Arvum grows smaller below them as the ship takes into the sky, the wind whistling in their face as they fly across the Mourning Sea on a path towards Eurus. For hours, there's no sign of any of Azazel's forces at all, nothing in the far distant sea below, which was odd because of the size of the forces sweeping across Thraxian lands. But for almost the entire trip, they see very little of it. They nearly avoid it all, but below they do spot swarms of thousands and thousands of imps, flying low across the seas to hunt for the unwary. As the imps spot the flying ship, they surge up to attack, though it's doubtful if they can even catch the vessel.

((So, this is just a short contested check of sailing, leadership or magic checks to get the Nightstar going faster and outrun the imps. Checks are at hard, and just need 10 points over 2 turns to do it. Falling short means a fight.))

Victus checks mana and sailing at hard. Victus is marginally successful.

Raja checks mana and sailing at hard. Raja is successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at hard. Botch! Fortunato fails completely.

Aleksei checks luck and empathy at hard. Botch! Aleksei fails completely.

Esme checks mana and leadership at hard. Esme fails.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" The little shriek of imps is coming closer and closer, as they gain on the ship. There sure are an awful lot of them.

((Another round of checks, so the Victory Point total is currently -3.))

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at hard. Fortunato marginally fails.

Victus checks mana and sailing at hard. Victus is successful.

Raja checks mana and sailing at hard. Raja fails.

Aleksei checks luck and empathy at hard. Critical Success! Aleksei is spectacularly successful.

Esme checks mana and leadership at hard. Esme is successful.

Aleksei probably has gotten primers on how to help fly the ship, because -- well, it takes a crew. But he's not a /sailor/. He, in fact, /kind of hates boats/. Or boats hate him. So when the imps are spotted in the distance, he takes the immediate tactic of: trying to convince the ship to go faster.

He does this by saying to the ship, "Hey! Can't you go any faster?"

Which doesn't seem to work.

Until he smacks the right spot on the ship and tries again. That's always how you handle these things.

It's unusual for Fortunato to be anywhere near as armored as he currently is, however light and dashing the armor. Steelsilk hat and gloves, fireweave boots, the brightly embroidered fireweave apron, fireweave scarf. What is more unusual, however, is how bright his mien is between the gap of brim and scarf. If he normally uses another illusion, or another form, he's not currently using it. His eyes are bright gold in an otherwise indistinct face of lantern-glass. As so, as such has he been pacing the ship, exploring its make, until there are that many imps and he does his best to help. He draws a sigil with his finger on the railing beside him. Once! Twice! It fizzles. And again.

As the ship goes up and up, Raja is a little terrified at first! It's not many people who can claim they have seen the world like this! However, as the ship flies on, the terror of flying in a ship in the sky begins to fade and curiosity replaces the fear. Raja moves towards the edge, looking over the railing to see the magnificent view below. It is striking! It is beautiful! Her eyes go wide and a smile crosses her features. "Wow." She whispers to herself.

However, there is work to be done. So, she gets her ass in gear, hoisting sails and working the rigging. She knows her way around a ship and falls in line with the crew to help where she can. When the imps are first discovered, she gets to work and keeps it up, however the coming forces of demons causes her to slip up! A rope she is pulling slips from her grasp and she scampers to catch it.

Esme is in AWE of everything. She's in the air. There are imps. There are people. The boat is on air not water. She's flying. The sound of imps has her emearld eyes sliding in that direction. "Can you do more ship things?" This was as clear as her sailing knowledge is. Then she sort of looks a bit more at the imps and then back. Her eyes close for a momentary prayer. Then she smiles and offers, "I meant, could you perhaps go fast--" The words stop as it seems someone has accomplished this. "This is better than riding.." She says to no one in particular. "... the fall is going to suck more."

The first voyage of Freedom's Phantasm beyond the limits of Arvum. It's been a long time coming, although Victus would've wished the circumstances could be a *little* less dire. He's armed and armored, sat at the captain's chair, a glance spared now and then to the map station as the ship's tiny prism is shown 'sailing' over the sea. When not holding the helm, his hand is resting upon the hilt of his greatsword, digits flexing over it time and time again. Tighten. Release. Repeat. Deep breath. Exhale.

His eyes flash the moment those screeching imps on on their tail. Hands firmly grasping the wheel, he pushes the ship faster still. "Brace yourselves or sit down if you don't wanna risk getting flung overboard." He barks to the crew. "That's not an order or a threat - we're going *much* faster on the wind than we would on the sea."

With a careful strategic hit, a bit of god luck, and some now intensely increased speed, the ship moves enormously faster and leaves imps skreeing in their wake. Maybe wave little clawed hands in offensive gestures as they vanish into the horizon. As they cross over the start of Eurus, they see the smoke raising from Petrioch below. They pass by Skal'daja, which looks like it's been nearly leveled. They fly over battlefields littered with the dead, though it's not until they draw nearer to Pyre that they see an army.

The standards of the Dune Emperor, the banners of Alaric III waving in the breeze as a massive army marches steadily towards Pyre, perhaps a day ride out or more. The army ignores them as they fly far, far overhead, a tiny dot in the sky above them, and they continue flying in the same direction that the troops are marching, closing towards the ruins of Caer'alfar within the hour.

Pyre has changed.

Not that many have seen it to begin with from the Compact (or no one, for that matter), but the smoky, fiery Caer'alfar ruins are markedly changed. Among the ruined towers of Caer'alfar, there are thousands of webs spanning the skies of the cities, with giant spiders covering them. The entire city is covered with a darkened shadow, pitching in the low light of dusk, as Nox'alfar soldiers line many of the ruined gates.

They can land, or very carefully try to fly in. ((For flying in, it's going to be sailing checks at normal to not get stuck in webs.))

Victus checks mana and sailing at normal. Victus is successful.

Raja checks mana and sailing at normal. Raja is successful.

Fortunato stays at the railing, bracing his elbows against it, looking down, down, down. He's brightly fascinated, although this fascination dims when the landscape is particularly ruined. He's all re-brightened with the appearance of Pyre itself, though. "Ah! Magnificent. I hope there's a courtyard we can, ah, set down in." He waves, in all futility at this height, at the nearest manned gate.

Oh well that is all--

--a lot.

Not that Aleksei has any real idea of what Pyre looks like /normally/, but he's going to assume the darkness, Nox'alfar soldiers, and /giant spiders/ are probably new. "Good gods," he says, blanching a bit at the last one. "Okay well I mean, this is /good/ actually, cause those are Calithex's folk--" Including the spiders. "--so we can probably just land and talk to -- oh no okay we're just going through, this is fine." A beat. "Hopefully they don't think we're hostile and kill us."

Esme was told to sit down and she does. However, she scoot scoot scoots jut a bit cloers to the edge to peer over it. There is a bouncing as her eyes fill with all the emotions and things. The darkness causes a small look of concern to cross her features. Then she sees the /giant/ spiders. She looks at Aleksei as he says it's good. Then she smiles reassuringly. "Of course they won't get hostile. They are friends and we are shaped like friends, so they will know we are friends."

The new lands roll out beneath them. On occasion, Raja will go to the edge and look over the side to view the lands below. She continues to help. As Victus calls out the orders, Raja is there to help with the sailing duties. "I wouldn't be so sure." Raja calls to Esme.

Victus breathes easier once the little imps are fading into specs on the horizon. There's less relief upon seeing the sandy dunes of Eurus proper. Bodies, broken banners, Skal'daja in particular giving him a reason to frown. But it isn't until the forces of the Dune Emperor himself that he feels the first strike on his nerves. He doesn't say anything, but his expression is locked in concentration. "Hm..." Whatever assessment he's going over in his head fades once the city of Pyre proper comes into view. If he's ever had time to imagine Caer'alfar, it was probably in the legends long, long ago. But what he didn't imagine was giant spiders.

"What the fuck-" His eyes widen a fraction, seeing the realm of webs that roll before them like an obstacle course. His gaze snaps to Aleksei. "You didn't say the *spiders* would be here. You didn't say ANYTHING about it."

It's not easy, but through some deft handling, the flying ship manages to avoid the gigantic webs spread from every tower, slowly circling as they start to move down into the city. In the immediate middle of the city is a giant black Ziggurat made of black gemstones, which if one looks at long enough seems to pulse with faint red light with an unavoidable sensation of dread that comes from simply staring at it.

Near the ziggurat are dozens of pavillions marked with spider banners, and at the base of the ziggurat is a throne bearing a single thin man in battle armor wearing a helmet, rather than a crown. Scores of armored Nox'alfar stand at attention as the man holds court, and it looks like a pig with a vest is sitting near the man on the throne, and a much older man in a robe recognizable to some is standing by the throne, talking to the Nox'alfar leader.

"... perhaps a day and a half out, but Edain's scouts aren't certain they aren't making better time than most and... oh."

Conversation halts as their ship sets down. All the nox'alfar soldiers draw weapons as one, but Calithex makes a bored dismissive hand gesture, and all weapons are sheathed. "Guests from the Compact, I believe." The singular pronoun is slightly accented for emphasis.

"I thought you figured!" Aleksei says in a nervous voice to Victus, trying to pretend he is not also Deathly Afraid of Spiders. JUST BE COOL, VICTUS. LIKE ALEKSEI. COOL AS A CUCUMBER. "If the Nox are here, of course there's spiders!" But soon enough the ship is landing, thanks to the deft handling of people who are Not Aleksei, and presumably they get to disembark.

"We're friendly!" Aleksei makes sure to say before he can even see everyone properly, hands up, all of that. Only /then/ does he take in the sight actually in front of him (oh thank god they are, in fact, people his team is friendly towards). He spots Calithex and brightens. "Your Majes--" Oh. "Former? Majesty?" Oh no. Etiquette lessons didn't cover this.

And /then/ he sees the much older man standing next to him, and Aleksei's breath catches in his throat. It's an instant gut punch of feelings, the most bone-deep sort of relief. And then, without another word, he rushes forward -- faster than he should be -- and the /only/ thing that stops him from absolutely /tackling/ Aldwin in a hug is the fact that he has to check his own strength a moment before.

(But it's still a bear hug.)

Esme smiles vibrantly at Raja. "Where there is hope, there is always a chance and I made sure to bring all my hope with me today. Just let me know if you need to borrow any of mine. I share most things willingly." Her hand does flick towards Kindness as the Nox go for their weapons. The battle edge comes to her eyes like the knight she was raised to be, but then they settle and 'Edain' is heard. Esme looks to see who's leaving the ship to talk to the people and pet the spiders. There is a sort of puppy-dog eyed look towards Victus. "The spiders are a surprise, it seems. Can we -- go off the ship and talk to them all?" There is a silent but implied 'pleeeease'

When Aleksei rushes off the ship, Esme takes that as permission. She sort of backs towards where he went. "I'm just going to make sure he's safe and everything." Then she sprints after Aleksei. No hugs.

