Lyra and Astrid Breaks the Final Seal
Era beginning/end
As the two women try to understand what had just happened, DuVent’s blood on and around the Aeternum altar begins to vibrate then is pulled inward collating. It ascended into the air in a round ball as DuVent’s body decompose, being absorbed by the world itself. The liquid ball suspends in the air undulating for a moment, like inside the labyrinth, then begins to spin quickly before exploding with a mixture of black and white light. A large chasm formed down the middle of the large room. More black and white energy shot out from the ground into and through the ceiling streaking toward the sky.
All across the world people stopped and craned their heads to the sky watching with confusion, fear and interest as the sky crackled and shatter black and white energy seemingly warring with each other.
Those who had received the mark of Bel felt searing pain on the inside of their biceps as the final seal was shattered and their marks were removed from their skin.
Astrid follows Lyra, diving down to the foot of the huge cliff and skimming the water's surface. She smells the barnacles clinging to the black rocks, and feels the salt spray hanging in the air. Home she thinks, with both brains.
The temple seems to nearly take up the entire cliff face, there are various foundation pieces showing that when complemented their are many rooms some smaller and others large. Near the back their where stairs that appeared to go down into the ground. Flying away and looking at the cliff side Lyra wasn’t able to see entrances on the cliff side.
Lyra turns and begins ascending back up, flying back to their original starting point, cawing for Astrid to follow. Once she is confident they are alone, she poofs back into half elf form and ends the polymorph spell on Astrid. “Thoughts?”
Astrid blinks in the late-afternoon sunlight, grimacing at the faint fishy taste in her mouth. She vaguely remembers seeing Master duVent with two other men.
"I ... did they say anything? I saw them but wasna able to hear them."
She puts her hands up to feel both ears, relieved to find they're both there. "Do seagulls even have ears?"
Lyra sighs. “Seems like the spell worked TOO well…I think you had a seagull brain. I couldn’t hear them speaking about anything—must be some sort of ward or spell. I saw DuVent though. And some stairs. Maybe we should come back at night and sneak around, or maybe we should just go confront him face to face.”
Astrid thinks. "Aye. Let's come back after dark and see what's down those stairs. Do ye have that noise-deadening spell with ye today?"
“I can get it ready!” Lyra says and gives a thumbs up.
Astrid leads Lyra to a sheltered spot where they can keep an eye on the goings-on at the building site while remaining hidden. She presses her back up against a large boulder and looks out at the sea, measuring the height of the sun. "It shouldn't take long for that sun to set this close to Yule," she says, taking some rations out of her pack and handing one to Lyra.
Lyra happily accepts the ration, breaking it in half and sharing with Ares "Is Yule a southern winter holiday? Up north, we call it the Longest Night. It's my favorite day of the whole year." She hums and rocks back and forth on her feet. "How do you celebrate Yule?"
"Verra traditional," says Astrid, gnawing on the strip of dried meat. "Fir boughs on the mantlepiece, candles everywhere, visiting, drinking, feasting. Aye, it's a grand time. I'm sad to be missing it at home this year. What happens on the Longest Night in your clan?"
"Well, all the tribes come together on the night where the sun rests longest. We make a big bonfire, to ward off evil spirits. Then there's lots of dancing, contests of strength, and tribe treaties for the next year are agreed on." Lyra She pauses to chew. "We drink something called joie, which is made from the red winter berries and clear alcohol. It's very sweet, but dangerously potent." she giggles. "Leo once drank so much joie he sang love songs to a donkey." her smile falters. "It is a bit sad to be missing it...hopefully no one promises me to do anything uh...important, while I'm away."
Astrid Looks sharply at her. "What do ye mean?"
"Well, you know, it's the time of year when all the tribes come together, soooooo promises are made. Anyway, not important. What's the plan for tonight once I make us extra quiet and sneaky?"
"Wait a minute. Are ye sayin' Leo might be makin' a yuletide gift of you to some poxy tribal warrior?" Astrid asks in disbelief
Lyra sighs deeply. "I'm honestly hoping that he's just not going to Longest Night this year. He seems busy enough down here with work from Lord Ricker, so I should be safe."
Astrid nods. "I doubt he'd have time to travel so far North anyways - the mountains must be difficult to travel through this time of year, aye?"
"Near impossible." Lyra nods. "So I'm not too worried. I'm surprised your clan doesn't do some sort of marriage arrangements to create treaties. It seems like most people in the south don't. How do you all make peace?"
Astrid launches into a long explanation of the treaty-making and marriage traditions of dwarven culture, with which her player is not yet quite familiar. When she's done she leans back and looks at the sky, which is now a dark purply-blue.
"We should think about what we're looking for," she says. "We still have no idea where this Malek is - although last reports said he was heading to Aredia. But we don't know what his aim is in establishing these cults. And what Master duVent may or may not have to do with it. Or who killed Sister Mari. Or why duVent said I should investigate Agi of all people. And where those moon-temple artefacts went."
