The time is now

[Ebiris]

"To be human means different things to different people. It's as much a state of mind as a simple matter of having flesh and bones," Alicia says, not having thought of that question at all herself. "We talk of 'having humanity' or 'human decency', the powerful may worry that they've 'lost touch with their humanity'. The only answer that matters is the one he can live with."

[Anastasia]

"As long as he's found one," Latha agrees, "That is what matters."

Onward.

At the end of this hall stairs descend deeper down. Grand and wide stairs as wide as the hall, stretching down farther than can be seen. Oberuth doesn't even pause his pace, striding ahead. Occasionally he's simply several stairs ahead in between the blinks of an eye. Marianne floats along, keeping pace just above the ground. Lyris brings up the rear.

Down these stairs, the light ever so slowly fading and dim shadows overtaking everything. The only sound is the sounds of boots on ground and the slight jangle of armor.

In time they descend further down, down to the bottom. Here is a cliff before a seemingly endless chasm in the ground, stretching into darkness in every direction ahead and down.

"It can't be a dead end," Marianne says, flying closer.

Oberuth begins to reply but stops. It rises from the ground - a hunk of stone, another and then another. They form a path leading ahead, into the chasm.

Lyris takes in with a cool gaze, hopping on and following.

As they walk, more and more stones, forging a path ahead, deeper into this place.

Ahead the stones form a large stone square, inlaid with a circle showing a pair of dragons in flight around each other, curling and chasing.

[Ebiris]

"It was never going to be a dead end so long as Marianne can fly," Alicia observes.

[Anastasia]

Marchalu smiles at that, "It never would be," she agrees, as...

Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris reach the circle, and the moment a foot lands on it? The entire platform rings like a bell.

Gold.

Fire.

Gold and red can be seen in the distance, like two tendrils constantly snaking around each other. They flow rather than move, becoming larger and larger as they approach. Two great dragons, one of shining gold and the other of bright crimson. They stay in orbit of one another, Oberuth slowly readying himself. Marianne breathes out, "Gold and red, perfectly vulnerable to cold." Lyris merely draws a dart as they fly closer.

"The hour is at hand," Two voices speak as one as they draw close, only slowly separating. Both are vastly larger than the slab, taking up all the space ahead utterly. "Ahead awaits the God-King, heroes."

"Yet you are not the heroes we had grown to expect," The red dragon declares, flames leaking out with every word from its mouth, "And you are far greater than you should ever have been, human, and the two of you should have passed ages ago."

Oberuth steps forward at that, "It was necessary." He meets their gazes without fear, "We will finish this task and render judgment."

[Ebiris]

"Not as if they haven't had a few years to get used to expecting others," Alicia says. "But what will the last challenge be? A simple battle with the two wyrms?"

[Anastasia]

The two wyrms are silent after that, the two groups waiting. Tension builds, neither moving.

"You will have to get past us," Goldan declares, "There can be no other choice."

Oberuth readies his sword, darts prepared. Yet the dragons do no move.

"Prove to us that you are worthy to pass judgment," Goldan goes on, "You have come so far - yet we will not let you pass if you cannot do that."

Marianne's the one that speaks up, "I was once far more than I am now, and I apparently did terribly at it. I'm just another adventurer, another heroine in the city of Balmuria. A strong one, a powerful one, but still nothing that special in the grand measure of all things. I'm no wise sage or legendary angel that will speak words of profound meaning."

A moment as eyes turn to her.

"It's also why I'm the right person to judge, darling. The God King had power, then he gained too much and became a monster. Terrible things happened until he stopped. I understand too well his story, because I lived the same story."

A grand gestures, this time to Lyris. "Lyris as well, she lived it with me."

Another gesture to Oberuth. "A man who has gained more power than he ever wanted, all because he has to."

"Do you see now? We're his kin in spirit, we know what he's been through and why he would have made the mistakes he did. With all the power we've had and have, our ability to foster good and wreak mistakes grows. We've followed the same path as the God King, a path carefully set up both in life and now through these trials. It mirrors the mistake the divine made with the Fairest Star."

