Chapter 18
Raziel finishes helping Silmeria down whiel his eyes flick upto Vazkor and then turn towards the table. Slowly standing then the man turns and walks over to the glowing mineral. Silently, bloody hands unsheath the twin crystal kukri. He pauses and looks over his shoulder to where the esper has been set and then he lifts his eyes to Vazkor and Thaylorn. "I can't do anything for her, I can only hope this will change something... whatever dangers it might bring." He looks back then and his arms lift, shooting out to the sides as if he's about to strike out quickly. Instead though he brings the weapons in slowly and touches them against the crystal, quite carefully in fact.
Thaylorn was rather shocked when he saw Silmeria being brought upstairs, as wounded as she was, the Imp at a loss for what he should say at the time. He simply shakes his head though, eyes closing as he hopes that whatever the object is that it might indeed, help them restore the Esper's health. As Raziel speaks up he turns to follow, and help the Aegyl in any way he can. Vazkor stays with Silmeria, trying to stem the flow of some of the more severe wounds, and looking grim. He's seen plenty of death in his time, but it's never fun to see it happen to a comrade. Following Raziel with his eyes then, he watches as the Aegyl reaches out to the crystal with his swords... And seems to tense a bit, not sure what to expect.
Silmeria's eyes lose focus for a moment, but the pressure put on her wounds brings her back around, eyes focusing somewhat on Viktor. "Thank you," she whispers, apparently lacking the strength for much more. "But... don't worry. Find the Coin. I wouldn't mind... Dying... can.... only really be... scary once..." Managing a tight, sad smile against the pain of her injuries, she sinks back to the ground, closing her eyes and conserving what little energy she has left... just in case it might be important that she do so.
The Kukri touch the crystal... the swords glisten, electrical energy running along its length until it all discharges into the crystal. The golden light increases in luminence, brilliantly filling the white until with a crack like the sound of a cascading iceberg, a rumbling tinkling crash. The light flickers out to fill the whole room and then dims revealing a small figure curled up on the desk, their wings rise up, feathers flicking back and forth, the small svetle golden furred body rising up as the wings flap, gold and bronze cloth flowing around their body as a pair of brilliant eyes like the noon day sun look out across the room. The Stellar coloured imp's irises rotating as she regards Raziel and the others gathered around Silmeria. "Oh... not the awakening I was expecting." Her voice is musical, serene and beautiful.
Raziel takes a step back and sends a quick look towards Thaylorn then back to the golden imp. For a few moments he struggles to kick his mind back into gear and then states simply, "us either... but there was little choice." He sends a look over his shoulder to Silmeria and Vazkor, either he had missed her previous words or ignored them. Looking back at the imp then the man steps to the side and motions to the dying woman. "I awakened you with the hope that she could be helped. Is it within your power.. and will you?"
Thaylorn was certainly not expecting to see another Imp within this ruined place, and quickly glances over to Raziel to see if he knew what was going on with them. As the other Imp starts to speak up though he turns his attention in their direction "Could you please?" He adds after Raziel finishes, maybe wishing that more urging would cause the other Imp to be more inclined to assist them.
Vazkor smiles a bit at Silmeria, responding quietly, "You're welcome." Before that white light suddenly fills the room, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut a bit, and look towards the direction of the crystal, and that weird cracking sound. And he blinks then as the light fades and the golden Imp is revealed, not really having expected that. As Raziel and Thaylorn converse with it afterwards, he stays quiet for now, simply remaining crouched next to Silmeria, wondering what's gonna happen next.
Silmeria's eyes flutter open again at the flash, bloodied lips turning upward in a smile. "*Hi,*" she says, her breathy whisper honestly pleased at the sight of the Imp. "Oh... The Lady will... will be *so* happy... to see you again..."
