[center][h3][u][color=#cbc66d] Roslyn Wicke [/color][/u][/h3][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vzhDyH3.png[/img][/center][center][/center][h1][center]The Riddle of Lindenholdt Part 5 cont.[/center][/h1][center][sub]Date: Zales 34th Location: The Church [/sub][/center] [h2]The Black Rezaindian Order[/h2][hider=**] The dust cleared and it was five of them - a Pentad of their own - standing against the vendemon Saivel while Xiuyang caught sight of the wretched Berthold, laughing and crying deliriously at the same time in the ruins of his organ. The great cadaverous wolflike being's ears perked up and she began chanting something in a growling, hissing language as cracks formed on the floor. Then, suddenly, there was a woman behind her, flashing through the air: a smallish Retanese woman in a nun's habit. The flash of light was so fast as to be virtually imperceptible, and then the vendemon's head lay on the floor. A second nun, with an eyepatch, stood in the doorway, hand outstretched. The first landed in a crouch, flicked the bubbling demonic blood from her sword, and sheathed it as she bowed. It was naught but a moment later that the third appeared, petite and blonde and beautiful, and she laid a hand on Berthold's head. It evaporated into an iron-rich haze and a severed stump of melted slag, but those present barely had a moment to register the monumental moment before an absolute rhinoceros of a woman barreled into Xiuyang seemingly from nowhere and hammered her against the wall like a fly hitting a speeding carriage. All around the church, the remaining enthralled people began to awaken, and then, finally, came the last of the five: a lean, raven-haired woman of middle age who Ingrid and Marco would recognize. Unhurried, she strode inside, raising a kerchief to her nose. "Mother!" called the huge one who was pressing Xiuyang into the wall with irresistible kinetic pressure. "What do we do with [i]this[/i]?" Mother Madrona's robes fluttered as she strode through the rubble and wreckage, her face unreadable as she surveyed the wreckage. It was a thin line that stood between good people and the bad ones who would do them harm, and that line was often made up of people who, themselves, fell in between. "She will demonstrate that she is not a demon and can control herself, or you will destroy her."  It was just then that Roslyn and Evander received a message from Marceline: [color=598527][/color] Whatever the two of them might've responded, however, was cut short by the vendemon Saivel. With uncanny speed, the decapitated monstrosity rose and her head reformed before their very eyes. It took perhaps a second, and she sprung with incredible speed, claws flashing out at Xiuyang.  For her trouble, the vendemon disintegrated into a shower of blood, and bone, and fell energy as the Mother Superior of the Black Rezaindian Order stalked forward. "[i]Our[/i] decision," Madrona advised, lowering the hand none but Ingrid had seen shoot out at preternatural speed and temperature. She came to a stop and regarded the pinned Xiuyang with calculating eyes. "And [i]hers.[/i]" [color=slateblue][i]*Demon? Me?*[/i][/color] Xiuyang paused as she heard Fritz von Mollern's words. She could finish off Berthold right now, so why wasn't she? Because he would have sacrificed the entire town to a demon, that's why. She did not feel a shred of empathy for the man, and somehow... She had forgotten, momentarily, that she had promised Roslyn not to kill him. She had forgotten, for a fleeting moment, the hunger. It had crept up and become hers. Briefly, she had lost control. There was an explosion. Clearly, the organ had been rigged to blow up, she thought. One final act of spite, either from Berthold or Liesl—it didn't matter, for the two were the same. The choice was taken from her hands before she could act. One moment, she was on the floor, reeling, acting to purge the last of the sacrificed blood from her body just to be safe when suddenly, she was brutally slammed against the wall. The blood splattered everywhere, but she survived. The damage to her body regenerated, quite unbidden, right in front of the Rezaindian Order. Xiuyang did not resist, seeming resigned to her fate from the moment the nuns entered the cathedral. The omniphage coils bristled, but they stood by on her willpower. [color=slateblue]"You hesitate?"[/color] she questioned. [color=slateblue]"Then, before you kill me, know that, whatever kind of monster you perceive me as, neither I nor my family had any part in its creation, except to freely receive the gift of Oraff. She crafted me for a peculiar purpose, and Eshiran sharpened me for the task. I played the role they gave me faithfully, knowing it would someday come to this. I've staked my life for my friends, and now I've staked my very soul for the world. I'll not beg for my life now, not when I can finally meet their embrace with confidence. To live is Oraff, to die is Eshiran. I bear you no ill will."