[20:05] <Kotono> Ithea, Afina and Hanna gather together once more. They're just inside Aurora's gates, "You all ready?" she asks, right to the point, "Do any of you need protective magic, in case this turns into an all out melee?"
[20:06] <Afina> "No," Afina shakes her head, "Makan said if I could hold the blade he would battle me, there should be no interference on either side." He might be undead but he seemed honourable in his own crazy way.
[20:09] <Ithea> "We'll make sure that is the case," Ithea says, already planning to keep an eye on anyone that might attempt to attack Afina or them.
[20:11] <Kotono> "Right," And with that, the trio head out and call on the magic of the planes, vanishing to deep within Ocanthus! The court of Makan is as you left it, save for one thing. It is empty, save for Makan himself. He sits on his throne, waiting, a look of anticipatory serenity on his face.
[20:13] <Afina> Noticing the absence of all the other spirits, and this unsettling feeling, Afina looks up at Makan guardedly. "What has happened here?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "Broken apart, reforming," He gestures widely, "The devil that came is interested in you."
[20:18] <Afina> That solidifies it, they have a spy in their ranks. Already starting to think over who saw her return to Aurora with the Quilium Armour, she nonetheless prepares for battle. "When did this devil arrive?"
[20:19] <Kotono> "Nine hours ago," Makan replies, "His name is Gathgorian - he awaits near the Blade."
[20:20] <Afina> "Will you do anything for his invasion, or does that fall to me?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "He has no ability to take the blade," Makan replies, "He's interested in you and if you can take the blade." Pausing, "If he interferes in our duel, I will destroy him."
[20:22] * Ithea frowns. "Isn't his waiting by the blade interference enough?"
[20:22] <Afina> "So he will do nothing until our duel is concluded?" Afina clarifies. Clever of him. Too clever by far.
[20:22] <Kotono> Hanna scowls, grip on her axe tightening.
[20:24] <Kotono> "Exactly," Makan replies, "He has made no secret he is interested in you."
[20:25] <Afina> "This will get bloody," Afina turns to Ithea and Hanna. "Should we get reinforcements or prepare for a quick exit after the duel?"
[20:26] <Kotono> "I'm not sure numbers will avail us against him," Hanna admits, closing her eyes and breathing out. "That sort of monster cares nothing for the odds. We get it and retreat wen we can. I'm more concerned with how he knew we're here. We have a problem with that - a serious problem."
[20:27] <Ithea> "And not to mention what he'd do if his knowledge extends to knowing we're getting reinforcements," Ithea adds. "I'd rather the quick exit option."
[20:28] <Ithea> "The less people we have to worry about getting out or him finding out and acting differently than what we can already expect, the better."
[20:28] <Afina> "We do, and it is one to be dealt with back on Aurora," Afina agrees, casting both shield and greater heroism on herself then. "Open the way, King Makan."
[20:29] <Kotono> Before you a portal appears, "Go," he says, "Finally..." he breathes after, standing from his throne. "Go!"
[20:29] <Afina> Nodding stoicly, Afina flies through the portal.
[20:34] <Kotono> Before you are things you have seen before. The Blade of Endings rests where it was before. Yet even as you are here - he looms a mere 40ft to the side of it all. Gathgorian towers over everything else here, awaiting. His scarred arms are crossed, coal black gaze burning red as you appear.
[20:37] <Afina> Afina's orange ember eyes glare momentarily at him, but she masters herself - it wouldn't do to be confused when Makan is likely to be her greatest challenge. Fluttering forward to the altar on which the blade rests, she studies it for a second to gauge how it would best be wielded before she risks picking it up.
[20:40] <Kotono> It is a two handed weapon for Afina. Gathgorian's eyes are on you all the while. Hanna has her axe at the ready, awaiting in the meanwhile.
[20:44] <Afina> Looking back to the portal in case Makan has come through, Afina focuses on the blade again and attempts to magically reshape it into a more suitable weapon for her size and style...
[20:44] <Afina> roll 1d20+34 crafting?
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+34 crafting? and gets 41." [1d20=7]
[20:47] <Kotono> OOC: CL check.
[20:48] <Afina> roll 1d20+18
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+18 and gets 27." [1d20=9]
[20:54] <Kotono> The blade shimmers before you, pure emptiness rippling! Before you can react, the blade flies into Afina's hands! The gauntlets Afina wears become red hot and icy cold at the same time, as the Blade of Endings is in her hands! It begins to shrink and change, but Afina hardly notices! Within her mind she sees it - millions of things, a million points of light shattering apart. White. So white.
