Our story starts with a rusty old key. A key born out of blood and fire, it was said to open the very gate of sheol, death. An incredible legend, the key promised a chance to pull back someone from the grave. A life returned, if only one dared to face the gate.

Alexander Wren was a simple lute player, an ordinary peasant. He had lost the love of his life, stolen from him by a vicious plague. He thought she was lost forever. But one day his fortunes changed.

A gift for a song, this unusual key ended up in his hands. He knew the legends and stories, he knew what they meant. Alexander journeyed to find the gate of death, traversing great landscapes, hidden places. His quest ending deep in cursed lands, he found the gate, hidden at the top of a tower. Guarded scores of guards, it was impossible to reach, for most.

This young lute player's songs bordered on extraordinary. An enchanting quality to his music, he could pull even the most fearsome warrior into a deep sleep. So he played his lute, stepping over the sleeping guards, he climbed the stairs.

The gate was waiting for him at the top, but it was not quite what he had expected. A large circle of glass hung against the wall, a chain locked around it. He slowly approached, turning the key in the lock. The chains falling from the gate, the image changed. Peering inside, he expected to see his love. A ferocious monster greeted him instead, a great dragon with the teeth of a lion and blazing gold eyes. An army of souls behind him, a swirling sea.

The creature pounced from the mirror, Alexander jumping back. Spotting a sword hanging on the wall, he swung the mirrored blade. The monster was quick, covered in tough scaly armour. Alexander couldn't win this fight, not with strength alone.

Struggling against the creature, he broke away, picking his lute back up. He played a song, a song he wrote for his love. The creature cried out in pain, grimacing at the music. Alexander tiptoed towards the monster, finishing his last note. Throwing the lute, he picked back up the sword. Plunging the sword in its throat, he slayed the creature, throwing the body of a monster back into the mirror.

A single soul slipped away from the sea, drifting closer. Alexander bit back tears, it was his love. Reaching back, he took her arm, pulling her from the mirror. She was free. The souls inside hissed, the army rushing closer, Alexander swung the chain back around the gate. Locked shut, the image disappeared, reflection returned.

Alexander Wren left the tower, his love by his side. Running past the guards, they were together again. Never leaving each other's side til the day they died.

The end.