[Ebiris]

"No, they're not after a fight," Alicia shakes her head. "Wisdom, and that's what Marianne is showing. I'm glad, she really has come far."

[Anastasia]

"It's been ages," Goldan finally says, "Wondering if we would be forced to battle the champions who came this far."

"We can finally rest, because you have shown both might and wisdom," Kangap says, "You need not raise your blade against us. Destiny awaits you beyond this point. There no going back now, go forward and fulfill your task."

Oberuth inclines his head as Lyris huffs. "Thank you," Commander Oberuth says. "Should you have your freedom after this, you are welcome to visit Balmuria. Another disguised dragon will hardly make a difference."

"Another?" Lyris glances rather sharply at the Commander.

"Go forward now," The two intone as one, sinking down and away. Stone rises rapidly, forming a path. Ahead is a stone temple, pillared and elegantly carved. It's quite large, the path leading to a single door leading within.

[Ebiris]

"What other disguised dragon is living there?" Marie wonders from atop Alicia's head. "Now I want to go poke around..."

"Let sleeping dragons lie, Marie," Alicia asks. "Whoever it is, they must have their reasons and they haven't done any harm."

[Anastasia]

"I want to know now, too," Jessica admits, as Syala smiles rather contentedly.

"It Oberuth knows about it, then it's not a hostile one," Antenora reasons, "So at least it's not a pressing concern."

[Ebiris]

"Exactly," Alicia nods. "Dragons need their privacy too."

[Anastasia]

Onward.

At last the temple is entered. Within is one grand room, smooth and cave like. Here in the center a great metal sphere floats. The moment it is seen, the metal begins to retract, beams of intense light radiating out.

"This is it," Lyris says, darts in hand, already moving to the side.

"For everyone," Marianne breathes, "For once I can do what I should've done a lifetime ago."

Oberuth merely watches ahead, "You're the reason for everything," he murmurs, "You'd damn well better be worth it."

[Ebiris]

"Even now I don't get to look at Daa-vid in the flesh, but it's close enough," Alicia says. "Lets see this sorry chapter in Creation's history brought to a close."

[Anastasia]

The sphere retracts into itself, revealing light. So much light. The light of a star unbound, the light of a world unbound. The three cry out and avert their eyes until from it a voice declares, rough and deep, "At last..."

Oberuth shields his eyes with his arms and peers ahead as best he can. "God-King."

Lyris looks as the light begins to fade, Marianne as well.

Slowly you can see him - a figure clad in armor head to toe, features completely hidden save for a beard. He is short as you'd expect, armor made of fine gold and jewels. Impractical, showy armor - yet it bears the marks of battle, scarred and scuffed, yet not broken.

"Serve me," The God-King declares, "I will reward you beyond anything you can imagine. The treasures of nations shall be yours, the legions of the earth and sky shall serve you. I am here to correct what has gone wrong with this Creation, to impose my will onto it. To impose a new order, a better order." He floats there, no weapon in hand, arms at his sides. He slowly raises a hand, reaching out to them. "To sweep away the arrogant and entitled."

"...I've seen what you think of other races besides the gnomes," Oberuth's voice is cold, "You may have a point, but I've seen this too many times now. I'll not parley with a genocidal monster, no matter how honeyed his promises."

"Oh....Oh dearie..." Marianne smiles cold and sharp, like the winds of a blizzard. "You don't really think filthy humans will have any interest in you?"

Lyris merely shakes her head. "Not again. Not this time."

The answer is power - a pulse of it enough to be felt even as you watch, seeming to shake all heaven and earth. "Then my first stop will be Balmuria," he declares, "A graveyard is not my desired throne, but it will suffice."

[Ebiris]

"That doesn't look like someone on the verge of death..." Alicia says, feeling a moment's trepidation. Maybe they should've gotten Arondaaq after all...

"So here's where the real battle is?" Marie asks, leaning forward atop her head and biting her lip.