Forbidden Places
By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Twenty-Six: the call to arms
In one of the many luxurious rooms within Toy Maker's Palace, Tuly slowly began to stir from the soundest sleep she had ever encountered. She slowly sat up and came to the unsettling realization that Toy maker was no where to be seen.
"Where? Oh - what's this?" she said to herself as she picked up a note that was on the pillow beside her. "I had some important work to take care of will be back soon. All my love - Toy Maker," she read softly. Just then Toy Maker entered the room.
"Oh - you're finally awake," he commented as he walked over and sat down beside her.
"I think - that was the first good night's sleep I've had in over five years," she confessed as she gave him a hug. "Thank you," she whispered.
"I do what I can," he replied as he returned the show of affection.
"You've done so much - I don't think you even know," she said happily.
"You are probably right - but I'm sure you can drop a hint or two," he teased - making her laugh.
"You're priceless. So what - pray tell got you out of bed so early?" she asked curiously. A grim look crossed his face. All levity instantly drained out of the room.
"A short while ago - a day or two tops - one of my avian scouts saw Lord Arachnid and some unsavory looking characters a short distance away from the palace. And a few hours ago - those same scouts informed me that he - and an army of spiders - are heading this way. He is coming to fight - I don't think he'll listen to reason," Toy Maker stated seriously.
"Because - of what you did to that spider of his that attacked you?" she asked.
"It was foolish of me to act that way. I should have," he began as he paused to collect his thoughts. "I'm tired of the fighting. I'm tired of the killing - but he won't back down. He's going to keep coming at me until he can't get up," he continued.
"You - don't want to fight him? Are you afraid he'll beat you?" she asked curiously.
"No. He is strong - but his creatures of flesh and blood will tire long before my constructs and weapons will. He is coming to his death - and there is nothing I can do or say to stop him. But I won't burden you with that problem. That one is mine and mine alone. You - asked a question. If you will get dressed - I will be happy to answer," he concluded with a wink.
"Can it wait? Can I entice you to stay here for a few minutes?" she asked innocently. Toy maker leaned over and lightly kissed her on the cheek.
"It probably could - and all too easily - but - I think you will find this interesting," he replied. Tuly sighed and shook her head.
"Give me a moment then," she requested. She climbed out of bed and put a robe on. "Appropriate?" she asked curiously.
"More than. Would you care to escort me to our destination?" he asked gallantly.
"I would be honored," she replied in a similar tone. The two walked out from the bedroom and began to walk down the sparkling hallway. Tuly was amazed at how beautiful everything around her seemed to be.
"I can't get over - how - amazing this place is," she admitted.
"It is little more than a shiny trinket. It pales in comparison to you," he stated seriously. Tuly smiled and held onto his arm.
"So - does this place do anything special - besides look beautiful?" she asked curiously. Toy Maker quietly laughed and placed his hand on the smooth wall beside him. Tuly watched as the wall glowed. The wizard's hand slowly pushed through the crystal surface as though it was water - and slowly pulled out an Ivory Cup.
"Wow," she replied as Toy maker examined the artifact.
"This place - is a magic mirror of sorts. Through it - I can create exact duplicates of any artifact in my possession. This cup - isn't a real Ivory Cup. It is a duplicate that was created by the power of this palace. It still possesses the power of the Ivory Cup though," he replied as he handed the finely crafted duplicate to her.
"Have you tried to make this palace before?" she asked.
"Many times. But for one reason or another - the spell never worked. One time though - I did manage to conjure it. The spell - worked - but before I could react or think - it shattered. I have no proof of it - but I believe Markys had a hand in it," he replied as they continued down the hall.
"Because - by doing that - you would be drawn here," she suggested.
"Exactly. But such is moot now. All that matters now - is playing the hand I've been given - and hoping what I have - is enough," he replied as they stood before two large iron doors. With a wave of his hand - they slowly opened inward to reveal a wall of complex looking machines.
"Wow - they so - so - big. What do they do?" she asked curiously. Toy Maker smiled. With a wave of his hand - the machines started.
"This - is an Assembly Line of sorts. It will produce quick defenders to deter people from coming this way," he replied. Tuly watched as eight small thin looking constructs magically appeared between them and the machinery.
"Uhm, not to burst your bubble - but those don't look very strong. Even I could probably take these things down," she commented hesitantly. Toy Maker quietly chuckled and stepped back.
