Fates and Fables: Prequels to Modern Day

It was an easy walk to the castle at the heart of Bastion, and Aynia would find that even though a war was most certainly an oppressive threat, life in the capitol was relatively unchanged for now. The castle was familiar, and the walk to her personal suite was just as routine and mundane as it had been since before Aimsir was invaded by the forces of Chaosium.

What was odd to Aynia was the fact that there was a light shining out from her door. If there was any trepidation or fear, it was soon settled when she opened the door. Sitting in the open windowsill was a man dressed in the Yellow and orange of a clan Summer nobleman, but his face was pale porcelain and gold mask wreathed in purple smoke. He got up jovially and bowed deeply, "Hello, my queen! I trust that your meeting with Lord-Captain Tattone of the Fleet went well?" His voice sounded as though he was smiling, although the mask showed nothing of his expression except a slightly bemused look, as though the figure was in on a joke that hadn't been explained yet. "I'm sorry that our first official meeting is like this, my predecessor was much more into pomp and theatre." The smoky head looked up at her as he rose from his bow, "As you might surmise, I'm your Oracle, my Queen, and I bring strange news. You may want to take a seat, as this is certainly jarring indeed."

Aynia arched an eyebrow and looked amused. She came through the doorway and closed the heavy wooden door behind her, turning and pulling the bolt shut. She spoke as she walked over to the table, "Then I suppose I don't need to ask why you are in my suite." Sitting down she poured a glass of wine for them both, sitting one at the seat next to her and holding her own in a hand.

"Care to have a seat, or will you just lean into my window looking fashionable?" She grinned and took a sip of her wine.

The figure laughed, and took a seat, "I'm happy to sit with you, my queen," he looked at the glass before shrugging and taking it, swirling the liquid. "I wish I could say that this was a social visit to introduce myself to you, but sadly you may need more than a single glass." He set the glass down and clasped his hands together. "My queen," He began, "the portal in Aimsir is calling out to somewhere else now. I don't know where, and I don't know how, but I get the feeling that we will be receiving some aid from somewhere beyond our warren for the first time in a long time." His mask appeared to be very serious. "They will be landing in Aimsir, my queen. Far from your aid."

Her face was perfectly neutral, except for the polite smile. Her her eyes were like ice, frozen on him briefly before they looked over to the window. "How are these portals opening?" She looked confused before turning her gaze back to meet his eyes. "Do you know for certain there will be aid coming from these new arrivals? How do we know we are not about to experience something that is as terrible as Chaos?" She took another sip of her wine, perhaps a bit larger than her last.


The figure followed her gaze, and shrugged. "The portals in Aimsir were already strange. This incursion may have allowed them to be opened from beyond, or perhaps the portals are just snatching wayward souls." He put his porcelain nose close to the wine glass and nodded to himself. "As to how I know that they will bring us aid? To be honest, I cannot say for certain they will, but to be honest, they will be few, and set in the heart of Chaos, the enemy of one's enemy, eh?"

She kept her look of concern. "I suppose, though we don't know that Chaos will find them an enemy. The fact it is a small group is advantageous to us, but very disadvantageous for them. If I knew they wouldn't slaughter anyone sent that does reach them through Chaos it would be a little easier of a decision. It will be hard to spare the resources."

The figure shrugged his shoulders, "I cannot say that I know for certain whether or not these new guests will be of use to us, but still. my queen, they are an anomaly, and you may yet have need of them." He rolled his smokey head, "as for Chaos' intentions, they are not known to share well, I imagine the Crimson Knight and his merry band of monsters will strike at these surprise guests as soon as they are able. I would still enjoy to learn about these intriguing newcomers."

The glowing eyes behind the mask shimmer, "perhaps you can use the Fleet to ferry them about? I would offer my own resources, but they are woefully inept at combat."

Her eyes twinkled as she looked over at him. "It is a very intriguing situation we're in. I haven't had time for studies in a while now, but if there are other ways into this Warren... if there are others capable of coming here, we need to understand how and for what reason." She swirled her finger around the crystal rim of the wine glass, and a quiet hum could be heard through the room. After spending a moment in thought she lifted her finger and the hum stopped.

"Calling on the Fleet isn't a bad idea. After the gift I just handed them it would do me good to have their loyalty reassured."

