Chapter 345 (1/2)
To his credit, the Skeleton Knight moved instantly, hopping back to his feet, reaching behind and shedding his already shredded armor. This he used as a projectile, but Randidly easily moved around it and continued to approach.
Hissing, the Skeleton Knight gripped his desperate and wildly squirming sword and stood, blatantly challenging Randidly. Honestly, his size was somewhat intimidating, even without his armor a bit wider and several inches taller than Randidly. But it wasn’t enough to phase Randidly at this point.
“This…. was fun.” The Skeleton Knight offered, giving Randidly pause.
“Yes… It was…” Randidly said, almost said. They held each other’s glances for several long seconds. “But it has to end.”
The Skeleton Knight said nothing, but grimaced as the roots Randidly was controlling wound up around his legs, binding him. Cutting awkwardly, the Skeleton Knight was able to give himself some measure of freedom, but more and more flowed upwards, gathering his arms and keeping them from cutting.
Luckily for the Skeleton Knight, it appeared that the Mage Bane was able to suck Mana from the roots too, so the blade was vibrating and hot in the Skeleton Knight’s hand, practically twisting on its own to cut through roots. Annoying, but that just made this part easier.
As Randidly arrived before the Skeleton Knight, the sword screamed, swerving to slash at him. But Randidly simply pointed off to the side and used an incinerating bolt, aiming for the Skeleton Knight’s side.
Furious and gleeful, the Mage Bane twisted in the Skeleton Knight’s hand, blocking the blow and absorbing it. Activating all of his passives at once and using the Inevitable Phantom Arrives, Randidly destroyed the upper half of the Skeleton Knight’s torso, including its head. The sword trembled, screaming, then flared bright, then went dark and dropped to the ground.
The bones collapsed, and there was a brief moment of silence, but then the strange dueling field around them collapsed, and Randidly found himself at the edge of a battlefield, or what had been one. But after the Skeleton Knight fell, the skeletons turned listless, and then began attacking wildly, even each other, while others just collapsed.
Randidly scanned around, and was glad to see that Rhaidon was slumped over to the side, where the Creature had stood, and his chest rose and fell. One less thing to worry about. Randidly picked up the sword gingerly, worried that it would still try to absorb his Mana, but nothing happened, so he turned his attention to-
Randidly froze. Lyra, or the Creature parading as Lyra, stood over Jemma’s body, carefully removing the headdress from her. As she did so, she straightened and smiled at Randidly. At her side, two bodies were floating. One which looked like a slimy gecko, and another… Ten’Malla. The Wild Rider.
Randidly’s hand tightened on the hilt of the sword.
“I’ve been thinking, you know.” The Creature said, continuing to smile at him, while it stepped closer to him, the two bodies floating behind her, covered in chains made of pure Aether. “Your resistance is… annoying, but impressive. And I fear, seeing your strength now, things have come too far for us to leave the System. You are addicted to it, aren’t you?”
Randidly’s eyes focused on her, sharp and murderous. In his chest, he could feel Lucretia’s hushed explanation, and the Devourer spear humming, almost as if it knew what was coming. Just a bit closer…. But Randidly couldn’t help but also notice that Jemma’s limp body was lifted off the ground by chains of Aether and bound behind the Creature.
Grimacing, Randidly weighed his willingness to act, knowing Jemma would probably die. She was so young… But if it saved the world from this monster… Both options left him with a deep shadow on his heart. Hopefully, another opportunity would emerge.
He attempted to send a message to Dozer, but his menus were all gibberish. Interference…? Well, two could play at that game. Immediately, he began to focus on the fluctuations of Aether around him, slowly discovering the cage of Aether the Creature had made to isolate him, feeling it out. His skill levels ticked up. But it was far, far too slow.
“Do you refuse to admit it?” The Creature chided, almost amused. Randidly flushed, but continued to say nothing.
“Well, it matters not. But… you have made me imagine a new path, where I am able to hide in the System, in plain sight. Inside the System, but seamlessly blended…. It’s actually genius, I’m surprised I haven’t thought of it until now.”
Randidly casually moved the Sword Regalia, watching as the Creature’s eyes followed it. “So I suppose… you will need this? What will you give-”
“Ahaha! You have me all wrong, Randidly.” The Creature chuckled, taking another step closer. Just two more steps, and she would be within range. “Yes, I want my chosen to be the Champion of this Zone, and using their influence, rise further… but… who better than you Randidly? Be my Champion, and all can be forgiven between us.”
With a casual flick that left Randidly flummoxed, the Creature threw the headdress of the Wild Rider towards him. Ten’Malla’s head lolled, her body slumped and unconscious. Randidly caught the headdress. He resisted the urge to just say ‘Eh?’ and instead stayed still, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Was this a trap…? A trick…?