[/color] But she did have regrets. [color=slateblue][i]*Ciro... I'm sorry. You weren't the only one who could catch me off guard, after all.*[/i][/color] She closed her eyes and braced herself once more, for the cold judgment of her fellow servants of the Pentad, and the condemnation of her allies and the people of Lindenholdt. It happened in Belleville and it would happen again. When Xiuyang was pinned, Roslyn froze for a moment. She barely felt Marci's pinched message while her eyes remained on the scene. The Black Rezaindian Order now held her friend's life in their hands. There was little time to answer and she couldn't leave her friend to her fate. Xiuyang wouldn't have it for her.  What could she say here? Yes, her friend looked like a demon from hell, but... it was still Xiuyang. Some gut instinct told her so and it had been more right than wrong.  Sending a quick prayer up to Eshiran for bravery, Roslyn abruptly spoke.  [color=#cbc66d]"Please, don't kill her!"[/color] Her voice echoed in defense of her best friend. She moved swiftly to try and stand between Mother Madrona and her friend. At least the best she could. Not an easy feat since she was exhausted and cold. [color=#cbc66d]"She wouldn't be the first person to make someone suffer for hurting her or her loved ones. I know I have wanted to. It's natural, but doesn't make you beyond redemption. Not every test is passed, but its lessons aren't always lost."[/color]  Though the woman frightened her, Roslyn refused to stand down. For a moment, despite her ragged appearance, the mousy girl she was earlier was nowhere to be found. [color=#cbc66d]"I don't know what's happened to my friend, but I know Xiuyang. She's tried to do her best by the gods, quoting them and living by their expectations. She made a mistake, but she's not a demon or a monster."[/color] Panic and chaos had sanked into her and despite the momentary direction given to her by Evander, Ingrid found herself at the mercy of the situation. Caught in the flow, unable to make any action on her own. She healed a dying mother not because she had the good spirit to do so, though she was not lacking. No, she did so because she saw the desperation from Roslyn Wicke to save as many people as she could despite being so meek. She merely assisted in her grand effort. Once more, she lacked the gumption to take action on her own, but possessed the insight to see, understand, and facilitate the plan of Xiuyang Solarie, a woman who would be lambasted later for her 'unique' physique. Ingrid had watched her take action multiple times, her life being the very shield that saved the townsfolk and her allies. All Ingrid could do was merely hold Berthold still as Xiuyang landed the devastating blow. Then to Fritz von Mollern, a man who had more capability than most, who broke free of control on his own, who looked at the demon who dared lay harm upon his people and struck at it without an ounce of hesitation. He had spent much to strike it on his own and now it came at him out of retaliation. Again, Ingrid merely assisted Fritz, building on top of his own defense with illusions to obfuscate his true form.  She had done nothing here, yet, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Nothing she did would be remembered and no glory could be given to her but she was content with her actions. She had stepped into the supporting role for others without realization and it felt wonderful.  So with playing the supporting role, watching from high up the entire time, she now sees just what laid in front of her. The church swoops in, defeats the tired demon and now holds one of the greatest among them to a wall, acting like she is the enemy after she had sacrificed so much. [hr] The Feskan pursed her lips at the display. [color=86608E][i]Gods, I hate this. The reason why I usually stay away from these things.[/i][/color] She stared at the sacrifices with disgust. It would be so easy to fling them away or to transport them all to the other side of the town in but a flick of her wrist. The surprise of Marceline's pinch hit her, not having expected any. Instead of pinching back, she whispered to her. [color=86608E]"I followed people going somewhere else. Not looking good here. I think -"[/color] Were the only words she could relay before a voice spoke in her head. [color=86608E]"For now, I am neither."[/color] In between two worlds. Those that desire their own future and those that clung to the status quo.  A sense of joy rolled over her. So many people wanted her dead, many salivated at the thought of holding her head. However, if it truly came to it... both sides needed her. They needed [i]us[/i]. [color=86608E]"And which us are you referring to if you could be so kind to enlighten me."[/color] [color=#FF4500]"Don't play coy, girl. I can feel Levidan at work in you,"[/color] came the reply. [color=#FF4500]"'Us' refers to those who wish to reform this world and bring about a new era. 