The four of them left the darkened cell, entering out into the dimly-lit hallways of Carceri. Lance looked back over his shoulder, holding the warden's key in his hand as if it was some sort of compass. "Don't stray far...and definitely don't leave line of sight. I'm not denying that we're pressed for time, so I want to do this quickly."

"We'll be right behind you, Lance. At least, I will be." Wake followed after his brother, looking at the lifeless halls that surrounded him. It wasn't until he saw the next cell that he noticed the strange runes above the door...he easily could make it out, the name and crimes of a devil marked upon the door. "Is this…"

"Yes. Someone's in there. It's how I found you, as well. And it's how we'll find the others."

Wake paused for a second, turning back around...their cell was far enough away at this point that it had either vanished, or been rearranged by the plane. "What did it say."

The words hung in the air, both Phyrra and Wake's eyes settling on Lance over the next few seconds. "It's, uh...nothing out of the ordinary."

"Lance." The rogue turned around, seeing Phyrra with eyebrow raised, arms folded across her chest. "You're a terrible liar."

"It...when everything gets put into a number, it looks pretty bad, that's all. I know we're doing what we think is right, but some of this...it's hard to stomach."

"I would also assume that it accounts for our various...feats...from before we joined forces, wouldn't you dear?" Zaelynir had mainly kept his mind to himself, the name Neraxis very much dominating his thoughts since seeing it...but he heard this. "I, for one, can assure you I have not done all that since finding you." In truth, he didn't know where it all came from...that was the other part that troubled him. Over one-hundred thousand dead at his hand? It was tens, maybe hundreds of times larger than what he'd thought. The assassinations, of course...the number was ten, maybe fifteen higher than what he could remember. The arson...likely. But the murder? Something didn't add up. Something was...missing. "Some of it, yes...but nowhere near all."

Lance nodded. "I...well, same. I guess it puts things into perspective, that's all. Anyways...if this works the way I hope it does, we should be almost there." Lance scanned the walls, thankful that he could explore the place safely while not being on the brink of death. Cells sat spaced out across the walls, the names of random criminals lining the walls as he walked by them. They hadn't found his cell yet...but they would. They had to.

Suddenly, each and every torch on the wall faded, a blanket of darkness sweeping over them in a heartbeat. "Nobody move." Lance said it out of reaction...he didn't want to lose anyone. He could still see in the blackness, in fact all of them could...but it wasn't preferable.

A few seconds later, and the torches came back to life, though this time a crimson red billowed from the walls, the flames larger, taller, and brighter than they were previously. The entire corridor was basked in the glow, as the sounds of heavy footsteps were heard echoing down adjacent corridors.

"Lance. Go get the others." Wake drew his bow, immediately nocking an arrow. "Now."

Lance began to set off, only to look down at the key in his hand. "But if I leave, you won't be able to -"

"Now, Lance." Phyrra's expression quickly turned from stern to warm as she saw the slight look of shock from his reaction. "We can hold this for long enough. That's why we need you to get Maul and Shavvir...they're the ones that can fight here, and with that dagger you're the fastest one to find them. Your brother's good with a bow. We'll be here waiting on you."

"Tag me." Lance looked at the bow, the silvered string shimmering in the crimson light. "I don't know if it'll help you track me, but it won't hurt."

"Good call...now brace. This will sting." Wake turned his bow towards his brother, lightening his draw on the bowstring...he didn't need to kill his brother, just hit. He let the arrow fly as he activated the bowstring's magic. The arrow flickered, trying to enter the ethereal plane but being unable to given their location. However, as soon as it struck Lance he felt a tug in his mind...at least that part of its effect worked. "Now go."

Lance nodded, taking Blink and hurling it to the far end of the hallway, leaving behind his three companions...for now, at least. As he left, Wake continued to feel the tug in his mind, knowing exactly where Lance was...although mere seconds after losing sight of him, it felt...twisted. The distance and direction both flickered, turning less into a point and more into a range...a guess. It would be enough though, at least he hoped it would be.

