Attack of the Cenobite

More chains burst out of everything, out of the walls. They twined around everything, until all of reality was a twisting, shrieking morass of chains and thick dust. The chains wrapped around Exotica and Mary too, lifting them up into the air. Baal'zumel roared his impotent, bestial rage as the chains strangled him in midair, as the Priest hovered before him, laughing.

"He comes!" the Priest grinned. "Cenobite, Eibon's angel he's found the Path! Though incomplete, it shall be enough. Come, Cenobite! Purge this tainted castle of its darkness!"

High above where the sky would have been, Exotica suddenly saw an enormous orange glow, coming closer and closer, growing brighter and brighter. Exotica could already feel the heat that it generated, and sweat beaded on her skin. "Priest!" she yelled. "That thing will kill us all! Was that your intent all along?"

"Of course, Princess. But there is nothing to fear. To be consumed by the Cenobite is but to be a midafternoon lunch for the Gods. Can you not feel his holy, devouring flame?!"

"If it will destroy the Shoggoth and free our world, then I am not afraid. But Father... and all these others," Exotica said in tears. "Was there no other way?"

"You bastard!" Mary shrieked. "I won't let you hurt the Princess!"

The chains around the handmaiden suddenly burst off, as did her clothes. An orange glow surrounded her naked body.

"Impossible!" the Priest of Eibon glared. "A true descendant of Eibon?! Who is this girl?!"

"I will not let you hurt the Princess," Mary glared back. And with that she shot up, up toward the Cenobite. There was an explosion of bright light, broiling heat and then nothing.

Exotica's eyes slowly flickered open.

She was laying in a tent lit by a small lantern. Stars shone in the midnight sky overhead.

Someone was sitting beside her in the tent. Exotica gasped.

"You're finally awake," Exeter said with relief. "Sweet sister, I had feared you were gone to us..."

"Oh, Exeter!" Exotica sobbed, flying out of bed to embrace him. She swooned, still unsteady on her feet. "Is it really you? Not a hellrider?"

"Easy, easy. Hellriders?" Exeter chuckled, hugging her. "You are not fully clothed. People could assume..."

"Let them assume," Exotica said, kissing him. She touched him, smelled his skin, ran her fingers through his hair, all to make sure he was real and not another illusion or demon. "But... oh! What happened? How long was I unconscious?"

"Ten days," Exeter said grimly. Exotica suddenly noticed that his thin, boyish face was covered with a stubble of beard, and dark circles hung around his eyes. "Much has occurred, too much in truth. You should eat and drink something first, to recover your strength."

"No, tell me! I must know... what happened to Mary? And the Priest? And Father's castle?"

"The castle is in ruins, sister, desolate ruins haunted by monstrous beings. The peasants reported seeing an enormous orange explosion above the castle ten days ago, and an ensuing rain of orange fire that destroyed the castle and much of the surrounding countryside. You were found in a church miles away, unconscious. Of your companions there was no report. I'm sorry."

"I see." Exotica whispered. "The entire world has gone mad, Exotica. This dark power's influence spreads everywhere. Hespan is embroiled in civil war, and our own land is shattered and desolate. There is not enough food and water. Bandit tribes and death cults spread like the plague, and some of the neighboring kingdoms - those not overrun by demons themselves - are preparing to invade, taking advantage of our weakness."

"They're all just puppets dancing on the Shoggoth's strings," Exotica said. "He must have survived the Cenobite's attack, somehow. Perhaps if Mary had not..."

"Shoggoth? Cenobite?"

"Exeter, we must help our people. They are all we have left. I was weak before, and foolish. Because of that, so many have died. I will not let that happen again!"

"Of course," Exeter nodded. "Together, we may still have a chance. The people adore you, Exotica. To know that you still live may give them renewed hope."

The tent flap suddenly swung open and Exotica shivered, seeing Martine's face. But that had only been an illusion, and this was the real Martine, looking just as tired as Exeter, but his eyes still full of lively good humor as always.

"Your Highness!" he said. "More death cults... oh, sorry! Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, please go on," Exotica said.

"Good to see you among the living, Princess," Martine smiled. "As I was saying, death cults. The remnants of the Eibon heresy are camped on the north river in vast numbers. They're dancing and chanting and lighting bonfires - and also dumping all their waste in the river. It'll be too filthy to even dare sip before long. I say its finally time to break them up for good!"

"Understood," Exeter nodded. "Exotica, I have to go. I'll be back as soon as possible, so hurry and get well, allright?"

1. "I can't let you do that!" Exotica protested. "And besides, I must see the followers of Eibon myself..."
2. "Allright... I guess I do feel a bit dizzy..."

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