Page 228 of Red Ruin

The breeze carries nothing but decay.

Feeling the tension, the Sentinels shift. They compress until Tan and I walk side-to-side, surrounded in a tight, protective triangle.

From Remy’s blurry memory, I recognize the archway ahead. It connects to the deepest part of the prison, where the lich king was sealed into his pit.

I grip my glaive pole.

My hands shake.

Vhex and Remy’s senses warn of the crushing power ahead. I catch whispers, the clink of armor, and a riot of scents from decomposing fur to scales and blood.

Hundreds of monsters.

Vhex goes feral, sprouting claws. Remy empties of everything but murderous determination.

Dizzy between both extremes, I gape.

It’s wall-to-wall undead.

Ghouls. Draugr. Dreadnoughts.

Kobolds and death knights.

Zombies and skeletons of all sizes and species, from orcs and boars to rats weaving between the ankles of other monsters.

The space could fit Lomfort town.

There’s no ceiling. The open shaft must reach to the sky, but we’re too deep underground for the light to reach.

Plenty of space for the skyscraper trolls looming around the edges.

Apocalypse-level power pulses from the middle of the horde.

My ears pop.

I almost lose my grip on my pole.

Holy stars.

Shadows curl under my uniform, both skin-tight armor and caress. Remy’s energy coils, tight and cold.

Vhex gives off steam.

“Steady,” I whisper and move between them. I press my shoulders to their arms and calm their silks.

Ready or not, it’s time.

I turn to Simms. “Collapse the shaft if we can’t win.”

He pulls Tan close. They share a deep gaze and a fast kiss.

Finally, Simms pushes out a determined breath. Earth magic glows, ready in his palms. He nods. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Ready?” I ask the men at my side.

Pink flames flare across Vhex’s skin. Remy’s eyes blacken, and his shadows unfurl around his wings.

I do one last, thorough, horn-to-toe comb through their silks.

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