The rogue rushed onwards, flying down the hallway with blinding speed, Blink in his hand for only moments at a time before it was thrown in front of him, the process repeating several times over as he searched for his cell...wait, that was the problem. His cell. Immediately his priorities shifted, searching instead for Shavvir, for Maul...for the two people he needed right now, the two people that could save the others.

Cells continued to fly past him, Lance taking the breaks between warps to scan them for his companions. For the first while, still nothing, just random names and random allegations...and then finally, he found it. His own name was still the top of the cell, but he stopped in his tracks once he got past it, holding up the warden's blade as it began to transfigure itself a third time now, grooves sinking and growing as the key formed in his hand. Once it stopped shifting he jammed it into the opening in the wall that had formed, the door to his cell ajar once more.

Inside, Maul and Shavvir both turned to look at him, but Lance cut them off before either could speak. "The others need you right now. Questions later."

Maul needed no convincing, standing tall as he hefted his weaponry, and set out the door. Shavvir looked ready to say something but kept it to herself, instead lifting herself up off the cold floor as she ventured out into the halls. The crimson glow bathed all three of them as they ran down the halls.

"You can't use magic out here, not unless you're near this." Lance held up the warden's hand, now shifted into a dagger, speaking the words as one singular thought repeated in his mind: Find Wake. It was all he focused on, trying to guarantee that the trickery of the plane wouldn't get him lost. Slowly, the cells that he had been passing began to fade away, nothing but the red glow and featureless walls ahead of them.

Over the next thirty seconds, the sounds of conflict began to echo down the hall as well...something large was awaiting them. Lance picked up the pace, breaking out into a full-on sprint as he charged down the hallway with reckless abandon, hunting for his brother. Soon, Wake was in vision...and it wasn't a pretty sight. All three of them were bruised and battered, Zaelynir even on the ground licking his wounds as Phyrra looked not far off. The only one on his feet was Wake, his brother frantically trying to keep his distance as not one but three of the wardens sought to put him into the ground as well. Lance turned to look behind him at Shavvir and Maul. "They're strong and smart. Don't underestimate them."

"I never do." Shavvir's response was terse as she drew her sword, the glittering blade even more sinister in the red glow around them. The trio continued forward, the three powerful creatures swelling in size with each step, towering over Maul by a large margin. However, that didn't matter...they'd fight them off.

Maul went in first, passing Lance as they neared the others and raising his shield in the air. He put his weight into the first assault, shoulder just behind the shield as he bashed into the first warden, actually managing to pick it up and move it with him for a short while until it slammed back down into the ground. Maul came around with his weapon, bashing into the warden with a vicious strike that ripped into its underworkings.

As soon as Lance was close, Phyrra immediately rushed towards Zaelynir, channeling more of her magic now that she was able to as life filled the incubus yet again. Once up he held out his hand, pointing at the monster as infernal speech flew from his lips, his hands making arcane gestures Lance didn't recognize at first sight. The last word, however, he did: "Freeze". As soon as it was uttered, one of the wardens froze, its movements becoming incredibly jerky, unable to move its arms or legs. It promptly fell to the ground, still continuing to twitch.

Shavvir wasn't far behind, casting a spell as she rushed in. Ethereal armor coated her normal one like a coat of ice, looking nearly like platemail in design...he'd seen this before, but the style was new. Gone was the iconography of the Raven Queen, replaced instead by a sprawling spider on her back, legs wrapping stretching to her shoulders, waist, and hips, creating the impression of an embrace, and very reminiscent of Everlife's new design. Once the armor was fully formed she rushed in, jabbing the weapon forward as she struck at the warden. It retaliated, its own key-dagger plunging into her...or rather, deflecting off the armor. A chunk of the spectral armor broke off as it did, but not without leaving a parting gift. It discharged from Shavvir as it formed a spearlike shape, lunging straight into the warden with alarming strength that wrenched off a piece of its outer armor. She continued her assault, perfectly capable of handling the creature.

