Now Adray got something resembling a smile from Arkhan: "Thousands of souls? Zariel's pet project... The Queen can not interfere herself with Zariel's plans, but if you can thwart that plans - she would not forget it. There are ways to destroy the contracts, there are loopholes in them sometimes, who knows, Zariel herself can break it. If this is your goal - I trust you can find the way to do so."

The air of Avernus outside the Tower with all it's brimstone, acid and whatnot odors never felt so sweet compare to the ritual room. The dragonborn looked the quiet crew over again and gestured toward Tormentor. "You can go now. Do as you planned - dragons would not interfere with it." He nodded to Adray one last time and returned to the Tower, ignoring Lulu this time like someone avoiding to look at the temptation.

Undead now guarded the Tower again, white dragon blinked for the first time, the turtle closed the big doors. It seemed you could truly leave the place.

Adray stood still while Arhkan spoke and waited until they closed the door.  Slowly he turned his gaze towards the others and began moving towards them in sporadic, jerky movements.  Not unlucky some shambling corpse.  He even let out a little moan.  Then, when he could no longer stand it, both seeing looks of worry/fright and because the pain it caused on his chest.  He let out a little laugh and then winced in pain.  "Don't worry, I'm still me and I'm still not funny but I sealed the deal and got what we came for.  Lets go tie up this loose thread."

Talk about taking one for the team. Ordrag nods in respect. He is about to give Adray a manly slap on the back, but in his current state thinks better of it, and instead just makes a fist-on-chest salute.

The sailor returns to his post, glad to be leaving this port. That dragonborn gave him the creeps.

Choir gets back in the Tormentor, singing a propitiatory hymn to Akadi under her breath.

     “I’m sorry, Adray,” Polly says quietly from where she sits in Tormentor. “Thank you!  I... I...” Polly sniffs and looks away, trying to duck down even further into her seat.  

Adray, unconsciously touches his chest where the mark has been placed but just stares ahead through the windshield area.  "We knew that tough choices would have to be made.  This one was easy for me.  Don't give it a second thought.  At least not until we are done."

Evidently that price was going to be paid. Fran would inhale a breath, grumbling upon her exhale. The deal was struck with haste. There was no careful negotiating of terms on this one. The artificer would cross her arms and maintain her sentry position by Lulu.

Fran's otherwise stern expression would waver in concern as she'd watch Adray emerge from the Tower. Her arms wouldn't relax to her sides until he would get into the tormentor. Now she'd have to keep a closer eye on him. She could only take so much comfort in Adray's assurance that it was an easy decision to make out of all the difficult ones that would be made, but it didn't change the fact that it was yet another burden resting upon his shoulders. This path is layed with burdens they all desire to share. Thus, she will continue to do her part and remain on a protective watch.

The artificer would escort Brutus back to his position on the rear of their vehicle before taking her place. She was quiet for the most part, but wasn't without her grumbles. Fran appreciated Adray's leadership, accepting this choice completely, but she didn't have to enjoy watching his discomfort.

     "Can we leave now?" Polly asks.  ""Cause leaving would be a good idea..."

     Of course it was obvious to Polly and everyone else that this whole plane wasn't so much as jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire so much as it was dancing in the fire as the frying pan struck you in the head over and over again.  Even if they left there was no pace safe and comfortable to go.  But the moving...  it at least provided the illusion that they were accomplishing something constructive.

Adray stoically drove the group back to the Demon Zapper - all five hours (though the idea to teach someone else to do it too did cross his mind - it was a really long day). You were not followed or attacked on the way, and though it did look like there were groups of some creatures battling on the plane, the battles were happening in the distance. Even the Zapper was idle with no new demons lured to it at the moment.

This time the dao was already waiting, popping up in front of the Tormentor as soon as it stopped. The precious stone, decorating the massive figure, were shining brighter than ever and Adray for the first time understood Choir's fascination with the thing. The thought was not his, yet, the wish to grab them all felt quite intense.

"You've returned," greeted dao the group. "Did you manage to get the blood?"

Adray took a moment before responding.  He stretched out his after hours of staying in such a cramped position.  Finally when and the others were out and had their blood flowing again he would respond.  "Yes, we were successful.  We have the blood and we have fulfilled our end of the deal, we expect the same," Adray says in an even tone.  He holds the vial up.  

"Let's see what you brought then, shall we?" A palm, broad as a shovel, opened up in front of Adray. In his other hand dao now had a rolled parchment. "...I will use it in your presence and once I am free - I swear to give you that Unicorn..." recited he the agreement.

Choir looks at the dao suspiciously.  "Let's not be hasty," she says. (Insight 26 )

Under scrutinizing Choir's gaze the dao still looks transparent as a piece of glass and clean as a whistle. The anticipation to get the blood, though, is quite clear. 

     Polly fidgets and worries.  She doesn’t like this one bit but doesn’t really see an alternative besides a fight they are likely to lose.  Still and all, it is best to be prepared so she double and triple checks her components and such..,  and worries.

