The Heart of Fire (127 page)

If you manage to defeat these grotesque monsters, turn to
869
.

822

You hesitate, not wishing to pick a side in the fight – unsure whether anything you are witnessing is real or part of some elaborate fantasy.

‘What are you waiting for?’ shouts Murlic, glaring at the monk. ‘This is our enemy!’

You shake your head. ‘No, Murlic. Nothing is what it seems . . .’

‘Wise move,’ growls Ventus – suddenly speaking with a guttural, female voice. ‘You are strong, bright claw.’

‘No!’ Murlic shrieks with anger, fists clenching at his side. ‘You were supposed to kill her!’

Suddenly your surroundings start to blur, sweeping into ribbons of ochre light. Then you lurch forwards, as if pushed by some invisible hand, to find yourself inside a ruined building, its roof
open to the misty marshland sky.

Where Ventus had been standing there is now a female tigris. She is panting heavily, looking exhausted. ‘The witch,’ snarls Scowler. ‘We must fight her together!’ Turn to
445
.

823

For defeating Ixion, you may now help yourself to one of the following special items:

If you are
hexed
then you have gained an extra reward, turn to
800
. Otherwise, return to the quest
map
to continue your journey.

824

Inside the tent you find two large trestle tables, covered in an array of different-sized bottles, and a crate containing netting. A young woman is stood over a smaller table,
pressing the fangs of a snake to a cloth-covered jar.

‘Taipan,’ she says, removing the jar and holding it up. ‘Deadliest venom in the jungle. Seen it bring down a tigris in under a minute. That’s good going.’

You approach the table and examine the various potions and bottles. ‘How much?’ you ask, picking up a healing tonic. ‘I could use some of these.’

‘Thirty shinies,’ she replies, gently teasing the snake back into its basket. ‘Uncle Bill sets the prices, so save the haggling. Where else you gonna go shopping out
here?’

The following items are available for 30 gold crowns each:

When you have made your decision, you may explore the rest of the camp (turn to
744
) or leave and return to the quest
map
.

825

Virgil strides through the ash cloud, his white blades resting across his shoulders. ‘Seems your foolishness has paid off.’ He stops to grind a chunk of stone
beneath his boot heel. ‘You have the luck of demons.’

You take a handful of ash, watching it spill between your clawed fingers. ‘Demons die,’ you reply flatly. ‘And Cernos is next.’

The witchfinder grunts as he gazes up at the sprawling city. ‘Easier to find a Wiccan in a wood.’ He spits at the ash. ‘This is a fool’s errand.’

You rise to your feet, your attention drawn to an object fluttering down through the black snow. It looks like a piece of torn clothing. You reach up and snatch it out of the air, shaking it to
rid it of a coat of grime. It turns out to be a square of animal hide, with a crude map drawn on one side. ‘The goblins left us a memento at least.’ You wave the cloth in front of
Virgil before rolling it up and stuffing it into your belt.

‘Is that your answer?’ Virgil’s tone is challenging. ‘Now we resort to goblin maps?’

You meet his gaze, weighing his expression.

‘Well?’

You fold your arms, drawing yourself to your full height. ‘Make your point, Virgil.’

‘You have a power. A link with Cernos. Why don’t you use it?’

‘I can’t. It doesn’t work like that.’ Annoyance creeps into your voice. ‘I don’t control it – it controls me.’

Virgil shakes his head. ‘At Durnhollow, your visions spoke of the future. You’re a prophet.’

‘So I’m told,’ you reply sharply.

The witchfinder sheathes his blades, pushing them roughly into their scabbards. ‘Perhaps this will help you remember . . .’ He reaches inside his tattered coat, hesitating for a
moment to enjoy your anxious frown. Then he lifts out a bundle of cloth. He proceeds to unravel it, revealing a small clay bottle wrapped inside. ‘Know what this is?’ Virgil holds it up
by the tips of his fingers.

Your eyes widen. You take an involuntary step backwards, raising your hands defensively. ‘No, Virgil. Don’t do this.’

‘Elysium. It’s what they used in Durnhollow. It’ll help you to see again – gain control of your power.’ He extends his arm, moving the vial closer. ‘What
value is there in ignorance?’

Your eyes narrow. ‘I don’t want that poison inside me. We can find the sword, we can find Cernos, without resorting to that.’

Virgil shakes the vial. ‘You fight demons well enough.’ He kicks a stone off the side of the bridge. It goes spinning away into the steaming mist. ‘When will you stop fighting
yourself ? Take the Elysium and tell me what you see.’

826

Congratulations! You have created the following item:

If you wish to create a different spell book, you can start the process again (turn to
850
). Otherwise, you may now leave the chamber and continue your journey. Turn
to
866
.

827

A giant rodent swings over the side of the wall, sniffing the air with a whiskered snout. It is accompanied by a repugnant odour, like damp earth and decay. The creature
grapples with the crumbling rock, splayed paws scrabbling frantically to drag its bloated, black-haired body into the corridor.

‘Sorry,’ hisses a voice in your ear.

A foot slams into the back of your knee, sending you lurching to the ground with a cry of pain. Angrily, you twist around to see the thief hurrying for the bronze doors. You tense, ready to
follow, then a teeth-grating squeal shakes the corridor, dislodging stone and dust from the ceiling. Turning back, you see the rodent shifting to face you, its lips curling back to reveal rotting,
dagger-sized teeth. Then it springs forward, intending to snap you up in its powerful jaws. It is time to fight:

Special abilities

If you manage to defeat this revolting rodent, turn to
641
.

828

Aether tugs on your arm. ‘This way, the gate is near.’

You follow the spirit along the side of the building, to where a sloping track leads down to a circular platform. At its centre is an archway of black stone, carved with runic symbols. Part of
the keystone has broken away, leaving a rough-toothed space at the crown of the arch.

‘Dwarves did this,’ hisses Aether. ‘They wanted to stop Barahar from reaching the other cities. Let’s see . . .’ The spirit passes a hand over the runes, drawing a
flicker of light from their dark recesses. ‘I cannot repair it fully, but I can draw on the magic that remains, craft a portal to the shroud.’

Virgil scowls. ‘This is too dangerous. An open gate to the shroud will attract every demon in this place . . . it is madness!’

Aether looks back at the witchfinder. ‘That is why you must destroy the gate, the very moment I am gone. Break the runes and scatter their magic.’

‘And the reward?’ you insist.

Aether is studying the arch once again. ‘Patience. Just a little more time . . . yes, yes!’ His shadowy hands dance across the arcane symbols. The runes flash, then brighten into a
steady glow. ‘Your reward is on its way.’ Suddenly a sickly green light pours out of the stone, spreading out to form a glowing doorway. ‘It is done,’ he gasps.

A gargling roar rends the air. You spin around to see a nightmarish creature oozing between the building’s chimneys. It looks to be made entirely of blood, its glutinous body sparkling
with coins and treasures.

You look back at the spirit. ‘Is this your doing?’

‘Just honouring my word. My master’s treasures are right there . . .’ Aether points a smoky finger towards the advancing slime beast. ‘You just need to convince Kuderas
to part with them.’

Angrily you go to grab the spirit, but your hand passes straight through its vaporous body. Tittering with laughter, Aether steps into the portal and vanishes from sight.