Dawn Comes At Last

The War Room was still the same as it had been a year ago, when Exotica had last visited. The walls were decorated with animal furs and magnificent weapons such as two-handed swords, pike-axes and glaives. A roaring fireplace burned in one corner of the room, and a map - the most accurate map of their world ever made - was spread across a wide round table. At the table sat her father, King Emry, and some of his closest knights and advisors. Exotica recognized Arahim, the Court Mage, and Dredrik D'Honaire, the father of the Dragonslayer. Their faces seemed grim.

"Ah, you have come, my Daughter," said King Emry. "At last. Please, have a seat beside me, for I would have discourse with thee..."

"Very well, Father," Exotica said, sitting down. "What would you have me say?"

"Your Highness..." said Arahim. "Have you truly told us everything about what happened last night? Were there no little details you may have left out?"

"Aye, there could well be," Exotica said, glancing at Lord Dredrik, who scowled. "Such as I may have chosen not to share, but for the terror they would bring to our loyal subjects."

"The truth must come out!" Dredrik barked. "Tell me the truth! Was it... my son?"

Exotica lowered her head. "Aye, sire. I had not wanted to tell anyone. In truth, I did not recognize him at first in the dim light. And the words he spoke... he seemed a different person entirely. But there can be no doubt. My lord, this must be so hard for you to bear. You have already lost one son, and now..."

"Speak not of that man!" Dredrik roared, jumping out of his chair. "I have no sons! One, in exile. And now the other - an inhuman monster who defiled our sacred Quadrodome! If I could crush the life out of them both with my bare hands I would!"

"Please, sit down, Lord Dredrik," said the King. "We understand how you must feel. Believe me, no one blames you for the actions of your son. Arahim?"

"Yes, my liege," Arahim nodded. "I have done research on the events of last night, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are the work of a Shoggoth."

"A Shoggoth?" Exotica said.

"Aye," Arahim nodded. "Referred in the ancient texts as a Shoggothum Maleficarum, a dread creature that is just as dangerous as a Dragon, if not more so. The Shoggoth invade our world through the minds of humans, often entering at birth and slowly growing in power as the human reaches maturity. Then, they explode outward in a horror of tentacles and gore, overwhelming completely the minds of their host."

"So... that wasn't really my son?" Dredrik said with a glimmer of hope. "Can this process be reversed?"

"That, I do not know," said Arahim. "All we know for sure is what we learned of the survivors of last night's massacre. And for a certainty, the Shoggoth is headed to Hespan, surely to possess that nation's leaders and turn them to war against our Great Kingdom."

"They must be stopped!" Dredrik said. "Your Majesty, let me ride at once on a sweep of the Borderlands! I'll crush the life of this foul monster and relinquish its hold on my son! I'll ride all the way into Hespan if need be!"

"No," said King Emry. "We do not want to start a diplomatic incident. A single messenger should suffice to warn the Hespan King."

"If so, let me go Father," Exotica said.

"What?" Dredrik blinked.

"No, the Princess is correct," Arahim said. "Last night, she banished the Shoggoth from our castle with the power of the Lux Aeternam, an ancient form of Light Magic thought to be long gone from this world. She could well be the one best suited for confronting the Shoggoth."

"It pains me to send my daughter into mortal danger," said King Emry. "But it seems we have no choice."

"One more thing, your Majesty," said Arahim. "Let me head to the Caves, where Lord Frederigo was seen last."

"Surely. But why?" asked the King.

"Someone must find out whether the Dragon is dead or still alive. Someone must find out if there are more Shoggoths left. And also, if I could find the legendary Library of Belboz, I could surely learn more about this threat facing our world, and how to stop it."

"Very well," nodded the King. "Thus shall it be."

1. Follow Lord Dredrik D'Honaire on a sweep of the Borderlands.
2. Follow the Princess Exotica of Exultaine as she rides straight to the Hespan capital.
3. Follow the Court Mage, Arahim as he retraces Fred's steps into the Dragon's Lair.
4. Meanwhile, the Templar...

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