“Do you think the Envoy was correct, and we should have went to revive the Dreaded One?” Nulrok whispered to Gilreg.

The group was following Bob down a long and very wide corridor. The high ceiling was held up by a series of blue stone pillars and beams. Resting on the beams, they saw dozens of glowing yellow eyes of the Caizene demons in the darkness. The goblin warrior glanced around. They were surrounded from all sides except below their feet.

“I do not trust Bob and his Dreaded One. Besides, how would the Dreaded One help us if the Adventurers took the heart of Red Fang and had control of both the Scorazan and the Caizene Demons?” Answered Gilreg.

Nulrok blinked his dark pupilless eyes as he pondered. The mage said after a moment, “I suppose you are right. While aided by the Caizene, we can always loop back and revive the Dreaded One later if we need more support.”

At the end of the corridor was a large throne made of giant insect plates and demonic bones. Sitting on the throne was an enormous Caizene demon. The creature rose upon seeing the Envoy and the party, and he looked to be a good head taller than Booger. Gilreg guessed this to be Red Fang.

“Grrrr. Bob, I heard you brought goblins to aid us in the war with the Scorozan. I thought it was a joke. I see it was not,” Red Fang said in a guttural voice.

“Mighty Red Fang. You know that your enemies have allied themselves with adventurers. I plead with you to set aside our differences and let us unite against a common enemy,” Bob said.

“Grrrr. We, Caizene, are mighty and do not need your puny assistance. But, instead, I thank you for bringing us a delicious meal,” Red Fang said and howls from the demons above came in response.

“Red Fang. I appreciate your confidence, but we all know that the Scorazon and the adventurers have taken the central Chamber and are, at this moment, making their way closer to you. Do not be foolish! Accept this offer of aid,” boomed Bob.

“Grrrr. You dare imply that we are weak! I will eat your heart, Envoy!” Red Fang growled and let loose a roar.

The giant demon’s roar was cut short as an arrow pierced his head. Raine had, in a smooth motion, unslung her bow, loaded it, and fired. It became quiet. Gilreg’s eyes went wide with surprise. Then, the howls of outrage came from above. The warrior quickly came out of his daze and reacted.

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“Nulrok, give us some space. Booger, cover our right flank. Tassarion and Shaymus take the left. Raine fall back and continue shooting arrows. Bob, take out Red Fang’s heart,” Gilreg shouted.

Everyone snapped into motion. Dozens of howling Caizene demons descended upon the group from above. Raine rushed to stand by the throne and began to shoot her bow. More demons came at them from their sides. From the left, the howling demons met Tassarion’s buckler and Shaymus’s blades. Booger swung his wide-bladed spear in powerful strokes that slowed down the advancing demons on their right flank.

Gilreg raised his shield to defend Nulrok. The mage raised the black staff into the air. The warrior was expecting ice or fire magic, but instead, Nulrok’s hands glowed with dark energy. A chill emanated from the mage. A chill that was unlike any type of cold Gilreg had experienced before. This was a chill that he felt in his bones, in his soul. Gilreg faintly saw a half-dome barrier of dark, purplish energy materialize before them.

The onrush of demons from above halted. The creatures look to become weakened. They hesitated to travel through the field of negative energy. One creature attempted to go after the mage, and upon entering the area, they turned grey and shriveled into a husk. The demon fell to the floor, no longer moving. Their yellow eyes faded to black. An essence left the demon’s mouth and traveled toward Nulrok. The mage twirled his staff and manipulated it, moving the essence like smoke. Nulrok redirected it back toward the dead husk. To Gilreg’s surprise, the demon rose unsteadily to their feet. The mage nodded at it once, and it shuffled over to assist Booger.

“What do you want me to do with Red Fang’s heart?” Growled Bob.

“The same thing the adventurers did with Golaob’s heart,” Gilreg answered.

“You expect me to perform a Binding Ritual on another demon? That is highly unethical,” hissed the Envoy.

At that moment, a Caziene broke past Shaymus and Tassarion. The creature soared with extended claws toward Nulrok. Gilreg hurled an axe, which struck the demon soundly in the chest. The creature fell to the floor and began to rise. The warrior smashed it back down with his shield and stabbed it through the head with his sword. The dark elf was fighting for his life. He was barely blocking vicious claws with his buckler. At his feet were two writhing demons. They were suffering from the poison on his blade.

“Set aside your morals! I can’t hold this much longer,” Nulrok said through gritted teeth. The mage was sweating profusely.

Bob nodded once. With a blank expression, he walked over to the slumped form of Red Fang. The Envoy drew a knife and made markings on the demon’s chest. They glowed red, and the Envoy removed the Caizene lord’s heart. It looked like a fist-sized ruby. The Envoy held it up, and it pulsated with a dark reddish light. The hordes of Caziene demons stopped howling. They hovered to the ground and bowed before the Envoy. Nulrok released his necromancy spell and collapsed into Gilreg’s arms.

“You are all mad! You are lucky that I even knew the Binding Ritual!” Bob cried.

“Heh, I would say this went well,” Shaymus said, with a grin showing her sharp white teeth.