She rubs her temples.
"Well, hopefully we can find the answers to all that, and maybe more. At the very least, maybe we'll figure out how DuVent is involved in whatever is going on." Lyra stretches and yawns. "You ready?"
"Aye." Astrid stands up and picks up her gear, buckling on her breastplate and slinging the hammer and shield over her shoulder. "Now or never, as Grindum's third wife probably said."
Lyra wraps the weave around them both, paying close attention to where Astrid's armor clinks the most. Then she gives a thumbs up. "Time to be sneaky!"
Astrid follows Lyra out of the trees and up to the temple building site. She does her best to keep to the shadows and walk quietly.
In the fading light the half built temple was much more vacant making it easier to get close without fear of being seen. Lyra creeps quietly, sliding along the edges of the building, before scanning for a way to get to the stairs.
Astrid follows along behind Lyra, amazed to see the shadowy tendrils racing along beside them, seemingly absorbing the sound usually made by her armour.
Lyra holds out a hand and closes her eyes, feeling through the weave, wondering what going down the stairs will lead to, she takes a deep breath. “Whatever happens next is….may change everything. Are you ready?”
Lyra nods and notches an arrow, saying a silent prayer for their safety, and if needed, to guide her arrows true.
The stairs traveled slowly down. The walls were tight and felt old….no they were ancient. Sconces that had been built into the stone had been set equally apart and each was lit with a small fire that flickered as the woman passed lighting their path way.
That's odd. They must be building this temple on top of a previously existing site, thinks Astrid, looking at the walls. And why are these sconces lit?
Lyra hesitates, anxious. are we in over our heads? Should we go back and tell Ricker? What would Master Grom say
The stairs continue to wind down, the two walk for ten minutes in silence nothing but their breath, the clinking of armor and the flickering firelight to break the stillness of being below the surface. The stairs slowly open into a larger more grand staircase, ancient depictions etched and painted into the wall come into view, as the two continue down their path. To the left they can see over the edge finding the stairs wind further down into the deep unknown. The murals on the walls seemingly continuing until out of sight. It was beautiful, even breath taking if not slightly frightening. It felt like they were invading an intentionally well kept secret. There was no doubt this place was significant.
Equal parts awestruck and wary, Astrid examines the murals to see what they might tell about the history, purpose or significance of this place.
Looking at the first mural, Astrid is struck by the shear size and beauty of the depiction. It seemed to display significant events of a single man’s life beginning with two parents staring lovingly at their new born child. As the mural progresses, it shows the baby now a young toddler looking in awe at a beautifully crafted sword. There was no doubt it was the same sword that Astrid had seen Tia welding at the battle of the Balor Pit. Next the young toddler was now a young boy, he appeared to be being trained in mind, body and soul. As a young teenager a scene is seen of a boy kneeling in front of his parents honoring them. Next as a young man he held nomokin in his right hand, his body strong his eyes bright with conviction. He led a small group of companions into a danger however, what the danger was, was left unclear. As an adult the young man had grown strong and distinguished, clearly in his prime. The man seemed to be studying something lost in thought.
The next scene was of the man smiling gently as he held a young woman her face buried into his chest, her black hair straight and beautiful, the only thing that could be seen of her petite body. The two were clearly in love. More scenes continued of this man, him fighting, leading Aeternum, Laughing with companions. One thing was clear, in each scene of battle it his actions were somehow holding back a looming darkness. The final scene of this mural ended with the man staring down at a newly born child who looked to be no more then a few weeks old. The baby appeared to be reaching up to her daddy a soft smile on her face.
"What is this place?" Astrid whispers to Lyra. "Is it some sort of Aeternum family shrine? Or mausoleum?"
Lyra takes in the depictions, awestruck. “Whatever it is, it’s sacred…”
"Let's keep going, and see what's at the bottom. But we should keep an eye out for any other exits. Remember what Ricker said. We may be heading into danger, and the only escape route we know of is back up these stairs." Astrid Comments continuing on. Lyra shrugs ”If it comes down to it, I will summon Bjorne and turn into an eagle, and we will fly away.”
Astrid examines the narrow stairwell. "Do ye think ye can fit and fly in here?" she asks, with her newfound knowledge of wing span, wind resistance, and seagull aerodynamics.
The next mural as the two continue down the path shows again a similar progression as before this one has a mother holding, a baby, who Lyra and Astrid rightfully assume is the father of King Rogrick. Theron Aeternum stares up at his parents intelligence behind his young eyes. Nomokin is presented to him for the first time as young child, the boys hands out stretched trying to grab it. His mother holds the weapon with reverence, giving him a soft smile. As the boy grew so did his features and prominence. It was clear he went through the same training and guidance that Rogrick had received. Lyra smiles as she notices the same features and looks on Theron that she had seen in the murals of Rogrick. As Theron aged so did his ferocity, one mural showed. Along the way his battles to hold back the same darkness that was found in King Rogricks murals, must have cost him his eye. However the man still looked determined and undeterred. The last mural showed him smiling down at a son who, if the story was being followed correctly was King Rogrick, Tia’s father.