'Us' refers to those who know that the Gods lie, that they hold back the bounty that could and [i]should[/i] truly fall to the people of Sipenta. 'Us' refers to those who bring another into this world, maligned by scripture but pure in purpose: one with the strength to challenge the cruel and corrupt beings known as Gods."[/color] The entrance to the mine yawned before Dory. Did she dare take a step inside? Yet, before she could, came Marceline's response. It was confused and played much the same way as the whisper in Dory's head. The tethered could sense that something unsavoury was going on in the mines, but her sister-in-law did not seem to be in any immediate danger. [color=598527][/color] it began. [color=598527][/color] [hr] The tethered was not, generally, an anxious person, but she had received nothing but silence. Five powerful new energies had arrived, destroyed the demon, killed another person, and attacked Xiuyang. Now, they and her friends bristled with energy. Her pulse thudded in her ears. They could've been cultists and the killing of a vendemon an essential part of the summoning ritual. Xiuyang was hurt and the others were cornered. They... could've been agents of the church, as well, though. Marceline [i]hated[/i] the church, and there was little leeway in that belief at this point. The existence of a group with the arrogance to claim they spoke for the Gods, who enforced their will upon others through brainwashing, coercion, and violence. It disgusted her, but she couldn't win against it - not yet, anyway.  So, there was no response. She had been ignored because she was far away and, being far away, was irrelevant. There was vital information that she needed to deliver. There were vital items, too. Most of all, however, Marceline needed to deliver [i]herself[/i]. [color=crimson][/color] came a message, and the girl froze. Seeking out its source, she found Sister Charity. [color=crimson][/color] the rezaindian promised. [color=crimson][/color] [color=598527][/color] Marceline replied. It was as she suspected, then. Something was going on in the mines. [color=598527][/color] [color=crimson][/color] came the response, even as those at Dom St. Adelheid stood among the scattered remains of eighty dead people and the vendemon Saivel. [color=crimson][/color] she advised.  [color=598527][/color] the junior tethered replied, finding an entry point into the cathedral. The weight of space and time began to settle upon her. [color=598527][/color] [color=crimson][/color] came Charity's advice. [color=crimson][/color] [color=598527][/color] the sixteen year old admitted, [color=598527][/color] With that, Marceline pulled and the portal opened. The very first load of things through was Marco's, and then Evander's. She heaved the next bag in. It was Roslyn's. Then, came Ingrid's. Xiuyang's and her own lay on her lap, and Marci brought them through, herself. [hr] [color=86608E]"You can feel him? That's new."[/color] Some part deep inside of her did feel good about another feeling his presence. If they could, could anyone else? [color=86608E]"I am close enough to this 'us' then it seems."[/color] Dory clicked her tongue. [color=86608E][i]Why do you have to have such people do your bidding? Working with them makes me feel we are not doing this for the good of everyone...[/i][/color] If only some of the better people could be convinced that the new world would be a boon to everyone, instead of just these selfishly focused men and women. Could it be... that the person she had been has eroded far enough that she could be compared to them? As she was about to enter the mine, she felt Marceline's pinches once more. [color=86608E]"There is a demon here, very strong. I think another ritual. I am fine, the people are still asleep and walking it seems. I will go investigate further."[/color] Dory trekked into the mine, whilst patting her feathered friend. [hr] Protests against the unfair treatment of Xiuyang Solari poured in from all corners, save that of Fritz von Mollern. His lips pressed together in a thin line and he said nothing: neither praise nor condemnation. Perhaps he knew what Mother Madrona would say. She was not a tall woman. She looked more across than down at Roslyn. She didn't need to say the words 'don't be stupid' to the children before her. They were implied by her mere presence. [color=A9A9A9]"If you are only concerned with your friend's actions,"[/color] she proclaimed, [color=A9A9A9]"then you are shortsighted."[/color] She came to a stop, inches from Roslyn, and there could be little doubt that she would brush the girl out of her way if there came a need to do so. [color=A9A9A9]"If you believe we are concerned only with her [i]form[/i], then you know little and less of the Holy Church and ought to spend less time studying it at your 'school' and more time attending."