"Wh-what do the p-puppetmasters in the shadows gain from b-bringing back this Adimarchus?" Marigold asks quickly. "The usual? P-power, wealth and f-fame?"
"You seem to understand more than we do, if you know who are enemies truly are, and their intentions. I have to worry that you were close to our enemies, which suggests that you were allied with them, and against us, by assocation. If you seek my commitment, it wouldn't hurt if you cleared up this mystery for me and mine. If we know who we fight, and why we must oppose them, this journey to Occipitus might be a necessary evil, for all concerned."
JJ is also suspicious. "What more can you tell us about this test. Planes of existance are... well.. infinite. Or so I thought. Where exactly is this test and how might we overcome it?"
"Who, or what, is this Adimarcus? I don't recognize that name either.
"And it sounds like a lot more is at stake here than just Cauldron itself."
The questions the others were peppering the stranger with mirrored the ones that were cycling through Ryan's mind. So for the moment Ryan continues to read the stranger's answers for any falsehoods.
Maxim nods with a hard look at Marigold and Juraan's wise words;
"Ain't that the hard truth. See this test is all well an' good Kaurophon... Your mere sense in its importance ain't nearly enough. Like Lil' Miss and the Professor so eloquently put we've been played fer patsies more than once..."
The gun-mage strokes his beard in thought as his Bror and JJ chime in;
"Now I ain't paintin' you as tryin' to dupe us... jus' we're bein' careful. You mention you learned o' our enemies intent. Care to spill how you came by such information an' name who you count amongst are enemies..."
"I know precious little, I'm afraid, besides their final goal is to restore Adimarcus. The group that bas been orchestrating the troubles in your town
from behind the scenes is known as the Cagewrights." he licks his lips nervously as if working with dangerous information "They are the final source of the unrest in your city. Their agents were involved in the political schemes and thefts that plagued Cauldron. Yet I fear their true goals for the region are much more sinister" he then turns to Kikinnin before resuming his talk very slowly and carefully "My research into the nature of Occipitus drew their attention, and for a time they tried to convince me to join their organization. I went along with them for a time, hoping to get the resources needed to unveil everything about that plane. Yet soon, I came to realize the simple fact that they were all mad, and I left them to their lunacies"
Kaurophon looks authentically scared as he evocates these last memories
"Occipitus is now at one of the Abyss layers. But if the right person passes the Test of the Smoking Eye, she could separate it from the Lower Planes. Perhaps it would become a demiplane, or perhaps it would again become part of Celestia. If you accept to pass the Test I will explain you what I learned about the first part so far" Kaurophon answers to JJ before turning to Juraan "Adimarcus was a Demon Lord, ruler of Occipitus. But before that, he was a fallen angel"
And finally turning to Maxim "The Cagewrights are composed of thirteen members, each with their own apprentice. But their true composition has varied through decades. Their leader and founder is Dyr'ryd a shator demodand with a conjoined twin. Their newest member is Grehlia Cairnis, former leader of Cauldron's Ebon Triad, and now apprentice to Nulin 'Fish' Wiejeron"
JJ steps forward. "I will take this test!" he cries in a fit of entheusasm. "It can right an ancient wrong, and help keep Cauldron safe at the same time."
"Easy now, JJ. You have no real idea about what this test is, and you've been too quick to judge. We have the means of understanding this more deeply than Kaurophon's word." He looks at the priest.
"Can you shed light on this, Ryan? Kaurophon's nature is evil, but I'm not sure our path is set on his desire to see someone pass these tests."
Kikinnin turns back towards Kaurophon.
"You've named two of the Cagewrights. Are you forthcoming enough to name them all, and how we might track them down?"
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"I cannot name all, only the few I have been in contact with, but you would do bad to look to confront them directly. Any of them could wipe you all as easily as you would tear down a piece of paper. You have called their attention, so you better play well your cards. As long as they think you are useful you could play your game, if they ever think you might become dangerous, you will be in real truble" the man talks calmly despite Kikinnin's suspicions "You're detecting my unfortunate heritage-the fiendish blood that flows through my veins. Just as I'm trying to purify my own soul, so too am I trying to end the battle between good and evil on Occipitus. I hope that someday my aura will be as pure as yours. In any event, the evil that taints my soul is a pale shadow to those who have risen against you in Cauldron."
