---

Year 12339

Sarren waved a hand as the last of his supplies magically marched into his bag of holding. Ready for the long journey into nations he had been officially exiled from.
“Are you sure”
For the umpteenth time Sarren's personal assistant repeated. Quickly running out of patience he glared at the portly fellow and nodded, annoyed. He scanned the room, Agitated, rushed and confused. making sure he hadn't forgotten anything.
“B-but master, sir, Your plan is dangerous, E especially just for rumors' he..he.. right?”
Sarren didn't even both looking at him this time. but he had officially lost his patience. with a flick of his writs a magical force forced his assistant out the door which then slammed in his face. a cry of pain made its way muffled back into the room. A silent sigh escaped Sarren as he straitens himself and tidies his hair.

Sarren stares at the letter. details of a creature matching Blinding Spear's colors seen walking towards the borderlands. Northern Covania. He had confirmed it was Zyllis with some divination and Scrying magic. What happened?! how did he become such a creature? The thoughts had been plaguing Sarren's mind for a week, since he received the letter. His sources say the creatures march is slow and its final destination is not known. He wished to leave sooner but to rush blindly after his former commander would be rash indeed. But finally he was ready.

---

His Journey into Reton went off without much hassle. it had been a number of years since the events of the rebellion. things had calmed down, at least on the ground level. Keeping well covered to avoid his face being recognized. The powerful mage made it to the closest Teleport circle in Reton and used it on his own power to get to Covania in a flash. Like a man on a mission he didn't stop he marched right on.
What would he even do when he reached Zyllis? he couldn't bring him back. talk to him? could he even speak in this form? he shook the questions from his mind and pressed on.
Then he stopped.
A new thought popped into his head. His other comrades. the ones laid to rest at Lily Vale Cemetery. He hadn't seen them since the exile. The moment of hesitation was quickly quashed as he turned around and headed towards his comrades.

---

The Elderly Grave keeper was busy tending to the gardens when the tall cloaked figure approached. Robert knew strait away this wasn't a normal visitor, he had seen and heard enough in his years to know the difference between the mundane and extraordinary. He stood up giving a big strech. though just into his late 80's, he seemed rather well kept and in shape if not for the stink of booze and eyes that had seen too much, tired and worn out, longing for something lost. however determined as if a breath of new life had entered his soul recently. Robert instinctively checked to see if his hand axe was ready, tapping the ivory hilt on his belt.

The wind had picked up, the two stood their for a moment in silence. Robert broke the ice greeting Sarren who returned with a silent hand greeting.
Sarren peered over the graves and saw a familiar sight. The Blinding Spear Sarren rushed over in panick. How was it here? this weapon was always supposed to be by Zyllis's side. It had been hear a while it seems, Plant growth had attempted to claim it but the blade remains as sharp and gleaming as the day it was forged by the giants of Nabilhime.

Robert left Sarren alone, packing up for the day. Looking to the Horizon, A relapse in faith caused by a desperate longing. He spoke a silent prayer to a god he no longer followed, Asking Tyr to watch over his daughter and bring her home safe.

Sarren fell to his knees at the graves, Suddenly he felt the situation was far more dire than originally thought. He looked over the grave stones, Kivlar, Rozie, Bryn, Grit and of course Seril The names echoed in his mind as if they were happy to be remembered. Time seemed to slow down as his mind fell into deep thought. Sitting for a moment to rack his mind for information. pulling out his journal and going back to the early pages. What does it all mean? He thought.
He gets to when Zyllis told him of Exilis, the events that transpired, Even further back to the fall of Nabilhime and Zyllis's origins. The ruins of Nabilhime are in the fiery borderlands. is that where he is going?

Eventually he realized he was burning time. time he didn't have. he got up with a pounce ready to march off but before he did he gave the spear one last look, He wouldn't be ale to wield such a weapon. it was better left watching over its comrades.

Night was breaching the sky as Sarren reached the norther gate. Traveling at night was not ideal but he was in a race agaisnt time. he was refreshed and an elf sleep wasn't the problem it was whatever was waiting for him. he felt he was strong enough for any bandit or desert beast but it would be time spent dealing with foes, if he had a band then the fighting would be quicker. ah but how to find such a group at this time of night on such short notice.
Then suddenly.
As if a yellow angel had herd his mind's plea. A very tall and curvatons blue and yellow Aarackocra literally came singing into view.
Oh Oghma, That is one large bird.
A bit stunned at the sight as she skipped towards the gate, supplies in hand looking like she was also ready for a long journey. Sarren pulled himself together and waved her down.

