[center][h1]Shadows Over Keltra[/h1][/center] [center][h3]Part II[/h3][/center] [hr] The warmth of the Eternal Fire passed through the scarlet stone, it filled all of Keltra, and shaped itself around each creature, living or dead, passing through all like an unseen force. As other fires that had been corrupted continued to persist in its presence, it felt its purpose awakened further as its connection to the divine was called upon from afar. Something sacred stirred within its revitalizing depths. Before the nigh omnipotent reach of Pride wielding the Scepter of Keltra, and aided by her sisters, could unbury and reveal the three wraiths that intruded in their home, another more dominant and ancient entity had found and spoken to them. [b]“You whom I have forsaken… Why have you come to this sanctuary?”[/b] It was a whisper that answered from among the entombed neverborn, a shiver of mournful reproach and bitter confession: [center][i]"Because of thee the light within us died: Because thy wilful word our flames did cleave, Her hands and ours a thorny crown must weave, A harrow for the world we were denied."[/i][/center] [b]“You did not deserve this cruel fate, and I do not deserve your forgiveness… something is coming, but there is a merciful gift I would provide you. You whom struggle to walk upon the Sacred Path, may receive this gift, though you must flee the child of the Underworld before it is too late. Begone, accursed Eschatli…”[/b] The familiar voice of a goddess said before it began to recede, and with it much of the warmth that had enveloped the unawakened bodies like an ethereal cocoon was now gone. "...It feels so nice." The words had come from the stone shell that covered the three interlopers, but they were nothing like the hollow hiss that their sister had flung at Fear. It was still a hoarse, dry, unpleasant sound, the groan of a parched throat blasted dry by desert winds, but it was firmer, more vibrant, more alive. As the groping enchanted limbs rearranged themselves, three shapes leapt out from among the tangle, striking a pose between the ghoulish and the heroic as they landed side by side. They had at one point numbered among the thousands of quiescent husks in Keltra's custody, yet such they were no more, for a breath of life, however tainted, had come to dwell in them. Emaciated, blackened like charcoal by coursing fingers of liquid flame, grey and crimson alike, that flowed over their skin, they resembled more than anything the mummified remains of victims of a wildfire. Ash flaked away from them with every motion, and their eyes, singular and threefold, were set in featureless, defaced heads that appeared to have cooled after being liquefied by heat. "We would not hide from you, sisters," one of the cyclopes rasped in that fire-scarred voice, "Let us dance." As Kindness and Curiosity continued to swirl, caper, sway, and gesture, beside her; Pride remained in a state of detached stillness, only motioning and pointing with her scepter as though she were leisurely conducting an orchestra. Her eyes and voice conveyed otherwise, suffused with an intense forbidding aspect that forewarned her wrath. “Then come here, and accept my invitation… or remain trespassing, and suffer the consequences.” With her words, the majority of the vast hall and its continual shifting came to a halt; a legion of scarlet stone hands and statues surrounded the vicinity, shielding all aside from the Sacred Sextet and the intruders. Only the stone close to the champions continued to ripple and readily mold itself into whatever shape was desired. The Otherworldly music sang clearly, an angelic choir that resounded throughout the keep, powerful and wondrous in honor of this encounter. "Is there a difference?" A provoking laugh, or the shadow of one, accompanied the question, ash blowing over barren dunes. The three incarnates stepped towards their scarlet counterparts, tentatively at first, on legs that slipped and bent in strange ways, then more and more firmly, until at last they were gliding and drifting on weightless leg-stumps that barely touched the ground. An uneven black trail stretched on the red behind them, cinders sloughing off their burning skin with every leap. "A true dance is a dance with death." Every time they alighted, the Eschatli momentarily froze in a new statuesque stance, fracturing their jaunting advance into a rosary of crystallized instants. "It is a passion we have never felt. You would not refuse it us, would you, sisters? Would you deny it to yourselves?" Pride shook her head, and sighed once more before she answered them. “I’m afraid I must. Perhaps another time, but one of our own has fled after unleashing a great evil upon the world. Our dance will have to wait. Now, your grace, would you reveal yourself, please?” The Keeper of Keltra called out to one unseen and unheard, waiting for a reply. The keep grew quiet, as the otherworldly melody became little more than a whisper, and the nearby skirmish between Courage and the other two wraiths came to a close. The brash champion having lashed out at everything after retrieving the Blade of Mourning, now imprisoned