Lance jumped into the fray as well, Blink flying forward as he struck the downed one, dagger flying perfectly into its shoulder as he jumped to the blade, plunging it downward. Something snapped as he did...hopefully something important, but he'd figure that out later. From behind him he heard the sound of Maul's assault, turning around to see Maul slam his weapon into it, wedging it deep enough to actually get it stuck. The warforged took advantage of the situation, pulling his weapon closer as he wrapped a hand around the creature, pinning its arm back to the point of uselessness. Lance capitalized on it as well, taking his dagger and getting a clean strike into the now-exposed shoulder, seeing wires, pistons, and all sorts of other mechanisms inside...mechanisms about to be sundered. The blade plunged deep as Lance gripped the pommel with two hands, pushing the short weapon in as far as he could, hearing several things snap and break in the process. He retracted the blade just in time to see Zaelynir launch several balls of fire from his hand, plummeting into the convulsing one as it continued to drop.

They were making quick work of the wardens...all three. Shavvir continued to dominate the one she'd engaged, re-applying her armor once it had been fully expended from repeated strikes. Wake assisted as well, staying back as a barrage of arrows decimated it from range. Maul and Lance continued working together on the second, Maul's skill with the heavy weapon being used to create openings that Lance could react to, providing the rogue ample strikes to whittle it down. The final fell to the sheer spellpower of Zaelynir and Phyrra, the two casters pulverizing the downed target before it ever had a chance to get back up. It wasn't even a minute until all three were motionless, one of them little more than a smouldering pile of metal and wood...Zaelynir's doing.

Wake moved over to one of the more pristine downed targets, pulling a knife and setting to dissecting its hand as the others caught their breath. In a minute's time he'd pulled it out, another dagger-key hybrid, this one a slightly cleaner severance than the one Lance held.

"Lance...I thought about what you said. About how we're going to do this your way...and I'm fine with that. However, I'm your brother, and I feel it would be wrong of me to point out the recklessness of that...as well as the fact that "your way" is what ended up putting us here. I know you want to atone for what you've done, and I think to varying degrees we all do, but - "

"Speak for yourself, darling."

Wake rolled his eyes. "Yes Zaelynir…'none' can be a degree. But...I want to offer an option to you, Lance. If you'd hear me out."

Lance nodded. "Of course."

Wake looked at the others, gesturing to the two keys in his and his brother's hands. "We split into two groups...one key per group. One looks for a way out of here...I think I'm fit to take point on that. Like all of the Lower planes the River Styx is somewhere in here, albeit likely not inside the prison proper. We find a way out of this place and find the Styx, and I can take us to more familiar territory. Somewhere where we can get back to the Material plane."

Wake didn't pause for long, but it was enough to see a growing concern in his brother's eyes. "The other searches for Molag...wherever he is. Lance, I think it's clear that you should lead that effort. As you said, your dagger has a purpose here...Molag made sure of that. I think, even beyond that I have a link to you...or at least, my arrow does. I can find you should something happen."

Wake's pause signalled to Lance that his brother was done speaking. "Two groups. I'm assuming you want to do this because…"

"Time."

Lance nodded. "Time...of course. I know we're pressed for it. I'm not going to mince words brother, I think it's risky. This place wants us dead or re-imprisoned. Splitting up is going to make that easier for everything in here, should we go through with it. It's risky...and I know that you're not."

Wake nodded. "You're right...but that's the situation we're in at the moment. One group finds Molag, the other finds the way out. Here." Wake grabbed a pair of the Sending Stones they'd used in the Nine Hells, tossing one to Lance. "Full communication. It's risky, but we're mitigating a large part of that. I wouldn't propose this if I thought we didn't have a chance at success...even without knowing what's ahead of us."

