TRINITY RISING
Summary: Tiffany and Forgal report to General Almorra, Fiona and Sieran report to Gixx, and Trahearne and Vriré report to Agent Riel. A Whispers meeting is held, and Vriré, her students and Trahearne are sent to watch Fort Marriner. All but Vriré go in to help the Vigil fight Risen, until Destiny's Edge come and tell Tiffany that they're going to kill Blightghast. Tiffany gets the Spar warband to help keep the Risen off of the legendary group, and gets a frontline view of another Destiny's Edge takedown of a dragon champion. They have won, so why does Tiffany feel like the world is ending? She doesn't know, but it is making her uneasy.
Chapter six: Impending Doom
Author's Notes:
I am soo excited for this story arc!
This chapter fought me harder than anything else, ever. /sigh
Okay, here's the story now:
"At ease, Warmasters."
Tiffany blinks to hear herself and Forgal referred to both as Warmasters. It's just a tad disconcerting, even after all this time. She feels much more like a Warmaster than she had when she was first promoted - fighting with charr for eight weeks, it's kind of hard not to. A longbow, despite being her weapon of choice, isn't a very versatile weapon - but she herself is flexible and prepared to make up for it. She has her daggers, her axes, and Fiona's conjured blade, all of which she is quite proficient at using. She doesn't, in her opinion, quite live up to the 'Warmaster' title unless she is up-close, but that could also have to do with Forgal being her main example of a Warmaster… and that brings her back to realizing that, officially, she's as good as Forgal at something, and it is slightly disconcerting.
As Forgal tells General Almorra about the events at Claw Island, she realizes that the fact that Forgal is alive, post-Claw Island, is slightly disconcerting to think about, but she is quite happy. Weird is good, in this scenario - and she breaths weirdness.
She smiles as she realizes that her - admittedly fading - memories of the Claw Island story arc will come into some semblance of a parallel - she can't think of any reason that Forgal remaining alive would have much impact on the events to come.
Except the Pact. Forgal's animosity and severe distrust of the Order of Whispers are suddenly alarming to Tiffany, even more than before - she'd never thought that far ahead. If Forgal speaks against the alliance of the Orders, Tiffany realizes a great problem could arise. She just hopes the budding six-way friendship - her, Fiona, Beorn, Sieran, Vriré and Forgal - will help soften some of the old norn's wounds.
Tiffany realizes she probably should speak to Forgal about her ideas beforehand, just to clear the air. Otherwise, there is no telling what Whispers scheme he might suspect her of being up to.
At the conclusion of Forgal's report, the General nods. "Thank you, Forgal. I want you and Warmaster Tiffany on standby while I organize a few squads to deal with any incursions of Risen. I would appreciate it if you could help the evacuation effort within the city until I have need of you."
"Of course, General," Tiffany says. She'd never thought much about what the civilians of Lion's Arch had been doing when Blightghast threatened in-game, but now that she does, she realizes that the chance of innocents to murdered by the dozen is less than satisfactory.
"But your leave isn't up until next Friday!" Gixx protests. "Why are you back here?"
"An urgent situation has arisen in Lion's Arch, Steward Gixx," Fiona reports.
"Emphasis on the arisen portion," Sieran puts in.
"Ah," Gixx nods. "I see. Do you care to elaborate?"
"Risen attacked Claw Island and drove the Lionguard back to the city," Fiona summarizes. "Tiffany and Forgal are talking to General Almorra, so I'm sure the Vigil will have the threat under control, but Sieran wanted to check and make sure there was nothing the Priory could do."
"Ah, but I know just the thing!" Gixx exclaims. He pauses for a moment. "Magister Fiona, I understand that your interactions with various members of the Priory have been limited, and that you have seen only the scholarly and explorative sides of our organization. However, the Priory is a hardy lot - dealing with cursed artifacts designed to summon unpleasantries tends to do that - and most of us are fairly well-versed in combat, particularly our Explorers - such as you and Sieran - and of course our charr members know a thing or two as well. Explorers do tend to be the most islolatory type, though - generally going in pairs, as you two did - so I completely understand your lack of knowledge regarding Priory methodology outside of yourselves."
Fiona smiles, but cuts off the asura before he launches on more of a lecture about things that will derail further and further from the original topic as he goes on. "So, what was your idea?" she asks.
"Ah, yes!" Gixx nods. "I believe you are acquainted with Tribune Brimstone - or at least some of his associates. A charr warband recovered an idol of Balthazar, human god of - " Gixx cuts off, blinking. "Well, I believe you know more about Balthazar than I do, so I will desist. As I was saying, the charr are in possession of this artifact at the moment, but Tribune Brimstone owes me a favor… and it's too dangerous to keep lying around."