Lyra’s heart pounds as they continue, the murals grand and beautiful, and terrifying. such a bloodline to witness…
What is the darkness? wonders Astrid. And who will hold it back until Tia returns?
The next mural shows the woman from before who had been holding Nomokin, as a baby, then as a young girl playing with her mom in a beautiful surrounding. It was followed by a scene that shows a mother and daughter walking through a place that looked exactly like the place Astrid and Lyra were in. As the two walk the older woman held up her hand and Nomokin materialized into it. With awe the young girl looks at her mom with dignity and curiosity. The paintings continue, the girl training, kneeling before her mother head bowed in respect. It showed her in battle fighting with Nomokin in one hand and a second blade in her other. Her fighting style seemed similar to Tia’s. Lyra smiles thinking to herself that this was Tia’s great great great grandma. She can see the resemblance between the two. History and Legends said Ayana Aeternum had grown to be calculating, decisive and fiercely independent. In the pictures she was seen battling what most would think were overwhelming odds, yet Astrid thought she saw a hint of excitement in the woman’s eyes. Later in life she stood next to a strong man , the two looked out at the landscape concern on their face. Somewhere along the way Anyana had been scarred by what appeared to be claws. The final scene showed Anyana laying in bed cradling a young child her husband sitting next to her on the bedside. The child was King Theron whose life Astrid and Lyra had already walked past.
Lyra stops a moment, fingertips brushing the wall, awestruck and humbled as they went further and further back into the Aeternum Bloodline. Her mind races to keep up with everything. Ares, trotting next to her feet, takes everything in solemnly.
What a woman, thinks Astrid. Why, she could practically be a dwarf. But aye. What an honour. And a duty. And a responsibility - to be part of such a bloodline, Astrid thinks.
The next mural was of Elrora it followed the same pattern as the previous murals, starting with Elrora Aeternum’s birth, then a childhood that gave way to the introduction of Nomokin and the responsibility of their calling. As a young woman Elrora appeared to be more reserved, then her daughter Anyana. Astrid thinks this woman being proper is probably what led to such a fierce independence from her daughter. Looking at the scenes she sees a large strong man who also seemed to be the opposite of Elrora, her father held Nomokin in one hand and a large mace in the other. The sword almost looked dainty. Lyra chuckles softly and there is the reason that Elrora was so reserved. She probably had to keep her father and the kingdom under control from a young age. The mural shows the two of them engaging in battle together, Elrora fighting and commanding while her father laughed and dominated from the front lines. The final scene shows Elrora sitting properly next to a handsome young man a child held tenderly in her arms, it was Ayana.
The next scene showed a very large new born baby held by a small woman. A strapping young man leaned over the woman’s shoulder looking down with pride at his son. This was Gordar Aeternum without a doubt. The large man seen in the previous mural with Elrora had apparently, not just been huge as an adult, he had started out that way. Looking at the murals it seemed as though even at an early age the king had lived life with gusto. More then one image showed him in some sort of trouble as a young boy to the dismay of an onlooking exhausted mother. As the boy grew so did his frame and muscle. Like before the young man received the same training from an early age of mind, body and soul. Nomokin was presented to Gordor during a hunting trip were his Father led him to what looked to be deep into the forest. Gordor looked at the weapon with pride and excitement. The scenes fast forwarded to Gordar in battle wrestling beast twice his size and men running from his presence. More then one scene showed him laughing and drinking with his companions. Finally the last scene showed him tossing a bright eyed young daughter into the air while he roared with laughter and his wife looked on in concern.
Lyra does her best to commit each figure’s story to memory, equal parts awe struck and confused—who could have built such a structure. Was this—-could this be the Royal Crypts?
The group continues on they had been walking down the steps, looking at murals for nearly thirty minutes. The size of this place was amazing. The next mural followed the same pattern that they had come to expect, parents holding a child with pride in their eyes, a young kid training and learning, a coming of age story depicting them leaving behind their childhood, stepping into responsibility and duty, adventuring, fighting to protect the kingdom and hold back danger from the world, and finally the birth of a New Aeternum. This particular mural was of Gordon’s father Vardan Aeternum. The sight of him makes Astrid stop short on the stairs. This man’s commanding presence was unfathomable, she trembled thinking about just serving by his side. Behind him he had a powerful Dragonkin who was lending his power. It reminder her of Telum’s support of Tia. The final scene shows Vardan holding a large baby boy. Vardan looked at his son with knowing anticipation.
Gazing at the portrait of Vardan, Astrid is reminded of Ricker and his theory that she and her companions had been "chosen." Chosen to support this family, and the work of keeping the Aeternum empire safe. She feels the sense of duty and honour settle on her shoulders like a weighted cloak.
Lyra turns around and whispers, “Do we press forward? Or have we enough evidence to return to Lord Ricker? This place is…..auspicious, to say the least.”
