Episode 88

The party discusses their next plan of action after their 8 days of research. They decide that it would be best to continue hunting the Ebony Wings, especially since they’ve been making progress on finding the Heart. K tells everyone that they need to work quickly since he is on-the-clock. Anthos admits that he is, too.

According to him, he’s been healing poorly since their fight with the demon. He shares that his host body is on borrowed time; the grace that he’s been releasing during battle is breaking him down. Part of his grace is still in K due to Vegzet, and the party questions whether getting it back would help. Anthos is uncertain, but he’s willing to try. K asks the lore master if he has heard of angels disintegrating. He says no, but goes to ask the Head Master.

The man leaves his literal ear on the table before stepping aside, which many in the party lose their minds over. As they wait, Marisol decides to spill the beans to K about Ingred’s past but is repeatedly interrupted by Ingred. She’s able to put her point across with the use of the wanted poster, however K decides that it’s a discussion better fit for another time. Ingred agrees dejectedly.

The headmaster returns and brings them further down the Vault on the invisible platform. They fly down many tiers; too many to count. At the bottom, the party finds themselves in a small sandstone room. The headmaster leads them down a hallway with lit sconces. They eventually enter into a familiar large half-moon shaped room with large gold-trimmed pillows and a sweet vanilla musk. Marisol stands around awkwardly while everyone else decides to take a seat. Anthos uses this as an opportunity to tease her, joking that the Head Master feeds on fear.

They wait about 5 minutes until they hear the sounds of heavy stone rubbing together. They first see a pair of bright, radiant golden eyes before a massive furred paw enters the room. A giant golden lion with white wings walks in and casually takes a seat on the large collection of pillows. His eyes drift over the party members before stopping on Marisol. He asks her why she hasn’t taken a seat yet? She appears embarrassed and mumbles something about waiting to be told to. The Sphinx chuckles and gives her permission.

Lily says hello and Marisol introduces herself as the newest party member. The Sphinx nods and asks the party what they need from him? It appears that they still need quite a lot of information. Lily shares that they need more information on the Heart and that the Ebony Wings apparently have a lead. They need to get to that lead before the cult does. The Sphinx tells her that the party likely has information that the Ebony Wings don’t, seeing as they aren't allowed in this domain. Whatever info the Wings have is from [*he looks at K*] him, at some point in time, but he doubts Vegzet will give the party anything.

Both K and Anthos look towards Anthos to share his troubles. He does, and admits to the Sphinx that he is in “less of a solid state”. “I can tell”, the Sphinx says in response. This shell appears to be deteriorating. Anthos asks him how much longer he has left, to which the Sphinx replies that it would be wise not to do anything odd. If he goes beyond what he normally attempts (regarding his Grace) there will be adverse effects. It will be deadly if he goes too far. The Sphinx tells them that the first step for Anthos to return to the gods will not be easy. His vision is limited, but from what he can piece together, Anthos will be freed of his chains if he takes the correct path.

His chains consume the Grace of his fallen siblings to hold him in the mortal plane. He must hunt down and release them if he is to return home; afterwards he will live like normal in his body and upon death will move on. What happens next is up to Anthos. Should he fail, he will return to his cycle. The Sphinx tells Anthos that he has located one of his siblings already: Brarro. He resides in a mountain in the Iriden region. The town below is called Hunzuu. Anthos must release him from his pain.

Anthos thanks him and Lily asks if Vegzet will be weakened as more chains are released? The Sphinx admits that he isn’t sure, but the siblings will likely give their Grace away after they are freed. You will not weaken him. Anthos asks: since his form is dwindling, since Abbadon stole the bulk of his own Grace, will he still have that part of “me”? The Sphinx nods. Is it possible to reclaim it, and would doing so help his form stay alive, or would it deteriorate faster? The Sphinx says that it isn’t possible, unfortunately. Anthos asks why he wasn’t given this information when they met before? The Sphinx smiles. He has known Anthos before this current body. He has told him this information at least four times in the past, and each time he has failed. “This time”, the Sphinx replies, “I believe you could pull it off. You could rest peacefully”. He says that this is the best version of Anthos he has seen so far. Anthos jokes to Marisol and turns back to the Sphinx. “If I fail, I assume we’ll probably have this conversation sooner or later”.

Marisol steps forward and asks if she can also have a question. “That’s why you are here”, says the Sphinx. He explains to her how everyone here has already made a deal with him and that his knowledge works in mysterious ways. She asks him a few things, including if he has more information about Anthos that he may be withholding. Anthos tells her that she doesn’t have to waste her question on him. She continues, “will  Anthos’ siblings be revealed to him one after another, or will there be clues? Please don’t let him fail a fifth time”. There is nothing he can do to help them with these battles, he can only tell them who and where. Ingred suggests that Marisol use the pact for herself, which Anthos agrees would be wise. She tells him to “shut the fuck up” in her usual manner and asks if the Sphinx can help the party locate the Heart. He tells her what the Wings *know* instead in exchange for a pact. A deal is made and Marisol is quick to change back to her old demeanor. She tells him to spit it out.

He tells the party that the Wings are heading to the town of Caamir in the Tian region to make a deal with a dwarf in exchange for new information on the Heart’s current location. The Dwarf is named Henmal Ironspike. It will occur on the 4th of Timber. He also reveals that the archaeological dig they have already been to is home to the last tomb of the Immortal Blood King. The party gasps in surprise, Ingred is shocked that they never found it. They believe the crown was likely already taken by the Bluepetals, but they are a clan that the party can most definitely trust. In another surprise twist, Lily shares that she can get in contact with them.

K turns to the Sphinx and asks if there is a future where he fails to overcome Vegzet’s hold? Where he loses his body for good? Potentially, says the Sphinx. Anthos and K eventually step through the sigil's portal door to exit the room. Lily asks him if there’s anything she could do to get the devils off her sister’s back? He tells her she can make a deal with the devils but he doesn’t recommend it. He tells her to talk more with the entity. She thanks him before also leaving. Marisol stays and whispers a question to the Sphinx before hopping through the sigil as well. Ingred asks who assigned the Goblin killing job? She is given the name Indro Cecil but is warned that nothing will bring them back. She knows. Ingred also asks what Marisol asked of him, but is ushered into the portal before getting an actual answer.

Lily asks her what happened when Ingred returns, but she deflects as she usually does. Lily looks at the group, “She’s up to something, isn’t she?”. They agree. Everyone makes their way back to Scorch and Kova. The carpet is messed up when they arrive. They soon teleport back to Gaoli and immediately go to Press to share the news. It is chilly when they arrive. The party learns that the archaeological dig was funded by Earl Prasad and contracted by a man named Professor Van Holt.

Marisol’s blood boils. She asks how they can get in touch with the professor and she is given his contact information. He also tells her that the university she’s looking for (unrelated) is in the Yaro Region; Grand Ridge School of Fine Arts. Marisol says she isn’t feeling well and retires early for the night.

Lily shares the info they learned at the Vault with Press. He gives them “charity work” in order for the party to complete their new goals without paying for lyceum transportation. He warns them again to stay away from border conflicts. They are all given 450 gold. Also Hyacinth is a part of the bluepetals, but that stays between Lily and Mr. Press.