The burning eyes in the skeleton's face were the size of a trebuchet’s ammunition. They rolled in their sockets and locked onto Akisane, and when he moved, they moved, too. The giant demon no longer thrashed in the fire lake but calmed and focused only on him with a gaze that oozed hatred.

Shank kneeled and put a hand in front of his face to block the demon from his sight. “Put the sword back.”

Bahram and Amat retreated the way they had come.

Akisane listened to Darksun and said, “If you go that way, the medusas will kill you.” His companions seemed to shrink as if crushed between the two choices of death, but he didn’t fear any of it. Why?

Any fears you’ve had before possessing me have been squelched.

Somehow, Akisane knew it was true. He looked down contemptuously at the cowering trio, but he had to remember that they didn’t have his advantage. He had been freed. Perhaps the freedom angered the demon, who watched him walk down the steep bluff and pass the area connecting its lake and another. The creature was shackled, knew nothing but imprisonment, and must have felt jealousy.

When Akisane continued, his companion rushed to catch up. The demon loomed large over them, and they trekked over the black vulcanic rock to the far side, leaving it behind.

A river of fire blocked the way out of the low land of burning lakes. On the opposite bank sat the remnants of a gatehouse and bridge. It all seemed to be part of a sprawling, derelict fortress.

Unfurling the carpet, Bahram stood on it and raised his hand. “There’s a lot of heat and air currents. Let me try to fly to the other side and let down the bridge.”

It’s good that they all hadn’t piled on, as it wobbled even after lifting a few feet. Then, as the air cushion beneath it began to lift it higher, a tendril of flame mixed in set the carpet fringe alight. Bahram sat it back to earth and stomped the fire out. He rolled it up, and the carpet smoked on his back. “Any attempt will end in disaster.”

Shank looked around wild-eyed. “The medusas are sounding better all the time.”

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Akisane stared into the river of licking flame. Sweat poured down his forehead, and he wiped it away with a sooty hand. Shadow walking isn’t so much different than fire walking. He wondered if that was his thought or the sword’s. It didn’t matter, he would try. He took off his boots and handed them over.

Taking the boots and furrowing his brow, Shank tried to hand them back. “Are you insane?”

There was no need to reply. Akinsane felt the heat on the soles of his feet. The flame and liquid would make short work of his feet and the rest of him when he fell unless he managed the feat. He felt fear at that moment, and it made sense. This was a new fear. Only the old fears were wiped out of existence, and that was probably good since it was probably reckless to feel none at all.

Amat put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to burn your feet.”

“His logic,” Bahram said, “is sound.”

Akisane wiped the sweat away again, and it stung his eyes. “Shadow walking has been taught in my family for generations. That can’t be the only path we’re meant to walk.” He put his foot on the scorching liquid. He expected his skin to bubble with blisters, but his weight was suspended on the liquid instead. He took another step, and it was as if he were on a water skin. He balanced himself and walked across the twenty paces to the other side. He looked back and let out a breath.

Surprisingly, the winch moved with Akinsane’s pull, and the bridge lowered to span the river. The trio skittered across.

Shank ran forward to peek into what lay beyond the gatehouse. Then he looked at Akisane. “I think your father underestimates you.”

The path ahead led to a switchback of stairs that climbed high above the plane. It became dark as the red light faded away, only stoked now and again as the skeleton hurled fire when it began to rage once more. A tunnel led them out of the druid’s temple. They were still deep underground and had exited near the Necromancer’s lair, as indicated by the torches.

Just as they attempted to sneak back to the castle above, they passed through a ward that let out a flash of light.

Akisane knew she would come for them. He preferred to deal with her only by his father’s side, where he had little input. Although she was dangerous and untrustworthy, he no longer felt the same fear of her, and he didn’t dread the interaction. It was still an inconvenience.

It was only moments before the woman emerged.

Henry (Akisane)

Level: 10

Focus: Telekinesis

Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker

Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12