[X]Ask about the Dragon that Ends the World. What Direction is that in?
"The Dragon that Ends the World. Where is that? What Direction?"
You fold your arms, furrowing your brow. Is that Oramus? Or the Ebon Dragon? No, because Hunhow is in Creation, and the Yozi are in Malfeas. This is a Dragon in Creation. You rub the bridge of your nose and turn to Mara.
"What about the other servants? Does it know where they are?"
"No," Mara says, "Or at least, it's not compelled to say."
"Do you think the Ebon Dragon could compel an answer?"
Mara tches. "Grandfather could compel an answer, but would you trust an answer from him?"
"Fair point." You pace back and forth, pace around the circle. The rest of the group are inside- it is late, and this was a demonology thing so you left it in your and Mara's hands. "So where are they?"
"Sand, Earth, Water, Snow or Wood, shadow?"
We travel water.
(Int+Lore, 12 dice +6 autosuccesses, 13 successes)
Water? That implies West. Traveling through the West. The Dragon that Ends the World, in the West. What dragon could they mean?
Oh.
Oh dear. You have a very good idea what that means.
You turn to Mara. Elementals aren't your specialty, but you made it a point to study the summoning of Elementals with Peak. You did come across the concept of the Greater Elemental Dragons, and in particular one elemental dragon- one sleeping in the distant west.
"Oh gods."
The End Dragon. The Roll of Glorious Divinity in Yu Shan told the tale of four thousand years ago, when the Unconquered Sun bound a great beast beneath the West, appointing twelve hardened elementals to watch it until the day that civilization itself was no more. Then, it would rise and scour the land. From its wake, new growth would emerge, fresh and vibrant that neither death or chaos could find purchase upon.
"The Kukla."
Mara dismisses the Shadow. "That's bad. That's, 'Grandfather has an actual plan' bad."
You quickly nod. "Awakening the Kukla pretty much destroys Creation. From what Hunhow said, that's the plan. Thankfully, first he would have to get past the Kukla's twelve guardians."
"He's a Divine Minister infected with Void Cancer, who's apparently bound to a servant with Sidereal Martial Arts. That sounds like odds I wouldn't bet against."
You suck your teeth with a nod. "Okay. We need to figure out a plan."
You quickly told your Circle of what you figured out- Hunhow, or at least the part of him you stole the shadow of, was heading for the Kukla. The problem was, the Kukla's location was secret. Finding where it was would be one thing. Getting there in time, before Hunhow attempted to awaken it was another, and that wasn't counting what other plans he had in motion.
The skyship continues traveling westward- having entered Creation in the North, it begins to pass over Gethamane, heading towards Whitewall.
"So, options?"
"Send prayer missives to the Bureau of Seasons," Ray observes, "Explain the situation. They're in charge of elementals and they'd know where Kukla is."
You nod. "If we're passing Whitewall, we could pick up reinforcements. Matcha could be very helpful," Sky adds, "They do owe us favors for helping fix the city."
A brass, low cough. You turn, and see Autochthon has exited Elsewhere.
"If I may. I do believe we are near the Eye."
You blink. "Seriously?"
You stand up, and point to the map table. The encounter suit walks over, and points to a spot. A spot about fifty miles northwest of Whitewall.
"So that's where the Pearl Court was before Ray fucked them up," you observe, "Some other Raksha might've moved in."
"We could definitely use the Eye," Ray observes, "I mean, if we have to choose between using the Eye and letting the Kukla loose, it's not exactly a good choice, buuuut-"
"Why don't we ask Gaia?"
Everyone turns to Shell.
"I'm sorry?" you ask. Autochthon vanishes back into Elsewhere.
"Why don't we ask Gaia?" Shell repeats, "Isn't she in charge of all Elementals? Can't we ask her to make sure the Kukla doesn't wake up?"
Huh. That's a good point.
[ ]Find the Eye. You're close, it could be useful.
[ ]Pray to the Bureau of Seasons about the situation and see if they can send reinforcements or blessings, or possibly the location of the Kukla.
[ ]Pray to Gaia. Plus side: Best wealth of information. Negative side: You have Gaia's Attention.
[ ]Write in.
