A pillar of dense, black smoke rises from the Hadrani countryside. At the center stands a man wreathed in flame. He has learned his lesson. Caution is for the weak. This threat he will face head on. He will not wither away, his essence drawn out by foul trickery. He knows what has befallen one like him; neither ally nor enemy, but similar to him.

He seeks his honorable death, but it will not be easy for his assailants.

"I want it." Marcus' green eyes flare as he addresses his lackey. His gaunt frame trembles with a mixture of anticipation and rage.

"I realize that my lord, but it is guarded. Perhaps we could..."

"I want it now!" The lich roars, interrupting the man. He rips a tapestry from the wall beside him and throws it to the floor as he screams, "We know where it is. Retrieve it for me! It's mine!"

Wisely, the necromancer scurries from the room.

He has sent his generals from him. Alone, he broods. It is clear that they wish to weaken him and drive him out. There is not much time. He must strike now before his race is further diminished.

"I am ancient... timeless..." he reminds himself. This time he feels the words ring hollow.

The hive mind rings with the booming voice of the queen. Her anger can be sensed within her children.

"We do it my way now, the only way. We will have the item by the next full moon. Send him in. We do not hold back from this point forward."

The K cower as one K came out of his hiding place, all of their flesh falling from their bodies as they watched; A hunched form of black emerging from their mother.

"Are you prepared, Diamond?"

"Always, Cici. When the item arrives, I will be waiting for it."

She nods and walks from the room, not wanting to look at what he had done to himself. Hiding her tears from the creatures as she walks past, she goes back outside, needing fresh air.