She inclines her head, "Of course cousin... I will do what I can," she lifts off the table she was on and flows forward, wings flapping as she settles down beside Silmeria and places her paws on the Esper's fore-head. There is a soft chorus of music, voices humming in harmony. Bright noon-day light flashes filling the landing, blinding everyone and when it fades Silmeria is whole and unharmed, there is no sign of the blood either and the imp smiles gently, one hand cupping Silmeria's cheek. "I have slept here long... but Lord Leo needs me... he needs all of us.... you are here to restore him to the temple?"
Raziel looks at Thaylorn then back to the other imp. Quietly he resheathes the weapons while watching the healing. The man walks over then and tilts his head briefly before he gives Vazkor a brief nod. Looking to imp once again as she asks the question the man considers before responding truthfully. "We are gathering all the Stellazio, though the purpose hasn't been entirely revealed to me yet I could imagine that it would have something to do with a temple.. but there have been others seeking them for ill means.. and there is something on the topmost floor of this building. Do you know of it?"
After a moment of recollection, Thaylorn almost looks as if he has seen a ghost, mouth opening a bit as he watches the healing take place. Before Raziel moves towards the others again he offers in a slightly hushed town "These Imps are said to be extinct." He would murmur before slowely moving over in turn behind Raziel, mostly just watching the other Imp work and letting Raziel speak about the coins.
Vazkor pushes himself up and steps back as the Imp approaches, watching what happens next... That is, until he's forced to shield his eyes from the blinding light. As he lowers his hand again however, he's happy to see Silmeria fully healed again, not even a spot of blood on her. A grin slipping on the swashbuckler's face, he bows towards the Imp, and speaks up, "Thank you kindly, miss." Before looking at the others, nodding some at Raziel's question.
"Yes," Silmeria says, voice much clearer now than before. "Thank you, *very* much." Pushing herself up to a seated position, she bobs her head, beaming a bright smile at the stellar imp. "That is our goal, indeed... We've come to free Leo, and take him from this poor, benighted place." Rising to her feet, she bobs the imp a deep curtsy. "I am Silmeria, Esper of Hades and Speaker for the Dead, lady. Vazkor and Raziel, here, have taken up the quest for the Coins, and master Thaylorn's guidance has helped them immeasurably in this place."
"It is Griever, the Sorceress Ultimecia's Spirit Companion...." She looks up, "She has seized the Lady Virgo and now she seeks to seize the others. She weakens the barriers between the realms in her quest for knowledge, it sealed me within the crystal to stop me from aiding Lord Leo. So far he has kept it at bay but we must aid him before the foul creature steals the coin that holds his essence and returns with it back unto her realm." She shakes her head floating up into the air, "I am Alliandre.... I need your aid.""
Raziel's lips draw down, not in responce to the names but in responce to the tale being spun. The mage remains silent for a few long moments while rubbing his hands clean of the blood, or at least the memory of it. He looks up for a few moments then merely nods and looks back to the golden imp once more. "Then we will aid you. The tower defends against us though, Alliandre. Can you bypass those protections? If so then we should move with haste."
"We'll have to do everything we can to stop them, then." Thaylorn offers as he turns to look at the others for a moment. His attention would shift back to Alliandre afterwards though, curious as to what sort of plan she might have, if any for getting the rest of the way up the tower. Vazkor arches his brow as he listens to the tale, and glances at the others, commenting, "I wonder if this Griever is the dark Aegyl Raziel and me fought?" Before he shrugs, and looks back at Alliandre, nodding firmly, "Either way, whatever we can do to aid you, we will do our best. Lead the way to the top, and we'll cut this Griever down."
"You've saved my life, Lady Alliandre... ...My *second* life, at least," Silmeria says, rising from her curtsy, stooping to pick up Illuren to rest on her shoulder. "I'd help gladly, regardless of the danger. If time of the essence, then, let's not dawdle."
