Sealed off during the War of Ashes, some members of the Darkspore clan were consumed by the fungi they had previously formed sybiotic relationships with. A small handful of angels were also trapped down there, and they too were consumed by the mycelium. When a few of us ventured beneath Hir'eek's Temple to put them to rest, the fungal hivemind tried to assimilate us as well. It tried the hardest against us Bards, latching appendages onto us and briefly connecting with our minds. Through this, we were able to experience some of their memories, which we've recorded here.
The Darkspore's Assimilation
You find yourself peering through darkness, through some sort of wooden mask. You are breathing heavily, immediately you feel incredibly tired, sore, and an immense sense of hunger and thirst. It takes a moment, but you recognize this as somewhere inside the Stonespire. You creep slowly through the hall, looking for something, for someone. Suddenly you think you hear the sounds of a footstep behind you. You whirl around, but can see no movement in the shadows. Terror and panic take hold of your heart and mind as your breathing gets heavier. You start to move more quickly through the hallway, and you are certain you begin to hear footsteps behind you, matching your pace.
Suddenly you turn the corner and see a stone door slightly ajar. You dash towards it, your unseen pursuer moving ever more loudly. You are too afraid to turn back now. You get to the door and attempt to squeeze your emaciated body through it. The opening is just slightly to small, and in a panic you begin to push hard, scraping and pushing as hard as you can, tearing off fingernails in the process unless, SNAP! You feel a sharp pain in your chest as multiple ribs break and you slide through the opening of the door.
You feel an immediate sense of relief, like you are floating on air. Only you quickly realize you are not floating, but falling through the darkness, then suddenly CRACK! Everything goes black.
You awake in immense pain. Your breathing is labored, everything is dark, and you can taste blood in your mouth. You feel cold blood pooled around you congealing, you cannot move your legs so you attempt to drag yourself forward with your arms. You make it a few feet before you hear something move. Something big. Stomp, stomp, stomp. The sound moves closer to you, and your eyes begin to adjust to the darkness. A massive form stands in front of you as the sense of terror makes you unable to move. Long tendrils pour from the creature and wrap themselves around your body, and they begin to lift you up. You suddenly let out a scream of pain, as your broken body being lifted in the air is excruciating. Tears begin to steam down your face as the tendrils pull you closer to the creature. Your body presses up against its cold, soft flesh, unlike any living creature you felt before. It begins to envelope you as you attempt to call out for help, but it is too late, as you can only watch the last bit of light fade from the creatures enveloping form.
The Angel's Preparations
You find yourself in the Stonespire swamp, looking up at the great stone spire through a silver visor. Rows of gold and white tents are pitched all around you, wherever there is dry land. In the distance a familiar horn is sounded, and you take to the air and begin to fly towards it. You land outside a great golden pavilion tent, alongside another angel carrying a bow on their back. You enter together.
Inside, around the table is another angel, with a sword at his side and a shield upon his back. There are also two others, taller, with beautiful features that radiant a faint golden light. They both bear feminine features, one carrying a long silver spear and sporting long red hair, while the other short black hair, bearing an axe and hammer at her side.
“Cordallia, Belarian, thank you for your speed. As you know we have tracked the Torovian rebels here, and they have taken refuge with these heathen elves. They will not answer to reason, so we have begun to siege this place, to wipe out the taint of Baelfury’s minions.” The dark haired angel says.
The red haired one follows her companion's comment, “Judica and I will see to the great bat that rests at the top of the spire, it is as ancient and powerful as the evil that corrupts it. You two will lead our ground forces in through the bottom, alongside Castiel. Purge all within, we cannot take any risks in the corruption spreading forward. We have received word that the rest of the Torovians have sought shelter underground, and while our scouts have not yet located them, this could be where they make their last stand. If we are not successful in our endeavor, I bid you as a last resort to seal them all within, and place divine locks on any entrance. Likewise if you are not able to achieve victory by sundown, we will be forced to do the same, so make haste.”
You and the other two smaller angels nod. Judica hands something to the angel bearing the shield, “Castiel, there is a small crevasse in the east side of the spire, it may be an additional entrance. Take this fragment unholy artifact and hide it in the depths below. They must not be allowed to be restored, so summon an eternal guardian to defend it if any mortal were to come across it. It is unfortunate, but ensure that it is without mercy, as this cannot be destroyed, but nor can it be discovered. No go, take your command, and see Celestine’s will be done. The sooner we end this conflict, the sooner the Mortal Realm can return to peace”
Hir'eek's Fall
You find yourself on the top of the Stonespire, looking through a wooden mask. You are slumped on the ground and for a moment, everything looks serene, until you look down and find yourself holding on to your entrails that are starting to ooze from a gaping wound on your stomach. Horror sets in as you turn to look around. Immediately you see large angels, battered and bloodied standing over a great wounded bat, the size of a small house.
“Pathetic demon,” the red haired angel says. “You shall meet the same fate as all those who would challenge the supremacy of the Heavenly Chorus. As she says this the dark haired angel raises an axe on high, and brings it down on the great bats head. The bats form turns to mist and shadow, and a small gem fall to the ground.
“What is this dark magic?” The dark haired angel questions.
Suddenly the visage of a third angel manifested in golden light in front of them, “Sisters, Rexos has called the Heavenly Chorus to final battle. The last of the demons and mortals that stand against us gather on the plain by the sea to the east. Take your leave as soon as possible, leave your forces to finish the task at hand. Be certain you deal with the Benedictus’ sword fragment before you depart.” And as quickly as it appeared, it vanishes.
“Leave the demon's stone, it is the magic of Sindar and I do not wish for it to befuddle us. Sindar has their hands full with the void and is no threat to us, so long as he keeps it at bay. Let us go and end this now.”
“The battle still rages on below Veritas…we cannot leave the job undone.”
The red haired angel points her spear at the doorway leading into the Stonespire, firing a silver bolt, and collapsing the tunnel. She waves the spear and a silver-gold light shines in front of it for a moment then fades. “Seal off the remaining entrances and call a general retreat. Find one of the Chosen and have them start scouring the area for survivors. Make haste.”
The dark haired angel nods and then together they depart from the ledge.
Comments