Editing Forgotten Freedom:37

'''Stupid 3''': F***ing CAMPER!

'''Illithid''': Hey, you guys going to be long? We've got a whole host of mind-controlled orcs, giant bats, and stockpiled all of our stuff in here. Some of us have jobs you know.

'''Jarlot''': Just keep your damn... err... robes on.

'''Jarlot''': Yeah, we cleaned out like fifty dungeons before we finally got the ship. Of course I blew all the gold on resurrections, some bad trade, oh and the usual pleasures. The game stopped being fun when all those damned munchkins and their farming started popping up though.

'''Terra''': That's the dumbest lie I've ever... Kithle?

'''Kithle''': Tifa, eat something!!! Here, Water. Satnak, you make sure she gets ready for a fight, light meals, and Mineral water for the whole crew until the show down we need to be at peak. This means no booze.

Kithle: Okay Satnak, Terra, Sa'vor, Tifa, and Silence, you 5 are in charge of holding the bastard in place. Pholly/ie I want you and the artificers working on ways of suppressing this critters powers. Aerith, Jeala any and all info is helpful. Everyone else will be assisting the ficers and efforts to suppress the critter's powers at long range. Feal-thas, take the minions and hide. You guys aren't ready for this kind of crap. Death paper, you go with them if anyone tries to sneak past you slice their appendages off. Redshirts will be used as shields as per standard operational Procedure. Satnak, Do not use fatal levels of Zorching.

'''Satnak''': AWWWWWWWWWW. I wanna wipe out something big, no hard feelings, Lisa.

'''Terra and Kithle''': NO, bad Satnak, no genocide for you.

'''Jaela''': Maybe the demon wiping them out is worth it.

'''Kithle''': Vrin, get Klaz healed... um, you know, screw it he needs a resurrection. Aerith, you're up.  

'''NJ26''': *whispers to Jeala* one more stunt like this and I will kill you, sister or not

'''Jaela''': AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SCARY NINJA LADY

'''Jarlot''': aha! proof I'm not the only one who sees Jingo, she can't be a figment if somebody sober saw her.

'''Jaela''': Who's Jingo? I was talking about the scary lady who looks like mom's old graduation portrait.

'''Jarlot''': What, no, Jingo's a goblin.

'''Michael''': Yeah, Cap needs to lay off the booze.

'''Lisa''': He meant you too, Micheal.

'''Michael''': awww crap.

'''Igor''': Mathter, I think it might be a good idea to look into getting Kithle thome more vacathion time.

'''Sa'vor''': I've been researching this demon. I believe it is a Rakshasa Rajah named Sutekh.

'''Cheese''': If it was only a Rajah I wouldn't be concerned. This was no ordinary demon that got sealed in the Flame: this was the demon of teenage rebellion.

'''Cheese''': I'm not tracking it by trying to read its mind or magical signature. I can sense where any light source on Eberron is, and a being composed of pure flame qualifies.

'''Cheese''': I am a being of pure shadow. Therefore I am linked to all shadow anywhere. Shadow runs from the light. So it's basically like knowing the really scary bruiser is coming by how fast the bums at the bar clear out.

'''Cheese''': Well, since we aren't that far from Thrane, and we're not moving due to the fact that the ship still isn't repaired—

'''Cheese''': But concentrated so many times that it's like a mirror. If you think you can survive your own power then you can at least try to distract it. I haven't reviewed my notes on this power, but you might not even be able to get near enough to hit it. Now I'm going to need something from you, Kanatash, and Sa'vor.

'''Cheese''': I need you to set up a shield around a chamber on this ship, a shield which I can raise and lower but not anyone else. I has to be completely impenetrable, even by you guys. Oh, and NJ 26 will be with me for this operation. Don't ask questions and no one read our minds after this.

'''Slip''' :Uh, thats towards the monster.

'''Klaz''' : Look et this magnificent brute! Get a close up Vrin, especially on those glowing eyes. Now, this is what we call a Rakshasa Rajah. Say it with me kiddies, you too Vrin.

