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We entered the administration building, climbing ever higher once inside. We ran into Sohmien, horse-like creatures, looters, and scattered fiends, but nothing that hampered us too much.
On a balcony on the top floor of the building we found Trias, looking out over the city he had doomed. Not even bothering to turn around, his voice drifted back to me.
"What do you hope to accomplish here?" Trias raised his arm, gesturing over the city. "Much good you have done in such a short time, mortal. It shall not be enough to keep these traitors from realizing the depths of their folly."
"Why did you lie to me?"
"You were in need of direction. The price of your need was betrayal. How is that you believe that you have earned the right to any truths in this life or the next? Such arrogance. Indeed, it was your duty as a lesser being to free me. I owe you nothing, and it is what I have given. I gave you more than you deserved. You freed me to help yourself."
"Then why have you dragged Curst into the Outlands?"
"A city of betrayers have been betrayed and received what they have deserved. There is no 'why'. It seals my compact with the Lower Planes. The greater good is served."
"The greater good? What greater good is that?"
"The blood spilled by an army of fiends will be redeemed by the righteous wrath of the Hosts of Heaven. Those who fall do so in the name of a greater good. This town falls in the name of the greater good - the expunging of evil. A small sacrifice, considering those who are to be sacrificed."
"No good comes of evil roots, I fear."
"I will not be judged by you, mortal, not when you have lived the lives you have. Let me tell you of betrayal: Betrayal is cowardice, selling weapons to your adversaries out of fear that they might stop killing each other and turn upon you. Betrayal is refusing to lead by example. Betrayal is letting the fiends run rampant through the Planes until evil has corrupted all hearts. Ask not therefore why I scale Mount Celestia and seek to set fire to its slopes with war."
"You would taint the essence of good with evil incarnate. That sounds like betrayal."
"There are many definitions of betrayal. One must live long enough to experience them all. Even your life, were it not fraught with forgetfulness, does not have the range of centuries necessary to appreciate them. Such a betrayal is no betrayal at all."
"What really happened to your wings, Trias?"
"Baator's fires burn hot indeed, but they are candles compared to a father's anger." He fluttered the burnt shreds of his wings. "There is no pain like being cast from Mount Celestia."
"So you're fallen, then? Why should I believe any of your words?"
"Speak not to me of treacheries and falling, mortal. I am willing to sacrifice even myself that Good might triumph."
"That's noble, Trias, but what gives you the right?"
"I am *here*. I see the evil. I am willing to act on it. My *will* gives me the right."
"One's will does not give one the right, Trias. Stand down, and we will not come to blows."
"Is your foolishness so great that you wish to test your pseudo-immortality against a true immortal? Step aside, human, or we shall test this claim of yours."
"Bring it on, Trias."
"It has been a long time since I have wielded my blade against another. We shall duel, you and I."
It was a difficult combat. Not because Trias was so powerful; in fact, he was weak, the work we had done bringing the citizens of Curst together proving effective. But I needed to be sure I did not destroy him, since there was knowledge he had I could get from no other source. Finally, Trias conceded he was beaten.
"I yield to you this hour, mortal. My imprisonment has weakened me... in my state, I am no match for you."
"I still require knowledge from you, Trias. Tell me how to reach the Fortress of Regrets." Trias coughed bloody spittle before answering.
"Before I tell you, I must exact a promise from you. You must vow to spare my life." I didn't like the thought of leaving Trias free to betray others, but I needed what he knew. I also thought there was still a chance he could redeem himself. Besides, Ravel was already dead. I could not afford to lose any more sources of information in case I forgot again.
"I vow to spare your life if you give me the knowledge I seek."
"The portal to the place you seek lies within the torus above the spire, in the city of Sigil, the City of Doors. In that city, there is a place where the dead of your kind are taken..."
"You mean the *Mortuary*?"
"It is where you awoke of late, is it not? The planes seem filled with such ironies of late. So *close* you were, then..."
"What is the key?"
"The Fortress of Regrets is mortared with tears, and like calls to like. To enter the Fortress, you must contribute something to it. When you pass near the portal, should you carry regret in your mind, you will feel the presence of the portal, like the cold embrace of death."
"While this chill bathes you, you must tear off a scrap of your own skin, and write a regret upon it with blood from your left index finger. The portal will open, and you can discover the truth behind the Fortress of Regrets - and perhaps meet its keeper."
"How do you know this?"
"Many alliances have I sought across the Planes. My search brought me to the Fortress, where I spoke to its lord and keeper of its shadowed halls. No doubt you should wish to return to Sigil now. The blood you have on your hands shall act as the key to this portal; simply step through the door by which you entered, and you shall return."
"What can you tell me of the Fortress?"
"Its halls are dark and seem empty - but like you, it draws tormented souls to it like a lodestone. Like you, it is empty and yet full of time's cast-offs. Like you, it is a monument to torment. Shall I tell you of these souls, wanderer?" At my nod, he continued, his bloody smile widening.
"They are the souls of those who died in your place. They have become shadows that you may live. They are *your* shadows, the shades you cast upon existence, and they will find you, wanderer, and they will make you suffer for their torments. You will receive your due at their hands, you and those who are foolish enough to accompany you." I had already learned this trifle of information from the Pillar of Skulls, as had my companions if he sought to drive a wedge between us.
"I'm sure. What can you tell me of this keeper?"
"Powerful is that one. You shall not best him, and you shall not be able to wrest your mortality from his cold grip. It is lost to you. You have embarked on an errand undertaken only by fools."
"Foolish I may be, but I will know more about this keeper."
"A man's mortality is a compass that points his way in life. If it may be grasped like an object, much can be learned about the nature of the man it was torn from. Your adversary knows more about you than you will ever know. He has watched you and studied you across many of your half-lives. I know his heart. He will not return that which you seek."
"What will you do when I have left you, Trias?"
"I shall once again attempt to levy a host against the gates of Paradise. They will not have me back, and there is no other purpose to my existence."
"Trias, have you forgotten the face of your father?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Upper Planes are the home of justice, beauty, and goodness. They are also home to forgiveness. Go home. Admit your error and beg forgiveness."
He opened his mouth for an angry retort... and paused, reflecting. He bowed his head. "You speak convincing words, mortal, and their wisdom pierces me. I shall seek the forgiveness of my fathers, and accept any retribution they choose. If we meet again, it is my hope that I will be redeemed."
Trias meant what he said now. Whether he would follow through,
or convince himself to betray his word as he had betrayed so many
others I did not know. I had a pressing engagement; we returned
through the portal to Sigil.
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