CHAPTER 8

Disclaimer: "Please tell me you've had enough."

"Uuggghhh!" exclaimed Firiel disgusted as Rage's overzealous swing spattered claw viper blood all over her. "Rage! Now, I'm not normally one to complain, but could you please tone down the force of your decapitations? Both my clothing and myself would greatly appreciate it."

"Oh so sorry, my dear," said Rage with laughing sarcasm. "I will do my utmost to remember for you, sweet one." He took a solemn bow.

"Agh! Why you!" Firiel threw a punch at Rage's armored chest in mock outrage. The barbarian calmly ignored her as he wiped off his sword and casually tossed the bloody rag at her. He turned to regard the glowering sorceress and smiled. "You're beautiful when you're angry, you know that?"

Firiel grinned evilly. "I'll show you angry…" she said, as her hands began to glow.

Rage's eyes widened as he pretended to be terrified. Then he laughed… and quickly ran away when Firiel released her fireball. He turned a corner, yelling, "I think I'll go this way… I just know there's a way down over here…"

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Darkangel knelt beneath the shattered jaws of a rock worm; carefully directing a glob of saliva into the small bottle Az'Ral had given her. Iconnus stood nearby, letting his healing aura do its work. "There," She said, corking the bottle. "That should be enough for him."

"What does he want it for, I wonder?" Asked Iconnus.

"I don't know," Said Darkangel. "Before I was considered worthy of summoning a Valkyrie, Spirit Wing, I was charged with gathering all sorts of strange things from the jungles. Perhaps this is something akin to that. Though… why he would be here, hunting evil with us if he didn't not have his full power, I do not know."

"I do not think his purpose in coming here was to slay demons." Iconnus said, "I think that he was drawn into it somehow. I just cannot imagine a necromancer seeking out such a quest. But then, The Zakarum have never thought highly of necromancers."

Darkangel thought about this for a moment, and remembered why she had first set out. Back home on Philios, she had trained with her Sisters, and quickly risen in the Warrior's Ranks. She had completed her training and passed her final test, that of summoning the Valkyrie. It was then that she truly gained the favor of the gods, and her name was changed to reflect this. She had gained the right to change it and her name became more of a title from then on, unless she gave it up. This went for any amazon.

The Valkyrie accompanied her as her companion while she journeyed, an emissary and link to the gods' power, to help see her though this daunting task.

She and Spirit Wing had traveled together until they met Iconnus, on his crusade to prove himself. This was before the corruption of the Zakarum Faith. The trio roamed for a while, slaying demons where they could, before finding Rage and Firiel in the Northern Aranoch. They eventually made their way to Lut Gholein, and formed their plan to split off when they learned how serious the demonic corruption had become.

Darkangel, Sprit Wing, and Iconnus made it to Kurast and were on their way to Travincal to seek out what was left of the Zakarum, hoping there might be some vestige left uncorrupted. It was then that Sprit Wing told Darkangel of Baal's imminent release, and they hurried back. There they found that they had acquired another party member for the road. Iconnus had felt more than uneasy around the necromancer, but Spirit Wing hadn't sensed anything really wrong with him. A twinge of something here and there, but it was small, and she didn't mention it to her amazon. So Darkangel had trusted Az'Ral from the beginning, casually dismissing the budding rivalry between him and Iconnus.

"Darkangel?"

She nearly jumped, startled out of her thoughts. "Yes?"

"Are you ready to get going? Or were you speaking to Sprit Wing again?" This last bit he added in a respectful, almost apologetic tone. He knew that Valkyrie to be something of the gods' influence, though maybe not directly from Heaven. But she was tangible example of otherworldly power, and therefore to be respected.

"No, no I'm ready. I was just thinking about how we came to be where we are. Spirit Wing, are you ready?"

Of course.

"She says she's ready. Do you have any idea where to look next?"

"I believe I saw a tunnel leading more or less downwards, a few turns back." Iconnus said, gesturing. "Shall we try that way?"

"Sounds good as anything. I've got Az'Ral's poison, so let's go."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Fascinating." Az'Ral said in wonder. "I wish I had more time to study this bizarre dimension." He added wistfully.

