A/N: The wonderful world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. Following this bit of fun, I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Bon-Ihrno, Rentar-Ihrno, various vahnatai, Erika, the court wizard, Anaximander, and the dervishes; and places: the Crumbling Factory, Great Walls, Isolated Hut, and Rentar-Ihrno's Keep.
Anicka led her comapnions into a tunnel, and found it filled with the smell of ozone and fresh oil, and the now-familiar sound of the vahnatai's cursed magical machinery. However here, the sound wasn't quite right—rough, out of sync, as though not properly maintained.
Searching through, they found a room dusty and neglected, though a thin, clear track on the floor indicated that someone had passed this way.
"I guess this is a quick route through this," said Anicka. "Hope we can get out easy."
"Guess it's as safe as anything," said Phaedra.
They entered the next room, finding within three hideous undead vahnatai. Struggling, they slew them, and when the chief guardian fell, the form started to crumble.
Anicka grabbed an iron key that had been held to the wrist of the guardian by a leather strap, the crumbling bones falling away into a pile of dust on the floor.
"I'm sure we'll need this," she said, and moved to the large door at the other end of the room.
"It fits," said Daniel, as Anicka turned the key in the lock.
No sooner had they left the factory, however, but they found that six of the alien beasts were waiting for them. Then, as they progressed across the blasted landscape, they too late saw another group of vahnatai warriors, running off to the east at an impossibly fast speed.
"Guess that'll save time," said Anicka.
They continued on through the blasted landscape, and their hearts sank as they came through a dark valley. A massive pack of alien beasts stood guard here, but there was no other way except through them.
The battle fought, they continued their trek to the east. Here, the clouds over the valley were so thick that it was as though in a constant twilight. A bitter wind bit at exposed skin, and bits of bones lay everywhere on the ground.
"I sure hope we're getting close," said Daniel.
"I think we are," said Anicka.
They reached the west end of a massive subterranean tunnel, burrowing down into the mountain. There was a dim, green, familiar light—someone had brought up the fluorescent mold of Avernum. In the sickly light, they could see the vahnatai rapidly constructing defenses—a series of three walls, each heavily guarded, but as yet incomplete.
"Our only hope is to blast through," said Anicka.
They entered the first wall, and from within, there were high pitched shouts of vahnatai running to defend their walls.
Anicka noticed that the amulet Erika had given her was growing warm, but she did not ponder that—there was a battle to be fought. Suddenly, in the middle of the battle, brilliant lances of light flew from the amulet of Erika's and blasted a hole into the wall, creating an instant shortcut.
They battled their way forward, leaping down from the ledges to the next wall, and finally past the third wall. Here, they were faced with an all too familiar sight. Beyond the Great Wall was a cavern—miles wide, lit by the green fluorescent fungi they knew so well. Their eyes adjusted quickly, absorbing the grim familiarity.
"It's not human lands," said Phaedra. "We're in vahnatai lands."
"Oh great," said Anicka. "I hope we can get out of here."
"So this is where it came from," said Daniel. "All those plagues?"
"Yeah, and if this is where the monsters originated, this is where they must be stopped," said Anicka. "I just wish I knew how."
They suddenly encountered a group of vahnatai shades which did not attack, and the shades pointed northeast.
One shade said, "Head to the river. Follow it northeast, and look for the secluded home." With that, the shades faded away.
"Do we trust that?" said Anicka.
"Well, if we do, then perhaps we'll find help," said Angarahad. "Remember, in Ghikra, how that one vahnatai was looking for someone else—what if that one left because he didn't agree with them? And at worst, it'll just be another battle."
"Sounds reasonable enough," said Anicka.
They found the river and began trekking along the shore to the northeast, when a vahnatai patrol that had been waiting in ambush emerged from concealment and charged, battle cries echoing across the cavern.
The battle was fierce, and none of the six escaped serious injury, though at the end, all of the vahnatai had died at their hands.
"It's tragic that it has come to this," said Nathan, "fighting against our former allies—without whom, we would probably have been wiped out in the war against the Empire."
"Well, it's not like we have much choice," said Anicka. "They're going to destroy everything and leave us with nothing but caves to live in forever ... and after being up there, I ... I don't want to be stuck in Avernum forever."
"And they've pretty much declared war against us," said Daniel. "Nathan—we had to do it."
"I know," said Nathan. "I just wish it could've been another way."
"Not with them behind the plagues," said Anicka.
