Blasphemous Despair

The Blasphemy was struck down, yet the beasts still roam the land, their numbers growing still. But what is it that caused these people to transform? What was it that made our magic turn against us?

To find that answer, you are searching the city of Radz-at-Han for any clue about the appearance of this creature that seemed to be a living mockery of the gods of this land. What you find might surprise you. After all...when bereft of everything else...what was there left...?

Well, S'eni had to admit, this was certainly a way to see more of the city. After discussing their next course of action, their group had split up. The twins would ask around Paksa's Path, while Y'shtola and Thancred would cover Dharma. Which left G'raha and her to investigate Artha, where the High Crucible of Al-Kimiya was located. Starting their investigation there, the two of them slowly worked their way to the bazaar. And while the people there could only provide information for when the beasts were already raging, it still offered them some rough tracks to follow. Which eventually led them to a local tavern, or meyhane as it was called here, and as it turned out, held some of the answers they were looking for.

"That enormous beast?" A fearful-looking Hyur man asked, the fingers around his glass tightened slightly.

"Indeed." G'raha nodded. "If you can tell us anything, please do."

"I saw it...including the moment that poor bastard transformed. Damn the gods!" he took a large sip from his glass, before pointing over to one of the tables by the window. "It started over there. A few men, most likely merchants, were talking and drinking. The conversation must've taken a turn for the worse since one of them—their leader, I presume—put his head in his hands, and black mist formed around him. Then his whole body just...bursts apart, and this hideous, slavering beast, all bulging eyes and gaping maws, stands there. His friends were shrieking and the mist returned, until they too changed. The stuff of nightmares..."

He took another, shaky sip, while G'raha exchanged a look with her. "Did you by any chance recognize who these merchants were?" the other Miqo'te asked, making the man shake his head.

"No, I'm a decorator by trade. Not much reason to mingle with their sort. Saw Mihleel the barmaid chat with them, though. The Au Ra over there. She might know something."

"Thank you for your time," S'eni said and they left the man. After a few steps, she lowered her voice and turned towards her companion. "A merchant...that fits with the Blasphemy's final words."

"It does. And with that other woman's statement about it happening before the sky began to burn, I feel we are getting closer to the truth."

"Hm. Let's see what this Mihleel can tell us."

They found the woman in question tending to one of the tables left unscathed by the whole ordeal. Upon noticing them, she looked up from her work and tried to offer them a friendly smile. She wasn't particularly successful.

"Welcome to Mehryde's Meyhane," she greeted them. "What can we get you?"

"We are not here for drinks, but information," G'raha replied. "We are investigating the so-called Blasphemy on behalf of the Satrap. We heard it was one of your customers, a merchant, that first underwent the transformation. What can you tell us about him?"

"He...He was something of a regular here, especially of late. His name was Khalzahl. He owned a consortium that dealt in the exports of Thavnarian specialties."

Khalzahl! Yes, she knew that name. "The merchant from Yedlihmad!" she exclaimed and, upon G'raha's questioning look, explained, "We met Matsya through him.

"Ah, yes." He nodded. "I remember you telling us that after you returned to Sharlayan."

"Yes...that is the same Khalzahl, no doubt. A rather successful man, from what I gathered," Mihleel said. "That said, it was clear he had fallen on hard times as of late. The appearance of those ghastly towers cannot have been good for business. Even now, with the towers gone, the collapse of the Empire has led to all sorts of problems elsewhere. The market for luxuries is surely not what it once was..."

"He seemed quite desperate for business when we spoke. Practically begging for me to be a merchant." S'eni frowned.

"Trying times for the head of a trading consortium, indeed," G'raha agreed.

"Khalzahl was a compassionate man. Even as his own business suffered, he did what he could to provide for the artisans, fishermen, and many others who counted on him to sell their wares. As far as I could tell, that seemed to be the topic for yesterday's meeting. Yet as they discussed matters further, Khalzahl's tone grew grave and grim... It was then that...that..." the Au Ra broke off, closing her eyes and raising a shaking hand to her mouth.

Stepping forward, S'eni placed a calming hand on the other woman's arm. "It's fine if you don't wish to talk about it."

