Rising against the Ill'Koresh

[Lollercide]

"Have you finally decided..." A man mutters from the dark corner of the cave. He stood before the two with his brother at his side, bald and dressed in his black armor adorned with cryptic runes. Marks of torture across his pale skin, void of all emotion, and only a feint glow of purple flashing across his steady eyes give any sign of motion as he continues. "...to become a leader?"

The question rang through the Tormite's head as he looked to his lover at his side. She was lost in her own conflict, grieved by the words spoken to her only a few moments earlier. He muttered her name under his breath, keeping it unheard to all to hide his sorrow. He was uneasy, but.. He had to remain strong. He had to stand firm. If not for him, then for her.

Turning his glance from Tamryn he sets his eyes on the massive blond headed Helmite bearing armor similar to his brother's, but noticeably blue. Staring into his eyes that fail to mask the Helmite's despair he feels for his brother, Hano reflects on himself.

"Both of them.. No, all three of them. They all have endured so much. Carried so many burdens to stand here today alive and breathing. I have always only been a simple Paladin.. The weak, yet convicted, son of a Blacksmith. The one that followed his childish dream to prove to the world that it is not fate nor birth that dictates whether or not you are a hero.

Desensitizing himself of hate, love, passion..

All in hopes of shedding this weak shell and becoming a vessel for the Divine.

I understand now, Tifton. The byproduct of what you have done... What you have shown me with Tamyrn and Alyrian. I was a fool to think that was the way.

Today I stand here as Hano Fetten, Son of a Blacksmith, Servant of Torm. Not a vessel of destruction, not a tool for the Divine, but now a light for the people. I can not claim to have endured your pains, but for... For Tamryn. For Tyton. Even for you Tifton... And for all the people in Sundren. For all of their pain... I will... I have to. I have decided to become what the people have needed for so long, and I will do so..."

His eyes shift toward Tifton burning with determination and great understanding. "...without a doubt in my heart."

[Lollercide]

~ A few hours later in the Triumvirate's bunkers ~

The sobbing slowly died down into sniffles as slumber carried Tamryn away in Hano's arms. Her now steady breathing against his chest that had become damp from her tears sent chills up his back. Even then he couldn't help but smile and press his lips against the top of her head.

"I can't understand what it feels like, Tamryn. You were right when you said I couldn't. Even as I am surrounded by death, I have always had a path or course of action in front of me to put myself at ease." Hano loosens his hold around Tamryn letting her head fall away from his chest, but only slightly. He then pushes the hair from her face and looks at her with admiration. "But you.. You are faced with a simple fact. No action or path to take - Only time to put you at ease."

Pulling Tamryn back into his chest he strokes the back of her head, cradling her. "You're strong Tamryn. You, if anyone, can make it through this... I know it." A silent chuckle escapes his lips as a confident smile works its way across his face.

"Kaldaris was a great man who was blessed for having such a strong woman at his side to the very end. I am so fortunate to have the same."

[Gamling]

The dwarf Nulinus stood by the wagon at the exigo grounds, pondering to himself about what he would do next, how should he do it? He stroked his beard in disapointment, getting ready to leave when a familiar faced man aproached Nulinus.

"Nulinus... my friend." He spoke, before their conversation turned into a heated whispering debate. He nodded, agreeing with the man. "Tifton will be saved... I can assure you this... but like I said... no foul play." The other man nodded and smiled, when Nulinus had stumbled upon past memories, unlocked by Tifton's name. "The crystal..." He thought.

He looked back to the man. "What about the crystal? You know... if it wern't for me... we wouldn't have this problem with banites." Nulinus sighs. "I must try to gather the ingredients once again. Once you have recovered our... friends soul... you know where to find me" The other man nodded and added in his thoughts about the crystal, saying there was a possibility, and he would alert Nulinus once he had obtained the soul.

He walked off into the starting downpour, to share his plan with the rest of his friends, and give them their parts.