Chapter 385: We all get hungry

Chapter 385: We all get hungry

We are anything but friends, the large apostle spat. I dont know why youre here, Revin, but this is the only warning youre going to get. Leave.

Anything? Revin arched an eyebrow. Dont tell me youre already ready for the next step. Im not sure I can see you as anything more than a friend, though. Im afraid Ill have to refuse.

Out of my way, Revin.

Oh, its just my luck that youre the one that comes bumbling along my way, Revin said with an exasperated sigh. Why couldnt it have been someone interesting? Hows Garina these days, Audren? She was always fun.

She never recovered after the damage you did to her, Audren said. She had so much potential, and you ruined it by turning her into a nutjob, just like yourself. Step down. Im on a mission from the Master himself, and that means Im allowed to cut right through you if I need to.

You? Revin exclaimed, taking a step back. Cut through me? Oh, no. I dont think thats very likely. How long has it been since we last saw each other, Audren?

Not long enough.

I wont disagree with that answer, but I believe youve skirted the question. If Im being honest, Ive forgotten myself. I dont tend to remember people that dont draw much of my interest, and the only reason you even got a spot in my memory is because of those lovely sounds your body makes when I slam it against walls. You could never beat me, Audren. Not then, and not now.

You used to be a real threat, Audren said, reaching back to the large axe on his back. He hoisted it at his side, baring his teeth in challenge. But not anymore. You couldnt handle the power that the Master gave us. It broke your weak mind and burned what remained of it away like kindling.

Revin glanced down at himself, then back up at Audren. Im right here, you know. If I burned away, would I really be standing around wasting a perfectly good day by speaking to a walking bag of rocks?

You got your warnings, Audren snarled. His body blurred as six streamers of black smoke erupted from him, streaking out through the air. Revin brought his scythe down, carving the smoke apart before it could reach him.

I really do hope youve learned to do more than that in the time since we last had the misfortune of meeting, Revin drawled, spinning the scythe and driving its butt into the ground. Because that was disappointing, Audren. I already dont expect much from you, but its been years since I left your group. If Im being honest, the costumes were a bit too much for me. I mean, come on. Dressing up in dark clothes and meeting in caves? How can you say Im the one thats insane when you manage to make the Church of Repose look legitimate?

Audren wasnt goaded so easily, but the flurry of axe swings he unleashed on Revin had considerably more anger behind them than they needed. Every single strike whistled harmlessly past Revin as he stepped around, his lips pursed in disappointment.

The others will thank me when I take your head. Audrens axe hummed with power as he lunged, narrowly missing Revin as the other man stepped out of the way again.

The others will thank you when you take a bath, Revin replied. Or perhaps you just forgot to wash your costume. You know, if you want to be all secretive, shouldnt you meet in really plain clothes in a plain building? Nobody would ever suspect that. Now, a bunch of hooded mushroom eating idiots? Thats definitely a cult.

Why are you here? Audren screamed. His axe split apart, dozens of afterimages carving through the air with keening howls. The grass all around them was carved to shreds and the earth collapsed, falling out from under the pressure of Audrens domain.

Is that really all you can do? Revin asked with a wry smile. Or are you restricted? You cant use your full force, can you? Worried that Garina will come spank you if she realizes that a Rank 7 is strolling around in her domain?

Garina is one of the Apostles, Audren snapped. Shes on my side, not yours.

If youre so sure about that, why arent you using more power? Revin asked. Youve attacked me with nothing that a Rank 4 couldnt have done. As a matter of fact, I know a Rank 4 that could probably do it better. Maybe two.

Something tells me that isnt true anymore. He doesnt seem to think much of you. Maybe he should join up with me. Renewal snickered.

Hed rip your church apart from the inside, Decras said. And youre right. Revin is mad. Audren wasnt wrong about that.

He doesnt seem mad. Just annoying. Driving your enemy up a wall in a fight is a perfectly valid strategy, Renewal observed. I wouldnt say its a respectable one, but its a strategy nonetheless.

Does anything you see right now look even remotely sane to you? Decras asked.

Renewal turned back to the screen. Audren was stumbling around, swinging his axe and shouting obscenities at nothing. Revin sat on a rock about a hundred feet away from him, his chin resting in his palm and a bored expression on his face.

He hadnt moved once from that spot. Not once had Audren actually spoken to his real form, and the answer was the very same one that Revin had been pushing Audren to take. Revins domain was out and in full force.

Invisible energy wove out from him in a huge globe, working into every single thing around him. Revin hadnt ever pulled his domain back. He was strolling around with it practically pouring out power at such an intense wavelength that a lesser mage wouldnt have even noticed it but Garina certainly should have.

Garina is choosing to ignore him? Renewal asked, her eyebrows lifting. She made an exception?

Its not that Garina chose to make an exception, Decras said. She didnt have a choice. Revin has long since twisted himself into something that he should not be. Just like Noah to you, Revin is my own experiment gone awry. One that may bear fruit one day, but for the time being, does nothing but annoy me.

All of your Apostles have some of your energy, Renewal said with a shrug. Thats not really that much of a surprise.

You dont understand. Decras shook his head. Yes, the Apostles have some of my power but Revin doesnt. Not anymore.

Audrens eyes went wide. He doubled over, coughing violently and clutching at something invisible in his chest.

Revin got rid of the magic you gave him? Renewal blinked in surprise. It was rare to find a mortal that would actually throw power away in exchange for freedom, but there was a lot to respect there. Thats actually quite interesting.

Audren spun, running in the opposite direction as fast as he could without drawing enough power to pull Garinas attention.

Revin didnt get rid of it, Decras said, as if the words were bitter in his mouth.

Renewal pulled her eyes away from Audren, frowning. What are you talking about?

The magic. He didnt get rid of it.

What did he do, then?

The annoying bastard consumed it.