“Yet tragedy struck when he betrayed mankind’s cause. Seeking a peaceful resolution with the elven supremacists. At least that is how his detractors portrayed him. Thus it was that despite holding together the empires of man in a tenuous peace, those who sought only chaos and power set their sights on the darkest of paths to strike at the man, to break his very spirit and strength. His children.”

- Sir Vertucci Janus, Traxian Preservation Society, “The Rise of Trax: Defenders of Humanity" Chapter 2: From Hero to Emperor: Axion Tassius

A bolt flung itself through the air with such strength that she was sure it was propelled by magic. Flying true, it pierced through the dark knight's armour and with a howl so filled with rage, the very skies contorted in pain. The Blademaster and the Falcon Knight lived up to their monikers, fighting the monster to a stand still as their mysterious ally brought momentary relief, allowing the two to reset their positions. A group of armoured soldiers, clad in heavy steel mail armour adorned with effigies, sigils and signs of Astralis burst through the tree lines, pouring forth like a tide of silver into the undead hordes.

Maddened chanting echoed from the top of the central barrow and the beam of energy seemed to shudder before a gateway opened. Darkness and snow fluttered through the opening as a chill air swept across the barrows. Only a small lick of orange appeared in the distance, illuminating the horrors that lurked behind the gateway. Undulating masses of fleshy beings with inhumane proportions stalked the lands as featured bony creatures danced grimly across the darkness. Small deformed masses roamed the snowy landscape as scaled monstrosities and two headed humanoids prowled behind them.

With a start, the more Sophie gazed at the gateway, the more she felt herself seize up. The familiarity and hauntingly similar appearances latching tendrils of dread and doubt in equal measure, tearing away at her sanity. The nightmare realm, it's all real, it exists, hahaha, it’s real! Her thoughts soon turned to words as she found herself cackling uncontrollable, a demented glee overtaking her at the thought. An intrusive feeling that fought her for control, ripping away at what little consciousness she possessed.

Sound, sight, taste and all her senses seemed to fade away. Replaced only by an incessant buzzing, the frigid chill and arid bitterness that invaded her senses. The gateway seemed to only grow larger as she stared, the monsters and humanoids that stood on the other side grew clearly. A cadre of the dark knights stood at the ready, no, the chaos breed. She giggled at her discovery and a smile carved itself onto her face as she made the realisation. Mad, she chuckled, I'm going mad! It was all real!

But time did not stop for her, and the charred one seized the moment to break into a charge, roaring as it approached. Her mind screamed for her to run, to dodge, to sidestep the oncoming monster but her muscles refused to work, her body feeling so warped or overtaken by elation to move. Her face feel as her eyes landed on the sword the Balraugr lifted, her hands trembled as it arced upwards, ready to bring it down and cut her in two from head to toe.

Yet in the fatal moment, as her eyes lingered on the approaching blade, a brilliant yellow hue surrounded her and she found herself flying to the side, her chest absorbing a tremendous impact that sent the wind right out of her lungs.

Landing in a giggly crumpled mess, she managed to force her arms to push herself up and survey the damage. The sound of battle slowly returned, the clashing of blades, magic and arrows filled the din once more as the buzzing fades. Distinctive iron taste of blood welled its way up into her mouth and as she fought to stop cackling despite the pain, her sight too returned. Looking around she spied a man holding a crossbow in one hand and the traces of a yellow sigil in the other. The black leather clad man blended into the night as he stood on top of the barrow opposite the central one, glaring at her with the gaze of someone hunting for prey and simply nodded, satisfied with his deed.

“Sophie? Sophie?!” Riza grunted as she charged forth to attack the Balraugr, cutting into it with the skinwalker's axe.

Black blood spilled from the room and it roared, stomping down in a rage and Riza deftly sidestepped the attack, getting a chance to rip Sophie’s sabre from its leg and tossing it at the giggling mess.

“Get it togther Sophie!” Riza spoke as she dodged another blow, “Fine big guy, I guess it's time for round three. You and me. I’ll make you pay for everything!” The cat roared a challenge as the Balraugr roared back.

