The seven riders keep their distance, yet they pass close enough to satisfy their curiosity before they turn and speed away into the void. As you watch them disappear, a deep sense of unease grips you. You are relieved to have avoided a confrontation yet you sense that their departure is but a temporary reprieve; they may yet return in greater numbers.
Shortly after, you witness several objects that appear like comets encircling a cluster of distant stars. As you glide towards these stars the comets break away from their orbit and come soaring to meet you, racing with each other to reach you first. A collision looks imminent, but your mounting fears are soon forgotten when the surfaces of these shooting stars undergo a stunning transformation. Their leading surfaces take on the semblance of human faces.
(Yes I've been to Torgar)
You are shocked to the core when suddenly you recognize the faces that have appeared upon the surfaces of the three leading comets. The first is Lord Paido, the Vakeros warrior who accompanied you through the uncharted swamps of the Danarg and later sacrificed his life to protect yours in the infamous Darklord fortress of Torgar. The second is the face of Adamas, the Lord Constable of Garthen, who led the armies of Talestria and Palmyrion in the assault upon Torgar and perished during that fearsome siege. And the third is the bearded face of Sebb Jarel, the brave Eruan partisan who guided you through the Hellswamp and, in so doing, forfeited his life
Your Kai senses detect that the souls of these three brave men are trapped upon this domain. Their spirits were captured by Evil at the moment of their deaths and Naar has since condemned them to an eternity in the service of Avarvae the Tormentress. You see them mouthing words: they are pleading for you to release them from their torment, and your heart is torn by their silent, plaintive cries.
( I do have Deliverance and Sun Thane rank)
Out of a sense of duty and respect for the memories of these three brave men, you recite the secret words of the ceremony of Kai Exorcism. As you intone the hallowed words, you feel an aura of peace and tranquillity descend upon their tormented souls. The twisted and pained faces which adorn the surface of the fiery comets gradually soften and fade until, with an overwhelming sense of release, you detect that they are no more. Through the power of your ceremony their souls have been allowed to escape from this hellish domain and have gone to seek eternal peace upon the Plane of Light.
The comets, now devoid of soul-energy, are drawn back into the orbit of the distant star cluster. You, too, are drawn towards these glowing stars, and as you pass through them at an incredible speed, you glimpse a wondrous sight in the void beyond. A vast rainbow bridge of colour arcs across the immeasurable darkness to a titanic plateau of fire. Your spirits soar when you detect that this is the Bridge of the Damned, the exit that you seek from this astral domain. Yet as you approach the magnificent bridge, you detect a less-welcoming presence. The shadowy riders are returning, and this time they are escorting a creature that sets your pulse racing with fear.
From the depths of the void there speeds forth a colossal chariot, drawn by four supernatural lionesses and driven by an astral being who bears the semblance of a stunningly beautiful woman. Pale green beams of light issue from her eyes and wisps of silvery mist trail from her ebony tresses. She wields a whip that sparkles with magical fire and her magnificent carriage is escorted by one hundred shadowy outriders, each armed with a lance of cold flame.
Your initial fears are compounded when your Kai senses detect that this being is Avarvae the Tormentress, the ruler of this vast domain. She brings her chariot to a halt and signals to her escorts, with a contemptuous flick of an elegant wrist, to rein in their steeds and wait for her return. Then she glides from her carriage upon a carpet of silvery mist and moves effortlessly towards you. As her gigantic face looms above, you see a sneer of disdain curl her cruel, voluptuous lips.
(Yes I have Shamath's Potion, but I choose not to use it)
Your fear of this supernatural creature is fast transforming into sheer terror. You sense the colossal power that she is capable of wielding and you have no doubts that her intention is to slay you, but not quickly. It is clearly her desire to enjoy your slow demise.
To engage the Tormentress and her huge escort of Shadow Reavers in combat would be a brave yet suicidal action, for you have no experience of the nature of combat upon this astral realm and you could be quickly overwhelmed by your enemy’s sheer weight of numbers. You sense that your only chance for survival is to evade the Tormentress and her minions by crossing the Bridge of the Damned.
(I have Grand Nexus and the right rank)
Using your improved Grand Mastery, you cause yourself to soar at great speed towards the distant bridge. Your sudden and unexpected acceleration takes Avarvae and her minions completely by surprise. By the time they react to your escape it is already too late: you have reached the Bridge of the Damned, the exit from Avarvae’s domain.