A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 100: Asssault on the Cult
The next couple days passed without much of of intrest occurring. Baeshra And I further scouted the area, encountering the occasion group of warriors serving the cult, but nothing beyond that. Eventually, the ships arrived bearing our allies. I regrouped with my companions and together we set off deeper into the island's interior. As we journeyed, I had a strange sesation in the back of my mind. It wasn't one of worry or a sense of danger, but rather seemed positive. However, I couldn't quite define it. We pushed past more thugs and hired mercenaries, and reached the rendezvous point from which the main assault would begin.
"Good, everyone's here," said Baeshra, "I hope you're all ready, for the time of conflict draws near. It has been determaine that the ritual site is within a natural cavern on the slopes of the volcanic peak at the heart of the island. It will be crucial that reach the ritual site as soon as possible. While this ritual site while less defended than some, it is still well guarded. We'll only get One chance at this," said Baeshra, "Valignatisk and his allies will lead the assault on the main ritual site, the rest of is will act to draw attention away from them. Any questions?"
No one raised any concerns.
"Very well," said Baeshra, "Let's go!"
We made our way across the open, rolling hills that made up this part of the island, and towards our goal: the volcanic peak. Along the way, we fought through more mercenaries and cultists, each step taking us closer to our goal. Around us, or allies were waring their own battles, clearing the way for our charge. Blades, arrows, and spells flashed in the morning sun as our destination grew closer. Eventually, we broke through and reached the cavern where the ritual was taking place. Gathered in this place were 12 humanoids, all working together to channel arcane power. Before them, suspened at this point in reality the air seemed to be pinched inwards. Each of these humanoids seemed warped in some way. Two of them seemed of be nearly lifeless, with bald head and tattered robes, and with a swirling mass of absolute darkness in place of their chests. Two of them, the ones who seemed to be directing the others, had empty black eyes and strange runes carved into their skin. The remaining eight each had one of their limbs distorted into strange tendrils.
"Ah, so our guests have arrived," sneered one of the leaders, "your interference matters not. Soon, our task will be complete, and our lord Amuul-Dar will grant us our just reward!"
"Interesting," I said, "you have me intrigued. Tell us more of this Amuul-Dar".
"Our lord is beyond your petty understanding, even you, wyrm," ranted the cult leader, "His glory will soon be free and the world will be ours!"
"They're completely insane!" said Narcrath.
"And that makes then even more dangerous," I replied.
"You best flee, lest your hubris lead to your destruction," said the cult leader, "or stay… and meet you doom!"
Lydratir acted with surprising speed unleashing a rapid volley of shots at our foes putting an arrow into each one. One of the humanoids with the mass of darkness in their chest grinned and pulled the front of his robes open wider, and I felt myself being pulled towards our foe. I dug my claws in, bracing against the suction. The force tore at Charles, Urarix, and I, but we weathered through it despite being knocked prone. Krisyra raised her staff to the sky and uttered her incantation, resulting in a hailstorm pelting our foes and taking out six of the cultists. The second of these void-carrying mages pointed towards us with his hands and unleashed a conical blast of icy magic. We braced agaist the blast, but Narcrath seemed to take the brunt of it. One of the cultists tried to attack Lydratir, but his armor deflected the attacks with its club and tentacled hand. I got back on my feet, and looked over the remaining cultists, and felt a surge of anger at their very presence. I snarled and unleashed my fire, burning away all but the two mages and one of the leaders, and even they were left in poor shape. Charles stood up to join me in battle, and with one mighty swing cleaved through the remaining cultists, leaving the area clear.
We searched the area for any stragglers, but it seemed we were in the clear. Soon enough our allies joined up with us.
"Good work," said Baeshra, "it seems like we've managed to stop them just in time. Now we just have to let our own mages take over and open the way for you and your companions to go in".
I decided that while we were waiting to raise the question about what this sensation I'd been experiencing was.
"There's something about this place, something more than just the rift," I said, "even since we've arrived here something about this island has just felt… right somehow. It's odd, I've never felt this anywhere else we've been".
"I'm no expert on draconic emotions or minds," said Baeshra, "you'd be better off asking Verrax when he gets here".
"Ask me what?" said Verrax as he arrived with a team of mages on his tail.
I repeated what I'd just tole Baeshra, trying my best to explain this sesation I didn't quite have a name for. As I finished, Verrax smiled.
"Ah, is that all?" said Verrax, "I know exactly what you're talking about. I've experience it too, the first time I visited the Greenhall Academy. It is a sense of true belonging. You know in the deepest part of your soul that this land is yours it is where you belong, Where you wil be most at home. Where you be best suited to establish your lair. It is rare for a dragon to actually find a place that is truly meant to be theirs".
"That… makes sense," I said, "it is a very nice place, and honesty I wouldn't mind calling it my own".
"In a sense, you already have," said Verrax, "but in any case, it would behoove us to deal with this rift before considering this further. Just give us some time, and we'll have the path into the voidspace ready for you. This is your las chance. If any of you wish to back out now, no one would think less of you. What lies beyond the rift is still a total unknown, and even with all our preperations there is a chance you might not make it back".
"There's no way I'm backing out now," I said.
"Same here," confirmed Charles.
"Someone has to keep you out of trouble," said Krisyra.
"I'm with you to the end," said Lydratir.
"I'm sure my skills will aid you in battling whatever lies beyond, I'm going," said Narcrath.
"On my honor, and in the name of Lord Bahamut, I will follow you in battling whatever it is that threatens the world," said Uxarix, "the Light will guide us even in the derkes depth of the void".
"Master Verrax," said one of the mages, "the portal's ready"
We turned to where they had been working and a swirling portal had appeared, awaiting us.
"Well, this is it," said Verrax, "I wish you luck, and may the god watch over you".
We looked between each other and those around us, steeled our resolve, and stepped into the unknown.
A/N: And so the journey into the Void Between begins. Who knows what our heroes may encounter in this place that none in memory have ventured before? Who knows what the true form of master of the Shadow Triad may be? Next time, the voyage into uncharted territory begins. See you then.