Elijah could only watch as the demon claws reached from beyond, clutching Felicity and dragging her into their hellish realm. Azza released her grip on the sword. A snap of energy surged through the chamber, and the shimmering inside the demon gate faded. The door was closed. A fire raged in Elijah’s chest, fists and teeth clenched.

Rehtul appeared beside him, the ice mage as calm as ever when he said, “We can’t leave her.”

“You think I don’t know that?” he snapped.

Azza stood up off the floor, dusting herself. She looked at him. “What are we going to do?”

Elijah sighed. She’s safe, at least. That will have to be enough. “Open the gate.”

“What?” said Azza and Rehtul in unison.

“Just a crack. We can’t abandon a comrade to those monsters, so I’m going after her.” He held out a hand, shaking Rehtul’s. “It’s been a pleasure working with a mage of your caliber.”

“Eli–Master Elijah, you can’t–”

He didn’t look at her yet, forcing himself to focus on Rehtul. “A word of warning: this gate didn’t open itself. Someone did it on our side.”

The ice mage nodded. “I understand.”

“Keep Azza safe for me.”

His student finally pushed herself between him and the gateway. “You still have more to teach me!”

“I know, I know.” He put both hands on her shoulders. “This needs to happen, but I promise, I will find you.”

She sniffed, smiling weakly. “‘When you wake up?’”

“That’s right.” He ruffled her hair, smiling back. “But not in twelve years, this time.”

With that, Azza closed her eyes and grasped the sword. She turned its handle a high-imperceptible fraction. The rightmost edge of the gate shimmered again, spewing the stench of old meat and cloves. Without a word, Elijah stepped forward into that shimmer, and departed the mortal realm.

Hell awaits.