Jackal Among Snakes

The moment that they exited Erlebnis’ vault, the Alchemist seized all of them with his many arms, and used [Worldstrider] to take them elsewhere. Though wounded, battered, and mentally scarred, the fact remained that they had escaped the clutches of Erlebnis and Mozzahr both. It almost felt wrong to win in this manner… but win they did. They stood once again in a section of Erlebnis’ near-endless Annals of the Universe, about to fulfill their last task.

“You’re back,” Elenore’s relieved voice flooded into his mind through her divine blessing of connection. “I thought… I didn’t know what to think.”

Argrave smiled. “We’ll be coming home, soon. All of us.”

There was silence that told of unspeakable relief. Then, Elenore said simply, “I’ll be waiting.”

Argrave stared at the Alchemist. The man seemed to be gathering himself to prepare to do something. His body cracked inward, and Hause’s court stepped back in alarm. He exploded into a mass of arms and eyes, then spread throughout the vast city of brown books. He tore them apart book by book, consuming the knowledge inside.

As the Alchemist—or Raven, as he had once been known—pillaged Erlebnis’ knowledge ruthlessly, Argrave looked back at his party and reflected. They had come here seeking to gain every bit of knowledge they could to study Gerechtigkeit, searching for a way to defeat him. Along the way, they’d gained far more than just that. Even barring the myriad artifacts that they’d stolen from Erlebnis’ vault, of which they’d yet to fully sort through… there were many benefits to this journey.

Argrave had learned the truth of what, and who, the Alchemist was. It was a terrifying revelation. The Alchemist had the potential to destroy an entire continent on his lonesome… and indeed, he had once before. And in the end, they’d rescued his patron god, Hause. Argrave spotted her, speaking to her divine servants. He gestured toward Anneliese, and they walked side by side to speak to them while the Alchemist labored.

“Hello,” Argrave greeted. “I’m sorry for your losses, Hause. Not the most pleasant way to wake up, I imagine.”

Hause stared at him, and Argrave stared back. He questioned if she was seeing his potential, sizing him up. He couldn’t deny the idea enticed his curiosity. She had long wavy blonde hair with auburn roots, and looked like a young girl despite her status as divinity. She seemed not fully grown, yet just on the cusp—in a word, potential.

“We were never asleep,” Hause said in response. “We were fighting the Smiling Raven, and then we were here.”

“I see. I… honestly don’t know how long you were in there. At the very least, it’s been two cycles of judgment—meaning two millennia,” Argrave told her calmly.

Her court stirred with the news, some appearing utterly distraught. Argrave wouldn’t know how to react to that information, either—perhaps he’d need to see it to believe it.

given we never got the chance earlier. I am Anneliese, Queen of Vasquer. This is my husband, Argrave, King of Vasquer. It is to our kingdom we will be returning, once the Alchemist

In this chaos?” Sonia, Raven’s old lover, questioned. “If your

have to be the judge of that,”

am Hause, goddess of potential. It seems to me you two know that,” she dipped her head neatly, completing their exchange. “I appreciate your aid. I hope we might speak more in-depth later. You are king

does,” Anneliese surrendered

plan is, after this. But you are welcome in Vasquer, and I daresay you’ll be safest there. We have formed an alliance with other powerful

at all, and Argrave narrowed his eyes in confusion. Then,

looking forward to seeing their

on a bench in this ugly city

war?” Argrave questioned. “Give it up. Even

to his feet. “We always wanted to own you, Argrave. We were satisfied to have you as a champion… but when that avenue died, we still hoped we

me,” Argrave indulged

man stopped. “…you’ve used it well. Too well. But at the end of the day, it’s still an inextricable link between you… and him. And he’s made it

feel fine,” he responded

know very well how you feel. You see… Erlebnis got what he wanted,

“I don’t feel

mental warfare he subjected you to… nothing but a prelude to the true attack. You might consider it a curse, but we consider it our greatest blessing. Everything that you see, everything that you hear, everything that you sense… well, Erlebnis will know about it, Argrave. Rather than kill you… Erlebnis elected to prepare this condition.

denied, “That’s not true. If it was, you would

it will be found shortly. But even now that you know… what can

communication with Elenore? Was removing it truly hopeless? Ingo had already had his blessing purged by the Alchemist, and Erlebnis was

you might have against them will fall into their hands the moment it leaves your lips. Even the more mortal enemies you’ve made, like Mozzahr, will

the Blessing of Supersession again, Erlebnis’ curse will only strengthen. For now, it’s your senses. But later, perhaps it will be your mind. This is Erlebnis’ counterattack, Argrave. Does it soil your victory, somewhat? If you should