The lava lake stretches out before you in all its scalding splendour. The molten surface bubbles up thickly and bursts, spraying flecks of boiling liquid. The whole landscape seems to glower disapprovingly. It’s not a far distance across, and a much quicker journey than going around, but you frown at the task ahead. It’s difficult to think; difficult to breathe in this heat.

A primitive path of rocks cuts through the lake, leading to the far shore. You can gracefully step between some of them; others require leaps of faith. Finding a rhythm is key. Listening to the beating of your heart, taking your time, waiting for the exact right moment to push forward.

At the other side, a barren tundra awaits. Nothing stirs for a while, and your thoughts return to Ahrenia. You feel as though she’s watching you; as if a link has been forged between you that cannot be broken. What magic has she instilled in you to guide you on this path? Ahrenia is a hero among heroes, but perhaps she has been able to transfer some of her talent to you. What impossible powers did the Herald grant her, and at what cost? What was given to her – and what was taken away?

A sudden rumble interrupts your thoughts. You are nearing the region of storms. Everything is unsettled here: a place of legend, where conflicting forms of magic stir up and smoulder together, upsetting the atmosphere and bursting forth in wild electrical disturbances.

At that moment, a great streak of lightning splits the darkened sky. The air buzzes with menace. You recall the great carving in the Ancient Sanctuary of the great dragon, aloft on a cloud of electric rage, its wings outstretched in fury. Uneasy, you hasten your step. Weird, winged creatures buzz and swarm in the air, a hum of grim potential.

The rumbling is growing louder now. Beams of light scream across the sky. One of those beams seems to twist and turn suddenly, barrelling towards you. It skids left and right, weaving through the storm clouds and down, down, down into focus. A skeletal insect, crackling with electricity and illuminated by a sickening glow.

You steady your weapons. They won’t be safe against such a creature. You quickly summon a simple energy reverse spell; crude magic but enough to destabilise a creature harnessing lightning without much grace. The insect creature bursts into a bolt of lightning and disappears.

You look up. In its place, you see an eye bearing down on you with interest. An eye as big as the sun. It blinks.

The dragon rises up as you step backwards, trying to get some sense of scale. It feels bigger than the sky. Billowing from its flanks is a sickeningly familiar black mist.

At least now you know that you are on the right path. You recall the same mist that choked the capital when Bane came. Those eerie, dark, choking tendrils, robbing you of all warmth. The same mist that followed The Herald. You recall what you were warned by the mysterious robed figure: “Do not let the mist catch you.” It might be a bit late for that.

The dragon sweeps down so its huge nose is close to your own. It unhinges its enormous jaw and yawns expansively, engulfing you in hot, stinking breath. Then, to your surprise, it speaks.

“You may not pass, traveller.”

Its voice is tired and ancient, but not without a deep menace. This is a voice that knows you are tiny and trifling, but will crush you without a thought nevertheless. And it has a job to do. The job is death. The death, somewhat inconveniently, is yours.

You steel yourself. The amulet Malc’s gave you hangs silently round your neck, still. It has nothing to add. Ahrenia, walk with me, you think. Lend me your valour.

“I am not here to fight you, dragon. I must see what lies beyond your realm.”

The great beast sighs, a great, hot sigh of contempt.

“You are at the gateway to the Outer Regions. No one may pass beyond here.” It cocks its enormous head at you, curiously. “I know not what makes you think the rule does not apply to you.”

You shrug.

“I suppose I’m not very interested in rules that don’t seem to serve a purpose.”

The dragon fixes you with its glassy eye. You stare him down. Then it bursts into laughter. Raucous, deep laughs from the pit of its enormous belly.

“Oh dear! The purpose is to keep you alive, foolish mortal! And to protect what is not yours to see.”

The dragon lashes out suddenly. An ill-judged swipe of a paw. You roll easily to dodge it, and the momentum leaves you standing face to face with a burst of raw magic. It’s not much, but enough to startle the creature as you raise your arms and form a protective sigil. It’s well timed as the dragon breathes a huge ball of flame that completely engulfs you. Your protection won’t last long.

Ahrenia, I can feel your presence, you think. Please.

Hold your nerve.

The dragon crackles and leaps through the sky, weaving a complicated lightning pattern that burns the ground. You feel something beyond your control welling up inside you. Ahrenia, now!

A great rush of energy bursts forth, countering the creature’s own attack. The lightning reverses, streaking up the dragon’s body and blasting it with a surge of electricity. It bursts into flames, howling in pain.

“I will stop you!” it snarls. “I am Ra'Zu, Lord of the Skies! You don’t belong in the Outer Regions! Your presence… it’s wrong!”

Another wave of the spell crashes through you, blasting the dragon back. It shrieks and twists. Steadying itself, it breathes in. You see it coming: a final blast to knock you into hell. You raise your head to meet it. Let it make its own grave.

The dragon exhales, a wall of fire and spite big enough to consume a city.

“Ahrenia be my shield!” you cry out. The dragon ignites. At the same moment, great forks of lightning from the sky tear through its scales, and the flaming body collapses to the ground. The earth rumbles and shakes where it falls. You are tossed helplessly across the rubble and come to a rolling stop several feet away. Panting, you look up at the sky.

The storm clouds have cleared. Thin, grey light begins to seep in, revealing the path forward. The Outer Regions lie ahead. This time, there really is no going back.