Wake stared out at the sprawling megalopolis before him...just how much. To him, it had felt like half a year since he'd been in this spot, but looking at Empyria, it had been far shorter. "Looks like we have...three weeks? Tough to gauge."
Phyrra stood beside him. "So three weeks...we started with three months. Do we think it's worth even searching for more help? We don't know what their plans are once they've finished building...we could have more time than that."
Shavvir shook her head. "And play with fire? You saw what they carried with them in the Hells, weapons unlike anything we've seen, and that's while they've been preoccupied. Give them a chance to do something other than fear us, and I think they'll quickly have enough technology to have no need to fear us. We have three weeks...we need to use every minute of that if we want a hope of surviving."
"Well then, let's go back inside...we've been gone for months, and they could be scrying as we speak. Best talk tactics behind wards." Wake led the group back into their hideout, their accommodations surprisingly untampered with in their absence. They gathered around the table, a map of the plans up on the wall behind them.
"So." Shavvir started, looking up at the planes. "Three down, three to go. What's left? The Raven Queen has still shown me strength and protection emanating from Strahd von Zarovich. Strahd rules over nearly the entire Shadowfell now. If anyone can provide for us, it would be him."
Zaelynir was the next to chime in. "I also have my friends in the Abyss...Orcus, specifically. I have served him...we have served him." The incubi shifted from incubus to succubus, succubus to dragonborn, and finally dragonborn back to incubus. "We have all served him. I am still low-ranking amongst demon-kind, but it does not take much coercion to get demons to march on the Material plane. I fear that our currently-standing alliance with devils may be a hindrance, however...they certainly don't like each other much, and infighting is only going to cause us problems."
Finally, Lance. "I know I mentioned it before...but Molag is still trapped within Carceri. It's dangerous, I know...and it sounds like we're short on time. It's...it's okay if we don't rescue him."
Wake interjected, the others all ready to respond as well. "Before we determine our plan of attack, I have one more question for you, Phyrra. What are the time scales of The Shadowfell, The Abyss, and Carceri?"
The drow looked confused for a moment before her eyes flashed brilliantly once more, the Font of Knowledge taking over her momentarily. "Due to The Shadowfell's nature as an adjacent plane, time passes identically to that of the Material plane, with actions in the Material plane then mirroring themselves in the Shadowfell. The Infinite Layers of the Abyss passes time in relation to the Material plane at the rate of one Abyssal day is one Material hour." The Tarterian Depths of Carceri passes time in relation to the Material Plane at the rate of one Carcerian hour is one Material day."
Lance hung his head low...he thought that would be the case. A plane designed to hold criminals would have a fast timescale...if one ever did escape, it would be to a world that they had no hope of recognizing.
Wake nodded. "Okay...so given that, it seems we will at least have time for two more excursions." He looked over to see the dejected face of his brother. "I'm sorry, Lance...I know how much he means to you, but I don't think we can spare the time."
"I know...it is what it is, I guess."
There was a deafening pause after Lance's final comment...the entire group could sense his pain. Finally, Shavvir cut the silence. "So then...of our two options, which do we want to consider first? I have pushed too much to pursue the Shadowfell...if it is the Abyss that we wish to seek first, I will not argue."
Zaelynir shook his head. "No...Demons aren't going to politely wait for you to tell them when and where to attack. If we're seeking Orcus and he hears us out, we need to be ready to strike immediately...or else the demons are going to be there without us. The Shadowfell is really our only option at the moment."
"And I think I know a way in...I know we discussed this before, but finding a portal to the Shadowfell isn't particularly easy. A few day's south of here is a ravine known as the Pit of Lost Souls. It's been my most reliable source of getting to the Shadowfell as of late...the only concern I have is whether or not Empyria's presence has lessened the bond between the two planes there."
Phyrra cocked her head. "And why would that be the case?"
"The place got its name due to a string of mysterious disappearances in and around the ravine. People that jumped in or tried to scale the cliffs were never found again. A rift between the two planes exists halfway down the ravine...those that jumped unknowingly found themselves in the Shadowfell, while those at the bottom would only find nothing. With Empyria's absence, however, the flow of bodies has likely ceased entirely."
"And you think that's enough to sever the connection between the planes? I can't say it's altogether unlikely, given what I've seen in my travels...but it would be a touch surprising." Almost all of Wake's experience with planes had been hands-on, traveling to various worlds for any number of reasons. The Shadowfell and The Feywild often held a few strong grasps on the Material plane given the similarities between the two, as well as dozens, if not hundreds, of smaller portals. What Shavvir was describing very much sounded like the former if she saw it as reliable...to think that Empyria's mere presence could shift the balance of power on adjacent planes was a terrifying thought.