For all Fortunato is looking about the ship with wonder, he quickly averts his eyes from the ziggurat. First hint of red dread and that's enough. This puts him in a touch of an awkward position as they land, but not so awkward that he's unable to observe the glory of Calithex and pig. And the old man. Fortunato is not a hugger. He does not like to run. He disembarks carefully and watches with his luminous eyes.

As the ship lands, Raja completes her sailing duties and ensures the ropes are tied and things are set. Her hand lifts to wipe at her brow to dry the sweat from her forehead. Now finished, she moves to the side of the ship, eagerly looking out to see their surroundings. Her gaze immediately goes to the weapons, but as they are handwaved by King Calithex, she then looks up to see spiders and webs. "Ah man. I wish Raymesin was here." She says quietly to herself.

Then there is Aleksei rushing forward and Raja's eyes go wide! "Uh.. no!" Her cry is unheard as aleksei rushes towards his old friend. "Crap.." Raja says, expecting the worst to happen.

"Didn't say anything about Nox either..." Victus grumbles. Nonetheless, they've a job to do. The Phantasm is set down and placed in... well, 'park' for all intents. When he stands from the helm, he follows the others through the ship's underbelly. "Embark." The word is spoken with confidence and clarity, and not a second sooner the ship's gangplank is lowered on its own, paving the way for everyone to hug elves and spiders at their leisure. "Go on. Pet them. See what happens. I'll stay on the border." He replies to Esme, before taking his first uncertain step out of the ship. Spiders are not his favorite. Spiders bigger than him are even more so not his favorite. But, again. Job to do, and he just has to suck it up.

Once he sets foot on the soil for the first time, he's almost reverent. First time visiting a different continent, a whole other world. The furthest from home he's ever been in his entire life. The moment only lasts so long before he remembers to avoid any nascent webs on the ground. "None of you would happen to know the Nox'alfar formal protocol, would you?" A beat. "Should I tell him that I'm, by marriage, his great-times-twelve grandson?"

The former Nox'alfar king arches one eyebrow and comments mildly, "'Honorary Iron Guard Cadet 3rd Class' Calithex Ael'Noctis. I was always fond of that one." There's a roll of his shoulders, "Or simply Calithex, until such time as I should return to the Twilight Court with the blessing of the current regent." The nox'alfar has the slightest twitch at the corner of his lips as Aldwin is hugged, the elderly man giving a small 'oof' at Aleksei's bear hug and then lightly hugging him back, "Gently now. Gently." The Archscholar tells him with a shadow, "Gods, you've gotten strong, Aleksei. I suppose I've gotten older. I -feel- older. I remember now." Aldwin glances back at the ziggurat with sad eyes, "Much more than I'd like. Too much."

Calithex glances sidelong at Esme, "The honored of Limerance may talk to any of the spiders if she wishes, but Horatio is the most conversant, and he's going to be acting as our strategic battle map, as will likely be demonstrated in short order." One puppy sized very fluffy spider is siiiiidling up towards Raja and boops against her shin. Boop. Then over towards Esme and boops also. It then sits down near Victus as if expecting pets. A few Nox'alfar soldiers look at them expectantly.

Aldwin after the hug smiles at Aleksei and asks simply, "It's wonderful to see you again but... are you here to help defend Pyre? I didn't expect anyone from Arvum."

The puppy sized spider booping Raja's shin is not unnoticed. At first, her eyes are a little wide as she is unsure how to proceed. However, not feeling any danger from the little guy, she crouches down to give a few scritches on the spider. "Well, aren't you a friendly lil one." She says with a smile. No, spiders do not seem to scare Raja. She has too many other things to worry about. As the spider skitters off to boop others, Raja sighs. "It's cute! Look at it!"

Rising up to her feet, she falls respectfully silent as others talk amongst themselves. Aldwin's question causes her to want to step forward slightly, but she remains silent and allows others to speak.

Esme smiles her most illuminating smile at everyone there. She smiles at Aldwin, but this is an Aleksei moment. Then her eyes slide towards Calithex, "Which one is Horatio?" Then there is a booping spider and if Esme could give heart eyes (she probably can since her thoughts and feelings show in them) she does. "Oh, you are the cutest thing to ever exist." A pause. Then she looks ate Calithex, "Um.. you too." Then she stalks the furry puppyspider. Spiderpuppy Spiderpuppy. "Victus, awww I think it likes you. We should bring it back with us. I'm sure that it would like to go for a ride." Her eyes consider it, "You want to go back with us, if they will allow it?"

In all of the war he's seen, all of the monsters that've crawled out of the earth or descended from the sky, none had Victus petrified with dread like this little many-eyed arachnid. He looks at it. He looks at the Nox'alfar. Then the spider again. There's a long, tense moment where Victus is just stock-still in the presence of that adorable, horrifying eight-legged *thing*. Several seconds where nothing happens whatsoever. One might even mistake him for a statue with how the desert wind doesn't even shift him an inch. Finally, after so very long, the Prince's arm begins to extend. Slowly. He's wearing alaricite gauntlets with pointy tips, far from being very appealing to pets. But reaching he is. Kind of.

When he's extended the whole length, he's still about a foot separated from the fuzzy spider's head. His boots start sliding over the ground, inching ever closer. Although as he does, he's also hinging at the hips *away* from it, which is just extending the journey beyond convenience. The result is him putting himself at an obtuse angle which is surely sore on his back. Against all odds, his ring finger touches the spider's head. It moves. Up. Down. The transaction is complete.

"Fuck, sorry," Aleksei says, absolutely overwhelmed with feelings in a very Aleksei way, which also means GUILT. "Sorry. Skald -- kind of gifted me some, I'm still getting used to it." He eases back, now giving a /proper/ look to everyone else, offering a somewhat rueful smile and wave to the other Nox'alfar about, because he's friendly like that. "Well," he says. "Calithex." That's weird. "Hope you're, uh. Having fun getting out and about?" Hah. Hah...hah.

He eyes the booping spider making the rounds a bit nervously. Pls no. PLS NO. RESPECTFUL ARMISTICE PLS. "Right. Well. Uh." He looks back to Aldwin to spread his hands a bit. "We're kind of here to rescue you?" He says to the man who doesn't seem in /dire/ need of rescuing right now. He glances at Fortunato, and then back. "So Azazel is kind of going to try to eat the Thinnest Point, and we were hoping you could maybe...help. Stop that. From happening." Beat. "But there /is/ also an Arvani army sailing over and headed your way, if they make it past Petrioch."

So. In truth, this is all incredibly delightful. Aldwin alive and well. Casual battle plans. Charismatic former elf kings. Fluffy spiders. Victus's utter terror. But Fortunato /perhaps/ shares Aleksei's concern that perhaps there is no rescue to be made. He doesn't know what to do with his hands. He folds his arms? He lets them down. He approaches in Aleksei's wake. He ducks his head to Calithex. He looks back to Aldwin. He tries, "Don't know that /Arx/ is going to be safer than Pyre, in truth. I'd be happy to help here, but -- we were hoping that maybe, just maybe, you might remember a way to unmake Azazel. A weakness." He flicks a finger at his forehead. "I -- haven't been able to."

Aldwin beams at Aleksei as he explains his purpose, looking enthused, while he doesn't notice at all the interplay happening between Victus and the puppy sized fluffy spiders that has Nox'alfar soldiers looking on with modest approval. The Archscholar looks thrilled, turning back to Calithex, "Cadet sir, should I give Fortunato the puzzle box now? I'm -certain- they can use it to counter Azazel when..."

"A moment." Calithex holds up a single finger, his hands at rest upon his throne as he tilts his head looking at Aleksei. "I'm uncertain that is the most prudent course. If you'll permit me to demonstrate. Horatio?" A larger spider sits up, moves alongside of Aleksei and then promptly sits down. Thousands of tiny spiders of many different colors begin racing up Horatio's back, and then starting to arrange themselves in patterns. The starting pattern looks unmistakably like their flying ship. "I rescued Aldwin from collapsing Jadairal and brought him here for a reason. Azazel cannot leave Arvum, and believes Aldwin, as his creator, is the one that can unmake him. In this, he is correct."

The little spiders on the back rearrange themselves, showing Aldwin holding a little toy puzzle box, with many mouths of Azazel looking on in a cartoonish frown. "However, should you take Aldwin to Arvum himself, Azazel would immediately sense it, and come after you personally, with all his might." The spiders arrange themselves themselves in an illustration of many mouths trying to eat the ship. "Should you reach Arx successfully, Azazel would be forced to halt his pursuit until he brings up his forces to shatter the defenses, but I would not wager high odds of your survival in reaching the city. I would not stop you from making the attempt, but I do have an alternate proposal." Calithex looks at Aleksei.

((The rescue Pyrite IS a potential outcome here, but it was the extreme risk option, compared to the other one you might guess))

Esme grins at Victus and his 'petting'. However, both her and the soul within her pull her attention towards the spider map. She walks closer to watch the display of it. There is a sudden seriousness to her as she hears Calithex' words. For now, she seems to be silent as they talk and she waits to hear the counter suggestion.

Aldwin's beaming has Aleksei awash in /paternal approval/. Yes! He has done the right thing! Aldwin is going to be proud of him!

Oh, Calithex is interjecting. Aleksei looks down at Horatio reflexively, and then /immediately/ looks back up. And tries not to see that rush of tiny spiders in his head, either. He'll stare /intently/ at Calithex as he speaks instead. He doesn't need visual aids!! He's smart!! "Right," he says, slowly. "Well we weren't figuring it'd be /safe/, but." And he quiets for the /alternate proposal/.

Oh look! The spiders have so much talent! She looks to the patterns of the many tiny spiders making the visual aids and then to Calithex as he gives his opinion. As he speaks, Raja sneaks a little closer to the large spider hosting all the tiny spiders. It's fascinating! "I am eager to hear what this alternative is."

It is possible that Fortunato cannot, in fact, resist clapping his hands (once, with dignity) when the tiny spiders provide illustration. He makes a throat-clearing noise, his habitual one, and straightens his shoulders. "I am quite happy with any alternate proposal that doesn't involve us, Aldwin, and a magical wonder of a ship being eaten immediately. Also, I enjoy puzzle boxes." His attention flicks back to Horatio. His hands are threatening to clap again.

"They're sentient." Victus comments to no one in particular. In just as much astonishment mixed with despair, he adds, "They can make pictures." He's looking for someone to share in his anxiety, but it seems his compatriots don't take nearly as much offense. The question to why is utterly beyond the Prince's grasp. "The pictures *move*."

Still, he knows when pressing matters require shaping up. So he's standing up straight again, not looking at the fluffy puppy spider he'd just barely touched. His attention swaps between each speaker in kind, with the occasional sudden glance to spider-theatre whenever it does anything remotely sudden. It's just danger sense. "If it makes any difference, the ship can crew 20 in all. Beyond us, we could take more soldiers as protection." He clears his throat. "*If* possible at all, I got ahead of myself." Then he's quiet, arms folding behind his back while he simply listens.

