Taking days walk, the Dark Phoenix reach what appears to be a small village. Tired and hungry except for the paladin it didn’t took them a hard time finding an inn to rest. After which of regenerating their health and feeding their stomach, using a scroll the mage then teleports them to a barren land except the cleric and the dwarven ranger. Trees are withered, the soil were putrid such as the air reaps their sense of smell. For a few minutes of walking, they reach what appears to be a tree, but what separates it from the other withered tree was its atmosphere and the twisting look. Through its look, three women were merge together to which their hands and fingers creates a creeping twigs and branches. On the ground lies a broken golden bowl cemented on a stone smeared in thick blood.
“That was short sir. Aldrin.” Ishra says, emerging from the darkness.
“Are you always like this Ishra, always on the hide with your hide armor?” Grondal blurt
“Do you want me to make your neck piss again?... Grondal.”
“Oh… I do need another hide armor.”
“That’s enough you two!” Aldrin interrupts heading towards the altar.
Right away, once Aldrin thread towards the altar whispers and weeping clouds his ears. A voice that draws a person’s past, problems anything that will bleed one’s insanity.
“Such a long time my dear…” Implores a voice of a woman, soft yet dreadful.
“We’ve been waiting” Followed by another sister’s voice, with a giggling purpose.
“Indeed… Oh… how we’ve missed you.” Says the third voice, seductive yet restless.
As the whispers and voice echoes his sinister past and experience his will and fortitude overcomes. Drawing closer at the altar, the tree that resembles three women would shake and rattle. Alive but their movements were that of a robot, the three then split themselves for a closer look at the paladin.
Stood still, the paladin makes eye contact with the three unfazed he then relays his reason. But to gain a wish from an abyssal deity one must give sacrifice, it’s a matter of give and take.
Knowing the paladin’s life, the abyssal goddesses of oath breaker, betrayal and divination offers him a choice.
“Well, we do love your sister as much as we want your oath whom you still keep, even falling to a blackguard. Give us what we want and we’ll give you your desire.” Passional the three simultaneously said.
Aldrin didn’t answer to their call but rather he gave them something that even them are afraid. Placing his hand on the altar, he shifts his vision towards the goddess. The reason why he came to visit the place was to know who was the man in the mask, the two lich and their summoned master and also the thing that drags the travelers and what are their objectives.
When they rehear Aldrin’s past encounter, the goddesses were silent. They know Karangax and the two liches but what interest them were the people involve, so much so that even the god of death had to appear on the material plane.
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The silent continues so was Aldrin and his companions waiting for an answer. Like an investment, the three goddesses were very much interested to this new revelation. Much to them, obtaining the throne of being God of undead and dead would be a divine feat. On the downside, horning a deity’s business will cause a war between two factions considering the one their facing is much more powerful than them. But in the end…
“We’ll give you the power that you’ve surrender to us… But know this, the pact you made from Azoneth is not the same. He’ll come for you and you’ll know what the consequence of your betrayal.”
“I’m fully aware of that.” Replies Aldrin
“However, there is a way to undo your pact with him…”
“Ahh yes there is…” Follows by her sister’s voice.
“But if only… only…”
“And what would that be.” Aldrin ask somewhat curious.
“Oh… we only need you to shift your pact with us my lovely dear.” Implores the goddess one with a seductive voice.
The paladin went silent as he picks for a decision to make,
“Don’t worry love, we’ll wait for you.” The goddess implores retrieving to their home.
“Wait!... l will do it.” Aldrin shouts and as soon as he agrees to their term, a moan of joyfully came from the three-goddess followed by a giggling laugh.
Shifting his pact with the goddesses, but before he could gain their power, he needed to eliminate his past master. Fortunately, the goddesses mask Aldrin’s from Azoneth giving him time to prepare.
“There’s a summoning place at Voldavir there you’ll find the summoning place.”
“It will force that fiend additionally weakening it… but don’t underestimate Azoneth for even if he was weakened, his power can be as equal to us or more.” Implores the first sister
“That’s why you’ll be needing this.” Says the third sister revealing Aldrin a key made of wood.
“If you summon him break the key and will help you in defeating him.” Continues the second goddess
“Our time is up my dear.” The goddesses say after retreating from their call.
“What now boss.” Grondal implores.
Aldrin sigh, “We’ll discuss it at the inn.”
When return, the band then gathers ordering drinks as they discuss their next step.
“I’ve decided I will travel to Voldavir and do as they say--”
“What do you mean I?” Zehra interrupts.
“It’s a personal business, there’s nothing more for you to do--”
Tapping Aldrin’s shoulder, Grondal spoke “Who says you’re going alone I’ve been itching to test me rusty blade for a good sport.”
“True, I’ve still got a long way of sharpening my skill.” Ishra follows.
“Count me in, I’ve never been happy joining this band than when I was at my home.” Zehra implores. “What about you Stan?” She continues eying the mage who was somewhat in despair from their encounter with the travelers.
“I need more power, and if I can get some demon lords essence then so be it.” Stan replies with a vengeful ambition.
While Aldrin’s companions have finished their decision Kiran, Aldrin’s sister was silent.
Knowing that his brother would talk to her alone after their festivity, mustering her courage Kiran announce that she too will be joining the quest.
Aldrin tries to persuade his sister not to join their travels, but as he follows a word… a mug filled with beer hurls to his face.
“I’m not a child anymore brother, and who was the one healing your wounds and reviving you two times.” She follows as she gulps one mug of beer.
Her brother tries for another persuasion but ended up ignored or being smack by her sister.
As the Dark Phoenix set their preparation and decision… meanwhile.
To where Akatosh hoard his items there at the island from the shadowy forest Tosh emerge and with him dragging the wounded traveler. Without sympathy, Tosh tosses Akatosh as if he was just a trash bag.
Facing flat on the ground, Akatosh was grumbling, cursing Tosh for his action.
“What can’t hear you…” Tosh replies fading away from the shadows.
After an hour, Akatosh can move his muscle but too weak stand at the same time heavy rain slowly pours the traveler.
Cursing while scouting through turning heads and swaying eyes he manages to spot the cave where he keeps his items. Unable to walk nor stand he patiently crawls like a maggot grabbing grasses as he pulls himself, he continues his curses none stop.