Illithid behind the Curtain: Bypassing the Adventure Path (Patreon)

Five dragons, ranging from ancient to adult stood in the courtyard and around the area now. Up close, it was easy to tell how they got their reputation. They weren't monsters so much as a force of nature, encased in iron and given wings. Like Fang as well, I could tell something else from a glance-every one of them had Class Levels. Tiamat was really interested in this afterlife if she was willing to invest this much into it, and as I looked at them, I found myself drawn to the other half of the equation.

The newest champion of Cuthbert, Summer Rose with her scythe and Grimm features looking like the Remnants version of Death, while keeping the merciful aspects of that portfolio as Nicholas Schnee in his Arma Gigas form and Li Ren stood on either side. In the middle, at an angle to see them both was me, the wizard and mortal. I took in a deep breath and finally spoke aloud.

"So... That's why."

The Winter Seal explained so much, more so with my experiments and aspects of my knowledge. The artifacts had purpose, and moreover confirmed something else for me that I hadn't really considered till now. The fact being that somewhere, out there in the vastness of the multiverse, the gods of Dark and Light existed still. Otherwise, magic would had returned far more and less fractured than it was now. To say nothing of the tools left behind intended to invoke their presence once more.

Knowing Ozma as I did as well, I could only assume that there were other seals out there, just waiting to be shattered for proper healing to occur. One for each season, which in turn fed into the cyclic nature of the working as I murmured aloud.

"The world renews in spring, flourishes in summer, fades in autumn and sleeps in winter."

Well. Knowing what I did now, I knew what to do. I turned to the two groups, keeping them in view as I asked them.

"Will you have trouble with the invasion?"

The red dragon snorted, eyes flashing as he said nothing, the evil laughter of the other chromatics filling the air. Summer smiled kindly, leaning on her scythe as she spoke gently.

"This is our task. You have yours I expect, which is why you're here?"

I took a deep breath and turned to look at Koschei, the white nevermore cocking its head as I asked. "Lead me to the Winter Seal please."

The grimm nodded, taking off into the air as I followed after, shifting forms as I did so, following rapidly after.

I glanced behind, seeing Summer approach Fang as he lowered his head to let her ride him, watching as the five dragons took off for the hellscape, followed by a black mass of Grimm and chuckled to myself.

They'll be fine.

The world still turns, without us after all and I focused on the journey. The world shifting and changing as we flew, into something entirely new. A vast forest, seas of flowing grass and winds, little villages as now, the glowing spirits began to form without need of the pools. Some of the Grimm as well did the same, the power of destruction falling and melting from their bodies, revealing people embraced and brought together into a quiet paradise made from their own hands. Cuthberts work, as his influence grew and manifested into simple pleasures and peace.

In other places, I saw Tiamat's presence as well.

A vast mountain grew in the distance, surrounded by blasted landscape and where the black pools of the Grimm seemed to spawn. Curious, I began to scry and was intrigued by what I saw. Tiamat didn't come alone when she moved her domain here, invited and accepted. The cavern mouths that dotted the base of the mountain could only be Draukari, realm of the Kobold God and further on, the war grounds that I identified as Bargrivyek, home of the Goblin Deity. Dragonflights flew and roared, of all descriptions and down below I would see souls already being processed, dumped into the pools and coming out, roaring and raging as goblins and kobolds pressed them into service as the first waves of invaders appeared, only to be repelled by the joint force of dragons, grimm, goblins and kobolds.

"Sneaky dragon." I said aloud with a chuckle. I could sense Avernus on the lands that Tiamat had robbed and no doubt, Hell was seeing a vacancy and possibly a massive crater on their lands at this point. Any invaders from that direction, devil or demon would be naturally drawn to it, using it as a beacon for invasion.

Only to find themselves facing THAT and briefly, I found myself pitying the poor fools. My work was all but done, but I couldn't just let this lie.

Before I could do anything about the Winter Seal, I had to meet the people in charge.

