23

Soon after the meeting with Mira and her companions, Zeroth led his group to the Alderbrook Inn to procure some rooms and dinner before Kael's ritual.

As Zeroth walked into the inn, the innkeeper, recognizing the group from the last visit, smiled widely and exclaimed, "Welcome back friends! What brings you lot back to Alderbrook?"

"Oh, we're here for some... work-related business," Zeroth replied as he nodded a greeting to the innkeeper.

"Ah, I understand. I'll have four rooms ready by the time you lot finish dinner and payment will be due when you all leave in the morning," The innkeeper responded.

Zeroth thanked the innkeeper and led his friends to a table close to the inn's fireplace then ordered everyone whatever food they needed.

As Zeroth and his companions settled into their seats near the fireplace, the warmth and the soft murmur of conversations around them brought a momentary respite from the weight of their mission. The innkeeper busied himself with their orders, allowing them to discuss their next steps in hushed tones. Varic, still adjusting to the reality of their divine entanglements, couldn't help but express his apprehension.

"Do you think this plan with Kael will work? It's... unconventional, to say the least."

Ardric clapped Varic on the shoulder. "If Kael believes it's possible for Thorund to help, then we have to trust in that. Besides, we've seen stranger things since this all began."

Tingle, fidgeting with a small device on the table, added, "Tingle is excited! If it works, we'll have a new strategy against Vulcanix. Tingle can't wait to see the magic at work!"

Zeroth, watching the flames dance in the fireplace, nodded solemnly. "It's a risk, but one we need to take. Vulcanix won't wait for us to be ready."

Dinner passed in a haze of idle conversation and lighthearted banter—a much-needed reprieve from the weight of what was to come. The warmth of the meal did little to settle the gnawing unease in Zeroth's gut, but he welcomed the distraction while it lasted. As the plates were cleared and the evening stretched on, a realization settled over him. It's time.

With a sharp exhale, he pushed back from the table. "Alright, we should get moving. Kael and his lot are waiting outside town." He cast a glance at his companions, scanning their faces for any hesitation. "Everyone ready?"

A round of nods answered him, no words needed. Gathering his things, Zeroth led them out of the inn, flipping a few coins to the host as they passed. The town had grown eerily quiet in the night, the streets mostly empty, save for the occasional flicker of a lantern in a window. Their footsteps echoed in the stillness, an unspoken tension threading through the group.

By the time they reached the town's outskirts, Mira and her companions were already there, waiting in the open field where the ritual would take place. The wind stirred the tall grass around them, the scent of damp earth and distant rain heavy in the air. Kael stood at the center, his Stormforged Blade in hand, the steel reflecting faint arcs of electricity under the moonlight. His gaze met Zeroth's as he inclined his head.

"You're just in time," Kael said. "We've set everything up as Thorund instructed. The only question now is—are you ready, Zeroth?"

Zeroth took a deep breath, looking at his friends and then back at Kael. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this."

The groups formed a circle around Kael, who began to chant in a deep, resonant voice. Symbols, drawn earlier on the ground, started to glow with a faint blue light, echoing the power of the storm and the sea. The air tingled with anticipation and raw magical energy as Kael raised his blade toward the heavens, calling on Thorund to witness and aid in their endeavor. As the ritual progressed, the wind picked up, swirling around them in a testament to Thorund's presence. Zeroth stepped forward, placing his hand on the Stormforged Blade alongside Kael. Together, they called out to Thorund, seeking his guidance and power to challenge Vulcanix's hold. As Kael's chanting began to waver, Zeroth watched as the Stormforged Blade slid from their grasp and began to hum and glow brighter, spitting off small arcs of electricity as it seemed to charge with power. While he watched in wonder, he could feel his battle axe begin to heat up against his back, almost to the point of discomfort. When he glanced at Kael, their gazes locked and Kael's eyes widened for a second.

