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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 1357569" data-attributes="member: 5203">With the threat gone, the party descended through the stone floor of the cave, staying close to the hole.&nbsp; They entered the small chamber five hundred feet down, and saw the second hole exactly as Alia had described, with iron rings set in around the edge just as before.&nbsp; A quick search revealed no other buttons or devices, and the party felt the magic keeping them in the Ethereal was fading quickly, and so decided to risk a physical climb down the hole.&nbsp; Niles sent more of his magical eyes down the hole, but they vanished only a couple of minutes later, so it was guessed that the suspected anti-magic zone was somewhere below.&nbsp; Indeed, as Alia climbed down, she felt the magic devices that were enhancing her fade about a hundred feet down.&nbsp; The area of dead magic proved to be about fifty feet across, and the hole itself slightly less than two hundred and thirty feet deep.&nbsp; With a little effort, the party managed to descend by rope into a narrow corridor of natural stone.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Alia took point once the party was all at the bottom, keeping her eyes peeled for danger.&nbsp; In the gloom, however, she couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of herself, and she didn’t dare make a light yet.&nbsp; She thought of the superior night-vision of her aasimar companions with some jealousy.&nbsp; “I’ll have to do something about that soon,” she said to herself.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; But even in the darkness, Alia’s keen eyes were able to pick up the traces of a guillotine trap in the corridor, which she handily disarmed.&nbsp; The corridor bent around and then opened up into a large cavern.&nbsp; A pool of water dominated the far side of the room.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; As Alia’s companions moved forward, the water began to bubble, then coalesce into a vaguely humanoid shape.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “An elemental,” said Kiy calmly, as he pulled an arrow and sent it flying into the creature.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Both Niles and Myoo sent fireballs flying at the creature, and watched as they impacted with no effect.&nbsp; Ehput-Ki and Tantu drew their swords, but the creature was in the center of the pool, out of easy reach.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Alia rolled and tumbled to her left, thinking.&nbsp; Her own hand crossbow wouldn’t effect the elemental, as it carried no enchantment, and she faced the same problem as Tantu and Ehput-Ki for melee.&nbsp; Glancing back, she saw her companions still clustered around the entrance to the cave.&nbsp; “Spread out!” she shouted at them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Myoo was the first to react, moving off to the right.&nbsp; He put away his fireball wand and instead pulled out a wand of magic missiles, sending five green energy bolts into the elemental.&nbsp; Tantu and Ehput-Ki stepped forward and surrounded the elemental as it surged out of the pool toward Kiy, who was continuing to fire arrow after arrow into it.&nbsp; Alia tried a vial of alchemist’s fire, but like the fireballs seemed ineffective.&nbsp; Niles switched to magic missiles as well, striking the liquid monstrosity as it came closer.&nbsp; The elemental tried to lunge onto Kiy, but it was cut off by the two holy men, who laid it low with mighty swings.&nbsp; Water puddled at the feet of the party as the creature dissipated.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Seeing no other exits from the room, the party investigated the pool.&nbsp; Tantu walked out onto the surface with the aid of her magical ring.&nbsp; “I can see an opening,” he said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Niles sent his last few eyes under the water and through the tunnel.&nbsp; Ten minutes later, they returned and circled around the gnome’s head.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Darkness,” he said, slightly disappointed.&nbsp; “There’s no light on the other end to see anything.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And it took them ten minutes to get there and back,” commented Ehput-Ki.&nbsp; “I doubt all of us can hold our breath for five minutes, even using Alia’s waterskin trick.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Any magic we can use?” asked Alia.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know such a spell,” said Tantu, “but I didn’t prepare it today.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “What about an elemental?” asked Myoo.&nbsp; “Surely the one we just dispatched was working for our adversaries, and probably ferried them through the tunnel.&nbsp; Couldn’t we summon one of our own?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Again, a spell I know but haven’t prepared,” said Tantu,&nbsp; “and I’m not certain I could summon one of sufficient strength.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; They stood around for a while, perplexed, when suddenly Niles slapped his forehead.&nbsp; “Wait a minute!