Scowling and keeping her head down Kallik steadfastly keeps silent. Digging her nails into her palms with each flexing of her hands, nearly in rhythm with her heartbeat. An easy thing to track due to the groves her teeth are digging on her tongue. Forcing silence since there is no trust in her mind.
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Ibinu, now full of confidence being outside again, walks over to the wolf. "Hello, I am Ibinu. As you can guess from how my friend Inam acts, we are apparently heirs to the blessings. What is your name?"
He continues, if the name is growled he uses it, otherwise he just calls the wolf 'friend'. "This world isn't much, that I can honestly say. But there are good parts to it. There are moments when our spirits soar and our feelings are of pure joy. Moments when you truly feel free of the toil and drudgery of this life. Now, I don't know you that well but I can guess at least one thing would make you happy. That is running free and wild with the wind blowing in your face."
He adds, "now that experience right there, that is what I live for. The only times I have really felt that in my life are when I'm flying through the air... usually falling, but when I was a kid my dad would carry and fling me through the air. So I know you probably don't expect to find any joy in this world anymore and especially not in this town, but I have a thought of how we might enjoy a single moment of time before the drudgery closes in again."
He pauses, then finishes his argument. "Allow me to ride you as you sprint through town. Let these slow people try to chase us as we just enjoy the pure energy of speed. Wind flapping in our face, hearts pounding, pure joy." He ends with a smile as he puts his hand on the wolf's back.
The wolf bites down on your arm. You expect you are going to need your suturing supplies soon, but instead the wolf flicks her head, sending you tumbling up onto her back. "Yi." You just barely have time to grab a handful of fur before she starts loping down the dirt path.
Faster. The brisk air suddenly becomes cold as it blasts past your face.
Faster. The roar of the wind deafens you. Puffs of dirt plume up behind you as her powerful hind legs pump faster and faster.
Faster. Your face is numb. Your ears are ringing. Your eyes tear up. It is hard to breathe. Your hands ache from holding on so tightly. Your heart beats wildly, a hummingbird beating against your rib cage.
Time passes, measured only by the thump, th-thump of Yi's gait. Her tongue lolls out of her mouth. Past the gates - the guards simply do not react to the sight of a Blessed riding a huge wolf. The inns and taverns of Middle Place race past, elens darting out of the way before Yi's furious passage.
The Temple looms. Yi sprints up the wide staircase, taking the steps two at a time. Sniffing the air, she unerringly makes her way to Vecc's room within the Temple. Again, any guards you pass on the way simply stare, too dumbfounded by the sight of one of their heroes riding a beast through the halls to say anything.
Yi is somewhat hampered by the narrow hallways, but finally you arrive at Vecc's door. Yi is panting heavily, and seems to be grinning. She lets you slide off. "That was good."
which quickly transitions into whoops of glee
Tears in his eyes as they stop, Ibinu slips off with a huge smile on his face. "Thank you, I will remember that for the rest of my life."
His adrenaline starts to fade and he feels all the bumps and bruises. Pulling a few reagents together he mixes a quick concoction and downs it.
Kallik and Inam watch as Ibinu disappears down the road.
Ibinu takes a deep breath as his bumps and bruises fade. He looks at Yi and asks a simple question, "are you seeking revenge or are you seeking your Master?"
As she watches the pair fade into the distance, Inam turns to Kallik. "Well, I guess we're on our own then."
Desperately, she tries to keep up. Failing miserably, she calls back to the oread, "Well, at least we know where we're going. I guess we'll meet them there."
Tilting her head to the side, all anger lost in the confusion of that whole thing. Nodding to Inam and mumbling, "Does that mean he has his memory back?"
Yi cocks her head to one side. "Killing changes nothing. Just want Eh-tain." He scratches at the door, like a domesticated dog might.
Slowly, cautiously, the door opens. Vecc's face peeks out of the crack. He yells in surprise. "Yi? Yi?" He opens the door completely. Limping over to the wolf, the old man wraps his arms around her neck. Yi stiffens at first, but then leans into the embrace. She lets out a soft whine.
"I'm sorry, old girl. I'm so sorry." He buries his face into the matted fur of her shoulder. After a minute, he pulls away. His face is wet, and he wipes at it ineffectually.
Bewildered, he looks at Ibinu. "Where did you find her? H...how?"
Ibinu tells a brief but complete summary of what led the three of you to Yi. Vecc is about to say something, when Yi's ears go straight up and she growls. She sniffs the ground around Vecc's feet, then takes off running down the halls.
For those who follow, the wolf comes to a stop outside a familiar door - Eo's quarters. She whines and scratches at the door.
