Through stealthy avoidance, cunning distractions, and unrelenting violence the four were able to gain precious ground as they made their way toward Malak and the seraphic gate.
At last, they beheld their quarry and the fiery gate secreted within a ghastly cavern festooned with carved gargoyles and fresh occult markings. Malak gestured toward the foursome and snarled "Stop them at all costs! All I need is a few minutes more and my great undertaking will be complete!" His remaining minions snarled and began to advance. Malak rushed forward and disappeared into the seraphic gate.
"We'll hold these demons at bay, you two stop him," Casimir yelled over the horrific dim emanating from the seraphic gate. He and Sable drew their swords and ran to meet their approaching foes.
Devanya and Khamad skirted the fray and plunged into the seraphic gate.
And were promptly separated.
Devanya found herself wandering a road paved in ancient stone that wound up a mountainside. At the mountain's summit was a grand walled city. She had never beheld this city before, but she recognized it from her religious training as Vatra Solis, the fabled city of the gods--a city that had remained sealed shut ever since the gods' disappearance in times of legend.
Khamad found himself steps behind Malak, his brother. His brother was running up a different path that led to a tower surrounded by a lightning-hurling tempest. He charged after Malak. Malak turned, his eyes empty of brotherly affection.
They fought, spell versus spell. The clash between brothers ended with Khamad impaled on a sword conjured from shadow.
"I really thought I'd be the one to kill you," Khamad said as he closed his eyes one final time. Malak ran on to the tower's door. A key glittered in his hand. He fitted it to the lock and began to turn it.
Devanya stood at the gate of Vatra Solis. A key glittered in the lock the kept the walled city shut fast. She reached her hand out and turned the key.
Two keys, turning. Devanya was faster; she opened the gates of Vatra Solis before Malak could unlock the tower's door.
Back within the cavern, Sable and Casimir put up a desperate fight. Casimir was felled by fangs and claws, his lifeblood running out on the cold stone of the Nachtmahr Mountains.
Devanya's mind burned. She could hear voices, voices that belonged to divine beings, voices that nearly drove her mad. Her head was swimming with possibilities she dared not dream of. And then, an explosion of light. She found herself stumbling back toward the seraphic gate. In the distance, she saw a tower she had not noticed previously crumble into ash.
Malak was first to return through the seraphic gate. When he emerged into the cavern he saw that all of his minions lay dead. One of his pursuers was also dead. But the other, the blonde woman with the eye patch, was waiting for him. Sable removed her eye patch, letting Malak see the horrible wound he had inflicted on her.
"Remember me? I owe you one." Sable drove her rapier through Malak's eye, killing him instantly.
Devanya emerged from the seraphic gate and fell to her knees. Sable cradled her, but saw no sign of injury. Devanya's eyes fluttered open.
"The gods have returned. I've let them loose on the world again," she said.
Her eyes fluttered close.
* * *
Previous Adventures
Losing a Fight in a Frontier Tavern
Losing a Fight in a Frontier Tavern