Kriki's Gift, Chapter XXIX, Reading 23

Gegen released his barrier and the energy exploded radially outward in a burst of unimaginable might.  In no way, could the three have anticipated the unstoppable force they had created and released into the heart of the mountain.  They had freed the energy burst above the howling mob and it manifested as a ferocious airburst that smashed the frenzied and howling men and women into the ground - many dying as the shockwave crushed bone and tissue.  Above the crowd, the pulse of energy swept into the overlying rock and the cave reverberated with the sharp report of rock spalling off the roof.  The shattered rock began to rain upon the prostrate forms of the horde below.  Those who had survived the airburst struggled to rise and escape the deadly hail of jagged stones.  The pitch of the sounds in the cavern lowered, growling ominously as the wave penetrated deeper into the rock mass.  With a deafening roar, the cavern roof collapsed, obliterating the clan under countless tons of rock.

The energy pulse propagated throughout the mountain collapsing tunnels and caverns as it went.  The entire universe of the Valkea’s horde was utterly obliterated as the mountain reclaimed its inviolate and impenetrable strength.  Deformation within the rock mass served to absorb and dissipate the energy of the shockwave on its passage outward so by the time the wave front broke out on the surface it didn’t trigger the catastrophic rock slides Flindra had feared.

The three champions had pulled their focus out of the cavern when things started to collapse so they could see what was happening on the surface.

“Praise the Spirit we didn’t bring down the entire mountain,” Flindra observed with relief.

“My engineers are going to have to clean up the road,” Kalmar remarked as he took note of a minor rock fall that had spread out over the road.  He sighed wearily for he was utterly spent.  “Let’s see if there is anything left of the Valkea’s nursery.  It’s not likely to have survived, but we need to make sure.”

Kalmar directed his thoughts into the mountain, but sensed nothing but darkness and the oppressive weight of the surrounding rock.  “It’s gone,” he announced wearily.  “It’s time to rest.  Many thanks to both of you,” he uttered.

“Rest easy, Your Majesties,” Gegen replied and his essence vanished.  He was too exhausted to say more.

“Be well and know that I love you,” Flindra murmured to her husband.

“Sleep well, my Beloved.”

Kalmar and Flindra drew back simultaneously and collapsed in their respective chambers.