"I don't know, Wake, I can only speculate. However, if anything would close that portal, it would be this. The Pit has seen hundreds of sacrifices over the decades I have known it...while it has been less than a year since Empyria formed, we must be careful travelling there. Like I said, the rift is halfway down...the only method of arrival is to jump. For those of us without flight…"
"We will simply wait for those of us that do to venture forth." Wake turned his attention to Maul, the warforged characteristically quiet during the discussion. "Speaking of venturing forth, have you any news of your people, Maul? They were supposed to arrive here before us, correct?"
Maul nodded. "Affirmative. No contact yet established with Bulwark and his Legion. Presence unknown."
The others in the room all shared the same look of confusion, having never heard Maul slip from his tone of leadership and authority. It was odd, but not enough to mention...Wake carried on after a slight pause to let the nature of his words settle. "Perhaps we will find traces of them on our way to the pit. As Shavvir said, it is several day's journey. Unfortunately, I don't think we will have the time to go searching for them. We can leave word of our travels here, and hope that one of them can locate this place. If not, no doubt they will find a place to keep an eye on Empyria while we search the Planes."
"Agreed and understood."
Wake looked back at the others, and then directed their attention to the chart of the planes on the wall. "After going to the Shadowfell, I think our plan is going to stem from where we're able to go next...portals to the outer realms are few and far between unless you're currently on an adjacent plane. Carceri and the Abyss are next to each other...that certainly gives us an advantage, especially should we have to deal with Charon again."
"Charon?" Shavvir squinted, eyeing Wake with clear ill intent. "You said that was the only boatman's coin that you carried with you."
Wake nodded. "And I did that to preserve the rest. I was not lying when I said these were incredibly rare - to find more than two per century is a feat I'm still not sure how I accomplished." Wake reached into his pocket, pulling out the two glimmering pieces of metal. "These are all I have left. Check my belongings if you don't believe me, I will be understanding given the conditions." Wake again directed the group to the chart. "If we land in Hades, it will take us two coins to go through to the Abyss...during which we'll pass through Carceri. If that's how it ends up, we are exploring Carceri...if only for a few hours. If I'm expending the last of these, potentially the last I'll ever see...I'm not letting one of them go to waste."
Wake continued, sliding his eyes along the outer ring of planes. "However, if we should find ourselves at Pandemonium, then we can go directly to the Abyss. Given what Zaelynir's said about the Demons, I think that means it'll be our last stop...sorry Lance. Once we're all done with this, I'll be more than happy to help you search for Molag, but time is a luxury we have very little of."
Lance nodded, the frustration in his voice abundantly clear. "I understand, brother...let's not dwell on it though, right? We need to get to this Pit, right? Is there anything that's stopping us from departing now?"
The group all turned to Shavvir, seeing the shadar-kai shake her head. "No. Our situation is dire as is, let's not waste any more time deliberating here. Before we leave, however, I must warn you of the Shadowfell. It is a place of penultimate dread and hopelessness, a place where joy and excitement swiftly bleeds to apathy and despair. Stay focused on our mission...for if there is one place you will lose sight of it, it will be the Shadowfel."
"Understood, Shavvir...thank you. Unless there are any matters to discuss, let's set out in ten minutes." Wake looked around the room, waiting to see if there were, indeed, other matters.
To his surprise, his own brother responded. "I...I do have something. Not everyone in Empyria's bad...right? The rest of you don't think that, do you?"
Wake furrowed his brow, shaking his head. "No. It is corrupt from the top...but I have no doubt there are good people there. Some might not realize for whom they perform service for, but unknowingly serving an unjust ruler does not make one unjust themselves."
Lance nodded. "Okay...just making sure. We're talking about leaving the Abyss with an army of demons...a lot of innocent people are going to die if we do that. If we topple the entire city, there's going to be nothing left in this world...is that what the rest of you want, because this is not what I believe in."
"A lot of innocent people are going to die, Lance...that's just the nature of war." Lance could sense Phyrra's sadness...she didn't like the words she spoke, and yet believed them wholeheartedly nonetheless.