She paused mid skip and looked at him puzzled. “uhhhh?' she watched him confused. “Yeeaas?”
Sarren quickly pulled out his pen and began writing words in the air .
Hello Madam, sorry to disturb you this fine evening but i have a very forward and brash request. I am heading north the the fiery borderlands and was wondering if you were heading the same way, could we accompany each other in an effort to lessen the threat of the road?
There was a long pause. This will never work He thought to himself, The pause got longer as the Aaracokra just stared, blinking occasionally. it was getting awkward and Sarren was very close to waving to make sure she was paying attention. then she replied.
“Yeah! okay! sounds fun. I do enjoy Company”

The two set off after a brief introduction. “Sarren? The high elf, Sounds very official, you are dressed quite fancy too. and your a mute? loose your tounge? cursed? cursed…ah I see.” She coughed a little then began the try and mimic a high strung politician. “I am Ozrelia, Hierophant, Aarakocra, great singer am hopefully soon a well known name in these lands. I came here from Griaca just (TIME TO FIT TIME LINE) and have plans to get to Oxtrad.”

Ozrelia talked a lot, like a lot. Sarren seemed happy to just listen. her upbeat chatter was drowning out the negative thoughts and her perky bubbly attitude really brought a bit of sunshine into the past week of gloom.
It seemed Ozrelia also required minimal sleep. Sarren learned just how powerful a Druid she really was. he couldn't believe that this spirited young bird lady was such a powerhouse of a mage. He made notes in his journal about how she channels her magic. Drudic was not unknown to Sarren but he had never met a druid with such in-depth knowledge on their craft.

They stopped for a meal where Ozrelia made Sarren some mushroom stew. it was delicious ad hearty. he felt like he could run all day on just the bowl. when he asked for the recipe she declined “Its a secret dummy”
They took a short rest before continuing on their march.

Ozrelia asked Sarren a question. “SO what's got you out here, marching through the night in the desert, asking strangers for protection. it seems like your in a hurry.” Sarren thought to himself for a moment, starting to write down a response but was interrupted.
“your gold or your life!” a group of bandits strutted out from behind a rock blocking their path.

Sarren had not experienced combat for a few years but with his heart pumping and his mind racing from the mission he was on it was like he was back on the battle field.
So close to where he fought in the war over 90 years ago the scene around him changed. He herd the roar of armies clashing. the ring of steel on steel. The flash and bang of arcane being weaponized to kill. the screams of lost life, Snuffed out for someone else's purpose.
Traveling through the desert on a cold night became a horrid memory rearing is ugly unwelcome head. He found himself frozen, unable to command his body. His vision blurry, he heard the muffled shouts, of soldiers, of the enemy, of the blood soaked sand.
His breathing quicken, he felt faint, sweat, shaking, panic, loosing his balance struggling to keep upright.

He felt a clasp on his shoulder, His name? muffled. “Sarren! Sarren!” it was becoming louder in his head. he regained a bit of focus and saw his commander, Zyllis, as he was in that battle. His face concerned for Sarren's wellbeing, but confident. Zyllis wouldn't let him die here. not in this godforsaken place. a wash of relief knowing Zyllis was here to fight along side, as the panic washed away, his mindscape relented. the scene disappeared returning to the mostly empty moonlit desert. In Zyllis's place was the Yellow Aaracokra, Ozrelia.
“Sarren?! Sarren?! common buddy! snap out of it!” She shook his shoulder seeing his eyes begin to focus on her again. “AH jeeze cool, You back? had a little moment their hey?”

Sarren almost let a word out but caught his lip, Instead nodding.

In the end the bandits where blown away. Though Sarren showed restraint his companion did not. Being on equal levels of Arcane power the thirty odd bandits fell in moments. Ozrelia ravaged their continuity with necrotic fungus turning them into rotting homes for new life, Even turning some of those corpses against their former friends. her confidence and sense of superiority on full display as she belittled the bandits at every possible opportunity. Some were strangled, others vaporized. she filled their lungs with spores and rend flesh from bone with Wild-Shape magic Sarren had not seen before.
Sarren's approaches was much more dignified. ending life quickly or simply restraining his foes. in all some were allowed to escape on Sarren's behalf, Stopping his companion from annihilating the lot of them.

“Your alot less fun than I thought” Ozrelia pouted, like a spoiled child being denied her toys.
Part of Sarren was a bit mortified how such a…pretty creature would lack so much empathy, to not only take life but play with it so casually. Could a druid really follow that type of twisted moral code? Though their journey so far she has been a joy to travel with and it was a bit late to rearrange the plans. Onward.

