Act 2
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Prologue
Hours later,
Under earth depths below, in trenched where the sunlight dared not cast. An elaborate hallway of stone, inscribed with various runes decorated at either side. Collapsing bits slowly drifted, as dust and cracks revealed themselves from the ceiling, lanky gray pillars supported the large hallways tens of men wide. Yet, some had fell decayed and suffering gouges and leg deep slashes en-bedded; fragments of destruction and battle was clear despite the absence of blood. Light descended overhead, the illumination of ragged crystals glowing deep vermilion, lighting up the hallway albeit barely as shadows leeched from every corner. Tempting darkness at any notice to consume the feeble light.
Echoing footsteps swayed the oppressive silence, better or worse like thunder bells of an approaching storm. With no falter a shifting figure slowly walked, this underground tomb one of many within his reign. From the maze-like tunnels Ceron emerged as shadows seeped back behind, into abyss. The air was frigid, as Ceron tightened his gaze in a long pause behind himself staring towards the direction of whence he came.
Ceron drew out a deep sigh, turning to the lining of his coat. Taking in hand a golden bottle brimming with reddish liquid, swiftly downed the concoction. He immediately stiffened his posture bearing more refinement, filled with vigor. Repositioning his attire Ceron took once more to the surroundings, seemingly searching for something, tearing and lifting up fallen debris. Overturning a gaudy stone pillar effortlessly, tossing it to the hallway's side in a loud crash. Ceron finally stopped at the sight.
Burn marks, cut off tree limbs had been severed here what had been- Was unmistakably now gone. Ceron sneered his body shimmering a slight azure, looking up from the rubble. Peering into the abyss from obscurity a presence dwelled, long since knowing Ceron grew more alert his eyes flared with intensity.
..
"Had I known..." Ceron called out to the void of darkness, focused in by lingering shadows, on guard as if abyss itself was to devour him. In a short breath' as almost awakened by provocation. The blackness withdrew itself, originating down the hall in a synchronized rhythm of blinding light-- The cobbled walls vibrated in reddish hue bubbling to orange as the lining runes burst, a torrent of energy rushed tearing towards Ceron. A beam of energy, all in its path was uprooted floor tiles were thrown and vaporized as a trail of fire was left in its wake. With a wave of his wrist a transparent force field manifested itself around Ceron moments before impact.
By a loud bang, constant thudding it hit. The energy rippled Ceron's force field flashing with each impact causing the surrounding floor to crumble and giveaway as Ceron was pushed downward. The torrent curved past as the energy lessened, from outside the protected ring the ground laid carbonized, swaths of steam drifted off Ceron's magical field. A lone figure, a man. Walked into view dressed in clad orichalcum armor, it's amber shine slightly illuminated the hallway. Short ebony hair hung out of their helmet, obscuring all but a cross-slit, staring back with golden irises.
"Save your breath for the afterlife. Ceron." The man abruptly spoke, laying a hand on the hilt of his sword. "...If I'd known you were so lonely. I would've laid out the welcome mat." Ceron mockingly said, as if amused. His expression quickly turned ashen, spotting a peculiar item at the Sarieth hip. "Thought you'd never come back." Ceron said dashing his gaze back upon the man awaiting response.
The awkward stillness broke, Sarieth shot fourth, moving over a dozen meters in a blink striking towards Ceron. Sarieth's blade cut through shattering multiple barriers in glass like shards, stepping backward Ceron dodged muttering incantations- Black roots erupted around cracking the floor and walls as the tendrils filled the hallway coiling towards Sarieth, as he stood claymore in one hand, a strange book in another... A blinding glow radiated from it, a sphere of golden light washed over the approaching roots petrifying them.
Ceron staggered, as the roots now became but coiled stone; the spell back-lashed, blood ran down his right eye... As Ceron wiped the blood, the tendrils crumbled followed by the sounds of footsteps. From behind Sarieth two more silhouettes came, a short haired girl in white robes holding a staff bigger than herself. The other outfitted in half-plated armor holding a strange metal pipe, saw blades connected by tubes to their back. "It was about time, Almon." Sarieth addressed the newly arrived group, shifting to the figure with the saw.
