Looking out over the front of the airship, Zeroth was entranced by the view that lay before him. He could see the Silvercrest mountains looming in the distance and just beyond, Luminara's temple. As the wind whipped through Zeroth's hair and beard, he looked back to see Varic looking a little worse for wear. While Zeroth approached Varic, Zeroth noticed his friend seemed paler than usual and seemed to have a death grip on the handrail. "You alright there? You look like you've lost all your dinner." Zeroth said with a wry grin. Varic shuddered as he responded, "I'm not made for this sort of travel. I feel like I'm on a damn boat in the ocean." Zeroth frowned and said, "Must be a bad case of motion sickness. I believe we will arrive at the temple within a few hours and we can already see the Silvercrest mountains not too far away." After patting Varic on the back for reassurance, Zeroth began to walk towards Tingle's cockpit to check in and see how everything was running. As he approached, Zeroth could see Ardric in the cockpit assisting in guiding Tingle with the map they acquired from Thalamar. "How's the flight going Captain Tingle?" Zeroth asked as he approached the small cockpit room. "Tingle believes we will arrive at the temple within four or five hours," Tingle replied as he began to slowly pull a lever down. "Aye, this map gives us a pretty direct path to follow and being able to go right above the mountains helps tremendously," Ardric said looking intently at the map.

As the airship sailed smoothly through the azure skies, the adventurers were treated to a vista that few had ever witnessed. Below them, the landscape unfolded like a vast tapestry, rich with color and life. The Silvercrest Mountains, once a looming barrier, now appeared as a majestic procession of peaks and valleys, their craggy faces and snow-capped summits glistening under the sun's radiant embrace. Zeroth, standing at the helm next to Tingle, felt an exhilarating sense of freedom. The wind, brisk and invigorating, carried with it the scent of pine and the chill of high altitudes. He watched, fascinated, as small clouds formed and dissipated in their wake, a reminder of the unnatural speed at which they traveled. Tingle kept one eye on the horizon and the other on his array of instruments. His hands moved with practiced ease, adjusting dials and levers to maintain their course. "Tingle has always dreamed of flying," he confessed a note of wonder in his voice. "And now, Tingle flies higher than the eagles. It's...magical." Ardric, too, seemed captivated by the journey. Though a dwarf of the earth, bound to the solidity of stone and steel, he found a certain peace in the sky. The map, detailed and ancient, guided them unfailingly. "Luminara's temple should be just beyond the next range," he noted, pointing to a valley that shimmered with a peculiar light. "It's said that the first rays of dawn touch the temple before any other place in the world." Zeroth saw Tingle nod and seem to make slight adjustments to the flight course in response. Varic, however, struggled to find the same joy in the journey. The motion of the airship, though gentle, unsettled him, a stark reminder of his disconnection from the solid ground. His companions' attempts at reassurance were welcome, but the relief they offered was fleeting. "Just a few more hours," he reminded himself, taking solace in the thought of soon being on firm earth again.

As the journey continued, the adventurers saw the landscape change, the rugged peaks giving way to a serene valley bathed in golden light. At its heart lay Luminara's temple, an architectural marvel that radiated a calm, divine presence. Its white marble columns stood in stark contrast to the verdant green that surrounded it, and from this distance, it seemed as though the temple itself glowed with an inner light. "Tingle begins our descent," Tingle announced his voice a mixture of concentration and excitement. The airship, responsive to his skilled touch, began to lower toward a clearing near the temple, where they would land. The approach to the temple was breathtaking. As they descended, the details of the sanctuary became clearer—the intricate carvings on its walls, the tranquil gardens that encircled it, and the reflective pool that mirrored the ever-changing sky. Zeroth noticed Ardric seemed to shiver as the airship maneuvered closer to the temple and he could feel his axe begin to emit an unsettling level of heat at the same time. "Be strong Ardric. I don't know how much support we can officially offer for you here but we need Luminara's support and I need answers about Vulcanix." Zeroth stated trying to reassure his brother. "It feels as if she knows I'm here already. I feel like someone is watching me with a powerful intent that I cannot pinpoint though I believe I'm ready." Ardric replied, cracking his knuckles as the airship touched the ground, sending a small shudder through everyone. "Sorry! It is Tingle's first landing and it wasn't as smooth as it should've been." Tingle yelled as he scurried from his cockpit, the whir of the propellers slowly disengaging.

