Three Pit Goblins surged through the gap in their defenses. Before Kael could turn to defend the wagon drivers, one had fallen to the green monster’s stone clubs.
Then the caravan master was there, swinging his camel bone club, each powerful blow pulverizing one of the goblins. He nodded at Keal after the last monster was crushed. “I will take care of any that get past you.”
Kael turned back to the seemingly never-ending onslaught.
The battle raged on for many long minutes. Kael and his guards moved forward to meet the Pit Goblins as they emerged from the watering hole, and the life-giving water turned rancid with the dark blood of the creatures. The monsters continued to pour through the portal and didn’t stop throwing themselves against the defenders.
The humans held strong for a long time, but they eventually faltered. A guard at the far end of the defensive formation stumbled and was pulled into the water where goblins gleefully dragged him away from the shore and swarmed over him. Keal instinctively took a step toward his fallen comrade but was forced back by several of the monsters emboldened by their success.
The battle didn’t turn against them, though, and the remaining guards—and the caravan master—held strong, putting down every goblin to leap through the portal.
For a moment, Kael dared to hope that they might survive the onslaught.
It was a fool’s hope.
A ferocious roar echoed through oasis, and even the Pit Goblins turned back toward the portal.
A huge, black dog head emerged from the portal, it’s eyes glowing red. The creature growled, its lips pulled back to reveal a mouth full of long, sharp teeth. There seemed to be a glow coming from the back of the monster’s throat and wisps of smoke curled from its nose. Orange veins streaked its black hide, glowing with the heat of molten lava.
Another head emerged right next to it. Then a third.
And then the three-headed monstrosity leaped through the portal. Water splashed and steam rose from the watering hole where it landed.
Name: Infernal Cerberus
The Cerberus is one of the most vicious creatures of the Infernal Realm, serving the Demon Lords that rule the Infernal plane of existence. They are both guard dog and hunter, capable of tracking and killing almost any prey. These creatures possess a variety of special powers including the ability to breath fire.
“Don’t let it out of the water,” Kael yelled and charged into the watering hole.
His fellow guards waded in after him, but the three-headed dog monster kept them all at bay. Snapping jaws forced the guards to dodge constant attacks while their own strikes seemed to do little.
With the guard’s attention on the Infernal Cerberus, the Pit Goblins swarmed around the guards and attacked from behind.
A stone club struck Keal in the head and he stumbled forward. He twisted to avoid the snapping jaws of one of the Cerberus’s heads but couldn’t stop himself from plunging into the water.
A goblin jumped on his back, grabbing his hair and holding him under water.
Kael thrashed wildly, attempting to get the monster off his back and get his head above the surface so he could breath, but the small beast was strong and struck him repeatedly with his club.
Black shadows started to creep in from the sides of his vision and Kael could feel his consciousness fading, whether it was the lack of air or the repeated blows to the head, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he was about to die.
Then the weight on his back was suddenly gone and he was yanked from the water.
“Die, you mangy son of a bitch!”
The caravan master held him above the surface of the water with one hand while he swung his large club down on one of the snarling dog heads with the other. Keal could hear bone crunch. He saw the light in the creature’s eyes dim—at least on that one head—and the Cerberus stumbled.
The next thing he knew he was thrown through the air toward the shore, and the caravan master was swinging his club with two hands.
Time slowed for Kael as he sailed through the air and took in the battlefield. There were bodies everywhere—humans, goblins, imps. The only two beings still moving besides himself were the Cerberus and the caravan master. The large man seemed to be getting the better of the three-headed beast, but blood poured from dozens of wounds.
Kael knew he was watching the man’s last stand. He was throwing every last ounce of his life into defeating one final enemy.
The guard captain landed on his back in the hard sand at the edge of the watering hole and his head struck the ground, stunning him for a moment. When he cleared his head and pushed himself up on his elbows, the oasis was calm. The caravan master was slumped over the body of the Infernal Cerberus, both clearly dead.
Kael looked around, searching for other signs of life, but saw none. His eyes then moved to the black portal that still hung in the air above the watering hole. He closed his eyes and groaned. When he opened them again, he was not surprised to find another monster emerging from the shimmering blackness.
He didn’t watch the monster emerge, instead rolling over onto his stomach so he could push himself up. When he staggered to his feet and turned back to the watering hole, he was greeted by the sight of the largest monster yet. The crimson-skinned creature stood twelve feet tall and black wings sprouted from its back. Obsidian horns curled from the top of its bald head and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light.
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Name: Infernal Demon Lord
The Infernal Realm is a land of chaos filled with lesser and greater demons, each of whom can wreak havoc on the mortal plane. These creatures know nothing but chaos and pain. In a realm where personal power trumps everything, Demon Lords ruthlessly control all others. These creatures possess a wide variety of powers and are unchallenged in their rule of the most chaotic realm in existence.
The demon wore a black, metal-studded kilt that covered its upper legs. Its muscular chest was bare but black, bone-like plates grew from its shoulders and forearms and seemed to serve as armor. The monster spread its arms wide and roared at the sky, then turned its attention on the only remaining person in the oasis. A sadistic grin that promised pain and death spread across the creature’s face.
Kael stood to his full height, wobbling a little as he faced the monster that would undoubtedly end his life. There was no scenario where he could triumph. He knew that. His eyes flicked to the body of the caravan master, draped over the corpse of the three-headed demon dog. He drew inspiration from the man he had served for many, many years and countless journeys across the great desert.
