Maul and Rubble appeared back in Avalas, the other five members of the Syndicate awkwardly being carried by the two warforged. Rubble set down his two, prompting Maul to do the same. "How long have they been out?"

"Minutes." Maul looked around - they were within a Citadel, presumably the warforged's. When he had left, they hadn't stayed in one place long enough to generate one. Rubble had mentioned that Bulwark had been sending people through the portal to search for Maul...had his absence rooted them in place long enough to form a Citadel? It was a question he didn't have an answer to...but one he needed to ask.

"They will recover. Usually over a day. Their exterior has been turned to stone, but it has not worked its way into their inner mechanisms yet. It can still be fought off." As Rubble finished speaking, the entire Citadel shook, the proud metal structure creaking and groaning from an impact.

"Modron?"

Rubble nodded. "Always. Now come on. I don't know where you've been, but you've come a long way to get back to Avalas. I'm not going to keep you from Bulwark any longer. Follow me."

The two warforged left the rest of the Syndicate in the portal room as Maul ascended a staircase, the entire structure of the Citadel resembling Gruumsh' but on a much smaller scale. Soon, he reached the main hall, pillars clinging to the metal ceiling above as he stepped out. As soon as he did, there was an audible gasp amongst the warforged that lingered there, though the hall was surprisingly empty.

From here, Maul could see out the various entrances to the war beyond - at least, the back lines of it. Tightly-knit squadrons of warforged moved about, while even further back lone operators manned their siege weapons as balls of molten steel were sent flying across the battlefield. In the distance, Maul could see the armies that they opposed - The modron. Pentadrones took on dozens of warforged at a time as five mechanical limbs buffeted everything around them, quadrones flew through the air and rained down arrows from above, tridrones made up a well-guarded fourth line, and the lower duodrones and monodrones were hidden amongst the flames of war. The modron army was even more structured than the warforged - rather than simply understanding and respecting order, they were uncapable of disobeying an order from a higher rank. The pentadrones were the strongest force they ever faced - Maul knew of greater Modron that did not fight, only issue orders. Killing them was nigh-impossible, however - a lower rank was always upgraded to take the place of the slain unit, and a new monodrone was born. In order to wipe out the advancing army, they had to eliminate every single comprising member - at once. It was why the war had raged on this long - it was impossible to win.

"Bulwark location requested." Maul was back in his element...and as much as he wished to remain here forever, he knew he couldn't. He had five allies downstairs that needed him to succeed - to make this entire trip worth it. He owed them that victory.

Rubble pointed onwards. "He's out on the front lines...like always. I can stay here with your companions at your request - make sure that they recover correctly."

"Proposal accepted." Maul started moving out to the battlefield - Bulwark lived on the front lines. The warforged was glad to know that that, of all things, had not changed.

"Welcome back, Maul. I'll find you if I need you." Rubble turned around, heading back to the staircase that they'd come from, down towards the portal. The rest of the Syndicate was still encased in stone, stone that was slowly crumbling away as time went on. For now, however...Maul was on his own.

Maul stepped out of the Citadel, immediately being consumed by the raging war around him. This...this was his life. Everything immediately came back to him, even after having been gone for most of a decade. The formations, the tactics, even some of the faces amongst the ranks - everything came back to him at once.

As he neared the front lines, he could start to make out Bulwark - his leader was nigh-impossible to miss. Bulwark stood just shy of ten feet tall, comprised almost entirely of metal as opposed to the wood composites used in many warforged. Wicked and curved blade-like spikes sprouted from his shoulders, back, arms, and legs, creating a body fully capable of shredding anything that drew too close to it. The blades on his back sprouted from several hinges, allowing them to act almost like a secondary set of arms, the hinges allowing Bulwark to guide them effortlessly, maneuvering them anywhere on his immediate person. The warforged commander was an avatar of destruction - but at the same time, one of protection.