As the airship's propellers ceased their humming, the group disembarked onto the sacred grounds surrounding Luminara's temple. The air was thick with a sense of anticipation, and as Zeroth led the way, the heated discomfort from his axe grew into an almost unbearable intensity. It was as if Vulcanix himself were expressing disdain for this hallowed place, a silent warning to Zeroth that he treads on the ground unwelcome to the fiery god's essence. Ardric, feeling the invisible gaze of divine scrutiny upon him, squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. "We're here for guidance and support. Luminara's wisdom is what we seek," he murmured to himself, drawing strength from his faith. The tension among them was palpable, a mixture of apprehension and determination marking their steps toward the temple's grand entrance. The temple itself was a marvel of divine architecture, its white marble columns gleaming under the sun, radiating a serene yet powerful aura. As they stepped inside, the interior opened up into a vast space, illuminated by shafts of light that poured in from strategically placed windows high above. The air inside was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the heat emanating from Zeroth's axe. Dominating the temple's sanctum was a tall bronze statue of Luminara, an embodiment of grace and strength. The statue depicted the goddess with arms outstretched, a gesture of welcome and protection. Her eyes, though made of bronze, seemed to possess a depth that saw into the very soul, instilling a sense of peace in those who met her gaze. Directly in front of the statue lay a limestone shrine, its surface smooth and unadorned except for a single, flickering flame that burned at its center. This flame, though small, filled the space with a warm, golden light, symbolizing Luminara's eternal presence.

As Zeroth approached the shrine, the heat from the Flaming Berserker became almost excruciating, a silent roar of protest from Vulcanix. Despite the discomfort, Zeroth's resolve did not waver. "Be at ease," he whispered to the axe, though whether he spoke to Vulcanix or himself was unclear. Varic, meanwhile, felt an unexpected calm as he entered the temple. Despite his allegiance to Eldrinacht, the Veiled Infinity, there was an acceptance here, a recognition that all who sought wisdom and protection under Luminara's gaze were welcome, regardless of their divine patrons. Zeroth, with the Flaming Berserker still searing against his back, sought not just answers about Vulcanix but also understanding and guidance for the path that lay ahead. Ardric, standing firm and resolute, readied himself to commune with his goddess, seeking her blessing and support for the trials to come. Zeroth turned to Ardric in anticipation and said, "Alright, how do we commune with a goddess? It can't be as simple as just asking her to come down and talk to us right?" Zeroth saw Ardric seemed to freeze for a second then he replied, "Perhaps if I channel what divine power I have through my hands into the shrine, it would create a link to her. Sort of like a signal that I'm here strictly for communion." Zeroth shrugged in response. "That's the best idea we've got and it's your goddess after all. If you felt she was already watching then she should appear."

Zeroth watched as Ardric approached the shrine with a solemnity befitting the sacred act he was about to perform. Placing his longsword upon the limestone surface, he symbolically disarmed himself, signaling his peaceful intent and vulnerability to the divine. He knelt before the shrine, his palms glowing with a soft, divine light—a visual testament to his deep connection with Luminara. Zeroth watched, a mix of concern and awe etched on his face as Ardric began to channel his divine power. The energy flowed from Ardric's hands into the shrine, a beacon calling to the goddess. But as the power transferred, Zeroth noticed a visible strain on his brother. Ardric's body tensed, his face contorted in pain as if the act of communing demanded a toll he hadn't anticipated. Suddenly, the flow of energy reversed, surging back into Ardric with a brilliant light. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock and revelation, as the spectral figure of Luminara began to materialize beside him. The energy Ardric had offered was now shaping itself into the goddess's form, glowing with an ethereal radiance that filled the temple with warmth and light. Luminara's figure, majestic and serene, turned towards Ardric, her spectral gaze imbued with kindness and strength. "Ardric, my faithful servant," she began, her voice echoing softly through the sanctum, "you have been chosen as my champion in the Godswar. Your faith, your courage, and your heart have brought you before me. Know that you do not stand alone in this trial. My light shall guide you, protect you, and empower you."

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As her speech concluded, a profound silence enveloped the shrine, the weight of her declaration settling in their hearts. Ardric bowed his head in humble acceptance, fortified by the goddess's blessing. Zeroth, seizing the moment, stepped forward with questions burning in his mind like the axe burning against his back. "Great Luminara, I seek understanding about Vulcanix. He's chosen me, yet his methods and intentions seem... harsh. What can you tell us?" Luminara's spectral form turned towards Zeroth, her gaze piercing yet not unkind. "Vulcanix, the Emberheart, has always sought power, seeing it as the ultimate means to reshape the world. His desire to replace the essence of others with his own is a testament to his ambition. It is a path fraught with destruction and sorrow. I find his actions deplorable, a perversion of the divine gift of creation." Her words resonated with Zeroth, validating his unease about the fiery god's influence. "He challenges the very balance we strive to uphold. As my champion, Ardric, and you, Zeroth, along with your companions, stand on the frontline of a struggle that goes beyond mere power. It is a battle for the soul of creation itself."

Inside Zeroth's mind, a voice as fierce as a forge's fire and as unyielding as molten rock rose above the tranquility of the moment. "Do not be swayed by her words, Zeroth," Vulcanix growled, his tone laced with contempt. "Luminara speaks of balance and light, but true strength is forged in conflict and power. Her path is one of stagnation, not growth." The voice continued, a searing presence in Zeroth's consciousness, "She may disdain me for my ambitions, for my desire to see you ascend beyond your mortal constraints. But remember, it is I who have chosen you, who sees your potential to wield the flames that can reshape the world." Zeroth clenched his hand against his head, hunching over as he tried to push Vulcanix's presence away. "You speak of my great potential," Zeroth thought in response, "of my ascension beyond my mortal constraints but in reality, you just want to replace me!" Despite the harshness of Vulcanix's words, there was an underlying note of challenge, as if the god sought to test Zeroth's resolve and loyalty. "Let her blessings fall where they may, but it is through fire that you will find your true purpose." Vulcanix continued, ignoring Zeroth's response. "Stand firm in your conviction, and let not the light blind you to the power you hold within." Zeroth felt the weight of Vulcanix's presence recede, leaving behind a smoldering determination mixed with uncertainty. The god's words had planted seeds of defiance, but also of introspection. Zeroth was left to ponder the dual nature of his burden and the path he must choose in the face of divine contention.

