Like suicidal moths to a deadly flame, the group converge on the demon lord. Sekkar and Pax maintain a cautious distance, but Kaylyn materialises directly over Rhayna's fallen form, the huge bulk of Demogorgon looming over her, and casts healing magic toward Sekkar while protecting the still-warm body of her dead companion. Kirin narrowly shakes off the demon's powerful gaze, then gathers himself for a last-ditch spell that will bring him too within the beast's reach...

(To be read from right to left in true manga style...)

Demogorgon, the Prince of the Abyss, the Lord of all Demon Lords, is defeated. Numbed by his hubris and arrogance, too late he realised the true strength of those who oppposed him - and the devastating might of Kirin's final overcharged spell accelerated his demise ere he was aware of his peril.

Palpable shadows seem to fall heavily over the group like an otherworldly blanket as the remnants of the exploded demon's tempus corpus deteriorate and melt away into the rubble-strewn ground. The silence that fills the city's cavern is equally stifling, as though the stone of the walls and ceilings themselves are mute only through awe and wonder at the events they have beheld.

Kaylyn doesn't hesitate to drop to Rhayna's side and draw on the celestial powers within her. As the others looks on, a soft nimbus of light surrounds the fallen cleric, while a ghostly figure begins to form above Kaylyn's bowed head. The figure gradually takes shape, having an appearance somewhat like a unicorn, but with a kind of draconic aspect, and with a wispy beard rather than a mane. The heavenly being circles overheard, becoming more and more distinct, before suddenly disappearing, although Kaylyn is too deep in concentration to see it herself. No sooner does it vanish than Rhayna gasps deeply, her eyes snap open, and her body spasms almost to a sitting position. Her momentary expression of terror quickly relaxes, and she looks around to her gathered companions with grateful recognition...

Pax can hardly believe it's done. All of it. Sure, there are some loose threads hanging in the fabric, but that is a part of life. The tapestry is complete and somehow they've managed to pull off Vizeran's crazy plan. She stands up straight from her crouch as she lets the energy of the swirling wind near her go.  A last few tumbling bits of trash scatter to the ground as she strides towards her allies, witnesses the truly awe inspiring power of creation bless Rhayna. She looks with melancholy eyes at the group before her. She knows the truth of it. Only this strange alignment of needs could have ever brought them together, and with their journey done they were soon to scatter to the wind. She glanced at each of them. The lizard warrior stood terribly injured...proud and brave and still so very foreign to her. She let some minor healing flow into him as she got closer. 14 healing light.  Kirin the scholar had proven a tremendously powerful wizard and finished off the demogorgon with a might that would always be locked in Pax's memory. Kaylyn was nearby...perhaps the one person in the group that Pax thought she might genuinely understand. And of course there was Rhayna...even now as a pink hue returned to her cheeks, and she glanced around in confusion Pax had to shake her head at the girl she could never really anticipate or understand. 

The demon book tucked into Pax's backpack came to mind. She almost didn't want to have the discussion she'd soon be having with the group. Thoughts of slipping away from them all to avoid the conflict, and taking on the quest by herself came to mind, but then was quickly and with a quiet shame dismissed. She owed them more. Perhaps some of the others would like to see that done. But also, nothing said they needed to sacrifice immediately to pursue a true end to the thing. They deserved a little rest. And some roast chicken and fresh bread and gravy and sunlight and blue skies and maybe even some rain....

She let all the chaotic thoughts go....let them disperse in the quiet of the ruined drow city. Then turned to her friends and walked the rest of the way over them, saying nothing, just smiling at them after flipping up her visor, and putting a gentle hand on Rhayna to welcome her back to the living. They could afford a moment to just celebrate this.....

It was indeed unbelievable. So much so, that for a good few seconds after the big boom and flashes were gone, Sekkar was just standing there suspiciously looking at the spot from which the demon's body disappeared. Did the monster teleport away or was that for real? The deep puddles of ichor proved the latter. Should the monster be alive his madness would pull him back already too. He had to be gone!

Not trusting his own eyes, Sekkar reached the mind of Dawnbringer. The sword sang in in the moment of pure bliss and if the lizardman needed another evidence, it was right there! With a sigh of relief, Sekkar sent his translucent snake over to Rhayna (meager 5 HP). It was almost nothing but right now every bit could help. He nodded to Pax - her healing was welcomed and recognized - and much steadier than even he could expect walked to the girls.

