Her world was spinning as a cloaked figure came, crushing stones and scattering them to the wind, splitting the ice worm's among iridescent sludge and leaving it for them. Virgil didn't quite catch any of the words he said between the rasping and her own intermittent states of consciousness. She just stared blearily as the other trialgoers kept approaching, taking shards of the diamond with them.

It seemed like they needed those? She stumbled forwards, gimp leg held up awkwardly to her chest. Barely able to bow down to fit a small chunk of diamond in her mouth, she heaved. Balance completely gone, she hobbled towards Ivory, bowing her head gratefully, a soft grunt of thanks coming from around the gem.

Virgil called on her magic, but not to any effects she was really familiar with.

In the meantime, she - newly revitalized by the fall of the worm - came to Ivory's side, meekly stamping a hind hoof on the ground, offering her own back. Injured as she might've been, she was still going to help.

Virgil is not racing and will offer herself up for rides (but for light Gembound only! F for her leg.)

Atop the ice worm and holding the knife in place wasn't an ideal place to be. Its death throes had her smacking against its crystallizing hide more than once, a pained yelp escaping her every time. But, she refused to let go - even if she'd made sure that this sacred weapon was ingrained in the beast's flesh. Even if it might've been better in the long run. This was what was helping to destroy it, bring it down to its knees -

The world was eerily quiet after it.

Hargrave opened her eyes, not quite remembering ever closing them, starting as the worm started to decompose beneath her, turning into the b̸l̷a̶c̶k̴ c̸o̶n̶s̴u̸m̷e̷ ̵t̷h̵e̸ ̸b̶l̵a̷c̸k̶ and slipping away. Adrenaline-crazed, the canine plodded after it, sword momentarily forgotten as she chased the oilslick into the cracks and crevices.

"Why -" she huffed to herself, blinking, heaving a breath. Fiery eyes flitted back to the sword, dread setting in tight around her throat. I need to leave, Hargrave thought as she picked it back up, making sure it was snug in her mouth.

She clipped hurriedly to the rest - "I'll make a path for you." - and bolted out of the Crucible, paws alight in the clearing-up night.

Hargrave is "forging a path for everyone else" aka Racing

Gatto felt incredibly cold, but they were still breathing when the hooves breached the ice and stone. With a slow shift, the cockatrice managed to pop their head free. "Ah-- You! I... I can' belief it," the agate croaked, and then crooned with delight, spitting up blood. "Thankf!... Warrior, yea?" They remembered, dragging themself out of the snow with his help. The sensation that their jaw wasn't quite moving right was disconcerting, but it didn't stop them from jabbering.

"An' you... Y'live 'ere?" The cockatrice asked with keen interest, eyeing the tall steed. One of the others came up to congratulate them, but they were only half sure that the stranger meant the agate, and not the one who had saved them. "Yea!" They chirped in reply, watching with bewilderment as the white, doggish creature stumbled away.

They turned their head to Warrior and nodded, "Tah' 'are of the otherf." It seemed like he was good at it. Gatto wouldn't forget this, however-- and they would not forget there was a horse living out here, in defiance of the Masters and their trial. The horse was smart, to take a piece of the diamond, and they considered taking one themself: a trophy was often asked, though not necessary, it was second instinct to take it.

But for now, they had more pressing matters to attend to-- they wanted to make sure that Desert Rose, the other Champion, was still alive. They spread their wings, and started to take flight, only to have their lungs scream for air. They gasp, sputtered, and spat more crimson on to the snow as they swept toward Desert Rose, eyes gleaming.

"Where y'goin'?!" Seriously, that wasn't the right way at all! "Y'nevah gonna win goin' thah way!" They squawked, and sparked with new enthusiasm to beat their fellow champion back to the finish line, they began to haul ass toward the exit.

Last time they had been practically in last... This time? Nah. The wind suddenly at their back and sweeping under their wings, even though their lungs burned, they swooped toward the exit.

gatto is racing!

m for... somewhat graphic descriptions!!

Fisher stumbled down the path, nearly tripping over his own paws a few more times. A herd of tall, legged creatures-- hoof... hoof beasts, he remembered the word-- were still mulling about, moving their mouths, but nothing got past the droning in his bloodied ears.

He blinked at them through the heavy spots that blurred his vision still, and watched as a few took some shiny crystals from the ground. He had missed the strange figure shattering gems, but even if he had seen it, in his state he might not have realized what was happening. The shinies seemed nice, though, and he picked up one in his own mouth.

Everyone was heading somewhere, slowly but surely, and he lumbered after them like a drunk. He felt more like the night after a bad case of foobaw, not that he had any concept of what that was in his hazed state. Someone had stopped in front of him and he bumped into the dark, spotty leg.

