Mission:Blood Begets Blood - Part Four: Darkest Before the Dawn

Part Four: Darkest Before the Dawn

Briefing

Serene's abandonment of Master Midnight has exposed a weakness we can exploit.

Master Midnight will doubtless wish to visit revenge upon her, but we cannot let him do that, for he would become one with the Talons of Vengeance. You need to confront Master Midnight and learn all you can from him about Serene's plan, and what she seeks to do with the Talisman he foolishly gave to her.

No doubt he did so in the hopes that Diabolique would be made his, but surely after making dealings with her he must have some idea of where to find Serene before it is too late. There must be some way to get inside Midnight's Mansion, but with Cerulean dead, his magical portal is no longer at our disposal...

• Katie could do it.

Of course! Katie Douglas.

She has the ability to teleport anywhere she can see. While she has never seen the interior of Midnight's Mansion, you have. Katie can read your mind as you imagine the Mansion and then take you there. Of course, if anything happens to Katie while you are in there you may never be able to find your way out again.

I'll instruct Katie to aid you through the Seer Network.

I'm afraid that now, more than ever, her mind must remain safely inside that damnable prison. Any animosity she has toward you when this is all over I ensure will instead be directed toward me.

Force Midnight to Help you stop Serene

Unnecessary Solicitation

Serene has made a critical error in betraying Midnight. With his assistance we can stop Serene before it's too late. Katie Douglas will be the key in getting inside Midnight's Mansion.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: FW_SEERNETWORK_2_MIDNIGHTERMANSION

Entering the Seer Network Facility is like walking into a freezer in the middle of an Alabama summer. A wave of calm energy gently washes over your mind, and for the first time in a long time you feel at ease. The stark contrast alarms you and you are now aware at just how completely the fury of the Talons has saturated First Ward.

• Force Midnight to Help you stop Serene
  • (Talk to Katie to get transported to the Midnight Mansion)
  • Defeat Master Midnight
  • (Talk to Katie to get transported back)
  • Talk to Master Midnight

You learned where Sorceress Serene is and that she plans on summoning the Furies into the world.

Enemies

Midnight Masters

Notable NPCs

• Master Midnight (Midnight Masters Boss)

Katie Douglas Dialogue

Upon Approach:

Katie Douglas: I can see Midnight's Mansion clearly in your mind, Character. I will take you there.

Upon Entrance to Midnighter Mansion:

Katie Douglas: We're here, Character.

Midnight Masters Dialogue

Combat Start:

Reanimated Acolyte: Destroy...

Reanimated Acolyte: Interlopers.

Master Midnight Dialogue

Before Combat:

Master Midnight: You DARE defile my inner sanctum with your muddy shoes and obsession with PUNCHING!?

Combat Start:

Master Midnight: Midnight Masters... Master Midnight commands you to destroy the intruders!

First Blood:

Master Midnight: Where as before I was only using a shadow of my eldritch mastery, now I shall show you the majesty of my matchless mystical might!

75% Health:

Master Midnight: Now face my full POWER!

50% Health:

Master Midnight: MINIONS! TO ME!

Master Midnight: No... Wait, that's the wrong power stone. Hold on...

25% Health:

Master Midnight: Ah! My shielding sphere! You shattered it!

Master Midnight

Briefing

WAIT!

Please!

Don't... Don't kill me.

I... I made a mistake, I realize that now.

I... I bow to your superior power...

• I'm not going to kill you, Percy.

Oh... thank you, thank you!

I just... I just need a chance to redeem myself.

• You can start by telling me everything you know about Serene's plan.

Serene said she needed the Talisman to summon the Furies. She told me that she would use the amulet to trap them here in this world so she could control them, and in return for me helping to get the talisman that Diabolique's soul would be freed from the Talisman. Now I understand that she plans to destroy her, the woman I love.

• Percy, there is still a chance to save her, but I need to know where she is.

Yes... Yes of course!

The Forbidden Crags are honeycombed with ancient caverns. Serene and Diabolique's old coven, the Ravenwing Cabal, used to conduct ceremonies in one of those caverns.

It lies at a magical leyline knot where there is great magical power. I can tell you exactly how to get there, but... the place is going to be crawling with the Talons of Vengeance.

• I'll worry about the Talons, you should think about what you've become.

• Give me one good reason I shouldn't end you!

I know where Serene is!

• Keep talking or I'll assume you've got nothing worth saying.

The Forbidden Crags are honeycombed with ancient caverns. Serene and Diabolique's old coven, the Ravenwing Cabal, used to conduct ceremonies in one of those caverns.

It lies at a magical leyline knot where there is great magical power. I can tell you exactly how to get there, but... the place is going to be crawling with the Talons of Vengeance.

• You should worry less about them, and more about me.

Where in First Ward is Sorceress Serene?

Master Midnight was beaten... Again. He revealed everything he knew about Sorceress Serene and her plan to bring the Furies into this world and using Diabolique's Talisman to enslave them. According to his story he aided Serene under the assumption that he would get Diabolique in return, but it was all wishful thinking on his part. Deep down he knew that there was no way she could survive without the magic in her Talisman binding her spirit to this world any longer. Forced to face reality, Master Midnight told you where to find Serene, down south, in the Forbidden Crags.

Stop Serene from summoning the Furies!

