How joyous it would be to never again contend with kings and gods and creatures and demons… I can do that…havethat… if I just…release. It’ll be like breathing out.
Easy, natural.
Why did I never think of it before?
Searing pain blazes across my left arm, and I recoil—agitating my shattered shoulder—causing me to cry out. The life tether grows as hot as hellfire, clearing my mind with a pain-induced sharpness.
This refrain is thecall of death, I realize.
Gods, what a beautiful sound it is.
Forcing my eyes open, hundreds of black candles hover overhead, burning with tall, grayed flames.
Cal Anore.
But not.
This isstillthe veil.
As I lie on the altar and the sounds of chaos rush to greet me, veilflower vines curl back, their flowers shining with an incredible blue light. Pulling myself upright, Ryc, Cenviri, and all the others circle the altar, their eyes on the roaring circular wall of black fire—a ward—severing us from the rest of the veil.
Instinctively, I reach for the bond with Ryc—that golden rope, the thread of Fate binding us. It lies out of reach, darkened, and cold.
But it’s there.
Itexists.
A harrowing scream peals, sending shivers along my skin, and my eyes race toward the source. Visible through the flames, beyond the purified and protective circle, a tattered-cloaked wraith writhes—its arm severed. It lies upon the ground inside the ward and bursts intoblue flame.
My eyes narrow.
The flame… it’spureAether.
More screams rise. The wraith… it isn’t the only one. A rolling, twisting mass of shrouded wraiths swarm against the wall of black flames. It rips and burns at their essence, yet doesn’t deter them. The flames flicker with each strike—they’re going to overwhelm the ward.
Desperate to reach the multitude of open windows leading into the living realm, they throw themselves at the barrier, ready for a second chance at life. Ready and willing to take it by force rather than spending an eternity wandering the veil.
“There are too many!” Cenviri shouts from behind. “The ward is bound to fall.”
Why arethere so many?
“Ryc!” I shout his name, fighting the growing panic in my veinsas I scan the sea of bodies for the gold eyes I adore.
“Here, little love!” His voice comes from my right.
For a fleeting moment, my eyes find his, and all is right in the world.
Through our bond, as buried and muted as it may be, his utter relief pours into my chest—a cooling balm against the hellfire burn of my panic.
Eternity, my light.
I’m yours for eternity.
“Fall back!” Zirzol commands in Malbolge. “Protect the Patriarch andil-akiv!”
I spring from the altar, landing upon my boots. “Cenviri, it’s done!” I shout and his head whirls over his shoulder. “Now! Pull us out now!”
With a resolute nod and wide eyes, Cenviri steps back several paces—within the protective circle of his Generals. In unison, the Generals follow suit, closing the space where he stood.