Finally, at long last, they had a proper name to put to the puppetmasters behind the scene - Cagewrights. Even though there were still nearly as many questions as they'd received answers, Marigold felt bolstered and emboldened by this new piece of information.
Knowing is half the battle and now we know the name of who we're facing.
Still, there were other things that were worrisome.
"D-do you know what they w-want with some of the others they've c-crossed paths with? A young orphan b-boy....a p-pillar of the Malachite Hold...Alek Tercival...s-several of them have been m-marked by a sign only those with m-magic sight can s-see. I w-want to know if you know wh-why," Marigold asks quietly. She doesn't mention her own mark though she swears she can almost feel it prickling and tingling on her forehead.
"Cage wrights? We have found evidence of people building cages... including a giant forging one, and special materials. " muses JJ out loud.
"So at least your story agrees with our evidence."
He turns to Kikinnin "See, this is exactly what I have been telling you. This issue of evil auras is more complex than I think you, or I, realise. "
Kikinnin turns from Ryan and Kaurophon to size up JJ's declaration. "I don't remember you telling me anything. I have no issue with auras that Abadar sees fit to show me. If you're confused, perhaps you should elaborate, and we can suss out the problem you seem to have with 'evil'."
Kaurophon's nature is evil
"His fiendish blood could be tainting his aura, and best I can tell he's speaking truthfully, or at least so far as he understands things himself. I can petition Ababadar for guidance, but not before we rest and I study once more. "
Turning back towards Kaurophon "How will helping you with the trouble you have found within Occipitus, help Cauldron, my charge has ever been to defend the citizens of Cauldron and help the town grow. It is in bad shape right now and needs to be returned to the right path. Yet we left Cauldron, seeking Alek in an attempt to help our home and our friend. Now we find ourselves here, wherever here may be, being asked to leave this plane to help Occipitus, I for one, would not like to be at odds with Abadar's precepts and wishes."
"That is just it.." exlaims JJ.
"Kikinnin, you can sence the aura that an evil person has. But things other than their own actions can influence that aura. I bet if I concentrated really hard on some of the nasty stuff I have leaned about the Abyss my aura would be tainted for a while too. But that doesn't make me evil, just shows that I can manipulate my aura."
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Kikinnin nods as the priest mentions speaking with Abadar. "I'm glad you have that connection, Ryan. I'm sure Kaurophon wouldn't begrudge us such a consultation." The black beard looks the human over, letting his eyes rest upon the mark of the Smoking Eye.
When JJ speaks up, Kikinnin listens respectfully enough, though he does allow his Look to pass over Kaurophon a second time, to reinforce what he already has come to suspect of the stranger. As the boy concludes his observations, Kikinnin chooses his next words carefully.
"JJ, I understand very little of why you want to discourage me from using my intuitions regarding auras of evil. Do you think that my first choice is aggression, when I've stumbled on someone's black shimmer? Just because you think you can manipulate your own aura doesn't stop my detections from being useful. I won't be discouraged by you."
Kikinnin comes to point his Axe at Kaurophon. "If I wanted to, I would petition Abadar for His holy might, and Kaurophon would be marked for his evil nature, in the Eyes of my God. Abadar wouldn't grant me that power, unless it was truly merited. Or can you deceive a deity?" The black beard looks sternly at JJ, expecting an answer. While he waits for one, he continues with one more observation of his own.
"Kaurophon is not here out the generosity of his heart. I don't believe for a moment he is. He's tracked us, and seeks to use our strength. To what ends, I can not divine myself, but it matters very little. Time will tell us his true intent. He's consorted with the Cagewrights, which means he's just as likely to manipulate us as the hidden players have done in Cauldron."
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After listening to the lively exchanges, Juraan finally says something.
"This is hardly the first time we've strayed far from the beaten path to save Cauldron.
"Ironically, the greater the danger to Cauldron, the further we have to travel to save our city.
"This is the furthest we've been from Cauldron to date.
"So, I'd hazard a guess that the dangers have never been greater.
