The Summoned
The Holy Artifacts, penned by a faithful scribe of his Godhood Telan.
  The specifics of forging an artifact are beyond the comprehension of those following the lesser path. However, using the result is not. It is for this reason that I crafted such artifacts, for use by my generals in a time of war. Such a time of war is upon us, it seems, as the imitators Xanek and Rokad constantly vie for my fury. They are each separately lesser than I, of course - fear not, reader of this legacy, for you shall be protected from them - yet both antagonizing me provides distraction to an alarming degree.
  Thus my generals will have powerful artifacts - Staves and swords, armors and potions, wands and robes. Into these things a fraction of my very essence is poured, imbuing them with a fraction of the Higher Path - one tamed so that it will not scar them. Unlike my mad rival Rokad, who sought to spread the power to all people, I control where mine goes, and who shall wield it. My people shall not become demons.
  Reader of this legacy, be attentive to this lesson! I learned from the mistake of my enemy, and I improved. Decisive action is necessary, for my imitators are likely attempting this very thing. So I have taken the liberty of thinking one step further. Being created on my forges this very instant is an artifact of power so great, it is rivaled only by my own. My summoner's rod - created to support the very art which I invented, it shall be by my side as I triumph over my enemies.
  Good Reader, you read this legacy because you are one of the favored to posses such an artifact. Your actions have shown themselves to be worthy of such power. One artifact, however, can never be yours. A full description will be provided in this tome, but the artifact my only be used for the purpose of furthering my goals, and will always be returned to Me.
  The Gatekeeping Rod shall always be Mine.
The Tomb Plane: Protector's Encampment
  "We can't just ask him to take everyone with him!" Shaaron argued, perhaps futilely. "It would be suicide!"
  Daniel Boln, former knight of the Light Guard, nodded. "I have sworn a duty to defeat the warlord Norax. I have also sworn a duty to protect our plane against those who would destroy it. Our loremaster believes that the two goals are not exclusive - in fact, defeating Norax may make our world safer. I am doubly inclined, then, to return with Asa and fulfill my duties. However, Shaaron is correct. If our summoner friend is able to bring us home, we are likely to appear in the middle of a battlefield - at best. We may also quite possibly end up inside the enemy stronghold. There would not be time to ferry each person who wishes to return home."
  Simon Keyes looked over the meeting, from which the young summoner the debate raged around was notably absent. The Loremaster was here, as well as some former members of the Light Guard - including Jared Banks. The most vocal members of the group, however, were those who had arrived immediately before Asa had - those people who had fallen to Norax's sword on the Battlefield of the Heroes, defending their king LePaige.
  One such man stood up, being careful not to interrupt Daniel - not out of courtesy, but because he had been warned that he would be ejected for any further disruptions. "I understand the nature of the esteemed Sir Boln's argument - however, I have a war to fight! Would it not make sense for as many people to accompany Asa as possible? To provide him with protection? I would propose emptying an army into Norax's unsuspecting group! When the summoner emerges, the tide would turn for certain!"
  Daniel swiftly rose to counter this. "We have discussed the matter at length! We are simply arguing ourselves into circles at this point. To unload an army would alert Norax to the threat - and sending reinforcements single-file against an entire army is no way to spring an ambush."
  The original objector opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but quickly shut it as Simon stood. Both the objector and Daniel sat back down.
  Simon surveyed the group for a moment. "There are many good points - Asa should not go back unprotected, for he may end up in the clutches of the man who was trying to capture him in the first place. However, he should not go with a group so large that it endangers him by its very nature. Thus, I believe that he should return with a small group of people. LePaige's men should have priority, however at least one member of the Light Guard should return - to report directly to General Eastman. This is what I propose. It all, however, is dependent on the young summoner himself."

