The scorching air burned Qing's lungs, and he could no longer breathe.

But he managed one last blink.

Qing materialised, and with a violent thud, his body slammed onto the volcano's rocky surface, just over the lip. He tumbled down the steep incline, limbs flailing as sharp stones tore at his exposed flesh, leaving a trail of blood, fabric, and half-melted metal.

As he finally skidded to a halt at the volcano's base, Qing lay motionless, gasping for air. His lungs burned. Hands trembling, he cast Healing Breeze. A cool mist enveloped him, soothing his battered body. The scorched tissue in his lungs knitted together, allowing him to gulp air. Fractured bones fused, and torn muscles mended. The mist dissipated, leaving him bleeding, but breathing.

He pushed himself up on shaky arms, and his gaze fell upon Isolde. The sight made his stomach lurch. She lay broken on the jagged stones, her head twisted at an impossible angle, limbs bent and shattered. Yet her eyes, those haunting, unburned eyes, fixed upon him with desperate intensity.

Seems the dead can't die. Not like that anyway.

Qing cast a heal on her, and the effect was immediate. Isolde's body convulsed, bones snapping back into place with sickening cracks. Her head slowly rotated, grinding as it settled into its proper position, and she cried. Another heal and skin spread across her charred muscle and bone like a living tide. Within moments, Isolde lay whole and naked on the ground, and her sobs changed, turning from despair to relief.

"The torment," she said, voice barely a whisper. "It's gone. After so long..."

Before Qing could respond, a deafening roar erupted from all sides. He whipped around, eyes widening as he saw Gondolier beasts surging through the lava, their monstrous forms propelling them towards the volcano with single-minded fury. On the islands, the demonic magistrates grew to colossal proportions, their twisted bodies stretching impossibly, before wading into the molten sea, all heading towards them.

Did I just undo centuries of damnation?

Qing turned to Isolde. "You know what's happening? You've been here long, right?"

Isolde shook her head as she bit her lips, tears running down her face as she stared at her hands, running them across each other. "No idea," she said. "Nothing like this has ever happened before."

"Figures," Qing said. "It has to be because I stopped you getting sacrificed in the volcano." He turned and looked at the twenty-something naked woman. "Were you a virgin, by the way?"

"Yeah," Isolde said, looking up at him and covering herself. "Why? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing," Qing said quickly, averting his eyes. "Just, funny. Kind of."

"Funny?" Isolde said, tone dangerous.

"Not haha funny, just... Never mind," Qing said, waving his hands in her direction, a different heat rising to his face. "Look. I have to find that vial and get the… here out of here."

"And leave me?" Isolde said. "You can't!"

Qing winced. "You're supposed to be dead, though, no? Just treat this as a bonus?"

"Look at me," Isolde said, and Qing did. She stood, facing him head on, face hard as stone. "You saved my life. That means you are responsible for me, and have to take me with you."

"I can't," Qing said. "Look around you!" He waved at the sea of lava and the enemies rushing towards them.

"What if I figure out where to get the vial?" Isolde said.

Qing stared at her, not wanting to agree, but seeing no other options.

What else do I have to offer? And there's nothing I can do to her that the demons haven't already, even if I was willing. Damn it.

He nodded. "You tell me how to get the vial, and… once I have it, I'll find a way to get you out of this area, but…" he held up a finger, "what happens to you after that is no longer my concern."

"Agreed." Isolde spat in her hand and held it out to him. Qing, somewhat taken aback, spat on her hand and shook it.

"Agreed. Now. Where can I get it?" Qing asked, eyeing the rapidly approaching gondoliers and magistrates.

"Follow me," Isolde said, darting towards the edge of the lava. She hissed in pain as she neared the molten rock. Qing quickly cast Aegis, a shimmering shield covering her, urging her to hurry.

At the edge of the lava, Isolde leaned out over the liquid rock and waved her hands left and right, as if navigating an invisible interface.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for the right soul," Isolde said. "One of them says he knows about the vial. Just... hold on. Ah, here!"

Suddenly, Isolde reached towards the lava, clasped her hands on something, and began hauling out a burned body. As soon as the head broke the surface, a piercing scream filled the air.

"Heal him!" Isolde shouted as she dragged it onto the volcano's rocky ground.

Qing complied, and cast Healing Breeze. As he did so, the approaching enemies roared even louder.

I'm really pissing them off now. There must be a cardinal rule against healing the damned.

As flesh knitted over the man's body, he burst into raucous laughter, scrambling up the volcano's side. Again Qing healed him.

"The vial, where can I get it?" Qing asked.

But the man ignored him, instead turning his back to the sea, bending over, slapping his bare buttocks at the approaching monsters and hurling obscenities with gleeful abandon.

