Kyras walks behind Rhon as they head to head towards the cryptically-described professor. "You'll see once we are in a private location with Yeo Wu Xiay. We," he indicates himself and Azami, "were told by a mutual friend to seek her out." Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he steps ahead to the sixth door and knocks.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Five times exactly.
Sometimes Kyras can't stand the strangeness of the Empire.
At the phrase, sugar on your tongue, Azami snorts; as they descend the staircase, she mutters to Kyras, Erudima and Rhon, "Then likely I should not speak at all. I have long forgotten the taste of sugar."
She glances to Kyras, wondering if he will share the details of his circumstances with Rhon. Or with anyone--she has little interest in sharing her personal stake in the matter, but there are so many things the Emperor said that she does not understand, places he mentioned that are foreign to her. That Rhon knows enough of the professors at the University to question Dr. Xiay both disconcerts her and also causes her to wonder if he might have answers that would assist them. He and Erudima both knew her father, also.
Kyras mentions a mutual friend, and she cannot help raising a brow. She had all but outright stated that the Emperor had set them to this task; Kyras' choice to remain vague amuses her even as her hand moves towards the grip of her katana, ready for whatever may greet them.
"Shelyn be praised!" As the wave of humanity crashes over her. Tokine is having a hard time seeing as her eyes are filled with tears. She tries to lay a hand on each in the scrum counting off in her mind as she comes across each, trying to determine if anyone is missing
@Kyras and @Azami: You descend for rather a long time before coming to door number six. In fact, the last few flights of stairs don't even have normal walls; instead you are in bare caverns where the rock has been hewn but not worked. Thin veins of ore and minerals run crazily through the walls, glimmering in the light of the braziers.
The door you come to is very large, at least 10ft. tall and 15ft. wide. It is banded with strange metals and inscribed with numerous arcane characters. Rhon is staring at them in wonderment. Without a word to any of you he takes out a chapbook and begins to copy them.
At Kyras' knocking there is a sliding sound, like someone pushing a giant corpse along a stone floor, and a voice booming, raspy, and ancient speaks; "Whhoooo issssss it? Offfficcccce hourssssssss are overrrrrrrrr."
@Tokine: all of your staff are present and seem to be fine, but there is a bigger problem; the sanctity of your temple has been violated. As you are nearly pushed to the ground you catch site of a beautiful, multi-colored and long-tailed songbird dead on the floor, though there is no blood, and there is a faint greenish glow about the walls.
That dripping noise is still present.
Imuri smiles calmly in the guise of the kindly monk. Mountain overlords of the East? Of course, your positions in the jungle were safe as we are concerned with matters in our own borders. WHo lied to you such that your forces are now eradicated? Are your positions in the jungle now weakened beacuase you were convinced to attack us? And whose idea was the illusion? The Red One?
"Stop. Stop. Please. Yes. We are all safe...but...what happened here?" She stoops to pick up the poor bird. She strokes its delicate feathers. "Oh..why wasn't I here? What have I done?" The tears are now redoubled.
She looks up to her associates and sees their tears as well. In a sad quizzical voice, "Izumi? What has happened here? I hear dripping and this green glow..and..and our poor friend here.? Who did this?" She looks down at the bird and then repeats herself, a definite harder edge to her voice. "Who..Did..This?"
@Tokine: Izumi looks puzzled. "I hear no dripping, my lady. As for what happened, we heard the shouting of the orcs, and the mists arose outside. I remember...hmmm...I remember nothing else then until your arrival just now." Suddenly your assistant looks frightened. "Oh no! What has happened here?" Her dark eyes are wide with concern.
There is a shout from one of the side doors. It's Rai; "Madame Curator! Come quick! There is a...display...in the...the...alley..." this call for aid is followed immediately by the dreadful and stomach-churning sound of someone vomiting on the cobblestones outside.
@Imuri: The hobgoblins again exchange baffled looks with each other, and the same one speaks up again; "We know of no Red One. We know only Her Might. Her Grace. She Who Holds Dominion. The Conqueror. She whose voice whispers in the mists across the land. Whose blood is its water. Whose body is the mountains and the forests. She who sees all and hears all and knows all."
Both creatures look at you, and then sort of past you, their eyes wide and teary and their jaws slack, as if they were looking upon a sight of great majesty and terror. They speak as one.
"The Archmage Veriala."
"Our positions are never weak, monk, for we fight as Her hands. We will be destroyed for failing to take this city, but it is better than we deserve. She will send more, many more. From the woods and the steppes and the jungles and the sea they will come. You cannot stand against Her. You will all die, and she will take whatever she wishes."