Bulwark carried Bastion with him at all times, a greatshield capable of guarding himself as well as everything around it. Even now, Bulwark had linked with the warforged on the front lines, creating a web-like mesh of force that extended out from him, blocking even the hardiest of modron attacks. Every link in the mesh needed to be strong, however - if one unit in the chain broke, everything beyond that unit collapsed. It created a system of dependence, trust, and order - if one unit disobeyed a command, moved early or too late, it could spell disaster.

"Bulwark!" Maul barked as he got closer to the front lines, an attempt that was completely lost within the din of warfare. He tried again as he got even closer, parting the squadrons of warforged around him as he went. It wasn't until he was practically beside Bulwark that he was finally heard, his commander looking back to spot his age-old ally.

"Maul!" Bulwark immediately looked at the warforged on his right. "Separate." Looking back at Maul, he called forth another order. "Advance."

Maul did as instructed, moving forward to the right of Bulwark as space was made for him. He held out Aegis, his own greatshield, Bastion's weave of energy coursing through it as he took his place beside Bulwark, joining the front lines.

"Presence accepted. Status."

Maul nodded...as odd as it was, it was almost liberating to be given orders again, to find his place within his kind once more...to have a superior " Material Plane consumed by elves. Proposing freedom from Acheron war, but assistance on Material plane." Maul shook his head - it had been so long since he'd spoken to his superior, he'd almost forgotten how.

"Define assistance."

Maul focused on his words...he wanted to have this moment. "...The elves...have a city. Empyria. ...It's construction is expected to complete several months after we left. I came for you. I need your aid."

Bulwark held fast for a moment, sending his sword directly through a monodrone that foolishly dared to challenge him. Even after that, he was quiet for a scarce few seconds as he processed this information. "Evacuation impossible."

Maul expected this response. "But what if it becomes possible?"

Bulwark shook his head. "Portal position unstable."

Maul knew that there was little that he could do about it...he was just a warrior with a maul and shield. However, he had three powerful spellcasters in his group, knowing powers that the warforged couldn't even dream would exist. Beyond those, however, he knew Wake had seen the stable portal - it seemed every citadel of appropriate size had a portal to Thuldanin within it. If anyone could learn how to hold one of those portals stable for long enough to get an army through it, it would be Wake. "And if we are able to keep a portal locked in place for long enough to evacuate the entire army? Would you then aid us?"

Bulwark's response was immediate. "Completely."

Maul nodded his head. "Understood, Bulwark. When I have more that I can tell you, I will be back." He looked at the warforged to his right, uttering "Rejoin" as he separated from the mesh. The transition was seamless, Maul's departure immediately being filled, the barrier not even down for a split-second.

As he started to leave, Bulwark craned his neck to look back. "Arrival unexpected. Return celebrated."

"Thank you, Bulwark. Your words mean a lot to me." Maul continued on his way back to the Citadel...he was torn between two worlds at the moment - the past, and the present. He wanted nothing more than to remain on the front lines - he didn't have to be reinstated at his former rank, though he certainly would not turn it down if offered. The order of warforged society drew him in, made him want to stay. He tried to push the Syndicate in that direction, but it felt as if Phyrra fought him every step of the way - incorporating and depending on uncertainty, in disorder. It was a battle Maul knew he wouldn't win...he'd tried for too long with little success.

Despite that, however, he couldn't abandon them, even now when he was most able. Enough of them had proved themselves worthy of him, Wake most notably. The archer approved of his orderedness, and Maul took note of that - if there were any amongst the group that he would be willing to take orders from, it would be Wake. They had all fought beside him for the months they had been in Avalas, a task that they could have bailed on at any point. Even Phyrra...despite their differences, she had communed with Lolth specifically for him...to abandon even her now would cause tarnish on his reputation that could not be restored.

Maul returned back to the Citadel, back into cover as the battle waged on behind him. The descent of the stairs was quiet - the others hadn't woken up yet, and Rubble's watch over them remained silent. Once the two warforged made eye contact, Maul's words again returned to the short conciseness that he'd grown accustomed to. "Status?"

