Soon after the meeting with Mira and her companions, Zeroth led his group to the Alderbrook Inn to procure some rooms and dinner before Kael's ritual. As Zeroth walked into the inn, the innkeeper, recognizing the group from the last visit, smiled widely and exclaimed, "Welcome back friends! What brings you lot back to Alderbrook?" "Oh, we're here for some... work-related business," Zeroth replied as he nodded a greeting to the innkeeper. "Ah, I understand. I'll have four rooms ready by the time you lot finish dinner and payment will be due when you all leave in the morning." The innkeeper responded. Zeroth thanked the innkeeper and led his friends to a table close to the inn's fireplace then ordered everyone whatever food they needed.
As Zeroth and his companions settled into their seats near the fireplace, the warmth and the soft murmur of conversations around them brought a momentary respite from the weight of their mission. The innkeeper busied himself with their orders, allowing them to discuss their next steps in hushed tones. Varic, still adjusting to the reality of their divine entanglements, couldn't help but express his apprehension. "Do you think this plan with Kael will work? It's... unconventional, to say the least." Ardric clapped Varic on the shoulder. "If Kael believes it's possible for Thorund to help, then we have to trust in that. Besides, we've seen stranger things since this all began." Tingle, fidgeting with a small device on the table, added, "Tingle is excited! If it works, we'll have a new strategy against Vulcanix. Tingle can't wait to see the magic at work!" Zeroth, watching the flames dance in the fireplace, nodded solemnly. "It's a risk, but one we need to take. Vulcanix won't wait for us to be ready."
Dinner passed with more strategic discussions and lighter banter, a welcome break from the looming tension. Once they finished their meal, Zeroth led the group outside, where the cool night air greeted them. The stars above Alderbrook twinkled, seemingly oblivious to the mortal and divine dramas unfolding below. Mira and her companions were already waiting at the designated meeting spot just outside the town, where the grassy fields provided enough space for the ritual. Kael, holding his Stormforged Blade, nodded to Zeroth's group as they approached. "Thank you for coming. We've prepared everything according to Thorund's instructions. Are you ready, Zeroth?" Zeroth took a deep breath, looking at his friends and then back at Kael. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this."
The groups formed a circle around Kael, who began to chant in a deep, resonant voice. Symbols, drawn earlier on the ground, started to glow with a faint blue light, echoing the power of the storm and the sea. The air tingled with anticipation and raw magical energy as Kael raised his blade toward the heavens, calling on Thorund to witness and aid in their endeavor. As the ritual progressed, the wind picked up, swirling around them in a testament to Thorund's presence. Zeroth stepped forward, placing his hand on the Stormforged Blade alongside Kael. Together, they called out to Thorund, seeking his guidance and power to challenge Vulcanix's hold. As Kael's chanting began to waver, Zeroth watched as the Stormforged Blade slid from their grasp and began to hum and glow brighter, spitting off small arcs of electricity as it seemed to charge with power. While Zeroth watched in wonder, he could feel his battle axe begin to heat up against his back, almost to the point of discomfort. When Zeroth glanced at Kael, their gazes locked and Kael's eyes widened for a second. "Zeroth, your axe is reacting to Thorund. Be careful." Kael warned, a look of worry across his face as he turned back to his blade. Zeroth shook his head, trying to clear it so he could focus on contacting Thorund, and gasped as a wave of energy shot from the Stormforged Blade.
After the wave hit, Kael's blade no longer seemed to be amassing energy and seemed to be hovering above them all, waiting. "Did it work?" Varic asked, a confused look across his face. Zeroth saw Kael nod before he looked up and asked, "Thorund, it is your champion Kael, contacting you with an issue of mass importance." Kael then gestured for Zeroth to regard the deity. Zeroth gulped then began, "H-Hey Thorund. I'm Zeroth, chosen champion of Vulcanix and I seem to have an issue with him trying to take over my essence entirely and if he does, he'll be back in full power. Kael here says you are knowledgeable with entities sealed within objects and possibly knowledgeable on how we can stop Vulcanix" As Zeroth finished his plea, a silence enveloped the group, the kind that felt heavy with anticipation. The air itself seemed to hold its breath, awaiting a response from the divine.
After a moment that stretched like an eternity, the Stormforged Blade pulsed with a brilliant blue light, and the sound of thunder rolled softly in the distance, despite the clear night sky. Then, a voice, deep and resonant, filled the air, emanating from nowhere yet felt by everyone present. "Kael, my champion, and Zeroth, chosen by Vulcanix. I have heard your call and understand the gravity of your situation." Zeroth, momentarily stunned by the direct communication from a deity, found his courage. "Thorund, we seek your guidance. Vulcanix's power grows, and I fear what will happen if he succeeds in taking over. Is there a way to halt this process without giving him the advantage?" Thorund's voice, though disembodied, carried a tone of consideration. "The bond between a deity and a mortal, especially one forced as Vulcanix has with you, Zeroth, is complex. Vulcanix leverages the Fracture's chaotic energy to strengthen his hold. However, there exists a method to sever his influence temporarily, creating a window for intervention." Kael listened intently, his gaze fixed on the glowing blade. "What must we do, Thorund? How can we create this window?"