"So this is the Sanctuary," Said Shadera. "Horazon's Obsession."

The pair had battled their way down the Harem floors. There were two, and both companions silently wondered why there was a need for two whole floors of whores. But such things should probably not be asked, they decided, and neither mentioned their thoughts to the other. They did notice, however, and with some satisfaction, the clawed and torn body of Kasim along the way. Shadera's shadow had not been needed after all. After the Harem, they stumbled into what looked like the palace's storage areas. There were very few things of interest here, since it looked as if the demons had gotten every casket of wine in the place. Shadera found something that appeared to be another of Cain's "Waypoints", thought they didn't try it out to be sure. Az'Ral summoned a few skeletons for fun, but he decided to save reviving for something more interesting than the four-armed sand raiders. His excitement over the Book still burned strong, but if it worked, he wanted his first truly controllable revived to be something a bit more spectacular.

After three floors of empty and smashed boxes, things were getting slightly boring. Then they opened the door to one of the rooms, and found a glowing blue portal, like a shimmering tear in the middle of the air. They had been about to go through when Shadera noticed a shadow on the other side. That was then a group of the four-armed demons with flaming swords burst from the portal.

The fight that followed with fast and furious, and it was a relief when the last one—a particularly fiery specimen Az'Ral nicknamed "Fire-Eye"—finally fell, exploding and sending bone flying every where. Az'Ral had laughed then, loudly shouting, "I can do that too!"

Then ten seconds following that proclamation left six corpses in pieces, Shadera covered in gore, and Az'Ral grinning like mad. Five seconds later found the pair laughing on the floor and commenting on how morbid their sense of humor had become. Shadera wiped off her armor, and the two stepped through the portal.

Four different paths stretched out into the twisting Sanctuary, while stars twinkled in inky blackness on all sides… even down. "Must be careful not to fall of the ledges," Az'Ral remarked, looking down. "Though I wonder… if, in a dimension like this...you might… sort of circle around, and… fall right back on to the walkway. Never mind. It's hard to explain and there's really only one way to find out. Let's not, and say we did."

"Agreed" said Shadera. "Now, shall we find something interesting to kill?"

"Yes!" Az'Ral's eyes lit up. "This way!" he randomly picked a path and ran along it. "Come on, come on, come on, come on, and come on!" Shadera sprinted quickly after.

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Meanwhile, Rage had successfully dodged several fireballs and found some new corridors. "Firiel!" he called. "I think I've found where we need to go. These halls look like we haven't been through them yet."

"You don't say…" the sorceress said, coming up behind him and laying a finger on his neck. "Would you like to know what I think?"

"Uh…I'm not sure…" Rage shifted uncomfortably.

"Nizzre!" she said, activating a spell. Electricity buzzed from her finger, shocking her companion.

"Wha-? Ow!"

"I think, I got you." Firiel said in satisfaction.

Rage growled. "Mmmmmm…fine. Now can we go?"

"Of course!" said Firiel sweetly, taking his arm. "Lead on, my brave, handsome barbarian warrior."

"Hey, now that's what started this in the first place!"

The sorceress did her best imitation of a barmaid giggle, and started down the corridor, swaying her hips in and outrageous mockery of a seductress.

Rage sighed, grumbled, shook his head, and followed.

The pair found another slithering group of claw vipers, and left them behind on the floor, writhing in their own blood. Actually, the blood was Rage's doing. The cold water and chunks of ice were Firiel's. "This seems far too easy," said Rage as they stepped down a short flight of stairs. "There doesn't seem to be much of a challenge to this. It's actually getting pretty boring."

Firiel's eyes grew wide as she turned her gaze back to the room into which they were walking. "I think you may have spoken too soon." She said. Rage followed her eyes to the center of the room, where there stood a glowing altar. It seemed to shimmer, like sunlight playing off the surface of water.

But there was also a group of leering claw vipers, writing and hissing. The leader of the group had a strange, almost purplish color. Its body sparkled with electricity, much like Firiel's fingers had done. However, this beast would not likely be content with harmless static shocks.

"Firiel." Rage whispered quickly. "We have to keep that purple one busy until the others are dead. Then we can both concentrate on it."

