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Brynn once more plucks berries from Sprig, infusing them with magic. She eats some herself, closing wounds...
... And then gives two to Bair. "This'll help."
Still bearing wounds, Sprig places a hand on their mistress to draw forth healing energy.
She then takes a breather, centering herself will Nature's will.
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“Done!” Heraxia shouts. “Get out of here before—” Heraxia’s words are cut off as she disappears completely, shuddering back into existence a few moments later with a tear-streaked face. Looking confused, she shakes her head, then eyes the vault door with determination. “Seal me inside the vault, then go!”
As the surviving Pathfinders flee through into the Maze of the Open Road, Venture-Captain Armeline and Eando Kline hurry to the vault door, dragging it shut and sealing Heraxia inside the ovoid chamber.
Pathfinders gather inside the Maze of the Open Road, bloodied but alive. As time passes, nervousness flutters through the crowd. Suddenly, Armeline and Eando tumble into the Maze, panting from exertion. “It’s done,” Eando grunts.
“Wait,” Armeline interjects. “We need to give her time to leave...” After a few minutes, Armeline steps through the portal that led to Akiton. She returns moments later, smiling. “It worked! The Maze of the Open Road is repaired. We did it!”
A cheer goes up among the Pathfinders.
“It’s time to go home.”
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The surviving Pathfinders travel through the Maze of the Open Road, back to Woodsedge Lodge. As medics tend the wounded and fresh food circulates among the returning heroes, Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau takes the podium. “Congratulations, Pathfinders! Each and every one of you has performed exceptionally, showing bravery in the face of danger and teamwork throughout uncertain, desperate, and—let’s face it—downright strange events. You should be proud of yourselves.
“On behalf of myself, Heraxia, and the Pathfinder Society, thank you for your efforts. I can’t tell you what will happen with Heraxia and Felise, but your deeds here today will echo into an unknowably distant future. And as for the present, well, I’m sure everyone back at the Grand Lodge will be eager to hear the tales of what you have accomplished here today.”
"I tink we hepped a dragun? Or killed it? Nawshure."
Who can say what happened, Bair? Whatever the case, it is now immaterial to us.
He whistles they walk through the garden, idly twirling his shortsword; up ahead blossoms a solitary rose…
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Sprig looks at the others quizzically, then speaks to Brynn. "Why is everyone confused? It seems obvious to me. Should I explain it?"
"No, my friend. Sometimes the world needs a bit of mystery left," Brynn replies, picking up her leshy and placing it on her shoulder.
"Ok then. But it's really obvious. You see Heraxia was-"
Brynn puts a shushing finger over Sprig's mouth. "Mystery, remember?"
She turns her attention to Iarann. "A drink sounds great right about now. First round is on you."