Zuriel nodded in acknowledgement, withdrawing Dawn and resting it on the pedestal before him. Unhooking his pendant from his neck, he held it up for the Council to see.

"It would seem that I already carried the door and key to Ma'or's prison. It only remains to find the frame, as Ma'or willingly went to her slumber. The frame, it would seem, exists near the gate to Tassada's domain."

Zuriel paused as he belatedly registered what the council was saying. "What do you mean, chronicle my final moments?"

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 10):

"All Celestials serve until the culmination of their Duty, Sir Zuriel Silendril," the Councillor explains patiently. "It is the completion of their life's work, in every sense."

"What then is your plan? And what might we expect to happen at each step?"

Zuriel shifted his stance uneasily. Liora had mentioned something to that extent, but she was vague on the specifics. His mind flicked back to Boreas describing the awakening of the Primal Voice, and of the four others who had sacrificed themselves to do so.

We all serve as we must...

Eldric's final words to him, always tinged with sadness in his memories, now seemed strangely comforting. And while it still seemed terribly wasteful, if his life was what it took to reawaken the Lady Love, then Zuriel knew that when the time came, he would not hesitate.

He snapped back to reality as the Eternal Council all looked to him expectently as one.

"We first must needs find the Frame. I'm not sure what will happen next, but I trust Ma'or to light our way. If what you say is true, then afterwards...the rest will be up to you."

"There is no time to waste. I must hurry to Tassada's realm. I need somebody to guide me, however. Is Liora Page available to show me the way?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 14 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 12):

"We have others whose Duty involves helping others fulfill theirs," one of the Councillors says. "If you would choose an additional witness, however, you may. Liora Page will be summoned to the foot of the Spire along with your guide and a representative of the Council."

He smiles, and the council beckons for you to come forward and shake their hands one by one.

"Go in the light, Zuriel, and with our blessing. The Heavens are grateful for your Duty."

Zuriel shook hands with the Council solemnly, but could not bring himself to speak. He followed his guides out of the grand chambers that served as the forum for the council, returning to the streets outside. Shahara nuzzled him, love and concern washing over their mental link. He reached out to her, taking comfort from her presence.

He noticed a small crowd had begun to form at a distance, and his eyes sought out a particular scientist in the fluttering masses. He could use a familiar face in this strange place. In this city that somehow bound his fate, though had never known it as a home.

Despite himself, he couldn't help but looking around desperately for another face, one he had only ever imagined. He forced himself to stop hoping.

She's never been there before. Why would she come now?

"Let's go," he said softly to the council guard.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 14):

The Council's guard places a crown of laurels upon Zuriels head, then he and the recorder lead the way through the streets. The former ringing a gong-like bell as they go, causing nearby Celestials stop what they are doing and stand at reverent attention as Zuriel passes by.

The procession is soon joined by Liora Page, the celestial researcher whom the P.A.R.T.Y. worked with before during the portal crisis. She squeezes his should reassuringly, but her expression looks solemn and sad.

After completing a ceremonial lap around the Eternal City, the group heads to their final destination: the Gateway, a circular portal at which two Celestials stand guard.

"This citizen's Duty compels him to access this gate," the escort says to them. "Stand aside, by order of the Council."

The guards comply, grim-faced, and step to either side, leaving the circular portal unguarded.

"Thank you for coming," Zuriel murmured to Liora. "This isn't at all what I expected when I came here. I didn't..." he swallowed around a sudden lump in his throat. "If you could explain to the others on Prime, it would help me face this with some measure of peace. And tell her...tell her that I love her."

Zuriel turned towards the Gateway. One hand rested in Shahara's mane, the other found Liora's at his side. He took a deep breath. "I am ready, come what may."

He stepped through.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 16):

Zuriel steps through the blue-white portal and finds himself standing on a platform of pure marble. Similar to the realm in which Ká was imprisoned, this platform spans 50x50 feet and seems suspended in time and space.

Liora, the Eternal Guard, and the Eternal Recorder materialize behind him, and the portal through which they entered stays open.

Unlike Ká's realm, there are two features to be seen upon the platform: a glowing crystal to the right, and a lifeless crystal to the left. There are also two female celestials present, who were gazing at their respective crystals with their backs to the portal.

They turn almost immediately to greet the newcomers, and Zuriel gets a good look at each of them. The one of the right, standing before the vibrantly glowing crystal, is sheathed in emerald energy and wears the elaborate regalia one might expect from an avatar of justice.

