Alexandra Roivas had no idea how long she had been lying beside the altar of the Dread Goddess Xel'lotath. It seemed like ages since her grandfather had congratulated her on her role in ending the evil plot of Pius Augustus to bring about the return of the Ancients. Eventually, Alex slowly got up. Dazedly, she made her way to the summoning circle that would return her to Ehn'gha. As she reappeared in the lost city, Alex noticed that the bell jars containing the essences of Ulyaoth and Chattur'gha had shattered and their contents had vanished. Only the essence of Mantorok remained as it was. However, Alex was in no position to care too greatly. Almost as if she was in a trance, Alex reclaimed Mantorok's essence and made her way back to her grandfather's… no, it was her house now.
As she emerged into the foyer, Alex was met with a surprise: standing there was an enormous red headed man, clad in leather armour and with a strange green cast to his dark skin. Alex stared at the man in terror, before fumbling in her pockets for her revolver, dropping the essence of Mantorok in the process. The stranger was quicker than she was, and he soon pinned Alex roughly to the wall. "Who are you?" he hissed angrily, "What is this place?"
"I… I don't…" Alex stammered.
The stranger became more irate. "Answer me!" he bellowed, "Why have I been brought here?"
Alex shrunk from her assailant in terror, before an angry thought struck her. Who the hell did this man think he was, threatening the Guardian of Light in her own house? Alex pushed a hand into his chest, muttering a spell and praying that it would work.
It did. The magick circle sprung up around them both, and a magickal attack burst from Alex's hand, throwing the intruder against the opposite wall. In the confusion, Alex scrambled up the stairs and drew her revolver from her pocket. "Don't move!" she cried.
"Foolish creature, if you would just answer me…!"
"Don't! I'll shoot you!"
As he stepped forwards, the stranger barked, "Tell me what is going on here…"
Alex squeezed the trigger. Nothing. Why did she waste her ammunition on the Trappers earlier? With few other options available to her, Alex threw her useless gun at the intruder before fleeing in the direction of the spare room. With any luck, she could barricade the door and call the police, and if the stranger caught up with her, she would have more space to swing her sword. However, as she slammed the door behind her, she remembered the essence of Mantorok. She had left it with the mystery intruder, and if he managed to touch it, they were both screwed.