Aldwin smiles at Fortunato and takes out a small toy puzzle box from his robes. It fits easily in a hand, a square little metal box adorned with gems, with different small opening compartments. There was a similar toy to this popular for some time in the Lyceum, with children placing small slips of paper in the hidden compartments, and trying to guess the secrets before someone managed to wrest it open. Pyrite smiles to Fortunato, "I used this when I created Azazel, long ago. It's his phylactery, in a way. He's too fast to contain and destroy it now, but..."

Calithex casually finishes for him, "But he won't be when he tries to slip through the Shining Lands, shrinking himself down to physically pass through the entry. It will be the point when an archfiend becomes vulnerable." Calithex leans forward, the little spiders on Horatio's back changing to show a shining portal (the little spiders wiggle to make it seems to shimmer), and then the box sucking in thirteen different angry faces of Azazel and exploding. Calithex looks towards Aleksei, "If we defend Pyrite here, it destroys the threat of Obsidian and the the Dune Emperor, who we can pin against the hopeful reinforcements of the Free Kingdoms. Or if they fail, we all die and Baalphrigor awakens, but, I have hopes." He glances back towards the Ziggurat, "And you can bring me back the pieces of the Will of Baalphrigor. So I can kill the Archfiend of Tyranny." The former Nox'alfar king explains, as if it is very simple, "As a treat."

"A...phylactery." Aleksei's brow creases. Big word. "I remember reading a thing about phylacteries of names from the Elven--" Oh. He glances at Calithex. "--War of Stolen Names." He pauses a beat. His voice lowers. "I'm still not entirely sure what the word means." BUT. The general logic of 'put physical Azazel in box and boom?' That he nods along with. Yes. This is understandable.

He looks back to Calithex again, gnawing on his bottom lip as he thinks. "Right. I mean, having this seems like a pretty big win. What we really came for was /knowledge/, and if this is Aldwin's answer, then it doesn't seem like we'd need to whisk him away. Especially when he's serving a valuable role here." Is there the /tiniest/ thread of disappointment? That he is no longer Here To Rescue You, Aldwin? Maybe.

He does pause, though, at that last bit. "I, uh. Guess we have a few of those back in Arvum." For treats. He's boggling a little at the idea, though.

Fortunato holds his hand up, as if considering how such a box would feel in his hand. "So this is the box I saw in my memories. A final trap." His over-bright eyes half-lid. "It will be risky. I worry about how Arx itself will suffer for Azazel to get this far. But we suspected from our research this would have to be the case. Strike when he's shrinking. I hope he will head for the point in desperation. That the losses will--" He pauses. He looks from Aldwin back to Horatio. "How do you make the spiders dance like that?" To Calithex, we presume. Three beats. "Ah. Well. It has been a time for devouring archfiends, what's killing one?"

Victus is resisting the urge to start pacing. It's his natural state when mulling over difficult questions, but he's still too tense about potentially walking into a web. He at least strokes his beard though, that should be enough to look thoughtful. "Don't know what a phylactery is either. But if the box destroys him, then that sounds like the clearest course of action." He looks to Fortunanto then. "If you're confident you can pull it off. I imagine we're all ill-experienced at killing Archfiends..." Then, it's to Calithex. "So this box- your price for it is the pieces of Baalprigor? Or is it to help smash the Dune Emperor's army?"

Esme glances to the puzzle box, there is a chance she has the toy or once did. She is studying the angles as it is given over and then she looks back towards Aldwin. When Calithex finishes for him, she glances at the wiggling portal. Giving respect to the spider point. Her breath is pulled in a bit as he says he could kill the archfiend of Tyranny." Esme's lips part to say something. She pauses to the others and offers to Calithex. "If the advantage is to stay here and fight first before we return, then I will stay and lend my blade."

Raja seems confused. She glances to Aleksei and leans closer to him, "what.. What is a phylactory?" However, Aleksei speaks about not being entirely too sure about what it is. A frown touches her features when the Will of Baalphrigor is mentioned. Still, she remains quiet to see what the rest of the party decides.

"If you can kill Azazel before he reaches the Thinnest Points, I doubt anyone would be terribly upset." The nox'alfar iron guard cadet opines, before thinning his lips ever so slightly in thought, "Actually, I would somewhat. I really do want to see the puzzle box at work. But aside from me." He then shakes his head, turning back towards Aldwin, "One wouldn't say price, it's his to do as he pleases."

Aldwin steps forward, pitching his voice low to explain to Aleksei about the spiders, "He just -asks-. I've seen him talk to Horatio at length. He plays chess with him or with the pig, often at the same time." The Archscholar then clears his throat, "So a phylactery is like the holding place of a soul, or a somewhat equivalent for a demon. It's part of it."

A Nox'alfar runs in, bowing and whispering into Calithex's ear before running off, "The Prophet of the Sands and Dune Emperor have sent some powerful allies ahead, it seems, to try to kill Pyrite and flee. You could take the box and leave to Arx, leaving this to us. But it would be foolish of me to turn down puissant aid, if you wish to give it." The nox'alfar former king then confides to Aleksei, "And all the other Arvani coming, I'd rather you talk to them rather than I. I find repeating myself vexing. I shall owe you a boon if you spare me a conversation."

Raja is silent as they discuss what the box is and the definition of a phylactory. She nods to the information. Then when the Nox'alfar runs in to deliver a message to the former elven King, she straightens up a bit. "Well. I came here to defend Pyrite." She says to the others in her group. "I will remain and defend."

"Mmm. Asking. Huh. There's magic in that alone." Fortunato closes his hand. He closes his eyes. He says, "I will remain and defend. After we repel the foe, we must be able to send someone back on the ship with the box, even if others of us remain longer than this."

Victus grimaces. There was no expectancy of avoiding danger, but still, he does not relish the idea of fighting an army of the Dune Emperor. Even if they'd beaten back the Skal'daja, the cost was great. He mutters something under his breath, grunts, and looks back toward the ship. Contemplating for another moment, Victus eventually turns back, looking toward Calithex and Aldwin. "I just wanna know one thing before I say anything more." Squint. "... Is Edain going to be here?"

"Yeah, /Aureth/ talks to spiders now, too," Aleksei tells Aldwin in a low, distressed tone. "But he at least asks them not to go in my room."

ANYWAYS. Phylactery explained. Aleksei is a little wiser. He watches the brief interplay between messenger and messengee, and then his brows lift at Calithex's report. Fighting /and/ a boon. "Yeah, I don't blame you," he tells Calithex very seriously. Repeating yourself is /annoying/. He looks over at Raja, quick off the beat to declare her intention, and he can't help but smile. "Yeah," he says. "I'll stay." Beat. "And also explain." Or forget by the time he's asked to explain.

There's a beat there, something thoughtful, and then he looks to Calithex more directly. More seriously. "And thank you," he says, entirely sincere in that way he does. "For saving my friend." Even if it was maybe just because he's a Seal and incredibly magically important. There's another hesitation, and he asks, "There were some visions of Jadairal that some folk back home had. Your brother attacked by his mages, and Sapphire and Malar clearly making their way over his way. Wasn't clear to anyone if he survived or not. Did you -- run into him while you were there?" His investment in the question is a bit ambiguous; he doesn't sound exactly distressed /or/ hopeful about it. More like picking at a loose thread.

Aldwin answers cheerfully to Victus, "Why yes! He and Princess Dawn and Duke Leo have done a -wonderful- job! They've been harrying the Dune Emperor's forces for years, and the Awakened Sands have really come through for us!" The nox'alfar leader has an eyebrow arched at Aldwin, as if he cannot quite understand his enthusiasm, but then looks at Aleksei. "You are welcome, Aleksei Morgan. You and your father are many things, but never uninteresting. And I have placed much value in that." Calithex stands from his throne, and a hundred Nox'alfar all stand at attention at once, their weapons moving into a parade stance. "I have not seen Evander. He may not be alive. I did scry an image of Sapphire stabbing him in the heart, however, while he was distracted fighting some Cardian warlord or other." He takes a step down from his throne, pulling the straps on to his helmet as Horatio moves off to the side, the little spiders scurrying down. "Jadairal is now a dozen warring fiefdoms, vying for control, most claiming they are doing so out of the Emperor's best wishes. I shant return there any time soon, unless Evander lives and asks for help." A pause, then a shrug, "He would not. He would much rather die."

The skies above begin to dark with hundreds of flying shapes, and there's demonic shrieks as winged figures are caught in webs and devoured by spiders. "Mm." Calithex frowns, "I wouldn't have thought Obsidian to be so bold. He made a void gate. His forces are here." The nox'alfar holds up a hand and horns begins to blow, and war drums begin to beat, "Let us move to the front gate, and concentrate there. Fortunato, once of the Metallic Order, would you be so kind as to keep a personal watch over Aldwin for me?"

"Yeah I bet he has..." Victus remarks with just the smallest tinge of bitterness, his eyes briefly veering away to nothing at particular. "If that's so, I'll stay as well. That fucker dies and Rissa will be sad." He crosses his arms over his chest plate, nudging the bloom made of Dawnweave pinned to his coat. Once he's out of his feelings, he has time to really take in their situation. His expression shifts, stony exterior cracking before falling away completely. For the first time, he's allowed himself to look... sad.

"Fighting with the Nox'alfar for the defense of Arx... and well, everything." His hands move to his hips. "And so she fought and so she stood, fighting through the night... For saving others was a simple good, even if it meant dying in the light." He breathes in deep. "It's what she would've wanted me to do. Maybe I can make her proud..."

"I wish Evander could -- well. As the Prima Sen'azala just reminded me, we cannot turn back time. We are who we are." Fortunato reaches up. He cinches his scarf tighter around his neck and chin. His eyes are once again fully open. And blazing. He nods to Calithex. He steps beside Aldwin. "Aldwin. I will defend you with my life, my light, and my shield." Briefly, quieter. "And I am /rather/ sturdier these days, so please, if it comes to it, get behind me."

Aleksei has joined the Inside Pyre.

Fortunato has joined the Inside Pyre.

Katarina has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Samira has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Kalakh has joined the Inside Pyre.

Esme checks composure at hard. Esme is successful.

Fatima has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Nebulosa has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Victus has joined the Inside Pyre.

Volya has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Esme has joined the Inside Pyre.

Raja has joined the Inside Pyre.

Juliana has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

There's a brief, almost bashful silence from Aleksei when Calithex goes and calls him /not uninteresting/. Maybe the teensiest, tiniest color in his cheeks. "Ah, well." He looks like he's screaming inside. There's another moment, a brief ache, when Calithex speaks of Evander. Of asking for help. Of never being able to. He looks to Victus next, hearing those words. Recognizing them. He offers him a quiet smile. "I think she's proud of all of us."

