"Back attack!" yelled Charjer as he deflected an attack from the mighty balrog. He could hear the witch cackle with glee. He looked in her direction for a half a second to see her vanish in a swirly mist. As he turned his attention back to the beast, he saw a clawed hand come down at the last moment, but moved too slow and the beast tore through his armor and struck his chest.

Charjer looked down and touched his chest. His fingers came away with blood. He looked at it for a moment more before looking back up at the balrog just in time to see it swing upward at him, flinging him behind his companions.

By this time, the others had drawn their weapons and began their furious attack on the balrog. Min stayed behind to check on Charjer. Ryoga directed the attack and soon, the balrog had been brought down. Everyone rushed over to Charjer to see how he was doing.

"He doesn't look too good," Ate observed. Charjer felt as if his blood was on fire.

"It looks like the poison is making its way through his system," said Min. "We need to get him to the monastery quickly. Some of the monks there know curative techniques."

As the group was discussing what to do, Charjer looked over to where the balrog had been brought down and saw it slowly rise. He tried to warn everyone of the impending danger, but the poison coursing through his veins made it painful to move.

He watched as the balrog roared and knocked his companions to the side as it lunged for him.

Suddenly, there was a bright light.

And then nothingness.