The pair didn't bother looting and instead dusted themselves off and continued on their march. Ozrellia went back to talking about various things and it put Sarren at ease. being able to listen to her ramblings was soothing and even a little endearing.
He would occasionally ask her questions about some of the topics she mentioned. She spoke a lot of the Underdark and a species of people known as Myconiod Sarren had only ever read small bits of information about them and it seemed Ozrelia was an expert. Sarren spent the better part of a few hours asking her constant silent questions, Eventually stopping for rest where they continued the learning session in more detail. The High Elf writing everything down in his journal.

the two of them slowly changed topics to be a bit more personal. the turns tabled as Ozrelia was now asking the majority of questions, Asking about his life and his current areas. what he enjoyed what he disliked. The Aaracokra cooked up some more of that mushroom stew.
The cold night seemed non-existent to the pair. Despite her display earlier Ozrelia seemed to be a ball of sunshine, something about her energy seemed to calm the area and warm it up.
The topic of why he didn't speak came up. Though reluctant he gave a brief summery of what happened, leaving out key personal details. he silently spoke of his time as a soldier, his time as an advisor and eventually what he was doing now.

Ozrelia leaned over a bit closer to Sarren as he told these stories, each one seemed to drag his mood down a little more.
“You really have been through a lot huh? it sounds like you haven't had a chance to relax for a loooooong time. and when it looks like you finally might fall into a calm time this happens…” Ozrelia's voice was kind and gentle, Truly sincere words spoken.
Sarren looked up to meet her gaze, large blue eyes reflecting the desert's night sky. he let out a long sigh.

there was a long silence between the two as they watched the stars twinkle and the sand occasionally move with a lizard or bug crawling through. eventually broken by Ozrelia once again.
“Sarren..I..uhh.hmmm I know we have really only known each other for a few days but….ehh..maybe its because of all the high emotions running but I feel…I would like to help. at least try to help”
Sarren smiled sarcastically.
“No really!” Ozrelia snapped. “Look I known you know power, And Hag magic isn't far off Druids magic. I have been researching the crosses between these two for a long time and I reckon, with enough time and resources I may be able to….free you from it? perhaps?”
There was another long pause, Sarren's mind was filled with hope and doubt, fighting each other in a bloody battle. Eventually Ozrelia's voice broke the silence again.
“Have you tried screaming?”
Sarren looked at her puzzled.
“Well… Hag's although can be crafty their words and deals are always true to what they say, But also up to interpretation. A devil's deal is normally stipulated in contact but a Hag you could argue the terms. soooooo, A scream, moan or cry are not coherent words right? like would a cough or a sneeze count? I surly doubt that so why would a scream?!”
Sarren thought about the logic, he had defiantly coughed, sneezed, yawned and burped farm more than 100 times since the deal was made. after a bit of debate he nodded.

Ozrelia helped him up. “Alright, so just scream into the sky, get all that frustration and sadness out. like this” Ozrelia took a few steps out then let out an avian screech into the night sky. it was loud and a bit ear pericing but that's what its supposed to be. Her feathers es floofed up a bit as she shook herself down. “ahhh sometimes its just good. now you go”
She stood to the side as Sarren stepped up. still feeling a bit silly. Shuffling in place for a moment and turning back to see Ozrelia gesturing him to go for it.
“ahh..ahhhh” Sarren let out a short loud scream looking back to Ozrelia for validation.
“Pfft no, put more comfy, think about the war, think about the horrid people you have worked for. your friends who have passed. your wife. and how you have not been able to express yourself fully then LET IT OUT”
The thoughts flashing in Sarren's mind like a horrible slide show, he felt his anger and frustration building until eventually his throat gave way to it letting out a scream like none he thought capable “AhhhhhhhhhHAHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”
It seemed like the desert was silent for a moment. And Sarren wasn't done as he threw his arms up to the heavens and screamed to the sky again, and again. falling to his knees he screamed louder and louder until his voice cracked, strained so intensely after hardly ever being used he began coughing intensely. catching his breath the anger had left and gave way to a crushing sadness as tears began to well in his eyes. He herd Ozrelia rush over and embrace him in warm feathers. soft and warm she pulled him in for a tight hug as his resolve broke down and his muffled sobbing filled Ozrelia's chest.

She gently stroked his head letting him deal with his emotions. soon her soft singing filled Sarren's ears.
Thank yooooou
For all that you arrreee
Its all that I wannnnt-ed
Ever since i~, Found you
by the end of the worrrld.