"If Ricker doesn't know of this place, he certainly should. But what do ye suppose is at the bottom?" Astrid wonders.
Lyra shrugs, curiosity piqued. "Nothing good, I'm sure...guess we've come this far, time to see it out to the end." She squares her shoulders. "If we die here....well, I'm thankful to have met you, Sorellina."
"We're not dying. Not today. Let's see what else we can find, but stay as quiet as possible. And beat a hasty retreat if we run into anything we cannae handle."
Lyra nods and continues forward with a renewed sense of urgency.
Moving on the woman continue, passing hundreds and thousands, of years of history, the Aeternum bloodline displayed in beautiful murals. As they walked they reached the bottom of the stairs, finding a long hallway with more murals that covered the walls, ceilings and marbled floor. The hall led off into the distance. Towards a large door. Lyra and Astrid slowly step through the hallowed hallway. Boots clanking on the marble, torches flickering. This area seemed to depict a story much older. A team of scholars could study this place for thousands of hours and still not understand everything. One thing was clear however, it told the story and sacred duty carried by the Aeternum bloodline. Lyra as you study the murals you begin to see similarities to stories that you saw when inside the labyrinth. You see depictions of an unending war between celestials and demons. Then find an image of a girl falling from grace her wings burning away her parents an Angel and Demon distraught. The next part however is different. Inside the labyrinth within Bel’s world after his daughter was cast out the story of Bel continued his rampage and destruction coming from his grief. Here you instead see the small girl, alone and frightened wandering the labyrinth.
As the mural progressed the girl was shown a little older. She looked more primal, a crude weapon fashioned in her hand, ragged cloth wrappings had been fashioned around covering a portion of her body. Drying cuts ran down her body. She crouched in a small cave hiding from a large beast that stalked by, next to her a smaller creature was decomposing and a floating red orb was hovering by her face.
Astrid looks at the depiction of this poor, lost girl. Could it be Bel's daughter wasn't truly lost? she wonders. She looks to see if the girl in the pictures is wearing the locket.
She remembers what Ricker said about looking for the origins of the Netherese Empire, and Tia's bloodline, for the past five years. And how the Black Company felt the founders of the Netherese Empire may have come through the Labyrinth below the Yawning Portal. She turns to Lyra. "Could this place be another portal to other worlds? Or somehow linked to our Labyrinth? Ye remember Grom said a number o' these portals are scattered across the continent." She looks back at the picture of the savage young woman wearing the Aeternum locket, and gestures to her. "This must be Liala. We're looking at her side o' the story Bel told us in his castle all those months ago."
Lyra nods, her mouth dry. “She came from Imelda…but,” Lyra frowns. “…..where is Tia’s place amongst the kings and queens here? Is it because she still lives? And,” Lyra swallows hard. “…what in the stars is this blood cult doing with this information…?”
Astrid nods grimly. "That's what I'm wondering. Also, Commander Ricker said he's been looking for information about Tia's origins for five years. Clearly he needs to know about this place."
Lyra nods and begins walking slowly down the hall to the door.
The next scene shows the girl again, older this time and more confident. She was in a small primitive shelter, inside a cliff wall. It was clear she had been living there. She was sitting in the middle of the room eyes closed, in-front of her pieces of broken metal where set in a straight line, they appeared to be in the shape a crude sword. Astrid grips Lyra's hand and points. "Gods above and below. She's making Nomokin."
Astrid remember Tia welding a second sword in her hand, she also would remember Aeternum the weapon Rahk carried was created by Tia.
Following the mural, Astrid and Lyra see, Liala with newly forge Nomokin at a successful hunt. A larger decomposing body lays behind her drawing wisps of magically infused energy into her locket. Then white cleansed light drifts from the locket being pushed into Nomokin, strengthening the weapon.
Astrid looks at this image carefully. "It's as if the sword releases dark energy when it kills - and the locket cleanses it. Turns it almost holy."
After a moment, she turns to look at Lyra, her eyes widening. "But - wherever Tia is now, she only has the sword. She needs the locket too," she says urgently.
”The anchor! That’s what is anchoring her here!!” Lyra bounces excitedly. Gods what I wouldn’t give for a sending spell right now…”
"Oh do you know that spell too?" says Astrid absently, still puzzling out how the sword and the locket work together.
Lyra shakes her head no. “Never could get it to work properly.”
"I can do it. Shall I send Ricker a message about this? WAIT. Do you mean you think she's HERE?" Astrid exclaims.
”I have no idea!” Lyra looks to the door. “Maybe DuVent was trying to bring her back? Or……stop her from returning……? At the very least if we die, Lord Ricker will know where to find our bodies.” Lyra shivers.
Astrid nods even as her hand goes to her holy symbol and she begins preparing the spell. Secret Aeternum bloodline shrine beneath temple site in Schitt's Creek. DuVent nearby. Investigating further. Come immediately. Bring locket and Aeternum. With a whoosh of sparks, she sends the message directly into Ricker's mind.
