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 [img]https://img00.deviantart.net/e32f/i/2012/136/2/6/creating_a_dungeon_by_noahbradley-d4zzrf9.jpg[/img]
 [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ZrN-m7VJA&t=2151s][Mood Music][/url]
 [h3][b][u][color=white]Chapter 4[/color]
 The Vortex[/u][/b][/h3]
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The inside of the ruined church was even colder than the surrounding area. The presence of the dark leyline had dropped temperatures so much that small puddles of water in the recesses of the old floor had completely frozen over. Ice crystals floated in the air, all drifting toward a door near the back of the building. Gwynne had seen this enough to know where to go. Convergence points often acted as a singularity, pulling in particles of dust and other light objects toward it. The closer one got to a convergence point, the stronger winds would get, all leading directly to it. They were close now, close enough to see the dark aetheric energy even without Gwynne's gifted eyes. The strings of red whirled around the main room of the church, licking and passing through the delapidated wooden pews where old Silverwick's most faithful would gather every week.

Gwynne studied the room, looking up toward the ceiling in case any predatory creatures of the night had made this place their nest. There were signs of creatures living here, large ones too. She could see egg sacks clustered in the darkest recesses of the roof, hanging from thick white threads of silk. A giant spider most likely. Where it was, Gwynne couldn't tell. It was likely that the convergence point had scared it off. The more she looked around, the more Gwynne could see that the place was certainly lived in by this large arachnid. Fresh marks in the unsettled dirt told her that it recently moved across the floor. In other places, Gwynne could old human skeletons wrapped in webs. There were fresher corpses as well, emptied of their innards. The cold air did well to supress the dank smell of rotting corpses, but it was still present enough to make the young apostate crunch her nose.

It was quiet in the church, but Gwynne remained on her guard as she stepped further into the ruin. As the orb floated alongside her, the crimson strings of aetheric energy floated closer to it, brushing along it and sticking temporarily before snapping away as if taste testing the crystal. [color=firebrick][i]"It seems that an aethercrystal has already formed at the convergence, the energy here seems reluctant to connect with the orb."[/i][/color]

Gwynne nodded, [color=white][b]"We'll need to reach the convergence before it closes then."[/b][/color]

There was a snapping sound, then a loud crash as the freezing bite of the room froze over some spider silk holding a skeleton to the roof, and snapped it. The skeleton exploded in every direction, crashing in pews and fallen portions of the church's stone walls. The loud noise made Gwynne jump in surprise and stop her motion. Before Gwynne had a chance to relax from the shocking sound, she heard a voice behind her.

[color=ff3f3f][i]"This is the aether... isn't it..."[/i][/color]

Gwynne jumped again, and turned to face Adi with a brilliant fireball in her hand. She immediately stopped herself from incinerating the other woman. It seemed as though the strings of aetheric energy still had Adi's attention though, rather than the momentary threat of Gwynne's fire. [color=ff3f3f][i] “Forgive me I- ... I had to see this for myself. It’s ... It’s beautiful."[/i][/color]

Gwynne lowered her hands and looked back at the dark aetheric energy, [color=white][b]"You shouldn't have followed me. Convergence points are dangerous..."[/b][/color]

The orb floated over to Adi, the red light coming from it pulsing slowly, [color=firebrick][i]"Nonsense, apostate. The more the merrier. Adrianna, do you wish to witness the key to our victory?"[/i][/color]

The orb seemed to intensify the energy that permeated the structure, attracting it even. Even the air around her looked distorted; trails of something she couldn't name rippling from her fingers as she moved them slowly about. Her gaze fixated on the phenomenon more than Gwynne or the orb or the horrors of the dilapidated church. [color=ff3f3f][i]"I just-"[/i][/color] the pulsating orb preempted her, [color=ff3f3f][i]"I had to see ..."[/i][/color]

The orb's motion towards her grew the disturbance that captivated her, so much so that what Topesh said completely went past her. Perhaps it was for the better, as she would not have taken kindly to such an informal address from a strange glowing ball. The oddity appeared to crackle around her fingertips, magnetizing to her from some unknown source. She shut her eyes and held a hand out perfectly still. Perhaps she could sense it the same as Gwynne had. She had only ever read tidbits about the craft of channeling aetheric energy many years ago. She cleared her mind and tried to focus on the space around her ... and felt nothing, for this was not the aether she read about in years past. Frustrated, her hand clenched into a fist and she turned her gaze back to Gwynne. A sudden tingling jolt rippled up her arm as she did so. [color=ff3f3f][i]"You know what this is; you feel it stronger than I do. I've- I need- ..."[/i][/color] she didn't know quite what to ask, or even how to ask it, [color=ff3f3f][i]"I've never felt anything like this before. I thought I knew what power was ... but this, this is real, tangible. Its .... intoxicating."[/i][/color]

If Kassandra had a form with which to do so, she would have grinned ear to ear.  Perhaps she knew what would happen if Adi were led to a source of dark aether. Perhaps this entire encounter was preordained. But more believably, she merely gave a suggestion and the results had just become as perfect as she could have hoped for. The girl barely had a taste of true power and already craved it unbearably.

