Elianor keeps one hand above the Duchess’s heart, guiding warm light around the black sigil while Celia holds the command taut. The Duchess breathes, but the pulse beneath the estate answers again.
Elianor Vale
Go. I can preserve her breathing while Celia follows the command. Return before it finds another living will.
Celia releases the Duchess only by degrees, then follows Maurice through the corridor toward the tournament ground. Behind them, Elianor’s controlled radiance steadies the chamber’s failing breath.
A section of stone beneath the ring stands open. Beside two bound victims, a gaunt middle-aged man in blue-black robes draws pale power through silver chains, while a richly dressed elderly man, a heavyset human with a fleshy face, thinning white hair, and a jeweled purple robe, a heavyset human with a fleshy face, thinning white hair, and a jeweled purple robe, watches from the steps.
Baron Edric Vey
There they are. Serev, end them before Celia tears the power from my investment.
The sorcerer’s hands close over the chains. Stolen divine radiance surges through the chamber, bending toward Maurice and Celia as the bound victims sag against their restraints.
Celia Graves
Maurice, the power is stolen from them and forced through the estate. Keep clear of its center, or it will take hold of you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stop Serev’s assault
✓ Quest Accepted
Free the bound victims
“I ask Celia to guard me from the power while I charge Serev.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Maurice Headsman
Celia, guard me from this power while I charge Serev.
Celia Graves
Go. I will hold its reach away from you.
Celia plants herself between Maurice and the surging radiance. Her deathly light catches the stolen power, diverting its center as Maurice drives across the ring.
The protective clothing turns the stray force aside in crackling bursts. Maurice crosses the exposed ground before the chains can tighten, boots striking hard against the stone.
Serev
You think a mortal charge can break a divine current?
Maurice reaches Serev at the chain-bound focus, a human man with a narrow scarred face and cropped black hair, at the chain-bound focus, inside the power’s center. The sorcerer recoils as Celia’s radiance keeps the current from taking hold of Maurice.
Baron Edric Vey
Serev, do not let him touch the chains!
“I slam Serev into the ground disorient him while I remove the chains.”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +0)
Maurice catches Serev before the sorcerer can tighten his grip, drives him down, and slams him hard against the ring stones. The impact leaves Serev stunned beneath him.
Serev
You cannot break what the gods have claimed!
With Serev disoriented, Maurice wrenches the nearest silver chain free from its anchoring hook, then tears the remaining links loose from the focus. His bruised shoulder flares sharply under the strain.
The stolen radiance collapses out of the chains. The bound victims sag against their restraints as the pressure leaves their bodies, and the exposed focus goes dark.
Celia Graves
The current is broken. Hold him down, Maurice, before he reaches another source.
Celia’s deathly light seals the fading surge away from Maurice. Serev remains sprawled beneath him, the severed chains lying slack across the stone.
Baron Edric Vey
Serev! Rise, or I will have you dragged from that floor.
Quest Complete
Stop Serev’s assault
Skill Upgrade: Athletics Superb→Legendary