"Then - by all means try. I promise you that they can not harm you. Constructs - objective - prevent her from reaching the machine," he stated calmly. Tuly expected the small creatures to rush her - but they merely stood their ground - looking almost inactive.
"Are you serious?" she asked. Toy Maker nodded and motioned for her to try to get passed them. She shrugged her shoulders and calmly made her way towards them. As soon as she got remotely close the devices came alive! One jumped at her - she was able to knock it aside - then another jumped at her and another until they were all restraining her. With a clap of his hands - the constructs instantly released her. Tuly got up and looked at the deceptive creatures and then over at their creator.
"The key to their strength - is not so much in their power - but how they work together. With enough of these - I can stop the mightiest of attackers - without causing them any real harm. Impressive?" he asked curiously.
"You - are serious about being tired of all the fighting and killing," she said in modest disbelief.
"I want the screams to fade away. They won't if I keep adding more dead to join their chorus," he began as an automated miner hurried into the room.
"Master - intruders are approaching," the construct stated.
"Arachnid and those he was with before?" he asked.
"Yes master. Plus an army of spiders," the construct answered. Toy Maker sighed and lowered his eyes.
"May his - be the last - death - be the last I am responsible for," he muttered as he waved a hand at Tuly. Judging by the light blue aura - she could tell that he had cast some form of enchantment on her.
"Come - it is time we face my accuser," he added as their made their way from the room.
Mere moments later - the two were on one of the crystal palace's towers looking out at the large army of spiders that stood upon the plain that bordered the forest. At the head of the army stood Arachnid and those he had witnessed before.
"It's been awhile," Toy Maker said calmly. The spider wizard stepped forward and glared at the wizard that was addressing him.
"Not long enough by my standards," Arachnid retorted.
"Then why not leave? Us fighting - is exactly what Markys wants," Toy Maker stated.
"You leave her out of this!" Arachnid exploded. The passion surprised Toy Maker.
"My apologies. So - what brings you this way?" he asked curiously. Arachnid laughed and shook his head in disbelief.
"You can't be that foolish. You know damn well why I am here," he replied seriously.
"Unfortunately," Toy maker admitted.
"You will pay for what you did to Nibbles," Arachnid began.
"He attacked me - or had you forgotten that part? I will accept some of the blame for how that went down. I let my passion rule my better judgement - much like you are now. I am not saying this as a threat - but walk away from this. You are running into something - you are not capable of dealing with. Please - walk away," Toy maker requested calmly.
"You arrogant bastard. You butchered a close friend of mine and tricked me into thinking I couldn't bring him back. You think I will walk away from this? Think again," he replied coldly. Toy Maker leaned on the ledge of the tower and smiled.
"Arachnid - think for a moment. Had I wanted you to be without - know - that you would be. A spy spell - costs nothing to maintain. I could watch you every moment - or have a construct to do that for me. To counter your efforts - again - little cost to me. I could have kept him away from you for as long as you lived if I so desired it. But - what would that serve? All it would do is bring you here - again and again. But - as I said. I handled that situation badly - and for that I apologize," Toy Maker rationalized.
"You think you can talk your way out of this?" Arachnid asked angrily.
"Hmm. Unfortunately - no. But a small part of me was hoping that you would listen to reason. I see now that - such a thing could never happen. Whatever fate may pass. The deaths of whatever creatures you call - will be on your head -not mine," Toy Maker replied seriously. An evil grin crossed the face of the spider wizard.
"You are nothing but a coward artificer. Here I stand. I call to thee. On the Field of Honor - challenge me!" Arachnid called out. The ground around Toy Maker began to ripple. He watched as the artifact sentries he had posted beginning to strain. He looked over at Tuly and saw that the enchantment he had cast on her beginning to wane.
"No toys - no spells - no place to hide! Just you - and me - one - last - time!" Arachnid continued. Toy Maker realized the power of the magic he was facing. There was no way that he could counter the spell. There would only be time to save either his creatures and Tuly - his artifacts - or his lands.
"Creatures be damned. To a safe place with you," Toy Maker muttered as Tuly faded from sight. Toy Maker concentrated. He felt a pain like any other stab through every fiber of his being. All of the artifacts around him began to crumble - all save his palace. The shaking stopped. Toy maker almost fell from the tower balcony - but managed to stay where he was.