Alliandre looks around at the party and inclines her head, "Then I must ask you all to be at your peak, your greatest strengths." She looks along the corridor toward the stairs, "He waits above, trying to break Lord Leo's barriers or for us to ascend to aid us and so... for each of you I give a boon..." She turns to Vazkor, "To you my lord I grant to you heightened agility..." She moves her hand and Vazkor feels a strange energy coursing through his body, an invigorating feeling of speed and alertness affusing his body. She then turns to Thaylorn, "To you my dear cousin... I grant the knowledge of greater power." she floats forward and touches her fore-head to his, there is a moment of static discharge and when she draws back Thaylorn's irises have expanded he now has four rings and a greater sense of power emanating from his body. Turning to Silmeria she bows to the Esper, "There is little I can give you that will truly aid... but I can give advice, Ilrune with your Scythe.... the skill to use them both is within you and finally." She turns to Raziel and bows, "Your wings are truly grand," She murmurs in refering to his beautiful Golden feathered wings that frame the Aegyl's back.
That long missed and nearly forgotten weight settles on Razuel. As the wings shimmer into existance he's already lifting a hand to feel over his shoulder. Pausing then he stares at Alliandre and then spreads a wing and looks at the shimmering golden feathers. He extends the other and then flaps briefly, his feet rising from the ground before he settles once again. The aegyl says nothing, completely at a loss of words, but dips his head a to Alliandre before turninging away from the group for a few moments. Once he collects himself he turns back again while the wings settle in tightly against his back. "Let's go before those barriers fail then."
With Alliandre's boon recieved, Thaylorn lets out a happy sounding noise as he feels his newfound power flowing through himself, his eyes closing for a few moments before they reopen "Thank you for your gift, Alliandre, it will be put to good use." He murmurs before turning his gaze to the others, but mostly Raziel and his new golden wings "And now you Raziel, seem to be yourself once again." He offers, a warm smile showing again.
Vazkor blinks as he feels that power suddenly coursing through him... And he raises a hand before his eyes, turning it this way and that... Before it suddenly snaps down, and then holds one of his swords before him in a near instant. He grins at that, turning towards the golden Imp and dipping forward in a bow, stating, "Thank you for the gift, Alliandre. I will put it to good use..." Before he catches sight of the gift that was bestowed to Raziel, and he actually beams a bit. Stepping forward to put a hand on the Aegyl's shoulder, "Well... That's that part of the quest done."
Silmeria blinks, tilting her head at the golden Imp, eyebrows furrowing briefly. With her free hand, she reaches out at nothingness, plucking an ebony-hafted, wickedly sharp scythe from the void between. Stepping back, she turns to give the pair of weapons a few, tentative, test swings. Her control is rough to Vazkor's practiced eye, especially given the sheer heft of the scythe, but there's very definitely the beginnings of a deadly style. Turning back to face the group, she beams, nodding her head in thanks. "Indeed, Vazkor... Now. Shall we see to the Griever?"
Smiling Alliandre bows to you all in mid air, "Come... we must strike quickly and drive Griever away, I doubt we can defeat him... our powers combined are not equal to his strength but if we drive forward as one we can force him to retreat" She flies forward up the stairs leading the party forward, with a flash of her wings the doors to the control room blast open and the party are able to charge into the room. It is a dome of grass and steel with control banks and chairs and in the centre of the room a tall pillar with a Stellazio coin perched atop it and on all fours in front of it a giangantic beast of shadows and purple highlights.
Raziel moves after Alliandre after taking the moment to give Vazkor a brief, restrained smile. Movement is good though, movement distracts from things welling up inside. The mage pauses as the doors are burst open and then he follows in and moves to the side so that those who will be geting upclose and personal with the beast aren't forced to circle around him. And once he skids to a halt the mage begins to summon up his most powerful of magics, the firey motes of power reflecting off the gold wings, causing them to practically glow as the energy builds about him and then races down his arms to fly out towards the monster and explode in a wave of flame.
