<Krysmphoenix> Hugues froze in place. No zombie, just Frankenstein's monster. Well...something like that anyway. He weighed his options. He could probably get Cole and the others down here and they could take Dennis on. Or he could try to lure him up where there was more space. And yet there was still another option. "You don't have to do this." (cont)
<Krysmphoenix> "You don't have to keep obeying her."

<mistaya> A weak laugh echoes up the stairs.  "Yes.  My part is done, finally.  I can rest now."

<Krysmphoenix> Wait...his part is done? Well he already had all four parts but...didn't he need to be part of the ritual? "And what about Alyssa? Is she going to be safe once Mel just throws you away?"
<mistaya> "Four were owed, and four were delivered.  I didn't know, god help me, I didn't know.  She took it away, whenever I realized...  But Alyssa is safe.  She keeps her bargains, the bitch. She always keeps her bargains."

<Krysmphoenix> (What's dennis' real name again?)
<mistaya> (Eric)

<Krysmphoenix> "Yes, but her bargain goes past just taking the four. She still needs you, that's why you're here. There's a reason they call it making a deal with the devil, Eric Barnes. Those who make those deals never make it out alive." Hugues certainly didn't.
<mistaya> There is a soft gasp.  "That's my  name... You found it..."  There is a sound of someone standing up, and then heavy footsteps on the stairs.  "You found it. Eric.  My name is Eric."  He stops at the top and stares at Hugues, with an expression of wonder.  (cont)

<mistaya> Hugues looks at Eric in horror.  The man was rotting alive.  His stolen eye was milky white, leaking a thick brown fluid down his cheek.  The stolen ear was gone, fallen away.  The hand was black and oozing.  Blood and more brown ran from the corners of his mouth, and his words were thick and hard to understand.  "Knew there was a time limit, didn't know it would hurt so much." he said.  He slumped down against the wall.

<Krysmphoenix> Hugues wanted to step closer to inspect the damage, but he still wasn't completely sure if he could trust Eric right now. Plus, who knew what was down there with him. "What do you mean by a time limit?"

<Mistaya>Eric gestured to his rotten hand. "Death magic weakens over time. Used my soul to keep it fresh... Only had so much time before it failed.  You almost... ran me out." He smiled weakly.  "Almost."