Jackal Among Snakes

The moments after Erlebnis took the form of a lone man were very chaotic.

“We need to flee, now! Fall back!” Anneliese pulled on Argrave's arm, shouting, after the strange and tangible outpouring of power from the Palace of Heaven. The Stormfield had stalled, somewhat.

Argrave turned his head away from the gray-haired old man who'd newly arrived. “Why?” He asked quickly.

“Because he's after you,” she continued urgently. “You, and only you. We fall back, cut him down slowly.”

Shortly thereafter, the wizened man jumped from the castle walls. He landed harmlessly, and it began to dawn on Argrave who he was dealing with: Erlebnis. When his chilling words echoed across the stone plateau, Argrave concurred with his partner immediately. The god of knowledge had lost it, had totally snapped. And in the face of such an uncertainty, it was best to regroup.

“Hold on,” Governor Zen shouted. “This is our opportunity. A rabid animal is blind to traps. Let me set up an array to protect. Then, Sataistador can come to our aid.”

He’s shown his hand, Argrave thought, eyes flicking between the urgent governor and this terrifying new development ahead. He could flee—their retreat was covered. But from the beginning, they knew Sataistador was going to try something. That time, it would seem, was now. But could they risk it?

“How long do you need?” Argrave asked insistently.

“Thirty seconds, maybe a minute,” Zen vowed. “Then, you’ll power it, block him. Not a speck of his power will pass. We’ll batter him.”

As Argrave thought, the voice of this strange new Erlebnis cut into his thoughts. “…burn the whole of House Parbon, exterminate the House of Quadreign, and end all of Leopold’s lineage. All of the snow elves, all the citizens of your kingdom, everyone you even remotely like—they’re dead, because of you.”

In the end, he knew Sataistador wanted to claim Erlebnis’ head. And they’d been preparing for the god of war’s treachery this entire time—they just needed to keep their guard up, both during and after this mortal struggle.

“One at a time, Erlebnis!” Argrave shouted—an answer to the god of knowledge’s ravings, but equal part declaration of his intentions. “Get to work,” he told Zen just after.

In response to his command, Zen opened his robe, and put on a bizarre glove with sharpened nails that coursed with magic. He inhaled deeply, then plunged his hand into his chest. He gripped his own ribcage, screaming, and pulled free one of the bones. It glowed with an indescribable power. Zen healed the wound, fell to the ground, then began scratching the earth with his bone. Where it marked, that same power hummed.

Argrave was aghast, but… if the man would do something so drastic, he most likely wouldn’t be lying. Besides—Law was here, an ancient god of his own. What could go wrong? Reminded of his blessing, Argrave called upon the Domain of Law, declaring, “In this domain, time is slowed for those within it.”

his power gathering close at hand, and Argrave felt some relief… only for that relief to be shattered when Law’s golden blade hurtled away ineffectively. His heart calmed when the Justiciars took his place…

releasing him in a defensive panic. The Alchemist created an impressive bulwark—the same defense that had blocked attacks from Mozzahr, and so Argrave was comforted… only for the Alchemist to be cut in half by a spell of unimaginable

[Echo Step]!” Erlebnis raved as he neared. “Leave Anneliese behind! Watch

here, Grand Commandant! Power it when he comes!” Zen shouted, rushing past Argrave

backstepped as quickly as he could, seeking this array. He could see writing in the earth. If he only scribbled in the earth, and this is how I die… my Undying Soul

army that Argrave had brought got to work—even unexpected additions like Oynchinusa appeared in stalwart defiance of her old master. Their spells rocked toward the deity in unison, and Argrave thought Erlebnis would struggle. Only, [Requite] reared its head—a [Requite] wielded

felt a hollow void of power beneath his feet beckoning for the power he offered. He gave it what it wanted, and he could feel it pulling from the magic and the spirits within him like a vacuum. Given his terror,

wholly of magic kept its course toward Argrave. Argrave quickly improvised a ward that shattered. The flames slammed into Argrave’s face. Artur’s armor did protect him well enough, yet he felt hair and

arm forth with what seemed to be tremendous effort, yet Zen’s array did not wield. Argrave saw one of the crowning achievements of the Great Chu manifest, and even as his skin burnt

extremely alarming simultaneously, that Governor

away. “The imperial palace’s ward? Then, as promised…!” He looked to where Anneliese retreated to the distance, and Argrave felt his heart thump as the god of knowledge made

mistaking it—Law was as present as he could be, all of his golden aura condensed in the shape of a great titan. He was a knight of gold, and he clenched both of his hands around his greatsword and plunged it down. Erlebnis did not rise to meet it—rather,

source, this story is not meant to be on

on high, swinging a huge hammer. Erlebnis dedicated all of his attention to the new attacker, and two wards rose to block the attack. The hammer broke the first ward, and Sataistador’s fist broke the second. The god of war

dodge—he caught Sataistador’s charge. His hand wrapped his throat, and to Argrave’s shock and awe, Erlebnis slammed the god of war to the ground as if he were a child. “Vulture,” Erlebnis spat, his free hand preparing magic. “Fucking

lightning, and Sataistador only barely dodged. The projectile grazed his shoulder, causing a small burst of spirits flying into the air. They merged with Law’s form, whose titanic body stood to its full height while readying that golden greatsword. Argrave felt a turtle

the ground beneath it fails, which is sure to happen if we let loose. Law and I together can stop him for a time, but you must run if you want to live. Bring Zen, head for

notion that Sataistador might be trying to get him killed, but ultimately he dismissed it and broke out into a run toward the Palace of Heaven, right into the Stormfield. Reinforcement Justiciars joined him, protecting him and those near him from the worst of the

the Ravenstone. He clutched it as he ran, asking the man,

I can fight no more,” the Alchemist stated plainly. “I must focus all

Argrave made his way toward the Palace of Heaven.

end. They’re waiting

her. “Law’s fully occupied. We can’t conserve one of the Giantkillers as we intended if we want to punch through. We need

him,”

they were met with the second deterrent of the Palace of Heaven—its

them. His eyes felt like they were being turned to goo, his ears rung, and his bones pushed against his skin and armor as if threatening to burst free. Argrave could hear, could feel the battle between Sataistador, Law, and Erlebnis. He heard Erlebnis’ desperate, ravening struggles to reach Argrave, but the two ancient gods proved capable of warding him away, even if only for a time. Judging by the fact that the sounds were growing closer rather than further… that wouldn’t be forever. Governor Zen