"Yes. I'm sorry if my question has caused you pain. If I may though, can I ask you one last thing?" Mihleel nodded and G'raha continued. "Did you notice anything unusual about Khalzahl in particular?"

"No, nothing comes to mind," the barmaid replied with a shake of her head. "He lived for his work, and had no family that I know of. His employees and associates knew him best, but...they too are lost to us. Still, his neighbors might know something I do not. I can direct you to them, if you believe it would help. What do you say?"

S'eni looked over to G'raha and they shared a smile. "I say, that sounds perfect."

After receiving directions to Kama, the name of the area where Khalzahl used to live, they left the meyhane. As they went along, S'eni crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes slightly in thought. "So Khalzahl was discussing something with his business associates, then the conversation grew grim and black mist surrounded him, before transforming him into the Blasphemy. But...what in the hells could have caused it?"

"Same with the people we saw transform in Vanaspati. If the burning sky was not the catalyst, then what was?"

When they arrived in Kama, the first thing S'eni noticed was that it seemed to be quite a well-to-do neighbourhood. The second was that the streets were entirely empty. Not that she could blame anyone for holing themselves up in the safety of their homes with what was happening right now.

"Let's ask over there." She pointed towards a nearby house. Inside, they found an elderly woman, who was quite surprised to see visitors, but quite willing to tell them about Khalzahl.

"I've known him since he was a little boy. If there was ever a man who was born to be a merchant, it was him. Always early to depart and late to return, he'd spend his days procuring the finest wares and seeking out willing customers. You could say it came to him as easily as breathing," the woman told them. "Sadly, business was flagging of late. No surprise, really, what with how dangerous travel has become. He was cooped up in his house from dawn till dusk the other day. No doubt wracking his brain for a way to turn his fortunes around. Then, at night, I heard the door open. I looked out to see Khalzahl sitting on a bench, his head hung low. A man with the weight of the world on his shoulders..."

"I see. The situation must have been quite dire, then..." G'raha said. "Did you notice anything else out of the ordinary?"

"Nothing comes to mind. Other than the troubles with his consortium, he was the same old Khalzahl. Cordial and honest." A frown deepened the wrinkles on the woman's face even further. "These questions you're asking...has something happened to him? He wasn't caught up in that terrible incident at the bazaar, was he? I don't travel much these days, but my daughter's told me not to venture outside, so I heard only very little about these bizarre goings-ons."

S'eni hesitated for a moment, unsure if they should really tell this kindly old lady what happened to the man she knew for so long. Thankfully, G'raha stepped in and managed to deflect the question rather diplomatically. "Rest assured, the city is safe for now, but the situation may change without warning. I urge you to stay close to your daughter, and be prepared to take refuge should the Satrap order it."

"Yes, I shall do just that. Thank you for your concern, and please stay safe as well."

As they left the house again, S'eni shot G'raha a grateful look for the nice save, then proceeded to look for someone else who might know something. They found another source of information in an Arkasodara man who, amazingly enough, had slept right through the entire thing. He told them that he recently spoke with Khalzahl and that he apparently managed to turn things around by landing quite a generous order from Ruveydah Fibers that a man named Djinabaha brokered for him. Thus, their next destination was decided.

It was easy enough to spot, what with the silkworm farms out front, but when they stepped inside, there was very little to see of the orderly workshop she was expecting. Instead, a sense of urgency was in the air as workers ran from one end to the other, carrying crates, equipment, and other things. A man was shouting orders over the chaos. Most likely the one they were looking for.

"...and hurry! There's no time to waste!" he called out to two of the employees when they approached him.

"Pardon me, but you're the one in charge of buying and selling, correct?" G'raha asked him. "We have a few questions that we'd like to─"

"I'm sorry, but I have no time to chat," the man interrupted him. "If you haven't noticed, we have our hands full at the moment. We must carry all our wares and equipment to safety before those accursed beasts return!"

S'eni and G'raha silently looked at one another, and nodded.

"Might we be of assistance, then?" G'raha offered. "Perhaps we could speak when the work is done."

The man gave them a scrutinising look, obviously unsure what to make of the offer. Eventually though, he nodded with a sharp exhale. "...You have my thanks."

"What would you have us do?" S'eni asked.

