The antechamber was bathed in the soft pulsing blue light of the Primary Conduit.
Lucifer stood near the shattered iron doors with his back turned to the gruesome scene.
The crushed remains of Lord Vorian lay motionless in the center of the room.
High Warlock Xoroth huddled pathetically against the far wall. The dark mage was completely blind and his face heavily scarred by the Starlight Purge.
His midnight blue robes were charred rags. He trembled violently and listened to the heavy echoing footsteps of the Warlord.
"I gave you the codes!" Xoroth shrieked. His voice cracked with desperate panic. "I gave the Oracle everything! The palace anti-magic dome is down! The King is completely exposed! You promised me life!"
Lucifer did not stop walking. He did not turn around.
"I promised to extract your mind," Lucifer corrected smoothly. His voice carried the cold absolute resonance of the Void. "I never promised you life."
He stopped at the threshold of the ruined doorway.
