Precedent picture: Survive to Hell (https://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/survive-to-hell/2866131/?p) _________________________________ Marina, Delphine and Minalva were progressing in another long corridor. At each steps the sounds of the battle between Romatzo and the demon Ulharrl were fading. But even so, it was clear that the battle was fierce and very violent. They were worried for their dwarf friend, but his decision of staying behind was probably the best. The master of the place must been aware of their presence and more the time was passing and greater was the risk that he send on them a horde of demons, like he already did several weeks ago. Omdeo told them that the threat they were going to met was very powerful. Their chance of success was based on the fact that "the master" was weakened by the last summoning, he unleashed on them. Every minutes lost was more power recovering for him. This time, in the corridor, it was Marina that was leading the way, shield up and her sword ready to strike. Delphine still in the middle was enlighting the path with the light of her staff. Minalva was closing the march, her ears scruting for every suspicious noises and ready to use her bow. The corridor was large, large enough to allow Ulharrl to travel in it without problem. After several minutes of walking, they stumbled in front of a tunnel junction. "Which way do you think we take?" asked, with a low voice, Marina to her friends. After few seconds of reflection Delphine responded. "I'm sure it's this way. - How do you know that? - The malefic energy is stronger in that direction. Probably emitted by our ennemy." Mivalva smelled the air. "And the smell is worst there too. I don't like this. she sniffed once more. It scent like death." Several minutes passed again, finding other junctions and always using the same logic to find their way. If the putrid smell was first only detectable by Minalva, now all of them could smell it. By this odor of death, a fear was starting to grow inside Delphine's mind. They finally reached what looked like the end of the tunnel, a large room was ahead of them. The stench coming from it was hard to bear and the malefic energy could be felt even by Minalva and Marina too. This was it. Their enemy was there with no doubt. The three women shared a look and entered the room, waiting for an attack. But no attack came, which took them aback and the reation of the master of the place surprised them more. He actually completely ignored their intrusion. He was reading what looked like a grimoire on a stand. Without looking up to them he said. "I waited you. It took you so much time to reach me." despite his lipless face his words were perfectly understandable. His voice was screeching and sounded like if it came from an old crypt. Delphine's blood froze when she saw what the creature really was. "A lich! Like I feared it! she thought." The panic attack she had before was starting to coming back. Liches were knowned to be the black magic users the most powerful. "No! Fighting it is to big for us." The lich raised his head and observed the group. "I see that you left your dwarf friends with Ulharrl. I'm sure that my servitor will take care well of him." an awful laugh went out is mouth. If the malefic energy of the Lich was less strong than the one his demon servant, it was still very unconfortable to be close to it. The creature skin had a pale green color and it looked like it was decaying. His eyes were glowing with a malefic gaze. The lich was wearing a helmet cover with spikes, a dark and red light armor incrusted with gems. In his right hand, he was holding his staff. He was manifestely ready for the upcoming battle. "I suppose that after stealing the Egg from me, you are here to kill me?" - That's right, ugly face! screamed Marina. Your are too much a threat for the world. And you'll pay for the demons you send on us!" The lich didn't even took a look at Marina, he was observing Delphine. "You are the one who managed to dispel Gornhoth. Impressive! he smile, or at least it looked like it. It's been a long time since I had a wife. he observed her more carefully. I think you'll make a perfect candidat." Delphine shivered to this idea. "You are still weak and you are too much alive for me. his malefic aura raised. But this last problem that won't exist for long. As for your friends... he gave them a rapid look. Well, it will change from goblins's meat." The Lich magical staff and the gems of his armor started to glow, the fight was now imminent. Delphine was still petrified by fear, but she gave a quick look too to her friends on her side. "I can't let them down!" she thought. Then the face of Omdeo appeared in her mind. "Omdeo have faith in me, faith in us. We have been trained and stuffed with powerful gear. We can do it!" she firmed her grip on her magical weapon. "Let's go, ugly face!" she said with a strong voice. Her staff started to glow too. _________________________________ Whew! This picture had been hard to make. Not on a technical points, but because I realised, when I had finished the precedent one, that I had not planned at all the picture to introduce the Lich. All the final images are in my head (with more or less details) but not the one introcing the main vilain of the story... d'oh! Anyway, for a while I had a total lack of inspiration and it had been hard to find some. It's why I can't say if I'm really satisfy why the final product. But I hope you liked it and thank you for watching and reading!