Kazon felt good with how he'd left Lance. She seemed weak-willed, even if she were restored to peak condition, she'd likely just stay a useless husk. Jason would be shattered, and the resulting hatred he'd feed off from the Dragonling would empower Kazon five fold. He turned his attention back to the party, who were now making their way up the stairs. The throne room was not so simple to reach, but they would find that out soon enough. The Hark Crystal that hung over his head glowed a bright white, illuminating every inch of the circular chamber.
Gnarled wood roots made up the whole room, with Kazon sitting in a high-backed chair of purplish wood that was grown from the very ground itself. There was a round pit just beneath his throne, encircled by other, smaller seats. Once upon a time, elves of high status would gather here to discuss matters of the Old Faewood. This tree had been around since the beginning of the Seventh Age, and had, against all odds, stood the test of time. Now it was cursed, rotted, and in eternal pain like everything else. The bark was a pale purple now, inscribed with countless spirals. Unfortunately he could not harvest hate from the Fae inhabiting the crystal any longer, it had long since gone mad, unwilling or unable to flee from its festering body.
The Hark crystal hummed overhead, the subtle screams of his victims souls only just barely audible through it. The Pillar-Born would soon come to inhabit it as well, reunited with their families, if only for a moment before Kazon would absorb the contents of the crystal. He was certain that the Greater Fae was in there somewhere, but he would be able to consume the spirit just as easily as any other.
Hopefully the crystal's power would be enough to suck their souls straight out of their bodies, otherwise Kazon would have to fight them himself. He had already been preparing for that, Pillar-Born they might be, but he was something beyond a mortal now… having forgone a conventional body long ago. If he wished it, he could return to his mortal form, but doing so was pointless unless his spirit was horribly damaged. He grinned, turning his attention back to Castle Blackgaze, which was half-a-continent away.
Twindil and her friends were all exploring the upper floors now, fighting through his lesser minions. They hadn't found Derga and Belaine yet, but that encounter was inevitable. Kazon had ordered them both to guard the portal chamber with their lives, Derga would do so without question, but Belaine was still possessed of a sound mind, even after all these years. It had been hard to convince the elf that Kazon was the only hope to save Decuma from the Pillar-Born, she would do anything to protect the Faewood, even if it meant becoming Kazon's eternal servant.
He had to tell her that the Twelve needed to buy him time to build his power here in the old Harkhall, that once he was at his peak, he would return to save them. Like a fool, she had believed him, and would be little more than a stepping stone for his little divine piglets. He turned his attention away from them, wanting to relish in the hatred that Jason must be exuding. Surely he had found Lance by now, a broken mess of flesh that used to be the woman he loved. The anguish and hate from a Dragonling would be astonishing to witness.
However, when his vision switched to the cells, he stood from his throne, shocked to see that it was empty. Was Jason trying to bring her to Twindil then? His vision passed into the halls, and his eyes bulged. The massive brute was tearing cell doors straight off their hinges, releasing dozens of his fellow Outworlders who sung his praises to high heaven. Lance herself seemed fine, as if she had never been harmed, despite the clear signs of the curse having taken hold of her.
Had Jason sacrificed his own flesh to restore Lance's!? The fool. His armored fists clenched, his form glowing red beneath his cloak. Damn it all! Kazon watched as he ripped off Nate's door finally, the dark Outworlder weeping like a child as he beheld Jason.
"Sir-" Nate gasped, "He killed Mike, I-" He caught himself, standing up straight, "I need a weapon." He told him, fists clenching.
"Are you private Nate?" Jason asked.
Nate nodded, "You know my name sir?" He asked, as more Outworlders began to gather around them.
"Private Michael isn't dead." Jason told him, "He's underground right now."
"But sir, that Kazon chump said he mounted him outside the gate here-"
Jason shook his head, "He lied, private." He told Nate, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Michael's alive, and he's looking for you."