"How can we use it?" Fiona asks interestedly.
"Well, Balthazar is - or was, depending on which terminology you prefer - the god of blood and buttkicking."
Fiona stifles a snort at the less than polite way of referring to the fiery god, but she doesn't care in the slightest, despite some of her Tyrian memories rebuking her slightly. Gixx doesn't notice and continues right on talking.
"Therefore, this idol is imbued with an extremely potent combative transformation. The more you kill, the more powerful you become… at least, so says the research of the team currently studying it in the Black Citadel. Everything has a limit, you see. But I digress; I shall speak to Tribune Brimstone about retriving the idol. I shall find somebody to utilize it - of course, one of you two will get first pick - and we can deploy against the Risen. We'll show the Vigil that knowledge beats power. It is risky, though…"
"What sort of risky?" Fiona asks cautiously, at the same time as Sieran squeals excitedly.
"Ooh, that sounds fun!" she exclaims. "Come on, Gixx, let me try it! I'm sure it'll be cherry, and it'll get rid of some nasty Risen, too!"
Fiona suppresses an amused grin at Sieran's predictable enthusiasm.
"The, ah… it inflicts a cost on your soul. If you are not strong enough, it will consume you."
Fiona's eyes fly open wide. "What type of 'strong enough?' Does it eat a part of my soul no matter what, or is the excess of that what causes this consumption?"
"Cautious - I like that," Gixx nods. "You'll have a good influence on Sieran. Anyway - no, if you are strong enough to avoid being destroyed, your soul will remain intact. Strong enough… I am not sure, however, I imagine it involves something along the lines of retaining your sense of self; not falling prey to the temptation to become, in effect, a minion of Balthazar. Apparently, you could become a ravaging, blood-crazed psychopath if you can't hold on to your identity properly."
Fiona is not sure exactly what she wants to do; she doesn't want to risk losing her soul or being taken over by magic that seems quite as potent as any Elder Dragon's, and yet, allowing Sieran a shot at it might be a worse disaster.
As Gixx babbles on about various events surrounding the idol, she adds another concern to her list; how using an idol for this transformation would affect the vast confusion surrounding her personal spiritual/religious life. She does have to consider that it is the intent that matters, and it's not like she's worshipping the idol or anything - although, if it threatens to eat her soul, she might find this particular aspect of her life messed up a bit. Not something she wants to happen, and yet, if Sieran is allowed a shot at it, that could prove irrevocable harm. Sieran certainly would not take well to becoming a blood-crazed… well, anything.
Particularly if Fiona then has to put her down afterwards. Sieran is a trusting, bubbly person - anything that tried to take her over might not face much resistance… Fiona suddenly finds herself wondering if she should let Sieran do it as preparation for Mordremoth.
"How exactly is the idol used?" she asks, interrupting one of Gixx's explanations about how the Mane warband had recovered it.
"Ah, it is quite simple," Gixx explains. "As you hold the idol, a ritual is performed and it transforms into a fiery sword and grants you quite a lot of flame-related magics, even if you've never had the slightest tendency toward the appropriate Aspect in your life. Afterwards, it transforms back into an idol and loses its enchantment. The human god of mass murder doesn't like using the same tactic twice."
Fiona frowns. "So if the person using the enchantment shows signs of turning into a blood-crazed something-or-other, you could, theoretically, take the flaming sword out of their hands and it would completely end the ritual? Ah, how does the ritual end normally?"
Gixx frowns. "Actually, I do not know. I would assume it wears off after a while, though…"
Fiona's frown only deepens. "This idol seems extremely unsafe to me."
"Rubbish!" Sieran declares. "It sounds positively fascinating, and I can't wait to try it out."
Fiona's eyes widen in alarm. "Sieran, it really is unsafe. I couldn't stand to see you turned into a blood-crazed thing that I'd have to deal with."
"Oh, I'm sure I can handle it!" Sieran assures her.
Fiona groans, but comes up with a happy solution. "Fire and plants do not go well together, Sieran. You'll be crisped if you do try. I get the feeling that the idol was intended for use by a human…"
"Well-reasoned, Magister!" Gixx exclaims. "I never even considered that. You are correct; while the idol might simply refuse to work on, say, a charr or asura, sylvari - and norn, too - are similar enough to humans that it might attempt to work and simply fail. I'm afraid I cannot allow that risk, Sieran."
Fiona sighs in relief.
"However, Magister Fiona, while I won't force you, I can't think of any human more capable of at least trying the idol."
Fiona sighs in exasperation. "That also means that, if I fail, you've just lost your best human Magister," she points out. "And I also don't particularly feel like messing with idols and soul-devouring magics."
