[Scalvoris Mountains] Life Forged, Death Forged

[Hart]

30th Ashan, 721

Hart knelt on the Scaltoth side of the altar and looked at the Warden's daughter, and he thought of his son, Wren. Wren had been abducted when he was young. He'd been tortured by those who would destroy a child to give power to themselves. Wren had had power; the power he'd had was why they'd tortured him.

With his power, he had made the Maze. The Maze had upset the balance between the waking world and the dreaming world. When Hart and others had made it to the end of the Maze, they'd ended it; ending the Maze had ended the torturous life Wren had had.

He'd died.

But Hart had Wished for him to be given a new life.

The girl, not the Girl; the girl who'd been born to the Warden, the girl whom the Warden and Qylios had made Oaths to save. The girl was like Wren. She was a child who'd been abducted and tortured; a child with the power to upset the balance, power that others would give to themselves. For Wren, it had been the balance between the waking world and the dreaming world; for the girl, it was the balance between the immortals.

Saving Wren, and giving him a new life; it was all Hart was able to wish for, for the girl who was so like his son.

Hart listened, kneeling on Scaltoth's side of the altar, when the others spoke. Some spoke about how to give the girl life like Wren had been given life. But if there was no other option, they said, if it needed to be Life or Death as Cassion had described it; they chose Death.

Hart was marked of Vri, and Pier and Pre. He was marked of Death, and of Judgement.

But maybe he shouldn't be, he thought tiredly, because he wouldn't choose Death for the girl. He wouldn't judge the girl; he wouldn't be able to end her life, and give her to Judgement.

"Audrae gave life to the girl, just to end it?" Hart asked. "She should be in judgement, not the girl."

"If the girl lives, Audrae will end her life and Qylios will be made to attack Audrae," Hart said. "But if we end the girl's life, Qylios will be made to attack us, will she not?" he asked.

He looked down, his head in his hands, thinking.

"Why?" he asked. Why were they made to choose Life or Death? Why was it that the girl should be made to die, when she hadn't lived?

"When Wren died, I Wished and he was given new life," Hart said. "When the mortalborn Jesine and Kielik died, they were given new life as well. When I Wished to destroy myself in Melrath and I died," Hart said tiredly. "I was given new life."

"Maybe there's something about the soul, that it's able to be made into something new," Hart said.

"Will Qylios be released from her Bond," like the induks had been released from their bonds, "If the girl is given new life?"

"Maybe there's something about the soul," Hart said once more, his head in his hands.

"Power," Hart said, and looked up. "Jesine and Kielik were made new through the power of the dreaming world. Wren and I were made new through my power, through Wish. Doran said that Vega is able to make people new as well, through her power."

"So maybe there's something about the soul, and about power," Hart said. "Something about new life, and the power needed to make it; to remake it."

"Something about new life, and the power to forge it; to reforge it," Hart said, and looked at the induks. He thought of the power of the induks; he thought of their ability to forge things anew.

"The immortals are asking to forge a bond, a balance between the spirits and the immortals," Hart said to the induks. "In that balance, I believe there's the power needed. The power needed to give the girl new life; because the girl is a soul of Scalvoris, and a mortalborn soul."

Hart looked at Scaltoth, the induk of soul.



When it was time to forge the bond between the spirits and the immortals, Hart would stand with Scaltoth, on Scaltoth's side of the altar. He would focus his power, and think about balance and forging; about new bonds and new life.

Notes: RIP Hart isn't choosing Life or Death.

[Xander Andaris]

The girl appeared before them and a shudder ran down Xander's spine. She was only a child, a being corrupted by forces beyond her and when he looked at her he could not help but wonder what he would do for his own daughters if such a fate had fallen on them. Yet when he looked upon her further he could see where the issue came. There was nothing about her that truly resembled the goodness that was usually inherent in a young ones features, she was indeed "tainted" by whatever ruinous power occupied her body and mind. Others spoke of a life like that not being a life at all and he had to say he almost agreed with them, could one truly live if their entire existence was one of suffering while controlled by others. Perhaps it would be a mercy to allow her to move on from this world and onto lifes final journey.

Xander bowed his head and listened as people spoke, he found it hard to look at the girl hearing that it would be up to them to decide her fate. The father wasn't sure what he could add, he was no magician, philosopher, scholar or mystical being, what did he truly know that could add anything to the argument. Still, he wished to speak, to show that whatever decision he offered his support he did so with a heavy heart. "I must confess I do not fully understand how this girl came to be in her current state but I can understand a desire to protect that which you love, Qylios and the girls father desire to protect this girl, to keep her alive but I have three daughters." He paused as he thought of them, safe and sound back in Rharne away from all this danger. "Having three children I ask myself a question as I look upon this girl and that question is if she were my daughter would I wish her to have to continue on as she is."

Xander paused for a moment and faced the girl, he searched her features for any sign of something he believed he could save, but even the tears she had shed while refusing Cassions remarks did not seem to show sadness but rage. "I think it would be a mercy for her to move on from this existence, to be free from the entity and ruinous power that has shackled her to this existence." He looked at her again and sighed. "If I believed she could be saved I would offer to take her myself but perhaps I am short sighted or uneducated but what I see is not life but a shadow of what life is and what life should be." Xander rubbed the back of his hand where the shield mark of Ethelynda was. "All life must one day meet with death and what lays beyond after our souls pass from this realm I do not know but I choose to believe that it is something better, something purer and somewhere that this girls Soul may finally rest or be reborn into something new." Maybe others there did know what really happened to the soul but he refused to believe it could be anything worse than what this girl suffered now. "I had a sister who died in her youth and it broke my heart to watch," Xander rarely spoke of his youngest sister, "But when I think about it, her passing was the only mercy she could recieve as the sickness ravaged her body, in death she found peace and I hope a better place."

"I would choose to support the decision to see this girls soul be guided onto lifes last true adventure, to allow her to finally be at peace and to see true balance be restored. I would choose death." Xander did not know if his opinion even mattered but he gave it anyway, looking at the girl with a sorrowful expression, wishing that he could see how to fix her, wishing that he knew a solution so that the girl may finally lead a full and normal life. If someone knew a way for certain he would even offer to take her himself, to let her live with him and his daughters but as it was he knew not a way and all he heard from others were just ideas and experiments, he did not wish to see the girl have to go through more trial and error, to potentially be made worse by some failed attempt to solve her problems. People said they should try everything but what if everything only served to cause the girl more suffering.

The only true solution Xander saw was for the girl to meet with Famula and to finally be free. Perhaps his opinion would have been different had he known he was suggesting allowing his own half-niece to be put to death. Xander would also stand for the song forged if he was needed to aid in the bringing together of spirits and immortals in the new forging.

[Ralgar Warborn]

When Kura had stepped forward with her idea the tribal man knew what he had to do, though he knew little of the consequences. Kura was a brave and strong woman, he knew that from the short time they had spent together. She was fierce in a way he respected. While he cared little for most civil folk, believing them to be lazy and far from heroic like the people around, the Deathkissed could only imagine how well Kura could do in the jungles of Scaltoth. So he offered himself to mirror her, and to show his respect.

Once he had finally woken up from his collapse, Ralgar placed one arm on the floor and pushed himself up, feeling dizzy but not wanting to let that get the better of him. Every part of his body ached but he, much like Kura, refused to look weak in a time like now. With a small shake to his arms and legs, and a fresh scar appearing identically to both Kura and the girl in the room, Ralgar used all his strength to stand. "Alberach" he spoke, his tone still low and harsh, yet weaker than usual. His intense eyes looked through hazy vision, making out where Kura was stood.

"You give me hope for the ties between my people and civil folk. It is an honor to share this scar with you" he said as honestly and heartfelt as he could with the pain rushing through his body and the thoughts running through his head. Slowly, he turned to look at the girl as many spoke, the options of her fate cold and cruel no matter which way one could look at it. Live her life as the darkness that had consumed her, die entirely. People debated other options, came up with ideas, but that was far out of Ralgar's domains. Mortalborn or not, he had always been the battle and the wild. That was all he knew. The bloodshed and fighting.

