The Three-Edged Sword: Rallying to War

[Veldanya Venalla]

As the Companions step through the portal they find themselves in a large room, another of the large crystals sitting in the center as with the previous forts, making it quite clear where they likely are.  Also in the room are 4 figures.  One being Jharm who still seems wrapped in the dark shadowy hand, and also the familiar figures of Dervagon and Nethalika flanking the immobilized Seraphim though Dervagons large blades remain sheathed on his back.  The fourth figure looks striking similar to Jharm though with similar differences akin to Nethalika.  Dark black armor covers much of his figure though his head is uncovered and dark black orbs gaze at the Companions as they arrive.

"Ahh, welcome all of you.  I am so glad that you accepted His invite, though I suppose the abduction of Jharm here proved to be motivational as well."

Jharm struggles within the shadowy grip and growls.

"Enough of your banter Venagon!  My friends, do not worry about me, take him out at once!"

The Shaiton that was speaking, Venagon, raises a hand towards the Companions and shakes his head.

"Now now, I would not really recommend that.  His focus is on us right now and your attacks would prove meaningless.  Besides, one could say it would be rather rude to attack during negotiations.  He has been watching all of you has you have battled your way closer thus far, and with Him finally returning in full He decided now would be the best time to not only make an offer but also provide the truth of things.  Undoubtedly the Seraphim here has regaled you all with how we Shaiton and our Lord are evil, vile, a danger to not only our own universe but the Multiverse itself and whatnot.  In truth...thats utterly false.  We simply seek to bring strength to the universe while the Seraphs and their Lady desire conformity and servitude."

Jharm struggles some more.

"Do not listen to his demonic prattle.  It is nothing but lies!"

Venagon scowls and glares over at the Seraphim and gestures with his hand, one of the shadowy digits holding Jharm slides upwards to cover the Seraphims mouth.  It is at this exact moment, for a split second that the appearance of not only the 3 Shaiton but Jharm as well seem to...flicker.  They all seem to momentarily take on a more sinister and almost demonic appearance. Sharp ridges forming along their faces, horns sprouting from their heads, hands twisted into hideous claws.  Then just as quickly its gone and all of them look as they previously did, none showing any sort of reaction that anything had occured.  Venagon turns back towards the Companions.

"Should have known he would refuse to cooperate and stay quiet.  Anyways, as I was saying.  Conform and obey is what they desire, and should you not do as they wish...swift destruction awaits. We seek order not through blind servitude but through chaos.  War, combat, perseverance through suffering.  The strong survive and the weak fall.  He sensed similar feelings amongst some of you.  That is why He desired to make an offer to you all.  Join with us, we can deal with the Seraphs while their Lady is still missing, deal with the Light itself adn then strive ot bring peace through strength to the Multiverse.  What say you all?"

[Soul Reaver]

Emerging from the portal, Soul Reaver pauses to assess his surroundings.  His body is tense, his weapon gripped ready to strike.  But he does not attack immediately - instead, he listens intently.  Behind him the daemonic troops swiftly enter the room, splitting into two groups and moving into flanking positions in response to an unspoken order.

Soul Reaver's eyes narrow as Venagon's conjured hand covers Jharm's mouth to prevent him from speaking, and his expression registers alarm as the strange flicker passes over those assembled before him, but he does not move until Venagon's speech is finished.

Once Venagon concludes, Soul Reaver lowers his weapon and takes a step forward.

"I have had my suspicions during this quest that not all was as it appeared.  Indeed, it has come to a point where I can see that this is the case with my very eyes.

One thing I do not doubt is your desire for chaos and conflict.  But where is there any shred of honour in the strong crushing the weak?  A simple farmer, living out their life to feed their family and community achieves far more of true merit than any so-called mighty warlord.

But I will cede this: strength is genuinely needed in this multiverse..."

Soul Reaver tightens his grip on Blooddrinker.

"For without it, those with goals like yours would have free reign.  That is something I will not allow."

Soul Reaver's iron-hard gaze locks onto Venagon.

"You spoke of negotiations, but I have yet to hear any demands or concessions.  So I will be the first to make a demand.  Tell me: How will corrupting the lightwell 'save the universe'?  If you can offer me the un-embellished truth - and allow my Seraphim companion to respond in kind - perhaps it will stay my blade.

On the other hand, if all you have to offer is war and conflict..."

Soul Reaver's brows come together and his eyes narrow dangerously.

"Well, those I can find well enough on my own."

[Kitharsis]

The sphere of sand surrounding Kitharsis peels back from in front of him.  It still drapes over his back to protect from any surprise attacks. 

The flicker and change of appearance is jarring.  Was this a trick played by the enemy, or something else?  And why would Jharm take on such a demonic appearance along with the three Shaiton.

Soul Reaver offers poignant observations, similar to Kitharsis's own thoughts.  Strength is to protect and build, rather than destroy and conquer.

