Previous Links: Prelude | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6
Previously: The group has returned from the future. Zeph has renewed vigor and has decided to kill Aragon to try to prevent the demons from entering their plane of existence.
Having returned, Zeph is ready to kill Aragon. He is convinced that despite Aragon's plan being successful thus far, it was not a good idea to ally with the demons. And he was right.
As Aragon attempts to send the demons back to the astral plane, Astaroth steps forward and reveals Aragon may have power over the other demons but not he, the demon lord!
Astaroth reveals that he has been manipulating Aragon for a long time. He is the one that gave him the idea to go back in time. He is the one that let him know where the stone to control Shim'tar was. He is the one that made the entire plan to bring Zeph in and now, it is his time.
Having already gained a foothold in the mortal plane, Zeph and Aragon cannot stop him as he takes over Aragon's body. He then starts to release lava and heat in order to take down all the protections Aragon had in place. For now, he is still somewhat contained.
Zeph knows it will take an army to beat him now so they retreat, with intentions of finding the empress and using the Ryotians help.
Zeph, Elene, and Tahjarra flee from Astaroth, right into the Ryotians searching for them. Initially not trusted but soon after it is obvious something bigger is happening when huge swathes of lava and fire come rushing in. They all get to higher ground.
Zeph demands to be taken to the empress. After a little back and forth, they head off to meet her. She is not trusting nor accommodating to Zeph. They argue a little.
Before they kill Zeph and his companions however, Jaros shows up and vouches for them. His loyalty is questioned, but he points out that he has betrayed no one. He is the quintessential mercenary. He goes where the money is. Ryotians paid him to bring Zeph in, he did. Aragon then hired him, so he did what he was paid for. And now, he's open for a new job!
Suddenly the lava reaches them. Astaroth/Aragon seems to have broken through the protections and reached the Ryotians, Zeph, and the others. Seems the empress is not going to have a choice but to trust Zeph and Jaros now.
Things are heating up now huh? (Pun intended! 😝) So how do you beat a demon lord? It would seem he may be unstoppable. Not to mention I think he still has the magic stone they got from the past as well. I guess if you want to get rid of the ice... a demon lord could be the answer!
Two more issues to go. Are they going to be able to stop Astaroth? Is the empress going to trust Zeph? Can the team up work out? Of course if they do manage to take care of the immediate problem there are still so many more. Can the ice be beaten with Aragon's plan still? Are the Ryotians beatable at all? What is Jaros going to do now? Lots still to come!
To Be Continued!