"I commend you for your caution, Magister," Gixx frowns. "And I will adhere to your decision, but the Risen - "
"Tiffany and the Vigil will deal with them," Fiona says firmly. "They're not a bad lot, honestly, and we could do better finding a different powerful magical artifact to use. Did Scholar Josir ever perfect that Mortis Verge device, and is there a similar, more offensive version?"
"Oh, good thinking, Magister!" Gixx exclaims. "Yes, I will check in with Josir right away. And I'll make sure the team studying that idol doesn't do anything foolish. I'll call for you when I know more."
Fiona and Sieran leave the room, with the sylvari apparently deep in thought. Fiona notes that such an expression on Sieran's face. Sieran takes most things at face value and is quite cheerful about everything; a thoughtful Sieran, while not bad, is more than a little odd. But Fiona doesn't say anything, and Sieran doesn't speak either, so she lets it drop.
"So, Trahearne," Vriré says after a moment of silence as the two walk through the Chantry of Secrets. She had been rather surprised that he has access to and knows about the Chantry's inner chambers, but he seems to have… special relationships within the Order. Not surprising. "I believe you are acquainted with the Preceptors?"
"I am," the sylvari confirms.
"Good. While I have a reputation in the Order, I have rarely spoken to them, and demanding an audience alone would be quite presumptuous. However, I'm sure they'll listen to you."
"I'm sure that, with news of the nature that we are bringing them, they would not mind a bit of presumptuousness," Trahearne replies.
Vriré shrugs. "I like being able to work from a firm grounding. On the subject of all things Orrian, you are, most likely, the most learned scholar in Tyria, and not many will be able to refute anything you say on the subject." The fact that Vriré had to put in the 'not many' still rankles the asura; Watch Commander Talon was a supreme idiot that probably got a lot of good Lionguard - not to mention that sailor - killed.
"I understand," Trahearne agrees.
Vriré suppresses a smile (quite easily, too - she has a very firm grip on her outward emotions). She may not have ever met Trahearne before, but she had studied his file quite intensely alongside those of Destiny's Edge. He rarely shows it, and she is not far how deep it is rooted or how much it affects him, but he seems to be proud of his research. He seems a bit unable to control talking about his studies in any environment conductive to the subject, and he makes no attempts at false modesty when it is explained that his knowledge is superior to anyone else's.
But that is to be expected; he really is quite versed in Orrian lore, and is the source of most all the information the Order has about it that does not date back to the days before it sank. The lack of false modesty is as far as it goes, however, unless he happens to be in a conductive environment, which is more than Vriré can say of most people, even speculatively.
Half of this information she had gathered by watching him; but only because she knew what to look for.
"Ah, Trahearne! I knew I'd be seeing you soon," a voice says cheerily.
"Glad to see you, Riel," Trahearne agrees.
Agent Riel nods in greeting. "And you're Lightbringer Vriré, right? Glad you're both here - to confirm, I assume, the rumors that there are Risen at Claw Island?"
"Yes," Trahearne informs her. "There is also a dragon champion by the name of Blightghast the Plaguebringer."
So it is true. Vriré had guessed - dragons generally aren't simple minions - but it is nice to have it confirmed.
Agent Riel frowns. "We'll need all our agents to deal with this. I'll call all operatives immediately. Lightbringer, can you check the archives and summon those that can't Whisper yet?"
"Yes, Agent Riel," Vriré nods. While technically lower-ranked than herself, Riel is the personal attaché to the Preceptors, and often acts in their stead if they are too busy.
"Alright, we'll meet up in the Central Plaza, near the Mystic Forge, as soon as possible. Got it?"
"Understood, Agent Riel," Vriré nods. "I'm on it."
"Trahearne, I'd appreciate if you could be there, as well," Riel requests, turning to the sylvari.
Trahearne nods. "I'll be there, Riel."
"Great. I'll inform the Preceptors and gather the Whispering operatives."
Hearing the dismissal in Riel's tone, the two messengers depart.
Tiffany is at the Central Plaza with Vriré and Fiona, waiting for the rest of the Whispers agents to arrive. There are already quite a few; Tiffany recognizes Ihan, and Fiona points out Bor and even Cydwenn. The captain of the ship they'd taken to Claw Island is grumbling to himself, and Trahearne is here, as well - he seemed slightly surprised to see her and Fiona, but he seems to understand the Whispers policy of having members everywhere, and, lacking that, contacts.
She notices Fiona fiddling with her A-Key, blinking rapidly. "The number of auras here is overwhelming," Fiona confides in a whisper. "I'm turning down the range and intensity."