Yet there was a child.

As Cassion, the only Immortal Ralgar had any level of respect for, spoke to the group Ralgar debated what he would say. A simple answer wasn't like him, he wanted to know he meant the words he said. That he had thought about his answer before damning this girl to die. It was a hard decision to make, even for a man that worshipped death. As he looked at the girl his eyes were sad, yet he saw evil. Darkness that had robbed her of any childhood or innocence she had left. Slowly, he turned to the Immortal of Stories with a somber look.

"No matter what my people worship, I wish no death on this child. But a life of darkness is no life at all" he said with deep sadness as he looked at what was, in his eyes, a child. "I do not understand this Oath, I do not understand the Immortals involved. But I understand suffering. Let this girl's suffering end, if there is no better choice. Let her have the peace."

After a small sigh, he looked to the child and whispered quietly to himself, pushing back the sadness he felt deep in his veins. "Honor in life. Pride in death" he repeated the mantra, over and over, quietly to himself. It was so easy to believe in death, to believe it was a doorway not an ending, that there was pride to be had in it. So easy to fight enemies knowing you would go to a better place if you did. So easy to risk your own life with no fear when it was all you believed in.

Yet that same belief started to fade, for just a moment, as he looked at the girl he had decided should die.

~~Haltunga~~ Common~~

[Woe]

!	Message from: Woe
	Peg asked me to post again!

The emotions were heavy in the air, and Woe could tell that he'd made the right decision in paradigming his sparks. His Empathy would be hard pressed to deal with the emotional resonance of everyone else involved. Woe for his own felt as a man apart from the situation. Truly neutral in all these proceedings, he had no strong feelings on the Girl's fate. But it seemed as if her death was a small price to pay for salvation of the Induks and the Island. He didn't know the Girl, and would have gladly made that sacrifice at his own expense, though it may displease his Patron to offer himself as a bargaining chip when a servant was more useful than a sacrifice.

Then, as everyone made their choices, or lack thereof, giving ranked votes but most defaulting to Death if their various suggestions didn't pass, Woe sighed. Cassion had offered them a simple option. Yet, even he failed to realize another who was a part of this scenario. Did the Girl not get a vote in her own fate?

Woe had an ability that he knew of, but had scarcely a reason to use, as it was potent and overkill for most purposes. Yet, here it seemed to have unique utility and importance. Had Lovalus granted him this boon, just for this moment? Woe thought back to his dealings with Emmy and Llyr, and thought it had perhaps been a gift to help deal with a solution to their mutual blunder. But perhaps Lovalus had foreseen just this situation.

Woe came forward, as Cassion called him forward at Zoro's urging. Woe nodded thankfully to Zoro, truly he was grateful that he alone among these mortalborn and mortals thought that Woe should have a say. "Thank you."

Woe turned to face the girl, "I have a power, the power to give someone's mind a new lease on life. I can repair the girl's emotions, which were consumed by whatever now inhabits her. It may be possible. It's worth a try anyway."

Woe stared into the Girl's eyes, and shrugged, "So I offer you the vote that is given to me. What would you decide? Life, and a personality reforged to your own desire, or your own Death."

[Nir'wei]

In the heat of the moment, he'd hoped a moment of solidarity could emerge among the mixed and divided crowd; though he'd known at the very least they wouldn't be silly enough to attack the monster, knowing that it fed off their assaults, the creature was like the physical manifestation of a line of dominoes. Considering it clearly no longer needed Maxine's destructive outbursts for sustenance, it likely didn't need any of them either. If they didn't provide a proper balance to counter its effects, it would destroy them all. They needed something huge, that all of them could channel into at once.

Elisabeth seemed to think that singing would work, and Darius as well, but Nir'wei didn't know the words, nor could he even hope to match their pitches, given that neither of them were any good at singing - he had no idea if anyone else was supposed to be, but he doubted it - and he was pretty shite himself, so he didn't embarrass himself by joining in either. Especially when he found himself able to see the balance tipping depending on the actions of everyone in the room, and it quickly became clear that the effects were most amplified when two of the opposite sides of the rift worked together. It didn't have to be something that everyone did together, necessarily... just enough of the two halves uniting in their own ways to link them together. Such as himself and Prae, or Oram and Bao, Ralgar and Kura...

He must admit, he'd thought differently, and wouldn't have come to the same conclusion as the rest of them, but Chuckles made it clear. Though their work to weaken the creature was slowly proving successful, they could not eliminate it. The creature needed to be incorporated into the ritual. With the Induk changing the directions of their energies to pull the Diri of Destruction closer, and a few choice decisions to focus the power and weaken the Diri even further, it finally changed into something entirely different. A part of the balance, the missing piece. Apparently they were meant to be whole, now, but there was clearly still something wrong with the equation. Another twist in this incredibly strange and winding road.

The Girl - or something inside her - had incorporated itself into the missing piece. Of course, as the Induks were now technically whole, and they were not bound to the Oath that the Immortals had chained themselves to... they would consume the thing that lived within her, killing the mortal that it occupied. In the end, the life of one small girl could not hold up against the fate of Scalvoris and the four Induk. It was a swift and brutal sort of justice. Something about it just didn't seem right to him. "The being within her is another part of the Induks?" he asked, not really expecting much of an answer as he stepped down from the dias of Faldrass. "Or is it another being, to be killed by you, like the girl, to prize apart the last of your trapped power." It was no secret that the thread of sense that they had followed through this journey had eluded him for much of their time, but there was something in particular now, when face-to-face with the child that had been the source of their troubles, that he felt he needed to try out. Just for the sake of ticking all the boxes, as it were.

"You can speak. You show some remains of emotions, and desires. But you're not mortal, are you." It was a monster, of some sort, he was certain. A body-swapping being the likes of the Miasma, or some unknown soul-snatching creature from the unknown reaches of the Beneath, or the Beyond. Those things didn't matter to him, though. As long as they were at least somewhat human, or at least mortal, silly things like animal training were rather useless, since they saw through the presence he held. But if this thing was anything less... well, he'd see it now. "Look at me." If she did, he'd lock eyes with her. He was counting on it. There was a challenge to his tone, and in his focus. She'd already shown to them all she was defiant but immature, so he practically goaded her into a moment's deep staring, a stretched silence, then--

"HEEL!" he screamed in her face, voice sharp and clear with a force that could stop Sohr Khal's mid-flight, and visibly caused even his own wolves to flinch. Did he see it? That little spark of deference, the hint of something animal beneath the surface that felt the true presence of the Master of Monsters? Or had this thing become too tangled in the webs of a mortal soul... or perhaps it was still too intelligent, too strangely close to mortal. If it was still there, well, there were quite a few other things to ask.

If it worked or it didn't, there was still work to be done. "One way or another, the creature that is before us cannot continue to exist as it is. To do so would be even more cruel than allowing it to die." That much he was absolutely certain of. "But Doran's suggestion could work, potentially. So could Woe's, though I worry how either would work, given the creature that remains inside her, that yet needs to be removed. She cannot be renewed with its presence still inside her... if they can purge it, then so be it, but otherwise it is only a temporary solution." He didn't know the mechanics, so he couldn't possibly judge. "The Alberach's is a good alternative. Hart's seems the most favourable. But if all else fails, when we kill her, I will attempt to take her wounds into myself." He would need the girl's loyalty for that, the girl hidden deep beneath the surface of this creature, but if the poor girl's life was what was required to restore Scalvoris, then clearly the same would be true of his own.

He paused. "Or I will link with her." It was the last option he brought to the table. "If this thing cannot be controlled by my powers, then I can try and make it a part of me, too... if I can link with its thoughts. Once it is a part of me, either I can remove it from her without killing the girl... or you can kill me, and it will not kill the girl, but it will remove the creature that is within it just as certainly." Finally, he turned away from the girl. "One way or another, the creature within the girl will perish, and she will be allowed to continue a normal life for the remainder of her days, free from the threat of Audrae's consumption and under Qylios' protection. Yes?" It was quite a drastic move, he would not deny it. Sacrificing his own life wasn't really something he looked forward to, but the lives of others always came above his own, and there could be no greater service than to bring true Unity to the Induks of Scalvoris, if there turned out to be no alternative.

