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The issue begins with a shot of the Sighing Plains, a place long abandoned by man, and reclaimed by the wild. A stag watches, close to a mound, a testament of some forgotten war, knowing Death has come here before – and it may return.
The Stag is attacked by a pack of dire wolves, as the scene shifts…
At the Boar’s Head, Bladehelm and the others celebrate another victory. Sultar mutters about losing his money in a gambling bet, and leaves, not in the mood to share in Bladehelm’s joy. However, Sultar finds himself corned by the very men who he owes a large sum of money to, including Kelchion. Kelchion tells Sultar to get the money soon or else he will find new ways to make Sultar “pay.”
The scene changes to the following morning where Dhakab is teaching Shadolok better sword fighting. Much to Shadolok’s surprise, Dhakab manages to easily disarm him. Shadolok explains that Tirian died because of him and he doesn’t want another death on his hands. Dhakab explains that if his statement is true, he will return the following day to try and learn again. Shadolok agrees, but then asks Dhakab if it’s true that he has given all his gold to Coron. When Dhakab explains that it’s true, Shadolok asks why, and Dhakab can only answer, “Because he asked me.”
The scene shifts to Argent and Erikor as Erikor trains Argent to better control his magical abilities.
The following morning outside Liam, the Adventurers prepare to ride on horseback. Bladehelm takes some convincing to get on horse back.
The scene changes again to the Temple of Accuris in the City of Ur, where Thanatos XXIX speaks with Haka about Coron. Haka shows that Coron has given great tithe to the Temple of Accuris, then excuses himself. Thanatos XXIX then prays for Accuris to protect Coron.
The scene changes to the heroes arriving at the same mound the Stag had been attacked by the dire wolves. Finding passage down, Dhakab is the first to go down, one by one, the rest follow. Coron recognizes the smell that greets them, as the smell of death – both from the Temple of Accuris and from the chambers of the mad, necromancer of Kir. The Adventurers stumble upon Anubis.
Coron explains that legend states that one of the Keys of Telku was given to Anubis, the Keeper of the Dead, to prevent it from influencing those of the living. Anubis replies in order to gain the key, they must first survive the Trials of the Dead. The first is Might of Arms, and with a simple command, scores of undead rise from the ground. However, Argent uses his magic and easily defeats the undead. Anubis launches the next test, which is the test of Loyalty. Anubis resurrects Tirian and offers to let him live, if they turn around now, without the key. Shadolok seems to be the only one caught up in this emotionally, and stops Nightwind from killing Tirian. Coron commands Dhakab to kill Tirian to end the test; and reluctantly, Dhakab does so. But Anubis does not wait before launching the final test – Conquer Your Nightmares.
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