[20:54] <Kotono> White farther than her eyes can see. Endless white. White without end. Empty white, going on forever and ever. It is serene and yet disturbing, utterly nothing there. Nothing at all. With eyes that refuse to look away, Afina sees more! Things that she sees that her mind refuses to accept, that startle her away, that tear themselves out of her awareness even as they are imprinted onto it. She
[20:54] <Kotono> isn't aware of falling to her knees, the Blade of Endings held tight in her hands, even as it slowly becomes a short sword.
[20:57] <Afina> On her knees, Afina clutches the unmatter tightly in her Quilium clad hand, held away from her body even as she's wracked with intense visions that defy both meaning and description... it's not a blade, not a rift, it's... it's the opposite of is, yet is not nothing. What she's seen could take days of introspection to even scratch the surface of, but with practiced discipline she pushes them
[20:57] <Afina> aside - for now she must fight for her life, her eternal existence, and Lifasa. "It is done, King Makan," she pronounces, awaiting his answer to her challenge.
[20:59] * Ithea looks from Afina with worry then towards Gathgorian, watching for any sign of action from him. Is he actually going to wait for the duel, or will he act now?
[21:01] <Kotono> Makan's voice is different. A heady glee is heard, "Return!" he calls! Meanwhile Gathgorian watches it all, "Duke Taelfagn has a spy in your mists. Kill him." His voice is hideous, rumbling throughout the air. "I've grown bored at the challenges of the Abyss failing to be worthy. Aurora has more potential than an army of stinking demons."
[21:02] <Afina> Him. That's a useful bit to know. Nodding to the devil, she flies through the portal, ready to earn her prize.
[21:07] <Afina> That draws a pause from Afina, looking back at Gathgarion. "If you outlive them," she responds plainly before crossing the portal.
[21:11] <Kotono> Thus the trio returns! Makan stands where he was last, awaiting, "Finally," he declares in a voice that echos about the empty hall, "You hold the Blade of Endings! Tell me, tell me what it has shown you!"
[21:15] <Afina> "Shattering. Nothingness," Afina begins haltingly, having trouble explaining it when she's barely processed it herself. "It was white. White and emptier than anything could ever be... not a vacum, it lacked even the concept of it." Her voice quiets as she attempts to parse the other things, "There was more, though... I can't say what, though..." she concludes, forced to give up on describing
[21:15] <Afina> the indescribable.
[21:16] <Ithea> "Are you alright?" Ithea asks with a hint of concern for the pyropixie.
[21:17] <Afina> "Fine," Afina nods without taking her eyes off Makan. "It overwhelmed me for a second, but it won't interfere now."
[21:18] <Kotono> "Yesss...!" Makan hisses, a fist held up to his face. Gesturing with one sweeping movement, "Beyond our cage of reality! Beyond everything that is and will ever be! In the realms of madness, of higher states of being than our own! Reality is an abberation, Creation an act against the natural order outside of its boundaries. Will you fight on, even after seeing that?""
[21:20] <Afina> "Of course," Afina retorts dismissively. "Creation and Nothingness, Fire and Water, Growth and Decay... all things have their opposites, it does not mean I cannot choose a side!"
[21:25] <Kotono> "Yesss!" Makan's shout is joyous, a smile of indescriable bliss on his face. "Here. I'm here." He breathes, "After all these lifetimes, something that isn't just entertainment! Come Afina! Come at me! Let me see you swing the Blade of Endings towards my throat!"
[21:27] <Afina> "And your Court?" Afina asks before committing, having no grudge against the other spectres that dwell here.
[21:27] <Kotono> "They matter not!" King Makan declares, "Now, no more words! Attack me!"
[21:28] <Afina> She will just have to see to them herself later. "Let us see if your instincts are as fearless as your words, King of Shades!" she proclaims before hasting herself and surging at him full speed to unmake his throat!
[21:29] <Afina> roll 1d20+36 dunno if it has enhancement bonuses
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+36 dunno if it has enhancement bonuses and gets 47." [1d20=11]
[21:34] <Kotono> Afina finds the blade heavier than adamantine or cauldron iron, terrifically difficult to swing! Yet she manages to do it, slicing out - but Makan is a little too fast, leaping back! He stands on the armrests of his throne, "Now..." he breathes, as...OOC: Init.
