Salvation (Everyone)

[Anastasia]

"Fucking t ypical," Dana mutters, as Sylvie flies with you.

"It could be," she agrees.

[Ebiris]

"We'll see anyway. It'll take more than that to beat Aurora's defences," Afina says as they regroup.

[Anastasia]

Dana stands near the gates as you see the war wage on. "Hey, you're pulling the mysterious all seeing bullshit now, so what the fuck is going to happen? Is it gonna be settled in Gar Malleos?"

Sylvie looks out ahead, not replying right away.

[Ebiris]

"I'm sick of that place and ley line associated nonsense," Afina huffs, sounding unfortunately petulant. "You know we tried our own grand ritual to win the day back when Hell first invaded? Only the ritual just got disrupted and made everything worse. The fate of a world can't be decided by one spell."

[Anastasia]

"Why not?" Sylvie speaks up, "Benfal came down to Alicia and friends in one battle against Semyaza. Nine traitors managed to doom Lifasa in one ritual - and one Duke of Hell ruined your own ritual. If anything, you had the right idea, but you got outdone."

[Ebiris]

Afina looks downcast at that, turning her gaze over the battlefield where thousands fight and die for her world. "So is that all we are, a distraction while the important people cast their rituals? If we and the devils on the field all laid down our arms it wouldn't change the outcome anyway?"

[Anastasia]

"Nah," Sylvie says, "We're the ones who decide it. We're the ones who will face the Dukes, be the ones to make the rituals. We're the heroes." Glancing sidelong over at Afina, "In the end, I don't think Creation's about armies, is it? It's about the powers and personalities that define it and influence it. The ones who rise above infinity, and congratulations, you're one of them."

Looking out at the battle going on, "All of this? I think this is merely essential, nothing more and nothing less. It has to happen but won't be truly decisive without our aid. You're still fated to fight Gathgorian, and that's as important as fighting Taelfagn, maybe more important in the long run." A pause as soldiers rush back in, carrying wounded as more rush out to replace them. "We win here, they have to respond like now. We take the Elven Tree, the Outer Ring Fortresses, destroy the Burning Aeropolis? They have to respond. Bel has to respond. But all the little victories here won't kill either of those Dukes, will it?"

"That's all fucking nice, but what the fuck are you actually saying here, you stupid bitch? That all of this is a fucking sideshow? Fuck you and fuck your know it all attitude," Dana spits out. Glaring at Sylvie darkly, "So go fuck off."

"No, it's important, but it isn't decisive. It's only part of the greater picture." Sylvie replies, keeping her gaze ahead out, out at the battles. "Everything we've done so far has forced them into this corner. A corner Bel and Taelfagn have to fight to get out of, one that made him break the normal rules and get a response in kind." Clicking her tongue and adding, "I may be thinking on too large a scale."

[Ebiris]

Afina digests all of that, though she still can't help but wonder if instead of learning how to make artifacts and lead armies she should've focused her time on learning world-changing rituals instead. "Well," she says at length. "Hopefully that fated battle can wait until I'm recovered from facing Tiamat."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah, like we cornered Abigor and forced his ass out," Dana asks, pausing to wipe away a bit of sweat from her brow.

"I hope so," Sylvie murmurs, "Yeah, something like that, Dana. Hell can't stand to look week. Aurora merely existing at this point is an affront to Hell's prestige. I like the thought of that - merely getting up in the morning pisses off ancient devils."

[Ebiris]

"Abigor died to sword and spell, yes," Afina says, that being a memory she cherishes!

[Anastasia]

"Good times," Sylvie says slowly, "Good times."

Doing anything but watching and waiting now?

[Ebiris]

Basically just that.

[Anastasia]

'Mirima is gravely wounded,' Vul'lath reports in your mind moments later. 'A powerful Hellish champion has appeared. They are requesting reinforcements, they are close to breaking the wedge, but if Mirima falls...'

[Ebiris]

"That's us!" Afina says to Dana and Sylvie. "Sylvie, can you teleport us to the battle?" she asks, flying out of Aurora again.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Afina 383+20/383
active spells: glaciante's spiteful ward (CL 29 attached to epic mage armour), heroes feast (CL 20), mind blank (CL 17), fortunate fate (CL 15), planar tolerance (CL 7), epic mage armour (CL 27), many moments of prescience (CL 29), greater heroism (CL 25), afina's perfect vision (CL 27), shield (CL 27), interplanar telepathic bond (CL 26), strength of dragon princess (CL 28), mind of dragon princess (CL 28), agility of dragon princess (CL 28), endurance of dragon princess (CL 28), beauty of dragon princess (CL 28), magic tattoo (CL 24), magic tattoo (CL 24), magic tattoo (CL 24), energy immunity (sonic) (CL 26), energy immunity (acid) (CL 26), sublime revelry (CL 27)
defences: AC 102 (touch 64), spell resistance 42, immunity to fire, water, earth, cold, sonic, acid, disease, poison, fear, mind-affecting, critical hits, 25% spell failure
perceptions: blindsight 200, low-light vision, darkvision 60, all-around vision, see invisible/ethereal, spot +70, listen +70
spell slots: 6/9/10/7/4/9/9/6/8/7/5/4/3
2 moments of prescience left.

[Anastasia]

You'll be woven into Moore's thread shortly.