Originally Posted by
grampagen
With the staff Bojack and the axe Piecemaker before him, Ochazuke watched the Forger put his all into his latest masterworks. The table before him was broad and strong, the Darkling's smithcraft keen, but to call this a forge would be to test the imagination, until the moment the Heka Flow manifest itself.
Another presence... Resonating with the small spark, the voice sang, and the clear memory of Cleos held by Banespell manifest beside them and formed the hearth for the craft, and his very life its bellows. Zaofan and Ochazuke watched him work in silence as the thin golden webbing of energy struck alight, carrying with it his final intention. When the deed was done, Zaofan cautiously took back his staff.
Its handling was exactly the same, for no real change seemed to have affected the katchin. Its balance remained, its length set, but somehow, some way, it felt a bit lighter.
The tool of the trade left to Ochazuke remained upon the table for a time, for the heir of Zxu'ro studied it at a distance.
He'd seen firsthand the graven idols of the Amdapout Magicians, the fonts of belief gathering the power of converts on Baradur, the bloody channels rent into Reshlan's Leylines by the Threshling faith that empowered Auroc. With Parsley beheld the captured legions of souls that had slaked the appetites of the Soul Meister, and from monsters and possessed kami, he'd destroyed the Parasites of Sakin. Astride in the rush of Genki from the Master's own technique, he too knew something of what it meant to hold the power of the multitudes upon a fixed point; for so small a thing, every single time the weight was crushing to bear.
"The ember remains, but whatever strength within it is subtle," he said, "when the moment comes to use it, how will we know?"
As Zaofan stirred the air with his staff, its potentiation subtle, Ochazuke saw the similar effect in Parsley's axe.
"A capability without a veneer, this suits you," he remarked, "No small thing to dismiss, carry it well."
With some reluctance, he then took the Forger's Hammer, studying the craft of the thing. As much as he would attempt to understand the Heka Flow but its momentary action, it was soon apparent its effects were not contingent on individual ability. A strength carried upon the faith of others...far too much for any one person. For as brilliant as his last act of creation was, the effects seemed to render itself on the Darkling.
"If it would save the universe, perhaps in this instance, you'd sought what he'd once had, those bound to oaths and sworn to fight. Placing your faith in strength, the bonds wouldn't matter, for you would pay with his very soul. We know that now, and soon, so shall the universe."
They'd seen what he'd done when he'd rediscovered purpose. No doubt Grinthorn knew this same quality when he'd cursed him. Fear destroyed his pride and dignity, and he would still sacrifice it without question.
"Even through the desire to do good, the Dragon will twist with his promises. If there would be anything to stand true against him and the Fallen One, it would be the bonds of the blood we've shed together."
He then turned to the Judge.
"Speak a word and make your peace," Ochazuke said, for the effects of Caladash Banespell's opus had begun to eat away with him. If he had any time left in this world, it would not be long.
"Ishtar...has chosen her Destroyer's path and the side of Sakin's fell covenant. While we have many allies within this universe, but how many are aware of what lies beyond in others?"
"With whoever remains of the Ulthan, we will discuss terms," he said to the Judge and Parsley both. "Seek them out."