Sophie watched as she dashed forward, hacking into the creature’s forearm and cutting through veiny bile filled tendons, sending it reeling as it brought the sword up to bear. Riza back-pedalled in a panic and just barely avoided a flesh wound as the blade slashed at her, small tufts of auburn fur coming loose from the cut. Snarling, she launched another attack and slammed the axe into the creature so hard that the handle simply broke off, leaving the axe head embedded. It bellowed in agony and Riza swooped in to rip the sabre from its leg, giving Sophie an incredulous and exasperated look as she rejoined the fray. The Balraugr bellowing in pain once more.

Purple light glowed from the side and the giggling half elf turned to see the expeditionary stand motionless before falling, a hole that crackled with purple energy where his heart was. The sorcerer put on a mad grin before he began signing another sigil, only for a crossbow bolt to tear through his cowl, ripping it from the robes much to the man’s surprise, floundering the spell. To Sophie’s horror, she spied the young hateful scholar from earlier that she found hiding in a tent in the ruins, and now it made sense why the man wasn’t attacked and simply seemed so nonplussed by the undead roaming around. He was one of the traitors. Still, as he turned to face the crossbow wielding man, Sophie couldn’t stop giggling.

Yet perhaps, they were annoyed, or simply decided that enough was enough. The other six sorcerers jumped down from above, and landed with a few thumps around her. While the flaps of their robes flowed up and down from the effects of gravity, she spied one of the sorcerer’s uniforms. Exploration guild. Her fragile mind processed this information and she burst out laughing, the maddening idea of such corruption somehow amusing her.

With their arrival, the maintenance of the spell began to falter, the beam of energy seemed to jitter chaotically as the concentration was broken.

“Time runss out my kinssmens.” One of the sorcerer’s hissed.

“It is already too late for them, my counterparts should have prepared the city.” The traitor explorer replied.

“The elfss and the guilderr?”

“Correct, now we should mop up the rest here. Though I have to say, I thought your creations would be more worthwhile warlock.” The explorer gestured to the chaos around them.

“Perhapss I should simply let their spiritss rest?” The warlock bristled and the explorer raised his hands in surrender.

“My apologies," The man growled, "My frustrations at the church's intervention is..."

"Immeasurable and understandable."

"Tch," The man scoffed, "Regardless, you two focus on their champions, you two take care of that inquisitor. We are running out of time.”

Wordlessly the four robed figures around the central two bowed and moved to engage her allies. Sophie only barely turned her uncontrollable laughter into a pained giggle as her muscles grew sore and tired, her mind perceiving just enough to remain functional.

Sigils and purple light traced themselves in the air as the sorcerers shot forth their deadly payloads, bolts of energy that crackled as they shot towards their targets. Thankfully, they had chosen the three most capable combatants and after parrying a blow from the dark knight, Sir Baylein quickly threw up a ward as Blademaster Taurox leapt in to occupy the knight’s attention once more. The strange dour looking man with a crossbow, wearing a cool almost non expressive mask simply ducked, bobbed and weaved to avoid the incoming projectiles in the midst of his fight with the scholar. But despite his skill, with the young lanky robed scholar launching a fresh set of attacks, the inquisitor was forced to back away slightly to create some breathing space.

To her horror, the two senior sorcerers were not idle either, they began chanting and building their own sigils aimed at the next closest target. Riza!

"Hahaha! No! Heheh!"

With a start, Sophie forced her muscles to push against the fatigue, opened up her arms for the biggest hug ever and she threw herself at the two figures, tackling them to the ground and sending their spells zipping off into the sky and the ground.

Angry grunts and a frustrated growl followed as they quickly threw her singular form off, the traitor drawing out a short sword as he turned to face her.

"Ehehehh." Sophie chuckled.

“I thought you’d gone insane. We were more than content to leave you alone but…” He lifted his blade but the scaly sorcerer quickly gripped his hands, his own hood falling to the wayside revealing a sickly pale green reptilian with slit-like eyes widened in concern.

“My friend! Wait! Lookss.” It hissed and the explorer angrily fought back.