"We're here aren't we." Almon huffed, twirling a circular saw in his hand... "By the plan and you'll see this through." Sarieth tossed the book to the little girl. Which she weakly nodded. Tsk. Ceron almost bit his tongue witnessing the spectacle unfold, snapped his fingers lying runes flickered, walls began to move. Trembling the corridor began to shift, the still confines came alive as runic energy coursed by design, to crush and flatten.
..
Almon matched Sarieth's gaze, as he nodded. Walls infused with magic, by their nature no more than puppets of their master. Long as one destroyed what powered them, the runic relays there was nothing to fear. More so with proper preparation, and the right materials. Almon strutted forward grabbing long metal pikes from a bag on his back, attaching them to the barrel he held. Not everyone would stand and just watch as their enemy prepares, only fools do. Ceron wasn't one of them, in a step Sarieth stood before Almon a rush of blue energy had been redirected along his blade's side; tilting back from the impact it curved to Sarieth's right shooting up to the ceiling, shaking the area with an extensive crack.
Sarieth tightened his posture, noting the scorch across his blade in a simple graze. 'If I had taken that blast full on...' Even in his condition-- All while happening in mere blinks Sarieth dashed toward Ceron. Almon knew his intent, motioning to the girl. "Frey. Come, point me to the positions, the scryer spoke off or we all meet fate's end to mere stonework. Quickening her steps Frey closed her eyes as she arrived by Almon's side, as if reading the darkness, she moved flipping pages of the book. All before she stopped opening her eyes with a surge of golden energy permeating around herself; her marble hair slowly drifting upward, affected by the strange aura. She pointed to clusters of runic intersections, "There, there and ..Here." Frey lastly touched a piece of crystal on the wall with hesitation.
'A crystal node?' Almon painfully thought, hellfire' asshole, the amount required might just cause. The other relays first? -- Or just this one. By now the entire hallway had shrunk by a few feet, without destruction of the right one it would still keep due... "Hell, girl stand back. I shall start on the tough bastard." Almon fired, a spike shot outward striking deep, parallel to the relay in the wall. A thin cord hung from the spike's base tied to Almon's waist, detaching the small object Almon rushed backward behind a pillar with Frey in tow' then pulled a cap. The box he held sparked, next the cord sizzling, just as it reached the spike Almon covered his ears, Frey motioned the same.
A loud bang rang out, a plume of smoke rose as debris splattered by, Almon immediately moved towards the blast site. "Shit." Almon uttered as the walls kept their pose, thirty of meter wide had now reduced to more of ten to fifteen, the blast had naught- Taunting the crystal hadn't put a scratch' it was most definitely reinforced with dense magic. Frey walked up wide-eyed staring towards Almon... As he begun to laugh.
Sarieth turned, after the blast nothing happened. "If they can't do it. I'll have to stop the caster directly. ".. Sarieth jumped backward, narrowly dodged a blue flame. And another, twisting mid jump as heat rose from his back- 'They aren't linear projectiles!' From his peripheral Sarieth eyes shrunk, he rolled as flame consumed his shoulder. Pulling off his cloak the flame had already burned through melting lines in his armor, skin was visible. Any less and he'd have been one arm short...
By time Sarieth finished, Ceron was kneeling, his hands stuck to the floor. Low chanting, vines came outward from under Ceron's sleeves. He twitched recoiling from the ground distraught, cursing his eyes locked with Sarieth, his hands then to Frey. "Wretched, intrusion, wretched souls." Ceron uttered cursing a spell as he did so, a vortex bubbled as air itself distorted, appeared from Ceron's palm. Frey too kneeled, as she held the deathly stare kin to entranced by Ceron's dangerous intent.
Sarieth heart-sunk, he rushed to move- He had to stop Ceron. If Frey were to succumb to mind suggestion, one could be seduced to take their own life. Just tens of feet felt ocean wide 'I'm not going to make it.' Sarieth internally yelled; cut short rumbling shook their footing. In the next instant the world turned white. A torrent of fire coursed the hallway, deafening all in its path as it swept Sarieth, Ceron-- Pilling stones and pillars fell fourth descending with collapsed sections burying any and all.
...