And then he sets himself to the task. TO THE GATES.

Juliana wields Diamond Thistle.

Esme is silent at Leo's name. However, her head whips around to scan the crowd. For the moment, this is not the time. She takes a deep breath and releases as her hand moves towards Kindness and she moves towards the gate as well. Although, her eyes do look up towards the darkness.

Raja wields Serpent's Embrace.

Esme wields Kindness, a diamondplate longsword.

Victus wields Barathrum, the imperial oathlands alaricite greatsword.

Aleksei wields Chainbreaker, the Sword of the First Choice.

Fatima wields a set of blackened alaricite talons.

What Calithex meant by a void gate becomes obvious as they reach the outer fortifications of Pyre. Sitting about a mile away from Pyre atop a dune is what appears to be a mirror a hundred feet tall and wide, its reflective surface shimmering, as a slow march of soldiers walks out from inside the mirror surface. Emerging to stand atop the hill is a small cadre of elite guards surrounding a tall, armored man wearing a crown, that the eagle eyed could recognize from paintings as King Alaric Grayson III. By his side is a tall, robed in black mirrormask with ornate ceremonial garb, the Prophet of the Sands. And out march his legions through the gate.

The nox'alfar immediately move to the defenses, with thousands of horse-sized spiders swarming out from every crevice in Pyre to line the walls, and numerous Nox'alfar mounting the larger spiders. Catapults glowing with green fire turn towards the Eurusi, and Calithex holds up a hand to wait. "They'll close to range. Aleksei Morgan, would you do the honors of giving the word to fire when they come into range. I trust your luck more than mine."

And slowly the legions of the Dune Emperor march forward.

Far behind him, come the combined armies of the Free Kingdoms led by a match of exiled Arvani, the Awakened Sands, and travelers from Arx- many with claims to the thrones. They've rallied the forces, and pressed for speed. It appeared they would have caught the Dune Emperor's forces, save the magical gate they used, and have been in pursuit since, trying to close the time to Pyre.

((OOC: Okay, here's how this will go. For the Free Kingdoms team, that's Kat, Samira, Fatima, Nebulosa, Volya, Juliana, etc- you can make any kind of social/leadership/war check at hard and I'll tabulate that to figure out how many rounds it'll take you to join the fight.

For Team Pyre, this is a free round of preparing the Nox'alfar forces. You can use any magic check, war checks, leadership checks and it'll add to their total going forward after this round. Your checks are at normal difficulty while Calithex is on the field with you, he drops all his team's difficulty rating by one level.))

Katarina checks command and leadership at hard. Katarina is successful.

Victus checks command and leadership at normal. Victus is successful.

Fatima checks command and war at hard. Fatima fails.

Volya checks command and leadership at hard. Volya marginally fails.

Nebulosa checks charm and leadership at hard. Nebulosa fails.

Samira checks charm and manipulation at normal. Samira is successful.

A woman appears beside Alaric III garbed in black fyreweave and a reflective mirrormask that covers half of her face. Even without the glowing white hair to identify her, her astounding beauty, even from a distance points to her being none other than The White Singer of Eurus.

Juliana checks charm and leadership at hard. Juliana is successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato is successful.

Raja checks command at normal. Raja is successful.

Aleksei checks luck and empathy at normal. Aleksei is successful.

Esme checks mana and occult at normal. Esme is successful.

Esme lowers her head and speaks softly. It could be that she's praying to Limerance, it could be that she's attempting to cast. It could be that she's just quietly questioning her life decisions. She tries to offer a word, a prayer, anything that will offer Team Pyre more protections to the threat coming to them.

Victus lends what help he can to the Nox'alfar's soldiers. It's not easy, but his bluntness seems to get through just enough to ensure they're a little more prepared. He's never been particularly good at interacting with the Nox in any social settings. But this was war, something he finally understood well. Looking to the sky then, at that stygian gate pouring evil unto them, Victus lowers the faceplate of his helmet. In his ears, he hears the pounding drums. The grip on Barathrum's hilt grows ever tighter. This is where he's meant to be. This is it.

"What?" Aleksei doesn't /squeak/, but he clearly wasn't expecting to suddenly be responsible for tactical decisions. He's ready to /leap into the fray/. At first he looks out at the incoming army intently, trying to judge distance, trying to think of how far the catapults can throw things. And then -- he stops. Closes his eyes a moment, takes a breath. Relaxes.

He opens his eyes, watches the approach with more confidence now, and trusts his /instincts/. That's where the luck has always come from. Until things hit the moment that just seem -- right. His chin lifts just an inch, as if catching the sound of a bell dinging. "Now."

Fortunato raises his hands, and creates both a distraction and an entertainment. Aldwin multiplies. On the walls, he's everywhere! Interspersing in the gaps, an old man in a cloak, standing exposed wherever there is a place an old man might stand exposed. It won't last. He can't do this and shield, and in a moment, he will have to shield. But a few seconds of confusion may be bought.

As the Nox begin to move out, Raja takes a moment to look to Fortunato, "Call out quick if you need help. Alright?" A smile is offered to him. Then her dagger is pulled from her hip and her hood is pulled over her face. She turns to join the others as they march out to the gates. At the gate, she stands to look out over the battlefield. The figure in the distance standing next to Alaric is glaced at before she sighs. "Well, this will be interesting."

The forces of the Dune Emperor march in tight formation, forming shield walls as they march foward. Groups of Magisters of the Mirror are drawing summoning circles on the ground, sacrificing screaming captives as demons start to slither out from the place of sacrifices and move to the attack. The Dune Emperor watches on impassively, ordering troops forward as the Prophet sends directives to different Magisters.

The first Nox'alfar siege weapons fire at Aleksei's command, and Calithex smiles brightly. Genuinely. He looks honestly happy, like this is the first break in a long time from a routine he found exceedingly exhausting. He draws his sword, and a cheer goes out from the Nox'alfar lines, and thousands of spiders begin to rush forward even as hundreds of Eurusi adepts charge Pyre's fortifications.

((Round 1: Team Pyre can make their checks at normal, due to Calibonus. Will be this round and a next before Team Dune Kingdoms arrive.))

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Victus is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Aleksei is successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato is successful.

Raja checks dexterity and small wpn at easy. Raja is successful.

Titus has joined the Eurusi War Camp.

Esme checks mana and occult at normal. Esme is successful.

There is just something about the gleam in Raja's eyes. As the forces of the enemy charge forward, Raja has a strange delight in rushing forward to meet them! Her dagger lashes out to slice and cut into flesh of whatever or whoever comes her way. Immediately, blood and gore drip from her dagger, spraying across her inky black leathers. One bloke gets a booted foot to the face, followed with a stab of her blade into his chest.

Esme holds back just a moment longer before she rushes forwards with Kindness. There is a bright shining to her emerald eyes as if they are glowing, but so far she's not wrapped in her Limerance Light yet. Her eyes move to the Magistrates of the Mirror and their blood sacrifices. A dark emotion hits her eyes at the unwillingness and she starts to chant a bit more as her eyes stay trained on them.

Demons, adepts, shields, oh my. Victus' gaze scans over the enemy forces on their approach. He's not one to wilt in the face of danger, but the spider cavalry certainly gives him pause. Luckily, he's spent most of his apprehension on earlier fluffy-one. Sucking in through his teeth, he lets out a roar before hoisting his blade high. The greatsword is braced upon his shoulder as he charges forward. There's a new confidence to him, one which he's not carried into any war of the Abyss prior. Something bold. As he swings his blade in a wide arc, he manages to catch one of the ill-fated soldiers of the Dune Emperor's onslaught, drawing blood within the first moments of battle. Underneath his helm, his eyes are blazing with fury.

For a moment, Aleksei is absolutely /struck/ by the sight of Calithex -- one of the most beautiful people he's ever seen -- smiling like that. This is surely the actual cause of his crew's increased odds on the battlefield. And then he looks back out, grinning wide, and he leaps -- /leaps/ -- into the fray. "Get the magisters!" he calls to the others, as he cuts one down with a joyful sort of abandon. He hasn't been able to /let loose/ since gaining his power, and now it's like his sword is /singing/ with it.

Fortunato hums, low and tuneless, a reverberating bad note. He rotates his hands inward. Slowly, the Aldwin illusions on the walls begin to flicker, and fade, as a flicker wakes and grows around himself and Aldwin. A sphere of light, transparent as sunlit glass. His scarf conceals any expression he might have, and what can be seen of his face is rather indistinct, but the gold fire in his eyes is wilder than ever.

Seleni remains on stand by until she's given her orders, twirling a darksteel dagger idly as she watches the battle commence and makes /very/ helpful comments targeted at Obsidian. Such as, "Oooof that has got to hurt" whenever one of his adepts gets killed. When Aleksei cuts down a Magister, she adds a very encouraging, "Oh no and you spent so much time training that one, didn't you?" With a great deal of feigned sympathy.

There's no shortage of soldiers of the Dune Emperor rushing into the teeth of the Nox'alfar defenses around Pyre. There's a swarm of little summoned demons coming over the walls, as the Nox cut them down, most (and especially in their former king) greatly enjoying the battle. Eurusi Slavers have a battering ram against the front gates of Pyre, though spells keep raining fire down upon them, even as counter magic of shields and abyssal fiery retorts. There many, many Aldwin simulacrums all react with appropriate panic at the sigh of the enemy, and the efforts to find the correct one still seem hopeless as demons leap on this illusion than that. Still, the army is massive and most are still getting in position to attack, or still coming through the gateway. Enemy fire rains down indiscriminately.

((Doing the luck checks for Team Pyre))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Aleksei is spectacularly successful.
Critical Success! Fortunato is spectacularly successful.
Esme is successful.
Raja is successful.
Victus is successful.

More and more of the Dune Emperor's soldiers pour through the great mirror, and the gate finally closes shut behind them, the Prophet of the Sand's magic exhausted as the last of their troops come through. Their numbers are enormous, and they are throwing them all at the Nox'alfar fortifications to overwhelm and destroy them.

((Round 2: 70 Victory Points. Still doing checks at normal difficulty due to Calithex, Team Dune kingdom not here yet.))

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Aleksei is successful.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Victus marginally fails.

Raja checks dexterity and small wpn at easy. Raja is successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato is successful.

Esme checks mana and occult at normal. Esme is successful.

Fire is raining down! Blood stains the ground! There are the sounds of the dying screaming all around her. However, Raja presses on! That cruel dagger made from the fang of a shard serpent slashes out again and again, cutting deep into the flesh of various beings. Raja laughs! It's inappropriate to laugh, but she can't help it. A dagger is taken from a dying creature and she throws it at another, watching as the blade embeds itself into the skull of the next eurusi minion that comes at her.