"To either Cauldron or ourselves from the sounds of it."
Then after pause, "Not that knowing that is much help against the fates.
"Indulge me, if you could, Kaurophon. This test of the smoking eye you speak of...
"... does it have to be one champion or can it be a group of champions in concert?"
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"I'm not saying don't trust your Abadar given gifts Kikinnin. But it is what you do with that knowledge that I worry about. Just because Kaurophon has the taint of evil about him doesn't mean he wishes us or cauldron harm, or is an evil person himself. Had you the abilty to also see the aura's of the virtues around people you may even see one of them as well. "
He struggles to try and explain his idea. "And it is not fooling a god, I don't think any of us would want to do that. I've spent enough time on my knees in Abadar's moneyhalls. But understanding the limits of all our gifts... that is important."
"Don't you worry about me, JJ. You would do better to listen to others, and stay your hand, when you rush into battle so blindly." Kikinnin's body posture more than suggests that he's done with the boy, for now.
"As for Kaurophon, I'll mark your words. And I won't make you eat them, when the time comes for him to try and exact his toll for ferrying us to Occipitus to do what he could not."
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Maxim frowns as JJ and Kikinnin indulge in back and forth on the nature of auras and their meaning;
Hell's Teeth. We're bombardin' this Kaurophon with a volley o' questions an' these two are goin' at it o'er the nature o' folks inner souls!
The gun-mage growls at the debating pair;
"Bror, can you and Surabar leave discussin' the intricacies o' auras an' such fer another time, preferably when yer both a distant location from me? Let's focus on the task at hand eh?"
At Juraan's question he perks up;
"Professor's talkin' sense... If its one o' us we may need to nominate a champion... (ahem)..."
The blond-beard flashes a wry smile to himself, then nods again as Kikinnin mentions the very real potential that they are being played for patsies;
"Most likely we are Bror... We're all puppets o' higher powers I reckon, just we seem to be played by all parties. Reckon that makes us valuable pawns... who may eventually become the key pieces on the board. We need to start playin' on that, pushin' back a little... Becomin' the new rulers o' Occipitus could be a savvy first step?"
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Kikinnin flashes an annoyed look at Maxim, though it only sits on his brow from the earlier conversation. He does slip into his native tongue, as his ire is raised.
"Oh, aye. Jeg holder av på diskusjonen, om gutten kan finne en måte å lette sin angst på. Du lar ikke en valp holde nippe i dine hæler. Du må mansjette den, så det vet stedet."
"Oh, aye. I'll hold off on the discussion, if the boy can find a way to ease his anxiety. You don't let a pup keep nipping at your heels. You've got to cuff it, so it knows its place."
Kikinnin looks over Kaurophon yet again, while answering the blond beard.
"Jeg ser ikke en klar vei framover. Hvis vi skal delta i kamp på Occipitus, vil jeg i hvert fall vite Abadars tanker fordi jeg ikke tror vi virkelig forstår Kaurophon, før han er klar til å avsløre hans sanne intensjoner. Selvfølgelig vil jeg forbli fast på å tro at de har til hensikt å være ondskap."
"I'm not seeing a clear way ahead. If we're to engage in battle on Occipitus, I'd know Abadar's thoughts, at least, because I don't think we'll truly understand Kaurophon's, until he's ready to reveal his true intentions. Of course, I will remain fixed on believing those intentions to be evil."
JJ pauses at Kikinnin's words for a moment, suddenly realising something.
"Ahh... how are we supposed to get back... if something happens to you." he asks Kaurophon.
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Maxim listens to his bror, casting the odd baleful look toward JJ as he nods, smiles and scowls in equal measure before answering:
"Jeg er enig bror, men husk, han er bare en valp. For al sin tapperhed er han lidt sund fornuft og finder sig dybt dybt alt for ofte. Måske søger han bare kloge råd ... men vende sig til dig for sådan viser Surabars sande mangel på dom! Har!"
"I agree brother, but remember he is just a pup. For all his bravery he's little common sense and finds himself neck deep all too often. Perhaps he just seeks wise counsel... though turning to you for such shows Surabar's true lack of judgement! Har!"
