Walking down the corridor, four meters high and cut directly through solid stone, G's footsteps echoed crisply off the hard, gray walls. Each echo seemed to pierce the heavy silence that blanketed the corridor. As he passed the ancient surfaces, intricately etched with vivid and elaborate carvings, hammers crossed over sturdy anvils symbolizing creation, pickaxes plunged into veins of sparkling ore representing exploration, and ornate mugs overflowing with frothy ale depicting celebration, he felt a chill. The shadowy images almost appeared to move as if the stone itself resonated with the life once lived by its carvers. The corridor led him to another chamber. The sight before him was breathtaking. He stopped and stood there for a moment. The weight of history pressed down on his shoulders as he took it all in.
The impressive scale of the operation immediately struck G. Huge stone pillars supported the ceiling, and alcoves filled with tools, materials, and finished products, half destroyed now, lined the walls. The air was thick with the smell of burnt coal, and as G stood there, he could almost hear the clanging of hammers on anvils, resonating through the chamber like ghostly whispers of the past. Clearly, this once magnificent marvel had been the lifeblood of the city above.
The chamber, massive and circular, spanned a formidable forty meters across. Its walls, carved from the bedrock itself, were intricately etched with ancient runes and symbols of dwarven craftsmanship, narrating a history steeped in metalwork and magic. At the heart of this cavernous space, a dark and yawning mine shaft cut a twenty-meter-wide gash through the stone, plunging into the depths below. Suspended precariously over this abyss was a metal platform, extending seven meters outward. Supported by heavy iron bracing that gripped the mine shaft's walls below and chains descending from the distant ceiling, the platform hosted the master anvil and forge. Intricately crafted and adorned with runes of dwarven magic, the master anvil stood as a profound mystery that tugged at G's curiosity, stirring a feeling awe within him. This central stage of creation bore the scars of a grave calamity, its aftermath manifest in twisted metal and shattered stone that circled it.
Encircling the ominous shaft, eight smaller anvils and forges were spaced evenly around the room's perimeter. Each station, once a hub of relentless activity and ingenuity, now stood ruined and silent. The air was thick with the scent of decay and dust, which coated the forlorn tools and broken carts abandoned skirted the room. High above, vents carved into the stone allowed for the escape of smoke, though they had not felt the warm breath of a fire in ages.
The remnants of the tragedy had rendered much of the equipment unusable, emphasizing the forge's years of neglect. Shadows played across the room, hinting at the echo of hammers and the roar of bellows that once filled this space with life. Now, only the quiet whispers of the past lingered, as the forge awaited the return of those who might once again harness its ancient power.
Venturing deeper into the chamber, G encountered a haunting sight: a dwarf skeleton slumped in a chair beside a work table, its bony fingers still clutching a mug. The table before the dwarf was covered with papers and tools, including a tomb. All of it had gathered a thick layer of dust. As G approached the dust-laden tome and opened it, Tocai's voice provided the translation, revealing a tale steeped in tragedy and echoes of a once-thriving dwarven kingdom. The text spoke of a time when Mirbor's craftsmen, masters of their art, ventured too far in their pursuit of greatness. They had discovered Celestium, the metallic remains of a celestial being, buried deep within the dark pathways under the city. Dwarves who unearthed similar relic metals from the long-lost depths had crafted artifacts of incredible power. Artifacts forged from Celestium had etched their creators names into the annals of legends of the dwarven kingdoms, heralding a legacy of unrivaled craft and mystical prowess. Believing it to be a gift, they forged it into the Heart of the Forge, an anvil designed to withstand and channel unprecedented powers. However, the forging process awakened the malignant will embedded within the metal, unleashing a catastrophic explosion that shook the very foundation of Mirbor.
The narrative detailed how the explosion had not only shattered the anvil's Deepforge Nexus orb but had also released a terrifying entity formed from the malevolent spirit of Celestium and the lingering essence of the orb used in the forge. This void entity, a swirling vortex of dark energy, wrought havoc across the lower city, claiming lives and destroying the workshop that had been the city's heart. Amidst the chaos, a lone dwarf named Eldrin, wielding the ancient Shield of Barathrum given to them by their god Garphan, managed to confine the creature within a chamber, trapping it in a field of magical energy in a stone storage room near the forge.
