Head Down

“Well, I guess we’re going to the basement. Gia, can you show us the way?”

“Yes. Most of Julia’s clique is probably already there, so we shouldn’t encounter anyone. Follow me.”

You follow her through a door, down a stone spiral staircase, that goes down several stories. The basement is lit by torches and the light flickers eerily. You hear chanting up ahead.

You reach a large room and peer inside. You see Alecia tied up wearing a goat’s head amulet.

Syn gives you a worried look. “That is the gate to hell. Fortunately for us, it goes to a remote part of the circle of lust.”

Gia looks at Syn. “How do you know that, young lady.”

“I came through it.”

Gia crosses herself.

“That amulet she’s wearing is an artifact. It attracts unclean corrupting spirits. Wearing it here is dangerous. Wearing it in hell is suicidal. We need to get Alecia before they lower her in.”

“Can you go all demon and provide a distraction?”

“That might work. They seemed pretty deferential to me when I came through.”

Syn shimmers, assumes her true form, and walks into the room.

All the sisters fall to their knees.

You slip in with Gia. She grabs the amulet off Alecia and you quickly untie her.

“C’mon, we need to get out of here.”

You walk briskly to the stairs and begin running up them. You burst through the convent doors.

Alecia makes a muffled noise and you realize she’s still gagged. You remove the rope and cloth.

“Thanks, Will. God, Julia’s a bitch.”

Syn bursts through the door and catches up to you.

Gia looks at you. “What do I do? My sister’s are all possessed!”

Syn answers. “They aren’t possessed, they’ve had their souls devoured.”

Gia groans.

“Whatever you do, make sure they don’t get that amulet. If they keep using it, they’ll draw a greater demon or worse to that gate. Then we’re all screwed.”

“I’ll see to it they don’t. You three, go get help. I’m going to throw this in the reservoir.”