"Then we shall push him back to where he came from!" Thaylorn offers in return to Alliandre and as the control room door bursts open the Imp charges forth with the others, ready to use his newfound power. He doesn't have much time to look around the newer room as they enter, his attention focusing almost fully on the beast as he comes to a quick halt some distance away from the creature so he too does not get in the way of those wishing to go toe to toe with it. Eager as he is, Thaylorn begins channeling his own magical abilities summoning forth a heavy looking sphere of water before him, hands shifting to help it form. In turn with Raziel's attack, Thaylorn thrusts the sphere straight towards the creature's opposite side so he doesn't extinguish Raziel's own magic.
Vazkor offers no vocal response to the Golden Imp, simply nodding to everyone as he reaches down to draw his second sword as well, lightning softly crackling along the curved blades of both his Cutlass and Katana as he extends them out to each side. Calmly following Alliandre to the two doors then, it's when they get thrown open that he suddenly picks up speed. His lips drawing back in an odd exulted grin as he charges right into the room at great speed, straight for the big cat infront of the pillar.
Silmeria charges into battle without pause, voice rising in a mocking battle cry. "GRIEVER!" she calls, a sneer touching her tanned features. "BROKEN-TOOTHED SPAWN OF A MANGE-RIDDEN CUAR! FLEE, BEFORE YOUR FLEAS EAT YOUR WITS!" Illuren in one hand, the Scythe of Argan in the othe, the Esper races forward at Vazkor's side, her laughter ringing out through the dome.
The party race forward, Griever turns and roars... Alliandre's golden power flares brilliantly as she launches a ball of corruscating energy at the demon beast, it is wrapped about Thaylorn's ball of water and wreathed with Raziel's flame. Silmeria's cry phases the beast even as Vazkor's sword flicks out, spins around the ball of coruscating magical energfy, brings it up carrying the sphere and then slams it down into the beasts head as it pauses from the derisive cry. The magic flares and with an almighty explosion of magical energy sets the sword's man's claok to billowing behind him as the beast is blown backwards and into the windows. They crack and shatter and Girever sales out the window with an almighty ROAR of frustration.....
Just after the first explosion Raziel starts to prepare another while magic and sword and the power of the Voice come together. The magic drains away unused though as the Griever is hurled back through the windows. There's a brief snort and then a nod given his companions as he moves towards the pillar quickly while keeping an eye on the window.
Also in the midst of preparing his next spell, Thaylorn quickly ceases focusing upon his magic once the beast is flung through out through the window. Smiling swiftly the Imp would turn to the others "Hopefully the fall took care of that thing." He remarks victoriously as he turns his attention to the pillar, just watching to see what happens.
Vazkor stands there, sword out, cloak billowing, hair whipped back, all strong and regal as he watches the vile creature get thrown out the window by their combined might... But he blinks then, and glances back over his shoulder at the others, looking slightly perplexed as he states, "... That seemed a bit too easy."
Silmeria plants the end of her scythe onto the floor, leaning against it. "Perhaps... but we probably should take advantage of it, all the same." Looking back over her shoulder, she smiles at the approaching Raziel, then points to the top of the pillar with her gunblade. "Raziel? Our goal is up there."
Indeed atop the pillar floating in a serene way is a coin, a Stelazzio coin, it rotates slowly, bathed in a pearlescent field of light. As Raziel steps forward the pillar of illumination shuts down, flickering to reveal the coin undisturbed and the pedestal above which it rotates begins to descend. Another step, Raziel is about three metres from the coin when an almighty roar causes everything in the room to vibrate. Hovering outside the shattered windoes is the beast Griever, wings of shadow flapping up and down steadily, gaze fixed on the party a massive ball of intense magical energy flickering in the air between all four of its paws. It's hard to miss and everyone is rather nicely distracted by it as it roars its very pissed off challenge at the group, that incredibly dangerous spell growing in sense and intensity!
