To the Heavens Above – Orianna Èirigh – 29.08.2023
Sept 19, 2023 0:42:11 GMT
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Post by Orianna Èirigh on Sept 19, 2023 0:42:11 GMT
OBSERVATIONS & EXCERPTS from the JOURNAL of SECOND ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST ORIANNA ÈIRIGH of ASHKHA
I have not seen Zola Oussviir since my very first trip to the Feywild. Hard to believe that was over a year ago. She seems different from then. A lot may transpire in a year, this I know, but there is something sharper about her. Harsher? More volatile? I am not sure what to make of it, or what to say, or even if there is much I can say to her. I just hope whatever it is that is happening in her life, she has friends and allies she can rely on to be there for her.
Fogwalker is another person I have not seen for a while, though I have heard from Gerhard that his friend, Marto, and Fog spend much time together in New Hillborrow. They, too, seem worried about something, though they are a little harder to gauge their feelings in comparison to Zola. It was no surprise that the two arrived together once I understood the above, later than Lucky and Zari had requested they do. Perhaps their troubles, combined with what transpired on this journey to Mount Celestia, was following the flow of what was another day full of the Omen of Woe from my Star Cradle.
Glade had been there when Lucky found Zari in the Swamp of Oblivion, when they first met Phystal. That also meant she knew Zari’s true self. I remember the reverence by which Lucky told me of his husband’s true nature so even though I was not sure if Zola or Fog knew, I was careful not to speak on it. There was a chance, when we met Kestrasz that all would be revealed. But until then, and much like how I have treated Calla’s own trust, it was not my secret to tell.
I was further assured this was the right course when Zola admitted to not being very good at keeping secrets…
Zari, who was punctual with his reporting into the Tungsten Dragon, had not done so for five years. That was how long he had been missing. He explained it was more than probable that Kestrasz did not even know about his capture and imprisonment. That led me to think about other aspects of this branch of the Archwyrm family tree. Though clearly in service of this great and just Archwrym, Zari must not be his Herald.
If that is the case, then the next and logical person who may be is Lucky.
But would Lucky want to take on such a mantle?…
Armed with the knowledge that Zari had told them and the little her father recalled, Orianna understood that Mount Celestia was considered to be on the “good” side of the scales. Celestials, Solars, Angels, and metallic dragons dedicated to Bahamut would be the kinds of beings they would come across. It sounded bold, bright, and beautiful. Everything that she has grown to associate with Lucky and Zari.
There was just the matter of the trials they were to face.
Zari assured them they were not anything remotely dangerous. But there was some hesitation amongst her fellows. What better thing for Orianna to do than to divine what she could from the Star Mother, she who holds all within her vast wings?
Setting herself up for her ritual, Orianna asked, “What would be the best advice you could give us for these trials?”
It took a little more time for Orianna to get a response, possibly because she was asking during the daytime, or because the question was skirting the boundaries of being too broad. Eventually, she did hear something.
“…an honest and open mind… one cannot lie… should be avoided…”
Orianna concentrated harder.
“…If you go through them honestly, you will pass…”
Lunia, the Silver Heaven, is quite the sight to behold. Perpetually bathed in starlight, I would have loved to stay there for hours, mapping out the constellations, adding them to my Star Map. But that was not all. There was a vast ocean spanning into the distance, still and clear as liquid glass to make the stars seem doubled.
Then, the most wondrous thing — celestial whales!
Such gentle giants. Oh how I wish Gerhard was with me to witness this…
I overthought the first trial — The Trial of Holy Purity.
I thought there must be some trick, some test of the mind. But the simple bowl with its liquid silver would only become clear once we unburdened ourselves of our heavy thoughts.
I had to face something I did not realise was weighing me down.
My dad.
The one thing I have always sought to not have is regret. Be it a lifetime or a moment, the thought of ‘what if’ is something that haunts me. That is why I have sought to broaden my knowledge through language learning, to understand more people by their ways of speaking and culture.