Tiffany nods. She wishes she could have an A-Key - it seems quite useful, not to mention interesting. But now that the Claw Island arc is happening, she is sure she'll never make it to Agent before the Pact is formed and she's Commander - or maybe Fiona will be Commander. Or maybe both. Or neither; they might've changed things enough for that to have changed. She certainly hopes it's not neither.
After a while, a sylvari steps forward.
"I've never seen an aura like that before," Fiona notes. "It's a light blue."
"I am Preceptor Valenze," the sylvari tells them. "We have a situation. Claw Island has come under attack by Risen, and is now being held by one of Zhaitan's champions, Blightghast the Plaguebringer. It is only a matter of time before they move on to Lion's Arch, so we need to move quickly. The Vigil are mustering at Fort Marriner and the Durmand Priory are searching for anything in their archives that might help, but they are expecting a direct attack. The Risen are sneaking in by twos and threes, going along the canals and coming up by the docks. We need to exterminate them, and quickly. Each Lightbringer will patrol a different portion of the city. If you're a Lightbringer and you don't have a student to bring with you, find an Agent."
She then rattles off a list of names and places, assigning different Lightbringers to different portions of the city. Finally, when most of the Lightbringers have cleared out to go on their assignments, she gets to Vriré.
"Lightbringer Vriré, keep an eye on the Vigil forces at Fort Marriner. We need to know what they're doing as soon as they do it, and your students will be a spectacular help in that area."
Tiffany is beginning to wonder if she'll be able to remain loyal to the Vigil first, if this keeps up. At least it doesn't have to for long - the Pact will happen soon. She forgets half the things that had happened in this story arc in the game, and she is more than halfway trusting that she hasn't changed things too much. She does know that visiting the Pale Tree is a part of it, and that the Pact doesn't happen until after - what she doesn't remember is how much intiative she has to show to keep history on the right track.
Vriré nods, and she and her students waypoint out, one by one.
A moment after they are all there, Trahearne arrives as well. "Preceptor Valenze thought it would be a good idea if I accompanied you," he explains.
"Yes, most likely," Vriré agrees. "Initiate Tiffany, you should join your allies inside. Agent Fiona, can you accompany her without arousing suspicion?"
"Of course. She and I are rarely seen apart," Tiffany says easily. "You've even been here once, do you - "
"Not now that Forgal knows what I am," Vriré replies. "I'll be your outside contact in case things go wrong."
"You're talking like I'm walking into a lion's den. I'm a Vigil Warmaster, they won't hurt me," Tiffany reassures her.
Vriré sighs. "You are walking into a lion's den. The moment they realize that you're Whisperers, you'll be gone."
Tiffany pauses a moment. "General Almorra already knows," she says after a minute.
"She what?" Vriré snaps. "How could she - "
"I told her," Tiffany hurries to explain. "I wasn't about to accept promotion to Warmaster until she knew who she was promoting. I don't like secrets, and I like sneaking behind General Almorra's back even less."
Vriré sighs. "I can't believe you ever decided to join the Order," she sighs. "I want you to understand that you are being extremely controversial. No Whispers Agent in the history of the Order has told the person whose organization they're infiltrating that they're infiltrating. It's stupid."
"Not when I'm loyal to the Vigil first," Tiffany replies quietly.
Vriré grimaces. "Very well."
"I'll stand with you," Trahearne tells Tiffany, who smiles gratefully.
The four - including Beorn - head inside Fort Marriner, and Tiffany finds General Almorra giving a rallying speech to the Vigil soldiers. The General catches Tiffany's eye and nods.
"The Risen of Orr will not stop us now," the General continues. "We will hold back the tide until Zhaitan grows weary of our indomitable spirit, and then we shall march on Claw Island and take back what is ours!"
The soldiers cheer, and Tiffany is wearing a feral smile. General Almorra's encouraging speech reminds her of Trahearne rallying the Pact to stand against Zhaitan, and she gets the sudden urge to look and see if he is taking notes. Her grin only intensifies when she thinks about the Pact, and she finds herself impatient to get a move on and do it already.
General Almorra turns and leads the Vigil out on to the beach, where Risen are dragging themselves out of the water. She lets out a battle cry and charges into the undead, the Vigil on her heels.
Tiffany's axes come out smoothly and she settles into a defensive stance, Beorn and Trahearne at her side and Fiona a few steps back, preparing herself to work her magic.
The Risen wave greets them with dead hands, and Tiffany's axes spin and twirl; she is in her element. Beorn's paw swipes at one, sending it spinning in Tiffany's direction, and she skewers its brain on the dagger in her elbow. A Risen to her right falls to the green aura of the Aspect of Renewal, and an illusory sword pops out of the ground, felling the one that had been about to stab Beorn.