"I am always happy to be of service, my queen." The figure rises from the chair and gives a grand bow, his air of playful duty unphased, "If you require my services, I can stay a while longer in the castle, but I fear for my books and records." The smug mask had seemed to regain that air of in-the-know. "I trust that however you decide to welcome these newcomers, I trust in you, our fearless leader." He made to move to the open window,as if to leap free and escape. "Anything else you require, my queen?"

"I believe I shall call our Lord Captain back to our meeting chamber before she gets too far away. I appreciate your advice." A grin crept on her face. "Perhaps the door would be a better option to reach your quarters here, however? I may require further assistance, and I would appreciate any new updates as you receive them. I'm sure your books and records are safe in the hands of the Clerics, yes?" She gave him a pointed yet playful look, daring him to challenge her request.

The figure's shoulders sagged slightly, and the mask's playfulness became reproachful. "Very well my queen, I am, as always, at your disposal." The figure turned and bowed deeply again, before opening the door and stepping out into the halls, humming a village tune as he went.

The morning brought bright light and birdsong, and while there may have been troubling news the night before, the idyllic sunlight of the Warren would not be cowed. The day continued, with preparations to gather forces to face the Aimsir threat, gathering reports from the Library, and other such events. The easy hurriedness was broken, however when Kelsey entered the castle, followed by the masked spirit of the Oracle in his oranges and golds, chattering away at Kelsey about how glad he was to finally sail on a Fleet ship.

"Excuse me, my queen," the Lord-Captain remarked testily, "but what is the matter of this? And who is this... this... spirit?" The Oracle flung a hand to his chest, "Why, Lord-Captain, I am the Oracle of Caer Sidi! I am mind and magic made manifest! the unbound joy of knowledge!" Kelsey groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "And is it true that I'm sailing this... man to Aimsir because we will be receiving aid from outside the Warren? What... what madness has this being led you to believe?"

Aynia was sitting on the chaise lounge in one of the small libraries in the castle. This one was quaint, quiet, and the best place she had found for sneaking away with a good read. She was engrossed in a most wonderful book and was just getting to the good part when suddenly the door flung open. She looked up at Kelsey with a nonchalant expression, not even bothering to put her book down as the Lord Captain walked swiftly into her prior refuge. She could tell Kelsey was rather flustered and her lips formed a small smile as she sat up and put down her book next to her. "I understand you must feel some level of frustration, but I promise it won't be that bad. I've instructed my handmaiden to gather a chest with things I will personally need. I'm sure our Dock Master will be able to outfit the ship with all that will be needed for our journey. All that is left to do is decide our departure time and finish last minute chores. That is unless our dear Oracle has any pressing matters, or yourself Kelsey?"

Kelsey's mouth worked as she stared at the queen, who seemed as nonchalant and in control. The poor Lord-Captain looked as though she were a fish out of water, her cheeks filling with air and her mouth flapping but no sound came out. "My Queen, you... you trust this thing? He is... not what I imagined the Oracle to be. To be completely frank, I doubted it's existence at all."

Sensing that she had little chance of denying Aynia, Kelsey hung her head. "I shall be happy to serve you, my queen, if this is as trustworthy as you claim it to be."

The Oracle clapped his hands in glee, the smug mask beaming. "Excellent! And while I am injured by the thought of being anything less than trustworthy to the dear queen, I shall suffer that slight with grace. I am, after all, going to guide you to where our guests will arrive." Kelsey grinned in response, but her eyes still showed doubt and fear.

Aynia stood and walked over to stand by Kelsey. She looked at the Lord Captain with a smile, her icy blue eyes somehow less striking and more soft. Aynia felt a little bad that Kelsey was unprepared, and wondered for a moment if perhaps it could have been introduced to her a different way. Ultimately however what was done was done, and they needed to focus on moving forward with confidence. "I know that this is all sudden for you. It does seem our Oracle is rather excited for the trip and may have rushed the announcement..." She smirked at the Oracle and gave a quick wink. "However it was quite the surprise for me at first as well. What's done is done, and I do humbly request we be on our way by high noon. Surely over two hours is enough time to prepare? In the meantime I will get ready myself."

Kelsey sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging. "I am ever at your service, my queen. Two hours should be more than enough time to prepare my crew." She gathered herself, resigned to the fact that she would ferry yet more people in the opposite direction of where she should be. Her head turned to the Oracle, and flashed him an angry look. "If you trust this thing, then I suppose I must as well. You are correct that I would have preferred to hear from you rather than him, as I am sure you would have laid it much better." the Oracle seemed to pout at this but-perhaps thankfully-he remained silent. "I shall see you on the docks at high noon. If you would care to take custody of this man and ensures that he remain here until then," she jabbed a finger at the Oracle, "I would consider it a great favor."