Raziel's eyes widen instantly and he casts off a quick fireball while starting to increase his pace, his wings flaring out. "You will NOT have it!" The man shouts as the fire leaves his fingers and he pushes forward to snatch the coin before whatever he's yelling at can do so. Thaylorn pages, "Hmm, could Siphon be used to drain the power out of the spell the beasty is trying to cast?" to you.
"Shoot it's wings! Try to knock it back down again!" Thaylorn calls out as the beast once again reappears, the Imp's full attention turning in its direction again. Quick as can be, Thaylorn is charging up another spell, faint green energy flowing over the Imp for a moment before he thrusts his arms towards the beast, or in particular, the growing sphere of magical energy forming between it's paws. That green energy shifts and flows towards it, forming a link between Imp and Beast and the others could almost see the energy draining from the spell as Thaylorn absorbs it and the gathering energy completely vanishes!
Vazkor relaxed a tiny bit to watch Raziel approach the coin... But as soon as Griever's roar sounds out, the swashbuckler whips right around again, facing the beast and bringing up his swords! Watching the creature gathering energy for an attack, he quickly looks around for cover, before simply crossing his blades infront of himself and slipping into a guarded stance... That is, before Thaylorn's spell sucks away the impending magic attack. Still, never know what Griever might do next!
Silmeria's eyes flick up to the top of the pedestal, widening as the translucent hand comes into view. Raising her scythe, she *slams* the butt end into the ground, her mortal form blown away by the force of her ire. Undersized, ash-colored wings flare, black eyes narrow, and pale lips part voice ringing out in furious challenge. Template:ULTIMECIA! FORGOTTEN SCOURGE OF A DEAD AGE, THE ABYSS HAS MARKED YOU! FLEE FOR YOUR TWISTED LIFE!
The tall, very regal, impossibly beautiful lady in the long flowing black and maroon gown steps fully into view, her hand a mere inch from the Leo as it rotates. She regards Silmeria and an amused smile flits across her face. "My dear little dead girl, do you really think that will work on me? You have no idea do you darlings..." she moves her hand and catches Raziel's fire-ball and tosses it at Vazkor who is once again able to deflect the blast into a bank of control panels causing them to rupture and explode. Her other hand, the one she was about to pick up Leo with seizes Raziel's as he tries to snatch the coin first and with a negligent twist of her body sends the aegyl spinning around to tangle with Silmeria's weapons. Griever lands with a thump behind the Sorceress and growls, the draft from his wings making her dress and hair billow as behind her, through the open, shattered windows the endless blue depths of the ocean forms the perfect backdrop. "It would seem my dear pet is going to have to remind you all of your place" Raziel's eyes flare as his spell is deflected and a snarl breaks from his lips as his hands drop for the kukri, though before he can pull them out he is grabbed and hurled back into Silmeria and her weaponry, hopefully avoiding being impaled on them. The man pushes himself away and turns around with a low growl while he pulls out the twin weapons before he murmurs to the coins he's carrying, "lend me your power Aries."
Grimicing and raising an arm to shield his face as the control panels explode, Thaylorn lets loose an annoyed grunt at both the explosions and the appearance of the strange lady. "Our place is wherever we want it to be." He remarks coldly to the odd woman before he again begins to channel his magical power before him into another sphere of water, although this one continues growing and growing as he prepares it, the magical energy he stole from Griever fueling the empowered spell.
Vazkor smoothly parries that fireball, calmly ignoring the results as it smashes into the console as he simply turns to look at Ultimecia. His lips drawing back into a sneer as he listens to her mocking and threats... And at the latter, he responds, "My place? My place is with my boot up your ass!" And with that, he's suddenly sprinting forward, blades going up as he makes to leap straight at the villainess.
Silmeria extricates herself from Raziel, patting the mage on the shoulder as he breaks away. Turning back to Ultimecia, she plants her scythe again, raising her Gunblade to level at the Sorceress. Template:And my place, Forgotten One, is between you and the world. With that, she crouches, pushing off with her scythe to give her jump a bit of extra oomph, hurtling upward at Raziel's other flank to make her attack.
