Once more into the sword-and-sandals! Here's last time.
Two years have passed since the heroes last saw one another, and now they have reunited in Cyrene, the capital city of Dabba. They meet up at a tavern and share their stories of the past couple of years, and also discuss the news of Khem. Khem has closed its borders entirely, and all of them have heard rumors as to why and how this happened.
Thanos says that he heard it's because of them and their crusade to free the Khemit slaves - the borders have been closed because Khem heard that they're back together (the others don't quite buy this; seems a bit hubris-y). Eithne heard that the priests of Set ordered the borders closed because of the slave revolts, hoping to put things "right" again. Imani heard something similar, but that the Cult of the Ouroboros is responsible. Akala, though, relates the story of the Twelve Golden Boxes. Some years ago, twelve rulers around the world, including the Pharaoh of Khem, received magical boxes, locked and sealed, with a timer counting down and the words "and so his time shall pass" written in Enochian on the side. Akala has heard that the Pharaoh's box opened.
All of this is speculation, though, and the heroes are in Cyrene, which is very much a party town. Imani asks when they can leave - she's not interested in revelry. Eithne is much more relaxed; she's in love with an Atlantean named Jelani.
Outside, the heroes hear singing and general commotion. Every night in Cyrene is like this - people wear masks, play music, drink, and otherwise indulge. The doors to the tavern fly open and a very intoxicated fellow lands on their table, graciously offering the a drink from his flask. Akala is the only one that accepts, and finds that the sweet draught within makes her feel reckless and euphoric. Eithne doesn't drink, but does make little magic sparkles with her fingers. The drunk man is fascinated and gives her a mask, and invites her out to join the parade. She goes, and the others follow.
They make their way down the street and Akala and Thanos note that there are many shrines - some to Tanit, the spider-goddess worshiped here in Cyrene, some to Oba, and some with no god named but sacrifices of blood and fingers. Thanos, no stranger to the dark arts, recognizes these shrines as offerings to Ba'al, and Akala concurs.
As they wander, the round a corner and hear someone being beaten, and not enjoying it. They follow the sounds, and see a man beating four slaves in a courtyard. They approach him, and Imani demands to know what he's doing. He turns and addresses her by name, and they all feel a thrum of magic around them. Four Gallu (the massive, mind-controlled eunuch soldiers of Cyrene) appear, and attack. Eithne realizes what this "man" really is - a demon.
The Gallu clap Thanos and Akala in chains. Eithne casts a spell and liquefies Akala's chains, but the spell fizzles before hitting Thanos'. The Gallu close in, and Akala takes to the sky, hurling her chakram at the demon. The demon responds by skittering up the wall, leaping onto Akala's back, and bearing her to the ground. It casts a spell and she is immobilized.
Imani hurls her spear at the demon and strikes him, but doesn't kill him. Thanos casts a spell and the Gallu fighting him spits up scarabs, and his jackal Thanatos leaps up and rips out the creature's throat. Eithne prepares to cast another spell, but a Gallu grabs her and chokes her out until she falls unconscious. The other Gallu produce weapons and beat Imani until she falls prone.
The demon picks poor Thanatos up by the scruff of his neck and reveals his face - nothing but spiders - to Thanos. "You will surrender," it rasps, and Thanos, now alone, agrees, as long as the demon doesn't hurt the dog. The demon agrees, and drops Thanatos, and one of the Gallu puts a bag over Thanos' head.
Next time, we'll see what this demon wants with these heroes!
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