We had descended deep into the Labyrinth, our path paved in blood, carved in sundered bone. At our backs lay twelve of the Dark's ancient Lords, yet I dared not hope that we neared the end. I knew we had many a trail yet to face before this realm would relent. It was of sorts a prison, intended to capture those who came too close, to strangle the will and life from Ashen Ones like ourselves who dared challenge their heavenly throne. Now we stood again before a gate of fog, weary and flagging in spite of our bravado. This place was death to our kind, whether they embraced the Dark or despised it, this was as much a death sentence as any guillotine's descending blade, yet all the same I refused the grim truth, shook it off as one denies a bothersome insect.

I glanced toward him, pausing with my hand upon the door hidden within curtain of mist, and emboldened by his nod, by his brandished Whirligig, I heaved the bronze slabs aside upon their ancient hinges, and strode into the chamber beyond.

The Blood Starved Beast leered at us with hate clear in its pinpoint eyes, its fleshly hood quivering with each step as on clawed paws it advanced, scoring the stones with each step, striking the chords of fear, or rather attempting to. Whatever strings had once thrummed with the rhythm of fear, had long been severed. I advanced, meeting its gaze with my own, eyes hard and dark as obsidian, lit from within like pools of oil set alight. It lunged, taloned forepaw slashing wide, yet I easily twisted beneath, ramming a fist of iron into its armpit, toppling the creature onto its back, fleshly veil falling limp around arms that thrashed and convulsed as it fought to right itself.

Or'do came lunging in at my side, his foot cracking against its ribs, throwing the monster against the far wall with a resonant peal like the roar of thunder. Slowly, it slid to the ground and lay still, yet Or'do was not finished. He strode to its crumpled form, watching as the madness burned fiercely in its eyes. Gently, his clawed hand brushed against its chest, than sank through as if passing into honey. Twisting on his planted leg, he ripped the monster's heart free, and devoured it, relishing the flood of dark power that surged through his veins. Another vassal of the Dark had fallen, yet many more awaited us. Good.