Chapter Eleven, 'Shadow'

Vel had stayed on the island to mourn her sisters. The young nymph would have been little help in a fight anyways.

Alicea was at the base of the warlock's tower. She'd done everything she could to avoid being involved in his demise, and the price had been great. Now she would end this.

"Kron! Come out and answer for your crimes."
"Behind you, bareskin."

Alicea feinted to the right before dodging left. She rolled as she recovered in order to face him. It was a trick, her own reflexes had betrayed her and the bolt of dark fire caught her across the back.

"You think you are the first adventurer to challenge me? I am lord here, the shadow consumes all that does not flee it."
"The light is supreme." Alicea pulled herself from the ground; it was all she could do not to let the feral spirit consume her as the pain weakened her will.
"Perhaps, but it does not seem to have saved you. The dark ones warned me one of your kind would come. They told me you would not be strong enough to beat me this time, and I will not permit you a second one."

He motioned sharply and shadowy flame poured forth across the ramp to the tower's entrance. Alicea tried to block it but she found magic blocked, and when she tried to move that to was prevented; the bolt that had caught her off-guard earlier had paralyzed her. She howled as the feral spirit began to surge into control, but even as she felt it pulling to the lead of her mind the world darkened and she fell into it. Then, nothingness as sleep.

"Worthless. Guards, hang the body from the mountain and keep watch on it. If she still lives then gut her and let the carrion feed."