  "Come in."
  Shaaron entered the tent, stepping cautiously and seating herself across from the young summoner. Moments passed, and Asa finally managed to put the book down and look at his guest. A weak smile crossed his face.
  "Shaaron... what brings you here?" Asa's face looked as though he hadn't seen any sleep over the last few days. The book had completely engrossed him in a slightly disturbing way. Not even the man who had brought it into this plane had spent so much time with it. Then again, the man who had brought it in wasn't trying to escape and reach his friends.
  "I've returned from the meeting...." Shaaron trailed off, unsure what to say. Asa had known that the inhabitants of the encampment would eventually find out about his plans, and that some would wish to come along. The summoner himself wasn't even certain that he could do it, but if he could, he saw nothing wrong with bringing others with him.
  Asa nodded. "What do they have to say? How many shall accompany me home?"
  "Five - four are men of LePaige's, who arrived here slightly before you did. The other is Daniel, the man who until recently guarded your book."
  Asa's face clouded. "I know men of LePaige's disappeared before I was taken - but what of those who came after me?"
  "There weren't any, Asa. Nobody has come through the Nexus since your arrival." Sharron frowned. Now that Asa had brought it up, it did seem slightly ominous.
  "I wonder why that is...." Asa mused, more to himself than to Shaaron. "Perhaps Norax has retreated - the prize he sought now being permanently out of his reach. If I return, I may be walking right into his hands. Then again, I suppose that's why I'm being given the five others. So that I might stand a fighting chance?" A wry grin conveyed exactly what he thought of his chances in such an event.
  Looking somewhat weary, Asa stood up, extending a hand to help Shaaron. "Shaaron, I need to thank you. You've been understanding with me - even after I nearly destroyed your plane, you trusted me. Quite possibly, I owe you my life. I am certain that Keyes could have had me exiled for what I had done. You've been a kind person. I shall do my best to ensure that my war doesn't involve your plane any longer."
  Shaaron smiled as Asa helped her to her feet. She was unaccustomed to such praise -- it was her duty, after all, to assist newcomers, and to help spread and gather knowledge. And as for being kind... she supposed it was just her nature.
  Or possibly, it was just that Asa had that effect on her.
  Asa turned to face the opening of his tent. "The five that you mentioned. Can they be gathered today?"
  Shaaron nodded. "They're probably still at Sir Keyes' tent. Wait, are you saying...?" she trailed off as Asa's intent hit her.
  "I'm ready to go home." was the summoner's only reply.

The Tomb Plane: Nexus Chamber
  It was crowded in the small room which housed the Nexus through which Asa had arrived. Asa was there, along with the five others who were to accompany him back to the Light Plane. Simon Keyes had insisted on being there, and Shaaron was there by Asa's request.
  The air was filled with expectant tension - If Asa failed, he would have let these people down. Their only hope of getting home would have failed, and they truly would be trapped in this plane for all time.
  Asa turned back to Shaaron. "If I am successful, I will try my best to return here later, and take anyone else back who wishes to go."
  Shaaron smiled. "I'm certain they'd appreciate it."
  The young summoner looked directly into the loremaster's eyes. "Shaaron, I want you to promise me something. Promise that you'll remember me."
  "Asa, you just said that you'd return. Why-?"
  Asa interrupted her, his voice conveying a worry he'd tried to keep from his mind for some time. "Because, Shaaron, I may not be the same person when I return."
  Before the stunned loremaster could reply, Asa turned to face the shimmering thread of the Nexus. Slowly and deliberately raising the Gatekeeper's Rod, he closed his eyes to concentrate.
  A shimmering white light began to radiate from the rod, and the temperature of the room slowly began to climb.
  There was no turning back, he knew. The rod was responding to him as it always had, only now he knew what he was looking for. He could feel the power inside, waiting for him to take hold, waiting for his commands. He had used it before, but never to the extent he was about to.
  Goodbye, my friends... he thought silently.
  The Gatekeeping rod flared into life, white light surrounding it as though it were bathed in flames. The aura engulfed Asa as well, as the summoner walked closer to the slab, floating up until he was level with it.

/ OPEN /

  The voice boomed through the small room, and seemed to tear the slim thread of Nexus open by its very force.
  "Asa!" Shaaron cried out, both fearing this entity which Asa seemed to have become, and worrying for the safety of her friend.
v  The fiery being's head - Asa's head - turned to face Shaaron. The light of its aura was blinding, but its eyes were an inky black. Shaaron felt terror freeze her in the gaze of the being.

/ HE IS STILL ALIVE. FEAR NOT FOR HIM, FOR HE IS WITH US /

  The being turned again, and vanished through the Nexus.
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