Lance turned to the others. "I...I know I'm being greedy here. If anyone...no, if one person isn't agreeable to this plan, we don't do it. I know that I have my standards...it's not fair of me to impose that on the rest of you."

Zaelynir was the first to respond. "I'm not agreeable to it, and that's why I'll be traveling with Wake. It's reckless, careless, and likely to get any and all of you killed that try to go back into the prison you just escaped from. However, I won't have to worry about that if I'm leaving as soon as I'm able to.

Phyrra was next. "I don't make many promises, Lance...but I promised to protect you, and to keep you safe. I agree with Zaelynir...I think it's dangerous. But I can tell that you don't want to change your mind on this...so I won't make you. I'll come with you."

Shavvir followed. "It's true that your empathy is what put us here...but I think we still need that empathy. You saved me, Lance...when nobody else would. So I'll come with you. We can be even."

Finally, Maul. "Separation dangerous. Unity induces strength. Evacuation pertinent. Allegiance: Wake."

"Well...I guess we have our teams then. Wake...we'll catch you at the exit."

"In the event that you don't...hold onto this." Wake searched his belongings, pulling out two glittering coins...boatman's coins. "This is enough to get you to either Hades or the Abyss. Given that we have Zaelynir with us, it's probably safer to go to the Abyss...all things considered, the first layer isn't nearly as dangerous as many of the others. We'll be heading there."

Shavvir piped up quickly. "And we will as well...I have business there." The news came off as a shock to everyone else, even Phyrra...Lolth hadn't told her about the task She'd given to Shavvir.

Lance nodded. "Okay. The Abyss it is. Stay safe, keep communications open, and we'll get out of here." Shavvir and Phyrra both walked over to the rogue as Zaelynir and Maul went the other way. Both groups split off from each other, Lance holding his key out in front of him as they went. They only had one destination...Molag.

Once they were a fair bit away from the others, Lance stopped, turning back towards the two women. "Thank you...both of you. This means a lot to me."

"If my mentor were captured, I would act as you do now...trust us, Lance, we're both here because we choose to be. Together we'll find Molag, and then we'll get out of here. But Wake is right...time is of great import. Let us only take breaks if it is necessary."

"Okay." Lance continued onwards, thinking only of Molag's cell. He could only hope that it wasn't sequestered away in some far-flung corner of this place, out of reach of even the power in his hand. The trio continued walking, and walking, and walking. They passed by many cells, Lance glancing at each of them to search for Molag's name...and then a thought hit thim.

"Have you ever...hmm. Have you heard of someone's identity being completely changed?"

"How so?"

"Zaelynir." Lance remembered the image. "It wasn't that name on the door...and it wasn't Belgleth either. It was Neraxis. He didn't seem to know the name, and I don't think he was faking it. I think he genuinely didn't know that name. Something's wrong with him...but I don't think any of us know what."

Phyrra responded. "There are powerful magics that can force a loss of memory...but they are usually limited in power, no more than ten to twenty minutes. To convince someone that they are a separate person entirely...that's outside the bounds of mortal magics."

"So you're saying a god did this?"

"Possibly. Zaelynir follows Orcus...not truly a god by definition, but Archdevils and Demon Lords are powerful enough that you could forgive a misconstruance. Orcus focuses on the creation of undead life...it's not unreasonable to think he could do this. However, the main question is why."

"When Zaelynir looked at the names, he said the deaths were inflated...that he hadn't killed nearly that many people. Zaelynir is an assassin, right? At least, a magical assassin, infiltrator...you get the point. If what we're saying is all true, then I think Neraxis...might have been a serial killer, or at least served in the Bloor War."

Shavvir interjected. "It is possible, but this is all speculation. How does this relate to our current task?"

"Yes, right." Lance looked around, seeing more cells. "I'm starting to wonder if Molag has a different name...a name that he never even told me. If that's the case, I don't know if our tool will take us to him. We might have to...well, I don't even know."