The two continue to ponder their questions while looking around at all the various scenes, hundreds upon hundreds of them all telling part of the story, the mystery. More scenes continue to catch their eye. One in particular shows, Liala as a young woman fully grown into her prime. The labyrinth still a danger but so she had also become dangerous growing strong through trials and tribulations.
Lyra looks up at the fierce woman with admiration and a bit of sadness—so strong, but so alone. “What an amazing story…”
This particular scene showed Liala searching the the labyrinth her right hand bright with purple light, in her left Nomokin. In front of her a confused Dragonkin, looked at her with hope.
Astrid spins around looking at this particular section with interest and curiosity… she stares at the murals in wonder trying to put the pieces together…..then it finally clicks, scene after scene shows Liala standing in front of people, similar to the one with her in front of the Dragonkin. Yet each mural of her, showed her in front of a different race. Liala, after she grew strong begun, to travel the labyrinth, finding others that seemed stranded in this place, unifying them under her.
"Lyra," she breathes, "This is the beginning of Aeternum. Remember when Bel said the Aeternum bloodline was only a weakened version of his own daughter's lineage? Here's the proof. Liala is our... Gaia, our Haela. The mother... or the.. Leader of us all."
”…….it’s incredible……” Lyra whispers.
The two woman move on, getting closer to the end of the the hallway, they passed scene after scene all explaining Aeternum’s bloodline. Near the door Astrid and Lyra stop staring at what they were seeing with open mouths. If Lyra understood, this mural showed that Liala, had continued to look for her way back to her mother and father and had succeeded. The mural was of Laila standing in front of a beautiful Angel that Lyra recognized as Bel’s wife. She looked exhausted and sad. Next the mural showed, the war of the celestials and the demons again, this time however the destruction was so great it had been all consuming. Knowing the truth that Bel’s grief had consumed him so completely, her mother feared his wraith could no longer be contained and told Liala that her followers would not be safe. Liala looked at her mother with sadness and quiet understanding. She then looked back towards those she had gathered. Liala learned that the Celestial’s intended to seal Bel and Her mother away locking them behind seals of power. As a final act, Liala, her mother, and a group of Liala’s most trusted companions devised a way to cause the seals, to also lock away the celestial race at the same time they sealed Bel, it required her mother return to Bel which her mother did willing and with love. Even knowing her husband had been consumed Liala’s mother still loved him and wanted to be by his side in their eternity. With a heavy heart, Liala embraced her mother and turned away heading back towards the labyrinth , guarding their secret and oath to keep both races from returning and causing such destruction again.
Reaching the door Lyra and Astrid learn the final piece of the story. On the day that the Celestial’s finally sealed Bel away the magic they used caused destruction that rippled across reality itself. Her mother sprung the trap that Liala and her had devised, causing the magic to also seal away both races ending the war. Magic from that day poured into Liala to guard and protect. Leading her people away Liala, found a world that had been wiped out by the Celestial’s magic. Knowing that she could not contain this power within her forever she went about creating seals, then charged her bloodline and their trusted companions to protect them from being broken.
Tears flood Astrid's eyes as she understands the enormity of the sacrifice Liala and her mother Aniela had made to stop this war and keep their separate peoples safe. "Haela's sword," she swears quietly. "They knew they'd never see one another again. What mother - or daughter - would have such strength?" And her voice breaks as she remembers the last time she saw her own mother, those cold dead eyes, the same as her own, staring sightlessly up at the cloudy skies over the Mithrilachatz Hills.
Lyra stands transfixed next to Astrid, thoughts of her own Mother’s work rushing through her mind, and a growing sense of dread in her heart “I have a bad feeling about this……” she looks behind them, anxious to make sure they were still alone. “This door and wherever it leads, whatever it…….contains…….what will happen when we open it?”
Astrid smiles slightly. "I remember master duVent teachin' us about this dwarf called Schroedinger. He said all things exist behind a locked door until the moment ye open it. So I suppose we might find a dragon or a mouse, or even Bel himself. But there's no way to tell wi'out opening the door."
Lyra nods and places her fingertips on the door. “…shall we open it together?”
With a small amount of effort the door clicks and the two halves spilt, opening into a large beautiful inner sanctum that could only be described as breath taking. A wide marbled path way that reflected the ceiling led straight down the middle of the room to an alter in the back. Astrid and Lyra would recognize it as the same place that they saw many of the Aeternum Bloodlines kneel in reverence and acceptance of their sacred obligation. A single man stood in the back behind the Alter looking at His guests. It was DuVent.
Astrid swallows, then moves forward towards the sacred altar, and the man who'd taught her everything she knew about being just, brave, and honorable.
Lyra takes on her starry archer form and notches an arrow, following a few paces behind Astrid
DuVent waits patiently for the two to come his large imposing figure looking comfortable in the room.
Astrid stops in front of him, folds her hands and gives the formal greeting "May the storm rage, Father."