Qing threw his arms up. "Hey! The greater demon ichor, I need a vial of it! Quick!"

The man's laughter subsided, and he fixed Qing with a sly grin. "I'll tell you where to get it if you get me out of here."

Qing's face fell, and he glared at Isolde. Turning back to the man, he asked through gritted teeth, "Do you know where to get it, or just know someone else who knows?"

"First of all, my name's Valen," the man said, hand to his chest. "And secondly, I know."

"And how do you know?" Qing said, glancing at the oncoming enemies.

Valen shrugged. "I've been here for... a very long time."

"What were you here for?" Isolde asked.

"Used to be a paladin," Valen said, his tone casual. "Sold my order to demon worshippers. They sacrificed the lot of them. Was supposed to grant me immortality." He spat on the ground. "Bunch of liars."

Qing just blinked at him, considering for a moment whether to slay the man where he stood. Instead, he took a slow breath and said, "Vial. Now. Or I toss you in the volcano myself."

Valen held up his hands in mock surrender. "The Ashen Strider is a greater demon. Figures it should have what you need."

"What's the Ashen Strider?" Qing asked, frowning.

Before Valen could answer, Isolde's face fell, and she shook her head. "No, you can't. Not the Strider. You cannot harm it."

"What is it?" Qing asked, looking between the two of them.

Valen simply pointed over Qing's shoulder. Qing turned, and his jaw dropped at the sight before him.

Emerging from behind the volcano, far into the sea of lava, was a colossal, insect-like creature. Its body resembled a gigantic, elongated tick, with a hard, ashen carapace that must be impervious to the intense heat. The creature waded through the molten landscape on six long, spindly legs to held it high above the sea. It stretched easily a hundred-and-fifty feet in length and towered sixty feet high at the apex of its armoured shell.

The Ashen Strider's deliberate steps created gentle waves in the lava sea. But what truly caught Qing's attention were the countless damned souls clinging desperately to its legs and covering its entire hide, fighting to stay out of the lava.

Shit. They are fighting to gain even a moment's respite from the burning torment.

I'm going to regret asking this.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

He turned to Isolde. "Why shouldn't I harm it?"

Isolde lowered her eyes and her voice trembled as she spoke. "The Ashen Strider is the only thing granting a small measure of relief here. The damned clings to the hope of it one day walking close enough for them to grab on and escape the burning, even for a few seconds."

She paused, turning to look at it reverently. "And some... those at the top... there are rumours of those who have escaped purgatory by riding its back close to the sea's edge and jumping out!"

Qing's jaw clenched. The endless torment for sins seemed... disproportionate. But he shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside. It was not for him to rework the system of their god. He was here for Cleo, and to save Elrydisan. To do so, he needed the ichor.

"I'm sorry," Qing said, and stepped towards the Ashen Strider.

Valen and Isolde both called out in unison. "You promised to get us out!"

"I will," Qing replied, not turning back. "Once I get the ichor. No item, no payment."

Valen glanced at the approaching enemies, then back to Qing. "Hurry then! The ichor will most likely be near its centre."

"But, can't you-" Isolde started to object, but Valen grabbed her arm.

"Do you want to be trapped here for all eternity?"

Qing ignored them, and sprinted along the volcano, heading for the closest edge to the Ashen Strider, before leaping forwards and casting blink. Several times he blinked through the air until slamming down on the creature's back with a sickening crunch, knocking off several of the damned, their screams of despair cut off as they splashed into the lava.

"Get off, now," Qing said to the rest, keeping his voice firm.

The people around him begged, reaching for him with charred hands. "Please, let us stay!"

Qing's face hardened. "I can't. You have two seconds to get off."

Not a damned soul moved.

Qing steeled himself for what he had to do, and cast Arcane Explosion, the force blasting into the Strider's carapace while the closest damned were blown away into the lava.

The Ashen Strider let out a long, sorrowful moan that tore at Qing's heart. It sounded like an oversized cow being hurt, and the creature stumbled, trying to turn its massive head. Qing pushed down his emotions, yet tears formed as he cast Magic Missiles into the small crater he'd created. The arcane bolts blasted through the chitin-like armour. Qing stuck his hands in, gripped the shattered plates and ripped them up, widening the wound.

Maybe I can get the ichor without killing it?

But deep down, he doubted he'd be that lucky.

As he plunged his hand into the wound, several of the damned leapt onto him, but they were weak. He kicked one off before casting Arcane Explosion, sending them flying while blasting deeper into the Strider. Blood, flesh, and guts sprayed from the wound, but nothing resembling what he needed.