"Could we not search for the one known as Molag?"

Lance shrugged. "It's possible. I'll try." Lance refocused his intentions, following as Zaelynir had suggested. He didn't feel an immediate change in his surroundings...but then again, he never did. Only time would tell.

They continued down the halls...the lanterns were still glowing crimson, the alarm from earlier still raised. He didn't know how many more of the wardens would come for them...but it was another in a growing list of reasons to keep moving forward, and to not look back.

Their travel continued in silence for several minutes, until eventually the scenery changed...for the first time since they'd been walking, they were led to a dead end. Cells lined both sides of the halls as Lance slowed down, reading the floating letters on top of the door. "Solitary Confinement."

Shavvir couldn't suppress a nervous chuckle. "Oh, wonderful. You're aligned with a criminal so impressive he doesn't even get a regular cage in the most fortified cell in the planes. I'm sure this bodes well."

Lance nodded. "If we can get him out, I think it does. Think. He knew about Blink...he knows how this place works, at least somewhat. He can get us out." Lance approached the end of the hallway, holding out his key as it shaped itself into a key, the appropriate socket appearing in the door. As he put it in, he felt it wedge in place - experimentally he pulled on it, finding it wedged in place. "From here on out, I think we're on our own again...I hope we'll be able to pick it up again on our way out."

"So we have to find a man we don't know the name of without our magical key-compass?" Shavvir sounded skeptical.

"I think we can. Zaelynir said this plane was mostly for war criminals, right? Molag won't have many counts of murder...some, but not many. Look for signs of a thief or assassin. Theft, assassinations, and the like. That was what was under my name, anyways."

"Good thinking Lance. We'll find him." Phyrra entered the Solitary Confinement wing behind Lance, Shavvir following suit. As soon as all three had entered the door slammed shut behind them. From here, Phyrra could actually feel the magic suppression weighing down on her, like a tourniquet around her mind. It was tight, almost dizzyingly so...to the point that it made focus on other tasks hard. She looked over at Shavvir, the shadar-kai clearly suffering from the same conditions.

Inside, Lance searched the cells, finding the place extremely simple. "Ten cells...ten names. Let's figure this out together." As Shavvir and Phyrra came over to him after doing their own inspections, they began pouring over the names. Even for Lance, none of them were familiar...but that was to be expected. After just a cursory glance at the names he looked at their crimes instead, hoping that that could shed some light on the situation.

For eight of them, it immediately ruled them out...these were classic war criminals that had fought in the Blood War. Murders that counted in the tens or hundreds of thousands, one even stretching into the millions...serial killers. That wasn't Molag...he was an assassin and a thief, not an outright murderer.

However, that lack of a distinction made pinning it down between the final two difficult. One was riddled with theft of all kinds - pickpocketing, impersonation, theft, the works...with a fair number of violent crimes in there as well. The second was clearly an assassin...hundreds of them, along with dozens of charges of impersonation and some minor theft.

"So...which do you think it is, Lance. We need to be quick...we can't spare being wrong." Phyrra's look was earnest, but concerned...he knew she wanted to stay and help, even though it wasn't what she should do...and for that, Lance was only appreciative.

"I...it's tough. I thought I knew him, but I don't even know his name. He, we - we mostly stole. He taught me how to kill, and that lines up with what this one lists." Lance pointed to the first as he said this, his eyes running along the charges again...it matched. "However...I don't think a thief would need an identity this elaborate, one that he wouldn't even tell his apprentice about. I...I think he might have been an assassin before he took me in." Lance turned his head back towards the other one, seeing the list of assassinations...it was more than he cared to think about.

"How sure are you on this? Phyrra may be polite, but I will say this...I'm only giving you one chance." Shavvir wasn't quite scowling...but she didn't need to.