DuVent returns the greeting.” The journey here is rather impressive is it not?”
"Yes, it is," Astrid says quietly. "What is this place? And why are you here?"
DuVent looks inquisitively at Astrid. ”Child have you learned nothing during your journey down here? Is it not obvious to you where we stand and the importance of this place?”
”Answer her question please,” Lyra says, arrow notched, skin glowing with starlight.
DuVent looks at Lyra, judging the hostility ”Have I done something to garner such hostility?” He questions, his commanding voice ringing firmly through the room a clear sign of his practice of preaching. ”This is the ancestral site where generations of Aeternum descendants have come to learn about their bloodline’s responsibilities.”
"Yes," says Astrid, still quietly. "And the place where the seals were forged to keep both angels and demons from this world." She looks at duVent steadily. "And yet, you carry no Aeternum blood, Armand duVent. So are ye here to commune with angels? Or demons?"
DuVent drops all pretenses. ”Good so you have learned during your quest to seek truth. What do you suppose will happen when these two power houses are finally released? Now that the Aeternum bloodline is lost from this world it’s only a matter of time before they return. Last time their war happened it annihilated worlds. Including the ancient races that once lived here.”
“Would it not be prudent for us to take steps towards securing any means that we can to prepare for the coming storm.?”
"What steps? What are you talking about?" Astrid questions.
DuVent looks at his pupil,”Times of great calamity, require the strong to make difficult decisions and sometimes even greater sacrifices. It is only a matter of seasons before the final seal is broken. The remaining amount of time we have left needs to be used to garner power in all forms if we are to survive.”
Astrid's eyes narrow. "What sort of power are ye talking about?"
DuVent shakes his head not answering her question. Waiting for the woman to draw her their own conclusions believing they had the capacity to understand and that they would find the truth in his words. ”Strength comes from many places. Ancient ruins of the Netheril empire, to the pits of the labyrinth, to hidden secrets kept by the selfish. All of it will be required to hold back the tide of destruction that is hurtling toward us.”
”Seems to me we don’t have to worry about destruction unless you plan on doing something to cause destruction.” Lyra says, arrow pointing at DuVent. “You know, like break a seal.”
"Besides, the Aeternum bloodline hasn't vanished from this world. Tia lives. And it's only a matter of time until we find a way to bring her back. "
“No, I’ve taught you to be smarter then that, putting all your hopes in a single basket is too great of a risk. With so many seals already broken it is akin to sticking your head in the sand and believing everything is fine. Even if an Aeternum is lost like Liala once was there is no assurance that our destruction will not come first. Our world has spent to long relying on a single protector. It is time for us to find alternative methods to breaking from this eternal threat of destruction. ”DuVent says shaking his head in disappointment at Astrid’s naivety.
"If your alternative is brainwashing people into walking into a slaughterhouse, and then ritually sacrificing them so ye can raise demons and harness their foul power, then I'll take my chances with the one basket," says Astrid, finally throwing her cards on the table.
DuVent nods taking no pleasure in the atrocious acts committed by the camps. ”There is no shame in their deaths. The bottom rung of our society have always asked for a hand up in life. In time of strife, it is only responsible for those like you and I, those who are destined to lead our people through the hurricane, to help decide what acts of atrociously and sacrifice should be made. When the true calamity finally comes, death will be inevitable. If those who have never given to our society, now do so and those singular acts lead to the survival of our people then we should honor them and show them the dignity they have earned. ”He tells Astrid, true conviction behind his words.
My god. He's quite mad thinks Astrid.
Astrid stands silent, allowing her master's words to fall silent while she absorbs the totality of his evil. Then she looks straight at him and says, "What about Sister Mari? And where are those artefacts?"
Lyra keeps her arrow pointed at DuVent, trying to look as fierce as possible.
DuVent takes the shard out of his pocket looking at it then puts it down on to the alter. ”Sister Mari’s death was difficult. She wanted to hand it over to Ricker Vomburg. There are three pieces to this puzzle. Research suggests the other two pieces are within Idica and Aredia. In the end, expecting the three kingdoms to hand over such in item in preparation for the coming darkness was a poor plan. It required a different us to make a more difficult choice. It is not something I am proud of or relished doing, child. Kord will have me atone for and it is something I will do willingly.”
”You bastard—Astrid, steel yourself against him!” Lyra clenches her jaw and glares.
Sparks rise from Astrid's hair and begin whirling around her head. Her face is white with anger. She opens her mouth and begins quoting the tenets of Kord to the monster standing before her. "Be strong, but do not use your strength for wanton destruction. Be brave, and scorn cowardice in any form. Protect all who have not the strength to protect themselves. Above all, live with honour and integrity, for you are a child of the storm"
Her grey eyes blaze at duVent. "You are no servant of Kord. How dare you speak his holy name?"
