The troll, still marooned upon the floating disk, presents a fine target for KFC. The barbarian falls upon the creature, drawing upon her inner reserves of fury. Soon, the troll lay dead. KFC and Hester race up the hallway, following the distant cries of Titania.
⚔
From within the magical darkness, Titania can hear Murgaxor shout, “Boy, return to me my item!” In a rage, they shout, “They are NOT a boy!!” As they stand there, they feel Squid’s small hand slip into their own. “We will go now, Squid,” but before they can depart, Murgaxor utters a spell that send magic missiles into the darkness. Squid utters a shriek and Titania feels their hand pull from her own. The sound of what might be a wooden rod or staff clattering to the floor nearby can be heard. Suddenly, Titania is rocked back by more magical darts sent by Murgaxor.
Enraged, they scream, “No!! Squid!!” and Titania wildshapes into a brown bear. They use one of their massive claws to swing the child up onto their back. The bear leaps from the room, and in a fit of pique, pistons a rear leg to slam the door in Murgaxor’s face. Unfortunately, Titania’s bear foot punches a hole through the planks of the door and becomes stuck. Titania cannot escape. Upon their back, Squid lay dying.
⚔
The army of Reynas, led by the actual Reyna, slips through a narrow gap in the stone, following Titania’s escalating cries. Debbie follows. As the Reynas, one at a time, move through a narrow gap in the rocks, Debbie slips down a side passage. She wishes to ensure that they do not get ambushed, and to her relief, no one is in this chamber. Debbie hears only the flowing of the wastewater in the cement channel.
As Debbie returns, she spots Hester popping out of another tunnel. She approaches Hester, slipping past four kobolds who are slashing away at one of the illusory Reynas. They do not notice Debbie nor Hester. Hester, with a manic smile, tells Debbie to find cover, “There’s a spell I’ve always wanted to try!!” and with a whoop she unleashes a Fireball spell.
A tiny mote of flame flies from Hester’s finger and expands as it travels down the corridor to flare into an inferno just in front of the unconcerned illusory Reyna that the kobolds are hacking at. Hester’s hands fly to her ears and she swivels her head, squeezing her eyes tightly closed. Hester can feel the rush of heat and dust, then the ceiling rumbles and collapses. KFC comes up behind Hester, whistling. “Impressive,” says the barbarian. You can see the sky!”
Indeed, stars are visible in the clearing smoke.
⚔
The actual Reyna, at the head of a small army of Reynas, conjures a draconic spirit. She sends the creature in to tear at Murgaxor, who retreats against a wall. Titania, dropping their bear form, stabilizes Squid, whose eyes focus upon them and murmurs….”Titania…”.
The enraged fey charges into the room, crossing the floor in three strides while drawing her blade, and slides it into Murgaxor’s chest. The bullywug gasps in surprise. Titania, nose to nose with the wizard, hisses “Stay away from my child!” They shove Murgaxor backward before stepping away. The bullywug, one hand clasped around his wound, paws around behind him, depressing a catch that opens a secret door. The creature steps through a slams it behind himself.
Titania is left listening to the receding flap of fleeing webbed feet.