"If it's to happen, I will stand on behalf of the Immortals during the final ceremony. Or part of me will be." His wolves were still spread across the room at each Induk's symbol, and two more near Elisabeth and Arlo, at the head. "While I think the revelations of today have shown quite a lot of... questionable judgements by the Immortals of the past," he said with a quick glance to Cassion, "it would be quite hypocritical of me to oppose the unification of Immortals and Spirits. Plus, I suppose if Cassion is involved, it can't be all too bad."

[Darius Baer]

Darius braced himself, gritting his teeth as the maelstrom continued. He had stood in the deck of ships as they passed through squalls and rocked back and forth through swells, but none of them had been as intense as this. He wagered that had he been on a ship in a storm of this strength, he would have had to bind himself to the mast with a rope to ensure he didn't fall overboard.

But he was not on a ship, and were it not for the Induks and Ledas' stabilising form, he likely would have fallen from Faldrass' dais - and, perhaps, from his good graces - almost as soon as the cacophony of elements collided.

But withstand it he did, albeit with no small amount of assistance, and he tried to contribute to the balance. He knew that his singing was poor, and he didn't even know the words to Elisabeth's lullaby, but hebcojld pick up the basic tune. He hoped it would provide a sense of unity, but it was clear that others had responded to the call for balance in different ways.

And yet, it seemed to work. The Diri of Destruction fell away, and a bird appeared in its place. A deafening silence fell over the cavernous room, and for the most fleeting of moments, Darius wondered if they might have achieved their goal of balance. He was tempted to step down from the dais and help Kura and Ralgar; to drag them to safety, just as he and Oram had done for Balthazar during the eruption.

But he had barely enough time to move a single muscle before the pair woke up again and the Induks began to express their confusion. And then Cassion appeared.

But he was not the only one.

A young girl, who Darius would have guessed was about ten arcs of age, bore a fury that no child should ever have. She looked at everyone present, one by one, and when Darius shared a gaze with her, he could almost feel the heat of her rage. It was not human - it couldn't be - and it seemed at first that this power might overcome the Induks.

But then Cassion spoke. The Taleweaver had a penchant for dramatic stories, and it seemed he especially enjoyed ones that had a twist at the end. Darius and the others were, he realised, being invited to provide that twist.

Much to the mariner's shock, he got singled out by Cassion, but then, given the nature of the Wanderer's visit to Hopetoun, perhaps it shouldn't have been such a surprise. Even so, in a room with a dozen distractions, he could not look away from the Immortal as he was spoken to, and he nodded in response to the request to transport the girl's soul, should the time come. Another nod followed, at the mention of the lantern, and Darius realised that his involvement in this story was far from complete.

"I will do what is required of me," he replied to Cassion, patting Ledas on the back as he spoke.

And then the group was presented with a choice; a call for judgement. Neither option seemed appealing, for there would be no healing without death; no atonement without pain.

The girl, Darius wondered, wished to destroy them, and yet, he knew that this hunger for carnage was not her own. It was the desire of whatever force had taken over her body. This was not who the girl once was. She was to be sacrificed, another helpless victim in someone else's power struggle.

But how could she live in servitude to the Induks? A slave to Scalvoris, and yet Scalvoris itself abhorred slavery. It had been made illegal, and was unquestionably immoral, and now it would underpin its very existence?

How could there only be two evils to choose from, and which one was the lesser?

Some of the others were quick to make their decision, but Darius was not. He listened to what was said: a dizzying array of options laid upon the table.

"I do not like either option," he muttered beneath his breath, though he was surprised by the conviction he could hear in his own voice.

Feeling emboldened, Darius spoke up, addressing mortal and Immortal alike.

"I came here to save Scalv," he declared. "I came to save my land and the people who live upon it, and the heart that beats beneath it. And the choice I'm given is between slavery and death? How is that any choice at all?"

Katara let out a screech of support. She of Faldrass flapped her flaming wings, sending tendrils of smoke around her ward.

"Scalvoris has taken a stand against slavery. How could forcing someone into servitude at its very heart be remotely Scalvorian?"

The bearded blond's nostrils flared at the very notion.

"The girl was - is - a victim. A monster, perhaps, but a victim nonetheless. This is not who she once was. Is her death a fair price to pay in order to achieve balance? What about two deaths? Or a dozen? Or a hundred?"

Darius could hear the frustration in his own voice, and he caught himself, before taking a slow breath to calm himself and continuing.

"If what Hart says is true, and it's possible for the dead to be brought back" — he turned his focus to Cassion, then — "and I believe it to be so, because Yeva has been returned to us. This, then, must be what we pursue!"

He took another deep breath, for the words that were to follow were heavy and not easily said.

"If it is the only way to heal Scalvoris, I choose death. And I will stand with you in partnership and do all that is asked of me with regard to her soul and Famula. ​But I plead the girl's case. I plead that she be brought back. Make her untainted like me, if you can. Free of the monster within her and free to no longer be a victim."

He hesitated for a moment, and then, having said his piece, tightened his grip on Faldrass and held onto Ledas as he braced himself for another onslaught.

[Pegasus]

~~~
The last fire will rise
Behind those eyes
Black house will rock
Blind boys don't lie
~~~

She watched from every shadow, observed the happenings as they unfolded. Being betrayed by those who should hold her most dear did not disturb her, not in the slightest. It was not unexpected after all and she had no doubt that the child would regret her actions - one way or another. But to be outwitted by the dust-eater was almost more than she could bear. Fury swelled within her as she watched and she swore that she would have revenge on each of them. Each mortal - for what were mortalborn but mortal - each one of them would feel her wrath.

Including her daughter.

Yet, there was still hope. Audrae always, after all, had a hundred plans and a thousand options. With a smile, she withdrew and went about other business. The girl had failed her, her father growing too bombastic, too driven. He had loved this child completely and she had ended him even though Ziell's peace endured. Which meant, of course, that he had allowed it. Thinking of that, Audrae smiled. The Warden had been too focused, too involved. He was blind. She was rid of one inconvenience and she was glad that she had played things this way.

For The Warden of Slags Deep would never have allowed himself to be destroyed if he'd known for a moment the secret that she had hidden from him and that action would have far reaching consequences. Consequences of which Audrae wholeheartedly approved.

No, she would bide her time. She ~ and her son ~ would watch and wait.

Mortal Choices:

~~~
Immortal fear
That voice so clear
Through broken walls
That scream I hear
~~~

Some academics theorised that there were only 7 stories in the world.

More precisely, in fairness, that there were seven archetypal tales which were re-packaged and re-told, made specific and given context, but which all fitted into one of those seven. It was the cause of academic debate, serious discussion, deep analysis and much more.

Cassion knew better. He knew every story, every one on Idalos and each of them were different. To him, it was akin to saying that each person fell in to one of seven races. It was so broad, so pointlessly pernickety and needlessly analytical that it was a nonsense. Like the parents who have a dozen children - Cassion saw each one and knew it as an individual. Unique. Beautiful. Loved.

The story of this place, of this time, was in front of Cassion's eyes. Every situation - from the most mundane to the greatest adventure - each one was a tale to him and he saw them through ancient eyes. Loud and boisterous, adventurous and overbearing - all of these things were what mortals saw when they saw him. And, indeed, he was all of them, but he was also so much more. The story which unwove here this trial was ancient and had built momentum. It was world-changing and would have ripples no matter what. It was there, in front of him - a reality superimposed on a reality.

It was winding, twisting, spiralling. He was part of this story, yet apart from it. Unbound by oath but restricted by nature, Cassion knew that the end of this saga was near and yet he did not know how it would end.

So, he played his part. He gave them choices.

First, Oram spoke. He obviously did not like it, but he spoke and he made his choice. As he did, Cassion and Daia bowed their heads to him in acknowledgement and understanding. It was not an easy choice, but he made it.

Later on, Cassion would consider that just maybe, Oram was his favourite.

Choice Made!

