[SP-F9] Guardian of Fire

[Morningstar 0]

Spoiler

Floor 9
<<Guardian of Fire>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Repeatable for standard thread rewards.

Quest Rewards:

• 1,000 Experience Points
• Each player receives:
  • Cerberus Soul (T1 Unique Consumable)
    • Adds 12 Burn damage for two turns to a weapon on a Natural BD roll of 8-10 for the duration of the thread. Does not stack with the Burn Enhancement.
• Unlocks <<Gatekeeper of Fire>> Quest

Requirements:

• Hear rumors of the Cerberus in Inferno Cavern and collect information to travel.
• Journey from Knorilt Village across the Volcanic Flatlands to Inferno Cavern over at least three posts of roleplay. 
• Defeat the Cerberus and its minions (3 Hellhounds per player present).

Summary:

Unease hangs heavy upon the residents of Knorilt Village, and has caught the attention of several info brokers in the area. Players can easily find information relating to the Cerberus that has made its home in the volcanic region nearby. It terrorizes and threatens anyone who decides to step out of the safe zone of Knorilt Village, wandering over a wide area that has been claimed as its territory. One broker has determined the location of the beast’s den and offers great rewards if someone is willing to take on the burden of dispatching the beast.

Outline: 

Gather some information on Cerberus to find its home. Once the players have found its location, they travel across the Volanic Flatlands to an area known asthe Inferno Cavern. The scorching heat in this area slowly injures anyone foolish enough to enter proper protection. During combat within the Infernal Cavern, each player suffers 15 unmitigatable damage every post unless they have the <<Survival>> skill active for this thread, or are wearing equipment with the Fireproof or Flame Aura enhancements. After having slain the beast, the players can return to Knorilt Village and claim their reward from the info broker for their heroic efforts.

NPCs:

<<Injured Broker>>
An injured info broker who went on an expedition to find Cerberus’s lair. He is calm and will relay the information to the players when they express interest in finding the beast.  If asked for his name, he insists that the players cannot afford it.

---

Enemies:

<<Hellhound>>
A hound, vicious as the magma it was summoned from. Protects the chamber to Cerberus's den.

HP: 200/200 | DMG: 50

<<Cerberus>>
The guardian of the underworld, a three headed canine beast.

Head #1: HP: 200/200 | DMG: 40
Head #2: HP: 200/200 | DMG: 40
Head #3: HP: 200/200 | DMG: 40

Abilities:

• Triple Threat | Each head functions as its own entity, with its own health bar.  <<Cerberus>> makes a separate attack per head still alive. 
• Glowing Maw | The fiery jaws of the beast leave targets sundered. On MD 9-10, the Cerberus will ignore 50% (rounded up) of the target’s Mitigation and inflict Burn on them for two rounds dealing 10 unmitigated damage per turn.
   

---

Epilogue:

Once the Cerberus is dead, players make their way out of Inferno Cave and back to Knorilt Village, where the info broker will reward them for the information they've collected on the Cerberus.

"This is the place," Morningstar said, wiping the gathering sweat from his forehead.

"You ever been to this floor?" Joaquin replied.

"Nope."

"Too hot?"

"Yep."

The pair followed the main street of Knorilt Village, eyeing up the civilians as they passed. A sulfurous scent bombarded their noses and their pace hastened. Knorilt was new to them both and yet they were already prepared to leave. If they were not on a mission, they would never have come at all. If he had one col for every tavern they passed, Morningstar would be in the top five wealthiest people in Aincrad. It was like all the residents knew how to do was drink.

"You're sure he was here?" Joaquin said, a choking feeling in his throat.

"The broker said he saw him in this village only a few hours ago," Morningstar swiped through his inventory, equipping items he thought he would need.

"Brokers have been wrong before."

They stopped outside of an inn and Morningstar ushered his friend inside. Inside, the lighting was dim. There was nobody around, aside from the caretaker at the front desk. The NPC made no attempt to greet the two players, instead leaning against the desk with his eyes studying an old magazine. A faux bird exploded from the cuckoo clock on the far wall, startling Morningstar. His friend snickered at Morningstar's fear, receiving a light shoulder punch in return. They made silent gestures to each other, deciding which one of them was in charge of approaching the inn owner. Neither one of them explicitly wanted to; however, after losing patience, Morningstar agreed that he would do the honors. He cleared his throat and the elderly NPC glanced up uninterestedly, his arm holding up his head as he continued to rest against the desk.