“What?!” He barked at his scaly friend. His own hood coming loose to reveal a well groomed and moustached man who on normal days would seem like a competent leader but not just appeared to her as a deranged cultist. The expedition's director, Annalise’s traitor! She managed to connect the dots in spite of the relentless chuckling. “She’s already insane, what more is there!”

“No my lord, look! Her eyesss.” It tried to gesture with an elongated forked tongue.

Sophie managed to partially contain her mania as the director’s fury subsided briefly to a dark look as he looked her up and down. Sophie only managed a small whimper before continuing to giggle as the two restrained her and stared down at her. Trying to avoid the intrusive gazes she found her head restrained by two cold scaly hands and uncomfortably forced to meet the gaze of the director’s hardened gaze.

“Sees? Do you see?”

It was as if the world only held the three of them as Sophie watched the man’s eyes grow wider and wider, an expression of greed and jubilance as she saw her sapphire eyes reflected in his feral gaze. Her body vibrated as it struggled to move and laugh despite the growing sense of discomfort.

“Her eyes…do you think…?” The man began excitedly.

“Yesss! Yesss! Like the masterss! Yes!” The master’s I am like..the master’s? Who…?

“Hah…hahahah!” The man cackled alongside her, though his was genuine delight whereas hers was mania filled with fear and terror. “The whole time! Hahahah!”

“Yesss! Hehheheh!” The reptilian joined in and the two shared a moment of jubilation, ignoring the death and chaos around them.

“Take her! Brothers! We leave!” The man stood back up and bellowed his orders, the other sorcerers launching a last barrage of attacks at the combatants.

A screech brought her back to reality and the Balraugr cried out in fury, a bloodied stump where one of its meaty fists were. Covered in visercra and filled with exhaustion, Riza took a few heavy breaths as she dashed in for another strike, the sabre cutting into the creature’s chest and severing a bloody black vein, sending dark blood spilling out as she dashed past. Launching an assault of its own the Balraugr swung the large sword at the cat, dodging the main blow only for it to twist back and slap her with the flat edge of the blade. The brittle weapon shattered on impact but the cat was staggered enough and Sophie watched in horror as its massive charred form surged towards her friend, wretched jaws ready to clamp down on her throat.

Does power save? Or does it take?

A voice rattled in her insane mind and once more time slowed. Gazing back at the gateway, in the darkness above the burning town, high above the hordes of monstrosities, a fleshy writhing eye gazed at her. A reunion that chilled her to the bone.

Is it the wielder? Or the power of fate?

Time screeched to a halt, the sounds of war nothing but an empty echo, fear, anger, despair, hatred all etched onto people’s faces as she lay there, half chuckling in madness. Staring at the eye of the nightmare, she could only wiggle at the discomfort. As the manic induced stupor began to fade, the iron, blood tinted air mixed with the cold damp fog around them.

To be free? Or to be taken? Three moments to decide the fate of thine soul.

It blinked and for a moment time inched forward, she could picture the trajectory, see herself being restrained, struggling against the lizard with all her might only to be thrown into the hell of the nightmare gateway. Demons and monsters that looked at her hungrily, and the sorcerers with greed and malice. Fear filled her, a fate worse than death awaited her and her gut churned in displeasure. A phantom pain searing through her body as darkness scurried in through every orifice.

Tick.

Or does thou wish to defy fate? Or to follow the whimsy of the Gods?

She could feel every pore of her body open up, the entity’s bargain was clear. The power and strength to escape, to be able to free herself from its disgusting grip and survive. But what then was the cost?

Tock.

A sacrifice.

It bellowed to her and panic gripped her mind. Like what Annalise went through? Losing an arm or a leg? My limbs? But my heart is already gone, if she is to be believed. My lifespan perhaps? But if it helps me…

Tick.

Strength to rise above. Strength to bring order to the chaos.

She saw herself standing tall, mastering the arts of war as she casted spells against creatures of the darkness. Vanquishing monsters and saving towns far and wide as she reunited with her mistress. A hero, with the power to change the world and protect the innocent. So what if I’m a cripple? With power I can keep my friends safe right?

Tock.

