Everyone
As the scientist and the sorcerer work their respective magics the effect is rapidly apparent to all involved as the Massive elemental lets loose with an Island shaking roar that causes the volcano behind them to react in kind. Hornet works quickly, his amazing intellect bent to the task of guiding, controlling and bending the energy flow of the creature and the unleashed volcano via Bindhers device. The device whirrs and beeps and hummms as a massive surge of energy is channeled through it diluted and diffused and dispersed. The atmosphere around the island is affected as Storm Clouds gather overhead and lightning flashes and cracks among them.
Simultaneously Thomas works to channel the mystic energies of the island into a single goal; Return the Ancient Elemental to its home plane. He bends his formidable will to the task and focuses enormous power into the circle around him before shaping it into process of shifting dimensions. The BEast roars overhead as it feels the pull of his will and set its own ancient will against him, despite its desire to return. Thomas can feel the binding spell that brought the creature here in the first place and bound it to its volcanic prison fighting back against him and he has to adjust to it as he exerts enormous effort.
Its at the height of the spells power that Thomas feels his control slip as some infernal will sets itself against him. The creature wavers and then turns ponderously on its axis and orients itself on Hornet and the Magus with a violent roar that causes another ground quake as the massive elemental actually picks up speed its thunderous footsteps heading towards them.
Its just then that he feels a third force of will enter the picture, its a familiar feeling as is the power that it encompasses. the power from this will flows over him like a refreshing cool breeze that causes goosebumps to crawl across his skin, but not as much as the mischievous laugh that floats at the edge of his conscious perceptions, a hauntingly familiar laugh that hes heard in intimate moments, a laugh that he thought he would never hear again when the ways were closed to him.
The power he was channeling is reinforced as Hornet makes some rapid adjustments to the device and Thomas feels his own will reinforced by the power enabling him to close the circle and send his will out into the effort. The beast roars once more but slows in its crushing charge at the two men, slowing until it is all but eye to enormous flame filled eye with them. then the Elemental seems to bow to them its massive head touching the ground, and then sliding into it as the spell takes effect and the Dimensions align allowing the beast to return to its home as the two men overcome the Binding spell.
it takes several moments for the enormous beast to simply melt into the earth but finally it does and the enormous overlike heat is gone. With the Creatures departure the volcano itself settles back into a state of equilibrium as its power is drained away and it resumes its previous state of dormancy.
Hornet working frantically on Binders device is forced to leap backwards as the device overflows suddenly and unleashes a backlash of energy that crackles out like a lightning bolt into the volcanos caldera. Thomas who was staggered by the effort rushes to the calderas edge where he sees a sight that causes an ince cold shudder to run down his spine.
In the middle of the now cooling lava is the Obsidian island that Binder was originally working on. On the platform of black stone an enormous glowing golden rune in an ancient language representing the plane of fire and surrounded by a golden circle of smaller runes of binding and restraint.
Standing on the obsidian platform is Black Anubis the ebony jackal headed villain catches the lightning bolt of enormous power focused and channeled by Binders device in one ebon clawed hand and then drives it down like a spike into the middle of the island. there is an enormous crack of thunder and backlash of force that knocks everyone on the ground off their feet. As Thomas watches the circle of gold breaks and then fades away Anubis then turns and looks right at him and smiles a wicked smile followed by a malevolent chuckle before his body falls apart into a cloud of black sand that blows away on the winds.
Thomas then knows the truth. Hes been set up, Anubis used him. The thrice accursed monster had lead him here with a trail of bread crumbs, hed used Binder to upset the balance of the Elementals holding spell in order to draw the elemental out so it could be destroyed or contained or possibly even unleashed on the unsuspectig population as a distraction. All so Anubis could use the machines gathered energies to power a spell to break the true Keystone without interference from the Elemental which was its guardian.
Anubis had been successful, one of the Five had been broken, Four remained, Air, Water, Earth, and a lock of the Spirit. Five keys to a prison of something very powerful and very dangerous.
Its as he conteplates this that he sees somehting out of the corner of his eye, a flash of dark red and pink, a mere blur in his perceptions that draws his eyes, but when he looks he doesnt see anything, and why would he if she were alive she was always amazing with veils and he wouldnt be able to see her even if it was what he trully wanted.
Thomas stands up as the Protectors gather near him just as the sky opens up with a cooling rain which causes steam to hiss up from the heated ground. The rain causes fires to die out and cleanses ash and smoke from the air allowing the team to breath cool air and smell the salt from the ocean once again.
There on the edge of the volcani caldera they stand triumphant once more having saved many lives. But for one of them he knows its just the beginning of a longer fight to come.
Exellent rolls and great job everyone.
Time to wrap up as ive let this one roll ona little longer then planned.
Hornet makes all rolls no sweat.
thomas technically fails one.
however Hornets can act as an aid, and this gives me the opportunity to advanced a part of thomas's side story that Kas and I disucssed prior. So he gets a bit of hidden help and succeeds.
the beasty goes home and Anubis breaks the seal like hed planned.
Everyone gets a hero point for that carries over to the next chapter and 4 pp to spend as you will.
great job guys next chapter will be soon. however feel free to roleplay as you will.
as always if anyone has any side stories or things they want to explore feel free to ask.