DuVent looks sadly at Astrid she would be a strong leader someday but she still had much to learn, maturity that needed to be gained. ”The tenants guide us, and I’ve broken none. If you disagree then tell me why is it I am not struck down? Being strong, protecting and honoring are ideals that require sacrifice to uphold. When you finally understand this you will be ready to lead.” And she pulls the hammer from her back and readies herself for battle.
”Let me be the one to strike you down, then!” Lyra screams releasing her arrow.
The arrow grazes DuVent’s cheek drawing a thin line of bold then her world goes white with pain as the power of Kord sears into her she feels herself flying backwards crashing to the ground ten feet away. Sparks begin to shoot from DuVent similar to Astrid only more intense as the storm rages inside him, he breathes out with determination. ”It is time you learn the truth of your lack of faith and disobedience.” He booms.
"Lyra, stay back! You know how strong he is."
She whirls on duVent, still glowing with righteous fire.
"You're talking about murdering the less-fortunate and vulnerable people of this land - the very people we are sworn to protect - so ye can gain power for those who've been lucky enough to be born with more. That is not strength or honour. And it sure as hell is no sacrifice for you."
She looks at him with pity, and disgust. "You are no leader. You're a madman."
And she throws out her right hand and launches a beam of radiant fire at the man she once loved as a father.
DuVent looks at Astrid with sorrow, perhaps her self righteous anger was to great of a personality flaw. Had he miss judged her? Was she really to weak to do what was necessary? Springing over the Altar DuVent decides that if her sacrifice, Astrid’s Death, was what Kord required he would carry the burden like he carried so many others.
Astrid braces herself for the attack, taking the very stance duVent had taught her so many years ago.
Standing up and wiping her nose with the back of her hand, Lyra gathers the weave around herself, air chilly and frost forming at her fingertips. “No one who sacrifices innocent lives deserves to even THINK about touching such power!” she screams, as she summons forth the icy winds of her homeland, surrounding DuVent in a blizzard.
Astrid watches Lyra's magic pummel her master. Then, pulling her resolve around her like a cloak, she raises her hammer - remembering Grom's words - and tries to let it guide itself to her target. At the last moment she hesitates. Can I really do this?
She raises her hand and calls the spectral hammer. But it seems to feel her hesitation as well. DuVent remains unharmed, staring at her out of his mad eyes.
DuVent grabs Astrid moving like a lightening itself he lifts her with one hand and slams a gauntleted fist into her face repeatedly blooding her, all the while talking letting out the fury of Kord.“Who do you.”Smack.”Think you are ”Smack” To defy my wisdom and teachings” Smack. He then tosses her ten feet away watching as she crashes to the ground in heap. He turns towards Lyra. Glaring. ”You should know better, your mother will be disappointed that her daughter is still such idiot girl.”
As duVent's fist makes first contact with Astrid's face, he reels back as a bolt of lightning lashes out at him, searing the skin from his left cheek. He staggers backwards.
”Leave her ALONE! And keep my mother’s name out of your fat mouth!” Lyra shouts, drawing Polaris back and hitting DuVent in the shoulder. As the arrow finds purchase she grabs a handful of weave and wraps Astrid’s wounds.
Astrid stands panting, blood flowing freely from her bruised mouth and broken nose. She realizes she's dealing with a soulless madman, and throws her hands up to call the fury of Kord in all his icy wrath. A hail of jagged ice pellets whirls up from the floor, stabbing duVent with icy rage.
DuVent crosses the space between Lyra and him in a second and back hands her with a gauntleted fist sending Lyra spinning backward crashing into a nearby pillar and then to the ground. Feeling the ice he grunts with annoyance then disappears reappearing behind Astrid.
As she goes flying, her armor glows momentarily, absorbing the impact of his fist. She hits the wall, muttering a prayer of thanks to Rin for the armor.
Lyra feels the energy of his attack seep into the weave and does her best to send it back at him but misses, a dull ache in her ribs where he punched her.
Astrid, furious at seeing this damage dealt to Lyra, yells "Leave her alone you crazy bastard!" and brings a bolt of lightning crackling down from above, praying to unleash Kord's destructive wrath as she does so. She watches, stupified, as the man glows with the blue-white light, sucking the power greedily into himself.
DuVent swings a fist as the bolt strikes him causing him to miss as the power wasn’t anticipated. He narrows his eyes.” Submit, and we will protect and lead this world into a new age of safety.” He snears.
"Never!" yells Astrid, continuing to swing at him. "You're about as safe as a bloody tarrasque!"
Gripping her side, Lyra grabs her pendant and yells, “Bjorne’s fury guide us!” The polar bear crashes down from the stars and Lyra nimbly swings herself atop him, summoning her glowing blue glacial blade. The bear charges DuVent, letting out a mighty roar.
Astrid feels herself weakening. She steels herself and calls the circle of Kord's radiant protection, and tries again to hit duVent with the spectral hammer. The man is like a machine, leaping dextrously out of the hammer's path, but she sees him flinch as the radiant fire wraps its blue tendrils around his torso. "It doesn't matter. Kill me if you want. Ricker is already on his way. One way or another, you're done."
