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Mass Sending from Jeevika: "We failed. Unsure if others live. Alaznist wielding godlike artifact. Recruiting allies: Apathy, Malice, The Destroyer. Stop Alaznist... Sorshen... Xanderghul. Others' plans unknown. I'm sorry."
For some reason, you can't seem to reply to her...
"Sweetie," Jeevika says after a moment of silence, "I have to speak with Queen Cladissa about... boring politics and the like. How about you and Yulia go find Cai'nan and Lord Constantine? I'll be sure to schedule more visits to Galt in the future, okay?" "I understand, Mama," Honey replies. She once again gives Cladissa a perfect curtsy. "As your people say, Queen Cladissa, I bid you adieu." A pause. "...Did I get that right?" Honey whispers to Jeevika. Her mother nods. "...Awesome!" Honey says before skipping away. Jeevika takes a moment to wipe a tear from her eye.
"Attica?" Honey asks in a whisper. "That's... Sabrina's birth name," Jeevika explains gently. "She was named after Queen Cladissa's father Atticus. He was the man who saved the life of Shiloh's father. Among friends and family, Sabrina was fine with either name, though. Your sister Setsuna often called her Atty."
Shortly after Argor's departure, Cladissa's next two visitors are announced. "Lady Jeevika of House Kailani, Kyonin's Ambassador to Galt." A short pause. "And her daughter, Lady Honey of House Kailani." A happy Honey skips inside the throne room. Jeevika arrives shortly afterward. Honey once again perfectly recreates the curtsy that Argor taught her. Meanwhile, Jeevika bows as she would to Queen Telandia Edasseril. "Your Majesty," Jeevika begins. "Queen Telandia sends her congratulations. Thanks to you, after many long decades, our eastern neighbor is finally at peace. This will-" "Queen Classy," Honey abruptly interrupts, "you're awesome." Jeevika turns to look at her daughter. There's a long moment of silence... before she breaks out into jovial laughter and pulls Honey into a hug. Honey smiles brightly and returns the embrace.
Jeevika is quick to join her daughter's applause. Throughout the entire coronation, the Ambassador had been expecting something awful to happen at the last possible moment. That had been a major reason why two super soldiers were part of her entourage. It was not until Argor had tapped his staff that Jeevika had realized that... Cladissa had been successfully crowned Queen of Galt. Nothing had gone wrong. All was well. Memories of almost forty years ago surface in her mind. How of she would help Vincent write his letters to the man who had saved his life. The day she had been asked to safely storage a package of papers for the future. The last time she had seen... Atticus would be so proud of you, Cladissa.
As she often does, Jeevika takes a moment to center herself. She largely remains silent for much of the... various conversations. For a moment, however, she almost tells Argor to ease up on Cai'nan. Why? She sees her friend making the same mistakes Vince did with- Luckily, Gianluca arrives. Jeevika smiles as she watches Honey shout "Papa!" and jump into the honeyed man's arms. Her fourth daughter giggles with delight while Gianluca twirls her around. The young Kailani's eyes go wide when she's presented her rainbow chimera. Jeevika knows that Honey will cherish it for the rest of her days. "Thank you, Papa!" Honey says, quickly performing another perfect curtsy. At that moment, Eugeni arrives. Jeevika can't help but smile at the Archmage's antics. She then blushes slightly when he takes Jeevika's hands. "It's always wonderful to see you too, Eugeni," Jeevika replies. "We're all faring well." Jeevika watches as Honey's golden eyes begin to shine at Cladissa's request. "Mama, can we? Please?" Honey pleads. From what Jeevika can see, Cai'nan looks ready to agree... until Argor shuts him down again. Honey visibly deflates and turns to her mother, the woman who had convinced Argor Constantine to kill a Runelord. Jeevika's heart wants her to say yes... but her brain makes her say no. "I'm afraid not, Honey. It's not safe," Jeevika says. All it would take is one maniac with a crossbow. Even though Jeevika can easily reverse it, the experience of death would probably scar Honey. I'm not burying another one. Especially after... As she often does, Jeevika takes a moment to center herself.
Jeevika becomes rather somber at the mention of Eleanir's passing.