She stalked off, muttering under her breath. The Oracle's visage appeared apologetic, "I am sorry, my queen. I am perhaps over eager. It has been some time since any Oracle has ventured further than Chail, and on an expedition no less!" He seemed to caper on the spot. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Aynia raised an eyebrow and a finger at him, pretending to start to scorn him but immediately broke character and laughed. At that moment she felt a brief spark of excitement, truly curious and looking forward to this adventure. She knew that it was ultimately time she could not afford, but her shoulders were very heavy with the weight of responsibility and leadership. Perhaps this adventure could be a chance to be herself. Allow the brief time on the seas to be full of excitement for a journey and exploration. It probably wouldn't happen, but she could try her best. She reigned in her laughter before continuing. "What's done is done, and we have an important task before us. I must admit though... I am feeling rather excited myself." She gave a big grin. "The thought of even a brief escape from this war is guilt inducing, but necessary, and I believe I may just allow myself to feel the excitement during this journey." She addressed his last question. "I don't believe I require assistance at the moment, but if you would like to accompany me to the docks a bit before noon, it would be appreciated."

The Oracle laughed as well, "Things are in place, my queen. Even if we have made little progress as of yet, we will still win through. I have a certainty in this." His smiling mask seemed gentle now, reassuring. "You should be happy when you can. Soon your regent will return from his voyage on the Fleet ship. Then the pair of you can plan out your next strikes." The Oracle stretched, "Well, if I am of no immediate use, I shall be in my chambers here, reading." He made a gesture of farewell and strode out the room jauntily.

The sun was high in the sky and the Shining Wind stood high in the harbor, a mighty warship that hummed and buzzed with activity as Kelsey oversaw the supplies being loaded into the hold. She looked in her element now, proud and confident as she took command of her ship. the various mates and masters bellowing as well. She caught the eye of Aynia, and strode down the gangplank to greet her. "Ahoy there, my queen! We are just about ready to be underway, and I'll happily welcome you and yours aboard!"

Aynia gave Kelsey a big grin and looked at the gang plank. She then lifted her fitted skirt slightly above her ankles to show black suede boots. They had a small heel, but were not the most appropriate choice for aboard a ship. In fact, Aynia had donned a lightweight blue and tan travelling dress, with a matching blue parasol. It would have been practical for carriage rides, or a day trip to the horse tracks, but not the best for sailing. She shrugged a bit and looked at Kelsey.

"I suppose we did choose rather impractical shoes." She looked back at the small group of guards seeing to her welfare and her handmaiden who accompanied her everywhere and gave a small wave, beckoning her over to them. When she arrived, Aynia took a moment to introduce the woman to Kelsey. "My Lord Captain, this is Maeni, my personal handmaiden. I will go nowhere without her. Her things are with my trunks, and I presume they have arrived and have been loaded?"

Kelsey's grin was broad and warm, a humoring smile. "I am sure you will find your sea legs in no time, heels or no. And yes, your trunks are in the large cabin below the helm." She looked puzzled for a moment, "I don't believe that your.... oracle sent along anything."

"I did not!" Came the joyous call of the Oracle, who was bounding up the gangplank in the loudest, most garish parody of a naval uniform possible. The sailors all stopped and stared at the gleaming white and gold fabric that creaked with starch. The collar groaned as it rubbed against the porcelain chin. The fae man held a small case by his side, a trunk that looked incredibly dull and lifeless against the shining outfit. "This small trunk is all I need!" He seemed to be incredibly proud of himself, with his small case. "I need very little, I find. The Warren provides," he said beaming around the room.

"I... see..." Kelsey said, stifling her disbelief and derision, "well, the hour is upon us! Shall we set sail, my Queen?"

Aynia entered the cabin and assessed the room. It was larger than she was expecting. The bed and cot were made up to look very luxurious and the floor had a beautiful woven rug to help with the noise, as well as turquoise tapestries hung on the wall. The roll top desk was heavy and made of a dark wood, studded with silver handles on each of it's ornate drawers. Off to the side of the desk she spied their stack of trunks. Over in the corner opposite of the stack of luggage was a wooden dressing screen with what looked to be a table for a wash basin behind it.