"What now? Maybe Yi smells her master?" Ibinu takes off in pursuit.
The door is locked. No answer from inside.
Ibinu knocks once loudly, waits a few seconds listening for anything, and if he hears nothing he pulls out his lockpicks and starts working on getting it open.
Ibinu quickly opens the lock. The door creaks open, slowly revealing...some odd shape, slightly swaying in the cold draft.
As the image resolves itself in your mind, it is Eo, though he clearly went through extensive trauma. His body is suspended from the ceiling, thick rope tied around his ankles. Crude runes are carved deeply into his pink-red skin. His eyes, once so full of life and shy humor, are missing.
Yi whines loudly from the doorway. "No...is that little pup? E-o?"
Breathing heavily but still maintaining her self-imposed silence. But that breaks at the sight of Eo, "No, no, no!"
Moving into the room and straight to Eo's body. Looking around for anything to move so she can stand on it, moving anything as needed. Anything that will let her cut him down so she can cradle the body.
"I...we...made....it" pants Inam. "Need...min..."
Spotting the wolf take off again, she frowns. "I...just...WAIT!" before stumbling after the creature.
Thanking the Warrior for the brief moment to rest as Ibinu struggles with the lock, she slowly stands up right...in time for the door to pop open. "Eo?...EO!" screams the sylph bursting into the room.
Glaring at Yi, she cries, "How do you know Eo? Huh?!" Terror filling her gaze as she looks back up, she runs to stand beneath their companion. "Ka...err...You! Come! I'll lift you up!"
Hoisting her companion up, over her head, she calls "Get him down! Now! Maybe we can save himi!"
In the still, lonely silence of the room, it seems to take a lifetime to cut the ropes. There was no saving the boy - he has been dead for quite some time. The exact time of death is difficult to determine - there is an unsettling lack of blood to be seen, and his skin seems highly desiccated, as if it has been here for years. His thin, gangly limbs seem fragile as a spiderweb. His pale pink skin is like the first moments of a new bright.
Yi does not respond; she simply whines and covers her eyes with her paws. Time becomes uncertain. You hear a clicking sound. Vecc's voice. "I heard Yi whining and..."
The old elen's cane clatters to the ground. He falls to one knee. "This...she wanted me to suffer, not to die..." He begins weeping miserably on the floor.
Sinking to the ground with Eo in her arms and tears rolling down her cheeks. Slowly tracing the runes carved into him.
Tilting her head to the side and clinching her teeth at Vecc's words. A growl crawls out of her throat and in a rough rumbling voice, "I want that elen."
They are clumsy imitations of those original runes, likely done with whatever dagger or knife was at hand.
Ibinu falls to the ground as he recognizes his friend. Revulsion, hate and disgust overwhelm him and he vomits over the floor. Tears falling down his face he stands in shock, hoping somehow that his friends can save Eo. The pit of dread sinks deeper as his mind realizes the truth. He just mutters over and over, "but he was an innocent... he wasn't even involved..."
Vecc sobs subside. "I this to stop. But how..." Gasping, he suddenly bolts upright. "If she's still around the Temple, I can find her. She'll still be using her same sword, and I can cast a spell to find the sword." He looks to all of you. "Will you do this? Stop her before she..." he chokes, involuntarily looking at Eo, "kills someone else?"
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"We don't have a choice." states Inam, stealing a glance towards the corpse. A snot bubble hanging from her nostril. "I...I wish we'd been able to get to her sooner. I'm sorry Vecc."
Stepping out into the hallway, she calls out "GUARDS! GUARDS! Come Quick!"
Wiping her face in a long motion to remove the signs of distress, she clears her throat. "You! I need a favor. This poor child must be prepared for proper burial while we stop that which did this. Let me know when this is done."
"Vecc, make it so." she orders.
Turning back to the wolf, she frowns. "I'm sorry, but this can't go on. We'll do what we can to ease her soul in the best possible way."
Two guards you have never seen before come running. Without a single question, one of them simply says, "Yes, Spawnslayer," and set about their work.
Yi looks at you with her one icy blue eye. A short growl fades into a lonely whine. "Yes. Killing little pup was too much." She nods.
Vecc murmurs a few words in High Ifrit, "Reperio quod perierat." He tenses, and sticks a small steel pin half an inch into the tip of his index finger. He grunts in pain, then shakes his head. As he holds his finger out in front of him, you get the sense he is being pulled in a certain direction.
He struggles to coordinate his cane and his outstretched hand. Yi lowers her head and helps Vecc climb onto her shoulders. You proceed through the Temple, Vecc and Yi leading the way.
