Chapter 837 (1/2)

Randidly could feel a lot at that moment that he pressed his hand to Azriel’s knee. The strange, chaotic chimera of an image that she was blasting outward was crystal clear. He could feel the fractured images of violence and desperation. He could feel that unending hunger. He could even feel the uncompromising drive for glory that Randidly knew was all Azriel.

He felt how cold the skin of her leg was.

And also he could feel that the image was tapping into something deeper across Tellus. Although the world had experienced a catastrophic loss of life, this image was held in the hearts of most people. This was their belief. Their Path forward aligned with that image.

It made Randidly very sad, looking at the warped figure of Azriel, covered as she was in crystal growths. To have this be the defining image of the world… it was a sacrifice to violence, an exaltation in unhealthy madness. It couldn’t be allowed. What he was about to do would hurt Azriel, but it would be better in the long run. For all of Tellus.

“Alright Azriel, this is going to hurt. Inspiration. Erode Image.”

Erode Image functioned as a way to bring the weight of Randidly’s will against another’s image. Generally, Randidly would be shaken by the experience and the target’s image would be weakened semi-permanently. Which was what he expected when he combined it with Inspiration. Boosted by the Skill, his mental strength grew to monstrous proportions and simply crush the offending image.

Even as his Mana emptied itself out, the wave of mental force crashed against Azriel. Her body spasmed as the image that had stuck its insidious influence into every inch of her struggled to withstand the overwhelming force from Randidly. Very quickly, its defenses were knocked away and it began to shudder and fail beneath the force.

Then, to Randidly’s surprise, the image acted in its own interest; it removed its tentacles from Azriel and was knocked out of her body rather than shattering.

The weakened image appeared like a glowing glass orb, filled with storm-grey mist that obscured a pulsing light. It clinked loudly as it bounced against the ground and rolled over to touch the far wall.

Immediately, Azriel gasped as her eyes shot open. Although her entire eyes were originally glassy black, that color swiftly faded to a more normal hue and she collapsed toward the ground. Moving a step closer, Randidly caught her. As the strands fell across his arms, her hair quickly lightened from ebony to ivory.

Gently, Randidly set her on the ground. The strange energies of the System that had begun to move as she moved closer to Ascension ceased with a whine. What was left was four people in a room dominated by a heavy coat rack, and a glowing orb.

“Incredible,” The Spearman whispered. “You stopped her Ascension. You wounded the images. That… amazing.”

Randidly closed his eyes as he kneeled next to Azriel, struggling to gather himself. Her own images had been wounded worse that the Spearman and the First Propagator’s image that had been able to escape her had been by his attack. What he needed to do right now is feed her the threads of meaning that Randidly had gathered between them and restart their Aether connection so she could heal.

But he hadn’t escaped unscathed. Even now, his wits felt dull. His mental control was shaky and listless.

Here, let me help, Lucretia’s voice came in his ear and Randidly felt her influence on his Soulspace as his Domain activated once more. When she shared a portion of his mental feedback, he felt her involuntarily suck in a breath.

Yea, this one was rough, Randidly thought ironically as he focused his mind and gathered Azriel’s images. With great care, he pressed his remaining hand to her forehead and slowly fed her with them. For good measure, Randidly included an Aether Donation to help her heal while they restored their actual connection.

“So, now we can start again.” The Spearman announced with a laugh. “Wonderful. We-”

“We finish this here,” Shal rumbled. Randidly glanced upward; Shal still had a strong grip on the Spearman’s arm. “One way or another.”

“The foe is dead,” The Spearman said with a frown. “Even if you are prepared to ascend, you need a foe.”

Shal shoved the Spearman. “Go, then. Absorb your old image and face me. And then Tellus can finally escape this place.”

Slowly, the Spearman turned and looked at Shal. At first, his face was covered in confusion. Then it was replaced by rage. Until finally, it settled on disappointment. “...boy. No matter how you have grown, you are not my match. And I don’t intend to see my image-”

“Then all you need to do is fight your way past me. Easy, yes? Prove your point, old man.” Shal said. There was something ugly and determined in his eyes as he focused on the Spearman.

Randidly felt something in the air; Shal was using a Skill. But even so, this wasn’t part of the plan that they had decided on earlier. Letting the Spearman go-

But then it clicked as he looked at Shal’s pale-faced grimness. Ah. The Spearman threatened Rumera. Of course. So this became personal. Well, this would be a much easier way to resolve the issue of fighting against another image...