Topesh chuckled from the orb, [color=firebrick][i]"Ahh~ and this is the perfect time to be intrigued by the aetheric arts, Adi. You are tangling with dark aether, the power that all seek but few ever acquire."[/i][/color]

Gwynne watched Adi, curious to see if the girl could innately conjure power from the aetheric energy. In theory, anybody could, but such manipulations often required years of training, even with aetheric energy of such high concentration. [color=white][b]"You could be taught how to wield this energy, but not now. Our time is limited. If the aethercrystal is fully formed, then the leyline will be much harder to acquire."[/b][/color] She pointed to the door where all of the ice crystals were being drawn to, [color=white][b]"Over there. The convergence is drawing everything in that direction."[/b][/color]

Gwynne began moving again, keeping that fireball conjured to fight back against the freezing cold. When she got to the door, she felt a gust of wind behind her, her hair whipping past her face. The door and corridor beyond were acting as a wind tunnel, making whistling noises. The corridor turned and spiralled downward, leading first into a cellar, then through a dug out hole in the wall. More tangles of webs covered the room. [color=white][b]"Seems this spider's nest goes deeper. Stay on your guard,"[/b][/color] she said to Adi,  [color=white][b]"While I believe the denizens of this ruin have left in a hurry, it's possible they could still be here."[/b][/color]

Gwynne expected the hole in the wall to lead to a dug out nest in dirt, typical of any burrowing spider. But much to her surprise, the collapsed brick wall was simply a front, hiding a large catacomb. Slots in the walls were filled with stone coffins and skeletal remains of figures laid to rest. More tendrils of red energy wrapped around the bones, seemingly interested in the death. The orb floated ahead, lighting the way for the two chosen. Being closer to the convergence, the air grew even colder. It felt like winter in the tunnels of the dead, and Gwynne wished she had brought her furs with her had she known ahead of time. Her breath condensed at her mouth while she moved deeper. The fire in Gwynne's hand had gotten more intense now. [color=white][b]"Stay close, Adrianna. At this rate, the temperature around the convergence will be lethal."[/b][/color]


Staying on guard would have been easier with literally any of her weapons. She had brought nothing. No blades, no armor. Why should she have needed it? There had been no call for bringing arms to this location, not when the only thing there was a peaceful acquaintance. Even just two of her knives would have been better than bare hand fighting, particularly against some vile creature. [color=ff3f3f][i]"It ... doesn't feel cold?"[/i][/color]

She hadn't even noticed a temperature shift. She had no awareness the power flowing through the church was responsible for battling away the cold. Had she known she likely would have assumed Kassandra's doing, yet the guiding soul stayed dormant. [color=ff3f3f][i]"I would be of more use if I had a weapon ... but alas, I bought nothing with me."[/i][/color]

Gwynne blinked when she heard Adi's response to the temperature. [color=white][b]"Is that so?"[/b][/color] Surely the ice could be seen.

The orb floated further into the catacombs, not stopping while Topesh spoke, [color=firebrick][i]"It is possible the dark aetheric energy is effecting the two of you in different ways. Or perhaps our tag-along has some, yet to be discovered, resistance to magic. That would be quite the surprise."[/i][/color]

Gwynne watched the orb as she pondered on the possiblity. Despite the temperature and aetheric tendrils feeling aorund the place, the catacombs were otherwise devoid of activity. All around, Gwynne could see signs of the arachnid inhabitant that stalked the tunnels. It was likely that if it was still there in the tunnels, it would have alreayd been alerted to their invasive presence. Perhaps the creature was stalking them, waiting to spring its trap, or perhaps Gwynne's suspicions of it being run off was true. She preferred the latter, especially since her companion was unarmed.

They rounded a corner, and were stopped by a large, thick wall of webbing. The cold air has frozen the wall of silk, ice crystals gleaming from the red light given off by the orb. [color=white][b]"Wonderful."[/b][/color]

Topesh growled, [color=firebrick][i]"We do not have time to try and find another way around. I offer a simple solution to break through this wall."[/i][/color]

[color=white][b]"Go on."[/b][/color] Gwynne said as she looked at the orb.

