The Back of Beyond

[Raithen]

The splitting of his attention between the carefully choreographed flight and the conversation taking place below was no trouble to Raithen's mind, used as it was to controlling dozens of Kinetic flows while in flight. The sudden change did take him by surprise and he might have faltered, sending both flying forms into a tumble had his instincts not taken over while his mind caught up to the changes.

The sudden arrival of Her Divine Darkness was as startling as had the disappearance of the beings he had been concentrating on, if far more welcome. Her presence flooded into the hollow spaces in the Avialae and though it was not Her that he was bound to, Her arrival was as welcome as Her Divine Twin's would have been. When the avatar plummeted, Raithen veered off into a wide arch, circling the group below. Though he could no longer see the creatures, he did not wish to miss any of what followed.

Finn's call was welcome, and followed quickly. Tucking his wings, Raithen swooped down in a lesser imitation of Varvara's crash to the ground, landing behind the Sentinel leader as the Goddess disappeared into the darkness within the temple. If it was a temple. Based on what the beings within had imparted, 'hatchery' might be a better term, but anything could be a temple.

When the Sentinel group was settled to wait, weary still and watching, but less on edge, Raithen put a hand on Finn's shoulder.

"My brother is as safe as he ever has been." Wrapped in Varvara's visage and power, Raithen fully believed this to be true.

Whatever happened, whether the students were sacrificed or released, it would be by Her will, and except in the exceptionally unlikely circumstance that Aværys contradicted Her, that was the best possible outcome.

[Pharaoh]

As Albion and Varvara passed through into the main entrance of Castra Messor, two large insectoid sentinels seemed to phase into view on either side of the archway. Raithen would recognise them as the figures he'd seen from above. By and by, Perseus and Primus would step between them to regard the interlopers with impassive gazes.

"You may enter." Perseus declared and Primus gestured for them to follow, as he turned to return to the interior of the camp. Within was a chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling that had been carved into the cavern itself. This entire structure, such as it was, seemed to have been carved out rather than built up and it did, indeed, resemble a temple. It was particularly similar in design to the Temple of Midnight's Mother in the Umbrium which was known to have been a repurposed ruin from a prior civilisation- likely this one, given this new context.

Candida, the Jackal Rathari who they'd seen at Castra Confinium with Ixiondus and Perseus, glanced up at them with luminescent yellow eyes from where she stood alongside Larella, Dænara and Apollodorus. Her eyes soon darted back to Albion and his divine guest as their leader led her toward the inner sanctum.

Perseus turned to Finn.

"With the guidance and protection of Ugrimal restored to us, we may be able to return your people to you. We could not risk greater knowledge of our emergence reaching the outside world." Primus spoke next:

"The Soldiers we sent to stalk the others you sent through the labyrinth have been ordered to stand down. If you wish to check on the state of the survivors, please." He gestured toward the others, who were whispering amongst each other as Albion and Varvara disappeared through the door to the inner sanctum. They would find the members of Castra Messor to be in good shape albeit confused, but generally they were similarly oriented to how Ixiondus was when he'd been released from the control of Mesmer.

When all was said and done, the survivors were reunited at the beacon on the other side of the labyrinth, absent Albion, Perseus and Primus who would be returned at a later date. They were brought home to the Umbrium by way of Varvara's Plane of Sacrifice, and deposited at Forward Base Spearpoint.

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Message from: Pharaoh

R E V I E W Finn XP: 50 (No magic) Raithen XP: 50 (No magic) Injuries/Ailments: Several deceased students Loot: Finn and Raithen may both ask a favour of Varvara. They may request a magical item, a Divine Intervention, or whatever their lil hearts desire. Notes: Thanks for bearing with me and helping me roll out this new regional plot development! I'm rewarding you with extra XP for your troubles. In the aftermath of these events, after briefing the Vigilia Argenti about what happened, the events in the Zonam Mysteriam will be considered classified and all survivors and participants in the rescue will be ordered to keep the secret of the ancient race known as The Khalgrimites close to their vests until the gag order is rescinded.