Qing dropped in the wound laid about himself with magic. Arcane Explosion, Chain Lightning, and Magic Missiles ripped into its body in rapid succession. The Strider cried out in pain, and tears ran down Qing's face as he continued his assault. He looked around, searching for the item, hoping he hadn't been tricked, that it was all for nothing. Then, with a final, Arcane Explosion, the Strider died. Qing knew, because the air grew hotter. He hadn't even noticed how the creature's presence had cooled its surroundings.

As he turned towards the hole in the carapace, preparing to climb out, his boot made a clinking noise. He bent down and rooted around in the pulverised flesh, his hand closing around a hard object. He lifted it up to see a vial filled with a glowing green liquid.

[Vial of greater demon ichor obtained]

Qing hopped up out of the wound, onto the top of the now-lifeless Strider, just as the massive creature began to topple, its legs giving way. The damned shouted and cursed at him as they rode it down into the lava, while Qing blinked back towards the volcano, their cries of anguish and rage echoing in his ears.

I had to do it.

As he landed on the rocky volcano, Isolde knelt on the ground, staring at the sinking Strider with a look of despair. Valen stood nearby, arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Let's go," Qing said. The demons were converging on the volcano.

Valen raised an eyebrow. "How?"

The first gondolier beast leapt onto the volcano with a thunderous crash. Without hesitation, Qing reversed the grip on his glaive, and with a roar, struck with all his might. The force of the blow sent the demon tumbling back into the lava.

"They brought us a boat," Qing said, gesturing to the now-empty gondola. "Hurry."

Valen strode over confidently and hopped on board, while Isolde shuffled over despondently. Yet, she climbed aboard.

Qing hopped onto the gondola, grabbed the pole left by the fallen gondolier, and began pushing towards the tunnel entrance. The lava bubbled and hissed around them as he navigated through the chaos.

A magistrate reached out towards them, but Qing cast Magic Missiles at its legs. The spell connected with a sickening crack, and the demon tumbled into the molten sea with an enraged howl, sending them along on a wave of lava.

Other gondoliers rushed at them, cutting through the lava with alarming speed. Qing gritted his teeth, and propelled them forward, focusing on cutting a path through. To help, he Nature's Grasp, nearly causing him to collapse as nature's screams of pain reverberated through his mind. But, the spell went off, and a demon got rooted, as lava hardened around it.

A magistrate's massive hand swept down, but Qing knocked it off course, slapping into the lava, nearly capsizing their vessel, the heat from the demon's flesh singeing his hair.

They needed to get out, fast. Too many enemies were closing around them. But the wave gave him an idea.

"Hold on!"

Qing focused right underneath their gondola, and cast Earthen Bulwark, pouring mana into it. A massive wall of ice shot forth from the lava, lifting them. Isolde shouted in surprise.

High into the air they rose, steam hiding them from the enemies' gaze.

Not only that, but in the split decision before casting the spell, Qing had come up with a plan. The wall wasn't flat. It was a long, ice-covered slope, leading straight towards the wall with the exit.

Qing scooted his weight forward twice, tipping them over the flat edge.

They started to slide, and Valen whooped.

"Balance!" Qing shouted, dropping to a knee as the gondola slid down, half on its side, faster and faster. Right before they hit the lava, the wall flattened out, so they didn't dive straight in. Instead, they shot across, the bottom of the gondola covered in rapidly melting ice.

Qing knelt down as lava splattered past, and he heard Valen curse, scream in pain, and call for healing.

He ignored him, and stood, dipping the pole in and pushing hard to main speed, turning the gondola sharply to the right, narrowly avoiding a collision with another gondolier. The beast's claws raked the side of their boat, leaving deep gouges in the wood.

They'd passed by the ring of enemies which had gathered, but there were still those who had been further away still moving towards them.

As Qing pushed the gondola across the lava sea, Valen settled into the back, wincing occasionally from his lava-induced wounds. He looked to Isolde, his voice strained. "Tell me your life story. Distract me from this blasted pain."

Isolde hesitated, then spoke softly. "I was a midwife…"

Qing half-listened as he navigated, focusing on steering around enemies. Once she finished, Qing turned to Valen. "What about you? How'd you end up here?"

Valen's face twisted into a cruel smile. "Treason."

"Yes, you mentioned how you betrayed your order. But then what?"

"I'm not talking about that. I'm here because the damn demons didn't uphold their side of the bargain. After watching my order get sacrificed, I…" Valen gave an involuntary shiver. "Their screams. They were... exquisite." He sighed.

Qing's stomach turned, but he kept his focus on steering.