"Right." She said. "Inthuul'tril!" Sparkling blue flecks of energy swirled around her like a shimmering snowstorm of azure crystals…

"Aaaaaaiiiiggghhhhh!" Rage announced their presence fully with a rolling war cry that jiggled pebbles from the ceiling. "Foul demons! Taste my blade! Uh… blades!" He lunged forward, skewering one creature and leaping back as the purple viper took a swipe at him; an impossibly fast strike that he barely dodged. He felt the hairs on his arms rise in response to the crackle of electricity left in the wake of the attack.

"Firiel!" he yelled, leaping over the things head, nearly into the arms of another viper. Rage lost his balance and fell, fully expecting to die on the claws of three vipers… deep in some tomb, so far away from his homeland… he brought a blade up in desperation, hoping for a lucky parry.

Then a wave of cold washed over him. So this is what it is like to die, he thought. "Rage!" he heard his name called, from somewhere nearby. Mother? He wondered briefly. "Get up, bastard son of an ox! Hurry!" Maybe not mother after all… startled, he opened his eyes. Only inches away from his face and torso were they frozen claws of the vipers he had sworn would (and had) killed him. But not frozen for long. They began to flex, as the creatures started to thaw again. On instinct, he swung his sword in an arc, cleaving the serpents in two.

"Rage!" Firiel called again, sounding half-desperate, half-angry. "If you're finished playing with your friends, HELP ME!"

Rage looked up to see his friend pursued by the sparking serpent and a pair of others. Firiel managed to freeze the lesser serpents, but barely succeeded in slowing the leader.

"Hhhhhaaaagggghhhhhh!!!" shouted Rage, springing to her aid and shattering the two frozen vipers. He turned, shouting out his challenge. "Face me, demon! Answer to me for what you have done here!"

The creature hissed in contempt that the human would even speak to it, much less, challenge it. "Annnd, will you faccce me, for what you have done? You have ssslainnn my brothersss, human! And now, Fangssskinnn ssshall ssslay you, and sssave my massstersss the trouble!"

Fangskin seemed to have forgotten about Firiel, so intent was he on Rage. A mistake. Firiel nodded for Rage to keep the serpent busy, and he understood. He circled the claw viper, pulling himself between it and Firiel as she concentrated in her spell. It materialized a moment later as a wall of fire directly behind Fangskin, cutting off any retreat. He hissed, realizing that he had nowhere to run. Or slither, as the case may be. The creature launched a lighting fast lunge as Rage, and the two combatants were immediately on the floor, rolling and twisting. As Rage's swords were practically useless in the close wrestling match, the barbarian quickly abandoned them in favor of having his hands free. He managed to grab the writhing creature by what he guessed was its neck, and began to try strangling it. Fangskin wriggled, and used the power he had been infused with to send strong electrical pulses through the barbarian who dared try to harm him. Rage's grip loosened, and a quiver ran through his strong muscles. He fell back, and Fangskin took another slash, connecting and channeling more energy into the weakened human.

But now, Firiel had a clear shot. She took advantage of it, and hurled several bursts of chilling magic. "Deal with me, now!" she cried, hoping to distract the creature's attention from Rage. Fangskin ignored her, deciding to finish the fallen warrior and deal with the impudent woman afterwards. He twisted, raising his tail with its sharp sting over the center of his opponent's chest.

"NO!" Firiel screamed, with such power that Fangskin froze, startled to look at her. "I am the descendant of Habacalva herself, and I will not be ignored! Not by you, and not by any other! Chath'ssin! Hear my call!"

A tremor ran through the floor, and a thin crack appeared. Flame spurted through it, accompanied by a veil of smoke. This cleared, leaving behind a fiery, three-headed beast with brilliant red eyes. The manes running from the backs of its heads flickered, and it slammed a flaming foot to the stone. It was a hydra, summoned from the depths of the world, created and wreathed in smoke and flame. The stone beneath its claws began to glow red with heat.

"We head thy call, Mistress, and come as we did for thy ancestor." It rumbled, in a voice like that of a volcano. It lashed its flaming tail, leaving ask and smoke behind. "How may we serve?" the hydra asked, though it knew the answer already.