Lance shook his head. "I can't accept that. I've seen how the rest of you think - you only care about yourselves. I watched all of you abandon Shavvir to die, just so the rest of you could live. That's...that's not who I am. I don't care how dire our situation may seem, nothing's ever important enough to break who you are. If we're condemning an entire city, and its inhabitants, to fall into ruin just to save ourselves…" Lance threw Blink into the table, the dagger sticking into the wooden surface. "Then I'm out. I didn't sign up for any of this. I've already sacrificed myself once for the rest of you, and now I know why I was the one...nobody else is even remotely willing to."
"Brother, it's not like - "
Lance cut the archer off, snapping back. "No! It is like that. Don't tell me it's not, Wake, because I've watched it happen. I watched Shavvir get carried away, and the only reason she's even alive now is because it seems like I'm the only one here that has a shred of respect for someone besides myself!"
Shavvir folded her arms. "Though I was thankful before, I believe a more public thanks is in order - so thank you, Lance." The shadar-kai demanded the attention of the rest of the group as she continued. "As much as I don't wish to admit it, I believe he's right. Our quarrel is not with Empyria, but the people that created it...with your mother. There are thousands, if not millions, of people behind those walls, the grand majority of which came there out of fear of us, and of what we'd do to them. Do we really wish for our image to be exactly what they've come to fear? I think that only proves that Empyria is correct in its reason for existence - that we are a terror upon this world. I, for one, don't believe that - we're here to fix what's wrong in this world."
Lance nodded, continuing where Shavvir left off. "Exactly. At a minimum, we need to warn them of what's coming. For those that have no quarrel with us to leave before we engage with those that do. There's going to be enough bloodshed that day. Let's not make any more than it needs to be."
Wake shook his head. "Lance, you know Sariel. She's powerful, cunning...ruthless. You give her time to prepare, time where she knows what's coming and when? She'll find a way to pull through. I feel like we were set up at Alvesari...they knew we'd be there, and what happened? The sliver of preparation cost you your life. I know where your heart's at, Lance, I do. But it's going to get all of us, everyone, and everything we've been gathering amongst the planes killed if you give her a warning."
"An hour, Wake. We give them an hour. Powerful spells take time, right?" Lance looked at Shavvir, Phyrra, and Zaelynir, trying to get their input on the matter. An hour's not enough time for an archwizard to prepare, but it's enough time for people to evacuate."
The drow shrugged. "Well...that certainly depends. In mere seconds even an adept spellcaster can wreak havoc on a city, but they'll quickly exhaust their resources. What you're thinking of is rituals...and yes, powerful rituals take more time. Is an hour enough time to fight off an invading force of five planes? I suppose that'll depend on how you use it. I wouldn't say it's impossible, especially if she's as strong as she says she is."
Shavvir continued, cutting off Phyrra. "One thing to point out...she knows we're coming. She might not be able to scry on this place, but there's no doubt she's seen what we're up to. Her agents were in the Nine Hells, and they were only there because we were. They're going to get out and return back, notably because only one of us decided to thwart them as opposed to further our own goals." She scanned the room, eyeing all of the rest besides Lance. "Ignore hours, or even days. We're going to be gone for weeks, and she's going to know we're coming almost every second of it. For all we know, they're going to pivot what they've been doing and look into solutions to pulverize us. We're already not safe...and since that's the case, we might as well rescue who we can."
Wake remained silent for the time being, reaching out with his mind. "You're being awfully quiet. I can only guess you want to see Empyria turn into nothing more than smoldering rubble, casualties be damned. Am I far off?"
Wake could practically hear Zaelynir chuckle in his head. "Darling, for one who told me to stop invading your mind, you do see oh so eager to invade mine...not that I'm complaining, of course. Yes, the demon in me wants to set the place ablaze, but I can't help but feel sorry for the poor kid...so young and naive, thinking that morals have anything to do with this. You're not falling for this ruse, are you? That we're the 'good guys'?"
"I've long believed there was no right and wrong in this conflict. Look at what we're doing, where we're going. Do you think 'good guys' would consort with the Lords of Hell? With demons, vampires, and drow? We're not much better than Empyria...and that doesn't bother me."
When Wake refocused on the conversation at hand, Shavvir and Lance were still at odds with Phyrra, trying to justify their reasonings. Wake interjected, silencing the rest. "Here's how it will be. I'm not supporting this, Lance...I just can't. However, I won't stop you. I see where your heart's at, but your heart's going to get us killed. Now...unless there are any other topics of conversation, we need to be on our way."
Lance frowned but remained silent nonetheless, the quarreling grinding to a halt. "Fine. Let's go."