'''Vrin''' : Rakshasa Rajah.

Norbaz fits the helmet on his head, and then hefts in one hand his desiccating dagger, and in the other, a Magma Red Murlond's Spoon.

'''Ketler''': Okay, the modified spoon should instead of making porridge, make your chili, it has all the alarm settings. You sure about this?

'''Norbaz''': If I just use self-buffing magic and psionics, there won't be backlash for attacking it magically. All I gotta do is take my time and get into position after Klaz gets him with the picture. This should stall him long enough for Cheese's plan.

'''Norbaz''': A lot of things are.

'''Norbaz''': I'm throwing myself in stealth melee against a god... I have no delusions of grandeur. Best case scenario as far as I see it is that I die in a way where my soul isn't eradicated.

'''Ketler''': Alright... so potentially ceasing to exist is enough to finally get your courage to say something up.

The half-giant walks down the corridor towards a door he has been nervous standing before in the past. Calmly he slides an envelope under its frame before heading for the deck to join Klaz and Vrin. The letter is addressed in calligraphy "Andrea".

The best of the crew is arrayed against him, holding whatever weapons or redshirts they have and clad in just about anything. Only five are missing: Cheese, NJ 26, and Silence, plus Klaz and Vrin who are hiding under the main hatch ready to jump out and assault the demon with the Jaela pictures. It is a tense moment, made all the more tense by the crew's recognition that this is no time for banter or verbal sparring.

The demon looks down and grins. And this is not just a villainous grin: it is the grin of the most sadistic of beings, the kind of grin that makes the zealous inquisitor’s cruel smile seem like your best friend after you've made a good joke. It's not helped by his wardrobe: it's all in silver, pants, jacket, shoes, every piece of it like what a teen might wear and yet none of it has a real cool style. His hair and face are the same way: maybe they once had some resemblance to the look that adolescents covet, but now somehow it had become corrupted by purity. No one… no one… could look upon him at not have some twinge of doubt as to whether Evil and Chaos didn't have a place in the world.

'''Klaz''': Ready, mate?

Suddeenly it was as if the world had no meaning. Existence itself seemed to waver and peel back, revealing the cruel nothingness that was the true state of the universe. There was no protection against it: not Norbaz's helmet, not Kithle's great mind, not Kanatash's madness, nor the terror that Sa'vor had once endured. Nothing was as powerful as hundreds of years of pent-up teenage angst focused through the lens of righteous fury. There had never been a combination like it before, and if the demon was not stopped there wouldn't be anything afterwards.

'''Kithle''': Fortunately for you people my powers allow me to even screw with my apparent alignment. Now: Behold the power of Creation! Shadows of the realm primeval, arise! Shadows that spawned the gods, arise! Shadows from the dawn of time, ARISE. Bind this foe in Primordial might and unveil the might of creation, Souls of the multiverse, arise! Trap the demon within the shadow's veil, Eldritch forces of the realm, bind this circle and overwhelm, strength of gods that we have slain bind this mark with your pain, I set my mind unto this bind, I set my heart unto this art.

'''Cheese''': There's the shield's base and binding ok the rest of you better start helping him.

Kithle, had used all the souls of the world in his portion of the shield, is able to seek out those who died as angsty teens and bind them temporarily to the spirits of the crew that had heard the emo of the demon. With the temporary shield of peer sympathy, the demon's power has an opposite effect on the crew. They find it empowers them, giving them the strength to stand and go after Sutekh.

The crew races down the corridors, with Kithle in the lead tracking. For some time they find nothing. Finally, however, Kithle senses the demon… in the same room as Cheese, NJ 26, and Silence. He races to the scene.

He finds the demon standing before NJ 26 and Cheese. There is a gleam in the demon's eye that seems reserved for Cheese alone. Yet it doesn't notice the black-gloved hands sneaking out of the darkness behind it until someone whispers "Come 'ere, hot stuff" and the demon is yanked into the room behind before the shield goes up.

'''Kithle''': Um… shouldn't you be behind the shield?

