Visitors

[Yuthirin]

"Yeah! Time for dragons! And they probably won't be breathing shadowstuff on us this time!" Calleigh cheers.

[Anastasia]

On and up, higher and higher. Higher and higher, higher and higher. Higher yet.

Then at last you stand atop the stairs, atop the tower. Here an endless field of stars glistens above, like jewels set into the black silk of the night sky. And yet a larger thing looms below it, something titanic. Something so big a single scale makes Baleruk seem tiny. Here a great wyrm rests, the wyrm of wyrms, in every shape and way a dragon. A dragon of steadily changing shade, shine, tint and even exact form. It is all and none at once, and then you realize it. The night sky is not above it. The night sky is a cloak it wears, as if carrying the entire sky on its back.

"At last," Io's voice is more in his presence, overwhelming and yet quiet, meditative. Thoughtful. Despite the size, the voice is not loud, overwhelming as it is. It simply is, in a way that is more than other voices. "I greet you, chosen ones."

[Yuthirin]

"Hi!" Calleigh waves from atop Miranda's head.

'Hello.' Tryll is ever placid, like the surface of a pond on a windless day.

[Anastasia]

Dana's silent for once, looking up and up and up.

Miranda bows low to Io, "I confess I don't know the proper form of greeting," she says, "But I pay you honor for I have no doubt you are a fellow warrior."

Benyen licks suddenly dry lips, "It's good to meet you?" he finally tries.

Latha bows as well.

"It is good to meet you," Io agrees, "There is much we have to discuss. You and those around you are chosen to participate in the salvation of Creation itself."

[Yuthirin]

'So we've heard. I'm assuming this is about Shar?' Tryll gets right to the point.

[Anastasia]

"It is about many things," Io intones, "Before we continue, I must tell you one thing above all. What I am to tell you here must never be told to another, save those who are part of this. To do so will invite the End of Creation, in a way none of us can stop. An errant word could well doom everyone in Creation. Do not speak of this lightly, and only in the places most profoundly protected. This hall is always available should you need to discuss these matters in a safe place. Do you understand?"

"Shiiiiiit," Dana says, "We've jumped into the deep end here." A hand goes up to her head, ""You're not shitting me at all? Nothing? Fuck." Dana blows out a long breath, "I can do that."

Miranda nods, her color more and more resembling that of milk, pale and white. "I understand."

Benyen's good cheer is gone now, his only answer a nod, "So do I."

[Yuthirin]

"Yep!" Calleigh nodnods.

'Of course.' Tryll replies.

[Anastasia]

"The true enemy of Creation is not Shar. The true enemy of Creation is Ao, the Endless Chaos and the Incarnation of Chaos. Ao has empowered Shar to be his executioner to end Creation, thus why her power inexorably waxes, no matter what is done." Io says, voice grave. "Should one not protected understand this, endless calamity will come to Creation and all will end."

"Ao is the Incarnation of Chaos. He is beyond any of our power to oppose except by the most indirect methods. Should he have his way, should knowledge of this spread beyond those who are protected: Creation dies. Everyone in Creation dies with them."

[Yuthirin]

'Oh. Well that's rather bleak. I'm hoping you have some method of counteracting this?'

[Anastasia]

Dana's expression is a scowl, deepening every moment. One hand is on the hilt of her rapier, gripping it tightly enough to make the metal groan.

"Shar wins," Latha says, "I beg of you to defend this with your life and souls." She bows her head at this a moment, "But there is hope."

"There'd better be," Benyen says, sounding more than a touch dazed. He shakes his head, "So that old man who met up with Tryll wasn't full of it?"

"We do," Io agrees, "For now the overarching goal is to stop Shar. She is Ao's executioner and must be stopped. Sylvie, one of your allies from Aurora, has 21 and must be found. One goal is achieved - I was found." Io declares, the massive dragon's gaze on all of you. "Above all, you must continue to grow stronger."

"Bullshit! We're not doing this alone!" Dana snaps, "Shit, fine, it sounds like some bullshit means we can't get Aurora's ass here and solve this shit, but who is in for this?"

Io watches her a moment, "Alicia and her closest friends. Seira and her closest friends. Moore and his closest friends. Alyssa and her closest friends. Finally....Tryll and his closest friends, all of you."

[Yuthirin]

"Oh hey, we know Moore!" Calleigh says.

'The old man mentioned Alyssa as well.' Tryll agrees. 'So step one is to grow stronger, then? How will we know when we are ready?'

[Anastasia]

"For now, do not stop. You'll find that out from another, when you meet Zaphkiel in the future," Io says, "Pursue all reasonable paths to power, and I have others to speak of as well."

[Yuthirin]

"Ohhh, Zappy-boy! When do we get to meet him?" Calleigh says, "Also you're real big."

Gamely ignoring Calleigh, Tryll asks, 'Any advice or assistance youre willing to give would be much appreciated.'

[Anastasia]

"There is much," Io says, perhaps ignoring Calleigh as well. "Are you yet familiar with One?"

[Yuthirin]

'I'm familiar with the number, but I'm assuming that's not your reference...?'