Melody can't reach the orb itself from the pond as the water is too deep and the fountain too high, however she notices a faint glow radiating towards her still blooded hand. Suddenly the strange beauty of the cave is gone, replaced with a dark and bloody ceiling. Dozens of severed moose hang above her facing down, they tongues hanging from their mouths and slowly dripping blood all over her body. Her forehead, neck, breasts, nave, crotch, thighs, calves and feet are slowly being covered. Her armour is gone, her weapons stolen, her wrists and ankles chained spread apart, her wings bound to the ground by roots and her hair pulled tight and hard back by a rope to keep her head in place. She realizes there is also a voice in the background, male, dark and hoarse.<br/><br/>"...they do not understand how fallible prophecy is. They say it is fate, they make excuses for their own shortcomings."<br/><br/>The rambling stops abruptly and a hand is at her throat, making her gasp for breath. A hot sticky fluid is poured down her throat from what looks disturbingly like a human skull until she coughs and chokes. Rest of the large macabre vessel's gooy contents is thrown in her face in response. The hand does not release its hold.<br/><br/>"You understand why this is necessary, right? Something in that holier than thou brain can connect the dots together? He Who Balances Scales is needs your power, part of your soul. You took my wife from me in battle. Before he claims his prize, he has decreed that I may take you."<br/><br/>Despite her considerable power, for the first time in her very long life, Astrid realized just how exposed she was.<br/><br/>She snaps back to reality at the sound of Hexla's voice.  Not a second seems to have passed.<br/><br/>"If you wish to know about this tome sweetie, you may want to come back to the shore. And perhaps names are in order now that you know mine?"<br/><br/>Hexla examines the book for a few minutes, smiling softly as Solipsis undresses, and flipping through the many pages. She gives Az'zyla some space to observe it as well.<br/><br/>"This book is written in Infernal, the Baatorian language, although given your present company I suspect you already knew that. What most people don't realize is that there are four different castes of the languages of increasing complexity: Infernal, Low Baatorian, High Baatorian and Court Infernal. This book is written in a combination of Low Infernal and High Infernal which is why it looks so complex. Most mortals could easily be taught Infernal and Low Baatorian, but High Baatorian is another kettle of fish. Only the most intelligent and dedicated could learn it, even I have some difficulty. Given that, it was most likely penned by a fiendish hand."<br/><br/>"Most of the books seems to detail information of Baator itself, although there are several chapters at the end discussing Acheron and Gehenna, the planes that border the Nine Hells. By the headings, there appear to be large portions on Baatezu society, culture and biology, the history of the plane and race, the other inhabitants of the plane as well as how to create portals to Baator. It actually looks like a very comprehensive tome, I'd hang on to it if I were you, although the language is very subtle so you'll have to be careful if you want to fully understand it."<br/><br/>"Now getting out of Baator, that will be a challenge for you. I used the portal in Darkspine but given you are not supposed to be here and you travel with a rogue Baatezu, using the word dangerous would be rather understated. There is another place however. Cross the River of Blood again, but this time in the foothills of the mountains and you will come to the Pillar of Skulls. They may not be pleasant, but they are bound to tell the truth and know many secrets. They could point you to one of the hidden portals, one of the ones not watched as closely by the Baatezu where you could slip out of the plane."<br/><br/>"I should ask you though, what is it that you believe in? I do not judge, unlike some of my peers, but belief has power out here and as primes you are unlikely to realize how strong that power can be."<br/><br/>Sweetwater excitement over danger may be a bit over exuberant, as Hexla seems to be prudent enough not to take extra risks. Beets that are too closely shaped like a heart, white berries like blind eyes, black cabbages that surrounded by leaves of thorns, carrots that bleed when pulled from the ground and more. Disquieting would be a excellent word for it.