"What do you want?" The NPC said, looking back down at his magazine.

Morningstar turned for a moment, giving Joaquin a look of disbelief before answering the question. "We're looking for a player and we think you can help us find him."

The blonde held up a picture he had drawn of the player and the NPC looked at it quickly. "Don't know him."

"Apparently, he was spotted here today," Joaquin added, fiddling through a bookshelf in the corner.

"1,500 col. Maybe then I might know something," The NPC smirked, flipping the page of his magazine.

Morningstar sighed quietly, tapping on the desk with his knuckles and stepping away to speak with Joaquin. He had grown tired of the innkeeper but saw no other way to get the information from him. He nudged his friend, getting his attention.

"You're paying this time," Morningstar said.

"No shot," Joaquin returned.

"I paid the last two times," he wanted to shout but kept to a whisper.

Joaquin joked, "Can't we just torture it out of him?

Unimpressed, Morningstar led him to the front desk. "We're in a safe zone, we literally can't."

(-1 Yui's Grace)

Spoiler

Morningstar | Lv. 28 | HP: 560/560 | EN: 89/89 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 4 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 1 | 2 BLD | 1 PAR

Gear:

• Meteor | Perfect Two-Handed Straight Sword
  +2 BLD
  +1 PAR
• In Noctem | Perfect Light Armor
  +36 MIT
  +1 EVA
• Lexa's Light | Perfect Trinket
  +3 ACC

Skills:

• Straight Sword | Rank 5 | Precision | Stamina | Ferocity
  +9 DMG
  +1 ACC
  -2 ENG per attack
• Light Armor | Rank 5 | Meticulous
  +30 MIT
  -2 Stealth
  +1 DMG
• Searching | Rank 5 | Night Vision | Detect
  +5 LD
  +5 Stealth Detection
• Survival | Rank 1
  +10% to healing effects
  +Immunity to environmental effects
• Charge | Rank 1
  +5 DMG (when activated)
  -1 ACC (when activated)
  +2*tier ENG cost to activate
• Energist | Rank 1
  +15 ENG

Combat Mastery:

• Damage
  +9 DMG

Combat Shift:

• TECH Specialist
  +4 to multipliers
  +3 to ENG cost

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Morningstar

[Morningstar 0]

Joaquin stumbled forwards, grumbling to himself as he transferred the col to the NPC. The old man shut his magazine and slid it to the side. He was finally ready to talk, now that he had been paid for his trouble. He motioned for the picture and Morningstar handed it to him. Holding it close as he adjusted his glasses, the innkeeper took his time remembering whether or not he had seen the man. Eventually, he shrugged and handed the drawing back to the blonde.

"Not much of an artist," the old man said, crossing his arms.

Morningstar, who thought himself a decent artist, felt offended. "So, do you know anything about the player?"

The old man took a moment before responding. "Yeah, he booked a room for the night just a few hours ago and then left. Ain't seen him since but I expect he'd come back tonight, considering he owns room number seventeen until morning."

"Seventeen, huh? What are the chances we get a key for another 1,500 col?" Morningstar asked, hearing his friend groan behind him at the thought of spending more money.

"Zero percent. The privacy of my customers is of more value than your col."

"Worth a shot," Morningstar said.

He turned away from the desk and Joaquin followed suit, exiting the inn.

[Morningstar 0]

They stood a few feet from the inn, going over their options. Despite failing to discover any new information, they were unwilling to quit. 

"Do you think he knows that we're tracking him? He could have already left," Joaquin said.

"We've been careful, so I doubt it," Morningstar replied, "I say we ask around town a bit more. If he's not here, then we can pick up a quest or something. It'll take a while to find him again anyway."

Joaquin nodded and they continued through the town. They spoke to countless players and NPCs that they passed, hoping to get even a crumb of information from them. One man said that he had seen him on the third floor only an hour ago and another said he thought the fifteenth. A group swore they had watched a player that matched Morningstar's drawing walk into the volcanic flatlands. There was no consistency in the rumors and the duo could not be certain whether any of it was trustworthy. They noticed a beaten man leaning against the wall of a battered building.

"What about him?" Joaquin asked.

