Telfenham had decided on the plan long before. He had known when they evaded the Bladereavers what had to happen. He had known when he watched his only son sink deeper into his own mind, stayed only by the amulet he had wrought that hung about his neck. He knew it would take everything and he knew he had to give anything. When he told the story of Asmodeus it was just the beginning. But to take off his amulet in the ninth level of hell was the solidifying factor of his suicide.
He shouted orders to his son to aid Gilean, which he knew Velentham, though pained and panicked, would follow. He sped ever faster toward the crevasse, propelled by not only his spells, but his very essence. He locked his heart with the deepest, darkest, and most ancient in all the Nine Hells and sped toward it like an arrow to its mark. The closer he came, the darker became his mind.
Telfenham was far ahead of Velentham and Gilean, yet he was still connected. He felt his son's heart - the terror. He telepathed with the last of his sanity, "Ahead - it is ahead... blue... black... portal. Go to it... go through it... fly out of Ribcage beyond to Sigil. Do you understand?!"
"I WON'T LEAVE YOU!" Velentham shouted aloud.
"Nor... will I. We all go!" Gilean telepathed.
"No time... for this... you two will do as I say."
From the depths of the Serpent's Coil rose the darkest of shapes. It seemed to fill the crevasse with the frozen chill of evil. Demons that had risen to give chase suddenly veered off and fled. The size was more than emmense, and Asmodeus himself rose in the shade. Telfenham turned back to look at his son and Gilean. "GO!" he screamed.
Telfenham knew what he had to do... and it had to be done now. To ensure the safe passage of his son, to get his nephew home, to set right what he had done in bringing Gilean so far away and enabling his son to get away with so much. He only hoped that his son would learn, would grow, and would understand.
With the last of his strength, Telfenham let his mind go. The fury of rage flooded his veins as he dove straight into the heart of Asmodeus' massive shade. He let his rage dismantle him, his light spilled from his skin - all was bright, then - eternal darkness.
