They Aren't Coming
At last, the Dreamer finds his Blessed, lost across the planes and scattered across the stars. One lies even in the Void... That one is beyond his reach. But he will send the dream all the same, in hopes that a little light cascades through the Mirror.
We pass over roiling seas of Golarion, up and over high-reaching cliffs, and then deep into the heart of Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. A title granted in hubris, made true by the cruelty of time and good intentions.
The city is alive -- far more alive than usual -- the streets bursting with traveling merchants, eager tourists, and warriors of all kinds, looking to earn their fame at the Sunburst Festival. Hawkers gesture about with a menagerie of wares, policed by keen-eyed Swordsmen, promising luck, good will, and bravery. Banners fly wildly in the mid-summer wind, but none fly as high as the flag of Absalom, emblazoned with the crown of the Wizard King.
Panning down, we focus on a specific group in the crowd, currently pushing their way towards the center of the city. We see Aziz at the forefront, using his large size and green skin to part any dabblers, followed by Ez, Styx, Cerberus, Vivian, and Gerald Bubbles. Through the Haze, we learn that Selene is elsewhere, busy with the festival preparations laid upon Green Ridge, aided by young Edwin.
Vivian: "I still don't feel them. You?"
Styx: "Nope."
Aziz: "No."
Cerberus: "Negatory!"
Gerald: "Not a peep."
Ez: "...no." Ez gripped the handle of her sword, decked out in a new set of armor... A gift from Euridice. She was supposed to be here, with her, but she still had trouble standing. She wouldn't miss the Initiate Trials however -- she had promised. Aziz put a comforting hand on Ez's shoulder (being careful not to exaggerate how much he had to bend down), understanding some semblance of her pain. While he had not known Euridice long, she had been good to Aziz. He'd never felt more ready to take on the Trials. Aziz: "They aren't coming." The rest of the group nodded. The ghosts-- Whatever they were. They weren't coming to watch the Sunburst Festival, or to participate in the Trials. While not exactly welcome, they did provide a slight edge. An edge they needed... And there was a certain comfort they supposed, in knowing that some greater power was watching over you. But it was gone now. Cerberus: "Think they got whacked?"
Styx: "Cerberus."
Cerberus: "What? It's possible."
Vivian: "I think we would have felt something..."
Aziz: "My spirit would have sent notice... If she could."
Gerald: "Your's sends you mail?"
Ez: "If?"
Vivian: "She?" Aziz shrugged, an awkward motion in a crowd, especially when pushing aside distracted tourists. Aziz: "I imagine her as a woman. A kind woman." Cerberus snorted, but Aziz thankfully did not hear him over the surrounding chatter. Styx gave her otter another warning look, and the little critter grinned. Ez: "I don't think they're dead... Maybe? I don't know. But I think we're definitely on our own." The group nodded again, and Aziz broke through the last line in the crowd. They looked down into the heart of the city, where a massive stadium was slowly filling with onlookers. Knights of Mystic Fire were everywhere, flying above the city with magic-enhanced vision, and several gave the group disapproving looks -- primarily directed at Ez and Aziz. The Initiate Trials were about to begin, on a stage set where all of the world could see. Ez: "Well. Time's almost up. Anyone else want to take on the Trials?"
Aziz: "Alone or together... I must go."
Gerald: "Working for the king? I already lived that life. No thank you." Vivian and Styx were quiet, their minds not yet made up. Ez shrugged. Ez: "You can decide at the Rolls. If not, cheer my name real loud, yeah?" Ez received a series of lighthearted punches -- their location determined by relative difference in height -- and then the crew took the steps down to the next road. The Dreamer pulled away, his wings light but his heart heavy. If only they knew... Tragedy was coming to Golarion too.
Styx: "Nope."
Aziz: "No."
Cerberus: "Negatory!"
Gerald: "Not a peep."
Ez: "...no." Ez gripped the handle of her sword, decked out in a new set of armor... A gift from Euridice. She was supposed to be here, with her, but she still had trouble standing. She wouldn't miss the Initiate Trials however -- she had promised. Aziz put a comforting hand on Ez's shoulder (being careful not to exaggerate how much he had to bend down), understanding some semblance of her pain. While he had not known Euridice long, she had been good to Aziz. He'd never felt more ready to take on the Trials. Aziz: "They aren't coming." The rest of the group nodded. The ghosts-- Whatever they were. They weren't coming to watch the Sunburst Festival, or to participate in the Trials. While not exactly welcome, they did provide a slight edge. An edge they needed... And there was a certain comfort they supposed, in knowing that some greater power was watching over you. But it was gone now. Cerberus: "Think they got whacked?"
Styx: "Cerberus."
Cerberus: "What? It's possible."
Vivian: "I think we would have felt something..."
Aziz: "My spirit would have sent notice... If she could."
Gerald: "Your's sends you mail?"
Ez: "If?"
Vivian: "She?" Aziz shrugged, an awkward motion in a crowd, especially when pushing aside distracted tourists. Aziz: "I imagine her as a woman. A kind woman." Cerberus snorted, but Aziz thankfully did not hear him over the surrounding chatter. Styx gave her otter another warning look, and the little critter grinned. Ez: "I don't think they're dead... Maybe? I don't know. But I think we're definitely on our own." The group nodded again, and Aziz broke through the last line in the crowd. They looked down into the heart of the city, where a massive stadium was slowly filling with onlookers. Knights of Mystic Fire were everywhere, flying above the city with magic-enhanced vision, and several gave the group disapproving looks -- primarily directed at Ez and Aziz. The Initiate Trials were about to begin, on a stage set where all of the world could see. Ez: "Well. Time's almost up. Anyone else want to take on the Trials?"
Aziz: "Alone or together... I must go."
Gerald: "Working for the king? I already lived that life. No thank you." Vivian and Styx were quiet, their minds not yet made up. Ez shrugged. Ez: "You can decide at the Rolls. If not, cheer my name real loud, yeah?" Ez received a series of lighthearted punches -- their location determined by relative difference in height -- and then the crew took the steps down to the next road. The Dreamer pulled away, his wings light but his heart heavy. If only they knew... Tragedy was coming to Golarion too.
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