Alchos hit the deck with a thud. The Kuo-Toa behind him made frustrated noises, but he ignored them. The sea-borne monstrosity ahead of him was all he needed to pay attention to at the moment. He pushed forward, dodging around Dragonborn, Goliaths, and Kuo-Toa locked in mortal combat. One Dragonborn yelled in rage and shoved a Kuo-Toa overboard. He brandished his scimitars, plotting a path first towards and then away from the possessed creature in hopes of luring it back to his friends.
He wasn’t prepared for how quickly it lurched forward, though. It closed and he brought his mainhand blade up, trying to parry. Everything went dark.
Fire raced up Alchos’ arms. Ice pierced his heart. Wind whipped him about and his feet felt like the stones in the ground.
He shook his head.
His mother stood beside him, smiling. Unbidden, Alchos recited, “She is steadfast and strong. Patient and careful.”
His father stroked his hair where it rested on the elder Genasi’s lap. Ventos was staring at something Alchos couldn’t see. “He is carefree and light. Kind and nimble.”
Torontris sat before him. The guardsman was cleaning his armor, oiling the leather and wiping away grime. “He is flexible and forceful. Wise and daring.”
Car’onna descended away from him. Her hair flashed and danced as if caught by he breeze. “She is fierce and swift. Passionate and determined.”
A face he didn’t recognize floated before him. Purple skin and hair the color of lightning. “Untamed and vibrant. Energetic and decisive.”
Suddenly someone, upside down, peered over his shoulder. Pale, almost translucent skin beneath crystalline hair. “Logical and calm...”
Another face. Black and red chasing each other. Another. Gray hair and ashy skin. Faster. Sea-green skin and blue hair. Another. And another. Faster. Faster. A beautiful Genasi with hair of fire, skin like the soil of the earth. Her eyes roiled like storms.
Sareth running along the trunk of a tree, arrows flying true.
Sol sneaking through the dark, swords held ready.
Bob smiling widely, eyes flashing bright.
Mila striding forward swiftly, hands raised as power coalesced around them.
Baergor standing in place, hammer extended to the skies.
Ardent laughing and dancing, song seeming to spin into existence from nowhere.
Darius. Malachae. Alice. Sasha. Hope. Lerna. Ahlai. Timmy. Warda. Emyrelia. Senira. Tamanir.
I have to defend them. Give my life for theirs.
A maw, dripping sea water and smelling of rot opened above him. Something slammed into his chest. A thump. Rushing.
A voice somewhat indistinct called, “Alchos... you back with us, buddy?”
“I think I passed out for a second there.”
The coral drake roared and lashed out. Sol and Baergor fell, only feet away from Alchos. Gritting his teeth he rose. Szulder flashed along his skin and light filled his eyes. Yelling, he re-entered the fight.
