot straight up in bed in a cold sweat. It happened every time one of the gods said something to the populace, and she knew it would not get any better. It boomed in her mind, making it impossible to ignore. ”The tides of the world are changing for the worst. The ancient seal put upon the corruption that almost destroyed Parvpora has begun to awaken.” This did not bode well. With a curse on the tip of her tongue, the angel burst from under her covers and quickly dressed as she listened to the details she was given.

She had no grand delusions of being useful inside the Ziggurat and its challenges. Nor did she have intentions of hindering anyone by escorting her through them. However, she did have one thing that could provide. While Angela could stop death, she may be too taxed to heal all wounds at all times. As a trained herbologist, and in the ways of apothecary, Raziel could aid the injured, and help stimulate the weary with mixed concoctions.

Zander was already alert, as was her familiar, attentively watching her do mental checklists. Staff in hand and pets/familiars in tow, Raziel set out from her rented room. Finding the statue was the easy part, as it was causing quite a commotion from others who had been awoken by the goddess. Shoulders back, the angel marched forward and bravely touched the cool, smooth statue. From there, she followed the champions and abled bodies marching confidently toward their destination.

Once inside the nexus of the Ziggurat, Raziel got the sense of being a tiny ant in the midst of a giant room. Suddenly quite nervous, she pressed forward, the nails of Zander clicking against the floor behind her. With a little help, the angel found the area that was designated for the healers. While no one said anything about her obvious disability, Raziel set her stuff up on a table. Jars of various colored liquids were neatly organized, ready for her first patient. This was her chance to show Reverie and her children the diligence of her training.

"Incredible! To think one could stand at the bottom of the ocean and stay dry. What wonders!" Naija clapped her hands, causing her bangles to ring melodically like chimes. She was no healer in the traditional sense, but she could lift the spirits of those who were weary and lighten the mood. Spreading out her scarf on the floor, she took a seat and crossed her legs. Taking out a beautiful harp, she began tuning the strings and testing the sound. Satisfied, she strummed softly as she began to sing. The power in the enchanted instrument allowed her abilities to be more effective than it would have been on her own, and anyone with illness or other afflictions would be immediately cured. One of the wonders of music was how far reaching sound was. While others would have to rely on sight or contact, sound would travel faster.

She played a song of a gentle river, rolling through the hills and valleys. It ran its course through the mountain passes and dry plains until it finally reached the sea. Where the eddies of silt-laden water joined the salty currents of the ocean, fish flourished and abounded. The currents carried the fish and other denizens of the depths together, rising and falling tides forming a symphony of life. The moons' light overhead watched the world below as the Celestial sisters circled the earth. Weaving the carol of the angels into her notes, an aurora of color danced about the minstrel as it took shapes telling the song's story. 

The vastness of Eytelia's nexus was perfect to allow Naija's music to echo throughout the area. Even if her magic was unable to reach that far, as long as it reached the hearts of her audience she was content. A phoenix with plumage as vibrant as the rainbow took flight and spiraled through the air along with the music of its master. Today the Abedi woman was dressed in a sea-green sari with light blue, complemented by silver and pearl jewelry. 

A flare of smoke shot up from the labyrinth, it fell as quickly as it gained altitude, the armored adventurers and mercenaries scrambled to get out of the way of the falling debris and some held up their shields. Cedric finally hit the floor, a large dent was made that quickly repaired itself, he stood up hunched and he stumbled toward the healing station. Cedric remained quiet, trying to remember what Goddess Angela had explained, but failed to recall. The adventurers that stormed in alongside Cedric were limping towards the healing station, everyone stared at them for they were few of the first to charge in, they were also the first to be humiliated, they stared at Cedric the most in fear, they feared whatever trap made him fly up into the air like a rocket.

Cedric looked up, the moonlight was barely visible through the water, he started to doze off before feeling a sudden lightheartedness, he jolted awake even though he couldn't track where it was coming from, but it gave Cedric motivation, but he didn't feel well enough to charge in with all of his might, several adventurers were flung left and right, the adventurers who hadn't rushed in felt reluctant to do so, but they were pressured into submission by their peers and they finally marched forward, the most nimble went flying into the air halfway through the first trial, and the heavily armored mercenaries didn't last as long, as their armor made it harder to dodge traps.

