Ironworks Gaming Forum - Solo Warrior 42: The Past Comes Back

Missy Hissy wandered alone through the halls and corridors of the Great Pyramid, her mind on the whirlwind events that had just transpired. She came to the end of a row of rooms and stopped, suddenly realizing where she was, and that she actually had no idea where she was. Her wizard blade was in her hand, and she could tell from the nicks and scrapes on it that she’d been putting it to use, but it was a testament to her training that she had no idea how. Her body had been in control while her mind was elsewhere.

A child of no mother and no father? But she had a father... and she’d seen him go to his death. Or so she thought... but if he weren’t dead, why hadn’t he tried to find her? Why hadn’t he used any of the covert message systems he had told her about? He must be dead... and even Scanthril had said so. And he had no reason to lie, did he?

Retreating, she saw a pair of ankhs in the rooms she’d passed. She must have slain some mummies there, but her pack was so full that she couldn’t afford to pick them up. Not that she needed them, either. She had more gold than many kingdoms, thanks to her father’s bartering skills and the arrow-making ability she’d picked up as a ranger. Still, there was a part of her that always wanted more, even if she didn’t know why.

She soon found herself in a room with another portal, similar to the one she’d broken in Kerah’s underwater temple. Looking around, she saw no one, and grinning, she started to spin the portal. Activating it, yet for what on the other side? She didn’t know, and in many ways, she didn’t care. Still, it wouldn’t do to leave a possible opening for something to sneak up behind her, so she reached out her hand to stop it from spinning.

Suddenly a voice boomed from behind her. “The Unholy Pharaoh has arisen from the dark sleep. Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah!” Whirling, Missy saw the giant disembodied head which had battled G’Ezzered Ra and taken the lich away. “Cet,” she breathed.

“This portal will never work again,” cried Cet, and with a bolt of energy, he shattered the spinning arm. The force of the explosion threw Missy up against one of the pillars in the room. This was too much... the lich’s truths (or lies, if she doubted him), and then somehow awakening a dead god and inciting his wrath... she didn’t know what to do. From the zenmaster’s training, she knew that every action had a reaction, but what reaction could she expect, dealing with a god? And an evil one at that?

“You have defiled my tomb,” bellowed the dark pharaoh. “Now it shall become your own...” With a burst of magical energy, fire flew from the twin eye sockets and filled the doorway outside, trapping her in the room with the angry god.

Missy straightened, a fresh resolve pouring through her. If she were going to die, she’d do it in style, she decided. Who knows - maybe her magical enchantments, combined with Jathil’s Gezurite mind tricks and the teaching of so many masters would be of use. Then, too, everything descended from the sun source, from the gods themselves. Would an imitation of a god’s skills be able to protect you from one? Time to find out...

She stepped away from the pillar when a flash of white blew through the fiery doorway. Rows of fine feathers suddenly filled her vision as the glowing angel Kerah put herself between Cet and Missy. “No, Cet!” she cried. “Your will shall not be done!”

“Kerah!” boomed Cet. “You are no threat to me! But you have given me a most diabolical scheme...”

“Lord Anephas is reborn,” said Kerah, “and soon shall come to slay thee.”

“Anephas!” roared Cet, casting yet another fiendish spell. “Let’s see if your sweet Anephas will love you now...”

Magical fury surrounded Kerah, exerting itself on her body and her resolve as Cet strove to exert his mastery over her.

“Harm not my child,” hissed Kerah. But the magical energy grew stronger, enjoying its release into the world. Kerah cried out, “The dark lord’s power is too strong. My child, flee from meeeeeee....”

Missy stared in horror as Kerah fell under Cet’s spell. Her face twisted and shifted, and Missy thought she looked more familiar for some reason. Suddenly, she realized... it was shifting to other faces she recognized. Ardibren, the protector of D’Soto who had ultimately betrayed him. Erzebette, she who lived in the forests protected from the wrath of the dragon. Algamesh, who had perished and yet kept love alive inside Kerielle until the final proof of his death had been placed in her hands. Somehow, Kerah was connected to them all.

Kerah looked up at her as her transformation to a pawn of Cet was complete, and Cet barked the orders for her to attack.

Suddenly, Missy saw a face that she recognized, one that struck her to her core. She dropped to her knees, not believing what she saw. “D- Daddy?”

[ 01-09-2004, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: Bungleau ]