Game 63

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**Confrontation with Merric**

We have seen a globe like the one that rotates in the center before. At the arena. Beneath it is depicted the Eye of Merric. A symbol we have become familiar with. Similarly, the rotating clockwork reminds Ereb of the contraption protecting the music box in the Vault of Sages.

The red crystal gives off an uneasy feeling. There is an unidentified green crystal on the left of the chamber.

Otto recognizes the magic that is holding Bjorn in place is the same spell he used on Titania.

Damian notices in the center of the globe is a keyhole with a black key in it. Looking at the periphery, there are other keyholes but they are empty.

Back to Merric:

*“Ah, it seems you have arrived just in time.”*

Aeidun nods, and steps forward.

*“Ahhh, my friend I was wondering when you’d return. And I see you’ve brought something I’ve been looking for.”* Merric says. *“It seems that I’ve lost you.”*

*“Merric. What you’ve done here. Why all of this? Why have you abducted the queen? What has happened?”*

*“You wouldn't forget, and yet you have because here you are. I’m simply picking up the pieces” He coughs and as he does, black spews onto his hands. “The old Zentaram, they may have stopped the blight then. THose that discarded us so carelessly. They may have forgotten, but I have not. There are dark things that are moving, and if I am to have the strength to stand up, I must do what is necessary!”*

*“What things, old friend?”*

*“The primordials are moving again. Those that knew us before have betrayed us. THere is a new Zentaram and they are building a great machine. You have seen it. You and your Harpers. I have only done what he could not. I have embraced what they feared. And if I am to stop him, I must be willing to transcend what I once was  and let the past go!  WHAT YOU COULD NOT DO!”*

Aeiden regards him and looks visibly struck.

*“I may not believe in gods or demons, but I believe in the resonance. This darker kind, how are you to embrace them? How is this Blight different from the Primordials? Where a construct of light exists, you know darkness will be there.”*

*“Are we not dancers both on the patterns of the weave? Subject to their machinations. I both accept my limitations. But I understand, and there are those who defy their limitations. ANd I seek to transcend their bounds.”*

*“Tell me,”* Damian says as he tentatively steps forward. *“...is this what it means to peer beyond the 9th circle?”*

*“Ask him…”* he points to Otto *“Those liars and thieves who took everything from us Aiden. It is an insult to her memory. It is an insult. And If I am to stop him, I must become more! We are so close I can feel him pushing through the front of my mind…”* Merrick says as his forehead unnaturally pulses in place from within, like something trying to escape his own skull...

Peering through the monocle, Damian sees the silhouette of a man, as if all light is drawn into him, leaving a man silhouette in shadow.

*“I have sacrificed endlessly.”* interjects Merric with a scoff.

*“I know what you did...for us. I know what you did...for her,”* Aiden pleads.

*“And you still do not believe in the gods as I know them. Even after seeing her? Purity. You dishonor Quile”.* Merric scoffs as he continues, *“ ...I have forgotten so much more of her than I could ever dream to know!”*

*“It’s from that time isn’t it. Before we met? It’s fear.”* Aeidun asks...Meric’s eyes bulge in simultaneous fear and rage.

“If you have seen the rising dark eclipse as I have. If you have seen his coming, you would be afraid as well friend.”

*“I have seen the eclipse.”* Damian says.

*“Do you know what it is like to feel nothing? To have your soul torn apart and every atom of you brought screaming back together? I have to stop what is to come.”*

*“YES!”* Merius interjects.

*“...You should know then to do whatever it takes! You can’t save people from it anymore than you can save people from themselves! To see beyond the 9th veil is a lie! I dream that only leaves ash and sand in you vermouth!  A wasteland! There is nothing there. It is a lie! And the emptiness he seeks to bring about all things will only destroy us all.”* Merric shouts.

In his manic state as if you comfort himself, he absent mindedly pulls out a small silver pocket watch that he spins and we begin to hear the ticking. He looks pained, his hands shaking. Quietly, at first Merric begins to speak,

*“...For out of perfection nothing can be made. Every process of the natural laws of the universe involves breaking something up. Faerun itself must be broken to bring forth life. Our own lives on the lives of other people. If you are life worthy, then you CAN TAKE IT!”*

-For a brief moment, Aziola is reminded of a small boy from the base of a tower in a far away place. Scared.

*“The time may be too late for these words. It does not have to be this way. I too have been gripped by fear, with visions of these terrible portents. But this is not the only way. There is another. One less harmful. A harder route, perhaps. But one worth taking. Let us help you. Perhaps together we can all undue some of the damage that’s been done.”* Aeidun says as he extends a hand

*“So true to form that even now you’d speak down to me like a child that needs another lecture! I too was an apprentice! I have seen worlds beyond. I have seen the doom af the black sun rising over all of Ao’s creation. I have seen his true face destruction, True power and beyond. AND I CAN CERTAINLY SEE YOUR FRIEND SKULKING IN THE SHADOWS!”*

…Ereb runs him through

**Beholder of Cosmic Perfection**

Merick chokes back black and red blood as it begins to rip from his lips,

*“I can not be killed here. I have seen beyond the 9th… I… I...“I HAVE SEEN BEYOND THE 9th, FOR I AM A BEHOLDER OF ITS COSMIC MAJESTY.” -as he shoots a fireball spell at the tank of Blight overhead enveloping his form.*

His body begins to convulse as an eyeball pops out of it’s socket as dawning horror emerges across his face. His form fetally, begins to rise and form into a black orb of Blight as an aspect of Ba’abarabas stands fully formed gutterly crying one thing;

*“Aggggggghhhh**HUNGER**!”*

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