The Unraveling Phase Five

These are recent events... In Alfheim, dark rain pours down from the black skies into the forest, causing the soil to turn to mud. Aeveron struggles to fly as she grows weak. She feels sharp pains within her wings. It drives her to the ground.

She looks around for cover from the waters and the mud. There in the distance, she sees a hollow pipe.

As she approaches it, she notices that it goes down into a larger cave system.

Aeveron begins to crawl down into the cave system. Pain strikes her wings again, and in her hands. Her whole body becomes pained.

She begins to scream. Then there is a sharp pain upon her back, and she feels her wings as if they shedded from her body.

She feels a strange presence upon her face. It feels as if something is pulling it apart. She can feel as she puts her hands to her cheekbones that her face is changing.

The pain subsides, and so does the effects of it. She begins to hear moaning down a long dark tunnel. She makes her way towards the moaning.

She focuses her eyes to help her concentrate and see in the darkness. There she sees a figure chained to a wall.

She recognizes the royal robes and an emblem upon the shoulder. When she reaches out with her senses, it is a familiar sense.

She whispers ‘Doumarae?’

A face turns to her, but it is not the face she remembers of Doumarae. It is that of a squid with squid-like tentacles and large yellow eyes.

Doumarae says ‘Aeveron… is that you?’

As Aeveron comes closer into the light, Doumarae’s eyes begin to widen.

Doumarae says ‘What has happened to you?’

Aeveron says ‘I don’t know. But you… it’s happening to you as well.’

Just then there is another sharp pain within both Doumarae and Aeveron. They can feel themselves changing. Doumarae looks down at his hands and feet that are shackled.

He watches as they turn into tentacles. He is free from the shackles. The pain subsides, and the two lay there in the darkness trying to recover themselves.

In Valinor...

Yserah, Fihazia, Draena, Elararis, and Nastazil with a small contingent of elven guards have made their way to Valinor. They notice that the Valar and their royal guards, as well as the Maiar, are on their guard.

Many of the common class whisper as Yserah and his party make their way to where the council of the Valar is being held.

As they cross through the grand hall and the gates open, Valkar steps forward. He grabs Yserah by his cloak with both hands.

Valkar says ‘I should throw you over this bridge down to the rocks below. Somehow I feel that you are part of all this.’

Fihazia steps forward and says ‘You may want to listen to him.’

As she places her hands upon Valkar’s wrist, she continues ‘Something is going on. I don’t believe that he is a part of it. Whoever he may be, I do not trust him as well, but he knows something.’

Valkar looks at Fihazia. He knows that she is wise and can always be trusted.

Fihazia continues to speak ‘Whatever it is, we must find the answer. And sometimes, Valkar, we have to look in the most unlikely places.’ She looks back at King Yserah.

Valkar says ‘So much in one day. It’s like the gathering of the worst have come upon us, and now we have to look to them for guidance.’

Fihazia stares curiously at Valkar and says ‘What do you mean?’

Valkar says ‘Melkor has come. He has gathered in the hall telling of the same thing. Of the rise of this judgement. That Atherak has begun to invade the realms. He has also said that Mount Olympus has been torn apart.’

Fihazia says ‘He speaks the truth. We have just come from Mount Olympus.’

Valkar shakes his head and says ‘I do not understand. Why would Atherak and the Myrrdonite be making such a move? Why upon so many realms?’

Fihazia looks at him and places her hand upon his shoulder. She says ‘There is much we do not understand yet.’

Yserah interrupts and says ‘If we want to find out more, maybe we should go inside.’

The party steps inside, and there Melkor is explaining to the other Valar of what is going on and that it is time to take action to defend Valinor.

King Yserah and the rest of them enter. Melkor and King Yserah then stare at each other. Yserah is the first to speak ‘It has been a long time, Melkor.’

Melkor steps forward and says ‘It has, King of Alfheim. It is strange after all this time and after everything that has transpired, that we would be standing here in Valinor. All for the same cause.’