Yet, the book revealed more than just the account of that disastrous day; it spoke of the aftermath that led to the city's decline. The evil emanating from the trapped entity permeated Mirbor, instilling a pervasive fear among the survivors. Despite Eldrin's heroism, the psychological scars ran deep in the people, and the constant dread of the entity's potential release compelled the dwarves to abandon their homes. The once bustling streets and lively forges of Mirbor fell silent, left to crumble as the remaining inhabitants fled to safer holds.
The dwarf seated beside the table, the one who had witnessed these events, had lost everything to the calamity; his family, love, and purpose. The loss of his wife and children not only left him a hollow shell of his former self but also cast a shadow over his remaining years. Their memories haunted him, a constant reminder of what could have been, driving him to remain behind as a solitary guardian amidst the ruins. This a sentinel who lived out his days in sorrow, surrounded by the remnants of a once vibrant city, his story a poignant testimony to Mirbor's glorious past and tragic downfall.
This same dwarf, determined to prevent further disasters, had also crafted the Sphinx that guarded the entrance to the chamber where the void entity was trapped. Using his unparalleled skills in metalworking and enchanting, he designed the Sphinx to serve as the first of two seals on the door, imbuing it with runes and enchantments to detect and deter any who might try to break the seals. The door itself, a marvel of dwarven craftsmanship, stood as a testament to his dedication and ingenuity, a final safeguard to hold the creature at bay, ensuring that the horrors of the past would not be easily unleashed upon future generations.
As G turned the final page of the tome, Tocai's translation echoed softly, uncovering the last written words of the solitary dwarf who had endured the catastrophe and its aftermath. The script was shaky, the ink faded, but the message was clear and foreboding:
"Let this record stand not only as a chronicle of our downfall but as a solemn warning to any who tread these haunted halls in times to come. Deep within the chambers sealed by the Sphinx, shield, and door lies the entity we named Aevum Malum. Born from the unholy union of celestial bone and void magic, its power is unlike anything wrought by hands of flesh and stone. We who survived its wrath have paid dearly, with our joys, our peace, and the laughter of our children. So heed these words: Seek not to awaken Aevum Malum. Let it slumber, encased in its prison of time and stone, for its awakening would herald an age of sorrow and shadow from which there may be no refuge. Guard this knowledge well, and let the fear of what lies beneath steer thee away from folly. May this warning endure as long as the stone that binds it."
G closed the book with a heavy heart and gently placed it on the table, offering a nod of respect to the dwarf's skeleton seated in the nearby chair. "May your spirit find peace, sir," he whispered before turning his attention to the anvil. A broken cart blocked his path, but he pushed it aside; the sound of its creaking rusty metal wheels echoed in the chamber.
As G studied the master forge, he noticed its distinct lack of a furnace, a stark contrast to the other smaller forges in the chamber, which all had spaces for coal and bellows. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, imagining the heat of flames, the sizzle of metal, and the weight of a hammer in his hand. Opening his eyes, he felt almost as if he could sense the vibrations of a hammer striking metal, there was still magic here.
Upon the anvil, G observed a broken sphere resting. It resembled an egg that had been cracked open, with the larger portion still intact but surrounded by numerous small fragments. The metallic sheen of the pieces gleamed in the dim light of the chamber, the coolness of the artifact emanating into the surrounding air. He felt drawn to it as though it beckoned him. Tocai's voice broke through his thoughts, "That's it, G. It's what I need!"
Reaching out to touch one of the smaller fragments, G noticed its smooth surface and sharp edges. The faint smell of metal filled his nostrils, and the echoes of his own breath bounced off the walls. He could almost taste the metallic tang in the air, mingled with a hint of something else, something elusive and ancient.
He shook his head, trying to focus, and used his identify skill on the broken sphere. The intricate patterns etched into the metal seemed to dance before his eyes, and he could almost hear the hum of lingering magic. A shiver ran down G's spine as he realized the immense power this artifact had once held, its legacy now fractured and destroyed.
Elemental Storm fragment
The magical sphere that once powered the great forge of the dwarves was a thing of eerie beauty. It was known as the Elemental Storm orb, and its twisted and gnarled shape suggested that it had been formed by magic far darker than any dwarf was capable of. The sphere was made of a black, metallic material, which gleamed with an oily sheen in the dim light of the forge. The surface of the sphere was covered with strange, intricate filigree patterns that seemed to shift and writhe like living things when viewed from different angles.