[/color] She peered through Roslyn, down at the near-prostrate form of Xiuyang. [color=A9A9A9]"You've been through some true horrors, child."[/color] She scowled. [color=A9A9A9]"But what I saw was not mere zeal for the destruction of evil."[/color] Her tone left no room for bargaining on that point. [color=A9A9A9]"It was an unholy hunger of your own."[/color] Suddenly, without any apparent movement, she was past Roslyn and the others, kneeling with her knee pressed to Xiuyang's chest. [color=A9A9A9]"The red-robed initiate, Laska, has said that you keep the gods well and truly and hold our morals, but the girl is fond of you."[/color] The Mother Superior's eyes narrowed. [color=A9A9A9]"I ask you to answer as a keeper of the Pentad: do you [i]truly[/i] control these things that are you but not [i]of[/i] you?"[/color] She blinked. [color=A9A9A9]"Are you a danger?"[/color] [color=dcdcdc]"There is no shame if you cannot give us the desired answer,"[/color] the nun with the eyepatch assured her. [color=dcdcdc]"You are a threat through no fault in your own soul and you may yet enter the kingdoms of heaven if found worthy of it."[/color] It was close to that moment that a portal opened near the church doors, its wavering visage presenting the lobby of the inn where the biros had been staying. Three large bags came sliding out, and then a fourth, laboriously. A tethered girl came through with the final two piled upon her lap. [color=598527]"We have better things to do than test each other's resolve,"[/color] she warned, [color=598527]"and we both know it. There is a second summoning at the mines and every one of us will be needed."[/color] Mother Madrona was not a soft woman, neither were her words soft—but they were, after a fashion, kind, much more so than Xiuyang had braced herself for. All that wound-up emotional energy found itself repurposed in tears, and she hung her head low—not in shame, but almost as if to lean on the woman for support—as much as one could dare to do so. [color=slateblue]"They obey me, when I am present in mind."[/color] Slowly, the omniphage coils slithered back into place around her body as if to prove the point. [color=slateblue]"For a moment, I was not, and their hunger became mine."[/color] Her voice lowered. [color=slateblue]"Herr Fritz von Mollern's words brought me back to my senses. If he hadn't—if [i]*no one*[/i] had said anything... I don't know."[/color] Her voice lowered again, now barely a whisper, words meant only for Mother Madrona. [color=slateblue]"I'm sorry. I lost control. I just... I saw a demon try to boil a child alive yesterday. I just hated him so much."[/color] She hung her head lower, and this time it [i]*was*[/i] shame. There was no sense in trying to lie to the Mother Superior. She couldn't, even if she regained her composure. She'd taken one glance at the girl and spoken the plain truth of her being as if she'd known the Revidian for years, the way the Zenos also tended to do. Up to this point, Marco had remained silent. It was not easy for him to speak out against his fellow Rezaindians. Did he agree with their assessment? Did Xiuyang deserve to be executed for her dangerous misuse of witchcraft, or was he merely respecting the chain of command? He never said as much out loud, so his motivation could only be speculated upon as he slowly walked towards Mother Madrona. The sound of his bare feet splashing across the blood soaked floor echoed throughout the remains of the cathedral. The Century stopped a respectful distance away from Mother Madrona, taking notice of the suspicion radiating from the nuns, who hovered behind their leader like a pack of revenants. Marco took no offense to their cold demeanors. The Black Rezaindians trusted no-one but themselves, not even their fellow servants of Eshiran. Marco bowed before his superior and made the sign of the Pentad. His eyes then laid upon Xiuyang, and he spoke to her. [color=7b6c64]”Hatred is a powerful emotion.”[/color] He began, betraying the fact that he had been eavesdropping on Madrona and her pitiful prisoner for his own reasons. [color=7b6c64]”It gives you strength, keeps you fighting past the point where a human should simply give up and die.”[/color] There was a long pause, and Marco’s gaze shifted between Madrona and Xiuyang, staring off somewhere into the distance. He remembered something when he said those words. [color=7b6c64]”But you’ve felt it haven’t you? How poisonous hatred is to the soul. When you give in to it, you close yourself off from the gods’ light. You slowly become unable to learn, to love, or to forgive.”[/color]  Marco looked Mother Madrona in the eyes and clutched at the hem of his shirt.  [color=7b6c64]”Mother, this girl has fallen from the path of righteousness, but we all believe that she can rise again. If you doubt the sincerity of her feelings, then there are many ways to test her resolve.”