The Cradle of Souls - Chapter 10: Grim Tidings
From Saratta
- Had I known what was going to happen... Damn it! I would have left things be. Is that what you want to hear? Done nothing? Let us all rot? Its done, now leave me be.
- - Ulias Brend
- Had I known what was going to happen... Damn it! I would have left things be. Is that what you want to hear? Done nothing? Let us all rot? Its done, now leave me be.
- They had what they needed. A destination, a place to search for the source of All Healing that would release them from the curse of the Xirisz Phasygn. Now that they were back on the surface, Ulias was determined to venture back to the Castle and make preparations to venture into Resonn. With that in mind, he commandeered Katniss from the dig sight and ordered the group to move out. Krueler was not ready to leave, as they hadn't found any dark souls to purge in order to recharge their own lives though Anya-Star was quick as ever to point out that if they hadn't seen any when they were in the ruins the first time, they weren't about to mysteriously appear the second. Ulias drew out one of the Black Crystals he had brought along for just such a problem.
- The group agreed to use the crystal as many of them were starting to feel weakened. They agreed that they could not use it near other people though. It meant exposing others to the dangers of the device. To that end, they warned Katniss to stay behind when they were about to use it, and detailed the curse that they had been subjected to. She agreed to stay away, and the group set out to find a suitable place to perform the crystal's ritual.
- In the meantime, Sharina hastily packed what few belongings she had and prepared to depart with the group. While they had not invited her presence, she knew that it would only be a matter of time before her psychic powers were discovered. It was time to move on. She watched at a distance as they ventured out, and then slipped away from camp hoping to catch up with them as they traveled.
- Several hours into the return journey they discovered a large field. Here they decided to perform the ritual after Ulias explained what needed to be done. According to texts he had read about the crystals, it required the user to fill it with his or her 'intent'. If good feeling were placed into it the benevolent souls of the ancestors would come to the summoner. If malice or anger were placed into it, then it would attract wraith. Ulias was unable to use the crystal having previously failed, so it was offered up to the other members.
- Some were still opposed to using it, while others readily volunteered. Kaden tried first, filling it with his feelings toward Krueler and the way he was treated in his training. The attempt was dismal at best and produced nothing. Glorving went next, knowing exactly how to fill it with malice. He directed his thoughts to Corwin Degalli. The crystal shuttered and pulsed inwardly, drawing a strong wind current to itself, sending ripples through the grass like rings in a pond. The leaves in the trees began to rustle as the breeze grew stronger. Katniss was warned to depart from them and set up camp. She left the field and began to busy herself.
- As the breeze picked up, they began to feel uneasy. Something strong was being called to the crystal. A raspy voice thundered out from the air around the crystal...
- “Behold! The tidings of Nacus (pronounced Noe-cue-ss) The Ghost King! We shall rise again!”
- As soon as the voice spoke, Krueler was thrown by an unseen force and wraiths began to pour in from the treeline heading for the crystal, attacking all in their path. Altherton was drawn away from the group and moved to engage one of the incoming wraith. Ulias was likewise pulled away, but without a weapon there was little for him to do but wait. As the combat drew nearer to him, he froze in a panic.
- Not too far North of them, Sharina was venturing to catch up. Unfortunately for her, she had arrived in the area just in time to meet on of the wraith as it heading for the crystal. It got the drop on her, draining a portion of her life before she could react. When she came to her senses, she ran, fleeing in the direction of the now besieged party.
- The wraith were everywhere, attacking indiscriminately. As group members got to their feet, they found themselves flung back to the ground by the unseen force which had already done some damage to several of the combatants. Just as quickly the force was gone but that did little to stem the tide of wraith. Not wanting to use the Xirisz Phasygn for fear it would cause them more problems, Krueler kept it tucked away. Wraith drew closer, encircling the party, Ulias, and Altherton. Seeing Altherton continuing to fight, others moved in to help Ulias who seemed unable to help himself. As they began to make a dent in the ones attacking him, a large group swarmed in near Altherton.
- Krueler knew something had to be done. He pulled up the artifact and began consuming the angry ghosts. Each one that was absorbed returned the groups strength and power, pushing them to battle on but his actions came too late. The swarm of wraith overwhelmed Altherton, digging their lifedraining claws into his flesh. In moments they had drained him of his humanity. His body turned gray like stone, and fell as a ragdoll against uncaring ground. The group saw him fall, and were horrified when from his body rose another wraith.
- Kaden focused healing energy on the crystal, blasting it into smithereens before it could call any more of the dark entities to harm them further. They fought on, absorbing souls and vanquishing them as quickly as they could until none were left, but their losses were already evident. Altherton had fallen, and Ulias, brother to the Shal'Tan, had not been in range of the devices effect. Now without more wraith fuel they would have to press on; down one companion, waiting for another to die.