"Attack." Firiel said icily, staring into Fangskin's reptilian eyes. "Attack, for the honor of Habacalva, and the life of my comrade."

"Done, Mistress." The hydra's great chest swelled, and its nostrils flared as it took a breath. It stepped forward once, and let loose with three blasts of scorching melted rock. These Fangskin dodged, barely, forcing him further from his fallen adversary. He hissed his displeasure, but knew there was little he could do against such a beast as this hydra. But perhaps, if he killed its summoner…he launched himself at Firiel, hoping to reach her before she attacked. He failed, miserably.

 Firiel loosed several swirling balls of ice, and the hydra whipped it's tail out to intercept the charge. Fangskin slithered back, scaled scorched and blackened by the intense heat. But what could he do? Attack, again and gain. Show that he was not weak, and perhaps the witch would tire. And if she tried using any ice spells while he was near her flaming dragon…well! The serpent shot forward again, dodging around the hydra's blows. But what Fangskin didn't know did hurt him, in this case. It didn't occur to him that if the sorceress could summon fiery hydras and walls, she might have other fire spells at her disposal. She rained fireball after fireball on the pair of creatures. Fangskin let out an unearthly screech at the searing pain, stopping for just an instant. An instant too long, for the hydra caught up to him, snapping his tail up in on of its jaws. The viper shirked again, as the hydra pulled it closer to its flaming body.

Firiel stood watching impassively as her fire beast finished its work. The hydra walked over to her, bowing its heads. "Thank you Chath'ssin," She said, reaching out with delicate fingers to caress a fiery jaw. The flames did not burn. No hydra could burn its Mistress. "Thank you. Go back to your home, and sleep in the fires. Warm yourself, and rest."

The hydra nodded "Call again, if ever thou hast need of us, Mistress." It rumbled.

"I will, my beauty." She kissed it, feeling the soft tickle of the flames on her lips.  It faded in a cloud of smoke and departed back to its home. Firiel turned back to Rage, who was sitting up with the most interesting expression of awe and disbelief on his face.  His jaw hung down so far it looked as if it had been dislocated, and his eyes looked as if they would pop out of his head.

"B-b-b-….s-s-s-s…b-bu..buuaaa…g-g-g…a-a-ah?!"

"What?"

Rage tried again. "H-how long have you been able to…to do that?"

Firiel shrugged. "I have only summoned the hydra once before this.  Years before, when I was much younger. Before I met you."

"Oh, well.  That's…nice…to know…these things…about the people you've traveled with for, ohh…three years!! You never said anything!"

"It wasn't important until now."

"Humph." Rage grunted and turned his back on her, slightly irritated that she hadn't mentioned anything at all in the years they had been together.  She hadn't even dropped any subtle hints or hidden clues! If she had, he could have excused his ignorance with stupidity. He was stewing with these and similar thoughts when Firiel interrupted him.

"Rage, cheer up.  It's nothing personal.  The only people who know about it are the ones who have actually seen it.  I haven't tried to hide anything from you.  Besides, we have a job to do now, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"What." He said, turning to find the sorceress at the glowing altar.

"The magic enchanting this altar is what's blocking the sun's light.  If you want to restore her warmth, we need to break the enchantment. Now-"

Rage brightened considerably. "Say no more, my Lady!" he said, as he crouched, preparing a huge leap into the air.

"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAUUUUUHHHH!!!!!"

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            "By all the gods, I hate these tunnels." Said Darkangel, brushing mud and slime off her no-longer-shining armor.

            "You think you have problems," Iconnus said. "Look at me! My silver will be tarnished forever."

            Darkangel laughed. "How comforting it is to know that however bad things may be for me, you're suffering so much worse."

            "Yes. Ha ha." Iconnus grinned. "Still, it's my job as a paladin to help those in need." He reached out to help wipe the amazon's breastplate clean.

            "Oh ho! Such a man!" she slapped his hand away, laughing and shaking her head. Spirit Wing seemed to roll her eyes, if such a thing is possible. Her own chuckles echoed in Darkangel's head.

            "Alright, alright. Let's keep moving." Said Iconnus, still smiling. "You know about a paladin's Vows. Shame on you for thinking such!"