They passed along to a small modest bridge, already lightly covered with mold.
An insubstantial shade appeared to them and said, "Welcome to the home of Bon-Ihrno. Come in, please, quickly." And then it faded.
They stepped into the house, and there was Bon-Ihrno, hero and legend who had first contacted humanity and guided the first visitors from Avernum to vahnatai lands during the Empire War. Now he sat slumped in his chair, looking quite tired.
"I am Bon-Ihrno," he rasped.
"Greetings, Bon-Ihrno," said Anicka, awed, as she remembered learning about him in her schooling.
He sighed, and said, "Greetings to you. You have come far, and faced many dangers to stand here. I hope now you will join in the fight against the insanity. Joyously, my battle is almost over."
"Why do you live in this remote place?" said Anicka.
"I am old, and tired, and the side I have chosen is a small and losing one, and my foes are too many. Too strong," said Bon-Ihrno. "And to top that, I have been assisting you. Soon, there will be a finish. There is always a finish."
"Are you really the first vahnatai to contact the humans?" said Phaedra.
"No, that honor belongs to the first vahnatai murdered by the Empire," said Bon-Ihrno. "But I was the first to greet your people with the offer of peace."
"Tell us about it?" said Angarahad.
"When our people attacked yours, thinking you had stolen our Crystal Souls, I alone wanted to deal with you," said Bon-Ihrno. "So I sent a projection to one of your cities, asking you to send an envoy. Fortunately, you did."
"Who went?" said Anicka.
"A small band of adventurers—Jenneke, a slith named Thissa, Nigel, Feodoric, and a Brother Michael. Later they also traveled with a lady named Adrianna," said Bon-Ihrno. "They were incredibly brave and resourceful. They traveled through deadly, unexplored caves to reach me, and to negotiate with Rentar-Ihrno and our council. And thus, we became friends—for a short time."
"What happened to them?" said Daniel.
"I do not know. I believe they are still in Avernum, helping to protect it from danger," said Bon-Ihrno. "Whatever their path is, I am sure it is noble, dangerous, and lined with treasure."
"You said that your battle is almost over," said Anicka. "What did you mean?"
"I wish not to talk of that. Instead, let us speak of the insanity that has consumed my people," said Bon-Ihrno. "Let us speak of ending the monster plagues."
"Can you help us fight the vahnatai causing the plagues?" said Anicka.
He slumped further into his seat, and Bon-Ihrno said, "I wish to assist you in your assault on Rentar-Ihrno and her minions. I wish it was not necessary to turn against my people. But I must. This revenge madness has consumed them."
"What has fueled their desire for revenge?" said Daniel.
"The Empire stole three of our Crystal Souls—our leaders, our gods, the most beloved of us all. I cannot express what a horrid shock this was to us. In the thousands and thousands of years of our recorded history, no such thing had ever happened," said Bon-Ihrno. "That theft led to all this warfare."
"What do the vahnatai leaders hope to accomplish?" said Anicka.
"Our leaders have convinced themselves that destroying the thieves—the Empire—will make them safe. They are wrong, of course. Nothing can do that. And the war will only ravage this world and cause millions of needless deaths," said Bon-Ihrno. "And that, brave humans, is why I must assist you."
"How can you help?" said Anicka.
"I have been trying to project myself to you for months, to give you advice and aid," said Bon-Ihrno. "Here, in my humble hut, you can find supplies and rest. More importantly, I have the most vital information to give you."
"Surely the Empire has been punished enough now," said Daniel.
"No, I do not think so. But this slaughter of innocents is the wrong way to make the Empire atone," said Bon-Ihrno. "Some of the Empire committed a grievous crime against us. Those people paid with their lives." He shook his head, and said, "Why then must the entire surface be destroyed? It makes no sense."
"What's the information you can give us?" said Anicka.
"Rentar-Ihrno's fortress is to the southeast. It is where she performs her mighty alchemy to make the monsters," said Bon-Ihrno. "Her rituals are both powerful and delicate."
"The monsters are made near here?" said Daniel.
"Not quite. The monsters, once made, breed and expand on their own. The fort is where Rentar-Ihrno molds new monsters, the successors to the slimes and roaches and golems and troglos and giants and beasts," said Bon-Ihrno. "She makes them, using powerful alchemy and machinery. If not stopped, the spawn of her talents will double and redouble the carnage caused so far."
"Can you describe how she makes new creatures?" said Phaedra.
