A Prophecy of Tainted Silver

Chapter 7 - Xor Ci'pelho

First it was a whisper.

"Mels?!"

Then it was a shout.

"Melsie!"

The nymphling opened his eyes to find himself on his back, lying on the cold, stone floor. He felt groggy as he woke up, a mild migraine forming in his head, still trying to comprehend everything around him. His vision was blurry as he looked up. In it, a figure bent over him, fair, and whose face was framed by blonde hair. As he returned to the waking world, he felt as though his mind was split between reality and dreams. He had vague memories of being stretched across a dimension of other-worldly power, holding onto something. With concentration, he was reminded of a ritual with Ussu, to imbue with magic behind his comprehension.

But as he returned to reality, his vision clearing, and the pounding in his head fading, he felt the presence of his lover above him. And he smiled dumbly at her. Crystal looked down at him, her purple eyes, once filled with worry, almost tearing up, now being filled with euphoria as his eyes opened fully.

"Christi?" he slurred as he looked up at Crystal.

"Oh, Melsie!" she moaned as she fell down and wrapped him in her arms. "I was so worried!" she said into his neck. Though his mind was still waking up, he fully comprehended her curvy body against his. It was then he realized Crystal was outright straddling him, pressing as much of her body against him as she could.

Mels was still in the process of recovering his mind from Ussu's ritual, but in Crystal's embrace, he felt truly at ease, without worry. Though he was a bit weak, he returned her embrace and hugged her tightly. He wanted to speak to her mind, let her know that she didn't need to worry, but in his state, all he could manage was a tight hug. It seemed enough for Crystal as she nuzzled her head against his.

For a moment, this was Mels' world. Then the rest of reality came crashing down on him.

"Hey lovebirds!" he heard a voice call out to him. A moment later, he understood it as belonging to Vai, the kobold who brought them to Lady Aviana's estate. Mels looked over to his left to see the kobold, her lovers Ezzi the kobold and Corbas the holstaur, with Rickard the Argentsori standing before them.

And Aylala the owlith, lying on the ground beside him.

Mels went to sit up, and Crystal, sensing his movement, sat up to allow him, still remaining in his lap. He looked at Aylala as she slowly woke up, and looked up the others in a daze.

"W-what happened?" he asked nobody in particular.

"Oh great!" Vai blurted before anyone else could speak. "So you don't know why you passed out and she came out of your mouth?!" the kobold was pointing down to the recovering owlith.

Mels worked every word of the question in his head, but failed to understand it.

"S-sorry?" He said dumbly, both not understanding and being distracted by Crystal straddling him.

"Mels," Rickard spoke up, "As I finished opening the vault, you fell into a deep sleep. We couldn't wake you for minutes on end. We knew you were alive, but whatever influence you were under, we couldn't touch it. And then suddenly, Aylala, while you were still asleep..." he stumbled over the words as if still trying to understand what he saw. "She poured from your mouth like bile, and is now here, fully formed. What did you do? what happened?"

Mels almost wanted to rebuke the question, trying to convey that he still didn't know. Though, with Rickard's explanation, he finally comprehended what was around him. He remembered that he and Christi set out with the holstaur and the kobolds to find the Eye of Xoan, meeting Rickard along the way. They came down here, underneath the estate of Avilyna, the Manor of the Broken Hero, to find an artifact that could help them. Mels looked around and saw that he was in the vault Rickard described, a small dome-like room with a few lit torches adorning its walls. In the walls were stone drawers that presumably held many artifacts and papers sacred to the Mylisant house. He looked to see that in Rickard's gloved hand, he held a short, jagged blade. Despite its crude shape, it gleamed as if it was newly forged, with glowing golden runs running along its edge.

A world-tearer, he remembered. They had found it. Mels wanted to ask what was next, but was interrupted when Aylala groaned as she sat up. Everyone, including Crystal who was still in Mel's lap, looked at her. She rubbed her head, presumably rubbing out a headache. As he did, she looked around, and like Mels, did her best to comprehend everything around her.

"Melyssi?" she said, though she was not facing Mels as he called out to him. "Where am I?"

Before anyone could respond, Mels moved to stand, gently shifting Crystal off his lap. Wordlessly he stood and walked over to her, offering his hand to her.

Aylala looked up to him, recognizing him fully. "I'm sorry," Mels said, though it was tinged with uncertainty. "There's so much to explain."