There was no need for packing - the group hadn't even bothered settling in. Within seconds the Syndicate was ready to depart once more, exiting back out into the mountainside they'd made their home in. Wake waited for Shavvir, the shadar-kai leading the group onwards, and down the slopes towards the south. As they descended the mountainside, the colossal shadow of Empyria loomed higher and higher overhead. Everything was nearing completion, and it was clear from their time in the Hells that Empyria still had time for more...aggressive areas of focus. The firearms they wielded were like nothing they'd ever seen. The mere thought of what the megalopolis might be able to craft if given enough time was...haunting.
"You said it was a couple days to the Pit. Once we're in the Shadowfell, how far until we reach Zarovich's castle?"
Shavvir thought about it, turning and looking up at Empyria. "Like I said, the planes mirror each other. Strahd's now become the Empyria of the Shadowfell...which likely means about the same time to get back." She paused, looking back at Wake. "Why do you ask?"
The archer shook his head. "Nothing important...just setting the timeline." Wake added up the time, assuming they had a mere three weeks. Three days out, three days back...he was willing to tack on another two or three assuming the Count wouldn't simply hand over an army without compensation. That left less than two weeks for the Abyss, as well as rounding up their previous contacts...and Carceri. Wake sighed...he knew his brother would be disappointed, but there was just no way to justify it. It was one of the few planes he'd never been to, and getting lost, even on the scale of hours, could mean returning far later than they could afford. Wake had heard of Molag, and of the power that he possessed...but even that wasn't worth the risk. Afterwards, once the dust had settled...they'd go there together, and rescue his former mentor.
Wake continued the mental preparations...how were they going to contact everyone they'd reached out to? Lolth would hopefully be easy...Phyrra had direct and frequent contact with her deity, and now that said deity was in this world it should be simple to rally the drow forces. Bulwark, as well, was now on this plane...though they didn't know where. The challenge was where they'd just been, and where they were about to go. Contacting a devil usually involved darker rituals...Wake wasn't a stranger to them, but it was a part of his past he'd rather not relive. As for the Shadowfell...as far as Wake knew, the only way to contact a being in there was through what they were about to do. Sending even one person back through to the Shadowfell wasn't time that they had to spare. He could only hope Shavvir knew of a better method.
The first day of travel occurred without much event, sparse conversations populating an otherwise bleak experience. Empyria's mere presence sapped any hope that the group had, the monolithic tower glaring down at them, daring them to fight back against the city they had inadvertently created. Soon night began to fall, the Syndicate finding a small patch of woods to hide in as they made camp. Shavvir looked towards Phyrra, and then at the rest of the group. "We will take first watch...Wake, Lance, we'll notify you when it is your turn to rise."
Phyrra raised an eyebrow but remained otherwise silent - if Shavvir was doing this, it was because she was scheming something. Wake simply nodded, retiring to his bedroll with the others.
Silence reverberated between the two women for twenty minutes, the sun sinking below the horizon as darkness cascaded across the land. Phyrra sat, confused as to just what she'd been called for...the two had a history of not getting along. "I presume there's a reason for this?"
Shavvir simply nodded. "Yes, and I apologize - I wanted to ensure the others were truly resting. Tell me, Phyrra...why do you follow Lolth?"
"Because…" Phyrra paused, thinking about it...why did she? The answer seemed obvious to her - because she wanted to. However, that didn't feel like an apt description of it. This wasn't some whim that she was following. She'd devoted her life to Lolth...it was more than 'wanting to'. "Because it makes me whole. It brings me peace and a sense of purpose. It makes me feel stronger than myself, knowing that I have a deity that backs my every action. Why do you serve the Raven Queen?"
Shavvir verbally stumbled despite knowing the question was coming at her. "I...don't know."
"You don't know?"
Shavvir shook her head. "As you know, I'm not like you. I didn't simply choose to follow the Raven Queen, I paid a price. Made a pact. I agreed to follow the Raven Queen. And, for centuries, I did so happily. It was as you said - a sense of purpose, a strength, a power. But now...I don't know. Can you pray, Phyrra? To Lolth? I want to hear what it's like."
A puzzled look turned to one of complete confusion. "Shavvir what's going on? Are you telling me you don't...believe?"
She shook her head adamantly, looking up to the sky. "No, I do. I know with every fiber of my being that the Raven Queen exists, even though I can't see her. Nobody can...she's not like Lolth, walking through some portal, towering over buildings. She's a faint whisper in the night, a flash of light on the horizon, a tug at the edge of your mind. Despite that amorphousness I know that she exists...I just don't know if I truly desire to follow her with the fervor I have in my past. Please, Phyrra, just a simple prayer...I want to know what the prayer of a true devout sounds like."