Big Hat speaks out of turn, addressing the hobgoblins. "Are you mad?! You are both under a compulsion, your minds are not your own, I can see it. Surely you care at least some small bit for your own survival?! We're offering you your lives, here!"
Tokine holds the bird gently to her chest as she starts to run for the door to the alley. But she stops. She holds the bird carefully out to Izumi. "I don't want this bird to leave the building. Use some of my silks, make a resting place for it in my room."
Izumi take the dead bird with an unasked question on her face, but hurries off.
Tokine turns back to the door and hurries to see what is in the alley. Reaching the doorway, she braces herself for the worst and steps through.
@Tokine: Awaiting you in the alley is a scene of primordial horror. A pile of orc and hobgoblin bodies stands in the middle of the alley, the corpses all in various states of liquification and putrefaction, decay happening with supernatural speed. Next to that are the remains of a troll, chopped and flayed, the skin peeled back from the torso to make it appear bulbous at one end, pits carved in the face in the shape of eyes, and the legs and arms chopped in half and set about the body to suggest spider legs. The whole thing, in fact, is reminiscent of a black widow spider.
Finally, hanging up in the air, you see the source of the dripping. A last few orcs have been gathered up in a barbed net, caught helpless, but then someone or something went around and punctured them each numerous times with a puncturing dagger of some sort so they would bleed slowly, horribly to death while they hung there helpless. The dripping you've been hearing is the last of their lifeblood hitting the ground.
Green tendrils of Enhathladi chymicals wind around your ankles, making the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Pools of blood and viscera are everywhere, though you cannot help but note that none of it is touching your temple.
The monk takes a slight atep back at Big Hat's interruption, studying the body language of the prisoners for any sign of pretension or conviction. While she draws their attention, he also considers the reaction of the ronin to the archmage's name. Here, he thinks to himself, is the value of lawless allies. They know of these outlier references that we who serve do not. They will help us undo the surprise our enemies think they have.
At Kyras' knocking there is a sliding sound, like someone pushing a giant corpse along a stone floor, and a voice booming, raspy, and ancient speaks; "Whhoooo issssss it? Offfficcccce hourssssssss are overrrrrrrrr."
'Sugar on your tongue...' Kyras puts on a smile for the strange voice and pumps as much enthusiasm as he can muster into his own. "Kyras Erodal here for Yeo Wu Xiay, one has been given the highest praise from one from the highest station. We seek a bit of the scholar's infinite knowledge and expertise."
Confronted by the horrific scene, Tokine stops in the doorway. Then immediately starts pushing back against those coming behind her. "Stop! Go Back! Stay inside!" Her voice rings out in administrative authority and her acolytes soon regain their bearings after piling up at the door. Soon the pushing stops and her staff move back.
She pulls her distressed priestess inside and shuts the door. Rai. Go find some members of the guard. There are some dead invaders in the alley, they will need to be disposed of, and I do not think we are up to the task. Tell them also any grievous wounded citizens can find comfort here. Have them spread that word."
"Jinn. Help Amieko here. She is in shock most likely. Then organize for cots, blankets, and get the kitchens up and running. We will feed and shelter those who lost their home, although the damage may be less than I feared...but we should be prepared. The rest of you, aid Jinn as you can."
Tokine then steps back through the door to the alley. She needed a better look to try to determine exactly what is going on.
Enhathladi chymicals? Who would do this? Why would they do this?...Whoever sent that demon this morning would be a good bet.
She turns to go back inside, but pauses with her hand on the temple door. But what have they done to our temple? Is it desecrated? I can't Hallow this place by myself...I would need a scroll I guess. I will see if I can connect with Shelyn...and plan from there.
On her way into her room, she finds Izumi still arranging a small bed of many multicolored scarves for the bird. She looks up, she had been crying, indicating the bed, "Everyone brought something. They wanted to give an offering" The bed nested the multicolored bird in a riot of colors and landscapes. Tokine gently places the bird into the bed. Izumi asks, "Why? What do you intend?" Tokine answers in a determined tone. "I have not given up on poor creature. I would see it nursed back to health."
Izumi nods while looking at the dead bird and heads for the door confused and still a little crying. "Izumi, come for me in an hour. In the mean time, gather the largest and greatest of our dragon art. Imperial dragons, nothing from the west. Silks and paintings, something we can move easily. Thank you."
She closes her door. Placing the bird and its bed before her on her pillow, she opens her mind. Her authority and confidence drain away as see gazes at the small dead creature, "Shelyn are you there? Have I failed you?"
@Imuri: As you step back and observe, you see the hard thigh muscles of the hobgoblins tensing, preparing to spring forward; are they stupid enough to try to run? Is it a suicide attack? You have only a fraction of a second to react, granted you by your sharp eyes and superior reflexes.
