Forgotten Realms:
Angels and Demons
Part LVII
After a decade, the Challengers rode as one again. They soon fell into roles they had many years before, a comfortable transition, but not one without melancholy. Many of them realized this might be the last time the Challengers were whole. During the intervening years, the name had grown, but each had taken on individual projects. After this was done, if any survived, would they go back to their new lives?
Val entertained them with stories from her life at sea. Regaling them with stories that they were sure were half made up, only for her to prove each one actually happened. Her smile was infectious as the others started to temporarily forget about the danger ahead. Through the years she had gained the ability of a master storyteller, rivaling even Raven. Though her mastery of instruments was vastly outweighed by the Tiefling bard's.
Lorinda complained about the messiness of leading a bunch of tree hugging hippies, not her exact words. Which produced a laugh from Walton, as he described the daily trials of wrangling a bunch of recruits into an actual fighting force. He especially became exasperated about how many of his young men and women tended to have walks of shame, every time they were given liberty. That and the amount of times his people came to roll call in clothes that did not fit, a prank their friends pulled on them.
One new face among them, was Walton's student, Kyla Whisperwood, a Half-Elf who just took her vows as a paladin. She was very embarrassed by some of the stories, making the others thing she was one of those he spoke about. Walton of course wouldn't confirm or deny anything, but shot her a knowing look.
Leilani smiled, feeling her unused mask still inside her cloak. Kyla had done what most people did when they saw her, and started to reach for her weapon. However, just like the sailor from Raven's ship, she soon apologized. It was still much better than most other Drow got, as people tended to kill first and ask questions later. Still, she felt like her family was whole again. Kirann and Raven were great to be around, but she had missed the others.
Before they wanted it, the party arrived at the small little town in the mountains. The town was still small, even though the population had grown over the last decade. New buildings had been erected, and the town looked just a bit larger. The people were still the simple humble folk they had always been, but with the addition of a bigger church and a new market. Full of crafted goods, and other important things for adventurers or hardy settlers.
The townspeople though recognized the group, even after all the years. The reactions to them were mixed at best. Some thought them to be harbingers of great destruction, knowing they would only return when the demons were set to return. Others were grateful that experienced adventurers would take care of the issue, as none of them wanted to fight demons on their own.
As they went through the town, they saw the Altamaran Forces, Sunsoul Monks, a good portion of Walton's forces, several druids and Val's crew waiting on them on the outskirts. A camp had been formed, with material and supplies already set up for the small army camped out. Around the camp, sergeants ran drills for the enlisted, while the officers had a command tent set up. As the Challengers entered the camp, they were directed to the command tent, with their wagon and horses being taken to makeshift stables.
"Sun Warrior Lichtus," one lieutenant said as he led Kirann to where Lord Wallace was looking over a map of the area. "It is an honor to serve alongside you. You may not remember me, but I was a young boy when Altamar was attacked. You and the others inspired me to serve."
"Well met," Kirann answered back. "You can call me, Kirann"
Waiting on them, Lord Wallace had several maps laid out of the surrounding area. None of them were fully fleshed out, with lots of portions left with "Dragons be here," marked with clouds. However, several newly created, maps were being set up. Most were recognizable, but not as intricate as the others.
"Challengers, I've had scouts and patrols going about the surrounding area," Lord Wallace advised. "We should be ready when the demons return. Do you have any suggestions?"
Looking over the maps, Raven pointed to several point, "We could station any wizards and druids you have around these points. They're more defensible and will allow for easier spell casting."
Kirann nodded, "If we set up some barriers around these points, it might slow the demons down a little bit. It won't affect the bigger ones, but the smaller and medium sized ones will be slowed by them."
"I would suggest putting some priests just behind the lines here," Walton suggested. "Any paladins we have, I would suggest intermixing them with the others on the line. Their healing spells will be useful."
"Agreed, I've had archers placed around these places," Lord Wallace went on. "We should have enough crossfire to create havoc in the ranks. I would still feel better if we had stone walls and other fortifications."