"She has four vats of magical, powerful liquid stored under her tower. Magical energy from four massive beams is trained in the vats. Then the liquids are poured into the main vat through many pipes. The stuff passes through the beams and is transformed," said Bon-Ihrno. "It is magic of power beyond my comprehension. However, it has a weakness."
"What's the weakness?" said Anicka, confused.
"The four beams have different levels of energy and qualities. When one, two, or three of them are trained onto the fluid, it can be shaped. Four, however, is too much," said Bon-Ihrno. "If all four beams reached the center, and the magical machines which disperse the liquid and make life are activated, the explosion will destroy her fortress. Alas, there is a problem."
"What's that?" said Anicka.
"Once the beams are directed into the vat, the controls to activate the magic are by Rentar-Ihrno's throne," said Bon-Ihrno. "To reach it, you will have to elude her."
"How can we elude the greatest vahnatai mage?" said Phaedra.
He looked concerned, and said, "I am afraid that will be your problem. I cannot help with that. I wish the best of luck to you in your assault. And, if you like, there are rest and supplies for you here."
"Thanks," said Anicka.
"I have set up a room where you can sleep safely. There is also a supply room, where you can get some useful potions," said Bon-Ihrno. "Were I not forced to be here in secret, I could help more."
"Are those with your beliefs so despised?" said Anicka.
He looked incredibly sad as he said, "My people wish nothing to do with one who will not join in their revenge madness. I hide here, and oppose them. It is just a part of the misery that has become my life."
"What do you know of Rentar-Ihrno?" asked Frrrrrr.
"Rentar-Ihrno is our greatest mage. She is our most powerful mage in the last millennium. Her skills were what defeated the Empire in their war with you. The monsters were her creation," said Bon-Ihrno. "Unfortunately, I sometimes feel that her mind has departed her."
Remembering Linda, Anicka said, "Is Rentar insane?"
"Not quite. She is like your archmage Erika. Hatred of the Empire consumes her, to the exclusion of all else. I respect her. I respect her skills," said Bon-Ihrno. "But the revenge madness has made her a danger, and she must be stopped."
"You also know Erika?" said Phaedra.
"Another female suffused with power and consumed by hate," said Bon-Ihrno. "These two titans of magic fill me with fear."
"I understand," said Anicka. "Thank you for your offer of rest—we are quite tired."
They went into the prepared room, and managed to get a few hours of somewhat comfortable sleep in the beds. Suddenly, they were awakened by a hideous, blood-curdling scream from the outer room, and as they strapped on armor and arms, the scream became a gurgle, and then silence.
Emerging from the room, they saw a hideous sight—Bon-Ihrno had been slain, cut down by his own people. His killer still stood over him, wiping a waveblade clean.
A nearby keeper said, "So goes it for traitors to our cause."
A blademaster looked up to see them, and said, "Ah yes. You are being here, and being about to die. Let us battle now, and at last."
Grimly, the vahnatai trod through poor Bon-Ihrno's blood to engage Anicka and her companions.
Spells flew through the air, the clang of sword against waveblade, but at last, the vahnatai assassination squad who had slain Bon-Ihrno lay dead.
"We won't let you have died in vain," said Anicka, as they quickly buried the remains of Bon-Ihrno in the garden outside the home.
"In that case," said Angarahad, "we had best hurry. Our time grows ever shorter, for they must all know we are here now."
They moved cautiously, avoiding almost all of the vahnatai patrols, fighting a brief battle against the one they could not evade, and at last stood on a huge, stone bridge, almost a mile long, arcing over a massive chasm. The only possible explanation was that such a bridge was held in place by magic. To the east, through thick, green-tinted mist, they could make out a massive, black tower.
Here, however, the vahnatai were ready. A heavy force guarded this bridge, and ranks of well-armed vahnatai soldiers awaited the six young adventurers. Several blademasters held back small black lizards on long chains. As the group approached, the vahnatai watched with cold hatred, though they did not break formation.
Anicka drew her sword again, knowing that they would have seen Bon-Ihrno needlessly sacrifice himself if they did not continue. The vahnatai, however, prepared to die to defend whatever was beyond them.
They battled, the fight ferocious, but when over, they still had the sickening feeling that more carnage was to follow. Crossing the bridge now, they could see the tower better—enormous, with ghastly green light pouring out of the windows. Power radiated from it, perceptible even from the distance of a half mile.
