pov: the commander has just been murdered by the rogue god Balthazar and his son has decided that you, Rytlock Brimstone, are the problem
(art done by @telltalecoyote)
Grief surrounds me, mixed with confusion and a singular spark of outrage, but I push aside my own pain and focus on Oberon and Sigmund, seizing theirs instead. Their eyes flare a bright pink as they stand rigid– then their weapons are out and Oberon is charging down Rytlock while his cub nocks a crystal-headed arrow onto his bow. Remorse tugs at my concentration–while Vlast’s echoes may not forgive me, I know Sig will, but that doesn’t make me feel better–but I push on while the rest of the group focuses on evading the tumbleweed that is Rytlock and Oberon. The traitorous charr allows himself to be bowled over, and in that moment Sig halts his fire to avoid skewering his sire.
Though I didn’t expect him to fight smart, the wind is on my side: barely a thought is needed for it to carry me towards them. I drift toward the wrestling charr and command Oberon–the lieutenant kicks Rytlock and rolls away towards his fallen gunblade.
Arrows begin to rain around us, and Rytlock shouts, “Dammit, cub, don’t do this!”
“I have every right to kill you!” Arrows that would hit me are torn asunder as I lash a whip of pink energy forward.
“Balthazar–”
“You won’t have to worry about Balthazar!”
I was going through my screenshots and found out that I'd taken a bunch of pictures of various loading screens in the game. This is far from all of the loading screens (and these aren't all my favorites!), but I figured I'd post my randomly discovered random assortment from the personal story and beyond, because why not :)
I'm finally getting around to finishing the PoF story achievements and... man. If you know, you know: I'm talking about The Departing.
It's hands down the best story mission in the entire game, and the plot twist had me in a vice grip for WEEKS after playing it for the first time. Even now it still gives me the chills to think/type about it. Everything about it was perfectly executed and just amazing. 10/10
Keeping it spoiler-free for any new folks blowing through, but I might make another post with more in-depth, spoilery thoughts soon. I don't post much on this blog but I think The Departing always warrants it's own post
You ever think about how Aurene and the Commander both know what it feels like to die without dying? I don't mean when they each died, I mean when they each felt the other die. Aurene and the Commander have both felt each other die. Aurene knows what it feels like to burn to death, to be ripped apart. The Commander knows what a volatile, sparking crystal feels like when it pierces through you with the force of an explosion.
They both know what is like to feel like part of you is dead while you have to keep living.
But while aurene is guaranteed a return the Commander is so fragile and mortal. That's the only family she has left and their life is hanging by a thread. Sure they came back once, in a special situation involving a favor that could have wiped them from existence just to harness enough power to revive themself. And sure she's saved them, they survived an arrow meant for an elder dragon and the full force of the Void. The Commander, for all intents and purposes, seems every bit as invincible as the dragon they champion. But all it takes is for Aurene to be too late just once. One misstep without help at the right time again. The Judge can not grant endless favors for one hero when history has seen so many others die while their legends live on.
She has her family now, but she will need more. She will always need more. And she will feel that loss so sharply, when the people who helped her find the strength for all of this lose their own for good.