@Kyras and @Azami:
"Sss...? Nnnnnnnhahahahahaaaaaaa Verrrry welllllll, mortalllllll. I undersssssssstand you. Pleasssssssse come in."
There is something very knowing in the thick and velvety voice coming from behind the door. An arcane syllable is uttered and the door lurches open. Rhon's eyebrows shoot up and Eru quails.
"Uh, I'll wait here, okay? If you guys need me. I'll stand guard. Or something." the Mambani princess stammers out. She keeps her hand on her scimitar and backs away from the door. Rhon looks askance at her only briefly, then enters with the two of you.
Once inside you are greeted with a dank and dark hallway -- a cave, really, is more what it is -- that is barely lit by a guttering torch in a brazier on the wall. Rhon squints a bit and pushes his glasses up his nose, nearly tripping on the rough floor. Up ahead, just 40' or so, is a cold and shimmering light. "Feearrrrrr nothinnnnnng, mortalssssssss. Come into my officcccccce."
Walking the scant distance, you are greeted by a stunning vista, made all the moreso by how surprising it is to have found it down here. The short hallway you walk down terminates at a landing that overlooks a giant cave, rife with minerals, gems, ores, all manner of shining things. A small creek runs through the center of the floor. The landing you are on is at least 50' in the air and the ceiling is another 100' above that. The far wall must be 300 feet away. Stairs lead to the floor on the right and left. Above are other little ledges and landings and more stairs. Everywhere are other tunnel entrances. There are no torches, but ghostly little lights flit about here and there, their purple or blue or green or orange lights caught and reflected by the fortune's worth of ores laying un-mined in the walls here.
Rhon's jaw has honestly dropped, such is his astonishment. He closes it suddenly when the heavy sliding sound picks up, and a giant serpent raises its head to your level. A cobra-like hood fans out to reveal a sinisterly beautiful and impossibly ancient human female face. The face is scarred and worn but still noble. The eyes are wise and kind and despite the presence of a forked tongue flashing between lethal-looking fangs, the mouth smiles warmly. Strange, arcane markings cover the behemoth's scales. Its head is perhaps five feet tall, maybe more, and its coils stretch and wind and disappear amongst the boulders and stalagmites on the floor.
Rhon is blinking back tears. When he speaks, his voice is very small."...a guardian...impossible..."
The enormous snake-thing with the human head blinks in acknowledgement. "Yesssssss. Greeeeetingsssssssss, dragonborn, irondawn, and rogue sssssscholarrrrrr.... I am Professsssssor Yeo. We sssssshould indeeeeeeed sssssspeak. Pleeeaasssssssse, do come innnn. Tell me precissssssely what youuuu would lllllike to ssssspeak about..." She lowers her head as you descend the stairs, and indicates a few rocks that have somehow been hewn into the shapes of chairs, with cushions laid down in them.
Rhon sits mutely, still a bit blinkered, and looks over at the two of you.
Imuri does not react outwardly at all as the hobgoblins seize forward. In an honorable duel, their telegraphed movement would easily betray their intentions and elad to their slaughter. In an anonymous encounter with ronin or higher rivals, the moment they decide to attack is enough time for a Broken Lies student to react.
The old monk reaches easily for his staff, tucked into his arm as he leaned forward. When the staff reaches the first hobgoblin , the staff changes to a gleaming blade and the flat of the katana crashes into the prisoner's head.
This is certainly a strange sight, but Kyras is inured now to strange sights. Between kitsune betrayers, beautiful curators, otherworldly hounds, and the Emperor of the Mists himself, the strange sights have become rather commonplace to him. He takes it in stride, not flinching at the sight of the snake-woman. After all, he frequently shifts into nearly being a dragon himself, so her presence is almost one of kinship. He sits down in one of the chairs calmly, smiling at her. "We were sent by the Emperor, Professor Yeo. He named you specifically to show this to."
Kyras pulls the magnifying glass out of his pocket, followed by the dragon statuette. He speaks in equal parts to Professor Yeo and Rhon. "My sister was in possession of these before she left, and they have recently come into my care. I hope that you can shed some light as to their purpose and what I can do with them."
At the hissing voice behind the door, Azami’s arm unthinkingly crosses her body, drawing closer to her blade; something eldritch in the voice, however, convinces her that actually touching her weapon would be a threatening insult, and their lives finished. The Emperor would not send us to our doom, she thinks, but the certainty is not there.
Azami shoots an unhappy look at Eru when she decides to remain behind. The samurai cannot protect the princess outside of this room, and given that the Black Dragonflight are seeking her demise…but what can she do? Even Azami has little desire to enter this strange place.