The owlith looked around to the whole group, from Crystal looking at her with doe-like eyes, to her fellow Argentsori, standing tall before her, to the new trio who looked at her as if she had two heads. She did not speak, instead slowly blinking her owl-like eyes and breathing deeply. Mels felt holy magic radiate from her. He was imagining that she was using it to repair her mind in some way as she returned to reality. Finally, she took Mels' offer and he helped her stand to her full seven foot height. Mels couldn't help but look up to her in awe.

"All you need to explain," Aylala began, smiling at him kindly, "Is what needs to be done, right now."

"I-" Mels stammered, caught off guard by her calm, comforting energy. He took a deep breath. "W-we are under the Mylisant Manor. Corbas, Ezzi, and Via-" he pointed towards the throuple, who all waved at her awkwardly, "They helped us. We found a world-tearer, and I-I think we're going to use it to go to a place we believe holds an Eye of Xoan."

Aylala nodded and looked towards Rickard, and began walking towards him. In this moment, Crystal approached Mels from behind and wrapped her hands around his stomach, holding close to his body.

"Then what are we waiting for, Rickard?" Aylala asked, as she looked down at him as he wielded the world-tearer. "It'll be easier with the both of us. Do you know where we're going?"

Mels guessed that everyone, including Rickard, wanted more time to ruminate on everything that had just happened. Him especially. He found Rickard's description of his actions while asleep mildly disturbing, though his thoughts were assuaged by Crystal comforting him with her body. As the Argentsori prepared for the ritual, Mels placed his hands over hers. She responded by resting her head on his shoulder.

He watched as Rickard's glowing eyes became purple. He spoke with his own voice as well as Imozen's: "Xor Ci'Pelho."

The ambiance of the underground chamber was immediately silenced, replacing what seemed to be the echoing sound of an unsheathing sword. Mels flinched as wind was knocked from his lungs, causing him to look down at his body. He watched as a tear in his body, edged by golden light, rapidly grew larger. It spread across him, as warm as Crystal's touch, until it encompassed his whole body. If he were to look up, he would see the others being subjected to the same effect. His vision was filled with white, completely obscuring the underground chamber. The sound of a sword slashing through the air filled his ears, being the last thing he heard.

For a moment, he floated through the white void, feeling and hearing nothing.

With a flash, he felt himself land on a stone pathway. The first thing he noticed was how polished it felt in comparison to the rough stones of the underground tunnels beneath the Mylisant estate. Dizzy from the spell of the world-tearer, he crouched low and stabilized his wobbly body, placing both hands on the polished ground to do so. With a few meditative breaths, he channeled Holy Magic to soothe his mind, allowing him to lift his head.

Looking around, he could tell in an instant, the spell had worked, and he now stood in Xor'Cipelho, a place of legend and immense power. He, as well as the rest of the party, rose to their feet, and saw themselves surrounded by an seemingly endless plane of a flat, polished floor. It eerily reminded him of the infinite wheat field where he met Purple Boy. Above was a featureless void, yet Mels' instincts told him that they were underground, within the ziggurat that Vai had described.

It was then that Mels heard a familiar chorus of voices. He felt it before he saw it. Far deeper into the infinite plane, just above the horizon, was a piercing, purple orb, contrasting against the void. Despite its distance, it bathed the plane and the party in pinkish light. Mels knew what it was. They all did as they were compelled to walk towards it.

The Eye of Xoan.

"There it is," Rickard said, the first to speak since the ritual. He stored the world-tearer at his side as he began to walk forward towards the eye.

"Good," Vai said, as she and Ezzi climbed onto Corbas' back. "The sooner we're out of here, the better."

"Agreed, this place is giving me the creeps," Ezzi said as she crossed her arms over her expansive bust, cradling himself. Mels looked over at them to see that the kobolds looked weak, almost emaciated. As if they hadn't eaten for days.

"Come forth, quickly," Aylala said, not far behind Rickard, her staff in her hand. "I can sense that a great power resides here."

It was then that Mels realized he had not thought of Crystal since arriving. He turned to look for her, and was startled when his hand was captured by hers. He looked at her, walking beside him, looking up at him with purple eyes, full of worry.

Crystal's eyes.

Not Christi's

he thought.