Yserah says ‘We were enemies once. In the times to come, we may be enemies again. But right now, you know of the great power of the devices as well as I do.’

Valkar looks over with a curious look to Fihazia and whispers ‘The devices?’

Valkar begins to check the memory of his vessel’s hearing of the devices. Valkar says ‘Is this so?’

Fihazia shakes her head and says ‘If it is true and Atherak is bent upon judging all the realms and destroying them all… as much as I do not wish to believe that is his cause, but if it so be, then the devices may be able to stop him. Or at least expel him and his Myrrdonite back to the borderlands.’

They all begin to speak amongst each other. Just then there is a crackle of lightning. The halls begin to grow dark as the suns are covered by dark black clouds.

Melkor and Yserah look to the skies, and then look at each other.

Valkar steps forward and says ‘What is it?’ Melkor and Yserah turn and look at Valkar.

Yserah says ‘They are coming.’

Valkar decides and says ‘King Yserah, you should return to Alfheim. I will look for you there. Right now we must make ready to stand whatever comes against Valinor.’

King Yserah nods his head in agreement. Valkar opens a portal leading to Alfheim.

Fihazia steps beside Valkar and places her hand upon his shoulder. She says ‘Whatever this is that is affecting the naturals as well, the answers lie within Alfheim. That is the first place I must look. I’m going to go with King Yserah.’

Valkar says ‘Take him to that decrepit black tree. I think the first clue to unraveling all of this lies there. Be careful.’

The party of Yserah, his guards, Elararis, Draena, Fihazia, and Nastazil leave through the portal and head back to the realm of Alfheim.

The skies grow dark. Black lightning crackles amongst the clouds.

Valkar gathers the Valar together. Valkar says ‘We make our stand against whatever comes.’

As the darkness spreads over Valinor, the Valar make ready. They cannot see. It is not as if it is night or day, but darkness spreads shadows across the landscape.

Just then up in the sky two bright stars are seen.

One of the Valar says to Valkar ‘They are growing brighter. Are they comets? Meteors?’

Melkor steps to the side of Valkar and says ‘I’m here to fight alongside you for Valinor. Make ready.’ He draws his sword and says ‘They have arrived.’

The two bright stars grow brighter and brighter and then crash to Valinor like meteorites. What arises from them is two Myrrdonite females who are identical in every way.

They speak in unison. ‘Do you stand against judgement, or before it, Valar?’

Valkar draws his blade and says ‘We stand for Valinor.’

The twin stars speak in unison ‘As the master thought.’

Something from the darkness comes rushing forward. To the horror of Melkor and Valkar’s eyes as well as all the Valinor, they stare upon the eyes of the Myrrdonite Bishberrin.

Valkar signals to his Valar. He says ‘Handle the other two. Melkor and I will fight this savage one.’

Valkar, Melkor, and the Valar go charging forward along with the Maiar.

The twin stars make their move. Hovering high above from them is what appears to be coils flashing like falling stars coming all around them.

They strike and pin them to the ground. The coils sink in, wrapping around them as if caught in a spider web.

Those caught in it are screeching in pain. Melkor and Valkar begin to fight with the Bishberrin. They are quick.

They have studied through their vessels of how powerful this being is, and do not take him lightly.

Every move he makes, they try to dodge. They plan their attacks, but with every strike, it does not seem to affect him. Melkor then looks over to the Valar who have been pinned to the ground by the black coils from the twin stars.

Melkor says ‘Valkar! The Valar are in your need. I will do what I can to handle this one.’

Valkar then focuses his attack upon the twin stars. Valkar says ‘Be gone from Valinor! Free my brothers, or I will have you.’

Valkar moves fast as he strikes forward towards one of the twin stars. Cutting through the coils, he makes a fast move decapitating her.

The other twin star turns her focus upon him. Coils go launching from her hands, piercing into the back of Valkar.

The other twin star who was decapitated reaches down and picks up her head. She places it back upon her neck. Coils from within her skin begin to sew it back on.

They say in unison ‘Foolish move.’

Valkar can feel the coils piercing in his back like fish hooks.