            "Shame on you for suggesting such!"

            While the two humans had another good laugh over this, Spirit Wing sighed, smiled, and started down the tunnel.  Her light seemed the only clean thing in the place, though that was hardly surprising.  Her armor never seemed to dull, either. She was sent from the gods, after all. The Valkyrie came to a fork in the tunnel and called for Darkangel.  She and Iconnus came quickly to her side. Left or right? She asked her amazon.

            Darkangel shrugged. "Left or right?"

            "Right" said Iconnus immediately.

            The other two looked at him in surprise. "Why right? How are you so sure?" asked the amazon.

            "That which is Right and Good will always prevail."

            "That is so lame."

            "I know."

            "But it's expected?"

            "Exactly."

            "I see."

            The group went right.  They battled maggots and swarms of biting insects for what seemed like an eternity in the dark, slimy tunnels.  They went through many loops, forks, and passageways, checking through half-buried treasure chests. Spirit Wing found an earthen shaft leading still deeper into the sands.

            And time crawled on.

            A sense of deep foreboding hung over the trio, pressing down like the thousands of sand grains above them. Darkangel spoke, nervously. "What if…what if it's been lost, buried far beneath us? What if the tunnels have collapsed?" she whispered.

            "I don't know." Replied Iconnus heavily. "Cain mentioned something about other staves...perhaps we can go back, and he can tell us of another's location."

            "But, by then…we would be too late.  We've got three days to find our piece, before we're to meet with the others. We've taken one to get to the lair, and at least half a day actually down here."

            "We should stop for a bit.  Take a rest, eat something." Iconnus said. "We're pressing too hard, I think.  We've got a day left, probably more. And anyway, I have this…feeling...that it's still here, and that we'll find it.  We're meant to find it! I know we are."

            "Then why do I feel that something…'bad' is going to happen?"

            Iconnus shrugged, as well as he could in his armor. "Maybe it's just the gloomy atmosphere of these Gods forsaken tunnels.  We're probably just tired, cranky, and pessimistic."

            "That's what I keep telling myself, but-" Darkangel!  "Spirit Wing?!?"

            Look.

            The amazon and paladin quickly got up and hurried to her side.  The Valkyrie pointed to something further down the tunnel.A sickly, poisonous green light could be seen, emanating from something at the back. But it was so hard to see…

            "Let's go." Said Darkangel, brandishing a javelin.

            "Carefully." Iconnus added, placing a hand on her shoulder.

            "Oh. Right." She said.

            Let me lead. Said Spirit Wing.

            "What? Why? What do you know?"

            Let me lead. The Valkyrie said again.

            "Spirit Wing says she wants to lead." Darkangel said to Iconnus.

            "Well...let her, I guess." The paladin replied.

            Spirit Wing nodded, and immediately started down the sandy corridor. The two humans followed, speculating as to what could make such an ominous glow.  They found out, moments later, as they came to the end of the tunnel.

            The three stood in awe; before them was the largest Worm they could have possibly imagined, attended by an ungodly amount of lesser maggots.  It was at least three times the size of the full-grown maggots milling about the chamber.  It could only be the Queen.  The creatures didn't seem to notice the party, yet.  But there in the corner…the Staff! It had to be the Staff.  After all, normal staves don't hover in the air and glow.

            Darkangel and Iconnus stared at each other. "What are we going to do?!" whispered the amazon hoarsely.  "What can we possibly do against that?! It's got an army!"

            "We cannot win this fight…there are too many foes." Iconnus said. "We have little choice but to simply make a run for it."

            "I'll do it." Said Darkangel.  My armor won't weight me down as much as yours would.  Just…provide a distraction."  She took several deep breaths to center herself.

            But Spirit Wing had begun striding determinedly into the chamber.  The worms saw her immediately and attacked.  "Spirit Wing!" Darkangel shouted, hoping to warn her.  The maggots, excited by the idea of fresh prey, chattered uncontrollably and swarmed the Valkyrie.