"I haven't seen movement yet, but they'll come to. The longer they're full turned, the longer it takes to come back. It could be half a day before they show the first signs of movement. Do you want me to stay here with you?"

Maul simply shook his head. "Return. Replacement prepared."

Rubble nodded, getting himself off the floor. "Understood. Send someone to find me if you need anything - we've held our current ranks for quite some time. Bulwark doesn't have any large plans in the immediate future. We can afford one absent soldier."

"Understood." Maul issued the words as Bulwark made his way up the stairs, leaving Maul along with his petrified companions. They looked identical to statues, though they were more lifelike than a sculptor could ever carve by hand. All of their poses were nearly identical - somber, stationary, upright...they'd all taken their last breath in silence while waiting to reach their final destination.

Maul sat in wait, watching in silent expectation for one of them to move - even if it was just the wind or some other false facsimile of life. He just wanted enough to give him hope - hope that he hadn't sentenced them to death.

Hours passed, Maul remaining as motionless as the rest of his companions. The battle above him raged on, a battle that he would have gladly joined in. However, his task now was to stay with his companions - he'd gained Bulwark's confirmation that successfully gaining the army access to a portal for long enough to evacuate would earn the Syndicate his support - that was the first step. The far more challenging part was still ahead of them - actually stopping a portal. Maul sat in silence as he ran through scenarios in his head, scenarios that wouldn't happen for months, years...perhaps even decades depending on the luck. He needed the advice of the others. Perhaps then, he'd -

Maul's eyes focused on Shavvir's hand...he could have sworn he saw movement. Cold eyes remained trained on the exact position as he waited expectantly, hoping to see another sign of life. Minutes passed with the room remaining motionless around him - perhaps it was just his hopeful imagination, or perhaps the shadar-kai was still alive, slowly but inevitably fighting her way out.

Ten minutes later, and he saw the hand move again - he was sure of it this time. A single finger, and only a few degrees of movement at most - but movement nonetheless. Over the next few minutes, that movement became more regular, more lively. Maul watched as a thin crust of stone soon started to crack and crumble away, revealing the pallid flesh of Shavvir underneath. The crack soon started to grow, soon two fingers, soon a hand, wrist, and forearm, eventually climbing up to an elbow and shoulder. The stone continued to fall to the ground at an increasing rate as Shavvir broke free of her prison, fighting against the thin walls that kept her encapsulated.

As she freed herself, Maul noticed similar movements in the others - far delayed from Shavvir, but due to emerge within the next half hour at the rate Shavvir worked. They were only slight movements at first, but growing with intensity all the same. However, Maul focused on the one that would be free first - Shavvir. Soon, the crumbling stone reached her lips, the shadar-kai falling into a coughing fit as it crumbled away in her mouth. She doubled forward, a troubling proposition given that her legs and arm were still encased in stone. Maul rushed forward to grab her, preventing his risen ally from slamming into the ground.

Shavvir looked around, seeing the metal walls of the warforged Citadel around her and hearing the booms of war above her. "What happened, and why are we back with Gruumsh?" She reached for her sword, finding it still trapped within stone as well. Still, she pried it from its sheath, bashing it against the wall as the stone fell off of it like a sheet.

Maul shook his head. "Avalas traversal successful. Location - warforged Citadel."

"Why'd you take us with you? You had every chance to leave us behind - leave our problems behind." It wasn't stated in an accusatory fashion - Shavvir was genuinely curious.

Maul simply waved his hand around at everyone in this small room. "Companions."

Shavvir shook her head with a sigh. "Companions? I thought of all people, you'd be the least likely to fall for that rubbish." She gestured towards the others. "We're not companions. We're only dealing with each other because we created too much of a problem for one person to solve. You could have solved that for all of us - leave the rest of us in Thuldanin to die, and then stay amongst your people. Instead...here we are."

Maul once again shook his head. "Abandonment unacceptable. Restoration necessary."

"Why."