The twins say ‘You fight with honor. And you will live with that honor.’

The coils lift Valkar high up into the sky. They swing him around and toss him against the side of the Valinor fortress.

Valkar falls down a few ledges below onto the rocks.

Melkor stands alone as he strikes against the Bishberrin. He speaks to himself ‘Device within me, give me your strength.’

Melkor begins to glow brightly. He goes forward. Evading the Bishberrin’s attacks, he strikes down with all his might with his sword, slicing the Bishberrin in half.

The two halves of the body fall to the ground. Melkor turns and says ‘Thank you. I knew it was within me. Now I can harness it here.’

He turns towards the twin stars and points his sword. He says ‘Just you and me now.’

The twin stars laugh in unison and say ‘You are so blind, device.’

Behind him, Melkor hears a noise. The two halves of the Bishberrin begin to twitch. Where they were cut it begins to reform, and two Bishberrins rise.

Melkor looks as the two begin their attack upon him. He tries to strike them with his sword. He calls once again to the power of the device, but as he does, his face is slashed by the claws of the Bishberrin ripping into his skin.

Then he is grabbed by the other one and raised high. He is looking down at the horrid face of the Myrrdonite Savage God.

The Bishberrin laughs with a shrieking horror and says ‘Welcome to the game, device. As the master foresaw.’

He then tosses Melkor down towards the cliffs below where he lands on a ledge. The two Bishberrins come stand together. They mold back as if their bodies are made of clay.

The twin stars say ‘This place stands for honor, and it will fall with honor.’

The twin stars begin to hover again. They turn bright black as black fireballs strike forward crashing into the fortress of Valinor, bringing it to rubble.

Valkar regains himself. The coils unwrap from the other Valar. As they look at the destruction of the ancient place, they decide to flee.

Valkar regains himself and finds Melkor. He opens a portal and places Melkor over his shoulder. He steps through. Darkness reigns over Valinor.

Mount Olympus...

Upon a lonely pillar of what is left of Mount Olympus, is Zeus. He bleeds from wounds.

Zeus says ‘I have brought this upon me. I have brought it upon all. This is my punishment. For all eternity, I will stay here upon this pillar and watch all that I loved that has now crumbled before me.’

He then hears a voice say ‘It doesn’t have to be so.’

He looks over and focuses his eyes. There is a hooded figure. The figure draws back the hood, revealing his face.

Zeus laughs and says ‘And have you come here to torment me? Is this part of it?’ He yells to the sky ‘Is this part of my judgement?’

Vustik looks up where Zeus is yelling. He says ‘He can’t hear you, you know. Personally I don’t think he gives a fuck.’

Zeus looks at Vustik again. He chuckles and says ‘Maybe you’re right. Maybe he doesn’t give a fuck. But I’m guessing that you do.’

Vustik says ‘I wouldn’t be here otherwise. This doesn’t have to end like this, Zeus. There are other ways. The power of the devices… we are coming together.’

Zeus laughs and says ‘Power… I’m so sick of power. I’m so sick of hearing of it. I desired for it, and this is where it has led me. This is where it has brought me!’ Zeus begins to stand and says ‘So don’t tell me of your fucking power.’

Vustik says ‘What would you do to see Olympus whole again? The power of the devices can do that.’

Zeus looks strangely at Vustik for a while. He knows Vustik to be deception, illusions, ad lies, but something strikes him. He thinks ‘Is he telling the truth?’

Vustik says ‘Come with me. Let me show you. This is not over. Atherak is not as powerful as he may appear. There is something beyond him. The power of the devices.’

Vustik opens a portal and says ‘You can be part of that, or you can sit here and wallow in your own misery.’

Zeus steps through the portal with Vustik. On his way through, Zeus says ‘I do not trust you, but if this is the judgement of Atherak… I trust you to save your own ass. So I will listen to what you have to say.’

Vustik smiles and says ‘I’m sure you’ll be quite intrigued.’

Siren Queen...