Esme is more than a little itching to jump into the battle. Kindness probably is too. However, she's holding her vantage point. A breath as she watches the troops go for the Nox. She lifts her hands up into prayer hands that point at the center of her eyes as she lowers her head. Then her hands slowly part, the palms, the fingers, and then the fingertips as she separates them to palm towards the mages. Then there is going to be time to move into battle. One last ritual it seems.

Victus has taken his focus to the smaller demons that pour over the wall. The Prince's blade was ill-suited for the precision needed to tackle enemies of smaller stature. He's fast, but the weight of the weapon and the pure frustration of every miss keeps him from claiming any of the fiend's lives. Strings of curses follow in the wake of another wide cleave, soaring over the head of another critter. "Damn you, damn all of you!"

It seems -- it /feels/ -- for a moment, like nothing can touch him. Aleksei moves through the battlefield as if some ineffable instinct is guiding his step, and he's almost /laughing/. Not from a maniacal bloodlust, but from the thrill of his own ability, and the gift Skald has given him. He's focused on the Magisters throughout the armies, knowing that their presence will mean /more enemies summoned/. Another dies on his sword. Another. He was never a soldier: he was a Champion. He fights like he's dancing. He fights like it's art.

Fortunato's shield shimmers firm. The Aldwin illusions 'die', some of them before his attention moves to the shield entire, 'rent' apart by vicious demon claws. It's a nice trick. But the numbers are growing. Grown. Bodies will crowd around them. Yes. No matter what, the shield must hold.

"Enough." The Prophet of the Sands gestures at the front gate of Pyre, and a gigantic lance of dark fire arcs out from him and strikes the gate, blasting it to splinters and killing a score of his own soldiers who had been trying and failing to open it. The Dune Emperor stabs his sword in the ground, and a thousand swords appear overhead, then start lancing down as hundreds of his soldiers rush in to the front gate, and magic and arrow lance down into the Nox'alfar lines. Calithex is grinning, charging towards the soldiers, as he makes a small dismissive gesture towards the falling swords.

((Victory Points 147. Luck check round, and then next turn is going to be posing in Eurusi forces.))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Aleksei is successful.
Esme is successful.
Victus is successful.
Fortunato is successful.
Botch! Raja fails badly.

Raja checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Raja is successful.

Far in the distance, at the edge of the horizon, there are drums. Faintly visible and little by little, the standards of different Dune Kingdoms and the Awakened Sands show in the distance. Prince Edain Valardin, Duke Leo Fidante, and Princess Dawn Grayson ride alongside of a dozen Arvani, and thousands of Eurusi rebels who have cast off the yoke of slavery ride behind them. Even some flying an ancient banner of Glor'Ruus, long before the Dune Emperor, long before it was taken and twisted. Escaped fighting slaves from their blood arena, who will never, ever wear chains again.

The Dune Emperor barks a command, and several of his legions are whirling around to form lines against the incoming threat, while the front forces against the Nox'alfar redouble their attack, determined to hunt down Aldwin.

Determined to kill the Great Seal.

Determined to wake Baalphrigor, the Archfiend of Tyranny.

((OOC: Round 3, 147 Victory Points. Team Dune Kingdom, pose in, and can do checks at hard, except samira, you're checking at normal. Team Pyre, while you're with Calithex, still checking at normal.))

Katarina checks charm and leadership at hard. Katarina marginally fails.

Fatima checks command and leadership at hard. Fatima fails.

Volya checks command and leadership at hard. Volya marginally fails.

Juliana checks charm and leadership at hard. Juliana is successful.

Nebulosa checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Nebulosa marginally fails.

Titus checks mana and occult at hard. Titus is successful.

Samira checks perception and occult at normal. Samira is successful.

It's been a very long march from Petrioch, and the army that is led by the Awakend Sands and the heirs to Eurusi thrones is tired. They could not hope to keep up with the armies of the Dune Emperor, given they have a giant mirror that lets them travel across vast distances. They have their limits, and even Fatima is somewhat weary of the march. She's had to expend a lot of her energy over the past few days, just keeping everyone together, and preventing any bickering among the different Dune Kingdoms armies who have rallied behind the banners of the rebellion. It's a lot of work, marching, leading, and such. It's a new day and a new march, but she hasn't quite found the energy of her voice just yet. "We are gaining on them!" she calls. "Press on!"

Still, the Thrax Princess sits her mount proudly, her back straight, her long black hair woven into a practical braid down her back, twined with star iron tinsel. There is a certain naturally majestic air about her that just never really goes away these days, even when tired. She wears shadowmeld, but it is hidden beneath starlight silk in shades of pristine white and pale amber, and a brocade robe in Eurusi style in teal trimmed in crimson. A glittering circlet of blackened alaricite crowns her head, and little alaricite talons gleam on her fingers.

Raja checks dexterity and small wpn at easy. Raja is successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato fails.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Victus is successful.

Esme checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Esme is successful.

Suddenly there are huge splinters and people flying through the air! Raja happened to be RIGHT IN THE WAY! Raja is also sent flying, however, she is able to land with a tuck and roll, hopping back up, next to Aleksei. She shakes her head as if clearing her thoughts. "Oh. Hey." She says to Aleksei as more demons come towards them. "Come here often?" It is an obvious joke, not a flirt. As a demon gets close, her dagger juts out with a slice, striking into the neck.

Aleksei checks luck and empathy at hard. Aleksei is successful.

Volya has been moving the Eurusi forces at a fast clip, as fast as they're able to, at any rate. It's been a hard march to the battle, one that everyone knew was coming. But with their allies, well. There's at least a sliver of a chance. The problem becomes trying to get those orders delivered with so many under all these different banners. It's not something the Malespero, now having taken back his birthname of Shaivahn, has done before. Upon cresting the last sand dune and seeing the battle taking place, he looks to Fatima for her approval.

And once she does, he draws his sword, holding it enough for most in front to see, before casting it downward, giving the non-verbal signal to move in and join the battle proper.

Esme nods her head as it is time to actually start to fight. The craftmanship of Kindness is unlike any other. Esme taps the ring on her left hand of interlocking rings for luck and shuts her eyes for a quick prayer before she prowls to the fight. Her sword moves as if an extension her herself and Esme's movements are feline in grace as she strikes, trying to keep the advance back the best she can.

Fatima checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Botch! Fatima fails completely.

Fatima has suffered a permanent wound!

Fatima checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Fatima fails.

Fatima is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

[MAGIC - Rend of the Beast] Leading the charge as the Ashen Knight, Titus strides forward with unwavering resolve, his crimson eyes surveying the vast expanse of enemies before him and more importantly, the tremendous many people who have come here not for victory but to do everything they can to stop those who are here to destroy the world. Clutching Bloodsong in one hand, he raises the other high as he focuses on the enemies they are closing in. From his outstretched palm, a colossal serpent of blood and ashes bursts forth, its enormous maw opening wide as it weaves through the enemy ranks, striking with ferocious bites. Amidst the turmoil, Titus's voice rings out, strong and clear, "We stop those who would burn the world to rule over the ashes." His words echo across the battlefield, a rallying cry for his allies, as the spectral serpent wreaks havoc among their foes, embodying the knight's fierce determination to prevent a world consumed by flames and darkness. A lil blood mage did his first successful spell!

Nebulosa, among the ranks of the freed slaves and the Arvani supporters, has been mostly quiet through the march. Briefly, she finds a moment to speak with Fatima privately, but otherwise, she stays to Volya's side and is solemnly determined to reach their goal. And there it is. When the order is given by the princess-who-would-be-queen, Nebula presses on, bringing her cutlass to bear against the enemy.

Katarina has added a few things to her wardrobe since touching down in Eurus. Her admiral's oufit has been augmented by ceremonial military wear, sashes and scarves in purple and gold. It's been difficult, assuming leadership of the Suj'abbati armies that Dawn brought to the fray. Not in the least because the City of Lies would probably take anyone who claims to be their Queen for an impostor. Most of her efforts during the trip have been spent convincing her army that they're actually /her/ army, which has rather put a crimp in things like strategizing and making formations.

"To victory!" she cries, echoing Fatima. "Let none stand in the way of a free Dune Kingdoms!"

[MAGIC] The march from Petrioch has been tiring, but the sight of the enemy forces reinvigorates Samira with a sense of purpose, adrenaline surging. Her lips curl into a sneer as she faces the oncoming forces. Instead of reaching for the blade that is never far from hand, she stands absolutely still, determined and resolute. A bit of commotion unfolds on the enemy lines, the soldiers within her line of sight abruptly turning upon each other.

[MAGIC - I dunno yet!] Braced back on his heels, Victus breaks through the folly of chasing smaller demons around, quite literally as he shoulders his way through. He doesn't have much time to regroup once the fire and swords start raining down, however. It's like nothing he's ever seen, but luckily it's not particularly difficult to understand that he should REALLY MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. His heels slid across the dunes, leaving a groove in the sand as he finds himself in the thick of things again. Barathrum is raised, and the greatsword's alaricite seems to shine that much brighter. The waves upon its surface shift all at once, as though coming alive with shifting forms.

Then, Victus swings his sword in a great arc, twisting around in an uncharacteristic flourish. His sword cleaves through the enemy all around him, like a whirlpool of steel that had opened to rend them in its vortex. As blood falls onto the sand, Victus cringes, and a mouthful of saltwater leaks through his helm to join the stained desert. "Eugh..."

[MAGIC] "Hah!" Aleksei ducks out of the way of some demon trying to bite his head off, grinning wolfishly at Raja. "I'm new to the place, but it's starting to grow on me." And then he sees it in the distance. The oncoming reinforcements. "You know what?" he says to Raja over the din of battle. He calls on something inside of him, drawing out power and spreading it across the battlefield with a sweep of his blade. "I'm feeling lucky!"

[Magic: Star-glass Sphere] The press is heavy. Beating wings, flashing claws. Fortunato holds up his hands, holding the shield, holding-- But the surface appears to crack in front of him. He interposes himself more directly in front of Aldwin as claws rend at his forearm. They don't draw -- blood, exactly, but there's an odd light seepage from beneath his glove.

Titus wields The Bloodsong.

Katarina wields Intricately forged ancient steel stiletto.

Juliana is doing what she does.. worrying about everyone. But aside from that, the healer does what she can getting people to wounded and wounded out. Unfortunately that often means her people also become the wounded that need help. It is what it is. Keeping an eye, when she can, on Fatima.. Making sure that if her sister goes down, she can be there as fast as possible.

The forces of the Dune Emperor rain fire upon the approaching Eurusi, attacking the Awakened Sands and Free Kingdoms with ferocity. In particular, they attack the Awakened Sands and the Petriochian detachment, focusing much of their fire upon the leaders. Still, their forces are split, and increasing caught between the forward marching Dune Kingdoms and the Nox'alfar in Pyre, as they try to attack both with a terrible ferocity.

