"Stone Sons! Laduguer has not abandoned us!"
Magic amplified the young nobleman's voice, making Madra's words vibrate against everyone's eardrums.
"The Mind Ripper has returned! The artifact's light will shelter this city! The Mind Flayers' psionics can no longer erode our minds!"
"As a Deepforge, I guarantee it!" Madra's magically amplified voice rang throughout the cavern. "This mighty artifact from a thousand years ago will cover every corner of the city! Every Duergar will be protected!"
He raised the Mind Ripper high, golden flames dancing atop the torch and illuminating the young Duergar's somewhat weary face.
As Madra began chanting an ancient Dwarven prayer, the Mind Ripper slowly rose from his hand.
The torch floated in midair, drifting slowly toward the top of the stone platform before finally settling into the hands of the towering Statue of Laduguer.
The moment the statue gripped the torch, its light intensified.
A golden tide of light spread outward like an ocean wave, engulfing all of New Rolling Stone City in an instant. The streets shone brightly, and light filled every corner of every stone house. Even in the empty homes abandoned after their owners disappeared, the shadows vanished completely.
The entire city was as bright as day.
Yet the blazing light did not burn the Duergar's eyes, which had never seen sunlight. They simply stood rooted to the spot, gazing up at the statue that seemed wreathed in flames, their faces filled with incredulous awe.
"Laduguer demands everything!"
Someone in the crowd shouted.
All the Duergar snapped out of their daze. They raised their hands fervently and shouted in unison, following that voice:
"May Laduguer demand everything!"
Cheers surged like a tide. Some fell to their knees, some wept with excitement, and others raised their arms and roared toward the statue.
Renato stood