To protect, to conquer. Night fades, dawn comes. choose.

Taking a shaky breath, she closed her eyes, unsure what to do but she made a choice. To fight, to scream against the dying light, to be free from the monsters, I’ll endure the pain. She held her breath, awaiting the sudden pain and jolt of agony that she suspected limb removal would entail. Her teeth grit and her muscles tensed, waiting, and waiting.

Gingerly opening her eyes, her mania finally vanished as she laid eyes on the horror before her. The entity had practically occupied the entire gateway, and though it appeared to have no mouth. A fleshy bulbous patch of skin stretched and tore as it broke into a psychotic smile. Dagger-like teeth welcomed her as it ‘smiled’.

It reached through the gateway, the slimy tentacles signing a symbol and Sophie felt power, unadulterated power burn her veins. Yes…yes! The intoxicating pain seared the feeling into her mind, a flash of pure darkness as she felt the symbol implant itself within her. Yes! This feeling…no! No! Why..can it... move me? But the panic was overwhelmed by a moment of bliss, then instinct as the ‘smiling’ entity seemed to direct her limbs for her.

It blinked again and time edged forward, her arms tensing in fury as she and it pulled hard. Tearing herself free from the reptilian grip as the warlock stumbled back in slow motion. It worked? I can’t believe it actually worked! And I still have all my limbs? But then how did it control me? What does sacrifice mean?

Tick

Something precious, something close.

Like a memory? A horrified thought popped into her mind as realisation dawned upon her, maybe a life, a person. But what does that mean? She could see the entity about to blink, the leather eye flaps about to move. Something precious and close… like who? Riza? No, I can't sacrifice someone! That's not right…

Tock

A worthy choice.

What? No! No! I didn’t make a choice! No! Take me! Take it back! She screamed in her mind.

But as it blinked once more time seemed to resume, the clanking of swords and cries of pain filled the air. But for Sophie the horror seemed to last an eternity. Sir Baylein’s magic broke the knight’s guard, Taurox smashing a battleaxe on his shoulder and denting the dark knight’s pauldrons from the blow, sending the armoured giant staggering back towards the gateway. As that happened a wave of silver broke through the horde and joined the militia in combat, one throwing a javelin and spearing a sorcerer from the flank, allowing the inquisitor to pierce another one with his crossbow, sending the young cultist scholar fleeing for his life. The reptile stumbled in surprise and tumbled into the director, the two then catching sight of two church soldiers, tried to engage. Only for frantic yells and rage as the reptile pushed his compatriot away from her, the man’s deranged eyes still trained on her as he was carried away. The other two sorcerers, confused by the screams, joined the retreat and blindly fired off bolts of energy to cover their escape.

Just next to them, the Balraugr munched down on air, a look of deformed surprise as Riza avoided its attack. But before the cat could make a move, from beyond the gate, a pair of dark tendrils zipped through the air and wrapped around her. Surprise lit up her face and as the tendrils began pulling her in despite her struggling, Sophie met her gaze, the stupefied half elf only staring as they dragged her towards the gate.

No no no! No! No! She tried to scream, but words did not escape her mouth. I’m sorry! Please! No! Astralis! Stellesia! Anyone!

But as their eyes met, Sophie saw Riza sag slightly, a small smile and look of tired resignation on her face. It’s okay, her expression seemed to suggest, I know it was for you. But Sophie didn’t get a chance to ask, as the tendrils pulled Riza through the gate. No! Riza! Please! She blinked, and in that moment, the remaining sorcerers, dark knight and Balraugr had fled through the gateway. Without a channeller keeping it open, it collapsed inwards violently and winked out of existence. The purple beam of miasmic energy fizzled away as the storm filled the void in the sky, the rain finally falling onto the barrows. The undead too grew listless, regressing to basic instinct as they fought tooth and claw, the lack of a controlling force depriving their souls of intelligence.

Sophie stood up and trudged forward, stopping where the sabre lay dirtied in the mud in front of the dais and collapsed onto her knees. No! No! No… She barely noticed the black leather clad man stride over to her or the protests of the Falcon Knight. What have I done?