Scene VII: Bathsheba's Fall

Bathsheba fell onto the cold earth, struck silent and still by the Grim Reaper's Breath. The sickening, mottled grey of the curse began to creep across her exposed skin, halting her breath and pulling her essence toward the grave. Magus Jaffer, draped in shadow, watched her collapse with cold satisfaction.

"Fools," the Magus hissed, the sound a dry, rasping noise. "Your gift belongs to the Waste."

His eyes, two malevolent red pinpricks, focused on the still figure, awaiting the inevitable final fade. It was then that her familiar, a creature of the astral plane, began to move. Sliding quickly, its gold body shimmered as it reached Bathsheba. The snail moved close to her, its silver shell settling near her chest, and an imperceptible magical aura started to emanate. The aura seemed to be drawing energy from the familiar itself, a strange magic that offered no immediate defense but simply glowed with an unknown promise. The air grew heavy, and it was utterly unclear what act of power, or desperate measure, the creature was about to attempt...