eastbound | un: civil serpent

( The video opens on the largest fissure in the Room of Seals, revealing the stairs that lead into the dark. Black eyes dart into view and then fade. The imagery shifts to the many other cracks filling the room. Wrath speaks, voice hard and ancient in the way of war: )

This version of Hell grows more restless by the hour. The dark water we've encountered before infects it. Every act of violence and rage, every death and spirit feed it further.

( Wrath's hand dips into the largest fissure. The dark liquid smoke pouring out of it wraps around his palm and the length of his arm. As if greeting an old, almost-familiar friend. He spreads his palm out and the smoke obeys, skittering back in through the crack.

The temperature in the room dips then. Ice pours from him across and within the fissure, sealing it. The ice continues to spread from his point of contact across the floor and walls, spilling into the hallway. The ground quakes as he pushes back against the power attempting to shove its way out.

The video then turns to Wrath: his gold eyes flash with anger, with violence that he pulls back within himself. His jaw locks as he surveys the room. )

...this will not hold long. These fissures will split the room open, but we may buy them time to replenish their forces and allow for more of their people to escape.

If you have magic or power, if you are capable of guarding and sending messages in the days to come, go to the Room of Seals. I will be waiting.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is why I said the fissures will split open the seals, because the war cannot be stopped. This army must continue to fight. Rathaku will not stop until he has what he wants.

( Even if they lay down their weapons now in an attempt to stop strengthening Hell, the undead warlord's army would remain. They would all be overrun, and the deaths that followed would only feed Hell further, open the cracks wider. )

Edited 2023-02-22 22:50 (UTC)

Of course - until the city is evacuated and whoever remains starts having a debate about sacrificing us to Rathakku instead of showing us to the beacons. At sword point.

[Call her psychic, or just reading between the lines here.]

I have to agree with what Licyn said - what kind of messages do you want someone to be able to send? Across the network or across the land? I have a magic spell that can carry a message long distance, but it can't carry the response back, but it's... difficult here.

They could have handed us over already if that was their intention - one by one as those within our group were injured, tired, jailed. If they should make such an attempt regardless, they will be unable to do so.

( Wrath does not fear this army, and he will not allow them to hand over any individual within the group. He knows there are several within their group that have great power including his wife. It is a fight this army would lose. )

My concern is more for guards while magic is poured into the seals. It may be useful to communicate with the royal family or to send someone to gather supplies. I prefer being prepared. ...I believe this world affects all of our magic and ability, but that may be of use especially after particularly vicious attacks. More magic would need to be filtered into the seals then.

Alright - I can help with the latter, then. I'm good with wards, but the spells of my world - the magic, too - is quite limited to the verbal component.

I've not seen a lot of magic like... what you've just done.

That would be exceedingly unhelpful if you were ever unable to speak. Many spells within my own world require components and words of some kind.

( But he is no witch even though he is capable of casting several of their spells. )

I would imagine not unless demon magic was common in your world.

There are spells that can be performed non-verbally - I've been practising the majority of them like this since Taravast. I do need the wand, however.

[A pause, and cautiously,] My power doesn't come from demons, it just is.

[They can discuss that another time. The demon thing.]

To the point, then. The spell I'm thinking of works well as a ringing of the alarm bell - I can send a message through my Patronus. But if we're trying to make it a subtle alarm bell, give me coins and some hours. I can put a spell on the coins that can make them get hot to mean 'come down immediately' or cold to mean 'ignore that earthquake it's under control'.

My power does not come from demons either. ( He could not help but specify that much - lesser demons certainly have no influence over him. Demons bow to him, and he is a demon after choosing to fall so he would no longer be bound to his maker's will. But yes, this is certainly not the time for discussion about it. )

That would be an efficient spell for expressing a message in the shortest period of time.

I imagine we will be here for as long as it takes so take the time you need. I have plenty of coin to share. ( from his days at taravast making all the money ) The assistance is appreciated.

If we make it through this mess, feel free to elaborate on that. In the meantime, I'd like a quiet space where I can work - some focus is needed - and then I must show you how to use them.

The forges may be the best option. ( Not only is the room of seals now freezing, but they also have to be prepared for anything from Hell popping out or the paladins wanting to return. Wrath is not certain what will happen when they see he has taken over. ) I will make certain the coins get to you.

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