Morningstar looked at the NPC skeptically. "I doubt he'll have anything on Katar. He looks like he's got something he wants to share, though."

[Morningstar 0]

Joaquin and Morningstar took turns unsuccessfully questioning the NPC about Katar. He mostly stared back at the pair, confused. Sometimes, he would say a few words, such as "I have no idea what you're talking about" or "I've never seen him in my life." Nothing that the two found very helpful.

"So," Morningstar changed the subject, "what happened to you?"

The NPC's glare was sharp. "Hellhounds."

"Hellhounds, huh? Katar's not here, Star. Let's just do this quest," Joaquin said.

Morningstar nodded. "Care to share any more details about the hellhounds?"

"You'll find them in the Inferno Cavern. It's far from here. You can find them over the Flatlands."

"Any rewards for those who avenge you?" Morningstar asked, arms crossed.

"Come see me afterward. Then, we'll talk rewards," The broker turned his head, his quest dialogue seemingly at an end.

The friends accepted the broker's quest, considering it a break from their main mission. Morningstar had never fought a hellhound before. He was, frankly, curious about them. Morningstar lifted his hood and Joaquin followed suit. If Katar truly was gone, they had nothing to worry about. However, the blonde found it strange that he would buy a room at the inn and then leave. If he was still nearby, he'd prefer to keep his identity as secret as possible.

[Morningstar 0]

"Keep your eye out for snakes, yeah? I hear there are nests around here," Joaquin said, dodging a tiny lava pool with a cartoonish leap.

"No big deal, right? Not with big, strong Joaquin here to protect me," Morningstar jested.

"Shut up."

Morningstar heard a chuckle escape his friend's mouth. They walked in silence for some time, focused on evading magma and whatever creatures were hidden within it. When he believed the path was clear, he allowed his thoughts to wander. His daydreams, which really were more like nightmares, lead him back to Katar. Images of crumbling ruins and sand flooded his mind. He recalled the look of terror in Joaquin's friend's eyes in her final moments. Her name was Grace. Simon was gone as well and Morningstar had not even seen what had happened to him. He gripped his fists. Red pixels floated out of his palms from the pressure of his fingernails. They must have been so afraid-so confused. Where had he been while his friends were murdered?

Lying in the sand; utterly useless.

He felt something grip his shoulder.

"You okay?" Joaquin asked.

Morningstar turned his head, too stunned to speak. "Yeah," he said, "I'm okay."

[Morningstar 0]

"Good. I need you with me, got it? Mentally, I mean. We don't really know what it is we're getting into."

Morningstar nodded in agreement. He felt sorry for Joaquin. Grace and Simon were his guildmates. Grace in particular had been a long-time friend to him and Simon—well, Simon was just a kid.

Joaquin patted his back. "We'll find him. Seriously, we will."

His tone encouraged Morningstar. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

Changing the subject, Joaquin glanced upward. "The flatlands sure are big, huh? Ever wonder if there are places out here that nobody's come across yet?"

"I don't know. If it were any other game I'd say no," Morningstar began, "but considering what we're playing I'd say there's a possibility. I mean, what percentage of the high-level population is fighting on the frontlines?"

"I don't know—sixty percent? Maybe seventy?"

"Then there's really not that many left over for expeditions. I can't imagine there are any players on the lower end of the tier list hanging out on the outskirts of a place like this."

"Nah," Joaquin said, "None that are still alive, anyway."

"Exactly. It's like you said: snakes."

Morningstar meant it as a joke but realistically it was true.

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar's gaze was distant. He stared at the lava that exploded from a geyser not far from them.

"What do you think's out there?" He asked his friend.

Joaquin made a sound that indicated he was thinking. "I dunno. Treasure?"

"You know I found some secret, not-so-ancient ancient ruins on the fourth floor once?" Morningstar recalled.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I wasn't the first—I think I was third. Met a guy there though. He had been the second to find it."

"Who was the first?" Joaquin asked.

"Some alchemist. Not sure."

"Hmm."

Morningstar's eyes drifted off of the geyser and onto the path ahead. They weren't far from the coordinates they were given. He watched out for any curious quest monsters that might have been waiting for them.

"Anyways," he continued, "I'm sure there are other places like it up here. Maybe we go looking sometime?"