"Destroying me won't be that easy," Toy Maker muttered.
"Hmm. I'm impressed. I didn't think you would risk your life to save your precious artifacts. But from where I'm standing - my battle is half way done," Arachnid retorted. Tuly returned and saw the state that Toy Maker was in.
"You okay?" she asked hesitantly.
"Nothing I can't handle. I am impressed spider. That was a pretty potent strike - but not potent enough," Toy Maker stated seriously. With a wave of his hand - a tower of ivory grew up from the ground between the palace and the spider wizard.
"You seek to stop me with a tower of scholarly knowledge?" he asked in disbelief.
"Behold - the power of he you face," Toy Maker retorted. The Ivory Tower began to glow. Arachnid hopped back and prepared to retaliate - but the glowing stopped. Seconds later - the entire palace began to pulse with power. Arachnid watched as another Ivory Tower rose up from the ground - then another and another until ten towers formed a perfect circle around the palace.
"Ten towers is a rare sight - but so what?" he asked lowly. Toy Maker then threw a metal orb out at the gap between two of the Ivory Towers. Just then a Living Wall connected between the towers. Then in a process similar to how the towers were created more Living Walls appeared. Toy Maker's Palace was completed surrounded.
"Forgotten spiders climb?" Arachnid asked curiously.
"Not at all. That wasn't for their benefit - it was for yours. Now that my pieces are in place. Allow me to share with you," Toy Maker stated. He extended his arms outward. Blue and colorless mana swirled around him at a feverish pace. She then looked down and saw Lord Arachnid and the other wizards that were allied with him fall to the ground holding their heads.  Just then - the spell stopped. Tuly looked over at a serious looking Toy Maker. "Problem spider? Trying to filter out what you can use? Trying to determine what to cast aside and what to keep? Take your time. I have all day," Toy Maker stated calmly.
"Prosperity," Tuly whispered.
"Damn you artificer!" the spider wizard shouted out as he got up. He looked over and saw that the ten towers were now glowing. That last spell triggered their power. His enemy was now ten times stronger than he was when the fight began and would continue to gain strength.
"Apparently - our host is not feeling very social," one of the Spider Lords stated.
"Too bad I am!" Arachnid stated as he cast a spell of dark banishing at one of the Living Walls. The artificer made no effort to stop the spell. Arachnid watched as the wall crumpled to the ground - a pile of broken bones and flesh.
"Oh no - you broke it. Now I have to fix it," Toy Maker said unimpressed. With a wave of his hand - another Living Wall replaced the one that was destroyed. Before Arachnid could respond. A flash of light blinked before one of the Living Walls. When it faded - a wall of spears was now positioned before it. Then like before - more appeared until the palace was surrounded.
"Nice try. But walls will not hold back my fury. Legions - attack!" Arachnid ordered. The army of spiders began to charge towards the palace.
"Summon our tombs. The enchantments on them will bring you more soldiers," one Spider Lord suggested. Arachnid nodded and from a swirl of black mana - the ominous tomb appeared. The gates opened and a seemingly endless flow of spiders began to make their way towards the palace.
"Toy Maker - I don't think that those walls will hold them back," Tuly began.
"Patients - now!" he called out. Tuly watched as the land before them began to warp and twist until several mystical wells appeared. She watched as horns and spikes grew out from the Living Walls. She watched as the size of the impaling spears doubled and impaled every spider that came near them.
"What are those things?" she asked hesitantly.
"Energy Wells. I found them a while back. They are a very formidable power source - although it doesn't seem to be quite as compatible with living creatures," he said calmly - seeing the frustration seeing in on his opponent.
"Those weak fools will get no where. Leave this to me!" Raece hissed as she scurried across the plain towards one of Walls of Spears. Toy Maker looked over at the odd looking spider that was seemingly rushing to its doom.
Hello - what's this? He thought as he watched the spider pounce. Before it could even strike a spear shot up and impaled it. He was about to turn his attention elsewhere when he began to feel the presence of a power unlike anything he ever encountered. He looked over and saw venom drip from the dead spider and leaked onto the wall of spears. The wall violently exploded. When the smoke cleared - four Spiders of Crae were in it's place.
"No - that isn't possible. There is no way so weak a creature could have humbled that wall," he muttered.
"But it did," Tuly mentioned.
"It will come no further. Minions - come forth and attack!" he called out. Hundreds of different artifact creatures began to appear and moved towards the horde of spiders that were now filtering through the hole in the offensive wall.
