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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 2073155" data-attributes="member: 143">Well, I don't want to disappoint, <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />  so...* * * * * Chapter 338The companions rose wearily, preparing themselves for yet another confrontation.  But this time, for once, their wariness proved unnecessary, as became evident once the light drew close enough for them to clearly discern its source.  Arun recognized her immediately, for the newcomer had made a powerful impact upon him at their first meetings, in the jungles near the Demonskar. “Nidrama!” he exclaimed. The deva drifted down on wings spread to catch the air, but even as she reached the ground her bare feet drifted a few inches above the stones of the street.  Despite the ash and soot choking the air, her white gown was pristine, and ruffled slightly as if trammeled by a soft breeze. “I bid you greeting, heroes,” she said.  “It is good to see you once more.  And you, templar.”“Celestial,” Beorna said simply, with a nod.  “We are quite busy, as you’ve no doubt noticed.  What is the purpose of your visitation?”Ignoring the dwarf’s brusque manner, Nidrama said, “The hour of travail has come upon Cauldron... but this you know, that I can see plainly in your eyes.  Your foes seek to open a permanent gateway...”“Yes, we know, Carceri, Shackleborn, Cagewrights, all that,” the templar interjected.  “We were in the midst of helping to evacuate the city, when that... thing appeared.”“You have done well, for despite the destruction wrought here by the agents of Evil, there are many who yet live through your direct actions.”“There is still much to be done.  Divine agent, what we truly lack is knowledge.  Can you tell us where the stronghold of the Cagewrights is located?”The celestial frowned, and with that change in her expression it seemed as though the light shining from around her dimmed somewhat.  “They cloak their activities through dark magics and the blessing of foul gods,” she said.  “I am limited in what I can do...”“I understand the nature of the Compact,” Beorna said.  “That comes as no surprise.”Nidrama seemed to bristle at Beorna’s tone.  “Matters are not so simple as you would imagine, templar of Helm,” she said.  “Cauldron has become a focal point, and there is a danger of a cascade opening here, a rift that would transform the city into a nodus of the eternal struggle between Dark and Light.  Would you have your world so riven?”“It looks like they’re going to do it regardless,” Dannel said, adding his first words to the conversation.  “Unless we stop them.”“Yes,” the deva said, and there was an odd inflection to her voice.  “Unless we stop them.”“Holy One,” Arun said, wiping his brow of layered soot as he came forward.  “I would ask one boon...”  He gestured to where Hodge lay motionless in the street.  “He gave his life, again, fighting against evil.  Is there something that can be done?”  Nidrama turned away from Beorna and Dannel, and as he eyes fixed on the slain warrior, her expression deepened into a look of sadness and sympathy.  “Brave warrior,” she said, stepping forward upon what seemed to be an invisible cushion of air.  “Once again you have answered the call, ignoring the cost.”  She bent low, reaching down to touch the dwarf on the forehead.  The touch was ephemeral; even as her fingers appeared to contact the greasy, soot-stained brow of the dwarf she was drawing back, making the connection seem an illusion.  But where the fingers had appeared to brush his grayed skin there was now a patch of brightness, a point of light that dimmed slowly, spreading inward through his body.  As the companions watched in amazement, the dwarf’s body stirred, and then a loud cough racked Hodge’s supine frame. “Blast,” the dwarf said, pulling himself up.  “Bloody blazing bastards...”  Looking up, he saw the deva hovering over him, a faint smile on her face.  “Um... beggin’ yer pardon, lady,” he said, his eyes wide. “Welcome back, Hodge,” Mole said, her own eyes glimmering slightly. Beorna knelt beside the warrior, who was still grievously injured, and channeled positive healing energy into him until he could stand, if with assistance. “We are in your debt, Holy One,” Arun said.  “My act is but one small weight on the balance,” Nidrama replied.  “I fear that it will be upon your shoulders that the final burden falls.”“Well, we’d better get to saving the rest of the city,” Beorna said, allowing Hodge to stand on his own, once it became clear that he could do so. “Jenya Urikas waits for you by the western gate of the city,” Nidrama said, rising slowly into the air, until she hovered a good two paces above the street.  “It may be that she may find the answers that you seek.”“Nidrama, wait,” Dannel said, stepping forward to face the celestial.  “Zenna...”The deva’s white eyes shone with a deep expression of pity.  “I fear that she is lost to the light, Dannel.  For in the opening of this lock, the keys are consumed.”“No, it cannot be...”“Do not give up hope, for in the end, nothing is truly impossible.  Remember that, and may the Light shine upon your steps.”She brandished her sword, the flames along its length forming a brilliant arc in the air before her as she rose up into the air, her wings beating back the polluted air, the light shining around her forming an envelope of purity within a scene of darkness.  It looked as though that light would pierce the shroud forever, but in reality it was just a few moments before she was gone from view. “I wonder where it is that they go, when they make those dramatic exits,” Mole said. “Are you all right, friend?” Arun asked, clasping Hodge’s shoulder. “A bit weak,” the dwarf admitted.  He’d drawn out his jug and uncorked it, but when he looked inside his expression darkened.  He held it upside down, but not even a drop emerged from the empty container.  “Damn and double damn,” he said.“We should make for the west gate, then,” Dannel said.  “I don’t think we’re done yet,” Beorna said again, sliding her sword back into its sheath.  The brief encounter seemed to have reenergized her, and her usual determination shone in her face as she turned to face the others.  “Let’s get going."</blockquote>

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