[color=firebrick][i]"With such an abundance of dark aetheric energy, we could use the orb collect the energy and cause a detonatio-"[/i][/color] he was cut off.

[color=ff3f3f][i]"Or we could not set off an explosion inside a confined space,"[/i][/color] Adi protested, [color=ff3f3f][i]"Frozen things are brittle. We should be able to just smash it."[/i][/color]

The two could hear Topesh's groan of disapproval. The power of the aether was making Topesh more reckless and wild. Gwynne had seen this before around other convergence points, but never enough to want to cause an explosion underground. Topesh responded with an irritated voice, [color=firebrick][i]"Have it your way. An aetheric detonation would be a great test of our new power..."[/i][/color]

Gwynne shrugged and raised a hand, [color=white][b]"No need for tests. We both know how potent dark aether can be."[/b][/color]

The fire blazing in her hand intensified. Gwynne began drawing power from the force orb, focusing the energy into the flame. A steady red stream o dark aetheric energy flowed from the crystal and travelled along Gwynne's arm. It fed into the flame, causing it to burn brighter to the point of turning blue. Drawing the power from the orb caused the crystal to glow dimmer. Even if Topesh didn't like losing his pool of energy, it was all for the greater good of the cause, so he didn't complain. [color=white][b]"Stand back, Adrianne."[/b][/color] she warned.

Gwynne took a deep breath and punched her hand forward, sending the fire toward the frozen wall of silk. The flame roared as it smashed and bloomed outward against the wall. The flame streamed from Gwynne's hand, more red energy snaking from the orb and over her body to sustain the gout of blue flame. The heat was intense, enough to burn the palm of the apostate's casting hand. Surrounding frost on the walls and floor melted into water, which then turned to steam. After sustaining the flame for only a handful of seconds, the wall of silk and ice was completely destroyed. Gwynne cut off the flow of energy, and stood there to look over her work. The cuff of her sleeve was burnt off, leaving the edges frayed and blackened. The palm of her hand smoked, the skin fried. She'd have to treat that later.

The orb gave off little to no light. Gwynne had practically drained it of its energy pool to create such an intense flame. It would refill over time. Having been connected to other leylines, the orb would be full in a matter of hours. The more lines connected, the faster it would refill. For now, the aetherwinds given off by the orb were weak. Casting would be more difficult unless Gwynne siphoned power from her stored aetheric trinkets. Gwynne looked back to Adi, [color=white][b]"That is the power of dark aether. Be careful if you dabble in it."[/b][/color]

Beyond the wall, a prominent red glow could be seen. Light given off from the dark leyline coursed down the tunnel and lit the way. They wouldn't need the light of the orb anymore. The convergence point was around the corner.

Caution wasn't something Adi had in mind. The kind of power Gwynne could summon to her fingertips was awe-inspiring. She knew great men feared what it was truly capable of. This was no trivial magic trick that lay before her. This was raw, untamed power ... something truly special. She wanted this. No, she needed this ... or so she told herself. This was the key to everything she ever wanted. Her martial prowess alone was far from enough to win back that which was robbed from her, but a prowess in sorcery was a skill to be feared and respected.

She could see the glow of something else around the corner. [color=ff3f3f][i]"What exactly is this we've found? It feels ... alive."[/i][/color]

It didn't pulse in the same way as the orb. This pulsed more rythmically, almost like a heartbeat. It seemed like Gwynne couldn't sense it in that way, that only Adrianna felt that. Did it really manifest differently to every person? Adi didn't know. Her tudors only ever spoke of the dark aether in reverent tones, and terrified whispers.

Gwynne looked over her shoulder as she stepped closer to the pulsing red light, [color=white][b]"A leyline of dark aether. A concentration of aetherwinds flowing to this point. By connecting this leyline to my orb, I'll have access to the power this leyline provides; and by extension, the Chosen will too. The soldiers marching to Silverwick to confront us won't stand a chance if we succeed here."[/b][/color]

[color=ff3f3f][i]"For the past century the rulers of the Imperium have dwelled ... no, obscessed even, over this very prophecy."[/i][/color] Adi almost chided the great and powerful spirit, [color=ff3f3f][i]"If you think they are not ready for you, for us ... then you will be in for a brutal awakening when they catch up to us."[/i][/color](saw an opportunity, siezed it)

Gwynne shrugged and rounded the corner, laying her crimson eyes on the convergence.

