The mindflayer slowly lowers to the ground as a portal opens up behind him. It stares at the cleric, eyes narrowed
"Even I know...Pelorians sacrifice themselves to save others. You failed and will perish."
Cumarinda feels the pain within her belly growing more painful until she falls to her kneels. Her eyes start to droop, and they finally close. She collapses into a heap upon the floor no longer moving.
It lets out a horrible laugh, staring down upon the body of Cumarinda. He then turns to go through the portal and is met with a sword through its chest. It twists to the right and to the left and sinks deeper into his belly. The sword slides through him like a hot knife through butter. Its blade shimmers and gets slide to the right and the left then up ripping off two of the tentacles and out through its right shoulder.
The mindflayers eyes open wide and the portal vanishes. It hisses and the blade strikes out again cleaving off its head. Blood flies out in all directions, the purple blooded creature collapses. Standing there, covered in scars, blood, decayed flesh and looking not happy.....
Its Fenris.
Rage filling his body, he slices the body of the flayer again. And again.
And again.
Looking down at the clerics limp form, he drops the sword and kneels down. He cradles her in his arms. No life. Nothing. He lets out a scream.
"MY LOVE!"
It echoes through the main hall. And the lights begin the glow. Several others rush in looking surprised at the barbarian and the dead mindflayer. Probably the first time he admited it.
Still nothing. The clerics heart doesn't beat. She doesn't stir. Motionless.
Within the jailcell, the doors suddenly open letting the wizard and spellthief free. As they go out into the hall, more people come out of cells as well. To Ric, he knows them. All Pelorians. They look stunned and everyone heard the cry from above. One of them motions for the two to follow them. They do follow up a set of stairs into a hallway. And they realize what creatures did this-dopplegangers. But why?
For the Pelorians its time to take back their temple. Some who were change convert back to their gruesome forms.
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The spellthief realizes where he is-indeed they are in the temple. Perhaps it was used to put thieves or others who harmed the innocents. When Faolan follows, he collapses. His eyes grow dark. Hands seem to turn to ash. Then his arms. Shoulders
"Tell my mom...I love her. She's my life. Tell Cumari...." His entire body bursts into a brilliant glowing light. His entire body turns to ash as this beam flies up into the ceiling and seems to dissapear.
It seems Faolan is dead.
Not sure what is going on, more people rush into the main chamber. They see this elf looking decayed holding Cumarinda's body. And he is screaming, rocking her. When anyone approaches, his eyes narrow and his teeth clench. His eyes grow oddly white.
It seems Cumarinda is dead.
Fenris didn't have time to talk to her. To tell her what happened and for her to tell him of her travels. How did he return? It remains unknown. But lock a wolverine away...it will soon find its way back. Who did this to this man?
Outside, all the 'warforged' charge at Forge! They raise their weapons, looking just like him. Raised up and they go to strike!
But then a brilliant light bursts from the Pelorian temple. Its blinding and send a massive wave throughout the entire area. People inside put their hands up to shield themselves. Fenris doesn't care. He uses his body to shield the cleric. But none are hurt.
Yet the ones who wanted to kill the paladin are seared. All their bodies seem to turn a dark orange and dissolve. The wolf lies at the feet of Forge. Motionless.
Is the dire wolf dead?
The door opens up. Its lit and Forge after looking down at the wolf several people he knows are tries to get their bearings. But he doesn't see anyone from the group.
Are they dead? Is he the last?
Further inside many people gather around the corpse of the cleric and mindflayer. No one approaches this strange barbarian. Many people watch in shock.
All the dopplegangers are killed off or are ran out of the temple. The high priestess follows into the main hall. She goes to the downed Cumarinda and Fenris grips her tightly using himself like a shield. He is so thin, so pale. And looks almost dead himself but something changed with him. Something is different. She raises her hand up and the barbarian doesn't watch. Behind him. Her hand goes to rest on his shoulder. He flinches like she did something to him. His eyes go to her and she kneels down. She gently puts her hands upon the body of the proud cleric.
Nothing stirs. Everyone goes quiet
"She is gone. There is little I can do. Come." Fenris slowly stands up, holding his loves body. And perhaps Pelor is coming.
Coming down from above. Another brillant flash of light. It hits Fenris, the high priestess and Cumarinda.
Bump. Bump. Bump. Her heart starts to beat. Slowly. Yet she remains unconsious. And its so soft not even the priestess can feel it. Or Fenris. Her life hangs on a teetering balance. And her lips move. Her eyes seem to move as well.
And she opens her eyes to see Fenris. Tears fill his eyes. One hand goes to his chin.
No. Cumarinda is indeed alive. Barely. The priestess hands go to rest on her che.st. Fenris seems to let it happen. The cleric breathes. What happened to her?
Everyone cheers! They give eachother hugs! Of course no one in the group gets a hug. Well Fenris doesn't. Ric and Krite get a hug. Even Forge gets a tiny one from a young girl. Someone he met in the temple.
"I am High Priestess Valora. Leader of the Pelorians. We are going to aid her. Take her to my room to rest. You are in need of healing and I can provide it. But not now, not now. She needs to be placed under my care. Will you allow it?" Her voice is soothing and calm.
Fenris looks down at her and back to the priestess
"Fenris. Follower...of Bahumat." What?
Dum dum dum!
They depart. One of the clerics motions for Forge to enter the temple and four of them cart the wolf inside. They are given food, water and rest on the pews.
The old man who first met them walks up to the spellthief, paladin and wizard
"Pardon but what in Pelor's name happened?" Everyone turns, watching this man confront each of them
"Its good to see you again, Forge." He goes to pat the warforged upon his shoulder
"Riceak. And Krite." He motions to a pew for them to rest.
The area seems more lively. Torches lit. The backlight of the Pelorian symbol is lit as well. Everyone seems to be in a good mood despite what just happened.
A female approaches, perhaps a cleric of the order
"It seems we were plagued by the Mindflayer and his lackeys. One minute everything seems fine the next all if not most were tricked and were somehow placed within the cells. Powerless. We are glad we are now free to send out the Pelorians blessings." Everyone is in shock, some are confused but they are indeed happy to be free.
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Within the Chamber of the Priestess:
Fenris holds Cumarinda close despite his battered, decaying flesh. He nods his head and she proceeds to her chamber where the cleric is place down upon the bed with her priestess and barbarian watching her closely.