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.

touch she can steal magic.” Anneliese peeked over the top, assessing things. As she did,

was about to ask Anneliese if he could stay conscious if he exploded two of his arms

from the god of deception, but I thought he’d

that information as Anneliese rose, conjuring countless distant wards. A tremendous explosion shook the tower, and Mina leaned off the side dangerously to conjure another brace.

between Vasquer and the Burnt Desert. The gods mean to attack the Lionsun Castle at the same time. They’re

it generally wasn’t the best idea to do what

asked Elenore. “Is Rook actually coming, or is it

not rightfully on Amazon; if you see

confirmed.

some way out of this. Anneliese put her hand on

Anneliese said. “I

turned to desperation. “Argrave, please…! Nicky could really die

into Anneliese’s eyes, then asked,

I can confidently say that an overwhelming victory is possible, even without you.” Anneliese looked at the goddess of magic, then conjured a ward with ease to block a coming attack. “She’s a tough opponent,

risk Nikoletta’s life. She’s

she gave him a nod. With

to his feet, and said to Mina sternly, “Listen to Anneliese. If she says she can win, she can win. She’ll demonstrate that Almazora’s

“Argra—”

protest, Argrave called upon another blood echo to transport himself. He arrived at the Lionsun Castle, and was at once buffeted

Palace of Heaven. Have him recall all of his Justiciars to concentrate his power in his body, and have him kill Rook. That’s the only

the silver knight—he was present in those

fighting with it. Law, on the other hand, has an abundance of experience. If he surprises Rook with concentrated power, I’m confident he can earn a quick and decisive

throughout Berendar, will be hardest hit,”

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 Castle and the

those words with his sister, Argrave studied the force that’d 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 Parbon was on the backfoot,