The Elemental Storm orb had once pulsed with a steady, ominous energy that had powered the entire forge. However, the sphere had exploded with such force that it had shattered into countless pieces, which now lay scattered across the table. The fragments were jagged and sharp and seemed to radiate an aura of malevolent energy. The dwarven runes etched into the surface of the fragments seemed to writhe and pulse with a life of their own as though trying to escape the confines of the shattered sphere.
The Elemental Storm orb was clearly not an ordinary artifact, and it had been responsible for the downfall of the once-great dwarven city. G searched the area but didn't find any sign of the Celestium metal the dwarf's book had described. Was the anvil the last of the metal? The orb sitting on top of the anvil had clearly cracked open, releasing a great deal of magic. This was the Deepforge Nexus orb mentioned in the journal? G could see the indention in the center of the table where the orb had once sat. It reminded him of the receptacle for the cube that opened the entrance.
"I think all the magic is gone here, buddy, and it's broken all over," said G.
"I need it to be empty of magic. It needs to contain me. That is what Dr. Reamus had said. You need to put it back together," said Tocai with a matter-of-fact finality to his voice. "We do not have time to go and hope for something better somewhere else." Tocai's voice filled G's mind for a moment, "This can do it, and it is here."
G blinked, his friend and familiar had never yelled like this before. He could feel the strain in their connection. He sighed, looked at the hundreds of shattered tiny pieces of the Elemental Storm orb, and felt overwhelmed. He examined the item with his magic sight but found nothing. He pulled out the lens and looked at the item through its magic. He could see trace routes where the magic had once run through it, similar to the cube outside, but a thousand times more complicated. Even with the lens, the paths for the magic were tiny and everywhere across the shard's surfaces.
G stared at the shattered pieces of the Elemental Storm Orb, feeling a mixture of awe and trepidation. This was by far the most complex thing he had ever attempted, and he wasn't even sure where to begin. The task before him was daunting, a puzzle of arcane complexity laid out in fragments that held secrets he could barely grasp.
He had no guidebooks, only a rough idea gleaned from a much simpler and smaller magical item. Determined, he stopped and methodically pulled out every magical item he had stored in his inventory space, examining each through the lens of his experience. The array before him was daunting; each item, from the small magical knife to the mace he had crafted, was unique in its enchantment.
It was going to be a challenging task, as each artifact held its own mysteries. The necromancer's items, dark and malevolent, were quickly set aside and returned to his inventory, their evil aura too potent to meddle with now. He then turned his attention to his mace, spending a great deal of time examining it. For an hour, he rotated it in his hands, mapping and understanding all the magic etched into its surface and the intricate patterns woven into its form.
Finally, he set the mace aside and turned back to the fragmented orb. With a sigh, he put away the lens and took a drink of water, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the anvil's cold surface. He lingered a moment in thought, then, with no clear solution presenting itself, he reluctantly pulled the lens out once more, peering through it at the scattered pieces. A renewed sense of determination filled him as he prepared to delve once again into the arcane mysteries that lay scattered before him, the ring on his finger pulsed, and he was certain he could do it.
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G took a deep, steadying breath, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the first large piece of the Elemental Storm Orb. Holding it carefully, he felt a connection, almost as if the orb's fragmented heart was syncing with his own. There was a faint but unmistakable pulse of magic that seemed to beat in tandem with his increasing anxiety and hope. It wasn't just about repairing an artifact but providing a sanctuary for Tocai, his companion and friend, who would die if he couldn't do this.
With a surge of determination fueled by his desire to protect and save those he cared about, G picked up another piece. He carefully aligned it near the first, his fingers moving with precision, guided by his emotions. Each shard felt like a piece of the chaos that he so often felt within himself, jagged and uneven. He rotated the fragment, feeling frustration mounting with every unsuccessful attempt, until finally, it clicked into place. The fit wasn't perfect, much like his own understanding of his Wild Magic Artificer power, but it was right.