"We have travelled with Jharm for many journeys, and he has been a beacon of light and hope as long as we've known him.  I would trust his words over yours."

Kitharsis, concerned with the momentary change of appearance, looks toward Jharm.

"If that is actually Jharm...

Kitharsis reaches out with his senses to determine if he can sense anything off with the bound Jharm before them.  He can't quite place it, but there is something effecting all four 4 of them.

He stands on guard, waiting for the answer to Soul Reaver's questioning.

[Fallen Templar]

Phaerys looked about the room that he and the others found themselves in. Another heart of another fortress, by all appearances. And yet the Shaiton awaiting them made no move to attack. Instead, they seemed to seek parley.

However, it was when Jharm attempted to speak out – and the forms of both he and the Shaiton appeared to flicker and writhe for a moment – that Phaerys suspected something was amiss. Were these figures an illusion? Did the same apply to the rest of the room they stood in?

Soul Reaver voiced his own counter-argument to the Shaiton, to their assertion of might makes right, and of the Seraphim’s ultimate plans. Compared to the other Companions, Phaerys had no real connection to Jharm or the Seraphim, and as such could not speak for their motives. But alongside Soul Reaver and Kitharsis, he had recorded plenty of data on creatures that wielded the powers of darkness.

“In our travels we have encountered beings of a similar nature to yourselves, many times before. Virtually all have harboured intentions of conquest and destruction. What evidence do you have that would make you exempt?”

Having said his piece, the Ataran continued to watch the scene unfold. He prepared himself to prime the disc-shaped seismic charge in his hand, while Soul Reaver had the attention of the Shaiton.

[Shadow Chorus]

Barreling into the room behind the rest of the companions like an oncoming storm, the Avatar of Gork and Mork doesn't even wait. It would indeed be rude to attack during negotiations. Unfortunately, Gulgrim had left negotiations behind long ago, if he had ever truly been prepared to tolerate them in the first place. Green flame and crackling Emerald lightning trail Gulgrim like a destructive cloak as he crashes onto the scene, bellowing his challenge.

Appeals to Gulgrim's love of chaos had little hope of deterring him when in truth he had already chosen his opponent, and they had denied him the fight twice over now, only stoking his ire yet further. There was no hope of turning aside his rage at this point. His size was already getting away from him, his form swelling to loom over the backs of the rest of the Companions like a beast unleashed, framing them in green and jagged metal.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"

A roaring swathe of green flame spills from Gulgrim's maw, directed squarely at the enemy who was wasting so much valuable fight time flapping his jaws.

It truly was a shame that anyone else wanted any kind of answers. Whatever the enemy had managed to speak before the Warboss's arrival may have to suffice.

[Veldanya Venalla]

The Tirthandrans probe seems to indicate that what he sees before him is the true appearance of the Seraph and Shaiton.  It was almost as if an illusion had manifested for a moment then vanished as far as he could tell.  The Shaiton leader shakes his head and chuckles slightly at the responses of Soul Reaver, Kitharsis, and Phaerys and after a moment he gestures with his hand and the shadowy finger uncovers Jharms mouth

"Clearly his time away from his Lady has had an effect on him.  You think we Shaiton are the only ones who value strength?  The Seraphs and their Lady value strength just as much, if not even more.  They use strength to force all to obey and bend the knee, for once all are made subservient then peace shall reign.  Those who disagree they destroy."

The Seraphim scowl and shakes his head.

"Wrong!  We do not seek to make all serve, we simply wish to protect the weak and..."

Jharm seems to hesitate for a moment, as if struggling to find the words.  Venagon is watching him as he speaks though as he hesitates, the Shaitons gaze seems to shift towards Velgeim as a flicker of confusion appears on his face.  It is at this moment though that Gulgrim arrives and unleashes the gout of brilliant green flame towards the Shaiton leaders.  A surge of power can be felt far in the distance, clearly from the Shaitons fortress.  Translucent orbs of purple surround the Shaiton as the flame reaches them.  The deadly flames wash over the orbs, the purple flickering and shimmering as it holds back the barrage.  A few moments later cracks can be seen spreading across the surface.

"Very well.  He has received your answer.  Come then and face him."

As before, the Shaitons then get pulled through portals and vanish.  At the same time the crystals in the room pulse and shatter, and Jharm drops to the ground as the purple hand vanishes. A second later another purple portal manifests in the center of the  room as a deep voice resonates throughout.

"Yes, come forward and face me.  It has been too long since I reveled in the chaos of combat against a powerful foe."

The Companions can sense the vast power they have felt previously emanating from beyond that portal.  Jharm gets to his feet and scowls and is about to speak when a voice enters the minds of all present, recognizable as Drayvon.