Maul pointed up to the sounds of war. "Warforged army unmovable. Portal fixation creates teleportation availability. Warforged...incapable."

Shavvir rolled her eyes as she parsed Maul's few words. "So that's it, then? You helped us because we're still useful to you." Shavvir looked around at the others before returning to Maul. "I suppose I'm alive because of that decision, but that's one life for one...I'm not saving an army. However, it seems like Phyrra is in the business of indebting herself to others at the detriment of everyone else involved, as I'm sure you remember.

"Analysis accurate, incomplete."

Shavvir furrowed her brow. "What, that we're only alive because you need something? Alright them, I'm listening...what's the rest?"

"Attachment."

"No." The shadar-kai was dumbfounded. "I think your internals have rusted out. I didn't think your kind was even capable of growing attached to others." She held up her hands defensively at Maul's piercing glare, taking a few steps back. "Fine...I don't know everything, and I don't claim to. Our goals align right now - you want a way out of Avalas, and so do I. In that sense, I guess it's in my best interests to help you as well."

"Understood. Companions awakening." As the two conversed, the others started breaking out of their shells. Hands and feet were breaking free as Maul and Shavvir quieted down, watching the other four like a mother hen watching her chicks hatch. They came out in quick succession, stone crumbling away until eventually every member of the Syndicate was alive and breathing once more.

"What...happened?" Lance looked round, seeing the somewhat familiar walls of a completely different Citadel. "And where are we?"

"Petrification completed. Location - warforged citadel. Assistance requested."

"Wait - we're back in Avalas? Are we safe?" Phyrra looked around, seeing the shell of her one prison still lying at her feet.

"Safety...improved."

"What do you need of us, Maul? We're all alive because you decided to help us. I think a favor is the least of your concerns."

Shavvir simply laughed, her analysis of the cleric spot-on. "Favor might be a bit of an understatement from what we talked about...force of nature seems more apt."

Wake interjected. "Well...nothing's out of the question. What do you need, Maul?"

"Waforged trapped. Portal velocity unsustainable. Portal fixation necessary."

"Common, Maul...common." Phyrra wished to help...but she still struggled with the language barrier between the two.

"He wants you to hold a portal in place for long enough to get an entire army through it." Shavvir spat the words out, almost laughing internally at how absurd they sounded.

"Oh." The room fell silent at the collective realization that Shavvir's earlier quip was anything but. To be able to halt a portal was...well, likely impossible. The more likely option was to -

"Would this help?" Lance held out his Immovable Rod - he used it rarely, but often to great effect. "I'm not going to begin to act like I've got this all figured out - but I don't think this will hurt."

"You're suggesting we stop the cube? It...might work. However, I don't believe the Rod can hold that much weight. The best you'll get is to slow it down, and even then not by much. However, you're right...it doesn't hurt. As for me…" Phyrra thought through the spells she currently had prepared, as well as what else she could learn given time with Lolth…"I'm afraid there's not much I can do."

"I think the Rod might be all we need...well, that and a way to move my brother quickly." Wake continued, holding out a hand as Lance handed him the Rod. "We wait until a corner of the cube is in the direction we're traveling. Activate the Rod on one of the edges. It'll deflect the blow rather than completely absorb it - should give us a bit more time before the Rod is forced to deactivate, hopefully enough to redirect the cube. We send Lance over to the other side, and we do it again. The cube's slower this time...activating the Rod again will either stop it or slow it down enough that you've got a few minutes in the worst case...Maul, is Bulwark aware of this plan?"

"Affirmative."

"Okay. I'll be able to detect an incoming portal before it hits us. You have a Sending Stone, I'll have the other. On my signal, the army needs to retreat. Once the portal is over the mainland, tell them to get through it as quick as possible. There's only so much we can control...and a lot of this is speculation."

"Approximations within acceptable margins. Proposal accepted." Maul had run the calculations in his head - he didn't know how fast they were currently moving, but anything moving at a reasonable speed would absorb and bounce off of the first blow, and nearly come to a stop on the second. Wake's analysis of the situation only further cemented Maul's earlier analysis of him - that he was one that he could be led by.

