Revelations

The gallop swiftly resumed, without a word spoken. The ominous clouds spread, and soon began to pour rain. What this magical storm was going to accomplish for Xhosa, you could only guess. You quickly felt cold and miserable, though you realized all that did was further motivate you to bring him to an end. You held tightly onto the reigns, terrified of falling, but more so being terrified of being a drag on the others again. The dark clouds dissipated as quickly as they came around, but their supernatural nature meant that made no real difference. As the horizon rapidly approached, you see the remains of a derelict fortification. Above them, you could see large winged beasts circling, and rapidly dive bombing.

"Harpies" Gilzra shouted to get everyone's attention "The place is going to be crawling with other form of demons. Xhosa is going to have a fight on his hands, and so are we."

"If we're lucky" Kharn added "the demons will solve the problem for us"

"This isn't the time to count on luck, friend" Rhian retorted "It would appear he's more concerned with us than them. Look ahead"

Near the base of the hill was a cropping of undead; skeletal warriors only able to move through the Dragonkin's necrotic magic.

"I see them." Kharn said, undeterred "Glenn, Rhian, cover us." With another swift kick, the orc took off with even greater speed than had already been working, directly at the skeletons. You take a quick look at Gilzra before following suit. You could almost feel the wind of Glenn's arrow as it whizzed past you into the crowd, but making little effect against the animated bones. Rhian's spell, a large ball of fire lobbed in the center of the group made all the more difference. At least a third of skeletons fell immediately, and those that did not were confused in their limited intellect for what to do next. Kharn took immediate advantage of the moment, running his horse straight through the remainder. Punching through the defensive line, the sound of hooves on dried bones made a sickening sound, and yet you couldn't dwell on it. It was clear you had little choice but to carry on behind him. Francia showed no fear in charging through the undead, a feat you would find remarkable, given the chance to reflect. Gilzra had been on the opposite side of her orc friend, the three of you successfully broken through the line. Rather than trying to crush all of them, you continue barrelling past them, until the base of a steep ridge, with a long set of steps carved in that the horses will be **** to take.

"We go on foot from here" Kharn said, quickly departing his horse.

"Should we tie them up or something?" You ask

"I'd rather them be able to run free if needed." Gilzra responded "If we lose some coin because they fled and lived, I'll be okay with that."

"Fair point" You nod as you return your feet to the ground. You place your hands on the muzzle of your horse for just a moment "Thank you Francia, for getting us this far." She never asked to get involved in this, but you wouldn't have made it here with out here "May we see each other soon."

Scaling up the steps is a little scary with how slick the stone is under this heavy rain, more so with the sound of carnage ahead of you. Undead and demons clash against each other in a brutal mellee. A few of the strays see the three of you and come at you. Kharn and Gilzra are able to take care of them easily, after you adequately defend yourself.

"Alright Demetria," Gilzra piped up, speaking loudly to be heard over the ensuing chaos "If you've got an ace card hidden in your robes, now would be a great time to use it. I don't suppose Phoenica, the Eternal Child, has answers to this one?"

"She might" You reach into the back of your mind, remembering the prayers ArchDeacon Doolyn would pray to bless and consecrate people and places. How he did that for you, making you a Sister of Phoenicia. After everything that's happened, you didn't feel like that's a title you lived up to anymore, but Phoenicia granted you power and divine magic before. She is the Goddess of Mercy after all, why would she not forgive you for what you did while being deceived?

"Phoenicia, Goddess of Forgiveness, Mercy, Eternal Youth. Wahweth, God of Dragons, God of Storms," You said out loud as you closed your eyes in prayer, hands clasped "My friends and I are in a **** hour. We are set on all sides by beings that are an affront to all that you and your siblings have created. We ask that you may bless this rain. Let your mercy and rain wash away the unclean, so that this land may begin anew, and so that we may prevent a harsher crime committed." As you held your hands out, palms down, individual droplets of rain began to glow faintly. The prayer worked, and the holy water did it's damage on demon and undead alike.

"That's quite the Ace you've got there" Gilzra said, practically beaming in pride "How'd you know that work?"

"Time in the library" you replied simply "Every God detests the undead. Even Dineth The Destroyer, God of ****, finds them an abomination. Beyond that, it wasn't a matter of fact, but faith. I had to believe that Phoenicia would forgive me, and want to help."