As we navigate this treacherous and lengthy history between the Archwryms and the Primordial Incarnates I have begun to feel an uncertainty rooted in anxiety. What is the right thing to do? The Primordial Incarnates are not our enemies, not all of them surely. But where does the line fall?
And what of my role in all of this? I still do not know why my dad refused to be Stellarum’s Herald beyond not wanting to be separated from me. Yet that happened anyway.
The worst part, the memory that gives volume to the voice of doubt is that journey to the desert where I found my father.
If only I had come sooner.
If only I had not been scared.
If only.
If only…
Orianna followed Lucky, Zari, and the others through the illuminated gate of gold and light that opened with her confession. The first trial was done. It was only as she and the others were passing through a veil of golden mist that she came back to the present, finding herself in a cave covered in golden moss.
“Incredible…” Lucky says. Looking past him, Orianna sees an incredible sight.
A golden waterfall cascades over the pathway they are meant to follow. But it is more than mere water. It is divine power incarnate, one of the strongest forces in all the realms. Remarkable barely scratches the surface of its presence in the stalagmite covered cave. All they can do is just stand there for a moment, taking it in, waiting to see who will go first.
Without word or preamble, Lucky steps up to the roaring waters, pauses, and then passes through.
They could not see the other side. Orianna did not know if Lucky, then Fog, then Zola were safe or not from their passage, but that must be part of the trial too. When it was clear nothing had changed from Zola’s passing, Zari gestured for Orianna to go next. Clutching her Star Cradle close, she carefully stepped across the wet rocks as she approached the waterfall. Then she stepped into it.
Ah…
Was that voice hers?
You could separate Gerhard from the Staircase…
Or was it something else?
…save your dad from the Frostfell…
How does it know what she wants?
…get rid of the Primordial Incarnates entirely…
What?
…return to the home you have forgotten…
Is such a thing even possible?
…all you need do is accept the gift of these waters…
It’s a gift?
…accept this power and it can all be yours…
What kind of a price would she pay for such power…?
There was no way in all the Cosmos I would have accepted the gift of those golden waters. Such powers do not come without a cost.
I have my own inheritance to consider…
“It will be harder to breathe on the other side, for a time,” Zari says to them all. There’s a murmur of concern, but he raises a hand reassuringly. “You will adjust to the thinner air. Just don’t go chasing angels and you’ll be fine.”
Mercuria was the opposite of Lunia in every way. High mountains and deep valleys, carved by rivers that ran fast down the gentle slopes made up the landscape — which to Orianna’s mind, lent itself better to the idea of the air being thinner. But that was not all that was different. Lunia was covered in perpetual night, but Mercuria was bathed in an endless golden light invoking the feeling of a never ending day.
The young tiefling lost track of how long it took them to cover the distance towards the third and final trial — perhaps a remnant of her musings on power and its burden were more prominent in her mind so she paid less attention to her surroundings. It was as they came to yet another cave with distinctive draconic writing over its entrance declaring it ‘The Trial of Holy Diligence’ that Orianna was brought back to the present.
Inside there was gold everywhere. Perhaps a more greedy person would have sought to covet all that glittered but after the waterfall, none of them was eager to reach out and touch that which was not theirs. It was as their group rounded a corner into a central cavern where a huge mound of gold sat that Zari instantly fell to one knee in a very deep, supplicant’s bow. Orianna glances at Lucky, who shrugs and is already kneeling down but less quickly, when the mountain of gold begins to shift.
The sound of thousands upon thousands of gold coins falling from great heights filled the whole cave with a cacophony of sound. She was worried they might be washed off the ledge by how the gold was falling when Orianna realised she should not be looking around her, but instead ahead of her at the massive, ancient gold dragon.
One of the great dragon’s eyes scans them all, their bright gaze lingering for a fraction on Zari before settling on Lucky. In a voice that is commanding but not frightening, he says, “So you are here to see Kestrasz then?”
“Yes, we are, oh great dragon,” Lucky responds.
“Then let me offer you a ride.”
“We thank you for the offer, but we have to do this on our own,” Lucky says without missing a beat.