            "No!" shrieked the warrior-woman, running, jumping, tying to get to her friend and guide. She jabbed and slashed, a fury of javelin points.  The maggots kept coming…Spirit Wing had been pressed against a wall, hurriedly fending off the clacking jaws of several maggots, trying to buy time.  Darkangel's vision was a haze of disbelief. Tears started to form in her eyes as she mindlessly waded through a sea of worms.  Hold on, hold on!  She silently pleaded.  Spirit Wing was backed into the corner…

            Go! Go! The Valkyrie cried in her mind.

            No! Not without you and the Staff!

            He has the Staff, now leave me!

            "NO!" the amazon's raw scream was punctuated by driving her weapon's spear-point into a maggot's head. Another one took advantage of the opening left by its brethren's death and closed its jaws over her calf and shin, biting down hard.  The metal of the greave tore, and fiery pain shot through her leg. GO! Spirit Wing cried again. The Valkyrie looked awful. She was cut and bloody, her shining armor rent and torn. Go…she pleaded once more, losing strength.  Darkangel fell, unable to support her weight as the wound fully registered. "I…can't," she nearly sobbed. She felt hands under her arms…Iconnus's hands.

            "Come on, get up! We'll fight together. I have the Staff." he helped the amazon struggle painfully to her feet, amidst the squirming maggots. She held her javelin in a death grip, clenching her teeth against the pain.  She tried to ignore the sensation of her own hot blood flowing down her leg as she prepared to throw.

            LEAVE ME! FLY!

            The Valkyrie's pain filled command seemed to resonate within the chamber, mental though it was. Darkangel winced.  Iconnus put a hand to his temple, astonished, for he had heard it as well.

            "No…" Darkangel said shakily. "I can't leave her!"

            "You have to! Don't let her sacrifice be in vain!" shouted Iconnus, and activated an aura of strength.  He felt her give in, but he hesitated at the exit to the chamber he looked back for a moment, and heard Spirit Wing's last, plaintive plea.

            Go! Take her and go...please. A brilliant golden light filled the chamber and tunnel, illuminating fully the squirming, biting mass of maggots and nearly blinding the onlooking paladin.  Darkangel seemed not to be affected, and her eyes widened as she realized was Spirit Wing was doing as her final act.

            "Portal, portal!" she shouted frantically.  She reached down and yanked a scroll from Iconnus's belt. 

Sand streamed from the ceiling as the golden light and energy became stronger still. A flash of white came, and the maggots recoiled as if thrown back.  It was then that Iconnus realized that they had been thrown back. The energy being released at the Valkyrie's death was that powerful. An angelic, humanoid form could be seen in the midst of the white light.  It seemed to look down sadly as the light pulsed brighter.  The maggots screamed at the invasion on their eyes.  A musical voice was heard, whispered through the keening wail of the maggots. "Go, Sister.  Live."

There was a final flash, and sand began to pour down like a tropical rain.  The chamber was collapsing, along with the tunnel beyond.  The room was plunged into darkness, save for the shimmering blue portal.

Darkangel, though she had known what was happening, simply stared at the blackness in disbelief, numbed with pain.  Iconnus shook her, saying "We've got to go!" but the amazon seemed not to hear. A look of resignation appeared on his face.  He held on to Darkangel tightly, and rushed through the gate as the chamber collapsed.

*   *   *   *

The change from dark, filthy tunnel to bright city street was brutal and unpleasant.  The hot sun baked down once more; Rage and Firiel must have succeeded, but at what cost? Thought Iconnus. Ours was too high. Not so long ago, I would not have thought so, but now…He felt Darkangel shaking in his arms, and looked down. She was crying…tears slipped unchecked down her face.  She never cried… He hugged her as close as their armor would allow, unsure of what to do.  He was a warrior, dammit! And a paladin at that.  He had no idea how to comfort someone he cared about.  The blue portal abruptly winked out, its link in the maggot lair buried and destroyed.

The two sat there in silence for a long time, and Iconnus was grateful that their portal had appeared in an alleyway, where no one could see them.  Finally the amazon opened her reddened eyes, and looked up at him. "Iconnus." She whispered, so softly he'd barely heard.

"Shhh." He said, putting a finger to her lips.  She was battered, covered in her own blood and the slime from countless worms.  She didn't need to be talking. "Here," he said, pulling out a glistening red potion.. "Drink this, and I'll help you to the Inn. Darkangel?" She had fallen silent.

