Session 11: Death is only the Beginning, Part 4

Act 4: Light at the End of the Tunnel

With the Ritual shattered darkness is lifted from the City and the flames of chaos fade from the Spire. Sunlight fills the Spire with a single brilliant shaft striking Artemis.

*cut scene*

Everything else fades away and Artemis finds himself looking up into the Sun itself. A young boy, no more than sixteen, naked, beautiful and glowing with the light of the Sun descends on a beam of light. “I am the Blazing Dun, child of Ashura and I come to right a great wrong which you have caused human. You disturbed my father’s resting place and now his soul cries out in agony. Unless something is done he will fall into undeath. Take your place as his Champion, ground his soul and I will aid you against the Wizard Darius.”

Artemis considers for a moment, the Kireshi are fucked no matter what he does. “No, the time of Gods and Primordials is done, it’s about time we started making our own decisions.” The beautiful youth sighs, “So be it, I cannot force you. I offer you a blessing though if you agree to find a way to prevent my father’s fall to shadow”

Agreeing quickly Artemis finds himself back in the Chamber as Darius arrives on a high balcony flanked by two glowing multi winged, multi coloured angels. “Enough of this, let us put an end to this once and for all. Slay them my Angels of the Apocalypse!”

On buzzing insectoid wings the Angels rise up and descend on our heroes. They crash through the group, a mass of crawling chaotic energy and reform around Assamber. “Bring me my staff, kill the Wizard” calls Darius which they come close to doing. Staggering under their assault the group strike back.

A Blade Barrier neatly dissects them both and Assamber freezes them in place. They scatter to avoid area effects and Darius lashes them with lightning drawn from the Stone. Artemis tries to distract Darius only to find he is surrounded by an impenetrable shield powered by the stone. They must disable the stone or perish.

The Stone is the centre of the Temple. It is corrupted by Chaos. Hu’Maa advised they destroy it but they choose not to heed his advice. The stone can be cleansed with a sacrifice of power or converted, Hallowed to a new God making this place the most powerful Temple on Earth. The thought does not ever cross our heroes mind and they quickly cleanse the stone of its taint forcing Darius into the fray personally. He descends amongst the spitting curses and corrupting flames in all directions.

*cut scene*

Outside Jocasta, High Priestess of the Eternal makes her way to the Spire accompanied by most of the remaining servants of the Cult. The enter the forbidden grounds of the Spire and she raises her staff casting a circle of holy power around her. The demons roar in recognition of a new threat and charge to the attack. As they do warriors of Clan Antarion lead by their new Chief leap in the way defending the last stand of the Priestess of the light. Striking her staff into the ground she lets out a mighty cry, “Now, the sleepers will awaken.”

In the days before the Cabal those who were in great pain came to the Cult for aid. They were given release in the gardens of the Spire where they would be laid to rest in eternal blissful dreams. When the Cabal arrived they twisted those dreams into nightmares and used them to fashion Demons. Now Jocasta breaks the most Holy tenet of her faith and disturbs their sleep. As one they awake into screaming horror as they relive every demonic indignity heaped upon them. With their waking however the demons which were drawn from their nightmares vanish into thin air.

As Jocasta slumps to the ground the Dragons attack crashing against the Spire and the remaining Cult members.