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[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNxOF_PNu2o][Mood Music][/url][/center]

As she turned the corner, Gwynne could feel the air getting sucked toward the convergence violent. Her hair whipped about in her face, while the loose parts of her clothes blew around as well. The convergence was giving off a brilliant that brilliant red light. All around the room, temperatures varied wildly. Some sections of the room were frozen completely solid, while others steamed as heat evaporated the dank air. The aetheric anomaly before them caused the temperatures to change intermittently, and without warning. In an instant, the steam would cool, condense on the floors and walls, then freeze as though it had been deep into a winter. The aetheric energy was playing hell with the room. Below the strange red singularity, a crystal was forming, taking all of the material the convergence was sucking in and merging it all together. As the crystal grew, the convergence distorted and became more and more oblong, reaching out to connect to the infant crystal.

Gwynne glanced over to Adi, [color=white][b]"Maintain your footing around the convergence. A mistep could lead to your demise."[/b][/color]

[color=ff3f3f][i]"Tell me something I haven't heard before."[/i][/color]

[i]"Maintain your footing."[/i] Said every trainer she'd ever had, but in her lessons no one would ever seriously hurt her. She felt this was similar in a way, though assuming a raging energy source would show her restraint was far less rational than assuming the same of her fighting instructors. Still, some base instinct in her said that she would be fine, that it wouldn't hurt her. [color=ff3f3f]'Have you led me here?'[/color] She thought about Kassandra and her influences, but the Legionnaire she harbored around her neck remained silent as she had been since the departure of Aktorr.

It was as though the convergence itself was ignoring her as she stepped closer to it. The roiling ball of energy crackled in the air, threatening to lash out at any moment. The crystal structure, black as obsidian and harboring a similar crackling energy inched forth just as Adi inched towards it. The convergence itself retreated away as she put forth a hand, shrinking down to the size of the hand approaching it, but it wasn't the object of Adrianna's fixation. She knelt down towards the crystal forming against the stone.

The energy it threw off had begun to feel ... [i]tangible.[/i] It wasn't some abstract construct anymore that her mind couldn't comprehend. This was something real, something she could touch and bend. It grew warmer as she reached out towards it. The tantalizing tingle of its raw power began to spread past her fingers along the length of her arm. Topesh's ambition could wait this time; this event was for her to embrace. She shrieked slightly as she touched her fingers against the crystal. For an instant it was burning hot against her skin, but it behaved almost as if trying not to hurt her as the warm, energizing sensation of its power washed over her whole body.

Gwynne was on the other side of the convergence, having trusted Adi to remain still while she prepared to connect the leyline to the orb. The force orb orbited slowly around the convergence, it's very presence causing the vortex to pull away from the crystal and draw more towards it. When the orb came into eyeshot of Adi, Gwynne immediately heard Topesh's voice, [color=firebrick][i]"What does she think she is doing? She is too close to the convergence! The fool will be killed when we destroy the crystal!"[/i][/color]

Gwynne quickly moved around the vortex to see Adi reaching out and touching the aethercrystal. [color=white][b]"Adrianna! Move away! It's dangerous!"[/b][/color]

The force orb began to orbit faster around the convergence now, having been caught in its influence. It was only a matter of time before the orb would enter the convergence, and cause a surge of aetheric energy to rush out from the crystal below. [color=firebrick][i]"Get her away, apostate! Losing a chosen here and now would be cataclysmic loss for the cause. You only have seconds!"[/i][/color]

Gwynne called out to Adi again, not even sure if the other woman could hear her through the reverie. Gwynne grit her teeth and looked back at the force orb. It was moving around the convergence faster now, nothing was going to stop its orbits. The closer it got to the horizon of the vortex, the more the surface of it rippled and bent out of shape. She ran forward, kicking out and sliding on her legs next to Adi. The convergence was practically over top of them. Gwynne grabbed Adi by the shoulder and forearm, tugging her hand away from the doomed crystal. [color=white][b]"Come to your senses, chosen!"[/b][/color]

Her senses had never felt more strongly about anything. She was staying, seeing this through to the end. And then Gwynne ripped her hand from the crystal. [color=ff3f3f][i]"No!"[/i][/color] she yelled as she wrenched her arm free from the other woman's grasp, [color=ff3f3f][i]"It won't hurt us!"[/i][/color]

She was convinced of as much even as the lightning blasted chunks out of the stone walls, hammering them with damage more than enough to obliterate someone in an instant.

