Grimm surveyed the battlefield. He looked at his teammates, some were recovering from injuries, others trying to aid the natives in various duties. All were covered in blood. Blood and the dead littered the area for miles. Like a scrapyard for bodies. He knew it would only take one mental command, and they rise up, starting it all again. . .
With great force of will, he slammed his axe into the ground, handle first. "I won't. . ."
"You feel the call. Even now it stirs around you, yearning for someone to start the cycle anew. . .Godbolt yearns to rise again." Viluria's voice was a whisper in his ears.
"Ex-wife. You have much to atone for." The mage, Ghaleon, appeared from nowhere, crafting arcane gestures with his hands as mystic symbols appeared in the air, spelling out Viluria's punishment. The woman, taken by surprise, was overcome by his spells, imprisoned within a small, violet emerald. "I think I shall hold onto you a while, this time." Ghaleon smiled, pocketing the emerald.
Ghaleon gathered the Vanguardians around him. "My friends, your work here is done. It is time for you to depart."
"How can we get home? We didn't see a return spell." Danny asked, wiping blood from his face with a strip torn from his shirt.
"I have it covered." The Vanguardians turned as one as Grimm pulled off the gauntlet from his left arm. There was a small gash of about five inches on his forearm. He pulled off his right gauntlet and began to peel back the skin, opening the wound. Digging into his own arm, he fished out a small, circular mirror.
"I'd say that's disgusting, but after this mission, it's kind of irrelevant." Phil smirked.
"Alice. Can you hear me?" After a few moments, the reply came.
"Always, Brother Grimm. Your absence was noted. Do you require assistance?"
Looking around at the carnage Grimm took a moment to reply. "No, just send someone to pick us up."
Ten minutes later, the familiar blueish-white portals of Nida Zbinden, avatar of space, appeared.
*********************
Later, after farewells were made. . .
The Vanguardians entered the portal one by one, Danny the last. He turned and looked back at Sam Dawson. "You coming?"
