The temple was silent. It was an obvious trap--one that the heroes could not choose to avoid. As they ascended the stairs in the final room, they spotted Skather's tear. Only, this tear was different. Something had been done to increase its size and trap something within. Dawn and Tristan quickly rushed up the stairs to get a better view of the ominous crystal. They were stunned at the sight.

"Titus?", gasped Tristan louder than he intended. This, of course, sent Melerra running up to see for herself. Held within the corrupted crystal was her husband and the Dawn-Celebrant, Titus Garibaldi, "Titus..."

The great doors on the opposite side of the citadel flung open allowing Rathamon his grand entrance, "I have been expecting you." He lept into the air landing atop the precipice, "And so I say once more; Who will be the first to bow?" Tristan drew his blade, "I've met with the Raven Queen. I know your fate ends here. With my father's blade, I shall kill you."

Yuan-ti and Beysibian guards flooded the room and attacked from all angles. Aase and Dawn kept the top of the citadel clear of enemies while Logge and Robb made short work of Rathamon's minions. Tristan and Melerra worked in concert to bring down the tyrant.

Melerra. She heard her name calling from beyond. Melerra! Titus? He was alive! Turning her focus toward the crystal, Melerra let out a wave of emotional power, cracking the obelisk. A rush of radiant energy began to fill the room. "No! We will not be defeated!", Rathamon lunged for Tristan, landing multiple deadly blows. The black widow then turned her attention on Rathamon. Her hair-slightly singed from her bursts of anger--flowed wildly in the air. Her eyes burned with both anger and passion. With one strike she sent the warlord flying off the plateau and smashing to the ground.

With her outburst of anger the crystal shattered, releasing Titus from his prison, "You came for me? I hoped you would. Dawn, is it? You better perform that ritual." Titus stood, air filling his lungs. How long had it been? Melerra and Tristan looked no different, yet there was something...

Tristan seized the moment, leaping down to finish a promise he made in another time. As they battled along the floor, Aase and Logge finished off the remaining minions, leaving only Rathamon. His focus, however, was no longer on Tristan. He battled past the champion with a sudden surge, "You will not summon the Sun! We will not be defeated again!" The warlord lept into the air bringing the full force of his fullblade down upon Dawn's head--

--"BAAAAAANE! Suffer this coward no longer!", the scream filled the cavernous hall. Tristans howl brought down radiant lightning, repeatedly striking Rathamon, "...no..."

Light filled the room, then focused inward on Dawn. The monk absorbed all light until everything went black. His head arched to the heavens as he expunged the radiant power of Pelor, hurling it toward the sky. The clouds rolled back freeing the Sun from his imprisonment. The ritual was completed. Two ghostly images from Rathamon's past appeared before him. Tempus Thales bound his left arm. Raylos Farron bound his right. "It is done", Raylos looked to his son and smiled.

Behind Rathamon another appeared. She was clothed in black, with a dark raven upon her shoulder,

The Raven Queen

Well done, Tristan. Now for the second part of our pact.

As she turned her attention toward Dawn, another gate opened. This time, one from the Hells. Hobart stepped through. In his right hand was Achra, burning his arm to a crisp. In his left was the head of Asmodeus, "You need a godsweapon to kill a god...or one that's tasted the blood of a god. Thank you for trusting me. Here's your sword." Hobart tossed Achra to his brother. "As for you, mistress. Asmodeus is dead, your domain awaits. Would you come home?"

The Raven Queen turned to Hobart,

The Raven Queen

Impressive, young Farron. You have done something none thought possible, least of all myself. In life you sought an army, but it is in death that you will succeed. Be my herald, my Angel of Death.

"I would be honored to lead your army." Hobart smiled wide.

As The Raven Queen departed, one more revelation was witnessed. Asmodeus was dead. He no longer claimed Sarah's soul. Raylos cried as his love was returned after death and hell. They embraced as they were lifted into the sun.

The heroes stood victorious, yet there was still more to do. Dispater yet lived, and had an army of his own. Thothamon marshalled the Beysibian army toward Northwatch with Skather in tow. It wasn't over.... but it soon would be.