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Adrenaline fading, Ibinu wipes his tears on his sleeve and coldly rinses out the taste of vomit from his mouth. He moves over to Eo and slips into their conversation language, "tôi sẽ nhớ bạn của tôi. Tôi xin lỗi tôi đã làm bạn thất bại."
He takes a deep breath and moves back towards the hallway.
As he passes Inam, something rattles around in his head and he leans in to whisper, "tá tú inár gcroílár. Gan croí, bheadh muid fuar agus marbh cosúil leis na daoine is fuath againn. Ná lig seo na codanna is fearr de tú a scriosadh."
Standing up with Eo still in her arms and looking at Ibinu. Fingers twitching and the tendons on her neck jumping, "You are not the only one. I was at his door earlier."
Looking around and moving to gently lay Eo on the bed. Turning to follow Vecc and growling out, "Tell me how they fight. What are their skills?"
"Well, to be frank, Etain was a better swordselen than Inam. And she was with the Temple for longer - her weapon was heavily enchanted. Lotsa fire magic. Speaking of which..."
"Beidh mé mar sin is fearr liom. Go raibh maith agat" replies the sylph, nodding to Ibinu.
"Well...that sounds promising." she grumbles. "Perhaps it won't come to that. We were able to reason with the last one, afterall..."
Keeping her sword sheathed, she follows Vecc and the wolf through the corridors.
"I will so my best. Thank you"
The wolf follows Vecc's directions through the labyrinthine Temple. The old elen's guidance takes you outside, where the snow continues to fall. Volcano's midday yellow flares seem weak, veiled by flurries of ice and ash. You travel down an icy side-staircase. Despite the slippery steps, Yi remains surefooted.
Going around the base of the Temple, you come to a familiar doorway. The stairs that lead down to the basements remind you of the first time you encountered darkspawn, the battle where Brinn died, and the piles of massacred elens, silently screaming in cells. Inam, you can still see a faint stain on the wall where So Khong drew a bloody red triangle as part of a warding spell, seemingly a lifetime ago.
"It still feels far away. I don't think it's on the first floor." Vecc's voice is shaky, and not just from the jostling of Yi's stride.
Down the long, straight corridors of the first-level basement. The cells, empty since the darkspawn attack weeks ago, gape at you soundlessly. Your footsteps echo everywhere, giving the impression that other groups are walking ahead of you and behind you.
You reach the steel door with the inset garnet that burned Kallik's hands. The same steel door that Inam opened with blood and prayer. The door stands open now, just an inch. Yi noses it open, and you continue on. Down the stairs, back and forth, to the second level.
At the bottom of the stairwell, the door to the second sub-level stands wide open. Above the arch, there is a hideous stone carving of two efreets, the once-angelic betrayers of Volcano. The efreet on the left is smiling, revealing sharp teeth and snapped bones. The efreet on the right is covering its eyes and weeping, lines of sorrow etched with grotesque detail into the granite.
The path splits to a T-intersection, just as you remember. Two parallel hallways, full of more empty cells. This is where you met Antioco, the priest that So Khong claimed was dangerous for his dedication to the Warrior aspect of Volcano.
Vecc whispers, "The sword is close, I can feel it. What is she doing down here...?" Zing! An arrow hits Vecc in the chest, sending him tumbling off of Yi. He lands with a grunt and says, "Son of a b*+@%!"
Inam and Ibinu are taken completely off guard, but Kallik immediately sees that the arrow came from the left side of the corridor. You do not see anyone there now - they may have ducked around the corner.
Yawning as Vecc cries out, Etrah blinks a few times and stretches. Glancing around the room, he takes in the scenery before shifting and muttering to himself. "Caw brawk brawk buckaw."
The chickens feathers begin to glow momentarily, and it licks the side of Inam's face. A red glow of shimmering light engulfs the elen.
Silently following the pair, Inam grows more and more somber as the memories flood back. The bloody mass that was her friend...the poor fool who could figure out which end of the spear to hold... The old man, wrongly imprisoned...the one So Khong pitted against those vile demons below.
As they reach the solid door, Inam's color betrays her thoughts. A tint of read filling her cheeks as she thinks back to So Khong's deeds. 'Why couldn't we see it? Sure...we didn't trust him... but why did it take so long to understand his true nature?'
Snapping back to the present as Vecc collapses from the wolf's back, she glares down the hallway; seeing nothing. Instinctively, the sylph draws her blade and begins to charge forward, the evil villain fresh in her mind.