Don't blame yourself,
If its true, I won't leave, Never will I goooooo
all I wanted was youuuu
At the end of the worrrld.

Its rare for elves to sleep let alone dream but for those few hours in the moon filled desert on Ozrelia's lap Sarren slept, Dreams of his life before it all happened. His life had been dictated by the deal he made, The life he had lived because of that deal. would he have changed the deal if he saw the rest of his life laid out Infront of him?
He saw his wife Aradoris before him, Looking just as the day Sarren lost her. she gave him a gentle smile. He reached out but she vanished in a wisp of smoke. a few tears fell from his eyes as he gathered himself and continued to walk around the dreamscape. until a new figure appeared before him, One he did not recognize.

A woman with Bright blonde hair dressed in similar attire to other members of Blinding Spear. One pitch black eye while the other was golden and surrounded by similarly golden runes that ran down her face and bellow her outfit. Her presence was stalwart, Inspiring, Like golden sunshine. Tall and well defined, a smug smile of heroic power or arrogance.
She wielded two swords, These Sarren recognized as swords of Greyhawk
Sarren seemed to have no idea then like a flash he knew who this was, The founding member of Blinding Spear. before he could say anything.
“Ah! uh uh, your words are limited, let me speak, I just wanted to see you and tell you. Please put my Zyllis to rest. he is almost gone. It would be nice if he died with honour at the hands of a friend.”

Suddenly he was pulled back with great force and awoke, sitting up in a hurry.
It had only been a few hours it seemed, The moon had moved slightly. Sarren looked at Ozrelia who was caught in surprise. She took a moment before speaking. “Ready to go sleepy head?”

The next few days of travel went by uneventfully, Ozrelia's lack of restraint made short work of any would be threat and Sarren's urgency made things swift. Ozrelia told Sarren she had plans to travel to Oxtrad, Saying her Niece was visiting for a few months and she had to get the place tidy.
Eventually as the pair approached the base of the fiery borderlands they parted ways. Sarren had found a trail of otherworldly goop leading deep into the mountains while OZrelia took flight to make next leg of the journey simple. She told Sarren to come visit her when he was done his adventure she would have tea and treats ready.

The light of the sun was blocked by the high peaks of the mountains, Silence filled Sarren's ears. Only now realizing how much Ozrelia's chatting eased his mind, now left to fester his heart had started to race.

A few hours into the mountains he found the trail lead to a cave. the puddles of purple getting more and more fresh showing he was catching up. He braced his resolve before plunging into the darkness, using a silent spell to create a source of light.
The cave began as normal but as he went deeper it became more evident it had been made by something, not natural.
The deeper he went the more his head started to ache, as if something was gently knocking, testing his mental prowess.
it was something alien
Not of this world
The situation becoming more grim in Sarren's mind, something he was not prepared for. His mind scoured his knowledge, A Beholder? Illithid? no it was something else perhaps. Something old.
as his headache was reaching its peak Sarren caught a glimpse of something he could not face.

The cave gave way to a large opening filled with the strange purple goop, though it writhed with infectious life. Sarren caught images of humanoids within the mass, groaning and calling for help. Sarren's breath quickened as his eyes darted around the room.
There in the middle, the living flesh had congealed into some sort of doorway, limbs and faces struggled in the formation, A portal? in the middle was a dragon, though what was a dragon, the purple infection had claimed it and ravaged its body, strung up with fleshy sinew like a spiderweb, hung like a sacrifice.
And their, approaching, was the beast Zyllis had become. His eyes narrowed as his mind became focused for a moment, The situation unclear but he knew all he needed, this was no moment to hesitate. He pulled out his spell book as the pages flu in a furry.
His arcane power swelled in a storm of fire, an Inferno of destruction something in his arsenal to cause utter devastation, Meteor Swarm.

In a single moment everything went quiet, The bright light of arcane energy being weaved into physical form filled the cave, White hot fire rained from the sky tearing through the mountains to reach its destination as Sarren shouted, screamed a word so loud that his lungs begged for respite. “ZYLLLLISSSSSSSSSSS!!”

As the Meteor swarm hit ground Zero the quiet was replaced by violet devastation. It had been over 80 years since these mountains had experienced such a ferocious noise, For these brief moments its like the war had never stopped. As white flames tore through the mountains like drills and obliterated Sarren's target. the force blew Sarren off his feet back into the entrance tunnel as his vision was filled with burning heat and blinding light.