&nbsp; When I sent the eyes into the tunnel, I told them to search ‘slowly and carefully’ for the other end.&nbsp; They weren’t moving anywhere near full speed!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The eyes sped off again, splashing into the pool.&nbsp; They returned less than three minutes later.&nbsp; “I told them to move directly to the entrance and return,” Niles said.&nbsp; “We’ve only got a two-minute swim, tops.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Very well,” said Ehput-Ki, “how should we proceed?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The party looked over at Alia, who was preparing her gear for the swim.&nbsp; She looked back at them, perplexed, then understanding dawned on her face.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Sorry,” she said, “I wasn’t expecting… anyway.&nbsp; I say we send a scout to check out the scene.&nbsp; I’d go, but I’d be as blind as Niles’ floating eyeballs.&nbsp; We need someone who can see in compete darkness.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ehput-Ki nodded.&nbsp; “I will go.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Alia glanced at his plate armor.&nbsp; “Sorry, Ehput-Ki, but you’re not exactly stealthy in that suit.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I can remove it,” he replied.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And be left defenseless if you’re attacked?” sneered Myoo.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ehput-Ki’s eyes narrowed.&nbsp; “Watch your tone, sorcerer.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Myoo rolled his eyes and sighed.&nbsp; “I’ll scout ahead.&nbsp; I’m not burdened by a metal skin, and I can keep in contact through telepathy.&nbsp; And if there’s trouble, I can use a dimension door to come back here.&nbsp; However, I will admit I’m not well versed in the art of stealth.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Here,” Niles said, and touched Myoo as he cast a spell.&nbsp; Myoo’s form blurred and seemed to shift a few feet to the side.&nbsp; “Displacement,” Niles said.&nbsp; “Just in case.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kiy stepped forward and handed Myoo a ring.&nbsp; “This will aid you,” he said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Putting the ring on, Myoo vanished from sight.&nbsp; “Excellent,” his voice came from nowhere.&nbsp; “I’ll let you know when to follow.”&nbsp; Ripples emanated from the edge of the pool as the invisible Myoo waded out.&nbsp; A minute later, they heard the mindbender’s silent call (all except Kiy, of course, who had long ago demanded that Myoo ‘stay out of his head’).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; They swam a short distance before coming up on the other side, a pool much like the one they’d entered.&nbsp; Unlike their entrance, however, this chamber was much larger, and obviously worked by intelligent hands.&nbsp; Coming out of the water, Myoo’s voice in their minds directed them to a corner.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “There are two men at the far side of the room,” Myoo thought at them, with Ehput-Ki relaying the message vocally to Kiy.&nbsp; “They are standing near a pentagram in the far corner, which is marked with symbols of travel.&nbsp; I theorize that it marks the boundary of what is known as a teleportation circle.&nbsp; Judging from their appearance, I suspect these two are Eystein and Hakon.&nbsp; They have yet to detect us, but there is a distance of perhaps a hundred feet between us, more than enough for them to prepare against a frontal assault.&nbsp; Plans?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, might as well stick with what works,” whispered Alia, broadcasting her thoughts to Myoo at the same time.&nbsp; “Same plan as with Rhorlif, except that Myoo hits them with a fireball, Niles follows up with a disintegrate.&nbsp; Kiy, Tantu, and Ehput-Ki stand ready to act immediately after the spells go off.&nbsp; I’ll move a little way into the room and hide, so that I can flank them if they charge us.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The party shifted into position and stood ready.&nbsp; The signal was an obvious one; a great ball of flames streaked out from one side of the room and engulfed the two men at the far end.&nbsp; At the same time, a green ray struck one of them, causing portions of flesh to dissolve away.&nbsp; But Niles’ target resisted the full effects of the spell, and calmly pulled out a bow as his companion charged in – toward a now visible Myoo.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The charging warrior slashed at Myoo with a powerful sword.&nbsp; Fortunately, the displacement had not ended as the invisibility failed, and most of the blows missed.&nbsp; One slashed across his midsection, and the sorcerer cried out in pain.&nbsp; Alia, who was the closest one to Myoo, moved to help, cartwheeling past the warrior to come up behind him and land a solid blow to the base of his skull.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kiy and the archer exchanged fire across the long room.&nbsp; Kiy seemed to be getting the best of his foe, as arrow after arrow buried itself in the archer’s body.