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and retracted, Micus used his other two arms to grab hold of Kaanyr and drag him backward, out of the way. At the same time, Myshik’s mouth opened wide, and another burst of lightning shot forward, engulfing the exposed mouth of the octopus-thing. That bolt formed true, but it flashed a deep blue color.
    With another angry hiss, the monstrous beast released the rotunda and retreated.
    Aliisza sighed in relief and exhaustion and dropped her hands to her knees, breathing hard. She watched Micus-Myshik carefully, wary of what he would do next.
    The fused creature set Kaanyr down. The cambion wriggled free of the limp tip of the tentacle and rolled away. He came up in a crouch, his wicked sword free of its scabbard. Purple magic danced along the length of its blade.
    Micus turned toward the half-fiend and swished the war axe through the air. “Is that how you choose to repay your savior?” he asked, panting. He strained to form the words. “Perhaps I should have let the astral kraken devour you, after all.”
    “I do not trust you, creature,” Kaanyr answered. “Aliisza, stay on his opposite side. Keep him flanked.”
    The alu did as instructed, but she wondered how much good she could do with the wand.
    The Micus abomination danced backward, trying to keep both his opponents in view. His wild-eyed expression worried her. “If we are to escape this dire predicament, we must do so together,” he said. “That is why I saved you, half-demon. Do not make me regret it.”
    “What has happened?” Aliisza asked. “How did we come to be here? How can we possibly trust you?”
    She wanted to add, How did you come to be as you are?
    “I do not understand all of it,” Micus replied, still spinning and watching the two half-fiends as they circled him, “and there is no time for the details.” A look of agony crossed the transformed angel’s face, and he shuddered and nearly fell. He grunted in pain, then recovered enough to bring the war axe back up in a defensive position.
    “Mystra is slain, and all the multiverse reels at her destruction,” Micus continued. “Waves of devastation crisscross the Astral and rend the planes. Dweomerheart is no more. Magic has gone terribly awry.”
    Aliisza gasped at the twisted angel’s revelation. She remembered again the vision within the Eye of Savras. Shar had wanted to kill Mystra. No! she silently screamed. I tried to stop you!
    “Why should we believe you?” Kaanyr asked. “How do we even know you are still of sound mind, after… after—”
    “After becoming this monster?” Micus finished for the cambion. “I would think my twisted form would be evidence enough for you. But we must hurry! There is no more time for debate. Every moment, I feel the savage rage of the half-dragon grow inside me. Soon, it may overwhelm me, and then I will no longer be interested in helping you.”
    “And just how do you intend to help us?” Kaanyr asked, his expression wary. “What do you want of us?”
    “Come with me, back to the House of the Triad. I can take us there, all of us. My control over my power grows weaker by the moment, but I can still transport you, save you from this oblivion.”
    “And then?” Kaanyr asked. “Once we have returned?”
    “Then you will stand trial for your crimes,” the angel answered, his breath coming in gasps as he fought to maintain his senses. “You must answer for your role in Mystra’s death. But it is a better fate than remaining here, trapped, until the astral kraken—or something worse—comes for you.”
    “I think not,” Kaanyr replied, an unkind grin spreading across his face. “I will not be your prize, angel.” He raised his sword higher.
    “So be it!” screamed Micus. “I will take your corpses instead!” He reared, intending to charge.
    Aliisza watched as the wretched thing that once had been an angel and a draconic hobgoblin charged her lover. She
    saw Kaanyr step back, intent on using the columns as a line of defense.
    An