The force orb started glowing brighter and brighter. The red light coming from it was practically white now, and it was beginning to graze the surface of the convergence. Red aetheric energy shot out from both the orb and the convergence when they made contact. The skeletal remains lining the catacomb walls exploded violently when they came into contact with the surging energy. One aetheric bolt just barely missed Adi and left a small crater in the stone floor. The covergence twisted and distorted more. Gwynne knew there was maybe only twenty seconds left before the crystal would surge back and explode. She wrapped an arm Adi's waist and began dragging her out from below the convergence.

Topesh's laughter could be heard as the aetheric energy bent and began feeding into the force orb instead of the new aethercrystal. It was a drunken laughter, he was enjoying this regardless of what was happening below.Another bolt of aetheric energy arced out from the convergence, traveling in a long line across the floor. The stone cracked in the energy's path. Gwynne rolled away from Adi, pushing the other chosen in the opposite direction to make room for the bolt to arc over the floor. She looked back to the convergence, seeing that the force orb was completely inside of it now. [color=white][b]"Do it, Topesh!"[/b][/color]

The instant Gwynne let go of her she kicked herself off the ground, leaping for the crystal with an open hand. She just barely felt her fingers graze it before the impact hit her.

The force orb suddenly ripped out from the bottom of the convergence, slamming into the aethercrystal with enough force to rock the floor and shatter the crystal into hundreds of pieces. The aetheric energy stored within the aethercrystal detonated outward in a powerful nova, tossing Gwynne and Adi back against the stone catacomb wall. Bones and rocks tumbled over them. Gwynne kept on watching as the force orb glowed brilliantly. The convergence funnelled down and connected to the orb, then started to pour into it. The orb shook but ultimately kept its place where the crystal used to be. In an instant, the convergence was gone, and the room's temperatures began to level out again. All that remained was the force orb sitting in the remains of a black crystal. The room was eerily silent, save for the low vibrating noise of the force orb.

[color=ff3f3f][i]"You .... you destroyed it ..."[/i][/color] came a smaller, confused voice as the girl got her feet back under her. Shards of rock, bone, and the crystal fell off her clothes as she moved. She had needed that, the whole group had needed that. If she could learn as much as she had simply by being in its presence, what it could do for all of them was unimaginable ... and now it was gone.

[color=white][b]"Topesh?"[/b][/color] Gwynne called out as she stood up and shook the dirt off of herself, [color=white][b]"Is it done? Did we connect the leyline?"[/b][/color]

[color=dodgerblue][i]"Aye... If only you could feel what I feel, apostate. It is... incredible."[/i][/color]

Gwynne rose her hand and willed the orb to her. It lifted from the ruined floor and floated over the apostate. She let it rest in her hand, and immediately felt the energy within the force orb. She sucked in a sharp breath, [color=white][b]"Adrianna... Lay your hand on the orb and feel the aether."[/b][/color]

Adi had already felt it. She felt the surging energy within the crystal and saw the limitless power it unlocked, and the talking ball had taken that away for himself. Kassandra had said he was a selfish one. She still felt it, this time in her own veins. Residual energy from the blast had settled itself in both of them no doubt, but Adi had dove towards its center and was hit far harder. It would fade over time if she let it be, or potentially much faster if she used it.

She sighted the glowing vessel out of the corner of her eye as she slowly pushed herself towards vertical. The subtle burn of the energy in her veins flowed towards her free hand out of Gwynne's sight. The aether knew what she wanted ... or perhaps she was being led to want what it wanted. The temptation was strong, but she resisted it for now. Instead she ignored Gwynne and started walking back through the catacombs.

Gwynne watched as Adi wandered off back into the catacombs. She let the orb float back to her side and started making her way out as well. [color=dodgerblue][i]"A rift might have been made between us and Adrianna. I suggest you remain on your guard around her, apostate."[/i][/color]

Gwynne rolled her eyes, [color=white][b]"You may be right, but... The chosen are all supposed to work together. I'd much rather clear the air with diplomacy, rather than constantly mistrust her."[/b][/color]

Topesh chuckled at that comment, [color=dodgerblue][i]"Then the chosen are doomed to fail even sooner than the legionnaires did. We rarely got along."[/i][/color]

Gwynne wanted to comment, but decided to just remain silent. The chosen weren't the legionnaires of old, and she believed that she could make allies out of the others. She called ahead to Adi, [color=white][b]"We'd best hurry back to camp before the others come looking."[/b][/color] Gwynne would wait until Adi calmed down before trying to set things straight with her. But the time would come when she would inevitably have to explain the dire consequences of dabbling in aetheric energy.
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