The one of the left is sheathed in a dull gray aura -- barely noticeable -- and wears plain, homespun robes. Zuriel is struck by the beauty of each, but the one of the left looks hauntingly familiar, and bears a visage not unlike his own.

"Who approaches the Eternals?" the emerald champion demands, the tone haughty but not unkind. She glances at Zuriel and notices the laurels around his head. "What Duty is being carried out this day?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

"I am Zuriel," he replied simply, dropping all airs and titles. He stood transfixed by the tableau before him. Though it was the Emerald Champion's question he answered, he addressed only the figure in homespun. His heart pounded in his throat.

"And I am here to awaken the Lady of Light."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 18):

"So you've come at last," the figure on the left says, a smile and a question playing across her lips. "And have you collected the song and captured the dawn?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:57, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

"I," Zuriel stammered, looking down to his feet to collect his scattered thoughts. "The song was shattered years ago," he replied sadly, "but its echoes yet linger in the still, quiet spaces of my heart. And the dawn..."

Zuriel looks up, fixing the woman who could only be his mother squarely in eyes. Amber met amber, the shade identical. There could be no mistake. Beside him, Liora's breath caught in surprise.

He approached her, Dawn held at his side. As he knelt, the sword blazed into a golden glow pulsing with the beat of his heart. A humming came from the pendant around his neck, and he thought that somewhere he could hear the soft tinkling of bells.

"Dawn has come at last."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 20):

"For the sun to rise, the moon must set," the figure says. "Your Duty will be at an end. Do you understand the significance of that?"

When the paladin nods, she reaches out to touch his cheek.

"You are brave and fearless, like your father. But I see compassion in your eyes instead of flint and steel. I am proud of the man you have become."

She steps aside and motions toward the lifeless crystal.

"Sheath the dawn within the stone, Zuriel, and sing the incantation with your whole heart and soul. The world must know love once more."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:57, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

In reply to Meira (msg # 21):

The emerald champion steps forward, hand resting upon the hilt of her sword.

"Your actions endanger the Goddess," she rumbles. "Tassada would voice her displeasure."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

Zuriel closed his eyes, leaning into his mother's touch. A tear trickled through his shut eyelids, which he blinked away as he rose. Putting aside Dawn, he approached the Emerald Champion. "The world needs both love and justice, milady. Not one over the other."

To the Champion's obvious surprise, Zuriel reached for the hand resting on her sword, and pressed it gently against the growing glow of the pendant. "Judgement can be rendered with compassion. Law can encompass mercy. Fire and love are both warmth, and light."

Zuriel smiled faintly, and brushed her hand chastely to his lips. "Your mistress need not fear the coming dawn. There is a place for her in the world to come."

He let her hand fall to her side and walked the intervening paces to the colorless crystal.

"Mother. Let the dawn return."

With both hands, Zuriel plunged Dawn into the heart of the crystal, even as his pendant began to resonate with a sound that shook him to his very core.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:04, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 23):

Zuriel's sacred blade slides into the crystal without meeting any resistance whatsoever, even as the lullaby from his childhood becomes an all-encompassing chorus of sound which permeates the air around him.

Leaving the sword sheathed in the blade, the paladin takes a step backward to take in the majestic transformation. The sound is soon joined by a blistering pulse of light, which sparks at the heart of the crystal and gains rapidity until it's racing faster than the Highborn's heartbeat.

The gasp of those gathered is drowned out by the peal of bells and cymbals from somewhere beyond, and soon the pulsing radiance is progressing so quickly that the crystal resembles a signal flare -- shining so brightly that one is inclined to avert the eyes to avoid damaging them.

"Am I dreaming?" an impossibly loud voice asks sleepily. "Have I slept long?"

The light grows somehow brighter, and the music louder, causing even the Emerald Champion to raise an arm to ward her eyes against the glow.

"I sense... pain. Sorrow. Agony," the voice says, growing more distinct by the moment. "I cannot rest while the world is in such peril. The door... I cannot bridge the gap without an anchor."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 24):

Meira touches Zuriel's shoulder, her eyes filled with concern.

"This is goodbye, my son. It might be hard for you to understand but... I loved you and your father fiercely. My Duty called me elsewhere, and a Celestial must obey. Just as you must obey now."

She motions toward the crystal, which continues to burn with the light of a thousand suns, and wipes a tear from her cheek.