within stone as well. There were only a few hushed sounds of those that were still free persisting in Keltra. “There is no grace here,” the cyclopic wight chuckled as her disembodied sisters streamed out from the nearest gateway in the outer wall in a whirl of smoke, “Only us.” The sound of her words had scarcely died below the distant ceiling when she sprang, impossibly light on her feet even for her desiccated frame. Her high arc through the air brought her bearing down on Curiosity, gnarled hands outstretched and open for a terrible clasp. Beside her, her twin was plummeting towards Kindness along a flawlessly matching trajectory. Only the three-eyed Outsider had stayed behind, hesitant all of a sudden, and looked around as if something were palpably amiss. A combination of coalescing light and glittering ice interlocked and woven together into a large barrier interposed itself between the three champions and their two assailants, shifting and shimmering with the might of both Curiosity and Chailiss as the Shield of Faith hummed. Gnostic symbols soared all around, pouring forth from the shield and rising off the skin of the trio of sorcerers as they channeled their Spirit. “Your servants have no power here! We wish only to welcome you, so cease with this, and let’s just be courteous…” The Keeper of Keltra proclaimed, but she could not hide her anxiety, repeatedly glancing all around for the sight of a deity to make an appearance and bring an end to this chaos. The Scepter, pulsing with power in her hand, brought little assurance when it became evident her control over the situation was an illusion - Both the Eternal Fire and the fortress were acting of their own volition, under the authority of what must’ve been the Divine, yet no god or goddess had reached out, it seemed. “Perhaps we should simply kill these fiends?” Kindness suggested, while Curiosity vehemently shook her head in clear opposition to the idea. Keltra could not be allowed to be tainted with killing, Pride knew, as Homura herself had ordained such, so what was the solution to the presence of such profanity in this sacred space? The Incantation of Seeing revealed nothingness ahead, and the small champion realized that she was possibly perceiving the end of her life then. Perhaps they have already failed… There was scraping and screeching as the Eschatli slid down over the barrier’s surface, their fingers rasping against the icy shards and leaving behind black ashen smears as they wore themselves to stumps in their fruitless grip. The cyclopes pushed themselves off in concert and landed upon their feet, crouching with the impact before agilely redressing themselves. They paced and cracked their consumed knuckles, trying to round the shield even as its edges stretched to bar their passage. Abruptly, they stopped still and turned back their heads. The Outsider had raised a hand, and as her eyes met their two, she whispered on a pervading gust of air: [center][i]“Blackness I see where brightest threads once ran, And Time's sealed mouth greets me with silence grim. Objects around float nebulous and dim— False, phantom trifles of some vaster plan.”[/i][/center] The twins craned their heads, perplexed, but they moved a step back. A wary glint coursed through their eyes as they followed their sister’s retreat through an outer archway, no more freely bounding, but almost scampering in its haste. Pride furrowed her brow, pondering the prophecy of the one that had left, before she stared at the remaining intruders with bemusement. “Why did you come here, sisters?” She asked. Then there was an explosion. An incomprehensibly potent, bright and fiery eruption of power from the Eternal Flame, that both blinded and deafened all within the keep. The entirety of Keltra was consumed in the blast, a fleeing Outsider being pursued by a colossal tide of celestial light that seared the stone and burned the air, pulling upon all loose things nearby. The outer wall rippled and shattered across sections, barely containing the sudden massive burst of fire that then shot upward into the sky. All across the Galbar’s north-western hemisphere; a radiant pillar of cosmic energy piercing the heavens was visible to both the divine and mortal alike. The life near the immense red fortress found itself overwhelmed by the presence of this unexpected cacophonous explosion, briefly blinded as well, but otherwise left unharmed after the initial exposure as the force seemed to be pulled back in upon itself. When sight was finally restored, all they would see was a bonfire, a bonfire as large as a mountain, burning brightly where once the fortress stood. Then an otherworldly voice sang: [i]“A god whom is found, another created, a child’s desire that can never be sated. A music so sweet, the gods were offended, and a singer’s pain which surely must be ended. A mountain of grief from its roots to its peak, within it they slumber; the brave and the meek. Step lightly and swiftly - mortals - or you they shall seek!”[/i] A myriad of voices, whispers and screams, then the roaring of fire and the whooshing of wings. The voice sang on: [i]“Trust not your eyes, your senses spread lies. Know now the witless, once fools are now wise.”