As she takes her first step though, Ibinu's words drift back to her as if on the wind. She takes a deep breath and lowers the sword; point aimed at the ground. Taking a hand off, she holds it up, palm out.
"You there, are you the one they called 'The Key'? Are you the former 'Blessed' we seek? This must stop. There is a better way to find peace, and we'll do what we can to help. Please, don't force our hand in this. On top of easing your tormented soul, there is SO much you could enlighten us with. In regards to your knowledge, we are but babes of the air falling from our nest. PLEASE help us. Show yourself." she calls out to the empty hall.
Snapping her head back to Kallik, she sternly insists "Try and control yourself a moment, remember, there are more out there. Though Vecc made mistakes, is his death worth allowing those like Ky La and So Khong to run the Temple unchecked?"
Ibinu exclaims in shock, "where did that come from!"
He quickly pulls out a vial and slams it down. Pulling his crossbow, he looks around for the threat and adds to Inam's statement, "we don't WANT to fight you!"
Trailing behind the others and occasionally letting out a low rumbling growl they further they get. Her fingers are locked into a tight fist and the muscles on her arms are constantly shifting as her arms twitch and shake.
Glaring into each empty cell they pass but keeping most of her attention on Vecc's finger. Growling again in response to the arrow. Nodding to Inam and hoping it's not a lie before rushing forward.
Forcing her fingers to relax and holding her arms out so that her palms are at shoulder level and visibly shaking. There is no keeping the anger out of her voice, "Eo was not yours to kill but I have no weapon in my hand. Come out."
Kallik, from your vantage point you still cannot see whoever shot the arrow.
A voice comes from around the corner. Perhaps this voice was once sweet, even melodious, but it has long since been ravaged by screams of pain, shouts of anger, and tears of deep sorrow. Now, the harsh, broken tone says, "This is a war. If you are on the robes' side, then we have nothing to talk about. And I wouldn't recommend coming any closer, oread. I can hear your footsteps a mile away."
Sucking in a breath and trying not to growl, "There is no way I am on their side. They are supposed to protect elen and they abuse them. This rotting temple holds none of my love and all of my hate."
Keeping her hands up and the rage is bubbling just under the surface, begging for more blood. Demanding a death. "Why did you kill Eo? What did he do to you that earned him a death like that?"
"Simple. He was a robe - he had to die eventually. And it made the old man suffer." She raises her voice, addressing Inam. "Chicken-girl, did you know the boy was in love with you? I kept him alive for a long time." She laughs, a sawing, phlegmy sound. "He insisted, 'til his dying breath, that you were coming for him."
Ibinu grips his crossbow and whispers to Inam, "ignore that, she is trying to get you to do something stupid."
He shouts out, "stop letting your hatred ruin you! Can't you see we are here to help? We even convinced Yi to come back and reunite with you!"
A growl permeates the sylphs throat. Moving to respond, she feels, rather than hears, Ibinu's words drifting towards her.
'Yes...yes. Volcano help me! I must not lose control...' she prays silently. With a quick glance to Etrah who sits at attention on her shoulder, she takes a slow deep breath.
"No. I did not know. You know, you did So Khong's work for him, right? When we first met the young one, So Khong wanted to kill him. It was I that stayed the late High Inquisitor's hand."
"You state he was killed because he was with the robes? Yet, you did exactly what they wanted done. By doing their dirty work for them, doesn't that mean you ARE with them? Besides, killing innocents is their task. Not one for the Blessed" she asks.
Her hands shaking, as the images of Eo swim before her eyes, she wipes away a damp line from her eyes. 'Was I crying? Now is not the time! We will mourn later.'
With a shake of her head, she calls out. "That is not our duty! We have been charged by The Warrior to protect ALL the innocents. Even a Robed One or a Brainwashed Townie must be given the chance to see the error of their ways. There are better ways to handle the world than wanton murder!"
Hesitating, she looks to Vecc. With a small whisper of "Forgive me" she dives headlong into the abyss. "You and I both know So Khong was evil and beyond redemption. Not because he was too far gone to deserve the choice, but because he was unwilling to consider it. I..."
Steeling another glance to the older elen, she sighs. "I took his life. It was in self-defense! But the bottom line is, I ended him. I will face judgement for that fact. Do you wish to face judgement for slaying a see of innocents? Especially if your only recourse is, 'It was to hurt the old man.'?"
"I am sorry I didn't get to you sooner. Before...before you slew the poor child. Please don't make this worse. Allow us the opportunity to send you to Volcano and away from the vile Spawn below!"