Adray steps forward and hands over the vial.  He was already bound by one deal, this one had more immediate repercussions.  "A deal fulfilled on our end."

Ralzala took the vial, uncorked it and smelled the liquid. Then the dao poured the the whole vial over the parchment muttering something in a language no one could understand. The parchment burst in flames in dao's hand and in a matter of seconds was gone, the hot winds of Avernus scattered the ashes across the plane.

The dao laughed with the same ground-shaking laughter you heard before: "Free of this wretched plane!" Ralzala turned to imps, perched on the boulder, and grinned a menacing toothy grin: "Tell Zariel if she wants me - she can search for me on Dis." The dao laughed again, then touched very lightly (as it looked from aside) the Demon Zapper with the maul - and the whole construction crumbled down in the cloud of rusty dust. The sphere of force stayed in the air for a few moments, then slowly sunk to the ground and fade away, leaving the Unicorn free. Imps with birds like angry chatter flew up, disappearing in the air.

"Here is your price. And this too," a basalt tablet appeared in dao's hands with something inscribed on it. "Show that at Bel's doors, and you will be granted the audience. To find him - keep to the fire and smoke." Ralzala pointed at one particularly dark plume of smoke on the horizon "Do not loose the sight of it!" With that dao as if dissolved into the ground, leaving behind an iron soul coin - the one contract was sealed upon - that rusted out before your eyes until nothing was left of it.

The Unicorn stood up on his shaky legs and made a few unsure steps toward the party. The magnificent creature shined with it's own light and though obviously weak, kept as straight and proud as one could manage. Lulu flew to help, with a mix of greetings (Choir recognized Celestial), happy noises and words of hope and Mooncolor gratefully lowered his head. He made a point to look everyone in the eye and everyone heard (in the head) the same thing "Thank you. You saved my life. If you allow me to follow you I hope to repay your kindness."

It's been another (very) long day that probably required some rest. As much as the Unicorn would probably want to leave the place, he is in no shape for big journey right away either. 

     Polly gives the unicorn water, filling a bowl for it to drink from.  She uses Prestidigitation to clean it up as best she can (assuming he does not object) and asks if there is anything they can do for him.

     “Our journey has been hard, and likely to just get harder... but if there is anything we can do for you, just ask.”

     Otherwise Polly  will fuss and bother about, muttering to herself as she ritually casts Tiny Hut in this place once again.  She will then rest a minute before once again getting up, fussing about, and muttering for ten odd minutes, ritually casting Detect Magic - Just trying to see if she sees anything unusual or unexpected around Adray or the Unicorn.  ((Would also do Identify but I have no pearls...))

Choir pats the unicorn gently. "Healing?" she offers. "Lesser restoration?" She will cast whatever the unicorn needs.

When the unicorn is comfortable and resting, she nudges Adray urgently. "There are ways to destroy the contracts. Free of this wretched plane! Blood of Tiamat...book. Contract. Pherria. Free Elturel! Blood of Tiamat. Please, sir...I want some more!"

She's pretty sure she can repeat the precise words the dao spoke over his contract, even if she doesn't understand them.

Ordrag will get busy preparing some food and finding places to sleep in and around the Tormenter. He doesn't mind sleeping in cramped quarters, but misses his hammock.

Fran observed the exchange quietly. Okay, so maybe she may have grunted once or twice in agreement to some of the other's comments. And maybe a grumble at the normal-for-around-here vague directions to Bel's doors. But, she appreciated them all the same. This place continuously required getting some used to. The artificer wasn't sure whether she liked the fact it was getting a little easier.

Fran would have to fight really hard to hide her glee at the sight of Mooncolour before them. A slight smile tugging at her lip would give it away. Especially when Lulu would exhibit happiness, chatting away with him. The redhead would rest her hands on her hips with some satisfaction, bowing her head in response to the unicorn's gratitude. She'd contently watch over from her distance as Polly, Choir and Lulu would tend to Mooncolour, providing him with the best care.

After some time the battle smith would decide to make some rounds. Polly, Ordrag, Choir, Mooncolour, Lulu, Adray. One by one, she'd check on each member of the group to look them over. If there was in anyway something else she could assist with, she would. Fran had plenty of medic supports left in her tank to back up Choir's healing if she needed. The artificer of course had a large amount of tools for tinkering and mending of gear from wear and tear. Heck, she was willing to learn a new skill if needed. And from that thought, she'd ask Adray on his check.

"Aye. Yeh still doin' all right wit' them coins, drivin' and now this?" Fran would point to the wound on his chest before reaching in for some supplies to begin looking it over. "We need yeh sound fer end game, Adray." Her stare was firm. "Share a burden. I dun care how small er who it is." Her expression would soften. "But I be damned if I'mma let yeh take it all only teh burn out 'cause we didn't pull over for a nap." The artificer would pop her brow before trying to add a lighthearted smirk.