As a well of longing formed in his chest, a turbulent wind nearly knocked everyone off their feet, interrupting his thoughts. He braced against it and looked towards its source, towards the Eye. He looked above it, and noticed that, in the void above the eye, small points of light formed, resembling stars. They were arranged as a constellation would be in a night sky.

Mels had only glimpsed a few drawings of dragons during his time at the House of Sorisancta, but looking at the lizard-like shape of the stars, the resemblance was undeniable. Dread filled Mels up to his throat

When the wind stopped, he slowly stood back up as he watched the constellation. The light of the stars grew brighter and brighter. More stars blinked into existence in the void above the group, until a full night sky formed. Even still, the constellation burned brightly.

Before the group, the nine stars of the dragon constellation were duplicated. Dark smoke surrounded the manifested stars. Like Lady Avilyna, a form grew out of the smoke, and everyone stepped back. As the smoke settled, the figure of a dragon remained. Its form was remarkably humanoid, but its body was covered in smooth, inky black scales. The dragon's head almost resembled a wolf, with four horns rising above it like antlers. Adorning its muzzle, face, and horns seemed to be silver jewelry, so elaborate and abundant it fell down to its shoulders like hair. On a human it would have been gaudy.

But this being, floating above them with its claws behind its back, a long tail wagging slowly behind it, silhouetted by the purple light of the Eye, was a dragon. And above all else, it commanded fear.

The dragon looked down at the group, one glowing purple eye piercing the veil of its jewelry. Everyone watched as his head swiveled slowly, studying the group closely. Mels felt Crystal's grip on his hand, while he did his best to reduce his shaking.

It finally spoke. "Fascinating," he said, masculine, deep, and hauntingly smooth. "Never have I seen such an... eclectic collection of creatures. Disgusting flesh arranged in a mockery of life. If I were a lesser being, I'd imagine I'd faint at such a sight."

The dragon let his words hang in the air, as if waiting for a response. Still, nobody spoke or moved. At most, Mels dared to look away and at Aylala and Rickard, who were nearest to the dragon. The owlith turned back to face the rest of the group, smiling. That alone seemed to cause a calming aura to roll over him. He recognized it as holy magic, soothing his nerves. He assumed it worked for the others as well, as he felt Crystal loosen her hold on his hand. He looked over to see her be even bold enough to summon her staff into her hand. He looked over to the throuple, and saw as the kobolds, while still staying close to Corbas' front legs, wielded their daggers as well. Corbas himself stood tall, his right hand brushing the cover of his grimoire.

After a long pause, Rickard spoke up. "Forgive our intrusion!" he called out. "But our world is threatened! We have a need for the Eye of Xoan, so that we may know our future, and we humbly request that you let us pass!"

The dragon cocked his head as he looked down on Rickard. In the air, the dragon stepped forward, as if walking on an invisible platform, his hands still behind his back. "Do not believe that your intentions are unknown to me," the dragon said, speaking in monotone. "Multitudes before you have sought the Eye. Many who sought it were driven mad by its terrible truth. And moreover," the dragon took another step, "The unworthy were slain by my hand."

Despite the threat, Mels felt calm as he looked up at the unknowable being towering above them. Beyond reason or sanity, he felt himself unsheathing his sword from his back.

The dragon then turned to the kobolds, who whimpered under his gaze. "And you," the dragon spoke, venom in his voice, "rebellious little worms who think themselves anything greater than meager slaves, are not worthy."

The air was becoming heavy with tension. Weapons in hand, everyone continued to watch the dragon.

The next one to speak up was Vai: "We're not afraid of you," she said defiantly, taking a step forward. Corbas took the step with her, with Ezzi reluctantly doing the same.

Mels watched the dragon, fearing his reaction, but he remained still, his hands still behind his back. Even still, he could swear the dragon's eye burned brighter.

"Will you not allow us passage then?" Aylala asked of the dragon. She planted her staff on the ground, standing proud beside her fellow Argentsori.

The dragon took another step towards the group, remaining in the air above them. He maintained his poise, regal and dangerous. "You speak as if you have power to defy my commandment, were I to deny," he said, his tone remaining even despite the veiled threat. "It's almost amusing. And yet," another step, "you wield your blades against me."

Mels, in his growing trepidation, looked to his lover beside him. Her gentle smile, despite her purple eyes, lit a golden fire in his belly. He turned back to the dragon, and took a step towards him, his sword leaving his sheath.

