4.20 - Fenian's Return

4.20 - Fenian's Return

Theo stood with Tresk and Alex on the east-facing wall of Broken Tusk. Across the bridge, a portal shimmered with an impenetrable black sheen. The group stood ready to drop into Terogal the moment they spotted what chased Fenian. Aarok shouted orders to his commanders, casting an annoyed look at the Marshling. Someone had to pick up the slack of Tresks stealther squad, leaving them on their own until she returned from their realm.

I bet five gold that we get a giant fire monster, Tresk said, placing the coins on the walls edge.

Theo drummed his fingers on the walls edge. His intuition said it was a force of something, likely adjacent to undead. He played the series of events out in his mind. Fenian wanted to lure Karasan out. They ended up either on the bridge, or another gods realm. There were gaps in his knowledge of the events, but it ended in a deadly chase across the Bridge.

The alchemist narrowed his eyes on the portal. It shivered.

Are ghosts a thing here?

Yeah.

Ten gold on ghosts.

Aarok slapped a single gold coin onto the wall, glaring at the pair. One gold to shut you up.

A force of power rolled across the open space between the river and the walls. Dust fell from the mortar. Every defender on the wall was pushed back by the force of the energy, steadying themselves and locking eyes on the portal.

Theos stomach twisted into knots as a black carriage burst from the opening. Nausea spread through his body when he saw Fenian riding atop. The man was beaten bloody, his left arm and leg severed and bleeding freely. He held one silver-blue rapier in his remaining hand, swatting arcs of flaming power behind his carriage.

The adventurers brave enough to perform a sortie were already out of the gates, lined up in their gleaming armor. They formed a wall of shields and spears, ready to catch whatever came forth. Tresk gripped Theos hand tightly, sending waves of confident comfort into his heart. Alex honked with reassurance.

Spectral figures flooded behind Fenian, moving in a tide. Tresk, Alex, and Theo fell into Terogal the moment they appeared.

Theo popped his shoes off the moment he landed in his realm, letting out a heavy breath. The reassurance of his realm washed over him, even after the icy portal sprung up near the field of wheat. Benton stepped forth, waving with excitement.

What a twist! he shouted.

Theo moved to the cool water of the stream, sitting on the edge and soaking his feet. Tresk came to join them. They summoned an image of Broken Tusks defense in the sky below.

What are those, Benton? Theo asked, gesturing to the field of green figures pouring from the portal.

Lost souls. Wraiths. Benton fell down near the waters edge, gazing off into the shifting image formed in the sky. Folks that had nowhere to go when they died. Looks like someone set them on that Elf without an arm or a leg.

The image below moved in slow-motion. The wraiths boiled over the landscape. Those in the front were floating, or jumping, over the river rather than using the bridge. There were hundreds of them already. More poured through the portal by the moment.

Theo withdrew an unmodified [Hallow Ground Potion] from his inventory and inspected it. The description was clear. It would work on ghosts. He couldnt stop his mind from spinning out the events that led him here. Fenian created the means for him to produce these potions in mass quantities. Now Fenian needed help against the wraiths.

Is that irony, or Theo asked, trailing off.

Coincidence? Tresk laughed. No, thats Fenian being himself.

Thats a lot of ghosts, Benton said with a nervous chuckle. Bet he was traipsing realms he didnt belong in.

Is that a thing? Theo asked.

Yeah. You dont mess with another gods realm. Or ya get the ghosts, Benton said. Im guessing there. Never tried it myself.

Cool. Theo watched the ghosts moving across the field for a few minutes. Everyone gathered was content enough to just watch and think. Alex played in the water, honking and shooting small balls of fire into the air. How long do you think we have, Tresk? Two hours?

Yeah. Maybe three.

Could you prepare these [Swamp Truffles], Theo said, removing a massive pile of the things from his inventory. Tresk nodded, scooping them up and moving off to the new fancy stills. The alchemist withdrew parchment from his inventory, along with some of his crude bone carvings.

I see where this is going, Benton said, rubbing his hands together. And I like it.

Theo popped a [Strength Potion] imbued with [Refined Elemental Fire]. His muscles surged with power as he scooped the wizard up as though he were a baby. The alchemist darted across the town, taking the steps of the battlements two at a time. He set Xolsa down gingerly, steadying the man as he looked off at the fields of ghosts. The Elf was glassy eyed, wobbling on the spot.

The portal wont close on its own, Xolsa said, reaching a hand out. He struggled against an invisible force. His hand wouldnt close.

Theo placed a ward at their feet, then watched as it sprung up immediately. A gout of ghosts from those surging into the town washed up, slamming against the barrier and vanishing. The alchemist withdrew an [Intelligence Potion] imbued with [Refined Elemental Lightning], tilted Xolsas head back, and forced it down his throat.