A snout scooped under his fat ass and hauled him up into a bed of cozy black wool, and he sank his claws into the bedding. Yeah, this was... This was fine. He'd just stay here a little while. It didn't seem like Wynter minded much, anyway.

fisher is takin a diamond

Shida watched, with wide eyes, as the iceworm at last fell, dead by their hands. She was frozen for a moment, but then she let out a whoop of victory, dancing forward as its body decayed. "Hey-yA! Take that you big ugly freak!" Elation at her and Ivory's survival and the relief that it had actually went down, covered up all the horror and terror she'd been experiencing moments before. Dampened quickly, of course, by the Merchant's arrival and the realization that another had died. She watched with wide eyes as the stones were brushed away like dust.

She gulped. Good thing she hadn't died, then.

Ivory's voice called her attention and she glanced over. "Yeah - I'm good sis! You good?" She looked down at her feet, where one of the diamond shards had landed. Perhaps she should take one then? She glanced around at everyone else - yeah, they were taking some too. Could come in handy later. She leaned down and picked it up in her mouth, pressing it into her cheek to keep it safe, ignoring the slight discomfort as it pressed against soft flesh. She trotted up to her sister, putting her head against her side, just grateful that they'd both survived, and followed her, helping if she was needed, before following her out of Hydra.

Shida is following Ivory and not racing.

If Wynter felt exhausted during the Trial, he felt it even more so now, as he made his way after the others. Some had perished-- he felt weak in the knees just watching the Merchant crush the stones of the fallen. In a small way, he felt like he had personally failed those that were gone.

In another, however, he was elated. So many had survived. None of the ones-- Warrior, Mirage, Quentin-- who had not willingly entered the Trial, survived. The risks were known, as terrifying as they were to behold first hand.

He grabbed himself a diamond-- perhaps one of those who had run off would want one-- and nearly tripped over the brown mustelid who had electrocuted himself just before the worm was taken down. "You fought well, friend," the stag praised the dazed, scarred gembound, who only stared blindly. He didn't know how injured this one was, but he reached down to help scoop the fat noodle up on to his back. It was the least he could do.

He turned his head toward Warrior, ears swiveling thoughtfully. He had struggled to find his place in the caves, but during this Trial, he had finally felt like he was going in the right direction. Doing what he was meant to do. For now, he said nothing, but he contemplated as he walked.

WYNTER HASIRA
Like walking in the rain and the snow
When there's nowhere to go
And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying

wynter is staying with the group and not racing; he's taking a diamond piece

Mira felt one heart fade as one of the chickens came swooping down save another. She fell still, breath heavy and hard as she sucked in air and staggered it out of her lungs. She swallowed hard, as she looked to Quentin, and listened to the eerie silence that fell over the chasm.

They had won, but there had been a death. Death-- it was not uncommon, in the Hydra. She had even killed-- lessers, at least. This was still shocking, and it brought a horrible sensation to her. A strange figure came out of the settling snow, and she stared at him through her frosted visor. He approached the spot where the one had faded, and pulled out a stone.

He crushed it. "No!" She cried, jerking toward the Merchant with terror, eyes wide and wings spread. But it was too late-- it was nothing but dust, now. She watched, frightened and in shock, as he did the same to another stone in the worm, and then to the worm's diamond stone as well. Shivering, she could only push her beak into Quen's shoulder and whimper.

This was... Madness. It was horrible. She felt lost, and overwhelmed, and as the group gathered to leave, Warrior's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She raised her head to him, and then gave a nod, before looking to Quentin.

If this was going on outside of Hydra-- if this was normal-- then... Then there would be gembound that would need refuge. The Hydra wasn't always safe, but it was home, and... And maybe, it could hide those that wanted to escape the cruelties that laid beyond.

"Quen," her voice was a whisper, "I don't think I can pretend this didn't happen." She blinked once, and then turned her head toward the group that was making its way back toward the barrier, across the snowed over dunes. "... I want to know what's beyond our home, what... Makes them like this. There's got to be children, being raised to think this is... Normal," she shivered. "Maybe we can offer them safety, here."

She hopped after the group, and spread her wings, taking flight but staying low, staying close to Quentin. She wanted to know what he thought... But it was going to bother her, now. If she could make a difference, would try.

mirage is not racing, and staying with everyone else

“

i will refuse to break

···

She was quiet as she laid still. The only warmth she felt was the breath against her lips.

A distant "Where's my key, fox!" pulled her ears forward, and her eyes fluttered under the closed lids. Life breathed into her again and she stuttered awake, slowly, like an ancient tree, rising to her feet with a groggy face.

She regarded the chicken with sad eyes before turning her attention to the rest of her saviors. She could say thank you. She could cry, she could whine, she could hum in glee or she could just exist. The latter seemed best, for as long as she would be able to do it.

She could come forward to the odd being that arrived, however. Her nose twitched with the scent of blood leaking through it. She must've broke a vessel... And when she moved, she winced at the dull sore her bones held. The fox was done here. This cave was enough, even as the owl yelped, as others gathered and assessed themselves.