"Seraphim, Companions, I assume the final crystal has been toppled.  The entire Shaiton force is withdrawing back to their fortress, all of their leadership has been spotted amidst their ranks.  We will continue pushing and work to secure you entry to the fortress proper."

"I do not think that will be necessary General.  It would seem He is no longer interested in waiting, and seeing as how we cant afford to let him possibly grow any stronger I see no reason to delay either."

"Seraphim, do you think that is wise?  Could it not be a trap?"

The Seraphim seems to be about to respond when he hesitates for a moment as if pondering that likelyhood when a very faint flicker of power seems to emanate from within Vee, similar in fashion to the brief illusion flicker that occurred previously.  Jharm scowls and shakes his head.

"Perhaps, but we must risk it.  The longer he remains unchallenged the greater chance he decides to push forward. Without Her we can not afford to show hesitation."

"Make yourselves ready my friends, the final battle awaits us on the other side and I have little doubt that He will not hold back in the least.

[Soul Reaver]

Soul Reaver grits his teeth in frustration as Gulgrim barrels in, spewing flames and bullets.  As Venagon had indicated, the attacks failed to harm the Shaiton.  But Soul Reaver also notes that the defensive orbs begin to crack under the onslaught - clearly "He" was not omnipotent, and there were limits to the power of His defences when put under enough strain.

With Jharm released, Soul Reaver sees an opportunity to, perhaps, get answers from a less hostile source.  But there was another issue to deal with first - he was in the same room as a massive Ork that was going berserk for lack of good fighting.  At this rate, who knows if he might direct his frustrations at more immediately-available sources of conflict?

He quickly assesses Gulgrim's trajectory...

[Shadow Chorus]

How dare. For a third time Gulgrim's desires for combat have been denied by the enemy fleeing from him through portals, cowards running from the fight in the most un-orky way possible, not even bothering to toss a shot back his way as they fled.

"You lot call yerselvez strong!?" Gulgrim growled, his voice rumbling through the walls as his size continued to leak out of his control, fire and lightning flaring around him dangerously. "You'z can't even stand up fer a propa fight!! Get back 'ere ya panzee cowards!"

Gulgrim's barreling charge was heedless of anyone who might have been in his way, Companion or otherwise, as he launched himself toward the portal that was left open, intent on cannonballing directly into whatever foe awaited on the other side and -ensuring- that they would give him the fight he was looking for or that he would demolish them and everything they held dear otherwise. The Warboss was absolutely incensed at this point, and would not settle for anything less than complete annihilation of a foe who would pretend at strength while running from a proper fight.

[Soul Reaver]

Soul Reaver watches with quiet relief, though not surprise, as Gulgrim continues to barrel forward and pursue his enemies.  They had denied him what he had wanted, so he sought to extract it from them.  Soul Reaver gestures faintly at his Daemon troops, and they prepare to bring up the furious ork's rear.

Before joining the pursuit, Soul Reaver turns to Jharm and speak to him quietly.

"We have been through much together, Jharm.  I have rarely seen your faith waver.  Yet somehow Venagon's words gave you pause."

He stands next to the Seraphim, hand on his shoulder and a rare softness in his eyes as their gazes meet.

"We are friends.  Is there something I must know?"

[Fallen Templar]

Gulgrim's bellow of rage was enough warning for Phaerys to get clear of his thunderous charge in pursuit of the Shaiton once more. Again they had fled through another portal. Phaerys decided not to follow immediately in favour of some last-minute preparations for whatever lay in wait on the other side.

The Ataran knelt down to salvage some spare matter from the floor, quickly crafting a small number of dense, sword-like shards to use as projectiles in the battle ahead. These he sequestered in his dimensional compartment to keep them hidden from their opponents' eyes in the midst of battle.

His gaze lingered on Jharm for a moment as he stood up, approaching Kitharsis as discreetly as he could manage.

"You have known this one far longer than I," Phaerys spoke in a hushed voice. "How can we determine that this one has not been compromised?"

[Kitharsis]

Phaerys presents a chilling thought.  Jharm had been in the company of the Shaiton for a few moments unseen.  And whatever that flicker of an illusion was still lingers on Kitharsis's mind.

This is all progressing too quickly.  And with Gulgrim barreling forward in his rage, there is precious little time to evaluate.

Kitharsis glances at Jharm, as Soul Reaver speaks to him in hushed tones.

"In my heart I know Jharm would never turn willingly."  He says to Phaerys, lowering his voice.  "But it would be wise to be wary in this moment, considering this is literally a battle of Jharm's faith." 

He rubs his chin in thought. "And I wouldn't put it past the Shaiton to do something underhanded."

The curtain of sand at Kitharsis's back falls to the floor before gathering around his feet.  Two more enchanted sandstone swords rise from the pile and join the three others floating at his shoulders.

"For now lets prepare for the worst."  He nods toward Vee, who has been conspicuously silent for some time.