He jumped right in, Carl the coward. Why would he of all people jump in like that? Agazuul wondered as he stood there shocked and at a loss for words. Eight giant spiders made their way into the room.

“Each of us should have a mount right? You said it could be quite the journey before we get to Castle Limbo.”

“Hm…Yeah good thinking.” Agazuul said, still in a bit of a stupor. As he looked at the spiders he saw some bore some battle wounds, these giant spiders live long lives outliving even some humans.

“How do you suppose we get the upper hand here?” Carl asked, frightened. There seemed to only be one clear entrance, light escaping from it. That would be a fool’s entrance, they were only with three and there were at least two dozen dark elves in there. Agazuul had an idea though, he had Lixiss scan around for an alternate entrance, a small tunnel that would get them to the cavern roof of this makeshift temple. By luring a couple giant spiders for Lixiss to tame they were able to get above them without being noticed. As the dark elves got into a ceremony in honor of Ydein; the human god of knowledge, the trio unleashed a flurry of attacks. Carl unleashed blast after blast of energy, Agazuul took swing after swing never stopping his movements, to onlookers it almost seemed like a dance with his most trusted partner; good steel. Lixiss was a monster eradicating the nonbelievers in honor of her god, the ferocity and sheer brutality of her attacks inspired an unforgettable fear.

Even with the surprise attack they weren’t easy opponents, they had artifacts of the god at their use. Platinum bands floated around the heads of the most devout, granting them magics of all sorts. “You stand against believers who held the hand of the god they worship, you have picked the wrong fight.” The dark elf clashing blades with Agazuul declared. Around his head floated three bands of platinum. Agazuul made a quick strike, but an invisible force stopped him, a single glowing rune on one of the three bands faded. Warding magic; this could be a problem. Agazuul thought, used to ending fights in quick strokes. The problem only became worse as two more joined the fray, attacking from all sides. He was always able to block two, but a third was too much. The strange thing is, the third assailants' attacks did nothing. It is good to realize when you’re dealing with illusion magic, but sometimes knowing is only half the battle. Agazuul was close to figuring out the real one, their dance making it difficult to keep track. As the glowing runes dwindled the dark elf got more and more aggressive, eager to get an attack in before his advantages faded. What his third band did became clear as soon as Agazuul made the mistake of not blocking the real one. This one strike infused with the full strength of the floating third band shattered Agazuul's left arm and his ribs were almost fatally broken inwards. The quick victory earned the dark elf death, Agazuul switched to a dagger and jabbed quickly while holding his eyes closed so as to not be misguided by the eyes that tricked him during the fight. It had seemed Lixiss and Carl had fared better in this regard. Carl unleashed a massive spell that turned a third of the temple into a mess of molten rock and Lixiss had used the mounts they came upon as extra soldiers for the fight. They claimed that their god was with them guiding them. No gods have walked Andromea since the dawn brought by Horanthus.

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“We were such a great team back then.” Agazuul said, stroking the giant spider's head. Lixiss took a look at Agazuul and another at the spider.

“Yeah we were, almost unstoppable even. The odds were against us at that time. We’ve only gotten stronger.” The last part seemed almost a question, and as Lixiss lifted her gaze to the portal it was clear who she meant. Gadraek, Gileon, Alma, Patrik, Mirva and Eira were helped unto the saddle of their mounts. One lone spider without a rider was being pulled by rope by Lixiss as she required no mount. She strode forwards on eight legs towards the portal.

“Wouldn’t you prefer the wolf?” Gileon asked Agazuul.

“I think I might yes, would you mind me pulling another spider? We would have a spare then.” Agazuul asked Lixiss, who nodded her approval. Gileon set upon his calling ritual and the fire-wolf appeared, pleased to see Agazuul again.

“Bring back victory!” Gwyryn Hylarr exclaimed almost as a battle cry. Gadraek brought his mount next to Agazuul.

“We’ve gotten through tough scrapes before.”

“Nothing like this, but we’re more prepared.”

“Hah! That’s the Agazuul I know!”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean…” Gadraek looked uneasy for a moment.

“Prove to them you’re on their side. It’s not going to happen by a rousing speech, that’s just words.” Gadraek added. Agazuul knew all too well what Gadraek meant. He just didn’t know if he could do what his friend asked of him.

“Long ago I received a blade, under the promise that I would put a permanent end to a great evil that would return time and time again to bring great harm to Andromea. We failed to deliver on that promise, due to the action of one person alone.” Lixiss took a dramatic pause to look at the portal, and then continued.

“Today, we start the journey that will allow us the chance to right that wrong, to deliver on a promise. The sword I hold has been part of the Ordo Sanguinatoris for hundreds if not thousands of years. It has already turned the tide, many of its kills rightfully forgotten, this blade holds the power to change our world.” She pulled it from its sheath.

“Soultaker! Forged in the beating heart of a living demonic duke, made from the metal bones of the most powerful demons melted by dragon's fire, molded and beaten into shape by dwarves and enchanted by elves. It is a sword that chooses its wielder. There hadn’t been a wielder worthy enough for centuries. I am its wielder, I am the instrument and it shall grant death!” Lixiss’s speech had everyone’s attention and while the dark elves cheered, the group that should’ve been most motivated by this looked on impassively. As they set out towards the portal, there were glances exchanged, but Agazuul tried not to notice. They headed towards the portal as a group, and he hoped they would come back out again as a team. As the blood red glow of the new world with a rich copper scent took over their senses they almost didn’t notice the chaos behind them, the portal closing and Gwyryn Hylarr drawing both his longswords to meet the coming combatants.