"So I think we're missing a part, right? How do you get me across half of this cube while we hold a portal overhead?"

"I can cast Dimension Door a couple times. Carry you across as far as I can." Phyrra offered it up. "I haven't seen the outside to know how far of the total that is. I can get you...three thousand feet, give or take."

"And I can provide an additional fifteen hundred, with the understanding that I'll be going through that portal as well."

"Well honey, I think that's the goal, right? We want to be getting out of here as well, but even I know a good deed deserves another. No sense in raising a fuss about it. As for me, I can give our little darling a nice little boost of speed...hopefully that's enough to get us the rest of the way if we aren't already there."

"We're at almost a mile at this point, and we aren't trying to do all the way across. If any of the other cubes we've seen are any indication, that should get us most, if not all the way. That means everybody plays a part however...I'm on the corner, Maul's by Bulwark, Lance is ready with the Rod, and everyone else is there to support. We're really only going to have one shot at this...so everyone do your part."

Wake fired an electrified arrow into the air as a signal to his brother, spotting their target on the horizon. In the coming moments, the archer pulled out his Sending Stone and spoke to it, signalling the Warforged army to retreat. At the same time, Lance ducked low and clicked his Immovable Rod for only a split second before reaching out for Phyrra's hand. She opened the first of several Dimension Doors, flying forward at a breakneck speed. As the cleric ran out of spells they could see Shavvir in the distance, one final casting putting Lance almost face-to-face with the shadar-kai.

Once he was in Shavvir's grasp the two of them continued the jumps, three more short hops across the cube as more Dimension Doors were used, eventually Lance exiting the final door on his own as Shavvir shuttled him through it. There, Zaelynir was ready and waiting for him, Lance quickly able to hit the ground at a full sprint, a sprint that grew even faster as Zaelynir sped up the boy. His legs were a blur as he charged the remaining distance to the other edge of the cube, the empowering spell running out just as he reached the edge. He dove forward, sliding to a halt with just enough distance left to hold his arm out and click the Immovable Rod once more.

Lance rolled over and breathed a sigh of relief, the beating of Zaelynir's wings growing louder as he chased after him. "I think that was our fastest run yet, dearest. You're getting...very good at this."

Lance nodded. "Yeah...but it doesn't matter if I mess up on the actual run. This is the first time I didn't trip over my feet in four days...I'm still too inconsistent."

"Nonsense, darling. A little variability makes things fun." He held out a hand, helping Lance to his feet. "Now I know that spell tuckers you out. Come on back...let's get you some rest."

As they walked back to the Citadel, the others joined up as well. They'd been rehearsing this every day, making sure that they were as ready as possible for the actual event. At some point they'd have to stop - to be ready for the actual time...but not yet. Not until everything was perfected. Wake was harsh on them, keeping time from his perch at the corner of the cube. They needed this time as low as possible - before Lance used the cube a second time, they were going perpendicular to the portal. If it got too off-center, they'd miss their chance, and be here for potentially months waiting for another one to come by at the exact right height.

The group reconvened at about the point where Shavvir took over for Phyrra. As usual, Wake gave them their usual briefing. "This was the best run of the past several. The first handoff was still shaky. Shavvir, you've gotten more distance out of your portals in the past. That's all."

They remained silent as they returned, Lance taking in heaving breaths as he tried to calm himself - these morning runs took a lot out of him. They'd done it for almost a month at this point - any day from now, the portal could show up. They had to be ready.

As they neared the portal, however, Wake looked around, his brow furrowing. Phyrra immediately noticed, looking at the archer curiously. "Something the matter?"

He nodded. "I...I think the portal is finally here."

The others looked at him...if it was true, they weren't ready. Both Shavvir and Phyrra were spent - they'd need a different plan. "Are you sure?"