"Not very, unfortunately. But I'm starting to think he took me in to lay low. Change his tactics, maybe get the heat off of him. Plus, an assassin of this record would have one, or multiple, identities. Think of Zaelynir...Belgleth, Neraxis, whatever. It proves a point." Lance looked up at the name staring down at him: Kibera. It was a name completely unfamiliar to him, and yet...yet, he hoped it was Molag behind this door.

"Are you sure, Lance?"

Lance nodded. "As much as I can be. Let's not waste any more time...don't want to keep the others waiting." Lance searched for the way to open the door..with the key outside, it wasn't that option. It wasn't hard to find, a lever to the right of the door that required the strength of all three of them to pull. As they did the metal door slid down, revealing a small entry chamber completely void of light...and without the use of magic, they had no way to illuminate it. They could all at least see in the dark, but it wasn't easy.

What they did see, however, was perplexing. To their left were eight levers...and to their front, another metal slab. "Do you think it's…" The words hung in the air as Lance hoped that either of the women could answer it, but the words fell in silence. "Right...I guess we should figure that out."

Lance moved to the first of the eight levers, finding this one much easier to pull...it took effort, but he could manage it on his own. As he did, he heard movement from deeper in the chamber...he couldn't see it, but he felt the low rumbling that emanated.

Next, the second...as he moved it, he saw a wall both form and move at the far end of the chamber, sliding down to reveal yet another wall. At this, Lance stopped, looking at the others. "I'm open to suggestions."

"Eight levers, an unknown number of blockades. I would say trial and error, but I'm worried about error...we are still being hunted after all. We need to get information as quickly as we can, so that our attempts can be useful. Phyrra, can you take notes?"

"Planning on it." The drow fetched paper, laying it on the ground and drawing out a grid...eight long, and eight wide at the moment.

Lance cocked his head, struggling to make sense of the diagram. "What are you doing?"

She seemed pleased with herself as she explained it. "I'm going to assume each level moves one or more doors...the wardens are likely taught the combination, and thus it's not a simple solution." She etched a "1" in the closest box next to the second row. "This means that the second lever moves the first door. We just need to figure out a combination of levers that lowers all the doors...and to do that, we need to keep getting more information."

Even Shavvir looked surprised...it was a clever method of solving, given how little time she had to deduce it. Lance moved to the levers again, pulling the third...more rumbling. Then, the fourth...this time, the slab after the first slid down, revealing a third that had already been opened. Phyrra ticked the fourth row, second column...and after a pause, put question marks down for the third column in the first three rows. As Lance pulled the fifth lever, however, the first door rose back up, blocking their view.

"Pull that one again. We need to know as much as we can."

Lance nodded, hefting it back up. As he did though, the other levers came with it...and with them, the ceiling. It lowered at least a foot, scraping and grinding filling their ears until it came to a stop...and with it, deafening silence. The first slab was still raised...and if he had to guess, the rest were too.

"Okay...less experimentation, more concrete guesses. I'm not getting crushed, I don't care who's on the other side of this." Shavvir looked towards Phyrra, a clear look of concern present in the shadar-kai's face. "What do you know thus far?"

"Not enough. Lance, pull the second lever and then start from the other side."

Lance nodded, pulling the second lever as the first slab lowered once more. From there he started on the eight, then seventh, and then sixth. Each time, the grinding of the various slabs was heard as various ones raised and lowered. Phyrra frantically took notes each time, filling a scant few squares on her grid as she went. Lance eventually made it back down to the first lever, pulling it...as soon as it went down all eight went back up, the slabs slamming shut as the ceiling continued to lower.

"Phyrra?" Shavvir looked less concerned, more irritated...irritated that they were still here.

"Everything's under control. Lance, second, then seventh, then third."

Lance did so, pulling the levers in the requested order. Once all three were down the first four slabs were visible...still more remained, but it was clear that Phyrra was making progress. The rest of the third attempt turned into more experimentation as Phyrra tried to figure out both how many slabs there were, and which of the remaining levers moved what. The fourth was spent in the same fashion...as was the fifth.