There’s a momentary pause as the ancient gold dragon looks down at Lucky. Then opening his mouth so all his teeth can be seen, he lets out an enormous laugh.
“You solved it so quickly! Excellent, well done!”
She couldn’t say for sure, but Orianna swore she saw a look of pride from Zari as he glanced at Lucky…
It was as we left the final trial that Lucky, Zari and I decided it was time to tell Fog, Glade, and Zola the basics of what we were here for:
To my surprise Zola wanted to tell the Sovereign of the Court of Sorcery about all this. I was not sure how accurate her retelling would be, and I mentioned as much. But she said she has plans to try to get Glastor, the First Smoke out of the Feywild court, which I believed by the fervent glean to her eyes.
But there is more to this that I did not feel confident the paladin of Elistraee would understand. Again, she seemed very impassioned when she spoke about Glastor, like it was a personal crusade of hers she would not give up on easily. If the Sovereign of the Court of Sorcery is to be spoken to, perhaps I or Lucky can find a way to get there sooner rather than later.
It is where Henri said the Lady of the Well may preside afterall…
“Zarzsebet. You are late.”
Kestrasz fills the entire sky. Imposing does not even begin to describe how his great height and size was making Orianna feel.
Zari, or Zarzsebet as she now made note was his full draconic name, had begun to explain why he was waylaid for so long, and as he guessed, the Archwrym had been unaware of the situation.
“You come here with these mortals-” His gaze rakes across them. “A being bound to an elemental, a cleric of Chauntea, one who smells like you, the Herald of my Queen, and a broken paladin.”
There was an uncomfortable silence as they tried not to look at each other, for the secrets that were revealed, or the truths laid bare.
“Why is it always the mortals who come?”
“We seek your knowledge, namely the location of your key,” Lucky says, projecting his voice. “The Paraelementals are searching for them but we must get to them first.”
“So you say.” The words are a challenge, accentuated by the Tungsten Dragon puffing out his massive chest. “Why does my Queen not come and tell me herself?”
“Because it is the time of mortals and heroes,” Orianna says, her voice echoing far up the mountains towards the dragon. It is Kestrasz’s turn to be silent. She feels her cheeks flush but she holds his heavy gaze, much as she wishes to look away.
“So you say.” This time, the words said are an acknowledgement, but whether of their truth or of Orianna’s authority as his Queen’s Herald, she wasn’t sure. But it felt like they had reached an agreement of where they all stood…
Kestrasz’s piece is in the Star Mounts not too far from Waterdeep in Faerûn. The mountain range is known for having particularly strong winds, best for keeping anything but dragons who can conquer them away. I do not know how soon Zari and Lucky wish to go find this piece but it is good to know where we can travel to. The sooner we find it the better.
I had to ask him if what Vulcanax said was true. I needed to know why he and his House left that place. He confirmed it was for the same reason: Asgorath, the World Dragon, said to leave the Jewel Beneath the Sands.
What I don’t understand is why…
Zari had begun to cast the familiar plane shift spell, but then something felt wrong. Then, it went wrong. Instead of returning to Portal Plaza in Daring Heights, they were suddenly crashing down into the ooze filled waters of the Swamp of Oblivion.
“Zari, what-”
She didn’t get a chance to finish that sentence before being knocked in the face by a great green tentacle of ooze. Lucky, who had been beside her, was nowhere to be seen. Zola was shouting a battle cry, Fog was fading into mist, and Zari was tearing some creature apart. Orianna shook her head, trying to get the ringing out of her ears and her eyes to focus.
“You! Get the fuck away from my husband!”
Glade was the only one still beside her now. Orianna clutches her Star Cradle, using it more for support in the few seconds she has. She sees they are utterly and completely surrounded by slime elementals.
For a moment, she freezes. How were they going to get out of this? What was happening to Lucky? Where had the others gone? Why did they leave Glade and her behind? How were they to follow when they were surrounded?
She stopped thinking, stilled her thoughts, and let her keen mind take over.
She had never faced slime elementals before, but knew Lucky had. The Primordial Incarnate that had captured Zari was the First Slime. That must be who had Lucky now, why Zari sounded so infuriated and slightly panicked when he shouted.
