Tosh awoke to find himself and Azal on an outcropping of rock, three stories down from where the monster had disengaged the catwalk.

“How did he do that?” Tosh asked.

“Renard said something about a rabid animal. Yet, I think they are smarter than that,” Azal said, grunting as he tried to stand, gritting as he favored his ankle.

“I think you broke it,” Tosh said, trying to help Azal stand. Tosh’s own body hurt, yet he saw Azal was not going to be able to walk with his ankle as twisted as it was.

A moment later, another fiery monster surged forward, trying to attack Tosh. Azal let out a warning shout and lunged forward with his good leg.

Tosh looked back as Azal stabbed the fiery monster in the neck. The onetime bandit let out a small laugh as the creature disappeared in a burst of fire and ash. He then looked at Tosh and pointed upwards.

Tosh followed his pointing finger and saw the form of Renard and one of his Ironmongers moving along a catwalk a hundred yards from where they were.

“If we move with some stealth, we could catch them unaware, sahib. However, I am not feeling well. I need a—"

Tosh turned back to see Azal’s form turn an ephemeral blue. Azal tried to speak, yet no words came from him as the one time bandit disappearing in a blue flare. His dagger did clatter onto the catwalk. Of the thief, there was no sign. Tosh moved closer, picked up the dagger, and looked upwards towards the form of the general who was moving towards the archway of Shatterspike with his one remaining Ironmonger loaded with canisters of forsa crystal.

“Time to end this.”

As he climbed, Tosh felt his rage helping to fuel him, continuing to move forward. “This is for Kimya. This is for Azal,” he thought as he strained, pulling himself upwards on one of the ladders he had spotted earlier with Azal. It would keep him from making noise on the catwalks and taking a more direct route to Renard.

As Tosh found himself close to the top, he watched as the remaining Ironmonger robot tumbled over the side, along with one of the fiery monsters. When he could see clearly, he saw Renard was alone, several piles of dust around him, a short saber in his hand. Behind him was a small mountain of crystals.

“What is going on?” Tosh asked, before he realized he spoke out loud.

“The creatures are drawn to the crystals. I lost both of my robots. It is just you and me against the monsters. Get Tessa to get us out of here,” Renard demanded.

“She won’t come inside. We have to leave.”

“No. I am not leaving the forsa, I need them!”

“Then, let me pass and I—”

Before he could finish, Renard stepped forward onto the catwalk.

“No. You will not beat me. You can’t beat me, girlie,” Renard said.

Tosh stomped down on the catwalk, causing it to thrum and shake.

“We’ll both die!” Renard shouted as he lurched for the railing.

“And? I’m willing to die. Are you?” Tosh asked, smirking at Renard.

“Please, Tosh. I’ll give you anything.”

“Kimya’s chamber. I want it. Now!” Tosh shouted, holding out a hand.

Renard grabbed a coat button and yanked it off, tossing the small disc to Tosh. “Only copy. I swear.”

“Good,” Tosh said, then took a step forward and brought down the butt end of the knife onto the catwalk, striking the release plate again. The catwalk snapped where Renard stood, as Tosh had hoped.

Renard reached out, snagging part of Tosh’s jacket. “I don’t want to die!” he shouted, his hand shaking and losing the strength to hold on.

“Neither did Kimya. Neither did Azal!”

Renard’s eyes widened as Tosh stabbed the Ironmonger’s wrist, causing Renard’s hand to spasm open, and sending him plummeting down into the inferno of Shatterspike with a scream.

Tosh limped out of Shatterspike, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders as he looked at the little disk of Kimya’s. He would have it destroyed, and she could fully move on, he thought.

“Tosh! Where is Azal? Where is the ‘general?’”

“Both lost. I’m the only one to come out.”

“I am sorry about Azal. But, I think he will pop up again,” Tessa said with a slight smile.

“What do you know?”

“Nothing that I can reveal to you right now. Sorry. I can ask this, though, where would you like to go?”

“As far from here as possible,” Tosh said, looking back at Shatterspike.

“Could jump you to the time of your meet with Bors,” Tessa said.

“How do you—no. I need to get there the long way around. Another year and a half away from the barbarian will do us both some good.”

“Suit yourself,” Tessa said with a shrug. “I have a great idea. Let Her decide,” she said, snapping her fingers and Tessa’ Gate appeared beside her, spinning in the air, in such a way that Tosh could see the large hole in the center.

Before he could say anything, he was pulled into the Gate, and shot off towards who knew where.

He only knew that it would be a grand adventure wherever he landed.