From destruction's wake, Sarieth woke. Dripping drew from the daze, followed in tune by haggard coughs. Sarieth wobbled from the ground miraculously untouched by fallen stone. While immediate vision remained obscured, the sounds Sarieth heard wasn't from behind. But in front, where Ceron lay. Sarieth's anticipation boiled readying himself while the clouds of dust settled... Upon where Ceron stood, a pool of blood accumulated, flowing in lining cracks along the flooring. A ragged shard of stone had pierced, kin to a pole and arm thick, it had tore a side of Ceron's lower chest poking out the back.
Deep chills ran down Sarieth's back, unable to move, conflicting emotions stirred as he blankly watched. Ceron again, coughed up blood, wiping it off with the back of his hand' followed by a low huff, deep sigh escaping him. In the still-air, Ceron's piercing glare struck. His eyes matched Sarieth.
..
The hallway trembled. The ground shook beneath Sarieth's feet, breaking his sight. Tremors soon rose from behind, the collapsed rubble surged. Bursts of stone in white plumes, an explosion followed quickly by the sounds of running; a tang, flash of metal whizzed striking Ceron in a barrage. Almon came out from the blast's wake, Frey shortly as they hurried to Sarieth's side. Sarieth fully took notice of the surrounding rubble, one packless Almon. The walls had indeed stopped. "Crazy dwarf, your subtlety needs practice."
Almon cracked a grin, "Hmph. Was a tough one, to crack." His tone darkened, "Alright now, are you? ".. Sarieth had no response, tightening his grip. Ceron had hunched behind his cloak, like a porcupine metal stakes layered its outer rim- Ceron held out a twisted saw, kept inches away from his face. A odd sheen, grooves were on the otherwise ordinary looking metal, with a peculiar substance coating the edges. Ceron in no doubt knew, it was just what any so, righteous men would resort too. Ceron crackled, "By any means, one has to carry out heavens will."
"You Cur bought this upon yourselves. Lest you forget." Ceron's voice groaned as he spoke, pulling out pieces of metal from his legs, back. The sound of clanking, falling metal only present amidst stillness.
"Ignorance my feed, my beck and call, bestow upon thee afterlife's pleasure. Immaterial, you sow the seeds for my resurrection."
...
..
Sarieth glanced at Almon, to Frey and they all understood. It was just as the teller foretold. The prophecy held true, Sarieth felt some of the burden lift at the reassurance of Ceron's blood paving the floor. His power truly is diminished, the lengthy skirmishes thousands dead. Demonic roots sealed away, it was a terrific tide. All taking part in Ceron's weakening and stamina depleting.
Still the deed, needed done. Nothing was surer than that, then this all would be over.
Sarieth, Almon walked in unison a bright sheen radiated from Sarieth's blade; Almon took to his weapon stuffing it with metal spikes. Ceron smirked as the duo approached, though his expression was cut short. Sarieth struck, a blast of energy left his blade, in tune so did Almon fire. Less than a second, it reached as Ceron's form became engulfed. From shoulder to waist the diagonal beam split, followed soon after by numerous spikes.
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Frey sweat-dropped, seemingly anxious at the scene before her. The hallway became frigid as she looked on, then it turned, the page of her book had turned! She soon felt it. "It- Its. A trap! Run!" Frey stammered in the scream, a lump immediately forming at the back of her throat. This wasn't in the visions. 'On the precipice of defeat, one will bear teeth and nail at whatever the cost.' The scryer's words bellowed in her mind. In the next moment, Ceron's body bulged mere feet from Sarieth caught by surprise. Flesh had instantly turned like tendrils, unexpectedly curved midway, away and towards Almon's figure. The dwarf shrunk back, startled at the movement-- Almon misfired, thick roots descended where he stood intending to skewer him.
Almon tensed, dripping fell down hitting his face and side, the ever so unmistakable patter of blood. Tinge of iron swelled in Almon's nose as he opened his eyes, an arm was gone. Savagely torn it laid at his feet, Sarieth was before him. The tendril made quick work of his left side, till it too was cut down. In a thump the tendril splattered and fell, Sarieth stumbled backward falling to a knee. "You.. o-owe me dwarf." Sarieth painstakingly spoke. Almon quickly poured a potion on Sarieth's wound, flesh formed over, as blood stopped. Almon drove for another, before Sarieth took his hand, "No, Frey must summon-' The ground moved, as Ceron's supposed figure, dissipated.
