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The fissure in the sky grew wider still, and through it, with a powerful wish in mind, he could sense even deeper beyond the Veil. Towards the very source of the Darklight itself.

And there, of course, lay an entire kingdom. The Realm of the Living Dark.

Home.

He would return there, one day, willingly or not. Even if he ultimately failed in his quest, he would be returned there. To the side of his master.

But here and now, it was not the pangs of homesickness or nostalgia that drive his thoughts there. No, he sought assistance. The kind he had never before felt strong enough to ask for. Never strong enough to reach across the great gulf between realms and make his will be known. In fact, never before would he have even thought that such a thing might be possible.

But now he did. With Kallmakk’s power came also knowledge. And confidence. A heart that dared to dream bigger.

So he sent the message along through the howl, too. He called for aid from his otherworldly kingdom.

From the Horde of the Living Dark.

Would they hear him? He was certain of it. But could they actually come here? That was more dubious. He would have to provide the bridge. They could not manifest in this realm unaided. Even his master was limited in that capacity, though it be in part due to his old wounds.

That was why he had given Koh form, after all. Why he had raised him from a pup with such love and discipline.

To have Koh do what he alone no longer could.

There. The bridge was set. A paltry construct, but set nonetheless. It would certainly not be able to support the passage of the Dark Horde’s infinite legions, but that was fine. He did not require such unfathomable strength. A morsel was all he hoped for.

And already, it was beginning to arrive. From the rift in the sky, along a narrow bridge blacker than even the night that surrounded it, they descended.

Their forms changed visibly from moment to moment--and they would continue to do so, until they passed fully through the Veil and into this world. At which point, most of them settled on the form of skeletal beasts and warriors. Some on horseback. Some horses themselves. All towering in height and breathing ghostly white flame.

And all wreathed in the swirling power of the Darklight.