As the wave of darkness passes through them Kitharsis feels an all too familiar feeling prickling his skin.  It passes just as quickly.  A fleeting reminder of his all too recent past, faint as it was. 

The copy of the armored guardian melts away in front of him, and Kitharsis lowers his weapons.  The floating swords return to his side, and the sand at his feet coalesces around him.

The guardian utters a remark, before being pulled into a portal behind him.  Another being mocks them, before vanishing also.  It appears they have caught the Shaiton's attention.

Jharm explains who these beings are after he recovers from the darkness.  It appears to have affected him more than the rest.  Except for Valdanya.  She appears to have had the reverse affect from the darkness.  An interesting development that will need to be watched.  After all, she was a newcomer with unknown origins.  A spy, perhaps?

He doesn't allude to any suspicion, as he follows Jharm back toward the Aisgeim.  Soul Reaver asks the questions on Kitharsis's mind.  He listens intently to their exchange.  As they switch from words to thoughts, he sighs and continues on his way.  He trusts their judgements, as always.

Outside of the base Kitharsis is met by the remnants of his summons.  The giant scorpion still stands proudly, its armored carapace having protected it assuredly.  The smaller golems did not fare as well, evidenced by two piles of sand scattered on the ground.  Only one of the pair of smaller scorpions has survived as well.  It stands guard of its twin even now.  The large golem was missing an arm, but still stands at the ready.

Kitharsis thanks each of them, and with a wave of his hand dismisses them all.  They return from where they were summoned.  They all will be returned whole, as is the nature of these summoning runes.

As he boards the Aesgim he digs through the rune pouch at his hip, selecting the next round of combatants.  The next base will likely be more fortified.

"Now that they know we're coming, the next base will most likely be more heavily guarded.  This Nethanya will surely see to that.  What is the plan for our approach this time?"

The Seraphim pauses briefly as he feels the hand on his shoulder.

"Jharm, I saw the effect of the crystal's destruction on you.  We seemed to weather it without major effects but..."

He pauses for a moment before continuing.

"As you said, this is a process that we will need to repeat.  Will you suffer similarly in the future?  Or worse?  Should you even be present when we destroy these crystals?"

The Seraphim looks at his friend for a moment.

"I appreciate your concern Soul Reaver.  It was...an uncomfortable experience and not entirely unexpected.  Such crystals generally consist of condensed Light or Darkness, of course dependent on the side creating it.  In truth, I am not concerned as much about the crystals themselves really.  Given how things are already seemingly progressing this has already gone beyond what we have before."

He moves as if to continue onto the Aisgeim when Soul Reavers mental message comes through.

And I am sure that the effects of the dark energy wave upon Veldanya did not escape your attention either.  What do you make of that?

His gaze shifts to the ground for a moment before an ever so subtle shrug can be felt by Soul Reaver before the Seraphim contiues towards the Aisgeim and boards even as his response can be heard.

In truth....I do not know.  When we started I thought I knew...but now...well...I am no longer certain.  It is clear though that something seems to be in motion that I had not initially expected.

His gaze briefly flicks over to the newcomer as she slips past him, heading up the ramp and into the ship.  As she passes by she raises her right hand, a cigarette manifesting betwen two of her fingers as she almost seamlessly brings it up to her lips and snaps her thumb and forefinger of her left hand together to produce a flame and light the end.  Pausing for a moment she takes a deep inhale and holds it for a moment as the flame at her fingertips fades before she rubs her forehead and exhales.  A thick plume of smoke slips free as she briefly gazes over at the two and then heads further into the ship.

Yes, didnt really note it but it would be clear that with close reinforcements cut off, the Shaiton are pulling back.  Then one the Seraphs construct their own crystal and open portals their forces will start arriving to that point.

Is it safe to assume that this base has been secured? Or will it need to be defended as we leave?

The Warbosses bullets strike true, the sound of the impressive firearms bellowing throughout the large chamber, echoing off the walls and creating what could only be considered a glorious "song" to the Warchief as his target is blasted full of gaping holes before being impaled by Gulgrims physical arms.  At the same time Kitharsis' swords clanging loudly against the incoming greatswords, the sound though covered up by the veritable cacophony of Gulgrims onslaught.  The third sword surges forward just as the figure loses his footing in the swirling sand beneath him, the weapon punching through his chest.  A spurt of dark shimmering ebony blow sprays out from behind him as the tip of the sword exits his body.  The greatswords of the figure attacking Phaerys swing downwards but the super-heated shards spray over his helmet, the heat transfering to the metal helm and while not doing an overly significant amount of damage, clearly succeeds in the intent as his weapons miss their mark and cleave down into the stone floor, leaving large gouges in the architecture.  The figure has little time to regain his bearing as beams of plasma slam into his legs.  The dark ebony metal of his armor begins to glow, almost turning into an orange-reddish hue as his head rolls back and a howl of pain echoes from within his helm.

