The race was on the moment the Mad Mage of the Muurn offered recompense for his liberation.

Plenty offered, two took steps to see it through, and one urged his cohort to make swift progress. Asmodron of the Court of Shadows negotiated terms with the wizard Gaderian and a plan was devised in secret with the assistance of the vampiress Pa'lau.

For two months, citizens of Hashan worked to refine the formula for the Mage's extraction. Too powerful, and the explosion would destroy his mortal frame. Too weak, and it would not be enough to overcome the sturdy construction of the Cerulean Spire. After dozens of tests and many casualties to accompany them, the search for the correct mixture proved fruitful.

Acting swiftly, the would-be liberators assembled a raft and moved it to the waters of Lake Muurn. They rowed it along, working in turns to keep the vessel running true, then made landfall on the beach and rolled the gold-and-crimson bomb to the walls of the Spire. Spark was put to fuse, and in the blink of an eye, Gaderian was freed.

From the cloud of dust and the falling pieces of stone and mortar, the figure of the Mad Mage dove from the now-open wall and plunged into the icy waters below. Time will tell where and when he re-emerges, to say nothing of the wicked designs he will unleash upon the world in revenge for his long captivity.

Though the race is now over, the clock remains as unforgiving as ever, as the world waits to see what happens next.

Tick, tock.

~ ~ ~

Summary: Asmodron struck a deal with the imprisoned Gaderian and devised a plan to free him. Using a powerful bomb, the conspirators from Hashan blew a hole in the side of the Spire through which the Mad Mage escaped.

Penned by My hand on the 12th of Glacian, in the year 969 AF.