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Luminara's form began to fade, her essence dispersing into the light that filled the temple. "Be steadfast, be wise, and let your heart guide you in the darkness. Remember, the light is always with you. And Zeroth, don't let Vulcanix bully you. He was beaten before, remember that." As the divine presence dissipated, leaving behind a charged silence, the group shared a look of mutual understanding and resolve. Luminara's words not only confirmed the gravity of their task but also imbued them with a sense of purpose. In the wake of Luminara’s divine manifestation and her pronouncement of Ardric as her champion, a profound sense of responsibility settled over him. As he rose from his kneeling position at the shrine, the lingering warmth of the goddess’s presence still enveloping him, Ardric felt a newfound power coursing through his veins. This wasn’t just the familiar divine energy he had always drawn upon in his service as a paladin; it was deeper, more innate as if Luminara’s essence had intertwined with his own, enhancing his connection to the light. With this increased bond came a sense of clarity and purpose. Ardric understood the gravity of being chosen as Luminara’s champion in the Godswar, not just as a title, but as a calling to embody the principles and ideals she represented. The weight of expectation was heavy, yet it did not crush him; instead, it fortified his resolve to stand as a beacon of hope, justice, and protection in the face of looming darkness. Ardric also felt a surge of protectiveness towards his companions, especially towards Zeroth, who was grappling with the conflicting influence of Vulcanix. The bond between the brothers, always strong, now seemed charged with a deeper significance. Ardric saw his role as not just a warrior of the light but as a guiding force, ready to support Zeroth through the trials and temptations that lay ahead. Despite the empowerment and the divine favor bestowed upon him, Ardric remained grounded. He knew that the path of a champion would be fraught with challenges, both external and internal. The potential for conflict with Vulcanix’s chosen, his own brother, weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, in this moment of divine communion, Ardric felt a reassuring peace. Luminara’s light was with him, not just as a source of power, but as a guiding star, illuminating the way forward with compassion and wisdom. As he joined his companions, stepping out from the sacred space of the shrine, Ardric carried with him not only the mantle of a champion but a deep, unshakeable faith in the journey ahead. He was ready to face the Godswar, armed with Luminara’s blessings and the unwavering support of those he called friends.

Zeroth patted Ardric on both his shoulders and asked, "How are yah feeling?" As Zeroth began to look Ardric up and down he said, "You look the same... No shining light..." Ardric, lightly shoving Zeroth away, responded, "Aye, it worked. I may not appear different but... I can feel her radiant energy coursing through me. It's unbelievable." Varic, walking closer with a worried look on his face, said, " Well we now have three officially chosen champions but no chosen location or time for this Godswar and we still need to figure out how Thalamar is going to get Tingle in as a champion for mortals." Zeroth's expression hardened at the thought, the reality of their situation setting in. They were champions in a divine conflict with no clear direction, standing on the precipice of an unknown future. Ardric offered a reassuring smile. "We may not have all the answers now, but we have each other, and the guidance of the gods," he stated confidently. Tingle, unable to hide his disappointment at being left out of the celestial roster, piped up with an almost childlike defiance. "Tingle will find a way! If there's a will, there's a way, right? Thalamar and I— we'll figure something out." The group's resolve was palpable, but so was the uncertainty that shadowed their path. They stood in a moment of calm before the storm, champions without a battlefield, warriors without a war.

As they prepared to leave the sanctity of the temple, a sense of unease tugged at their spirits. Without Thalamar's presence to guide them, the task of finding a way to include Tingle, and deciphering the terms of the Godswar, seemed all the more daunting. Varic, usually the skeptic, turned to face the others, a rare seriousness etching his features. "We'll return to the mage guild. We'll research, train, and prepare. And Thalamar," he paused, choosing his words with care, "he's resourceful. He'll have something up his sleeve, he always does." Their determination renewed, the group set forth from Luminara's temple, the weight of their titles as champions a heavy cloak upon their shoulders. Zeroth felt the heat of his axe begin to dissipate as they climbed aboard Tingle's airship. Zeroth watched as Tingle excitedly began to push levers, causing the airship to hum to life and the propellers to begin to spin. Zeroth released a sigh of relief as the airship took flight and began to pivot towards the Silvercrest mountains, headed back towards the guild. "Take us home, Tingle!" Zeroth shouted to his strange pilot. With that, the flight officially began again, this time a flight home with some questions answered but more remained unknown to the group.