Ivar
Dark Cloud
Zapdos
Snowdrops
Teyao
Pyrrhic
Ariana Grey
Izurich
Lewascan2Wulrick and his party, Silver Arrow, led Second Chance down the main streets that took them along the waterside, past The Bazaar, beyond The Temple of the Quinity and over the western Little Bridge to the beginning of the ascent up Citadel Mountain.
Midnight gave the great city of Valhiem a very different view, ordinarily so busy and vibrant, but no more so than now with the city under siege. As they went up the mountain, the near-constant waves of fiery artillery ammunition was ever more clear. Nearing the summit of Citadel Mountain, so high above the rest of the city, it felt like the Ritual Barrier was close enough to touch and explosions upon it were detailed and fearsome.
The high class, clean paved streets atop the mountain saw more traffic than the rest of the city, even at this late hour. There were people leaving and entering The Academy Campus, guards and military were more active in the area, and the many large municipal buildings saw activity too.
Lucy Bottrill was waiting for the two adventurer parties in the large square in front of The Citadel.
“Took your time,” the Guildmaster said to Wulrick. “Hospital trip?” Wulrick nodded, as did Lucy after. “I’ll take it from here. Silver Arrow will be rewarded for this great favor, mark my words.”
After a few more words between Wulrick and Lucy, they said their goodbyes and Silver Arrow was off. Lucy gestured behind her. “Good to see you’re all here.” She looked at Clive. “And I’m glad you managed to link back up with your friends.”
She had been informed by Clarissa about the top-secret and illegal operation to resurrect Clive Michel. Classified information but Clarissa was not one for following protocol if her gut told her it was important.
Lucy cast her glance across all of the faces of Second Chance. “Come with me.”
____________________________________________________________
Mayor Joseph Pendlebury.
Ambassador Malcom Crane.
Academy President Jordash Sigmar.
High Septum Areleth.
Academy Director Clarissa Shields.
Academy Director Enio Ivey.
Garrison Commander Thorn.
2nd Adventurer Guildmaster Lucy Bottrill.
High Inquisitor Lucius McGarren.
Heroes from Another World, Second Chance.
The 3rd War Room Meeting was already underway when Lucy brought The Heroes from the Sky into the room, but everyone hushed upon their arrival.
Some of them did not know what to expect after such a build-up in their minds, but the result was Second Chance did not seem particularly impressive. None wore gleaming armour, nor carried particularly impressive weapons. All were clearly human and carried the very average and unremarkable physical traits that their race was known for.
Some, like Areleth, Clarissa, Lucy… they were now beginning to take very seriously what they’d dismissed out of hand in previous meetings with Second Chance. That they were not from this world.
Those with the natural inclination to cast Identify in their minds when meeting strangers that needed sizing up, saw that each of Second Chance had already gone through multiple Ascensions. Enough that their power as a party was comparable to high-end Gold Class parties. This, coupled with the facts of their story: that they’d been in this world less than a single month!? It was nothing short of supernatural. Unheard of.
Some of the people at the meeting, such as Areleth, had knowledge of the particular uniqueness they all might carry, after witnessing James Sirius take the Cleric Test and seeing that he was either; connected to all the Gods and Goddesses of this plane, or; none of them in particular. Something else that was completely unheard of.
Some of those at the meeting didn’t know much about Second Chance. Some had heard the rumour that they had slain Aurok the Man Eater. Some simply had faith in High Septum Areleth’s intuition that these people were special. Most were understandably sceptical of the narrative that their arrival was due to the invocation of Universal Tier Ritual magic only ever heard of once in Mytherian history… in the Mythic Age where the majority of texts and records were, at best, questionable and at worst, complete conjecture and theory.
Areleth broke the silence by addressing James. “We are glad you could join us. James, if you would, please relay the story you told me, of how you and your friends ended up here in Mytheria.”
He gave the young man a chance to speak, then let the others know. “If any of you have anything to add, please share all you can.”
Their story would coincide perfectly with the partial shutting down of The WellSprings across the continent: A fact that had been kept under wraps due to National Security and Confidence concerns. Such a phenomenon was so rare that only something incredibly powerful could have triggered such a reaction... such as Universal Tier Ritual magic that could summon heroes from another world.
Clarissa would be as patient as she could be… which was not very patient at all… and would find a place to chime in and ask to hear the details regarding the Mysterious Cube they’d delivered to her. She did not ask any of them in particular, only wishing for the best recounting of how it had come in their possession, so she could hear it all again and see if she’d missed anything important, back before she’d done any testing on the artifact.
Commander Thorn decided to wait to give details and orders regarding defence of the city. This current discussion seemed above his pay grade and might have consequences that went beyond merely Valhiem’s fate.
Lucy would also have some things to say, but she waited to see what Second Chance would say.
Not all in the room knew that Clive Michel had been resurrected, but those that did eyed the bare chested man with some suspicion and mostly concern about what legal ramifications they would face from Capitol City for being party to Treason.
