“RAGHHHHHHHH!” Valdis roared as yet another Demilich lunged for her, this time sinking it’s rotting teeth into her scaly leg. She moved quick, brandishing her Giant Axe and catching the severed head on the ear. The Demilich unfastened it’s jaw and flew through the air, landing meters away from Valdis. She ran at it turning as she did, she swung her heavy tail at full throttle, the Dragonborn hit the Demilich with such force that it disappeared from veiw within seconds. Valdis turned back to check on her teammates, her eyes ablaze and the flames on her head and spine taller and angrier than usual. “Dissy! Over here!” Thanatos was beconing her. “What.” Growled Valdis stomping towards the centaur. “What do you think that is?” He pointed at the ground. “I’m not sure,” Dissy leant down and picked up the mysterious object, “it almost looks like a key” she said.

“But a key to what?” Asked Thanatos. The two stood there in silence looking at the strange silver coated artifact, “what did Anubis say about it?” Valdis rumbled.

“I’m not sure I haven’t asked them yet, Anu! Come here!” Thanatos called to the jackal-Elf simic that was washing their arms in a small nearby stream. “What do you want now Thanatos.” They said, taking off their tricone hat revealing large fluffy ears decorated in small gold hoops and chains.

“Dissy show Anu what we found,” The centaur pointed at the silver key.

Valdis passed the key, from her large clawed hand to Anubis’ slightly smaller, furrier hand. Anubis cearfully turned it over in their hands, ringing it around each finger. “This looks familiar…” they muttered beneath their breath, “it sort of almost looks as if-“

“Watch out!” Valdis’ roar echoed around them, all three ducked down, “what’s going on?” Cried Thanatos. “I can’t see!” Whispered Anubis urgently, the three became confused, lost, stuck in their own heads, they couldn’t shout for help or hear the others shouting. Their senses had been blocked. Shadows darted around in the corners of their eyes. “Guys?” Thanatos tried to vocalise, but his words were silent.

“What just happened?” Wailed Thanatos quietly. “I’m not sure, but I saw a light heading straight at us, that’s why I shouted” said Valdis, “I think it was a spell, a dark magic spell”

“That would explain why I couldn’t see or hear anything” Nodded Thanatos.

“Um,” Anubis’ gravely voice cut into the conversation. They looked down at their hand, the other two followed suit. “You’re bleeding?” Observed Valdis, “but how?”

There was a large gash across the palm of Anubis’ hand, seeping out warm dark blood. Anubis spoke, “This was the hand the key was in, and now the key is gone”

“Well where did it go!” Cried Thanatos,

“Shush.” Valdis placed her hand over Thanatos’ mouth, “Look,” she pointed to the east, a Smokey trail was disappearing into the gloom.

“Follow it.” Whispered Anubis, a fiery stirring in their voice.