(12+3) Krom’s stone hits a cultist, directly over the heart. this time there is no explosion, but instead the rock sticks and begins to turn molten. Even as the man screams it begins to burrow in, and blood drips down his chest. (12) With a last, desperate jerk his dropping body lands on the pile of rubble against the wall, and his blood begins to seep in between the cracks. As it does so, a strange crimson light seems to fill the room, emanating from the wall. A wave passes from it, washing over you with some force as a black robed ogre stumbles into the room.
(10)(7)(3)(12) When you recover it is with some pain. A quick glance reveals you are no longer in the dungeon complex, and none of your foes are to be seen. The walls and floor are blood red, and you stand in the entrance to what appears to be some sort of open topped arena. The way behind is blocked by a smooth dome, flooding the area in dim light. Then you see the king. Black fluid flows from his mouth, and he mumbles gently. ‘Shouldn’t be here. Not here.’
He collapses to the ground, helpless, as a gust of wind fills the air. Then, descending from the skies, comes a terrifying sight. A dragon, it’s body made from shadow, it’s skin shifting and twisting before your eyes. It fills the centre of the arena, almost fifty times the height of a man. It’s head alone, broad and horned, is as large as the halls at Bastion. And as it speaks, the ground shakes.
‘Welcome, brother. It is not yet time to die.’
‘Shit.’ The king mutters, the sand of the floor twisting into a cylinder around him, before melting, solidifying into glass.
‘No explanations I assume, kinslayer, changeling, scribe? He never was one for such. But come, how impolite. Let me introduce myself. My name is Vaydesh. Father of the one hundred. Now ninety eight, thanks to you.’ The dragon’s eye meets Ryxa’s. ‘But no, that was not your fault. I propose a game, regardless. Me or Hrun - the king. If you kill me, he goes free. If I kill you, I get my ichor price at last.’