[/color] With a swift movement, Marco turned his back on the nuns and pulled up his tunic, revealing a mass of ugly scars. They were thick and gnarled, visibly too old to have come from the wounds he suffered at Lindenholdt. For a binder of his level, the young knight could only have left them there on purpose. [color=7b6c64]”You can give her penance. People’s true colors are always revealed at the brink of death. If her will is weak, she will let the demons consume her soul, and she will be killed by us.”[/color] [hr] [color=#FF4500]"When those who will save you are named demons and the most powerful body in the world decries them constantly, you will not have your pick of the best people,"[/color] replied the whispered voice, and Dory now knew it for that of Liesl Frickmayer.  [color=#FF4500]"When your saviours are locked behind the cruel restrictions of the Gods that force them to sacrifice living matter to know mortal life themselves, they will be called monsters by the people who support those Gods."[/color] It was food for thought as Lady Dorothea entered the mines and replied to Marceline, who answered back with a quick, [color=598527][/color] The entire complex trembled with an unholy power as the moonlight from outside faded. Instead, torches, in various states of expenditure, lined the walls. Some burned, some flickered, and some guttered. Ghostlike wisps of smoke curled from their orange-red tongues and hundreds of silhouettes gathered in the darkness. The smell of sulfur was impossible to miss, but that was not the eeriest part of it. No; that was the [i]chant[/i].  [color=000000]"Domine auctoritatis, Domine potentiae, voces nostras extollimus. Audi clamorem nostrum!"[/color] It was the thralls. They were singing. [color=000000]"Ecce, venit ad te, sacrificium voluntarium. Ecce, vitam suam tibi dat."[/color] Like a choir, they were singing, and their words echoed off of the walls of the vast abandoned mine complex. Accompanying it came a surge of unfathomable power, like nothing Dory had ever felt. This could be only [i]one[/i] being, bar Levidan himself. [color=000000]"Domine auctoritatis, Domine potentiae, voces nostras extollimus. Audi clamorem nostrum!"[/color] came the refrain. [color=000000]"Accipe hoc donum et renasce. Accipe hoc donum et nobis iunge. Una, mundum refabimur."[/color] She became so focused on it that she did not even notice Johann at her shoulder. [color=goldenrod]"So,"[/color] he prodded, suddenly present, [color=goldenrod]"which Gods do you think we should serve?"[/color] [hr] All at once, the head of the Black Rezaindian Order rose. She took a crisp step back and nodded, her four nuns fanning out. [color=A9A9A9]"I am satisfied that you are not a creature of evil,"[/color] she decided, [color=A9A9A9]"but I remain wary that this will continue to be true."[/color] Her eyes flashed Marco's way. [color=A9A9A9]"See that it does, Brother Terranova. I place this matter at your and Sister Laska's discretion."[/color] Marceline managed to heave Xiuyang's gear off of her lap. [color=598527]"I could complain that you didn't pack lightly but, given what we're facing,"[/color] the half-Torragonese allowed, [color=598527]"I am glad of it. We will need all of this and more."[/color] She shook her head and brought herself to bow it slightly in Mother Madrona's presence. [color=598527]"Mother Superior, there is a second summoning every bit as powerful as the first at the mines. It will take all of us to fight it off."[/color] The nun pursed her lips and shook her head tightly, as the other four formed up around her. [color=A9A9A9]"No,"[/color] she said simply. [color=A9A9A9]"I have been advised by Charity. This one is Iptacht and that one is the King of Hell, Yabuchadzan. You will stop the first, and us, the second. Both are imperative."[/color] [color=598527]"But there is nothing here except defeated enemies!"[/color] Marci protested. Mother Madrona only shook her head and spun on her heel as she summoned a gate through space and time. [color=A9A9A9]"A tethered should sense more keenly,"[/color] she scolded, stabilizing the gate. [color=A9A9A9]"He is already here, though you have weakened him."[/color] [color=yellow]"Now, we have to go save the world,"[/color] the smallish blonde nun piped up. [color=yellow]"If you could just do the same -"[/color] She was silenced with but a look from her superior. [color=A9A9A9]"You are strong enough,"[/color] spoke Madrona, wasting no further time. [color=A9A9A9]"Eshiran empower you."[/color] She stepped through.  [color=yellow]"Eshiran empower you."[/color] [color=dcdcdc]"Eshiran empower you."[/color] [color=hotpink]"Eshiran empower you."[/color] [color=slateblue]"Eshiran empower you."