"What brings you here?" Cedric asked the healer attending to him. He looked at the exhausted crowd, people were no longer entering, he decided that it was an open chance, he marched, swords in hand, he disappeared into the labyrinth, more people followed. And more, and more. People went in groups, some finally made it to the second trial, Cedric however, met the same trap from earlier, and thus, history repeated itself, this time, Cedric blacked out upon reaching the ground. 

Her hands paused in their work as the plucked strings of a harp reached her ears. Raziel could hear the river as it flowed through the land. She smiled at the beauty of it… until Zander gave a bark and darted off. ”Tsk, Zander! Tis not the place for that behavior!” Usually, the large timber wolf was quite docile, sticking by his angel companion dutifully. However, music was his weakness. The wolf ran up to the musician and plopped his haunches in front of her, wagging his tail excitedly.

Raziel carefully chased after him, her staff in hand. Magic was flowing through the music, that much she could tell. What it was designed to do, she had no idea, but it was soothing nonetheless. ”I’m sorry, Zander is friendly, he just really loves music.” And that was when commotion erupted somewhere behind her. People scrambled, debris rained and pelted against shields, and a sudden crash of metal and flesh hit the floor. The angel flinched, closing one eye at the sound of impact.

She picked her way over to the fallen, armor clad person. Once there, she banged her staff against the floor. The resulting vibrations revealed that there were no twisted limbs, and there wasn’t much she could do unless she got him out of the armor for a more detailed analysis. Likely, he’d be fine in a few minutes. Still, she asked him to twist his wrists to show the full motion, and move his limbs to prove that he was fine. If he was injured badly, surely he’d be making some sort of verbal complaint.

”I can’t run the trials, so I help by healing.” Wasn’t it obvious? They were all here to charge the moonstones, to prevent the possible destruction of the world. However, the guy got up and ran right back into the challenge. ”Guess he was okay.” But she didn’t get very far away when there was another crash behind her. With a sigh, she went back to his side. ”Welcome back.” He didn’t respond, and Raziel frowned. Kneeling by his head, she set her staff down to grasp his helmet between both hands. Carefully, she pulled it off, her hand brushed over his face to realize he had passed out.

Raziel gently probed the back of his head, feeling for any stickiness from blood, or knots. ”Get this guy on a stretcher, get him out of the way.” With a whistle, Zander came to her side obediently. ”Stay with him, Zander, let me know if he wakes before I get back.” The angel then went to her supplies and picked out one jar of ointment and a roll of linen.

Naija's ears heard the sound of barking, and when she opened her eyes she found herself with a live audience. Smiling at the wolf, Naija continued playing, this time picking up her pace to change the tune to something more lively. Its master came over, apologizing. Unbeknownst to the half-angel, Naija stopped to admire her wings. They reminded her of her mother's own wings, a welcome thought. "There is no need to apologize, miss. Seeing my music bring pleasure to all is the greatest joy a minstrel could have." The moment of peace did not last long, as a new group of injured stumbled out of the trials into the nexus. "Ah…it seems that they ran into a few obstacles." She raised her eyebrows when one got up and ran back in, only to crash back into the floor again.

Taking a pause in her music, she set her instrument down and came over to watch the half-angel at work. While she observed, the Abedi woman came to realize that this young woman could not see, from how she inspected the man's injuries. What sensitivity and dexterity she had in her fingers! Relying solely on touch was a challenge. She stayed close, not wanting to get in the healer's way. Tilting her head to one side, she strummed a few chords on her instrument softly. The spell cast through the song would help to momentarily ease the injured's pain; the true healing would have to come from the winged woman's hands. "If I am not interrupting, may I assist you miss?" Naija raised her voice and allowed it to carry towards the half-angel's ears. "Though I lack the knowledge to mend wounds, I have no trouble with helping elsewhere."

Should her offer be accepted or refused, Naija did not mind either way. Looking around, the other healers were busy and had their own helpers. Another set of hands would allow the process to go along more smoothly.