More Offensives (Afina and Jaela; 84 days left)

[Corwin]

"Is there a better way than the one we found?" Jaela asks Selune respectfully. She'd prefer not to sacrifice Lifasa to gain some version of it uplifted to the heavens, and their plan to get all the sigils is fairly open-ended. Given that they've been told they can't implement it ahead of time, having more detail can't hurt.

[Anastasia]

"Yes, and one destiny pulls us all towards," Selune says, "Gather the nine sigils and head deep into Lifasa. Seek the heart of the world, where the corruption of Hell blossoms. Destroy the corruption, enact a ritual Balyss now knows to teach you and use the sigils as the focus. You may yet save Lifasa with that. But know that this is the hardest route, for you will face nightmares and the ultimate battles against the Duke of Destiny there. It is not impossible Bel will challenge you should you go that way."

"Should you triumph militarily but be unwilling and unable to do that, you may have no choice but to call on the Maiden of the Gate." Both of you feel slightly lightheaded, but it passes. "As it is for mortals, Lifasa will die but be reborn in paradise. Should that be your choice and you stand victorious, pray to any of us that have supported you in righteousness, and so it shall happen."

"Finally, should all else fail and you triumph but do not have the sigils or cannot otherwise complete your victory, there is a third option. Stand triumphant and sacrifice Aurora. I believe a demiplane of this power can fill the wounds of Lifasa and restore to stability, as well as give it a chance to heal. Should you choose this route, Balyss will know the ritual to enact. Use this wisely, for doing so sacrifices the core of your Crusade."

As the light blinds you save for the night sky above, "Know that the first is what fate and destiny move towards. What has happened will not end without a climax lightly. Yet you have ever shown the ability to fight against fate, and should that be your desire or your need, you may do so again."

[Ebiris]

"The first, yes," Afina agrees with that. Aurora will be necessary in the future, and she certainly couldn't ask Elena to sacrifice herself. "Should Bel appear in person again, is there any equal support we can call on? Or any means to drive him off beyond our own strength of arms?"

[Anastasia]

"If all fails and your souls will be forfeit, pray and I shall come, or pray to another allies and they will come in this case. But..." Selune says, "The battle between Lord of the Nine and deity will shatter Lifasa like glass. That is why we will not fight Bel directly there, for our battles are the battles that end worlds. To march with you personally would be meaningless if Lifasa was lost. Even an avatar at this time risks too much, with fate heading towards the end of Lifasa."

[Corwin]

"And on a more optimistic note, how do we make sure nine idiots don't condemn an entire world like that again?"

[Anastasia]

"Kill the Duke of Destiny," Selune says, "Put him to 21's light or somehow capture his soul. Do not allow him to survive your victory."

[Corwin]

"Can the goldenfire spear deal with him?"

[Anastasia]

"It will be effective against him, but by itself it will not stop him from reforming in Hell," Selune says, "But I am not precisely certain of that, though I see no reason to doubt it. Use it to battle him, but do not use it by itself for the final blow."

[Ebiris]

The Blade of Endings would've worked of course, but she's better off without it. "You'll be along for the final push then, Sylvie," Afina says to the blonde in the room.

[Anastasia]

For some reason, the moonlight doesn't touch Sylvie at all. "I know," she says. "I always assumed I would, because 21's too useful for this."

[Corwin]

"One more attack, then, and we'll take Aurora and go all-in," Jaela says, having processed all that. "Let's hit Gar-Malleos today and plan for the final battle over Lifasa come morning." She pauses to give Afina a chance to object, asking, "If we go, who's the best match for the team?"

[Anastasia]

"Those with great power," Selune says, "Gar-Malleos will be a difficult battle."

[Ebiris]

"Someone good at evasion for handling hellfire, and strong of will to endure Silvber's dark speech," Afina decides. "Hanna and Mei?"

[Corwin]

Jaela frowns slightly at the mention of her mother, but ends up shrugging. "And the Master to round us out? Mom is too hyper-focused and we might benefit more from her magic, so he'd be a welcome addition." Especially if they need to split up and secure several objectives, she muses.

[Ebiris]

"Is there a problem with Hanna?" Afina asks, hoping she hasn't stepped on family drama.