"Do you then?" Mels asked. "Do you deny us?"

The dragon turned his head to Mels, and finally removed his right hand from his back. He reacted by baring vicious fangs in a wicked smile.

"By my name of Xoanurrai of the Divine Dragonarchy, Watcher of the Void," he said, "I do."

When he closed his fist, a ringing echoed throughout the plane. Mels, like the others, looked around to see what happened, no doubt sensing a magic shifting the very air around them.

A deep cackle rumbled deep down to Mels' gut, and he looked up to see Xoan's form shift, almost vibrating. The ground beneath his feet quaked, and he nearly fell over as he watched walls begin to rise from the ground. They were of the same polished material of the ground which mirrored the starry sky. One rose in front of the Xoan, causing him to disappear completely, as well as obscuring the Eye.

Mels, filled with a new terror, looked over to Crystal, who was clutching her staff to her busty chest.

"Christi!" He called out, moving to get to her, but it was too late. A wall rose instantly between them, causing Mels to run into it. He was met with his mirrored image, reflecting his distress.

"Christi!" he yelled, his hands roaming the wall to try and find a flaw. "Can you hear me?!"

"Melsie!" He heard Crystal shout back. "I-I think it's a labyrinth!"

Mels paused and looked ahead of him. Several feet away, the wall met another, creating a corner, leading to the left. Looking behind him, a wall blocked his path. He was alone in his section of the maze.

She's right,

Mels thought bitterly, feeling the others must have been subjected to a similar fate.

The Eye must be at the center.

"Christi, listen carefully!" he shouted, "We have to meet up before we get to the eye! Stay close to the left wall, I'll stay to the right!"

Mels waited a few moments for her response. Even the silence of this short pause was almost unbearable.

"O-Ok!" she responded. "I-I love you!"

Mels sighed deeply, trying to slow his beating heart. "I love you too! Stay safe!"

He waited by the wall, listening to the faint steps of her walking away. Finally, he pushed away from the wall and looked at the corner ahead of him. He held his sword by the grip, pressing the flat of the blade into his shoulder. With one more deep breath, he began to run, turning at the corner.

Stay to the right he reminded himself as found more corners and intersections. As he ran at his steady pace, he used each breath to push holy magic through his veins, at one point breathing a golden puff of fire out through his nose. Despite his plan, he felt as though he was getting further from Christi, her fire growing smaller and smaller in his chest. Yet, even with every new corner or intersection, he remained determined.

Mels also kept himself prepared to fight off any horrors that Xoan might have prepared for them, but as he ran on, he continually found himself alone in the labyrinth of mirrors. He couldn't help imagining the terrible possibilities of traps and dangers. All he heard was the pounding of his greaves against the polished floor, echoing off the mirror-walls.

Eventually he found himself running through a long, straight hallway. Mels had not stopped running since the walls rose from the ground, maintaining his stamina through his use of magic. Determination to reach Christi and the others filled his heart, but he was unnerved by the silence.

That was, until he heard a voice.

"Melyssi..."

Mels stopped in his tracks, and looked around him as he breathed heavily. He was alone in the long hall, he observed. He shook his head, to clear his thoughts.

This labyrinth is making me insane,

he thought as he began to run again, but he hadn't taken another step before he heard the voice again.

"Of course, Melyssi..."

Mels' eyes went wide in shock as he identified the voice as his own. But not from his own mouth.

He turned to confirm that he was, in fact, still alone. Yet he gripped his sword, ready to strike at whatever trap Xoan had prepared for them.

"There's no need to worry, Melyssi..." his own disembodied voice called out to him. It echoed like the voice of the dragon, but spoken breathily, as if in an attempt of seduction. Mels himself feared Corruption.

That was when he turned to one of the walls. In what he was certain was a lapse in mental stability, he approached his own reflection slowly. He didn't know what he was looking for, but when he was inches from the wall, he found it.

His reflection had purple eyes. Mels gasped, and the reflection, instead of mirroring him, smiled sadistically.

"You're perfectly sane," the reflection said. Before Mels could react, the surface of the wall cracked like a window. Mels stepped back, his sword before him, watching as his living reflection stepped from the splintered wall. Once the reflection had escaped, the wall became pristine once more behind him. The original Mels wielded his sword in front of him, while the living reflection leaned forward onto the butt of his sword.