Ringing in his ears as the world was bathed in fire and rubble. It took a moment for him to return to his feet. Learning he had injured his leg badly when trying to put weight on it. He crawled over the rocks, the cave had been lit up by sunlight as Sarren's spell had carved a vertical tunnel during its decent. There was smoke and fire but Sarren saw the figure of Zyllis standing tall, an Evil black blade drawn in a defensive stance. His heart dropped. It wasn't enough?!
But as the smoke cleared it became apparent. Zyllis was no more. A massive chunk of his body had been blown away, including the crystal that was in his chest, shattered. the left side of his head all the way to his hip was completely missing as his flesh writhed in the white flames. His artificial body motionless, as still as death.

Sarren entered the main room to see much of the infection had also been burned away. Zyllis's body began to crumble, loosing its form, falling in sludge and puddles, exposing the metal skeleton beneath. then it spoke. “Sarren…Th Thank…y..ou”
As his body fell.
Sarren let out a breath as if he had been holding it for days. falling to his knees as relief and sadness began to wash over him.

His Head started pounding again, Unbearable he cried out in pain as it felt like a piercing lance was railing through his brain. he looked up to see smoke thinning, revealing the doorway of flesh remained, the dragon still strung up. How?! Impossible?!
Sarren forced himself to ready a new spell but the assault on his mind only increased paralyzing him in pain.
The flesh begin to drag Zyllis's remains into the doorway and it all began to fold in on itself, condensing into a smaller and smaller pile, Pulsing with waves of psychic energy as Sarren screamed in agony.
Then the sphere began to grow and take shape. twisting as limbs and claws sprouted, Eyes, a maw.

A reptile like creature, Alien like, Pink and purple flesh, its underbelly swirled like a lava lamp, Its wings like gigantic clawed hands with eyes in its palms, four eyes on its head with two antenna like appendages sporting another set of eyes, A long tail, claws and a feminine body shape. It was huge, as big as an adult dragon. It seemed to struggle to move as if it had just been born.
Sarren was powerless to do anything but watch as he felt his skull would split at any moment, Desperately holding it together.

When the creature gained its compositor it stood upright before Sarren, His mind was spared the assault as he gasped for air, the pain stopped almost instantly he flailed on the ground trying to pull himself together.
Standing up slowly against this creature. its tail whipping back and forth its eyes locked on him as the other eyes on its body scanned the room.

Sarren catching his breath, he was a bit beaten up but only down one 9th level spell slot. he deduced that Zyllis had taken the brunt of his spell to protect the doorway. There are not many things that can survive something that powerful.
He checked the creature, its body seemed soft and it was levitating above the ground. no time to hesitate longer, he readied his spell book once again ready to strike but through the motion he found his body frozen. Panic.

then he heard a woman's and a man's voice in his mind speaking in unison Telepathy. “Quite the violet creature aren't we?”
Sarren's panic increased. That pain on his mind from before must have been the creature breaching it, its been able to read every though he has had since it arrived. Sarren responded with telepathy.
“You, Whatever you are, should not be here, Your presence alone. Every fibre of my body is screaming to kill you”
Sarren felt his body become weightless as an invisible force restrained him and lifted him off the ground to the creature's face.
“Why dose it not speak?” Sarren herd in his mind, responding.
“Is it not polite to use the guest's native language?”
The creature's eyes narrowed. “Yet you speak of the desire to destroy me? A curious thought, but its obvious when mortals LIE.”
the force on Sarren increased crushing him for a moment pain shot through his body.

The creature looked to the sky, Sarren had to think, but this think could read its thoughts. Mind Blank! he channelled his arcane energy and cast it upon himself, feeling the pressure ease from his mind. The creature turned to him all of its eyes focused now.
“Interesting, quite the powerful wielder of arcane power you are, its obvious you are not here by mistake.”
Sarren caught a bit off guard but he figured that Telepathy was not a harmful effect so his spell allowed it through. he responded “Thank you but I am afraid flattery will not help.”
Sarren cast Freedom of Movement to escape the force he was in and followed up with Blade of Disaster. Flicking a wrist the blade swung at the creature, Slicing through its flesh it screamed out in pain with an unholy roar. It reacted as Sarren felt his body become weightless once again but be flung into the sky at terminal velocity.
Looking down he saw the creature chasing him down, If this kept up he would be in serious trouble, He was already out of range of his blade it wouldn't catch up, Opting for something simpler he launched a fire ball at the creature, It bring its wings up to brace the impact and seemed unfazed after the smoke cleared.
Suddenly Sarren felt his whole body shatter as his ascent came to a sudden violet stop, a wall of force or something similar had appeared above him and he hit it at terminal velocity, his body went into system shock as he felt everything going dark.