She gave a quiet look to Mirage and Quentin before sliding forward, gingerly taking another prize for herself in her jaws. It was hard to track Hargrave from here, hard to find her scent. It took a while before she found it and trudged along the snow to abandon the others in quiet solidarity.

They were done here.

(taking a diamond)

He barely relaxed as Kalama swooped in, coming to save, coming to warm and release the fox from her hell. Only when she moved again did he sigh.

In the quiet that followed, he looked to Mirage with an unease in his wavering pupils. "This-" He huffed as he began before her snap to attention dragged him along with it. Silent confusion followed- where had this being come fro-

"Hey!" His voice was loud beside Mirage's, but he butted in in front of her like a protective mother holding a child in a car seat. "What're you doing?" He shook, too, but pressed back into the owl as he stared up at the intruder.

He wanted to retch. Life gone, just like that, no chance to become one again. His lungs quaked with the sensation of grief for a stranger and he pulled Mirage's head into his fur, breathing hard. Warrior spoke like a distant call despite him being so near. He could only mirror Mirage's nod with a soft 'mh'.

At her voice, his ears turned to her and he looked at her expression. "You're right..." His voice trailed as he agreed on the solidity of the situation. "But, there's... Nothing but death. Here, there- This..."

He inhaled. He exhaled. "If they can survive out there, we could too, though. Long enough to offer refuge." In short, an agreeance. "They're not okay, but we can't help them all- at least we can help those who ask for it." He turned to the pack. "We can start with these folk. Maybe we could help them adapt."

Mirage had set off, but he stepped closer to the remnants of the diamond. Others were taking pieces of it, and his collector's heart ached- he didn't need it. He couldn't carry it, but...

He grumbled under his breath before taking a piece for him and Mirage and tracked after she and Warrior, riding on the latter's back if he was given the time to scramble on.

(also taking diamond!)

The last stretch was by no means easy. Yes, the snow was clearing: but weariness and injuries would certainly take their tolls. It was a long, tiring trudge, the constant rumble of sand worms a terror, the bitter cold a shivering bite.

Yet... they made it. Champions, every one of them: some experienced survivors of Hydra, others newcomers who had struggled through and now came out on top.

The Masked Merchant awaited them. Vargas, perched beside him, watched them come in. The snowfall seemed to take on a hint of magic: a new spell, released throughout the caves, its knowledge granted to the first three arrivals.

And as before, a short, sharp shock of pain, and they were returned to their gemstones: a blissful rest, a peaceful recovery, though many would certainly bear wounds and scars. There, they would be watched over: nothing would be stolen from these slumbering Champions, and they would be safe until emergence.

________________

All surviving characters may post arriving at Tunnel P and entering their chrysalises, and exiting the thread. They will enter their chrysalis for two weeks, and can have emerged beginning mid-February, or later on if they so choose. They may choose one reward from the list posted here.

Final Placements:

First Place: Agate Two-Three-Six - 1000 Magicka, Snowfall Spell
Second Place: Lyra - 700 Magicka, Snowfall Spell
Third Place: Imp - 500 Magicka, Snowfall Spell

In addition, all surviving participants may claim the Champion of Hydra achievement in the Update Me thread. Those who already have this achievement will receive it a second time. All participating characters, surviving or not, may also claim 200 magicka for the Extra Long Thread Completion in Magicka Market.

The Snowfall spell has been unlocked in the Magicka Shop!

Snowfall
High Intensity Manipulation. Focuses atmospheric moisture and lowers temperature, changing a cave's weather to snowy. This lasts longer and is more intense in naturally colder areas, while warmer, dryer caves may experience only a short flurry.

Kalama, Ivory, Oleander, Warrior, Virgil, Fisher, Shida, Wynter, Null, and Quentin all receive a small shard of the Ice Worm's diamond. This can be revived regardless of Give Life roll attempt (and can be given or traded to other Gembound to do so). The shards, however, do not individually contain much of the Ice Worm's magic, and the resulting children can at maximum be approximately twenty feet in length.

Identified Item!

Hargrave has obtained an enchanted item from the Trial of Hydra!

3★ The Iceblade An enchanted shortsword frosted with permanent ice. Increases damage dealt to the legendary Ice Worm and all spawn who share its stone.

☆☆☆★ ★ ★ The Iceblade A shortsword with a blade a bit over one foot long, frosted with permanent cold. Formed by icelike, twisting diamond and forged steel, its enchanted gemstone attuned to that of the legendary Ice Worm of Hydra. It amplifies damage done to any bearers of this stone. ELEMENT: Water MAGIC LEVEL: 50 DURABILITY: 70 SPECIAL: Attuned to amplify damage to bearers of the Ice Worm's stone. MATERIAL: Diamond, Steel ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: 0 WEIGHT: 4 EQUIP: None/Carry Currently owned by: Hargrave

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five (Null, Quentin)
@Imp (Ivory, Warrior)
@Agate Two-Three-Six (Wynter, Fisher, Mirage)
@Virgil (Hargrave)
@Shida (Lyra, Oleander)
@Kalama