((258 Victory Points. There was a mass luck spell cast, all checks of luck will be at easy for all, which I'll roll. Crits can be used to cancel out other people's failures still.))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Aleksei is successful.
Esme is successful.
Hellfrog is successful.
Nebulosa is successful.
Seleni is successful.
TIE: Fortunato is successful. Juliana is successful. Kalakh is successful.
TIE: Raja is successful. Fatima is successful. Katarina is successful.
TIE: Victus is successful. Samira is successful. Volya is successful.
Botch! Titus fails badly.

Titus checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Titus marginally fails.

Titus checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Titus marginally fails.

Titus is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

The Dune Emperor's forces might be pinned, but they have enormously powerful magic at their disposal which they use ruthlessly, and fanatically devoted troops with essentially all of the most deadly members of the Cult of Baalphrigor within their ranks. While their strategic position is poor, caught between the two forces, they fight with suicidal intensity.

((Round 4: 258 Victory Points, same checks and yeah, as above, damage will be on fails))

Raja checks dexterity and small wpn at easy. Raja is successful.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Victus is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Aleksei is successful.

Volya checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Botch! Volya fails completely.

Katarina checks charm and leadership at hard. Critical Success! Katarina is spectacularly successful.

The commotion around Nebulosa has her spinning, and when she sees Fatima go down, she bolts toward her. "Your Highness!" When it is confirmed that the woman is unconscious, Nebula assumes a defensive position for a moment, and when she can, she quickly sheathes her sword and hauls the princess off, as far back from the fighting as she can. If there is any sort of defensible shelter, she seeks it, but just getting AWAY is the primary focus.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato is successful.

Samira checks perception and occult at normal. Samira marginally fails.

Juliana checks charm and leadership at hard. Juliana fails.

"Nebula!" Volya shouts, snapping his gaze to see Fatima take a shot and go down. "I need you to pull Fatima back! She *can not* die here." There's an unspoken look between him and dark-haired woman before he turns back, slashing back at another fanatic of the Dune Emperor. "I'll be fine! Go!" He probably won't be fine, since he in the moments that he was speaking, he probably doesn't see a sword coming his way that is likely meant to take a rather large chunk out of him.

[MAGIC] It takes Victus a moment to stand back up after exerting his power. When he does, his neck cranes, observing the damage it'd caused. Though hidden under his helm, his expression was one of awe. "This... mess is my fault?" He just did that. He really just did *that*. The first true use of magic to come entirely from himself in all of his years. His eyes widen little by little, and beneath the etched teeth on his helm, he's beaming. "I am the STORM!" With newfound adrenaline, Victus hurls himself into another crowded group of demons and adepts. His sword glows once more, seeming to leave an arcing trail behind it as he repeats his whirlwind attack. This time he adds an extra twirl. Testing the waters, one could say. It doesn't do anything, but it does look a little bit cooler.

Esme checks mana and occult at normal. Critical Success! Esme is inhumanly successful in a way that defies expectations.

Seleni seems to take this as her signal to join the battle. She gives Dune Emperor a quick before she departs from his side, rising into the sky with a single leap and landing in the midst of the Free Kingdom and Awakened Sands troops. She appears to be positively glowing and gives the warmest of smiles as they hesitate to actively strike at her. It might be something she's doing to them.

Nonetheless, she doesn't attack -them-. In the blink of an eye, she actually drives a blade through the neck of a cultist on HER OWN side who almost attacks a former slave. And proceeds to continue to attack her allies, helping the Free Kingdoms in their fight. Alaric III really should have seen this coming.

In the heat of battle, Titus, surges through enemy lines, his every move a lethal dance amidst the cacophony of war. The symphony of clashing weapons, cries of anguish, and roars of fury fill the air as he carves a path through the enemy troops. War is his domain, and he revels in its chaos. But amidst his advance, a flash of steel catches his eye. He instinctively raises Bloodsong to deflect an incoming sword strike, but he fails to anticipate the brutal swing of a mace that crashes into his helm. Simultaneously, arrows pierce his body, their force staggering him. He gasps, choking on his own breath as his grip on Bloodsong falters and the scorching sands beneath him blur into darkness. As he falls to the ground, a small wooden token, stained with his blood, swings from a necklace around his neck, a silent testament to a life and a battle fiercely fought so far from home.

[Magic: Star-glass sphere, fueled by fireweave scarf] Fortunato unwraps the scarf from his face. It shivers in his hand, unraveling in shreds of light. It's gone. The shield around him and Aldwin repairs itself. He reaches, in truth, somewhat awkwardly, like a far afterthought, into his bag. He pulls out a paintbrush with regret -- and then hesitates as he finds some dusty, completely forgotten steelsilk at the bottom of it all. Ah well. He pulls out a swath. Fuel.

Honey, no man needs to fix you. Pfft.

"Remember, my people," Katarina says to the Suj'abbati soldiers surrounding her. "Remember the Middle Kingdom of the Era of Gano're. How the forces held the banks of the Ostran river -- how they did not yield! Neither shall we!" Scholars of Suj'abbati history, as much as any scholarship on the subject could be trusted to be truthful, will note that there was no Middle Kingdom of the Era of Gano're, and that the Ostran river is perhaps the least likely path of invasion ever. Still, Katarina is speaking her people's language, and she leads them forward into the fray.

Along the way, Katarina stabs a swordsman who's about to murk Volya. "General, come!" she says. "Queen Fatima will be held safe -- we must cut out the heart of this infernal army, that she, and all of us, might survive!"

[MAGIC] Well this just isn't going to work for her. Esme takes notice of the the sucidal magic and then there is glowing green flames in her eyes. Sparks of fire and gemstone that narrow like an angry cat. Esme takes her other hand and then sweeps it towards the mages as if she's trying to sweep them from the ground or from the area, to move them and to disrupt their magic as others are casting.

One minute, Fatima is sitting proudly on her mount. The next, some unseen strike from the Dune Emperor's forces knocks her off her saddle, and the Princess's head smacks against the shield of one of the Eurusi former slaves behind her. Her head bounces, and there's a sickening crack, and then she lies still. Efforts to revive her are unsuccessful, though it does look like she's still breathing as her sister and Nebulosa and Volya and others try to protect her from further attacks.

[MAGIC] All that luck all but rolls off of Aleksei in /waves/, and then his sword is singing through the hordes again. Instinct guides his blade precisely where it needs to be, and inhuman strength cuts it /deep/ through his victims. He leaves a bloody trail behind him as he dances across the battlefield, sword spinning and twirling as he cuts down another and another.

[MAGIC] Samira's attempts to turn the enemy forces upon each other begin to wane, their effects lessening and then fading altogether. She finds herself distracted as she catches sight of Fatima collapsing in her peripheral vision. Noting that others are swiftly there to tend to her, she turns begins to turn just in time to catch sight of Seleni fighting among their troops, rather than the Dune Emperor's. Her smile grows, fierce and determined, as she turns back toward the enemy, poised to face an incoming attacker.

The fighting intensifies. Without gates, it allows more and more demons to pour in. Sweat begins to rise on Raja's brow as she delves back into the fray. The sweat mixes with blood splatter, making a gross mixture to run across her face! However, even as the exertions of the prolonged fighting begins to tire her, she presses on! She gives off a feral yell at the next opponent, taking zero mercy upon those that come against Pyre.

Alaric III lets out a sound of rage, pulls his sword and personally begins moving towards the Eurusi lines. He slams his sword in the ground and... nothing happens. No falling swords. The Prophet of the Sands stares directly in Esme's direction and points at her, though no abyssal bolt hits her, so whatever she did, it certainly worked for the moment. But just for the moment, magical fire continues after that brief respite, and the battered forces of the Dune Emperor continue their ferocious assault, particularly in the search for the real Aldwin. After all, if they kill him, nothing else matters.

((OOC: Victory Points: 386. Will be doing mass luck checks at easy still.))

Apostate has called for a check of luck at easy.
Hellfrog is spectacularly successful.
Aleksei is successful.
Nebulosa is successful.
TIE: Fatima is successful. Titus is successful.
TIE: Seleni is successful. Fortunato is successful. Kalakh is successful.
Volya is successful.
TIE: Raja is successful. Juliana is successful.
TIE: Victus is successful. Esme is successful. Samira is successful.
Katarina is successful.

Jules sees Fatima go down, then Titus falter and fall.. for a heartbeat there is a choice to be made, but Tima is being pulled back. Yelling to one of healers on the field. "Get to the Princess!" and the Healer turns on her heal to try to get to the Titus.. But there he is, who is he, she doesn't know but he is big and blood and coming right at the Pravus.. cause right now, that is who she is.. Juliana Pravus, with all the comnand she can muster. "Get our if my way!" if only it was that easy.

Their forces are beginning to take their toll. Calithex has a mad grin as he leads the Nox'alfar in a sally out of Pyre, rushing to assault the vanguard of the Dune Emperor's forces and steadily trying to cut a path towards Obsidian, who is raining abyssal fire at them. The Awakened Sands are trying to cut a path towards the Dune Emperor, and seem unsettled but pleased by Seleni joining their side, even if a number of their fighters keep a veeeeery careful distance from her.

((Round 5: Victory Points 386. Checks at normal for -both- teams, and easy checks for Raja/Samira))

Nebulosa checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Critical Success! Nebulosa is spectacularly successful.

Fortunato checks wits and artwork at normal. Fortunato is successful.

Samira checks perception and occult at easy. Samira is successful.

Raja checks dexterity and small wpn at easy. Raja is spectacularly successful.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at normal. Victus is successful.

Volya checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Volya is successful.

Katarina checks charm and occult at normal. Katarina is successful.

Esme checks mana and occult at normal. Esme is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Aleksei is successful.

Raja gets a hidden steel blade from Black Leather Belt.

Juliana checks charm and leadership at normal. Critical Success! Juliana is spectacularly successful.

[MAGIC] Whelp... Esme might have just made an enemy there. While she does not feel the rage going through her as much as it did before, she does extend out hand towards Alaric IIC. Her palm thrusts towards them as she tries to counteract their magic casting. When their eyes lock, her fingers curl towards her palm. She pivots her hand 180 degrees so the back is facing him and the third digit comes up before she lowers her hand back up.

Volya has no magic, but what is, is angry. And that allows him to burn all in his own way, especially when he realizes how close he came to an early end, were it not for the help of Katarina. "I'll own you one." he calls back, not realizing that he was called 'General'. *General*. Huh, now that's a title he's never heard him called by. That'll be filed away to think about later, as he's far too concerned with cutting swath through the Emperor's forces, in the midst of the battle. No time for any fancy, kill one, move forward. Cut down another, move forward. One step in front of the either. Another step until this is done.

Raja simply gets in the ZONE! With a spin, Raja's blade meets a demon in the EYE! Her free hand moves to her belt to pull out a second, hidden blade and slices at another creature that tried to make it's way past her. Raja begins to duck and weave, using both hands to attack at multiple targets. It almost appears as if Raja has lost herself into a macabre dance with daggers and bloodshed! The look on her face is of glee!

