(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

I screamed in an attempt to stop him, but it was too late. Almost instantly
the box began to disintegrate as a sickly smoke curled in the interior of the
pyramid. A feeling of immense dread filled the room, and it was all I could
do to keep myself from bolting from the tent. I could hear Morte's teeth
chittering, Annah's muffled curses, the keening of Dak'kon's blade as he
himself uttered what may have been a prayer invoking Zerthimon's name.
But as the tendrils of smoke touched the sides of the pyramid they were
drawn into the swirling vortex of the portals. As the last spiral of smoke
disappeared the feeling of dread passed. Aola smiled a bit nervously at us,
triumphant. "Witness the power of Aoskar, the Keeper of Gateways!"
I swallowed, "I'm sure a fiend of such power that it required so many spells
to contain it will have no problems making its way back here. And when it
does it's going to be looking for you..."
"I have taken that into consideration. You see, each side of the pyramid
contained a portal to a different plane. In effect, I scattered its essence far
and wide across the multiverse. Did you know there are races out there that
consider demons a sort of delicacy?" He began to chuckle softly as he
reached into the pyramid and sifted through the ashes of the box, removing
the gem that was attached to it. "Payment for my services. I will use this to
help rebuild my beautiful cathedral."
I sighed in relief, "Keep the gem; you have more than earned it. Farewell."
I wished Aola well before we left, but out of the corner of my eye I noticed
Annah slinking behind the old priest.
"Okay, hand it over," I said when we exited the building.
"I don't know what yer talkin' about."
"The ruby. I know you nicked it from Aola."
"The man accepted the box, Annah," Dak'kon murmured, "The dangers as
well as the rewards. It is his by right."
"Hey, hey, lighten up, wrinkles. Who do you think needs it more? Some
barmy old priest in a burned-down hut or our gang of monster-slaying
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