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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Iron Sky" data-source="post: 5384281" data-attributes="member: 60965">Session 31, Part 22 Felskein landed heavily, violent tremors shaking the Spire of Direction and sending boiling hot-waves crashing against it.  Fortunately, a shimmering field similar to the ones that protected the Henges still shielded the tower door and they watched the water boiling away against the invisible barrier as they reloaded the Black Carriage's nets with the artifacts that had fallen out during the quake. “Quickly now,” Suniel said.  They all glanced at Keeper as the construct slumped against the carriage suddenly.  “Keeper?” The construct shook his head.  “The Nexus is... it is nothing, go.” Suniel hesitated, then turned to the others.  “Everyone know where they are going?” Everyone nodded and stepped out.  A few minutes later, they were back, loading the last nine True Stones into the carriage.  With the Stones removed, the shield on the door had vanished and scalding waves from the aftershocks came within feet of spilling through the doorway.  The temperature began to increase rapidly, the walls already glowing shades of pink. With everything in readiness, Suniel looked at his companions.  The taciturn half-dragon stood with his feet braced, his expression grim.  Kormak was shaking his head. “Why don't you just go to the other side and leave the carriage there?” “I have a feeling... this is what I must do. To be sure.” “And I as well,” Keeper said.  His eyes no longer sparked, only the barest flickers visible in their depths. Suniel looked like he was going to deny the construct, but he looked at Keeper for a long moment and nodded.  “I would appreciate the company.” Bail stepped up and gripped Suniel's forearm and gave it a single strong shake.  Kormak surprised Suniel by giving him a hug, then stepped away, wiping his eyes.  “Getting hot in here, have sweat in my eyes.” Suniel looked out the door and saw the churning black energy of the Grimwythe in the distance.  It had to be close to the edge of the continent by now. He turned back to his companions a final time.  “Perhaps we will meet again.” One hand on one of the nets, one on Keepers arm, he spoke the words to a spell and seconds later they stood atop a massive, forbidding sand dune, looking over a seemingly endless waste of blowing sand.  The weight of the carriage sank it up to its axles and Keeper pitched forward into the sand.  Suniel grabbed him to try and keep him up, but the construct was too heavy and they both fell, sliding several feet down the side of the dune. Suniel knelt over the construct when they came to a stop, glancing up as what had been an almost-imperceptible rumble became a distant roar.  The Grimwythe was visible on every horizon, rapidly growing louder and taller. He looked down at Keeper.  The last spark in the construct's eyes was almost gone.  “Keeper.” Keeper reached up for Suniel and Suniel took the construct's rough hand in his own.  “Master...  it has been an honor... an honor to know and serve you...” Suniel nodded, blinking back tears.  “You as well Keeper.  Who would have thought when we found you that I would ever have a companion more loyal.” Keeper struggled for a moment and the faintest hint of a smile formed on his lips.  He squeezed Suniel's hand gently then released, his eyes flickering a final time and going dark.  Suniel lowered the construct's hand to the sand. “It was an honor for me as well, Keeper.” Suniel stood and turned to face the Grimwythe, now towering into the heavens in all directions, walls rushing in like waves into a hole in the ocean's waters. He spread his arms and closed his eyes, unafraid as the hurricane roar of the Grimwythe flooded over him.</blockquote>

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