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.”

this new Erlebnis—this markedly human Erlebnis—hurtle across the battlefield as the Stormfields reignited, taken over by a new custodian. Law’s form began to condense, his power gathering close at hand, and Argrave felt some relief… only for that relief to be shattered when Law’s golden blade hurtled

Ravenstone, 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 me crush

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

the earth. If he only scribbled in the earth, and this is how I die… my

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 by a god. All of the magic in the world slowed,

it wanted, and he could feel it pulling from the

spell coursed toward Argrave—a solid ball of fire, writhing with the red liquid metal that constituted his divinity. Yet that liquid metal slammed upon an invisible wall, while the fire made wholly of magic kept its course toward Argrave. Argrave quickly improvised

did not wield. Argrave saw one of the crowning achievements of the Great Chu manifest, and even as his skin burnt hot, let out a sigh of relief. Divinity in all its forms—whether gods, or the spirits they bled—ceased to function before the array

alarming simultaneously, that Governor Zen possessed

promised…!” He looked to where Anneliese retreated to

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, he ducked low and jumped to the side, quickly pivoting around the array Argrave shielded himself in until he was on the other side. Law’s blade met the same resistance Erlebnis did, and

story is not meant

Erlebnis dedicated all of his attention to the new

the god of war to the ground as if he were a child. “Vulture,” Erlebnis spat, his free hand preparing magic.

A lance of liquid red metal shot out with the speed of 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

That array won’t hold if 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

it and broke out into a run toward

shouted, then recalled the Alchemist into the Ravenstone. He clutched it as he ran, asking the man,

no more,” the Alchemist

way toward the Palace of Heaven.

responded. “Apparently, the pressure lightened on his end. They’re waiting at the breach point for

this side,” Argrave informed her. “Law’s fully occupied. We can’t conserve one of the Giantkillers as we intended if we

him,” Elenore

his own rib bone in hand, ready to write another array. Soon enough they were met with the second deterrent of the Palace of Heaven—its walls. He wasn’t talking about their physical aspects, but rather their magical ones. A pressure emanated outward from their sleek gray surface—one from above, the other fighting against

took felt heavier than the last, the fortress looming high above 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.