But that was elsewhere. The immediate threat to her and Glade was here, coming in for another swing.
The last time she had faced a Primordial Incarnate on their own Plane they did not kill them. They could not. The same would be the case here. That meant it was a matter of endurance to survive. To get an opening somewhere so she and Glade can get out. But what was their weakness? Orianna studies their form, calling on her years of academic learning of the various planes, their strengths and weaknesses. Where Earth meets Water — that was where Ooze presided. Like a scale, what would be on the opposite side of that wheel?
Fire.
“Asteros, First Flame of the Primordial Incarnates, I invoke your flame to protect us!”
The call to the First Flame came instinctually to her. When the final word of Primordial left her lips the wall of fire flared out and rose up, catching half of the slime elementals in its blaze. Her head swam as she maintained the concentration needed to sustain the power of such a fire. Orianna thought she heard a distant but familiar laugh.
Or it was the imaginings of her concussed mind.
But then, just as Orianna felt she was able to hold onto the flame, she was struck from behind and everything went dark…
Icy cold water lapped around her cloven feet as she stared out into a grey landscape. It was quiet. The only sound, the river in which she stood. There was a warmth against her back. It felt… nice. Familiar. But she couldn’t turn into its embrace. She was being held on this precipice. Waiting…
Zari and Lucky told us what happened once we returned.
Zari’s spell was interrupted (or intercepted?) by Phystal. This time though, instead of going after him, the Primordial sought to infiltrate Lucky’s mind. He wanted the location of Kestrasz’s key. But then, as his fingers had been searching in Lucky’s mind, he had come across another piece of interesting and devastating information. So Lucky had to make a choice: Either protect the secret of the location of the key, or protect the secret of the community of Enlace.
He chose to protect the key.
I have not had the honour of going to Enlace but Lucky has spoken of it often, and fondly.
To be forced to make such a choice.
I hope to never be put in such a situation, ever…
I have not seen Zola Oussviir since my very first trip to the Feywild. Hard to believe that was over a year ago. She seems different from then. A lot may transpire in a year, this I know, but there is something sharper about her. Harsher? More volatile? I am not sure what to make of it, or what to say, or even if there is much I can say to her. I just hope whatever it is that is happening in her life, she has friends and allies she can rely on to be there for her.
Fogwalker is another person I have not seen for a while, though I have heard from Gerhard that his friend, Marto, and Fog spend much time together in New Hillborrow. They, too, seem worried about something, though they are a little harder to gauge their feelings in comparison to Zola. It was no surprise that the two arrived together once I understood the above, later than Lucky and Zari had requested they do. Perhaps their troubles, combined with what transpired on this journey to Mount Celestia, was following the flow of what was another day full of the Omen of Woe from my Star Cradle.
Glade had been there when Lucky found Zari in the Swamp of Oblivion, when they first met Phystal. That also meant she knew Zari’s true self. I remember the reverence by which Lucky told me of his husband’s true nature so even though I was not sure if Zola or Fog knew, I was careful not to speak on it. There was a chance, when we met Kestrasz that all would be revealed. But until then, and much like how I have treated Calla’s own trust, it was not my secret to tell.
I was further assured this was the right course when Zola admitted to not being very good at keeping secrets…
Zari, who was punctual with his reporting into the Tungsten Dragon, had not done so for five years. That was how long he had been missing. He explained it was more than probable that Kestrasz did not even know about his capture and imprisonment. That led me to think about other aspects of this branch of the Archwyrm family tree. Though clearly in service of this great and just Archwrym, Zari must not be his Herald.
If that is the case, then the next and logical person who may be is Lucky.
But would Lucky want to take on such a mantle?…
Armed with the knowledge that Zari had told them and the little her father recalled, Orianna understood that Mount Celestia was considered to be on the “good” side of the scales. Celestials, Solars, Angels, and metallic dragons dedicated to Bahamut would be the kinds of beings they would come across. It sounded bold, bright, and beautiful. Everything that she has grown to associate with Lucky and Zari.