[/i] Then a different voice, akin to the first, but lacking any melody, and simply speaking: [i]“I am Charis, the Red Wing Healing the Faithful… I have been summoned to protect the sanctuary known as Keltra…”[/i] Of the champions in the keep, only Courage had been spared from the blinding radiance of what had transpired, and found that she could not see through the eyes of any of her sisters. She could feel them stumble with their hands along the stone, but there was a terrible ringing in their ears, and they had yet to recover their whereabouts. Pride had dropped the Scepter of Keltra, and Courage could do nothing to free herself. “Let me out!” She screamed. The song resumed: [i]“The dreams that it grants have the feeling of life. Its hunger is boundless, their presence brings strife. Death comes like the kiss of a lover and the crashing of mountains. It comes to a question, a choice; are you afraid of death?”[/i] “I can’t see!” Curiosity cried. “Stay close!” Pride called out. The sounds of three girls struggling to find each other was barely heard over the crackle and bellow of a massive fire. With another greatly disorientating rush of wingbeats, the stone-shaking voice spoke again: [i]”Mother warned you of my coming… yet you chose to remain… Disgusting servants of Doom… willing sacrifices…”[/i] Immense wings continued to drown the sound of music, and the echoes of voices. An intense heat reached forward and seeped into the bodies of both the champions of Homura and the Eschatli. Then there was a great snap; an audible bite, as unseen titanic jaws closed around a space nearby. Snap again, two terrible bites that seemed to sunder the world itself, and then something vast retreating upwards. The relentless heat receded for a moment. A brief moment of respite. It returned once more and Charis intoned: [i]“What of the rest of you… do you wish to be sacrificed?”[/i] “You can’t kill here!” Pride shrieked, and clung onto her sisters now. She couldn’t find her scepter, but Curiosity still had the Shield of Faith, and the sound of ice forming a protective dome around them was heard. [i]“You know nothing of death, little one… I have come from the Ashen Plains and passed through the veil between the world of the living and the world where souls gather… Our Mother has commanded me to come here… Finish the ritual…”[/i] The voice that was a myriad of many asked, and the words baked the air around the three champions of Homura. “We don’t understand! How can we use Gnosis now? We can’t see! This is madness!” Pride shouted back, struggling to stand as Kindness and Curiosity held her. The song began anew: [i]”Are the blind unable to sing and dance? Does one so weak refuse a chance? Bound together by Fate’s own hand, must we be, to be free. Shrine maidens calling spirits, such as we, the Umati.”[/i] “You stated you would protect Keltra, then provide evidence." Kindness commanded with as much authority as the reticent champion could muster. “Help us protect our kin!” Curiosity pleaded. “I shall complete the ritual...” Pride muttered to herself, and the three champions became quiet once again. The music of the Keep and the Eternal Fire persisted, but those with acute hearing would hear the shuffling of small feet and rhythmic clapping of hands. Then Pride began to sing: [i][center]Didn't I do it for you? Why don't I do it for you? Why won't you do it for me? When all I do is for you? They want to see us, want to see us alone They want to see us, want to see us apart They want to see us, want to see us alone They want to see us, want to see us apart And I, just want to feel you're there And I don't want to have to share our love I try, but I get overwhelmed When you're gone I have no one to tell And I, just want to feel you're there And I don't want to have to share our love I try but I get overwhelmed All wrapped in cellophane, the feelings that we had[/center][/i] Pride’s voice fell away, and a quiet melody remained. “Selophant? What madness?” a voice of hollow and bemused fire rose for a moment over the deafening wingbeat, like a tongue of flame over a bank of fog. [i]Hmm… this Keltra shall be my locus, despite how small it is, but I suppose that fits you, little one.”[/i] Charis said with amusement, ignoring the hollow voice. “You’re now my Champion.” Pride proclaimed, accompanied by the tumultuous rush of gigantic wings and deafening roar that reverberated throughout the fortress. [i]I am now your Champion. Allow me to banish all of your foes, the accursed ones that reek of Doom.”[/i] “Are you so eager to be another in a line of failures?” the empty flame jibed again from the sightless glare. Dulcet laughter burgeoned and echoed all around, before Charis answered. [i]“Ever eager, I am! Do you have any more words that could be considered worthy of my ear, or is there nothing but weightless prattle that comes from such grotesque creatures such as yourselves? Your foul presence has lingered within me long enough… Any last words before I expel you from this place?”[/i] "Yes," replied the flame, [b][center]"Perish."