"But when it came time for the demons to pay me, all I got was a cup of poisoned milk." He scoffed. "Immortality they promised." He waved his hands around, indicating the purgatory. "Not exactly what I had in mind. But it taught me a thing or two about contracts and promises."

Before he could continue, they reached the mountainside, and Qing pointed up. " Speaking of. There's the exit. I've brought you here. My part's done."

"What did I just say?" Valen said, scoffing. "This doesn't count as out. You're still bound by your promise."

Qing whirled on him, fist clenched, barely restraining himself from striking the smug bastard. Then he glanced behind Valen to the approaching enemies, and thought of Isolde's tale of oaths and purgatory. "Fine. I'll get you up."

"How?" Isolde asked, moving to the front of the gondola.

"You climb," Qing said.

Valen sneered. "Can't you just magic us up?"

Qing shook his head. "Even if you sat on my back when I blink, you are not brought with me. I just disappear and you'd tumble to the ground. Climbing's your only option."

"Fine," Valen said, running his hand over the smooth stone. "But we need handholds."

Qing punched the cliffside with a crack. Nothing.

Next, he cast Magic Missile, and each one carved out a small half-globe.

"That'll work," Valen said.

Qing rapidly cast Magic Missiles up the mountainside, creating a trail of handholds. Behind them, the roar of approaching enemies grew louder.

"Isolde, start climbing," Qing said as he cast.

She looked at Valen warily. "Don't look up at me as I climb."

Valen leered. "You're naked, and the first woman I've seen with the skin on in a millennium. I am looking."

"Really?" Qing asked, disgusted.

Valen shrugged. "I'm not ashamed of who I am."

"You're in purgatory," Qing said with a snap, casting more Magic Missiles. "I think in your case you should take the damn hint and be ashamed."

Valen shook his head. "I was destined for greatness. My actions were justified. It's not my fault the demons betrayed me."

Suddenly, a ball of molten rock splattered against the cliffside. The magistrates had started scooping up lava and hurling it their way.

"Isolde, go! Fast!" Qing said, and she grabbed the first handholds.

Qing growled as Valen hauled Isolde back into the boat and started scampering up the cliffside in her stead.

"God damn it," Qing said, casting a few more spells. "Isolde, get on my back," he said, casting Aegis to shield her.

Valen was a fourth of the way up by the time Qing had to stop casting. The demons had arrived. As they swung for him, Qing once again cast Earthen Bulwark, making a small and thin wall, but very high. He shot into the air, just getting out of range of their weapons.

Then he unsheathed his glaive and activated its ability. Gravity turned a blind eye, and he leapt, flashing past Valen as Isolde's scream pierced the air. Her grip tightened around his throat, but Qing barely noticed, his strength far surpassing hers.

Near the top, Qing grabbed a handhold, scaling the remaining distance while carving out additional handholds. Fireballs splashed around them as he finally pulled them into the safety of the tunnel.

They both laid down on the floor of the tunnel, staring up at the ceiling, Qing breathing heavily from the adrenaline.

"Have I fulfilled my obligations?" Qing asked.

"Yes. Yes, you have. Thank you," Isolde said. Then, fear creeping into her voice, she asked, "Where am I?"

"Just a minute," Qing said, groaning as he sat up and returned to the edge.

He looked down at Valen, still scaling the wall, and sighed. He cast Aegis on the man, just in time, as a ball of lava struck the man's back. But the spell prevented him from falling. As Valen reached the lip of the tunnel, Qing reached down to haul him up.

Forcing a smile, Qing said, "Congratulations, you've made it out of purgatory."

"Thanks," Valen said, and clapped him on the shoulder with a big smile. Then he turned towards the sea of lava, but Qing spun him back around by his shoulders.

"Is the promise complete? Am I free?" Qing asked.

Valen nodded and waved a hand. "Yes, yes. You are free. Never doubted you."

Qing let the man go, a feeling of relief spreading through him.

Then, as Valen walked to the edge and wiggled his hips, his junk waving in the air at the purgatory below, Qing just couldn't help himself.

"Go to hell," he said and kicked Valen in the back, sending him flying back into the inferno.

Some people deserve to go to hell.

Qing turned and walked down the tunnel with Isolde, rooting through his inventory, and handing her some clothes.

Isolde accepted them gratefully. "I… You never gave me your name. Who are you? How did you get here?" She stopped, head tilted and mouth pursed. "Are you an angel?"

Qing barked a laugh. "No. Definitely not one of those bastards. I'm just a regular guy from Chicago."

"What's Chicago?" she asked.

"That is quite the story," Qing replied.

"Tell me?"

"Sure. We've got some time while I regenerate mana."

As they headed towards the Fields of Fallen Grace, Qing began, "One night, I was playing an MMORPG..."