Chapter 4: The Waters of Menehune

Huge Cordey say in reply to Admiral, "I think we all could use a short break to get our breath back."

The group rests a bit in the laboratory. There's not much activity except for the occasional movement of the tentacled creatures in the crate and the magical swirling of the pool in the center of the room.

The imp on the other hand, who's tucked away in Admiral's bag, begins to tap incessantly on the glass with its sharp claws, creating a constant, irritating scratching sound. It also sings an off-key, grating tune, driving everyone to frustration with its incessant, discordant noise. Some of its 'lyrics' mimic the voices of the party members in a mocking tone, making it even more aggravating.

Admiral finds a comfy spot to sit between the crates and watch the squid swimming around in that weird energy cube. Fascinated, he completely tunes out the annoying imp.

DC 10 LOL Cordey barely can get some rest. 2 dice and he is more than healed up. Second Wind and Action Surge refreshed. but only 1 Superiority Dice still left.

Stats
Admiral--Current HP: 36, Temp HP: 0, Spell Slots: 2/2, PP: 0/4, Pact Tally: 53/400. HD, 0d8
Regan--Current HP: 3=9, Temp HP: 6, Warlock Spell Slots: 2/2, Pact Tally: 0/150, HD: 0d10, 3d8
Cordey--Current HP: 42, Temp HP: 0, SD: 4/4, HD: 3d10
Jin--HP: 13, Spell Slots:2/2, HD: 5d8
Tasya--HP: 8, HD: 3d8

"Will you make that thing shut up!" pleas Jin to Admiral as he hands a bit of hardtack and a water skin to Tasya. "Tasya really needs to rest...for at least a minute. This has been alot for her. She doesn't look too well."

The imp, hearing Jin's complaint, gets louder. Modifying his lyrics, he seems to mock Jin's tone and sings:

"The daughter prophesied to bring hell down,
Yet all she is, is a circus clown.
Flipping and tumbling, now off on her feet,
But can she take the demon heat?"

JIn then directs his attention toward Admiral's bag and forcibly says, "By tides tightropes, if you don’t shut up, I’ll make you wish the hag had never captured you! Silence yourself, imp, or I’ll find a way to make that glass prison much less comfortable!"

Admiral digs the glass sphere out of his pack and frowns at the imp inside. "What’s the plan here, mate? Annoy us all to death? At this rate, I’ve got half a mind to put you back on that desk and leave you there." He glances at Tasya and then back to the imp. "Also what do you mean ‘prophesied to bring down hell’?"

As Admiral pulls the sphere out of his pack, the imp's 'singing' stops, letting out a triumphant sigh when it is no longer concealed in the pack.

"I mean her mother's puny resistance foolishly thinks she is the one."

Exhausted and exasperated Tasya feebly demands, "What do you know of my mother!?"

"I know she is foolish to think that she can overthrow the Dark Prince. The more she and her silly band resist the lord the more powerful he becomes," returns the imp.

The imp looks around noticing the puzzled looks on the party's faces particularly Jin's.

"You don't know who you travel with do you?" scoffs the imp.

Cordey subsides his wants to destroy the Imp. It wasn't without some effort. He has done his best to cover his ears as the Imp is impossible. Like a young child with way too much energy and seemingly an endless supply. Cordey is so glad when Admiral broke and got the sphere out. All his day on the sea, he has never experienced such a creature.

Once it is out and speaks, it is a least interesting and has brought Cordey's attention to it. Cordey makes an effort to not be viewable by the creature with the hope to be immune to its tirade.

"Well, why don’t you explain it to us, then?" says Admiral. "Unless you’d prefer I put you back in the bag, that is."

"Oh, I'd be delighted to explain," the imp says, feigning sincerity and clearly not wishing to be put back in the bag.

"Your precious little acrobat here is the daughter of Tiana, the Dark Prince's prize slave who became rebel and defies the Dark Prince."

"She's not just a circus performer; the rebels think she's prophesied to bring about the downfall of the demons." the imp laughs.

"Her mother, Tiana, leads the futile resistance in the Demon Realm, believing that one day her daughter will rise to free her and all the other slaves. But the more they resist, the more powerful the Dark Prince becomes. He feeds on their defiance, their wills strengthen his own."

"And Tasya, well, she's supposed to be the hidden key to their salvation. They think she will deliver the one who wields the dragon blade and will free the Deep Dragon from the Dark Prince's servitude. Quite the destiny for a circus performer, don't you think?" says the imp sarcastically.

Admiral can feel Reaver vibrating with energy at his side on these word of the imp.