"Ceron's on the run. Erect it now!" Almon shouted, Frey quickly gathered energy her wooden staff became brighter, muttering Frey stood eye's closed shortly she stopped and struck the ground. A wave of white light followed, quickening towards the hallway's end. Frey heaved in deep breaths, "It's. Done.." Smog seeped from the walls, as if by retaliation. The surroundings turned dark, Almon cursed. "Is Ceron inside?" Sarieth said, turning towards Frey. "I- Can sense the presence, but, there's something else."
Sarieth huffed, what more traps or ploy could one cornered have? The barrier only extended a few hundred meters, "The bastard is no doubt limping." Almon motioned to the smog, "We have to chase him!" Sarieth shook his head, "No... No telling what lies inside or beyond the darkness." From his waist Sarieth pulled
out a stone talisman. Inlaid etching adorned nearly every crevice, a visible depiction of wings and three-headed snake like creature. Moments later, the artistic perfection was cracked, Sarieth tightened his palm. Erupting, a vortex of twisting space fell in-front of Sarieth, from a bead to ball and size of a door in an oval shape. Darkish blue, the summoning portal quickly formed; a shadowy figure arose from the obscurity, bracing the portal's horizon.
it's form extended-- Frey remained stunned at the scene; it grew bigger in each passing moment. As if unable to keep it caged, the portal trembled. It burst outward, a crow-like skull, and serpentine figure. Six winged, the creature flew in odd twists almost like it was a fish in the air. Arms wide, it's length could wrap numerous times around Sarieth's body as it jerked his way meeting eye level. Sarieth's lips twitched, as his mental commands reached the summon, it immediately cocked its head to the smog.
An indiscernible expression fell on Frey, under her hair as she watched the summon rear its head.
'What vermin' she breathlessly uttered.
...
A intensity rose, as Sarieth watched on, something stirred within the smog. Bluish, forms came just outside view, glowing eyes- Seething, gnashing of teeth and snarls accompanied them, curling howls. Negative energy permeated the smog, some type of ghoulish creatures resided within, Sarieth surmised before turning to his summon. "Go, clear a path." The serpentine creature jerked; a long pause rested upon Sarieth as if conveying something. In response to Sarieth's emotionless figure, the summon apparently grumbled.
The summon spurred, as it whipped into the smog. Numerous howls were quelled, turbulent energies lashed out, breaths of blue fire drenched various forms. Roasting, the hide off of the ghoul-like hounds. Screeching the hounds desperately rolled as intense heat consumed them. lindwyrms, dark natured abominations borne off concentrated vanity and desire from high-grade wyrms unwillingness to die. Frey remained conflicted an undead summon, undead! Its appearance was utter fallacy; 'Was... This what it has come to? Abandoning the very foundations of what we are?'
The forming of tendons, bone was visible, in seconds Sarieth's arm had regrown. Sarieth threw an empty vial to the side, beasts emerged. Twisted heads like a screw, split in three razors of teeth-- It was a pack of some abominations, hound and something else. The distinct paws, tail and body confirmed as such, few more limped outward regardless of the lindwyrm's fury behind them. The beasts driven by instinct; much was clear as Sarieth stared down their vicious intent.
Attack, tear, maim. Whatever the order Sarieth couldn't care, all that mattered was to end them.
The abominations moved, the largest dove forward its head opened-- It's jaw and head were one, almost like that of a blooming flower armed in razor teeth. A pack of five more came, invigorated by their leader. The abominations lunged, yet never saw anything more; the moment their charge started it was already over, the largest hound let out a horrid squeal, unable to move it hovered in the air. Or more precisely was severed, a vicious blade like tail had run through it perfect. Like sliced bread. In a dull plop its flesh went limp at the sides, the lindwyrm slowly retracted from the smog.