Lyindrinar raises his head and wipes the sleep from his eyes. Closely leaning up against him is the elf-gnome Frigit. Leaning back to back with him is the void elf Layahzarus.

Lyindrinar says to the chaos drakon Douraka ‘Where are we?’

Douraka says back in a booming voice ‘We are here. Look.’

Lyindrinar shakes Frigit awake. This also shakes Layahzarus to wake. He turns around and looks. There spreading over a beautiful sea untouched by darkness is the realm of Sirens. Frigit looks around and smiles.

Layahzarus says ‘It seems that this place has been untouched by the ever gathering darkness.’ He pulls out a small parchment and a quill from his robe. He begins writing down something.

Frigit stands and looks over Layahzarus’ shoulder. He says ‘What are you writing down?’

Layahzarus says ‘I am chronicling all the events.’

Frigit says ‘Chronicling? You mean like writing a story.’

Layahzarus shakes his head and looks strangely at the unusual gnome. He says ‘Not like writing a story. I am recording what will become history.’

Frigit says ‘We gnomes like to tell our history in songs.’

Layahzarus says ‘I am not writing a symphony.’

Frigit says ‘What’s a symphony?’

Douraka replies ‘It’s a lot of instruments and beings singing altogether.’

Frigit says ‘Oh. Like if you have four or five tikus.’

Douraka tilts his head back. Layahzarus looks at Frigit and asks ‘What is a tiku?’

Frigit turns back around and sits and looks forward as they approach the capital where the Siren Queen Aeyia’na is.

They are welcomed by several of the sirens and their royal guard. An emissary for the Siren Queen greets them and says ‘King Lyindrinar, the Siren Queen has expected you for some time. And your weary travelers.’

Douraka looks around. He is usually very skittish of being in a crowd. ‘I don’t know about this.’

Frigit taps him on his leg and says ‘It’ll be fine. Maybe they have some food.’

Layahzarus touches his belly and says ‘Yes, I am famished.’

Douraka says ‘Food would be good.’

The emissary for the Siren Queen says ‘I will take your friends, Lyindrinar. The Siren Queen wishes to see you right away. We have anticipated your arrival.’

Lyindrinar says ‘I will do so.’ He turns to the three and says ‘You all go ahead. I will find out what the Siren Queen knows.’

The three are escorted to a large open balcony overlooking the sea. There are all kinds of delights. Everything that fits their fancy is there and brought forth before them.

Lyindrinar steps forth into the throne room. The Siren Queen Aeyia’na says ‘King Lyindrinar, I have anticipated your coming.’

Lyindrinar says as he bows ‘I am no longer king.’

The Siren Queen steps forward lifting Lyindrinar and says ‘That may be, but you are still a friend. You’ve come seeking answers.’

Lyindrinar says ‘I have. I don’t understand the events that have been unfolding. I believe it is more than just what everyone in all the realms are thinking. That this is the final judgement. That Atherak and his Myrrdonite mean to destroy the realms.’

Queen Aeyia’na smiles and bows her head as she prepares a drink for both of them. She says ‘It is far beyond their understanding. I have listened on the winds of the waters upon my seas. I know what is happening to the naturals. I have gone out into my seas and been among our natural beings.’

Lyindrinar steps forward with curiosity and says ‘And what have you discovered?’

The Siren Queen says ‘What is affecting the natural beings of the other realms does not seem to be affecting ours here so far.’

Lyindrinar says ‘Then maybe there’s an answer here. The darkness is spreading upon other realms, turning the naturals against all of us. But it hasn’t spread here. Something… maybe that’s the answer we’ve been seeking.’

The Siren Queen says ‘And I wish I had it for you, Lyindrinar.’

She turns around to face him and says ‘But like you, I am still looking for it. But I have seen things, Lyindrinar.

Before you came, I dreamed the other ones who gathered against Atherak and the Myrrdonite will seek help from old enemies who will now become allies. But this will only be the downfall of them.

I dreamed of them returning to the dead tree that now stands in Alfheim, using the fires of Muspelheim. They tried to burn it. It reflected and incinerated all.