Wake looked forward, his archer's eyes spotting it on the horizon - a small, grey circle. He sensed it, but now he could see it. From his knowledge of the planes, it would take the Warforged to the plane between planes, the Outlands. It was a plane that connected to all other Outer planes - it was exactly what the Syndicate needed as well. "Yes. We...Zaelynir, can you carry him?"

The incubus nodded. "Yes."

"Then go. Now. We cannot afford to pass this up. Do whatever you have to. I will signal the army."

Before he'd even finished speaking, Lance had clambered awkwardly onto Zaelynir's back, the incubus speeding himself up as each beat of his wings propelled him further than should be possible. Soon, the two saw the portal as well - they still had time before it would even be over the top of the cube, but time was still very much of the essence - and the plan they'd prepared so long for was rendered unusable. It was all up to the beat of Zaelynir's wings to get Lance where he needed to be.

"Maul...this is not a drill. We have to change plans, but Lance is getting into position. Get the army ready."

"Affirmative." Maul put away the Sending Stone...it was time to retreat. "Bulwark. It is time to prepare for departure. My companion's plans have changed - I do not know how much time we will have to evacuate."

"Guidance acceptable. Retreat imminent." While the rest of the Syndicate had practiced their portion, so too had Maul and Bulwark. Though they hadn't ever initiated the full retreat, they'd laid plans on how to do so - a retreat of this scale wasn't something the Warforged army had to do often, if ever. Bulwark pulled back his shield from the line for only a split second before putting it back in, the energy wall flickering out and coalescing three times in quick succession down the front line.

"Retreat!" Bulwark's command roared through the ranks, the entire front line repeating it behind them as the information made its way down. The entire front line started stepping back in unison, the shield wall holding fast as they kept backwards. In front of them, the Modron legion ate up the space as fast as it was given to them, Bulwark picking up his pace as they went. They needed to build distance - if they didn't, the Modron could just follow them through the portal, their endless battle simply moving into yet another plane...a plane that likely wasn't fit to handle a war of this magnitude and longevity.

Soon, Bulwark's retreat had built them a bit of space, and so he let down the shield wall as the front ranks turned and dropped into a full sprint, giving them even more space. The timing had to be right on this...if it wasn't, the Modron would catch up, and their ranks were in no shape to fight back. Bulwark didn't know the rest of the plan, or what to -

Lance dove forward, clicking the Immovable Rod...for real this time. As he did, the cube slammed into it, immediately overriding the Rod's limitations. The entire cube careened off to the side, the Rod still doing its job of deflection...that meant his brother's math was at least close to right. The entire surface of the cube was unstable for the next few seconds from the impact against the Rod, cube spinning about wildly. Lance struggled to stand up, the world spinning around him as he tried to locate the incubus only a few feet from him. "That's...the first half. Fly on."

"With pleasure." Zaelynir waited for Lance to climb on his back once again before beating his wings, the duo leaping into the air and flying towards the next half of the cube. The journey was much longer than their plans took into account - with Phyrra and Shavvir already having used their spells for the day, this was their fastest mode of travel. Still, Zaelynir continued speeding himself up, wings beating wildly as he propelled them forward. The flight took minutes, the two simply holding on in silence...this was all up to them. If they failed, they'd miss a chance they might not get for another month...more of their precious time being wasted.

Soon the edge of the cube was in sight, Zaelynir slowing down and sending Lance forward, the rogue hitting the ground and sliding forward, gripping the Rod in his outstretched hand and clicking it into place as soon as he could. Once again, the entire cube shuddered - the Rod held fast for a precious few milliseconds again as the cube bounced off of it, the two sequential hits having completely flipped its direction, as well as drastically slowing it down. If they'd done everything right, the Warforged would be entering the portal any second now.

And so, they were. The cube had slowed down enough that the portal was fully accessible to the army, the rear ranks of which were already leaping into it and finding themselves in the Outlands. As time went on, more and more of them continued - the Modron still had a ways to go until they were a threat, giving the warforged time to continue piling in.

