Langdon can see the book glows with a soft silver light; it is clearly a large tome, as hefty and thick as several regular books placed together, and strange, pulsing symbols shine out from under the cover. It doesn’t take much knowledge to tell him that this book is magical. Its exact nature would require him to get up close to examine it though.
However, he can still feel the presence of chaotic, undiluted magic in the area.
Sula wrote:"I am Sula, a healer searching for my brother. I was given a vision to seek out this group and had just found them when we were brought here by whoever it was that was controlling our friend. I don't suppose you have seen another like me
Nyxil regards Sula before responding, regretfully.
"I am afraid I have never seen anyone quite like you before."
Nyxil listens to Penny intently, but his eyes obviously scan the part, assessing them.
Penny Wise wrote:I'm Penny, and these are my cohorts - " She introduced each in turn. "We're from the Tomorrow Legion, and we've been sent on a quest. We're in a race against time against the Coalition, and we're trying to beat them to something that's priceless and very important."
He shifts his large body slightly and taps a claw on the book.
“I believe that this is what you seek. It is my theory that this book is the Meganomicon; a powerful spell book containing many magical secrets, including s Spell of Legend. Perhaps if there had been time, it might have been used to save Tolkeen or at least more of its people. Alas, I was only able to save one and even he was afflicted by the presence of the book. As your friends might have already noticed, there is something a little odd about this area."
The dragon’s expressive face displays embarrassment as he speaks .
“That…was my attempt to reverse the effects of an earlier failure.” Nyxil scratches at the side of his head with a single claw thoughtfully.
“You see, the book contains a Spell of Legend—an enchantment beyond any normal sorcery. I tried to cast it, but something went wrong… and now, some of my draconic abilities are gone.”
Nyxil takes a deep breath.
“Perhaps forever.”
“So you see,” the dragon continues, pointing his claw at the glowing tome,
“this is a very dangerous book. Its secrets are exceptional…but it must be hidden away until Rifts Earth is ready to handle such power.” Nyxil looks somewhat proud of himself as he finishes.
"As you have seen, many covet this book, that members of your team have already fallen under their influence, so I alone must take it away."
As Kidemonas and Heracles take to the air, there is a swooshing noise just before their heads clear the top of the valley. Mica’s sensors squawk to life just as a missile shoots overhead, impacting into the cliff face.
Rocks come raining down, as Mica manages to get out of the way just in time.
Inside the cave, as you debate, there’s suddenly a loud explosion near the mouth of the cave, bringing down fine rock dust from the ceiling. The Coalition has caught up with you, and if you don’t do something soon, they could bring the entire cave down on top of you.
The cliff face will not be able to take many more hits like that before it comes crashing down.
At the edge of the valley, the black-armored forms of Coalition soldiers swarm down the gentle hills of the valley. A suit of SAMAS power armour soars overhead, its loudspeakers broadcasting a determined male voice.
“This is Lieutenant Sebastian Cross of the Coalition Military. This is your one chance to walk away from this alive—give us the book, now!”
This must be the advance party that attacked the survivors you met earlier.
Nyxil looks alarmed
“I do not know if it was your presence that alerted them or my own efforts, but that does not matter. I do not know the capabilities of your group, but my abilities are limited at the moment.
Should we stay and fight or try to flee? Either way, if you are able to protect me, I will be able to cast the spell of Legend upon the Coalition forces, but it will take a few moments for me to do so. This book must not fall into the hands of the Coalition."