• Oram chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

Praetorum spoke next and he, too, made a choice. But then, he also made a suggestion. Cassion frowned as he heard Praetorum's words and saw the path of the story split, change, shift into something else. Cassion raised an eyebrow at the suggestion made by the Ithecal and he considered for a moment. He obviously thought about it, considered it carefully. As he did, Daia spoke.

"What you suggest, Praetorum, has some merit," she said with a smile. "But it gives me fear.".

Cassion looked at her and nodded. "I am intrigued by the idea. But it would risk the lives of every soul on Scalvoris and possibly wider than that. It might also kill the Induks." That seemed to be a hard no from Daia, but Cassion continued to speak. "When they are balanced, when this is done and this situation is sorted. I would love to find out. Will you help me with an experiment to find out, later, Praetorum? It will be an adventure, I am sure!" So, it seemed, Praetorum had an invitationModded thread, current season, with Cassion. if he wished to take it.

Choice Made!

• Prae chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He earned Cassion's interest and is invited to do some experimenting - just ... not right now.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

Next was Doran and as Ziell's son spoke, Cassion considered that if he was a mortal man rather than the Immortal he was, he'd be getting a headache. Thankfully, though, he was not a mortal man and so, instead, he grinned. The wonderful, remarkable creatures he was surrounded by - mortals all - were what they were. Cassion enjoyed that about them and he relished the simple fact that they thought of things which he would not. It was the very Order and Structure which Kura and Ralgar had given which meant that he was limited. With the best will in the world, he was limited and these wonderful, complex, ridiculous beings weren't.

"Backed down for good? No," Daia answered Doran with a smile. "She never does that.". But was there any chance that she would still try and devour her child? Cassion answered that one. "She will, simply, take the option which is the best outcome for her. Always. None of us are safe from her." Then, Doran made a suggestion and Cassion raised an eyebrow. Doran's suggestion? His daughter-in-law's ability granted by Lovalus.

"It is not powerful enough to fight this darkness, this creature within her," he said. But yet, the Immortal of Story did something which surprised even him. "Send the message, Arlo," he agreed with a smile. "I would speak with her - or the Diri of Lovalus, if it would come."

Choice Made!

• Doran chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

Arlo spoke, backing up Doran's point and Cassion looked at his son. Yet, it was Daia who spoke first. "A mortalborn doesn't have the kind of power we need, even if her Domain is children." Daia said, quietly but firmly. "And this creature is ancient. The child within is so negligible as to be not there. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but it is the truth". The girl laughed mirthlessly and spat at the floor. Yet, Cassion had asked him to send the message, and his father didn't know why. "Your choice is noted, son" he said. He sounded no happier about it than Arlo did.

Choice Made!

• Arlo chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Daia explained why.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

When Elisabeth spoke, it may be that she surprised some with her thoughts on magic, but Daia did not seem to be one of them. "Your point is a sensible one, and well considered for the prosperity of all." Daia said to her. When Elisabeth spoke of calling forth another, though? Cassion responded. "A marked of Famula who uses any power granted to them acts in her name," he explained. "And could, therefore, force Qylios to act in a manner we would rather she did not." "But Famula has already spoken of the soul. However, it is worth to ask," he said. "Another message, it seems." No one moved, but a message was sent.

Choice Made!

• Elisabeth chose Death ~ choice noted.
• She suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• She also moved back to stand at the altar.

The emotion which emanated from Bao was palpable and Daia moved forward to him. "Sweet thing, your light is bright. We are trying, I promise you." Daia spoke quietly, softly. Gently. "But sometimes, there is no other way. Can you see another way?". Cassion frowned at that. "He offered one, previously. But in this, it would not help." He looked at the Cadouri and shook his head. "There are some things which even Immortals can not fix. But I promise you. We try" he said. He sounded - and felt - sad.

Choice Made!

• Bao chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He asked for an alternative - Cassion explained why there was none.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

Zoro moved to back up Bao. He spoke of the death of Matilda and Daia nodded, sympathetically. He offered a sacrifice, death for death and then he suggested that they each sacrifice a part of themselves. "Your heart is good, Zoro" Daia replied and then, Cassion spoke "The issue is not with your willingness to help," he explained. "It is no longer possible to even find what is left of her, let alone separate it from the creature to save her" he said.

At Zoro's suggestion that Woe should have a vote, Cassion turned to the MB and raised an eyebrow. "Well?" Cassion said. "He's right. What do you think?" When Woe thanked Zoro, Cassion and Daia too added in their voices.

Choice Made!

• Zoro chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

When Kura spoke, she did not show any of the effects of exhaustion and pain she was exeperiencing, but she gave clarity to the situation. Cassion, however, explained to her. "Even if it could be done, I would not do that to her." he said. "Her trauma is so great, if she still exists even a little. To make her a ghost - of any kind - would be a cruelty, I believe." He smiled at Cally. "She has been a monster for hundreds of arcs. She has been consumed by evil. Whatever of the mortal child is left, it would be a cruelty to her, even if I could do it."

He nodded when Kura had finished though. "Your choice is sensible, taken through the lens of Cally" Cassion said. "But it would be a cruelty here, even were it possible." Although, combined with Elisabeth's point, he glanced at Daia, who nodded. She had already sent a message and she added that to it.

Choice Made!

• Kura chose Death ~ choice noted.
• She suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• She also moved back to stand at the altar.

As always, Hart considered the situation, looked at it and questioned it. He put forward thoughts, and questions - but no answer. "Are you suggesting, " Cassion asked, "that we try to reforge her soul?" He considered it but a moment. "To do that, to impact her soul in that way, to do anything against her even if we see it as a positive thing, is to force Qylios' hand" He understood the desire to help, to make things right, but acting against the soul of the child in any way would bring about Qylios. "As for why you must choose?" Cassion said. "Because those are the only two options I can see ahead of me and if the choice must be made, better that mortals make it. Because you will make it based on what is right, and fair and the best overall. You will choose based on your emotion." He would not be able to make such choices, not in that way. He, and Daia, they were bound by what they were.

Cassion looked at Hart then, with a stern gaze. "I have involved myself here, in order to help you. I made no foolish oath. Although, as a parent, I would think you feel more understanding of swearing to protect your child no matter what. Audrae is, indeed, at fault here. The rest of us," he gestured around the room to them all. "Are simply doing the best we can. If you will not choose, if you will not act, then that is your choice. It is a poor one."

Choice NOT Made!

• Hart did not choose. This will have a negative impact.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• He moved back to stand at the altar.

Xander joined Oram in being Cassion's favourite. He made his choice. He spoke of his sister, of the last adventure, and of finally reaching an understanding that sometimes death was the final mercy. Cassion nodded and Daia spoke to him. "Your words have wisdom," she said softly. "Far from short sighted. I am so sorry for your pain. "

Choice Made!

• Xander chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He moved back to stand at the altar.

Ralgar too was brief and to the point. He spoke of his choice and the reason why and the Immortals nodded. They did not say anything more, simply accepted his choice.

Choice Made!

• Ralgar chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He moved back to stand at the altar.

Earlier on, when Woe had replied to Cassion about his reason for his choices, Cassion had nodded. Then, there had been the comment about Immortal parents and Cassion had turned to look at him and then, the Immortal had laughed. "You are well named, Woe," he said, good naturedly. "You miserable sod. Come on." And that had been that. But now, when Zoro spoke to give Woe a vote, he was given one and it was not what Cassion or Daia had expected.

He gave his vote to the Girl. She looked at him with baleful hatred. "Pathetic wretch," she spat. "Bring me your power and I will consume it, and you." She snarled. "I choose your death. Your death get my vote."

Cassion sighed. "Well that went well," he said. "She will never consent," he gave Woe a brief smile. "But what you did was fair and appropriate."

Choice Made!

• Woe chose to give his vote to the girl~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.