"You go through that door and look for an Arkasodara named Kamala. She will tell you what to do. Meanwhile, your friend here can help us with the equipment."

"Got it!" She said and made her way to the door. Errands even during the apocalypse.

It was almost funny.

As it turned out, her task was to carry some crates filled with fabric and threads to the appropriate storehouses. An easy task, which was swiftly taken care of, surprising some of the other workers considering the sheer size of some of those crates. Once done, she made her way back to Djinabaha, who looked much less stressed when she returned.

"Are you done?" he asked her.

"All done to Kamala's satisfaction," she replied with a little thumbs-up.

"If she is satisfied, then so am I. You have done us a great favor, traveler."

"I have delivered the equipment as well," G'raha said while joining them.

Djinabaha looked between the two of them. "You both have my thanks. With our wares safely stored away, we'll not lose any more to those fiends."

"I take it your establishment did not escape the attack unscathed?" G'raha asked.

"We didn't. Thankfully, most of our workers had already left for the day. But those of us still here saw it all...We were all looking at the burning skies in confusion when a hideous creature came and burst through the door, shrieking. We ran for our lives, but one of my colleagues was not so fortunate. He cried out, the most agonizing scream I've ever heard, and from one moment to the next, began to sprout claws as well. The sight caused another fellow to panic and then...he, too..." he covered his face with his hand, releasing a shaky breath. He took a few seconds to calm himself. "...I'm sorry. There was something you wanted to ask?"

"There was," she said. "We've heard your workshop made some arrangements with a merchant named Khalzahl."

"Khalzahl? Yes, I know him. Quite well, in fact. We'd arranged for his consortium to deliver a large shipment of fabrics, but in the end, we received a better offer and had to turn him down. I understand his business is struggling, but so is ours. Another of our most reliable trading partners agreed to transport the goods for a much smaller commission, and we'd have been fools to refuse," Djinabaha said. "I felt terrible for withdrawing the offer...but you must understand, we simply had no choice. He tried to put on a brave face when I delivered the news, but his dejection and despair were plain as day. He said he'd discuss it with his associates, but I could tell he'd all but given up hope..."

"I see..." S'eni said. That must have been the reason why the conversation in the meyhane had turned grim. He had to deliver the bad news to his associates and from there...lost what little hope he had left. Even in his last moments, all he could think of was the business he had given his all for...

"Dejection...and despair," G'raha mumbled, before looking at her. "In Vanaspati, the soldiers and jungle dwellers turned into beasts after being pushed to the brink. The same phenomenon occurred here as well. The poor craftsmen attacked by the fiends, as well as those that witnessed it...all undergoing the change. I suspect that everything began with Khalzahl. By all accounts, he suffered from the most profound and piercing despair..."

Both their eyes widened as realization struck.

"Wait, could that be it? That such intense emotions trigger the change?"

"It's the only thing that makes sense so far," she said.

"Indeed...A lot is still unclear, but I think we are much closer to an answer now. Come, we should meet up with the others at Meghaduta."

After thanking Djinabaha and telling him to flee with the others should need arise, they headed towards their agreed meeting point. When they arrived at Meghaduta, a sizeable crowd had already formed in front of the Satrap's residence. And at the edge of the said crowd, S'eni spotted Thancred and Y'shtola, talking with a few of the people.

"Ah, there you are," Y'shtola greeted them as the woman she spoke to walked away. "Did you manage to learn something from the survivors?"

"We did," G'raha replied. "But what we discovered is quite worrisome. That is why we wished to talk with you and hear what you think."

"And with good timing," Alphinaud said while he and Alisaie came walking over. "We've also just finished our own rounds."

"Very well. Please tell us what you found out then," Y'shtola said.

Sharing a nod with G'raha, S'eni began to tell them what they found out about the Blasphemy and what they thought might be the cause for the transformation. The more she told them, the darker their faces grew, and by the time she was done, they all looked deep in thought. Alphinaud was the first to speak up again.

"So this Khalzahl was beside himself in worry about his consortium and thus became the Blasphemy," he said.

"We discovered something similar. All those who transformed appeared to suffer from great distress," Alisaie said. "Amongst them, of course, were those chased by one of those beasts or had to witness the transformation of someone close to them, like friends or family. A dreadful chain reaction."

