Herman’s next adventure 

Herman woke to Jinx over him. She was gently shaking him. He groaned and rolled over. She helped him up and moved him over the bed. He had little pin prick sized scabs all over his body. She ran off to get a washing basin and cloth. She started to clean his wounded body, “I would ask you what happened, but I see your door is gone.” She wiped his face with the cloth, “So Oni is dead. I hope is friends are okay.” She rinsed off the cloth in the basin that was turning pink from the blood.

The pain was gone and he was starting to feel better. A grin washed over Herman’s face, “They are all dead.” Waving his hand, to wave off her concern, “I think something great happened. Tiamat is gone.” She tilted her head. He looked are her, “I think somehow Oni and his friends are now gods.” His pause was long, “We should keep an eye out for the changes, to see if we have new gods.” 

She smiled, “I have a better idea.” Still fatigued he bobbed a little. She looked towards the last door in their home, the one that led to the Nexis, “we can go to Weasletons. I still have a key. I am one of the last that can go in. he had some amazing magics there. He could see the future.” Herman started to move. She wiped his head with the cloth again, “let’s go tomorrow after you recover.” Herman’s head hit the pillow. Jinx left to leave him be and to ready a little food. 

The next day they woke together. Herman woke with his arms gently wrapped around Jinx. His heart was broken in one aspect but healing fast here with her.  She had told him about her struggle when she first became estranged. Many familiars end their own lives when it happens to them. It was important to find a reason to move on. Jinx was his reason. She moved sparking them both to get up. 

A few hours past, before they headed into the kitchen and main room. Jinx had laid out packs for their travel. He checked them but knew he would find them ready to go. They each had food and supplies for about week. Both packs included some of his favorite ale. It felt good to see them working together this way. She walked out of the bathroom drying herself off. She opened her wardrobe. Inside was her armor and weapons. She looked over her shoulder encouraging him to get ready. It was time to leave. 

They both donned their armor. Hers was lighter and more flexible then his. His was mostly a plate of metal that covered his chest and back. All of her weapons were lighter than his as well.  He had moved to heaver arms after the ambush in the woods a couple of years back. She had her pack on and was heading to the door. Herman wondered if they should just live here, but she wanted to find the answer, even more than him. 

The trail was longer now than before, as space was adding to this section of the Nexis. After two days they came to one of the entrances. Jinx went up to the door with the key out. She stopped for a minute. She examined the door closely. Herman had never seen this side of her. She looked over every seem and edge of the door. She smirked as she looked back to Herman. She moved a tiny knife in to remove some threat. She spun the key on her finger, and with a click opened the door. 

The corridors beyond the door were in ruin. Some hallways had collapsed. Noises could be heard.  The entire place looked like a thousand years had passed. Time was still moving in weird ways as it looked as if it was aging as they explored. Herman cast light on a dagger so they could see. He wanted to leave but she wanted to see if they could find the center chambers. She drove them forward. He wished he could stop them.

They found the portal chamber. Magical energy was pulsing through the room. Another crashing noise came from the tunnel they entered through. Again, Herman wanted to leave. The energy flowed down to one of the portals. I looked like chaos within it. Nothing seems clear. They went down to it. 

Herman was examining the portal. Jinx had moved down a hallway on this level. She said she would be right back. Feeling her presence behind him he turned. In front of him were three familiars. One of them, a lizard of some sort had a Tiamat tattoo. His voice had strong s sounds as he threatened Herman, “Wheressss your bitshhh. I want to kill you-sss. All of you need to die-sss.” Herman shifted. 

Herman in a shift motion drew his sword and dagger. The songbird to the right of lizard stepped up to attack him. Its blades bounced off of his chest plate. The lizard moved around to flank him. Just before he struck his back, a bolt of fur dashed from the hall. Jinx sprang out and smashed into the lizard. Herman slashed across the bird. The third familiar, a small primate of some sort, stepped back in shock. 

Herman slashed the bird again, dropping him on the ground in front of him. Courage returned to the primate, and he drew his weapons. Jinx struggled with the lizard. They both became unstable and went through the portal. This used the last of energy and it collapsed. Herman finished off the primate before he could get his weapons to bear. It was as if this was the last of the magic holding the ruins in place. It started to collapse around him. He ran for the exit. Just like the last time he fled Weasletons home, the exit seemed shorter than the entrance.

Herman hit the ground just outside dust and dirt rushing past him. he was truly alone know.