Radrick impaled the demon with his divine blade, blood gushing from the wound. With a kick he pulled his weapon free and continued his advance. Imps and other low-level demons swarmed him, but they fell like wheat to a farmer’s scythe. Outside the castle a fierce battle still raged. The armies of the Demon, Dragon, and Fey gods clashed, their titanic struggle rending the earth. But the only victor this day would be him, the one who orchestrated this rather loud distraction. For up ahead, situated atop a small pedestal, was the Conduit.

Radrick split the last demon in two, then rushed for the orb. Its blue glow cast the wide chamber in sapphire hues, shadows dancing across the darkened walls. A large object smashed into the fortress, the far wall nearly crumbling. He was running out of time. Radrick was strong, one of humanity's best fighters, but even he wouldn’t survive an all-out assault. As soon as the demons figured out what he was up to, it would all be over. So, with a final burst of resolve, he scooped the Conduit up in his bloodied gauntlets.

As soon as the small orb lifted free a great rumbling consumed the fortress. Dust fell from the high, vaulting ceiling and a dry growl enveloped the room.

Radrick sighed. “I guess they know I’m in here now.”

Demons flooded from above, their jaws snapping with bloodlust. Radrick quickly cast [Lesser Protection from Evil] and [Greater Protection from Evil] and brought his sword up just in time to block an overhead swing. Wielding his blade with one hand was difficult, but he managed to push the axe wielding demon back without dropping the Conduit.

“Stupid little human,” it snarled. “Your kind never understands when to give up.”

“It’s one of our better qualities,” Radrick replied. “You’re never getting this back.”

“We shall see.” The demon raised its axe, more of them pouring from the darkness above.

Radrick charged forward, his blade suddenly glowing in multi-colored light. He caught the demon in the chest, the tip of his sword driving straight through to the other side. Black blood spilled from its open mouth and its red eyes widened in shock. It dropped its axe but pulled Radrick in. Pinned against its bulk, he thrashed and kicked. Something hard slammed into his back, the air leaving him.

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Desperate, he called down his last usage of [Holy Flame] on himself. The demon that gripped him erupted in a font of blue flame, its arms loosening. Radrick pushed away, the sacred spell mostly repelled by his divine armor. Now free, he backed away, deflected another axe blow, and chopped at a demon’s wrist.

The room was full of them now, their flapping wings keeping most of their hulking number airborne. A few had landed on the steps leading toward the chamber’s exit, using their bodies to form a barrier of horn, teeth, and muscle. Looking around, Radrick didn’t much like his odds.

“Well, who’s next?” He grit his teeth.

They came at him in waves, fangs bared. He hacked one arm free of a shoulder, took an axe blow on his breast plate, and sliced through a face. Black blood pooled around him as the bodies began to pile. But each demon he killed was soon replaced by another, and by the time they retreated Radrick was breathing heavy, his arm numb.

He looked into the glowing orb still clutched tightly in his hand. The Conduit. It was their last hope. The final piece of the summoning ritual to bring a hero into this world. One who would break the level barrier and ascend to godhood. But Radrick knew that he wouldn’t survive another wave of attacks, and that meant he had to improvise.

He tossed down his holy blade and took the Conduit up in both hands, thrusting it toward the sky. His comrades had planned to summon someone strong of spirit, someone bold enough to lead humanity to victory. Attempting a summoning without the proper ritual would summon someone at random, and it would require a sacrifice as payment. But he couldn't allow the Conduit to remain in demonic possession, for he knew they plotted to summon a champion of their own. All Radrick could hope for was that whoever was summoned, they had a hero’s heart.

“With my life as payment, I, Radrick Von Rostcliff, summon forth a being from another world!” Upon completing his demands, a wave of bright light swallowed the room and Radrick collapsed. The edges of his vision darkened, his breath slowed.

Whoever you are, I pity you. The other gods will come for you, but I have hope. I have to.

With a smile, Radrick’s eyes closed for the last time. It would be up to fate to handle things from here.