"An intense, negative emotion like dread, sorrow or despair..." Alphinaud nodded. "Yes, I believe that is the deciding factor for ones transformation."

"If so, then the parallels to the Final Days of the Ancients are becoming clearer," Y'shtola said, eyebrows drawn. "From what we've learned, it was the loss of control over their powers of creation that brought forth manifestations of their fears. Yet a simple loss of control would not just create beings of which we were afraid. No...this phenomenon must be connected to these negative emotions. It's the only way the pieces of this calamity form into a whole."

"There is also the fact that, unlike back then, it is the very people of this star whose bodies get twisted in such nightmarish fashion," Alphinaud pointed out. "Whatever the reason for that may be...we do know that there is one critical difference between us and the Ascians: we are sundered. Fragmented. Perhaps therein lies the key to the...workings of this apocalypse."

"There is one more thing we have yet to tell you," G'raha said then, his lips forming a grim line. "It seems that Khalzahl turned into the Blasphemy before the sky began to burn."

"What!?" Alisaie exclaimed. "If that's true then...then that means it doesn't need any visible signs of the end to turn into a beast. So even somewhere, where everything seems normal, someone could suddenly..."

The young woman broke off and a heavy silence wrapped itself around them in a stranglehold of realization. Nowhere was safe. All it needed was just a feeling of deepest despair to bring forth monsters. And there was no lack of that these days.

By the gods...

The strangling silence lasted for a couple of agonizing seconds until it was broken by one of the nearby citizens calling out, "Look! It's the Satrap!"

Almost immediately, the general nervousness in the air gave way to a cautious relief as Ahewann came walking over the small bridge that kept the Satrap's residence separate from the rest of the square, the two officers of the Radiant Host they had previously seen at Vanaspati flanking him. When he came to a stop, he let his gaze wander over everyone in the gathered crowd. His eyes also came to briefly rest upon S'eni and the other, before addressing the citizen.

"Brave citizens, I am relieved to see so many of you unharmed. I am afraid the situation has not yet calmed down, but at the very least, we have managed to repel the creatures within the city walls. For now, Radz-at-Han is safe," he told them and a few murmurs went through the air. The Au Ra waited for them to die down. "Everywhere in Thavnair, our Radiant Host is battling against the fiends alongside the dragon that has ever been our ally. So please, calm your hearts and do not give into panic."

Another round of murmurs followed and she noticed more of the people visibly calming down. Just like Vrtra had said, Ahewann truly knew how to work a crowd. But there was one person, who yet remained worried. An old lady stepped forth. "Your Excellency...has there been any word from Palaka's Stand?" she asked. "My grandson was bound there yesterday and has not returned yet."

"We are still awaiting reports from that area," Ahewann replied. "As soon as they arrive we shall—"

"Y-Your Excellency!" another voice interrupted the man, accompanied by heavy footsteps like only a Matanga could produce. "Something terrible has happened!"

Wait, she knew that voice!

"And you are...?" Ahewann asked their new arrival when he came to a stop next to their group.

"I, uh, I...I am Matsya, from Akyaali. Matsya the fisherman."

"Ah yes, we've met you upon our first arrival here," Thancred said. Matsya, in turn, looked at them in surprise.

"Oh! What are you doing here?" the Arkasodara then shook his head. "No. The Satrap first. Your Excellency, I was worried about a friend who lives in Palaka's Stand, so I went there to check in on her. But the village is overrun with nightmarish beasts! All of it! Never before have I seen such horrors!"

"Oh...Oh no!" the old lady immediately exclaimed and rushed over to Ahewann. "Please, your Excellency! You must do something! My grandson...!"

"Of course. But please, we must remain calm."

"Calm!? How are we supposed to keep calm!? Even the strongest soldiers of the Radiant Host were simply torn in two by these beasts! If one of them has attacked my grandson then—" the old woman gasped out in pain and grabbed her head, stumbling back a few steps. Black mist began to form around her. "—nothing...aaah...will..."

"Watch out! Get away from her!" Y'shtola cried out. But it was too late. From one moment to the next, the woman's body became engulfed by the mist, before bursting apart and leaving only a hulking monster in its wake. The beast released a roar so loud that it sent some of the nearby people flying. The closest to it, a young girl who couldn't be older than the twins, began screaming in horror and transformed as well. More transformations swiftly followed, and panic broke loose as the fiends went on the attack.