There was just the matter of the trials they were to face.
Zari assured them they were not anything remotely dangerous. But there was some hesitation amongst her fellows. What better thing for Orianna to do than to divine what she could from the Star Mother, she who holds all within her vast wings?
Setting herself up for her ritual, Orianna asked, “What would be the best advice you could give us for these trials?”
It took a little more time for Orianna to get a response, possibly because she was asking during the daytime, or because the question was skirting the boundaries of being too broad. Eventually, she did hear something.
“…an honest and open mind… one cannot lie… should be avoided…”
Orianna concentrated harder.
“…If you go through them honestly, you will pass…”
Lunia, the Silver Heaven, is quite the sight to behold. Perpetually bathed in starlight, I would have loved to stay there for hours, mapping out the constellations, adding them to my Star Map. But that was not all. There was a vast ocean spanning into the distance, still and clear as liquid glass to make the stars seem doubled.
Then, the most wondrous thing — celestial whales!
Such gentle giants. Oh how I wish Gerhard was with me to witness this…
I overthought the first trial — The Trial of Holy Purity.
I thought there must be some trick, some test of the mind. But the simple bowl with its liquid silver would only become clear once we unburdened ourselves of our heavy thoughts.
I had to face something I did not realise was weighing me down.
My dad.
The one thing I have always sought to not have is regret. Be it a lifetime or a moment, the thought of ‘what if’ is something that haunts me. That is why I have sought to broaden my knowledge through language learning, to understand more people by their ways of speaking and culture.
As we navigate this treacherous and lengthy history between the Archwryms and the Primordial Incarnates I have begun to feel an uncertainty rooted in anxiety. What is the right thing to do? The Primordial Incarnates are not our enemies, not all of them surely. But where does the line fall?
And what of my role in all of this? I still do not know why my dad refused to be Stellarum’s Herald beyond not wanting to be separated from me. Yet that happened anyway.
The worst part, the memory that gives volume to the voice of doubt is that journey to the desert where I found my father.
If only I had come sooner.
If only I had not been scared.
If only.
If only…
Orianna followed Lucky, Zari, and the others through the illuminated gate of gold and light that opened with her confession. The first trial was done. It was only as she and the others were passing through a veil of golden mist that she came back to the present, finding herself in a cave covered in golden moss.
“Incredible…” Lucky says. Looking past him, Orianna sees an incredible sight.
A golden waterfall cascades over the pathway they are meant to follow. But it is more than mere water. It is divine power incarnate, one of the strongest forces in all the realms. Remarkable barely scratches the surface of its presence in the stalagmite covered cave. All they can do is just stand there for a moment, taking it in, waiting to see who will go first.
Without word or preamble, Lucky steps up to the roaring waters, pauses, and then passes through.
They could not see the other side. Orianna did not know if Lucky, then Fog, then Zola were safe or not from their passage, but that must be part of the trial too. When it was clear nothing had changed from Zola’s passing, Zari gestured for Orianna to go next. Clutching her Star Cradle close, she carefully stepped across the wet rocks as she approached the waterfall. Then she stepped into it.
Ah…
Was that voice hers?
You could separate Gerhard from the Staircase…
Or was it something else?
…save your dad from the Frostfell…
How does it know what she wants?
…get rid of the Primordial Incarnates entirely…
What?
…return to the home you have forgotten…
Is such a thing even possible?
…all you need do is accept the gift of these waters…
It’s a gift?
…accept this power and it can all be yours…
What kind of a price would she pay for such power…?
There was no way in all the Cosmos I would have accepted the gift of those golden waters. Such powers do not come without a cost.
I have my own inheritance to consider…
“It will be harder to breathe on the other side, for a time,” Zari says to them all. There’s a murmur of concern, but he raises a hand reassuringly. “You will adjust to the thinner air. Just don’t go chasing angels and you’ll be fine.”