Sarren came to on the ground in the creatures physical claws. his arms and legs hurt bad and many broken bones, but he lived for the moment and could move somewhat.
He heard the creatures voice once again “Powerful you may be, but mortals are fragile, You will be my first meal in this plane.” The creatures head opened up to reveal tendrils and teeth as they began to grip . Sarren was scared but also content, he would die here not being able to do enough, Yet as the maw came close his primal mind searched for ways out.

Could he? he was dead either way, A gamble? the words of Aradoris rung in his head. “Gambling? I have never done it, I feel like you should only gamble when you have already lost, then you can only go up right?”
Sarren took a deep breath and began shouting words he always wanted to say.
“I am Sarren Luhana”
“I am sorry I failed you Aradoris, I Love you ”

With that final word he herd a Cackling, A voice he had never hoped to hear again. The creature pulled him back out of its Maw as Sarren herd its voices again, “Ah, something different is coming, something twisted and foul.”

The Crone from the Gatiby Jungle, An evil looking woman seemingly stepped right out of a children's fairytale. Green skin, crocked nose, Deep sunken eyes with jiggered cheeks and chin. out of no where she flu in on what seemed to be a giant pot lid wielding a twisted staff with the head of a humanoid upon the tip. Dressed in white ragged robes and long unkept white hair. Here laughs chilled the bone as she slowly circled the beast and Sarren, Beaten and broken in the creature's claws.
“Heheheeee Its been some time, Sarren Luhana,” The Hag creaked “Used up the last of your words, I see it was not lightly” As the hag looked to the pink and purple creature, The eyes on its wings focused the new arrival while the one on its face remained on Sarren. The voices rang in both Sarren and the Hag's minds.
“A companion of yours mortal? a last ditch effor perhaps? this being does not seem like the one to call upon in a desperate hour”
The Crone stopped its motion. “Ohh, Telepathic are we? its quite an odd creature you have found my dear Sarren, Well don't be rude boy, Introduce us.”

Sarren was only holding onto conscious through adrenaline, He was about to speak in mind but then realized, He missed his voice.
“Y yes…q quite rude” he struggled with words being so injured. “Elie Toerot, Meet…..Livion….a being my commander fought against from a distance dimension…..Livion, Meet Elie Toerot, The Hag I sacrificed my words too several hundred years ago.”

There was a moment of silence before Livion's voices echoed in the minds again. “I see, Sarren, You have put forth a Gamble, In an effort to save your own life you have brought forth another who would take it, So that we may fight….cleaver”
The Hag Elie frowned. “You would really play such a dirty trick Sarren? and here i thought you were a good boy, No Matter, Dispose of the freak then I will take your soul Sarren as per our deal”

Livion dropped Sarren to the ground as she stepped forward in a display of intimidation. “Though this was the mortal's plan, I believe I will fall into line, Your Aura sickens me and I intent to devour Sarren body and Soul…Alive!”

There was a momentary stand off as the two beings glared each other down a few silent minuets passed until the Crone made the first move, Launching a barrage of sickly green magic missiles with a cocky cackle, Pelting Livion with great toxic force, landing on an invisible barrier before finding their mark. A sinister roar was let loose from Livion as it lunged forward to strike Elie.

Sarren wasted no time, beginning to crawl away from the fight. He had just got to get a bit away then he could teleport to safety, His legs were in ruin unable to move let alone carry him, but his arms although screaming in pain still functioned.

The Two tyrants took to the skies launching arcane and Psionic energy at each other. The hag Elie on the backfoot early into the fight, Not having fought psionic energy on this magnitude before. Constantly backing up and launching more and more twisted spells in Livion's direction, Exploding toads, Constricting snakes and screaming heads. The snakes managed to constrict around Livion's wings halting her flight but not making her fall. She struggled tearing the snakes off her body suffering a few bites, Alas the snakes that did manage to land a bite were subject to the virus. as their bodies almost instantly writhed in a purple pink mass mutating and falling to the ground dead.
“That's not fair” Elie grumbled as she launched another barrage of exploding toads.