"Zeroth, your axe is reacting to Thorund. Be careful." Kael warned, a look of worry across his face as he turned back to his blade.

Zeroth shook his head, trying to clear it so he could focus on contacting Thorund, and gasped as a wave of energy shot from the Stormforged Blade. After the wave hit, Kael's blade no longer seemed to be amassing energy and seemed to be hovering above them all, waiting.

"Did it work?" Varic asked, a confused look across his face.

Zeroth saw Kael nod before he looked up and asked, "Thorund, it is your champion Kael, contacting you with an issue of mass importance."

Kael then gestured for Zeroth to regard the deity.

Zeroth gulped then began, "H-Hey Thorund. I'm Zeroth, chosen champion of Vulcanix and I seem to have an issue with him trying to take over my essence entirely and if he does, he'll be back in full power. Kael here says you are knowledgeable with entities sealed within objects and possibly knowledgeable on how we can stop Vulcanix"

As Zeroth finished his plea, a silence enveloped the group, the kind that felt heavy with anticipation. The air itself seemed to hold its breath, awaiting a response from the divine. After a moment that stretched like an eternity, the Stormforged Blade pulsed with a brilliant blue light, and the sound of thunder rolled softly in the distance, despite the clear night sky. Then, a voice, deep and resonant, filled the air, emanating from nowhere yet felt by everyone present.

"Kael, my champion, and Zeroth, chosen by Vulcanix. I have heard your call and understand the gravity of your situation."

Zeroth, momentarily stunned by the direct communication from a deity, found his courage. "Thorund, we seek your guidance. Vulcanix's power grows, and I fear what will happen if he succeeds in taking over. Is there a way to halt this process without giving him the advantage?"

Thorund's voice, though disembodied, carried a tone of consideration. "The bond between a deity and a mortal, especially one forced as Vulcanix has with you, Zeroth, is complex. Vulcanix leverages the Fracture's chaotic energy to strengthen his hold. However, there exists a method to sever his influence temporarily, creating a window for intervention."

Kael listened intently, his gaze fixed on the glowing blade. "What must we do, Thorund? How can we create this window?"

"The key lies in severing Vulcanix's essence and removing his consciousness from the dwarf entirely. This must be done at a place of significant power, where the veil between the divine and the mortal is thin. Aeonis, in his role as the overseer of the Godswar, must also be petitioned to sever the weakened link, under the guise of preserving the Godswar's integrity."

Varic raised an eyebrow. "But how do we petition Aeonis without drawing Vulcanix's wrath upon us before we're ready?"

"Discretion and speed are essential," Thorund explained. "Once the ritual is prepared, you must act swiftly. Aeonis values the balance and rules of the Godswar above all. If you present your case as a matter of fairness and balance, he will listen. Vulcanix exploiting his current state to regain full power prematurely could be seen as a breach of the spirit of the Godswar."

Tingle, who had been silently following along, piped up, "And what of the place of significant power? Do we have such a location in mind?"

"Alderbrook itself sits upon ancient energy lines, but the most potent site nearby is the Heartstone Circle, deep within the Silvercrest Mountains. Its energies are conducive to the ritual Thorund describes," Kael answered, his confidence growing with Thorund's guidance.

Zeroth nodded, feeling a mix of hope and determination. "Then that's where we'll go. We'll prepare the ritual, petition Aeonis, and prevent Vulcanix from regaining his full power. Thank you, Thorund, for your wisdom."

The voice of Thorund, now fading like the last rumble of distant thunder, offered a final piece of advice. "Be bold, champions. The path you undertake is fraught with peril, but it is the courage to face such dangers that define true champions. I will be watching."

As the presence of Thorund receded, the group shared a moment of silent resolve. They had a plan, a divine mandate, and a destination. Zeroth watched as Kael returned to Mira's side, flanked by Sylvana and Drex.

"Thank you, Kael, for everything. I now have a fighting chance to stop Vulcanix from becoming me though if memory serves me, the place you mention sounds like the place I found this axe." Zeroth stated as he approached Mira and her friends.