It is roughly at this moment that Soul Reaver manages to briefly overpower his opponent and unleash the Spear of the Apocalypse.  The glowing spear whistles through the air, smashing into the pulsating crystal and light floods the area, blinding all present.  A few seconds later the light fades to reveal the crystal still standing but a significant chunk missing from the structure.  Then cracks begin to spread from the gouge and spread over the ebony crystal before it explodes, a wave of darkness now washing through the area.  As the wave hits each of the figures (or what is left of them) they seem to melt away, being sucked back towards the point of the explosion.  While each of the Companions can feel the Darkness wash over them it doesnt seem as if it impacts them much.  The same can not quite be said for Jharm or Veldanya. 

The Seraphim groans in pain as the wave washes over him, the usual glow of Light from within him fading away briefly.  Grunting he slams a hand down into the stone as pain washes over him.  On the other hand the opposite effect seems to happen with Veldanya.  As the wave washes over her, her figure seems to almost shimmer slightly, a faint outline of ebony darkness glowing around her before seeming to almost fade into her.  As the explosion of Darkness fades away it becomes clear that the crystal is gone, only the very base of hte structure remaining.  Floating above the destroyed base is the Shaiton warrior.  Raspy breaths of exertion slip out of his helm as drips of oily black fluid leak from gouges in his armor.

"Ahh...w....well done I must say.  It has been quite some time since I have witnessed such power and ferocity."

An ebony portal appears behind him as a large shadowy hand springs from within it and seizes the Shaiton and yanks him back in.  A deep voice seems to boom out from all around, piercing into each of the Companions minds, all can easily sense significant power as the voice invades their minds.

"Yes....well done "Companions".  You have managed to destroy a crystal, though this matters little in the end.  You can not hope to defeat the only true and proper answer, but please...keep trying.  She awaits you at the next one."

Then with that the voice vanishes and the room is left almost eeriely quiet in comparison to how it was a few moments ago.  Taking a few deep breaths Jharm gets back to his feet, looking around.  His glowing eyes settle on Veldanya as the ebony glow fades away.  Confusion flashes across his face before he refocuses. 

"Well done my friends, with this crystal destroyed my people can now more easily advance closer on our target."

His eyes close briefly before reopening and looking over each of the Companions. 

"The others will tend to what needs done here.  Our goal is to, in essence, repeat the process at the next fortress and crystal.  That said I doubt it will be as simple.  The fact that the Darkness stated "she" leaves little doubt to who we will face next.  The one we faced just now was Dervagon, the General of the Shaiton forces.  Our next opponent will undoubtedly be Nethalika, the Ebony Mistress.  As Nethanya is the leader of the priests of Light, Nethalika leads the priests of Darkness."

He turns back towards the door they entered through, once more glancing over at Veldanya for a moment before heading out of the room.

"Come, we have little time to waste.  Every moment we tary is another moment that He has to draw closer to fully returning.  Vee, call in the Aisgeim and let us be on our way."

--------------------------------------------------------------Vee's PoV------------------------------------------------------------
As the wave of Darkness washes over her she tenses, unsure of what to expect given that it clearly hurt Jharm but seemed to do little to the other Companions.  Instead, she feels not discomfort or pain but...a slight surge of power as if....she is taking the Darkness into her?  She looks over and sees the Seraphim gaze at her, a flicker of confusion on his face before he begins speaking.  Ignoring what he is saying she focuses inwards, scanning.

What is going on?  Why are you not answering?  None of this makes any sense.  Answer me damn it!

A single word flits through her mind.

Soon...

She scowl slightly as she returns to listening to what Jharm was saying.

"Come, we have little time to waste.  Every moment we tary is another moment that He has to draw closer to fully returning.  Vee, call in the Aisgeim and let us be on our way."

She nods, focusing inwards as she moves to follow the Seraphim outside and to the waiting Aisgeim.  As the group make their way outside they see the vessel waiting, entry ramp open, engines idling as she sits ready to take off the moment all are aboard.