Nir'wei took a risk and he screamed in the girl's face. As he did that, she spat in his. A large globule of phlegm and spit hit him right in the eye and she laughed. He saw no deference, only intelligence and cunning. It was at his consideration of what they could do that Cassion spoke. "If we kill her, even to do her good, Qylios will be forced to act." he said. He looked at Nir'wei and he seemed to be as frustrated as it was possible to be. He was. At the idea of Nir'wei linking with the creature though? His eyebrow raised. "It would consume you in a heartbeat," he explained. "It's power is immense." He could see the story play out in front of him. For each of them who had suggested an alternative, Cassion saw the story of that alternative play out before him and his vision was split with each alternative, spinning in a spiral with a hundred ideas, no one of which would.

When Nir'wei said that he would stand - and why - the Immortal smiled at him. "All things considered, I glad," he said. "You and every one of your creatures. One and many, all at once."

At that thought, Cassion frowned. Daia looked at him.

Choice Made!

• Nir'wei chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

Finally, it was Darius who spoke. Cassion looked at him and listened to his words. And then, the Immortal of Adventure - who had been looking progressively more and more glum - beamed a wide and cheerful grin. "You're right!" he said. He gestured around at them all. "You are all right. The goal to save the girl is the one you should pursue. It is not one that I can make happen, because if I move against her, then I will bring Qylios down on you all." Yet, he was smiling.

"I see each tale of every alternative you have suggested to me and none of them will work. None of them. I see them in a spiral of death. A spiral of failure and defeat, but glorious heroics. Each one a strand which unravels. So, what I can do," Cassion said, holding his hand out to Daia, who took it. "What I can do is tell you the story." he beamed. Daia also smiled.

"After all," Cassion said. "Stories have power."

Choice Made!

• Darius chose Death ~ choice noted.
• He suggested an alternative which would not work. Cassion explained why.
• He also moved back to stand at the altar.

The Storm

~~~
Cry little sister
(Thou shall not fall)
Come, come to your brother
(Thou shall not fall)
~~~

"Stories have power." Cassion said again and, as he spoke, energy crackled around him. "But have you ever wondered what it is that gives them power?" He stood, hand in hand with Daia and the two of them facing the Girl. She glared at them, malevolently.

"Stories have power because mortals have power," Cassion explained. "I have Dominion over Companionship," Daia looked at the whole group as she spoke. Lightning cracked around them. "But you have friendships, companionship, families. When I was dead, people still danced," she smiled at Hart and - just at that moment, a tiny diri who Arlo would recognise as Vega's Lovalus diri appeared on Daia's shoulder. Snuffle waved to Arlo. "And when you dance, those of you who bear my mark, I can use my power to focus that. To create miracles." She smiled.

"We have power because you exist. Stories have power, because you dream and imagine and strive." Cassion said.

"And sometimes," he continued as energy crackled and lightning hit all around them and as the Induks watched, apparently entranced, Cassion's voice took on a different quality. "Sometimes, stories exist in a perfect storm."

The Story

~~~
Unchain me sister
(Thou shall not fear)
Love is with your brother
(Thou shall not kill)
~~~

"It began," Cassion said. Everyone in the cathedral-like cavern was drawn to hear his voice. The Immortals of Storytelling wove a tale. "with a Wish. A Wish granted by a brave man," The images of the moment where Bao had wished for peace and Hart and given it. "Were it not for that Wish, every step we have taken to bring ourselves here would have been dogged by violence and attacks. The Wish - the peace - it allowed the groups to go and find the chainstones."

Cassion smiled at them. "The Wish is where it began. The Wish brough Peace. And now," he said, firmly, "That Peace ends."

They all felt it. The cold in the place which lasted only for a few seconds. They all - at the same moment - saw it. The Girl's feet had been frozen in place. Now, she stood on stone, not ice, like the rest of them.

"Granting the Wish bought you time to find the chainstones, but more than that," Cassion said as the Girl took a tentative step forward, as though checking to see that it was true. She lifted her head and grinned malevolently as Cassion continued. "It bought you time to research. To learn. Catch!"

He moved, lightning fast, and he threw something to the girl. What he threw, they would recognise as the piece of Drainglass which he had taken from Doran just a few moments before. The girl reflexively caught it.

And at that moment, it was fair to say, things changed. The girl caught the drainglass and as she did, she started to scream. Yet, somehow, Cassion's voice was what they heard, even through her screams. Over them. Like The Story existed above everything else. "And you learn that what it drains is what Famula would call taint. Not humanity. So you found a means to harm it, not her." He watched as the girl's face contorted. Cassion continued speaking.

"But in this story, a man called Oram had stood bravely and determinedly. He had, in the face of destruction, chosen to build. In building, he rebuilt an altar. He and Bao together. And that altar was vital to this tale. Because the drainglass can be more than a drain."

He smiled, a beaming smile. "Oram and Bao rebuilt the altar, and look at what it did."

The altar glowed, power emanating from it. The chainstones which formed the altar pulsed and they could all see that the chainstones had changed from what they were. Their images had scrambled together, like each one of the stones was all of the stones. "And so, by their actions, the drainglass stopped being a drain and began to be a siphon."

Energy crackled from the girl to the altar and tears poured down her face. Winds whipped around Cassion, who watched. His eyes glowed gold and his voice echoed. As he told The Story, as it happened, there was no longer any mistaking him for anything resembling a mortal man. He was the Story and it was him. There was no compassion, no emotion, just this tale and he glowed shadows of light and beams of darkness as his words shaped the energies the people here had created.

"It drained the creature, but the creature fought back, " Cassion said. They saw it as he spoke it, the creature of which he spoke. His words played out in a scene before them. "It fought back, desperately trying to get more energy, but it had only one place to go." He looked around at them, as he spoke the words. "Desperately, the creature turned inwards, trying to gather what energy it could from what remained of the Girl. And so, it hurt her."

Light suddenly exploded in the room. Each of them was blinded by it, it was so bright that the world was white. Yet they heard Cassion's voice. Heard The Story. "Which brought Qylios. Fury filled the Immortal, bound by her Oath. Seeing the situation she attacked. Of course she attacked, but the heroes who gathered here were mortals. They knew that, should Qylios attack the creature as she now must, then she would kill her grand-daughter in the process. They knew that, if this story played out to its fullness, then it would end in the end of the girl, the Immortal, Scalvoris. Maybe of the world."

As he spoke, things happened in time with his words. Not before, but just after he uttered the words, the events occurred. It should be stilted, but it was not. It was The Story playing out in front of them. "Both Xander and Praetorum had stood, previously, as protectors," The images formed - Praetorum on Ishallr, Xander in Sweetwine - both of them had stood to protect others. "And so they stood, now, and they protected the girl - and their companions - from Qylios." As Cassion spoke the words, the images of Praetorum and Xander which had been seen by all of them became solidkind of like the Sojourn ability 'Saga Servants' for anyone struggling for a visual and they stood, firm and strong, holding shields of light against Qylios' onslaught.

"Because suddenly, the girl had a chance," Cassion said. "Doran's understanding of the drainglass had bought them the chance to drain the creature but now they had to find the girl in there. And that was where past actions strengthened the heroes of this trial. Woe had given the girl his vote, Hart had not voted and in doing that, they had both caused the Girl confusion. She did not understand their actions and that emotion - that human emotion - it was enough." The image then was of Woe, stepping forward to the girl. Turning to her as he had but moments ago. They all watched, they all saw, the image of Woe doing what he had just done. "And that part of her, that tiny part which screamed for help, Woe heard. His ability could not save her alone, but he could find her. And in finding her, he found a tiny thread in a tangle. A terrified child in a monster"

They all saw it, then. The face of a child. An actual child. It was buried deep in the swirling mass of blackness which was The Girl. But it was there, and they could see it. Woe's abilitySophist's Guile found her and they all saw in front of them that she was sleeping. "But just like he had in Scaltoth," Cassion said, "Woe had stood outside. Not accepting his forging meant that he was apart from the Induks and so, just like in Scaltoth, he could reach into the inky blackness and wake her - as he had helped to wake the others"

The Child opened her eyes. The Creature roared in pain and fury. "There was hope," Cassion said, "But The Child was barely there and Woe could not hold her alone, the power he had was not strong enough." The image of Arlo stood next to Woe, although Arlo's hands did not move. "But Arlo did what he had done to persuade the Induks that balance was needed. He told a story. He used his own abilities, to bring her into the world, to tell her of the world as it was when she would see it. He told her of balance, as he had told them, and she grew more alert, more awake."

