2 Where is your dedication?

In a world full of clouded skies that glowed with a purple light, where trees swayed in dead winds as leaves lay rotted and pitted on the ground, covering the land like whispers of bygone hope, a portal appeared.

A shining beacon that sought to open a hole in the dark sky above, from it emerged the party of Heroes, eight in total as they strode out with weapons at the ready, prepared to face all foes.

The first sound of communication between them was the sound of the two priests vomiting and holding their heads as they almost dropped to their knees.

"S…Sorry."

Staggering back to her feet Eva was the first to stand fully as she chanted a short prayer, alleviating the nauseating effect this world had on them.

"I'm okay..too."

Following shortly after was Geth the male priest of the party.

"Sorry Randall, I had expected some discomfort from the power of undeath but not to this extent. Whatever lies here, is a truly demonic and evil being."

"Don't worry," placing an armoured hand on Eva's shoulder Ragnall carefully brushed Eva's brown hair back behind her ears, "We will do our duty."

"This world, the weave, the ley lines, even essence itself… all of it has been corrupted, twisted in some way… we will find no life here."

Speaking now was Luhra the oldest of the party but still full of youth as she had a head of black silky hair, "we must finish quickly, the longer we stay the harder our fight will become."

Nodding his head in understanding Randall got to work giving orders, he was their leader.

"Sara and Gran you scout ahead, the Goddess has put us too close to our target but we must find this mountainous lair of his. Eva, Geth and Luhra keep us warded and protected, we don't want to fall prey to some nefarious curse."

"Mave and Borth you take the sides whilst I take the back, we cannot be caught unaware."

Springing into action Sara bounded ahead as she held her bow in hand, an arrow carefully knocked ready as Gran faded in and out of the shadows around her, his knives keen and waiting to ambush any foes.

Slowly the party inched forward, expecting fierce retaliation but none came, all of Sara's and Gran's signals from the lead revealed no danger, only a longer and longer expanse of death, where not even insects crept.

"This place is dead. It is not for man," with his axe resting heavily on his shoulder Borth used his deep voice to spit out a few words, he was a barbarian of little brain and many muscles, a counterpart to Mave who stood nearby, an efficient and smart warrior who made the most of her surroundings.

"What did you see when we arrived Eva? Geth is a good priest but your visions let us see much more."

Turning to her left Eva saw Mave looking her way, wanting to know more about what her gifts sometimes let her see, even Randall was listening with interest, it was always best to know your enemies.

Unsure of whether to speak or not, Eva strengthened her mind and spoke slowly.

"As soon as we exited the portal I had a glimpse of our foe… I have never seen any like it."

Goosebumps rose on Eva's skin as her hair raised, just thinking of that glimpse she saw, scared her.

"In a dark hall of absolute black, sits a single skeleton, small and unseeming, but the darkness avoids him, afraid that it will be swallowed by his ravenous hunger. He sits still on his throne, no caution for his safety as his weapons and armour lay strewn around, scattered like spare coin, he taps a single boned finger on his throne, slowly, tapping constantly. For each tap is an action of which none know the consequence. We will need all the power that the Goddess has granted us."

"Heh. Mere skeleton is weak. Dragon more trouble. My axe wil…"

"...No."

Her voice risen Eva glared at Borth.

"I do not fear the powerful nor the evil, what I fear is the hidden. Those that can hide beyond sight and wield powers that we will not see coming."

"Enough!"

Turning around Randall ceased his steps as looked at Eva worryingly, she was visibly shaken as Luhra muttered a few cantrips under her breath, illuminating Eva in an arcane glow, only to sputter out and fade.

"Geth purify Eva, she has been afflicted."

Wasting no time Geth uttered prayer after prayer as Luhra drew steady distance from Eva, afraid of any demonic possession. They all knew the powers that the darkness could wield well, even now Borth had his axe ready by Eva… ready to strike her down.

With sonorous chant Geth extended his hand as tendrils of light wrapped Eva's figure, ruffling and lifting her robe slightly as she let out a deep breathe, one that released a small cloud of black.

Not missing a beat Randall drew his sword, an armament blessed and birthed within the holy citadel of Arcaria. With a cleave he struck down the smoke, cleaving it in two, slicing the malady that had plagued Eva.

"Take that evil."

With a screech the smoke dissipated, leaving Eva gasping for breathe as Geth sweated heavily, it had been difficult to remove.

His sword sheathed once more Randall embraced Eva, his words caring as he stroked her cheeks gently, "Eva, how do you feel?"

A slight blush on her cheeks Eva meekly replied, "muc… much better. I was careless and failed to shield myself. I'm sorry everyone."

"Hmph."

Snorting to the side Luhra looked away from the figure of Randall as he embraced Eva, only Borth remained watching with his axe still held ready.

"Put it down Borth, she is fine now."

Dusting his hands off Geth leered at his nearby barbarian counterpart. Borth was a strong fighter but he was slow to react to actions outside of combat.

Noticing the tight atmosphere brewing over the party Randall was about to speak before a high pitched whistle was heard from ahead, Sara's signal for danger ahead.

Placing Eva down carefully Randall led the way as the party hurried their steps and broke through the line of dead trees that continually marred their view.

Stood on the rise of a hill before them was Sara and Gran, carelessly stood in open view as their weapons lay loose in their hands.

"What are you…"

Before Randall could criticise the duo for being careless he too saw what lay ahead.

The goal of their divine mission.

The great evil they had to extinguish.

For in front of them, beyond the hill they crested extended a vast plain and on this plain was a mountainous castle of dark stone and hellfire. One that cast its ominous light deep into the skies as the peaks of its towering spires reached up and beyond out of sight.

Randall and the party had seen castles before, they had battered down gates and ruined walls to slay the evil inside but no castle or holy city on Kiburat could stand testament to this monument of suffering.

"What do we do, we have no way to breach such a fortress?"

As if to mock Luhra's words the dark gates that spanned higher than any man opened in the distance, as a dark cloud of smoke flew past them, laughing and mocking them, drawing them in as it span and twirled in the air.

Nervously Randall clutched his sword as he prayed to his Goddess.

What kind of trial was this to be?