A Horse By Any Other Name (Part 28 - Finale)

One Month after the Summer Solstice (Seventh Moon 1000 ALB) / Day Five of the Odinsleep (12:06 pm) 

Raven looks around at everyone, "We jump him right after the he says 'begone' and thinks that he got rid of us." He shifts his footing to be better prepared to launch himself at the god. Cedron lays a hand upon the elf's shoulder, "“Oh, grand Purveyor of Progress, protect my friend from the evil we are soon to face.” An aura of energy settles around the fighter, one that will ward away evilly-empowered creatures and spells. Raven nods his thanks. 

Cedron clears his throat, takes a breath, and works his way through a quick scale of notes in preparation of an inspirational song as he draws his harmonic blade from its sheath. 

Hearing Raven’s plan, Nik steps out of direct line of attack and moves toward a flanking position before drawing his bow and waiting for the right time. 

Grotto gets into range of all allies and enemies. "Oh great Hanseath, I pray to you as your devout servant. Guide us so that our attacks be strong, and our damage be severe. Hinder our enemies, blunt their blades. Let us spill blood in your honor!" As the dwarf's prayer takes effect, everyone feels emboldened, knowing that their actions will be guided by the Dwarven God of Battle and Revels. 

Shadow wiggles the delicate fingers of his left hand as he chants, "Μαζική Δύναμη Ταύρου". Energy flows through the arcane words, imbuing everyone with enhanced physical strength. 

Kysek says, “I guess we’re doing this. No time like the present.” The thief moves into an obscured location out of Loki’s line of sight and awaits his opportunity to attack a well distracted deity. He draws both swords and slips out of sight, hoping to strike while Loki is distracted by the others. 

Drax will wait for his moment,  meanwhile studies his target for weaknesses, remembering the glamoured armor of Loki's henchman, and even his own glamoured armor. The assassin assumes the diety wears such armor as well. 

Ra’ziir will cast a quickened Haste spell on the party just as he hears Loki shout "BEGONE!" The bladesinger leaps into action, diving through the mirror with Grumbar’s Razor leading the way. 

Loki, without even turning to face him, steps aside from Ra’ziir's attack, deftly dodging the first blow and the one that follows. The bladesinger goes into a spin, weaving his sword through a variety of attacks, all while gliding across the stone floor as easily as a ballroom.

His offense his perfect, beautiful, a work of art that would bring tears to the eyes of onlookers. 

And completely useless. 

Loki effortlessly avoids all that the elf-emental can throw at him with contemptuous ease. 

There is a bright flash of light outside and the deafening roar of thunder. 

Raven barrels in behind Ra’ziir, both swords moving faster than than can be tracked. High, low, short stabs, quick thrusts, slashes, and sweeping strikes - Loki avoids them all, a smile spreading across his face as he realizes one of his fellow tricksters has betrayed him.

 
Niklas' arrows go wide when loosed from Blaze. Kysek tumbles in to stab with White Faerie and Blackflame but his blades pierce nothing but air. Beams of fire erupt from Abacus's horn. Loki raises one hand and the flames dissipate before even reaching him. 

The peal of thunder outside of the window shakes the entire tower with its ferocity. 

Drax strikes next. As the assassin closes in, a yellow fruit rind appears on the floor beside the God of Mischief and Loki steps on it. He doesn't slip but he does look down long enough for Drax to drive the blade in his right hand through the god’s thigh, all of the way to the hilt. 

Loki doesn't even blink. 

He snarls instead and a dagger appears in each hand. Thunder and lightning crash outside. Loki reaches out with one hand and taps Drax on the shoulder. "Cnawd i Garreg" is all the god says but the killer from Greyhawk is instantly petrified, transformed into a stone statue in the blink of an eye. 

The wall explodes inward. 

A red-haired warrior holding a heavy warhammer strides through the gaping hole, a woman, standing six-and-one-half feet tall, bearing a heavy spear and long blond hair worn in a tight braid speaks, "I told you. Mortals. Outmatched in every conceivable way but courage, facing our enemy." 

"LOKI" the red-haired god booms, "Lay aside your arms and call off your army or I will leave naught here but your broken body buried beneath the remnants of this tower. These mortals are now under My protection." 
Loki gulps and takes a step back. "As you wish, I didn't want any of them dead, you see. They are nearly as annoying as you."
- - - - -
• Cedron: 95% health; Light (79 minutes, 4 rounds remaining), Displacement (8 rounds), Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Drax: 100% health; Nondetection (lasts until about 10 pm), Undetectable Alignment (lasts until about noon tomorrow)Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Grotto: 94% health; Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Kysek: 95% health; Half of the Tome has been read; Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Niklas: 100% health; Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Raven: 78% health; Protection from Evil (11 minutes, 9 rounds), Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Ra’ziir: 88% health; Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),
• Shadow: 97% health; Overland Flight (18 hours, 57 minutes, 3 rounds remaining), Prayer (9 rounds),  Mass Bull's Strength (16 minutes, 9 rounds), Mass Haste (17 rounds),