"You have been chosen to serve as the anchor. Step into the crystal, Zuriel, and see your Duty through to the end."

Zuriel nodded silently, regarding his companions. Shahara let out a mournful whinny, butting Zuriel urgently on the shoulder. He turned to her, burying his face in her mane. "I know girl," he whispered. "I'll miss you too. Never could I have asked for a more faithful companion. When you return to the herd, you can do so with your head held high." Shahara ducked her head, taking quick, rapid breaths that sounded for all the world like sobbing.

Patting his steed one final time on the neck, the paladin then took Liora by the hand. For the first time he noticed her braids twisted into an elegant updo, the comb given to her by Lyriel artfully arranged in the center of her braided tresses. "Your hair looks beautiful up," he said, smiling through his tears. "Thank you, Liora. For everything." Zuriel gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning at last to his mother.

For a moment, he stood before her, mouth working wordlessly. Then he wrapped her in a fierce hug. "I love you too, Mother," he said finally, voice quavering. "Though you were never as close as I wished, you were always nearer than I thought. Would that our first meeting was not our last," he said. His eyes held no reproach, no recrimination. Merely regret. "And thus is our first hello also our final farewell. Goodbye, Mother."

With nothing else left to be said, Zuriel stepped into the crystal. "Your servant is here," Zuriel announced in a clear, loud voice. "My Lady Love. I am here.."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Sun 19 Apr 2015.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 26):

An all-encompassing light surrounds the paladin, burning so brightly around him that none can stand to look upon the crystal without flinching.

A palpable heat emanates from the gem as well, and Shahara's eyes widen with the pain shared from her empathetic link. She rears and hurls herself forward, but before even her mighty legs can close the gap, the warhorse snaps out of existence like a candle being snuffed by the wind.

Liora stifles a sob as the Council guard and recorder watch impassively, but Meira fails to react at all and seems utterly transfixed by the gem.

The light fades slowly, leaving behind a vibrant gem that shines with a reddish white hue that revitalizes Meira's formerly grey aura.

Take heart, Meira says, her voice a strange mixture of sadness and jubilant triumph For Lady Love has awakened!

A strangled scream disrupts the already Pyrrhic victory -- this from the Emerald Champion, who falls to her knees and clutches her head in apparent agony.

Liora's eyes widen as Tassada's crystal surges and flickers with an angry light that thrashes haphazardly. The ground below them begins to rumble in response, and all five celestials present are quick to take wing.

You have damaged the integrity of the heavens, the Emerald Champion exclaims, still holding her head with her eyes squeezed shut. Tears are streaming down her cheeks as she attempts to speak. I must... I must...

The Emerald Champion's declaration of obligation is interrupted rather savagely as the ground ruptures beneath both crystals and sends them flying in opposite directions into the abyss.

My lady! Meira shouts, swooping down to follow Ma'or's gem even as the Emerald Champion utters an oath and dives after the other.

Liora and the others watch helplessly as the gems and their guardians plummet. Meira reaches hers first, casts a spell, and rematerializes with the gem on the platform.

The Emerald Champion follows suit, but her spell doesn't return her to the platform. Instead, both Tassada's crystal and its guardian shimmer violently and coalesce out of existence entirely.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:49, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 27):

Meira, Liora, and the two Council associates crowd together before the portal upon the sundered platform, which now consists of a mere 10x15 slab of marble with jagged edges on two sides. Much of that space is taken up by Ma'or's gem, which seems no worse for the wear and continues to glow comfortingly.

"That was... unexpected," Meira says in a quiet voice. "We did not intend to-"

"The intentions of the Goddess are not for us to debate or even anticipate," the Council's recorder says, his quill never ceasing to move across the parchment. "The Council will be informed of this directional change, and an emissary will be sent to speak with you and with the Lady Love shortly."

"But what of Tassada?" Liora asks, jabbing her finger at the far-off spot where the crystal of Justice and its protector had vanished. "I've seen those violent surges of energy before in my studies of the portal disruptions. It had all the visual hallmarks of a failed transportation spell. They could be anywhere!"

"Then we shall dispatch someone to seek them out," the Council recorder says, nodding gravely. "It seems the Council has much to see to."

He motions to the portal.

"Come. We have witnessed the resolution of Zuriel Silendril's task, and our own Duties await us. The Council shall summon you for further debriefing if needed, Lady Page."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:43, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 28):

Meira stares into the pulsing, beating heart of Ma'or until long after Liora and the others had departed. It was beautiful, she had to admit, but it did little to ease the aching emptiness she felt in her heart when she considered the cost.