The gun-mage allows the hard grin to fade as he mulls further;
"Enig, hvis denne fiend blod vender os så er vi klar og ikke fundet ude. Hvis han ikke gør det, så jo bedre."
"Agree, if this fiend blood turns on us then we'll be ready and not found wanting. If he don't, then all the better."
Kaurophon answers to Marigold "I am sorry, I do not know the people you name. What is the sign you name? If you could describe it perhaps I have knowledge about it"
The man nods at Ryan "If you want to help Cauldron, then claiming Occipitus will help you, as far as maintaining its control out of the hands of the Cagewrights, Adimarcus or any other evil being is just beneficial to your interests. By any means, being the ruler of the plane nothing would stop you to use its resources and inhabitants to pursue your own war to save Cauldron if that pleases you"
You sense a moderate evil aura on Kaurophon.
"Beyond the first part of the test, the nature of the whole process is not clear to me, although I am pretty sure only one creature can be the ruler of Occipitus at the same time" he answers to Juraan.
When Kikinnin looks back at Kaurophon he looks back "I got it. You don't trust me. Trust is only earned by action"
Then turning back to JJ "Just for the case you get stranded there, I've prepared a few scrolls of plane shift for you. Simply read them, and you'll be transported back to the Material Plane." he presents you a pack of scrolls and let's you check whatever of them.
The scrolls are genuine.
Kaurophon finally turns back to Ryan ""If it's truly necessary for you to rest and prepare, so be it, but be ware! Rivals of unsurpassed evil lurk near the first part of the Test. If we wait too long, they'll gain a lead on us. Besides, I know of places on Occipitus where healing is easier, and a place I suspect holds Celestial weapons of great power. Unfortunately, I cannot help us return to your homes from here, only once at the other plane."
"Tell us more of this first part of the test." JJ adds, having sombered up a bit.
"You seem to know a bit of it, but be unwilling to share what you know."
Maxim takes the scrolls from their fiend-blooded patron with a nod, before wafting them under his nose akin to a connoisseur measuring the quality of a cigar by scent;
:
"Words o' power with a hint o' the Nine Hells. Don't need to read 'em to know these are genuine bonafide scrolls like he says."
Kikinnin only coils more, when Maxim speaks on the nature of the scrolls, and the magic derived therein.
"Nothing personal, Kaurophon. I'm sure you understand my wariness. Evil creatures, by their nature, must be treated with the caution they deserve."
The black beard looks to the others. "So, are we doing this, then? Maxim's got scrolls, and we have little else to go on, other than Kaurophon's word. The trust involved in the next step is deep and blind, but we don't seem to have an alternative."
"It...um, n-nevermind," Marigold sighs quietly as the rest of the group prove more interested in discussing Kaurophon's trustworthiness or possible lack thereof. "M-maybe we can talk about it l-later."
She looks around at the others, resigned but determined. "I s-say we go, whether now or after r-resting, it d-doesn't matter to me. S-seems like our b-best way to get back to C-Cauldron is to go and see if we can p-pass these t-tests."
Willingly Kaurophon follows up on JJ's question "For the first part of the test you must enter a hidden chamber within a ruined Celestial cathedral. There you must choose one of two doors: one with a Bebilith Demon behind it and one with an Avoral Agathion."
Agathion Avoral are neutral good outsiders, human-shaped, but their upper limbs are great wings with a human-like hand at the end of each. They have true seeing, magic resistance and multiple spell-like powers. Their defenses include DR vs non evil or silver weapons, and are immune to electricity and petrification beyond other magical resistances.
Bebiliths are chaotic evil outsiders with spider-like shape but smart and larger than an elephant. They can scent, are physically strong and resistant, and have damage reduction to non good weapons.
Agathions are a race of beast-aspect outsiders native to the plane of Nirvana, a realm of pure good unconcerned with the dogma of law (represented by Heaven) or chaos (represented by Elysium).
Demons exist for one reason—to destroy. Where their more lawful counterparts, the devils of Hell, seek to twist mortal minds and values to remake and reshape them into reflections of their own evil, demons seek only to maim, ruin, and feed
"Marigold... I share your concerns. But it looks like the best way to keep Terram and the others safe... is to try and thwart these evil plans at the source.." opins JJ.