As Raziel calls on Aries there is a momentary flicker and the Stelazzio coin of Aries appears behind the mage's head, framed between the upright curves of his golden wings and rising up just behind that is Alliandre. The golden furred Star Imp all but forgotten in the battle against Ultimecia's spirit guardian, the Sorceress gasps in shock and steps back at what she sees. "You.... " her expression shuts off and as Simeria and Vazkor lunge she steps back, shimmers and is gone with a final curt order, "Destroy them Griever..." she vanishes and the beast lunges, blocking Silmeria and Vazkor's assault on the fleeing sorceress but their weapons drive through the beasts guard and it howls in pain! Distracted, off balance the coin floating about Raziel's head glistens with bright white light that flows up into Alliandre and is then redirected at Thaylorn's growing and over-charged spell. "Vazkor.. Silmeria... drive it to the opening... this is Leviathan's realm, his servitor prepares to banish the beast!"
Raziel's eyes close for a brief moment and then flash open as the power is shared with Thaylorn. The man, ever mindful of their quest, moves back to the pillar once again, but pauses and spreads a hand towards the ground just behind the griever, casing a quick blizzard spell to slick the ground neath it's paws.
Thaylorn continues focusing all his power upon that growing sphere of water forming before him, the water within rolling and flowing around within causing light to reflect oddly over the waves formed within. Quicker and quicker the water would rotate as it continues building in power! Thaylorn would wait until the beast is in the correct location and the others to be safetly out of the way before finally unleashing the overcharged spell!
Vazkor finds himself fighting Griever instead as Ultimecia disappears before he can strike... But he doesn't mind, really, and he simply gives it his all. Heeding the Imp's call, and starting to focus his attacks on driving the creature back, his teeth bared as he swipes each blade in quick, glittering arcs with the crackling of thunder.
The moment Vazkor gets clear, Silmeria rushes in to the attack, both weapons at the ready. The scythe sweeps around first, hooking at Griever's legs in an attempt to force him to the ground. Without waiting to see if the strike lands, the Esper's wings snap out to either side as she continues her rotation, Illuren's heavy blade dragging the ground for an instant before slamming up into the beast's barrel chest. If all goes well, she hopes to knock Griever back onto the patch of ice, its lack of footing and momentum carrying the day.
Raziel's ice spell leaves a glistening blue patch of ice on the ground and Vazkor's attack forces Griever to rear back, with a roar he bats Vazkor with ease sending the sword-master spinning through the air to crash against the unbroken glass of the display room. He has been forced back right to the edge of the patch of ice and he is wide openfor Silmeria's attack. Her sweeping scythe takes out his rear legs causing him to crash down and then Illuren slams into him, the blade doesn't even cut the skin but as she pulls the trigger the enchanted weapon unleashes a wave of force, the retort of the barrel going off, the bullets explosion drives Silmeria back across the room, barely missing Raziel, crashing back out of the control room door and into the corridor beyond. The same can be said for the beast, he is driven back across the patch of ice and for a moment he looks like he will go over but his front claws slam through the ice and into the metal of the control tower. He roars, preparing to claw his way back in and that is when Thaylorn strikes. The coruscating ball of water rockets across the chamber and just ripples over the beast. There is no explosion he is just engulfed in water and carried out in an arc away from the control tower. The massive sphere of water hits the lower wall of the main dome, shattering crystal glass and the support struts. Sea water roars through the gap and the lights all flicker to blue as the Star powered spell implodes in a frothing mass of white foam carrying Griever away and out into the darkness of the sea bed... this fight is over. Raziel's head snaps towards Silmeria and he starts to reach for her but the sound of the rushing water causes his attention to move out the shattered window and down. The aegyl's eyes widen for a moment and wordlessly he turns and runs to the pillar. The female imp is given a quick look, a nod and then he looks back at Thaylorn. "I think we will need the enchantment again quite soon," he murmurs before looking towards where Silmeria was blown and he murmurs, "I hope she's alright," before reaching to take the coin from it's pedestal.