The drow let out a sigh. "I don't suppose you know Undercommon?"
Shavvir chuckled, shaking her head. "No, I don't suppose I do. That's not important. The words are less of what I care about...moreso, how they're spoken."
Phyrra nodded, closing her eyes. "I see. Very well then...I can do that for you." What followed was what Shavvir could only assume to be a prayer. The words were slow and deliberate, each one spoken as if it was as important as all the others. There was no rhythm to it that Shavvir could tell until the very end. The last sentence sounded rehearsed, perhaps part of a chant or ritual that Phyrra had learned in her training. As soon as it was spoken the drow raised her head and opened her eyes, a slight smile inadvertently forming across her lips.
"And what did you pray for?"
"It was less a prayer, and more of a conversation. I told her where we were going, what we planned on doing...what had happened since last we'd communicated. I did ask for safety in travel though."
"And the last phrase?"
The smile widened slightly. "I learned it when I was still a kid, and it stuck with me. 'May your many secrets remain hidden, and yet guide me to my own.' I don't know what drew me to it...I tend not to hide much from everyone." Phyrra paused, seeing a concerned look on the shadar-kai's face. "Something troubles you, Shavvir. Why did you really want to speak with me tonight?"
"Phyrra...I'm leading everyone into a plane of utter despair, following a deity I'm having second thoughts over. At any moment she could strip me of her gifts, deem me unworthy to be her vessel. What good am I to the rest of you then?"
The drow's expression softened as she scooted closer to her companion. "Well...you have two options, I suppose."
"Two?"
"Two...or perhaps three, but let's not consider that. The first is you come to terms with this new identity for yourself. Make no mistake, Shavvir, your prowess in the thick of combat is not all a gift. The Raven Queen may have given you your blade, but she did not teach you how to wield it. She may have given you your spells, but she did not teach you when to use them. You are a formidable warrior. Should you determine that the Raven Queen is no longer a deity you wish to devote your life to, I have no doubt you will find a new purpose for yourself."
"Thank you, Phyrra. From you, that means quite a bit. As for the second option?"
The drow nodded. "Well, that requires me to know a bit more about your relationship with the Raven Queen. If you don't mind me asking, why did you form this pact with her those centuries ago? What could have happened that would make you wish to strike a deal with her? If that's not something you wish to talk about I can - "
"No...it's fine." Shavvir closed her eyes for a few seconds, inhaling and exhaling in quick succession as she relived that memory. "Many years ago, my village was attacked. I still don't even remember exactly what by, or who sent them...I just remember wraiths cloaked in darkness falling on us like a plague. They slaughtered us like animals. Friends, family...they all died in seconds. My parents hid me underground when they came...I heard their screams as they were cut down. I called out for minutes asking for help...I wasn't even calling out to anything or anyone specifically, just help. Help to fight back this plague, to rid my village of these monsters."
"And the Raven Queen answered?"
Shavvir nodded. "She did, and without a word. My family's sword caught my eye, a new glitter it didn't have before. When I grabbed it, I felt strength flood into me...the strength of the Raven Queen. I knew I wasn't invincible...but I certainly felt like I was. And with Everlife in my hands…" She looked down at the blade glistening in the moonlight, turning it over and running her hand across the metal. "I practically was. For every one that I killed I felt strong enough to take on the next. I was caught in a frenzy of destruction...but in the end, I got what I asked for."
Phyrra sat speechless, taking in the tale. "I suppose a pact like that didn't come for free. What were you asked to do in return?"
"Seek out memories...or create them. The Raven Queen desires emotions of sadness, loss, regret, anguish...I was tasked with creating those, or finding them from places that had experienced them in the past. That's how I found the Pit...you can't imagine the amount of suffering I felt when I first went there."
"And did you enjoy that?"
Shavvir nodded. "For a time, yes...it felt less like a pact, and more like...like a purpose, a meaning. Over time, however, it got to me. The hate, the anguish, the despair...it got to my head. It made me...not me. I guess spending these past months in Acheron, doing something for me and not for Her...it made me realize just what had happened."
"I think you need to talk to Her. I don't know the exact nature of your relationship...but if you served her for centuries and are only now questioning your devotion, I wouldn't be worried. Everyone goes through phases like this...I have multiple times."