She moves carefully across the uneven floor for the very reason that Rhon trips – she can see so little, and they could be walking into a trap. Her care is lost when they reach the vista; awe washes over Azami’s expression in a brief stunned flash that quickly firms to her usual mien. Instead, the astonishment coalesces into her gaze, her eyes panning from right to left, amazed at the impossible scene before her.
They only widen further at the rise of a giant cobra-being next to them; her hand drops back to her side loosely. If this towering being had malice for them, they would already be dead—she is quite certain of that. Noting the kindness in its visage, and hearing Rhon’s tone of wonder, Azami turns fully to regard the…Professor. When it refers to her as irondawn, her spine straightens, a wariness entering her eyes.
That Kyras would treat this situation as if he were merely perusing a shop in the mercantile district almost astonishes her more, but she remains silent, watching him profer the magnifying glass to the immense snake-woman being. Guardian Azami reminds herself, planning to ask Rhon later.
@Imuri: with a resounding a *SMAK* you knock the hobgoblin hearest the sorceress out cold. Daisuke and Swift both react with admirable speed to take out the second one, knocking him out as well.
Daisuke looks to you for direction. "What now, lord?" he asks.
@Kyras and @Azami: the professor remains where she is but her mask of cordiality slips just a little when Kyras pulls out the two precious items. Her enormous eyes widen, slit pupils dilating. "Wh-wherrrre did youuuuu get thessssssse? Your ssssssisssster had themmmm?"
There is a scrabbling noise back among the rocks but the Guardian seems to either not notice or not care. Her eyes are fixed on Kyras' recent acquisitions. "The drrrrragonnnnn statue is a piecccccce of great powerrrrrr, but it isssssss...hmmmmm...immmmpotent without itssssss stone. It neeeeedssssss a drrragonnnn ssssstone to be compleeeeete. But there arrrrrre no morrrre dragonnnn ssssstonessssss."
Rhon's face is a perfect mask of neutrality as she says this last.
"Were the sssstatue compleeeete, it wwwwould allllow the wwwwielder to sssssummon and controlllll the trrrue dragonsssssss, and morrrrre. But now? Mmmmmm...it mmmmight look good as a hearth-piece, perrrhapssss?" The professor grins, showing her fangs, each as long as your forearm.
"The glasssss, that isssssss one of Marianasssssssu's abominationssssss, and it must be gotten rid of, though I knnnnnow nnnnot how. It will cause piecessssss of time to reverssssse, but the sssssshadow that powersssss it will consume whoever triessss to use it...eventually." The great guardian looks earnestly at Kyras. "No-one mussssst know you have thisssss, it will plaaaace you in great dangerrrrrr."
@Tokine: High in the corner of your chamber is a crack that you have not noticed before. It is fairly large. Sticking out of the crack are four vaguely hirsute pieces of...something. Each is the thickness of an arrowshaft, but is black as jet. There might be a faint glittering back in the dark.
There is a shuddering, a fluttering from the little bird. Clearly it is still alive, though its breath is labored and its color dimmed.
Your eyes fall on an etching of an elaborate dance to Shelyn that serves -- so you have learned through years of research -- as both fertility ritual and consecratory ceremony at once. A way to make holy a space. You...do not remember hanging it here, nor do you recall instructing any of your interns or assistants to do so.
Something in the crack moves, and is still.
Imuri's features thin and darken, and his hair grows into its magnificent Shoto mane. He looks down at the unconscious hobgoblins.
Now, he says, we deliver them to someone who can get answers. They must be smuggled into the Shoto city house if the erinyes are still present. Also, we have little time to stage our kidnapping. Daisuke, do you think that can still work?
The Dragon inside Kyras pays particular attention to the description of the magnifying glass, coveting its power with no regard for cost. Kyras would bear the brunt of the consumption, not the Dragon.
Kyras peers behind the strange serpentine professor at the noise, trying to find its source. He tries to focus on the conversation at hand, but it is difficult between the Dragon's whispers in his mind and distractions in the cavern. "Yes, it was amongst my sister's possessions. Bethany Erodal, did you know her? She is a scholar, but she has been missing for a while."
Tokine comes out of her meditation with a jolt. It is the whole 'something is not right' feeling that she has had since coming back to the temple. That crack was not there...and what ever those might be..legs? and are those eyes?
She does not call out. Not wanting to call attention to it, or that she knows of its presence...and especially not to bring anyone else into the room. Black creatures have found refuge in our Temple?
Her despair is near a peak when she catches a bit of movement out of the corner of her eye. THE BIRD LIVES! Praise Shelyn! She sees it flutter and struggle, but it lives. Hope is not lost. The temple needs to be cleansed... Beside the bird there is a bell, roughly the size of the other six assorted bells on her glaive. She feels that Shelyn is indeed still watching over the temple and has blessed her with additional power to confront this threat.