"Well, she is the Goddess of Children, but she's got some maternal instincts for sure." Gilzra responded. "That's the hard part over with, now we just need to find -"

"THIS!?" Xhosa's draconic voice bellowed, as you chased up the pathway, looking for him. The braggart held the Scepter of Xodion high overhead, pure malice in his eyes. Panic fills every inch of your body; you're so full of emotion that you freeze, unsure of what to do."

"So, you must be Xhosa." Gilzra seemed to be playing the diplomatic route, at first "I appreciate you helping get Demetria out of harms way, though I can't help it was for self serving purposes."

"I wouldn't have been able to dispatch the evil here on my own, even with the help. Who are you to her though? A newfound friend?" He steps closer, holding the magical scepter in both hands in front of him now. Something dawned in his mind, causing him to laugh in an unsettling way "Oh no! It can't possibly! Oh, what a delightful twist!"

"Twist on this" Kharn bellowed as he charged at the dragon kin. Xhosa took a deep breath in before spraying a huge amount of acid at the orc. The black dragon spawn held his hand out, casting a spell that froze him in place "Brute **** is a poor plan against a superior mind. It's a wonder your kind has survived as long as it has with how dim you tend to be."

"Enough!" Gilzra shouted. Xhosa, unconcerned, pointed the scepter at the two of you, magical green chains reaching out at you. As the links formed from nothing, leashing collars formed around both of your necks.

"I have entertained your delusions long enough. You will exist solely to serve and please me. I shall reign over both the necrotic and the demonic. But first, you both will understand who is your Master."

Gilzra grits her teeth tightly as tries to resist the magical chains "It'll be a cold day in those Hells before I submit to you."

"I do hope you that anger isn't just for show" Xhosa remarked, amused. "Breaking you is less fun if it's over so fast. And what of her? Will your darling Demetria show the same resolve?"

"Don't you dare!" She was as livid and afraid as you've ever seen another living soul. "If you do anything to her, I'll"

"What? Why do you even care so much? Hmm? Does Demetria even know why you stopped everything to help her, or has shame and lies run through your blood for so long that you don't know how to function without them?"

"Gilzra, what is he talking about?"

"Oh, so you haven't told her. Well, than allow me." Whatever his grand reveal might have been, was cut short with a growl in pain. An arrow with a jagged steel head pierced into Xhosa's neck. The scepter quickly turned orange as if fresh from the forge, causing him to drop it in pain. Having let go, the spells dissipated. Xhosa, furious, turned to find where the unplanned assailants had come.

"You've got a big mouth friend" Glenn said as he had already primed and held another arrow, firing it off, striking Xhosa in the abdomin "and an even bigger ego. Blinding really. A dwarf soldier could have snuck up on your ass."

"A mistake I will not make again!" Xhosa responded as he tried to cast a spell, one that never came to fruition. Rhian revealed himself as well, having prepared a counterspell in anticipation.

"Agreed, necromancer. I don't think you will be around to make that mistake, or any other mistake again." Holding both of his hands high over his head, Rhian created his own small miniature storm. A cyclone, no wider than a person is tall, full of small magical blades, slicing at Xhosa in every direction. Wracked in pain and unable to focus, there was little he could do to defend himself as Kharn approached slowly.

"Who's dim now?" Kharn brought his great weapon high overhead, and with all of his body, heaved it down on Xhosa. His large green mass obscured the visual carnage. Letting it rest on the muddy ground, Kharn picked the Scepter of Xodion up, carrying it to the two of you. As you took it from him his massive hands, you see a glare from Gilzra

"Demetria, now's not the time to get funny ideas. Forget what that demon said. You just saw what that thing can do. It's too dangerous to stay intact. We HAVE to destroy it."

"That 'demon' is my mother Gilzra" You shouted.

"You silly, silly girl! That wench ain't your momma. How can you not see it!"

"How do you know!?" You start to cry "How can you possibly be so certain!"

"Because I'm your Momma!" She shouted back, tears down her face as well "I knew I was your momma from the night we met. I was the one who dropped you off at the Phoenician Church. I had named you Syrohn. Your father and I were the luckiest parents in T'sara when you were born. He had gotten in with bad people, who killed him and came after you and me out of spite. I realized you were going to be safer without me, so I left you where I knew you'd be taken care of. I meant to come back for you, always, and I hope you can forgive me for what I've done. I just wanted to keep you safe..." She steps closer, putting one hand on yours, slowly trying to take the scepter from you.