Mercuria was the opposite of Lunia in every way. High mountains and deep valleys, carved by rivers that ran fast down the gentle slopes made up the landscape — which to Orianna’s mind, lent itself better to the idea of the air being thinner. But that was not all that was different. Lunia was covered in perpetual night, but Mercuria was bathed in an endless golden light invoking the feeling of a never ending day.
The young tiefling lost track of how long it took them to cover the distance towards the third and final trial — perhaps a remnant of her musings on power and its burden were more prominent in her mind so she paid less attention to her surroundings. It was as they came to yet another cave with distinctive draconic writing over its entrance declaring it ‘The Trial of Holy Diligence’ that Orianna was brought back to the present.
Inside there was gold everywhere. Perhaps a more greedy person would have sought to covet all that glittered but after the waterfall, none of them was eager to reach out and touch that which was not theirs. It was as their group rounded a corner into a central cavern where a huge mound of gold sat that Zari instantly fell to one knee in a very deep, supplicant’s bow. Orianna glances at Lucky, who shrugs and is already kneeling down but less quickly, when the mountain of gold begins to shift.
The sound of thousands upon thousands of gold coins falling from great heights filled the whole cave with a cacophony of sound. She was worried they might be washed off the ledge by how the gold was falling when Orianna realised she should not be looking around her, but instead ahead of her at the massive, ancient gold dragon.
One of the great dragon’s eyes scans them all, their bright gaze lingering for a fraction on Zari before settling on Lucky. In a voice that is commanding but not frightening, he says, “So you are here to see Kestrasz then?”
“Yes, we are, oh great dragon,” Lucky responds.
“Then let me offer you a ride.”
“We thank you for the offer, but we have to do this on our own,” Lucky says without missing a beat.
There’s a momentary pause as the ancient gold dragon looks down at Lucky. Then opening his mouth so all his teeth can be seen, he lets out an enormous laugh.
“You solved it so quickly! Excellent, well done!”
She couldn’t say for sure, but Orianna swore she saw a look of pride from Zari as he glanced at Lucky…
It was as we left the final trial that Lucky, Zari and I decided it was time to tell Fog, Glade, and Zola the basics of what we were here for:
- The Paraelemental Primordial Incarnates want to “attune” to the “old bones” of the long dead Behemoths.
- These bodies of the Behemoths have been banished from all time and space.
- In order to get to them they need to open the four locks that are acting as diffusers.
- The four locks can only be opened by the four keys, which have been broken down into nine pieces.
- If the Primordial Incarnates of Magma, Frost, Smoke, and Ooze succeed in their task, it would spell the destruction of the spheres, etc. etc.
To my surprise Zola wanted to tell the Sovereign of the Court of Sorcery about all this. I was not sure how accurate her retelling would be, and I mentioned as much. But she said she has plans to try to get Glastor, the First Smoke out of the Feywild court, which I believed by the fervent glean to her eyes.
But there is more to this that I did not feel confident the paladin of Elistraee would understand. Again, she seemed very impassioned when she spoke about Glastor, like it was a personal crusade of hers she would not give up on easily. If the Sovereign of the Court of Sorcery is to be spoken to, perhaps I or Lucky can find a way to get there sooner rather than later.
It is where Henri said the Lady of the Well may preside afterall…
“Zarzsebet. You are late.”
Kestrasz fills the entire sky. Imposing does not even begin to describe how his great height and size was making Orianna feel.
Zari, or Zarzsebet as she now made note was his full draconic name, had begun to explain why he was waylaid for so long, and as he guessed, the Archwrym had been unaware of the situation.
“You come here with these mortals-” His gaze rakes across them. “A being bound to an elemental, a cleric of Chauntea, one who smells like you, the Herald of my Queen, and a broken paladin.”
There was an uncomfortable silence as they tried not to look at each other, for the secrets that were revealed, or the truths laid bare.
“Why is it always the mortals who come?”
“We seek your knowledge, namely the location of your key,” Lucky says, projecting his voice. “The Paraelementals are searching for them but we must get to them first.”
“So you say.” The words are a challenge, accentuated by the Tungsten Dragon puffing out his massive chest. “Why does my Queen not come and tell me herself?”
