The morning came with a shake from Parkik. Our captives were still asleep. He whispered in my ear. “More are coming.” I got up and grabbed my staff. I looked around the cave and said, “I’ve got an idea.” Within a few moments Parkik and I were dressed in the cultist robes and as the group were coming into the Rift of Edda I had my fingers on the neck of the unconscious Order members. They’d be awake soon, but I had an idea. The leader of the new group entered the cave first and said, “Brothers, have we succeeded?” “No sir.” I said. “The spell backfired. The Pillar did something to the magic and it created a backlash.” The lie tasted nasty on my lips but the man was convinced. I continued. “The spell addled their minds. We came after the worst of it settled and these are the last ones alive. I don’t recommend going further into the Rift. Reality seems to be unstable and chaotic back there
(Welcome Back) Parkik’s knife poked my back as we walked through the twisting tunnels. I closed my eyes and took a breath. Then as I opened them I saw the forces around us moving inward towards the pillar. We were headed to the epicenter of this cult. And Parkik was using me as a shield and diversion for whatever plan he had. The spell they were casting was mystic in origin but just like that warding spell it was inpersonal, cold, calculated. Something else was seeping into their magic. The iron pillars were fighting this new magic, I could see an order weaving its way into the chaotic fabric of the spell. If only I could help it. I closed my eyes letting Parkik guide me. We walked into the anti-chamber and the magic hit me, hard. I felt the air leave my lungs and something in me snap taught. It was that same feeling that I felt when the town warding broke. I felt a heavy blow to my spirit. The magical energies were crying out, trying to battle for the space.