[/center][/b] Amid the impenetrable white, two red eyes suddenly lit up, their glare so vigorous that it cut through the already blinding radiance and impressed itself on the eye despite its daze. Black smoke erupted around them, too dense to have possibly been real, carving out a gap of darkness which starkly swallowed the light. Shades that might have been two upright figures moved through that inky blur, but nothing could be seen for sure in that unnatural contrast which forced itself into being. Then the gloomy maw and the eyes within it were hurled sideways, and something cut through the air with a whistle. The entire world seemed to tremble as the thunder of immeasurably wide wings shook the area once again, and the playful laughter returned. [i]“Such filth capable of conjuring not only worthy words, but worthy action as well. Oh, I would offer more praise were it not for the fact that such filth is nothing more than discarded dolls possessed by pretentious pests, and I shall not sully myself further by prolonging this boring farce. Do not return, creatures of darkness. You do not belong here.”[/i] With those words, the everpresent combination of celestial light and intense heat became more potent, more focused as it shone so brightly upon the tapestry that it stained the threads of reality with its luminous presence. Sacred power was fiercely channeled in abundance, an overwhelming amount of positive energy resembling the staggering ferocity of an immense storm wreaking havoc with its indomitable will, and visibly hidden within the hurricane of shimmering whirlwinds were the faint sounds of clapping hands and tapping feet. “Please, let us help!” Curiosity chimed, and her voice which was engulfed in the shimmering gale of sacred power was joined by her sister’s. “We wish to assist.” Kindness intoned, and her voice was swallowed by the storm as well, but the two champions and their Spirit had also beget a change that could only be felt in the minds of those that had knowledge of the sorcerous arts. The gathered celestial power was given purpose now, harnessed by those that had aligned themselves with the Umati, and had learned the Exorcism ritual. Radiant energy spread throughout Keltra once again, threatening to shatter the structure once and for all, and applying cosmic pressure which sundered stone, vaporized water, and seared the air - leaving large glowing scars in its wake, as the darkness was suddenly pushed by the numerous wills of all that defended the keep from death and despair. Time itself seemed to scream, as two bodies were hurled from the fortress with truly impossible momentum, streaking across the vast sky towards the distant horizon and unravelling into ashen bands, like black comets that sullied the heavens with their crumbling tails. Otherworldly music and periodic wingbeats was all that was heard in Keltra afterward, for a time, then Charis spoke again in her cheerful, melodic tone. [i]“The servants of Doom will continue to plague the world, but for now we may enjoy a little peace and quiet…”[/i] [hider=Summary]-The skirmish in Keltra continues as the champions of Homura face the lingering Eschatli after the escape of Fear and Zima. -While protecting the vessels, three wraiths slip under the shell of the scarlet stone, and hear the voice of a goddess. -Three of the Eschatli possess vessels, and continue their intrusion as Pride calls for peace and propriety. -Then there’s an explosion. -The blinded champions and Eschatli hear a new visitor, which eventually leads to the newcomer banishing the wraiths from Keltra, with the assistance of Homura’s champions.[/hider] [hider=Vigor]Cycle 4 Homura’s current Vigor: 7 2 Vigor spent to create Charis the Red Wing Healing the Faithful. (single extraordinary creature) 5 Vigor spent to bless Charis with the Blessing of the Phoenix, which allows Charis to produce an incredible aura of energy used to sustain life. She can use this overwhelming energy to oppose necrotic forces, heal wounds, and blind creatures that see her. Homura’s remaining Vigor: 0[/hider] [hider=Spirit]Kindness current Spirit: 9 8 Spirit spent to teach herself, her sisters, and Charis; the Exorcism Ritual. Curiosity’s current Spirit: 28 25 Spirit spent to create The Circle of the Phoenix. (Holy Order) The members of this holy order gain the power to heal the lethal wounds of living creatures, and oppose necrotic forces. Pride’s current Spirit: 19 12 Spirit spent to anoint Charis as a Champion. Charis current Spirit: 0 2 Spirit spent to empower her aura and banish the Eschatli with an Exorcism Ritual. Courage, Kindness, Curiosity, Pride, and Charis gain 4 Spirit. The Outsider begins with 10 spirit. She gains 4, and spends 2 on forcing her and her sisters' way into inanimate vessels, despite their wards. She thus ends with 12. [/hider] [hider=Prestige]The Holy Quintet’s current Prestige: 6 The Holy Quintet gains 2 Prestige. The Circle of the Phoenix gains 2 Prestige. The Eschatli begin with 7 prestige and gain 2. -They spend 5 prestige on gaining the ability to greatly increase their might as long as they inhabit a solid body (which they need to find). They end with 4 prestige.[/hider]