And then her eye falls upon the etching. What is this?...would this work?. OH! We have not been forgotten. This is old..but its clearly meant to consecrate..but how did..?
Tokine feels a chill as something moves within the crack. Knowing she has no time to ponder, she carefully gathers up the delicate nest her acolyte constructed and gathered the etching before stepping out of the room. She set the etching down and went back for her glaive.
Once back in the hall. "Izumi! Come quick!" As Izumi approaches, the assistant sees a range of emotions crossing her superior's face.
Tokine is quick and to the point. "Come Izumi, there is much to prepare. We have a sacred task to preform. A cleansing. Grab that etching. Study it. Make the preparations. I will join you shortly." Just then, the bird's wing gives a feeble flap and Izumi lets out a gasp of surprise.
Tokine gives her first smile of the exchange. "Yes, she still lives. She struggles, and we have been given this task to see that she is restored."
Izumi looks at the etching, nodding as she thinks she can follow its intentions. But when she looks up, Tokine can see the unasked question. "I will join you shortly. The cleansing can not commence while poison yet lingers in the temple. Something dark has taken up residence in my quarters. I will see it dealt with and then sweep the temple for more. Do not alert the staff yet, I do not want a panic. This rite is to be joyous for it to work. I will try to do this dirty work quietly and quickly. Engage the other acolytes in the foyer to help you prepare while I make a sweep of the temple. " She then carefully passes over the songbird as well.
She wishes for the strength of Kyras or San Pen to help her, or Rhon's worldly knowledge, but she knows Shelyn gives her special gifts for this very reason. She gives herself a moment to compose herself and prepare. She affixes the small bronze bell to her glaive. She cast two prayers to help her take on the challenge of whatever this creature might be.
She then steps back into her room and points her glaive at the crack. Each bell rings out and sheds an interior glow that emanates out and quickly swirls the blade to finally coalesce along the edge. The light runs along the blade and collects and builds at the tip before bursting out as a solid beam of light into the crack.
@Imuri: Daisuke nods and bows. "Hai. We have time to spare. At least an hour or two, depending on how quickly we can dispose of these scum..." he indicates the hobgoblins "...and get you prepared, Lord. The rendevous is not far from the City House District." The red-suited ronin turns to his erstwhile mercenaries. "You three remember the plan, yes? We will go through with things as Lord Shoto here has modified them. I have still purchased your honor for this day; it is mine to command, and since I am his to command, that places your allegiance unquestioningly in his hands. Remember your oaths as we go forward with this new plan." He then turns back to you. "We can leave these prisoners with my contacts, Lord. There is a Plum Blossom 'house' not far where I can procure certain services, if you will permit it. If there is any information to be had from these slime, the Syndicate will be able to get it. If they cannot, then there was nothing of value to be learned in the first place."
@Kyras: In and amongst the stalagmites you see tiny...men? halflings? it's difficult to tell -- moving about with small pickaxes and buckets. Each one has a helmet on with a candle stuck to the top. They look like creatures you might have seen back home, decades ago, in the mountains of the Forgelands -- Van-Monnen and Van-Duriss. They aren't looking your way at all; they are focused entirely on tapping at various rocks with their picks, occasionally pulling forth a gem or chunk of some shiny metal, at which point they pull up a magnifying glass or monocle and peer at the precious stone for minutes on end. Usually they finish by putting the stone in their bucket, then the process begins all over.
Professor Yeo nods as she sips her tea. "I knew of your sissssssterrrr, but we werrrrre nnnnnot acquainted. Her work wasssssss well-ssssspoken of, hersssssself, wellllll...not ssssssso much." She gives you a sympathetic look. "I am ssssssory, Kyrassssss-ssssan, but your sissssster...she mmmmmade mmmmmmmmany enemmmmmmies in the wrong placessssssss. The emperorrrrr...he ssssssent herrrrr away for her own sssssssafety asssss much asssss anything. Have you mmmmmmet Vu? Her assssssssistant?"
The giant creature flicks its tongue in a gesture you find impossible to interpret, if interpretation there is even to make.
Kyras files away the presence of the fey in his mind before answering Yeo's question. "Vu? Yes, unfortunately. She tried to have me killed by dumping me with a Hound of Tindalos in Bethany's storage unit. That is where I found these items, actually. As for my sister, I've heard many rumors as to what she's done over the last few decades while I've been... unavailable. She's the only family I've got left, so I'm intent on finding her and knocking some sense into her thick skull."
"Bethany's research said something about four Gates and a Great Confluence. Do you know anything about that?"