"...They sounded quite angry, Cladissa. Airing legitimate grievances is one thing. What I witnessed out there... was not that," Jeevika says.
"Of course, Cladissa!" Jeevika replies with a kind smile. "Lovely to see you again. It always is." Vince, Atticus, Sabrina... They would be so proud of you right now.
Throughout her and Argor's various conversations, Jeevika keeps a close eye on Honey; her senses are not as honed as those of her grandmother, but the effects of different spells can almost get her there. Honey handles herself very well. In fact, it might just be her monochrome eyes playing tricks on her, but Jeevika sometimes thinks she sees Argor smile whenever he introduces Honey, who always handles the formalities perfectly. Until, when they think no one is looking, Cai'nan pulls her away to chase a cat. Jeevika lets them have their fun. She still signals for Yulia to keep an eye on the two. "Last I saw her, my daughter Honey was with Lord Constantine's heir Cai'nan," Jeevika remarks.
Jeevika frowns slightly when the "Elves" are singled out. Despite being only half-elven and not even Kyoni, Yulia just rolls her eyes. Meanwhile, if looks could kill, Ivan's glare would probably have killed all the protestors where they stood. They pose no threat to us, Argor, Jeevika thinks. Her gaze falls briefly on the scared Cai'nan and the confused Honey. But to our children... "I believe that would be wise, Lord Constantine," Jeevika agrees, gently ushering Honey toward the safety behind those "fine stone walls" Argor just mentioned.
"Likewise, Lord Constantine," Jeevika replies formally. She and Argor typically spoke more casually in private, but today, he is the representative of Absalom, and she is the representative of Kyonin. As such, the two have appearances to keep. Looking to Cai'nan, Jeevika smiles. "Hello, Cai'nan," she whispers gently. "Good day to you as well." With the "formal" greetings out of the way (and Honey having returned back to Argor's side), Jeevika turns to Yulia and Ivan. "Yulia, Ivan, this is Lord Argor Constantine," Jeevika says before adding all the necessary titles. "He was instrumental in helping me successfully complete our... project." Project Silver Sentinel. Back in Kyonin, Jeevika has been seeing signs that another conflict with Treerazer is imminent. That had been a major reason why she had asked Argor to foster her daughters for a few years in Absalom. If all went well, Project Silver Sentinel would be Jeevika's way of protecting her family, friends, and nation. Jeevika had based the idea on Sabrina's final adventure: being part of an incredible group of heroes who had saved Absalom against overwhelming odds. In her mind, the Silver Sentinels would be elite super warriors who protected House Kailani, Kyonin, and Golarion from evil. They would have the benefits of quantity and quality. Argor had been instrumental in making the second part a reality. If only the perfected serum wasn't so difficult to make, Jeevika thinks longingly. Pushing her thoughts aside, Jeevika focuses back on reality. Today is Cladissa's big day. There is no need to worry about the future right this moment. "How have you been, Lord Constantine?" Jeevika asks, well aware that Argor operates on a different timescale than even an old elf like her. The last time the two had seen each other had been Eleanir's funeral. However, Jeevika has no idea how long ago that was for Argor.
