Chapter Five Hundred And Fifty One – 551
The layers below the fifth are safe for us, Naberius said. They walked as they talked, as neither Felix nor Pit were eager to draw their Domain run out any farther than necessary. But beyond here is where the Path truly grows precipitous.
Why? Pit asked, a half-instant before Felix could.
Because the sixth layer is where the majority of your foes are Ice Elementals, instead of their Lesser or Inferior brethren. Sitris old face pursed, tucking inward like shed tased something heinously sour. Only one has survived to see the sixth layers end.
Grimmar, Felix said. He smiled, a weight lifting off his chest. You had me worried for a second.
Foris hissed at him, literally hissedlike a cat. Do not take this lightly, Human! Grimmar was a brute, but a finer warrior I have never seen in all my years.
Felix stopped, forcing all of them to stop as well. Lady, I kicked his ass after being here for a month. If I cant get farther than him, then theres something seriously wrong with this Domain. He glanced up, through the canyon lip above them and into the distant, swirling storm at the peak. Well be fine.
The rest of the walk was far quieter.
Eventually the winding ravines and box canyons opened up into a modestly sized, triangular portal. Modestly sized for giants, anyway. The metal and stone spires that leaned into one another were thirty feet high at their apex, and the opening was filled with swirling, arctic light. As Felix stepped closer he could feel the deep cold emanating from it, far harsher than the fourth layer had been. Pit sniffed at it and warbled in annoyance.
Felix looked to the Witches and found Naberius approaching. Will we be split up again, when we enter? he asked.
No. Multiple Challengers will be sent to the same place from here on out. In a normal chieftains test, this would be where the Challengers are pitted against each other as well as the Domain, but She gestured between the two of them. That is not a problem here.
Pit hummed in agreement.
We, however, cannot traverse the layers beyond this point. It is a place for Challengers only. We shall, however, know how you fare.
Felix eyed the Witches. Sitri looked sour as usual, her cloudy eyes and withered face seemingly built to do little else but scowl. Fortis was more stoic. All of them, including Naberius, were filled with complicated emotions. People, even giant ones, rarely felt just one thing.
Sharp-faced Naberius was the most curious, however. She smiled at him, and it was actually earnest. I admit to a newfound respect for you, Felix Nevarre. I have witnessed your power again and again during the first four layers, and I believe you will best Grimmars record.
Pit cleared his throat, but the giant lady ignored him. I warn you, however, not to reach too far. You have already proven yourself to me, and my word holds weight in the Cold Rocks Coven. I need only a potent argument to convince the Kin to allow you to seek the Kingsrock.
KingsrockI remember that name. Felix dug around his memories. There was a battle there.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
One that sealed Grimmars position as Chieftain of the Kin, the Cold Children. My people.
Felixs thoughts leaped ahead. And its where the Seat and Seal is located, isnt it?
Naberius gave a tight, barely perceptible jerk of her chin. Her voice lowered as if she were afraid of the others hearing. It is. As monsters we cannot make use of it, but it is the heart of the Hoarfrost. Claim the Kingsrock, and you claim it all. However, and do not think that I am underestimating you, but even you cannot simply approach the the Kingsrock without preparation. Friends. Her smile widened, creasing the sharp planes of her face. Without an alliance with Cold Rockwithout my covenyou will be lost to the storms.
Felix wanted to roll his eyes so hard, it pained him not toshe was pushing her value pretty hard. She claimed she wasnt underestimating him, but Felix hadnt begun to show the Witches what he could do. Youre here for diplomacy, he reminded himself. And what would I need to do to claim such an alliance?
You need only reach the end of the seventh layer and defeat the Door Guardian. Nothing more. After that, simply declare that you are finished and the Domain will return you to its entrance.
And if I go farther? What if I climb that mountain and beat the whole thing?
Naberius expression did not change, but her Spirit sang a medley of indignation and stark fear. You will die. None have ascended the peak. The Frostfather will not allow it. Do not be foolhardy, would-be king.
She walked away, graceful despite her nine-foot frame, and rejoined her fellow Witches. They leaned in close, clearly peppering her with questions, but she ignored them.
Pit screeched.
Flesh moved, forced against the curse that sizzled against Pits back. Fire burned anew, a searing light at the end of two of Pits Mana Gateswhere his wings once were. Felix hurled more of his stored Essence at their connection, feeding all he could to the Skill. Sovereign of Flesh redoubled the pressure, backed by Pits Intent and Will, and the flames slowly subsided.
We have it, bud!
Felix!
Without warning, their core spaces wrenched apart, riven by a detonation of wildfire that sent Pit reeling out of Felixs Spirit. They were hurled apart in a flash of light, and Pit howled in agony as the blaze atop his shoulders ignited into twin streamers of deep, crimson flame.
Cardinal Flame!
The magic fought against Felix, squirming from his control despite his levels and stats; just as it had every time hed attempted to grapple it. He managed to catch the bare edge of it though, wrestling it down until the gout became a trickle, and then even that was banked behind the glowering remnants of blood and ash.
Pit? His friend was out but still breathing. Goddamn it.
Behind Pit the stone walls had charred and blackened, and everything smelled of burnt feathers. Felix hurried over and inspected his Companions wounds. Blood ran through Pits fur and feathers and splintered pieces of bone stuck up in uneven layers, as if there had been growthand then it had burned from the inside out. Felix toggled Pits status in his display, bringing up his conditions.
Status Condition: Curse of Flame
Itits still there. Felix ran his hands through his hair. Fuck!
Hed nearly used up all the Essence hed collected in the Domain, too. All of their efforts, gone in an instant.
Allall myI couldnt control it.
What? Felix leaned closer to Pits head. Whatre you talking about? Dont blame yourself. I cant do it either. Hed tried, so many times. The curse rejected his command over flesh, a power that hed once used to rip monsters in half. Healing, it seemed, was far more complicated than destroying. And its my fault for thinking it would be different coming from you. This curseit needs something drastic.
No. Pit lifted his head, and struggled to a sitting position. Youre not allowed to try it.
Unite the Lost would fix you!
Im not broken!
Silence flooded their hut, thick and heavy. Felix sat back in it, unsure how to respond.
ImIm just Pit shook his head, barding jangling around his neck. Im hurt, but I can still fight. And you cant know how much significance that Skill will cost you. Pit nosed his beak into Felixs chest. I lost my wings. I cant risk losing you, too.
Pit
His friend was right. Unite the Lost always cost him exorbitant amounts of significance to use, and if he was drained of too much of it, then Felix would simplycease. Every other time hed used the Skill hed been flushed with significance, having just been stolen from armies of powerful combatants or vast beings with Chthonic Tribute. Since theyd forged his pillars, however, Felix had been busted down to his bare minimum. Just what made him, him.
Pit, if thats what you want, then okay. I wont risk it. Felix ran his hands over Pits glossy, feathered head. II dont like seeing you in pain.
Im fine, Pit lied. His big golden eyes blinked. Lets focus on kicking this Domains butt.
Felix huffed a laugh, and it was only half faked. Sure. Onward and upward, then.