[MAGIC] Katarina stabs one of the Dune Emperor's soldiers and pulls him down off of his horse, which she promptly steals for herself. If nothing else, nearby allies get the amusing view of the short little Suj'abbati royal scrambling up onto a horse. Her poor little legs. Taking the view of the battlefield, Katarina spots the Nox'alfar forces cutting a path toward... Obsidian.

"This way!" Katarina cries. "The light shall lead you!" Katarina points with her blade, and the hand gripping it starts to -- glow, from within. A pillar of light rises from the earth around Obsidian. It's only light. It won't burn him, won't trap him within walls. But it just might blind him. And it gives people a direction to fight towards.

Finally having found a safe spot to lay Fatima, Nebulosa plants her feet and levels her sights on all who come her way. She grits her teeth and slashes through every one of the Dune Emperor's lackeys who dare to approach her and the future queen of Petrioch. "You'll have to go through me!" But for right now? There's no getting through her, Neubla is fierce in standing her ground.

[MAGIC: Star-glass Sphere, fueled by steelsilk.] Fortunato holds the warp of steelsilk between his gloved fingers. It shivers away in shreds of light. The shield holds in the crush and the chaos. It's ridiculous, but Fortunato draws himself up on his toes, as if he could maintain the shield /and/ conceal Aldwin at once. If maybe he could hold himself /just/ so. For all the battle is going their way, he seems uneasy with his charge and with the presence of heavy attackers. Dire figures. Will the shield hold if it comes under real abyssal fire?

[MAGIC] One more time. Victus' momentum keeps carries him forward, his blade's sheen only dulling in that brief interim for him to get stuck into another group. His entire body swings round and round, cutting through the enemies before him in another great arc. The path behind him is littered with bodies, as though a tidal wave had blasted through this particular wave of enemy's all the way to where he stood now. Exhaling with the building fatigue, Victus raises his head and cries out again. "BREAK TH- hrk-" Uh oh. He cocks his head to the side and spits another small puddle of salt water. It leaves the conviction behind his attempt at inspiration a little... lacking. "... Break them. Ah..."

[MAGIC] As the tide of battle slowly begins to turn, Samira lifts her voice into a yell. "Let the so-called Prophet and the Dune Emperor get what they deserve," she roars. With the ferocity in her tone, it sounds rather personal. She hastily draws the toe of boot along the ground in some strange configuration. Moments later, she has disappeared only to reappear directly behind an enemy soldier, blade in hand. "Surprise," she calls, just before aiming to stab him in the back with her knife.

Seleni has left the Eurusi War Camp.

[MAGIC] Aleksei looks behind. He looks ahead. He tries to get a view of all the most pressing points: Aldwin, Calithex, the Dune Emperor, the Prophet of Sands. All of it.

Tries to see where he'll be needed most. And all the while, he cuts a path for himself with steel and blood.

Juliana stummbles and catches herself, coming up to her full height and turning quickly. Sweat and blood and sand forgotten, the healer raises her voice to be heard the best she can. Pointing at one healer. "You to the Duke, make sure he is alive!.. You get to Fatima.. NOW!" Already pushing her way through, the blade in her hand would draw blood if need be. People she loved where falling and she wasn't going to have and more of it.

In the massive melee outside the city of Pyre, the Dune Emperor, breaks through the Nox'alfar lines with his elite guards. He rides past the Nox'alfar, as Calithex pursues the Prophet of the Sands, and Alaric the III holds a gauntleted hand high, one mirror image after another of Pyrite vanishing even as Fortunato tries to put them as quickly as they fade. The Dune Emperor raises a lance, aiming at Pyrite, and then like a blur Raja is there, leaping up, and her dagger finds the gap his his helmet as she slashes by like a blur. There's a pause as Alaric lands off his horse, staggering for a long moment with Raja's dagger stuck in his throat. He turns, trying to strangle her... and then the Dune Emperor explodes in a fountain of gore.

The Prophet of the Sands is raising his hands high, chanting as abyssal fire rains down. He points at Calithex, whose sword shatters. The former Nox'alfar king looks at Obsidian with the most offended possible look, then just flicks a hand and Obsidian explodes like a balloon that was overly full of blood.

The fanatical cult of baalphrigor fights fiercely, but they are pinned now, surrounded. The Free Kingdom encircling them as the Nox rush out. They fight brutally, but less and less, as fire is poured in on them.

The former slaves fall on them with all the ferocity of ones who lived their entire lives fighting and dying for the whims of others. With each cut, they guarantee they will, ever be shackled by magic or chains again.

And then it's over.

((508 Victory Points, total victory.))

Fatima wakes up.

Titus wakes up.

As soon as the Dune Emperor explodes into gore, Seleni stops her fighting, gives the remains of her former lover a 'sad' look and then just... disappears.

"Gods -- above," Fortunato says. His shield stays up. The last flickers of his initial illusion fade away. But even as the Dune Emperor /explodes/ before he can throw a lance, explodes after Raja's perfect stab, even as Obsidian /explodes/, it's difficult for him to believe it's over. That the shield can fall. "Gods above."

The Nox'alfar will see to holding Pyre and clean up of Abyssals in the Area. King Calithex would very much fragments of the Will of Baalphrigor brought if they find any, to end the threat of the Sleeper once and for all. But they have the puzzle box, and a means to stop Azazel.

Maybe.

The Dune Kingdoms are free for the first time in their history. They might embrace the claimants, they might not, but they'll never again fall to slavers using the abyss as shackles. Never again.

And soon, it'll be time to return to Arx.

Titus awakens and is helped to his feet by Juliana who saved him, and it's to the sound of victory. The pale face that is terribly marred by the mace has a slow...wide and broken smile, satisfaction. The whispered voice says to Juliana who saved him, "The world has heard an answer to the darkness that desired to bring a Reckoning. Not this day." He lifts that sword up by the blade high, and if there were stars, it'd mimic the constellation of Gloria. "Unyielding!" he shouts, a prayer of thanks and a call recognizing all those here living and gone who fought.

The King. No.. emperor is dead.. Raja is almost in disbeleif, even as she stands there, utterly covered in his blood and viscera. Bending over, she retrieves her blade, wiping it on an /almost/ clean portion of what she is wearing. "Now. We need to get back to Arx and protect the Thinnest Point." Her blade is put back into it's sheath. Even though she has killed the Emperor, she knows that their work is not finished.

Katarina celebrates with the Suj'abbati forces. For a moment, anyway, the claimant to the throne and the lowliest common servant stand as equals, delighting in the hard-won victory, and joyously embracing the future.

And just like that, it's basically over. Volya didn't have the best view, but he did see the blur that Raja was, and the Emperor just kind of explode. "That's new." he says largely to himself, but he just about laughs outloud when he sees just how impassively Calithex deals with the Prophet. And by dealing, it's just flicking his hand. "Shit!" Is his sudden blurt out. "IS THERE A PREIST AROUND HERE TO DO A MARRIAGE REAL QUICK?"

Jules smiles at Titus' whisper, stepping back as he lifts his sword to proclaim, then reades over and pats his arm. "Lets just keep your insides, inside, okay?" Then she will be wading her way toward Fatima, later she will need to find Luis too but for now.. her work starts.

Here Victus stands at the end of the battle. He pats himself down, as if to check that he really is still standing here. Alive. He takes two steps back. The ground is still there. It's sandy and dry, but it's there. He unstraps his helmet and pulls it off, his sweat-slicked face greeting the Eurusi sun once more. "We won." He murmurs. "We actually fuckin' won." There's a curve to the corner of his mouth, a crack of a smile. A real one. He throws his head back and laughs, arms spread to either side of himself, purely exalting.

Then he remembers. He's on a field with giant spiders. Victus very quickly powerwalks back to the gate.

Fatima wakes up and rubs the back of her head, wincing. She looks at her shoulder then, and sees the tip of a spear sticking out of it, where she apparently slammed not only into that soldier's shield, but his spear stabbed through her shoulder too. "Ugh," she says, but she reaches over and with a grunt, she pulls the spear out of her shoulder, and tosses it aside. Then, she rises slowly to her feet, still a bit light-headed, but she is standing. She stands, and that mantle of majesty settles around her once again. She lifts her chin, and gazes about, assessing the situation with cool sea green eyes. She finds Juliana coming toward her. "What happened?" she asks.

Fatima checks charm and leadership at hard. Fatima is successful.

Fatima checks mana at hard. Fatima is successful.

Nebulosa checks on Fatima, grinning. "We did it, Your Highness!" And then Volya is yelling for a priest. "Oh! Are we getting married now?" She also looks around for a priest.

Samira scans the enemy lines, seeking those two figures for whom she holds so much fury. Her eyes lock upon the Dune Emperor just in time to watch Raja's perfectly-placed slash of the blade, to witness the Dune Emperor and then Obsidian explode. "Fuck, yeah. Yes, Raja! THAT'S MY SISTER!" she screams in celebration, her voice filled with absolute pride and elation. What a satisfying scene to witness.

Esme is pretty sure that she might fan girl Calithex for a little bit. However, she looks around the area and then back. She starts to say something and then there is a call for a priest. Lucky day. She saunters over like only a feline or a Torean can. "How can I assist?"

"I mean..." Volya catches his breath while making his way to Nebulosa. "I think I just it said because I'm still shocked that I'm alive. *You're* alive. But, well, why not? We did it. We really fucking did it. I...helped do something. Something *good*." he scoffs in spite of himself. "Only took this long to figure it out. Only took the world ending to make something of myself."

And then, just as quickly as it all began -- it's over. Aleksei is left staring at the mist that Alaric III and the Prophet of the Sands used to be. There's a little longer, mopping up the rest of the mess, but -- well. It's more of a slaughter at this point. It's finally over, and Aleksei finds himself laughing in utter, hysterical relief. "Esme's a priest!" he calls over, barely even knowing who just yelled it.

And then, because he remembers that Calithex offered him a BOON, he pushes through to the other Arvani contingent. Makes sure to let them know about PUZZLE BOXES TO KILL AZAZEL and also CALITHEX WOULD LIKE SHARDS OF THE WILL I GUESS??? Gotta earn that boon.

But really, he probably just wants a big meal, a big drink, and a big...nap.

Katarina, meanwhile, is dancing with the Suj'abbati. So if vows are exchanged, there's a reception to join right over yonder.

For another moment, Raja is stock still, just staring out into the distance as if she is staring out into nothingness. The world has faded around her. It is Samira's voice that seemingly brings her back and she turns around, blinking, staggering just a moment. She blinks in a moment of confusion, but then straightens up. "Sam!" She exclaims, smiling. She moves over to Samira and brings her sister up into a fierce hug!