"Dammit! We've got no choice!" Thancred cursed, grabbed his Gunblade, and ran right into the fray.

Y'shtola, who took hold of her staff, looked at the rest of them. "Go! Get these people to safety!"

"Way ahead of you!" S'eni said while already running off, making a beeline for a young woman that was being jumped by one of the smaller beasts. "No you won't!"

Sliding to a stop behind it, she slipped her arms around its torso and raised it into the air. It struggled for a bit, trying to swipe at her with its claws, but unable to stop her from letting herself fall backwards to slam it headfirst into the ground. With a crack, the creature went limp. She immediately let go of it, rolling away and getting back to her feet to help the woman up.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

A shaky nod. "Y-Yes!"

"Good, now quickly. Get to safety!"

The woman didn't have to be told twice and hurried away. Turning around, S'eni looked at the fading form of the beast, before narrowing her eyes and focusing on the people instead. She raised her arm and called out, "Everyone! This way!"

A few of them heeded her call, but most of them were far too panicked to listen. She cursed under her breath and was about to rush forward when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted another large monster stomping towards a helpless citizen on the ground. Spinning around, she dashed towards the creature to try and intercept it.

All of a sudden, someone else came running from her left. It was Ahewann, his sword and shield brandished, and putting himself between the monster and the man. Raising his weapon, he swiped at a large claw coming towards him, creating a cloud of sparks as they clashed. Unfortunately, the force sent him stumbling backwards, leaving him open for the beast to take hold of him.

"No!" she shouted when the monster began to open its wide maw. The Au Ra struggled, crying out in pain while trying to get away, but to no avail. Turning his head, his eyes found hers.

"Please...tell Vrtra..." he managed to say as the air was pushed out of his lungs. "Save Radz-at-Han...Please...!"

She could only watch as the beast devoured Ahewann whole, followed by a loud, wet crunch. His blade clattered to the ground, spat out like a used toothpick, and the creature brought its attention back to a helpless man who was staring at it in pure horror. Gritting her teeth, she raised her arms.

"Over here you ugly bastard!" she shouted, making it glance at her. "How about you try me instead!?"

Twisting its heavy form around, it began stomping towards her instead. It swiped at her with one of its claws, but she simply dodged underneath the attack and delivered three punches to its stomach in rapid succession. The monster cried out and tried to attack again, but she was far too quick for it to keep up, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks upon it that caused it to sink to its knees. With a cry, she pulled her arm back and guided her aether through her opened chakras, before slamming her fist into the creature's chest. The resulting explosion tore a good chunk out of the fiend, and it dissolved into mist before the rest of it could even hit the ground.

Panting, S'eni looked over to where the man was, but only found G'raha walking past her, his staff gripped tightly in his hand and the look in his eyes one of hardened steel. He came to a stop in the center of the plaza, slamming the pointy end of his weapon into the ground. His lips parted, and when he spoke, it was with the same authority as when he was still the Crystal Exarch.

"Citizens of Radz-at-Han, look to the future! These fiends can be defeated! Banish the fear from your hearts!" His hand shot up, pointing to officers that had accompanied Ahewann. "Soldiers of the Radiant Host, assist Y'shtola and Thancred. Not one beast shall leave this place!"

He then turned to the citizens. "And you get to safety! Help those that cannot do so alone, barricade yourself in your homes or Artha! Worry not, for not a single beast shall pass by me!"

Spurred on by his words, the citizens left hurriedly, giving them much-needed breathing room. With an explosive strike, Thancred brought the beast to fall that used to be the old woman, and turned to the twins. "Alphinaud, Alisaie! Go to Palaka's Stand. We'll hold the line here," he shouted. "Matsya, lead them there. They'll take care of the village."

"Y-Yes!"

"S'eni, you go too," G'raha said to her. "We'll rescue as many as we can."

"Take care," she said and ran over to join the twins and Matsya. Together, they hurried away from Meghaduta and down the streets to the gate that would lead them to where their next destination lay.

...Even if it might already be too late.