It was all there. It was all happening and for each of them that Cassion spoke of, they could feel it, feel it happening. It was them. They saw that the girl's eyes were wide and frightened. Terror gripped her and she began to panic. And then, as Xander and Praetorum felt their knees buckle against Qylios' onslaught, standing with Woe and Arlo were Elisabeth and Darius. "But The Child saw the world, and all the terrible things she had done, and she was terrified,." Cassion said. "And then, she heard something." The sound of Elisabeth singing and Darius raising his voice with her was heard by them all. "Neither of them sang well, but what they sang was important. It was a lullabye. A song with the single and sole aim of soothing a child. And so, as Woe found her and Arlo strengthened her and Elisabeth and Darius soothed her, the Child became more and more separate from the creature which had consumed her. She was small and weak, but it was being drained and she was there." Pausing, he looked around at them. "But the creature held her, still."

Cassion paused a moment - like The Story was in balance. "Everything they had done brought them to this point. They had dug deeply within themselves, fought and built and struggled. But now, more of them would have to stand. More still would be demanded."

The Plot Twist

~~~
Blue masquerade
Strangers look up
When will they learn
This loneliness?
~~~

It seemed evident that was the case as the creature held on to The Child.

It was being pulled and drained and yet, it was determined. It held on.

They saw it there as literally a single glowing golden thread, the like of which Oram would recognise.

"The Creature and The Child had been united as The Girl for so long that not even the energies of the mortals could separate them," Cassion said.

In front of them appeared the image of Zoro in Sweetwine. The biqaj had picked up Mildred's body and he had carried her gently, carefully. He had placed her on the tiny funeral barge inside the Emerald Tree and he had brought her to the Induk.

"But Zoro had picked up the body of a fallen comrade and brought her to Sweetwine in the hope that she could be saved." Cassion's words held a sing-song quality as he told of this. "Sweetwine had, at that time, taken her broken body into itself and now, it released her."

There was a burst of light from Sweetwine's chest and suddenly, emerging from it was the fairy Mildred.

The small fairy looked very different from the one they had seen. She was now a creature of light and beauty.

"She held in her hand a sword, the same sword which Zoro had been given and, with that sword she cut the final tie between The Creature and The Child." Mildred let out a whoop of delight as she severed the thread.

And the creature was released.

And the girl crumbled to dust.

For a moment, all around them was silence.

The Deaths

~~~
Temptation heat
Beats like a drum
Deep in your veins
~~~

The Girl was no more. Her body was ancient beyond understanding and ravaged by the war which had raged within her. It fell to dust like a parchment crumbling. Cassion was silent as Qylios screamed in fury. The Creature roared and it started to grow in power.

"Outside of The Girl, The Creature grew in strength," sometimes, storytelling required stating the obvious and this very much was obvious. "It was malevolent and would corrupt those it entered. The Induks were newly released, and it believed it could overwhelm them. It might have been right," he didn't know, but he rather suspected it was. "But it had not reckoned on Nir'wei." The image of Nir'wei speaking but moments ago appeared and Cassion smiled. "He took it into himself. He linked with it." As Nir'wei had offered but moments before, as Mildred severed the final golden thread, as the girl's body crumbled, as the Drainglass shattered under the strain of it, Nir'wei linked with The Creature and it disappeared into him.

Nir'wei had never felt anything like it. It was the most malevolent twisted evil he could imagine, and ten times more. "Nir'wei knew, the moment that he did it, that it would not work," Cassion's voice sounded rather sad. "It began to overwhelm him, to consume him. But, he was many and one. He pulled on all his strength, and it was not enough." With a glance at the scene in front of them, Cassion continued. "However, he bought them time. Time for Kura and Ralgar to help him, too." Just moments ago the two Mortalborn had brought Order to Chaos, and now the image of them doing that appeared in front of the group. "They had given their power to the Induks but now, they gave it to Nir'wei and, between the three of them - and all his animals - they managed to control it." It was a small sentence for a massive battle.

"The Induks took the power, consuming the Creature and as they did, Nir'wei fell, The Taleweavers voice was solemn. "It was too much for any mortal body to handle and, as it died, so too did he." The scene in front of them held them all entranced, but they also all knew that it was more than simply a scene. It was the reality Cassion was weaving by telling The Story.

"It did not feel like a victory." Cassion said, solemnly. "The Child was dead, Nir'wei too. Kura and Ralgar had damaged themselves, but the creature was contained and the Induks whole once more. Death had been the majority choice, and Death was what was given."

The Sacrifice

~~~
I will not lie little sister
(Thou shall not fall)
Come, come to your brother
(Thou shall not fall)
~~~

Silence hung heavy in the air and everything seemed to hang in the balance. "It began with a Wish," Cassion repeated his earlier words. "A wish granted by a brave man. A man who had fought for his daughter. Who had done all he could to keep her safe." He smiled slightly. "But that wish was made by another. Another brave soul who had once offered to take a damaged child's place," He spoke and there, they saw Bao's offer to sacrifice himself in the Glass Temple. The Bao from the Glass Temple stood and looked at them.

"The suggestion had been made to consider Famula as an option here," Cassion spoke and he glanced at Elisabeth and Kura. "And her servant stepped forward." The image of a man most would not recognise stepped forward. Kura knew him though, as did Nir'wie and any involved in the War of Death & Souls. Carter Frask held out his hands to the air. "And that allowed Bao to sacrifice himself, to swap himself. He did that, and as The Child entered his body, Famula's servant made Bao into a Wisp, as had been suggested previously for the child." There seemed to be, in front of them, two Baos.

"He acted, in Famula's name, and he brought Nir'wei back from the dead." Carter moved over and, indeed, touched his hand to Nir'wei's chest. The image of Nir'wei - who was Nir'wei - breathed. "And finally, Qylios was able to be free of the downright bloody stupid and rather bothersome oath that she had made," Cassion said. Praetorum and Xander had been holding her back and, though they saw the image of themselves doing it, the pair of them felt the pain in their legs and arms and whole body.

And, it stopped.

The Aftermath

~~~
Unchain me sister
(Thou shall not fear)
Love is with your brother
(Thou shall not kill)
~~~

Silence once more hung between them for a moment. "And now, The Child lays in Bao's body," Cassion said. "But she remembers everything. Every evil she feels that she performed. It is a cruel sentence for a child who was - as you have many of you said - simply a victim. However," he smiled and the small diri Snuffle flew up into the air blowing bubbles of delight. "Doran had suggested something and so, in this moment when The Child could not consent, her grandmother consented for her and an ability from another Induk took those memories from her. They gave her a new life." Snuffle blew bubbles all over the Child in Bao's body and the little girl's body change.

"The energies of the place changed her, too," Cassion said and there, laying on the floor in front of them was a small half-panda-cadouri, half-human child. He glanced at the apparent body of Bao which was not a body at all, but a Wisp. "An Exalted of Famula can only bring someone back from the dead once a Cycle," he said to Bao. "Jacien already used it on Elisabeth. Now my friend here has used his ability on Nir'wei."

He sighed. Cassion looked, suddenly, back to how they were used to seeing him. "You are the Story," Cassion said, exhaustion evident on his face. "I simply pulled together your energies and told the Tale." He looked around. "Each one of you gave me an option which would not work but in doing so, you built a jigsaw, and I wove it into a tale. With the help of my peers, we will make the Tale True."

Daia stepped forward. "The Immortals watch." She gestured around and they saw them. All of the Immortals who had been involved. U'frek, Xiur, Moseke, Chamadarst, all of them. Ziell, Saoire, each one. "And you have our thanks. Each of you. Without every one of you here, we could not have done what we did. What you did."

~~~
My shangrila
I can't forget
Why you were mine
I'll need you now
~~~

Qylios towered above them, but it was an older man who stepped forward. Ralaith, the Immortal of time spoke to them. "It will take a full season to bring things here back to normal, for the energies to right themselves." He looked at them. "I give you that time. You will return to your people, to your homes and lives as you are now. On the 37th Ymiden, the Tale will become the Truth, and then the events here will have happened. You will, on that trial, remember everything clearly." He turned his attention to Cassion and Daia and they nodded.