Grinning widely at the launching of the spell and its effects, Thaylorn can't help but chuckle softly before turning his attention to Raziel's statement "Of course, you all have those potions tucked away safetly I hope?" Thaylorn offers with a light sigh, finally rid of the beast he can take a moment to rest. "We can wait for the water to rise and jump down into it and swim out that far hole, hopefully the rest of the dome doesn't start breaking though." The Imp remarks as he looks back to the others and the doors Silmeria went flying through before turning towards the other Imp "Are you going to be coming with us back to the surface?"
Vazkor crashes heavilly into one of the opposite windows as he's batted away, the a spiderweb of cracks appearing where he hit, before he slides and slumps down to the floor in a daze. Soon groggily shaking his head and starting to grope for his swords to retrieve them... Not yet noticing one of his wrists stands at a slightly odd angle.
"....*Ow,*" comes a groan of pain from the corridor, the considered sound of one who is hurt, but not grievously so. Stiffly picking her way back into the control room, Gunblade returned to its resting place, leaning on the haft of her scythe, her Esper seeming gone once more, she looks muzzy-eyed about the chamber, blinking rapidly. "...Did we get him?" There's a slight pause, and she focuses enough to take note of theswordsman's injuries. "Oh! Vazkor, are you all right?!"
Alliandre turns and regards the room and floats over to Vazkor, reaching out to take his arm and examine his wrist, "I will be returning to the surface Cousin... but we cannot go by route of your potion.... but I believe my Lord Leo will make our egress to the surface run smoothly." Indeed even as she speaks the coin now held in Raziel's hands grows warm and behind it, behind the plinth another figure appears, this one is tall, a wild mane of starlight cascading around a Leonine figure that watches them all. "My friends... I thank you, your quest in this ancient place is over, once it was a a retreat for science, for knowledge and wisdom and then the darkness fell upon it. It shall join the ocean in its silence and grave and my service for a limited time shall be at the disposal of you Master Raziel, guardian of the Stelazzio, in due course you will take your place at our side, re-open the long lost court of Stars to the world of Terra. But for now I have direction, warning and for you Raziel emminence for your position to bestow."
Raziel looks over at Vazkor, blinking and about to repeat the question regarding how he is before Alliandre moves to his side. As he listens there's a slight nod and then the man opens his hand as the coin warms. Lifting his eyes quietly then the Aegyl's attention focuses on Leo and he tilts his head ever so slightly, pondering on the words spoken without responding outright with the numerous questions who's shadows float over his features. Finally he soeaks though while inclining his head to Leo, "then speak and we will hear your warning and direction." As for the last thing mentioned he again goes quiet, though his expression moves to uncertainty for a few moments.
Thaylorn resists the urge to ask if that means Raziel will be made into a coin, or something odd like that. With a glance towards Vazkor and Silmeria, mostly to see if they're in need of healing he nods slightly, remaining quiet from where he stands listening. He's rather curious overall as to what this warning and direction is that Leo is to offer.
Vazkor looks up at the Imp hoving before him with bleary eyes, still a bit out of it... And he also stares blankly at his wrist as she inspects it, apparently not feeling the pain just yet. Letting the Imp do whatever though, his attention is drawn to the new voice... And he peers over at Leo, trying to focuse on him as he listens to the story that's to be told, "... Huh." Silmeria picks her way through the room, moving up to stand behind Raziel. Like the others, she seems at once puzzled and curious by Leo's declaration, but keeps her silence as the Stellazzio spirit prepares to speak.
