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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rchodges" data-source="post: 8805534" data-attributes="member: 7031385">Part 2: Call Forth DarknessAct 3: Thirty-one WeeksSession 28: The Weakening HoldWeek 26:Donovan had found himself working on the third floor of the Horn for a while. Between the repair and upgrade of the rooms on that floor, and checking in on the health and well being of the Victor, Donovan spent most of his days between performing the rituals and working with Artephius on the Horn.It was on one of these nights that Donovan began to see flickering lights going on near the four altars on the third floor. Donovan looked into the room briefly, seeing the glowing and floating nights in the room, and then immediately moved away. “Absolutely not.”, Donovan thought to himself, on considering the possibility of investigating the matter further. He had already discerned what the creatures were and had no further interest in researching the matter. Mentally, he called out to Hexor and Vexor. Appearing next to him and Artephius, the Demons queried Donovan on what task he had for them. Pointing into the area with the shrines, he responded in an almost uninterested way, “Will of the Wisps. Go in there and destroy them utterly. They have no capacity to harm either of you.” Shrugging, the two demons walked into the Shrine and began attacking the creatures. The invisibility that the Wisps possessed proved useless against the demons, and they were soon wiped out. Not even waiting to see how the fight ended, Donovan returned to his previous efforts.Later in the week,, Anagaz returned to the Horn, seeking out Donovan yet again. “Time has passed Donovan. I assume you have something of interest for me?”Donovan regarded Anagaz. “I’m not sure if there’s something in particular that you would desire. Our enemies have brought little more than sticks to battle us with.”Anagaz seemed disappointed. “Are you telling me there’s nothing of value that you have to trade anymore?” Donovan noted that Anagaz’s eyes flicked across the collars being worn by Hexor and Vexor. Donovan smiled as he considered the offer being made, “Perhaps there is a trade I can offer you that would be beneficial to us both.” Donovan described a set of linked objects that he would be interested in, and then handed the Iron Amulets controlling Hexor and Vexor to Anagaz. “Oh, you don’t want to wait until your objects have been found?” Anagaz questioned Donovan’s actions.“If there is one thing in this world I am certain of, it is that you will return to me, because you are an individual who knows the value of a fellow merchant.” Donovan grinned as he replied.Anagaz nodded as he took control of the Iron Amulets. Hexor and Vexor looked angrily at Donovan, but there was nothing that could be done. They would never see the return of Vetra-Kali, nor would they be able to free themselves from the shackles that bound them to service. The Mercane nodded once more to the family, and then teleported away in a moment, taking both his retinue and the Demons with him.Bebop looked at Donovan with confusion, “Why would you get rid of those two? They would do anything you said!”“We’re finally settling up all of our accounts.” Donovan replied, leaving Bebop to wonder if Donovan was even talking to him.Week 27:Bebop had been assigned to feed the Assassin Vines that had been planted outside the wall that was formerly the third-floor entrance. Donovan had installed a pair of sluices that allowed Bebop to pour blood from inside the Horn to where the Vines had been placed. Bebop was never a huge fan of the work, but it was one of the few actual tasks he had been assigned, and Tamsen made it clear that he would receive none of her attention unless he completed the tasks that Donovan had given to him. Thus, Bebop attended to the daily care and feeding of these dangerous creatures.As Bebop began to pour the buckets of blood that had been obtained through various sources, an enormous crash landed against the Alchemical Concrete that had been placed in front of this entrance. Startled momentarily, Bebop fell back from the wall, as a roar was heard on the other side. From another part of the third floor, Donovan came rushing over to where Bebop was located. “What in the hells was that?”“I think something is trying to get in.” Bebop replied as sections of the wall began to buckle and crack from the blows landing against it.Donovan let his mind reach out to Tamsen, “My love, we are under attack on the third floor. Let everyone know to arrive here right away.”Tamsen affirmed Donovan’s request, and began reaching out to the different members of the family. Moments later, the group began to ready themselves as the wall opened partially. A three headed creature screeched as the sections of wall fell through, and it was able to see the party.“A Gorgimera!”, Donovan shouted out to the party. “Watch out for its breath!”Almost as though on que, the creature stuck one of its heads, the one shaped as a metallic bull through the opening, and breathed onto certain members of the party. Kirin was struck with a majority of the blast, as he stared at the creature with hate filled eyes. It became apparent almost immediately that Kirin would not be affected by the Gorgon’s breath. Switching tactics, the Gorgimera pulled back the Gorgon head and instead breathed onto the group with its Dragon’s breath. The sickening and pungent smell of acid flooded the chamber.However, this decision would prove to be a fatal one for the creature. Bebop, now in his enlarged form, grabbed the creature by its extended Dragon’s neck, and tossed it into the center of the room, breaking free the already loosened concrete. Before the creature had a chance to ascend within the room, it was beset upon by Kirin, Bebop, Lucinda, and GrumbleJack. Punishing blows lashed its body from all directions, as each of those brutal warriors inflicted grievous injuries onto the Gorgimera. Within moments, the creature found itself unable to move, and soon after, no longer living. It uttered a last word in Draconic, “Inconceivable.”, before falling to the ground unmoving. Donovan took a moment to consider if the creature could have somehow been reasoned with. Still, Donovan knew nothing about this entity, or the motivation that could have driven it to attack the Horn in the first place. It certainly wasn’t a guardian of the forest, so these mysteries would forever be lost with the Gorgimera’s life force. “I wonder if we can take the scales off this creature.”, Bebop said hopefully, until he watched as the creature’s body broke open, the internal fluids causing a chemical reaction with its body, causing it to rust and melt into nothingness. Donovan chuckled, “You were saying?”A few hours later, Tamsen left her bedroom looking for Donovan. He was usually in bed with her during these hours, but tonight, had not appeared. She found him on the third floor, staring at the hole created by the Gorgimera. “Lover, what are you doing here? Are you coming to bed?”Donovan looked away from the opening of the wall, and smiled weakly at her. “I’m not sure we can repair this in time before we are attacked again. That creature really weakened the structure of the walls in this area.”Tamsen nodded with understanding as she reached out to touch Donovan’s hand. “I’m sure you’ll figure out something. You always have a plan.”Donovan shook his head, seeming less than convinced. “I think we should move everyone into the Sanctuary for the time being. There are so many threats that could be deadly if one of the family got separated.”Tamsen could see the stress setting into Donovan’s face. Every day he spent organizing and planning, and the attacks just continued to come. “That’s fine. We’ll start making plans for that tomorrow.” Tamsen took on a naughty smile as she pressed her form against Donovan. “But for now, come to bed my love. I need our special time together.”Donovan’s hand slid across Tamsen’s face as he stared into her eyes. “I’d like that, very much.” Looking over to Artephius, Donovan issued an order, “Guard this entrance.” Then, Donovan and Tamsen walked to the bedroom, their hands intertwined. Session 28 Ends</blockquote>

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