Belasco’s voice said, “Good. I am getting very tired holding this beast in check.” There was a sense of a dark chuckle, a humor rooted in pain and anger. “I guess we can both say this time I overreached myself, brother.”

Amirantha looked around the room and saw Jim ready to cut Belasco’s throat, Sandreena ready to bash his head in with a mace, and the two elves ready to do whatever they needed to subdue him should the need arise. “Given there are five people here ready to see you dead in an instant, and you’re stuck in some mental struggle with a Demon King, and thousands of lives are at risk because of your choices…yes, I can agree you overreached.”

“Well, I’d tell you I was sorry, but we both know that would be a lie,” he said with what seemed to be an echo of evil glee. “You may be right, you know.”

“About what?” asked the Warlock.

“About me being insane. I’m not sure, because I’ve always felt this way. I know Sidi was mad, but that was easy to see. You, probably not, or you hide it well. But I realize now that a lot of what I’ve done…Don’t get me wrong on this, dear brother. I still don’t care, but I realize that one must be a little crazy to try what I’ve tried.

“I saw myself as just too smart.” There came a hollow laugh. Then suddenly the tone changed. “It’s starting! You must do it now!”

Amirantha nodded, and Gulamendis said, “I will delay the demon within for a few minutes.”

Sandreena said, “I can pacify your brother, Amirantha.”

“Begin,” said Amirantha.

“Farewell, brother,” came Belasco’s voice. Amirantha’s eyes widened slightly, for in his lifetime, his brother had never offered him the slightest wish for good fortune. As if understanding this, Belasco added, “For if you do not fare well, I most certainly perish.”

They began their spells.

Demons withered under the blistering attack of the magicians surrounding them. Pug could sense more than see that some of the magicians on the walls were failing, exhausted from the tremendous demand on their willpower and endurance to channel so much magic in so short a time. Only Magnus seemed unfazed by the demands placed on him.

A massive wave of energy swept up the four towers and suddenly a figure began to appear, suspended in the air, slightly translucent in appearance.