The Heart of Fire (121 page)

Turning back to the camp, you hear a sudden piercing shriek. Looking up, you see the sniper topple from the watch tower. A tigris follows him over the rail, her sharp claws whipping around to
dig into the wood – slowing her fall. It is White Cloak. The agile tigris springs back to the ground, her eyes already scanning the battle for her next prey. Turn to
785
.

781

You leap onto the centipede’s back, sinking your weapons between the insect’s black carapace. A shudder runs along its enormous body, then the multitude of legs
give way beneath it. The centipede skids along on a film of its own bile, before finally crashing into a wall with a satisfying crunch.

You jump down from its crumpled remains. ‘Always knew it had a soft spot for me . . .’

For defeating Chilopoda, you may now help yourself to one of the following rewards:

When you have made your decision, turn to
884
.

782

Cernos holds Nephele close, kissing her tear-soaked cheek – then he rises, drawing his sword. The girl shrieks, reaching out to stop him, clawing for his legs, but the
soldier marches forward all the same, the certainty of his own death written on his face.

‘Let them go!’ he demands. ‘Please. Take my soul instead – spare them.’

The demon snarls, its free hand whipping through the air. It catches Cernos across the chest, tearing through his armour and hurling him sideways into the wall. Then the demon surges towards the
king, his rune-blade raised to strike.

‘All will fall before Ragnarok!’

The demon’s sword slices down, the air rippling around its edges. At the last moment the king grabs his daughter, throwing her forward. ‘Take her!’ he snarls. Then he turns and
runs, making for the back of the chamber. The sword sweeps through the defenceless girl, her body cleaved in two by the dark blade. Its runes flare bright as a ghostly image of the girl rises up
from her corpse, kicking and screaming even in death.

‘NO!’ Cernos struggles to rise, blood pouring from the claw marks that have raked his chest. ‘Nephele!’ He watches in horror as her spirit is absorbed into the blade, its
malign runes growing ever brighter.

‘Let me out!’ The king is beating his fists against a panel at the back of the chamber. Evidently it must lead to some secret escape tunnel, but the panel has become jammed. His
anguished cries become desperate whimpers.

‘Do you wish revenge?’ The demon points its blade at the king, who is now sobbing on his knees. ‘I said, do you want revenge?’ His head snaps around to glare at
Cernos.

The warrior staggers to his feet, blood and dust matting his face. ‘Nephele . . .’ As his gaze wanders from the corpse to the whimpering king, his mouth curls into a vicious sneer.
‘We are all damned!’ he bellows, spitting blood. ‘This is my kingdom no longer – and this is not my king.’

The demon’s laughter reverberates throughout the chamber, pounding like fists against your eardrums. You watch, dumbfounded, as Cernos stalks towards the king, his body changing with each
step, scales and spines punching out of his back, muscles breaking the confines of his clothing, wings unfolding like dark leaves. In a matter of heartbeats, Cernos the demon stands over the
king.

‘Do it!’ snarls Barahar. ‘And prove you are worthy of my blood.

’ You look away, the king’s screams turning your stomach. Then everything blurs, the room swimming and lurching once again. When you can finally see again you are lying on your
stomach, coughing on dust and grit. Towering above you is the demon, Cernos, his scorched flesh disfiguring his sneer.

‘So, tell me, prophet,’ he spits with contempt. ‘Do you really think you are worthy of
my
blood?’ Turn to
584
.

783

You turn to face the last of the hounds, your weapons dripping with molten ichor. The beast’s eyes narrow to slivers of flame as it prepares to charge. You tense –
ready for the attack. Then a crack of thunder sends you staggering sideways, the noise tearing through your skull and leaving a painful echo pounding in your ears. At that same moment, the
hound’s head shatters into fragments of bone as it is sent flying off the side of the bridge, its painful whine quickly lost to the mist.

Virgil lowers his smoking pistol. ‘I’d cover your ears next time.’

For your victory over the hounds, you may now choose one of the following rewards:

When you have made your decision, turn to
798
.

784

You take the ashes that you found in the Lamuri city and pour them into the black metal dish. The moment the ashes come in contact with the heated surface, they start to
smoulder, filling the room with a strong, fragrant scent.

‘So, we’re making offerings to old gods now?’ Virgil sniffs disapprovingly.

You watch as the smoke winds about you like an hypnotic serpent. Then, all of a sudden, there is an angry rush of heat. Green flames erupt from the consumed ashes – and with them a ghostly
shape takes flight. It is a giant bird, formed of fire and brimstone, its bright plumage rippling with heat. For an instant it hovers above the flames, wings beating silently. Then it swoops down
with a shrill squawk, talons raking through the air. It is time to fight:

Special abilities

If you manage to defeat this tempestuous fire spirit, turn to
654
.