Remember his sacrifice, my Lady, she whispers, touching the gem softly as a tear rolls down her cheek. "We must do better this time."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:47, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

In reply to Meira (msg # 29):

Epilogue: Lo'driel

Lady Selena awoke just before dawn, roused to wakefulness by the sound of birds chirping. Lace curtains fluttered in the cool fall morning air, bringing with it the distant scent of apples from the orchards outside the city. Selena sat up in her bed, stretching luxuriously. From his place at the open window, Grand Marshal Harlindon eyed the birds greedily.

"Oh, leave them alone," Selena chided, sliding out of the bed to scratch the cat behind his ears. Or rather, ear, the other having been lost in some fight with another tom years before Selena found him, half starved and mostly drowned in a Lo'driel alley. He closed his eyes, purring, though the scowl permanently etched on his face remained as dour as always. Attention diverted from the birds, his yellow eyes caught instead on the delicate lace curtains wafting in the breeze. Anticipating his next move, Selena scooped him up and cradled him to her chest before he could do more than extend his claws. "If you're good," she crooned, "I'll see if the kitchens have any extra salmon after the evening meal..."

Thus appeased, Grand Marshal Harlindon leapt down from her arms to wind around her ankles while Selena made herself ready for the day. The High Priestess of Ma'or was washed and dressed just as the sunrise broke over the eastern wall of Lo'driel. The morning rays lanced golden over the crenelated battlements, making a shaft of sunlight directly through her window. Selena opened her arms to welcome the dawn, basking in the sun's light and warmth. It was, after all, why she chose these chambers. A small room, barely larger than a servant's quarters, but it faced the dawn.

The sunrise this day seemed particularly auspicious, and Selena felt chills travel up and down her spine as her room filled with the golden light of morning. What a beautiful sunrise...

Gathering her satchel of healing herbs, Selena opened the door to begin the day's tasks. "Be good!" she called back to the Grand Marshal, who had promptly found a patch of sunlight in which to fall asleep belly-up.

After leading morning prayers, Selena made her way to the hospital, where she spent the majority of the day treating whatever ailed the citizens of Lo'driel. As she drew back the curtain screening the alcove where her first patient waited, her leg twinged.  Frowning slightly, she sat down at the foot of the patient's bed, a dockworker who introduced himself as Josef. She smiled at her patient. "So Josef, how long has your leg been bothering you?"

Josef blinked, taken aback. "I...how did you know it were my leg, milady?" he asked, "I didn't tell no one what were wrong?"

"I...I don't...I don't know," Selena replied, just as surprised as her patient, mouth dropping open for a moment before she could find her composure. "Oh and please, call me Selena." Healing Josef's leg, which had indeed been broken and improperly reset, was the work of a few moments. Smiling through his effusive thanks and waving off his attempts of payment, Selena moved to her next patient.

Throughout the course of the morning, Selena became more and more certain. Something had changed, and she could know feel her patient's injuries without them even saying. With such knowledge came the ability to treat them much more specifically and efficiently, and by noon break Selena had fully healed three times her usual number of patients. She ate her lunch in a daze, and hurried back to work.

The pain emanating from her next patient almost bowled her over with its intensity before she even drew back the curtain. A woman, looking to be in her late thirties lay on the bed, face drawn in pain. Her husband held her hand next to her, his face haggard. "I finally convinced her to seek help," he explained. "She's been like this for weeks. Not been herself for months before that. Please, I beg you, anything you can do to help her. Help my Lily. I fear we need a miracle now."

Selena tenderly checked the woman laying before her. Lily's eyes were sightless, clouded by pain. Her hands confirmed what she already felt. The growths were pervasive throughout her whole body. This poor woman - Lily - was beyond all magic. If she had come earlier...

The priestess stifled an oath, blinking back tears. "I can make her comfortable, and perhaps restore a measure of her clarity. So she can say her farewells," she replied miserably. "It won't be very long now."

Lily's husband dropped his gaze, nodding his head as he choked back a strangled sob. "Thank you," he managed to say. "The children are waiting outside."

Selena put her hand to Lily's forehead, and began to draw upon the light she felt within herself. White light begin to course through her hand, flooding into the limp woman. Selena's eyes went wide, and she felt herself being swept away in the rush of energy. Stronger than anything she had ever felt, she lost herself in pure light. A rushing sound came around her, and in the far distance, she could have sworn she heard the tinkling of bells. The light surrounded her, permeated every fiber of her being, and then receded.

