P A R A G O N
Time slowed to a crawl. Rather than rearing back for fear of the elemental wrath that Norani was unleashing, Juno extended both hands to her as though to draw her close. All the while, her smile remained plastered upon her face. A soft and welcoming thing…but it did not reach her eyes. In those pitch black pits, something else could be seen. Something that became immediately clear to Norani as soon as she appeared in a flash of lightning, heralded by the booming crack of resounding thunder.
Fear.
Juno was terrified. As her hands clasped Norani’s, a hollow voice reverberated in the air around her.
“Welcome home, Norani.”
The corridor of shadows slammed shut, swallowing them both.
---
The core of rot hissed and shrieked as Imogen unleashed her radioactive quirk. The greenery around her withered and turned grey. The snapping vines that were ready to impale both her and Destyn were eroded and turned to dust.
“You choose oblivion! So be it! We shall rejoice in the rain brought by your blood! We shall feast upon the marrow of your bones! Your corpses shall be fertile fields for our beauty!”
The mouth the figure at the heart of the rot opened wide to display a cavernous maw of fetid sharp teeth. Breath that carried the smell of decay and death wafted toward the both of them. It shrieked with a terrible roar as its limbs were stabbed and burned by Imogen’s nova-flame empowered spears. The body of the creature lunged forward, gaping mouth reaching for Imogen.
And then the chamber filled with Light.
Within Destyn, the sensation of a hand resting firmly on his shoulder would be abundantly clear. Arcas was with him. More than that, the power of the Draegir of Light poured into the Rune of Summoning and sent out a call across the boundaries between planes. Into the halls of his holy realm, the power of summoning reached and drew forth a spirit beckoned by both Destyn and divine influence. Leaping out of the blinding light pouring out of Destyn came a spirit draped in divine flames of silver and gold. As it bounded forth, the nova fires of Imogen’s coven burned hotter, snaking along the corrupted rivers as though drawn to them like flames to kindling. The spirit slammed into the torso of the corruption, smashing it with a bash of its shield. It brandished a great spear that it used to pierce into the creature’s shoulder.
Within both Imogen and Destyn grew a sense of fury and strength as their holy fires burned away the rotting vines binding the weary Titan. Ghoron’s eyes snapped open. Within his irises burned the fires of Searing, the beauty of Glade and the fading of Ash. He grit his teeth, his muscles bulging as he rose to one knee and then pushed himself to his feet. He yanked and pulled, causing the already burning vines to snap and break.
NO!
A chorus of voices screamed in rage and horror.
Ghoron broke free of his bindings and with a resounding roar, unleashed the powers that he had been guarding for so long. There, bolstered by the dauntless courage of Imogen’s might, the boundless faith and hope in Destyn’s heart, and strengthened by the divine fury being brought against the rot, he found his strength.
“BEGONE!”
A wave of power poured out of Ghoron. The Last Titan. The silver fires wrapped around him, turning gold, copper, and even green. He threw his hands out, releasing the great fury of the spirits of nature themselves against the withering rot that sought to claim them. Three great spirits stepped out of Ghoron’s body as he relinquished them from the shelter of his soul. A burning phoenix that glowed with the golden radiance of the sun and the relentless heat of the Atraxian desert. A magnificent stag crowned with antlers covered in vines and flowers with fur both verdant green and earthy brown. A regal owl with feathers the color of autumn leaves and eyes the color of ash.
The phoenix cawed and Imogen’s spears ignited in golden flames. It then soared high to unleash a torrential downpour of fire upon the rotted appendages attempting to spear those gathered.
The stag charged the body of the rot, antlers sprouting thorns while vibrant and lively vines sprung up to defend the heroes where its hooves touched.
The owl flapped its wings, hooting ominously as cold winds were unleashed upon the rot causing the black muck to crack, dry, and crumble.
The withering rot was overwhelmed. The sprit summoned by Destyn, blessed by the divine, Imogen’s relentless assault, and the fury of the nature spirits themselves destroyed the vile creature utterly.
Ghoron’s chest was heaving, he looked not at Imogen and Destyn but at the three spirits that were finally free and, for the moment, safe from the rot that sought to overwhelm them. He stood only slightly taller than Imogen but was significantly broader. Covered in sweat and with a few bleeding wounds, he looked at peace despite the circumstances. As the three spirits settled, Ghoron looked to Imogen and Destyn.