 "Darkangel?!" he said her name again, bordering on tears himself. He shook her again, desperately. She whispered something he did not hear. "What?" he asked, relieved that she had spoken.

"Ariana." She said. "My name is…Ariana."

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            "Moment of truth," Az'Ral said, voice quivering slightly.  Whether from excitement or fear, he couldn't tell.  Shadera put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.  He turned his head and smiled. "Thanks."

            Checking the Book once more, the necromancer knelt next to the corpse.  It was that of a half man, half goat demon, who had formerly wielded a large, two-handed scythe. It had fallen with numerous slashing wounds, and blood pooled on the floor, dripping eerily off the walkway in slow motion. Az'Ral placed two fingers on the goat forehead, right between the wide spaced eyes.  His other hand trailed in some of the spilled blood, making rune like designs on the floor.  He began a slow whispering chant, one that sounded like whispers rustling through tree leaves on a dark, windless night.

            Shadera watched quietly, and a shiver ran down her spine at the sound of the necromancer's sibilant words.  Power began to build in the strange, silent air, as if the Sanctuary itself held its breath.  Perhaps it does, thought Shadera uneasily.

            "Flame of Night and Darkening shade, velau iy duril z'ress!" Wisps of shadow seemed to coalesce around the necromancer, forming a dark aura that flickered like an ethereal flame He held up one hand, blood dripping off the fingers.  His eyes seemed to momentarily flash a brilliant green, a flash that went by too quickly to tell if it had truly happened.

            "Xuanil"

            The blood ignited into emerald flame with that last soft-spoken word.  Some dripped downward, liquid fire that burned out before it touched the floor.  Most, however, danced for a moment, illuminating Az'Ral's features and reflecting off his eyes before suddenly kindling in the goat man's sockets.

            The now undead creature rose shakily to its feet.  Az'Ral and Shadera watched, as its jerky movements became more fluid, as the rigor mortis that had begun to set in faded away.  It bent down, picked up its weapon…and stood, silently, at the ready.  The emerald fires in its eye sockets continued to burn with a fierce light.

            "Green…it has green fires in its eyes…" Az'Ral said softly in wonder.

            Shadera looked sidelong at him. "Is this...unusual?" she asked.

            "Well, no." the necromancer replied. "At least, the fires aren't really.  Most revived creatures have black, or at least very dark flames in their eyes.  It has to do with the energies gathered to summon them.  But when the members of the Council of Rathma raise creatures, their eyes have a red glow.  It's their trademark.  But never has any revived had green eyes."

            "Will it obey you?"

            "Let's find out," Az'Ral said, voice becoming grim.  He closed his eyes, establishing a mental link with his creature. "I…I think I have it."  He took a few steps forward.  The goat-creature followed.  A huge grin split Az'Ral's face and his eyes danced with happiness barely contained as he regarded Shadera, the one who had made this possible.

            "It worked." She whispered.

            **************************************************************************

Author's Notes!

            Okay, so I'm trying once more to fix the formatting errors here.  With any luck, this'll actually work, and I can get Chapter nine up within a few days.  If this doesn't work…well, I think I'll just go scream... long and hard.  But if it does, I'll update soon, and begin work on chapter 10. yaaay.  Then, I'll do the unthinkable and actually re-read and edit EVERYTHING I've put up here already!  'Cause I know I need to flesh out some characters and add a bit more detail.  Fun fun!

            Then we get to the really fun part, where I see if it's even possible to do a collaborative fanfiction joining when the two stories are already well on their way. Ahh Yiie.  Only time, and quite a few more sleepless nights like this one, will tell.

            So before I get to tired to even consider the coherency of what I'm typing…shoot, I forgot.  Damn, it's late.  Oh, whatever! Just update the damn thing already!  Good god, Qual, what the Hell is wrong with you?!?!

            Oh great.  Now I'm not only TALKING to myself, but I'm TYPING to myself.  Heck, I ought to have entire conversations this way…maybe alternating colors with little stars and sparkly gifs…

            Sock puppets!  Have you ever stopped to REALLY consider sock puppets?  I mean…my god!  Sock puppets!  Ingenious!