That night at Twincrest

Vahl’a and Brielle order drinks at the bar counter. As they take a seat, fireworks start going off outside. Most of the customers in the tavern go outside to watch. The barkeep tries to keep as many customers as he can, but only the passed out drunkards, Vahl’a, Brielle and two other travelers remain inside.

???: Ow, c’mon, the night just barely started! You’re all gonna miss the main show!

Brielle: The main show starts in an hour.

???: No, not that. Pff, who cares, the announcement will be all over the place once it’s said. Y’a boy Tandrel here prepared something special just for tonight! Something only a small number have seen in their lifetime. A majestic being! I… can’t make it wait any longer. The effects of the elixir will wear out and!

Tandrel looks at a young lady sitting in the bar, and with his hands and mouth, motions as if imitating a bear. He yells out a roar that scares the girl, making her spill out a bit of beer on the counter.

Vahl’a: That sounds like a cheap trick for the drunks.

Brielle seems hypnotized by the story of this being. A man that is listening into the conversation gets closer to the group. He walks confidently while sipping on his beer. The man is wearing garments that hint of pirates or bandits, but his most noticeable feature is a pitch black arm. He looks at the girls and smirks, then takes a seat between Vahl’a and the other young lady. He starts speaking with a bit of a drunkard’s slur.

???: It looks like your friend here wants to take a look at this being. Actually, I heard it earlier myself, it sounds like a fearsome beast.

Vahl’a doesn’t seem convinced at the man’s words. But her interest changes when the man puts down 10 gold coins, and a single, shiny platinum coin down on the counter.

???: I think this can pay for a private viewing of this beast for me and these ladies… and a platinum piece if you let me fight it.

The man winks at Tandrel, who is more than willing to fulfill his request. He quickly sets aside a cup he was cleaning and goes over the front door to close up the tavern.

Tandrel: Why yes, yes of course. Sir, um?

???: Just call me Corso.

Tandrel beckons the party to the other side of the counter, where he points at a basement hatch door.

Tandrel: The stairs are steep and the place is dark. I’ll go down first to turn on some torches, but watch your step!

As Tandrel goes down the basement, Brielle follows.

Brielle: I can see in the dark, so I’ll help you down, Vahl’a. Sheesh! Steep is an understatement. Careful!

Vahl’a starts going down the stairs butt first, crawling down the stairs backwards. She pushes away some spiderwebs that are getting stuck on her hair. The lady in front of Corso starts going down the stairs carefully. She’s trying to find a handrail in the dark but there isn’t any.

Vahl’a: Ptt. Pff. Ew, when was the last time you cleaned this place? Are we in a spider’s nest?

???: Eeek! Spiders?

The lady cowers away, but Vahl’a extends her arm towards her.

Vahl’a: I’m joking, alright? Let me help you.

As the lady grabs Vahl’a’s hand, Tandrel manages to turn on a torch. On that flickering second between darkness and light, the lady notices that Vahl’a’s eyes glowed a bright violet. The lady looks a bit shocked, but slowly continues down the stairs. Corso, quickly growing impatient, says:

Corso: Hurry it up ladies, the announcement is about to start, and I still gotta fight this being.

Tandrel shushes Corso and tells him to close the hatch on his way down.

Tandrel: Shhh! Keep it down. If a guard walks by and hears we’re fighting here, we’re all done for!

Brielle looks around the basement and it’s full of all kinds of simple weapons. Her fur puffs up in anger, and goes to complain to Tandrel, who is fumbling with some keys in front of a large enclosure wrapped in tarp. The lady who is with Vahl’a turns to her and places her hand on Vahl’a’s shoulder and whispers.

???: My name’s Faith. You’re… an Aasimar too, aren’t you?

Vahl’a tries turning away from Faith, but she keeps following her and whispering. Corso notices the girl's strange behavior and leans against the wall to focus and listen into their conversation.

Faith: Me too! Look.

Faith stands in a darker corner of the basement and shows Vahl’a a very faint halo of light hovering above her head. Vahl’a turns the other way and starts walking towards Brielle and Tandrel, but Faith stops her by grabbing her shoulder. Faith excitedly smiles at Vahl’a and tries to push the conversation.

Faith: I’m from St.Leomar, and you? Wait, I have a brother around your age, but I don’t remember seeing you in the communion.

Vahl’a: Drop it…

Vahl’a starts getting visibly irritated and shrugs her off again, avoiding answering any questions. Faith insists and steps in front of her.

Faith: I went to pray at Io temple. And you? Wait, that’s the only one in Pangea. Did you just move here? I’m so glad I found someone from the south and an Aasimar nonethele-

Vahl’a grabs Faith by the collar of her robes and pulls her towards her with what seems like superhuman strength. Vahl’a is visibly agitated and gives an ultimatum to Faith. Vahl’a’s eyes start being enveloped in a pool of darkness. Faith starts hearing whispering voices around her.

Vahl’a: Don’t group me up with your kind.

Faith starts to panic a little and trying to rid herself off Vahl’a’s grip.

Faith: No… You’re…

Corso, who has witnessed the whole interaction, lets out a whistle in surprise at what he’s heard.

Corso: Well, well, well…

Corso starts walking towards Vahl’a and Faith to break up the argument and jokingly says:

Corso: Ladies, ladies, please. There’s enough of this for the both of you.

Corso strikes a “cool” pose pointing at his crotch.

BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A tremendously loud explosion occurs above, shaking all the tavern’s walls and ground. As dust seeps from the top floor to the basement through the cracks in the floor, a hoard of people can be heard screaming and running in fear.