un: civil serpent | video.

[inferus]

( 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.

Comments

[inferus]

There will also be time. The ice will weaken due to the strength of Hell, and it will need to be replenished by other magic and spells if you choose to wait. Your assistance is appreciated nonetheless.

( They will do their best to contain it for as long as they possibly can, but that means this is a marathon - not a sprint. ) They cannot be. As long as the siege continues, Hell will be fed and will grow and will hunger, and the fissures will become larger in turn.

[eyeofthavnair]

In that case, we could set up a rotation of sorts? How many others have volunteered?

I see...then this war of attrition will continue. [A sigh.] I can only hope that our assistance has tipped the scales enough...

[inferus]

Enough. I should be able to rotate those who have volunteered so there is always sufficient strength. Hell will ultimately break free, but even minutes can be of great importance.

( There's many they have to evacuate still. ) I think we have prevented the army from overrunning this place. But we cannot stop Hell at least not yet.

[eyeofthavnair]

[Despite the somber words they've been exchanging, Varshahn's tone grows a bit warmer. At least they're all banding together, right? Go team??] That is good. Say the word, and I shall take my turn. I have no need for rest - I can be ready at any time.

[...] Although, I do now wonder what will happen when Hell is released, even if the city has been evacuated...

[inferus]

...you have no need for rest?

( Does that mean this individual is not mortal either? ) In my own world, the gates of Hell breaking signaled the apocalypse. I cannot say what it means here, but it certainly would have some permanent effect.