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"The key lies in overwhelming Vulcanix's essence with a surge of contrasting divine energy, diluting his control. This must be done at a place of significant power, where the veil between the divine and the mortal is thin. Aeonis, in his role as the overseer of the Godswar, must then be petitioned to sever the weakened link, under the guise of preserving the Godswar's integrity." Varic raised an eyebrow. "But how do we petition Aeonis without drawing Vulcanix's wrath upon us before we're ready?" "Discretion and speed are essential," Thorund explained. "Once the ritual to dilute Vulcanix's essence is prepared, you must act swiftly. Aeonis values the balance and rules of the Godswar above all. If you present your case as a matter of fairness and balance, he will listen. Vulcanix exploiting his current state to regain full power prematurely could be seen as a breach of the spirit of the Godswar." Tingle, who had been silently following along, piped up, "And what of the place of significant power? Do we have such a location in mind?" "Alderbrook itself sits upon ancient energy lines, but the most potent site nearby is the Heartstone Circle, deep within the Silvercrest Mountains. Its energies are conducive to the ritual Thorund describes," Kael answered, his confidence growing with Thorund's guidance.
Zeroth nodded, feeling a mix of hope and determination. "Then that's where we'll go. We'll prepare the ritual, petition Aeonis, and prevent Vulcanix from regaining his full power. Thank you, Thorund, for your wisdom." The voice of Thorund, now fading like the last rumble of distant thunder, offered a final piece of advice. "Be bold, champions. The path you undertake is fraught with peril, but it is the courage to face such dangers that define true champions. I will be watching." As the presence of Thorund receded, the group shared a moment of silent resolve. They had a plan, a divine mandate, and a destination. Zeroth watched as Kael returned by Mira's side, flanked by Sylvana and Drex. "Thank you, Kael, for everything. I now have a fighting chance to stop Vulcanix from becoming me though if memory serves me, the place you mention sounds like the place I found this axe." Zeroth stated as he approached Mira and her friends. Mira's eyes widened slightly as she replied, "You dwarves tend to dig too deep all the time. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not so much." Zeroth and Ardric exchanged a quick glance and chuckled at that. "Yeah, it seems to be a genetic trait dwarves have," Zeroth stated. "Well, you lot have a plan and for now, we'll be staying in and around Alderbrook. Probably until the Godswar summons us, to be honest." Mira said, smiling at Zeroth and his group.
After their goodbyes and words of encouragement, Zeroth, Ardric, Varic, and Tingle made their way back to the inn under the blanket of the night sky. The streets of Alderbrook were quiet, the town asleep save for the gentle flicker of lanterns swaying in the breeze. The day's revelations and the weight of the task ahead lent a solemn air to their walk back. Upon reaching the inn, they found their rooms ready as promised. The comfort of the beds was a welcome relief after the day's emotional rollercoaster. Each of them retired to their rooms, their minds buzzing with the plan to confront Vulcanix's influence. Sleep came uneasily, but the exhaustion of the day eventually took over. The next morning, gathered around a breakfast table laden with the innkeeper's finest offerings, Tingle was the first to break the night's contemplation. "Good news, everyone!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. "Tingle has calculated and recalculated, and with the airship's recent upgrades, Tingle can get us to the Heartstone Circle by nightfall!" Varic, nursing a cup of strong coffee, raised an eyebrow. "That's faster than I expected. You're sure the airship can handle it?" Tingle nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! Tingle has made sure everything is in top condition. The Heartstone Circle isn't too far, but with the airship, we'll avoid the treacherous paths and the time-consuming climbs of the Silvercrest Mountains." Ardric looked thoughtful as he chewed on a piece of bread. "That gives us little time to prepare. We should gather any supplies we think we might need for the ritual." Zeroth, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, agreed. "Let's use our time wisely. We'll meet back here after we've gathered what we need and set off as soon as we're ready."
Breakfast continued with discussions on what they would need for their journey and the ritual. After finishing their meal, they split up to gather supplies from their rooms and any nearby shops. Within an hour, they reconvened at the inn, their preparations complete. Tingle led the way to the airship, a buzz of anticipation among them. As the airship lifted off, leaving Alderbrook behind, they watched the landscape change below them, the Silvercrest Mountains drawing closer with each passing moment. The flight was smooth yet cold, with Tingle skillfully navigating the air currents. The group used the time to go over their plan once more, solidifying their strategy and preparing mentally for the challenges that lay ahead. As night began to fall, the Heartstone Circle came into view, an ancient worship site, decaying and destroyed by the elements. Tingle expertly landed the airship nearby, and they disembarked, the cold evening air greeting them. The Circle's ancient stones stood as silent witnesses to their arrival, the weight of history palpable around them. Zeroth looked around, vaguely remembering the mining adventure that led him here and to his battle axe originally. With the Heartstone Circle reached, Zeroth and his companions stepped into the heart of their mission, ready to face whatever trials awaited them in their quest to thwart Vulcanix's plans. The night ahead would hold a ritual that would test the group's tenacity in a way they would never have expected.