Finally, they passed through the gates, and into the cavernous halls of Rentar-Ihrno's fortress. All around, there were alarmed shouts of guards, rushing to do battle with the invaders. The granite of the fortress walls, ceiling and floor were all of one uniform piece, as if the place were not built, but stretched and molded from living rock. The air crackled with power. To the east, through more gates, they could see the central hall of the fortress, but they knew they were not ready, even if they succeeded with the current fight, to enter that part of the keep.
They defeated the guards, although they could hear the call for more, and hurried from the central entry, and found that Rentar-Ihrno had built her keep over a small, active volcanic vent, harnessing its power through her magic.
"The controls we need to get to are downstairs," said Anicka. "But I don't see ... oh fuck, more of them!"
Unsurprisingly, they had run into a number of vahnatai in this chamber, filled with rivulets of lava, and after another brief fight, finding one dead control panel, they found a button which opened the portcullis, and beyond that, a trapdoor leading into a basement filled with giant crystal pillars and equally giant—but far more hideous—energized goo which vaguely reminded them of the alien slime in charge of the slime pit—except there were four of them, rapidly calling forth slimes of all varieties.
Anicka wiped the slime off her face, and looked at the pedestal, covered with a standard bewildering array of crystals. Some were glowing, some dark, some warm to the touch, others cool. Of special interest was one which looked almost button like, and Anicka reached out and pushed it in.
There was a soft rumbling noise, and then the sound of sliding stone, and a series of clicks and hums.
"OK, let's make sure we've got them all," said Anicka.
Opening a door, a rank smell made their eyes water—it was a deep trough stained by foul, acidic slime, leading from a huge tank to the west to the pit at the center of the fort.
Finding another pedestal, they pushed that button in, and looked through the windows—one beam now was aimed at the center of the fort.
Ascending the stairs again, they continued, finding a combat arena, perhaps a testing ground to ensure the deadliness of the creations, and after defeating the vahnatai and alien beast here, they found another trap door, descending to find a chamber guarded by nagas and efreeti, and battered by the fire spells, they managed to defeat these guardians and find three pedestals—once the buttons had been pushed, they verified the second beam, and climbed back up.
Another chamber looked like it had held Crystal Souls, but they had recently been removed. Shrugging, there was no help to be found here, they continued through a otherwise beautiful garden, except for the basilisks.
"Rentar-Ihrno's chambers?" said Phaedra, reading from a sign.
"Let's check it out," said Anicka.
They entered, finding a fairly simple room, certainly far less ornate than they would have expected, and oddly enough a human-make sword in the cabinet.
"That's Demonslayer!" said Angarahad. "I've seen it before. What is it doing here?"
"Who knows," said Anicka. "Let's take it. Gods only know when we're going to have to fight demons again because some nut case thinks it's a good idea to invite them."
They took the sword, and found their way into a small laboratory, a jeweled golem imprisoned in a pentagram, though it was perfectly able to fire energy bolts at them, as well as more vahnatai. After the brief battle, they found a stairway, and here there were nearly a dozen rakshasi. They were terribly weary by the time they defeated these, and pushed in the crystals on the pedestals, ensuring that one more beam was trained into the center of the keep.
"One more to go," said Anicka.
Nathan said, "I think it's time for a drink break." He passed around several bottles.
"Thanks," said Anicka, feeling the healing warmth of the potion he had given her.
They ascended the stairs again, continuing their search when they found a cell which contained the starved corpses of two humans, both wearing rusted armor bearing the emblem of the Empire. From the looks of it, the vahnatai had thrown them in here and left them to starve ... how long ago was uncertain.
"Could've been us," said Frrrrrr with a shudder, remembering the cell below the Keep of Tinraya.
"Yeah, but it's not," said Anicka. "But if we don't want a whole lotta other people who don't deserve that to experience the same, we better keep moving."
They continued, finding another batch of vahnatai guards, and some jeweled golems who attacked from their pentagram, and another stair. At the base of this stair, they found a horde of vahnatai undead and a lich. Defeating the undead easily, they found two more pedestals, and then confident that they had done what must be done before confronting Rentar and attempting to use her panel, they ascended the stairs again.
Here, they met yet another group of guards, clearly searching for them, and another quick fight ensued. At last, the way was clear, and they stared into the central hall of Rentar-Ihrno's fortress. This was clearly the center of magical operations here, and the energy emanating from this room made Anicka feel sure that her skin was burning beneath her armor.
