### 169

You sense there is a magical resistance to your Counterspell which grows rapidly until there is a blinding flash of brilliant white light. A wave of searing heat explodes from the slot and you are thrown backwards by the blast: lose 2 ENDURANCE points.

You are left dazed and singed by the sudden release of energy, but at least your efforts were not in vain. As the crackling noise of the electrical discharge gradually fades, you hear another sound, a grating squeal, and anxiously you watch as the great portal slowly swings open.

Turn to 343.