If you wish to find the answers to your questions then you must go to Muspelheim. You must try to stop the other realms from convincing Mephisto to join their cause. I believe all of Alfheim will burn if he does.’

Lyindrinar bows his head and says ‘Then to Muspelheim I will go. I just have to figure out how to get there.’

The Siren Queen says ‘I can probably help you with that. There are some old incantations that may open a portal. As most know, Muspelheim is cut off from the other realms as the Lord Mephisto sees fit.’

She calls for one of her servants and speaks to her. She says to Lyindrinar ‘She will gather the tomes and whatever else I need for the incantation. You may join your friends if you wish.’

Lyindrinar nods his head and says ‘I would rather stay here. I am sure they are filling their bellies at the moment.’

Just then there is commotion heard outside. The voices are heard ‘You cannot be here uninvited. It doesn’t matter who you are.’

Other royal guards come rushing into the room as Queen Aeyia’na turns her attention toward the commotion outside. She says ‘You should go, Lyindrinar’

Lyindrinar says ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

Lyindrinar draws his sword and makes ready. Just then the doors to the Siren Queen’s throne room come crashing open. A guard is pushed to the floor. Zeus and several others walk through. Some of the pantheon divine along with Ashoweah and Vustik.

They see Lyindrinar and look. Vustik says ‘So you seem to appear in the oddest places, Lyindrinar.’

Zeus looks and says ‘You were upon Mount Olympus when it fell. Now you are here. He brings doom to you, my Queen.’

The Siren Queen Aeyia’na steps forward and says ‘The only one who brings doom here is you. Go Lyindrinar. Gather your friends. Leave here.’

Lyindrinar sheathes his sword and backs through. A royal guard opens a path for him. As he makes his way down towards his friends, they stand ready to protect his escape.

Zeus and the others look at Aeyia’na. Ashoweah steps forward and says ‘Strange how your realm has been untouched by the gathering darkness. Strange how there is no judgement gathering here.

You see, pantheons of the realms, great kings and queens. This is not of judgement that Atherak brings, but for his own simple little desires of causing pain and suffering upon the realms. He sees us all as insignificant except for those who truly serve him.’

The Siren Queen says ‘Are you accusing me of something, you vile being? Your wickedness is known. Your treachery and your cruelty. Begone from my kingdom, all of you. Leave my realm, and take your own faults and malice with you.’

Zeus looks at the Siren Queen and says ‘I’m sorry, my Queen.’ He signals to some of the others, and they surround her.

A royal guard steps in front of her. Zeus steps forward and says ‘I don’t want any bloodshed. Please. We are all in this together on the same side.’

The Siren Queen says ‘You are on your own side, and you will see the outcome of it.’

Vustik steps forward and says ‘Enough of this bullshit.’ He waves his hand and black portals begin to appear below the royal guards.

The royal guards fall through, leaving the Siren Queen alone. Ashoweah steps forward. He waves his hand and energy comes from it. Chains wrap around Aeyia’na’s hands, torso, and feet, pulling her to her throne.

Zeus steps forward to the two of them and says ‘What are you doing?’

Vustik says ‘We’re not killing her. We’re just putting her in her place for now.’

Zeus says ‘You mean to use her as bait.’

Ashoweah turns to Zeus and says ‘We must understand what we are up against. We must find weaknesses. This will surely bring Atherak and his Myrrdonite here.’

Vustik says ‘We mean to set a trap.’

The Siren Queen begins to scream aloud ‘I will not be part of this! You cannot force me.’

Vustik turns and says ‘You have no choice in the matter.’ With a flash of his hand, the Siren Queen falls fast asleep.

Vustik says ‘By the time she wakes up, it’ll be all over. We will seal this place off so that no harm will befall her. Now, let’s set our trap for these dead assholes.’

Lyindrinar makes his way down to find the other three fast asleep. He says ‘Wake up! Hurry. We have to get out of here.’ They all wake up.

Frigit asks ‘What is happening?’

