Yu Zhong descended the steps from the top of the Ziggurat. He had been waiting for some time, not sure whether to expect the Briarwoods or Vox Machina to walk into the massive chamber. Over course, it was the former group flanked by Cassandra de Rolo and a mind controlled Vax. Yu frowned.
"I assume from the appearance of an additional lamb, you've run into the troublesome adventurers," he spoke as the two came closer to nearing towards the top three-quarters of the stairs.
"Indeed. All of them have been...dealt with," Sylas callously stated. Yu Zhong's eyes flared with violet fire.
"Choose your next words very carefully..." he growled.
"You said it yourself," the vampire spoke in a slightly mocking tone, "They were a problem to our plans and—"
Yu Zhong vanished into purple flames and reappeared in front of Sylas faster than he could blink. He grabbed the equally tall man by the throat and held him up. Cassandra and Vax had their weapons pointed at Yu, but he didn't pay them any mind.
"And our deal was contingent on my brother coming to stand at my side!" the man roared, "Yet you come here and speak of his demise so carelessly!"
The two were separated by a spell from Delilah that forced them apart. She stood by her husband and calmly stared down a raging Yu Zhong.
"Well, in that case you should continue to honor your deal. Once the Whispered One returns, bringing your brother back would hardly be an issue for him," she smirked.
Yu Zhong took in a few more heavy breaths as his anger began to dissipate. He pointed a finger at Delilah.
"He better," he threatened, "Otherwise, no beast, king, or god will save you from my wrath."
With that said, he turned around, bladed cloak billowing from the movement as the three of them proceeded up to the top of the Ziggurat. Cass and Vax obediently followed.
They reached the top in a short time. In front of the doors to the central chamber stood four pillars arranged in a circle around a symbol.
Delilah checked a watch-like device.
"The celestial alignment is almost complete," she spoke with glee.
In the meantime, Sylas began to push one of the pillars. The other three rotated along with it until they all clicked into position and began to sink into the floor. Delilah stepped into the middle of the symbol.
"Dwes kalu, varen Thar Amphala."
Black Magic flowed from Lady Briarwood's fingers as she chanted. As it touched the Ziggurat, fluorescent green lines of magic lit up all over the structure.
It was almost time...
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Vov Machina arrived at the base of the Ziggurat as the change was occurring. As they came in and took cover by some rocks, Scanlan froze in realization. The others stopped to check on him.
"It wasn't a spell book, it was an instruction manual!" Scanlan told the others, "The drawings, the symbols, it all had to do with a name. The...what was it? Oh! The Whispered One!"
"The Whispered One?" Pike asked, seeming to have some recollection of the phrase.
"You've heard that name?" Vex asked.
"Once. From an elder of the Everlight," she elaborated, "They said he's some sort of undead whose soul seeks the power to return to our plane."
YOU ARE READING
The Legend of Vox Machina: The Power Within
Fanfiction"Balance is not something you find. It's something you create." The world of Exandria, like any fantasy setting, is often beset by various threats. Some are simple, but others can threaten the safety of entire nations or even the world. What's stan...
