Only Gilean prevented Velentham from rushing after his father. Unfathomable pain, anguish so profound it made his chest ache, Velentham could only let out an animal cry of fury. Asmodeus' black shade recoiled for only a moment before seeming to digest the insignificant flare that exploded in his heart. Tears of rage and grief filled his eyes as the shade began to fill the entirety of the chasm. At last, Asmodeus began to take his shape as an absolutely massive hell lord. There was nothing left but to obey - Velentham roared out his hatred and changed direction - speeding for the portal to the Outlands.
Behind him, Gilean sent Blackblood careening with a ray of light toward the heart of Asmodeus. It connected, slowing the hell lord enough to allow both Gilean and Velentham to pass through the portal. With nothing to block them, the two rocketed over the town of Ribcage - causing an outcry of anger from the denizens that flocked there - and sailed far beyond into the forests.
Exhaustion, pain, rage, frustration - each took their turn filling Velentham to the brim. He collapsed on the ground, howling and sobbing. He had lost the one being that would have done everything for him - did - everything for him. At Gilean's touch, he wheeled, snarling. "You... this is because of you... you did this... you made him sacrifice himself..."
"He made his choice... for you. Everything he did... he did for you."
Velentham knew it was true. He gripped the amulets around his neck, the last possession of his father and the only one he had left. "He put this on me so I could focus... once he took it off... he couldn't keep himself from doing what he did."
"He knew... he knew what would happen," Gilean said almost absently.
"Of course he did... he waited til the last to give this to me... he kept me in a stupor... so I wouldn't fight."
"Your father was a great man," Gilean said. "It falls to you to honor his greatness. Be the man he has always wanted you to be and he will live on in you."
Velentham slumped to the ground, clutching the amulets in his hands as he sobbed. Sleep, as always, dutifully covered him - forcing his exhaustion to quiet him and slip into dreamless slumber amidst the forested floor.
