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.

power entered into your body. It is reasonable that he would be able to enact something like this.

Argrave scoffed. “Enhanced?”

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 lie.

considering the implications of this. After a time, he refocused. “I watched you disassemble and reassemble me like I was a toy soldier,”

the Alchemist said, shaking his

lowered

that I couldn’t do it, imbecile.” The Alchemist set his book aside. “The curse is just needlessly complex. And it’s entwined with your soul—an undying soul.

there was hope. “I’ve known that for a while. What about the

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 perfect everything. It is… an impressive achievement, what

ignore to mention the fact he’d used the elven realms to circumvent

my options?” Argrave

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

I

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 would be free of the curse, and the Blessing of Supersession with

a deep breath. He’d been trying to distance himself from the Blessing of Supersession, using it as a last resort rather than something that he would rely upon as heavily as he did in the past.

we talking?”

be able

month?” Argrave said

hid my presence, 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

said, “I won’t act like you haven’t spent a lot. But don’t act like you’re not gaining anything from this. We’re

point,” the Alchemist conceded. “I imagine

will,” Argrave

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

weren’t turning out so bad, but it turned out 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

my magic while I’m

suppose,” the Alchemist

you need to get,” Argrave smiled. ”It’s