The Elf gasped, choked, then straightened. Xolsa reached out again. Ribbons of blue energy whipped off his body, burning the wall where they lashed. Space warped around him as he channeled a spell. The portal in the distance quaked, rumbling the ground for miles around. Theo almost lost his balance as he stood with his friend, steading both himself and the wizard.

Xolsa crushed the portal into nothingness. His hand snapped closed, removing the portal from the far side of the bridge. Then the Elf collapsed, caught by Theo as he fell. Zarali was ascending the steps, stumbling as she came up but otherwise unhurt. She slammed her staff into the ground again, sending another wave of banishment outward. Wraiths scattered the wake of the spell.

He did it, Zarali said, a tone of hope in her voice.

Now we just need to kill all the ghosts, Theo said.

The alchemist opened his administration interface, finding the tactical map. Aarok was always good about drawing on it. He watched as it updated in real time. Drawings on the image of the town where the ghosts were and what places needed reinforcement. Tresk had distributed the potions, giving way to more clouds of anti-undead magic that sent the wraiths packing.

Theo found a chat log about Fenians condition, sending his heart thumping hard in his chest. It was bad. The alchemist overrode some of Aaroks commands, ordering a squad to escort Xolsa somewhere safe. They arrived in moments, four members of a Gronro squad. They saluted, and happily took some [Hallow Ground Potions] before running off.

Fenian needs your healing magic, Theo said, grabbing Zarali by the arm and leading her away.

She had spaced out, watching as the squad took care of Xolsa. Theo knew she wanted to be with her betrothed, but he would be fine. As long as those badasses from Gronro were with him, he was fine.

Fenian was being treated in the town hall. When Theo and Zarali burst through the door, they found citizens huddled in fear. He placed wards throughout the place, then shot up the stairs with his sister. Zankirs blades whispered from their sheaths when the alchemist entered the room. He relaxed in an instant. Back to working on the Elf.

Fenian looked horrible. Missing an arm and a leg was the least of his problems. The Elfs entire body was covered in endless cuts and punctures. Zankir fed him another [Healing Potion], shaking his head. Zarali came to his side, tossing her staff away and pressing both her hands into his chest. When she spoke next, her voice came as a distant thing. As though she were talking in an adjacent room.

Lord Drogramath. Hear my prayer. Fulfill your oath to your faithful. Save this man.

The prayer was simple. Not much fluff compared to how she went on about the purple bastard. But Theos thoughts of doubt fell away in a moment. Zaralis back arched as her hands flung to the side. She let out a scream of pain, then drove both of her palms back into Fenians chest. The Elf let out a grunt of pain, wiggled a little, then went silent again. The priestess collapsed to the side in a heap.

What was that? Zankir said, casting his eyes around the room.

The air stung with magical power. Theo knew the flavor of it all too well. The stink of a god whod made themselves known on the mortal plane. He checked Zarali, propping her head up on a bit of [Starbristle Flax Cloth] from his inventory, then turned his attention to Fenian.

Hes alive, Theo said, watching as the mans wounds closed. The arm and the leg were still gone, but he wasnt bleeding anymore.

Only just, Zankir said, pressing his palm into the Elfs forehead. I think Drogramath simply increased the effectiveness of your potions. Id forced him to drink enough regeneration potions to heal anything.

Theo didnt want to, but he looked at Fenians stumps. The flesh had healed over as though the wounds were old. Like the scars forming on his chest, they were cured.

This is going to suck, Theo said, withdrawing his [Regenerative Potion] from his inventory. The potion hed prepared for when Fenian returned. He dipped his fingers into the sticky salve, then spread it across the Elfs stumps. Damn, sorry. Better to start this now.

Theo monitored the fight through his tactical map as Zankir helped him undress Fenian. The Khahari fighter ran off to grab a bed, returning shortly after the alchemist worked a robe over the Elfs head. The pile of ruined cloth that were his fancy clothes sat to the side, caked with blood, green ichor, and mud.

Tresk kept Theo informed about the fight. They had more than enough [Hallow Ground Potions] to keep the undead at bay, but many had retreated after the portal vanished. Alise was already coordinating with Gronro to send potions down to Rivers and Daub. Everyone expected the worst, even as the battle in Broken Tusk calmed.

Zarali woke when the fight was nearly over, jolting into a seated position. She screamed. Where is he?

Theo didnt need prodding, he knew who she was talking about. Hed been monitoring the list of injured people. First floor of this building. Our infirmary, apparently.

Zarali bolted to her feet, and fled the room. Theo and Zankir both fell onto their backs, breathing sighs of relief. Fenians breaths came slow and steady as though he were in a deep sleep. When the alchemist felt sure enough that the fight was over, he felt the Khahari to care for the Elf.

Aarok stood on the east-facing wall of the town. He gazed off into the distance, a strange smile on his face. Theo edged closer, placing a comforting hand on the commanders shoulder.

You alright?

Me? Im fine, Aarok said, laughing. He gestured to the pile of gold coins on the wall. It hadnt been disturbed from its spot. Looks like you won the pot.