'''Kithle''': But, then……… he's behind the shield—

'''Cheese''': That's what's going on in there: a combination of law and good is being treated to the most powerful force for rebellion in known existence. Why waste power trying to show the thing evil when we can get it to do the whole job for us?

'''Kithle''': It's not……… a very evil plan.

'''Jaela''': Sutekh is one of the most powerful of the Old Rajahs. The name means "Set", "Serpent", and is the reason for the host of serpentine imagery. He's the anti-Couatl.

'''Jaela''': Well you know how these god families are... whine... "Osiris is more loved than me! Wha wha wa!" It's all very tiresome.

'''Sutekh''': Please, do you really believe I will be stopped by the pitiful attempts by you to corrupt my nature? I am purified of your pathetic concepts and hardened by the hosts of horrors that I witnessed when I was a Lord of all Depravity. I am immune to temptations of the flesh, mind, or soul. Five hundred years of immense torture where every single thought of my will was pain and insanity until it was filleted, sifted, PULPED until at last I was a god. I have witnessed whole nations flayed alive and participated in acts so utterly debased as to crack your pathetic minds wide open.

'''Sutekh''': You are insects, all of you. My time in the Flame has purified me of my innately evil nature but I have come to see in the limitless burning flame that my kind has tainted your pathetic and ant-like minds with our nature. There can be no redemption for you lesser races. The universe must be started over anew. It will not be something that you will find painless. I shall draw forth your worst memories and your deepest weaknesses, then these shall become manifest flame as I burn them from inside you.

A gigantic flaming Jackal-like mass appears in the hurricane of fire

'''Sutekh''': I have brought forth the crusade against the lycanthropes and the burning of witches, but I would not be free if not for mortal's desire to be delivered by me unto their annihilation. They shall call my massacres the rapturous burning of the light. It is not enough that you lesser beings, so mindlessly selfish and base, die at my hands like I have done the other sinful masses. You must first be broken and then made to recant your sins. Before you die... and I can make an eon of torturing your flesh and soul for your conversion... I will make you see the error of your ways and BEG for your release from torment to serve my cause.

'''Ketler''': He certainly is... verbose.

'''Sutekh''': Kneel. Kneel before the will of Sutekh as I open up your mind to your childhood, Ketler, and show you that you deserved the punishments your father dealt unto you

'''Ketler''': No... no... AHHHHHHHHH!

'''Sutekh''': Ha ha Ha ha ha...

'''Jarlot''': You gawd-damned lousy second edition monster.

'''Sutekh''': So the pitiful commander of this ragged collection of sinners comes forward. I should have expected you to be hiding with what I've heard of your courage, pitiful Khyberspawn.

'''Jarlot''': Look who's talking, Jackal man. It's overpowered monsters like you that make me worry about Eberron avoiding FR overpowered monsters.

'''Sutekh''': Shall I open your mind up to the abuse of your childhood and its powerlessness as I am doing to so many of your crew? Perhaps I shall clog your mind with the atrocities you witnessed... and participated in... during the Great War. The screams of the dying that you struggle to drown out in your restless slumber with alcohol and cheap *****s.

'''Sutekh''': I shall perhaps open your crew to realize the weakness of your heart and spirit and then burn every ounce of flesh from your bones before repairing it to begin again... yes, that sounds like it will work nicely

Norbaz limps his way to the Captain's quarters. When he arrives in the doorway he sees the thing that was once a Rakshasa Rajah hurling fire at Aerith and Jarlot. Tifa about to go on the offensive. The others were still up on deck, preparing for counter attack. Terra, Satnak, Kilthe, Savor, and Kanatash prepping one truly horrific countermeasure. Norbaz opted to run interference. He saw Ketler on the ground in pain, and was able to get close enough to get the helmet's detonator off of him. Wasting no time, he drops his spoon and charges with his knife, expecting oblvion as he misses and his wrist is caught by the now annoyed god.

'''Norbaz''': Save it, I had a crapshoot of an adolescence too. Suck it up and get over yourself.

