Jackal Among Snakes

Erlebnis had a long while to think about how to kill Argrave in this fight. The man had come to specialize in avoidance after learning how to use [Echo Step] in conjunction with his A-rank ascension. Now, with the god of space standing by his side like a bodyguard, that talent would have another layer of protection. All of this excluded the titanic Law manifesting on the battlefield. Law had been an easy equal for Erlebnis even before this fight began. Now, though, with more allies… with an army on the pathway to the Palace of Heaven, and with gods and kings at his side, the match was hopelessly skewed.

But Erlebnis had the benefit of millennia of knowledge. That was a weapon that could be used in uncountable ways. He would strike fast, strike hard, and draw upon the most obscure and strange forms of magic seeking to get a solid blow in. Despite his position, Argrave was still flesh and blood of yet. A solid hit could kill him. Or… perhaps two blows, considering the Inerrant Cloak he wore would act as a partial shield.

“You’ll come to know much today, Argrave.” Erlebnis kneeled down, placing his hand upon the ground and calling upon magic so forgotten that only he alone knew of it.

The earth beneath his hand changed, taking on properties of a substance far removed from stone. The ground itself began to ripple like a droplet had fallen upon still water. Then, the Stormfield, sensing a change in the ground, rushed to correct the disturbance. What it corrected was soon changed again in an ever-repeating cycle, churning the earth. This spell had been crafted by a miner seeking a way to isolate ore deposits, yet now, it turned the flat stone plateau into a shifting landscape that would perpetually fight against the Stormfield until its power source ran out, or the field itself died.

Everyone on the ground was cast into a desperate struggle not to be swallowed by the earth—Argrave’s entire army, and even Law’s Justiciars. And with the stage set, Erlebnis began. He soared up into the air, and cast a spell originating from the Order of the Rose rather similar to one Argrave commonly called upon. A bird of fire erupted, strengthened by Erlebnis’ divinity—the S-rank spell [Phoenix]. The bird, with his will alone, circled through the sky, waiting for his direction. Soon, a flock of phoenix’s roamed above the sky. Despite the Stormfield raging, they persisted, ready to descend upon a target of his choosing when he pleased.

“My own strategy?” Argrave called out. “You aren’t teaching me much.”

“In this domain, my enemies are inferior,” Law declared, his voice drowning out his champion’s.

righteous fury. Erlebnis had considered how to abate the pure might of Law, and come to a rather elegant solution. He created a unique ward, casting it forth. Rather than hold firm, it moved with the attack while applying precisely half the

They slammed upon Law’s back, and the titanic knightly figure staggered. Erlebnis slammed against the rippling ground, but even as he felt the ache of pain prepared two spells. As a match for his own two hands, Erlebnis used the shamanic spell [Godhand], burning away his own divinity to such an extent it felt like someone tore a fistful of flesh straight from his chest. They wrapped around Law’s arms, grasping and restraining him as best as they could. Meanwhile, Erlebnis turned his attention to Argrave and

in Argrave’s hands. The dagger absorbed the lightning. Keeping that in mind, Erlebnis shot forth like an arrow with another burst of wind magic at his feet, but during

he was categorizing, scrutinizing, theorizing. Countless gods of space had died before. Their near-omnipresence in battle could be turned against them. Others before had used a few ways. There was prediction—predict where they fled, they could be got. There was coverage—cover all

a trap. And that,

cast [Trace]. Striking both Raccomen and Argrave, it forced the god to release Argrave and forced the man to use his Inerrant Cloak to preserve his life. Argrave’s magic drained, leaving him with only the power of his blood echoes. Most importantly, god and man were finally forced apart. The rippling plateau of stone became far more chaotic

tale belongs on

Raccomen. The man’s blood echoes spread across the field as he struggled with the uneven, rippling terrain caused by the constant magic. Raccomen tried to rejoin with Argrave, but Erlebnis sent

Erlebnis, remained a difficult mortal to deal with. His [Echo Step] made his A-rank ascension from something formidable to perhaps the single best blood magic ascension in history. Erlebnis fought a double battle—he

in the earth, and barely turned fast enough to see Law swinging his greatsword yet again. The [Godhands] had both broken, despite the tremendous amount of his own life Erlebnis had placed into them… and Law seemed no worse for wear. No matter how many times he overcame Law

aberrations just as quickly. As dust soared through the air, Erlebnis saw opportunity—he thrust his hands into the dust, and cast another ancient earth spell. All of the errant particles collected, then

finally land through, and unexpectedly… neither Argrave nor Raccomen whisked the mortal king away. The spell cut through the dust, and when it was about to

golden blade long before he saw it, and dodged

the cause quickly enough—spirits, supposedly consumed, but in actuality, they were something like a dormant poison. As the blade flew past, Rook leapt at the perfect time like a cougar upon its prey. Erlebnis, wracked by these faux-spirits, was a step too slow in defending himself. A dagger pierced into his