Lyindrinar replies ‘Zeus is here. As well as Vustik and Ashoweah.’

Douraka raises his head and says ‘I hate those fucking guys.’

Lyindrinar says ‘But we have to get out of here. They’re going to be searching the whole palace. They know I’m here. I just can’t think.

Valeyta knew all the incantations to the different realms. I should have paid more attention when she was practicing. I was too busy with kingly affairs.

We have to get to Muspelheim. The Siren Queen warned me of something. We have to try to convince the Demon King to not join the side of the pantheons, Vustik, and Ashoweah. We have to do it to save Alfheim.’

Frigit says ‘Oh no. What will happen to Alfheim?’

Lyindrinar says ‘As far as I understand… what I think they mean to do is use the fires of Muspelheim against that blackened tree and the Myrrdonite. It will engulf and burn across Alfheim. This is what the Siren Queen saw.’

Frigit says ‘Then we must get to Muspelheim and stop him.’ He turns to Douraka and asks ‘Do you know how to get there?’

Douraka replies 'No I don’t.’

Frigit says ‘What about you, Layahzarus? Do you know how to get there?’

Layahzarus says ‘Unfortunately no. Muspelheim does not allow too many portals and beings to enter it. The King Mephisto himself rules like a dictator. He does not like beings from other realms coming to his.’

Then they hear a small strange voice ‘I can take you there.’

They all look around curiously. ‘Where is that coming from?’

The voice says ‘Over here.’ The voice lets out a little cackle. ‘This way. Closer.’

They approach the bag that Frigit carries with him. The voice says ‘Come closer.’

Frigit, Lyindrinar, and Layahzarus lean down closer to the bag. They can hear small bits of giggling.

Just then the bag bursts open. The voice yells ‘Boo!’

They all startle and jump backward. Lyindrinar draws his sword. There an imp stands before him, laughing hysterically.

The imp says ‘I got you. I got you.’

Lyindrinar sheathes his sword and says ‘Oh great. This is all we need. Where did you pick him up at, Frigit?’

Frigit says ‘I didn’t know he was in my backpack.’

The little imp begins to jump up and down. It says ‘I drank it all. It’s all mine, I drink all of it.’

Frigit scratches his head and then exclaims ‘The smuck flower nectar! I had brought some with us.’

Frigit looks into his bag. There are empty vials of smuck flower nectar. The imp jumps up and down. ‘I found it, I found it. And I followed you. I drank it all.’

Frigit becomes angry and says ‘That is all I had! How could you just drink it?’

Lyindrinar places his hand upon his shoulder and says ‘Hold on one moment. You said you can take us to Muspelheim.’

The imp says ‘Yes, yes. I know where it is. I can take you there.’

Douraka laughs and says ‘Ha. He knows where it is? One so small.’

The imp then screams aloud as a great wind forces some of the others back ‘I. KNOW. WHERE. IT. IS!’

The voice booms throughout the kingdom of the Siren Queen. This catches the attention of Zeus, Ashoweah, and Vustik.

Lyindrinar listens with his elf ears. He says ‘Oh great. They know we’re here now. Listen...’ He bends down talking to the imp ‘Whatever you name is-‘

The imp jumps up and down and says ‘Mithsgui, Mithsgui! My name’s Mithsgui.’

Lyindrinar says ‘Mithsgui, I believe you. Take us to Muspelheim.’

Mithsgui says while dancing around the three in a circle ‘Here we go, here we go! Muspelheim, Muspelheim.’

A fiery portal opens around them, and the group disappears.

In Alfheim...

King Yserah has arrived, and has met with all the other leaders of the different races of Alfheim. He tells them of the happenings at Mount Olympus and Valinor.

He then continues on with a great speech as all listen, of bringing all the different races together to expel this darkness from their land.

Yserah says ‘I will go to this dead tree. I will see what these Myrrdonite want.’

Fihazia says ‘I will go with you.’

Elararis and Nastazil stay behind. Elararis embraces Fihazia and says ‘Come back to me.’

Fihazia replies ‘I will.’