[21:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Makan
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Makan and gets 27." [1d20=11]
[21:34] <Afina> roll 1d20+26
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+26 and gets 35." [1d20=9]
[21:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(35)>Makan(27)'
[21:34] <Kotono> OOC: Go Afina.
[21:36] <Afina> "Still have some fear in you after all," Afina approves. But since he's not desperately backpedalling it's just as likely he only wants to go out with a bang - and how can she blame him? Channelling magic into her swing to make up for the confusing weight of nothing, she flashes out with two more strikes before flying up thirty feet to the side of his throne!
[21:37] <Afina> roll 1d20+43
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+43 and gets 58." [1d20=15]
[21:37] <Afina> roll 1d20+38
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+38 and gets 43." [1d20=5]
[21:41] <Kotono> On that first swing, the Blade of Endings slices through Makan's chest! In an instant his body is naught but dust, crumbling away before you! "Yes..." he breathes, "Finally. I can forget the white, the numberless hordes and the eternal song of the flutes...whatever forces protect you, pray to them. Pray they will help you, and pray that-" Nothing more. The head of Makan is gone, naught but dust
[21:41] <Kotono> on the wind.
[21:43] <Afina> A terrible blade indeed... and Makan's last words portend yet more ill. Swearing to use it sparingly, Afina holds it carefully away from her body as she flutters towards Ithea and Hanna. "Gathgarion won't act against us here. We can depart, but is there anything we can do for the shades here to help them pass on?"
[21:46] <Kotono> "I'm not certain," Hanna says, "But if we can, I intend to help them pass on. I will ask Lady Gwynharwyf herself, if I must."
[21:47] <Afina> "It would be better than leaving them as they are," Afina nods, content to trust Hanna's greater expertise with the undead.
[21:50] <Kotono> "I'll need to gather help and return," Hanna says after a moment, "There are likely too many spirits to manage by myself, and in case Gathgorian..." here she frowns, "I don't understand what he's doing. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's sabotaging the Duke of Destiny's efforts by confirming we have a spy in the ranks. His entire apperance here screams that he does."
[21:52] <Afina> "I think he is," Afina agrees. "He said he doesn't want me to die to any other devil before he can face me. Anyway, shall we go and get help? Better to have it done before they reform if they'll be hostile."
[21:53] <Ithea> "He may simply think we may help him gain more power by doing what we do. He's a devil, that's what they do, isn't it?" Ithea says with a shrug. "Take it at face value and we'll search for a spy, that's all we can really do."
[21:53] * Afina nods. "We'll be busy once back on Aurora."
[21:54] <Kotono> "Rememeber what Queen Ilsenine told us, that one of the Dark Ministry wants Gathgorian to replace Abigor as a Duke of Hell?" Hanna says, "Argh, devil politics," Rubbing her forehead, "I'm getting a headache already." Offering her hands out, "I can take care of this side, if you two wnat to try and track down a traitor."
[21:55] <Afina> "I need to make a sheathe for this," she holds out the blade of endings, "But after that, yes. We'll have to consult with Elena." That said she accepts Hanna's hand.
[21:56] * Ithea does as well.
[21:57] <Kotono> In an instant you return to Aurora! As you head back in, Elena appears, "Afina!" she calls, staring at that sword. She takes a quick step back, "AH! Afina, Crystal's here for you."
[21:59] <Afina> "Oh, they've returned?" Afina brightens. Busy indeed... "Can you ask her to meet me in my quarters? We'll need you to come along as well for a very important matter as well," she tells Elena before going off there herself to ruin her priceless Quilium armour some more to make a sheathe, bidding Ithea to follow.
[22:00] * Ithea has no problems following Afina and does so.
[22:01] <Kotono> Thus a sheath is made! On sheathing the blade, it fits in perfectly, and the metal around the hilt flows up slightly, completely hiding the Blade from sight.
[22:08] <Afina> Better. She still needs a day to day weapon, since she's not going to use this except in the most dire of circumstances. Or casual devil slaying. In the meantime while waiting for Crystal to show, "Elena, we're here so can you come over as well?" she asks. Time to find a spy!
[22:09] <Kotono> Thus do Afina and Ithea return to Afina's quarters. Soon after Elena and Crystal appear - the latter takes the lead, "Af-" The words die in her throat, as for a moment she simply stares at the pyropixie.