"Can you tell us a bit more about Bebilith demons and Avoral Agathions?" he asks.
"I don't think I have heard of either. And what is the point of picking one over the other?"
"Avoral Ag-gathions are g-good outsiders; they're sort of sh-shaped like humans but their upper limbs are g-great wings with human-like h-hands at the end of each one," Marigold explains. "And a b-bebilith is an evil outsider that's huge, b-bigger than even an elephant! And sp-spider-shaped, too..." she shivers.
"A spider the size of an elephant? That is certainly something I'd not want to meet. " JJ also shivvers.
A gleem comes into his eye as he tries to lighten the moment a little. "Say.. Kikinnin, spiders are vermin aren't they? Do you get rid of them as well as rats?"
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"Not when the spiders are the size of horses, uh, elephants." Kikinnin doesn't mask the disgust he has as he pictures what a bebilith might look like, in person.
"For the first part of the test you must enter a hidden chamber within a ruined Celestial cathedral. There you must choose one of two doors: one with a Bebilith Demon behind it and one with an Avoral Agathion."
Kikinnin's facial expression settles into stoic calm, as he addresses the stranger.
"Which one did you pick?"
Ryan notes that the scrolls provided are genuine and as far as he can tell Kaurophon has been truthful in his speech, granted what he has left out could probably fill volumes.
"IF we are to accompany you to this new plane, what conditions will we face, sure would hate to find myself in an eternal free fall for lack of asking a simple question. Granted sleeping here may find my throat cut by more of these foul creatures."
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JJs eyes light up at Kikinnin's qustion.
Maxim eyes the others as Marigold explains the potential foes awaiting them behind the doors;
"Much ablidged Lil' Miss. So an angel with hand-wings or a giant demonic spider... On the face o' it the choice is obvious.., regardless o' Surabar's desire to test his mettle against every abomination we meet."
The dwur nods at Kikinnin's question, and adds his own thoughts;
"This here is a test right? Makes sense to parley with the angel, path of least resistance an' all that... but that's the easy road. Could be a trick... Reckon the spider demon is the choice we make. Tougher test fir a prospective leaders, but Ah'm interested in what our new friend here reckons..."
You also know the avoral agathion also have detect magic, see invisibility and speak with animals constantly and at will aid, blur, command, dimension door, dispel magic, gust of wind, hold person, light, magic circle against evil, plus some daily lightning bolt and empowered magic missiles. Plus they have resistance 10 to sonic and cold.
Furthermore they can lay on hands and have a fear aura.
You also know that bebilith's have a strong web attack, plus if it hits a foe with both claw attacks, it can attempt to peel away the target's armor and shield. Furthermore a bebilith's bite causes a horrible withering and weakening of the flesh, resulting in a hideous melting and foul rotting effect that can only be cured by the heal spell in case its save if failed.
Kaurophon listens the group, his eyes open wide on Maxim's suggestion, responding then to Kikininn's question "I chose correctly and battled the bebilith, but it was too strong for me. I was lucky to escape with my life."
Then, addressing Ryan "In the center of Occipitus is a half-buried skull the size of a mountain, and from its eye spews the perpetual flame that fills the sky. Around it are parts of what was once Celestia, mixed with a strange, almost living landscape: Occipitus's original evil. Amoeba-like blobs of fire continually issue forth from the skull's exposed eye, rising to form the sky and streaming to the mountaintops that form the basin. The fiery blobs, known as plasms, bath the entire landscape in a reddish light. Despite its unusual nature, Occipitus is still a part of the Abyss, and the layer is mildly evil-aligned and mildly chaos-aligned. Lawful or good people feel slightly uncomfortable when trying to use their natural charisma to convince others, while lawful good ones find it even more difficult to use their charms." he makes a pause before continuing "Just a slight inconvenience. But you should be save as long as you remain away from the sky and the flying fiery plasm. Gravity is just same as in your world"
"I suppose there are no nearby places to purchase potions to ward us from flames. OR inns in which we can leave my uncle?" asks JJ hopefully.
"While I'd be okay leaving him for a little.. or would have been before those demons appeared..." he chokes up.
