The Savage Blazewyrm

Campaign: Entwining Flames

Chapter 8 / 4-1

The Savage Blazewyrm

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Summary

The party is blown away by the furious flames of Leonidas's pactbound dragon. Afterward, Alex tells the group about how she came to live the life of an assassin. Unable to leave her to a terrible fate, the party decides to help.

Dialogue

Brother, stop! You're even more a fool than I thought to have followed me here. We're here to knock ya on yer ass, pal, so get ready for pain! Hyaaaaargh! I'll not permit you to attack His Excellency! Flash of Ruin! Hnnngh! All that we do, we do to return life to the way it was on that day! Engage them, men! Leave none alive! Hyaaah! You know, I've had better days than this... But oh well! Hyaaaargh! Form up, everyone! Meet them head-on! Yaaaaah! Pathetic! You're no better than a swarm of feckless insects. It is time to end this folly. ...Mars! Come forth! Uh oh. I think the Blazewyrm is about to lay the hurt on everyone—INCLUDING all of his allies. But that's nothing I can't stop! Are you so confident, girl? Hrrrrraaaaah! Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaorgh! Wait a second. That's not Mars, but this mana DOES belong to him. And that means... No! Mars! Did you actually let yourself be taken over by a HUMAN?! Such a disgraceful way to describe it. When I formed my pact with Mars, I fulfilled his wish. By channeling massive amounts of mana through these ensorcellers, I have fulfilled his desire to become the most powerful dragon in the world! A dragon is not a toy to be used in your foul alchemical experiments! The whole of human wisdom has been poured into this new creation of mine. Now...taste his blaze! Commence charging of the Mana Calibur! Use the magic amplifier to exceed the critical temperature of dragon fire and unleash a chain reaction! Farewell, my little insects... Alchemical Explosion! HYYYYAAAAAARRRRGH! EVERYONE, RUN! NOOOOW! Aaaaaah! ...An utter trifle. Heh. See, Alex? It was just as I said. That place was not where you were to die. I prepared an appropriate final moment for you. You did a fine job of luring the enemy here. In honor of your sacrifice, I swear to protect your precious Church. Ha ha! Aaaaah ha ha ha ha ha! Is everyone all right? Can you move? Ngh... I...think Mym saved us somehow. I was able to weaken his flames just a bit. Oh, but I'm still so sorry, darling. If only I'd been able to take them all on myself! Nnnngh... How can that jerk still be alive?! Get back, Euden! I don't think she's a threat at the moment. ...Are you all right, Alex? What... Wh-why... I won't leave a wounded person to die. Here, come on. Put your arm around me... S-stop... D-don't touch me! Just let me help you. Are you always so friendly with women who attempt to kill you? No, this is sort of a first. Cleo? Can you tend to her wounds? And while she does that, Alex, why don't you tell us what the deal is between you and Elisanne? This seems personal between you two. Did something happen in the past? ...... Euden, I can— No. I'll tell him. It's the least I can do after you saved my life. I was orphaned at a young age. My life was a succession of back alleys and near-death experiences...until the day that Elisanne rescued me. She brought me to the Ilian Church. To me, it seemed like paradise. While I was at the Church, I came to understand things like love and kindness, and so I made a promise to myself... I swore I would do anything to protect the Church, and I swore to make sure no children ever had to suffer as I did. Then why become an assassin? Because people appeared who attempted to destroy my paradise from within. Morsayati is Ilia's child. This is clear. And yet, people appeared who began to doubt this truth. You're talking about the Scrolls of Perdition, yes? I am. The bishop decreed that we must love Morsayati as well as Ilia, so why do people refuse to acknowledge this fact? Why do they seek to sunder the Church? I decided I would bring judgment upon those who would defile paradise, using the skills I honed during my days living on the streets. I would punish those who will not repent their sins, and accept those who admitted their mistakes. In so doing, the Church would again be made one. And then Elisanne could come back... Oh, Alex... That is why I will not accept a defector, nor any who would support her. I have said enough. I must return to His Excellency Leonidas. You would return and kneel before the man who very nearly took your life?! To live and have no home to return to is its own kind of death. If I become a sacrifice, I at least ensure that the children who come after me will never again be lost. I guess she's got her own reasons for fighting. ...Even if they ARE bonkers. But if she continues to heel at Leonidas's command, she will become his victim. I understand, Elly. We'll find a way to make her realize the error of her ways.