@Tokine: the searing glory of Shelyn illuminates the dark place in the corner of the room, showing you the horrid visage of a massive black widow spider, easily the size of a bullfrog, in the split second before it collides with the thing. There is a terrible hissing noise, a scrabbling, then silence. A bit of smoke emanates from the crack, but you can not see the spider.
As you turn to leave, you realize that the smoke coming out of that spot in the wall is far out of proportion to the damage you did. It is pouring forth, now; not the smoke of a fire, but an ethereal fog not unlike the mists of the city, those that curl and twist over the cobbles of Lanzhu. This smokey emanation is curling about your ankles, and it is cool and slightly clammy, and brings a chill to your spine. You feel slightly woozy for a moment, but shake it off, and are able to continue out the door to carry out the rest of your tasks.
The mist follows you, winding elegantly up around the ceiling, like a thing alive.
@Kyras: The professor makes a face, her enormous features quite expressive. "Vuuuu wassssssss neverrrrrr the mosssssst...relllliable of ssssssspiritsssssss. Sssssstill. That isssss extreme, even forrrrrr herrrrrrr. I willlll have to sssssspeak with herrrrrr." The great serpentine creature sets down her tea with a surprisingly elegant gesture.
"The confluenccccce! Ratsssssscrapsssss. There is no ssssuch thing. It issss a fantassssy for wizardssssss. If any event that could be terrrrmed asssss sssssuch were to hhhhappen, I am mosssst cccccertain it will occurrrrr becausssssse sssssome arcanisssssst brrrought it about! Asssss for "The Gatessssss?" They are real. Verrrrry verrrry real and potentially verrrry dangeroussssss. Four creaturesssss, matched to the four typessss of Telessssstari, posssesssssed of old, Wild Magic. That which powerssss all magic in the llland. Why would you ssssisssster conccccern herssssself with the gatesssss? She ssssought to dissssstill the essss..." Suddenly professor Yeo stops speaking and looks at you, her expression a strange mix of shock and pity and fear. Her eyes glitter like the precious gems in the walls around you. You feel a wash of arcane energy swirl past.
"...wait. You? A Gate? Oh Kyrassssss, there issssss much you musssst do if I have guesssssed the truth!"
Kyras curses inwardly, angry that his silver tongue failed to hide his motive in asking the question. The Dragon rushes against the wall between their psyches, thrashing in anger at Kyras's carelessness. Still, it was the Emperor who sent him to see Yeo, so hopefully the information would not be misused. "What do you mean? What must I do?"
No, Daisuke-san. Imuri cuts him off. THe hobgoblins will be questioned only by servants of House Shoto. Trust is at premium, and the family that esteems loyalty above all else is the only family we can trust.
The samuria turns to Swift. Do you still communicate with Yohuro-sensei at all? If you can contact the Dojo without being arrested, tell him Imuri-san needs to deliver a package discretely.
Tokine watches the smoke drift up, determined to see that it makes no active moves to harm her staff.
"What do you mean? What must I do?"
"Firssssst we musssst find out jussssst which gate you arrrre, then locate a Telessssstari to inssssstruct you in itssssss use. The forrrrmerrrr will be easssssy, the latter...will not. We mussssst alssssso reconsssssider ssssssome thingsssssss...these houndssssss, when did the one that attacked you appear, againnnnn? It wassssss after you had been knocked unconsssssciousssss, yesssss?"
No, Daisuke-san. Imuri cuts him off. THe hobgoblins will be questioned only by servants of House Shoto. Trust is at premium, and the family that esteems loyalty above all else is the only family we can trust.
The ronin bows. "Hai, lord. Of course." He casts his eyes down.
The samuria turns to Swift. Do you still communicate with Yohuro-sensei at all? If you can contact the Dojo without being arrested, tell him Imuri-san needs to deliver a package discretely.
Swift looks evenly at you for a long moment before speaking. "I can do this thing. I will return shortly. If I am not back within 30 minutes, you must continue without me."
Tokine watches the smoke drift up, determined to see that it makes no active moves to harm her staff.
The smoke makes no move except to follow you as you make your way from room to room, checking for other spiders or possible disturbances. You find none, though things are eerily quiet in the temple.
Now, Daisuke-san. Tell me all you know of your employers. Did they contact you through the Plum Blossom? What are your instructions for delivery?
Noting the direction of the ronin's eyes, Imuri briefly ponders how to address his morale, then adds, A samurai does not state at his sandals unless he is not sure where he stands, Daisuke. You know of the spider and the webs we weave, but you know that we prize loyalty as the highest virtue. If you doubt where you stand, say so. If not, look me in the eye. The days ahead hold much promise for the restoration of your honor.