[22:11] <Afina> Ahh... yes, that. Best get it out of the way first. "Welcome back, Crystal," she smiles at her friend despite the circumstances. "In Fire I was faced with the choice of death and continuing the Cycle, or abandoning the Cycle so I could still fight for Lifasa. I don't regret my choice, and you shouldn't either."
[22:24] <Kotono> "Afina..." Crystal breathes, clad in her general's uniform. Her eyes are wide as she stares on in a mix of shock and horror. "You don't regret giving up the Cycle?"
[22:26] <Afina> In a way it's nice, after everyone treated her sacrifice so casually, to have someone recognise it for the enormity that it is. "I made the same decision when I asked for Amethyst to be resurrected. For me, though, it happens to be more final. I accept that as a fair price for Lifasa."
[22:30] <Kotono> "But what will Queen Ilsenine say?" Crystal manages to get out, "Afina...!" Wiping at her eyes that are growing wet with tears, "Was there no other way for you?"
[22:34] <Afina> "I was in the deepest, hottest part of the elemental plane of Fire..." Afina recalls her situation, "Magmasoul. A place where beings can become one with fire, or where creatures of fire can learn great power over their element. It was to capture a fallen solar for Zaaman Rul so we could get the Blade of Endings. Only I made a mistake, he'd prepared for intruders - just as I moved to strike, I
[22:34] <Afina> blundered over a dispelling trap he'd set up. All my protections vanished, the heat, the pain... I could do nothing but flail and scream. And so, rather than submit to death and leave Lifasa to the fates, I hurled my dying body into Magmasoul to instead be reborn as a creature of fire. I may be diminished this way, but I can still fight, and I can still see the day when Lifasa is free. For me,
[22:34] <Afina> that is enough."
[22:37] <Ithea> "I don't see you as being diminished. You still seem the same to me, Afina. Just...red and on fire," Ithea interjects with a shrug. "But you're still you. So I'm glad you made that choice."
[22:39] <Kotono> "I think Afina is still Afina, too," Elena quietly speaks up now, "No matter if she's on fire or not. It's better than her dying, isn't it?" In a quieter voice then, "Hasn't there been enough losses for those of Lifasa without another, no matter the cost?"
[22:41] <Kotono> Crystal squeezes her eyes shut and looks away, "I...I was to invite you to Queen Ilsenine's side, for political and practical reasons. But I...I am not certain you will be welcome in the fey realms, as a fey who is no longer part of the Cycle."
[22:42] <Afina> "No, perhaps not, but I have not forgotten my loyalty to my Queen. Have negotiations gone poorly?" Afina asks, willing to go regardless of who will or will not welcome her.
[22:44] * Ithea frowns, not understanding how it can be so easy to just...turn away. "Would they really not welcome you, Afina?"
[22:44] <Kotono> "They are going...well enough, but..." Crystal still looks away, "I need to confer with Her Majesty before anything else. The negotiations are delicate," she replies, "This is an unforseen change. I will return with news on the 'morrow." With that she turns and flies out of the room rather quickly.
[22:45] <Afina> Watching Crystal go sadly, Afina turns to Ithea. "We fey are insular by nature. Even a unicorn, a creature you would commonly associate with us, would be spurned in most sylvan courts because it is not truly a fey. I am like that, now. Perhaps worse, for a unicorn has no choice in its nature."
[22:47] <Ithea> "I...I see. So you and Simmer would have no way to convince them? Isn't fire still a part of nature's cycle? Things burn, and from that ash new life grows, does it not?"
[22:48] <Kotono> "She's crying," Elena adds, softly, "She stumbled to her room and she's...really upset," Elena says quietly, "Do you think I should go console her?"
[22:51] <Ithea> "Would you be able to, Elena? I can't say I understand this...this loss of Crystal's. Afina's still -here-," Ithea comments with a frown. "You think like I do, don't you?"
[22:51] <Afina> "The Cycle isn't a thing of nature as you comprehend it," Afina shakes her head, "It's the underpinning of fey existence. When we die, we are simply reborn as another fey, life upon life building upon each other in an endless cycle..." she trails off at Elena's words, "I'm not sure you can," she admits tiredly. "But if you want to try, our business can wait."
[22:52] <Kotono> "Right!" With that Elena vanishes away!