Yserah, Fihazia, and three royal guards make their way down to the dead blackened tree. When they get closer, they hear strange singing.

Yserah tilts his ears and leans forward on his horse. He says ‘What is that? What language is that?’

The sound of the choir is a haunting melody. Fihazia begins to listen.

Fihazia says ‘That is gnomish if I am not mistaken.’

Yserah says ‘Gnomish? The gnomes. It’s coming from the base of the dead tree.’

Yserah smacks his reins against the horse. Fihazia does the same, and both of them begin to gallop off towards the blackened dead tree.

When they approach it, they can see where it has sprouted up. There are ruins of the Alfheim capital all around, but at the bottom of the base of the tree are many gnomes.

They appear to all be singing in unison. They are offering up baskets of fruits and vegetables that they are placing at the base of the tree.

Yserah and the party rides forward. Yserah and Fihazia dismount from their horses. The three royal guards do the same.

One of the guards says to King Yserah ‘Be careful, my King. They seem to be under some kind of spell.’

Yserah raises his hand and nods his head. He begins to step forward. Yserah says ‘Gnomish friends. What has brought you here?’

As his voice is heard, the gnomes stop singing. They all turn at once to face him. Yserah looks down on them. Then he notices their eyes are all black. Fihazia also takes notice to this.

Yserah backs away a few steps and says ‘What has happened to you?’

The gnomes begin screeching aloud and yelling. They grab the fruit and vegetables in the basket, tossing them at Fihazia, Yserah, and the royal guards.

The guards draw their swords. Yserah turns as a small apple hits him in the back of the head.

Yserah says ‘Do not harm them! They know not what they do.’ Just then he is pelted by more.

Fihazia says ‘Stand back, Yserah.’

Fihazia reaches into her robe and produces the strange gemstone. It glows bright green, and the gnomes stop their advancement forward. Their eyes begin to glow.

Just then at the base of the tree, there is a crack within the wood. It splits open. Two beings step forward.

Amerriah says ‘I see you are brave after all. You have come, king.’

Fiayuah steps forward. She raises her hand. Fiayuah says ‘You are not to change the judgement.’

With a flick of her wrist, the bright glowing green gemstone in Fihazia’s hands is pulled away into the hand of Fiayuah.

Fiayuah continues ‘You will not change what is happening.’ She turns the gemstone to look at it and then closes her fingers around it to crush the gemstone.

Amerriah grins as Fiayuah and her turn and proceed back inside the tree. Amerriah’s voice can be heard ‘Come back when you are ready. We will be waiting.’

Where the tree broke open, it closes back up. The gnomes’ eyes then turn black. They begin picking up rocks. The party climbs back upon their horses as they are pelted with rocks.

Yserah says ‘We must go!’

The five of them ride off back into the forest. When they are gone, the gnomes turn once again and begin singing in unison.

In Jotunheim...

Inside the throne room of Jotunheim, three cloaked bodies of dead dwarves hang from the ceiling by their ankles.

Flamebeard stares up at them and says ‘So these were our brethren who betrayed us and kidnapped us three. They put that horrid torture device upon my head. I cannot believe a dwarf would do that to another.’

Moonstone says ‘The wicked can corrupt many. No being great or powerful, weak or small is beyond its grasp. They chose their fate.’

Greywillow speaks ‘But what is wickedness? What do you Myrrdonite and Atherak consider to be wicked?’

Moonstone turns and says ‘A great many things can be considered, that will bring you forth before my master where judgement will be carried out.’

Fogbeard steps forward and says ‘Then why so many dwarves spared except these three? There are others among us who I know have done worse things than these three.’ He looks over at Blacklace.

Blacklace spits on the floor as she leans against the pillar with her arms crossed. She says ‘I never killed anyone who didn’t try to kill me first. Whenever I raided, I never raped or pillaged. Only took what I needed. From a barbaric king of Alfheim mostly. He’s done far worse than me, and yet he lives again.

