Chapter 2369

Chapter 2369

The second impact went much worse than the first, image-wise. During the wind up the punch Randidly could almost feel Elhumes attention shifting from other concerns, likely Devicks toil, and settling on the possessed body of Techetadore. Aether wisped off of the walls and seemed to reinforce the attack. The additional focus meant the power sharpened from Elhume being comparable to

Dominant.

Randidlys body ached as he flew backward, crashing into the wall of the crystal chamber. The Aether did not crack; in fact, the impact caused it to furiously expand. He kicked away from the wall, both to hurry back to the fight and because if he had stayed, it was possible the wall would have tried to expand and settle around his body.

Not enough for your former body to have locked itself away, but you also wanted to make sure any covetous hands were punished, eh Solomon? Well, I suppose I understand why you would be so petty, struggling against someone like this

His vision swam, but he stabilized himself. He forced aside the surreal feeling of fighting against Elhume, even in a projected form and focused. This was not the Elhume he had encountered in the memory; this was Fiero, ascendant and overwhelming after being baptized by the Pinnacle and betraying Elhume.

It starts here, Randidly breathed out of his nose. And it doesnt stop until there is an end.

Waves of heat rolled off Randidlys body as he plucked up all the kinetic disturbances and sharpened them into a blade. His Homunculis Engineered Adaption, his upgraded Vitality, hummed to life and increased its Rarity from Legendary to Mythic. His Nether Core spun faster and faster, unleashing waves of significance that reinforced his body. The lingering remnants of Elhumes image were burned away from his skin.

His root wings spread wide as he flew forward. The event horizon center around his eye widened, devouring more of his face. The Dread Homunculus fixated on Elhume, marking down the impediment in front of him.

Luckily, Elhume didnt attempt to take advantage of the delay. He waited above the grinding forces of the Swacc Family and the Vulpis Squad, just waiting for Randidly to return. More blood dribbled out of his nose, completely unnoticed by the puppet master manipulating the Vulpines limbs.

Randidly checked his Nether Core the bubble grew, but not quickly enough. Sorry, Raymund. I wont be able to hold back.

His hands clenched into fists. Shit shit! Im finally here, huh? Im finally standing in front of Elhume. I can take his punch. Ive improved. As long as I keep advancing-

As though the monstrous tyrant atop the Nexus had heard Randidlys thoughts, Techetadores mouth opened in a creepy smile. The light in his eyes grew brighter, to the point it began to leak out of other orifices. His nose, his ears and then the light began to ooze from his skin. Another humanoid form stood, shadowy and vague, superimposed atop the six-tailed fox.

Randidly Ghosthound. Elhume released a breath, now almost fully present. You will regret this obstinancy.

I might die, but I will never regret, Randidly spat out the words, even as he circulated his Aether and Nether as quickly as he could manage. It will be a great pleasure to tear down this monstrosity you have built.

The blurry energy figure within Techetadore blazed. The First Fist, unleashed for the third time, filled Randidlys entire awareness. It seemed to scrape against the walls of the crystal chamber as it rumbled forward, carving out small bits of crystal that hadnt even shivered when Randidly had smashed against it.

Randidly settled into a fighting stance. He squeezed Acri. For now, he trusted his subordinates. So much lay ahead of him on this crusade, he could not play out his entire hand now. His purpose was to delay while fighting for his life. Because he refused to allow the light to dim in Raymunds eyes like he had seen in so many others.

He refused to allow his subordinate to experience that raw, vast, isolating pain of losing someone precious, as Randidly had when Helen died. And he believed that Raymund Ballast would find a way to liberate his brother.

Roaring, he advanced forward and thrust his spear.

Alana Donal, He chewed out the words. He released a pulse of the heavy image contained in his Armament. She simply raised his spear and smashed the image pulse to pieces, causing him to snort. Do you think the student of my student can defeat me? Step away, or I will run you through.

Alana kept her lips together, motes of orange light drifting out from her pure stance. But another voice cut across their confrontation. Randidly isnt her master, I am.

A slender young woman materialized behind Alana, her arms crossed in front of her chest. More apparition than woman, she possessed a tangle of white hair and piercing eyes. Shal couldnt believe it. Azriel Blanche? You yet live? If you wish to be shown the limits of your talent, fight me yourself. Do not send this girl-child to die.

This girl child has already stopped you once, Shal, Alana finally spoke. She spun her spear and settled back into her stance. The orange light around her felt strangely pearlescent and smooth. And I will do it again.

Besides, Azriel raised her hands and wiggled her fingers at him. I have given up the pursuit of violence you follow. I hold a spear no longer.

How can a student learn from a Master who does not use a spear? Shal glared. His mind bristled with wishes, that they were not here, that he could simply reach Randidly, that he could prove-

Azriel shook her head. I pity you, Shal. You never understood, the spear is just a tool, like so many others. A myriad paths to power exist. Isnt Randidly proof?

Any coincidence may masquerade as proof before the status quo reasserts itself, Shal said. His heart felt cold, even as his mind boiled. He needed to open his student's eyes, so he launched himself forward before he finished speaking. He swept his weapon in an arc, meaning to crush Alana sideways and hurry upward before the next conflict between Elhume and Randidly made the approach impossible.

Yet the orange light around Alana sharpened. Her spear caught his weapon, bringing the two of them into a trembling deadlock. But this was a foolish decision; his eyes narrowed and Shal brought to bear all the wicked violence possessed in his Armament-

The Second Revelation: Struggle.

Alanas energy turned frenzied. Even still, she couldnt overcome the power of the Armament, but her image twisted and then slid sideways, disengaging from him and creating some space. Shal was bringing his weighty weapon back around when she spoke again.

The First Revelation: Advance.

Shal jerked sideways. His eyes widened despite his response, she had taken a deep bite out of the shoulder with her spear. Blood dribbled down his arm.

Azriel laughed. So this is your limit Shal? I do not think you will be able to entertain Alana for very long with such enthusiastic attacks.

If I- Shal began to speak but then clamped his mouth shut. Because what he had wanted to say was that this would have been over in only a few moments had he been wielding a spear, as opposed to this vague metal hunk. His teeth ground as he watched Azriels eyes turn crescent with mirth.

He shook his head. He raised his weapon, glaring at Alana Donal. She waited patiently for him, the air around her filling with more and more motes of orange light. Shal growled and unleashed a pulse of heavy violence, pushing those motes out of the way. He stepped forward, his feet light, trying to imbue his borrowed image with a bit of lightness.

The lightness of a phantom. The lightness of a serpent.

Alana Donal gave him a penetrating look. All the ugly emotions in Shal's chest seemed to freeze. The orange light around her body began to shimmer. The Third Revelation: Anguish.