Nebulosa moves to embrace Volya, ecstatic for the victory. "It's about damn time, Volya, that contract's still valid." She looks over toward Esme. "Hi! Lord Volya Malespero," a gesture to the man she's hugging, "And Lady Neublosa Zaffria. One marriage, please!"

Juliana drops next to Fatima witha smile that could light the night. Already checking on Tima's wound as she answers. "What happened? Well my Queen, it seems we won." looking into the dark eyes of her sister. "I suggest we get you on your feet so they can see you? yes?" Holding out and hand and looking to Nebulosa. "Thank you."

Fortunato finally, /finally/ drops his shield. "Aaaaaah," he says. It's more an extended syllable than a scream. But, you know, scream adjacent.

Titus looks to Juliana, his hand touches the bloody wooden token as he thinks. Sheathing his sword, he touches his wound and then wipes a thumb across her forehead to mark her with a symbol. "You are hereby known to me as the Angel of Pyre. Fearless against enemies, you acted without second-guessing the danger it was for you to come to the aid of those who have fallen. Not all champions wield weapons, some wield compassion and that can be a tremendous shield against dark terrible times. Thank you, lady Juliana, for rescuing me."

Esme considers for a moment. It is almost like she has every contract memorized (and she just might). There is a nod of her head. "Normally, I sit down to figure out what they would like said and how to do it this, but..." Esme clears her voice. "AHEM. MARRIAGE HAPPENING!" Because this is important. She does take off her helm and sheathe Kindness. "Do you wish for vows to be asked of you to agree or do you wish to speak your own?"

Fatima smiles to Nebulosa, and reaches to squeeze the lady's hand. "See?" she says. "I told you that you were important." She smiles then to Volya, to Juliana, to Katarina who is dancing with the Suj'Abbati, her expression brightening as she sees the celebrations all around her. She gives Titus a nod. She accepts Juliana's hand, and then turns to the Petriochans. "People of Petrioch! You fought this day with all your might. Though I fell, targeted by the Dune Emperor's might, you rallied and prevailed! The day is yours!" She lifts her fist, the arm that isn't injured. "A free Eurus!" It's hard for her to do it. But she must show them that she is strong, majestic, and not so easily felled. She is with them still. She'll meet the Duke, and Princess Dawn, and the leaders of the various Dune Kingdoms. She'll send her congratulations to Raja as well, when she hears of the woman's victory. She makes the rounds, despite the pain in her shoulder, despite a pounding headache. Despite having been unconscious for most of the battle, she pushes through the pain, the humiliation of being so easily struck down, and she moves forward. After all, she did bring them here. And they prevailed.

Okay, Aleksei probably knows Fortunato isn't a /hugger/. But Aleksei is rushing over now to pick Fortunato right up off the ground /anyways/. For /hugs/. "Aaaaaaaaaaah!" he agrees cheerfully. Oh! A wedding happening! "Aaaaaaaaaah!!!"

Fatima settles in, then to witness the marriage of Nebulosa and Volya. She smiles.

Iron Guard Cadet 3rd Class Calithex Ael'Noctis begins to say, "By royal decree, I declare them formally mar... Oh. Right." He pauses, then gestures to Esme, "She has it."

Okay, Fortunato's aaaaaah is more a scream this time. Always light, he is definitely /lighter/ than he once was, and Aleksei is monstrously strong. "Aaaaaah!" he repeats. "You put me /fucking/ down, Aleksei Morgan!"

Samira rushes to join Raja, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug. "That was amazing. You were amazing," she tells her, voice muffled against her sister's shoulder. Is she crying? But no, she's laughing -- laughing with relief and exhilaration. They've done what they set out to do and this part, at least, is over.

Raja has left the Inside Pyre.

Juliana goes still with Titus' touch and proclaimation, tears welling in the blue eyes, but blinked away with a lift of her chin before she leans in and kisses his bloody cheek. "Just don't die on me. I hate it when those I care about die on me." grumbles. Then looking to Fatima with pride as she addresses the populace around her, voice lifting with the others.

Katarina breaks off from the Suj'abbati party to find Raja and Samira. She attempts to bearhug them both from behind, but this doesn't really work when she's so little. It's the spirit of the thing that counts most of all, isn't it?

Aleksei just /cackles/ in Fortunato's ear. He doesn't squeeze, because that would be bad, but he does torture Fortunato a moment longer before putting him back down. He's still grinning wildly, and he actually lifts his sword to point it in Calithex's direction. "You ever get a new one and want a spar, you come find me," he calls over, absolutely gleeful with impudence and hubris.

Esme looks at Calithex. There is that look a mom gives a child but they are in public, so she can't /say/ anything. However he stops, so she smiles beautifully at him. Then looks back to the couple.

"And here I am without my good clothes." Volya looks at his bloodied armor and weapon, pointedly putting the weapon away. His eyes get wide when he was almost married by elf royalty, but then he looks back to Esme. "Well, I'll also totally take a blessing from His Majesty Calithex too. Just...y'know. Just saying." But as for vows. "Everything I had wanted to say to Neubulosa, she already knows." he says, looking at the woman next to him. "I cam to Eurus to die. Came to put whatever shit I had done poorly or not done at all. I had lost everything. My family. My house. My name. It's all gone. And maybe I don't need any of that. So long as she's with me. I couldn't of gotten this far, standing here, without her. Everything else?" He rolls a shoulder. "It's already been said, and I don't feel like making this too overwrought."

As soon as Aleksei /releases/ him, Fortunato aaaaaahs one more time, then falls over onto his back onto the absolutely /filthy/ ground. But sometimes you just gotta scream into the Nox-darkened sky. Some of the words of that scream are, "Don't you tempt Calithex, Alekseiiiii!"

Samira has left the Eurusi War Camp.

Nebulosa isn't too fussed about vows, but she listens to Volya, smile growing like a wildfire. "You complete idiot. I love you so much I followed you across and ocean to make sure that wouldn't be your end. We'll figure the rest out - together." Is she married now? Once the vow saying and the marrying and the kissing (that's part of it as far as she is aware) is done, she breaks away from Volya and leads him over to Fatima. She draws her sword and sinks the tip into the sands at her feet before kneeling. "Thank you for believing in me, and being someone I could believe in. It has been an honor to protect you, and I hope to see your vision come to fruition."

Katarina briefly scampers away while Volya is speaking. She returns moments later, carrying something bundled up in purple cloth in her arms. She stands with the others, watching with unconcealed joy at this omen of togetherness and love -- exactly what the Dune Kingdoms need!

Esme smiles all serene like towards the couple. "With the vows you have spoken and the contracts you have signed. The court and...Calithex declare you married. You may now seal that you wish to each other and arrive back to Arx in your new status of marriage."

Titus stands with Fatima and Juliana amidst the aftermath of the battle of Pyre, his eyes sweeping across the survivors and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. He can see a wedding it looks like a bit further away too, a nod to himself with a shattered face. His voice resonates with a profound realization, "It matters little where you're from, but where you stand at the end. Life is a tapestry of choices, challenges, nightmares, and dreams. Some of us are here bound by duty, others driven by honour. Love has been the guiding force for many, while for others, a deep-seated pain fuels their fight against evil. But regardless of our origins, we stand united here at Pyre. This place, now steeped in both sorrow and triumph, symbolizes a profound truth: from an Ending comes a new Beginning. Let Pyre be a beacon of that new dawn, where our collective strength and unity forge a path forward. For some, that Beginning will start here. And for others, we will return to Arx to stand...once more...against a dark tide."

Swallowing hard to choke back some emotional tears at the impromptu wedding, Fatima's sea green eyes are glistening as she watches the little ceremony of vows being exchanged. She does see Calithex there, and his almost decree that they are married, and she quirks her lips in a wry smile. She dips her head toward him in respect, and then her eyes are back on Nebulosa and Volya. Once the vows are done, and Nebulosa approaches and kneels with her sword, the future-perhaps-Queen of Petrioch draws her stiletto, the Cobalt weapon, sheathed at her waist. "Lady Nebulosa," she says, "I heard that while I was knocked unconscious, you bravely and valiantly defended my life. Such valor will not go unrewarded. I am not Queen yet, but I place my life and my honor in your hands." She then reaches down, to raise Nebulosa to stand. "Thank you," she says more softly. "And congratulations." She looks to Volya, and beckons for him to approach. "Lord Volya. You came here to fight for a free Eurus. You left your home and family behind. I offer you a new home, here, should the people of Petrioch accept me as their Queen." She looks to the Petriochans then, and offers them one of her most charming and encouraging smiles. "I promise to always fight with you, and for you, and none shall again know slavery. You are free. And you are free to decide if you will have me." She waits. "It is your choice." She emphasizes the word.

Esme has left the Inside Pyre.

Fatima gives Nebulosa the Cobalt stiletto she has carried for so long, since she doesn't technically have a House sword.

Aleksei cackles again at Fortunato's screaming. HE CANNOT BE STOPPED. HE WILL DO ALL THE TEMPTING INTO NONSENSE. And then he lifts /Aldwin/ off the ground again in another bear hug, even if he's careful about it. Then he'll find VICTUS. And RAJA. And ESME. And literally pretty much everyone he recognizes, and probably some people he doesn't. Best hugs this side of Aion.

Nebulosa's eyes shine, and she looks to Volya. Confirming what she already knows. "We are with you." And then she falls back to stand to the side and slightly behind Fatima after accepting the stiletto. She looks out over the Petriochans. "I will fight for you, if you will have me, too."

After Fatima, Katarina steps forward to the newlyweds. "Lady Nebulosa, Lord Volya. You will always be known as friends of the free people of Suj'abbat. I would give you this, so that you will be able to look upon it and be reminded of this day of victory and joy, and know that you will be held in my people's esteem and spoken of in our legends and tales for generations upon generations to come." She offers out what she's carrying -- one of the Suj'abbati banners that was flown during the battle, purple and gold.

"Your Highness," Volya smiles to Fatima. "I accept your offer. If you're made Queen, I will stand with. And perhaps at that point, I can pick up my old name again. Make it into something far more than it was. You gave me a second chance at life by coming here, starting over. I can't ask for anything more, but I'm at your service." And upon being offered the banner, he holds it carefully in his hands. "Thank you, Your Highness. It feels...good. To belong to something important. Something that has meaning. Value. Importance."

Juliana stands back beside Titus as Fatima addresses the newlyweds and the people. Glancing up at the Duke as he speaks, there is a small smile and pat to his arm. "Come by the tent soon so I can make sure you are healng." says soft enough to not interupt the festivities. "See she rests." adds with a nod to her sister. "I have work to do." moving to slip away, it's going to be a long couple days.

It takes a few minutes. But Fortunato stops screaming. He sits up, he picks himself up, he brushes the filth offa himself. He shakes his shoulders. He blinks toward Nebulosa, and Katarina, and Fatima. At Volya. At joining, and promises, and plans. "I -- well. Another new world," he says, in half an undertone. He straightens his borrowed hat. It will need a thorough cleaning.