"Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." A saying that had been circling around Morax's head ever since Guizhong had burst into his study 3 days ago, eyes glittering and a mischievous grin plastered across her face. She had come bearing information about new mechanical developments in Khaenri'ah which she desperately wanted to investigate herself.
It wasn't necessarily a bad idea… there was plenty of potential and certainly had some valid excuses as to why both gods had disappeared off into potential enemy territory, alone, without backup or really any way of getting out if things went sideways.
Although Khaenri'ah was not currently a threat it was no secret that they disliked the gods and adepti. Their rouge technology was enough trouble as it was and morax had seen what those metallic monsters were capable of and certainly did not want them anywhere near his people. If this mission was successful it would give the Guili assembly an edge should Kheanri'ah ever become an enemy. This was the reason he had given to his most trusted adepti while informing them of their duties in his absence.
It was partially true however his largest motivation was to appease Guizhong. If he was lucky she would be inspired by what she had seen on the mission and disappear into her workshop allowing him several days of peace before returning to demand his prescance as "the perfect sturdy target for testing new inventions". Morax never understood her fascination of machinery especially when the technology was frivolous had no logical or beneficial purpose. However when he voiced his concerns on the "pointless" creations Guizhong would get huffy and pout until he apologized and agreed to allow her more tests than he usually permitted.
This infuriating cycle was exactly how he had ended up sitting on a small outcropping far outside the peaceful safety of the Guili plains, in the dead of night during a thunderstorm of monstrous proportions. So far everything had gone smoothly after slipping out of the plains undetected, they had traveled for almost a full day until the thunderstorm had started. The weather had delayed their arrival and the low visibility made the high walls of Khaenri'ah look like vast grey blobs dotted with regular intervals of unnaturally bright light. The plan had been to slip in under the cover of darkness after some of Guhizhong's friends made a diversion. The unexpected weather had thrown a wrench into the plan and now they were stuck waiting for the weather to clear so they could find the best place to slip in undetected.
The thin grey cloak did little to keep out the harsh wind and frigid rain. Morax hated the feeling of drenched clammy clothes clinging to his skin was less than pleasant. Ignoring the uncomfortable chill in the air he leaned back against the steep slope of the cliff resting his head against the black stone behind him, and focused the icy raindrops traceing freezing trails down the sharp edges of his face and dripping from his bangs to add to the rapidly growing puddles. Closing his eyes Morax felt his physical senses dim and as he slipped into meditation.
By extending his mind deep into the earth it was as if Morax could become the stone of the mountain its self, feeling all that happened for miles around. If he focused he could feel all the creatures residing in the caves and tunnels. As well as those close to the surface that huddled in the craggy corners where the howling gales could not reach. Reaching deeper still he found the steady and almost comforting thrum of power coursing steadily through the leylines.
And yet there was something unsettling fluttering around the edges of his mind just out of reach, almost mocking. As he reached out towards it there was a buzz that prickled along his skin the closer he came to this unidentified entity the more intense the buzz became. As he approached it felt more and more like the walls around Khaenri'ah, vast and unapproachable. Curious to investigate this new unknown power Morax reached out towards as his fingers made contact he let out a small cry when he was met with sudden white hot pain lighting up every one of his nerves.
Reeling Morax tried to draw back as he drew away so did the pain until he was hit again with the effect of what he now realized was a barrier. The third blow sent black spots dancing across his vision the searing pain had had faded and his limbs were going alarmingly numb as his strength flowed out desperately trying to protect him from the unknown attack. He was quickly losing his grip on the mountain as the barrier was trying to drag his mind into darkness. With the last of his strength he reached out to Guizhong as both a cry for help and a warning of the danger far below…