Her axe cleaves the head of one while she kicks another forward, sending two more toppling in a heap that is promptly slain by another illusory sword. Beorn leaps past her and tackles one that Trahearne hadn't noticed, earning the bear a greatful nod from the sylvari as Tiffany's axe chops a leg off and Fiona confuses it into stumbling away from them.
Tiffany notices the Spar warband a ways off down the beach, and smiles. This is her life. She fights Risen side-by-side with her friends and allies. All is right with the world when she can do this - she relaxes and lets herself flow through the movements of battle with ease. At times like this, she can clear her mind and focus on the battle, ignoring all worries and concerns.
Tiffany turns at the sound of her name. "Logan?" she asks in surprise, before seeing that he has Destiny's Edge with him. "What are you all doing here?" she asks, even though she gets the feeling she knows.
"We're going to take down another dragon champion," Eir says determinedly.
Tiffany looks at Destiny's Edge, standing together. It warms her heart to see them there - all working toward the same objective without a quarrel. She smiles, despite the uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. "I wish you luck," she tells them. "If you need it, I can get a squad to keep the Risen out of your way while you focus on Blightghast."
By this time, Fiona and Trahearne had noticed the legendary group.
Eir nods. "That would be very helpful, thank you," she agrees.
"I've never seen Destiny's Edge in action," Trahearne remarks. "Do you mind if I accompany you?" he says to Tiffany.
"Not at all," Tiffany grins. Then she recalls the Whispers assignment to keep an eye on the Vigil, and wonders how to do this. Then, she remembers something. "We'll meet you there," she tells Eir.
The norn nods and turns, leading Destiny's Edge away.
Tiffany turns to Fiona. "Fiona, can you see any Whispers members in all this? I doubt we're the only ones."
Fiona scans the beach. "None. But I'd assume they were all called to the meeting and reassigned temporarily, like us. I can alert Vriré that we're helping Destiny's Edge - she can watch Fort Marriner just as easily from the outside. You get the Spar warband and find Forgal in all this battle, we'll meet up at the docks."
"On it," Tiffany nods. As Fiona dashes off, she makes her way to where the Spar warband is fighting. Beorn bounds off to find Forgal, and Trahearne goes to tell General Almorra what they are doing. After shooting a Risen that had been about to stave in Aelius's skull, she finally gets close enough to speak to them.
"Hey, Aelius!" she shouts over the noise of battle.
the charr turns toward her. "Warmaster Tiffany, good to see you! What brings you here?"
"New assignment - we're heading to Claw Island to keep the Risen off of Destiny's Edge while they work their magic."
"By Smodur, I knew hanging around with you was a flaming good idea!" Aelius roars. "Spar warband, to me!"
Beorn returns with a slightly worried-looking Forgal on his heels. Tiffany sends appreciation through the link and turns to Forgal, but he speaks first.
"There you are! I've been looking for you since the Risen started coming," he says. "Where were you?"
"We were here," Tiffany replies. "We were fighting the Risen too, probably just in a different place than you. Anyway, Destiny's Edge is going after Blightghast, and I told them I'd get a Vigil squad to hold back the Risen. So far it's me, Fiona, Trahearne, and the Spar warband. You in?"
"Of course, you little pipsqueak," Forgal laughs. "Only you would ask such a thing."
"Let's go, then," Tiffany smiles. The team heads back through Fort Marriner, where Trahearne and Fiona join them, and meet Destiny's Edge at the dock.
"All ready, Tiffany?" Logan asks.
"Yep. The Spar warband are good at what they do," Tiffany nods. "I suppose you are ready?"
"Of course we are," Rytlock huffs. "We'd be fools not to be."
Eir smiles. "Let's go."
They all board the ship - Captain Shipscar had been sent by Vriré, apparently, to fulfil his office - whose crew seems extremely uneasy at sailing back to Claw Island, an unease that is alleviated (but not much) by who their passengers are.
If Tiffany remembers correctly, the passage takes about fifteen minutes. She notices Trahearne standing in the bow, looking over the sea at their destination, and she makes her way over to him.
She guesses (correctly) what he is thinking about. "We'll beat up Blightghast and then find a way to deal with Zhaitan," she tells him. "That dragon has been the cause of too much misery."
Trahearne nods. "My Wyld Hunt is to cleanse Orr, and in that pursuit the crew of the Sorrow's Prowler has been of great aid in my travels from Claw Island to that cursed land. They would not have been in harm's way had they not aided me - I cannot help but feel culpable for Brun's death."
