[center][h1][b]Reign:[/b] [color=yellow]Kingdom Come[/color][/h1][/center][center][h2]Chapter 4:C - The Path[/h2][/center]
[center][url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/F5651fq/1913412399227cbb96b81c61e9f003f5-big-sur-california-large-format.jpg[/img][/url][/center][center][url=https://www.google.com/url?q=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dja1texxSyj8&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwjmof3SxLLfAhUrTd8KHeNQCW0QuAIIDDAA&usg=AOvVaw3kOfxGmv8HywI1hm2Vxc35]Soundtrack[/url][/center]
Lorenzo guided the hound to the left. A stable, but not as quick of a route toward the tower. The dog immediately took to his directing. It sprinted with all the speed it could muster. The stones beneath its paws flew behind as the earth shook from its weight. 

Above the sky continued to darken. They saw the particles descend on the area around them and up ahead. [hider=Ash][url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/HCFzxP6/1098330.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://freeonlinedice.com/][/url][/hider]Gardevoir replied to Lorenzo's inquiry, [color=9e0b0f]"What envelops the atmosphere around us is none other then the BreathStalker. It desires to cross over to our world, but we will not allow it.."[/color] He began waving his staff in swirling motions around them. The ashen particles were pushed aside. However, their vision was becoming more limited as time passed. Then, directly in the path ahead appeared the BreathStalker. Its hollow sockets glowed with a pale white light in the darkness. Their hound howled in fear, yet continued forward. It was the bravest animal Lorenzo had ever seen besides Loyal.

Gardevoir cried out, [color=9e0b0f]"You must use the items at your disposal! Shoot it!"[/color] Col had already resolved to use the bow earlier though he did not know how it would come in use against small particles. Now he knew. Col notched an arrow on their mount. It was difficult to aim with its erratic movements. However, his training on horseback prepared him for his shot. The glowing arrow flew true toward the entity. It sank into its chest and erupted in an explosion of reddish orange. It cried out into the wind as it was forced to separate again. The hound trampled over it smearing the BreathStalker on the stoney ground below. 

The ashy rain continued to fall, but Gardevoir's staff and key lit the way like a lamp on their path. The tower of light continued to glow through the darkness. It glowed brighter and brighter the closer they came. Hope rising in the darkness. 

Gardevoir began to groan in pain, [color=9e0b0f]"I do not have the strength to continue to protect us..cover your faces and take as few breaths as you need. Use the shield to separate the deadly ash from us. Fire more arrows as needed. And Marque..you know what to do..."[/color] As he spoke the barrier around them began to flicker out, little by little until it was gone. Marque felt his master's hand clasp his shoulder. Then Gardevoir collapsed in exhaustion. The mask in Marque's hand lit up brighter then ever before. Marque felt a powerful urge to put it on.

As soon as the barrier dissipated, smokey ash swirled around them. If they breathed they would inhale thousands of particles. The dog winced in pain. They could barely see or breathe. How would they continue forward?