Jessi: I do not own Forgotten Realms.

Tiamet: And apologies for the delay.

Jessi: Wales suffered from a heat wave, and then my school overloaded me with coursework. But here it is!

It was boring guarding the entrance to the fortress. The two yugoloth mercenaries gave the landscape only a brief glance. No one could climb or find this place amongst these jagged peaks.

One noticed a wisp of smoke coming in under the door and drew closer to examine it. It was the last thing he ever did.

A black katana swept the head from it shoulders as an alabaster elf, mounted on a grey equine creature, came through the wall. Ruthur growled at the last yugoloth who snarled back.

The green vaguely canine head opened to revel sharp fangs. In one pair of hands it carried a massive great axe, probably weighing more than Yami herself. The other pair had no weapon other than its serrated claws.

The yugoloth charged and swung its axe in a perfect downward slash, bringing it through the elf's shoulder and onwards into its grey steed.

The flesh separated like mist and reformed behind the weapon, leaving no mark. The yugoloth barked in shock and, in its confusion, it never felt the kiss of Marwolaeth.

Smiling the incorpeal elf and steed went through another wall, deeper into the fortress.

Yami Shadowblade had come.

--

Dante Shadowblade leant forward to examine the chasm. Yogoloth mercenaries guarded all other ways into the castle and he doubted that he had the magic to defeat even one yugoloth.

This chasm however was unprotected and across from it there was only an iron portcullis between him and the outside world. He could rust it with one of his spells.

The young tiefling had doubted whether his wings were strong enough to carry him across the void. However even if he failed... at least his death would be swift.

"Corellon, protect me," Dante held his symbol of Corellon Larthian, the gods of the elves in his hand. Being raised by Yami and Asgwrn Shadowblade the god of elves was his patron and he'd been baptised on Corellon's altar, "If it is part of your plan then take my life... it doesn't matter any more."

He tucked the symbol into his robes and opened his wings. He had watched the green, four-armed yugoloths fly from the window in his apartments.

Dante rose off the ground unsteadily, his wings moving in the long, smooth strokes he'd practised. Slowly but surly he began moving across the chasm. When he touched down on the other side, he rested for a bit before fumbling in his robes for the required spell component.

The tiefling slowly became aware of a growling coming from behind him. Placing the skin of water he needed for his spell back in his robes he turned.

A huge, black horse hovered above the canyon. It was as massive and as powerfully built as Ceffyl had been. Its mane, hooves and tail were made from flames and its eyes glowed with the same crimson colour as Dante's orbs. It was a nightmare, a creature not of this world.

Too late Dante remembered that there were devils that hunted down escapees and they rode steeds such as nightmares. The tiefling slowly got to his feet, the nightmare watching his every move with a ruby-red gaze.

With infinite slowness Dante reached into his robes and closed his fingers about his Wand of Magic Missiles. The nightmare screamed abruptly, exposing two rows of white fangs, and charged.

The young plane touched fell backwards and the nightmare passed over him, skidding to a halt in a shower of sparks. Dante raised his wand and sent a volley of magic missiles into the nightmare's side.

The hell beast snorted, not damaged in the slightest and walked forward. Dante realised his mistake. He had fallen into a corner and the nightmare blocked the way out.

It seemed to sense its prey's hopelessness and strode on, its mouth opening.

A grey blur struck the nightmare's side and growled. With no small amount of surprise Dante saw that his rescuer was another equine creature. This one was grey however, with parts of it trailing into mist and six legs.

The nightmare snarled and reared trying to strike at its attacker with its hooves. The grey equine reared too, bringing two pairs of weapons into play with a snort of effort. The mists swirled, solidifying for a second into something more like talons and raked the nightmare's hide, leaving long, bloody gouges.

The hell beast trying to retreat but the grey equine lunged. Fangs, as long and white as the nightmare's had been, plunged through the black throat, coming away with a bloody gobbet of flesh.

Dante clutched his wand again. This creature might be the steed of a rival and be just as keen to eat him.

A shadow detached from the wall and walked towards him with easy elven grace.

"Dante..." Yami Shadowblade looked up at her son's face, "You're coming home."

Dante smiled and threw his arms around the alabaster elf,

"Mother!"

Yami closed her eyes and embraced Dante, before separating and calling to the grey equine,

"This is Ruthur, an ecalypse of the Shadow Plane. Ruthur this is my son Dante." The grey equine sniffed the tiefling who nervously touched the head, through which the skull was plainly visable.

"How touching..."

Yami growled and drew Marwolaeth, turning to face him. The Lord of the Seventh layer of Hell, rose out of the canyon and landed. His sword blazed in his hand. Behind him yugoloth mercenaries and devil floated in the air. So many... Too many...

"Mother... What shall we do?"

Yami tightened her grip on the sword,

"We take as many with us as possible... And I'll die with my sword in my hand and this thieving bastard's head on the ground."

"Admirable courage little Shadowblade... I could have use for such courage."

"I'd rather die..."

"Then die you shall."

Surprisingly something flew from between the gaps in the metal portcullis. All eyes followed it. It was a tiny bird made out of pure white light. It settled on Dante's head and tossed its head back, letting out a sweet, pure note.

"What-"

Then the room began to shake...