Sahshir had been fighting for hours.

Sweat dripped down his whole form as he fell to a kneel by a statue of Zigildrazia. His entire body ached with the pain of exertion. Around him were many dead monsters, and on his body were many more minor cuts, made worse by the numbing. However, this area was clear for now.

And yet he could see yet more creatures descending to aid them. On and on, the horrors came in a neverending tide, and for all his efforts, he could not stem it. It was a depressing reality that he had no intention of letting interfere with his actions.

Nayasha landed by him as he bandaged himself, crouching low with a blade spinning in her hand. Rising, she approached quickly, and her expression had only a slight tinge of relief. Sahshir wondered if she ever showed emotion. "Sahshir, you're still alive."

"For the moment," said Sahshir, examining one gloved hand. "These creatures come without end."

"They are not dying, for the most part," said Nayasha, technical as always. "When slain, their spirits merely return to the hells to be reformed. Only divine power, such as the Sword of Order, can permanently destroy them.

"And they have grown in number.

"What you are doing is hopeless, Sahshir. Even if you were to eradicate all the raishans, the legions would only burn the place."

"I know," said Sahshir, deciding on a change of strategy. Most of the people were off the streets anyway by now. "I must go to the Sanctum of Zigildrazia."

"The Sanctum of Zigildrazia?" asked Nayasha. "To what end?"

"That is where I will find Garacel," said Sahshir.

"Killing Garacel is just as hopeless," said Nayasha. "Our priority should be to retrieve the Blade of Chaos."

"I will do so over his corpse," said Sahshir. Or, more likely, die. But his disease would claim him in a few years anyway, so there was no loss.

"If you try to kill Garacel as you are now, you will die," said Nayasha. "You will be killed, and you will die for nothing.

"We must use caution." She drew out a flask. "Now drink this. It should help with your injuries." Sahshir unstoppered it and drank deeply. The taste was sweet, oddly enough. He still felt bone-weary, but the pain of his cuts disappeared. Instead, warmth filled his limbs, and he forgot his agony.

"Very well, then. What do you suggest?"

"I am going to open the gates for the legions of Dinis," said Nayasha, glancing toward the distant walls. "I have already made arrangements with them."

"Will that help?" asked Sahshir. He was honestly curious about what the agenda was here.

"They came prepared to fight raishans," said Nayasha. "With luck, they will be able to purge them. And they may not kill everyone in the city." Truly, Nayasha was aiming for the stars in her plans.

"Why is this happening?" asked Sahshir, liking this less and less.

"The Blade of Chaos has broken the borders between dimensions," said Nayasha. "Zigilus is going to be destroyed."

"Unless I retrieve it," said Sahshir. "Not all within this place are evil. I won't let them die for Garacel's actions."

He pulled himself up and sheathed his blade. Nayasha looked at him hard for a moment. Then, finally, she sighed and scaled up the building without a word. She disappeared into the night.

Sahshir made his way through the devastated streets, observing the broken stalls. There were bodies here or there and broken windows. As he walked, he drew the Sword of Order and gazed at his reflection. The flesh around his eyes showed the edge of his face. Why was he thinking of his hideousness now?

Perhaps it was the city around him. Every person here was beautiful. But they all died the same. So likewise, whether he triumphed or was laid into the cold earth, his fate would be the same. All things died, and most things died gruesomely. So, to die defending innocent people seemed far from the worst way to pass from this world.

"So, whose bloodline do you belong to anyway?" asked a voice.

Sahshir glanced up to see Narcissa, that woman from before. However, there was something different about her. She was leaning against a wall, her axe in hand. Why did Zigildrazia cloth her people in such absurd outfits anyway? "You're far too good at this to be mortal."

"I am a Prince of Kalthak," said Sahshir. "I serve Baltoth, the Inexorable Lord of Order."

"That's evading the question," said the woman. "You can talk about how training and hard work are the keys to success. But they are just a means to unlock the power you already have. All things that exist have an innate nature that cannot be defied.

"We all have a set potential. The only thing we control is whether we live up to it."

"Who are you?" asked Sahshir.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"I told you my name once before," said Narcissa. "Though I'm not sure even I belong to it. Names are just another kind of mask, you see. They can't encompass who we are.

"I have some information for you. Within the Sanctum of Zigildrazia, a path leads into her domain. Within that place, there are many treasures. Have you heard of the Grail of Immortality?"

"I have," said Sahshir.

"Well, I desire it," said Narcissa. "Get me it, and I will lead you directly to Garacel. For I know Zigildrazia's palace well."

"Why do you want it?" asked Sahshir.

"When someone drinks from the Grail, their consciousness manifests again. They appear in later lives. No matter how often they are killed, they will return," said Narcissa. "I desire that immortality for my ends."

Sahshir remained silent. "You are different from before."

"Of course," said Narcissa. "More of myself has manifested. The identity of this body is but a small part of my full self. I want you to take me when you leave this place."

"Why?" asked Sahshir.

"I doubt that Zigildrazia will take kindly to what I've revealed here today," said Narcissa.