Two hours later...
The battle had not slowed its pace. The outer walls were in shattered flaming ruins. The grounds around the palace were littered with the bodies of thousands of dead spiders and thousands of broken artifacts and weapons. To make matters worse - the number of Spiders of Crae - was now in the thousands. And they were circling to make their next run at the palace.
"This makes no sense - I've sent my most powerful creatures at those things and they all end up the same. In ruins. And more of those damn spiders rise up from the wreckage," he muttered as he looked over and saw the smug looking spider wizard.
"If that is so - maybe you should send the weakest," Tuly suggested.
"Explain?" he requested - not taking his eyes off of the spider horde that was beginning its charge at the palace.
"If those things are feeding off the strong - what would happen if they fed off the weak?" she suggested.
"If you are wrong," he began.
"I will be speeding up what they started - I know," she concluded. With a wave of his hand - the Energy Wells magically vanished. The charging spiders almost exponentially shrunk down to their normal size. The gates to the palace opened. Tuly watched as hundreds of constructs headed out to stop the advancing invaders.
On the other side of the carnage, Arachnid almost fell over laughing.
"He must be desperate if he is seeking to stop them with those," he remarked. It was then that he looked over and saw that the Spider Lords did not share his views.
"You must call them back - you must call them back now!" one Spider Lord exclaimed.
"Come again?" he asked in disbelief.
"The power of the enemy is key to their power. If the power is strong - they live - if the creature has no power," another Spider Lord stated. The reality sunk in.
"The venom won't work," he concluded. He was about to call out to his minions - but it was too late - the two sides clashed. He watched as the spiders mercilessly attacked the constructs. He listened as the spiders squealed out as both construct and spider disintegrated. To make matters worse - for each spider that was lost - four more constructs marched out. Mere minutes later - all of the Spiders of Crae - were nothing but ash. And a small army of weak constructs stood between him and his enemy.
"All dead. I killed them all," he muttered.
"No - your insight saved Raece as ours did so long ago. We should go - remuster more forces," one Spider Lord began. Arachnid knocked the wizard to the ground without looking back.
"We leave only when he lies dead at my feet!" the spider wizard hissed.
Back at the palace - Toy Maker was feeling a little more secure. The power that was vexing him - was no more. But the problem was far from dealt with.
"You think he'll run away? Now that his ultimate spider got squished?" Tuly asked.
"Would that it was so. He has committed himself too far in to back away. I've been there. And god willing - this will be the last time I will be there," he began as red mana swirled around him. Tuly was tense at first - but was somewhat relieved when he saw crimson armor forming around him.
"The armor of Chaos," she began.
"I am going to take this fight to him. I want him to know - who he faces - up close and personal. I want you to wait back in the palace. I will be able to deal with the peasants below - but I don't want a lucky shot taking to down," he stated calmly as more red mana swirled around his gauntlets. The sword of Chaos was now in his possession.
"But - oh - never mind. Just be careful. I don't know what I would do if I lost you," she requested timidly. Toy Maker removed his helmet, leaned over and gave her a kiss. As he slowly pulled away. He could see a sadness in her eyes - a sadness that was reserved when you were seeing someone for the last time.
"I will come back. I promise," he whispered. The look slowly melted. Tuly gave him a hug and then slowly made her way back into the palace. Toy maker sighed and put his helmet back on.
"Time to end this Arachnid!" Toy maker shouted as he leaped from tower and soared towards his enemy.
At that moment inside of the palace, Tuly slowly slid down and leaned against the cold crystal walls. She knew that Toy Maker would be able to handle himself in his dealings below - but for some reason - she feared the worst.
"Why so sad dear?" a familiar voice asked. All color drained from Tuly's face. she looked around hoping that what she heard was just a rogue imagining - but she knew the voice all too well.
"How - did - did you get in here? He has wards," she muttered.
"I removed them," Markys said as she stepped our from one of the crystal walls.
"Cry out for him - and I promise you - the suffering you endured before - will dwarf what I put you through now," Markys hissed coldly. Tuly could feel her hands beginning to shake. Markys calmly walked over and squatted down before the terrified woman.
"Nice place you got here honey," she commented as she tilted Tuly's chin up so that her prey was looking her in the eye.
"Why are you doing this?" she stuttered.