Shavvir almost looked surprised when she heard that. "And how'd you get through it?"
"It wasn't immediate. I continued to serve...I knew that if I'd made it this far, I'd make it farther. Eventually, something happened that reignited that spark. Something I knew I'd only be able to witness if I was where I was at the time, serving Lolth. If the Raven Queen is as you say, ethereal and ever-present, she knows you're struggling with this right now. If she wishes to keep you, you'll be presented a choice, and you won't know what the right answer will be. It'll be up to you to discern what should happen...and if you pick correctly, I guarantee you the Raven Queen will make sure it is worth your while."
That seemed to bring peace to the shadar-kai. "Thank you, Phyrra. I will take that to heart." Shavvir turned her attention back to the forest around them, the silence between the two women only punctuated by the sounds of the wildlife around them. Hours passed in silence as Shavvir thought about those words...a choice. She'd have to be on the lookout...and know what the Raven Queen expected of her when it came time to make that choice.
As their watch came to a close, Phyrra turned to the rest of the group, three of them sleeping soundly, while Maul sat in his intermediate state - there was a chance that he'd overheard the entire conversation, she wasn't sure. However, the drow trusted that Maul wouldn't speak of it...he rarely spoke to anyone besides Wake anyways. She moved towards the archer, gently nudging his shoulder until she saw him slowly rouse from his slumber. "You're up."
Wake simply nodded, sitting upright as he reached to his side, grabbing his bow. "Understood. Thank you for the report."
Phyrra bit her tongue, turning her head far to the side as Wake donned his armor. Ever since she'd spent everything she had on that bowstring, it felt like he'd only grown more distant...which was far from her intent. She didn't know if he was struggling with the same emotions she was, or if he truly thought less of her for the gesture. "Wake."
There was a pause in the movements of his armor. "Yes?"
"There's no...anger between us. Right?"
Again, another pause. "I see no reason why there should be. Why do you ask?"
Phyrra shook her head. "Simply verifying. Wanted to make sure nothing negative had formed between us recently."
"I understand. No, nothing negative. I'm grateful for the bowstring. Its worth was immediately shown."
Phyrra tried to act surprised. "Oh? That's a relief...I'm afraid I don't have the funds for anything else after that. I take it that you like it then, yes?"
The movements behind her stopped for a second, followed by a short shuffling. When Wake spoke, she could tell he was facing her and she turned around to see his armor-clad form. "Phyrra. I won't act like I don't know what this is about. Let me stop dancing around the answer you want. I have nothing against you, but attraction...it isn't something I feel. I've seen my fair share of allegedly beautiful women, be it humans, half-elves...or elves of all sorts." Wake let those words linger in the air for a few seconds before continuing. "But never have I felt attracted to any of them. I'm sorry, Phyrra. I don't exactly know what your objective is here. But, in all likelihood, I either can't or don't know how to reciprocate it." Wake hung his head to the ground, folding his arms in front of him.
"I'm sorry, Wake. I shouldn't have presumed. It's...I understand."
He shook his head. "It's okay, I know you don't. Nobody seems to. Get some rest...we have another day's travel ahead of us." Wake turned to look at Shavvir, the shadar-kai clearly trying to avoid the conversation at hand as she kept her back towards them at a fair distance. "Don't we?"
Shavvir turned around to face the two of them. "Yes. We'll be close, but I doubt we'll reach it at our current rate of travel. Now, as you said...you and your brother can continue on."
Wake gave one final, apologetic glance at Phyrra, an expression that practically screamed "I'm sorry" on his visage before turning, waking Lance. The two took the place of the two women, Shavvir and Phyrra taking their turn to rest...one struggling far more than the other to do so.
"Brother...what's happened to us?"
Wake turned his head, momentarily stopping his watch over any threats in the woods around them. "I'm afraid I don't follow."
"We're on the right side of this, right? Against Empyria? I used to think that we were doing this because we thought it was right...but I'm starting to think this is all about petty vengeance."
"Make no mistake about this Lance...we're doing what's best for us. Does that involve vengeance? Absolutely. Does it also involve stifling a race that's wrong each and every person you've seen here, as well as countless others that are no longer here to stand up for themselves? Absolutely. I'm prepared to do nearly anything it takes to find an end to this. Are you, Lance? Because there's going to come a point where you're going to have to choose between victory and morals, and I'd hate to think that we'd find ourselves at different sides of that decision."