Mira's eyes widened slightly as she replied, "You dwarves tend to dig too deep all the time. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not so much."

Zeroth and Ardric exchanged a quick glance and chuckled at that.

"Yeah, it seems to be a genetic trait dwarves have," Zeroth stated.

"Well, you lot have a plan and for now, we'll be staying in and around Alderbrook. Probably until the Godswar summons us, to be honest." Mira said, smiling at Zeroth and his group.

After their goodbyes and words of encouragement, Zeroth, Ardric, Varic, and Tingle made their way back to the inn under the blanket of the night sky. The streets of Alderbrook were quiet, the town asleep save for the gentle flicker of lanterns swaying in the breeze. The day's revelations and the weight of the task ahead lent a solemn air to their walk back. Upon reaching the inn, they found their rooms ready as promised. The comfort of the beds was a welcome relief after the day's emotional rollercoaster. Zeroth was restless with the plan to confront Vulcanix's influence. Sleep came uneasily, but the exhaustion of the day eventually took over. The next morning, gathered around a breakfast table laden with the innkeeper's finest offerings, Tingle was the first to break the night's contemplation.

"Good news, everyone!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. "Tingle has calculated and recalculated, and with the airship's recent upgrades, Tingle can get us to the Heartstone Circle by nightfall!"

Varic, nursing a cup of strong coffee, raised an eyebrow. "That's faster than I expected. You're sure the airship can handle it?"

Tingle nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! Tingle has made sure everything is in top condition. The Heartstone Circle isn't too far, but with the airship, we'll avoid the treacherous paths and the time-consuming climbs of the Silvercrest Mountains."

Ardric looked thoughtful as he chewed on a piece of bread. "That gives us little time to prepare. We should gather any supplies we think we might need for the ritual."

Zeroth, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, agreed. "Let's use our time wisely. We'll meet back here after we've gathered what we need and set off as soon as we're ready."

Breakfast was a quiet affair, filled with the clinking of plates and the low murmur of strategy. Between bites of food, discussions centered around what they would need for the journey ahead—the supplies, the ritual, and the challenges waiting for them. Once the meal was finished, the group split up, each heading to their rooms or the nearest shops to gather any last-minute necessities. Within the hour, they reconvened at the inn, their preparations complete, an unspoken tension lingering in the air. Tingle took the lead toward the airship, his usual enthusiasm tempered by the weight of their mission. As they boarded, anticipation thrummed through the group, a shared understanding that this flight would carry them toward something far greater than any of them had yet faced.

The airship lifted smoothly, Alderbrook shrinking behind them as they ascended into the sky. Below, the landscape stretched endlessly—rolling hills and forests giving way to jagged peaks as the Silvercrest Mountains loomed ever closer. The air grew colder the farther they traveled, a sharp, biting wind cutting through the deck. Despite the chill, the flight remained steady, Tingle expertly adjusting for the shifting currents. They spent the journey reviewing their plan, going over each step until there were no uncertainties left. Words were measured, minds sharpened—this was no longer a mere expedition, but a march toward something inevitable.

As night began to fall, the Heartstone Circle came into view. Once a revered place of worship, it now stood in ruin—ancient stone formations weathered by time, their edges crumbling, their once-sacred purpose long forgotten. The weight of history pressed down upon them as Tingle skillfully guided the airship to land nearby, the soft thud of the hull settling against the earth barely breaking the cold silence. Stepping off the ship, the chill of the evening air wrapped around them like a warning. Zeroth took in the surroundings, his breath visible in the cold. Faint memories stirred—this place, this ruined shrine... It was here, deep beneath these mountains, that his fate had begun to change. It was here he had first grasped the Flaming Berserker Battle Axe, setting into motion events he never could have foreseen.

With a steadying breath, he turned to his companions. "Let's get this done."