67th of Vhalar, 720.
Three trials had passed since the events of the Mummers Ball.
Three trials which had seemed normal. Usual. Perhaps even mundane for those at Storm’s Edge. Or, as mundane as things got here. However, what was happening was far from usual.
During those three trials, energies built up, forces assembled. The Amalgamation was ready, finally, to attack.
And at dawn on the 64th Vhalar, the ground began to shake. Then tremble more and, finally, the whole of Rharne felt the enormous eruption of power in the Storm Wastes. The distant sound almost thunder-like in the beginning, became a roar which shook furniture and rattled windows in frames.
The Lightning Knights sent out an exploratory force but it quickly became apparent that it was unnecessary. The rift that split the Stormwastes in two from the Umbral Caverns to the Mire was too wide to be crossed by anything other than winged mounts, and so deep that light could not reach its depths even at midday. From Volta to Mistral Village, they heard the creatures long spent lurking within the depths of the Stormwastes begin to emerge not in groups, but in hordes. Swarms. The Rift was more than a natural catastrophe. It was a doorway to the darkest, deepest depths of the secret lairs of the Flameborn armies. A doorway that led them straight to Rharne.
Parents clutched their children, and there was no doubt that it had all been in vain. Rharne was going to fall. When the creatures which were just barely visible through the Rift poured out in their thousands, all that would be left was ash.
In the Courtyard of Storm’s Edge, many things were happening. Some were moving to combat, to stand firm in a final - and futile - stand. Others were running in panic. But then, amid the chaos, a sudden sense of calm and stillness spread over the courtyard. Then three people stood forward.
At the front of the small group was a woman. Immediately, everyone recognised her. She’d been there for the whole Arc, after all. No one knew her name, but she’d been a semi-regular in the infirmary, quietly helping. She’d been in training with the Knights, in prayer with the Priestesses. The Wardens all knew her, and so too did the civilians still here.
And then, the woman they all recognised turned to look at those gathered. At which moment they knew who she was. She was Ilaren.
She, and the others who stood with her raised their hands and lightning mingled with starlight, wrapped in light and life, and there were golden rays of courage and sunlight too. The combined energy flew into the oppressive darkness of the Rift, briefly illuminating a sea of writhing forms so dense the ground beneath them could not be seen, before solidifying over the surface like molten glass, shaped and cooled. The lightning-based energy of the Immortals wrapped around the rift in a cage of lightning. There was movement evident behind it, but even the most well-trained eye could not make out details.
Finally, when they all dropped their hands and turned, Ilaren spoke. "The combined effort of Immortals was not enough. But now that there is nowhere for them to hide, no secrets left for them to deceive us, their frontal assault has been thwarted and we have sealed their entrance into our land. For a while. But we do not have long. I have walked with you, helped you, healed you and fought alongside you. I know the wonders you have done here." Somehow, she seemed to be looking at each of them individually. “We have held it at bay, stopped the fighting as was wished. But it will only last a while. On the last trial of Ashan, we will take the fight to them. Armed with the knowledge that you have brought us, the tactics and understanding you have fought for. Your wish has allowed us to stop them hurting Rharne, so we will go to them before that and we will end this!”
Then, she gestured. "If you would, I ask more of you. First, please step forward,and speak to one of my companions. Tell us all you have learned and done, all the information you have. Then, if you are willing to end this fight, come to me. On the final trial of the new cycle, we attack. If you are willing to join us, come and tell me and, on that trial, I will bring you to me."
Three trials had passed since the events of the Mummers Ball.
Three trials which had seemed normal. Usual. Perhaps even mundane for those at Storm’s Edge. Or, as mundane as things got here. However, what was happening was far from usual.
During those three trials, energies built up, forces assembled. The Amalgamation was ready, finally, to attack.
And at dawn on the 64th Vhalar, the ground began to shake. Then tremble more and, finally, the whole of Rharne felt the enormous eruption of power in the Storm Wastes. The distant sound almost thunder-like in the beginning, became a roar which shook furniture and rattled windows in frames.
The Lightning Knights sent out an exploratory force but it quickly became apparent that it was unnecessary. The rift that split the Stormwastes in two from the Umbral Caverns to the Mire was too wide to be crossed by anything other than winged mounts, and so deep that light could not reach its depths even at midday. From Volta to Mistral Village, they heard the creatures long spent lurking within the depths of the Stormwastes begin to emerge not in groups, but in hordes. Swarms. The Rift was more than a natural catastrophe. It was a doorway to the darkest, deepest depths of the secret lairs of the Flameborn armies. A doorway that led them straight to Rharne.
Parents clutched their children, and there was no doubt that it had all been in vain. Rharne was going to fall. When the creatures which were just barely visible through the Rift poured out in their thousands, all that would be left was ash.
In the Courtyard of Storm’s Edge, many things were happening. Some were moving to combat, to stand firm in a final - and futile - stand. Others were running in panic. But then, amid the chaos, a sudden sense of calm and stillness spread over the courtyard. Then three people stood forward.
At the front of the small group was a woman. Immediately, everyone recognised her. She’d been there for the whole Arc, after all. No one knew her name, but she’d been a semi-regular in the infirmary, quietly helping. She’d been in training with the Knights, in prayer with the Priestesses. The Wardens all knew her, and so too did the civilians still here.
And then, the woman they all recognised turned to look at those gathered. At which moment they knew who she was. She was Ilaren.
She, and the others who stood with her raised their hands and lightning mingled with starlight, wrapped in light and life, and there were golden rays of courage and sunlight too. The combined energy flew into the oppressive darkness of the Rift, briefly illuminating a sea of writhing forms so dense the ground beneath them could not be seen, before solidifying over the surface like molten glass, shaped and cooled. The lightning-based energy of the Immortals wrapped around the rift in a cage of lightning. There was movement evident behind it, but even the most well-trained eye could not make out details.
Finally, when they all dropped their hands and turned, Ilaren spoke. "The combined effort of Immortals was not enough. But now that there is nowhere for them to hide, no secrets left for them to deceive us, their frontal assault has been thwarted and we have sealed their entrance into our land. For a while. But we do not have long. I have walked with you, helped you, healed you and fought alongside you. I know the wonders you have done here." Somehow, she seemed to be looking at each of them individually. “We have held it at bay, stopped the fighting as was wished. But it will only last a while. On the last trial of Ashan, we will take the fight to them. Armed with the knowledge that you have brought us, the tactics and understanding you have fought for. Your wish has allowed us to stop them hurting Rharne, so we will go to them before that and we will end this!”
Then, she gestured. "If you would, I ask more of you. First, please step forward,and speak to one of my companions. Tell us all you have learned and done, all the information you have. Then, if you are willing to end this fight, come to me. On the final trial of the new cycle, we attack. If you are willing to join us, come and tell me and, on that trial, I will bring you to me."