Kirann just looked at the map, "It'll have to do. Thank you all again, for heeding the call."
The Aasimar monk left to go meditate, with Raven going around to the gathered forces, playing songs. The other Challengers made their way around, making themselves of use or imparting knowledge to those gathered. All except for Lorinda, who wild shaped into a hawk and flew off. Only Val saw her leave, but the rogue had faith in the druid, knowing there as an important reason she was leaving.
The wizard, Bruce said as Kirann left, "He does not truly understand that a request from him carries such weight."
"If he did, he wouldn't be the hero he is," Lord Wallace said. "He would have led his party here along to face impossible odds, all without complaint."
Behind the two men was a very scared, and very fidgety succubus. Over the years Jaslyn had kept her word to the monk. In that time, she had lived comfortably, but with complications. Her hunger had begun to change, her wings were still slowly growing back as well. However, the biggest change was the desires she felt were different. She found herself feeling comfortable around young people, had found herself fantasizing about getting a pet, and even began matchmaking couples.
In short Jaslyn found herself feeling less like a subservient devil, and more like one of the mortals she used to prey upon. The smile of a baby made her smile as well, while seeing two young people in love had begun to make her warm all over. These were not the feelings of a succubus, they were not what it meant to be a devil or demon either. No, these were something else, maybe something more.
When Lord Wallace came, she felt the need to be along. She knew it was probably the oath she had given to Kirann. While she harbored no ill will towards him, she was thinking unkind things about the promise he had made her give. Yet, upon seeing him again, she didn't feel immediately fealty, but something else. The willingness to follow because he was who he was, not the power he had over her. It was an uncanny, and unfamiliar feeling for her.
That didn't stop her nerves. She knew that if she was returned to the Hells, she would be hunted. With an army of demons set to return at any time, her chances of going back rose every second she was here. Jaslyn had grown over the years, but she still wanted to make sure she'd get out of this in one piece. While she was on this plane, she was safe, but why didn't that fill her with peace? Because she worried about what would happen to those she had lived with for the past years.
Lorinda landed near the ruins, having heard all about them from the others. Val had filled her in, right before she had set off to sea. Told her of the stories of each Challenger, and the tests that had been set before them. Surprisingly, Val didn't know the boon Kirann had been given. That just made the druid smile. The monk could be very mysterious, without even trying or realizing. Other times you could read him like a book, because of how open he was. Well, if you know how to take him.
Down into the ruin she traveled. As she did so, she thought better of coming alone. Though from what she knew, they would have been divided, a partner or fellow traveler would keep the loneliness at bay. There was something about the place that was unnerving solo, almost as if being warned that one should not enter alone. She wasn't truly alone, she held her friends in her mind and in her heart.
Light took her, blinding impassable light and she felt a flash of fear for only a few seconds. Then the light was gone and she was again in the middle of ruins. Great stone pillars rose to the sky, only to be broken off in jagged pieces that speared into the air. Beneath her feet dirt intermixed with ash and rotting vegetation. The sky blazed an unnatural red, with dark billow clouds racing around in a way that was beyond natural.
Lorinda set a quiet prayer to any Nature god, being met with a deafening, buzzing sound. As she walked out, the grounds around the ruin were turned black by decomposing material. She couldn't make out if it was vegetation or animal remains, though she could make out the bone white shapes of something sticking out of the blackness. Beneath her boots, things crunched, like she was traipsing over a thousand insect bodies.
Despite herself, a chill ran down Lorinda's spine. From the destroyed sky howls filled the air, just as a jagged moon rose. As if a god had bitten the moon, a huge chunk was missing and the image produced a shudder in the druid. Behind her more howls came as things began to run towards her.