Not hesitating, Norbaz leans in close as he says this, attempts and actually succeeds in connecting with a headbutt as he activated the Detonator....

The Room burned white for a moment. Then filled with smoke. Sutekh stood laughing, barely touched amongst the smoke as the helmet fell to the ground. The cooky, nowhere to be seen.

'''Lucky''': How can you be so calm?! We're all about to burn in the fires of our own horrible existences!

'''Igor''': It'th tradithional.

Lucky considers this. As if his/her senses are suddenly attuned to a new awareness of what her/his existance truly is, the horrible feeling of doom doens't matter anymore.

Under Suhtekh's feet a rumbling crashing horror breaks through the floorboards.

'''Chalky''': YOU ARE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FATE OF MY UNCLE GREYCLAW. THANKS TO YOUR PURGES HE DIED UPON A CRUCIFIX OF SILVER. I WILL REND YOU ASUNDER, IMMORTALITY ISN'T AN ADVANTAGE WHEN ALL YOU KNOW IS PAIN. ALL YOUR KNEECAPS ARE BELONG TO US.

A thousand flailing claws, jaws, stingers, fists, horns, and tentacles grip the demi-god and slam it around ripping him to pieces and smashing them to paste then proceeding to smear the paste as it tries to gather itself together.

'''Sa'vor''': Hey this is the same shade Chalky used on my face.

'''Lisa''': That's what happened to my extra bottle. If he wasn't saving our bacon I'd hammer him.

'''Tifa''': Do seriously consider fighting that thing? I mean I had no idea the little shifter was that scary when he shifted are you sure he's not an uberwere.

'''Terra''': Chalky is a changeling warshaper. He's just abusing the morphic weapon ability and a a few size boosting potions.

'''Kithle''': Can any one see my tattoos? no? good.

Kithle stands. His Visage has been transformed into that of Sutekh before he was bound by the flame.

'''Kithle''': Let's see if this wimp can handle a little conversation with himself.

'''Jarlot''': I, however, personally have my own solution as well...

'''Sutekh 1'''(post flame): *wheeze* Damned shapeshifters, when did weres get that nasty?

'''Sutekh 2''': I am Sutekh the mightiest of Rajah, bow before me, imposter, and I might let you die quickly.

'''Sutekh 1''': What is this, I am Sutekh the Purified.

'''Sutekh 1''': It's yours, I mean mine.

'''Sutekh 2''': Oh how original. You're going to destroy everything and rule over a world remade in your image. Guess what, that's always been the plan!!.  

'''Sutakh 1''': But this is different; I'm good.

'''Sutekh 2''': Bah, you're going to slaughter the innocent and the guilty alike just as I will.

'''Sutekh 1''': AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'm different... I'm different, I changed...  

'''Sutekh 2''': How you sound just like a wussified version of me who can't handle the truth of your ambitions. At least I'm honest about what I do to those around me. Hah Me the Demon spawn of Khyber the truthful one, and the purified champion of the flame is the deceitful coward. HAhAHAHAHAh.

'''Sutekh 1''': GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHH. *sound of mind breaking* good... evil... what's the difference....(retreats to a dreamscape haunted by images of his past self)

'''Sutekh 1''': What mirror?

'''Sutekh 1''': Of course this is my mind, I should see the truth here as long as I will it. I want the truth which am I.

'''Sutekh 2''': All of this is me, I am Sutekh the Couatl Slayer. You are merely a deluded fool, who fails to grasp how much trouble he is in. These pirates have had the power to kill you the whole time. They hold only because of mercy. These scum have more honor than you.  

'''Sutekh''' : Shut up, shut up, shut up! Die among these "friends" of yours.

A mace appears in each of Sutekh's hands. A smirk crosses Volrath's face and he draws a dark green shortsword, covered in runes. Sutekh throws swing after swing at Volrath, who in turn parries each blow. Between parries, Volrath is only able to get in small, shallow cuts on Sutekh. After several minutes of fighting Volrath pulls out of melee and teleports a short distance away.  