The chamber was dominated by an enormous pit, nearly eighty feet across, its sides covered with the slimy residue of innumerable alchemical reactions carried out inside it.
On the other side of the pit, they saw Rentar-Ihrno, leader and archmage of the vahnatai, standing by a small pedestal, looking tall and proud, wreathed in a glowing cloak of protective spells. She lifted up something round.
"Oh my god," said Anicka. "It's the head of a vahnatai."
Rentar-Ihrno called out, "I have here the head of your hidden benefactor, discovered at last. This was Bon-Ihrno, bringer of 'peace' between our peoples." She spat the word 'peace' as though it were the foulest possible word. "You protect those who stole our Crystal Souls, our honored ancestors, from us. He protected you," declared Rentar-Ihrno. "You are all traitors, and all must die, so our sacred vengeance may be attained!"
She remained where she was, shrouded by an impregnable shield of protective spells.
"OK," said Anicka. "Phaedra, you get to the pedestal and start the thing up. Do whatever you have to, the rest of us will try to make sure you get there, because I have a feeling it's going to be trouble."
There were more vahnatai guards here, and they began their progress around one side of the pit, staying together so that no one could get surrounded. Rentar-Ihrno watched them nervously as they approached, keeping a watchful eye on the pit in the middle of the chamber. The powerful beams hummed and sparked below them, waiting to be utilized. Rentar, on the other hand, stood in front of her pedestal, stretching her hands in preparation for much spell-casting.
Suddenly, with impeccable timing, the amulet Erika had given them began to heat up and glow brightly. Anicka winced in pain, worried that it was about to sear her flesh. Then, with one final flash of blinding light, it crumbled into dust.
At first, Anicka felt a moment of sick disappointment, thinking that the archmage Erika's powerful magic had failed her at last. Then she looked up, and realized that the opposite had happened—Erika now stood on the dais next to Rentar-Ihrno.
Erika looked at Rentar-Ihrno with fury and contempt, and said, "You dare to trifle with Avernum? You dare to threaten my home? Now, vahnatai, you will find out how a real mage fights!"
Rentar-Ihrno responded instantly, not with words, but a searing bolt of flame. Erika parried it, and the two mightiest mages alive immediately joined in a battle of wizardry unlike any that had ever been seen. As they traded mighty spells and counter-spells, Rentar-Ihrno's pedestal sat unguarded—if they could only pass through the vahnatai in the way.
The chamber had filled with summonings, and it was near impossible to tell who was fighting whom, as charm spells caused everyone fighting, it seemed, to change sides. But at last, they reached the pedestal. The battle between Erika and Rentar-Ihrno was reaching a crescendo. Erika seemed to be winning. Rentar's defenses were weakening, yet Erika seemed to not have even broken a sweat.
However, Rentar-Ihrno was prepared—one final trick up her luminescent sleeve. She flung a magical bolt, not at Erika, but toward the ceiling.
The bolt punched a hole through the roof, and there was a deafening rumble from above. A crevasse appeared in the mountain over them. A narrow, deep crevasse, leading from the surface to the vahnatai's cavern. A single, pencil-thin shaft of light came through the crevasse, and then through the hole in the roof, to strike Erika in the small of the back. The moment the light touched her, she burst into flame, happening far too quickly to react.
There was no time for Erika to scream, in moments, nothing was left but ash. Legend had told that when Erika was banished to Avernum, she had been cursed so that the slightest touch of sunlight would slay her instantly.
They stood at the keep's main control panel, only after paying the bitterest of costs.
Phaedra screamed, "NOOO!"
"Phaedra!" said Anicka. "Do it! Don't let it be in vain!"
Phaedra was crying, but she focused on the panel, and pushed the button "Load slime compounds". With a deafening roar, they heard the churning of tons of fluid below their feet. The goo was being mixed and frothed, and coursing down massive pipes. The floor beneath their feet began to vibrate. Phaedra shook, and pushed another button, "Refocus beams". A powerful humming noise came from inside the pedestal. The beams they had directed into the vat doubled, then tripled in intensity. The controls grew very hot, though Phaedra's gloves protected her.
Finally, as Rentar-Ihrno realized what had happened, and looked on in horror, Phaedra pressed the final button "Begin Process". They all heard the clangs and groans below them, as tons of foul goo poured down rusty pipes. The fluid flowed into the pit, passing through the four beams. The fiery beams lanced through the muck, activating it, charging it, changing it. But it was too much energy, directed into highly volatile substances. Then something went wrong. The reaction wasn't right, and it was going out of control.
