Unexplainable changes

Eventually, you and Melora get out of bed and get cleaned up, with the smile never leaving her face. Once you’re dressed, she gives you a kiss and tells you she’s heading off to find Nadia. Apparently the two women have a lot in common, and Melora wants to spend more time with her.

As the seer is walking away, you’re a bit surprised to see Sarah walking up to you. The hellhound looks a bit concerned, and the fact that she doesn’t tease you about Melora makes it obvious that something is on her mind.

“Hey, can you come to the forge with me? There’s something I’ve discovered with your armor.”

You didn’t break anything, right? I was too busy watching the fun to pay attention to you.

Sarah rolls her eyes. “I didn’t break anything, Lilith. But someone did.”

You nod. “Sounds serious. Let’s go, then.”

Sarah nods, and leads you over to the forge. It’s larger than the one in Hope, but similar. Your armor is laid out on a workbench, and Sarah has clearly been inspecting it closely, the breastplate in particular. She brings you over to the bench, and gestures at the gemstone set into the armor.

“Notice anything different?”

You look at the armor. Just as you remember it, the large gem is set into the breastplate, with several rows of runes surrounding it. You’re no expert, but it all looks the same to you, and you say as much to Sarah.

She shakes her head. “Look closer. There’s sections of runes missing. And not damaged, or filed off, if that were even possible. They simply vanished, as if they never existed.”

You look closer, and now you can see gaps in the strings of runes. You had assumed that was intended, but thinking back, it definitely wasn’t like that when you first put it on.

“I see it now. What’s happening?”

Sarah sighs. “I don’t know what’s causing it, but I know the results. There’s good news and bad news.”

You groan. “Of course there is. Hit me with the bad news first.”

She nods. “The bad news is that the armor is weakening. And there’s a leak, for lack of a better word. The armor can’t retain the power as well anymore.”

That explains why I’m so tired now! Ugh, the worst. At least I get to perv on you some more, so I guess I can’t complain.

You sigh. “That’s less than ideal, although giving Lilith more power is not exactly an unpleasant experience.”

Horny bastard.

Sarah laughs. “She’s not wrong.”

You chuckle. “Fair enough. And the good news?”

Sarah smiles. “Well, the good news is, some of the runes that are disappearing are control runes. I think the changes we’re seeing in Lilith are because she’s starting to revert to her natural personality.”

It has been strange, I haven’t felt the urge to try to compel you since we cured Rahu. I wonder what triggered it.

You nod. “I won’t complain, despite the sarcasm, I like the way Lilith is changing. But what happens if the runes all disappear?”

Sarah shrugs. “That’s way beyond my expertise. She may be trapped. She may be freed. It may destroy her. I have no way of knowing, this shouldn’t be happening at all. This armor is an incredibly powerful artifact. The only ones here with magic powerful enough to affect it are you and Rahu.”

Oh great. So even your good news could be bad news. Thanks so much, what a weight off my mind…

You’re about to respond when the door to the forge bursts open. Ferra rushes in, and darts over to you. Without hesitation, she grabs your hand and starts pulling you towards the door.

You follow, confused. “What’s happening, Ferra? Where are you taking me?”

Ferra glances at you, and you see worry in her orange eyes.