He turns to the others. Ignore the ronin girl you saw before. We are one Empire. To judge past misdeeds in the face of war is yesterday's thinking. Today, we fight together. If you wish reward, you will have it when your name is spoken with respect. If you crave honor, you shall have both. And for those who betray the Empire in the presence of the Spider, many Hells await.
"Firssssst we musssst find out jussssst which gate you arrrre, then locate a Telessssstari to inssssstruct you in itssssss use. The forrrrmerrrr will be easssssy, the latter...will not. We mussssst alssssso reconsssssider ssssssome thingsssssss...these houndssssss, when did the one that attacked you appear, againnnnn? It wassssss after you had been knocked unconsssssciousssss, yesssss?"
Kyras does not like the way this conversation is going. He answers warily, "Yes. I awoke when it started to chew on me. I've been hearing their baying ever since, but they haven't attacked again yet. Does it have something to do with my consciousness? I hope this doesn't mean I can't ever sleep again."
Azami is more than content to listen to Yeo and Kyras speak, absorbing what she can about what Kyras is, and what that means. She briefly glances at Rhon to see if he seems to understand of what the two of them are speaking.
Tokine quickens her pace down the hall and notices the smoke follows, fast or slow, always following. With all the acolytes in the foyer, these back halls are very quiet. Her circuit complete, she calms herself and walks out of the a side exit, hopefully leading her 'attachment' with her.
She makes her way to the courtyard in front of the temple, and pears in through the front doors. Hoping to see acolytes moving and chanting, practicing the ritual. She calls into the din. "Izumi...Can you come out here please?"
Tokine steps back away from the temple. As Izumi emerges, she asks. "How go the preparations?"
"Fine my Lady. But what is that?" As she points to the black swirling vapors.
"That, is why I am out here. It is the remaining essence of some creature that sought refuge in my room. I destroyed its form and now this smoke follows me..."
She looks around to ensure that they are indeed alone. "I believe I am somehow tainted by this, whatever this is. I will need you to lead the ritual. Bring the instructions to me out here that I might learn also. I will start out here while you begin in the temple. Once the temple is clean, bring the congregation out here to the courtyard and surround me, still singing and dancing. I will cast a protective ward on myself trying to sever whatever connection there if, they we can all try to reenter the temple together. Hopefully cleansing the Temple and myself in the process."
When preparations are finally completed, Tokine has Izumi start the ritual. Tokine mirroring the ritual in the courtyard. When the congregation emerges, young Akiko gently sways in the center holding the pillowed bird. As the group surrounds her, Tokine adds two additional means to purge the black smoke. First she draws a quick circle in the dirt with the butt of her glaive and enacts a Protection from Evil. If the smoke persists, she will channel positive energy at it, seeking to encase it in a bubble of light. If both means fail, she will perform in the center of the group and try to reenter the cleansed temple.
And as part of the ritual
@Kyras:
Telestari. You know you remember Bethany talking about them before, but it seems so long ago and you can no longer remember the context in which she mentioned them. Weren't they extinct? Yeah! For thousands of years, no one had seen one. There was...well you don't remember what caused them to be extinct, but you know she said that.
You remember her speaking of their magic, of how powerful it supposedly was, but that no one could prove it because no one alive practiced it. You remember something about a ruin in the desert of Rass-La, too; a ruin that was once a great Necropolis and capitol to the Telestari. Their magic was said to be tied very closely to the Land, and related somehow to wild magic...something...something else. You can't remember.
Professor Yeo interrupts your thoughts with a surprisingly warm and gentle chuckle, for so fearsome a creature as she. "Ssssleeeep! No, no, you can ssssstill sssssleeeep. I believe the houndssssss nowwww follow you, becausssssse you are awake, and they are creaturesssss bound to you, to the Gate of Dessssstruction. They came to protect and ssssserve you when they sssssenssssed you fell. Then, when you did not lead them -- or it -- they grrrreww confusssssed and attacked."
The guardian's eyes widen. "If you llllearnnnn to controlllll your Gate, Kyrasssss, control whhhhat you arrrrre, they will folllow youuuu. They and creaturessssss far morrrrre desssstructive. You could tturrrrn the tiiiide in annnny war. Any battle. None could ssssstand before you..."
"...nnnnnot even dragonsssss!"
@Imuri: Daisuke looks back up, meeting your gaze with his own, and his dark eyes flash. "Hai." A brief look of hope and determination plays over his features, then he speaks. "We were to deliver the Erodal man to a noodle house in the eastern slums, I have the address. This noodle house is well-known as a front to a drug den; opium, cocao, pesh, marshgas, honeypitcher syrup, anything you can think of, the junkies go there to get it. It is there that servants of the Scarecrow are said to work, and there I was to bring him."
