Chapter 260: Bridging the Gap (2/2)

As the lich roared in pain, Mike reached down into the depths of the undead creature's being and located the spiritual injury. It felt like a raw and gaping hole had been torn Kultanis's soul, as if a piece of it had been ripped out, leaving the rest to fester.

Directing his mana towards it, he began the healing process. As he did so, he sensed a connection with some other distant point, likely where the lich's phylactery had been stored.

It didn't take long to finish repairing the wound, simultaneously severing the faint connection. Standing back up, he surveyed his work. For the most part, Kultanis look the same. However, there was one indication left behind by the experience. A hand print was burned into his skull, still smoking from the power that had been channeled into it.

After a few moments the orbs of light reappeared and focused on Mike. One skeletal hand reached to brush the hand print. ”What...what did you do?”

”I healed your soul.”

”That...That couldn't...That shouldn't be possible. How...” He trailed off as the bones of his hand started to disintegrate slowly.

Mike sighed. He was feeling pretty mentally fatigued by this point and wanted nothing more than for all of this to be over. ”This is the end, Kultanis. It seems that your current state won't support your body.”

The lich chuckled. ”Of course. If my soul is healed, then it must mean that you've severed its connection to my phylactery. Without that, my body will lose cohesion.” He glanced down at his legs, noting that they were starting to fall apart as well. ”How unfortunate that I ran into an opponent like you.”

Sitting down on a small mound nearby, Mike watched as the disintegration spread. ”Not long now, from the looks of it. If you have any last words, I'll at least listen to them.”

”HA! How generous of you. There is one thing I wanted to ask. You have no obligation to answer, I suppose, but perhaps you will humor the dying.” Kultanis paused for a moment. ”Are you a Reincarnator?”

Mike stared down at him for a moment, then looked away. ”Something like that.”

”I thought so. You lacked the aura of a Godblooded, and there are few other creatures out there capable of acquiring power as quickly as you have.”

”Godblooded?”

The lich didn't seem to hear. His voice became quieter as the disintegration reached his chest. ”A word of advice, Reincarnator. Do not think that you are safe now that I am defeated. This world stands on the edge of a knife. Forces are at work that will bring an end to all that we know.”

Mike waited, not wanting to interrupt.

The orbs of light in the undead's eye sockets finally faded as his last whisper echoed forth. ”One day death will come for you as it does for me now. When you finally...pass...I...will...be...waiting...”

With that, the lich finished disintegrating, leaving only a rune-carved bit of bone and pile of grey dust.

Before he had a chance to do anything else, Brenden called out to him again. ”Mike! There's trouble!”

The beastman was running towards him, with several armored humans following. As he got closer, Mike could tell that his friend was in bad shape, so he jogged over to meet him.

”What's going on?” He asked while touching Brenden on the shoulder and channeling a little Healing Magic into him to cure his fatigue.

”The Cabal took Sera a little while ago. I tried to track them, but they covered their tracks too well. I thought you might have something you can do.”

Mike frowned and sent a quick mental message to Selene. After receiving her reply, he opened his extradimensional sack and began rooting around in it. Eventually, he pulled out a small, transparent orb coated in arcane runes and bearing a smudge of dried blood.

”What's that? Some kind of tracking device?”

”Better.” He replied while throwing the sphere at the ground. It shattered, releasing a puff of white smoke. As it cleared, it revealed Sera's prone form.

He reached down and channeled a little Healing Magic into her, checking her condition. ”Hmm, she seems to be fine, just unconscious. While I could wake her, it might be better to let her rest for the moment.”

”Wha...did...did you just summon her?” Brenden asked, clearly shocked.

”Indeed. It seemed like a good way to prevent kidnappings, don't you think?”

[It's unfortunate these things are just one-time use items. If I could make them work repeatedly, it would give me a lot more options.]

”Are you supposed to be able to...ah, forget it. I don't know why I even bothered worrying.” Brenden replied, a familiar look of chagrin on his face.

Mike leaned over and gathered the unconscious Oracle into his arms. ”By the way, who are your new friends?” He asked, having already used on Appraise on them.

The group of knights had been waiting at a polite distance. With his implied invitation, one of the younger ones stepped forward. ”I am Prince Johnathan of Almir, Sir Dragonknight, and I wish to congratulate you on your mighty victory. Truly, we owe you a great debt of gratitude.”

Mike shrugged, ”I've been promised some fairly hefty compensation for this, so there is no need to thank me.”

Wanting to limit the amount of time he had to spend interacting with the royal heir, he sent a mental message to Red, asking the dragon to land.

”Nevertheless, you have my personal gratitude for bringing an end to the great shame of my family.” The prince replied with a slight bow.

”Hm, I don't follow.”

”It's a long story, and I can tell you are in a rush to care for your companion, so I will spare you for now.” He explained, pausing as Red landed nearby causing a mild windstorm. ”When next we meet, I will make sure to give you the full story.”

[A considerate prince? How unusual.]

”Very well, I'll hold you to it, your highness.” Mike said with a chuckle as he hoped onto the dragon's back. ”Coming Brenden?”

For a moment, the beastman hesitated, but then shook his head. ”I've got some followers of my own to take care of. I'll catch up with you later.”

”Alright. I'll see you soon.” He yelled back as Red took to the air.

It wasn't until they were already on their way that he realized he'd completely forgotten about Cariel. He surveyed the area, but couldn't see any sign of the paladin.

[Ah, well, I'm sure she'll be alright. She's a tough one after all.] He thought while pushing her out of his mind. There were other things he needed to focus on now.