Maargog's fury was uncontrolled.  He screamed commands at every servant he came across, but they all shrank back in fear of his madness as he passed by. He stormed into the Circle of Kings who were already waiting for him.  And he berated them with insults, questions, complaints, and a torrent of nonsensical yelling.  The Counsel held their tongues to give him time to vent and settle down. 

 

"We do not think it wise to insult us so easily, " they began.  "Do not forget, it is we who chose you."

 

"You know you cannot make any progress in the land of the living without me, " was Maargog's response, this time as a whisper.  "Now tell me, what in the name of the Circle of Kings is going on?  My servant, the Raven, has just prophesied against me!"

 

"What did he say?"

 

"Something about a remnant rising up as one man and piercing my heart of darkness, " he answered.

 

Then the Circle of Kings fell silent. Maargog knew right away something was going on - they were holding back information!

 

"What is it?  What does this mean?" he pressed in on them.

 

"It is a prophecy, " they answered.

 

"What prophecy?  By who?"

 

"It was made by the Most High, and is recorded in the Sacred Writings of the Elves."

 

Maargog fumed once again.  "The Most High?  Him again! What does he want with my people? This is my world! He gave them up long ago when he cast them out!" And he continued to rant for some time.

 

When he finally settled down again, the Counsel continued.  "We feel it is time to consider the Phoenix Ritual."

 

"What?  Why do you suggest that?  You know very well I may not survive."

 

"Oh but you will, " they said. "You will be gloriously transformed into one of us.  And our Legions will be set free from the Abyss.  This is the only hope you now have against the Heroes who bear the King's Seal, for while there are 39 more of them, you are running out of Agents of Darkness  - and our Legions number in the tens upon tens of thousands."

 

"If I unleash the demon hoards upon the living, " countered Maargog, "then there will be no one left for me to rule over. No! it is not time for that.  Tell me, what else can we do?"

 

After a few moments of discussion, they replied: "There is the Balor."

 

"Yes! " declared Maargog.  "Of course! We have been saving it for a special occasion.  Release it at once!  Send it to Kel'Calathorn and destroy the traitor Keanot, before any more of the King's Seals are produced!"

 

And it was so: a great earthquake shook Thasdook, and an entire wing of the Emperor's palace collapsed in fire a smoke.  Every palace servant scattered in fear as the Balor rose from a deep pit, spreading its great wings and roaring with an ancient and terrifying voice.  It launched into the air and began its journey to the Central Mountains, on the far side of Lake Orin, with its horrid task of destroying Keanot.

 

In that moment, Keanot and Breeta both awoke from a terrible dream.  Covered in sweat, they sat in silence for some time. 

 

"You have had the same dream as I?" asked Keanot, softly.

 

"Yes, my love" she said.  "The Balor approaches."

 

Keanot breathed in and then let out a deep sigh.  "Then you must lead an evacuation at once.  Have everyone grab as many scrolls as they can carry and don’t look back.  I will draw the demon to me in the deepest chambers of Kel'Calathorn, and I will collapse the anomaly on us."

 

After a few moments of silence, Breeta countered with her plan.  "My brave Keanot, " she began, "may I remind thee of the Most High's promise that was given to us by Cur'Raden?"

 

"Of course, " he answered.

 

"It is all three of us - you, Princess Alta and myself who shall draw the beast into the deepest chambers of our great home.  And the Most High Himself will make a way for us."

 

Keanot turned and tears were in his eyes.  "What would I do without you, my love? Your words bring strength to my soul."

 

"I'm sure you would accomplish some great folly, no doubt", and they smiled for a moment.

 

But their time was short.  They rang the bells of Kel'Calathorn, waking all the residents, and gave them quick instructions.  The residents responded swiftly and the majority of the great Library of Kel'Calathorn was saved, thanks to their diligence.

 

The Balor arrived swiftly in fire and smoke.  Keanot, Breeta and Princess Alta all taunted it to follow them, and with passion it did.  The three Kel'Calathorn residents separated and travelled by secret passage quickly, confusing the beast for some time, and causing it to fall into a rage, destroying every room it came across.  Then the three converged at the Elven Spring and beckoned the creature to come and fight them.  It responded with pride and spread its wings wide, letting out a tremendous and impressive roar, and fire billowed from its skin while the ground shook with tremor.  But then a portal to another dimension opened just behind the three Heroes, and through it was a great land with high mountains, thick forests, raging rivers, and a deep blue sky.  And the three smiled at one another, walked through the door, and watched with joy as it closed swiftly before the enemy could lay it's assault upon them.