And to think, all these years, I just thought I was keeping some old family letters safe for her, Jeevika thought upon seeing the invitation. She spent the next few days in constant contact with Argor. Since Jeevika's three daughters were currently fostering with the Blakros-Constantine family, he forwarded the invitation to Shiloh, Honey, and Galatea on her behalf. Their responses had been... interesting. "I can't wait to see how she fails this time! ...Actually, I don't. I'm not going. I'll probably die if I did," Shiloh had replied. I have no idea why Shy dislikes Cladissa, Jeevika thinks. "I'd rather not attend," Galatea had said. "Galt isn't safe." Jeevika had insisted that Argor just accept Galatea's wishes on the matter. "Classy's coronation?! I'd love to go!" had been Honey's eager response. "Will Papa be there?" Honey Kailani was probably Cladissa's biggest fan. Meanwhile, she loved getting to see Gianluca. There had been no question that she would be attending. Jeevika herself used a Wind Walk spell to fly from the Kailani Estate in Erages to Isarn. Accompanying her were the first two of her Silver Sentinels: Yulia Rockne and Ivan of Irrisen. The plan was for Yulia to help Lucius watch her daughter Honey. Meanwhile, Ivan would be accompanying Jeevika. So much has changed... Jeevika thinks upon seeing Isarn for the first time in over thirty years. The city looks much more... peaceful than it had back then. The last time she had been here... Jeevika was still trying to figure out what had possessed those rogue Gray Gardeners to kidnap several of the Kyoni nobility's half-elf children. Officially, it was to extract a king's ransom from their parents without having to worry about war. After all, why would Kyonin go to war over a bunch of half-elves? However, the rogue Gray Gardeners had really underestimated just how much parents like Jeevika loved their kids. "Sabrina and Setsuna were two of the kidnapped children," Jeevika had explained to Argor. "That's why Galatea doesn't want to attend." After Jeevika had helped rescue the children, Queen Telandia Edasseril had tasked her with cleaning up the political fallout. The incident had been the first real test of Jeevika's diplomatic skills, but she had worked out a deal where both Kyonin and Galt would just pretend the whole thing never happened. Meanwhile, the kidnappings had been the event to kickstart the Half-Elven Civil Rights Movement that Jeevika currently championed. ...I'd have to kill Treerazer to get those reforms through, Jeevika sighs internally. And yet, in less than a decade, Cladissa had accomplished something similar; she had brought some much needed sanity and reform to Galt. Jeevika deeply respected her friend for her accomplishments. "Jeevika Kailani of Kyonin, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Varisia and Galt," Jeevika says to the people working the door. She hands over or waves whatever fancy papers are required. "These are my family's bodyguards: Yulia Rockne and Ivan." "Mama!" Jeevika hears all of ten seconds after getting inside. A second later, she finds a small individual wrapping tiny arms around her waist. Jeevika smiles and returns the hug. "Lovely to see you too, Honey," Jeevika whispers.
"...Truly?" Jeevika asks in sincere surprise. After hearing the accounts from the trio and seeing the evidence, the Holy Vindicator is absolutely floored, "Khalib speculated that we had a year or so until the Runelord of Sloth returned. You killed Krune in just... a single day!" She studies Argor for a moment. "Relatively speaking," Jeevika adds with a soft, sad smile, acknowledging all the time Argor sacrificed to fulfill her request. She relaxes slightly, "An astounding feat, Lord Constantine. You have my sincere gratitude, and the world owes you a great debt."
Jeevika attends the celebrations as protocol dictates. At first, still very tired from everything, she finds herself going through the motions. However, seeing the sheer amount of sincere gratitude among the citizens of Sandpoint greatly enhances Jeevika's mood; in particular, people just seem to have nothing but kind words to say about Setsuna and her gift to the city. However, once she gets the opportunity, Jeevika seeks out a private audience with Argor Constantine. And private means private; Angry Sword goes into her Bag of Holding. "Lord Constantine," Jeevika says with a polished curtsy; she had shifted her heavy armor back to the form of a dress. "There is an urgent matter that I need to bring to your attention." She hands over the report she found among Khalib's notes. "Thanks to Karzoug's activities and Alaznist's... return, it appears that Runelord Krune has also started to stir. That's a report from the Claimer's own apprentice detailing as much," she explains. "I thought about bringing it up with the others, but... they need a break. The things that have happened to them recently..." Jeevika shivers at the thought. "Would it be possible for you to investigate... and perhaps handle Krune's impending return on our behalf? I suspect that we will eventually get around to tracking down and neutralizing Alaznist, but two Runelords... That's just too much for us, especially since Ryli has retired. I will tell the others soon, but they need to rest, and I'd rather not delay acting against Krune. Another day, and Karzoug would have returned..."
Just once? Sabby wrote me that you also met Setsu just after that big attack on Absalom. Granted, she also insisted the Shion was capable of time travel, thinks Jeevika. Aloud, she says, "She was. Like her sister, Setsuna meant the world to me. However, the last words Karzoug ever heard were 'Her name was Setsuna.' His plans lay in ruins. His armies have been broken. Most of his lieutenants are dead or scattered. As such, I think my daughter can rest in peace." As Eugeni and Argor continue to talk, Jeevika thinks about what has been unsaid. Just six more to worry about. Thanks to us, Alaznist is out there. Meanwhile, there's Khalib's report about Krune... Jeevika barely manages to avoid sighing. I should really mention that to someone. But who? Grandmother deserves her retirement, Zoli clearly wants to settle down, Elthariel and Lorthan need some time to sort out their situation, and Eugeni just seems done with life. I can't leave Shion and Honey with Mom and Dad forever, and I've already stretched Elthariel's mandate thin enough as is. Her gaze falls on Argor Constantine: a powerful, rising force of arcane might. I wonder...
