Book 4: Chapter 64: Confronting an Archmage II

Book 4: Chapter 64: Confronting an Archmage II

Zeke was pushed forward and forced through the door. He passed the two guards outside, as well as two more on the inside. Zeke recognized all four as part of the personal retinue of the Archmage, tasked with protecting him at all times. However, his gaze didnt linger as he was driven further into the room.

Upon entering, the first thing he noticed was the ginormous bed that took up a significant portion of the chamber. As with everything else here, it was overly luxurious. Even so, his gaze passed over the fineries and found the eyes of the sickly figure lying within. The Archmage was staring back at him from his prone position in the middle of a sea of pillows. His gaze was full of venom and malicious glee.

Zeke was moved before the bed and made to kneel by the woman who had caught him. Afterward, she took a spot on the opposite side of the bed. The male Chimeroi, who was most likely her brother, tossed her one of the Marrow-Shackles, which she promptly aimed at Zeke, daring him to move.

The archmage nodded appreciatively before addressing Zeke for the first time. Who are you, boy? the man rasped. His voice was hoarse and sickly compared to the last time Zeke had seen him, and his eyes seemed to have trouble focusing. Even so, he was far from defenseless, judging by the waves of Magic power radiating off him.

Zeke stared right back at the man without a shred of fear. Blood Dragon is what they call me, he replied.

Blood Dragon the Archmage repeated, a hint of recognition entering his voice. I have heard of you. Arent you one of the brats fighting for the Lions Den?

Zeke nodded.

Is that why you are here? To assassinate me before I can assist my brother? the man asked. It seemed he wasnt even trying to hide his plans anymore. This could only mean that he had already decided Zekes fate.

Even so, Zeke didnt deny the claim. Thats right. I was the one who poisoned you as well.

Poisoned? the man asked with a chuckle. Did you think I would believe that? No, this is no poison, he stated confidently, his gaze boring into Zeke with a renewed intensity. This is Soul damage.

Zekes eyes widened before he could stop himself. He couldnt help it. After all, this was the first time he had heard anybody else speak of the Soul. Not only that, the man had even recognized it merely by the type of his suffering. What was going on?

Didnt expect me to notice, did you, you little shit? the Archmage said with a knowing smirk. Well, too bad for you that its not the first time Ive experienced something like this. But dont worry, Ive already summoned an expert, and in a couple of days, Ill be as good as new.VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Zeke kept his mouth shut, returning his expression to a serene mask. Inwardly, however, his mind was in turmoil. Who was this expert? Where else had he experienced Soul damage? Zeke desperately wanted to know, but he was well aware that the man would not answer even if he asked.

The only thing I want to know, the Archmage continued, is how you managed to damage my Soul. Zeke remained quiet, staring defiantly at the man.

The Archmage scoffed. Tell me now, and I will grant you a painless death. Defy me, and you will be in so much pain that you will beg for death before long.

Zeke thought about the offer and eventually decided that it wouldnt hurt to indulge the man a bit. I will speak, he said, under the condition that you tell me where you encountered Soul damage.

The Archmage sneered but, after a moment of thought, decided that it didnt matter if he told the story. After all, the boy wouldnt live past today. It was over a century ago, right after I advanced to the Archmage level, the man said, a bitter smile on his face. I was cocky after my successful breakthrough and tried to get rid of an old rival. However, just before that damnable whoreson bit the dust, he released one last Spell, damaging my Soul in the process.

What kind of Mage was it? Zeke asked eagerly.

A Death Mage, of course, the man replied with a hint of suspicion. Isnt that where you learned the craft as well?

Zeke didnt quite follow but didnt deny the accusation either. Maybe, he said neutrally.

It doesnt matter, the Archmage said impatiently. Now, tell me how you injured me. I can feel that you are not a Death Mage, and even if you were, you are far too weak to do anything to me.

I abused a loophole in the transfer Ritual to gain access to your Soul and chipped away at it, Zeke explained truthfully. Unfortunately, it wasnt enough, so I came to finish you off in person.