[/color][/hider][h2]Feathery Favors[/h2][hider=***] The six students: Evander, Ingrid, Marceline, Marco, Roslyn, and Xiuyang, plus Fritz von Mollern, his nephew Karl, and a handful of other stronger townsfolk now stood alone against the power of a grand demon. The question was... where [i]was[/i] he? Xiuyang's adrenaline spiked at Marco's words. She had no doubt in her mind that he believed and meant every word of what he said. Tortured to the brink of death... to suggest such a thing, right here, in front of all her friends—were they going to just... watch this happen? [i]*Could*[/i] she maintain her self will through such an ordeal? What if—Pentad forbid—she were to be captured by an enemy? How long, with a regenerating body, could she endure? She realized that the Mother Superior's words held an uncomfortable weight, then. How much pain could a human soul take before it rotted to the core? Her immediate fears proved to be unfounded, of course. They had no time to waste giving an ally, even a tenuous one, fifty lashes while a grand demon summoning circle glowed ominously behind them. [color=slateblue]"Eshiran empower you,"[/color] she replied meekly to the nuns, grateful to be spared the wrath of the muscled one that slammed her against the wall. In the wake of their departure, the girl looked a bit lost. She was so prepared to die that, now that she lived, she almost wasn't sure what to do. If Marci hadn't handed her her belongings, she might have collapsed to the floor and bathed in the cortisol for a hot minute. [color=slateblue]"Thanks, Marci. You're a lifesaver. I think I like you a bit more than the nuns,"[/color] she quipped, with a very, very nervous giggle. While awkwardly strapping her guns and medicine box to her hips, she took stock of the cathedral with her senses once more. [color=598527]"I think it's mutual,"[/color] the tethered girl chirped, her voice also carrying a certain nervousness. She shrugged awkwardly into her cloak and hat, pulled her gloves and stockings on, and slipped her boots over her feet. Her eyes flicked about with a growing apprehension. [color=598527][i]He's here but we don't see him.[/i][/color] she swallowed and took stock of Ingrid and Roslyn as well. Roslyn stiffened beneath Mother Madrona's gaze, even when they stood eye to eye. The power wafted off the nun and made their power differences clear. If the nun wanted to, she could easily smite her from this world without blinking an eye. That want to edge back into her shell grew in the back of her mind, yet she fought it.  Truthfully, it wasn't just her friend's actions that she defended. Roslyn believed in the good of her friend's soul and her strength. No, Xiuyang had every chance to hurt them and yet she didn't.  Roslyn held her tongue when she saw the nun seem to look past her to Xiuyang. She hadn't even blinked when the woman was suddenly behind her. Damn, she's fast, the girl thought. It was now that familiar twitch in her arm occurred and she resisted scratching it. Marci appeared shortly after giving Roslyn some relief from her anxiety.  She bristled at Marco and shot him a shock look. No way in the hells she was going to stand by and let the church torture her friend. Before she said anything, the Mother Superior made her judgement. That settled it and it turned out their task wasn't done. Great... she moaned inwardly.  At the blonde nun's jab, Roslyn ignored it and marched over to her things. Thankfully, the rest of the nuns held more respect and left them to deal with the weakened demon.  [i][color=#cbc66d]Eshiran empower you.[/color][/i] She thought quietly as she prepared for the coming fight.  She always struggled against those who put themselves at the mercy of others. It was not similar to what her old lover did in front of that young boy but it struck her the same. Last time she turned away, letting him be the designer of his fate and now she had tried to speak up for a friend she loved. The results weren't different either but she hoped that her heart was strong enough to treat it differently. Ingrid left Niallus last time, believing it was for his good because it was good for her. This time, she prayed she could stay, despite that task seeming so out of reach with the world dividing them in the coming days.  [color=8882be]"Eshiran empower you,"[/color] Ingrid replied graciously to the nuns. With them gone she first went over to Xiuyang, some small tears welling up in her eyes, [color=8882be]"Glad to see you alive."[/color] Words hung on her lips but she sealed them away for they had work to do She turned and wiped away whatever tears may have dared to fall. [color=8882be]"Thank you, Marci."[/color] she hugged the tethered girl with a touch of strength. [color=8882be]"Apologies if my shadow doesn't hold,"[/color] Ingrid said as she absorbed the light around her as she changed in the company of men. She coaxed her strange dress to something lighter as she equipped her 'battle dress' and all her other gear. [color=8882be]"The demon could be in the crypt, that's where Berthold had been desperate to stop us before."