Undying escape

It seems that you broke the main force resisting your escape, as there is little in the way as you move through the palace, guided by Kaeli. The few guards you meet are either quickly dispatched by Ferra, or flee from her approach. Soon, you’re approaching a large door that Kaeli claims leads out.

Ferra is first through, not even bothering to open the door, simply smashing it to splinters as she slams into it. As everyone piles out, you think you see why there’s so few guards inside. Thick columns of black smoke rise from various points in the city, and even here, within the palace walls, you can hear the sounds of fighting in the distance. The civil war still rages, even a week in. You wonder if Niran underestimated the strength of the resistance.

Still, that’s a question for another time. As much as you’d like to lend a hand, you have another mission today. You turn to Samus.

“Can you transport us from here?”

The demigod nods. “I need a moment to prepare, but yes. Gather close.”

Everyone does so, forming a protective circle around him. Ferra cocks her head.

“I hear footsteps. Someone comes.”

Sure enough, soon you can hear it as well. Many footsteps, growing closer. You ready your weapon, as do the others, and you hope Samus can get you out of here soon. From the sound of things, it’s enough people to overwhelm even this group.

You tense as guards begin to show up, both from within the palace and from outside. Quickly, you find yourselves surrounded, by what must be a hundred or more guards, though none make a move to attack, simply keeping their distance. You stay tense, waiting for the inevitable rush.

And then you hear a voice, distorted and pained. “I told you that you can’t kill me, boy…”

Through the doorway walks the ravaged form of Cairus. Despite the melted armor, now seemingly fused to his still regenerating flesh, he seems as vital as before, though horribly disfigured by Alex’s fire. His body seems barely held together, but if he’s in any pain, you cannot tell. He carries no weapons, the sword he had now melted to a lump of useless metal.

He stands straight, spreading his arms wide. “Niran’s blessed corruption sustains me! I cannot be killed!”

You can feel the building magic coming from Samus, and you inwardly breathe a sigh of relief. Cairus seems to notice as well, and points at you with a finger nearly seared to the bone.

“Run if you like, boy. A reckoning is coming, for all who oppose the new order. Niran has commanded it! Soon there will be no place to hide!”

Just then, a flash of light as Samus teleports the group away. Not a moment too soon, as the world around you vanishes in the flare of magic.