Tecius and a party of five adventurers ventured into the black belly of the Darkhold. They want to make a quick exit, but they are stopped by a newcommer in a side corridor. Talking, they never suspected or heard a second newcommer; whose white robes glowed a transient white in the bleak torchlight.

Tecius, who had been showing signs of acute paranoia throughout the night, now spun around to face the darkness.

"Tecius..." The figure stared directly at the human ranger, who stared right back.

Erishnak, the strongarm half-orc of the company, responded at first with a threat.
"Tried to sneak up on us is bad! We should kill and eat body!"

"Another?" asks Gargath, walking to meet the newcommer. "Torch!" he calls to the unwilling Tecius, who wields the flame.

"Wh-what?" sputtered Tecius, stupefied by the sight of the spectre.

"Tecius...You lied to me..."
The spectre stood in the entrance of the corridor, glowing eyes of red never once leaving his target.

Tecius backed away in abject terror. "N-no!"

Gargath, unfazed, pointed his glowing scythe imbued with holy power at the stranger, and inquired warily, "Whom be ye?"

Erishnak saw the challenge and exclaimed, "Yay! More to kill!"

"I said Torch, closer!" Gargath's voice came firmer this time, hoping to coax Tecius from his trance.

The spectre did not flinch. "I helped you Tecius...You lied to me."

Erishnak burst into hysterical laughter, his dual axe thirsting for blood.

Tecius sputtered uncontrollably and backed yet further. The company tensed, ready for combat.

"Get back, sir..." warned the white-robed figure, teeth flashing white from the scythe's glow. Gargath stood directly in his way, obscuring the trembling visage of his mark.

Bravely, chest extended, Gargath spat, "Ye aint touchin that fella over there."

"Tecius..."
The robed spectre became shrouded by steam as his boiling flesh fell away. His twisted form hunched over and doubled in size, with great horns sprouting from his blackened face. Wings tore from his shoulders and caught aflame, sending a flash of light across the company's eyes. From his massive back he produced a blade of white flames, holding it menacingly before Gargath. His eyes began to burn, hatred fueling the Balor's fury.

"G-get away!" Tecius began to feel the cold stone wall upon the palms of his hands as he searched for more room to retreat.

"You thought you could escape the legion?" the Balor said, tone like that of a mother scolding her child.

Gargath began to curse to himself, taking a small step back.

"N-no! T-that was years ago!" cried Tecius.

"Not a step closer ye brunt!" hollered Gargath.

Laughing, the Balor towered over brave Gargath, who raised his scythe in anger.

"3," He began to count.
"2," The Balor's grin turned to a firey grimace, flames leaking from the corner of his jaw.
"1."

With a demonic growl, the Balor impaled Gargath upon his flaming sword, his blood boiling upon the surface as he looked his killer in the eye. With his innards already cauterized upon the tool of his demise, he collapsed and died.

Tecius began to scream in terror, as he saw his own fate before his eyes.

Vilidur, the second bravest of the troupe stepped forward to confront the indomitable foe.

He quietly growled to Tecius; commanding him to run for his life.

Erishnak, was busy chanting encouragements, obviously in bliss.

"Vreshk! You can't do this!" Tecius screamed this at the top of his lungs, as the flaming demon thundered across the room.

Towering above him stood the Balor, sword naked, aimed straight for his heart.

With a swift motion, the Balor stabbed his target. Staring into his panicked, nearly lifeless eyes, the Balor spoke in a human voice, "Good bye, Betrayer."

He tore the blade from the lifeless body, and stood tall before the party.

"The betrayer is dead... I am the hand of shadow and my target is no longer. My task is complete."

Without notice, he stomped Tecius' burnt corpse and departed, dissolving into the shadow of the Darkhold.

_________________
Cieno