Just as he was about to fit another, a surge of wild magic unexpectedly coursed through him, startling in its intensity. It felt like a bolt of lightning, igniting a crackling blue energy that raced through his veins, overwhelming his senses. G gasped, the raw power momentarily overtaking his control, causing the pieces he had just assembled to scatter. The larger fragment broke in two under the force of the unleashed energy.
Staring down at the chaos he had inadvertently caused, G's heart sank. The setback was a stark reminder of the volatile nature of his magic, unpredictable and wild, yet intrinsically tied to his deepest emotions. He decided right there he wasn't giving up, with a renewed sense of purpose, he realized that his ability to harness this power didn't just stem from technical skill or knowledge; it came from a deep, emotional desire to protect, to make, to save.
Collecting himself, G picked two pieces. This time, he acknowledged the emotional fuel behind his magic, embracing it as he prepared to try again. He understood now more than ever that his success depended not only on his careful hand but also on the intensity of his feelings—his undying will to secure a future for Tocai. He was not just reassembling pieces of an ancient artifact; he was fighting to keep his promise, to build a safe haven out of the remnants of chaos.
For the next several hours, G worked tirelessly, each attempt to align the jagged, uneven shards of the Elemental Storm Orb growing more determined than the last. The timer ticked down relentlessly, underscoring the urgency of his task. Less than two hours remained, with a hundred pieces scattered before him.
Tocai, who had been silent throughout G's efforts, finally spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a weight that pulled G's focus back to the gravity of their situation. "Do you remember how you drew the two pieces of the cube together? Try that, but only charge the larger piece. Concentrate on keeping that one empowered and work the magic to attract the other pieces."
G nodded, encouraged by Tocai's advice, and channeled a surge of mana into the largest fragment. The lines of its enchantment lit up like veins of gold under a miner's lamp, pulsing with a life of their own. As he infused more mana, the smaller pieces on the forge began to tremble, drawn by the burgeoning power of their keystone.
G's mana reserves dwindled rapidly, yet he pressed on, driven by a desperate need to succeed. As he was on the brink of exhaustion, there was just the tiniest sliver of blue in his mana bar. Something remarkable happened then from Tocai, a stream of vibrant mana flowed, a visible aura of energy that spiraled out and then back toward G. It entered him like a whirlwind, invigorating and empowering him beyond his natural limits.
This newfound mana coursed through G's veins and into the orb, igniting it with a spectacular glow. There was a resonant 'tink' sound, then another, as the pieces began to leap towards the core fragment. They moved not just with mechanical attraction but with a harmony that suggested a deeper, almost wild magic at work. The shards flew across the table, each finding its place with a perfect click, sealed by the glowing bonds of Tocai's gifted mana. G saw one piece come flitting from across the room, and several hovered up from the darkness of the mine shaft below.
The scene was a symphony of light and energy, with tiny fragments swirling and snapping into place, driven by the combined will and magic of two determined souls. As the last pieces settled, the orb's restoration neared completion, its once-dim sheen now a radiant beacon in the gloomy chamber.
Exhausted but exhilarated, G watched as the last few seconds of the quest timer slipped away. The assembled orb before him was no longer a symbol of destruction and malevolence but one of hope, a visual representation of the power of friendship and unwavering resolve.
G worked to keep his concentration against the nausea as his mana bottomed out. He fought to maintain his focus, the strain evident in his clenched jaw and narrowed eyes. He could feel Tocai's presence intensify in his mind, a comforting yet powerful force pushing him beyond his physical limits. Then, without warning, a sharp spike of pain shot through his consciousness as Tocai's voice echoed in his mind, a primal scream of effort and urgency that resonated deep within.
The room spun, the lights blurred into streaks of color, and the ground seemed to sway under G's feet. His knees buckled, and he surrendered to the exhaustion pulling him under.
G awoke to the rhythmic tapping of a cane on the cold stone floor, the sound echoing softly in the dimly lit chamber. He was groggy, his mind still spinning as he tried to suppress the nausea that clawed at his stomach. The cowl over his face felt suffocating as he pulled at it, gasping for air. The ceiling seemed to spin in circles, each turn threatening to bring everything he had eaten up. A familiar voice with a French accent cut through the haze as he lay disoriented.
"Ahh, good, you're awake. You have come far and succeeded at much, G," said Dr. Reamus, standing over him with a reassuring smile.