The stars seem to cascade through his hair, the spirit looking around the room, he stops when he sees Alliandre and holds out a hand to her, "My dearest.... you must accompany Master Raziel, in time you will bring him to our court..." She nods and turns her healing energy upon Vazkor's wrist as he turns to Thaylorn. "Thaylorn, today you have truly come into your own, you have acted as the channel for Leviathan your lord, Imps decision to render you the gift of eternity and servitude was truly a great one, take heart and stay by Raziel's side through all the trials to come, you are the Imp in service to the Master of Stellazio." His gaze turns to Vazkor and Silmeria, "Lady Silmeria, Esper of the Abyss, of Death and the Beyond your part in this saga is multiple, your task will be to guard, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer must be safeguarded in the City of Emberstrand, your next location the Tomb of Borneth cannot sustain the presence of so many of us. I cannot see who all will be aiding you in the task of safe guarding my brothers those instructions will come from the Esper of Kharma..." He turns back to Raziel then and holds out both hands, "Child of the Stars, Seer Unknown, Master of Stellazio.... I bid thee and all who are here good luck, wait and prosper, rest and soon... Kharma's touch shall reveal unto you the location of Borneth's final resting place." His body flickers to a bright glow, in the blinking of an eye the party find themselves back aboard their airship.... the fresh salty sea air blowing all around them, a last lingering image of the ancient watery base imploding, its once mighty dome succumbing to the rigours and damage caused by the exit of the dark spirit Griever. Captain Farquan and his first officer Schewe standing on by the bridge railing looking down at them in surprise as the Airship Dao bobs gently at anchor were they left it upon the ocean.
Raziel's head tilts a bit and he looks at each of the others, his eyes settling upon Vazkor for a few long moments before he looks at Thaylorn and then Silmeria once again. Finally turning back to Leo the man starts to open his mouth and then blinks as they find themselves back on the airship. "I.... what?" All of that and that's his responce. Utter confusion. "There wasn't even another part of the poem..." He looks down at the coin in his hand before making a face. "What?"
Once the group is teleported back atop the airship Thaylorn lets out a loud sigh of relief, seeing as they're finally out of immediate danger! Hearing that he's to follow Raziel though...That makes the Imp look a bit curious although he does shrug, least he'll have plenty to do! "Glad we're out of there, at least." He murmurs before turning his attention towards Raziel thoughtfully "Think we all just have to wait now for the next part to reveal itself?"
Vazkor finds himself back on the airship, fully healed... And looking a bit confused, really. And after a moment, he approaches an equally confused Raziel, putting a hand on his shoulder and stating, "Well... I didn't understand much of that, but seems I'm supposed to stay behind next time and guard those coins with Silm." He shrugs, a bit sheepishly, and looks at the others, "Anyway, guess we'll be going home?"
"It does look that way," Silmeria agrees, letting go of her scythe and allowing it to fall back into the nothingness where it resides. Turning, she leans against the rail, staring out over the gently rippling ocean. "I do love to travel... but honestly, I think I'll be very glad to return home, and rest awhile."
Alliandre smiles and drifts over to look at Leo, the golden imp tilts her head back to meet Raziel's gaze, "There is a poem, you just have to be able to read it..." she looks at the coin and then speaks in a gentle, sing-song voice as the sun glitters off her fur and Raziel's sparkling wings of gold.
- Leo,
- Leo was waiting for the sun to set into the ocean. Then Cancer showed up, and they began to fight. Into the ocean they fell..."
- With Leo held in the Champion's grasp,
- Beware for Lady Virgo has been clasped,
- The Soul Unseen, the Enemy Exposed,
- Her darkness only a hero can oppose,
- Keeping watch in Scorpio's shadow,
- Lies Libra's home beneath Borneth's Meadow
- Walk the path to Garden's sorrow,
- A new light dawns come the first tomorrow.
End Book 2
Go back to Stelazzio Quest Chapter 17
Or return to Sin of the People/Stelazzio Quest Directory