Then Rentar-Ihrno cried, "You fools, what have you done? Curse you! My fortress is lost. But you shall die with it! Farewell fools!"
She teleported away, and the explosions started around them. They knew there was no chance they could run as bits of ceiling started crumbling.
"Oh shit!" said Anicka.
Daniel reached for her, holding her close, as he said, "I love you, Nick!"
"Dan!" said Anicka, sobbing.
She hadn't even noticed that Angarahad and Frrrrrr were in an embrace like she and Daniel, while Phaedra was sobbing at the pedestal.
Nathan said, "Well, I guess it was nice knowing you guys."
"This place is falling apart!" said Anicka, and she and Daniel began to kiss, no time to worry about the slime, the charred marks, and the certainty that they were about to die.
Suddenly, still in their embraces, Anicka and Daniel, and Angarahad and Frrrrrr, and Phaedra and Nathan found themselves in the throne room of Blackcrag Fortress.
Empress Prazac made no comment on the embraces, and said, "Welcome, Anicka. Welcome, Daniel. Welcome, Frrrrrr. Welcome, Angarahad. Welcome, Phaedra. Welcome Nathan."
"What happened?" said Anicka, wiping more slime from her face as she realized where she was, and kneeling.
Her other companions had followed suit, kneeling before the Empress, but she gestured for them to stand, and she gestured to the court wizard at her side.
"Your task is done. Valorim is saved," said Prazac.
"Why are we here?" said Anicka, bewildered by the turn of events.
"We have been watching you," said Empress Prazac. "Hoping to help when your task was done. So we have come full circle. The people of Avernum, whom we abused so harshly, have come back to save us."
"It was no problem," said Anicka.
"Now it is time for rewards," said Prazac. "One more most join us. Bring Anaximander here."
"As you command," said the court wizard, and he cast a spell.
Suddenly, Anaximander appeared at the dais to Empress Prazac's side.
"Greetings, Anaximander," said Prazac.
Anaximander bowed, and said, "Greetings, your majesty."
"They completed their task," said Prazac, gesturing for him to rise.
"So I have heard," said Anaximander, looking over his six Unspecified Services agents, and smiling.
"I am of my word, and will meet my end of the bargain," said Prazac, getting out a scroll. "This document entitles the people of Avernum to the lands of southeastern Valorim. They are rich and nearly empty. There, the people of Avernum may have the peace and hope they have earned." She handed the scroll to Anaximander.
"The people of Avernum thank your majesty for your kindness," said Anaximander, taking the scroll with a bow.
Prazac turned to Anicka and her companions, and said, "And as for you, you shall each receive five thousand gold pieces. In addition, I bestow upon you the highest honor the Empire can bestow." She came down from her throne, touching each on their shoulder, despite the blood, slime and other unidentified substances, and said, "I declare each of you to be a Dervish of the Empire."
There was a slightly strangled noise from one of the dervishes standing at attention, and Anicka grinned, even as she tried to make sense of an Avernite being an Empire Dervish.
Prazac returned to her throne, a page bringing a bowl and towel for her to wash her hands after having gotten them quite dirty touching the Avernites whose actions had saved Valorim.
Suddenly, the shade of Rentar-Ihrno, projected from far below the surface, appeared in the room, her head bowed in defeat.
"Why are you here? Come to cause more death?" said Prazac.
"No. We have lost. You have defeated us. But," said Rentar-Ihrno. "Our memories are eternal. Our vengeance still waits. One day your children will pay for your crimes in multitudes. Never forget. Every moment of every day, the souls cry for vengeance. Never forget." With that, her shade vanished.
"We will not forget," said Prazac.
"We almost got her," said Daniel.
"It does not matter. More blood would solve nothing. We will pay for our crimes for many years to come. But enough of that," said Prazac. "It is time to celebrate. A crowd of people is waiting outside, hoping to see the saviors of Valorim. Let us go."
She gestured to Anaximander, who offered his arm as an escort, and two dervishes opened the doors from the throne room, leading the way, as Empress Prazac and Anaximander, then Daniel and Anicka, arms around each other's waists, Frrrrrr and Angarahad, and Phaedra and Nathan, and then more dervishes made their way out into the courtyard.
The people outside let out a rousing cheer, as the Avernites emerged into the bright sun behind their Empress and were announced to the throng as the ones who had saved Valorim.