Nate perked up, Kazon feeling revulsion as he witnessed the cool blue of relief emanate from the Outworlder. Positive emotions were worthless to Kazon, not even capable of nourishing him, and in the worst cases, even able to weaken his power. Kazon had no choice, he'd need to go to the castle himself and slay Jason. It should only take a few moments, strong as he was he'd be no match for Kazon on his own. Before he did that though, he checked in on the Pillar-Born-
Only to see them facing off with Derga and Belaine in the portal chamber. The crimson glow surrounding him intensified. He couldn't leave, if he wasn't here when the Pillar-Born stepped through the portal, they may destroy the Hark crystal in his absence. If that happened, his plan would be almost totally ruined. He had no choice but to wait here, or else risk losing everything.
Damn that worthless Dragon-spawn!
Nate couldn't believe it, the big man himself, Hoplite Thirty-Seven, had freed him from this awful jail. It was almost too much to handle, he and his comrades being rescued by Hoplite, finding out that Mike was alive and well- it was a rollercoaster of emotion. If dad ever heard that he cried on an op then Nate would never hear the end of it.
There were around fifty marines and divers here, along with a couple of conductors, but they were all stripped of gear. Their weapons had to be packed away somewhere in this place, they just needed to find 'em. Hoplite removed his hand from Nate's shoulder.
"Your gear should be nearby, I know they aren't on the first floor, I checked already." Hoplite said, "Meaning they're either on the second floor, or somewhere here in this dungeon. The enemy is large in number, but they can't stand up to our firepower."
"I know where everything is being kept." A deep gravelly voice called out from a cell in rough Jynesian.
Nate froze, everyone turning toward the cell slowly. Hoplite hadn't torn the cell door off that one… meaning that whatever was in there wasn't one of their own. Nate, along with a few others, moved over to the cell, shocked to see a massive Yugoro there, bound in dozens of thick chains that bound all four of his arms to his body. They were attached to the floor, ceiling, and walls, each link being about as thick as Nate's torso. He almost couldn't make out the shaggy brown fur beneath all the chains, but the ape-like face was visible.
"Hell no!" Nate shouted, "Sir, blast this monkey to hell!" He shouted, pointing to the alien.
A few other marines cheered as Hoplite approached the cell, Fortis in hand. Nate had no idea why a yugoro had learned Jynesian, but it didn't matter, Hopps would blast his ape-face to pieces in just a second.
"You know where our gear is being kept?" Hoplite asked, "I don't see a reason to let you out, I can find it on my own." He continued, lifting the magnum.
The Yugoro shook his head, "It is not so simple to access. I know it's down here, and I know that you have no clue where it is." He replied in his rough Jynesian, "Release me, let us find our weaponry together, and after we deal with Kazon, we will resolve our feud."
"Feud?" Hoplite asked.
The Yugoro shook his head, "You do not remember me?" He asked, sounding hurt, "I was the one who defeated you, back on your ship."
"You're the one who threw the Rhino at me." Hoplite said flatly.
"Sir?" A conductor asked, "Why aren't you neutralizing the enemy?"
"Because what if he's right?" Hoplite asked, "I couldn't find any room that was holding your gear. Not only that, but he has nothing to gain by lying, because I would kill him if he was."
"I see no harm in allowing him to lead the way," The pointy eared girl next to Hoplite said, "If he's trying to free himself to harm us, then Jason will defeat him."
Jason? Who the hell was that? She mighta been a tad crazy, he couldn't tell. She had that purple skin disease that some of the other freaks in here had. Damn shame too, she was a fine piece of work. He shook his head, frowning.
Now ain't the time to go after girls, Nate, ya gotta job to do.
He liked short girls more anyway, like Cat. Hopefully she was alright, she didn't seem to be anywhere among the divers present though.
"Either kill me, or release me, but do not waste my time with idle chatter." The yugoro urged, huffing through wide nostrils, "What is your decision, Molok?"