"Indeed, the giants have been defeated. Karzoug was the mastermind behind almost everything that's happened lately," explains Jeevika. "He was an ancient Thassilonian wizard, the Runelord of Greed specifically. He was the reason the giants attacked Sandpoint, and he was the man ultimately responsible for the kidnapping of Ameiko Kaijitsu. Speaking of who, we brought her home."
...Well, I tired, thinks Jeevika again as she quickly collects the Sihedron Rings. I'll just Send my formal goodbye to Ryli then. Without further delay, she returns to the ship. The Holy Vindicator notices how Eugeni looks about ready to retire to a paradise demiplane for the rest of his days. Honestly, a vacation is starting to sound pretty wonderful. "I believe our work here is done," says Jeevika to the other Rangers as she retreats into the airship's interior.
As the ship pulls into view, the invisible Jeevika shifts into her cloud form, speeds ahead, turns back to normal, and then casts some spells to make herself as charming as Setsuna. "Chief Chogra of the Thunderhooves!" hails Jeevika's voice from behind the ship. Hands up to show that she has peaceful intentions, the Holy Vindicator, now visible, trots out wearing her official Kyoni colors. She keeps Love Hurts in her sheath. "I am Ambassador Jeevika Kailani of Kyonin, the Motherland of all elves. I am the representative of Her Majesty Queen Telandia Edasseril to Varisia. I am also part of the Varisian Rangers. We come in peace. I understand you wish to see a trophy of Karzoug's defeat?" The Holy Vindicator slowly reaches to grab her Handy Haversack. Opening one of the pockets and turning it upside down, she gently begins to shake the magical container. A large pile of Sihedron Rings forms on the ground. "All taken from the Claimer's lieutenants," explains Jeevika. "Earthmother Ryli herself destroyed the Runelord's corpse. We wanted to make sure that he would never return. If you wish, we also have the remains of the runed giant who was occupying your lands plus a number of armors from his peers who lurked in the wizard's stronghold." She pauses. "The winged man Ryli's Outriders reported is a mighty celestial by the name of Ayruzi, who can vouch for our victory over Karzoug. We rescued our angelic ally from the dark depths of the Runelord's citadel."
Sneaking around the Thunderhooves encampment proves to be laughably easy. Shortly after arriving, Jeevika trails Ryli for a bit. However, after feeling guilty for eavesdropping, the Holy Vindicator instead decides to search for her granddaughter. As luck would have it, Kallie finds her. As she searches a rather secluded area, a small ball rolls up near her feet. At first, Jeevika decides to stay still and quiet. However, upon seeing who comes to retrieve the toy, Jeevika reflexively decloaks. "...Vika?" Kallie Silversun asks curiously. "You remember me!" Jeevika whispers softly. "How about giving grandma a hug?" Having just started talking, Kallie is old enough to recognize the "Give me a hug." gesture. The little centauress quickly tosses herself into her grandmother's embrace. Jeevika gently holds her granddaughter for moment. "I just wanted to say goodbye, dear," Jeevika whispers after they break the hug. "As much as I'd love to take you back to Kyonin with me, I think you'd be better off with Ryli. Her record with children is much better than my own. I mean, I think both your aunts have spent more time with Mother and Father than they have with me. Meanwhile, you and Grandmother are already as thick as thieves!" Kallie just smiled widely at her. "Hopefully, things will be better with Shion and Honey. One of these days, I'll bring them to meet you, okay? As for my other girls... Atty would be over the moon to meet you. And your mother... Sunset would love you with all her heart, Kallie. It's truly a shame that she's... no longer with us." ...When did it start raining? Jeevika handed the tiny centauress her ball. "This is goodbye, but only for now. Take care, Kallie." Much to Kallie's surprise, Jeevika vanishes again. She watches her granddaughter claps her tiny hands in excitement and wonder. After a moment, Kallie seems to remember her game, picks up her ball again, and trots off to presumably get back to her friends. When Jeevika catches sight of Ryli transforming into a dove and taking flight, the Holy Vindicator resumes her cloud form and rushes back to the ship. ===================== "I'm here!" Jeevika says as she waltzes out of the ship cabin. "So, time to broker some peace, huh? That sounds right up my alley!"
