Jackal Among Snakes

When Argrave arrived atop one of the tall towers at Jast, he’d expected many things—foremost among them being that the tower he’d stored his echo on had fallen, and he’d be in freefall. Surprisingly, the large black tower hadn’t fallen. Quick glances around showed that none had fallen… and rather, they’d expanded to an alarming degree.

Each of the towers had taken heavy damage—enough to break their enchantments and make them topple. Instead, new structures had been built around them: braces, supports, and wires, all to hold together this crumbling city. Beyond mere structural support, ballistae and other such weapons of war manned by strange, shapeless men fired back at the besiegers. Argrave could see magic coursing through them, and realized what this was.

These were Mina’s illusions—though illusions no longer, it appeared.

“Argrave!”

Hearing Anneliese’s voice, Argrave whipped his head to the direction it had come from. Anneliese and Mina stood together, overseeing the whole city. Powerful waves of magic shot out at the heart of the city from beyond its walls, and Anneliese dutifully crafted wards to block the worst attacks. As Argrave moved to join them, he looked at the besieger. His eyes sharpened when he saw her.

Almazora, goddess of magic.

“Grave! Kill that bitch! Nicky’s in danger!” Mina shouted savagely as he finally joined with them. The small woman looked exhausted, yet from the look on her face it’d be ages before she gave up the fight.

“Be calm, lest others die from overeagerness,” Anneliese assured, her focus never wavering from the fight. She didn’t look at Argrave, but she could tell her next words were directed toward him. “Almazora betrayed us. Presumably Jaray wormed fears into her—fears about magic disappearing once the cycle of judgment end. She would surrender her divinity, but never magic. That was our oversight.”

“Jast is dense with magic,” Mina continued. “A lot of spellcasters were here. Almazora stole the magic from most of them, then detonated the ambient magic. Without Anneliese, not a one of us could’ve cast a single spell.” Mina glanced over to where a wayward fireball had struck a tower. It began to tumble, yet Mina held her hand out and conjured an illusory brace in seconds that held it in place. She looked at Argrave. “Some ‘god of pain’ is leading a force against Nikoletta’s army. When he looks at you… it’s torture.” She shuddered.

“Got it. Pain’s no trouble. Magic’s no obstacle.” Argrave walked to the edge of the tower, holding up his arm and casting [Godkiller] once more.

Argrave’s arm exploded—he was already getting used to the feeling, which was somewhat sad. Almazora ceased all assaults, desperately bringing to bear a thousand wards in little more than a second. The approaching bolt of pure blood magic was slowed, yet it chewed through wards like a tank’s gun through glass. A torrent of vitality poured back into Argrave as Anneliese returned all the magic the spell shattered, and his arm slowly reshaped.

Argrave had already signed Almazora’s death warrant in his head… yet then his bolt of blood exploded in a swirl of black and dark red. He could tell in seconds that wasn’t working as intended. The blackness took to motion, flowing downward toward the goddess of magic. When the dust settled, he saw his magic pouring into her cosmic weave of hair. The goddess held her arms out, and her assault began again, redoubled.

Anneliese grabbed him and made them both crouch behind a parapet atop the tower, while Mina tirelessly worked to repair the damage Almazora was doing to the city.

“Anne?” Argrave asked, focusing on her.

magic.” Anneliese peeked over the top, assessing things. As she did, she muttered, “She

ask Anneliese if he could stay conscious if he exploded two of his arms at the same

“We expected this from the god of deception, but I thought he’d

tremendous explosion shook the tower, and Mina leaned off the side dangerously to conjure another brace. When she

The gods mean to attack the Lionsun Castle at the same

compulsion immediately. He was of the opinion it

real?” Argrave asked Elenore. “Is Rook actually coming, or is it an attempt

is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report

real,” Elenore confirmed.

thought furiously, trying to see some way out of this. Anneliese put her hand on his shoulder, then behind his

you can go,” Anneliese said. “I can

Mina said in shock that quickly turned to desperation. “Argrave, please…! Nicky could really

Anneliese’s eyes, then asked, “You have a

overwhelming victory is possible, even without you.” Anneliese looked at the goddess of magic, then conjured a

closer. “Argrave, please. Don’t risk Nikoletta’s life. She’s all I… and

a nod. With that, Argrave

feet, and said to Mina sternly, “Listen to Anneliese. If she

“Argra—”

Argrave called upon another blood echo to transport himself. He arrived at the Lionsun Castle, and was at once buffeted by fierce winds. He was utterly alone on the castle walls, though some distant members of the garrison manned mounted

the Blackgard Union. Have him do what Erlebnis did when we fought at the Palace of Heaven. Have him recall all of his Justiciars to concentrate his

Elenore asked. “Erlebnis, the silver knight—he was present in those battles, yet he

Law, on the other hand, has an abundance of experience. If he surprises Rook with concentrated power, I’m

the small villages throughout Berendar, will be hardest

villages, and the Great Chu has more gods than I can count. Galamon, Orion, and Emperor Ji Meng are also there—they’ll pull through. We might lose the battle entirely if Law dies, not to mention how much our alliance with the other deities will strain if he dies. We have a chance to make him infinitely stronger if he can kill Rook without significant injury.” Argrave rolled his shoulders looking at the enemy House Parbon faced on its northern front. “I’ll be defending the Lionsun

formed to the north. Margrave Reinhardt’s banner flew high, and his army marched defiantly—the gods they faced were such that an army was sufficient to face them. Even still, it was clear the patriarch of House