Meanwhile . . .<br/><br/>At the sound of this voice, the scarred man gasped. He spun around to face the corner, which was growing blacker and denser by the second. A sudden sizzling arose from the spot, like molten lava flowing into the sea.<br/>The man straightened, trembling, as the sizzling sound grew louder. Even the white crystal flickered uncertainly. Slowly, very slowly, a shape began to form in the darkness--a spiral, darker than smoke, coiling like a vaporous snake.<br/>Just then a heavy door swung open and a burly creature, carrying a torch in one hand and a spear in the other, burst into the cavern. He started to speak, when the sizzling coil whipped at his throat, quick as a bolt of black lightning. The creature's body, along with its severed head, dropped to the floor. The head's unseeing eyes rolled onto the fallen torch, extinguishing its flame, and the putrid scent of burning flesh filled the chamber.<br/>"We tolerate no interruptions," cackled the black coil. "And no failures."<br/>"You!" exclaimed the man, rubbing his pale hands anxiously. "I, well, didn't expect, didn't think--"<br/>"Think what, Asper?" spat the spiral as it floated toward him. "Didn't think that you would see me so soon? Or that I would be strong enough yet to make the journey?" The coil creaked vengefully. "You underestimate me, Asper."