"Yeah, we can form an exploration team with—"

Edited June 15, 2023 by Morningstar

[Morningstar 0]

  

Without realizing it, they had waltzed right into the Inferno Cavern. Low growls and bright red eyes pierced the darkness. Flames erupted from the ground, stopping the pair of swordsmen in their tracks. Suddenly, a hellhound stepped into the light. It was bigger than Morningstar had expected and yet, it didn't shake him. Five more followed behind the monster, a powerful hunger in their howls. They surrounded the players, slowly circling, waiting to pounce.

"What do you say," Joaquin began, "three each?"

"Last one to finish owes the winner a drink."

"Deal."

Morningstar stepped forwards and the hounds went still. He couldn't tell whether they feared his confidence or if they were simply confused. They backed up a few steps but quickly resumed their furious assault by lunging toward him. The inferno kicked up around their feet as they attacked. Their jaws spread wide, each of them aiming for an instant kill.

His blade felt cold despite the heat of his environment. His fingers wrapped around its hilt and he ripped it from its scabbard with ferocity. It glowed brightly and in a golden arc, Morningstar sliced through each of the hellhounds with near-invisible swiftness.

He could still hear the other three beasts behind him. For once, he had won a competition.

Spoiler

ID: 212525 BD: 8 (Hit)

AOE-I Activated! 20*11=220 DMG to Hellhound 1, Hellhound 2, Hellhound 3.
-39 ENG

Morningstar | HP: 560/560 | EN: 50/89 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 4 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 1 | 2 BLD | 1 PAR

Hellhound 1 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 50
Hellhound 2 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 50
Hellhound 3 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 50

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by Morningstar

[Morningstar 0]

When Joaquin was finished with his unfortunate opponents, he sulked his way back to Morningstar.

"So, Duke's?" He asked, referring to a tavern in Urbus.

Morningstar wasn't a fan. "Dante's. Town of Beginnings."

"Never heard of it."

"It's a strange place," Morningstar shrugged.

They continued, making their way deeper into the cavern. Morningstar was thankful that they at least had the illumination of the lava and flames to keep them company. He had grown weary of the dark, particularly when he was inside a cave. There were deep, rhythmic rumbles beneath their feet as they excavated deeper into the tunnel. Curiosity tugged at his cloak, urging him to speed up, but he maintained the pace that Joaquin had set to refrain from looking like a crazy person rushing to their death. Accompanying the rumbling were heavy yet almost-hushed breaths from deep within the cavern.

While they walked, Joaquin questioned what they would find at the end of the cavern. Morningstar had his theories. He felt it was likely more hellhounds—or, possibly, a much larger version of what they had fought previously.

Joaquin let out an exaggerated sigh. "I thought this quest would be more exciting."

[Morningstar 0]

They had only walked for a few minutes before the excitement that Joaquin wished for arrived. They had not seen it at first, the beast that lay dormant in the shadows of the flames ahead. Morningstar was the first to notice the strange mound that poked out into the center of the wide pathway. It was dark and covered in what seemed to be fur. He reached out to Joaquin, who continued to walk towards the beast, and gripped his shoulder. Joaquin turned back, confused.

"What?" he asked.

Morningstar's finger rose to his lips, signaling for Joaquin to be quiet. Then, he pointed toward the distant shape. As his eyes adjusted, he recognized that they were staring at a sleeping hellhound. Unlike the last few, however, it had three heads. Morningstar's eyes were wide with some mix of apprehension and excitement. This was a creature he had read about in books; one he had never imagined to come across, even in the depths of what was essentially Aincrad's hell.

Quick footsteps echoed through the tunnel from behind the pair, causing them to jolt. Three more of the regular-sized hellhounds blocked them from turning back. They began to growl in their low, harsh voices. Morningstar looked back at the monstrous hound, his now mid-length hair in disorder from the speed at which he turned.

The beast had awoken.

[Morningstar 0]

Morningstar moved on pure instinct and he knew Joaquin did the same. The synergy they had built together was stronger than even they knew. Without a word, the pair dashed to opposite ends of the cave; Joaquin towards the hellhounds on their flank, and Morningstar to Cerberus.

Meteor, unshaken in Morningstar's grip, glowed gold once more as he activated another sword art. He weaved around the beast's slashes and stomps and when it decided to try biting at the blonde, he dug his feet into the ground and swung. An opportunity had opened up for him and he took it, slashing through the first of Cerberus' three heads. It wreathed in pain, bloody pixels spraying from its now limp neck.

