Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave and all of his companions returned to the mortal realm, Hause’s court in tow. Their point of arrival was the place they had first entered from—namely, in the heart of the Ebon Cult’s territory. That was quickly remedied, as the Alchemist cast [Worldstrider] once more, taking them back to Blackgard. Argrave felt as though he was doing something wrong whenever he saw or heard something, and so he quickly disclosed what he’d seen to the Alchemist—namely, Erlebnis’ curse.

Naturally, it was a matter that demanded some attention. Argrave separated from everyone else, using Elenore as a conduit to speak to the others as the Alchemist examined him. He inquired about the results of the battle.

Despite the great length of time that they’d been absent, the fight still raged—though perhaps ‘raged’ was the wrong word. It was a constant probing skirmish, where Ebon Cult spellcasters tried their defenses and retreated when no opening could be found. Sieges could last weeks, even months, and they occupied the defensive position. The Ebon Cult seemed reluctant to assault fully without Mozzahr’s aid. Still, it would need to be wrapped up with as little bloodshed as possible, ideally.

But just as the heist, this battle was largely a success. It would take a miracle for the Ebon Cult to regain the advantage without Mozzahr. That was the failing of a cult—without the one person holding it all together, it crumbled.

With that matter shelved for now, Argrave focused on the curse that Erlebnis had levied. They were in the Alchemist’s temporary obsidian abode atop the mountain, entirely sealed off from the world. Argrave sat on a cold obsidian table, feeling like he was at the doctor’s once more. The Alchemist stood over Argrave, reviewing the books he’d composed when the monstrous figure had first examined his body completely. He hoped they would be of some use.

“…so, what will you do now that Hause’s back?” Argrave questioned.

“She doesn’t know me,” the Alchemist said coldly. “That’s a question for you to answer. She can be a very valuable tool, and she owes you. Make good use of her. She can change the tide of everything, including our struggle against Gerechtigkeit.”

“She doesn’t know you?” Argrave repeated.

“She was present in my life for less than one percent of its existence,” he looked down at Argrave. “Yes. She doesn’t know me.”

Argrave grew silent as he tried to divine how old the Alchemist was from that information. His head started to hurt, and he instead thought back on other things.

“So, Anneliese said that your—"

“You’ve just been told that someone hears everything you hear, and yet you won’t shut up,” the Alchemist leaned over Argrave menacingly. “Wait. For. Me. To. Finish.”

Argrave knew he was babbling so much only because he was nervous, but the ever-constant disdain that the Alchemist showed grounded him for a moment. He waited there, trying to think of anything that might distract him from things. But nothing came.

“This cloak…” the Alchemist touched it, rubbing it between his fingers. “It drew out large quantities of Erlebnis’ power from the Blessing of Supersession, yes?”

“It did,” Argrave confirmed.

would be able to enact something like this. And just as the Keeper said, I believe I can see it. What he did… he blessed you. Or rather, he

Argrave scoffed. “Enhanced?”

brought me. He was ‘blessed.’ It’s only terminology.” The Alchemist shut the book, and Argrave realized after a few moments he was talking about Ingo. “You can use the Blessing of Supersession whenever you want. But when you do, I suspect he would be able to enhance his ability to perceive your body. The Keeper didn’t

of this. After a time, he refocused. “I watched you disassemble and reassemble me like I was

annoying,” the Alchemist said, shaking his

lowered his

aside. “The curse is just needlessly complex. And it’s entwined with your soul—an undying soul.

was hope. “I’ve known that for a while.

few moments. “Well, that spares me time. You used your soul to anchor your blood echoes. Erlebnis used those conduits to support his curse. That’s why it’s annoying. I don’t know how someone as slow-witted as you managed to do something so… genius, but your A-rank ascension is very impressive. That you didn’t die on your attempt is astounding. If you failed, you’d vomit blood, bleed from eyes, et cetera. You’ve done that before, but practice doesn’t

fact he’d used the elven

are my options?”

pathways,” the Alchemist said. “Tear it all out, with the other blessing you bear alongside it. You would lose all

refused at once. “Not a chance. I went through a lot of effort to get

the worst tangle in a rope imaginable. You would be in a vulnerable position for a long period of time—time I suspect Erlebnis would attempt to assassinate you. I can avoid that by taking you somewhere and encasing you in stone so that no identifying information might reach Erlebnis. By the end of it, you

last resort rather than something that he would rely upon as heavily as he did in the past. As it turned out, that hadn’t been a fruitless thing—it was to be removed. It nonetheless was discouraging to have

long are we

be able to make that meeting

a month?” Argrave said in

and my capabilities, incredibly well. Now, I’ve given all of that up for this gambit of yours following a lead that amounts to ‘what if.’ The Keeper did not speak with such confidence for no reason. Under ordinary circumstances, it could never work. No one can do what I can. And being from where you are, you should know that,” he finished, speaking of Earth in

“I won’t act like you haven’t spent a

fair point,” the Alchemist conceded. “I imagine you’ll

will,” Argrave nodded.

forty-eight hours to return, or I will leave you to your fate. While I treat you, I will be examining the information I collected, trying to piece together a coherent theory of attack against Gerechtigkeit.

Erlebnis’ punishment was far greater than he imagined. He would be trapped with the Alchemist, alone, for an entire month. He wouldn’t be able to speak with anyone besides the giant genocidal Raven and his sister. The second conversationalist would probably be the

I train my magic while I’m

suppose,” the Alchemist

I have something you need to get,” Argrave smiled. ”It’s far in the north…