Pilgrim: Epilogue

The whirr of the arm-mounted chainblade sang through the chamber as it carved into the stone of the remaining pillar. Keening's incessant call drowned out the chaos of combat, Malachai's desperate cries, and Volthen's threats of ancient unearthed dangers. From behind, Juuze's cold tendrils wrapped around the Wordmaker at Pilgrim's neck and tightened their lethal grip. Resolute, the Faithwrought pushed his weapon harder into the stone, his eyes focused on his companions as they retreated into the hallway. He felt his arm sweep free as he cut through the final inches of pillar, the singing of his success drowning out the falling stone of the ancient ceiling with a symphony of victory.   Darkness overtook him then. Complete and silent, eternal in its timelessness. But not unfamiliar.   Buh-dum. A pulse of red light from the depths of the void. Buh-dum. An ember of illumination, spark of creation. Buh-dum. Power from vacuum, action from nothingness, ambition birthed for the birth of ambition.   Buh-dum. A great bird of smoke and flame. Buh-dum. A black egg in a pile of glowing ash. Buh-dum. A phoenix reborn.   Buh-dum says the burning light as it pulses into a dancing flame. Buh-dum throbs the Forge relit. Buh-dum calls the Prisoner. Buh-dum awakes the Warden. Buh-dum finally speaks the Faraway Voice:   "Fear no Justice, my son, for it is but a word: a dull blade in even the most skilled swordsman's hand, a spade that shatters against the earth. You are Power manifest and answer only to the limits of your Will.   "Reforged from the bars of your own prison, arise again Shard of Bol."   Buh-dum. With eyes opening again for the first time, Pilgrim sees the burning red glow of a great forge dominating an expansive underground cavern. Buh-dum. Pilgrim feels its searing heat leave his skin to cool on his newly crafted bones. Buh-dum. Pilgrim sees its power burning behind the sunken eyes of the four figures that pull him to his feet. Buh-dum. Pilgrim feels the Forge pulse with Power renewed, a flame refueled, and a completeness that much closer to perfect, if yet unfinished. Buh-dum.   The four figures around Pilgrim appear as alike to him as they are different: unique individuals each but undeniably family together. With hearts tuned as one, he now hears the Faraway Voice with a clarity only ever dreamed. Buh-dum.   In unison they speak: "Welcome Home, Pilgrim."