Zethia (Story)

Campaign: Bound

Chapter 5 / 4-1

Zethia (Story)

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The Channeling Chamber

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A Fatal Trap

Summary

The party reaches Zethia, but she has already become a host to the Other. When she departs, King Aurelius's soul merges with Zodiark to give chase on wing, leaving the prince to follow.

Dialogue

You'll not have your way... Not while I still hold the Shadowwyrm's pact! NROOOOOAWR! Hngh... Aaaah! Zethia! I'm here! Euden! We made it! YESSS! Get behind me, Zethia! Thank you, Euden! Out of my way, boy! I won't allow you to lay a finger on her ever again, Other! This time, I WILL keep her safe! You fool! You have no idea what you're doing! Come away from her NOW! Before— Before she stabs you in the back? GWAUGH?! Wait, WHAT?! Euden! Zethia, why did you just DO THAT?! Hmmm, why indeed? It's such a mystery! ...Unless the rite is already complete and the Auspex is no longer herself! Ah ha ha! Zethi...a... Well, isn't this sweet? You're still calling me by that name. You needn't force it. I'm perfectly happy to be called the Other. No... Euden! Notte! You two okay?! What have you done, Auspex?! Get back! She's changed! The worst has come to pass... Oh, what a marvelous body this is! Mana courses and crackles within every limb and digit! Every speck of flesh! I feel as if I could unmake you all with the flick of a wrist. Shall we put it to the test? RUUUN! Let's begin with family, shall we? Return to dust, O dearest brother of mine! HAAAAAAH! NWAAAUGH! NWAAAUGH! NWAAAUGH! NWAAAUGH! Now, let's see what remains of... What?! Grnnngh! Aurelius! Father! I am a shameful excuse for a king... I allow my body to be taken, then fail to spare my daughter from...the same fate... But you will not have...my son... ...Heh. Eeee hee hee! AAAAH HA HA HA! Oh, but you ARE an amusing old fool! Do you really think you can change this? You've traded your life to halt a single blow. Bought the boy a mere moment. Stay strong, Father! Cleo, he needs— No, Euden. My body falters...but my will lives on! Death is not the end for those who draw the blood of dragons. I leave the rest...to you, Shadowwyrm... Accept my soul as mana. Our pact is ended. I place my trust in you. Follow your own...judgment... Aurelius. Faithful master. Gentle king. You would grant my freedom? Then I shall see you avenged. Not as a vassal's duty, but as a friend's mourning. Thus do I honor your sacrifice. Wait. Father is becoming one with the Shadowwyrm? How deep their bond must be! NROOOOOOOOAAAAAWR! Tsk! The beast feeds on death itself and grows stronger for it! That king is truly a nuisance to the last... But I've a more important task now than toying with you all. With the Auspex's body, I can now proceed to the chamber depths and draw the Flow Eternal. Farewell! Zethia! No, this can't be happening! What is he planning to do with her body? We must pursue her! Quickly! You will not! Why stop us, Zodiark? Slaying him is my duty. And saving my daughter is the same. Leave this to me. That voice... It's Father! I can feel him! My power earned me a seat among the Six Greatwyrms. Let it now banish this threat from our world. You must not follow. Leave this place and seek safety! ...He's gone. What do we do now, Euden? I won't abandon Zethia or Zodiark, and I won't leave the Other unchecked. He mentioned something called the Flow Eternal, right? What new horror could he possibly be plotting?