"I know what you mean," Tiffany says, even though she only knows it in a vaguer sense. She had felt quite at fault for Trahearne's death in the game, and even though it had been blunted by common sense (a part of her quite locked away in the back of her head by the time she came to Tyria), she had still felt it. "Rest assured that it is not your fault - he chose to hold back the Risen. He didn't have to - it could easily have been your or I that decided our companions' lives were worth the sacrifice - but he did. That was his choice, Trahearne, and as long as free will remains, it will be - his and whoever else decides to put themselves in the way of death." Tiffany feels quite silly telling Trahearne, of all people, about free will, but Mordremoth hasn't happened yet. "The best we can do is honor Brun's sacrifice and avenge him. He let us escape so that we could return and slay Blightghast - and that is what we are doing."
Trahearne is silent for a moment, but then he looks at her. "Thank you, Tiffany."
That is all he says before he resumes watching Claw Island draw closer, but it puts a lump in Tiffany's throat. It probably would have even if the subject had been vastly different - as it is, she cannot help but feel that this thank-you is not exactly how Trahearne means it. He means 'thank you for encouraging me,' but Tiffany thinks it means 'thank you for understanding sacrifice,' which, of course, includes his own at some never-gonna-happen point in the future.
Tiffany, guessing that he might want to be alone, slips away. She finds Fiona and Logan telling the others about pretending to be Big Nose Ted and his lackeys for Commander Serentine to 'rescue.' Tiffany listens, but doesn't speak, still thinking over the conversation with Trahearne.
She does notice that she is relatively immune to people mentioning 'Commander ' - she'd noticed it especially earlier, around Watch Commander Talon - except Trahearne. The few times he'd said 'Commander' instead of 'Watch Commander' she'd almost flinched. Well.
Captain Shipscar sails away as soon as Destiny's Edge and the Vigil contingent disembark, but nobody seems to care. When they need to leave, turning off the warning beacons should be enough of a signal that Blightghast has been defeated.
They are instantly besieged by Risen, but the group easily cuts through them. When they reach the arch that leads to the courtyard, Eir stops and surveys the scene. Blightghast is flying around above them, and Risen swarm the courtyard.
"Vigil," Forgal instructs, "cut into those Risen."
The Vigil - plus Trahearne and Fiona - enter the fray, killing Risen left and right. Meanwhile, Eir is giving instructions to Destiny's Edge, and soon they join the battle, but with the express goal of the wall that Blightghast had wrecked upon its earlier entrance.
Tiffany is high-strung and nervous. Rather than the normal mental relaxation that fighting Risen normally gives her, she finds herself worrying. The timing is different - in the game, Blightghast wasn't attacked until several days after the Risen took the island - and there aren't nearly so many people, either. The whole Pact helped last time, and while Destiny's Edge is certainly capable, especially with Vigil to back them up, Tiffany can't help but worry.
The worrying is bad for her nerves, especially mid-battle, and she finds herself with numerous small injuries, and many more close misses. They don't slow her down much, though - the team has plenty of healing, from Deorar's healing water skills to Celsus' guardian abilities - and Tiffany continues fighting through the Risen. She does keep a careful eye on Destiny's Edge, who have made their way to the broken-down wall.
There are a lot of Risen. Tiffany is beginning to wonder if the extra people aren't enough, when Eir nocks three arrows and lets fly at Blightghast. They explode against the dragon's underbelly, causing the champion to roar in pain, and Tiffany recognizes the tactic used against Kralkatorrik, just without the explosion from crystallized dragon blood embedded in the arrowheads.
Tiffany is almost caught off-guard by a Risen, but Beorn smashes its head, and Tiffany rejoins the battle.
Blightghast roars, and Tiffany glances over; Big Zojja's cannons are connected to the dragon via thick ropes. Logan and Rytlock each grab a rope and start pulling, and Blightghast flies in crazy circles like a kite out of control while it is reeled in.
Tiffany refocuses on the battle, an arrow taking out a Risen abomination that had been about to crush Shadow, Augurna's companion.
Arrows fly over the battlefield - Tiffany is mostly taking out those that can't be dealt with but post a threat - while Beorn fights at Trahearne's side as the necromancer takes out Risen instantly, one by one. Trahearne steps back from an abomination, Renewal gathering at his fingertips, but he is not fast enough. At Beorn's signal to Tiffany, she glances over, an arrow on the string, and fires. The arrow thuds into the creature's eye, giving Trahearne time to finish the spell. The oversized Risen slumps, dead before it hits the ground.
Tiffany glances at Destiny's Edge once again. Blightghast isn't far above the ground. Logan and Rytlock hold the ropes that seem to have detached from Big Zojja's cannons as she fires again, and again. The ropes are secured to the ground somehow - Tiffany is too far away to see how - and Destiny's Edge move in to attack.
