The group watches as the centaurs disappear into the forest heading in a nor-easterly direction. And then suddenly a light appears coming through the trees in the direction of the Deklo Groves center.
The light emanates from a set of steps made of yellow light that seem to hover in the center of the open area. A portal of white light stands at the top a green circle in its center. Zanword is drawn towards the steps by the familiar sounds, the cry of gulls, waves coming ashore, and the creak of rope and the flap of sails.
He puts one boot on the bottom step and it starts to glow brighter, almost pulsating from within. Another step and both begin to glow and pulsate, making it hard for everyone else to see the half-elf paladin. Zanword sight is only for the green disc, and he can feel the spray of the sea as if he were aboard the deck of
The Sea Glimmer. It is a welcome feeling that fills him with hope.
Then a ringing female voice fills the air,
"You have done well to preserve the light within Zanword Sealeaf," she says dearly. "
Are you ready now to pledge yourself to protecting the world from the darkness that threats it?"
"I am." Zanword speaks quietly.
Above the trees the sky darkens and what look like storm clouds take on the form of a gigantic hand of darkness. The wind howls and the webs about you sway as the clouds start to take form. It looks as if it is coming from the heavens and will grab hold of the world like a child grabbing a ball.
"Will you kindle the light of hope in those filled with despair. Through your actions will you show the world the strength of your light."
"I will."
Zanword takes another step forward and begins to glow with an inner light of his own. The dark hand now fills the sky as it comes closer and closer to the treetops.
"And to be the shield that shelters all the good of this world. Defending it from the wickedness that would consume it. Do you promise to defend the light of this world? "
"I do."
Zanword is now just a dark shape to everyone as he stands before the green disc. The light of the stairs is so bright you have to shelter your eyes, but the young half-elf seems not to notice. The brightness only seems to enhance how black the darkness of the giant hand truly is. The fingers flex eager to finally take hold.
"Then become the LIGHT and never despair. By your deeds make your light shine bright, by your courage keep the LIGHT alive. I name you Rochon o'Coe, Warden of Hope. Now my champion become the LIGHT!"
"I am the LIGHT!"
Zanword lifts his arms to the sky and a beam of light cascades forth to engulf the wrist of the giant black hand. It struggles to free itself balling into a fist and seeming to strain against the manacle of light. Then the yellowish light flares and flashes to a brilliant white. You have to shut your eyes.
When you open them again and clear the spots, the staircase of light and the hand of darkness are both gone. Zanword stands in the middle of the Deklo Grove and amazingly there is not a cobweb to be seen. The ettercap hut is gone and only one small spider (perched on Rana's cane) can be found in the forest.
