Elias rushes to the pedestal as Thadeus and the Tall Figure exchange sweeping blows. Chain and distorted limbs cut through falling dust, each narrowly missing.
Elias
Hold on, Marcus. I’m getting you out.
Elias spots a rusted lever set into the wall and pulls it down. The dark restraints snap open, dropping Marcus against the pedestal.
The red line remains tight around Marcus’s throat, but Elias supports him and guides him toward the stairwell while stone fragments rain from above.
Marcus Thorne
The restraints released, but this mark is still on me. Do not let it pull me back.
The Tall Figure turns from the retreating pair, its faceless head fixing on Thadeus. Its next impossible assault folds through the dust as Peacebringer sweeps to meet it.
Elias
Marcus is near cover, but the chamber is coming apart. Thadeus, we need a way through this before the ceiling gives way.
“Elias leads Marcus up the stairs back to the castle study. Thadeus is still battling the Tall Figure when a large chunk of ceiling crashes to the floor, creating a large hole that shows a massive purple cave below, with a creek of water carrying a bioluminescent glow. With the floor crumbling around, Thadeus jumps away to a ledge, holding onto of the shackles attached for balance. The Tall Figure, for all its magics, doesn't jump away, instead falling into the caverns below.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -3)
Elias hauls Marcus up the stairs toward the study while Thadeus keeps the Tall Figure away. Above them, the ceiling gives a violent crack.
A massive slab crashes through the chamber floor, opening a jagged hole onto purple caverns below. A glowing creek winds through the depths, illuminating the falling dust.
The stone beneath Thadeus crumbles. He jumps across the collapsing edge and catches a heavy shackle bolted to a surviving ledge, his injured shoulder flaring with sharp pain.
The Tall Figure does not leap. Its distorted form drops through the broken floor, plunging into the cavern’s violet darkness as water glows beneath it.
Elias
Thadeus! Hold on! I’ve got Marcus to the study, but the whole chamber is falling apart!
The shackle groans under Thadeus’s weight. Below, the Tall Figure vanishes into the cavern, and its impact sends ripples of bioluminescent light across the underground creek.
“Thadeus tells Elias to go back up towards the study. With effort, Thadeus concentrates his energy on Peacebringer. Elias watches in stunned silence as Peacebringer's form becomes simplified, turning into what he first thinks is a shield. The shield rotates until it becomes a flat surface, which Thadeus drops to. Incredibly, Peacebringer is holding Thadeus in the air. Peacebringer slowly rises to the stairwell, where Thadeus jumps and lands safely. Peacebringer flies back to Thadeus and reduces itself to its pen form, where Thadeus pockets it. While Elias and Thadeus run back up the stairs, Elias remarks, "So Peacebringer can literally become anything you want, huh?" Thadeus smirks, "That wasn't me, I didn't will it to lift me." Elias opens his mouth to reply, but decides later is probably better to address the impossible power of Peacebringer.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Thadeus Jovanović
Elias, get back up toward the study.
Elias drags Marcus Thorne toward the stairs. Thadeus concentrates through his injured shoulder, and Peacebringer simplifies into a glowing shield beneath him.
The shield rotates flat. Thadeus drops onto its surface, and the artifact lifts him through the collapsing chamber. Stone fragments strike the platform, jolting his shoulder with fresh pain.
Elias
Thadeus!
Peacebringer rises steadily to the stairwell. Thadeus jumps from the floating surface and lands safely beside Elias, who reaches the study with Marcus Thorne.
The artifact flies back, contracts into its fountain-pen form, and settles into Thadeus’s hand. He pockets it as dust boils up from the collapsing chamber below.
Elias
So Peacebringer can literally become anything you want, huh?
Thadeus Jovanović
That wasn’t me. I didn’t will it to lift me.
Elias
I was going to ask how that is even possible, but later is probably better.
Keep Marcus Thorne safe from the collapsing castle
Quest Complete
Rescue Marcus Thorne
Skill Upgrade: Psychology Superb→Legendary