Page 857 of End Game

“The magic ricochets.”

“Oh my God.”

“It strikes the third pillar.”

Griffin sucks air through his teeth.

Micah mutters, “Fuck.”

“The pillar fractures, and the remaining anchor shielding the Hollow King disappears behind a wall of fallen stone.”

Dex drops his forehead onto the table. “Can I die in real life instead?”

Cami is already studying the map.

“No.”

She points near Micah’s mini. “He can get through there.”

Micah leans closer. “Maybe.”

Griffin studies the path. “If I hold the King here.”

Dex raises his head. “Wait.”

Then they begin talking over one another—not chaotically, but strategically.

Griffin can hold position for one round.

Cami can keep him alive if the King turns fully toward him.

Micah can get through the broken section if he makes the check.

Dex can still do something useful from range after spectacularly fucking up the ward.

He says exactly that.

“Spectacularly fucking up was phase one. Phase two is redemption.”

“Good,” I tell him. “You need it.”

He flips me off.

They do it.

Griffin plants himself between the Hollow King and the rest of them, and his paladin absorbs a hit that would have dropped Dex instantly. Cami heals him without wasting her highest slot. Micah disappears through the broken stone.

Dex finally gets his moment.

Not a huge one.

Not the killing blow.

Something better for him.

The Hollow King starts another incantation while Micah is still climbing toward the anchor, and Dex recognizes it. His bard starts to sing.

Not a joke.