Onward with war

[Anastasia]

Joining you, Antenora smiles, "Success," she breathes out, "Wonderful news. When can we meet him and are there any complications?"

[Corwin]

"He told me to bring six others under certain conditions. So the two of you, myself and Amaryl, Oberuth due to Sylian's meddling and Duke Moore with his plus one. He has a test to challenge us at his hidden demiplane, so we'll be coming in person rather than through avatars. At least it felt like a demiplane, but it seemed rude to start examining it in earnest with him being right there. Once we prove ourselves worthy, we'll get the most precious thing in the world, which is useful information, though I don't doubt he's capable of giving us a needed boost given he confirmed elevating that guild wizard, Alyssa."

[Ebiris]

"She mentioned gaining power from Io a few times but didn't really clarify what kind of power," Alicia mentions. "Do you know how involved these tests are likely to be? I know you have a war on after all. We're willing to help if you need but for now I'm maintaining Sylica in active readiness to hopefully act as a deterrent from others joining the war to hit you while you're distracted... we don't have as much strength as I'd like to take on all comers, but my hope is the threat of our involvement will keep other swords sheathed."

[Corwin]

"It might sound silly, but it felt like the Daa-vid ruins," Seira admits. "Still, I don't know if we'll retain a link to our avatars due to the situation. I've yet to see anything break them, but you never know."

[Anastasia]

"The timing is poor," Antenora concurs, "Why I doubt sabotage from Io's affairs, misfortune and Beshaba's luck could hurt us if we're deep in a test when events happen." Quietly after, "We'll need to make preparations at the last, including contingencies if the worst happens."

[Ebiris]

"Avatars are useful but limited. I'm less worried about Sylica since Syala and her avatar will be there as well, but still events can run away from us. If it is like Daa-vid's dungeon then at least we have the option of leaving and resuming at need, it's something we should clarify before we begin," Alicia says.

[Corwin]

"We could always delay," Seira tells them. "But didn't you two seize the moment, and the result is standing before me now? If we are to break this prophecy and win, I feel we have to take such chances now and then. And this war will only worsen with time. I cannot even see the end for now, so if we choose to delay there will be reasons to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. Besides, what if Moore is killed before that? He doesn't have the same fallback we do, and he's out there on the war's front lines. If we can ensure he's a bit harder to take out while at the same time advancing our cause, I say we should do so."

[Anastasia]

Antenora listens, "Why the seven of us? Oberuth because of what Sylian's done, you said?"

[Corwin]

"Because of some stupid numerology I don't really care about, I wager," Seira responds with a snort. "Incidentally, could the Sylian and Oberuth situation be some sort of prototype to all this? As in, could he be the fifth Celestia spoke of?"

[Ebiris]

Alicia nods in acceptance of Seira's reasoning. "He could be," she says to the last part. "Zaphkiel said one was with Seira's kin - that's Alyssa with Emily, and one came from the Realm of Light. I remember Ebony's reports saying Moore asking around Aurora for others who had escaped that place. That leaves one more unaccounted for."

[Anastasia]

"Numerology is not stupid," Antenora retorts, crossing her arms, "You can find secrets with it, if you don't go mad trying." After that she says, "Has Oberuth mentioned any sort of bond with the Crimson Guard like we've experienced?"

[Corwin]

"When the web is so tangled and you have no decryption key, your best bet is ignoring it and doing the right thing rather than obsessing over every possible interpretation," Seira gives her own opinion. "And he hasn't, but he has been keeping a distance due to events. And besides, this is why I said it could've been a prototype. Sylian may not have similar power to grant to a whole group, and instead chose a single champion. The best part is that unlike some other things where I only hope Io has the answers, he would know this. He has to, if he knew about us all."

[Anastasia]

Antenora's silent at those words, "We should eliminate possibilities and talk to the Commander directly."

[Corwin]

"And ask him what? We already know he received a tainted gift from Sylian, and some of what it entails. A form of immortality, for one. Plus, he's being trained to fight creatures from Beyond, which would fit with our goals of saving Creation all too well. If he knew more, I think he would've told us. But I could invite him over, certainly."

[Anastasia]

"If he has that bond or if it's developed," Antenora says, "At least eliminate the possibility of him knowing about it if he is the fifth. If he's coming, he needs to be informed about all of this, too."