It had been a perfect storm. Just after noon the sun was still warm but the sunlight was not blinding. She had found just the perfect nook in the cobble to sit in that was right next to a wall so that she could lean back. Earlier that day she had felt compelled to skip her coffee even knowing she had to work and hadn't slept well. So it was as if the universe had conspired to have her fall asleep in the small break she took after work before she started shopping for real. If only she had known what fate that was to befall her she would've just powered through. 

Pain rushed straight to her skull so piercing to jolted her awake. Her hands launched up to try and cover her head and horns. Her eyes stung as tears were starting to form as she looked frantically around. Only to see a gaggle of kids turning a corner as they giggled running away as fast as they could. From how the pain was radiating through her head they had just yanked at one of her horns. She made a move to run after them however found herself pinned. It was only then she noticed an oddly luminescent stone on her lap, and with it the dull throb that was coming from her thighs were it rested.

It was large but not overly so, she didn't understand why she couldn't move much less why it felt so heavy in her lap. However as she started to try and move it terror started to set in, it was enchanted. It was a rock made to become heavier the more you move it. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as she tried to stay as still as possible. Why?! Why her?! She began to sniffle softly as a few tears slipped through. From the break neck pace she had been working, how little sleep she's been getting, and how she had no real support emotional or otherwise this was just the incident to send her over the edge. A few tears turned into many until she was openly crying in a back ally of the market district like she was a wee girl who lost her mother. 

As looked at the stone with her blurry vision and her sadness turned to anger. What had she ever done to warrant this?! She had only ever tried to make an honest living she left and tried to stop her parents scheme. She even still prayed to the Divines even though she held some resentment for what she was born into! Her only wishes were to try and be happy, safe, and prove to herself she was a good person. Despite everything, she had been and remained a good person. 

Lost in her rage she began violently shoving and pushing the stone. Even going as far to try her best to dig her fingers between the rock and her lap to attempt and throw it off. She grunted with effort however as this went on the stone began sinking deeper into her and her grunts of effort turned to screams of toil and pain. 

Slumping back Essi covered her face beginning to feel defeated. She heard no footsteps coming so her screams went unheard or ignored in the the hustle and bustle of the markets. Taking a deep breath she tried to ignore the pain shooting throughout her legs. She took her time striving to find her second wind and her center. Essi had to think clearly for this, she needed to. Taking a moment she vigorously rubbed her tear stained face and gave her cheeks a sharp pat. She would not be defeated by a rock, but just for good measure. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.


"Kharn God of War, Strategy, and Victory. Please I ask of you to please grant me the.. confidence. Yes, the confidence to overcome my hardship. Provide me the tool I need to come out victorious against this foe of weakness I find within myself. I will pay my dues in your name so hear me, o great Divine." 

Opening her eyes again she took another deep breath and carefully wedged her fingers under the stone as far as they could go. Then with an inordinate amount of willpower she put all her strength into just holding the stone. Having it hover just above her lap. A primal scream tore through her throat with the extortionary strain she was forcing herself to endure. As she hoovered the stone she spread her legs trying to open them wide enough that when she dropped the stone it would just land on the ground. Her arms were trembling and her fingers burning. Then all at once the stone slipped from her fingers and an ear splitting crack was heard.

The stone had split the coddle stone it had landed on. Eslia looked at the stone for a moment incredulously.

"I did it?"

As wobbly as a newborn dear she made her way to standing up. She had done it. A soft chuckle left her but it quickly ramped up to a screeching laugh.

"I DID IT!"

She was so caught up in the moment she tried to actually jump for joy. Not her best idea but it didn't dampen her mood too much. After a small groan she gathered up her bag and began hobbling out of the ally. Shopping would have to wait she had a temple to visit.