"I know he can be tough, but he is my only direct family. Well, indirect family." he then pauses "Apart from Grandmother. But I don't *know* her"
He twists back and forth, torn between bad options. "I don't want to leave him here, but I hate to take him to the abyss in this state..."
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Maxim frowns as he mulls Kaurophon's words;
"Presumin' those with a more middle o' the road bent'll be fine an' dandy in the realm?"
The gun-mage casts a look toward the fallen paladin;
"We could just drag 'im along. Might be useful fer bait or such. Some o' the nastier types like the spider demon might accept him in trade..."
He tries to maintain a hard expression, but allows a wry smile to creep across his bearded face...
"BAIT???!??!?!?" almost screams JJ. He calms down in a moment after he realises the dwarf is kidding. "Not funny. He was almost eaten by demons just a minute ago."
"B-bebiliths are tough creatures," Marigold warns. "They have sh-sharp noses, they're physically st-strong, r-resistant to non-good weapons..." she says, ticking facts off on her fingers one-by-one, "...um...they have st-strong web attack and if they g-get both claws into you they c-can try to p-peel away your armor and shields. And their b-bites...if you c-can't resist your f-flesh will w-wither and r-rot away..."
The halfling takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. "We'll need to b-be prepared. C-coming to blows with the agathion would b-be just as dangerous but in different w-ways."
"That's no way to treat JJ's..." Kikinnin starts speaking words before turning his gaze to dress down the gunslinger. When he's had suitable time to study Maxim for signs of sarcasm, he pauses.
"It's a difficult decision, JJ. Keep him out of the Abyss, or keep him at your side. I don't see any easy out."
With a sigh JJ just shakes his head. "It would be so much easier if we could make him safe in Cauldron or Redgorge. But I don't think there is anywhere safe for him at the moment. Least bad option is staying with us, at least we will have some way to protect him." concludes the youth, obviously not happy with the conclusion.
He offers Kikinnin a thankful pat on the back. "I guess the hard decisions are never easy?"
Maxim grimaces as Marigold describes the bebilith's capacities, memories of the last ill-fated encounter with an intelligent spider like creature...
"Hell's Teeth... Spider demon sounds a true nightmare, though can't be worse than that Haroon creature that allied with Skaven. Swear its venom still makes me ache."
The gun-mage ignores any comments on his gallows humour and nods toward JJ;
"Ain't you full o' divine strength still Surabar? Iffen ye are, then carryin' yer Uncle won't be a burden... an' the responsibility might keep ye from leapin' in head first. Win-win fer all o' us!"
"No inns in there. We have not much time to lose, but if you really need to spend a day to prepare or leave the paladin at safe, I think we will be ok" states Kaurophon.
"Wh-whatever you want to do, JJ," Marigold remarks upon hearing Kaurophon's words. "He's your uncle s-so whatever you decide, I'll d-do my best to help."
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Kikinnin nods with a soft smile to JJ, knowing full well the weight of carrying kin, dead or otherwise.
When Maxim chimes in with the suggestion, Kikinnin holds his tongue, and lets the likelihood settle over the boy. Maxim's not wrong. Alek over the boy's shoulder will certainly steady the lad from rushing into any danger, when it could mean risk to his uncle's health as well.
Still, it nags at him. "I'm assuming we're in the same predicament, where if we don't know where we are, we can't blink Alek to safety somewhere, before we set off to Occipitus?" The black beard looks to Juraan and Ryan primarily.
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"Pretty much" Ryan replies matter-of-factly, before continueing. "Asking for Abadar's guidance is not to be discounted lightly, granted in the past the path forward we had chosen to follow was confirmed when we consulted Abadar before proceeding; but I'll not rush into this decision morning should be fine. Occipitus has survived without our help this long one night's preparation should not cause it's eternal collapse."
"I think I'll take him with me. Alex said that he once had the same strength I had but it faded. If we are going to face the challenges of the abyss, I think perhaps it is best we do it while the strength of the gods still runs within in veins.[/]b"
He hefts Alex onto his shoulders. "[b]Sorry uncle, but I'd prefer to know that I have done everything I can to protect you, and leaving you here is just not safe."
He turns to the others and declares "I am ready!"