As the ranks continued filing out, Bulwark looked at Maul, and then down to Bastion. "Accept this. It is yours."

Maul's expression hardened - even speaking to him like that was breaking rank, something he knew Bastion took seriously. "You are the leader. It is your shield, not mine."

He shook his head. "I am a warrior leader, and our war has ended. The next time we fight it will be on your plane, where you should lead. I gave you that shield, Aegis, because it has a unique property. It can hold two cores...it was designed to carry Bastion's core as well as its own. You were forged to overtake me, Maul. It is time that that come to fruition."

Maul processed this information, struggling to make sense of it. "Are you giving me your rank, Bulwark?"

"Temporary access granted. You will hold it until the end of the battle on the Material plane. I will make another judgement call then as to whether that access should be extended indefinitely or not." Bulwark reached into Bastion, sliding away some of the inner mechanisms and pulling out a small, pulsing orb ripe with magic - the shield's core, capable of forming the warforged shield wall. Aegis' core simply formed the energy shell around Bulwark - but allegedly, it would soon do both. "This rank is not up for negotiation, commander."

Maul steeled himself - if Bulwark was forcing him to become the leader, he must respond in kind. "Understood. Request granted." Maul unfurled Aegis into its full form, opening its inner compartment. He'd long thought that it simply contained a hollow cavity within it - never once had he considered that it was meant to house another core, for such a concept was unheard of. He took Bastion's core and socketed it into Aegis' second compartment, the shield accepting the dual cores eagerly. The shield had to be designed to accept a core - it was what prevented an unacceptable change of rank. The fact that Aegis had been designed from the beginning to accept Bastion's core proved Bulwark's statement - Maul was created for this very purpose, to become the next commander.

Maul looked at Aegis as he collapsed the mechanisms surrounding the central compartment. The pulsing blue of the cores seeped out into the entire shield, lubricating its mechanisms with magical power. He would soon learn just what changes had happened to his trusty shield - it was not something he wanted to experiment with now, while the army was still evacuating.

"It's time for me to go. I'll see you on the other side, leader." The final units of the army were making it through the portal, Bastion remaining until all the others had filtered through. When it was just him left, he stepped through the portal, bidding one final farewell to Maul...the new leader.

Maul looked back - they would step through this portal as a group, just as the warforged had. He could see Wake, Shavvir, and Phyrra all closing the distance...he knew Lance was integral to the plan, even whatever this new plan was that they put together. He could only assume Zaelynir was as well.

The leader...he didn't know what to make of it. At the moment, it was a fairly empty title - he was a leader without a people, and he may only be the leader for one singular battle. Still, to know that Bulwark favored him so much as to give him Bastion's core...it was more than he could process himself. He hadn't asked to exchange the two cores - likely because Bastion could not support Aegis' core. That meant that Bastion was now just simple wood and steel, while Aegis carried two cores of the greatest shields in the warforged army. It had not only been a promotion - it was a display of trust that he rarely saw from his leader.

Wake was the first to arrive, Shavvir and Phyrra not far behind. "Once Lance and Zaelynir make it back, let's head to the Outlands and plan our next move from there - it certainly changes things. I'm assuming the army made it through safely?"

"Affirmative. Evacuation successful. Modron conflict abandoned." The Modron had ceased their chase when they realized there was no army left to fight, turning back and likely returning to Mechanus. They may still yet be able to find the Warforged...but at least for the time being, they were safe.

"Good. That's...good to hear. I know it must have been hard for you, staying behind. But thank you."

"Well...while everyone stands here and waits for the others, I'll see you on the other side. I remember agreeing to help...I don't remember agreeing to be buddy-buddy about it once I was done helping." Shavvir started towards the portal, not looking back at the others.

"No!" Phyrra held out her hands, trying to cast something, anything to keep Shavvir from getting through, forgetting that most of her powerful magics had been expended during practice earlier. The only thing that came out were the illusory chains once again, Shavvir not even having to think this time as she dispelled the illusion.

