Anima, Ch.12: Second Triad

[Anima, Ch.12: Second Triad]
----------------------------
--01-- [Scene: Dunbarton] <BGM: The Dream's Reward>
"Is there really nothing more?" I asked.
I'd just checked in with Stewart about my latest assignment,
when he then told me that he had nothing more he could teach me himself.


--02-- <BGM: The Dream's Reward>
(Stewart)
Of course not! There's always more to be learned, but you've reached the limits of what I can impart.
I'm very impressed with how far you've come these past few months.



--03-- <BGM: The Dream's Reward>
(Stewart)
You've been one of my finest students. I have no doubts you will become a peerless sorceress.
The best students always surpass their teachers, after all.



--04-- <BGM: The Dream's Reward>
(Stewart)
Don't limit yourself to what others have accomplished before you.
Never take it for granted when others say it can't be done.
I hope that, someday, aspiring magicians will be learning from you.


--05-- <BGM: The Dream's Reward>
"Well, thank you... I'll do my best to make you proud of me, then."




--06--
(Stewart)
You already have.
Perhaps the Druids could teach you more, but they're generally too busy with official duties.
If you ever need any advice in the future, I'll do all I can to help.
Good day, Meara.

--07-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
And so, I left the school. Not for the last time, certainly. I've only read a quarter of the books
in the library, after all. But there was still a feeling of...finality, as I walked outside.



--08-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
So, what Stewart told me basically amounts to...if I want even stronger magic spells, I'm either going to
have to devise them myself, or consult the kingdom's order of Druids? That's a tall order.



--09-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
I've been here seven months, gained dozens of new skills, and learned a great deal about the world
I seem to be stranded in, but practically nothing about myself. I've barely scratched the surface.



--10-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
"Meara! There you are!" a familiar voice called out from my left.
"Oh; hi, Vivian," I said. "Something wrong? Where's Devin?"



--11-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
"He's getting something from Kristell. I think I'd better let him explain everything when he gets here;
I barely get it myself. We...have to save Morrighan, and I want you to come along."



--12-- <BGM: Splitting a Grey Sky>
"Save a goddess? Well, who am I to argue with that?" I asked.
"I'd be glad to help, but at least tell me what I'm getting into first..."



--13-- [Scene: none] <BGM: Scene 01>
Devin arrived a moment later, and tried to explain what had happened.
He had supposedly received a...message in a dream last night, from the goddess Morrighan herself?
She was...imprisoned somewhere.


--14-- <BGM: Scene 01>
And to top it off, when he woke up he had a pendant in his hand, in the circle-and-cross shape
that adorns the churches of Erinn.
When he let me examine it, I had an uneasy feeling while I held it.


--15-- [Scene: Gairech Hills] <BGM: Young Explorer>
We set off south after preparations in Dunbarton, heading to Bangor.
The road was poorly traveled.
The reason for this soon became apparent; every bear and wolf we encountered on the way attacked!


--16-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
Uladh's towns were now virtually under siege from the berserk wildlife.
Soldiers had been dispatched from Tara to guard the entrances to each town;
every day they had to fend off dozens of beasts.


--17-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
Even smaller creatures, like rats, raccoons, and foxes; not inclined to a predatory nature,
hissed and snarled at us as we passed, showing none of their usual fear of humans.



--18-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
"What's going on with the animals? It's like the whole world is out to kill us!" Vivian exclaimed,
as she pulled her sword out of the carcass of the fifth wolf that had attacked us in an hour.



--19-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
"It's been getting worse for months, but now it's as if they've all been driven mad..." I said.
"It's got to be the Fomors;" Devin said. "If we save Morrighan, maybe she can do something about it."



--20-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
Tir na Nog, a perfect reflection of Erinn; supposedly the goddess was being kept prisoner there,
and a gateway to that place was sealed up in the depths of Barri dungeon. We were heading there.



--21-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
As we made our way across Gairech Hills, Devin went over what he'd learned.
Mores, a hero of the great war against the Fomors, had been betrayed by jealous compatriots,
and now aided the Fomors.