She came to on the floor of the patient's ward, but rather than exhaustion, felt the purest of exhilaration. Lily sat up in her bed, beaming at her. Selena felt no pain, could detect no hint of disease at all in her body. Her husband stared at them both, mouth agape.

Selena checked, double checked, and triple checked. "I don't...I don't understand. She's cured," she exclaimed in wonder. "But no magic could have done that. Not even when I was a chosen of Tassada!"

Lily's husband regarded her with a strange expression. "It was what we prayed for, then. A miracle."

Selena backed out of the ward, dazed. Lily and her husband had called their children, and their laughter lit up the infirmary. Selena found herself running, running as fast as she could. Tearing across the cathedral courtyard, she asked directions of a passing Heartseeker, who pointed to the northern wall of the city. Taking the stairs up to the battlements by twos and threes despite her robes, Selena nearly bowled into Protector-General Edrahil. "He did it!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "Zuriel did it! I can feel it, I know now without a doubt."

Lady Selena, High Priestess of Ma'or beamed up at the commander of the Heartseekers.

"Lady Love has awakened."

In reply to DM (msg # 30):

The elder Silendril stared down at the jubilent priestess in stunned disbelief. A smile broke out along the lines of a face that saw them all too rarely. Before he could respond, however, the heavens above split open in a blinding flash of emerald.

High above them, a brilliant star tore through the sky, leaving behind a fiery trail in its wake. It streaked down from the zenith to the far northern horizon, where it detonated in a flash of light that turned the entire northern sky green. Edrahil gazed north in alarm for several long heartbeats. As he opened his mouth to speak, a sudden rush of wind and sound assailed them, causing the trees to shiver and shake. Edrahil swore he felt the earth beneath him move.

He turned to Selena standing next to him, hands firmly planted on the battlement. Despite his faith and conviction, Edrahil was not a superstitious man. But even he felt a moment of unease at the ill omen.

"Never before have I seen anything like it," he said softly to the High Priestess. "Such momentous portents cannot be unrelated. The world has been changed this day."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Tue 21 Apr 2015.

In reply to Edrahil Silendril (msg # 31):

Beside him, Selena mirrored his gaze and posture. For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she looked up at Edrahil, her sapphire blue eyes meeting Edrahil's gaze of flint and steel. "Then it is our duty to ensure the change is for the better."

"I'm calling a meeting of the Council of Peers," she continued, gesturing back down the staircase. "Come. There is much to be done."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:47, Tue 21 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 32):

In the Chambers of the Eternal Council



After a heated back-and-forth debate, the Eternal Council decided that the best way to quell the rising panic and confusion in the streets would be to proactively locate Tassada and, if possible, return her to Heavens to rule alongside Ma'or.

An aide was quickly dispatched to fetch the Eternal Council's inspector general, an imposing Celestial named Raziel Cynodus who was well-known for possessing a keen eye for detail and a mind like a steel trap.

The clanking of heavy armor filled the chamber as the inspector entered, preferring to walk despite his magnificent cream-colored wings.

"Inspector-General, the Council would suspend your present Duty for a pressing new assignment," High Speaker Kavod said, his voice as dour and serious as the inspector's stony, implacable visage. "You have heard, no doubt, some wild rumors about the happenings beyond the Divine Gate recently."

The inspector nods, but says nothing.

"We would inform you that the goddess Ma'or has been awakened. This would be welcome news -- and a powerful ally for our struggle against the Hells -- if not for the unfortunate side effect of that process which sent Tassada and her Emerald Champion careening to... well... to parts unknown."

"Your amended Duty, then, is to seek out Tassada, her gem, and the Emerald Champion. Bring us news of there whereabouts, and discover if -- and how -- they might be returned to live alongside Ma'or in the Heavens."

High Speaker Kavod glances over to the rest of the councilors, who nod their agreement.

"And above all, keep this discrete. Are we understood?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:01, Tue 21 Apr 2015.

Raziel listened to the council impassively, turning over the implications in his mind. He had served faithfully in his capacity for centuries, and in all those years never had his prime Duty been officially amended. That in and of itself was significant. When the council was finished speaking, he nodded.

"As the Eternal Council commands."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Tue 21 Apr 2015.