Both of the women gave a curtsy to the Lord Captain as she bid her farewell and turned towards each other. Aynia walked over to the bed and sat down with a sigh. Maeni got busy with opening the trunks and laying out what they would need for the rest of the afternoon and evening. She laid out an outfit for Aynia consisting of a thigh length dark blue tunic over soft brown breeches. She laid out a pair of boots, a wide leather belt and a green and blue delicately embroidered overcoat. She found the outfit absolutely puzzling for someone of her stature, the Queen of the Warren. She supposed that being the Queen meant you were able to wear what you wanted, even if it were a pair of breeches and leather boots.

Aynia watched Maeni as she worked to unpack what was needed out of each trunk, putting supplies into the roll top desk and laying out her clothes for the rest of the day. Her face softened and she sighed again without thinking. Her companion took notice and stopped what she was doing to turn towards her. "Is anything the matter, my Queen?" She hesitated for a moment before she added in, "Besides the obvious stresses, of course." Aynia looked a bit sheepish at being caught but decided to voice her thoughts. She sat up a little straighter and looked at Maeni more seriously. "Do you ever tire of accompanying me everywhere? Of being my right hand? I am sure that it must be exhausting and you take so little time to yourself."

The other woman inhaled slowly, containing her exasperation completely, keeping a neutral yet interested face as she listened to the same concerns for what had to be the 50th time now. She knew that Aynia was well meaning, but she was happy with her place. It was... stable for all accounts and purposes. She had heavy responsibilities, but she knew that her position in Court and her service to Aynia were honours bestowed upon her and she endeavoured to go above requirements for each of her duties. When she reached her position as handmaiden to her Queen, she never dreamed of anything more. She was raised for a life of service, and service made her feel needed, and as though she were making contributions to the Warren. She snapped out of her daze during Aynia's spiel and replied with her usual defence. "My Queen, I am happy to have my position as your handmaiden. It is a great honour. I don't need much time to myself, no I am not in need of a partner, and no, I do not fear my life to be wasting away here at your side." She met Aynia's eyes and smirked devilishly. "Besides, you and your adventures are never dull, they provide me with almost as much excitement and emotion as my heart can take."

Aynia grinned as she picked up her outfit, turning to allow Maeni to loosen the laces on the back of her bodice, and continued. "Ah, you see almost means that there is yet more room for excitement and emotion!" She disappeared behind the screen to change. Maeni simply shook her head with a small chuckle to herself and resumed her duties.

Aynia emerged from behind the screen in her more seaworthy appropriate clothing. "I do believe I shall wander the ship, get my bearings as much as I can. If you'd like you can join me, or you can go your own way and enjoy your afternoon." Maeni thought for a moment and decided she could use the fresh air. "I believe I may just join you. The ocean air can only do me good. I don't want to stay cooped up in the cabin the entire way."

The two walked together to the deck and over to the rail overlooking the harbour getting farther and farther away as they sailed into the open ocean. Maeni suddenly felt a slap on her back and jumped as Aynia accompanied it with a sudden "Well, I am going to go ahead and get to that wandering. You enjoy yourself. Watch the ocean and the horizon. Perhaps find a place to read a good book in the open air? I'm going to give you this opportunity to make your own way for a while." With that she walked away, leaving Maeni standing alone next to the railing, watching her with a somewhat panicked look on her face if you paid attention. She sighed heavily and turned back to look out at the ocean and the buildings and docks of the harbour growing smaller and smaller yet. Perhaps she would go fetch that book and do as Aynia suggested. An afternoon of reading under the sun and in the fresh air really would do her some good.

The sailing journey through the bay was uneventful, but the Queen never lost her excitement. She may have lost her sea legs a time or two, but thankfully she had someone nearby each time. She painted, she read, she watched the stars. She debated with her Oracle and made Maeni blush. And every now and then, just for a while, she also forgot.

They anchored the ship off shore some ways and lowered the small boat they would be taking inland into the dark inky water. They decided it would be better to go just after dark.They being a handful of her best scouts. She had utmost faith in them to find their new friends, and just as the sun was about to crest the horizon, they came back together as a group. That group didn’t seem to include anyone new, Aynia noticed as she watched the rope ladder roll down the side of the ship and the scouts begin to ascend. She took one more glance down to confirm that no, there were no new bodies accompanying her scouts and strode over to the man that just came up onto the deck. “Was there no one? What did you find?” She sounded concerned but also curious. Her speech was just a bit rushed and she stared the man down with anticipation.