Maybe I can take this beast down with me. The caravan guard captain nearly laughed at the absurdity of the thought.
He reached down and picked up his scimitar and took a step toward the monster and certain doom.
A flash of light stopped him in his tracks, and he threw up an arm to protect his eyes from the blinding brightness.
When the light faded and he lowered his arm, Kael saw another mysterious oval. This one glowed a bright white and hovered above the sand at the edge of the watering hole.
The Infernal Demon Lord growled and glared at the new oval, clearly angered at its presence.
Both demon and human watched as another creature entered the oasis. A second winged creature emerged from the new portal. This one stood at least as tall as the Infernal Demon Lord, but was more human in appearance. Angelic was the only word Kael could think of to describe it.
Name: Celestial Archangel
The Celestial Realm is a plane of existence beyond mortal understanding. Angels and Archangels enforce the divine will of their creator, aiding all mortal life while ensuring that balance exists among all realms. While their actions are highly restricted and their motives are impossible to know, their power and might is undeniable.
The angel appeared to be male and had huge, white wings and wore a gold-trimmed, white robe. Wavy blonde hair brushed his shoulders, and a gold band circled his head. His brow was furrowed and his blue eyes glared at the Infernal Demon Lord.
Kael laughed. He couldn’t help himself. Angels and demons? Did someone drug my waterskin?
Neither winged creature paid him any attention.
“You should not be here demon,” the angelic creature said, his voice full of power and certainty. The sound nearly drove Kael to his knees.
“And neither should you,” the demon spat.
“On that we can agree.”
“Then there is no need for us to quarrel,” the horned, red creature said, spreading his arms wide as if to placate the angel. “This matter need not be decided by us.”
“Again, I agree,” the white-winged creature said. He then pointed his long sword at the demon. “When your boss decided to send you to this protected world, my creator decided that you must be destroyed to serve as an example to any of your kind who dare enter this realm.”
The Infernal Demon Lord moved so fast Kael could see nothing other than a crimson blur. In the blink of an eye, the demon’s spiked mace was descending on the Celestial Angel’s head.
The angel blocked the attack with a flaming sword that materialized in his hand, and his other hand shot out and grabbed the demon’s wrist, holding it in place.
The powerful, red-skinned monster tried unsuccessfully to pull away and howled as smoke rose from his arm where the angel gripped him. The spiked mace fell to the ground.
The flaming sword disappeared from the Celestial Angel’s hand, but he didn’t release his grip with the other. The Demon Lord fought against the angel but could not break the hold or seem to move in any way.
“Be gone!” The angel commanded and punched out with his free hand, striking the demon in the chest.
There was a flash of light, and the demon flew backward into the floating black portal and disappeared. The portal winked out of existence an instant later.
The Celestial Angel’s head dropped, and a look of sadness flashed across his face. When he looked up again, there was a sad smile on his face.
“Who… What are you? What were those things? What is happening? Am I going insane?” The questions burst from Kael’s mouth like a babbling brook.
The angel shook his head. “My time on this world is short. I do not have time to tell you everything you need to know.”
“Tell me something, at least,” Kael pleaded.
“Very well. Your world is being invaded.”
“By these demons?” Kael asked.
“Among others,” the angel said. “They were the first to find your world, but they will not be the only ones now that you have become known to the other realms.”
“Other realms? I don’t understand.”
“I know, but you will learn.”
“Human beings cannot defeat monsters like that,” Kael said, panic welling up inside. “If you don’t stop them, we will be destroyed.”
The luminescent figure shook his head. “I cannot stop what is to come. I cannot force my presence upon your world, even if it is to save you. Your world has free will. That freedom is both a blessing and a curse.”
“What if I ask you to stay here and protect us?”
The angel shook his head and gave Kael a sad smile. “Unfortunately, it does not work that way. I cannot be summoned as that would put your will above mine, and that also cannot be.”
“So we must fight this battle alone? If so, we are doomed!"
“No. I can give you the power you need to contain this plague of darkness, but it will be up to you use that power wisely.”
Trepidation washed over Kael. “What if I am not enough?”
“Do not worry. There will be others. Twelve of you, in total. Each of you will have a role, and as long as you fulfill those roles, you will be able to protect your world from the upcoming darkness.”
“Who are these others? How will I find them?”
“You will be drawn together when the time is right. Until then you must begin capturing and controlling these rifts. You cannot stop the beasts from coming through, but you can contain them until their power begins to wane. In that way, you will give the others a chance to fight.”
“But how will I do that?” Kael asked.
“With this.”
A black rectangular object appeared in the angel’s hand. It was roughly the size of a playing card. The giant creature was suddenly standing right in front of Keal, extending the card to him.
Kael reached out tentatively and took the card. He looked down at it and saw the glowing image of a stone archway with stairs leading down beyond the opening. He turned the card over and saw a description.
Card Name: Abyssal Rift
Rank: Transcendent
Interdimensional rifts can link two realms of existence to one another allowing for near-instantaneous travel across time and space. The Abyssal Rift card allows the card wielder to harness the power of these interdimensional gateways. A skilled Rift Master can relocate, restrict usage, and modify existing rifts to use their power for other purposes. The established link between worlds can be controlled by this card but not destroyed.
When he was done reading, Keal’s head raised, his mind full of questions. “What do I do with—"
But he was alone in the oasis. The Celestial Angel was gone and so was the glowing portal. Only Kael remained, along with the bodies of the people he had been traveling with and the monsters they had given their lives to defeat.
What am I going to do now?