And with a sound that resembles the earth itself breaking apart and falling to pieces, the demonic form taken by N'kaaarra the Dark Warlord expires. With his heart rent in two, the otherworldly power that the evil one drew from is extinguished. And with the Dark Warlord's passing, a multitude of clicks are heard as the locks and traps plaguing our heroes through the Warlord's fiendish labyrinth-fortress are opened, guaranteeing a free escape.

With shaking hand, Dhalric pulls his half-broken blade from the smoldering corpse of N'kaaarra, then casts it aside. Bowen and Keeran carefully get down from the perches from which they distracted the Dark Warlord in his last moments. The three stand around the rapidly disintegrating form on the flagstones, unspeaking. Bowen rubs the back of his neck, and Keeran plants his long silvery sword on the floor, leaning upon it in weariness. Dhalric's eyes have not left his dead foe, and finally he grimaces, spits once upon the remains, and looks at his comrades.

"It's done, then." He says softly.

Bowen nods. "The quest is finished."

A glimmer of a smile plays across Keeran's face. "I'd say we have nothing left to prove."

Dhalric grins.

The massive iron doors leading into N'kaarra's chamber open, and Melissa, her long dirk in hand, supports a limping and wounded Noman. Khistra follows with Bellepherus close behind, as always, the deadly beast moving like liquid shadow. Noman's eyes sparkle.

"I've known of no epic that will sound like this one. Pity my poor lute had to be sacrificed."

Melissa gasps as she catches sight of what remains of N'kaaara. "Is it..."

Bowen nods.

"It's over," Keeran says, moving to help Noman. "Is the way out clear?"

Khistra quirks one eyebrow, running a hand over Bellepherus' tawny flanks. "There's not an ice spectre that we can't handle, or three." she says proudly.

--

The seven emerge from the Dark Warlord's fortress at last. The standing armies of Juuk-Ro trolls are nowhere to be seen, having lost their lease on life at the same instant as their master. And rising over the Spire Peaks, breaking through the gloomy clouds that had for so long covered the Cursed Land, is the new-risen sun.

"A good omen." Bowen says, taking Melissa's hand.

"A new day." Dhalric grunts.

"The celestial lights above cast their favor on us." Noman enthuses.

"I just need some sleep." Khistra remarks, and Bellepherus growls in agreement.

"Well," Keeran muses, "...who would've expected a good ending to all this?"

The seven begin the first steps of their long journey home, Keeran's words fading away.

"...or any at all?"

THE END