[/color] Ingrid proposed, properly setting her mind to task. # The Omens From the pulsing blackness ushered in by the Hell-bound ritual about to unravel itself came a vortex of both temporal and void magicks at the top of the damaged tabernacle. A maelstrom of red feathers spiraled out and assaulted those that had been lured and remained within the house of worship, although none of the downs even brushed a single onlooker. The brief introduction to not one but two relatively unremarkable entities overshadowed the unimpressive form they took. SQUAAAAAWWWWWKKKK!!! A parrot’s screech came with a wickedly radiant sheen that made it resemble a dying sun. The demonic avian that had landed upon one of the wrecked pews called for attention, while the other roosted opposite of it, staring at the humans with its beady bird eyes. “A grand chapter meets its end! Its end! Squawk!” the first, glowing bird announced. “A great foe awaits. A foe! A killer! The end!” the second, less remarkable one continued. “An accursed land! This is an accursed land!” “The Fire. The Summoning. The New World! SQUAWWWWWK!” Both canted their heads at the exact same time and glared right at Roslyn of all the troupe. “A precious boon is up for offer!” the glowing one nodded repeatedly. “A boon! For a precious! A precious!” the other one nibbled into its wing in self-grooming. “A precious you have little of. Nothing! Rien! Nada! SQUAWWWWK!”  Both narrowed their eyes as if they were smiling. “Poor. No true precious. But, YOU are precious. Squawk.” “A sacrifice,” “For an essential boon.” “A boon to overcome the greatest. Greatest! Calamity yet.” Manifested from the VOID itself was an unrolled parchment with a list of written lines. It hovered until seized by a brave soul. “Make.” “Your.” “Choice.” Ingrid looked at the birds and remembered them from her time against mallow. She looked at the parchment. She sighed and went to take the paper, [color=8882be]"If it helps us survive, I will take the assistance."[/color] Roslyn had just downed her mana shots, with aid from her friends, when something new happened. She stared at the pair of demonic looking birds that appeared and showered them with red feathers. Not a single one brushed her smock as they settled down in an eerie fashion. When their eyes locked onto her, she tensed and fought the urge to recoil into herself. Their words rattled her to the core, but an urge shimmered inside of her. A greedy need that made her want more. She stepped forward only for Xiuyang to stop her. Her eyes gave her friend a questioning glance. The birds silently watched. Their written word was going to do the messaging now, with Ingrid being the first to seize it. "**All of you**. All of you make your choice." SQUAWWWWWK! Ingrid read through all the options, pouring over them with some skill in law. It was obvious that there would be a cost to them, all Ingrid had to do was measure them up against each other and decide if any of them would hold a benefit to her. She didn't like the vague language of this but she feared what may happen if she refused a boon. [color=8882be]"I wish for a divine blessing so that I may protect my allies."[/color] It was time for her to also put herself on the line for this. Roslyn reflected on each one as Ingrid read it out loud before she considered her choice. Again, the greedstone stirred and she felt its pull. It weighed heavily in her pocket and she turned to Xiuyang while biting her lip. She gave the tendril a gentle reassuring squeeze. [color=#cbc66d]"Maybe, maybe not? How we can be sure?"[/color] "One thing is for certain. SQUAWWWWK!" "A baleful, BALEFUL! Storm is coming. Treacherous and furious!" [color=#cbc66d]"I'm going to take that risk. "[/color] She said then stepped away to select one. [color=#cbc66d]"I wish for your favour, to keep my allies and the world safe."[/color] "Favour!"  SQUAWWWWK! "FAVOUR! It is done! Make. Your. CHOICE!" [color=#cbc66d]"Another? "[/color] Roslyn blinked and then picked another. [color=#cbc66d]"I wish for greater skill. "[/color] Xiuyang, so absorbed was she in calculating her own risks, that she didn't notice Roslyn taking a deal until it was too late. She opened her mouth to protest, then shut it and braced herself to speak. [color=slateblue]"I wish for fortitude,"[/color] Xiuyang declared. Whatever curse would come to her 'precious,' she would bear it, if she could keep her humanity—and the day's events had proven well that it was on the line. [color=7b6c64]”If I have no choice but to choose, then I shall make a choice.”[/color] Marco took his turn with the paper and pointed to the very bottom of the parchment. [color=7b6c64]”I choose not to deal. I thank you for the offer, but I am already blessed beyond measure.”[/color] He released the parchment dismissively, watching with wonder as it seemed to hover in the air rather than fall to the floor.  Marco gave a side eye towards Xiuyang and appeared ready to say something else, but he kept it to himself and faded into the background.[/hider]