Before the light
They moved through the broken avenues at a steady pace, cutting toward the city's center where the portal churned in the distance. The path they'd chosen would intersect with Vilak and Callum if all went as planned—less exposed than the main roads, but not by much.
Xain glanced back over his shoulder, toward the distant rise of the coliseum.
"How do you think they're holding up against the demons?" he asked, unable to keep the worry out of his voice.
Mae didn't even slow. "They'll be fine~" she said lightly. "They've got strong people guarding it," she replied, like it wasn't worth stressing over.
Then she tilted her head just enough to glance at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You should worry about yourself, Xain. Considering where we're headed."
She gestured vaguely forward as she kept walking. "Then again, look at who you've got protecting you. You're safer here than they are right now."
Xain exhaled through his nose. "That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence," he muttered.
The Fiend stepped closer and signed quickly, movements sharp and precise.
"Are you sure about this? Do you think this plan will work?"
Xain's hand drifted to his pocket. He hesitated for a moment before pulling out the stone.
It was smooth and unnaturally dark—so black it seemed to swallow the light around it. It was large enough that it pressed against his palm and refused to be fully enclosed by his fingers. Pale white strings were wrapped tightly around it, holding it in place, and carved into its surface was a symbol he didn't fully understand.
He studied it for a second.
"It should," he said at last. "And I trust Elsa's magic—even if I don't really get it."
Lia leaned closer, peering at the stone with open curiosity. "Well, as a magic user, one who taught the great Even Mathers, let me tell you something," she said, squinting slightly as if she could see something beneath the surface. "That thingy she gave you? It's packed with magic. I can feel it from here. If raw power's anything to go by, it should do what we need it to."
Zee nodded adding, "And if that doesn't work, I have the sword." Her hand brushed the hilt at her side. "And if that's not enough, Vilak's magic will handle it."
Xain slid the stone back into his pocket, patting it once as if reassuring himself it was still there.
"You see," he said dryly, "now that's the kind of talk that fills me with confidence."
Mae rolled her eyes—but then she stopped.
Her nose twitched.
"…Do you all smell that?" she asked, lifting her chin slightly and drawing in another cautious breath.
The others halted.
They sniffed the air.
A beat passed—
—and then Lia recoiled, face twisting in disgust as she clamped a hand over her nose. "Ugh! It smells like rotting meat!"
Zee immediately covered her nose and mouth with her sleeve, eyes watering. "It's so bad, but I think it means we're close."
The stench was thick, cloying. Sweet and foul at the same time, like flesh left too long in the sun.
Xain gagged quietly, swallowing against the rising nausea as he nodded. "Yep. If the stories are anything to go by… we're definitely nearing a necromancer."
Nori, at least, didn't react.
He walked on without so much as a flinch—long since accustomed to the scent of the dead.
They followed the stench as it grew thicker and heavier, clinging to the air until it felt like it coated the back of the throat. After rounding a shattered corner, they finally saw the source.
Vilak and Callum.
The two of them stood back-to-back in the middle of the street, surrounded by dozens of reanimated demons. Twisted bodies lurched and staggered around them, necromantic energy keeping them upright long after they should have fallen.
Callum noticed the newcomers first.
"Who's there?" he shouted, sword half-raised—then his eyes widened. "Wait… holy crap, someone finally came!"
Vilak turned sharply as well, relief already forming on his face—until his gaze landed on The Fiend.
He froze mid-motion.
"Wha–wha–what is that doing beside you!?" he stammered, pointing a shaking finger at The Fiend.
Callum followed the gesture, finally registering the towering figure he'd completely overlooked in his focus on the others. "Huh!?" he exclaimed, yanking his sword free on reflex and snapping into a guard.
Mae immediately groaned. "Hey, dumb heads?" she said, jabbing a thumb back toward The Fiend. "Ever think that if he wasn't on our side, he wouldn't be walking with us?"
Xain stepped forward, raising both hands in a calming gesture. "What she means is, he's helping us. You two can calm down."
Callum hesitated, then slowly lowered his sword. "I… I guess that makes sense," he said, still eyeing The Fiend warily. "But what's he doing here? Isn't he usually in Ironhelm?"
Zee glanced between the two of them. "Does that really matter right now?"
Vilak swallowed and shook his head. "N-no… I guess it doesn't." He paused, then his shoulders slumped slightly. "…But you all aren't here to take us back, are you?"
Lia shook her head immediately. "Nope! We've got a plan, and you two are going to help with it!"
Both men let out long, exhausted sighs. They looked like they'd been fighting nonstop since the invasion began.
"Alright…" Callum muttered while rubbing his forehead. "What is it?"
Xain reached into his pocket and pulled out the smooth black stone again, holding it up so they could see it.
Callum squinted at it, looking confused. "Nice rock?"
Vilak's eyes widened instead, his expression turning serious. "That magic… it's—" He looked up at Xain. "Are you really going to try to do what I think you are?"
Xain nodded once. "Yes. We're going to try and seal the portal."