Elder Tempest ♤ My piece for the fantasy issue of Welded by the Wire! Thank you for having me!

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Spade woke up in Aeodele's Wastes with no memory of who they are or how they got there. The image of poppies remains, as well as a calling from the mountains. They set out, crossing the River Faust and wandering into Aeodele to find what calls to them. Along the way, they join an adventuring party heading in the same direction. The path leads them to Aemor: An unending storm thunders overhead, and the Knights of the city battle with the heart of it.

Spade feels the call again, being drawn to this tempest. With the party at their side, they meet the storm and join the battle. It is a devastating fight, killing two people and knocking the rest as low as they've ever been. Spade approaches the snout of the adversary with their sword, Equilibrium, drawn. In their native tongue, they admonish the beast:

Azho desre paqta va delqmiye aht zhavetre. Va amea azho qa qinem. Gnosa avnom. Zhavetre. Azaraun paqta delqmiye aht fenegrea.

♤

"I wanted to show you mercy and respect. You gave me no choice. Understand defeat. Submit. May the soil and the roots show you mercy and forgiveness."

With that, they drive Equilibrium into the head of the Tempest, and the mighty beast falls. Left in the aftermath, Spade assumes the blame and the grief this battle bestowed. They didn't know why they were called to this creature, nor did they intend for anyone to dance with death to aid them. The party leaves Aemor with fewer than they entered with, and the weight of loss heavy on their shoulders. The call still beckons to the mountains. Spade doesn't know why. Only that they must go.

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