It did not take Ever long to convince the others to clam up, cooperate and continue. Whether compelled by her reason or by his need to affect virtue, H'zula followed her lead. S'dennmo, to Biff's eye, looked relieved at the prospect of avoiding any further argument. As for himself, Biff hoped that neither S'dennmo nor Ever held a grudge against him. He did not always think before he acted; and all he could see of the girl was the pain she carried within. He had to do something. At the very least, he did not regret it. He was quite fixed on that point.

The party made their way down another corridor, the end at which awaited them yet another chamber charged with an orb's magic. This time, Biff could smell the darkness like a cloying perfume: decay, sweet and nauseating; blood, leaving a woman's womb; persistence, like the earth after rain.

"The orb's magic is strong," whispered Ever.

Biff followed her gaze to a violet crystal seated upon a pedestal. Naturally, it was the source of the smell. A faint light glowed from within its core; and going from it was the selfsame beam of light they had made to follow. Violet, again. As they approached the chamber entrance, a wide and arched portal, the pulse of the orb's power grew magnetic.

S'dennmo grabbed Ever a pace back by her black coat sleeve. "Careful! There's two guys out there. Let me take them out."

"Unless, of course," purred H'zula, raising an eyebrow, "our concerned friend has something to say about it?"

Biff thinned his lips. "They're tempered. Can't do nothin' about that."

S'dennmo once again took up her bow and eliminated the two lambs standing watch beside the orb. As they fell with a thump to the ground, arrows stuck in their necks, they each writhed for the wands they had dropped. One quickly lost his breath; the other gave up and went still. Ever hurried to the orb and pushed it off its stone pedestal. It cracked, but did not break. The magicks flowing from it hissed angrily.

"Ser H'zula!" cried Ever, pointing at the orb. "Finish it, now!"

H'zula happily lunged and brought his sword down on it. The orb shattered into countless, tiny shards that each dissipated, all the light extinguished. The so-called paladin raised his chin proudly, clearly ready to accept his due praise.

"I know they were tempered," said S'dennmo, watching blood pool around one of her victims, "but I wouldn't wish a random, painful death like this on anyone."

"Ye made it quick as ye could," offered Biff.

"It was fueling their spell," said Ever, picking up one of the lamb's wands. She made certain to turn away from the bodies. "That which we saw earlier. This beam, it went back out to that point. There ought to be three more, if I remember correctly."

"That's right," said S'dennmo. Her gaze returned to the present. "I counted four arms together."

"Then we must find them, quickly!" H'zula shuffled toward the door, shield and sword ready. "Darkness is the stuff of forbidden evils. This is all the proof we need for our cause."

A soft whisper tickled Biff's ear. He looked to the others, but they were making to the door, ready to find the next crystal. Then, the noise became a loud hiss and the smell of death filled the air. A pair of giant, bat wings cocooned Biff into their fold. He was enveloped in a prison of scaly skin and pitch black. His comrades shouted wildly, but he could not make out the words. Instead, a mist of hot breath spread over his face.

"You will make a scrumptious supper," said the demon. "Your soul burns exquisitely."

It smiled with all its teeth. Such a bright smile. The jagged shape of them and the circle of teeth all through its mouth served to terrify its prey. Then, its eyes glowed malevolent red in the sclera, bringing the abyssal dark in its irises. Biff drank in the sight, unable to help himself; from his lips unfolded a matching smile.

"Do it," said Biff, grinning so wide his face hurt. The light, the dark. The danger. His heart was racing. The vexed creature roared in his face, announcing its intent to consume. Biff, flush with excitement, eyes burning with joy, plunged his clenched fist into the chest of the demon. Its heart throbbed in his hands as he pulled his hand out.

The curtain of demon wings peeled back. Light trickled back into his vision as he watched the body burst out of existence in a shower of blood. One of the cultist's bodies was gone. As was the heart. Biff dropped his hand by his side and chuckled to himself.

"Is he alright?" S'dennmo asked, voice trembling. "He's breathing, right?"

"He seems to be," said Ever. "Those wings… My magic couldn't break them."

His mirth began to grow as he felt the air burning in his lungs. He was still here. He'd made it. There was no guarantee he was meant to survive, but who knew the chest cavity of a demon could rip like paper? Every day, Biff learned something new. He laughed for the joy of it, loudly, in a nigh cackle. At times like this, his laugh got away from him. It thundered through the chamber and shook his being whole.

"I LIVED, BITCH!"

"You were almost killed!" replied Ever, stern, grabbing his arm. "There's nothing funny about that!"

Biff patted her hand and stifled himself, though rather poorly. "It ain't funny."

H'zula shook his head and sheathed his sword. "You don't seem to know who you're dealing with, Miss Starfall. That's Mad Biff."

That name again. Biff made a face and pulled away from Ever. "Yeah, what of it? That's the gig. We take risks. We live or we die."

The paladin, wrinkling his nose, continued. "He's unpredictable. He's moody and violent and quick to anger. Most don't bother taking him along. He's never turned down an offer, so the desperate take their chances on him. His strength is undeniable, at the very least."

"You're saying he's a last resort?" Ever glanced at Biff, her eyebrow raised. "Somehow, that makes a modicum of sense."

"What's that mean?" Biff gritted his teeth. "I ain't none o' those things! Sure, I'm violent as any sellsword, but that don't make me disloyal to me mates!"

"Biff makes friends wherever he goes," said S'dennmo. "They're just people no one else notices. He's not crazy. I mean, he's a little crazy."

"Look," huffed the Hyur, "if ye want me tae screw off, I will. After we get the job done."

H'zula sneered. "You're already getting angry."

"Shut up!" The words ripped from his throat before he could realize. They were loud and rang in his ears. He went wide eyed, then shook his head. "Fuck. You."

"What's that? I couldn't hear you."

"YOU FECKIN' PRICK–"

Ever stepped in front of him before he could lunge at the stuck up jerk. Biff took this moment to catch his breath. His face was hot with all the fury he could not express. He touched his face with bloody fingers, recalling that he'd left his handkerchief with his other linens back at the inn.

"Let's split up," said the lady in black. "Ser H'zula and I will attempt to locate another orb. You two do the same. The sooner we find them, the less chance we have of being apprehended by the lambs. We'll meet up at the entrance afterwards."

"If you insist," said H'zula, bowing deeply. "I will be your shield, my lady."

"Don't call me that," said Ever. She stood like a man, chest first and self-assured, leering at the shield-bearing warrior through an elegant pair of narrow eyes. Under the faint glow of the torches, her hair shone like starlight on a winter night. "Don't ever call me that."

"Y-Yes, of course, Miss Starfall!"