“Thank you.” Ghoron’s eyes closed and he collapsed unconscious.
Fear.
Juno was terrified. As her hands clasped Norani’s, a hollow voice reverberated in the air around her.
“Welcome home, Norani.”
The corridor of shadows slammed shut, swallowing them both.
---
The core of rot hissed and shrieked as Imogen unleashed her radioactive quirk. The greenery around her withered and turned grey. The snapping vines that were ready to impale both her and Destyn were eroded and turned to dust.
“You choose oblivion! So be it! We shall rejoice in the rain brought by your blood! We shall feast upon the marrow of your bones! Your corpses shall be fertile fields for our beauty!”
The mouth the figure at the heart of the rot opened wide to display a cavernous maw of fetid sharp teeth. Breath that carried the smell of decay and death wafted toward the both of them. It shrieked with a terrible roar as its limbs were stabbed and burned by Imogen’s nova-flame empowered spears. The body of the creature lunged forward, gaping mouth reaching for Imogen.
And then the chamber filled with Light.
Within Destyn, the sensation of a hand resting firmly on his shoulder would be abundantly clear. Arcas was with him. More than that, the power of the Draegir of Light poured into the Rune of Summoning and sent out a call across the boundaries between planes. Into the halls of his holy realm, the power of summoning reached and drew forth a spirit beckoned by both Destyn and divine influence. Leaping out of the blinding light pouring out of Destyn came a spirit draped in divine flames of silver and gold. As it bounded forth, the nova fires of Imogen’s coven burned hotter, snaking along the corrupted rivers as though drawn to them like flames to kindling. The spirit slammed into the torso of the corruption, smashing it with a bash of its shield. It brandished a great spear that it used to pierce into the creature’s shoulder.
Within both Imogen and Destyn grew a sense of fury and strength as their holy fires burned away the rotting vines binding the weary Titan. Ghoron’s eyes snapped open. Within his irises burned the fires of Searing, the beauty of Glade and the fading of Ash. He grit his teeth, his muscles bulging as he rose to one knee and then pushed himself to his feet. He yanked and pulled, causing the already burning vines to snap and break.
NO!
A chorus of voices screamed in rage and horror.
Ghoron broke free of his bindings and with a resounding roar, unleashed the powers that he had been guarding for so long. There, bolstered by the dauntless courage of Imogen’s might, the boundless faith and hope in Destyn’s heart, and strengthened by the divine fury being brought against the rot, he found his strength.
“BEGONE!”
A wave of power poured out of Ghoron. The Last Titan. The silver fires wrapped around him, turning gold, copper, and even green. He threw his hands out, releasing the great fury of the spirits of nature themselves against the withering rot that sought to claim them. Three great spirits stepped out of Ghoron’s body as he relinquished them from the shelter of his soul. A burning phoenix that glowed with the golden radiance of the sun and the relentless heat of the Atraxian desert. A magnificent stag crowned with antlers covered in vines and flowers with fur both verdant green and earthy brown. A regal owl with feathers the color of autumn leaves and eyes the color of ash.
The phoenix cawed and Imogen’s spears ignited in golden flames. It then soared high to unleash a torrential downpour of fire upon the rotted appendages attempting to spear those gathered.
The stag charged the body of the rot, antlers sprouting thorns while vibrant and lively vines sprung up to defend the heroes where its hooves touched.
The owl flapped its wings, hooting ominously as cold winds were unleashed upon the rot causing the black muck to crack, dry, and crumble.
The withering rot was overwhelmed. The sprit summoned by Destyn, blessed by the divine, Imogen’s relentless assault, and the fury of the nature spirits themselves destroyed the vile creature utterly.
Ghoron’s chest was heaving, he looked not at Imogen and Destyn but at the three spirits that were finally free and, for the moment, safe from the rot that sought to overwhelm them. He stood only slightly taller than Imogen but was significantly broader. Covered in sweat and with a few bleeding wounds, he looked at peace despite the circumstances. As the three spirits settled, Ghoron looked to Imogen and Destyn.
“Thank you.” Ghoron’s eyes closed and he collapsed unconscious.