In a fury, Cerberus attacked once more. This time, Morningstar sidestepped the second head and used its messy fur to swing himself on top of the beast. He lifted Meteor above his head and, with power, sliced through the neck.

He leaped from the falling head, leveraging the height he was at. It almost felt like he was moving in slow motion, although he knew that was not the case. He brought his blade down on Cerberus one last time and as he did, it shattered. Morningstar hit the ground, stumbling from the fall. He looked back at Joaquin, who's blade was sticking out of the last of the three hellhounds. In a similar fashion to Cerberus, it disappeared, leaving the two swordsmen victorious.

Spoiler

ID: 212526 BD: 8 (Hit)

AOE-I Activated! 20*11=220 DMG to Cerberus Head #1, Cerberus Head #2, and Cerberus Head #3
-39 ENG

Morningstar | HP: 560/560 | EN: 14/89 | DMG: 20 | ACC: 4 | MIT: 66 | EVA: 1 | 2 BLD | 1 PAR

Cerberus Head #1 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 40
Cerberus Head #2 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 40
Cerberus Head #3 | HP: 0/200 | DMG: 40

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by Morningstar

[Morningstar 0]

"Was that everything you had hoped for?" Morningstar said with a grin.

Joaquin rolled his eyes, turning towards the exit of the cave. It had been a long trip for such a short fight, Morningstar thought. The reward would likely be small, too. As they walked, the blonde kept his eyes locked on their surroundings. They talked here and there about whatever nonsense crossed their minds; however, Morningstar was only half there. He remained focused, a feeling in his gut warning him that there was more to come.

The journey back to Knorilt Village seemed longer than it should have but perhaps it was because he was tired. Joaquin said something that Morningstar did not catch. It was not until the third time his name was called that he finally turned his head.

"Sorry," Morningstar said, "what was that?"

Joaquin looked at him for a moment, brows furrowed. "You okay?"

He took a moment to reply. "Yeah, just zoned out."

"Well, I was wondering if you had any ideas where we could start. You know, our big exploration idea."

"Oh, yeah. Dante will know. And if he doesn't, he'll know someone who does."

"I hope he has something on Floor 10. I'm curious about The Void."

"You too, huh? Ever tried going in?" Morningstar asked.

"Nah," Joaquin chuckled, "too scared."

[Morningstar 0]

Before Morningstar could reply, his attention was stolen by the faint crumbling of rocks to their left. Joaquin appeared to not have heard and for a moment, the blonde wondered if he had gone crazy. He stopped, staring in the direction of the low cliff-side where he had heard the noise. Joaquin, confused, asked what he saw. Morningstar neglected to answer and, instead, activated his Charge skill. He flew by the cliff in a yellow flash, his hand already on his blade's hilt. The silhouette of a cloaked player slid down the cliff, seemingly shocked that they had been noticed so suddenly. Morningstar sprinted after them and Joaquin followed suit from a distance, cursing under his breath at his partner's foolishness.

The cloaked stranger was quick—quick enough that Morningstar struggled to catch up. He withdrew his blade, a possibly idiotic idea coming to him. He flipped it around and, inhaling, pulled it back behind his ear. Then, he let out all of the air in his lungs, launching the sword as if it were a javelin. It was a good throw, surprising even him. Morningstar heard Joaquin freak out a few meters back but he could not take his eyes off the spiraling weapon as it tumbled through the air.

It was a near-perfect curve. The sword fell, landing straight through the back of the player who had come close to escaping. Morningstar reignited his sprint, hoping the impaled player would not simply heal up and run away again.

That proved to be impossible; Morningstar had procced paralysis. He knelt down, lifting the hood of the cloaked player. Long, red hair bled out of the fabric, half-covering the face of the man who bore it. 

Morningstar recognized him either way. He removed Meteor from the man's back and tossed it to the side. It hit the rocks with a loud crash but Morningstar did not care. He turned the man onto his back and knelt over him, hitting him square in the face. Paralysis left him unresponsive and defenseless. Morningstar hit him again, fury taking control of his body. Then, a third time. And a fourth and a fifth. And more and more until he felt a powerful force crash into him from behind, pushing him off of the man. He struggled and struggled but was eventually pinned to the ground by Joaquin.