Jeevika announces her findings about Xamarath. "In summary, since he was from different plane of existence than ours, another pantheon had claim to Xamarath's soul. Upon his death, he simply returned to his native afterlife," explains Jeevika. She turns to Ameiko, "If you need anything of me, just ask. Between Setsuna, Sabrina, and their father, I am very familiar with loss." As Ryli takes off, Jeevika pauses for a moment and then retreats into the ship's interior. Once inside, she activates her daughter's ring, casts her own Wind Walk spell, and then hops out a conveniently open window. She quickly flies after Ryli and her entourage. ...This will probably the last chance I get to say goodbye to Kallie and Grandmother.
...Well, I tired, thinks Jeevika. With a sigh, she retreats into the ship, taking care to make sure the nymphs are safe and secure as well. In hindsight, perhaps their creation was... hasty. However, Jeevika doesn't feel comfortable destroying them or Titanicus. At this point, each one is basically their own individual person. The following day, Jeevika casts some Divinations to try and figure out what why Xam was unable to return to them.
Jeevika quickly intervenes before things get too heated; their creation was also her idea, so she feels obligated to intercede. "As Ryli said, that's enough. Karzoug is dead; there is no need for more fighting," the Holy Vindicator says sternly to the two centaurs. She turns to face the angry nymph, "Your Majesty, the creation of these simulacrums was intended as a countermeasure against Karzoug's mental magics; when they were created, we felt that we needed to stack the deck in our favor as much as possible. However, in hindsight, given his specialty, we should have invested more heavily in enhancing our fortitude. Regardless, Myriana's gift has helped Zoli countless times during this journey. In a sense, we were only trying to honor your cousin. Still, I can see that their creation has hurt you. I apologize for our... tunnel vision and actions; again, we never intended to insult anyone."
Jeevika suddenly feels her shoulders grow heavy. "...I'm... so sorry, Ameiko," she whispers sadly. "The spell only works on those who are willing to return. However, given how much he loved you, I suspect there might be something else at work here. I'll investigate."
"I will use the scroll when we get back to the ship. It is currently parked somewhere safe. Even with Karzoug dead, I am hesitant to bring him back in Xin-Shalast. As Ayruzi said, his lieutenants still lurk here." Once the group got back to the ship, Jeevika attempts to use a scroll of Resurrection to bring back Xamarath.
Jeevika smiles and nods. She speaks after Ryli says her piece. "Quite. If I am not mistaken, your beloved was... targeted with a Disintegrate spell. Luckily, we collected his remains; that's enough for a Resurrection."
"Wind Walk it is then," says Jeevika. The Holy Vindicator turns to Ameiko and asks, "...Ms. Kaijitsu, would you like me to bring back Xam? We still have those scrolls of Resurrection." The Holy Vindicator suddenly pauses. We also have a scroll of Commune. Perhaps I should have used that before stabbing the big glowing sphere.
"...I will honor that request," replies Jeevika. She isn't entirely sure how, but the Holy Vindicator figures that there's a way. The Herald Caller listens intently to Ayruzi and Ryli's words. "A war that is now completely unnecessary," Jeevika observed. "We can use my Wind Walk spell to quickly get back to the ship. From there, Titanicus can fly us back home, wherever that might be." Jeevika paused for a moment. "Alternatively, we could use my last Miracle."
"If you two want to settle in Kyonin, just let me know; I could make it happen," said Jeevika to the two, remembering how amazed Elthariel had been to see her homeland restored. She turned to face the group at large, "I'll... be going home soon. The census is almost certainly compiled by now. Moreover, I think I need to report that Elthariel's mission has been completed; that old thing was the legal justification I used to join you all on this journey."
