Page 854 of End Game

It is not actually a throne.

It is a mass of fused armor, bone, and old magic built around what remains of a man who tried to live forever and succeeded in the least useful interpretation of that request.

They enter carefully.

Griffin goes first with his shield raised.

Of course.

Micah shadows the edge of the room while Dex stays far enough back to remain useful without becoming the first target, and Cami positions herself near the center.

It is a formation they have used so many times that nobody discusses it anymore.

“The figure on the throne moves.”

Dex whispers, “Rude.”

“Slowly,” I continue, “one gauntleted hand closes around the armrest. Metal scrapes stone. Then the thing beneath the armor breathes.”

Cami wrinkles her nose. “I hate that.”

“You should.”

“Helpful.”

“The Hollow King lifts his head. There is no face beneath the crown. Only darkness.”

Dex points a pretzel at me. “See, that’s where he fucked up. No face means no charisma.”

Micah looks at him. “Please don’t seduce the final boss.”

“No promises.”

Griffin sighs.

I almost let them keep going.

Almost.

Instead, I drop my voice.

“Roll for initiative.”

Dice hit wood.

I have heard that sound thousands of times.

Tonight it lands differently.

The first round goes well. Too well, if any of them were paying attention to the way I structure fights.

Griffin closes distance immediately and takes the first hit against his shield. Micah disappears into shadow. Dex burns a spell slot earlier than he probably should to lock down one of the spectral guards rising from the floor, and Cami throws radiant damage across the room in a streak of gold-white light.

The Hollow King retaliates.

The chamber changes beneath them. Stone fractures. One of the pillars comes down.

Griffin makes his save.