Chapter 524: Eratemus

Chapter 524: Eratemus

An Avalanche

Eratemus followed Nayra as she charged at the new arrival. Raazel, the yeti, a being that had been born in a previous iteration of the Framework. Eratemus wished that the situation was different, that the shade wasnt who he was. What secrets did a being like him hold? What could Eratemus learn from someone like him?

It was no use lamenting what was not reality. Their fate was to fight, and Eratemus could do no less. He had failed Anatalien once before. Failed to find her when she was injured and in need. He was not going to fail again.

He summoned his formations and activated them, the storage devices vented Death Essence into the air, fueling his and Nayras power both.

Raazel repeated his previous move. Six constructs orbiting him lanced out with light, spearing straight through her. Eratemus had only a moment to realize that the attacks had just passed through Nayra, not doing anything because it wasnt really her, just a mirage. A moment later Nayra appeared, shimmering into existence closer to the yeti.

He reacted immediately, his hand rose and a rune flashed in the air in front of him. A massive wall of water coalesced, then fell forward on top of Nayra.

She beat her wings, attempting to evade, but the wall was too large to get out of the way fully. It hit her, and fire met water. Steam exploded all around her, the resulting explosion blasted her through the air.

Eratemus knew that she would be fine, so he continued. Walking on a road that appeared in front of him as he put one foot ahead of the other. He couldnt completely control Zenkers Image. It almost seemed like it had a mind of its own, but it reacted to his thoughts too. Perhaps there was some truth to what Ryun had spoken about before, about a meaning of ones Soul and the connection with their power.

Zenkers body housed Eratemus Soul, and so his thoughts guided it, but the connection between the two wasnt perfect.Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m

With [Necrotic Blink], Eratemus closed the distance. A wave of black energy moved ahead of his arrival and washed harmlessly over a sphere of light that sprung around the yeti.

Raazels head swung to the side where Eratemus had just arrived, but Eratemus vessel was fast. He swung his fist, his {Bone Shaping} reinforcing the already improved bones of his vessel.

He focused on wishing to stop, and a hill manifested itself behind him, and he hit its ground, rolling, and coming to a stop as the Image flickered. He stood and looked ahead at the yeti, who glared at him from the gash his claws had left in his armor. With one hand he touched his helmet and it flowed away, revealing his fur covered face and ringed eyes.

You are the yeti started; his expression thoughtful. Very interesting. I cant wait to see what secrets you hold.

Eratemus knew better than to try and argue with a shade, but they were here to buy time, so he indulged it. My secrets are too much for the likes of you, he said, aiming for his pride.

The yeti grinned. Oh, his eyes flashed with light. I see, I see, you steal, you take what belongs to those who are your lesser and make it yours.

He spread his arms wide as his grin showed sharp teeth. Just like me.

I am nothing like you, Eratemus said.

You are worse, Raazel chuckled. You wear the dead, oh you poor thing He then closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, there was something in them that Eratemus didnt like. You dont even know what you are doing wrong. Such a waste of resources, you can barely handle what that body is capable of. I can sense it. The power within that body, the scents of so many different things. Oh, Im looking forward to taking it apart.

Before Eratemus could respond, Nayra was there. Raazels armor repaired itself, his helmet reforming around him. He drew runes as Eratemus moved forward and Nayra swung downward with her spear, it elongated and then the tip grew, becoming as large as a boulder. It smashed down on top of Raazel blasting through all of the shields that sprung in the air around him and sent him flying to the ground.

Eratemus followed. During his fall, constructs appeared, and Eratemus focused. The world around him shimmered and a dark mountain loomed behind him, the heat rose as the volcano blew, lava poured over cliffs and drowned on top of Raazels constructs, the Image of a place that Zenker had once visited burned them to nothing.

Raazel had taken the time to draw symbols. A blast of dark lighting lanced forward, and Eratemus felt the danger. Even if he hadnt, he remembered the description of that attack, lightning that obliterated anything it touched.

Eratemuss control over Zenkers body was a moment too slow, so he didnt rely on it. Instead, he pulled out formations from his ring, and activated them.

White light met with dark lightning, and the world exploded.