At her look he took a deep breath and let out a sigh that managed to move his long mustache with its heaviness. “Aye, there were a few… someones. What was left of ‘em anyway.” He scrunched his nose as he continued, “Looks like we weren’t the first ones there. Portals were gone but the scorched earth made it easy enough to tell where they were and they didn’t make it very far. We though, we encountered no resistance, no roving bands, nothing. I think the Red Bastard used it as a sign. They let us find it, to prove a point, I say.” He suddenly cleared his throat when he realized his words. “Forgive my foul mouth my Queen, I let it get ahead of me. Won’t happen anymore.” He looked a bit sheepish, but the annoyance on Aynia’s face wasn’t because of him. “No, Sir Channen, I believe you are right on target. What a wasted voyage this has turned out to be. Our new friends didn’t seem able to hold up to snuff, as it were.” She noticed the Oracle moving towards them along the rail and she couldn’t judge his thoughts. She was sure he wasn’t going to be very pleased, if anything. She waited for him to get close enough to hear her say, “They didn’t make it. Dead upon arrival, or slaughtered soon after I’m told. Your foresight is beginning to worry me, dearest.” She raised an eyebrow and waited for his response.

The mask the oracle wore had changed its expression. The smug knowing look replaced with consternation and anger? The expression looked foreign on the figure, as though that emotion was not meant to be shown on his visage. “Dead to a man. Then we were too late it appears. Or our adversary was too quick.” He took a breath. Red bloomed on the white cotton of his uniform as the figure radiated magic. The gleaming eyes shut, and he grew pensive. The portents washed over his form as he consulted them, even this far from the sanctum of the library he had his knowledge.

The mask changed again. It was now waxy and serene, and the eyes of the mask were covered. There came a dark laugh from behind the funerary mask. “I apologize for the… my appearance.” The mask looked almost apologetic. “I'm sorry to say but you're going to like my foresight even less. You, my queen, have a choice to make.”

He gestured to a sailor, “map and table. Now.” His voice became commanding, and the items he desired were furnished for him. He pointed a finger that dripped ink (at least, she hopes it was ink) into the center of Aimsir. “You can cut the head off the snake right now. You have the power to do so. I may not know precisely what you are, but I know you have that power.” The funerary mask stared sightless at the queen. “Of course, you and I both know that of you choose to do so, you…” he trailed off. The death mask spoke for itself. “If we leave now, we can regroup. Return to Bastion, recover the Regent from his tour of the Warren, and fight it out. A longer war is not hopeless, but it is harder. And more will be lost.”

The Oracle looked pleading, but morose. He knew the choice she'd make. “I'd advise we regroup. We can't fore- I can't pred- you'd be missed.” His shoulders sank in defeat. Whatever his gift of foresight was, it didn't help him find the words he needed. “At least consider regrouping. For Carrot's sake if not mine.”

Aynia looked up at him with a somber smile. She had thought of this long ago, as a back up plan to save the Warren if things were to go out of control. It would be a large sacrifice, of literally all she was. At this point in time however, with more portals pouring out atrocities than they could handle and no idea what all lay ahead, she felt it the easiest and most effective option.

The holdfasts were fighting as they spoke. Lives were being lost even as she was thinking. She straightened and held his eyes as she raised her voice to order one of the crew. "Don't bring up the boat and leave the ladder down, I will take it myself to shore." She broke eye contact and looked down at the map. "For what it's worth, the situation truly is regrettable." She paused a moment and chuckled to herself and tapped the map over Aimsir. "This is the conduit. And a surge would destroy it, flatten it. We would lose Aimsir forever, and any access at all to magic. You know what this means. I know you've seen and... you know." She sighed. "It's just a short visit to the other side. I'll make my way back somehow, promise." She looked at him with what she hoped was a hopeful smile.

The Oracle seemingly glowered through his funerary mask, the stains on his white uniform spreading as his mood darkened. They would lose access to the magic that poured into the Warren from beyond. His thoughts seemingly went beyond the immediate future into the further off potentials. Nothing was set in stone, until he spoke it. It might have made him laugh, earlier, the thought that every prophecy he gave was self-fulfilling, now it just made a bitter taste in his mouth. “Another reason why I ask you to reconsider, my queen. With the conduit gone, who knows what the state of the warren will be? What the state of the library would be, what…” what would my state be? A question that died in his throat the minute the first word passed his lips. And he remembered another thrice-damned restriction to his office. He could not bring his own interests above any others. The waxy mask grew sullen, and in fact downright angry. Of course, nothing could stop this. His body locked in place, becoming statuesque for a minute as he seemingly peered further out. He breathed out a curse in a long forgotten language as he came back to himself. Pulling a pen and paper from his uniform-thankfully the paper was unblemished-he set them in front of her. “At least write a farewell to Carrot before you go off and… do we both know what you’re going to do.”