Once Lorthan and Elthariel have had some time to themselves, Jeevika approaches her friends. "Elthariel, your archery was... incredible," she compliments with a light smile. "Ryli and I might have dealt the killing blows, but had it not been for your perfect shot, we would have never gotten that chance." She turns to face both of the time displaced Varisian Rangers. "So, any plans for the future, you two?"
"...I just never noticed how much... Ry'liandralia and I looked alike until now!" Jeevika giggles nervously. "No problem. It took me so long to settle on the right spell. It needed to be something that he couldn't dodge easily or withstand. I guess I ultimately decided to take a page from Eugeni's spellbook. Still, I almost thought that second shot would miss. It was truly a Miracle that it worked."
After deactivating her anti-arcane ward, Jeevika carefully sets Eugeni on the ground and uses her magic to free him from his petrification. Afterward, she begins tending to everyone's wounds. As she does, the Holy Vindicator appears to be in something of a daze. And then she sees Ryli's current form: an elven woman with white hair and blue eyes. For a moment, Jeevika Kailani thinks that she's staring into a mirror. True, she has seen this aspect of Ryli before. However, with the long shadow Karzoug's impending return no longer looming over her, only now has she really had a moment to process their similarities. "...Grandmother?"
With Ryli securing Ameiko and Lorthan, Jeevika stops crying tears of blood and rushes over to Eugeni. After sheathing her sword, the Holy Vindicator quickly picks up the statue. She briefly thinks she sees a tear flow from the corner of his eye but brushes it off as a trick of the light. "Let's go!" shouts Jeevika as she races for the portal.
. "What should we name them, Jeeves?" . Upon seeing Ameiko's fate, Jeevika's tears of blood are joined by those of water and salt. Enough holding back. Lorthan. Eugeni. Zoli. Ameiko. Enough. ENOUGH.
. "How about... we each name a daughter, Vince?" . Channeling some magic into her legs, Jeevika Kailani starts racing toward the Runelord of Greed. She begins praying to her patron goddess, and... Shelyn answers. Three spheres form around Jeevika. . "Good idea! Let's see... What about Attica for our eldest?" . "Karzoug!" Jeevika calls out with enough wrath to bring Alaznist pause. . "After the man who saved your life? That's... a wonderful name. As for our youngest..." . When the Runelord turns to face her, Jeevika points her sword at her foe and lets the spell fly. "Her name was Setsuna."
Jeevika watches as Ameiko smirks; at long last, that Repulsion field is down. The former innkeeper starts flying toward the Runelord, sword ready to cut down the man responsible for all her pain! ...She then bonks into something invisible about halfway there. "There's an invisible barrier!" shouts Ameiko angrily. She grits her teeth and then vanishes...
Only to reappear right next to Karzoug!
Jeevika recalls Love Hurts to her hand via the blade's weapon cord and continues advancing toward Karzoug.
Jeevika casts another buff, and an enormous wave of power radiates off of her. "I think I'm ready; let's-"
Jeevika feels a small (relatively speaking), slender form hop on her back. "Let's go," says Elthariel, her voice cold and dead. With a reluctant nod, the Holy Vindicator begins moving the two elven women toward the action...
Jeevika watches as Ameiko grits her teeth and begins flying toward Karzoug's current position!
Meanwhile, the Holy Vindicator sees Ayruzi cast a powerful spell upon Karzoug!
Torn between shoring up her defenses or boosting Elthariel's archery, Jeevika decides to play it safe. If Karzoug somehow tosses her through that Prismatic Wall, then the group's chances of victory will probably die with her. She isn't sure what Contingency Eugeni made to cheat death, but Jeevika certainly does have one ready. Wanting to keep the protective ward of her shield, she (reluctantly) drops Love Hurts and casts a spell that should protect her from a number of his magics.
Afterward, Jeevika starts crying tears of blood...
Jeevika watches as Ayruzi makes a heavenly declaration and then takes flight. The Planet quickly settles on the opposite side on the battlefield. Once there, the Angel throws up another Blade Barrier, cutting right through Karzoug and the Runelord's last minion!
Jeevika contemplates her continues buffing, but then she hears Ayruzi reveal that Karzoug has neutralized Zoli! Enough stalling. Much like the protagonist from The Gallant Garland (Setsuna's favorite fictional series), the Holy Vindicator boldly advances into battle and casts a powerful spell to aid her allies. Elthariel, now's your moment.