G's focus snapped back, the immediate concerns about his surroundings momentarily pushing his physical discomfort to the background. He sat up straight, his nausea temporarily forgotten, driven by a sudden surge of anxiety. "Where is Tocai?" he asked, his voice tense, almost a shout.
Dr. Reamus nodded towards the shadowy expanse of the mine shaft extending beyond the platform's edge, "I think he is down there."
"What?" G's mind raced with images of Tocai possibly hurt or in danger, his heart pounding in his chest, as he tried to stand up, "Is he okay?"
"Oh, he is okay, I think. Do not worry. Tocai is why I'm here," Dr. Reamus assured him. "You have managed to accomplish what very few have ever done. Out of the trillions of beings that have come and gone in the planes, only a handful have done what you have just accomplished. You should be proud of that." As Dr. Reamus spoke, G's nausea began to ebb, replaced by a mix of relief and lingering concern.
Dr. Reamus waved his hand at the mostly destroyed forge room, "Given time, it's quite possible you could bring this room back to life if you chose. But that is a different discussion for a different time. Speaking of time, I have it stopped for our discourse. You still have a task to complete with Ryan, and it has become a bit more complex for me. You see, he has made a full pact with Tychon and has much more power than before you started on this quest."
"Yeah, I noticed the last time he tried to kill me," said G.
"Oh, I do not think he was trying to do that, G. If he had, you would be dead. He was trying to capture you alive to complete his ritual and initial pact. As I said, it is more complicated. Tychon has given him a great deal of power, most of which you have not seen, given your fortuitous escape on that river. Quite interesting to watch, really," said Dr. Reamus.
"Wait, you're watching me? Why didn't you help? Oh, never mind, I know you can't interfere or some other bullshit, right?" asked G, feeling angry and manipulated.
"I have helped," Dr. Breamus stated confidently. "Why do you think an astral ship was sitting in the middle of the dark pathways? I cannot help as directly as Tychon can, but greater powers are at play, ensuring the rules are followed closely. While there are many things I may cheat at or even ignore, there are certain things I cannot cheat, and neither can Tychon. Due to Tychon's desire for Earth, yet another plane to conquer and control, he has put more of his power into this single acolyte, Ryan, than he normally would. This, in turn, is allowing me to nudge things to help you. It's an unspoken arm's race that I would normally stay out of, but as I have a special attachment to my home of origin, just as you do, I'd like to help keep it whole. When it's ready, it will be accepted into the Planarverse on its own, in its own time."
"Great, I'm some proxy champion for a war between gods. You are Breamus, right? The god of Mischief?" G inquired, remembering what Riclos had talked about. It felt like ages ago, has it really only been a week?
"Some might call me that," Dr. Reamus replied with a smile. "I like to think of myself as a troubleshooter, a systems engineer of sorts. A conductor that keeps the great steam engine on the tracks and moving forward. Although I have done some selfish things in the past and even now, some might consider my helping you a bit selfish, but others might see me as making sure the system, or the Planarverse, is stable and continues to exist. Tychon and one of his brothers would like it remade or even ended. You can understand where that could cause me issues, especially since I can't directly interact except in certain ways. Just as Tychon can't just appear and destroy this city or Earth without the correct paths and rules being followed. It's all very complex. If we had a few decades, I could probably explain it all, well, most of the parts you could understand. "he paused in thought for a moment, then continued, "Let me discuss why I am here. I have frozen the progression of time. I didn't do this the last time we met, and due to that unfortunate oversight, Tychon knows about our previous conversation and has given Ryan a vast array of powers to defeat you. The devil has decided it is an important part of his greater struggle. With time stopped, I do not believe he will know we have talked if he is watching you or, more to the point, if he is watching me. Because of your constant use of magic to disguise your location, he is having difficulty following you, which is good, or all of this would be for naught."
With a wave of Breamus's hand, G found himself standing on the Astral ship. The ship was moored to several stone pillars floating above Mirbor. There was a huge structure nearby, which had to be the palace. G looked up to see that the ceiling of the cavern was still a hundred meter above them.