Sahshir remained silent for a long moment. It was the only option he had. "...So be it. Show me the way."

"I'm glad we have an understanding," said Narcissa.

Then, she drew a black cloak and threw it to him as if from nowhere. He caught it in one hand and raised an eyebrow. "A cloak?"

"Yes," said Narcissa. "All of the monks wear these."

"Is it not a sanctum of lust?" asked Sahshir, surprised.

"Those who serve Zigildrazia are expected to limit their consumption," said Narcissa. "Zigildrazia teaches us that pleasure is best when one must work to get it.

"She is a sea of contradictions. Now come."

Sahshir donned the robe, and they walked.

Soon, they came to the Sanctum and found the gates unbarred. Making their way into the area, they found that people were filing into a passage. It had opened where the altar should be.

"This is the main sanctum," said Narcissa. "Even as we speak, Zigildrazia's priests are evacuating the population from the city. Or some of it, at any rate."

"To what end?" asked Sahshir.

"To rebuild it when the time comes," said Narcissa. "They won't even blame her when this is over. These animals regard themselves as no more than cogs in a machine. They identify as lambs to the slaughter."

They descended into the passage and found no one around. They walked down drab halls with many twists and turns. Sahshir kept his hand near his sword as they walked. Soon, they came to many statues of men and women with agonized expressions on their faces. They had terrible wounds and seemed to be squirming in pain.

"Who are these?" he asked.

"Those statues watch all who walk within this place," said Narcissa. "Fortunately, I created them and have the means to blind them."

"You?" asked Sahshir, now convinced she was possessed.

"Narcissa is no older than you are," said the woman. "For my part, I am far older and grander. Come, this is the way.

"There is an ancient passage beneath this Sanctum. One that once belonged to me. That will lead us to the Grail of Immortality.

"Here we go."

Sahshir stopped. He had been far too trusting so far. "Who are you?"

"I am Amysta." said the woman. "Sister to your god and Zigildrazia. The blood of my descendants calls out for my return. And it shall be satiated."

"Amysta? You died many ages ago," noted Sahshir.

"Yes. I did," said Amysta. "Zigildrazia betrayed me. She drove me to act against her and turned my subordinate, Melchious, against me."

Sahshir felt a chill at Melchious's name. "I have heard of Melchious. The Demon of Cruelty has no place in Calisha."

"Yes, he mostly concerns himself with the West," said Amysta. "With blood and death. He never had much ambition. But he had just enough stupid malice to play to Zigildrazia's tune."

"And what do you intend to do once you have the Grail of Immortality?" asked Sahshir.

"Drink from it, of course," said Amysta. "Once I have done so, my spirit shall be bound within the world's confines. None will be able to banish me or cast me out.

"From there, I will be able to plan the downfall of all my enemies. They will not be able to seal me or permanently destroy me."

"And what will happen to the girl, Narcissa?" asked Sahshir.

"Does it truly matter?" asked Amysta. "My spirit has been growing within her for some years. She has almost no will, so taking control was a simple matter. Still, I rather enjoy this body.

"It has an appealing decadence from my blood, yet there is an innocence I would relish destroying."

"You are of the old kind of demon," realized Sahshir.

Amysta glanced up in surprise as they approached a glass corridor. Darkness was on the other side. "Old kind?"

"Baltoth teaches us that in ancient times, demons were ruled by Diabolus. The King of Demons," said Sahshir. "From him came the Seven Demonic Archons. And yet, through his firstborn, Baltoth was the supreme deity made manifest. Baltoth engineered his overthrow and took his place as supreme Lord of Order.

"His teachings led to demons becoming a great power in their own right. Yet some still cling to the old ways, of destruction and sin for its own sake."

Amysta laughed. "Baltoth always did enjoy rewriting history. The overthrow of Diabolus was my design, as were all things. The others merely believed themselves in charge. Had I not been surrounded by fools and traitors, I should have conquered this universe long ago."

"Of course," said Sahshir. Her arrogance made him believe otherwise.

"Do you doubt me?" asked Amysta, eyes flashing.

"Of course," said Sahshir flatly.

Amysta halted by the glass corridor. "No matter. What you believe does not matter. The Grail of Immortality lies beyond.

"But be warned. Do not drink from it unless you wish to be changed forever.

"To be bound to the world means you can never go to any afterlife. The weak-minded often need to improve. And you seem to me a weakminded sort."

"I will take the grail in the name of Baltoth," said Sahshir. "And I shall drink of it only by his will, for my purpose is to serve in his machinations."

"In that case, my judgment of you was correct," said Amysta.

"Why do you need me?" asked Sahshir.

Amysta shrugged. "I will need allies to reclaim my glory. He will owe me a favor if I provide Baltoth with the Grail of Immortality. Thus, I can gain his help in my plans.

"That," She tapped one high-heeled foot against the glass. "And the Grail is not undefended."

The glass shattered, and out of it came monstrous things with many tentacles. They screeched, and their voice was like the screams of tortured maidens.