Unnecessary Solicitation

If what Midnight says is true then I have not foreseen this moment. Character, you must stop Serene, no matter the cost.

Mission Objective(s)

Map: FW_TALONS_TUNNELS_01

The caverns thrum with divine power. Everything about this place fills you with a boiling rage. The wrath of the Furies is growing in strength and must be stopped before it consumes everyone.

• Stop Serene from summoning the Furies!
  • Stop Sorceress Serene!

You defeated Sorceress Serene, but at great cost. Serene and Midnight have been consumed by the wrath of the Furies, and Diabolique has escaped with the Talisman that anchors her spirit to this world. Still, the Talons of Vengeance have been thwarted and the First Ward is a safer place... for now.

Enemies

Talons of Vengeance

Notable NPCs

• Projection of Sorceress Serene (Talons of Vengeance)
• Diabolique (Ally)
• Sorceress Serene (Talons of Vengeance Elite Boss)

Ambush! While advencing through the mission, you are ambushed by three waves of Talons of Vengeance.

Talons of Vengeance Ambush Dialogue

Zealot: Blood for blood! Death for death!

---

Zealot: Kill Character!

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Huntress: Don't let them interfere with the ritual!

Talons of Vengeance Dialogue

Before Combat:

Huntress: Blood for blood! Death for death!

---

Before Combat:

Zealot: Don't let them interfere with the ritual!

Serene and Diabolique Dialogue

Before Combat:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: I call to thee, keepers of fate, judgers of mortals, and feared by the gods!

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Come forth and deliver unto me your power!

Diabolique: I'll kill you, Serene, just like I killed your pathetic little coven and enslaved them to my will!

Diabolique: Only, being a slave is too good for you, I'm just going to destroy your soul completely!

Combat Start:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: You can't stop it, Character.

First Blood:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Vengeance will descend like a tidal wave...

75% Health:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: The world's sins will be washed away by the blood of oath breakers.

50% Health:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Don't blame me, Character. I'm just the herald of revenge.

25% Health:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Blame the Furies if you must, but it is your inaction that has brought this upon the world!

Upon Defeat:

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Gah!

Projection of Sorceress Serene: Fine! If you want a painful death then so be it!

Sorceress Serene: You idiots! Sorceress Serene: Enough of this! Sorceress Serene: The time has come for the Furies to be brought into this world... Sorceress Serene: Thanks to Tammy's talisman, the Furies will have a permanent anchor... Sorceress Serene: ...an anchor that will also keep them chained to my will! Sorceress Serene: And with the power of the Furies at my command, I will have my final vengeance! Sorceress Serene: Sadly, the current soul anchored to the talisman will be destroyed... Sorceress Serene: Good bye, Tammy Arcanus. Good bye and burn in hell! Sorceress Serene: Furies! I call to thee! Sorceress Serene: I summon thee! Sorceress Serene: I bind thee to this material world! Sorceress Serene: Come forth with all your power and take this wicked soul before you as sacrifice! Master Midnight: NOOOO! Master Midnight: Diabolique, my love... Master Midnight: I give my life... for yours. Master Midnight: AAAAAAH! Master Midnight: AAAAAAAAH!!! Master Midnight: AAIIIIEEE! Sorceress Serene: NO! Sorceress Serene: You fool! Your meddling has ruined everything! Diabolique: Serene... you evil little witch! Diabolique: You tried to sacrifice me to the Furies... Diabolique: ...and you tell ME to burn in hell?! Diabolique: I'm going to shatter your soul into so many pieces that every daemon in hell will get a piece of you!!!

Sorceress Serene Battle Dialogue

75% Health:

Sorceress Serene: The Furies were to be mine to command, MINE!

50% Health:

Sorceress Serene: And now you have stolen my destiny!

25% Health:

Sorceress Serene: I still have a chance to exact vengeance upon you, Tammy Arcanus!

Upon Defeat:

Sorceress Serene: Wait! What's happening?

Sorceress Serene: No... Noooo!

Sorceress Serene: NOOOOO!!!

Diabolique: How do you like them apples?

Diabolique: The only reason you still live is because if not for you I would have surely been destroyed.

Diabolique: ...Thank you.

Diabolique: The next time we meet, do not expect me to be so charitable.

Upon Diabolique Defeat:

Sorceress Serene: Blood begets blood, Diabolique!

Diabolique: Nooooooooo!

Diabolique: I'm not going to die for this.

Diabolique: Thanks for freeing me, but this is your battle, not mine!

Diabolique: When next we meet, Serene, you will die!

Upon Player Defeat:

Sorceress Serene: Blood begets blood, Character!

Debriefing

Character, thank the light you are alive. I feared the worst had happened when I sensed the power of the Furies emerging, and doubts began to creep into my mind... nothing is certain anymore...

My foresight has not seen this moment. How did you stop them in the nick of time?

Vanessa DeVore listens to your account of the battle.

I see, so Midnight and Serene are dead and Diabolique is even more powerful than before...

Do not fret, Character, a great catastrophe has been averted, and I know for a fact that Diabolique's ire will be directed toward a certain mutual foe rather than against your self or my Carnival of Light.

Though this is a great moment I do feel somewhat sorry for young Master Midnight... only through an act of real love was he finally able to do the right thing and save the woman he obsessed over. In the end, his heroic act, a first step toward redemption, cost him his life... and that really is a tragedy.