Sarieth sneered at the passing corpses, walked into the unknown before him. Worldly things like smog wouldn't obscure Sarieth's senses, the obscurity yet bathed in dense dark elementium. Unable to pierce the veil Sarieth's sensory range drastically shrunk to only ten meters in front off himself. For beings at his caliber who could rush that distance in a blink was unbelievably dangerous, Sarieth wouldn't dare such an insult to his intelligence walking without something to protect his back, while maybe dependable as himself the lindwyrm was still a high-grade creature. Possessing a deeper sensitivity to dark attributes than Sarieth his own, at any fluctuation beyond his gaze it would know.
In tandem the group rushed forward with the summon at the helm, a halo of golden aura surrounded them, Frey behind Sarieth, kept a constant chant keeping the insidious smog at bay. The decay of death, plague viruses were the least of a mountain of worries at inhaling trace amounts of such dense smog. Ceron, a powerful rune crafter, specializing in souls and death magic, it wasn't a stretch more was certainty. Such an individual whose might could threaten the foundation of continents was not to be taken lightly. It was widely known of the fearsome knowledge and prowess he held, it was said one drop of blood lead to the downfall of countless lineage, their descendants and blood relatives to be cursed. All meeting fate in agonizing deaths by wicked means. Mighty constructs toppled one head, and another more-
Powers surpassing the mortal limit, for nearly a hundred years these exploits, and countless others were spread.
...
Tearing in half an abomination's torso was ripped and gutted, the lindwyrm roared bracing the smog's obscurity. The floor shifted beneath feet, as metal twirled behind walls. Rows of spikes shot outward from unseen angles, Frey's force field trembled under each volley, a feat not so easily achieved by normal means. Soon enough its clutches left them, the smog parted- Laying the scenery for all to see, hallways embrace had gone. It had opened up, narrow passages were past, wide an oval like room. Tall pillars sung, unknown depths above the ceiling unseen by both height and shadow. Stone statues, coffins littered the ground at every path cracked visages of ghouls, angels; tiny light bugs drifted between them, sprouting spots of green and yellow.
Sarieth tightened his gaze, scanning the surroundings as he walked outward. Behind him, Frey quickly followed her staff first to part the air. Settling her breathing she turned to the silence. Her gaze lingered on the smog, where was he? ... Sarieth sighed at the sight, damned it all. "Ryon, find the dwarf." The summon cocked its head, nodding-- Tumbling out in coughs, Almon exited the smog. "Hold your worries..."
"What kept you?" Sarieth spoke lowering his voice, was it truly the dwarf? "Mph, you forget?" Almon muttered, gesturing to his legs as he coughed. "..I'm short." Sarieth cleared his throat, Ah.. "Frey." Frey ended her chant, as Sarieth called. She pointed her staff forward, "There, hiding behind-- "Blood. I can taste it from here." Guttural, Ryon startled Frey, mere breaths away from her neck. It snickered, "Small. Girl. Fear not, your flesh isn't enough to satis-sfy me." Sarieth pushed past, standing next to the girl and the summon. "You will support me with Almon, when chance arises activate the seal."
..
Behind the third and two to the left, even without Frey's divination Ryon would snuff out the stench. Fanning outward Sarieth took to the right, the light bugs fluttering by as he ran past. The sound of footfalls, the haunting flapping of wings weaved through the desolate silence. Sarieth channeled energy through his blade in moments afterward, shot fourth a golden beam. Slicing the pillar, next as plumes of stone burst outward- Cutting any and all behind it in an instant. Ryon coiled around the pillar the second of impact, fervently striking the smell of blood with wrath of pure magic fire. Intense blue flames licked from Ryon's maw, suffocated the air, disintegrating stone.
Flames singed Sarieth's brow, as he approached the sight of sizzling blood caught him. In half rubble, and fire laid about. Yet nothing more. Sarieth's face flushed white as forms flashed across his blade, from corners above a barrage of green bolts plummeted down. Sarieth dove forward, the spells rained and arced as they followed close behind. Sarieth turned as he rolled, erecting a magical barrier across his blade. In a lighting-fast motion Sarieth sliced the homing spells, bursting sparks at each strike.