"Tychon wants this ship almost as badly as he wants Earth," Dr. Breamus explained. "A war rages across the planes, and this ship could help his enemies if he doesn't possess it. For a devil, he is quite resourceful and has seen several probabilities that could lead his side to lose if this ship enters the war on the wrong side. I'll leave it to you to discover why, but rest assured, he wants this ship and Earth. But he has to follow the rules, just as I. Well, mostly. He is cheating. I can respect that," Dr Reamus added ruefully. "The last time this war played out, he was on our side, the side of continuation and life. Now, he is not. Devils are like that, fickle at the best of times."
Dr. Reamus or Breamus waved his hand, and they found themselves back in the blasted forge. "So that's it. You need to defeat this Ryan fellow, steal the ship away, and avoid Tychon's minions. I think that sums it up nicely. Any questions?" he asked.
G had just been told that he had to do even more and fight the planar foci gods and devils; emotionally, he was about to explode. "Questions? Really? Questions, of course, I have questions!" he shouted.
Dr. Reamus simply smiled and waited patiently as G stomped around the platform, grimacing and growling once or twice. Finally, he calmed down enough to form complete sentences again. He breathed heavily through his nose as his jaw clenched, then let out his breath slowly.
"Why does Crewton always smell like bubble bath? Where exactly am I sending him when I dismiss companion?" G blurted out. He realized how ridiculous it sounded as soon as he said it, but it had been bothering him for over a week.
Dr. Breamus furrowed his brow and gave a half-quirky smile. "You have a chance to ask any question of one of the most powerful beings in existence, and that is your question?" he replied.
G, not wanting to look like a fool, doubled down. "Of course, he is my friend!" he exclaimed.
Breamus nodded in amusement. "Well, if you must know, your game system that you brought into these realms did not include that information. The universe doesn't just unmake and remake things like that. Also, my youngest daughter has grown quite fond of him and likes to give him baths. Children have better smellers than us older folks," he added with a smile.
G was taken aback, and that statement wasn't what he had expected at all. "Your daughter?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, Crewton is quite a delight to have around, I'm told. She is actually asking for a Boston Terrier now. I tried to explain there is only one, but she is very stubborn," Breamus replied with a smile as he talked about his daughter.
G didn't know what to say. What does one say to that? He sighed and went on with another question. "What exactly happened to the gods of this city? Every other question in Mirbor is answered with 'back when we had gods,'" G asked.
"Oh, that. They were taken and are being used in the Great War. You see, one of the foci brothers, who is also allied with Tychon, has found a way to use them to break the Planarverse, which is a good name for it, by the way, Planarverse. Well, this brother has found a way to harness them to power a sundering," Dr. Breamus explained. His expression had turned serious as he spoke about the war.
"Wait, so you're using me in this great war against Tychon and his brothers? And they can take living gods and use them?" G asked, feeling a sense of dread.
"Yes, just one brother. The other two are firmly against the whole thing, although they do not appear to be winning their disagreement," Dr. Breamus replied sternly. "I generally do not pick sides in these types of conflicts, but in this case, when the whole of existence is at stake, I have to," he paused and emphasized the word, "Troubleshoot."
"Wait, there are 4 brothers? They are all gods, and they capture other gods?" G asked, now bewildered.
"Envision the Planarverse as a grand cosmic crossroads, each point glowing with its own unique aura: the vibrant green of Life, the deep void of emptiness, the stern white of Law, and the fiery red of Chaos, this place and several dozen planes are in the middle," Breamus explained, his voice echoing the majesty of the universe. "There are four foci gods, each master of one of these primal forces. They are far more powerful than any backwater city god or even planar deity. They exist in all planes, just as I do, their essence woven into the very fabric of each plane, visible in the shimmering trails of power that dance across the cosmos."
Breamus continued, "I cannot at this moment stop them from taking the lesser gods, but if we win this war, I do believe I have a solution to ensure this never happens again. It's all very complex, but it will be fixed if we can stop the sundering of the Planarverse,"
G realized they had been speaking in English this whole time, and Tocai hadn't been part of the conversation. It felt odd not having his familiar’s presence in the back of his mind now. G focused again as Dr. Reamus’s cane tapped against the platform. G didn't see any way out if this was all true, and so far, Dr. Breamus had been telling him the truth, at least as far as he could tell. Whether he liked it or not, he was going to be the doctor's agent until he could get back to Earth. "Alright, tell me what I need to do," he said resignedly.