Shards of Felwyn

Recursive Application

"Then why not turn Galdernad away?" The anger within Cosmo's voice had faded.

"You make the assumption that I did not try." Some of the souls within the Conclave shifted and surged forth, their faces twisted as though tears rolled down them.

"Did you?" He tilted his head, slightly.

"As with every human who has been capable of gaining an audience with myself, all of them with hearts full of malice and minds full of conspiracy, I entered within his mind and attempted to force him from the chamber. Each one, in the eons that I have remained here, has been easily swayed with imagery of their greatest horrors. This man you speak of, Galdernad. Nothing of his mind remained. Only hated, destruction. I could not enter his mind, for there was nothing to enter."

A grave moment of silence washed over the room as Cosmo processed what the dragon had to say. It was unbelievable and yet, as the memories of their battle within the war room flooded back to him, he knew it to be true. It truly no longer is Galdernad within that countenance. He sighed.

"So, Cosmo," it continued, after it was clear that the boy would not respond. "You asked me why I desire a conversation?"

"Hm?" He responded, showing the spirits that it had his attention.

"I wish to relish in the passing of one, just a final time." The Conclave let out another cloud of smoke, the upper half of its body forming as it began to lay on the ground, its front claws crossed over one another.

"You lack hope, then? For Felwyn." Cosmo sat on the floor, an idea developing within his mind. At the rate his descent was going at, especially considering how quickly Cynderad must have traversed past the Conclave, his chances of reaching the bottom within time were slim. Even if he left at that very moment, which the dragon would most likely attempt to prevent, there still remained too little time to stop just whatever he had in store. With this in mind, Cosmo continued the conversation.

"There seems little left to hope for, Cosmo. The Gods can't, or won't sunder Felwyn once more. Nothing stands in the way of Galdernad and his conquest."

"Perhaps I could, still." He responded.

"Your lack of time, aside; you still wish to battle with that... thing? It knows no mercy, the humanity lost from its mind." the Conclave responded, disgust creeping into its voice.

"I have clashed with many beasts with only a dagger and Dragon's Focus at my disposal. The fear of battle is an afterthought at this point, especially with my companions at my side. I could not have come this far without them. That's why..." He contemplated his next words. "That's why, if there's any way at all to do so, I'd like to take on Cynderad with you." The proposal hung in the air.

"What in Felwyn could you possibly mean?" it responded, perking its head up from its position atop its own paws.

"Are you capable of leaving this chamber?" The dragon's empty eyes seem to widen with realization.

"The stairwells above are comprised mainly of sandstone and limestone. The runes carved into the basalt walls here are how I am tethered to this mortal plane." Smoke cascaded from the dragon's nostrils, meandering its way to the ceiling. It seemed to be excited, if that was even possible.

"What are the stairs below chiseled from?" They locked eyes.

"Basalt."

"Could you somehow materialize your form below us, at the base of the Pillar, and physically restrain Cynderad, prevent him from fusing the Prisms together, at least for a couple hours?" For the first time, an expression other than sadness, a flash of something that almost looked sly, crossed the dragon's visage.