Realms S1E96 Denying Fate

When you cast Resurrection, the soul has a choice, only willing souls return to the realm of the living. Five of the Light Bringers face that choice, to return to life or stay in their final rest. They do not all make the same decision.

### Synopsis

Jeidobii is overcome with grief surrounded by his fallen friends in Vulraak’s lair. He sees Romyn and Varys are still breathing and quickly brings them around. He has Varys gather the fallen and brings Romyn to the edge of their floating platform to close the gate into Hell that they abyssal armies are marching through. They use their remaining strength to transport themselves back to the Fey Ward.

Jeidobii frantically searches for Fecina, finding the city of Oriel all but empty as everyone has either evacuated or joined the fight. When Jeidobii does find her, she has aged considerably, her hair gone white, face wrinkly and all strength has gone from her, unable to help with any resurrections. Jeidobii takes every sacrifice he has that could be given to a god piles them before himself and calls out to any god who will listen.

Ezer, first of all gods, in vibrant white robes with dark black skin, speaks in return asking him three questions:

“Why are they your family?” Jeidobii responds that he thinks of them before himself that they care for each other.

“Why do you fight evil?” Jeidobii responds “because it is right, I fight to protect those who cannot fight for themselves.”

“What will you do when you fight my daughter?” “If we cannot calm her, we will have to kill her.” Yellow runes illuminate as the god is satisfied with these answers, and Jeidobii calls to each of the Light Bringers in turn.

Jeidobii first calls on Tormund saying that he trusts him now, and that he needs him. Tormund calls to his friends the Travelers in darkness asking them to wait a little longer, and returns to life. Jeidobii then calls to Cerise, calling her the song mischief asking her to return and bring her hope. Cerise dashes into the light and back to her friends happy to return. Jeidobii implores Seian to return to his family. Seian hesitates questioning his fitness as a protector, wondering if he should submit himself to slings and arrows of life but taking strength in tenets of devotion and the worthiness companions, he returns. Jeidobii calls to his oldest friend among the Light Bringers, Torq, recounting their connection as a loved friend. Torq returns and promises his late wife that he will return to protect their recently resurrected daughter Tizri. Finally Jeidobii calls on Denahi, his sister of the heart, recounting how she never left his side and always had has back, saying he can’t lose another sister. Denahi doesn’t return and the Ezer’s magic fades.

The Light Bringers are stunned, and as Jeidobii runs to Denahi, to cradle her, her soul gem shatters and merges with Jeidobii’s own gem. As Jeidobii asks in disbelief why she wouldn’t come back, Torq says he understands; being with your lost loved ones is too tempting, she’d lost so much, and now she has finally return to her long lost brother. Torq rallies Jeidobii from her grief.

As they wonder how they’re going to recover from the battle and reach the battle in time, they hear the voice of Ilama Napha peering at them from a doorway. Jeidobii takes Denahi’s most powerful, and promises her that he’ll find a good home for them. The group enters the shop and Napha tells them that they have less than an hour, but her shop is outside of time, they will be able to recover inside. They hand the book of corruption over to Ilama so she can fulfill her promise to give them resistance to corruption magic. Jeidobii places Denahi’s cloak of Protection on Seian’s shoulders, and offers Denahi’s staff and bracers to Tormund. After a day's rest and planning, Ilama makes them rings of resistance and they prepare themselves for the coming battle. When they leave the potion shop, as promised, no time has passed. They make their goodbyes to Fecina and Denahi’s body.

The Light Bringers accompanied by Romyn transport themselves to the 9th level of hell. They walk through the gate into the 10th level of hell and observe a massive battle underway, armies of all the people from every plane arrayed against demons and mega-chromatic dragons, and in the background a five-headed green dragon of almost unimaginable size makes its way forward on the battlefield.