Moving spheres

[Ebiris]

Well she's bargained him up from Nessus to Avernus, so that's progress?

I'm sure Lixer would be thrilled to host us again. Let me instead propose neutral territory. There is a fortress on the astral plane jointly maintained by forces of Sylica and Maladomini, where the Q'Pa was slain and its influence on Creation is contained. It feels equally appropriate.

[Anastasia]

'So be it.'

[Ebiris]

She hadn't expected it to be that easy a sell... "He must really be keen," she says aloud to Antenora.

Five minutes, we'll be waiting.

If he wants to go there and fight them it doesn't really make much difference how much or little time is allowed for preparation, they'll be outmatched either way. Still, short notice gives her some peace of mind.

[Anastasia]

"We're playing into a plot," Antenora exhales, taking a breath, "Then we'll be ready for whatever is to come."

[Ebiris]

"Either way lets get Syala and go," Alicia says, rising to her feet. "Equipped for battle - we won't provoke a fight but we'll fight our way out if we have to. Just remember any avenues for growth he offers are ones that fit his designs. The entire point of becoming One was to step outside all prior constraints and find your way."

[Anastasia]

Okay, any prep for this?

[Ebiris]

Aside from Alicia's personal buffs, everyone gets
Greater heroism: +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +20 temp hp, CL 32
Good hope: +2 attack/saves/ability checks, CL 32
Vision of the omniscient eye: +10 insight perception, CL 32
Divine insight: +15 insight to one skill check then discharged, CL 32
Death ward: immunity to negative energy, level drain, death effects, CL 33
Nondetection: DC 43 CL check required for divinations to work, CL 33

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia: 632+20/632
Active spells: Extended nondetection (CL 33), many moments of prescience (CL 32), extended greater anticipate teleportation (CL 33), extended repelling shield (CL 33), sensual blessing (CL 32), greater heroism (CL 32), good hope (CL 32), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 32), divine insight (CL 32), foresight (CL 32), death ward (CL 33), divine insight (CL 32)
Defences: AC 76, CMD 87, spell resistance 47, energy immunity (fire, cold, negative energy), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 48)
Stat buffs/penalties: +9 shield AC, +4 morale attack/saves/skills, +2 morale ability checks, +25 competence perception, +10 insight perception, +2 insight AC/reflex
Perceptions: Darkvision arcane sight, low-light vision, scent, blindsight, tremorsense, all 2 miles perception +86
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/15/6/9/15/8/8/7/8/7/6/5
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/22/22/11/7

[Anastasia]

Thus the three of you arrive. Perhaps to your surprise, it is quiet here. Silent, almost peaceful. The fortress stands in there, untouched.

Antenora's gaze sweeps around right there, hand clutching her spear, knuckles white.

[Ebiris]

Well this is a pretty quiet part of the astral plane. With the fortress split down the middle between garrisons from Hell and Sylica, Alicia of course goes to the Sylican section to apprise her base commander on the 'distinguished' guest they're expecting, before she, Syala, and Antenora all go to the central chamber where the Q'pa was slain, the destroyed space is the worst, and where the Malodomini and Sylican sides meet.

[Anastasia]

This all goes without incident. Here, amid  the distortions stands but one creature. He is human-like, observing the distortions with patient calm. A sense of quiet serenity fills the room, of peace that latches onto you like iron chains. He waits for you, eyes like coal as he meets your gaze with the slightest smile.

"Alicia," the avatar of the Lord of the Ninth says in greeting. "Syala. Antenora." His voice is smooth, enthralling. You stand against it and yet you can feel its power, like a chasm that will draw everything into it.

[Ebiris]

Only an avatar, but still surpassingly dangerous. "Asmodeus," she returns the one word greeting, keeping her face impassive as she stops several feet from him, flanked by Syala and Antenora.

[Anastasia]

Syala stays silent, next to you in unspoken support.

"Tyrant." Antenora says, voice level and cool, spear still out.

"You have earned Our congratulations, Antenora," Asmodeus says. His voice is soft as it was before, expression serene. "It is rare that someone manages to surprise Us.  There is more of Our nature in you than expected."

Antenora starts to speak, but Asmodeus speaks right over her, voice somehow smothering her own. "The iron will to confront One. The clarity of absolute purpose to withstand One. The sense of self to stand as One while yet using others to your victory. All admirable qualities. I had thought Eblis to be the only one who would ever become One by himself. None had what was made, what could be, save for those who I have removed from the board under My command."

Antenora's gaze burns opal blue, yet she takes a visible breath. "You've known about One yet you haven't used this knowledge. Why?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia had been working with the assumption that Asmodeus's knowledge of this method came from Eblis, so this forms an unpleasant surprise. Antenora's question demands an answer, and Alicia stays silent to let it be addressed rather than add her own voice to those talking over Antenora.

Though she'll definitely be coming back to those who've been removed while having the potential.

[Anastasia]

To this Asmodeus merely speaks, as if remarking on the most obvious thing in the world. "Eblis was not the first to try. He was the first and only to succeed. Ones almost as great as him, lost to history and time, tried before him."

Now the Lord of the Ninth meets Antenora's gaze, "You have proven the equal of the son of Zaphkiel, equal to Eblis and superior to his brother, Sealtiel. Is it not obvious to you, One? One that is worthy will still almost certainly fail without the guidance of One who has already arisen. One such as you may yet prove to be the superior of Shar. Eblis is not - he will exist should Creation end, but he will never create or save, never again."

[Ebiris]

"That doesn't answer her question," Alicia speaks up after all that evasive flattery. "Why haven't you used it to empower more disciples like Gathgorian, if you've had this knowledge for so long?"