Lance shook his head. "Why do I feel like I'm the one pushing morals on everyone else? I've killed my fair share of people, stolen more than my share of priceless valuables, and wreaked just as much havoc as everyone else here. However at some point I realized that we weren't doing anything with that...that we're doing more harm than good now. I'm not going to say we'd end up at different sides of that decision, Wake...but I can't tell you the opposite either."
"Shame. There's no looking backwards, Lance, not with what we've done. You think Empyria's going to take you in kindly if you go up to their gates and feel sorry? You'll be dead before you even see what's inside those walls. Mourn the dead after they're dead, not before."
"That sounds like something Sariel would say."
Wake shrugged. "Probably. As much as we hate her, there's no denying the family ties."
"No." Lance stood up, repeating it. "No. The Wake I know wouldn't accept that. He wouldn't admit to being anything like Sariel."
Wake responded sharply, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "The Wake you know didn't have to watch his brother die, only to split his soul bringing him back so that he could continue the plot of expunging a race from existence. Face it, Lance. Your mere existence right now proves this isn't about valor or justice or any of that nonsensical hero crap. Make no mistake, I would have looked for the fastest way to bring you back anyways...but the situation around us certainly motivated us to take the first available option, repercussions be damned."
That silenced the rogue, Lance sitting back down, crossing his arms. He turned his head away from his brother, staring out into the forest that surrounded them. After a tense moment of silence, he finally responded. "Fine. But we're still better than that."
Wake nodded to himself, letting out a sigh. It was true...he was better than that. Empyria, the Syndicate...it felt like he'd been given the burden to direct the entire operation from seemingly nowhere. He did the best that he could - nobody had died yet, though there had been a fair share of close calls. He could only hope that the second half of their journey would be as fortuitous as the first...that everyone might survive to lay eyes on Empyria's destruction.
Soon it came time for the brother's watch to end, Maul and Zaelynir taking over where they left off. After another uneventful watch, the group set off, beginning day two of their journey. Shavvir guided them through more mountains and grasslands, and eventually made camp for the second day. The following morning, they began the last leg of their trek to the Pit.
When they were about an hour out they crested a hill, the sight on the other side giving them their first glance at the Pit. It was like a giant axe had simply carved through the earth. The massive chasm stretched for miles, the small town nestled at the center of it practically dwarfed by the actual Pit.
"I take it that that's where we're headed?"
Shavvir nodded. "Of course. The portal is near the town. I can only assume it's abandoned now, should be safe to enter."
Wake nodded. "Unless Empyria has known for days that this is our destination. If they're willing to go to the Hells, the Shadowfell is within their limits. Let's approach from the east in the event there's an ambush."
Shavvir nodded. "Understood." She guided the group around, continuing until the Pit was a stone's throw away from them. Zaelynir swooped in to scope it out, the expanse of darkness sweeping before him a void of threats. The incubi flew back out and joined the rest of the group as they continued forward, the small village seemingly empty of threats. As they got closer, the suspicion was confirmed - they couldn't find any traces of Empyrean activity, the only footprints around months old.
Shavvir started towards the pit, walking through the desolate town. She remembered when it was far from the sight before her - never cheery, but at least populated. The Pit, and the memories it gave so many of the townsfolk here, were enough to keep the village in a perpetual state of gloom...likely why it resonated with the Shadowfell so much. Now, with so many empty abodes...all that history and that suffering was lost and forgotten. The Raven Queen had sent her -
The shadar-kai's foot landed on something, a small 'click' the only warning she got. In an instant a spectral net formed around her, encasing her in an orb of force as she was flung high into the air. Instantly the others heard the commotion as she banged on the transparent walls that now encaged her.
From outside, the others heard a woman's voice emit from where Shavvir now hovered...Sariel's voice. "A coalition will be here within minutes to collect you. Surrender yourselves now and the consequences for your crimes against humanity will be minimal. Attempt any form of resistance and you will be promptly exterminated." The voice was as emotionless as the woman that spoke it, amplified by the magical nature with which it spoke. As if on queue, the group could see heads rising up over the horizon, somehow managing to camouflage themselves in the hills surrounding the 'empty' village.
Zaelynir flew to the sky to get a sense of just how bad the situation was...behind the first wave were several more. The incubus could see armaments of all shapes and sizes, the smallest of which they recognized from their time in Dis...and larger ones not far behind. "Loves, I think it's time we made our leave. Phyrra, can you break our dear friend out of this so we can find this portal?"
