Descent into the fissure proceeded without interference. The atmosphere shifted as we progressed, colder at first, then unexpectedly temperate, even inviting. Darkness gave way to warm, golden light. We could hear a low, harmonic humming that resonated in our bones. Then, The Oracle. Radiant, suspended above a shallow lake where hundreds of citizens waded. Their expressions were tranquil, rapturous.
For a moment, I felt clarity. Charles, however, appeared disturbed. He asked it why we were chosen. The Oracle claimed that revealing too much might divert us from our ‘destined’ path.
It was beautiful. I believed I was witnessing the divine. I was wrong. Charles shook us from the illusion. What stood before us was a decaying monolith of divine machinery, rusting, eroded, wires dangling and oozing like viscera. The warmth vanished. Its words sharpened into threats.
I was told that deviation would lead to Pruning. A euphemism, certainly, for reconditioning or destruction. To Sal, it implied that his nephew Thomas would be declared a dissident. To Yedan-Neric, it referenced the survivors he had named. It left little doubt, we lack the tools, power, and knowledge to oppose it. Until those conditions change, fealty may be safer than resistance.
NOTE: Yedan’s notes reported that the Oracle seemed unaware of several aspects of his identity until he deliberately drew attention to them. We must consider the possibility that its omniscience is incomplete.
We resurfaced and delivered Thassen Elvire into custody at Vellhum Heights. We relayed a redacted version of the encounter to Marrion. As ordered, we withheld mention of the Oracle. She recognized the omission and attempted to magically compel Charles to reveal more. He resisted. She told us she could not help us if we didn’t trust her. I kept my expression neutral, I am not accustomed to guilt. I do not enjoy it.
We consulted Theodore Calvers regarding the mindflayers. Sal, foolishly, cast a charm spell to elicit aid. Theodore was understandably offended. The meeting terminated poorly. Next, we turned to Elvire. He meditated calmly in his cell. He described the layout: six chambers, multiple mindflayers per room, separated by shadows and barriers. He arranged candles to manage the shadows to prevent them from teleporting.
We prepared for assault, Charles crafted silver bullets and I scouted ahead to establish additional light sources. The mindflayers were behind a gate. As they congregated, we attacked through the bars to weaken them.
Yedan phased into the deeper chamber to establish further light. A miscalculation. The mindflayers slowed him significantly with psychic attacks. He was swarmed. He fell unconscious, his pocket watch clattering to the ground as two aberrations latched onto his skull. I acted without calculation, teleporting directly into the chaos. I restored him to consciousness, but we were surrounded.
His shadow fought beside us. I held the others off. He said something behind me, his voice faltering.
“Luminora, however you got here, just get back out. I’ll be fine. Just… pick up my little necklace.”
I threw myself into a feral mob for a halfling I have barely known a week. There is no tactical justification for this, but something in his voice…
I’ve heard it before. A quiet urgency. The way people speak when they think they are going to die. And I realized, with some surprise, I did not want him to. A pressure built within, familiar from duels and training, but stronger and sharper. I felt a snap and the force surged outward. My feet lifted from the ground. Cold seeped into my bones. My focus narrowed, beyond the Bladetrance, beyond training, beyond anything I have ever experienced. An unyielding will to annihilate.
We fought to kill the abominations attached to him. One fell, but the second moved too quickly. There was a sickening sound as it broke through and consumed his mind. Yedan’s body fell limp.
I failed. I was starting to like him.
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Recap Video
https://youtu.be/lQnW3UyQSuE?si=snKwp3KW3BdgPwAV
“Too long ago I selfishly fled from our world Leaving you all to your fates. Uncertain and unconcerned. Now, once more, I find myself fleeing from this world With the selfish desire that I will meet you all again. May the Founder burn in all he has raught.”