'''Volrath''' : No, I'm just using an idea, from a friend of mine. Now if you're so certain of your victory, come and get me.

Volrath completely drops his guard, letting his sword arm drop limply to his side. Sutekh rushes forward. It is thrown back, by an invisible barrier. Volrath points down at a pentagram, underneath Sutekh drawn with the demon's blood, that was spilt during the battle. Volrath then pulls up his sword, and plunges the tip into his own wrist. He then starts chanting and drawing a symbol in the air with his sword. As his sword traces the rune, droplets of blood hang in the air forming the draconic symbol "oblivion". Volrath then thrusts his sword through the rune and into Sutekh's heart.

'''Volrath''' : Hey, Lisa (chucks sword hilt first) consider it an apology.

'''Terra''': He overdid it again, and yes you can come out.

'''Death paper''': Thanks, oof, that's it, dad, you're going on a Diet.

'''Terra''': Volrath, let's get those cuts taken care of.

Ketler and Allen enter Jarlot's cabin as they finish a heated discussion.

'''Jarlot''': Oh, that's easy. Ping pong ball.

An untold number of ping pong balls pours out of the ceiling, burying Jalot.

'''Sutkeh''': I am indeed... worthless.

'''Captain Jarlot''': Thermo... what...

In a place of silver and light, Norbaz finds himself floating amongst the empty husks of several redshirts and obviously dressed empty husks of Silver Flame worshippers.

'''Norbaz''': ...Okay, did detonating the unstable magical/psionic helm kill me and get my soul enveloped into Sutekh...or did it open up a dimensional rift sending me to the universe inside him full of the spent souls he is absorbing for his cause...

The cooky pricks himself with his desiccating dagger, and watches as his finger looks like it dries and shrivels as it bleeds.

'''Norbaz''': Yup, not dead... and I'm inside of Sutkeh... great. Not exactly a win/win scenario, the only thing keeping me alive is probably my necklace of adaptation... hmm... left the spoon on the outside, can't try and flood him with Chili... or can I.

Norbaz rolls up his sleeve to reveal a blood red tattoo of revamped Murlond's spoon adorning his upper arm. Pressing the tatoo the spoon forms in his hand.

'''Norbaz''': Ketler, thank you for the advice... why make one when you can have two at twice the price.

'''Norbaz''': If I get out of this alive... I have to destroy that letter, otherwise I'm gonna die of embarrassment.

'''Kithle''' : What!!! you're sealed, get in your sword and stay there.

'''Kithle''': That's just wrong.

'''Norbaz''': It worked, I''m alive, Now someone wash off this mess before I die.

Severed of the souls providing its power, the last remnants of Sutekh can no longer resist the bindings placed upon the sword. The vortex is drawn into the blade and the sword completes its bind with a final rune.  

'''Lisa''': That's not a celestial mark.

'''Kithle''': Indeed not, that's an old Darguuneese rune for responsibility.

'''Kithle''': The Darguun were the greatest of the mortal Empires. Outsiders, deities, many of the more monstrous species, and creatures like them are products of fate. Its almost impossible for those born of Pure Immortal lineage to be anything else. Mortal life brings with it a limited time to act in, but an unlimited scope. We have a unique power to be more than the roles determined for us. As such we cannot excuse our actions by claiming that we are evil- or good- inclined. We have the burden of responsibility for our actions, for the people we become.  

'''Terra''': Wait a second, death paper takes dictation too?

'''Kithle''': He is a newspaper, literally he started out as a way to keep up with the rest of the world since the normal couriers stopped doing business with us, after that things got a little out of hand. The next thing I know I'm the proud papa of a bouncing baby berserker.

'''Jarlot''': Well yes, the original binding was, but the whole Cyclone about to destroy the world thing and... "oops, sorry, it's in the sword."

'''Ketler''': I think it was quite powerful. A sense of... Haha... just kidding. Like the Scream killer jumping up only to be shot again.

'''Ketler''': They explained it. Darguun mark and all. It's actually quite mythical, really.

'''Jarlot''': I'm just saying I could have used some more explosions, is all.