"On that trial," Daia spoke, "We will hold a feast for you." To Darius and Zoro, then, she spoke specifically. "On that trial, Bao will die and The Child will take his place. You both are the remaining Soul Bearers and I entrust you to bring them to the feast. It will be on the 38th Ymiden, and we will bring Bao back, then." She glanced at Saoire, who nodded. Stepping forward, Saoire planted a kiss on Bao's nose.

"Now," said Cassion. "Let's get these Induks balanced, shall we?"

The Balancing

~~~
Cry, cry sister
(Thou shall not fall)
(Thou shall not lie)
(Thou shall not fear)
(Thou shall not kill)
~~~

It should, perhaps, have been anticlimatic, but they all had a very large job still to do. To stand, once again, and help the Induks balance. For Arlo and Elisabeth it was Life and Death forging - for the others it was in their own Forging. Woe was offered Soulforging again, should he wish it, and this time Cassion and Daia joined them.

It was a repeat of what they had done before except, when Cassion had said that it would be a "tad uncomfortable", he was not wrong. They had all seen The Tale unfold in front of them, they had none of them experienced it - although when they remembered, they would remember both watching it happen and doing it themselves - but right now, they were all (even Xander and Praetorum who had begun to feel the strain previously) fine. Bao was Bao, though he knew he would die, he also knew he would be brought back. Nir'wei knew the same. Right now, they had simply watched it. Soon, they would remember having done it, too.

But right now, they had a job to do.

The energies swirled once more, the Induks fought for balance. The experience they had previously had was intense - with the addition of two Immortals ? It was beyond that.

But everything ends.

When the Induks finally stood balanced, each one of them who had taken a Forging was Forged and the Induks themselves were in total balance. They knew this because the Chainstones had shifted and changed too.

Once separate, now they all looked the same. All of the Induks together.

With their Forged. While the Immortals watched. It was the dawn of something new on Scalvoris.

OOC Notes

!	Message from: OOC Note 1
	In the Choices section - I've followed the order of your posts (except Woe, I've gone with his second post). Please assume it was more chaotic than that!

!	Message from: OOC Note 2
	You have all just seen the Tale Cassion has told. He has taken your actions and merged them into a story. This story will become Truth on the 38th Ymiden (thanks, Ralaith). This will explain the timey-wimey stuff, your memory loss and the whole shebang. On the 38th Ymiden you will remember BOTH what happened and the Tale as though you lived them. It won't be confusing, it all fits together.

Objectives

I'm not going to do objectives, as such. But basically.

One more post from each of you please. That post seals your fate as Forged (or not). Please react to the events of the Tale and the Forging in that post. Thanks

Next week - I will do an epilogue and put up the review.

The Feast

The feast will be a modded thread. It will be along the lines of Cylus Dusk - and will be brief.
Bao will be brought back at that time.
The Child will be there.
Darius and Zoro you are asked to bring Bao and The Child. Please, therefore, could you two assume that you get your memory back on the 36th Ymiden and are able to get to Bao in that time. Bao - maybe you could be on Faldrass, as could Zoro? Or Darius could be on Scalv Island Proper ? Either way, I don't feel that you need a modded thread to do that, but if you WANT one, I'm happy.

Prae - you DO have a modded thread if you wish it.

You guys amaze and delight me. The only thing that could happen here was that your stories became the thing that saved The Child. Thanks, so much.

ALL PLAYERS

At the end of this thread - as part of this event there will be the opportunity to gain marks and have either marks or magic removed.

Please PM me or DM me (don't just tell me casually in a chat, I'll forget) if you would specifically:

a) NOT want to be given any new marks.
b) NOT want to progress in any current marks you have
c) WANT a mark removed
d) WANT a magic removed.

Thanks!

Forging

The Four branches of the Forged are here: here they be!
Please feel free to assume that you know what the rough idea is / powers are / etc for the Forgings you have been offered. You just... know. That way, your PC can choose what's actually best for them.

Next Post: Sunday 25th July

[Bao Bao]

"I know" the small Cadouri whispered quietly, as Daia and Cassion promised they were trying, his ears drooping slightly as the deep sadness overtook him. Every idea was wrong, everything was just slightly off. There was nothing he could do that he could see, no easy outcome. Even with the comfort of Daia present, the light that she brought forward with each word she spoke to him, there was a deep sadness. If the Immortal allowed it, he would rest his head into her shoulder for a moment, until the tears went away, simply crying. Bao the brave, with the heroes of Scalvoris and the Immortals present - unable to save a small girl from death.

One small child. Destined to die.

Then, as he stood by the altar, he listened to the story told. Cassion spoke and, slowly, pieces formed. Starting with a wish. Bao watched as the past him talked to Hart, the two emotional in the vault as he wished for peace. As Hart granted it to him. Piece by piece, the story went on, and Bao watched. Seeing himself in small glimpses. The altar. The wish. Just like he had been shown in the hallway, small glimpses of how people could make bad situations better. The dark emotions slowly, one by one, faded away as he watched what looked like hope. Hope and peace. Draining the creature, forcing it away from the girl. Weakening it so they might free her.

Light flooded the room and Bao watched as Qylios attacked, his eyes filling with fear for just a moment, as Prae and Xander held off against the onslaught of light. Then the girl was drawn out slowly, more and more as Bao listened to the tale, watched the story unfurl in front of them. Piece by piece, word by word, image by image. Mildred appeared, having been saved by Zoro at sweetwine, and they severed the creature from the girl. More hope. More reason to believe she could live.

But she crumbled.

Bao fell silent, disbelief in his eyes as the room went quiet. That couldn't be it. There had to be more. So Cassion spoke again, and he spoke of the creature. Moving inside of Nir'wei, so that he could hold it down. Overwhelmed for a moment, yet help came, saving him. Until he died. Bao wanted to call out, wanted to protest, but he couldn't. The words of Daia echoed in his head, telling him that they tried. That they did all they can. More tears poured down his cheeks and his heart felt a dark, numb pain as he watched those around him die. Just as he had feared, just as he had worried about. Silently, the Red Panda let his eyes fill with tears and his head lower, not wanting to watch any more or hear any more of the story, wanting the happy ending he had prayed for all along. Wanting the peace he had wished for. For everyone, not just some. But for all of Scalvoris.

'It began with a Wish'.

Cassion spoke again, and Bao saw it. His head raised, the tears still flowing but his focus back on the story for a moment. Another brave soul, willing to take the childs place. As he watched himself, stood in the glass temple and offering to take the place of the Warden or the Girl or whatever he had to do, Bao understood. He had made that offer not so long ago, yet so much had happened. So many changes. But it remained. His sacrifice remained. As Bao watched himself, in the story, step forward - he knew he had died. Unsure of what to feel or say, Bao looked silently, the tears still pouring. Not because he was afraid, or because he didn't want to go through with the sacrifice anymore. It was something simpler.

Instead, Bao cried because he didn't want to lose any of the friends he'd made. Bao looked hesitantly to Oram, remembering the time they had spent on Bao's first-ever trial in Idalos. He looked to Kura and Nir'wei, how they had taken him into the council without hesitation, been kind to him. Elisabeth and Woe, in the glass temple, both complimenting him. Doran, calling him Brave as the groups had first gathered. Hart, the time they had spent in the vault, the wish they had made together. Zoro and Xander, who he had met on their journey. The small moments they shared. Every single person here, uniting together to save Scalvoris.

As Bao watched himself become a Wisp, it was as if he felt both perspectives. He was still sat watching the story and yet there he was, a ghost, looking at the girl in his own body. The sacrifice he had promised. It was bitter-sweet, but it was what the man knew he had to do. Saoire's gift to Idalos, the Cadouri. Raised on the belief of kindness and love. All through his life, Saoire had taught him to be the best man he could be for Idalos, to give life to everywhere he went, to everyone he met.