After the fifth attempt, the ceiling was low enough that those standing amongst the group had to duck. Shavvir threw her hands up in frustration, moving towards the door. "Like I said, I'm not getting...crushed." The last word was said in disdain as she pushed against the door they'd entered through, finding it unmoving. "Or so it seems I am."

Phyrra shook her head. "No, I have almost all the information...one or two more tries tops, and then we're through."

"Fine...I can't stop you, and I can't leave. Just...don't tell me when it's about to fall. I'd rather not expect it."

When Phyrra went to look at Lance, she could tell the half-elf was dejected...frustrated. She tried to give him a warm smile, but even that was lost and difficult within their current situation. "You trust me, right Lance?"

He nodded. "I do."

"Okay. Try...two, eight...five six?" The skepticism was not a promising sound for any of them...but it was all they had.

Lance worked through the levers in turn. The second lowered the first slab, as it had...the eighth and fifth did as well, one raising and the second lowering it again. After the sixth lever was pulled, the first six slabs had been lowered, revealing a long and dark hallway that ended in still more slabs. They hadn't seen this far before...as far as Lance was concerned, this was the first time he'd even seen a seventh slab

"Okay Phyrra,think...what moves this one...think." The drow sat in silence for a moment, pulling out another piece of paper as she re-drew the diagram, filling in what she already knew as she started with a fresh copy. After over a minute of utter silence, she finally spoke. "Try the third."

Lance nodded, pulling it. As he did, the fourth slab rose up, shielding the others from view. Phyrra cursed in elven, a phrase Lance didn't dare repeat...or even think the drow would dare utter.

"Reset it. I'm missing something."

"Oh, you're missing something. Great to hear." Shavvir's tone was one of acceptance, of apathy...of knowing that her only fate lay a few feet above her head.

Lance did as he was asked, pulling the third lever again as all of them rose up, the ceiling lowering on them once again as it got to uncomfortably low levels.

"Okay...I'd been thinking we had to pull all of two, eight, and five...but I think it's only one of them. I need to see how we then open all the others given that information. I'm going to hope there's only seven slabs...or if there's an eighth, then we don't have to worry about it. Give me a minute while I map it out."

Phyrra scribbled, drawing ticks as she mentally attempted different combinations, all centered around one of the three levers that adjusted the first slab. From what they'd seen, the ordering of the levers didn't matter...there was no hidden adjustments gained from pulling a specific one before another. As such, she tried everything, every possible combination...until something clicked.

"Okay. We have two options. Shavvir...I need you to listen to this. Option one, we assume I'm right. We try it, and we go on. If I'm wrong we're really only down to one more option, and I don't like those odds."

"Option two?"

Phyrra sighed. "Option two, someone stays behind. Pulls these three levers...that will open enough of a passage for two of us to step through. Pull two more levers, and it opens the path to the other side. Once we're through and ready to leave the levers are pulled in the reverse order...there's no risk of failure, and we're out safely. The only problem is...one of us has to stay behind, and if the levers are pulled in the wrong order we're all either crushed or trapped eternally."

Shavvir couldn't help but choke on a laugh. "That's the exact opposite of no risk."

"Only if the steps are performed improperly...I am willing to stay behind since I know the steps the best. The two of you can go in. I'm open to other suggestions though."

Shavvir stayed silent as did Lance...Lance wanted, no, he needed to see Molag. "If you're confident in the plan enough to stay out here and risk...the consequences, then I trust it."

Shavvir finally spoke up after her silence. "I'll remain as well. It's...safer isn't the word I'd use, but without the use of magic I'm of little assistance assuming there's other tricks and traps that might be deeper in. I'll wait here...at least here, I can guard should something try to attack us."

"Lance...only do this if you're comfortable."

The half-elf nodded. "I trust you, Phyrra. I do. Now let's get started before I end up changing my mind." Lance shuffled towards the first slab as he heard the grinding of levers behind him. As they went, the slabs lowered, enough so that he could see a yawning opening in front of him.

