Koal's Journal
Investigating the Witch Hut
I think things are looking up! This little expedition went well, from beginning to end!
Now that we have everything we need for Deneb’s ritual, she decided to raid her grandma’s house for anything that would help her scarecrow plan. I found some demon-attracting straw, which apparently exists, but Ryyan went above and beyond. He found a locket which contained a family picture of Deneb and her mothers. I’m happy for him; he was long overdue for a win.
…I really hope this plan works. I want Deneb to be able to see her mother. I hate to see a family torn apart. She’d probably hate to hear me say this, but I hope they can patch things up with Vyrn. I know she doesn’t really deserve any more chances, but they’re family!
Now that we were ready and prepared, we decided to get Deneb’s mother. We figured that walking one demon to a coven of witches was easier than walking the coven to the demon. On the way there, we were accosted by a group of ETE mages.
I’m happy to write that I think I’m living up to my promise in my last entry! I really made an attempt to bond with Ryyan!
During the fight, Ryyan decided to take a shot at the wizards. He missed, but I was proud of him for trying. I decided to improve his morale; I managed to decapitate their healer in such a way that his head was impaled on Ryyan’s arrow! Sure, it didn’t really help, but I’m sure it made him feel better about missing!
I also sliced one of the wizards in half! W̶h̶e̶n̶ I̶ c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶ m̶y̶ e̶y̶e̶s̶,̶ I̶ c̶a̶n̶ s̶t̶i̶l̶l̶ s̶e̶e̶ t̶h̶e̶ f̶e̶a̶r̶ a̶n̶d̶ p̶a̶i̶n̶ o̶n̶ h̶e̶r̶ f̶a̶c̶e̶!̶ A̶n̶d̶ I̶ c̶a̶n̶ h̶e̶a̶r̶ t̶h̶e̶ h̶o̶r̶r̶i̶b̶l̶e̶ s̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ s̶h̶e̶ m̶a̶d̶e̶ a̶s̶ h̶e̶r̶ l̶i̶f̶e̶
The last one ran off. I guess I was just too scary for him!
Securing Iris
I don’t really like the HQ of the Sunset Sentinels. They have no regard for morale.
There are demon possessed people everywhere. There’s a person chained to every wall. And everyone acts like this is perfectly normal.
Iris did not recognize Deneb. It was unpleasant to hear. Deneb didn’t deserve to be ignored by her mother.
I didn’t catch most of the conversation that followed. I think I was too mad to retain most of it.
What I do remember, is the sight of the Great Bane. It’s a zombie dragon. I’ve seen corpses. I’ve seen death. I was not prepared to see this.
It was a horrible undulating mass of flesh, scale, and bone. Its heart was lying exposed, separate from most of its body. Apparently, this is all that remains of Shrike’s dragon. He passed out, and Ryyan had to carry him.
We left the mountain with Iris and Vigil Est in tow. I hope that a demon-free Iris will at least recognize her own daughter.
The Ritual
GOD my head is pounding. I took one swig! ONE! I need a gallon of water.
The ritual was a success, but it seemed like a close call. Part of the ritual involved drinking the wine, and it affected me a lot, so I only think I remember what happened.
When the demon first broke out…I think it tried to possess me. For a brief second, I thought I heard it speak. It said, “Koal…How do you feel about them? The ones you claim to ‘love?’ You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me Koal!”
At that point, it was suddenly sucked into the scarecrow. For that, I thank the Dragons. I don’t know if I could have resisted him. I was too drunk a̶n̶d̶ h̶e̶ w̶a̶s̶ m̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ t̶o̶o̶ m̶u̶c̶h̶ s̶e̶n̶s̶e̶
I’ll admit, I’m a little hazy on the details of what followed. I think Ryyan had to lecture Vryn about consent? And I think Alice immediately defaced the scarecrow, which rules?
I do remember that Vryn left without her sight, which means that she’s not accepted by her family. This is for the best. This is for the best. I wish it ended better, but this is for the best.
I also know that Annebelle is still alive, which is great news! I didn’t go and see her. I don’t think she actually counts me as a friend; she only really talked about Deneb.
One last bit of good news, the relief troops and supplies were able to make it to my island.
Now for the bad news…Oh-Kae has been taken prisoner. I think Coeller, our new dragon, said she was taken hostage. That means the ETE is trying to keep Dacafe out of the war. I don’t know what Ahn-So will do. He might order his army to stand down to save his daughter. He might sacrifice her to save others.
What I do know, is what I will do. I’m going to save her. I don’t care if the entire ETE army stands between me and her, I will save her.
I will not repeat my mistakes. I will not stay my hand. I will be quick. I will be decisive.
The ETE is a world-spanning organization. They have touched every part of the world I have seen. They have vile dragons, ancient magic, and a massive army at their side.
But I have my axe and my anger. I have Deneb’s magic and her creativity. I have Alice’s polearm and her determination. I have Ryyan’s bow, his spells, and his adaptive nature. Furthermore, we have the military might of our coalition at our backs. The ETE will fall, and I will watch it die.