Off Topic
Ghoron, the Last Titan, has been saved. The spirits of Glade, Searing and Ash have been rescued. The corruption plaguing the heart of Agst'rasera has been purged. The damage done to the World Tree can be mended with time but it will be an endeavor that likely takes generations of work.
Norani
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: Norani has been taken into a pocket dimension by the Unknown. Lured by the appearance of the phantom of her childhood friend, she fell for the trap set for her and was successfully distracted from her mission. This pocket dimension however does not carry the full force of the Unknown's power, weakened as it has been both by the assault that took place and because it is working across planes. Norani will wander this corridor until Glade 5th, 124 Steel. During that time she will see haunting visions of those who have been taken. She will be tormented by her failures. She will be subjected to visions of a world turned to rot and decay.
Imogen
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: +1 Rune of Elementalism - Journeyman Level - Arche: Fire. Bonus Element: Light.
Blessing of Searing - The Spirit of Searing has granted Imogen power over Elementalism. Additionally, Imogen's pact weapons now carry the Blessing of the Spirit of Searing. Her pact weaponry can now both withstand and unleash volcanic lava, fires of equivalent heat and Imogen herself no longer need fear maladies such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or the like. She will be comfortable in any hot, humid or tropical climate and can comfortably walk on hot surfaces without fear of being burned.
Destyn
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: +1 Mark of Eminence (Acolyte) as mentioned before. +1 Rune of Elementalism - Journeyman Level - Arche: Wood.
Blessing of Glade - The Spirit of Glade has bestowed power over Elementalism to Destyn. Additionally, Destyn's Rune of Summoning has been attuned to the combined spheres of Celestial and Wilds. He may summon spirits from both. Blessed as he is by the Spirit of Glade, Destyn will never want for shelter, food or water whenever he is in verdant wilds. Branches of trees will shift to shield him from rain or snow and when they've no leaves to do so, animals will lead him to caves or dens. Wild fruit and vegetables will always present themselves to Destyn should hunger strike him and there are plants around that could nourish him. Finally, the spirit called to Destyn's aid can either be dismissed or Destyn may claim it as his Aidolon. Reach out to me if you have questions regarding it.
These spirit gifted runes do not count against the total number of runes normally acquired.
Norani
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: Norani has been taken into a pocket dimension by the Unknown. Lured by the appearance of the phantom of her childhood friend, she fell for the trap set for her and was successfully distracted from her mission. This pocket dimension however does not carry the full force of the Unknown's power, weakened as it has been both by the assault that took place and because it is working across planes. Norani will wander this corridor until Glade 5th, 124 Steel. During that time she will see haunting visions of those who have been taken. She will be tormented by her failures. She will be subjected to visions of a world turned to rot and decay.
Imogen
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: +1 Rune of Elementalism - Journeyman Level - Arche: Fire. Bonus Element: Light.
Blessing of Searing - The Spirit of Searing has granted Imogen power over Elementalism. Additionally, Imogen's pact weapons now carry the Blessing of the Spirit of Searing. Her pact weaponry can now both withstand and unleash volcanic lava, fires of equivalent heat and Imogen herself no longer need fear maladies such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or the like. She will be comfortable in any hot, humid or tropical climate and can comfortably walk on hot surfaces without fear of being burned.
Destyn
XP: 30. Can be used for magic.
Note: +1 Mark of Eminence (Acolyte) as mentioned before. +1 Rune of Elementalism - Journeyman Level - Arche: Wood.
Blessing of Glade - The Spirit of Glade has bestowed power over Elementalism to Destyn. Additionally, Destyn's Rune of Summoning has been attuned to the combined spheres of Celestial and Wilds. He may summon spirits from both. Blessed as he is by the Spirit of Glade, Destyn will never want for shelter, food or water whenever he is in verdant wilds. Branches of trees will shift to shield him from rain or snow and when they've no leaves to do so, animals will lead him to caves or dens. Wild fruit and vegetables will always present themselves to Destyn should hunger strike him and there are plants around that could nourish him. Finally, the spirit called to Destyn's aid can either be dismissed or Destyn may claim it as his Aidolon. Reach out to me if you have questions regarding it.
These spirit gifted runes do not count against the total number of runes normally acquired.