&nbsp; But then the enemy archer notched another arrow, concentrated for a moment, then fired.&nbsp; The arrow struck Kiy in the shoulder, apparently not a serious wound.&nbsp; But as Kiy pulled the arrow free, he saw that the tip coruscated with black energy.&nbsp; Kiy gasped, and those around him saw as his soul seemed to pull out of his body through the small puncture wound.&nbsp; The elf’s body dropped lifelessly to the ground.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Seeing that the archer was searching for a new target, Niles gestured with his staff, and a dome of force surrounded the archer, trapping him.&nbsp; But a moment later there was a spark of colored light, and the archer vanished, only to reappear in another flash at another part of the room.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Damn,” Niles muttered.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meanwhile, the swordsman had turned on Alia.&nbsp; She dodged several vicious blows, but a few got through her defenses, and the sword dug deep into her abdomen, sending gobbets of flesh flying.&nbsp; Alia nearly passed out from the pain and shock, and considered withdrawing.&nbsp; But she realized that as soon as she did, the warrior would turn on Myoo again, and probably kill him.&nbsp; So instead she struck back, hitting him once squarely in the elbow, then sweeping his knees in an attempt to knock him over.&nbsp; He managed to avoid her attack.&nbsp; By this time Tantu had moved beside Alia, and with a touch sent healing energy into her, healing some of her wounds.&nbsp; Myoo used the distraction to escape from the melee, moving over next to Niles, who had sent another fireball hurtling at the archer.&nbsp; Myoo’s familiar Iggy covered his master’s escape with his eye rays.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ehput-Ki stepped into the combat with the swordsman.&nbsp; His khopesh was surrounded with golden energy that seemed to be coming from within the paladin himself.&nbsp; He slashed at the warrior, and the blade sliced effortlessly through armor and flesh, laying open his ribcage to the bone.&nbsp; At the same time Alia managed to hit the warrior’s knees at a weak spot, sending him tumbling to the ground.&nbsp; Ehput-Ki sent more of his own life-force into his blade, and waited for his foe to rise.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tantu, seeing that the battle with the swordsman was well in hand, turned to deal with the archer.&nbsp; Raising his arms, he called out for Tyr’s judgment. The ceiling high above the archer seemed to open up, and a pillar of divine fire roared down, engulfing the archer.&nbsp; He staggers, gasps, and falls.&nbsp; Behind Tantu, there is a sickening crunch as Ehput-Ki’s blade comes down on the rising swordsman, nearly splitting him in two from shoulder to navel.&nbsp; He glares hatefully at Alia, spitting his last breath at her.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; As the last echoes of the battle fade from the cavern walls, Tantu approaches Kiy’s still form.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I guess we should figure out a campsite for the day,” said Niles.&nbsp; “We don’t want to go any farther without him, but who knows who or what could come through that pentagram.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “We won’t need to wait that long,” Tantu said quietly.&nbsp; “I have already prepared the resurrection ritual.&nbsp; I felt that it might be needed.”*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Crowds parted as the shining figure strode forward.&nbsp; It came to stand before a slender elf, standing near two of his brethrem.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Kiy Willowroot,” said the figure, “I am Hazriel, archon in the service…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kiy held his hand up to silence the celestial, turning to face him.&nbsp; “I know who you are, and who has sent you.&nbsp; I accept.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hazriel nodded.&nbsp; “Then come with me.”</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 1357569, member: 5203"] With the threat gone, the party descended through the stone floor of the cave, staying close to the hole. They entered the small chamber five hundred feet down, and saw the second hole exactly as Alia had described, with iron rings set in around the edge just as before. A quick search revealed no other buttons or devices, and the party felt the magic keeping them in the Ethereal was fading quickly, and so decided to risk a physical climb down the hole. Niles sent more of his magical eyes down the hole, but they vanished only a couple of minutes later, so it was guessed that the suspected anti-magic zone was somewhere below. Indeed, as Alia climbed down, she felt the magic devices that were enhancing her fade about a hundred feet down. The area of dead magic proved to be about fifty feet across, and the hole itself slightly less than two hundred and thirty feet deep. With a little effort, the party managed to descend by rope into a narrow corridor of natural stone. Alia took point once the party was all at the bottom, keeping her eyes peeled for danger. In the gloom, however, she couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of herself, and she didn’t dare make a light yet. She thought of the superior night-vision of her aasimar companions with some jealousy. “I’ll have to do something about that soon,” she said to herself. But even in the darkness, Alia’s keen eyes were able to pick up the traces of a guillotine trap in the corridor, which she handily disarmed. The corridor bent around and then opened up into a large cavern. A pool of water dominated the far side of the room. As Alia’s companions moved forward, the water began to bubble, then coalesce into a vaguely humanoid shape. “An elemental,” said Kiy calmly, as he pulled an arrow and sent it flying into the creature. Both Niles and Myoo sent fireballs flying at the creature, and watched as they impacted with no effect. Ehput-Ki and Tantu drew their swords, but the creature was in the center of the pool, out of easy reach. Alia rolled and tumbled to her left, thinking. Her own hand crossbow wouldn’t effect the elemental, as it carried no enchantment, and she faced the same problem as Tantu and Ehput-Ki for melee. Glancing back, she saw her companions still clustered around the entrance to the cave. “Spread out!” she shouted at them. Myoo was the first to react, moving off to the right. He put away his fireball wand and instead pulled out a wand of magic missiles, sending five green energy bolts into the elemental. Tantu and Ehput-Ki stepped forward and surrounded the elemental as it surged out of the pool toward Kiy, who was continuing to fire arrow after arrow into it. Alia tried a vial of alchemist’s fire, but like the fireballs seemed ineffective. Niles switched to magic missiles as well, striking the liquid monstrosity as it came closer. The elemental tried to lunge onto Kiy, but it was cut off by the two holy men, who laid it low with mighty swings. Water puddled at the feet of the party as the creature dissipated. Seeing no other exits from the room, the party investigated the pool. Tantu walked out onto the surface with the aid of her magical ring. “I can see an opening,” he said. Niles sent his last few eyes under the water and through the tunnel. Ten minutes later, they returned and circled around the gnome’s head. “Darkness,” he said, slightly disappointed. “There’s no light on the other end to see anything.” “And it took them ten minutes to get there and back,” commented Ehput-Ki. “I doubt all of us can hold our breath for five minutes, even using Alia’s waterskin trick.” “Any magic we can use?” asked Alia. “I know such a spell,” said Tantu, “but I didn’t prepare it today.” “What about an elemental?” asked Myoo. “Surely the one we just dispatched was working for our adversaries, and probably ferried them through the tunnel. Couldn’t we summon one of our own?” “Again, a spell I know but haven’t prepared,” said Tantu, “and I’m not certain I could summon one of sufficient strength.” They stood around for a while, perplexed, when suddenly Niles slapped his forehead. “Wait a minute! When I sent the eyes into the tunnel, I told them to search ‘slowly and carefully’ for the other end. They weren’t moving anywhere near full speed!” The eyes sped off again, splashing into the pool. They returned less than three minutes later. “I told them to move directly to the entrance and return,” Niles said. “We’ve only got a two-minute swim, tops.” “Very well,” said Ehput-Ki, “how should we proceed?” The party looked over at Alia, who was preparing her gear for the swim. She looked back at them, perplexed, then understanding dawned on her face. “Sorry,” she said, “I wasn’t expecting… anyway. I say we send a scout to check out the scene. I’d go, but I’d be as blind as Niles’ floating eyeballs. We need someone who can see in compete darkness.” Ehput-Ki nodded. “I will go.” Alia glanced at his plate armor. “Sorry, Ehput-Ki, but you’re not exactly stealthy in that suit.” “I can remove it,” he replied. “And be left defenseless if you’re attacked?” sneered Myoo. Ehput-Ki’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your tone, sorcerer.” Myoo rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’ll scout ahead. I’m not burdened by a metal skin, and I can keep in contact through telepathy. And if there’s trouble, I can use a dimension door to come back here. However, I will admit I’m not well versed in the art of stealth.” “Here,” Niles said, and touched Myoo as he cast a spell. Myoo’s form blurred and seemed to shift a few feet to the side. “Displacement,” Niles said. “Just in case.” Kiy stepped forward and handed Myoo a ring. “This will aid you,” he said. Putting the ring on, Myoo vanished from sight. “Excellent,” his voice came from nowhere. “I’ll let you know when to follow.” Ripples emanated from the edge of the pool as the invisible Myoo waded out. A minute later, they heard the mindbender’s silent call (all except Kiy, of course, who had long ago demanded that Myoo ‘stay out of his head’). They swam a short distance before coming up on the other side, a pool much like the one they’d entered. Unlike their entrance, however, this chamber was much larger, and obviously worked by intelligent hands. Coming out of the water, Myoo’s voice in their minds directed them to a corner. “[I]There are two men at the far side of the room[/I],” Myoo thought at them, with Ehput-Ki relaying the message vocally to Kiy. “[I]They are standing near a pentagram in the far corner, which is marked with symbols of travel. I theorize that it marks the boundary of what is known as a[/I] teleportation circle. [I]Judging from their appearance, I suspect these two are Eystein and Hakon. They have yet to detect us, but there is a distance of perhaps a hundred feet between us, more than enough for them to prepare against a frontal assault. Plans?”