“Sorry for the delay,” Alburet said. “I picked up tea and sandwiches for lunch, if it’s needed. Figured I’d also summon my friends. The Imp is Bob, the Destroyer is Tiny and the Succubus is Kitten.” He sent group invitations to Kim, Rolland and Ioaniss.
“Your succubus looks very similar to Stacia,” Kim said, looking from one to the other.
“Facially yes, but the blonde hair and much bigger chest are very different,” Ioaniss stated.
Rolland’s head cocked slightly to the side, one of his eyes glowing for just a brief moment. “It’s nice to meet all of you. Have you three always been the Infernals bound to Alburet? I heard that just a short while ago many Summoners were given the option to choose new Infernal companions if they so desired.”
“I’ve been with him since shortly after he came to this world,” Bob said with an inflated chest.
“I have been his only protector,” Tiny added.
“He bound me to his will,” Kitten said softly, dropping her gaze to the ground. “He has had nay other Succubus.”
Rolland nodded, “Then you are all surely very good at your jobs. I believe only a small percentage of Summoners declined to change at least one minion when given the option. I’ve even heard reports of Angelic Summoners renouncing the Light and embracing the Darkness once more when given the opportunity to choose new Infernal companions.
“You seem well versed in such matters,” Ioaniss mused as he gazed at Rolland.
“I try to keep up with all that I can that effects casters. There is always the chance of learning something new,” Rolland commented as he looked out at the sands. “Are we ready to go?” he asked, shifting the topic away from himself.
“We are,” Alburet commented. “Tiny, take the lead. Sir Jones, what is your class if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Trapsmith. You would be surprised by how many treasures are guarded by deadly traps.” Ioaniss got a distant look as they walked, “I recall one where I was chased by a giant boulder. It was right after I had collected a golden idol of Justice. It seems I didn’t disarm the trap properly, even though I thought I had. Oh, that really takes me back.”
Alburet chuckled as he recalled the original story behind Ioaniss’s tale, “I’m sure it does.”
They walked on across the sand, the fort falling away behind them. As soon as the dunes hid the fort from view, the group was surprised by a bright red flash followed by a large cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, a large spherical creature floated in the air in front of them, hovering above a red glyph. The large central eye shifted as it looked the group over. The mouth opened, revealing a long gash filled with sharp teeth. “I’m Gygax, the emissary of the Dark Lord sent to meet Alburet the Two-souled. Who are the rest of you?”
Alburet stepped forward first, “These are my friends and companions. They had each hoped to also speak with the Dark Lord on matters that pertain to them. I didn’t know if anything like that would be allowed, but no one said to come alone, so invited them along. Will they be allowed to meet with him?”
Gygax rose up in the air, small stalks each bearing an eye coming from around the sides and bottom of the demon to focus their combined gaze on each member of the party. “Each of you will state your name and why you seek audience. The Dark Lord listens through me. If you impress the Dark Lord with your strength of will he may grant your request.”
Ioaniss stepped forward first, “I’m Ioaniss Jones, of Stormguard. I have sought knowledge of the First Empire and how it fell for my entire life. None before me, that I am aware of, have had the chance to ask the Dark Lord directly about his involvement or non-involvement in such matters. There are conflicting legends. Some say that the Dark Lord made no attempt to stop the duo that engineered the fall of the Empire. Others say he directed his loyal followers to oppose the rebellious pair. I wish to find out which is the truth.”
The voice that issued from Gygax’s mouth next was the same deep voice Alburet had heard when he’d gotten the quest to come here. “Would you be willing to test your will against the right to know?”
“Depending on the challenge, I would,” Ioaniss replied quickly.
“There is a labyrinth, designed to test the faith of those who seek my favor. Would you enter this labyrinth to gain the right to speak with me directly?”
“I would,” Ioaniss stated.
“What of the other two?”
Rolland stepped forward, “Dark Lord, I am Rolland Magiblood. With me is my wife, Kim. We are friends of Alburet’s. I have questions about my bloodline that my family has been trying to answer for generations. I would be willing to risk the labyrinth to learn more about my lineage.”
“I have some of the answers you seek, Magiblood. You may enter the labyrinth with your wife to gain the right to speak to me directly. To enter the labyrinth, step forward onto the rune below my Emissary.”
Ioaniss stepped forward quickly, standing on the red glyph. It glowed brighter, but he didn’t vanish. Rolland looked over at Alburet, “My thanks for bringing us. If this works out and we survive I’m going to owe you.”
“Good luck. Remember you’re bargaining with a God,” Alburet reminded them.
“The Gods always keep their word,” Kim stated softly as she took her husband’s arm. “If we don’t make it back, let Vanessa know when she shows up for work tomorrow. She can arrange for another receptionist to take my place.”
“We will be seein’ each other again,” Stacia stated simply, stepping forward to hug both Rolland and Kim.
Kim and Rolland joined Ioaniss on the glyph. It flared brightly, and when the light died away the trio was gone. “Now that the extras are gone you may show your true form, Stacia,” the Dark Lord stated.
Alburet nodded and Stacia shifted to her Succubus form. Alburet asked, “What’s next?”
“Gygax will convey you to my castle via a portal. Once there, he will lead you to my throne room,” the Dark Lord replied through Gygax.
Alburet took Stacia’s arms, one to either side, then stepped onto the glyph with Bob and Tiny hard on his heels. There was the expected bright flash, then they were standing in a courtyard. The sky above them was blood red and the stone around them was as black as a starless night. Gygax drifted down to eye level and backed away from them, his central eye remaining focused on Alburet.
“Follow me to the throne room,” Gygax intoned as he began moving slowly towards a set of massive double doors. He kept his central eye facing Alburet. Two ten-foot-tall Destroyers with massive horns curled like a ram’s, sprouting from their heads stood guard on either side of the door. Each wore mixed plate and chain armor and held a short spear in one hand and a tower shield in the other.
Alburet took in the two guards as he followed Gygax. “Tiny, is that what you’ll be like when I reach level 100?”
“Yes, master,” Tiny rumbled as quietly as he could. “Those are Destroyer Lords, the most powerful of my kind.”
As they neared the doors, the two guards pulled open the massive, metal bound doors. Leathery rustling noises caused Alburet to look behind him. Twenty Imp Lords hovered in the passage, their wide grins displaying rows of needle sharp teeth. Each Imp Lord had twisting horns spiraling from its head and dark red wings and skin. The wings barely looked large enough to keep the five foot tall Imps aloft.
“Imp Lords,” Bob said, his voice tinged with fear. “They are the pinnacle of what an Imp can aspire to become.”
“I see,” Alburet replied, tipping an imaginary hat first to the imps, then the destroyers. “A pleasure to meet you all.”
“Follow,” Gygax said simply, resuming his motion ahead of them.