The party is gathered around a fire made of "Spirit-Logs" that burn with a cool, blue flame. Oba Zimbila sits at the mouth of the cave, his 12-foot frame blocking the wind. He is silent, his Prismatic wings folded tight around him like a cloak.
Kaelen is sharpening his lead club, his eyes darting to the King. "Madara says he isn't a demon. But look at him. He destroyed a magi-train with a gesture. If... if he's that powerful..."
"Power isn't the problem, Orc," Nyra snaps, her cat-ears pinned back. She's on her last life, and the presence of Zimbila makes her feel like her soul is vibrating out of her skin. "It's what he does with it. He freed the bolts. That's enough for me."
Tari is sitting cross-legged, trying to meditate. "The rhythm has changed. Since the Bridge fell, the Aether in the air feels... cleaner. But the Church is already screaming through the towers. They're calling for a 'Holy Crusade' to drop the Shell on the Hive."
Madara looks at Zimbila, then at her stunted wings. She crawls closer to the King. "They want to sink our home because they fear the Truth. The King doesn't want to rule them; he wants to wake them up. But people hate being woken up from a dream of gold."
Zimbila turns his head. The Prismatic White of his eyes illuminates the cavern.
"The Fleet is already moving," he resonates into their minds. "They bring the 'Sinking Pillars.' They intend to nail Kushvanipad to the sea floor."
Kaelen stands up. "Then we don't go back to the Hive. Not yet. If the Fleet is fueled by the Black Market, we go for the fuel. We strike the Tithe-Pits in the Elven Capital."
Zimbila stands, his obsidian skin reflecting the blue firelight. "No. We go to the Labyrinth's Apex. There is a frequency there that can reach the ears of every World Turtle. If I can sing to the Turtles directly... they might just stop carrying the cities of the liars."
As Zimbila speaks, a Notification (a natural Aether-pulse) appears in the minds of the Unchained:
[NEW QUEST: THE SONG OF THE SHELL]
Objective: Reach the Peak of Qivittoq.
Constraint: Avoid the Seven Slayers (Currently 50 miles away and closing).
Reward: Awakening of the First Commandment.