The druid pulled her bladestaff, readying a spell, and hoping it would work here. Loping towards her were creatures that would never be confused with wolves or dogs, though they did run on all fours. Even the hellhounds of the Hells were prettier than these things. All bone, sinew and decay, they reminded her of a plague. Ichor dripped from their bodies, splattering across the ground. Something sickly yellowish dripped from their bared fangs, and their lips were so rotten, to almost be falling off. Long hairless tails whipped back and forth, making the sound of crunching bones as they did.
The first one was easily impaled on her bladestaff, and slid off with a sick mucus like slurping sound. Lorinda didn't have time to shudder, as another of the beasts came at her from behind. Slamming the middle of her bladestaff into the thing, she heard a sickening crunch as the thing fell immobile. The last one slammed into her, but wasn't able to bite her. She brought her weapon around, missing the last thing.
She struck again and went to cast entangle, only for the spell to sputter into nothingness. Her strike missed and the thing nipped at her feet. It didn't cause damage, but she knew now that her druid abilities didn't work. Instead she fell back on her martial skills, and really regretted not practicing more.
It took two more attempts before Lorinda finished off the last creature. This one let out a pitiful wheeze as it died. It was at this moment, that for the briefest of fleeting seconds, that she saw what the creature was before. A proud wolf, running with its pack before the Blight had come. Her heart broke as she saw it slowly descend into madness as the rest of nature also fell to the sick, disgusting Blight.
The world died before her eyes, and the link with the creature disappeared as it gasped its last breath. Emotion running over, Lorinda stood up and cast burning spell, and this time it came to her in full force. The three bodies quickly erupted, and soon were replaced with three piles of ash. Lorinda said a quick prayer, hoping that if there were gods still around, that they would hear it.
Val had warned her about these tests. However, that warning was vastly inadequate. Lorinda was feeling a deep pit of despair open up in her soul. Here she was in a place where nature had been destroyed, possibly murdered. Something about the feel of the world, made her feel as if it was beyond even mortal ability to destroy. The buzzing sound remained, and hurricane force winds whipped around from time to time.
She managed to keep her footing, even as the winds attempted to drag her off. Then the winds would be gone, and the cold would chill her. The sun continued in its nearly set position, never moving even as the hours racked up. The red light it gave off, bathing the world in crimson blood light.
Lorinda kept pressing on, because she felt something guiding her forward. The answers to what had happened here, felt very, very close. So, despite the heaviness in her soul, she put one foot in front of another. Walking deliberately and with great effort ever forward. Eventually she found a grand tree that rose high into the heavens.
This tree was covered in the same decay and rotting material as everything else. Yet here she felt something different than any other part of the world. There was hope yet here, a power that called to her. She found her steps lightening and her speed increasing. Inside her, power and hope returned with gusto. The atmosphere here wasn't as oppressive here, till she got near the tree.
Then the oppression came back full force. Nearly knocking her over, the negative energy sapped her newly returned strength. Tears formed as her frustration mounted. Was there anything in this destroyed world, or was this her punishment? As if to answer her question, another figure came into view.
"Arch Druid," the man said. "We need your guidance. War came, great evils released and now all but a handful of us are dead. We tried to heal the World Tree, but we weren't strong enough. You though, you must have the power to fix this all."
Lorinda looked at the haggard figure, barely skin and bones, "How many have tried?"
"Too many, we sacrificed a dozen of our Circle," the man explained. "None of them were strong like you!"
She shook her head, "Even as powerful as I am, this tree is too far gone. We must cull it and salvage what we can."
"No!" the man ran at her, with berserk strength and fury. "You will not destroy it! We must have it drink of your blood, that will fix it all."
Lorinda was surprised by his attack, and for a moment he came close to hurting her. However, the man was malnourished, and very fatigued. She managed to overpower him, and slammed him into the ground. Despite herself, she cringed as she heard his bones break. She hadn't wanted to harm him, but his body must have been so weakened, even her slightest attack would destroy his body.
She went to cast a healing spell, only for it to sputter. For a brief moment, she saw a spark of magic flourish and hope returned. It pointed her towards the tree, the decaying, nearly dead, and horribly mangled World Tree. She went over, with the man on the ground screaming the whole time. He was begging her to save it, not to destroy it. That wasn't the image she was getting though.