Livion was having trouble pinning the hag down, Her twisted form resistant to her mind attacks and something prevented her from being held in place by force. Shooting off Psionic lances just to have them miss was frustrating. Livion focused her minds then let loose a titanic mind blast similar to an Illithids but much grander in scale and power. In found its mark as Elie cried out in pain, feeling her skull threaten to split open, knocking her off balance, off her giant pot lid. She tumbled down though the sky, being struck by piercing psionic lances as she did, one, two, Three as the fourth went wide, The pain managed to shake Elie of her daze and she let out a loud whistle, Calling the lid to catch her and make distance, It didn't last long as a wave of psionic force chased down Elie and blasted her clean out of the sky, Not far above the ground at this point but moving quick she tumbled through the rocky sand quite a distance before coming to a halt. Groaning in pain as her vision focused on the creature slowly walking towards her.
“Hehehe, It seems I may have bitten off more than I can chew then. All for a measly elf soul that I have been waiting a few hundred years forrr, And now I'm going to die for it?! talk about a lousy deal”

Sarren had managed to break line of sight finding a few large rocks to crawl behind. it was here he started the process of marking out a teleportation circle. Using a few spells to heal his broken body, it wasn't perfect but he could walk again.
Plans fighting in his mind, He must stay and stop this creature, he must flee and get help. He was exiled not supposed to be in this country, He couldn't face this creature alone. Do he dare join forces with the Hag?!
He kept looking back to see how the fight was going, Catching the Hag being knocked out of the sky and cornered. his window was running out. He continued to work on the teleport circle, panicked, unable to commit to an idea.

A wicked smile crossed the Hag's face as she chanted some twisted incantation. Pulling herself up from the ground waving her staff before plunging it into the ground, Cracks formed from her position as wooden green ghoul fetishes rose from the openings, Like undead rising form their graves.
“I invited some guests you monster, hope you like crowds!” As her cackling crossed the landscape the ghouls charged Livion, Pouncing, clawing and biting into her flesh. She cried out in pain, a low alien screech unlike anything Sarren has herd. Livion battled with the ghouls, crashing them with psionic energy or launching them far away, but the swarm was intense and began to overwhelm her.
The hag didn't let up either, bombarding the alien creature with more exploding toads and other twisted spells. A small hint of hope found its way into Sarren's mind.

Livion was getting visibly more angry as her attacks became wild and ferocious, The swarm of Fetish ghouls force her down and back but her power was astounding, Livion roared as her claw wings stretched out and linked up Infront of her. Sarren's eyes wet wide in horror. “Its Preparing an attack! watch out!” he shouted. The hag looked in his direction with a puzzled look, Shouting back.
“what do you mea-”
Cut off as a bean of pure compresses psionic energy ripped through the mass of ghouls and the hag, It sounding like the loudest nails on a chalkboard you could imagine as Sarren's brain started to sting. his ears bled as the attack eviscerated everything in a straight line, tearing through rock, trees and the landscape, stretching off into the distance with incredible, terrifying range.

Once the noise had stopped Sarren was able to inspect the situation. a perfectly carved cylindrical area were the Hag had been was carved through the land, as if it had been simply removed from the world. Panic began to set in once again as he turned to see the creature, It seemed to be recovering, such a attack must cause some need for respite. Sarren turned to his teleport circle and finished it with haste.
“Come on come on, calm down focus,” Almost as soon as the runes were complete he dropped the chalk and slapped the circle shouting the incantation. The symbols began to glow and he felt the arcane energy swirl, Relief began to sweep over him until the glow began to die and the energy stopped.
The spell had failed.

He slapped the circle aging repeating the incantation, it did the same thing but less intense. he kept going again and again until it didn't respond at all.
He Stood up, feeling fear. He hadn't felt fear in a long time, not like this. The creeping dread of the situation making itself clear. After so much has happened he was finally free only for it to be snuffed out. his hands started to shake, He knew the creature was behind him. Sarren could still fight but he knew his power was not enough.

He turned slowly to face the creature, It stood about thirty feet away just eyeing down Sarren. Its body had several small wounds, bite and claw marks, Seemingly healing rapidly right before him.
The fear started to subside, As he thought over his life up to this point, Waves of denial would look for a way out but he knew there was little that can be done.
“I never thought it would end like this, Back on the war grounds against a something like you” he smirked at the irony.
“Its Poetic that the war grounds have taken more of Blinding spear, so many years apart”

The creature seemed to change its stance. Something Sarren said? Or something he thought? He was no longer under the protection of Mind Blank his thoughts on broadcast to Livion.
He herd the familiar voices in his head.
“Ah yes, ‘Blinding Spear’ We knew it was familiar.”
Livion took a few steps forward but Sarren did not falter.
“We have met your kind before, At the edge of the Abyssal lake. One came first seeking power, others followed seeking revenge. It was told to us unwillingly by the one who opened the doorway.”

In any other situation Sarren might have been intrigued but staring down honest death he was simply hoping the end would be quick.
“So what now!?” He barked in frustration.