He retrieved a third and then a fourth, but instead of relief, desperation gripped him. The once-solid outlines of the Archmages Soul were already getting blurry. How many more could he rescue?

He secured a fifth and then a sixth. Already, the edges of the fields were affected by the decay. Most likely, the first of the Slaves would already be dead by the time he returned to pick up the next.

Zeke split his focus and, in turn, split his tether into a multipronged tool. He hurriedly extended it towards the side of the field that was in the most immediate danger. He managed to grab three fragments at once, but dozens remained. Three more joined the fold, bringing the grand total up to nine.

If only if only he had a little more time.

Zeke used his [Perfect Body Control] to speed up his brain in an attempt to slow his perception. Yet, nothing happened. He cursed himself for the wasted moment. This had been the worst time to find out that his physical attributes held no bearing on the state of his Soul.

Helplessly, he watched the edges of the fields collapse, casting the first dozen or so fragments into the void. Their light disappeared after no more than a moment, claiming the lives of their unwitting owners in the process.

He just needed time!

His tethers rushed toward the edges of the field, where the fuzziness approached another row. Zeke managed to grab four more fragments, but as he yanked them towards himself, he lost hold of one. He could do nothing as he watched it tumble into the void and blink out.

In a state of panicked frustration, Zeke attempted to cast the spell once more, fully aware of its futility. Driven by instinctual desperation, he tapped into his other affinities as his tethers extended once again. He sought to enhance his speed, sharpen his focus, and, above all, buy himself more time. He kept the fuzzy edge of the dissolving Archmage Soul in his sight as it approached the fragments, willing it to stop moving with growing desperation.

Helplessly, he kept casting his [Perfect Body Control] and any other Spell that seemed even remotely promising and

Time stopped, and his thoughts became crystal clear. Calm washed over him in a familiar feeling of perfect serenity. After all this time, Zeke had once again managed to enter this state of hyperawareness in his time of greatest need.

He saw the encroaching void slow to a standstill as his tether snatched a set of Soul fragments away from its destruction, and another, and another. His panic had abated, as it could not serve him. Instead, he worked with quiet efficiency, casting again and again to shelter as many of the fragments as possible. In this state, he would be able to extend the next couple of seconds into an eternity.

If he were able to hold it for that long.

Zeke didnt waste a single moment, and neither did he think about those he was too late to save. He continued his labor like a machinetireless, precise, and without any emotions to distract him from his task. Rows upon rows of fragments joined his growing collection. A dozen at first, but soon, there were hundreds of tiny sparks adorning his Soul like the starry sky on a cloudless night.

His capillaries ruptured first, and blood began to rush from his nose in a violent stream. Next were his eyes, as the small blood vessels couldnt stand the pressure. His ears followed, and after a few more moments, his body started to bleed internally from various sources.

Zeke was well aware of the state of his body, but he didnt let it bother him. His hyperrational state would not let him value his own discomfort over the lives of dozens of innocents. He would continue to work until he collapsed. He owed them this much, at least.

Hundreds upon hundreds of Soul fragments joined his growing collection, accompanied by the ever-increasing wail of his body. The edges of his vision began to turn dark, which was strange, as he didnt actually have eyes. It was most likely because of the bleeding in his brain.

Another dozen Souls later, and he could barely make out anything anymore. His body was shutting down. He knew it, but he couldnt stop. There were more people to save.

Before he could cast his tether again, Zeke was ripped from his state of increased consciousness, and time began to rush. Reality seemed to be several times faster than he remembered, and the remainder of the fragments were gone before he could even react. Was the world truly moving faster, or did his tired mind simply struggle to keep up? Zeke didnt know, and neither was he in a position to care.

The very moment he had been released from that wonderous state, a mixture of pain and fatigue had overwhelmed his dwindling psyche and claimed his last speck of consciousness.

[Notice]

Emergency protocol initiated.