Chapter 370: Intimate

Chapter 370: Intimate

Mayreena burst into laughter, the vines pushing out from beneath her skin undulating with her amusement. You cant be serious. That might be the cockiest thing Ive ever heard. Do you really think that cutting up two of my puppets is anywhere near enough to justify such arrogance?

The ground shuddered, and Noahs neck prickled. Two looming forms stepped out of the darkness, vines writhing along their bodies. Wizen had brought out more puppets, and there was no way of knowing how many more he had in the area.

I told you, Ulya said, her face so pale that it was a miracle she hadnt fainted yet. If you fight a puppet user on territory theyre ready for you on, everything is skewed in their favor. We have no idea how many puppets hes set up and had inactive, just waiting to swap in. We cant win this fight.

Noah was starting to wonder if she was right. He didnt know how powerful Wizen, was, but he knew he was strong. If he had dozens of puppets just sitting around, they werent going to be able to win.

Even if I can die and come back, Ulya and Silvertide cant. Retreating and finding someone that actually has a way to properly deal with Wizens puppets seems like it might be the smartest option here.

Silvertide didnt seem like he agreed. Hed stopped in the center of the square, leaning on his cane with a slight expression of amusement on his face. The new puppets lumbered to stand beside Mayreena, casting long shadows in the moonlight.

Well? Mayreena asked. You were talking big game, Silvertide. I believe you said that Id only have one more move. Id love to see how a mere Rank 5 is going to take out every single one of my puppets in a single blow.

If were going to get stuck on technicalities, then I dont believe thats what I said at all, Silvertide said. He drummed his fingers on the top of his cane. I said youd only have time for one more move, not that Id kill all your puppets in one blow.

Are those going to be your last words? Mayrenna brought her hand down and the puppets lurched into motion, advancing toward Silvertide. Snarky and utterly pointless. Disappointing.

I do hate to hear that Ive failed to live up to expectations, Silvertide said, taking his hands off his cane and brushing them off on his coat. The cane remained in place where hed left it as he stepped to the side, rolling his neck.

His leg shimmered. Ghostly threads rose from it, swirling in the air around him like the rings of Saturn, and a faint hum started up, quickly turning into a high-pitched keening. Noahs ears stung and he raised a hand to his head, grimacing.

What the hell is the magic Silvertide uses? He doesnt seem concerned, but Im starting to wonder if its because hes just putting on a front. I should get ready to grab Ulya and make a run for it. Hes just so confident that I cant help but feel like hes going to win even if I have absolutely no idea how hes going to handle all these puppets before we run out of energy. Maybe he thinks Wizen is bluffing?

Pieces of Silvertides leg pulled away, and the humming grew even louder. Both puppets bore down on him, roaring as the vines covering them shot out, drilling toward the old soldier. Noah went to run forward and help, but something stopped him.

There wasnt even the slightest amount of concern in Silvertides stance. He was just standing there and a moment later, Noah found out why.

The ribbons of grey that had been swirling around him erupted forth, carving out through the air in a myriad of slashes so fast that Noah was pretty sure he only picked up a tenth of them. The puppets were ripped to shreds in a split instant. They collapsed to the ground, diced into miniscule chunks.

Mayreenas eyes narrowed. Cute, Silvertide. But I believe Im still standing.

She shifted, then froze. Something about her movements felt off and Noah spotted what it was a moment later. Threads of silver had covered the entirety of the square, so thin that they were almost invisible.

Hundreds of them had wound around Mayreena. She pulled at them with a bemused frown. The threads hardly seemed like they were properly restricting her, and it only took her a second to pull her hand free.

Take control of? Ulyas brow furrowed in confusion. Then she blinked. Wait. What happened to my puppets? Theyre all

Destroyed. It was Silvertides turn to look sheepish. My apologies. I needed more base points, and I needed them quickly. Taking over other puppets is fairly simple, but if I did it to our opponent, he would have figured out I was trying to check who was in the area. I stole your puppets to make sure there werent any innocents in the area and used them to locate where all of the other puppets were by expanding the locations my domain could sense.

But how? Ulya demanded. You never even saw most of my puppets! You just asked if I had them!

You called them to you when I asked about it. Any smart puppet user would only use a small amount of energy for a summoning like that, so it was easy enough to follow that energy back and overrule your commands in a subtle manner. Unfortunately, when I released my own puppet, the magic ripped all of yours to shreds. It was a necessary sacrifice to make sure I killed every one of our opponents tools at the same time.

Whyd you even bother inviting me? Noah asked. You didnt need any help.

No, but I certainly seemed less intimidating when I needed to drag along backup, didnt I? Silvertide cackled at the expression on Ulyas face, then slapped Noah on the shoulder. Come on. Ulya, Ill make sure you get reimbursed for the damage I did to your puppets.

How many steps ahead was Silvertide this whole time? I cant tell if I should be offended I was literally brought in as the peanut gallery or impressed that he took out Wizens entire battalion of puppets with one attack. Moxie is going to be so jealous she wasnt here.

What happens next, then? Ulya asked as they fell in behind Silvertide. That mage could come back, couldnt he?

The hard part is getting the puppets here in the first place. Now that our plant mage friend has lost his army, hes going to have to go through a lot more work and recovery if he wants to try that plan again. I suspect hes smart enough to know that wont work considering how easily we crushed it this time. And, beyond that, I left him a little gift.

You did? Noah asked, blinking. How?

Sympathetic magic, Ulya murmured, realization setting in on her expression. You used his puppets to attack him? I thought you didnt know sympathetic magic!

Did I say that? Silvertide said, tilting his head to the side. I must have lied.

***

Wizen ground his teeth together, staring at the cracked bulb of dirt at his feet. Evergreens Essence leaked out of it, infused with rancid silver magic. The soldier had sent his power back down the line connecting Evergreen to the clones, and the results werent pretty.

Several of her Runes had been shattered. If it hadnt been for Wizens own powers, her body and magic would have been destroyed completely. Wizen shook his head, then let out a laugh.

Well played, Silvertide. I got cocky, and you made me pay for it. Thats one nasty Master Rune and using the corpse of the monster youre so famous for defeating as a mere puppet I cant even complain.

Wizen set his hand on Evergreens bulb, sealing it over. There wasnt much left of her, but there was no reason to waste even a little power. If he could wring anything else from the old woman, he would.

You can take this round, Wizen said, turning to the other bulbs in his room as a smile pulled across his lips. It was only the first game, after all. Puppets might not be right angle, but Im fortunate enough to have options. Perhaps its time I get more intimately involved. I can hardly stand back after such a firm blow to my face.