"We might need to get out now. Never thought I will see for myself this city fallen. Will not lie that I do not want to hang around a bit longer to enjoy the scenery," he took a full breath of the air filled with smoke and a foul alien smell of ichor. "But drow that are still alive are mad now or worse - can remember who caused all of this. We have to get outside. You think teleport works now? If not, let's run to the gates. I can carry Rhayna if needed." 

Kirin takes a moment to breathe as he exmaines his wounds from the spell, a little giddy for landing the final blow before being stirred by Sekkar, "If Teleporting working, I can get all of us out then,"

As the demon lord was destroyed by the overpowered magic of Kirin Kaylyn let the Shadows of Moil fall as she knelt and laid her hands on Rhayna.  She channeled the power given to her by her patron to return the life of another to their mortal body.  Her eyes were shut tight as she concentrated, holding back tears of pain and fear for her fallen friend.  They had been through so much together.  She felt the power pass through her and heard Rhayna's gasp of air and felt her sit up.  Opening her eyes she gave the cleric a smile.

"We are not done travelling together yet my friend."  Getting to her feat she channeled additional healing power into Rhayna (BA - Healing Light) for 19 more healing.

She then got to her feat and offered her hand to Rhayna to help her up.

Looking around at the destruction she was assured the by the presence of the others as they approached.

"Agreed Sekkar.  Everyone gather around.   I can take us to the Reaching Wood.  I know the place intimately though my home there was destroyed long ago.  We will be nearer Candlekeep and far from here.  I do not wish to answer to the drow for what has happened here, even if they wish to reward us for this defeat, though I doubt that. There are too many questions I do not wish to answer.  From there we can determine our next steps but I want to be sure we reach our destination.  We owe Jarlaxle and Vizeran nothing.  Let us go."

She looks each in the eyes, and unless there is an objection she will use the Helm of Teleportation.

"Hopefully the destruction of the city will enable us to leave." 

If there is no strong objection she will teleport to the Reaching Wood. 

The last thing Rhayna remembers is an enormous tail coming her way, and no way to dodge, then blank. Next thing she remembers, she grasps for air, then sees Kaylyn giving her a helping hand. She feels calmness coming from her friend. Kaylyn suggests for them to depart. She gets up, dust herself off, and is ready to leave this place. Hopefully for good.

Pax suddenly remembers something. "Oh oh, hold on a second."  She digs around awkwardly inside her backpack for a moment and finally comes out with five gold.  She puts it on the ground in a small pile and steps back from it. Then she glances around the ruins and says in an overloud voice, "Jimjar!  You were right. Here's your winnings."  With that, she secures her bag on her shoulder once more and nods to Kaylyn, "Alright, I'm ready now." 

A soft breeze...

... carrying with it the saline smell of the not-too-distant ocean

... bearing upon it the familiar yet almost-forgotten sound of birds and crickets chirping

... that both strengthened and softened the welcome warmth of sunlight that filtered through the canopy overhead

... that touched the face like the belated welcome of a long-passed loved one to a place of peace.

Kaylyn's helm had not been able to bring them directly to the Reaching Wood - they had indeed been required to limp beyond the bounds of the city once more. The drow had not impeded their departure - how could they? Most were still catatonic with fear and madness. Any with the fortitude to resist had not the will to apprehend those who had just taken on a demon lord and won!

But although they had not been pursued, neither had they been forgotten. They had not yet quit the city's cavern before the first of Vizeran's Sending spells had arrived, inquiring about the book. The group had quickly discarded anything associated with the wizard in order to weaken their connection, but certainly he would persist and eventually find a way to brave the sunlight of the surface world and pursue them. And with the city destroyed, Jarlaxle would be sure to send the minions of Bregan D'aerthe to exact some kind of payment, for although he had bid them depart with the book, no doubt it was simply to take it beyond Vizeran's reach that he might more easily obtain it for himself - not for its inherent power but for the leverage it might give him over his brother. Perhaps even Quenthel Baenre herself might take umbrage against the surfacers who invaded her realm.

The book sat like a millstone in Pax's gear, a burden too great to discard, but that would be coveted by many. Perhaps the scholars of Candlekeep would be consulted on its future. Perhaps in that fortified bastion of knowledge they might find some sage with the arcane might to free Pensive from the gem, or to shield their whereabouts from the divinations of the drow...

But despite the weight of all these heavy thoughts, they were temporarily swept away by a stronger power... an unexpected power... that of a simple, gentle breeze.