Tiffany hopes they dont' underestimate the dragon. She doesn't remember how killing Blightghast went originally, but she knows Blightghast is dangerous. And, despite never having seen them work together, Edge of Destiny pains a vivid picture, and now Destiny's Edge seems… smaller… without Snaff. Tiffany knows the group would look more complete with another Big there.
Tiffany, despite the doubts, turns her attention back to the fight. She switches to axes and charges in, cleaving Risen heads and skewering Risen skulls. A shadow falls over her, and Tiffany looks up to see a Risen abomination towering over her, its club raised to strike.
Tiffany whirls around, axes flying furiously and trying to do some damage to the abomination before it hits her, but it topples for another reason.
Beorn had executed a running jump and landed on the beast's shoulders before biting off the misshapen head. Tiffany's slick shock, surprise and gratitude flow through the bond as she whirls around to re-kill another Risen. Expression is what counts; Tiffany's face doesn't register her shock, and she doesn't act surprised. It's all expressed mentally, and Beorn returns obligation and Tiffany and instinctive terror and then the mix that means 'us two.''Of course I helped,' the combination tells her, 'I couldn't not - it's a natural result of the companion bond.'
Tiffany returns amusement and that instinctive terror, with a questioning touch. 'You made up a new word, huh? Why is 'natural' instinctive terror?'
Beorn sends her a tiny drop of apology - it's the mental equivalent of shrugging his shoulders - and haste. 'It's the first thing I thought of.' Then, another feeling - the feeling that means continue, but with a touch of wrongness. 'As to what were talking about earlier,' the gesture says, before re-sending a hasty version of the emotions that created 'of course I helped. I couldn't not - it's a natural result of the companion bond' to tell her what 'earlier' means. Then, after a deliberate pause, he sends Tiffany again. Just 'Tiffany' - all that Beorn sees as Tiffany. He loves her. He's her companion, her constant friend. Tiffany is loyal to him and firm in her beliefs and dedicated to her people, and Beorn loves her for it. She is Beorn's companion and friend, inseparable fighting partners, and Beorn will never leave her side. The concern he feels when she is injured, the desperation to prevent her from being hurt, and the intense fear of anything he can't protect her from. 'Besides, you're Tiffany.'
Tiffany sends amusement paired with the new word Beorn had found, before returning Beorn and all that he means to her - his fierce loyalty and undying devotion. His fighting prowess and sentient equality with herself and all other speaking beings. Her fondness of him, appreciation for his presence when she needs someone to talk to, joy that he is in her life. The certainty that he will always be there when she needs him, and the trust that she puts in him. 'And you are Beorn.'
This conversation had only taken a few seconds, and Tiffany is back to slaying Risen at her companion's side already. The Vigil team is spreading out from the gate in a semicircle, clearing back the Risen. The semicircle is quite large by the time they get to the point that it would be unwise to separate any more from their allies. The Risen crash on them like waves on rocks, and the Vigil hold back the tide.
Blightghast screams, poison flying from its mouth, and Logan's shield is up in an instant. However, it isn't enough to protect Big Zojja, and the corrosive acid lands on the metal giant, eating away at the metal. Rytlock launches Sohothin into the air, the fiery sword arcing toward Blightghast's head.
Zojja slips out of the golem as the acid eats through its joints. Within moments, the acid reaches the two ropes still nestled in Big Zojja's cannons. As Sohothin's heat flares against the dragon's muzzle, Blightghast screams again, acid flying. Destiny's Edge carefully dodge the flying poison, but it wasn't aimed at them.
The ropes holding it to the ground snap as the acid lands on the tough fibers, and Blightghast jerks free and sails into the sky.
Eir's arrows shoot after it, exploding against the dragon's hide. Three more are winging their way in the Risen dragon's direction within moments, and then three more.
Zojja lifts into the air as she channels the wind in a powerful spell, and Eir's arrows becoming homing missiles. Currents in the air help them find their target even as Blightghast dodges, executing precise maneuvers to evade the exploding arrowheads.
Tiffany spins her axes in the same pattern absentmindedly as she watches the fight, accidentally killing several Risen. Beorn sends her sharp signal and she jerks back into the fight. She does keep an eye on Blightghast for the explosions from Eir's arrows.
Blightghast lets out a roar of rage - or at least that's what Tiffany thinks it is until the Risen turn and charge Destiny's Edge.
The Vigil chase after them, and Tiffany unslings her bow and begins shooting as they run. One of her arrows sails extra far on purpose, and Destiny's Edge notice the Risen charging them. Rytlock (who had recovered Sohothin), Logan, and Garm turn to face the oncoming horde while Eir and Zojja focus on Blightghast.