"Go to the fifth slab - not the sixth. The rest will open once you're in." Lance did so, stepping forward until he counted the fifth slab, standing still. As more levers grinded around him he watched as the sixth one rose up, as did the fourth...he was trapped in between the two, utter and complete darkness subsuming him on. A few seconds later, it dispersed...and in its absence, he saw Molag.

At least, he thought he did, but the utter darkness made it difficult to know for certain. However, the features certainly lent themselves to Molag's form - like a Tiefling and yet subtly different, with horns that mostly hid themselves within his skull before protruding, with hands that looked more like talons, and spines that jutted from each shoulder. At the moment, the creature was held quite high in the air, visibly in pain as it was secured by some sort of harness. It fully wrapped around his chest, arms, and legs, as well as braces at his forehead, palms, and soles to make it such that the creature could scarcely even move.

"Molag? Is that you?"

The trapped figure opened its eyes, pupils glaring down at Lance. "You've come. I knew you would."

"Who are you? The name on the door - Kibera...is that really you?"

Molag couldn't nod - the harness he was in physically forbade it from happening. "It was - mmph. It was for so long. Then I - argh - became Molag." Each words seemed pained and forced, even someone as great as Molag not able to complete the sentences without audible discomfort.

"What's happening?"

"This...harness. It saps your life. Leaves you - ughh - leaves you almost dead. It's for those they fear could otherwise - otherwise escape."

"How do we get you out?" Lance's tone was serious...he'd come this far, and to see his tutor in pain... he couldn't bear it much longer.

Molag's expression turned to one of sadness. "The harness - huh - requires a body. If I break free, they'll come. The wardens. The only way for one to escape is - arghh - for another to become trapped."

The words shook Lance to the core...he didn't know that this was the price. He looked up, almost pleadingly. "No alternative?"

"No alternative. I'm sorry."

"Then why Blink?" Lance held out the dagger, showing it to his master. "You gave it to me to get me to you, right?"

"I thought...they wouldn't put me here. I'm damn good, I know...but I didn't think good enough to be sent here. You...you can go, Lance. Please."

Lance fell quiet for a minute, deep in contemplation. If they traded spaces, that was it...his journey would be over. The others would have to fight back against Empyria without him...and was that such a bad idea? Lance's words hung over him like a cloud. It was his compassion that led them here...it was on no others' shoulders. His morality had cost them dearly...and when fighting against the greatest force the Material plane had ever known, could he risk costing them again?

"Are there other ways for the harness to open?"

"A trade...or...death. Go, Lance. Leave."

Lance's eyes narrowed. "No. You leave."

Despite the weakness wracking him, the words were enough to make Molag's eyes swell in surprise. "Lance, no. You don't have to."

He nodded. "Correct. I'm choosing to. Get out of here. Stay with the others. And tell the drow outside to find Wake as soon as she can...he's going to need her help."

"Lance."

"No. Get out of here." Lance threw Blink, jumping up to grab onto the harness. As he did, it fell open before him, Molag's limp body plummeting the few feet to the ground. Lance wasted no time in throwing himself inside the harness as it closed a mere second after it had opened. He splayed out as it closed, hands and feet locked as the cool iron gripped him.

As soon as it locked, his mind went numb from the pain, so much so he lost all senses - smell, sight, hearing...for several minutes, he thought he'd died. But this time, there were no voices...that was the only sign he wasn't among the dead.

When he finally came to, he was alone. No Molag...just him. He hadn't heard the grinding of the stone slabs, but they were raised, leaving him trapped in the isolated room, only the sounds of ringing in his ears as his life continued to be sapped from him, leaving the half-elf little more than a husk. How Molag even managed to speak was beyond him...Lance could barely even conjure thoughts through the mind-numbing pain.

He was alone...alone, but content. He'd done what he'd set out to do. Molag had been freed.