@Tokine: The ritual, whatever it is, and wherever it came from, is staggeringly ancient. You feel its voice cut across millennia and rumble in your bones and swirl the tides of your blood. As the dance begins, as voices take up the song, you feel threads of energy wind up through the cobbles...they are the sound of blue and white and green and brown...of oranges and apples and grapes and plums...of flowers...of water...of sky. Of everything growing and good and beautiful. You sway elegantly like the bamboo, you bend like reeds, you sing like a True Dragon and swoop like a falcon. You are life, and life channels up through you pure as sun.
Voices take up with yours, voices of your acolytes and assistants, voices of...of...by Her Grace, citizens of Lanzhu have taken up the song; shopkeepers and seamstresses, baristas and barristers, petitioners and solicitors and businessmen and slaves. You can't even see them all, but somehow they have taken up with you, their voices raised in glorious song to all that is beautiful and growing and good in the city, in the Empire, and in the Land.
The very mists of the city echo your movements and you see something you have never seen before; they take up specific shapes of people. You do not know any of them, but you can make out faces and fingers and clothes and expressions. They mirror your movements, bringing gravitas to the ritual.
The strange smoke-thing is getting subsumed and scattered by the Mists, by the song, by the light that is radiating out from you like a star. It seems not to fight, but lets itself get swept along and pushed away, away, away...floating away. More light bursts, your temple gleams, the air is no longer quiet as graves but beautifully, raucously alive. It remains so, filled with song and the sound of stomping and gliding feet in dance, even as the shadow descends.
There is a twist in the air, and the smoke-thing vanishes, replaced by a rend in the sky. Behind this rend is blackness that is a living thing, and spider webs and shadowy corners and fell deeds done in the foul night. Something detaches from this rend and falls. It is a spider...it is...the spider. It is the Reaper of Reputation made flesh, and yet also incorporeal, inhabiting some bizarre parallel plane that apparently only you can see.
Everyone keeps singing and dancing, but the spider does not notice.
This spider is as old as sin and as black as secrets and it blots out the sun. Its eyes glow a sickly blood red. Its horrid bloated body is hairy and rubbery and thick with menacing muscle that moves its chitinous and mighty legs as they form a cage around your temple. The thing is so. big. that it easily spans your entire temple, its mammoth body hovering some 50' above the roof, suspended by those legs. It regards you, and though its visage is that of a slit throat or a lonely death in an alley, it seems to bear you no ill will. It simply...regards you.
Terrible black intricacies sniff over your brain suddenly, the babbling of a million whispering voices fills your ears for a single violent second and then ceases. The spider moves a leg, and it flicks...something away...some...shadow...
A tiny bird, the size of a plum and the color of a cherry blossom, the most impossibly delicate and beautiful little flying creature you have ever seen, flutters down from the sky and lands on the spider. It shifts its bulk horribly. Both fade from vision, but you know somehow they are both still there.
You do not remember crying, but your cheeks are wet with tears.
Izumi comes running up to you. "Mistress! Mistress! Why do you stop?! Look! Look how the temple gleams, how no shadows dare touch it! The ritual worked! Truly you are blessed, truly we are blessed! Why do you not rejoice?!"
Kyras nods, carefully maintaining the mental barrier between himself and the Dragon. The mention of near-unlimited power is almost enough for the Dragon to seize control, for it wants nothing more than unlimited power. He grits his teeth as he struggles to maintain his concentration. "Do you... Ughh... Do you know where I can find a Telestari? Aren't they all dead?" With the blood pounding in his head, he has trouble standing. He stumbles backwards a bit, keeping his footing by putting a hand on Azami's shoulder. He looks at her, determination in his eyes but an unspoken acknowledgement that he is growing weaker through the mere utterance of what the Dragon stands to gain.
@Kyras: Azami gives you a look of mild annoyance, but doesn't pull away. Granted she also does not offer any support or encouragement, but she at least allows your hand to remain where it is for the moment. She returns your gaze evenly, her expression stony as always.
The Guardian/Professor speaks again, and her voice carries a heavy weight of sadness. "It issss indeed sssssaid that they are exsssssstinct. But that isssss nnnnot the trrrruth. I knoooow they yyyyet walk the lllland, though their kind isssss terribly rrrrare. Unfortunately I hhhhave nnnnot encountered one myssssself, for I would lllllove to ssssspeak with them. There isssss much we could disssscussssss. No, I know of onlllly one being that hasssss ssssseen and, indeed, ssssspoken with Telesssstari..." She takes a long drink of tea. "...and that issss Vu."
Almost imperceptibly, Azami shifts her stance to maintain a sturdy footing with Kyras leaning on her shoulder.