The Age of Worms/ The Spire of Long Shadows pt. 13 / Bora the 1st, 3593 CE / 12-3-23

Deep within the ziggurat of Kuluth-Mar, Not By Choice is in the fight of their lives against the minions of Caius. While attempting to cross the underground lake of worms and finish their investigation of what was once Caius's home, the party must contend with the return of Indarna the Caius Knight, now riding an enormous overworm! Rados uses his magic to blast the undead rider from the back of the overworm and into the writhing lake of worms below. As Lulu, and Taavi explore a chamber to the southeast, hoping to find the clues that will resolve their journey to this cursed place, they are dismayed to find that it is guarded by more of Caius's undead guardians, who knock out Taavi with blasts of dark energy. Meanwhile, some of the worms which spilled from the wounds of the overworm have infested the party's sword archon ally as well as Nari's beloved feather dragon, Jozu. Nari once more draws upon her inner wellspring of magic to warp the very fabric of reality, bestowing the traits of a fire elemental upon Jozu, and burning out the worm which infests him. "Edward" the sword-archon is not so fortunate, as the overworm thrashes and bites into the archon's flesh gripping, plunging him into the depths of the lake as the monstrous worm submerges. Still facing the threat of three deadly Caius Blades, Lulu drags her brother to safety outside the doors of the chamber and holds them closed with all her might. Idra and Rados are able to get Taavi standing again with some healing magic. Seeking to make use of Jozu's newfound power and avenge the fate of the sword-archon, Nari and her faithful raptor charge to the last remaining chamber, tearing into the pair of wormcallers who guard the door. Though Jozu is able to dispatch one immediately with a ferocious, fiery pounce, the other wormcaller is able to use his dark magic to dispel Jozu's flames. Rados, unable to lend further aid to Lulu and Taavi, flies over to join Nari in dispatching the remaining wormcaller, but not before leaving a vomit twin behind on the other platform. The Victry siblings also choose the better part of valor, joining their companions in front of the final door, while the Caius Blades burst forth and dispatch Rados's vomit twin, but otherwise seem disinclined to pursue the party across the lake of worms. With the party gathered together once more, they find no time to rest on their laurels, as a form stirs and rises from the Lake of Worms. It is "Edward, " now corrupted and infested with the deadly Caius worms, his blade hands no longer blazing with holy light and his once radiant eyes now locked in a dead stare. Edward attacks the party, tearing into Taavi with his deadly blades, but Rados, knowing he and his companions are exhausted and vulnerable to the undead archon's might, beseeches Matina for her aid, relying on his faith and dedication to the goddess to grant him a boon. The answer comes in familiar fashion, as the earth beneath their feet once more trembles. The divine earthquake causes stones and debris to fall from the ceiling of the tunnel, even as the archway leading to the Lake of Worms collapses, engulfing and possibly destroying "Edward." Knowing that evil lays on the other side of the final door, the party enters cautiously, but determined to see their mission through to the end. Within the weird, alien chamber ahead stands the six-armed spellweaver, whom Nari previously saw in a vision providing Caius with one of the deadly worms untold ages ago. The creature appears to have been transformed into an undead lich, and with its terrible psychic abilities, demands knowledge of which of the prophecies heralding the coming of the Age of Worms have been fulfilled. Lulu attempts to parlay with the creature, hoping to gain more insight into how to stop the threat of Caius, but Rados, sensing the lich's power and seeing an opportunity to stop a dangerous enemy before it destroys him and his friends, gathers his magical might and casts a spell of disintegration. The deadly spell destroys much of the lich's body, but he proves to still be a deadly opponent, as Nari uses up more of her arcane power to stop the Harbinger killing Jozu with a massive lightning strike, but not before it blinds the raptor with a single powerful word. But the lich's rally is short-lived, as Rados shatters its body with another powerful spell, destroying it. As the lich collapses, the party's vision fades once more into a vision, seeing the prophecies of the Age of Worms unfold, one by one, until only two remain, those concerning a "hero of the pit" and a "tripartite spirit."