=====

Tiamat in person was everything I imagined and nothing at all. Her aura was overpowering, to a point I feel describing it would be lacking. Her appearance was like the artwork, five chromatic heads looming over me, more kaiju than dragon as she seemed amused as my presence here. At least, insofar as I could tell with dragons as her voice rumbled. It was less a voice in my head and more one that vibrated my entire body, like an earthquake in my soul.

Dark Lord. No... I suppose not anymore. You are less Red now, or even Green. No... This presence feels more akin to the old fool.

Her eye lowered to face me, the black head dripping acid as she asked.

For what purpose, does the one who has granted me a foothold wish to speak with me about?

What indeed? I stared and as her words registered, thought about the implications. Tiamat was not a devil or demon and not exactly restricted to the rules. There was an entire campaign about that, one of the first I ever played actually, and she was greedy to boot. Would her presence here someday warrant the Cult of the Dragon appearing in some form? Should I expect Soth to show his face? Also, dragons! Finally, I spoke aloud.

"I just wanted to ensure that things will be fine. As I started this, its best I see it to the very end. You approached Cuthbert as well, didn't you?"

I did. The air turned cold, frost forming on the ground as the white head curled about and chuckled. But it was all according to my design. There is power here, power I am taking and adding to my hoard. Unique treasures, that will be mine alone. Even as the Shepard takes his own, as it should be.

"But you knew I'd accept you." I replied, focusing on the red head. "You knew I brought the Lightning Horde and then there were the dormant eggs."

Is there a point to this, wizard? My patience is not infinite.

Magma dripped from her jaws, the red dragons gaze penetrating as I paused and put my cards on the table.

"Why? Why do this? You've no respect for anything less than your own kind. And you could had just fought your way in and attempt to seize this realm by conquest. But you've been nothing but helpful, why?"

Tiamat laughed.

It was a terrifying sound in the cavern, as the great dragon goddess spoke.

On every plane and sphere, my mate and I have fought. From Golarion to Kyrnn, our battle has been intimate and never-ending. But that changes today. Both here and on the material plane.

She stared at me, her green head speaking on as she explained. Years from now, perhaps longer there will be a new generation of my children. Full of pride and joy, accepted and powerful. Led by a great red with the sun behind him and a rider with a heart of steel. On this plane, my legend will be told and my purpose set as the protector, as the judge. My power will increase and from the worship of an entire world, perhaps I will gain new domains. With that power, I will subject other battlefields, other stars far from here... And I have you to thank for that. So, I shall do my task, I shall honor my bargain and there shall be no devil or demon who will touch the soil of this afterlife, not so long as I claim these lands for my own.

The ground shook as her claws slammed the earth, a quake avoided because I was floating in midair. Static electricity crackled as the blue head added in stereo to the laughter of the dragon queen.

So, believe that I am invested. Believe that I am here to stay... And believe that I am Tiamat. I will not be anything less than what I am. Mother of Dragonkind, mistress of the Grimm and the newest Scourge of the Abyss.

Her eyes flashed as she added. And let none stand in my way of it.

I heard her... Both the spoken and unspoken aspects. Bowing my head, I spoke quietly.

"Till then, goddess."

And I turned to leave. with more to consider than before.

Honestly, shattering the Winter Seal in the end was an afterthought, my mind distracted as I paused and took another look at the afterlife before shaking my head.

I think everything was good.

I could leave and let the rest of it be in their hands.

=====

"N-no... We are the colorless.... Alliance-"

Fang roared and, in his roar, came the north wind itself as it froze the humanoid grimm. Summer huffed out from her seat on the dragon as she spoke. "Well, that was easy. Dragons really do make everything a cakewalk."

"Cake?!" Fang perked up and Summer beamed, patting his neck.

"Of course dear. I think you deserve it... But oh."

She turned her head, seeing with her new domains something else as an influx of new souls appeared and smiled.

"Let's get to work, shall we?"