Livion took a few more steps closer “now? We shall partake, our first feast in the mortal plane. Sarren, you should be honored.”
He looked up at the massive alien creature just like before its head pealed open to reveal a jaw that parted in two and countless teeth and tendrils writing in a pink purple fleshy maw. Primal instinct kicked in as his body began to move on its own, attempting to flee but he only got a few steps before he felt a sharp pain in his side and his body went limp.
The creatures tail had whipped around and stung him with some sort of venom, completely paralyzing his body. He then felt the same invisible force grip his body and hoist him into the air, above the creature’s head.

Unable to blink or look away, finding himself in a scene right out of a horror movie. He felt things start to go foggy, Perhaps the venom or just the fact his mind couldn't handle the reality he was about to be lunch.
Tendrils in the maw lashed out and gripped Sarren, Wrapping around tightly, They squelched with soft deep purple flesh, wet with bodily fluid. His breathing slowed. He expected this to be mortifying but his body was somewhat relaxed. his mind foggy as if drunk. even the smell of the creatures innards was like a strong exotic perfume. like the strongest lavender and wine you could think. it wasn't a good smell but not a bad smell either.
Then without warning everything went dark as he was pulled in, down Livion's throat and into the guts of her body.
Sarren's drunk mind was filled with gentle whispers. voices of others, Welcoming, empathetic, telling him to sleep now. He didn't understand what was happening, the place he found himself in was soft and squishy, wet with fluid and writhed like living flesh. He felt the world slipping away as his body and soul were consumed by the personified virus Livion.

Sarren didn't know how long it had been. but brought out from his virus dream, A familiar voice. “Sarren!?…Sarren?! my Dear please! wake up you can't Stay here!”
He recognized Aradoris voice. he looked around “W Where are you?!” His body trapped in purple pink writhing flesh. he pulled against it feeling movement. then he saw his long lost wife pierce the darkness, a Ghostly golden abirritation of her. Her hand stretched out. He reached to grab it, Desperate, pleading. “Closer! Almost!”
With an almighty yank Sarren was pulled free and the two shot up through the sky. Sarren was completely out of it for a moment before putting together what happened.

Sarren's Soul freed, him and Aradoris embraced in a bitter sweet reunion before returning to the ether.

“Soo..I am Dead?” Sarren questioned.
Aradoris nodded holding him close. “Yes my dear,”

Less than a week later The nation of Greyhawk herd the news of Sarren's death. Details were unclear but the destruction at the Borderlands was immense. Divination confirms Sarren's death and unable to locate his body.
A trope of Covanian soldiers arrived on the scene soon after Sarren was devoured. Describing a alien like creature of purple and pink. It teleported away in a twist of space, The mage in the trope tried to counter spell it but it turns out the teleportation was not Arcane in nature.
They found much decaying organic flesh but it was far too decayed to get any relevant information from.

The black blade wielded by Zyllis was no where to be found, and with the only witnesses to the blade being dead there was nothing for others to serch for.

Investigation of the area revealed several personal items belongings to Sarren, his journal and Spellbook the biggest clue, but no body was found. An un-used but functioning teleportation circle was found as well. the Soldiers of Covania returned the items to Greyhawk in the week after investigation. Asking Questions on what the Wizard was doing so deep in Covanian territory.
Greyhawk officials publicly said they had little idea of Sarren was doing, only he said he was going on a trip.
Unofficially? who knows.

Sarren's Death comes as a great shock to many of Greyhawk's veterans who fought along side or worked along side the elf in years past.
Later the remaining members of Blinding Spear hear the news not only of Sarren's death but also of Zyllis's official demise.

At the moment of Zyllis's Death far off in Lilyvale Cemetery the Keeper witnessed as the Blindig Spear flashed before rapidly loosing is gleam and hue, becoming encased in rough stone. It would be may months later but Lilyvale Cemetery would receive two more grave stones right along side the other members of blinding spear.
Remains, brought by a Harengon woman and an Elven Lady who only said they knew the deceased back in wartime. The little remains were buried and headstones carved with the help of the Cemeteries keeper.
Here lies Zyllis, And here lies Sarren.

Many years later it would be Oxtrad's officials that hear of unsettling disturbances within the Underdark. and not long after that…
a group of five Illithids walk right into the Capital of Covania, Blatantly right through the main gate in broad daylight. Swiftly surrounded the Illithids fall to their knees and beg.
“Overworld Mortals, We are at our limits, we are in desperate need of help. Save us from a terrifying Virus.”

Begins