[/I] “Well, might as well stick with what works,” whispered Alia, broadcasting her thoughts to Myoo at the same time. “Same plan as with Rhorlif, except that Myoo hits them with a fireball, Niles follows up with a disintegrate. Kiy, Tantu, and Ehput-Ki stand ready to act immediately after the spells go off. I’ll move a little way into the room and hide, so that I can flank them if they charge us.” The party shifted into position and stood ready. The signal was an obvious one; a great ball of flames streaked out from one side of the room and engulfed the two men at the far end. At the same time, a green ray struck one of them, causing portions of flesh to dissolve away. But Niles’ target resisted the full effects of the spell, and calmly pulled out a bow as his companion charged in – toward a now visible Myoo. The charging warrior slashed at Myoo with a powerful sword. Fortunately, the displacement had not ended as the invisibility failed, and most of the blows missed. One slashed across his midsection, and the sorcerer cried out in pain. Alia, who was the closest one to Myoo, moved to help, cartwheeling past the warrior to come up behind him and land a solid blow to the base of his skull. Kiy and the archer exchanged fire across the long room. Kiy seemed to be getting the best of his foe, as arrow after arrow buried itself in the archer’s body. But then the enemy archer notched another arrow, concentrated for a moment, then fired. The arrow struck Kiy in the shoulder, apparently not a serious wound. But as Kiy pulled the arrow free, he saw that the tip coruscated with black energy. Kiy gasped, and those around him saw as his soul seemed to pull out of his body through the small puncture wound. The elf’s body dropped lifelessly to the ground. Seeing that the archer was searching for a new target, Niles gestured with his staff, and a dome of force surrounded the archer, trapping him. But a moment later there was a spark of colored light, and the archer vanished, only to reappear in another flash at another part of the room. “Damn,” Niles muttered. Meanwhile, the swordsman had turned on Alia. She dodged several vicious blows, but a few got through her defenses, and the sword dug deep into her abdomen, sending gobbets of flesh flying. Alia nearly passed out from the pain and shock, and considered withdrawing. But she realized that as soon as she did, the warrior would turn on Myoo again, and probably kill him. So instead she struck back, hitting him once squarely in the elbow, then sweeping his knees in an attempt to knock him over. He managed to avoid her attack. By this time Tantu had moved beside Alia, and with a touch sent healing energy into her, healing some of her wounds. Myoo used the distraction to escape from the melee, moving over next to Niles, who had sent another fireball hurtling at the archer. Myoo’s familiar Iggy covered his master’s escape with his eye rays. Ehput-Ki stepped into the combat with the swordsman. His khopesh was surrounded with golden energy that seemed to be coming from within the paladin himself. He slashed at the warrior, and the blade sliced effortlessly through armor and flesh, laying open his ribcage to the bone. At the same time Alia managed to hit the warrior’s knees at a weak spot, sending him tumbling to the ground. Ehput-Ki sent more of his own life-force into his blade, and waited for his foe to rise. Tantu, seeing that the battle with the swordsman was well in hand, turned to deal with the archer. Raising his arms, he called out for Tyr’s judgment. The ceiling high above the archer seemed to open up, and a pillar of divine fire roared down, engulfing the archer. He staggers, gasps, and falls. Behind Tantu, there is a sickening crunch as Ehput-Ki’s blade comes down on the rising swordsman, nearly splitting him in two from shoulder to navel. He glares hatefully at Alia, spitting his last breath at her. As the last echoes of the battle fade from the cavern walls, Tantu approaches Kiy’s still form. “I guess we should figure out a campsite for the day,” said Niles. “We don’t want to go any farther without him, but who knows who or what could come through that pentagram.” “We won’t need to wait that long,” Tantu said quietly. “I have already prepared the resurrection ritual. I felt that it might be needed.” [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] Crowds parted as the shining figure strode forward. It came to stand before a slender elf, standing near two of his brethrem. “Kiy Willowroot,” said the figure, “I am Hazriel, archon in the service…” Kiy held his hand up to silence the celestial, turning to face him. “I know who you are, and who has sent you. I accept.” Hazriel nodded. “Then come with me.” [/QUOTE]

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