The whole team gathered in the lounge area of their hideout.
“That specter’s a mean one,” Korr said. “I’ve never seen anything as nasty as that in our realm—even when we raided that vampire cemetery.”
Alessia said, “I have a plan for how to take care of him. The schematics are great, by the way, Ex Vis. Good work.”
Ex Vis looked over at Korr and smiled, showing off that he’d gotten some praise. Korr wasn’t thrilled about it.
Alessia addressed the team. “A million things can go wrong here. There will be traps.”
A hot sword lay on an anvil, hammered again and again, the banging and ringing carrying through the hideout.
“Corrupted yōkai that want to rip you apart.”
Druveus cast spells on strands of fiber.
“And—worst of all—demons. They can’t be killed with traditional weapons.”
Omazz wove the fibers into a magical rope.
“They’re faster than we are. Smarter than we are. And much, much meaner.”
Alessia did pushups blindfolded. She jumped up and pulled her rusted sword, swinging it around with practiced grace.
“So look fucking sharp.”
“Great pep talk, chief,” Ex Vis said.
The hammering ended.
Alessia hit a wooden training dummy with her rusty sword. Even though she struck with incredible force, the blade barely made a small notch. Nimbus entered.
“I made you something.” He held out a sword. “The sword is a conduit for your inner strength.”
Alessia looked the blade over—gorgeous, rippled metal. “Can it fell a demon?” she asked.
“If you can.”
“Didn’t know angels were also blacksmiths.”
“To create is divine.”
Alessia swung the sword. It cleaved the training dummy in half. Much nicer than her last weapon. “Not sure I deserve a gift from someone of your stature.”
“I know what you went through. The hell that can happen here on this plane, this place of wrath and tears. The havoc on our hearts and minds.”
Her face strained, holding back all of her emotion. She carefully said, “I’m not that person anymore.”
Nimbus patted her shoulder. “It breaks my heart you think that.”
He rose to leave, stopping to motion to the heavens. “They don’t blame you, by the way.” He pointed to her. “Only you do.”
He exited. Alessia looked at the sword. It shone with unbelievable brilliance. She saw her reflection in the blade.
What had she become?
Landar was studying in an empty classroom. Whispers all around. Shadows danced along the walls...
The little girl burst out of the shadows.
Landar woke with a start in his bedroom. He looked around himself. The room was empty except for his fear.
The team gathered around, sans Nimbus.
“We have about a dozen healing potions and even more holy water vials,” Landar said. Clocking Alessia: “Powerful ones.”
“I’ve stolen several wands,” Druveus said. “Omazz and I will have enough firepower to take on a small army.”
“Tell them about the timer!” Omazz said.
Druveus cleared his throat. He pulled out a small hourglass. “Yes. Thank you. I was going to build up to it, but blurting it out is also impressive. When I push the pin in the center and break the glass, everything will freeze until the sand runs out. So in case of emergency, break the glass.”
“Excellent,” Alessia said.
“We might actually be able to do this,” Ex Vis said.
Alessia nodded. “With just a few more weeks of preparation, getting the last relics we need, we will be able to hone this operation to a fine point. Then we’ll be ready to—”
Nimbus marched in. He looked terrified.
“What’s going on?” Alessia asked.
“The gates of hell are open.”
Nimbus sat full lotus. A humming sound grew with intensity.
“I was meditating. Searching The Beyond.”
His eyes bolted open—falling into a well of darkness. The humming reached a fever pitch.
“I felt the walls crumble between realms.”
Flames raced through the blackness, filling everything, exploding everything.
Everyone looked at Nimbus, horrified.
“The Hells are coming.”
“We need to move,” Alessia said. “Now.”