--22-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
Mores was unknowingly helping Cichol, the god of the Fomors...but willingly helping the dark god to create
an unstoppable monstrosity that would be unleashed upon Erinn as revenge for his betrayal.



--23-- <BGM: Young Explorer>
Three others had gone, years ago, attempting to do what we were doing now.
They failed; only one of them made it back, broken and ruined for his trouble.
I hope we fare better...


--24-- [Scene: Bangor] <BGM: A Dreaming Village>
At last we reached Bangor, a run-down mining village that had seen better days.
There were soldiers at the town entrance, but as we weren't rampaging beasts, they let us pass, no questions asked.



--25-- <BGM: A Dreaming Village>
Though they did give me an odd look or two...
As expected. It doesn't even bother me anymore.



--26-- <BGM: A Dreaming Village>
Nearly everyone I've met over the last few months has done the same thing: gawk at my pointy ears
and cat-like yellow eyes, but soon decide an elf is close enough to being human and get over it.



--27-- <BGM: A Dreaming Village>
I took stock of my inventory while my friends had their weapons repaired. Better safe than sorry.
Potions, bandages, gathering tools, a bow and arrows for backup...hope it's enough.



--28-- [Scene: Barri] <BGM: A Safety Zone>
We entered Barri dungeon and stood before the statue.
Devin looked up at it. "I wonder how much these statues actually look like her?"
"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Vivian answered.


--29-- <BGM: A Safety Zone>
"No turning back," he said. "You both ready?"
"As ready as I can be, I think," I said.
"We'll save her. Don't worry," Vivian reassured.
Devin took out a black dungeon pass from his possessions.

--30-- <BGM: Hate>
"Let's go, then." He offered it to the altar, and we found ourselves deep underground.
The smell of rust filled the air...along with a permeating sense of dread I couldn't explain.



--31-- <BGM: Hate>
"We'd better be ready for some tough fights. I doubt they'll leave this gate unguarded," Vivian said.
The siblings readied their weapons, and I prepared a full volley of Icebolts.



--32-- <BGM: Hate>
In the very first room, eight goblins rose up to oppose us when the first chest was opened.
Sure enough, the Fomors weren't going to make this easy.
Goblins were little match for us now, though.


--33-- <BGM: Hate>
Room after room of more of the same followed, six or eight goblins at a time, some armed with bows.
I kept a close eye out for them; our first encounter with Fomor archers is still fresh in memory.



--34-- <BGM: Hate> {SFX: slam}
The telltale giant red key foretold the end was close, and soon after, we found the final doorway.
Beyond the great door was a room full of mysterious glowing lights.
Will-o-wisps?


--35-- <BGM: Formidable Adversary> {SFX: lightning}
They started shifting and darting about as we entered, then lashed out with Lightning Bolt spells!
Their magic left more pain than actual physical harm.
I fought back with my own spells.


--36-- <BGM: Formidable Adversary> {SFX: explosion}
A chaincasted Firebolt, amplified by my Fire Wand, was enough to extinguish each flickering
ball of malefic light. Vivian and Devin did their best to deal with a Wisp or two each by themselves.



--37-- <BGM: A Safety Zone>
In the final chamber of this section of Barri dungeon we'd been sent into, behind the statue of Morrighan,
there was a massive ancient-looking gray stone door, bound in chains and locks.



--38-- <BGM: A Safety Zone>
"This is the sealed door?" Vivian asked.
"Looks like it," Devin replied. "Morrighan said all I had to do to break the seal on it is to bring two other
people I trust with me, and touch the door."


--39-- <BGM: Scene 03>
"Who better than my sister and my best friend?" he continued.
Devin carefully reached out and put his palm against the ancient stonework.
Almost at once, the chains crumbled and fell to the ground.


--40-- <BGM: Whisper of Wind>
The doors of the ancient stone gate slowly swung open with a dull grinding sound.
Beyond the gate...there was an empty blackness. A void.
If we stepped through...where would it take us?


[chapter end]