"But look at her – exhausted, struggling to stay on her feet. Do you really think she stands a chance against the might of the demons?"

Cordey takes what the nasty Imp has to say as most likely the truth. He thinks, "What have I gotten into! Lelay is going to kill me." "And I just wanted to wipe the Hag out. Gesh!" Huge Cordey looks be thinking.

"We should find the Hag fast." thinking Cordey says.

Cordey been around some. Heard this and that but really Dark Prince & Demons was on that list. Pirates. Oh Yeah. Especially "Korta", pirate ship. He has heard all the tales from around here. Cordey is like local in that way. Obviously, Cordey isn't a native here.

Slightly lost in thought Cordey thinks of what his gorgeous Lelay informed him of. "My love..." she looks toward the Rakasta captain. "dat one... Admiral, he been in my dreams last night. You with him. There be something like a passage, guarded by the elves of the sea. In my dream it be you, the one who grants him da right of entry." Tears well in the depths of her eyes.

He keeps the pendant she gave him close to his heart. He wonders what connection the Makai tome that he has. Hmm. "Demons & Hellglass Prison."

He can't resist, "Okay. Imp. Tell us about the Hellglass Prison?" Like he really wanted the Imp's attention.

Regan sits quietly, keeping an eye on the two members of Admiral's troop who are looking much the worse for wear. Unfortunately, there just isn't much he can do. His ability to heal with divine grace is limited, and he already tapped that well dry.

He rests his eyes, a feat that becomes easier once the imp stops its inane singing. Whatever is ahead, he knows he needs to be at his best.

"The dragon blade?" Admiral inquires, his tail curling into a curious question-mark shape. He glances at Tasya to see what she makes of all this.

"Ahh yes, Hellglass," the imp looks disgusted at the thought. "Demon's Bane," it continues, "created by the Old Makai with the help of the Fey Lords. After they tried to block my kind from this world, they found a way to imprison any demons that remained here." The creature taps the inside of the glass sphere with a pointed claw, "That's one ancient secret I regrettably didn't realize the sea witch had up her sleeve."

At Admiral's question about the dragon blade the imp's grin widens. It gloats at the party's attention on it and the group's interest in its spin on the ancient intrigue.

"Ah, yes," replies the imp. "The Deep Dragon's blade. Some in this world call it Reaver. A weapon of immense power, said to be forged from the essence of Sekkor, the Deep Dragon in his obsidian fortress in deepest part of this world. But the foolish Dragon remains a prisoner of the Dark Prince, who outsmarted the greedy drake. The blade is thought to desire to return to its master."

Admiral can feel Reaver vibrating with energy at his side, the blade responding to the mention of its name.

They imp directs its attention at Tasya and says with a condescending taunt, "But can you even comprehend the weight of such a destiny, little acrobat? To be the key to salvation, to deliver the wielder of the blade, free the dragon, be the salvation of your helpless human kind, free them from the fires of the demon realm? Quite the burden for someone who can barely stand right now."

Tasya's eyes flash with defiance toward the little demon, despite her exhaustion, but the thought does overwhelm her and exasperate her frail state. With heavy thoughts and blood rushing to her head she passes out. "Tas!" says a worried Jin.

The imp laughs with a cold gloating chuckle.

"That’s enough of that," says Admiral as, discomforted and overwhelmed, he abruptly shoves the imp back into his rucksack. The idea that Reaver is connected to all this demon stuff makes his fur stand on end and, in any case, he doesn’t have time to think about any of that right now. There’s a hag to kill, after all, and Jin and Tasya are certainly not looking up to the task.

"Is she all right?" he asks Jin, about the unconscious Tasya. "I reckon you ought to take her back to the skiff. That way you can check on your troupe as well and make sure the Sahuagin we saw didn’t get the better of them. Regan, Cordey, and I will take care of the hag."

Huge Cordey couldn't disagree with Admiral's actions. It all looked good to him. "Yes. Let's kill us a hag."

"I think you are right Admiral," replies Jin. "Tasya is in no state to face the hag. It's best that you, Cordey, and Regan take care of that business. I'll take her to the skiff."

He kneels by Tasya's side and places his hand on her forehead. He says tenderly, "Tasya...Tas...we must go...wake up my dear." When she stirs he brings his water skin to her lips, "Drink some more. Let me help you stand." He pulls the hood of her cloak over her head; she goes invisible.

Jin passes Admiral a sly look. "We circus folk have a few tricks up our sleeve should we run into any problems."

Admiral grins. "Glad to hear it! See you both back at the skiff, alright?"

After Tasya and Jin leave, he draws his swords and glances at Cordey and Regan. "Ready to go?"