The Risen are caught between the (in this case) almost-literal anvil and hammer as the Vigil bear down on the trapped undead. Tiffany, axes ready and knives prepared, lunges into the fray, purposely distancing herself from allies and surrounding herself in Risen, and spins. Her axes are at neck level, and she tears down a good deal of Risen. The others see what she is doing and start funneling the Risen toward her.
The lethality of this tactic is quite high; Deorar causes chunks of ground and rubble to crush Risen heads, Aelius' rifle blows out Risen heads, Augurna joins Tiffany in becoming a whirlwind of death, Sarria's touch of Deception causes Risen to hallucinate and attack their fellows, Celsus draws symbols on the courtyard floor that ignite in holy fire, burning Risen to dust, Nipia is an even bigger whirlwind of death than any of the others, even Forgal, Trahearne has summoned several necromantic minions that seem to know exactly how to utterly demolish Risen beyond repair, and Fiona corrals the Risen in toward this Risen dying ground.
Blightghast screeches and swoops down at Destiny's Edge, claws extended and ready to skewer the first person to fall victim to it. Sohothin leaps into the air, and this time makes contact with Blightghast's leg, searing a burn. Blightghast zips back into the air with a cry of pain, and Eir's next few arrows impact the burn spot, driving the dragon crazy.
And then Zojja uses a new tactic; Eir's arrows burst into flame and target the dragon's wings. Disregarding the cost in burns, Blightghast dives down with a thunderous roar. Garm leaps at the burned leg and scratches viciously, eliciting a scream from the dragon, but no altered course. Logan and Rytlock join the wolf at slashing the dragon. As it lands, a fierce gust of air - generated by Zojja - disrupts its course and flings it back into the air.
Eir's now-burning arrows keep finding their marks in Blightghast's wings, with a few diverted to explode in wounds of the dragon's.
The Risen are being cut to pieces, the ones that still twitch being dealt with by Trahearne's magic. Forgal is almost as much of a whirlwind as Tiffany, and between them the Risen are meeting their end.
Blightghast screams - a shriek more awful than the ones before - and Tiffany risks a look up to see the dragon falling, its wings too holey to hold it up anymore. It does manage, in terror, to steer itself away from Destiny's Edge and plow into the ground without endangering anyone, before righting itself and screaming another acid-flying scream at the oncoming group.
Now all of Destiny's Edge can help, and the three groundlocked ones rush the dragon. Zojja, no longer needing to control the flight of Eir's arrows, releases the wind but holds fire. Eir's arrows still burn, but with a hotter, more intense heat. And they're aimed at the eyes now.
The Risen are almost all gone, now, but Tiffany is tired. Fiona ran out of energy long ago, and even the holy fire of Celsus' Protection seems weary. Everyone is slow and weary, but they are alive - which is more than can be said for the nonexistent corpses of their victims. Celsus' fire had been very thorough, even with the 'dead' ones.
They regroup in the gap in the wall and watch Destiny's Edge fight Blightghast, not having any more Risen to deal with.
They avoid the acid flying from the dragon's mouth (and Zojja even uses the wind to send it back to the source) and quickly batter down the dragon champion's defenses, inflicting many wounds and slowing the beast significantly before finally ending the menace.
Logan and Zojja burn the body away as Tiffany initiates a loud cheer, which the rest of her companions quickly take up.
And Tiffany still feels a sense of deep, foreboding dread as Destiny's Edge responds with a loud cheer of their own. Tiffany wonders why; Destiny's Edge had just collaborated to take on another dragon champion, Blightghast is dead, and Claw Island is free. So why does she feel suddenly like the future is hopeless? Why does she feel despair for Zhaitan ever falling? Tiffany glances at Fiona nervously. Tiffany can't think of any reason why she should be feeling like this, but it makes her uneasy. Like she's forgotten something, but she doesn't know what…
Author's Notes:
Alright, I think this chapter is absolutely awesome. It is, almost completely and unequivocally, one of the most awesome chapters I have written. I won't say why just yet, because it all ties in to this epic subplot I have going for the Claw Island arc. This arc has got to be the most epic thing I've ever written - and I'm learning. This chapter fought me tooth and nail, but it's epic. Just wow. I am learning, and I am epic, and I am gonna beat my stupid inability to write this part until it gives up and I will have won, I will have dominated, and I will have learned how to write better than I ever have before! AHahahaha!
I have been planning this arc for TOO LONG for my inability to properly write it down get in my way! No! This is going to be epic, and I will dominate! I will surmount this latest barrier, and I will DOMINATE my own self. I will WIN over my ignorance of how to write this properly! I WILL WIN!
Later: Alright, I'm calmed down now. I just had to rant, because - no, no, don't start again.