Round 23 Transcript

As Halie finishes her plea, the air around Hera's body begins to ripple, as if the very fabric of reality is protesting the tendril's hold. The blue liquid that sustains it pulses brighter, and the creature's tendrils flex with renewed vigor. Aethera's shimmering form remains still, but a faint hum of energy emanates from her, suggesting she is preparing for a countermeasure. Suddenly, Hera's eyes flicker open, and she gasps, her voice barely audible over the rising tension. "Please... let me go," she whispers, her words laced with desperation. Aethera's response is immediate: the tendril tightens its grip, causing Hera's face to flush an even deeper shade of crimson. The creature's tendrils begin to writhe more rapidly, as if sensing Hera's growing distress. Immediate pressure: Aethera's decision has consequences - if she refuses to release Hera, the party must decide whether to act against her or risk further entanglement with the ancient entity.

I step closer to Halie, her resolve matching my own. Agreed—no more waiting. I look at Silra, then back to Aethera's shimmering form. If that tendril doesn't release Hera within three seconds, you cut it and Halie heals. I'll be ready with a spell the moment Aethera moves wrong.

To all: On my mark—three... two... The blue light in my palm pulses brighter as I count down, my fingers curling into a gesture that's half way to casting. ...one. Aethera does nothing. The tendril remains tight around Hera's wrist, her skin now nearly black where it touches.

My voice is cold with finality: Three seconds is up, Silra—do it.

I don't hesitate—I've spent too long watching that tendril pulse. A thin wire snakes from my hand in one smooth motion, wrapping around the base of the appendage where it meets Hera's wrist.*

It tightens—then I yank hard sideways, putting all my rogue strength into severing the thing. The wire cuts through with a sound like tearing silk, but instead of stopping there, it keeps slicing upward as I follow through. Whatever unnatural material makes up that tendril parts easily under focused pressure. The severed end whips away immediately, spraying more of that glowing blue fluid everywhere—some of it splatters across my face and hands before I can jerk back. Fuck! I wipe at my eyes with my sleeve; the stuff burns like acid but doesn't seem to be spreading corruption yet.

My attention snaps back to Hera as Halie rushes forward, mace ready if needed while she starts casting her healing spell. Hera's collapsed to the floor, gasping and clutching her freed wrist—but at least the tendril is gone now. How bad? I ask Halie without taking my eyes off Aethera, who hasn't moved yet but whose shimmering form has definitely shifted, becoming more... aggressive-looking.

To Jeane: I got it cut—now we need to move before whatever just splashed on me decides to start acting like the rest of this night has. I pull out a small cloth and quickly wipe down my face and hands as best I can; the burning sensation is fading already but that doesn't mean I want to risk it. Let's get Hera up and moving—Halie can heal her properly once we're somewhere less likely to have security storming in if spells start flying.

I check on Halie again: she's got her hands glowing with divine energy, channeling healing into Hera's wrist where the tendril was attached. The skin is already looking less blackened. Good—she can walk after this initial burst of healing, right? Because we need to get out before Aethera decides retaliation is worth the scene it'd cause.*

Back to Aethera: "You had your chance to let her go peacefully and you chose... whatever this is instead." I keep my rapier pointed at her even though I know it won't do much against her energy form. We're leaving now—with Hera—and if you try to stop us, we will defend ourselves however necessary. That includes magic that might draw attention.*

Halie kneels beside Hera immediately after Silra cuts through the tendril, her hands already glowing with divine energy. The corruption isn't as deep as I feared—quick action saved her from worse. She begins channeling healing into Hera's wrist, the blackened skin slowly lightening and repairing itself.

To Jeane: Get ready to move—I can stabilize her here but proper treatment needs privacy. We're taking her downstairs the moment she can walk. Glancing at Aethera's aggressive stance, then back to Silra: Thank you for cutting that thing—you did what needed doing. But if I see any of that blue fluid acting strangely on either of you, we need to stop and assess immediately before it spreads like Hera's corruption. She keeps one hand healing while her other moves toward the small vial at her belt, ready but not yet drawing it.*

To Aethera: You had your chance to release her peacefully. Now you've shown us that whatever you're protecting in that corner—she gestures with her chin toward the writhing mass—is more important than Hera's well-being. Her voice remains steady despite her obvious disappointment and anger. We're taking our friend to safety now, and if you try to stop us, I won't hesitate to defend us all. You may be ancient and powerful, but I serve a power greater still. As she continues healing Hera, she keeps half her attention on Aethera's shimmering form. Silra's right—we need to move before security gets curious about any commotion or magic use. But if either of you start feeling strange effects from that fluid splash..." She meets their eyes in turn. We stop everything and I purify it immediately, consequences be damned.