Now he'd had that chance. So as the story ended, he listened more, feeling what both Bao's felt as tears continued to pour slowly, even from the face of the Wisp. As the Immortals were announced, and as some spoke, Bao found himself not listening as he looked to Saoire and Ziell and his frown turned to a gentle smile, tears turning from sad to happy. As Saoire stepped forward and planted a kiss on his nose the small Cadouri stopped holding back, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "I love you" he whispered quietly, only for Saoire to hear as he sobbed tears of love and warmth into her. "I hope I made you proud, my mother. I hope I did the right thing."

Until they were brought back to the altar, to finish the balancing, Bao did not let go of his mother for even a moment. Then, when they were finally forging again, he wiped his eyes and laughed quietly. He knew he would come back even after his death, knew he would see his friends again, yet the girl was saved. That was all he had wanted. So as the intensity as the forging was underway, even as his body ached, Bao refused to let go of his smile. Then, once it was over, Bao turned to all of his friends and with the tears slowly starting to fade, he went to hug them. All of them that would let him, any that would give him the time.

[Woe]

Cassion took Woe's jibe about Immortals making improper parents in good humor. But Woe supposed he was more proud of Arlo than he was of the act of siring him, and so let it lie where it would. At least he hadn't angered an Immortal with his glib tongue. That, at least, was progress.

When Woe handed his vote as an act of mercy and fairness to the Girl, she spat it back in his face, using her vote to call for his death. Woe's reaction was bleak, flat, and unimpressed. Yet she'd taken his choice. Perhaps the monster inside was too far gone, indeed.

Breen sat by Woe's side, his tongue lolling out for a moment and then retracting as things began to happen. His ears perked up as Cassion wove all of the disparate and isolated actions into a cohesive whole. It was the formation of a Divine Narrative, in tandem with Daia's domains of Prosperity, Companionship, and Dance, they created a performance that played out the entirety of everyone's actions to a partition that stood apart from it all. The Forged and Woe stood as both audience and participant in that moment, looking on as they made their role for the fate of Scalvoris.

Woe's turn came shortly after Doran, and the Creature grasped the drain glass, allowing the monster to weaken before the girl, who was somewhere inside. A small thread was all that remained, a small string of fear and terror, but innocent of the trauma inflicted by the Girl. The one part the Monster couldn't consume, as it was a consequence of the destruction she'd wrought upon the Child.

Woe could recognize all of this, even without the benefit of Empathy magic, he delved in with his Lovalus granted ability, Sophist's Guile, and searched out that elusive thread that remained of the original Child. He used all of the powers that were available to him, in order to extricate it. In the absence of Empathy magic, he used the threads of the Webspinner, a gift from his mother for years of misguided loyalty.

These, he tied around the small threadbare tangle, and pulled it to the surface, for the first time glimpsing at the livid visage of the Child. He would see her spared from that pain, but he alone wasn't enough. Arlo stood by him and began telling the child of a story, while Elisabeth and Darius sang their lullaby, to soothe the child.

Thus was she slowly brought out. But then, when she appeared to have found her way separate of the Girl, the monster swooped in and began consuming those threads of the Webspinner that had pulled her out of the hell she inhabited. Breen spoke into Woe's mind, in a sad voice, That thread never suited you, Master. It's time to let it go. Let the Beast consume it, and the others will handle the rest."

So, as Woe allowed the Girl to consume the Lethrodan silk that fished the Child from deep within her being, along with it, went all his mark. He had to use his ignorance domain on himself, to forget much of what he knew of what it meant to be a Webspinner at that moment. The only knowledge he retained, when all was said and done, and the Monster had consumed his mark, was that he was Sintra's son.

Woe fell back, cut off from the tangle for now, and for a moment it looked like the creature and child might reunite. But then, a fallen comrade sprung from Zoro's arms, a fairy by the look of it, and cut the tether that tied the Child to the Girl. And so they were separated, and the Girl was no more.

The Mortalborn came to, sometime later, when they were all surrounded by the Immortals that had been involved in the telling of this Narrative, including Woe's patron Chamadarst. Woe's focus, however, was on the Induks and the altars that stood, still ready to receive him now if he wished it.

Now freed from his mother's evil influence, he felt no reluctance in joining Scaltoth. She would not taint the Forged with her malign manipulations and plots and schemes. Woe was glad to join the rest of the Forged then. He took his place on the Forging dais with the rest of the Soulforged.

"I accept the Forging."

Thus did he join the rest.

[Praetorum]

One by one, the others spoke, each trying to find a solution, each wishing to save the child within. And Praetorum understood, sympathized, agreed—but he did not think there was enough of the mortal within to save anymore. The creature had caused so much harm, would continue to cause harm if left unchecked…

Elisabeth’s objection surprised him a little, but did not shock him. She was cautious, conscientious… But she could not feel the power swelling inside of him now, feel their desire to emerge. If she thought that magic had no representatives, he felt, it was only because her own sparks were too immature to make themselves heard properly.

Still, he understood her concerns, and respected her opinion, nodding to her thoughtfully as she spoke. She was not the only one with such worries, it seemed, as Daia gently rebuffed his suggestion. Cassion too, spoke of his misgivings, and Prae inclined his head in acknowledgement, prepared to let the matter drop. But the Taleweaver continued, suggesting an experiment, and Prae nodded. An adventure with Cassion himself? How could he refuse?

Settling back, Prae listened quietly as every suggestion was made, and deemed insufficient. As he’d thought, there was not enough of the child left to save without forcing Qylios’s hand. He lowered his head in soft sorrow. He had resolved himself to killing the child—but that did not mean he hadn’t hoped there would be another way.

And then, as Darius spoke, Cassion lit up, expression shifting suddenly from morose to delighted. And as power crackled around him—

The immortal began to weave a new tale for them all.

Praetorum watched in awe as The Story unfolded, as peace ended and the creature was siphoned and the creature turned on its host.

And as Qylios emerged in a flare of light, Praetorum

stepped up without a second thought. He knew the stakes—the girl, the induks, Scalvoris, the world. He was shaken, yes, perhaps even afraid, but with determination in his heart, and a fellow shieldbearer at his side, Praetorum set himself before the Lady of the Light, and shielded the girl and his compatriots.		saw himself emerge from the image in his minds eye, stepping in to raise a shield to the immortal, holding her back side by side with Xander. Together they formed an impenetrable wall, one that even Qylios could not circumvent. It took Prae’s breath away, even knowing it was only a story—except it wasn’t ‘only’ a story anymore, was it? A story told by the immortal of stories could never be ‘only’ anything.
.
Earlier, he had stood fast through a maelstrom of the elements, and in the moment, it had felt like the most raw power he had ever been faced with. Now, he was face to face with an Immortal trying her damndest to make her way past him. Her power tore agonizingly at him, trying to force him back, and it took every ounce of strength in his body to just stay still, to just stand fast. But he did, and as he and Xander held Qylios off,		If it were only a story, Praetorum would never have been able to feel what his story self did—but even just standing where he was, simply watching the story play out, he could feel phantom aches and pains throughout his entire body as the other him stood against an immortal. Gritting his teeth, Prae endured it silently as he watched. And as the story continued,

every action the group had made rippled out in threads of cause and effect, deftly woven together by Cassion into something that maybe, just maybe, could do what no individual could.

Two had offered their lives, and two lives were taken to save the child. But before any had time to grieve, Nir’wei was returned to life, and Bao’s soul remained as a wisp. And the child… lived.

All at once, the pressure Qylios had been emitting vanished, and Prae grimaced, flexing his claws to shake off the residual ache of holding her off. The child was reborn, given new life and a new chance. And so the tale was ended.

Praetorum took in a deep breath, shaken by everything that had just happened. The child was alive, and the creature consumed. Had Prae given up too soon? He had thought the girl beyond saving, but together, they had done the impossible. It was a thought he would have to sit with for some time. But for now, there was still work to be done.

They were to once again achieve balance—without interruption this time, and Prae offered his power freely, standing fast against the torrent of power from the induks and the immortals and the scalvflame.

And when the induks were one, the chainstones shifted, the forging completed, Praetorum smiled.

It was done.