Seeing past what was there, something she had learned as she grew as a druid. Kirann had always had faith in her, even when she didn't. He saw beyond what was there, to what was inside. She had started to do this after being sidelined, started to try to see the world as what it could be and what it was. Though the inspiration, she had found her own way of seeing things differently than Kirann did.
What lay before her was a dead thing, of a dead world, slowly decaying till all became dust and darkness. Something else was there, a bright speck. Tiny, but powerful, this spark just needed to be released. Of course, with that much power held in such a small thing, it would either unleash untenable power or slowly expand ever outward.
Taking her weapon out, Lorinda turned to the man and apologized, "I'm sorry, but this is the only way."
Then calling on her powers, she unleashed flame and fire upon everything. The World Tree quickly caught fire, the decomposing landscape quickly caught flame and the whole world became one massive bonfire. Smoke rose to the sky, blotting out what little light there was, and soon Lorinda was on her hands and knees. It was getting harder to breath, but she still held on. She saw the small spark growing, becoming larger and more pronounced. She smiled as that spark finally revealed itself as a tiny sapling, growing forth from the ruined World Tree.
"I think that is enough," a very elegant voice said.
Lorinda stood up, fully able to breathe again, and feeling cool air waft over her. Coming down from the sky was a Silver Dragon floating down to meet her. The dragon looked at the Elf druid with curiosity before letting out what she could only call a laugh. She wasn't sure how to feel at that, but she chose to hold her tongue. There was no need to agitate something big enough to eat you in one chomp, though that wasn't what Silver Dragons were known for.
"Sometimes rebirth comes from destruction," the dragon said. "Taking a stone, you take the bits off to make a sculpture. Thus, to make the sculpture you carefully destroy the stone. A hero is born a mortal, and they are challenged, their limits destroyed. In that destruction, new abilities and new powers are found. To redeem a villain, you must destroy who they were, to make them into what they could be. Death and Life are ever in an eternal balance. The death of a deer leads to enriched soil, which will grow vegetation, to then feed new deer. Is that not what you believe little druid?"
"Who are you?" Lorinda asked.
The dragon ignored the question, "Yes, yes you do. I see a woman who has learned to destroy her ego, to be the person her people needed her to be, and the person she wanted to be. You have been tested and been found worthy. You understand that nature is always in a constant cycle, and that nature goes beyond simple forests and forest life. It touches the cosmos and beyond even your understanding."
"I'm not sure I follow," Lorinda said, feeling herself begin to get testy at feeling foolish.
The dragon turned towards her, and gave her what was a smile, "I think you do. Through your travels, you learned and taught. You took the lessons of the road and made your people better. Your heart is pure when it comes to your friends and people, able to be hardened when necessary to fight those who would harm them." Seeing Lorinda bite back her tongue, the dragon laughed, "You miss your Spartan worded friend, and would like me to get to the point. I can see why, your about to face a great test. However, you have passed mine. You understand that sometimes destruction leads to rebirth. So, to you I give the Balance."
Beside Lorinda a bladestaff appeared. The two blades on each end were intricately formed with great care, but a brilliant weaponsmith. On one end was a symbol, with "Creation" being spoke into her mind. The other end another symbol, this one she instantly knew was "Destruction." This weapon was made for her, and would return to her hand with a thought.
"Little one, it is time for you to return," the dragon said. "If we ever meet again, I would love to meet your friends and spend some time talking. You really are special, such wonderous beings you quick lived mortals are."
Before she could speak again, Lorinda found herself back in the ruins, back in Faerun. In her hand was the bladestaff, her boon from this testing ground. The sky had changed, and she realized she would soon be missed. So, with just one last look back, she took flight against as a bird. Rapidly she headed back to where she had left her friends. Behind her, she didn't see a silver flying dragon flash across the horizon.