“Because it is the time of mortals and heroes,” Orianna says, her voice echoing far up the mountains towards the dragon. It is Kestrasz’s turn to be silent. She feels her cheeks flush but she holds his heavy gaze, much as she wishes to look away.
“So you say.” This time, the words said are an acknowledgement, but whether of their truth or of Orianna’s authority as his Queen’s Herald, she wasn’t sure. But it felt like they had reached an agreement of where they all stood…
Kestrasz’s piece is in the Star Mounts not too far from Waterdeep in Faerûn. The mountain range is known for having particularly strong winds, best for keeping anything but dragons who can conquer them away. I do not know how soon Zari and Lucky wish to go find this piece but it is good to know where we can travel to. The sooner we find it the better.
I had to ask him if what Vulcanax said was true. I needed to know why he and his House left that place. He confirmed it was for the same reason: Asgorath, the World Dragon, said to leave the Jewel Beneath the Sands.
What I don’t understand is why…
Zari had begun to cast the familiar plane shift spell, but then something felt wrong. Then, it went wrong. Instead of returning to Portal Plaza in Daring Heights, they were suddenly crashing down into the ooze filled waters of the Swamp of Oblivion.
“Zari, what-”
She didn’t get a chance to finish that sentence before being knocked in the face by a great green tentacle of ooze. Lucky, who had been beside her, was nowhere to be seen. Zola was shouting a battle cry, Fog was fading into mist, and Zari was tearing some creature apart. Orianna shook her head, trying to get the ringing out of her ears and her eyes to focus.
“You! Get the fuck away from my husband!”
Glade was the only one still beside her now. Orianna clutches her Star Cradle, using it more for support in the few seconds she has. She sees they are utterly and completely surrounded by slime elementals.
For a moment, she freezes. How were they going to get out of this? What was happening to Lucky? Where had the others gone? Why did they leave Glade and her behind? How were they to follow when they were surrounded?
She stopped thinking, stilled her thoughts, and let her keen mind take over.
She had never faced slime elementals before, but knew Lucky had. The Primordial Incarnate that had captured Zari was the First Slime. That must be who had Lucky now, why Zari sounded so infuriated and slightly panicked when he shouted.
But that was elsewhere. The immediate threat to her and Glade was here, coming in for another swing.
The last time she had faced a Primordial Incarnate on their own Plane they did not kill them. They could not. The same would be the case here. That meant it was a matter of endurance to survive. To get an opening somewhere so she and Glade can get out. But what was their weakness? Orianna studies their form, calling on her years of academic learning of the various planes, their strengths and weaknesses. Where Earth meets Water — that was where Ooze presided. Like a scale, what would be on the opposite side of that wheel?
Fire.
“Asteros, First Flame of the Primordial Incarnates, I invoke your flame to protect us!”
The call to the First Flame came instinctually to her. When the final word of Primordial left her lips the wall of fire flared out and rose up, catching half of the slime elementals in its blaze. Her head swam as she maintained the concentration needed to sustain the power of such a fire. Orianna thought she heard a distant but familiar laugh.
Or it was the imaginings of her concussed mind.
But then, just as Orianna felt she was able to hold onto the flame, she was struck from behind and everything went dark…
Icy cold water lapped around her cloven feet as she stared out into a grey landscape. It was quiet. The only sound, the river in which she stood. There was a warmth against her back. It felt… nice. Familiar. But she couldn’t turn into its embrace. She was being held on this precipice. Waiting…
Zari and Lucky told us what happened once we returned.
Zari’s spell was interrupted (or intercepted?) by Phystal. This time though, instead of going after him, the Primordial sought to infiltrate Lucky’s mind. He wanted the location of Kestrasz’s key. But then, as his fingers had been searching in Lucky’s mind, he had come across another piece of interesting and devastating information. So Lucky had to make a choice: Either protect the secret of the location of the key, or protect the secret of the community of Enlace.
He chose to protect the key.
I have not had the honour of going to Enlace but Lucky has spoken of it often, and fondly.
To be forced to make such a choice.
I hope to never be put in such a situation, ever…