We drew close to whatever horror this ghastly amulet wished us to discover. Its ruddy, disquieting glow was near-constant now, so it took some perception to discern the minute changes indicating the proper direction.

On we went, driven now as much by curiosity as uncertainty. We had given up survival, and now sought only knowledge of our destination, to see what hideous wonder might greet our demise. We passed through another chamber, this one lined nearly floor to ceiling with paintings of the most distressing subjects imaginable.

The death of millions. The annihilation of the cosmos. These and other abominations were on proud display, rendered in the oils of colors as such to make the mind rebel. One canvas showed the very mountain we stood within, wrapped in chains of darkness to rival the abyss, all bound with an iron padlock inscribed with writhing vermillion runes.

We had no time to ponder the meaning of this artistry, for the creatures that seemed legion were again upon us.