The drow nodded, already turning to where Shavvir hovered. She raised her hand up, concentrating on the magic ball as she attempted to rip it apart, sending a blast of dispelling magic forth as she succeeded in rendering it useless. Shavvir fell to the ground, stopping a few inches above as she hovered in place before landing safely on the ground. "Let's go. No time to waste."
Shavvir led the group to the massive chasm before them, holding her hand out to look at the surroundings. "If I remember right...face this way, line this up, take three steps to the left...back up one, turn to here...yes." Shavvir looked down, taking Everlife and carving an 'X' into the ground. "Jump from here. This is the center of the portal. Deviate too much, and you might miss. Zaelynir, mind flying down to affirm my theory?"
"Of course. Just make sure to pay attention dear...once I'm through, I doubt I'll be making it back out." Zaelynir swooped down, flying into the darkness. Shavvir's shadar-kai eyes watched as she slipped darker and darker until eventually vanishing entirely...not due to lack of vision, but from disappearing into the portal.
Shavvir nodded. "Alright, the portal is still there. Phyrra, Maul, Wake, Lance, time to go." On the horizon Empyrean forces loomed closer, breaking out into a sprint as they saw the Syndicate's attempts at escape. Maul was the next to go, showing a great deal of faith as he simply plummeted to his doom...until he too passed safely through the portal. Phyrra went next, fading away seconds after the warforged. Finally Lance jumped, fading away into safety.
Shavvir looked to Wake, the two of them backing towards the ledge as the Empyreans drew closer and closer, bullets now starting to fly at the duo, though missing their mark from the long distances. "No time to waste. Let's go."
"You first. I'll hold them off for as long as I can." A bullet bounced off of Wake's armor, skimming off his shoulder.
"Now's no time to be the damn hero, Wake. We jump together if this is how you want to play things."
The archer sighed, downing one of the closer targets with an arrow. "Fine. Let's go." He grasped Shavvir's arm, the two hurtling off of the ledge in tandem. As she fell, the sky grew thinner and thinner
And thinner…
And thinner. At some point Shavvir noticed she couldn't feel Wake's hand on her wrist...she missed the portal. It must have shrunk with Empyria's presence...being off by a shoulder's width wouldn't have caused her to miss it before. Instinctively she formed a Dimension Door, throwing herself back up onto the top of the ledge, adrenaline starting to run through her. Empyria was close now, and as soon as she was back up all manner of bullets started to fly at her. She looked down on the ground at the mark she'd made earlier, running her boot along it several times to hide its tracks...hopefully it would be enough that plenty of them would die trying to follow her.
The shadar-kai made sure to square herself up before leaping again, freefall taking her once more as she descended, the sky shrinking around her. This time a most familiar sensation took root. The sky shifted from pale-blue to dark-purple in an instant, the craggy chasm she was falling in growing ever-more jagged and fearsome, sides forming that would chew to pieces any creature unfortunate enough to fall down them. She held tight, knowing what would come next...while the Pit was a convenient portal to her home, it was far from the safest.
Breath was knocked from her lungs and blood bubbled into her throat as she landed on the sharp rocks at the bottom of the chasm, the sky now looking like a purple thread running along an otherwise-black void above her. All around her, the others were in similar states of peril, the rocky bottom of the Pit similarly damaging to even the warforged. Zaelynir seemed the best off followed by Phyrra, the drow running around to each of the others in turn, healing magic flowing through their veins as she tended to her wounds.
"You could have...warned about the landing, don't you think? I thought I was dead."
Shavvir groaned as Phyrra helped her to her feet. "I would have if we had a bit more time...unfortunately things got a little tense there at the end. Empyria knows we're here now...and for all we know, they might be coming. I tried to cover our tracks. We'll see how effective that was. In the meantime, we need to get out of here. I can take someone with me to the top. Dimension Door reaches just far enough."
"Then I can as well." Phyrra instinctively looked at Wake before averting her gaze, landing on Lance. She walked towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"And I can fly the last up. Come here, darling...you know I don't bite." Zaelynir walked to Wake as Shavvir moved to Maul, the three casters taking their counterpart to the top of the chasm.
At the top, Shavvir nearly fainted from the sight before her. Strahd's castle, castle Ravenloft...to say that it dominated the skyline was an understatement. No...it was the skyline. Towers and parapets stretched to the clouds and beyond, a central spire disappearing into even the highest cloud cover. Natural terrain blocked most of the view of what would be at eye level, but Shavvir could see the upper sliver of a wall stretching to infinity on either side.
Strahd hadn't simply taken over the Shadowfell...he'd become it.
