“Put your back into it!” A cloaked individual bellowed at their two companions. The pair pushed against a large stone slab, thoroughly wedged across the hallway in front of them. This wasn’t the first cave-in the group had encountered in the long-abandoned complex, and their prior exertion was limiting their current progress. They heaved forward, driving the rough edge of the stone further into their palms.

A bright orb floated above the group, providing the only light in the area. They had walked down enough stairwells on their journey to be far underground by this point. The leader of the trio sighed, looking at the worn carvings on the walls around them. “I can’t believe they let this place fall to such a state. No respect for our history…” With a claw-like nail, they traced along the outline of soldiers in battle.

With a final grunt, the slab slid down into the rubble, creating a traversable gap. The servants breathed heavily as the leader hurriedly climbed through the new opening, the orb following them to the other side. Their light quickly leaving them, the servants pushed through their exhaustion. The leader continued to a grand staircase, leading to giant stone doors which extended into the darkness in all directions. Luckily for the exhausted pair, the doors had been left partially open and the group could easily pass through.

Inside, the trio found themselves in a large cavern. Unlike the heavily ornamented maze before it, the cavern was still natural. Only a large magic circle carved into the floor indicated that the area hadn’t been forgotten by the craftsmen responsible for the complex. The leader walked to center of the circle, their steps echoing through the cavern. Flames filled the runes on the edge of the circle, and the servants stood at attention outside the burning ring.

“Father, guess who’s back?” the leader yelled into the darkness. “I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been very busy since I broke out of this hell.” They removed the hood of their cloak and began to pace within the circle. Two long, vertical horns sat upon their temples, with jewelry strung between, jostling with every step. “I’ll be traveling far away soon, but don’t think I’ll be forgetting about you. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the crushing spiritual destruction I received due to your leadership.”

“But that’s beside the point.” The speaker threw out a hand, the circle of fire burning higher. At the edge of the light, a humanoid figure made of wrapped chains towered over the magic circle. Iridescent energy rippled through the coils, giving off a faint light. “Soon, you will be free. And there will be nothing to protect you and this land from my revenge. Enjoy this prison the Valence Guard crafted you, because it will feel like paradise compared to my plans.”

A deep groan emanated from within the chained figure.