Chapter Seven – A doorway to death
The Riddari stood steel-eyed as the portal disc widened. Andin stood aside Bellos. The god of fire was in dragon form. If a hostile plane attacked, it would be critical to hold the line as close to the portal as possible. The Beldurian army was legendary. They had the distinct honor of being the only military force to have set foot in all of the hostile planes.
Pushing through a portal was tremendously difficult, but the well trained knights of Beldur could handle any foe with firepower of Lord Bellos on their side. The portal disc widened and widened. The colorful explosion of energy left the inky black portal, a bridge between worlds. Nothing crossed through.
After a few minutes Bellos went towards the doorway. Andin remained behind. Bellos couldn’t fit through the portal in dragon form. He remolded into his familiar shape and walked through the door. A moment later he returned with a black robed warrior wielding a massive scythe. Bellos was grinning ear to ear.
With a booming voice Bellos shouted, “May I present to you Lord Crepus, god of death.” The Riddari sent bolts of celebratory flame into the air. Beldur had not been opened to Ventisma, the Plane of Death in many years. Two civilized planes in a row was a rare treat for the fire-hearts.
Immediately the Riddari began to stand down their defenses. Their counterparts in Ventisma, the Reapers, did likewise. Word quickly spread through both capitals. Headmaster Svoi sent a message to the College to bring any students who wished to study abroad in Ventisma during the ninety days of the portal opening.
Bellos and Crepus respected each other greatly. The relationship between Beldur and Ventisma had always been strong. The two gods shared a passion for knowledge and studying the magical sciences. They walked together through the streets of Varsim, the capital city of Ventisma. “I’ve something to show you Bellos,” said Crepus to his old friend. “And I to you,” smiled Bellos.