The impacts shook, sending quakes down his blade, Sarieth drew a deep breath. Wincing at the pain enveloping his right shoulder and hand, past his armor the corrosive spell ate through it like butter. Scorching skin black. Ryon had already flew upward under Sarieth's command, chasing the spell's origin. The lindwyrm's ascension was accompanied with ear--wrenching roars, Sarieth mended his wound as the battle above intensified. Tens of meters overhead, jets of flame and numerous blasts happened at each breath. Darkness silhouetted their forms against the raining spells, and Sarieth saw him amidst it all.
..
Pity to be born without wings, Sarieth couldn't fly but one didn't need to tell him that. From the spells he could wield, certain mobility enhancements were not feasible. Still. Sarieth's expression thickened as he watched, hunching over to the back of a pillar. Sarieth's form blurred, the ground caved where he just stood; imploded as if a meteor had struck it. Sarieth jumped, bouncing off another pillar with a loud bang, towards the battlefield. Without hesitation Sarieth kept his stride, out into the open air. Like a stone, Sarieth fell into darkness- Quickly reaching, clutching a form beneath himself.
Ryon twirled to the side, narrowly avoiding a barrage of spell fire. Sarieth firmly saddled on his back, in the dark Sarieth faintly glowed, light within his eyes he cast fourth. Ryon was bruised, serrated cuts and black wounds lined the once fine scales. Ryon's eye sockets seemed dimmer, the summon had paid a heavy toll. As they hovered Sarieth murmured, he saw him, Ceron. His figure floating in front of them.
Wiggling. Coiling, long stalks of tendril like roots had sprouted behind Ceron's back. Into a web like formation of wings, thin fleshy strands grew between them. A dripping ooze was excreted much that Sarieth could make out, even with his endowed sight. The subtly was lost to him, but the horrific appendages weren't. Sarieth held his breath, the sight a little more than unpleasing. Ryon had already taken a beating, Sarieth couldn't help but admit the doubts pilling at the back of his mind. Strength was fleeting, the earlier damage to his arm wasn't so easily healed. Sarieth felt a burdensome curse brewing within.
Almon's daze only drifted for a moment, the ensuing battle no matter how shocking bore a cold reality. Almon steeled himself before pulling out a short barrel weapon, from one of his remaining waist pouches. Aiming high the dwarf pulled it's trigger, in a flash the rounded projectile shot upward.
At it's peak the projectile ignited, into a bright brilliance of orange. The darkness retreated under its effect, revealing the bare stonework and drooping stalagmites, more importantly the actors at play. Their silhouettes came form, visible now, under Almon and Frey's prying eyes. Almon instinctively gulped it was more than just flares of light, infused with certain light and holy attributes- Inside the domain, Almon could see the sizzling of flesh upon Ceron's otherworldly form. More like boiling, pieces of flesh curled and burst decomposing in the same vein.
By it, carried a wafting toxic smell.
..
Ceron writhed, convulsing in a horrid inhuman screech. The energies radiated from Almon's flare purified and devoured parts of Ceron's fleshy wings and body. In that agonizing moment Ceron furled a mass of tendrils extending from part of his hand, swiped at the flare plummeting it to the ground in seconds. The orange tinge came quickly as it went, yet heat rose. Doubly so a creeping sensation prickled Ceron's skin. Bluish flame tempted to engulf Ceron, Ryon's flame combined with some powerful magic. Ceron had no time to move.
Tormenting magic sliced the air, the waving energy distorted local space; ready to tear arm and body at moment's notice. Clash of energies sparked, erupting as it collided with Ceron blinding his form under it's potency. By Sarieth's command they circled behind, all while the spell kept Ceron rooted. Timing was of the essence, window of opportunity wouldn't last more than a few seconds at best. Ryon rapidly took to Ceron, infusing his sword Sarieth lowly chanted, sliding his hand across its blade causing numerous runes to come alive. Radiating deep golden, the fiery energy leaked to a fine point engulfing the claymore. Sarieth clenched his teeth, it wasn't a move easily dealt.
Sarieth's blade arced down, the powerful force impacted eating into Ceron's fleshy wings as he turned, however it wasn't stopped. Through and more, the tendrils were cut past, and currents of holy aura drenched with it. Ryon's force broke Ceron's magical barrier, the translucent blue film shattered like glass, rearing his neck Ryon bit down. Blood and viscous ooze tangled the surroundings, with twitching jerks Ryon held, gaping maw wide.