The ballroom jolts violently. Marble fragments skitter across the blood-red floor, but the space where Erzsebet lay remains undisturbed, empty beneath the storm-lit windows.
William Thorne
She has not fled by any ordinary path. Erzsebet is manipulating the castle itself, sealing us inside.
William’s solid form flickers, then becomes translucent. He rises from the ruined floor and floats toward the clock-tower doorway, his expression grave.
William Thorne
There is a hidden exit beneath the tower. Follow me, and I will guide you out before the castle closes every route.
Still wounded, Thadeus keeps Peacebringer close as he follows William with Elizabeth at his side. Elias brings up the rear, Holy Cross ready but lowered.
Marcus supports Sally across the rubble, guiding her beneath the fractured archway. Behind them, the ballroom groans, yet no figure emerges from Erzsebet’s empty resting place.
Elizabeth Bathory
William, where does this passage lead? If my mother controls the castle, we need to know what waits beyond it.
“William shares, "Erzsebet has to use an immense amount of power to control the form of the castle. She would need to be hidden away to control it. Any disturbance to her would cause the structure to lose integrity and collapse." Thadeus has an idea, "She would be defenseless. William, where is she?" William appears flushed, "I'm not telling you." Thadeus focuses intently on William, "Yes, you are. You said it yourself, that monster is not Elizabeth's mother, your wife. If she isn't stopped, she will just come after Elizabeth again." William continues to resist, then Elizabeth chimes in, "Father, you need to tell him. He's right." William looks back to Thadeus, sighing, "Okay, there's another door on the other side of the ballroom. There's an anhk symbol by it. Do you have the ring?" Elizabeth shows her father the ring, and he sighs, "I see it's broken. That's what saved you isn't it? Thadeus, take the ring to the door, it'll still work to unlock it."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
William Thorne
Erzsebet must spend immense power controlling the castle’s form. She has to be hidden away. Any disturbance to her will make the structure lose integrity and collapse.
Thadeus Jovanović
She would be defenseless. William, where is she?
William Thorne
I am not telling you.
Thadeus Jovanović
Yes, you are. You said it yourself: that monster is not Elizabeth’s mother, your wife. If she is not stopped, she will come after Elizabeth again.
Elizabeth Bathory
Father, you need to tell him. He is right.
William’s flushed face tightens with resistance, then collapses into a weary sigh. He looks from Thadeus to Elizabeth and finally toward the ballroom’s far side.
William Thorne
There is another door on the other side of the ballroom, marked with an ankh. Do you have the ring? It is broken, but it saved you. Take it to the door, Thadeus. It will still unlock it.
✓ Quest Accepted
Destroy Erzsebet Bathory
“Elizabeth gives the ankh ring back to Thadeus, and places her hand on his chest wound. Thadeus feels an intense burning sensation for a moment, then pain relief. Thadeus looks at Elizabeth, "How did you do that? That...feels better." Elizabeth smiles, "These powers have a lot of versatility to them. That will help stop the pain, but we should still get you treated after all of this." Thadeus turns to Marcus, "Hey, I meant to give this to you sooner. Just in case, friend" Thadeus hands Marcus the revolver and ammunition. Thadeus looks back to William, "Please guide my friends out of the castle. I will finish this." Before she can say another word, Elizabeth watches as Thadeus runs towards the hidden door to Erzsebet. William quickly directs the rest of the party to follow him towards to clock tower.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Elizabeth returns the broken ankh ring to Thadeus, then presses her palm against his chest. A fierce heat floods the wound before the pain subsides.
Thadeus Jovanović
How did you do that? That... feels better.
Elizabeth Bathory
These powers have a lot of versatility. That will help stop the pain, but we should still get you treated after all of this.
Thadeus crosses to Marcus and places the revolver and ammunition in his hands. Marcus accepts them, startled, then checks the weapon with a sober nod.
Thadeus Jovanović
Hey, I meant to give this to you sooner. Just in case, friend.
Thadeus Jovanović
Please guide my friends out of the castle. I will finish this.
Before Elizabeth can answer, Thadeus sprints across the ruined ballroom. He presses the damaged ring to the ankh-marked door, and ancient stone unlocks inward onto a black passage. William directs the others toward the clock tower as Elizabeth watches Thadeus disappear inside.