Chapter 92: Trump Card

Chapter 92: Trump Card

BOOOOOOM! The massive explosion made even the madly battling Shapers pause and take note of the flames stretching for the sky. Nearby, black doorways likewise spat out columns of fiery death, and Seeyela appeared beside Hiral and Seena with a bamf.

Did we get him? she asked.

Well see, Hiral said, his tattoos and Meridian Lines appearing on his Second-Skin of UrThul.

Left and Right hadnt tried to escape like Seeyela had, instead opting to hold Fitch in place to take the full brunt of Seenas attack. With the three of them together and the fire still roaring, Hiral took the few seconds to Cycle. If Fitch wasnt

The flames split apart horizontally like theyd been cut in half, the top falling sideways against all logic until it hit the ground and shattered like glass. Where the fire had been, Fitch stood with the spear out to his side. Green veins threaded their way through the tentacles at his back, up his calf, and along the wound just visible on his side. The cloak hed been wearing was nothing more than a crispy piece of black cloth that turned to ash as he lowered the spear.

Small burns on his face and arms still smoked and glowed red-hotthough that faded under the constant rainand his eyes narrowed. Within his pupils, pinpricks of orange light glowed fiercely.

So, youre not D-Rank, Fitch said, his voice somewhere between insulted and surprised.

Never said we were, Seeyela said. With her health showing back above 75% in the Party Interface, she mustve taken a potion, but her solar energy was well below half. Opening that many portals was effective but draining.

Seena was at full health and a bit better off on solar energybut not by a lot. If Fitch wanted to talk for a minute and let them Cycle, they werent going to stop him.

Partially because if Seenas strongest attack didnt stop him, Hiral wasnt exactly sure how they were going to do that.

At first Id thought it was just the dungeon gear you had, Fitch went on. Its strong, but not that strong. Youre C-Rank, arent you?

You going to give up now? Seeyela asked, her voice still slightly strained from the blow to the ribs shed taken.

Fitch shook his head immediately. Sadly. Ill admit, Im impressed with how much you managed to grow, even though its not enough. I was holding back until the others showed themselves. Wule. Nivian. Yanily. Cal. I figured youd kept them in reserve to surprise me. To try and catch me off guard. Since they havent appeared, that can only mean theyre already dead.

His eyes bored into Seena. Look what your choice to bring an Islander with us has done. Look how many of your friends have died.

Who are you to talk? Seena asked. Youre trying to kill both our peoples! Everybody!

Another shake of Fitchs head. I told you. Im giving our people the future. He blew out a breath that sizzled in the falling rain. Im sorry about Cal, Wule, Nivian, and Yanily. I wouldve offered them the same deal I gave you.

And they wouldve turned you down just like we did, Seeyela said.

Then they wouldve died, just like you will. So I guess nothing is really different.

Maybe you missed the fact that we arent dead, Seena said.

Dont mistake surviving for winning, Fitch said, and solar energy spiked within the Spear of Clouds.

Even with Eloquently Enragedon my own, it wont be enough. I need more than that. We need more than that.

Fitch took another step forward, and Hirals eyes went to his status window. To one ability in particular. It was reckless, to say the least, but if it succeeded

Im sorry if this doesnt work, Hiral said to Seena and Seeyela.

What are you doing? Seena hissed.

Giving my mother what she always wanted, Hiral said.

Pardon?

Hiral didnt reply as Fitch took his third step in their direction. Even almost a hundred feet away, he could be on them within the blink of an eye if he wanted. The time for hesitation was over.

Taking a deep breath and holding it, Hiral focused on the energy around him with Cycling, listening for the faint beating of the Chord. Come on, I know youre there.

Fitch took a fourth step, his fingers tightening around the Spear of Clouds in his hand.

Hiral ignored the Infested, instead falling deeper into the rhythm of Cycling, of listening for the Chord. Instinct told him it would help guide the activation of his ability. He just needed

There!

The Chord hid within the howling wind and beat with the pounding thunder. It rode the storm and called his name, dancing with the lightning and falling with the rain. It gathered on the ground in puddles that crashed like cymbals under stomping feet, and filled the heaving lungs of mighty warriors like bellows.

The presence of Fitch and the Fallen had interfered, but this was one of the primal songs of creation. It swirled around Hiral, just waiting for him to finally hear its music.

Fitchs fifth step landed as the mans shoulder leaned forward. In his left hand, the deadly sword angled out to the side in preparation. He was coming.

Still, Hiral waited to activate his ability. The Chord was building, the thunder coming faster as lightning surged across the sky. Rain pounded on the ground around him, so hard he could feel it through the soles of his feet. The wind whipped the bottom tails of his Coat of UrThul to snap around him, but it still wasnt the climax. It wasnt time.

Fitch took his sixth step and launched forward so fast he carved a tunnel through the falling rain.

And in that cut, the music of the Chord finally came together like the crescendo of a massive orchestra hitting the pinnacle note at the conductors commanding gesture.

Now.

Hiral blew out his breath and activated Terminalcranking one skill to its maximum potential and trusting in the Chords timing to protect him from the riskthen activated his true trump card.

Foundational Split.