Jeevika notices Elthariel tense when they heard the beating of draconic wings approaching them... and then relax in relief when they realize that it is just Lorthan. He is alive. Extremely beaten up, sure, but alive nonetheless. "We should be helping them," says Elthariel as she heals herself again.
"...I'm not like Zoli," sighs Jeevika. "I'm not ready to fight the instant I grab a sword." This whole battle wasn't playing out like Jeevika had hoped. She had anticipated them having some forewarning of the final confrontation. The Holy Vindicator had planned to charge at Karzoug fully powered up. ...She had never even gotten the chance to use her special candle! "...You're right," Elthariel concedes as they start rising, now finally above the Prismatic Wall. Granted, they are now surrounded by that fog, but Jeevika's protective ward suppresses it within five feet of the Ambassador. "Will we be ready soon?"
Jeevika casts another spell, and her forms swells with power. "Very soon." _________________________________________
Lorthan unleashes his frosty breath against the Northern Warden of Thunder! If he can safely escape , he uses his massive flight speed to take cover behind the Prismatic Wall...
Meanwhile, Ryli's surviving T-Rex continues attacking the the Northern Warden of Thunder!
Jeevika and Elthariel's Life Bubbles continue to protect them from the various cloud spells. It is difficult to determine what is happening on the other side of the wall. Jeevika hears Lorthan roar in agony; she suddenly suspects that the silver dragon is probably not long for this world if he isn't already dead. Meanwhile, it sounds like her grandmother might be... incapacitated. Finally, there were Eugeni's final, agonizing moments as Karzoug tossed him through the Prismatic Wall. "I think only Aryuzi and Zoli are left standing," Jeevika says with a sigh. "Maybe Ameiko." Despite the newest cloud obscuring their vision, Jeevika can hear Elthariel starting to cry. "H-He's going to win," the ancient ranger whimpers. "He'll just toss us all through this wall, and..." A pause. "...No," Jeevika says defiantly. "Stay next to me, and Karzoug will not hurt you, Elthariel." Jeevika then metaphorically pulls the ace from her sleeve and casts her ultimate defense spell. "Heal yourself, Elthariel. This barrier will protect us from most of his magic, but there are... edge cases," advises Jeevika very quietly. Trying her best to calm herself, the lost Edasseril nods and channels the power of her staff. The two then continue to slowly advance upwards... _____________________________________________
"...I don't believe her. That spell allows for lying. We know that Karzoug is due back today, so waiting until midnight isn't a smart idea." Jeevika looks at Love Hurts. These Dominant weapons seem to be the key... They could banish Karzoug when he projected himself through dimensions. They cut through that golden wall without backlash. Given its color and proximity to this thing, I bet the two are related... After taking a deep breath, Jeevika approaches the mysterious device. "I guess I'm about to see if Love Hurts..." The Holy Vindicator closes her eyes... and stabs the golden sphere with her sword!
To test if the golden sphere is a portal, Jeevika summons a celestial eagle and tries sending him inside. ...He flies inside, gets flustered, flies out, and eventually slams into a pillar; it seems that the golden sphere is not a portal. Recalling that the flames seemed to stick out to her, Jeevika orders the eagle to touch the fire. ...The poor bird burns away to ash in a matter of moments. Nothing remains. "...Well, I'm out of ideas!" proclaims Jeevika in frustration. "What do we do now?! Every person who could possibly know how to reach Karzoug is probably dead!"
Jeevika soon returns to the others. "I think this is it; I sensed both Karzoug and a powerful artifact inside that sphere. Maybe it's some sort of portal to his stasis dimension?" She turns to face Ameiko. "Ameiko, do you recall anything about this thing? If you don't, that's perfectly fine. I'm just curious; you recognized Ceoptra..."
After a few seconds of thought, Jeevika chugs her renewable potion of Ward the Faithful and approaches the sphere of gold...
Jeevika heals herself with Setsuna's old wand and studies the massive golden sphere.
"Eugeni, can you decipher anything about this device? I've accumulated some knowledge of the arcane, but it's mostly through experience rather than smarts and education."
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