"This again?" She looked at Maul, shaking her head. "I would have thought you'd have taught her a lesson. I suppose not." Focusing her attention back on Phyrra again, she continued. "Your magics wouldn't work on me, Lolth filth. I'm an elf, same as you...my mind is my own, and free of tampering."

Shavvir continued towards the portal once again, Wake holding a hand out to Phyrra. "Let her go. We're likely better off without her."

Maul, however, had different plans. He understood why Phyrra controlled him now...he didn't approve, but he at least understood. Lance and Zaelynir...before it had been Lance and Wake. They'd made sacrifices, done deeds for others - in this case, his entire people. Stepping through the portal ignored those deeds, and in this world potentially left them behind. It was unacceptable...and he would not allow Shavvir to do it again.

Maul flung a hand out, gripping Shavvir by the back of the neck as he pulled her away moments before she would have stepped through the portal, yanking her backwards and holding her in the air. "No." The shadar-kai was only in the air for a few seconds as Maul slammed her into the ground, picking one foot up and crushing the small of her back with it as he kept her held firmly in place.

"Maul, you…" Phyrra was speechless...he was the last person she'd expect to have done this.

"Regrouping required."

Shavvir shook her head the bit it could move while pressed against the cold steel. "They've infected your mind, Maul. This isn't you."

"Required!" Maul stomped his foot once again, crushing Shavvir even further. There would be no debate - Lance and Zaelynir would join them.

"Look...I'm not going to get in the middle of this, but we've got other problems...and thankfully, a solution." Wake pointed behind them, focusing everyone's attention on the cube that was heading straight for theirs. "That's going to hit us, and we're going to lose this portal. Now I'm with Maul on this...I'm not leaving my brother behind here, and the...that even goes for Zaelynir. Now look carefully on that cube. Do you see anything of note?"

Phyrra nodded. "The River Styx."

Wake reached into his belongings, pulling out the single coin, being careful not to clink it against the other two he held in the same pouch - they only needed to know of the one. "This will get us where we need to go, but it means the Warforged army is on their one to make it out of the Outlands." He looked towards Maul, his features softening. "It's a safe plane, all things considered. They should be able to make it out fine."

"Understood. Translocation necessary." Maul lifted up Shavvir, holding her above the ground...she wasn't freed yet.

Okay. If the four...three of us are in agreement, then let's go there. I can see Lance and Zaelynir coming this way...but I don't think they'll make it in time before the cubes collide."

"Oh yes, don't mind me...I suppose I'll just do what is forced upon me." Shavvir simply resigned herself and hung limp, Maul immediately throwing her forward as she stumbled to the ground before righting herself.

The four started walking towards the oncoming cube, watching it collide with theirs long before they met up with Zaelynir and Lance. The entire cube shifted, the portal disappearing promptly due to the changing rotation. Once four became six Wake spread the new plan, and the group continued their march towards the River Styx.

They made the jump across, eventually finding themselves at the edge of the river. The water flowed like any other, but they all knew enough not to go near it. Wake took a half-step forward, holding out the coin above the river. "Charon, Lord over the River Styx. I have need of your services."

A ghostly, spectral voice pierced each of their ears, along with the gentle sound of an oar against the water. "Then display your payment." When they all turned to look, they saw Charon paddling a small boat - it could fit six of them, but the ride would be far from comfortable.

"I have your coin here, boatman."

Charon came to a stop right in front of Wake, taking a boned hand and grasping the coin. "What is your destination?"

Wake's eyes scanned the others - it was up to him to decide this, a decision made easy from the one coin he'd offered. "The Nine Hells. As close to Bel's forge as possible."

The ghostly voice responded. "Your payment suffices. All traveling may now board."

Wake nodded. "Alright everyone. Get in." Wake climbed in as did the others, three rows of two crammed into the back of the canoe-like structure Charon sailed. As soon as they were stationary, the boatman began paddling once again.

"Departing for the Nine Hells at once."