Chapter 127: Vex

Chapter 127: Vex

A cold morning greeted Chance and Bella as they woke. Heavy gray clouds blocked out the sun and a howling gale occupied their small camp, buffeting them as they exited their tent.

Lin sat cross-legged before them, his hands braced against his knees and his face to the sky. He drew in a deep breath and let it out, rolling his neck before rising to his feet. It will not be long now. Our foes approach.

How do you know? Chance asked.

Bloodlust recognizes itself, and neither Vex nor Shae make any motion to hide theirs. I suspect that Vex could easily hide himself from me if he willed it, but Shae could not. I have already felt his blood. He approaches.

Ill take your word for it. Chances bracelet slithered around his wrist, expanding into its urumi form. He followed Lins gaze, but there wasnt anything in the sky but clouds as far as he could tell. How long until they show up?

Soon.

Thats not very specific, Bella said. Minutes? Hours? Seconds?

Lin shrugged in response, finally pulling his eyes away from the sky to look down at the two of them. They will arrive when they do. Just wait. I will take Shae. Try to stall Vex for long enough for me to complete my battle.

Is there really anything youd be able to do to Vex, even if we managed to fight him off for long enough for you to defeat Shae?

Lin let out a deep laugh. No, of course not. But I plan to bring Shae with me on my trip to the afterlife. He will be my final sacrifice. It would be disappointing to go down without a proper fight.

Right. Forgot this guy was insane.

Well do what we can, Bella said, her hand involuntarily moving to rest on the scroll that Rilu had given them.

The two of them had spent a fair amount of time the previous night trying to figure out ways to get Vex to actually open it, but none of them held any promise. Vex was arrogant, but nothing about him screamed complete moron.

Hed know something was up the moment Bella tried to give him a gift, and hed also be able to see how much power was stored in it. There was no world hed just pull the scroll open purely out of curiosity.

Rilus words still echoed through Chances head as he tried to piece them together. He could have sworn that he was missing something, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldnt find it. Bella hadnt had any more luck.

Im just reaching for straws that arent there. Our best bet is that Yamish decides to get involved out of the blue. Im just not going to think too much about the likelihood of that happening and the cost that were going to pay if it does. At that point, it might actually be better if we die. Im not sure what cost Yamish will see equal to killing Vex, but its definitely going to be bad.

Ah. Lin scratched at the back of his neck. They are here.

Chance dragged Essence from his Gate and into his body, filling himself with power as he spun and looked around the clearing. Adrenaline thumped through his veins at an instants notice, readying him for the fight.

Nobody was there.

Where? Bella asked urgently, looking as stressed as Chance felt.

Lin burst into laughter and slapped them both on the back, sending them staggering.

It came from a Karma cultivator far more powerful than

Vex burst into laughter. Yes, yes. I know of Rilu. I will admit that he is indeed more powerful than me, but he suffers from the very power that you boast about. He can do nothing to save you, Bella.

You want to find out? Bellas voice was remarkably calm as she raised the scroll as if to open it. She matched Vexs gaze and bared her teeth. The universe hates you a lot, Vex. Youre an affront to its existence. Even Rilu isnt completely bound when it comes to someone as vile as you. This is the last time Ill offer. Leave and never return, or Ill use this scroll and wipe you from the face of the universe.

Vex crossed his arms before his chest and arched an eyebrow. I had planned to rip you apart piece by piece, but I think listening to the agony in your voice as this pathetic idea crumbles is far more exciting. Go ahead, Bella. Use the scroll.

A second passed. Bellas hands tightened at the edges of the scroll. Chances heart clenched and he raised his urumi.

Something wrong, Bella? Vexs smile grew. Arent you going to use that Karmic Retribution scroll? Summon all the good Karma youve earned over the years to strike me down?

Chances stomach plunged.

He knows what the scroll does?

H-how? Bella stammered, taking a step back. Some of the confidence that had been steeling her posture sank into the ground.

Did you really think I couldnt recognize an artifact like that? Vex shook his head in disappointment. You and Rilu are both fools. Even if I was stupid enough to actually unfurl the scroll, it wouldnt have anywhere near the strength to harm me. You have nothing, Bella. Is this really the extent of your preparations? I had expected more, even from you.

If you actually believed that, you wouldnt just be standing around. Bella caught herself before she could take another step back and steeled her gaze. Youre bluffing, arent you?

Vex disappeared.

It wasnt the same as when Lin or Shae fought then, Chance at least got a very vague sense of the battle. Even though he couldnt keep up with their speed, he could see what happened when their blows landed.

He never saw what Vex did, but Bella let out a pained cry and flew back, slamming into him. Chance dug his feet into the ground as he skidded across it, only managing to keep his balance and grip on Bella by sheer luck.

Bella doubled over, coughing blood onto the ground. Vex stood where shed been a moment before, a disgusted expression on his face.

Bella! Chances grip tightened on her shoulders. Are you

Does it matter? Bella asked, coughing again into her fist. The scroll shed somehow managed to hold onto it slipped from her fingers and fell to the grass.

No, Vex said. It does not. This was disappointing, Im afraid. What a waste. Im going to have to go find a new student after this whole debacle. One that isnt as foolish as you were. What an utter bother.

The wind howled. Vex walked toward them moving at a speed that they could watch. He could have killed them both in an instant, but he chose not to, purely just to take in their expressions.

Chances eyes darted around desperately. He called on his Essence, pulling on any luck that he could find, but nothing changed. It was completely pointless.

Theres nothing we can do against him.

And, judging by the elated look on Vexs face, he knew it too.