"Me? I didn't break my law. I didn't betray me. You did," she replied softly as she traced a claw-like against Tuly's cheek.
"I - I didn't," she stuttered.
"Don't be coy. I talked with your main squeeze - but I'm sure he told you all about that," Markys retorted calmly. Tuly was going to reply when an automated miner opened the door. Instantly Markys became invisible.
"Speak of my presence - and suffering will be your only reason to live," Markys hissed. Tuly watched as a golden coin appeared in the air where Markys was moments before. The coin then flew over and bounced off the construct's head. Tuly watched as the construct began to mutate and grow larger.
"Shit. Doesn't always work like they should," Markys muttered as another coin appeared and soared at the monstrous construct. Upon contact - this time - the construct fell apart at the seams. Markys then reappeared and returned her attention to her prey.
"Now - where were we?" she asked coyly.
Down below, Toy Maker turned his attention away from the Spider Lord he had just killed and looked back at the palace.
"Tuly!" he called out. He darted away from his enemies - passed more marching constructs. "Delay them at all costs!" he ordered as he jumped up and soared towards the upper wall. He smashed through the wall and landed a few feet away from a surprised looking Markys and a terrified looking Tuly.
"Spirits! You do know how to startle a girl," Markys muttered sarcastically. Toy maker took a step forward. Markys hurried over and held her metal claws to Tuly's neck - much like she had done before. Toy Maker stopped and glared at the smug looking sorceress.
"Amazing how things come full circle - isn't it?" she asked curiously.
"Let her go," Toy Maker warned as red mana flared around his sword and armor.
"No - you see - we are at a crossroads here my friend. You can not fight a two front war, you have committed your resources into fighting Arachnid. If you try to face me now - he will kill you from behind - without remorse," Markys moved Tuly's head back. "Beg your man. Beg him not to do something stupid," Markys whispered. Tuly began to cry.
"I won't need much time to deal with you. This is the Armor of Chaos - his power was an immunity to the powers originated in red," he warned. Markys smiled and pushed the claws closer so that they were drawing blood.
"I have other powers at my disposal wizard - remember?" she asked coyly.
"As do I," Toy maker retorted as blue mana swirled around him - mixing with the red.
"Fight with me here - your palace will be destroyed. And I assure you - you will never be able to raise this place again. You see - there are only two points on this world where such power is drawn together. You found the other one - and this - here - is the last. When it falls - it will be gone forever," she whispered smugly. Toy Maker slowly lowered his sword and looked over his shoulder.
"Palace be damned," he muttered calmly. In a blur of motion he leaped at the unsuspecting sorceress. He swung his sword at her. Markys arched her head back just in time. The blade raked her from her ear to her chin. She staggered away from Tuly and fell down holding her wound. She looked over at the couple.
"Leave now - you want to play - fine - another time," Toy Maker stated as he pointed the sword at her. Markys quietly laughed and shrugged her shoulders. She hopped up to her feet and sighed.
"You want to be like that? Okay. You win. I'll leave," she began as she looked over at Tuly with a wicked smile.
"But I'm taking my toys with me," she said as Tuly vanished. Toy Maker looked around in a rage and then glared at Markys who was smiling like a child that had stolen candy from a store.
"Bring her back!" Toy Maker shouted as he lunged at her. Markys waved at him and vanished into thin air. the Sword of Chaos dug deep into the floor.
"My toys - my creatures - my rules. You want me? I am on the other side of Lord Arachnid - catch me - if you can!" Markys mocked from the ether. Toy Maker screamed out in rage. He flew from the palace to resume his fight with his enemies.
Four hours later...
The fight was slowly drawing to its end. The Ivory Towers were in flaming ruins. Thousands of broken machines littered the landscape. The palace was badly damaged but still stood. The bodies of almost every spider Arachnid knew lied broken on the fields around him. His power was starting to run low where as Toy Maker seemed to be as fresh as when he started.
"You - you really pulled a fast one on me Arachnid," Toy Maker muttered.
"What - are you babbling about?" he retorted.
"This - all of this - was just a ruse to distract me so that Markys could snatch Tuly," he continued. Arachnid looked at him as though he had mutated into a new species.
"Come again and what? Markys is being held prisoner by the Mountain King. I will deal with him after I am done with you. Nibbles - attack!" he strained. Nibbles leaped from Arachnid's hood. An enraged Toy Maker emitted a powerful flame at the airborne spider. The flames disintegrated the spider and the hand of the man that had summoned him. Arachnid staggered back and looked at the towering wizard before him.
