Elizabeth’s knees strike the crimson carpet. She clutches her head as her skin pales, dark veins gathering beneath her face and throat while the blood-red moon burns overhead.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elizabeth, fight it! Resist her!
Thadeus braces Peacebringer’s clear shield against Erzsebet’s claws. His attention breaks toward Elizabeth for one fatal instant, and the barrier dips.
Erzsebet Báthory
Yes, daughter. You are almost mine again.
Erzsebet’s claws crash through the faltering guard and strike Thadeus hard across the chest. He drops among the broken marble, Peacebringer still clenched in his grasp.
Erzsebet Báthory
Look at her, Thadeus. The old blood is nearly complete!
Erzsebet throws back her head and cackles. Beside the fallen Thadeus, Peacebringer glows steadily, its light tightening around the handle as it senses a narrow opening in the vampire’s defense.
“Thadeus, clutching his chest, watches as Elizabeth begins to succumb to the dark energy coursing through her. In a desperate move, Thadeus removes the ankh ring and calls to Elizabeth, "Hurry, put this on!" He tosses it to Elizabeth, who manages it to catch it and slide it on her ring finger. As she does, she cries out in immense pain, and collapses to the ground, her skin pale white, and a black aura surrounding her form. Erzsebet looks to Thadeus, "Isn't she beautiful? She's becoming the monster she is." Thadeus remains silent, waiting to see if Elizabeth moves.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -3)
Clutching his chest, Thadeus watches Elizabeth convulse beneath the blood-red moon. Dark energy crawls over her paling skin as Erzsebet’s laughter rolls through the ruined ballroom.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elizabeth, hurry. Put this on!
Thadeus tears the ankh ring from his finger and throws it across the carpet. Elizabeth reaches through the black aura and catches it against her palm.
With trembling fingers, Elizabeth slides the ring onto her finger. A violent flash erupts from the ruby, and she screams as the energy tears through her body.
Erzsebet Báthory
Isn't she beautiful? She is becoming the monster she was born to be.
Elizabeth collapses hard onto the carpet, skin pale white and a black aura twisting around her still form. The ring’s cracked ruby dims, its remaining power spent.
Thadeus remains silent, chest burning where Erzsebet struck him. Across the dust-streaked floor, Elizabeth’s fingers twitch once beneath the dark aura, then curl around the ring.
“Thadeus, clutching his chest, watches as Elizabeth begins to succumb to the dark energy coursing through her. In a desperate move, Thadeus removes the ankh ring and calls to Elizabeth, "Hurry, put this on!" He tosses it to Elizabeth, who manages it to catch it and slide it on her ring finger. As she does, she cries out in immense pain, and collapses to the ground, her skin pale white, and a black aura surrounding her form. Erzsebet looks to Thadeus, "Isn't she beautiful? She's becoming the monster she is." Thadeus remains silent, waiting to see if Elizabeth moves.”
For several seconds, Elizabeth lies motionless beneath the black aura. The darkness coils around her like smoke, while the cracked ruby gives one faint, weakening pulse.
Elizabeth Bathory
I am still here. I am still myself.
Her fingers tighten around the ring. The aura shudders, drawing inward from her face and throat as pale light briefly flickers beneath her skin.
Erzsebet Báthory
No. That ring has already spent its power. It cannot hold back what belongs to me.
Elizabeth’s breathing steadies. The black haze remains around her body, but it no longer spreads. Her eyes open, pale and focused through the dust.
Elizabeth Bathory
Thadeus... I can hear you. I am not gone.
Across the ruined ballroom, Erzsebet’s smile fades. Thadeus stays silent, clutching his chest as Elizabeth slowly pushes one trembling hand against the carpet.
“With the ring on, Elizabeth stands upright. The black aura around her intensifies, appearing like a black flame. "Thank you, mother," Elizabeth says to Erzsebet, "for the gift you've given me." Erzsebet grins, "Anything for my daughter. Now, time to finish him." She points to Thadeus, still clutching his chest. Elizabeth turns towards Thadeus, her hand without the ring on it extending sharp claws. As Elizabeth gets closer, he raises Peacebringer in a futile attempt to protect himself. When Elizabeth is within a foot of him, she looks down on him, and subtly winks. Thadeus tries to hide his reaction from Erzsebet, waiting for Elizabeth's next move.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Elizabeth rises upright. The black aura around her intensifies into flame-like folds, curling from her shoulders as the cracked ring glimmers against her finger.
Elizabeth Bathory
Thank you, mother, for the gift you've given me.
Erzsebet Báthory
Anything for my daughter. Now, time to finish him.
Erzsebet points toward Thadeus. Elizabeth turns, extending the hand without the ring as sharp claws lengthen from her fingers, and advances across the dust-streaked carpet.
Thadeus raises Peacebringer before his chest. The shield offers little against her approach, and Elizabeth stops within a foot of him, towering through the black flame.
She looks down at him, then gives the smallest wink. Thadeus keeps his face controlled and his grip steady, hiding the reaction from Erzsebet while he waits.
Elizabeth Bathory
Stay with me. Trust the moment.