DuVent slams his knuckles together a violent force explodes out from him with the sound thunder. Lyra and Bjorne fly backwards again slamming into the wall, the force of his magic holding them tightly in place making it impossible for then move. Lyras ears leak with blood. ”ENOUGH” He yells as Astrid’s grits her teeth being pushed back 20 feet. The force of his magic making it feel like her eyes where about to explode from the pressure. ”You have no idea the type of threat that we will face, your power is to small to survive the coming storm.” He steps back eyes narrowing” It is time for you to learn, what it means to make sacrifice” As he speaks surgeon slits begin to appear across his body, his arms, and cheeks. Blood seeps from the wounds however, instead of it falling to the ground the red liquid begins to rise up into the Air as DuVent is lifted off the ground. The temple begins to shake with his wraith.
Horrified at the depth of lost her mentor had succumb to Astrid stumbles backward struggling to regain her will. As she does so she hears Lyra scream, as a slit similar to those on DuVent is draw across her cheek.
Astrid hears Lyra's scream and briefly sees the slit appear on her friend's beautiful face. She fights down a wave of nausea then roars across the room, bringing the circle of radiant flame with her and preparing to attack duVent with everything she's got left.
Each step she takes, takes every once of strength of Will she can muster to move forward. Gritting her teeth she moves forward inch by inch remembering the lessons her now fallen master had taught her.
Astrid breathes deeply, pulling the air deep into her belly and stilling the sparks swirling above her. She focuses her mind as duVent taught her in every grueling concentration lesson. She puts one foot in front of the other, moving stolidly across the floor, pushing back against his ferocious will.
DuVent’s head moves jerkily looking down at his favorite pupil, a small tear forms in his eye, the last glimpse of his former self fighting through. He squeezes his eyes shut giving Astrid permission to finish it then is gone, back to struggling to hold back the tidal wave of destruction that had built within him.
With every ounce of her being Astrid claws her way forward until she reaches DuVent blood from his wound splattered her face and armor as she walked through the liquid that was hovering around him.
Tears spill from Astrid's eyes, and mingle with the blood as she finally reaches her mentor. She then reaches up and calls down the sacred flames of Kord; the protective circle of blue fire flaming around her. "Go," she says to her old master, holding his gaze steady with her own. "You're free now." And then she smashes her hammer upwards, aiming for the deadly spot just beneath his chin.
The swing guided by Kord itself connects cleanly leaving little doubt of the result to the defenseless chin. With a crack DuVent’s blood and body all topple to the ground crashing to the Altar, and to the marbled floor. Lyra and Bjorne are released tumbling to the floor, gasping for air. The room goes silent.
Astrid stands, sobbing, the hammer hanging to the floor in her right hand. She then turns and stumbles towards Lyra, crumpling to the floor and laying her bloody hands on the girl's chest. "Don't you leave me, too," she sobs, willing the healing light into Lyra's almost-lifeless body.
Lyra coughs, eyes flying open, gasping for air, hands flying to her ears. “WHAT HAPPENED?!” she yells, but the sound is muffled and dull. Bringing her hands to her eyes, she sees the blood, panic rising in her chest. “CAN YOU HEAR ME?!”
Tears continue to course down Astrid's face as she nods and yells "YES OF COURSE I CAN HEAR YE," before grabbing Lyra in a fierce hug.
As the two woman try to understand what had just happened, DuVent’s blood on and around the Aeternum altar begin to vibrate then was pulled inward collating. It ascended into the air in a round ball as DuVent’s body begun to decompose, being absorbed by world itself. The liquid ball suspended in the air undulating for a moment, like inside the labyrinth, then begin to spin quickly before exploding with a mixture of black and white light. A large chasm formed down the middle of the large room. More black and white energy shot out from the ground into and through the ceiling streaking toward the sky.
Astrid clutches Lyra's hands and scrambles backwards from the chasm, a terrible sinking feeling taking root in her chest.
utside the people of Shitch’s creek screamed in panic as the ground shook. They witnessed the beautiful and horrifying energy streak to the sky then explode like a nova rippling across the entire sky the energy encompassing the world and shattering its protective barrier that nearly no one even existed. Back at Devil’s Backbone Ricker received Astrid’s message then rushed outside, looking up watching with concern as the world shifted. Through the rippling effect he watches as a streak shot through a portal screaming towards the parlance grounds his hearted thumped uncontrollable, a feel long he hadn’t had since his very first battle. All across the world people stopped and craned their heads to the sky watching with confusion, fear and interest as the sky crackled and shatter black and white energy seemingly warring with each other. Those who had received the mark of Bel felt searing pain on the inside of their biceps as the final seal was shattered and their marks were removed from their skin.
Bel's final words ring in Astrid's ears: The final seal will be broken when the righteous sheds blood of a loved one to return what was lost. Tears still streaming down her face, she turns to Lyra and says "I'm sorry."