They stared at each other for a moment, before Joaquin let him free. Morningstar neglected to move more, choosing to instead lay back on the hot rocks. His anger was quickly replaced by sorrow and weariness.

"Dammit," Morningstar slammed his fist against the ground, ashamed of himself.

Joaquin reached out a hand, offering to help his friend up. He was gentle, even when he had every right not to be. He was what Morningstar strived and failed to be. He took the man's hand, standing once again.

"Dammit, Katar. What the hell happened to you, man?" Joaquin summoned a crystal to help with the paralysis.

The healing was instant and Morningstar half expected Katar to try another attempt at escape. He wondered whether or not Joaquin would let him. His stare moved from the samurai's face to the blinking health bar hovering above him. He held back the urge to shout, opting to grit his teeth instead. He had almost killed a man. The man they had been hunting for so many weeks. Someone whom he once considered an ally.

Spoiler

BD 1-5 = Miss
BD 6-8 = Hit, Meteor is lost
BD 9-10 = Hit, Paralyze activated

ID: 212590 BD: 9 (Hit, Paralyze activated)

 

Edited June 17, 2023 by Morningstar

[Morningstar 0]

Katar made a sound that was close to a word but he stopped himself before it came out. Joaquin tossed him a health potion. Morningstar looked at his friend. He saw pity in the warrior's eyes but he could not tell whether it was for the fool on the ground or for the friends he had lost because of said fool.

"You could have come back," Joaquin said, "We could have helped you."

Many emotions were plastered on Katar's face. Sadness, frustration, regret, and hints of despair. His bottom lip quivered as he tried to speak again.

"I'm sorry," Katar said, consuming the health potion.

Straight ahead, at the edge of the cliff, another figure caught Morningstar's eye. Then, another. He nudged Joaquin. More appeared until he counted a total of five cloaked players standing at the cliffside. It appeared as if they were staring in the direction of the three conflicted men, although the hoods they wore made it difficult to be certain. Katar pushed himself toward the group, in a hurry to get away from his old friends. Joaquin reached out to stop him but Morningstar pulled him back. The cloaked man in the middle of the group leaped first, sliding down the angled cliff face. The other four followed after him, kicking up gravel along the way.

"Joaquin," Morningstar said, "we need to go."

"We can't leave him!" Joaquin said, his voice cracking from the attempt to repress how he felt.

But Katar had made his choice and they both saw it. The red-haired swordsman stood up, covering himself in the hood that Morningstar had removed previously. With his back to them, he marched back to the cloaked group, who continued their hastening approach toward Morningstar and Joaquin.

Morningstar swished his hand, scrambling through his inventory. He dug out two teleportation crystals and tossed one to his friend. They activated them just in time to see one of the players withdraw a long rapier from beneath his cloak.

[Morningstar 0]

They rematerialized in Knorilt Village. Morningstar used the wall of the nearest building to hold his weight. He still had not processed what they had witnessed in the Volcanic Flatlands. Nothing made sense to him. It was clear that Katar had gotten in with a rough crowd but Morningstar could not understand why.

Why would he abandon them for people so dark?

Joaquin had fallen to his knees and all Morningstar could do was stare. What words could he have said to ameliorate his pain? He knew that there was nothing that could change what had happened and yet he wished that he was wrong. He stepped forward, reaching out a hand, just like Joaquin had done for him. He looked up at Morningstar, tearless, and gripped his wrist. Without a word, they followed their own trail back toward the wounded NPC who had given them the quest for the hellhounds.

As they walked, they passed the inn that they had stopped at when they arrived on the ninth floor. The old man who had given them trouble stood outside, sweeping the entry way. He glanced up at them, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Did ya find who you were looking for?" The old man asked.

Morningstar could not help but wear his emotions on his face. He nodded as they passed, unable to formulate a response.

[Morningstar 0]

It was funny, he thought, how quickly the mood could change from hopeful to distraught. He felt he could blink and Katar would reappear in the distance, changed, cloaked in evil. But no such thing happened. He wondered what was going through Joaquin's mind. Had he considered what he would tell his guild, now that he had found Katar? Had he thought about how they would react to the situation? Or was he thinking at all?

Not long after they had reappeared in town, they found themselves reacquainted with the injured broker. He still sat in the same position as before, unmoving and unhealed. It did look like his bandages had been replaced, strangely enough.

