Tahlea stood within the triangle formation holding her dark crystal ball. She closed her eyes and started silently mouthing words to herself. Dink was able to recognise them as the arcane language from her lip movements. Arcane script appeared in glowing azure light over the surface of the ball in her hands as she spoke, illuminating her beautiful figure in the darkness.

She lobbed the sphere into the air, it plummeted toward the water. Before the expected impact came, the ball suddenly stopped in mid-air. An invisible shockwave blasted out from the levitating object to compact the water down. The arcane script circling the dark sphere detached into a pair of rotating rings, forming a gyroscope with the ball in the centre.

The torch floating in the pool abruptly ignited the surface of the water. A demonic figure appeared in the flames lunging toward the rings protecting the crystal ball. They spun faster until the billowing flames were funnelled into the orb, clearing the murky green to turn it a holographic azure colour.

The three crystal rods forming the triangle at Tahlea’s feet flared with radiant light. They lifted from the ground to rotate around her body. She threw her head back as her feet lifted from the floor, Dink could see the whites of her eyes. An invisible force pushed against her chest until she lay arched in the air, blonde hair drifting like she was underwater.

She looked at her hand and made a gesture, an arcane Sigil immediately appeared in front of her fingertip. She looked in another direction, making another gesture to summon a second Sigil. She repeated the process until countless Sigils floated in the air around her to form the shape of a sphere.

“The defences of this place are nothing like I’ve ever encountered before. My supplies alone wouldn’t have been enough, but do… not… underestimate me!” Tahlea shouted. To emphasize her words, she contracted herself into a ball rotating herself upright and throwing her arms and legs wide.

A wave of pale light rapidly rushed outward, leaving behind twinkling dots reminiscent of the night sky where it passed. Murkuk stared agape at the raging inferno on the surface of the water. His eyes opened wide with wonder as the pool became calm as a mirror and the flames extinguished. Azure fog with the appearance of clouds hugged the inky-black water, miniature stars surrounding everyone on all sides.

Tahlea was circled lazily by the three glowing crystal rods as she walked across the surface of the pool, her feet never making contact with the water. She made a downward motion and the crystal ball descended. It didn’t disturb the water as it disappeared into the inky depths.

An azure light blanketed every corner of the pool. Dink stepped forward to investigate, peering down into the water. A hazy image appeared on the black mirror surface. Dink crouched to get a closer look. The picture was still unclear like it was observed from a great distance. Dink was reflected on the water, his appearance wasn’t that of a Goblin. His eyes met the striking green eyes of his former self.

“Sword Saint, I have need of your services. I allowed the Magus to observe my inner sanctum. My avatar has broken free of my control. He was seduced by a demonic entity from the outer planes, a succubus. While I deny my divine power to those who betrayed me to follow my avatar, he still supplies them with a trickle. They have enslaved my most faithful adherents to perform miracles of healing to maintain appearances. I can assist you when the time comes,” an otherworldly voice appeared inside Dink’s consciousness.

“Mercy? What makes your problem any concern of mine?” Dink asked, standing upright. He looked around himself.

The others ignored his actions, completely engrossed with the glowing pool. The image had still failed to form, yet they watched it with slack-jawed expressions. The exception was Tahlea making hand gestures in the centre of the pool in an attempt to focus the image.

“Without your intervention, your companion will be forfeit. Look,” Mercy replied. The image in the pool suddenly shifted into focus. Tahlea exclaimed in victory with a fist pump before returning to her gesturing. It displayed Estra lying naked on an altar surrounded by the enslaved sisters of Mercy conducting divine healing. “Her fate is sealed. Unless you intervene and destroy my corrupted avatar. He was my embodiment on the mortal plane. Until only a short century ago, the succubus severed our connection. She polluted my avatar with lust along with his followers. I have already renounced them.”

The vision became clearer from a bird’s eye view. It showed a figure with an appearance identical to the one on the mosaic water feature. He brushed aside a strand of hair from Estra’s face. He stood completely naked, his towering manhood on full display. His exposed skin burned in patches similar to burning parchment, embers surrounding ash. Dink's expression contorted with berserk rage as he released a low growl.

“I accept. But I need nothing from you in return. I’ll do this one for free,” Dink snarled.

“It is agreed. The location of the inner sanctum is now embedded with your consciousness. You can navigate my halls with your eyes closed. Leave behind your mortal weapons, they will be ineffective against my avatar. I will provide you with the tools you need. Go now!” Mercy instructed.

Mercy became silent but Dink could still detect his presence at the back of his mind. Dink caught a brief reflection on the surface of the pool as the vision collapsed. He abruptly turned with his draconic tattoos flaring into life with the activation of forbidden techniques. His hand suddenly plunged into a dark corner of the courtyard.

“Axion, to me!” Dink shouted.

“Dink, what is it?” Tahlea cried in concern stepping back onto the slate edge of the pool as everyone rushed toward Dink.

“We have a spy in our midst,” Dink said with a low growl.