Forbidden Ritual

Campaign: Bound

Chapter 5 / 2-5

Forbidden Ritual

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Confronting the Emperor

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The Collapsed Corridor

Summary

The twin Zethias join powers to strike at the Other, but the arrival of Zodiark, pactbound dragon to Aurelius, turns the tables against them. Zethia is taken anew, leaving the prince to follow in pursuit.

Dialogue

HaaaAAAH! I banish you, Other! Return to the world of impurity from whence you came! Nroooaaagh! Yeah! Let him have it! This is the true power of the Auspex. The two of them both exude the warmth of the world's blessings channeled together! He is powerless before them! I will not fall... Not to a pair of children! No... Rraaaaugh! Has he given up? ...No! This mana— Watch out, both of you! What's wrong, Mym?! It's him. It has to be. His mana vanished from the world for so long I'd wondered where he'd gone. But he was pactbound and lurking in the shadows this whole time. And now his pact holder's body has been possessed! Heh heh heh... Oh, how correct you are. For when I laid claim to this body, his pactbound dragon became mine as well. If you would stack miracle upon miracle, I will answer with ever-greater shades of wicked darkness! Come to me, Zodiark! GROOOOAWR! The Shadowwyrm?! Father held its pact this whole time?! The last of the Six Greatwyrms... I had no idea it remained in the royal family's service. Tell me, Auspex: Can your fragile form withstand the Shadowwyrm's vast store of dark mana? For his ancient grudge cannot be erased by anyone! Now go, Zodiark! Crush them! GROAAAAAWR! Aaaugh! My power...fades? NO! I wanted to save Euden, but even that one wish was... beyond my... Aaah... Zethia! She's... No. NO! Aaaah ha ha ha! Now, my dear Auspex, you will share in her fate! GROAAAAAWR! Aaaaah! ZETHIA! Heh. Fell unconscious, did you? Well, let that serve as a taste of my power. I fear it's farewell for now, Prince. I await you in the Channeling Chamber. Come and see what unfolds on its altar, if curiosity moves you to do so. Heh heh... Aaaah ha ha ha ha! Zethia, no! ZETHIA! She was hurting bad... We can't leave her like that! It never occurred to me that he might have taken hold of Zodiark. Can we really beat something like that? Course we can—this story don't end here, kid. Now let's get after 'em already! He's right. Hope is not entirely lost. Right... Yes, you're right. I can't give up when Euden is hurting. We'll figure out a way together! Thank you, Luca. And the rest of you, too. We WILL get Zethia back!