Aynia had been avoiding the thought the entire time. She didn't want it to come to pass, but she would have to let Carrot go... at least for a while. There was no avoiding it now. She swallowed her emotions as she reached out and grasped the pen. Slowly and with an unsteady hand she began to write.

My love,

I have never been one for letters as you know. I am much more comfortable speaking in person but this will have to do. I will be back to you, you have my word. I know you understand so I am not going to grovel. Just know that I love you beyond all realms.

Yours,

Aynia

She folded the piece of paper to keep her words secret and handed it over to the Oracle. She took a deep breath and then rushed the few steps to envelope him in a tight hug. After just a moment she pulled away and looked at him with a hand on his shoulder. "You're going to be just fine. That much even I can foresee. I'll get in touch when I am able, but this is farewell for now." She turned quickly without giving him a moment to answer and marched over to the ladder. She swung herself over the side and slid down quickly until her feet touched the boat she would take to shore. She heard the gasps and yells of the crew as she went over the side, but she knew she'd be fine. Letting loose the boat and grabbing the oars she began to make her way to shore.

It took longer than she expected, and her arms were burning when she arrived at the shoreline. The sun was up in the sky now and she needed to be more careful. Now that she had the sea journey done, it was time to trek the land for a while. She put one foot in front of the other and kept to the scrub brush and trees in an effort to stay hidden. She walked for what felt like hours, until the sun was well overhead in the sky. She could see the top spires of Aimsir in the distance. It was time for the final step in her plan. She began to walk at a brisk pace towards Aimsir until she heard the distant howl of some cursed hounds and found herself surrounded by the Red Knights goons. "It's all part of the plan', she thought to herself. They were not easy with her, more often than not dragging her along with the hounds towards Aimsir with scolding, where her enemy and future waited.

She arrived at the foot of Aimsir's main tower after some hours of torment, and as she was dragged through the giant maw that was the entrance to the great tower she steeled herself. She was here. She could execute her plan at any time. She smirked a bit to herself at her choice of wording. Finding herself unceremoniously thrown towards the floor she caught herself and looked up to see it... him... The Red Knight, lounging in a twisted throne of metal, bones and rotting flesh. It was almost too much and she felt the need to retch, but somehow kept her composure. She wasn't going to let this last. She had to take the chance.

The Red Knight stood from the chair, impressively tall and exceedingly menacing to be fair to him. He took a few steps towards her with an outstretched hand. "I see you have decided to kneel before me." He chuckled darkly to himself. "It is a fitting place for a disgraced queen. The only way it would be more satisfying is to see your head separated from your shoulders." He nodded at a figure that was cloaked in darkness next to the putrid throne. Aynia saw a flash of metal as the creature stepped out, but she didn't take the time to discern what it was. She made her choice without a word or movement. She let go.

Immediately a dark black mist shrouded the room making it hard to see more than a few yards ahead. She locked eyes with the Red Knight as her veins showed black through pale skin. The rock under her feet began to crumble to dust. The creatures trapped within the fog began to howl and scream. Her eyes were like black voids, pulling everything they saw into dark submission in order for the slaughter to begin. She threw her head back, as the pain was becoming unbearable for her vessel. A silent scream attempted to leave her lips but was enfolded into the dark void emanating from her very core. Her body began to shred and tear, darkness seeping out from her wounds and oozing like black oil onto the crumbling floor beneath her. She was lost to the transformation now, there was no going back. Suddenly massive black wings with knife like feathers burst from her back with tendrils of smoke and black fluid that once had been flowing blood. She screamed in earnest now, as her vessel was ripped from her and fell to the floor in a heap of smoking flesh. As the body hit the crumbled heap of stones the scream suddenly died. All was completely silent, yet being consumed by the darkness and rot she brought forth. For just a moment her true form was revealed, and it was the last thing the Red Knight laid his evil eyes on.

The explosion made no sound as the walls of Aimsir and the surrounding towers crumbled, the land turning scorched and any sign of life being turned to dust. Aimsir and all surrounding it for a distance was consumed by the darkness and when the inky blackness finally melted into the air there was naught left but ash and scattered rubble. She was gone.