Inside the massive, ruined throne room, the latent mana it tasted like ash. The colossal, mangled corpses of the three Calamity Lords lay on the pulverized stone.
Commander James Maddox stood perfectly still in the epicenter of the destruction. His body dyed a violent black and crimson from the beasts' blood and his own. His youthful face, however, was no longer smiling.
The playful nature that masked his true nature had entirely evaporated, leaving behind a cold, ancient gravity that made him look every bit the century-old monster he truly was.
"You always did hide behind your toys," Maddox said, his voice echoing off the fractured obsidian walls. He didn't look back toward the corridor where the Joker was hiding. His glowing brown eyes remained locked on the towering, skeletal Lich still sitting upon its throne of spines. "Is this the best you could summon? Or have you grown weak sitting in the dark?"
