And it came to pass, as Dondorian and company journeyed deeper into the jungle for several years, they at last came upon a great structure. It was tall like the mountain and carved in strange and ancient forms, as a temple of forgotten ages from distant lands.

  And behold, before the temple stood a host of snake-faced men, worshiping at the feet of towering statues fashioned in the likeness of a demon.

  And when Dondorian beheld their devotions, the man's heart was filled with fury, and they spake, saying, "Behold the folly of those who bow before demons; they are fit for nothing but the sword!"

  And Dondorian descended from the heights, and the men followed after, and they fell upon the serpent-men with sword and spear and whip and arrow.

  And the statues were torn down, and the altars were toppled into fragments, and the worshipers were slain until none stood.

  And there was much rejoicing among the men, and they lifted up their voices in songs of victory.

  But Seraphine came unto Dondorian and pleaded with them again, saying, "O Dondorian, why do you strike down all without mercy, making no distinction between worshiper and captive, between elder and child?"

  And Dondorian answered, saying, "Those that submit to demons have submitted themselves to me. For I come to condemn them all."

  And they pressed onward, for beyond the ruins was a greater temple, vast and terrible, ringed with the villages of the serpent-men.

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  And as Dondorian drew near, the serpent-men, seeing the banners, fell into despair; and they smashed their own eggs upon the ground, lest their offspring be taken and made into the bannermen of the conqueror.

  And Dondorian and the men fought their way through the villages, leaving ruin in their wake, until at last they stood before the gates of the temple.

  And within the temple there abode the demon whom these people had worshiped, stood behind an altar before the congregation, its voice smooth and silver, its eyes deep as the pit.

  And the demon spake unto the men of Dondorian, offering them promises of prospetity, of safety, of pardon and salvation, if they would turn from their leader and forsake the path of blood.

  But the men of Dondorian wavered not, and they stood behind their captain.

  Yet Melian Enzo’s heart trembled within them, and doubt whispered in their ear; but the youth set their face like flint, and stood beside Dondorian.

  And Dondorian lifted their spear, and their whip crackled like thunder. They charged upon the demon, and battle was joined.

  And as they struggled together, the demon spake unto Dondorian, saying, "Behold, thou art no savior, but a destroyer; thou hast violated the laws and rites of these people, and made thyself their tyrant."

  But Dondorian answered, saying, "I revoke your wicked rites."

  And Dondorian smote their fist upon the pillars of the temple, and the roof groaned and trembled, and the temple came down upon the demon, crushing it beneath the ruin.

  And the men lifted their voices in a great shout, and there was rejoicing; and they made their feast from the broken eggs of the serpent-men, and their hearts were glad.

  But Seraphine wept apart from them, for the nun saw the shadow that grew behind Dondorian’s triumph, as black scorched ground.

  And Melian went unto Seraphine and asked, "Lady Seraphine, why do you weep o'er our victory?"

  Thus Seraphine answered, saying, "Because I fear the road we walk, and I tremble for the end that awaits you, and for the ruin that is to come."