Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Earthly Mother

Yuler examines her surroundings as she awaits the sound of Hael's arrival at the bottom of the hole. Noticing the faint glow of Dabria that has imprinted itself into the walls around her, Marne, and Lee, she runs the fingertip of one glove against the surface. To her surprise, the glow finds itself sticking to her. She then brushes it off and onto her trousers as she turns to speak to the others.

"It would seem the pollen still emits, even in a gust-less place such as this."

"The idea lacks surprise." Lee blandly proclaims, shaking his head as he too observes the situation before turning back to the entrance, where Hael makes herself known.

"We must find the source as quickly as possible. It will surely be our grave if we remain here for too long." Hael kicks dirt from her boots and allows her mask to fall beneath her chin, taking in a deep breath as she does so. "Fortunately for us, it would seem a straight shot to our target."

The others look to where Hael's nose has found itself pointing and begin to tread forward, guided by the glow that coats the path.

"How could it be?" Asks Yuler. "How could it be that Lady Mardelia does not see the error in her ways? In the beliefs, she has chosen to follow?"

"Do not confuse yourself with the idea," Hael begins, "as it isn't quite as simple as it is made out to be."

"How so?"

"Even The Bethel is full of men and women who have their suspicions. Not everyone believes that Dabria will cleanse the world, nor does everyone think it won't." Lee runs the end of his blade against a large root as he speaks. "They are no less human than you and I."

"The Bethel believes that by allowing Mildew to infect the rest of the world first, they can monitor it and manage the damages from within the city. This is so they may maintain their own sanity, as they believe it is their duty to oversee Dabria's work. Once Dabria has consumed all that is not Maciofim, then High Priestess will command the Nostrum to stand down. Efforts to kill off the beasts that come to be will cease, and while the takeover is happening, a feast will be held to celebrate their successes. A feast that will include beverages and foods made from Dabria itself. Ensuring that those who attend will be the last who are... mostly human."

"High Priestess is to be the last to change." Lee states. "With Ordaite being the first to succumb, The Bethel sees it only fitting that High Priestess be the one who brings such purification into the world."

"Then they will die as the fools they were born to be." Yuler shakes her head with disgust as this knowledge sits on her mind.

"So, they truly believe that in doing so, the world will simply return to the way in which it once was, only evil will have been vanquished?" Marne wonders.

"That is the idea." Hael continues to sniff at the air as she speaks, as if to ensure that they do not fall off track. "But again, you must remember that only some believe these things truly. Wait, stop!" Hael puts a hand out to her side as if to cut the others off from traveling any further. She then cocks her head to one side and sniffs at the air more aggressively. "We're not alone down here."

Grunts can be heard coming from further down the path as a shadowy form stands up a distance from the party. Having been hidden against the now rocky ground beneath them. It then hunkers forward and continues to let out coos and grunts as it weakly approaches them. Yuler and Lee raise their swords, being the closest to the front, aside from Hael. Finally seeming to gain the strength, the thing stands upright. Lengthy black hair seems to float around its head and a lanky body suggests ages of malnourishment. Elongated nails make themselves known as the thing approaches them as one might an oasis in the deserts. An obvious thirst is made known and it begins to rapidly slash at the air as it clumsily trudges forwards, knocking its boney feet against the ground as it does so. A deafening scream is made known as its motions become cleaner and aggression takes over. Startling the party, the creature finds itself taking the advantage. Yuler stumbles backward and occupies the arms of Lee, who drops his sword in the process of catching her. Marne and Hael are the only ones left ready to fight as the creature comes within only a few feet of them screeching once more. A cry of desperation is heard as it tears at Hael's blade, eager to disarm her. The wild slashes throw her off balance and send her weapon clattering against roots and rocks as Marne shouts back at the thing and lets his blade soar towards it. In an instance the thing's cries are cut short. Marne's blade finds itself lodged in the humanoid creature's throat, separating its jaws from one another. Its arms fall limp and it quickly crumples as he withdraws his attack.