Letting out a slow breath and feeling the thudding booms of her racing heart in her ears. Letting her hands fall to her side and glancing back at the others. Speaking in a deep rumble, "You sound so much like the robed ones. Doing exactly as you please because you can and ignoring everything but you want. Like a greedy child."
Closing her eyes before calling out, "Yi do you have something to add to this? Before I finish what I want to say." Her hand have resumed flexing in and out of a fist.
The wolf limps forward. You notice her bearing is less proud now, more subdued. "Eh-tain? You killed little pup. Need to see you." A pause. "Please?"
A hint of softness in the rough voice. "Yes. Come here, Yi." Slinking shyly like a rebuked pup, Yi rounds the corner. You just barely hear a whispered, "Lie down, girl." Yi's hindquarters are still visible, sticking out slightly, and you see that she obeys. A small whine. A wet sound, like a long-lost friend licking the hand of her mistress...
-faster than any of you can react, a pale blur appears to the left of Yi's hind legs. A glint of steel as a sword is raised. Three red, burning lines streak across the hallway. The aim seems off, however. They go over Inam's shoulder-
20 goes to zero, then 15 goes to negative 15
Inam feels a terrible heat near her face. There is a squa- of pain, cut off almost immediately.
Where Etrah perched just a moment ago, a small pile of ash now graces Inam's shoulder. Some of the fine particles fall to the floor.
Clang. The sword drops to the floor. The pale figure is on her knees. "Now, you know my pain. Now, I ask for forgiveness."
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"Forvieness? But you miss..." begins Inam. Stopping suddenly as the heat and smell of burnt feathers register in her brain, she slowly turns her head to look. The pile of ash nestled neatly on her shoulder, her jaw drops open. "E-Etrah? You...You ok?"
Dropping to her knees with a 'thud' that echos around the empty dungeon, she drops her blade with a 'CLANG'. Carefully, she scoops the pile into her hand and sets it gently on the floor. "But...why?" she asks, her vision blurring as fluid streams out of her eyes. "I...we...brought your companion back...we..."
Desperately, she reaches her right hand down and runs it the length of her blade, opening her hand from the tip of her middle finger to the heal. The large gash seeping the viscous fluid from within, she presses it into the pile. "Volcano! Don't forsake me now! PLEASE!"
Failing to see a desired reaction, she stands, blood dripping to the stone floor. Turning towards the blurry figure, she stumbles towards it. "Why would you do that? WHY?"
Scriptures suddenly start swimming in her head as she nears the beast the slew her herald. Shaking her head, she tries to clear it....to grab hold of the rage within...but it suddenly begins to slip away.
Reaching out her hand, now drenched in blood and soot, she releases a hefty sob. "I...I must. It is the only way I could honor my herald." Shakily, touching the dead sylph, she whispers. "Volcano, please grant me the strength. Yeah, screw that! WARRIOR HELP ME! Please allow me to show this creature the kindness it no longer understands!"
A spark of light flashes between the two and Inam collapses in a heap; eyes closed, next to the wolf.
Kallik and Ibinu are rooted in place by shock, grief, and disbelief. Inam walks slowly down the hallway, with all the time in the land. She walks through a garden of statues, all holding silent witness to her kindness. To her honor.
Inam, you feel a presence. In your mind, you see a huge silhouette, elen shaped, reach down from great heights and stroke your head, ever so gently. In its touch you feel an understanding of your pain. A wish to make things right. And you hear a promise.
Time begins again. You all feel a residual heat from the ghastly blow dealt to Etrah. But rather than fading, the heat grows in strength, until the icy hallway becomes sweltering. Rising from ashes and blood is a fierce, fiery bird-form, gliding like a majestic dream toward Inam and Etain.
Etain looks up, eyes streaming from the incandescent brilliance. "I- I didn't -"
And she is gone. As the after images fade, you all see...Etrah, but not Etrah, rubbing up against Inam's feet. His plumage is one thousand different shades of red, orange, yellow, amber, crimson, and gold.
A true herald of the Warrior has arisen. A phoenix.
Keeping her hands locked at her side and watching Yi return to her mistress. Something that should have been beautiful but this temple had a hand in it so there is nothing but horror and the stench of death.
Twisting her head around to stare at the falling ash. A rumbling growl claws its way out of Kallik's throat. Turning back to Etian and screaming,
That bubbling fury spills over at Inam's grief. The need for blood and death fills Kallik. There will be at least one more death today. Starting to move forward and flinching back at the light.
Coming to a complete stop, "Why?"
Fingers trembling no longer in anger alone but now a agonizing blend of fury and fear. A few more shaky steps bring her to stand over Inam.