Or have you forgotten what it was like, Fogbeard? In the internment camps under the Goblin Queen. I remember as a small child stealing a crust of bread, and being beaten for it. The horrid labors, the many that died.

You escaped it as well as I did. It has made me who I am. You may consider some of the deeds I have done wrong, and if so then I will meet judgement when my time comes.’

Moonstone says ‘We all face it in the end. Even the master himself. All the forces of the devices are gathering together, dear cousins. They will soon make their move. They will try to ensnare the master. It shall be exciting to watch. It is spreading farther now.’

In Volheim...

In a large steel cage, Ares awakes. Across from him sits Thor. All around them, volwynn growl and snarl at them.

Ares says to Thor ‘What has happened?’

Thor says ‘Apparently we are now the caged animals.’

They look around. All the volwynns’ eyes have changed to a blackish color. Ares puts his hand upon the bar just as a large volwynn bear takes a bite at him. Thor pulls him back before Ares loses any fingers.

Thor says ‘I wouldn’t get too close.’

Just then the volwynn all draw silent and move back from the cage. A pathway opens up between them.

There walking upon all fours is the King of Volheim. His eyes are blackened. He walks forward to the cage.

Ares and Thor move closer to him.

Thor says ‘King Tenomachi! It’s us. It’s Thor. Remember friend. Remember how I would come here. The times we have spent within your great halls, and together on the hunts. You must remember me. I’m no enemy to you.’

Tenomachi’s face leans forward sniffing. He then bares his sharp teeth. Thor moves closer to the cage, wrapping his hands around the bars.

Thor says ‘It’s me, old friend. Don’t you recognize me?’

Just then Tenomachi’s head lowers and it turns to the side.

Thor says ‘You remember me, don’t you?’

Tenomachi then strikes back, biting at the cage. His jaws clench around the bars, bending them. Thor is quick to move back.

Ares says ‘I don’t think he remembers who you are. I don’t even think he remembers himself.’

Just then Tenomachi backs off from the cage, moving backward. There is the Myrrdonite bear Jaiddaka, but there are two other figures that follow her. As the silhouettes of the figures come into view, Thor’s eyes and Ares’ open wide.

Thor whispers ‘Atherak.’

Atherak and Xarsha step forward.

Ares stands and says ‘What is the meaning of this, Atherak? Why are you doing this? I have paid for what I have done. I walked in transcension, killed by your Myrrdonite Xaxo long ago, who now you returned to the layer of the living.’

Thor interrupts and says ‘You are Judgement. What have we all done so wrong? Ashontrah and Asherah brought us together to live together in peace, and we have done so. Why all of this?’

Atherak says ‘To make you understand.’

Ares says ‘Understand what?’

Atherak says ‘That judgement, no matter how much any being great or small tries to avoid it, it comes to us all.’

Atherak and Xarsha followed by Jaiddaka then begin to walk past the cage holding Thor and Ares.

Thor shouts ‘What do you mean!?’ He bangs the cage. As he does so, the volwynn close in around it and begin biting at the cage.

Xarsha speaks ‘The next phase is ready to proceed, my lord. They have gathered. Ones who believe the power within them will bring you to an end.’

Atherak says ‘As it was foreseen. I have a message for you to take, Xarsha.’

Xarsha says ‘And where will I take your message to, master?’

Atherak turns. He raises his hand into the air, moving his fingers as if unlocking something.

Before him, a pink rift opens. Atherak then turns as a raven flies down to his shoulder and onto his wrist. He hands it over to Xarsha.

Atherak says ‘I have a message for the Gallatar Commander. Take it to her. Tell her she will be expecting visitors soon.’

Xarsha bows and steps through the pink rift. It closes as Atherak turns to Jaiddaka.

Atherak says ‘They will come soon enough. Let them know that these two remain alive. Bring them here. Scatter them into the wilds. Soon they will gather the power of the devices. I wish to be here watching when they unleash it.’

Jaiddaka nods her head. Atherak turns, opens a rift, and steps through. The rift closes behind him. The volwynn begin howling, and it is heard throughout Volheim.

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