Embers in the Dust

“It’s taken us some time to bring everyone together, but it’s all here now.”

Humboldt closed his pocket watch and placed it in his breast pocket. Between Helena and himself, Onira pushed her way between them and grabbed the elven woman’s hand tightly.

“This is where we’re going?” She asked Helena.

“Yes, child. This is where you are going to be magnificent.”

They walked through the open corridor to the inside of the temple, then stepped into an enormous chamber. Across the room he saw the Deans and gem dragons of Berkton Academy with his transplanted eye in the darkness.

“The shade kept up his end of the bargain.”

“But he’s dead now.” A voice behind him echoed through the chamber.

Humboldt turned to the figures that trailed behind. The voice came from the black-robed figure. His clothes seemed to move with the shadows and rise like smoke around him. He knew that Volundr had also been affected with the Drow Disease, and his acceptance into their group was on a contractual basis of healing him. The human standing next to him in green robes held no such desires of hope. Ingolf Ingravis, necromancer son of the Lord of Ingfast, held his sword in front of him, the blade bursting into flame and shedding light around them.

“It’s fitting that Tiamat’s Tomb would be hidden here in Avernus,” Ingolf stated.

“Many here worshiped her. When Asmodeus fell, she was brought here to rest, in the hope that she would rise again, and she had on multiple occasions, though only separated from her whole.” The last figure stated, who hovered inches over the ground.

Humboldt knew much about Zarin and his journey to power in Cecela as a deity-like figure. It was only recently that he knew of his involvement in Asmodeus and the Hounds of War, though.

“I’m surprised you came at all.”

“Zariel is entombed here as well. I am only here to ensure she doesn’t undermine my centuries of progress.”

“Well, after this, you shall have many allies in that endeavor,” Humboldt replied. “I am here for the fourth book as well, which you stated would be here.”

“It is the power that holds her here. Tiamat tried to return centuries ago, but was stopped by a group in Midgard. They brought the book here, where it would keep her docile and in slumber. Once you retrieve the book, she will be free to awake. Then, you must kill her to gain her power.”

“Then, it seems that we’ve all come to this place for our own reasons, but our alliance will only ensure our victory,” Helena exclaimed.

She walked forward, releasing the fire from her hands as torches along the walls sprung to life. Next to her, Onira grasped onto her arm fearfully. They stepped closer to the center, then turned back to her group.

“We have traveled for so long, down many paths, to reach this point. There is still much to do, and first we must drain our captives of their magic.”

She looked to Ingolf, who caused an arcane contraption to appear in his hands. It was made from a series of devices that he and Volundr had created together. He stepped forward, placing it on the ground before Helena. With the incantation, it grew in size, shifting its form to that of a high-backed chair. Adjusting it to sit in the exact center of the room, he gestured to Onira to sit. She turned away from it, looking at Helena.

“Are you sure this will work? And it won’t hurt?”

“Oh, child… I can never lie to you. It will hurt some, but it will be worth it.”

Helena directed her to the chair, and the child sat. Carefully, Ingolf and Volundr placed straps around her wrists, elbows, thighs, and ankles. Above her, Helena stood behind her and placed the last strap, a large head piece that resembled a crown, over her head and locked it into place.

“Child, when you are ready.”

Onira nodded, her head moving only a little under the straps that held her in place. She closed her eyes and whispered the ritual incantation that she had been studying for months. Humboldt watched as dark energy formed around her and her throne, then pulsed across the ground. The stone floor quaked. The temple shook. Beyond the corridor, he watched as the ground fell below them as the temple and its entombed inhabitants rose into the air. He smiled, looking at Helena, whose face showed that of a proud parent.

Beneath them, he heard the sound of a creature moving, massive in size. He rushed down the corridor, keeping at a safe distance from the exit which was already a hundred feet up. Then, he heard the chains rattle as it held the temple in place in the sky, which was wrapped around the creature below. The creature stepped out from under, and he saw the five heads of the creature below him move into view. All of Tiamat’s heads shrieked, sending sprays of energy out from it, ice, fire, acid, and more…

Its wings unfurled, each one half a mile in length. In one large motion, it leapt into the air, her wings thrusting down onto the ground, sending a gust of wind strong enough to push any unprotected items on the ground hurling away.

“Fantastic!” Humboldt exclaimed.

“This is only one step of many, Humboldt,” Helena explained. “Onira is a child of Asmodeus, but still only a child, and will be able to hold command for only so long.”

She knelt in front of Onira, placing both her hands on the child’s.

“Remember, we need to take her down, one layer at a time.”

Onira nodded, then closed her eyes to maintain her concentration. Her eyes burst open a moment later, and she screamed out in pain as they released a white glow. The energy around her pulsed harder against the floor, picking up its tempo. Humboldt saw Helena shed a single tear, then wipe it away quickly.

“It will only hurt more, child. I’m sorry.”