Deathsong Chronicles - Nocturne 4

The squad atop Earthwing landed near Rhapsodia, to find most of the Alliance already arriving there. As they descended from the dragon, he returned to Jesslyn's staff.

"Now what?" burst out Carolyn as soon as she dropped.

Soroga came over. "It seems that the war has taken a mercurial shift. The demons are now stronger, and can take on the Alliance and the horde of netherspawns together. There is only one way of survival...and I think it almost impossible."

"...what do you mean...?" asked Jennifer tentatively.

"We need to ally with the netherspawn." said Soroga, his expression most dour. "Only then can we stand a chance. The Alliance is ready to accept the aid...but as for the netherspawn..." he broke off.

"I...see. I may be able to help. I have a few orc friends, back when I was a kid. Maybe I can help." said Jesslyn.

"...that may be. Alright, go and try to get aid from them. We await your return." said Soroga.
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Kaithlyn defeated a psychic warrior in the void, and now knelt with the corpse's head on her lap, her hands on the husk's forehead. She was absorbing the energies from the psychic, and was to use it on the portal to the Rift.

The others, including the newly-awoken Kaffleen, formed a defensive circle around her as she leeched the energy, against the endless hordes of Final Guards.

"It is ready..." Kaithlyn said. She concentrated, and an aura of cobalt blue and crimson formed around her, and the very air shimmered at the intensity of the spell.

She unleashed it.

The spell struck the portal with devastating force, making the grounds around it crack from the pressure.

And the portal opened.

They raced through it without a second thought, and it catapulted them into the Rift of Reality.
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Emily started at the sound of the iron locks scrapping as the door to her cell opened. She trembled in terror as two men, one Razel, came in. They glanced around the small chamber, weapons poised to strike, as if they expected to see unwanted intruders.

Seeing none, the latter exited, closing the door behind him.

Razel looked at Emily, weapon lowered, and said:"Time has come for escape. Obey me in every way if you wish to live, for the demon has no need for you anymore, except as bait."

"...what...?"Emily was puzzled. "What do you mean...?"

Razel took out a key and unlocked the chains that shackled Emily's limbs. He then supported her, as her legs gave way from lack of nutrition.

"My death will avail you little." said Emily.

Razel started, and seeing his whip inches from her neck, pulled it away. "I've not come for such unholy a deed." said Razel.

Emily was even more puzzled. The elite guard continued:"I-we cannot stand the madness of Aria anymore. We have verified your tale. Twas true that Aria commanded those forces that attacked my village, and those of the others."

Razel handed Emily her Stormreaver. She took the weapon with a sound of gratitude. "Now come." said her saviour. "We have little time."

They exited the cell, and rejoined the waiting elite guard. They then raced to the royal stables.

"You see, Razel? No point for such a worry." said the other, apparently a mage of some high power. "Those petty demon guards are nowhere in si-" he broke off as an arrow shaft pierced his throat. Blood splattered Emily and Razel.

Both glanced in the direction, and both cursed richly. Demons came at them, sentries of the palace.

Razel flung out a hand, and cast an airwave spell, knocking the demons into the wall, some cracking their skulls. "That would teach them to attack a member of the Elite Guard!" he snapped.

"Your attack would have been heard. We have little time." said Emily. To her credit as well as his, he nodded.

As they reached the stables, another elite guard handed over the reins of a dark panther to Emily. She nodded her thanks.

"Where is-" began another of the Elite Guard. A glance from Razel silenced her.

"We sensed the magical forces shift." said yet another. Now that she took a good look, Emily saw about fifty of the guard with them. She hadn't expected this many.

They all poised for take off, and Razel declared:"We will ride for days and nights, not stopping. We will have to fight through endless numbers of demons, and any who break off from us will most surely die. Now...let the way be opened!"

The doors burst open with an explosion, and several demon sentries standing guard outside were blown apart.

With a shout, Razel urged his mount forwards. The rest followed suit. And so, the escape began.