The Delve for Divine Might(Onyx, Seigmand)

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand kicked up with the pull of Onyx's magnetic force, landing sturdily on his feet to see the final mirror shatter. He looked to his foe revealed at last. "Pitiful really. A fleck of life shackled to this tiny fleck of reality." Seigmand held out his hand and helped Onyx up to his feet. "Let's go Onyx. This being will do us more good alive than dead for now." Seigmand marched forward, moving past the creature with unwavering confidence. Not a single eye remained open to glare at him as he strode past it and pulled open the large double doors.

The room ahead was concealed in total darkness, save for a pinpoint of purple light that guided him forth like a star in the deep night sky. The glow hinted at carved stone and an altar that held it at shoulder level. Seigmand stepped inside cautiously. A single step at first, then two more. Braziers burst to life on either side, illuminating support pillars and strange markings on the walls.

This is it. Seigmand turned to face Onyx. "Come partner, are you ready to taste the fruits of our labor?" Seigmand moved closer and closer to the faint light at the end of the room. A flat approach led to minor steps; clearly an altar for the occupants of this place. "We've found it Onyx, one of but a few remaining Altars of the chosen. When the gods fell out of favor so long ago, they responded by concealing these places of worship. Since those years the names of the gods are known only to a chosen few, catalogued and recorded in ancient scrolls. Were it not for such a one that I found during these months of research I would not know we stand before a dais used to communicate with the Gods, or know the names by which to summon them to it. Everything I've worked for has come to this moment." Seigmand paused, thinking hard as he stared at the altar. "I'm glad you were hear to take me that final step."

Without looking to see how Onyx reacted Seigmand stood upon the dais. The altar before him was an intricately carved work of stone wood and gold. At the very top was a pool of purple hued water, the source of the strange glow. "To those of ancient times, I bow before you." Seigmand stooped to his knees and bowed low. "To those of all time's wisdom I offer this vessel." Seigmand took the top off of the altar and drank in the strange water. Each motion was done dramatically and with reverence, just as he'd read. Placing the top back he cried out. "Jalaya! We summon you!"

Seigmand coughed out, his body jerked around violently and he cried in pain. Then as fast as his actions came, he stopped silent. Standing to his feet his voice sang out in that of a beautiful soprano. "Who has requested me?" The voice flowed through the room with the grace of a river, yet the tone held an angry undercurrent beneath it. "It has been hundreds of years since I've heard that name uttered by a mortal." Seigmand turned to Onyx, but his eyes were filled with the same purple hue that had shone from the altar.

[Onyx, Son of Sun]

Being pulled to my feet, I provide a quick nod to Dezmar, silently displaying my thanks. As we entered that expansive interior of the next room, I strode cautiously beside Dezmar, carefully watching for anything that would further try to hinder us from our goal.

As the room sparked to life with sudden illumination, I steel myself for what might come next, but quickly dismiss any threats as my ally turns to me with a confident glare in his eyes. Listening intently to his tale regarding this long lost temple, I stand and watch Dezmar as he strides towards the small pool situated at the top of the intricate alter before us. As he begins to call on the long lost spirit of this forgotten place, I quietly sit with a formal posture, out of habit, and wait for Dezmar to be finished.

As I witness my allies sudden spastic motion and hear his cries of pain, I raise to one knee to come to his aid, but stop as his fits suddenly quiet. As the lilting but stern voice rings through the room, I quickly fall back into my formal sitting position, hoping my mannerisms will curry favour with this ancient being. As my ally turns to me, I quickly realize what has happened and begin voicing our plea to the spirit that now inhabits my allies husk.

"Great Jalaya, I, Onyx Valkanon and my ally which you now possess, Seigmand Dezmar, have traveled far to seek your assistance in a matter most dire. Two worlds hang in the balance and a tyrant archangel by the name of Trucido Damnedblood seeks to tip that balance, causing the ruination and destruction of these two worlds for his own villainous goals. We beseech thee to lend us aid in this matter and provide us with the power necessary to defeat Trucido through these ancient relics we possess," I request humbly as I brandish the relic Dezmar imparted on me. "Please wise spirit, aid us in this venture to save not only our world, but two from the hands of this evil being and his dark quest."

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand's body stands still, his consciousness lost within as Jalaya closes her eyes to ponder Onyx's words. At last she spoke, her voice no longer held weighted by her annoyance. "Dear Onyx and Seigmand, we have watched you as we have watched all those involved in what will be the darkest day Allorum has yet to face. The path you walk is wrought with danger, to both yourselves and your people. Yet you have come this far. You two have shown the conviction to wrestle free the archangels soul jems your kind calls 'relics' from Trucido. You have both shown the strength to continue when your fellow countrymen would stop you. And you both have grown from your imperfect ways in order to face your common foe." Jayala raised her arm forward, and a soft shimmering light danced in her open palm.

"If my power will help in any way to quell that vile Trucido's plans, than I offer it to you. The rest is up to you. May my blessing grant you the strength to save your planet." The light sprang from her palm and diverged in two. One sank into the relic Onyx held in his hand, while the other moved about Seigmand before disappearing under his clothes. "Onyx Volkanon, my power is yours to have for as long as you wear these relics on your person. But be warned, should you two follow this path, I fear you both shall not survive the events to come. Goodbye, and good luck." With that the glow vanished from Seigmand's eyes and he fell to the ground like a marionette no longer held by its strings. Coughing and sputtering the water out from his system the liquid flowed up and returned to the altar, returning the purple glow once more to the room.

Seigmand looked wearily up at Onyx. "Ugh my head. Please tell me she was willing to help us."

[Onyx, Son of Sun]

As Dezmar collapses to the ground, I quickly come to his aid and assist him to his feet. As he now stands before me, I show Dezmar the ring, which now glows with a pulsing energy, and let a smile escape my commonly stoic face.

"We've done it, Dezmar, but it doesn't end here. We now have the tools to combat Trucido, but the spirit warned us that we may very well still parish, even with these enchanted armaments. If you still have any reservations about this Dezmar, you'd best put them to rest, as we shall both need to be in top mental and physical condition if we hope to stand a chance," I state, my visage returning to it's usual serious expression. "So then, are you ready for what's to come?"

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand shook his head, trying to let everything focus again. The ritual water had done a number on him, and it took him a couple minutes to shake off the dazing effects of the summon. Yet as his senses came back he slipped his hand into his clothes to pull out a brooch that glowed with divine energy of the goddess. To him the piece of enchanted jewelry was like holding victory in his bare hand He spoke without hesitation to Onyx.

"For the gods themselves to trust us Onyx I have no reservations in our actions now. We will bide our time and wait for the right moment. We will let our allies know of our plans and prepare as best we can." Seigmand stood proud and upright and placed his free hand on Onyx's shoulder in an act of camaraderie. "And when that moment comes Onyx, I shall entrust you to keep me safe in our most deadly battle yet. And I don't intend to die for nothing."

Seigmand could not be sure exactly why he felt so sure of Onyx's loyalty now. Were it the battles they had faced in this temple that had shown time and again his willingness to save him, or the trust they had been granted by the goddess that cinched it, he didn't care. It felt good for once to look another man in the eye without searching it for hints of treachery. For once in so many years, he felt safe with another. "Are you ready Onyx?"