"You are either blind or stupid - perhaps both. I can not allow such a dangerous combination to exist," Toy Maker stated as a mysterious device appeared in his hands. "This here is a time bomb. When it goes off. This war - will be over. Then I will hunt down Markys and end this mess at its source," he concluded as the bomb in his hands began to make a whining sound. Seconds later - the bomb exploded. The smoke began to clear around Toy Maker. He was unaffected by the blast. The others - were not. "So at last it ends," he muttered lowly as he turned and began to walk away.
"Was - that - your best?" a weak voice asked. Toy Maker slowly turned around and looked at the badly damaged body of Lord Arachnid. It began to stir as he forced himself up.
"You still live?" Toy Maker asked in disbelief.
"You - have slaughtered - the Spiders of Crae - butchered the Spider Lords - as though they were cattle - turned this field - into a mass grave - but so long as I draw breath - this will never be over," Arachnid hissed as his body transformed into that of a giant spider.
"That can be arranged," Toy Maker muttered. Unknown to him, the spider wizard concentrated and summoned a familiar tiny spider - the Black Widow - from its web as he transformed. Arachnid slowly circled his opponent so that Toy Maker now had his back to the undetected spider.
"Idle boasts will not best me," Arachnid stated. A green bolt shot from the giant spider and caused the armor to crumble. He tried to crumble the sword as well - but that effort was easily countered. "Enough games. It is over!" Arachnid shouted triumphantly. Black mana exploded out from him. Then he cast three dark rituals causing the mana to almost triple. At first Toy maker thought he was attempting a drain life - but he then noticed the poison that was seeping out from many of his wounds. He had tapped into some power that had poisoned himself. He heard a hiss. He turned around just as the Black Widow leaped up and bit Toy Maker's exposed neck. The artificer ripped the spider from his neck and squashed it. Arachnid fell to the ground and began to revert back to his human form. Toy Maker could feel the concentrated poison rapidly seeping into his veins.
"T-Tuly," he strained as he staggered to the ground. An unholy laughter echoed as Markys and Tuly reappeared. Tuly broke free of her master and hurried over to where Toy Maker lay dying.
"Don't die - please don't die," she quietly begged. Toy Maker looked over and smiled at her. he lifted his shaking hand up and lightly touched the back of her cheek.
"Don't hear - the - screams," he slurred. "That good?" he asked. Tuly weakly nodded. She looked over at Markys who was finding the whole scene deeply amusing.
"I beg of you. Please don't let him die. Please don't take him from me," she begged weakly.
"Now - you ask favors of me?" was her response.
"Please? I'll do anything - but don't take him from me," she sobbed. Markys rolled her eyes and walked over to where she was. She looked down at the barely living wizard.
"One chance - is all you get in this place. But I will honor your request - my dear - sweet Tuly," Markys began. In a quick action she drove a sword through Tuly's back and impaled it into Toy Maker's chest. She then watched as the two died together.
"Now - you can be with him always," she stated as she looked over to where Arachnid had fallen. She lowered her eyes and began to walk away.
"Going somewhere?" a sinister voice asked. Markys didn't look up as the Mountain King appeared.
"Our business here is done," she muttered. the king looked over and saw Tuly impaled on top of Toy Maker and looked over at a sullen Markys.
"I thought you were going to turn her into a bird again? Take away the humanity she had been given back," he commented curiously.
"I changed my mind. She had no more use to me," she retorted.
"As you say. You are saddened by his loss," he stated. She did her best to ignore him - but she knew him too well. The more she tried to hide any emotion from him - the more it stood out.
"What of it?" she muttered.
"There will be others - but there will only be me. Your folly caused that. And with every waking moment I will always remind you of that. Come. These two did the work for us. the other one - Enchanter - he will not be as foolish as these two. He knows what you are and will be ready for you," Mountain King stated.
"It doesn't matter. The power of Lord Arachnid and Toy Maker are mine now. That fool won't stand a chance. Gather your troops. I know where he is going. Let him make his final stand there," she instructed. The demon bowed and vanished. Markys looked down at where Lord Arachnid was and began to walk away. as she did - a single tear rolled down her cheek and lightly kissed the scorched soil.
To be continued...
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