"Is it done?" The broker asked.

Morningstar nodded. "Yeah. It's done."

"I see," he began, staring up at them with a void expression, "as I said, rewards would be discussed pending your return. I hope this is enough for the two of you."

It was a small flame trapped in a vial and it seemed... alive. The game told him the item's name: Cerberus Soul. It felt fitting, receiving the soul of the beast he had slain. Morningstar thanked the NPC and the party was sent on their way.

[Morningstar 0]

On their way back to the teleporter, Morningstar stopped his friend.

"What will you do now?" he asked.

Joaquin thought for a moment. "I don't know, Stephen. I've got a report to write up. My guild will need to know about what happened today."

They stared at each other for a while before Joaquin spoke again. "What about you? Will you keep searching for him?"

Morningstar turned away, his eyes fixed on the path to the flatlands. What benefit was there from continuing their hunt? It would kill him, quite literally, he thought. He imagined Grace and Simon and considered what they would have wanted him to do. He thought about Lexa and whether or not she would stop him if he tried to keep going.

"No," he said, "I don't think I will."

Perhaps it was best if, for once, he moved on with his life and left the past where it belonged.

[Morningstar 0]

Joaquin nodded. "I'm heading back to the guild hall. Where will you go?"

"I'm going to stick around here and make some plans," Morningstar replied.

"Plans?" Joaquin frowned.

"Yeah, you know. For our exploration team."

Joaquin tried smiling. "Right. Sounds good."

They parted ways but Morningstar knew they would see each other again soon. When they did, they would both be different; changed by both the events of that day and by those that had yet to unfold. To his left was a small building, in comparison to the rest. He pushed open the wooden door, revealing a tavern. It did not have the energy that he was used to seeing in bars but it would do. He stepped up to the counter, knocking on it as he sat down. The seats were anything but comfy, he thought. A large man with a mid-length orange beard spun around.

"Wha' can I do fer yeh?" The man asked in a strange, possibly British-sounding accent.

"Jack," Morningstar said, "and water. Thanks."

The man put together his drink immediately and asked if there was anything else he could do for Morningstar.

"Is this a good place to find information?" he asked.

The bartender looked intrigued by the question. "I s'pose it depends on wha' yeh're looking fer, really."

"Rumors. Of any sort."

[Morningstar 0]

"Talk ter the fella in black, jus over there," The bartender pointed towards a table in the corner.

There was a man, like he said, dressed in a black robe. He looked sort of like what a monk would look like if they practiced necromancy. The stranger was bald and tall. He sat alone, a long staff leaning against the wall behind him.

"Who is he?" Morningstar asked.

"E calls himself Asphodel. E's a broker, 's far as I know. He should have wha' yeh're looking fer."

"Thanks, for the drink and for the help."

"O' course."

Morningstar left the bar, striding up to the man in black. He pulled out the chair opposite to him and sat down.

"You're Asphodel?"

"And you're Morningstar," the stranger said, very matter-of-factly.

The blonde stared back, surprised. "You know me, then?"

"It's sort of my job," Asphodel leaned back and Morningstar noticed a snake slither its way up the man's back, coiling around his neck.

He appeared to ignore the familiar as if he were used to it being there. Morningstar was unsure whether he was faced with an ally or an enemy, or if he was neither at all. He finished off his whiskey, placed the glass off to the side, and sipped his water.

[Morningstar 0]

"Can I assume you're here for a rumor? Chasing anything in particular?"

Morningstar chuckled. Asphodel appeared to be good at what he did. Morningstar denied following a specific rumor and asked for something fresh.

"Very well. Floor Eleven. Visit the Grand Cathedral in Taft and wait for the bell to strike. Then, look at the ground where the shadows of the stained-glass windows are cast," Asphodel said.

He was short and to the point, although Morningstar was uncertain what the directions would lead him to. He stood up, intent on taking his leave. The snake flicked its forked tongue at him, unnerving Morningstar.

"What do I owe you?" Morningstar asked.

"Nothing today, Lightbringer." 

Morningstar's eyes narrowed. Only one other man had referred to him as such and he knew that man to be dead. He could feel Asphodel's smile curving as he walked away, exiting the tavern. The man's knowledge of him frightened Morningstar.