Chapter Five Hundred And Eighty Six – 586
We made it! Pit cried out. His Companion was right up against him but the roar of the winds almost drowned out his voice. Felix! Let go!
He cannot hear us! Vess reached out and hissed in pain as the light around Felix intensified. I cannot reach him!
I got it! Convergence!
Pit vanished and reappeared within Felixs Spirit, which in the weird, not-quite-real worlds within worlds of core spaces, was only a short distance from Felixs own core. He dove deep, past the Tree and the spinning rings.
Felix!
There was no answer, even in the mans own core space. Rivers of Mana and Essence poured in all around him, spiraling down from above like a dive-bombing waterfall. Pit flew among it, Willing himself further and further into the maelstrom. It was there, in the dark, that the Chimera saw his friend.
Felix! Wake up!
Pit soared down, faster and faster. The streams hurtled alongside him, hauled into Felixs center so swiftly that their luminescence ran eye-searingly bright and agonizingly hot. Pit dodged, banking left and right between them all, but the streams were converging at the black center of his Companions core space.
Right where Felix stood.
The streams werent hitting him. In fact, there was nothing around his friend, except the yawning darkness of his Hunger. The streamers of power fed into the flat disc of it, spinning as if down an enormous, titanic drain, and Felix was balanced at the very edge of its brightest current. He stared vacantly into nothing, as if he couldnt hear Pit at all.
Bad Hunger! Let him go! Pit demanded. It howled in response, a riot of Dissonance and Harmony; so close to that noise from the grinding cores above that it was indistinguishable. You already ate enough!
Still.
Hungry.
I dont care! Theres no more food if theres no more Felix! So cut it out!
There was no answer, only a continuation of its feeding frenzy. Felix tottered closer to the darknesses center.
Fine.
Pits ears popped as everything went utterly silent. The streams of Mana and Essence vanished, their power scattered into the wider expanse of Felixs core space. The sound of chaotic music abated, a caesura of aching absence. Pit didnt hesitate. He flew right into Hungers reach, pivoting by dint of Will and Alacrity just enough to snap his hooked beak onto Felixs rugged coat.
I got you!
Chthonic Tribute is level 98!
Felix blinked awake, suddenly aware of a great many thingsand unhappy with almost all of them.
Pull! someone yelled. Toss anything you can!
Im trying! Hes yanking us along too fast!
He didnt know what they meant, and he didnt careFelix was far too preoccupied with the mountain they were bearing down on. He reached for power, and found something new.
Storm Shaping!
Winds ripped from between his hands, carried with the force of a hurricane. Thunder roared, snapping between his arms, and their sled bucked under the sudden force. It rattled, twisted, skipped out to the side. The Hoarhounds yelped, their traces snapping as the wind threw them out of the way, and their ice sled bashed into the Kingsrock like a battering ram. It snapped in half.
Storm Shaping is level 2!
Storm Shaping is level 11!
Oouf!
Hrrk!
Felix rode the spinning sled to a stop, his two hands securing the Risi drivers in their seats too. Everyone else, however, was thrown onto the golden ground as the bed split in two. Felix tensed before releasing a pent up breath as his Eye cataloged their Health. They were all fine, though the Chanters werent happy.
Holy cow, Beef said, landing some distance away. He was one of the few that had gotten away. The Sharpwing Matriarch had attached to his back and flown him completely off the sled, and Hallows Multipede had Naberius and Kimaris on her back.
What was that? Naberius asked. In the distance, the other sleds approached, moving far slower.
Storm Shaping, Felix said. For the first time, he noticed the Spears, chain, and chitinous appendages lodged around the sleds skis. How long were you trying to stop?
Not long, Evie said with a groan. Had only a few ticks between enterin and stoppin. She kicked the ground. Not like we could pierce this gleamin gold anyway.
You were moving us quite fast, Vess added. Her eyes roamed across Felixs body. Searching. Felix? Are you alright? She put her hands on his shoulders, as if she needed to steady him, but he felt more than fine.
Im good. Just got a little carried away.
A little? she asked.
The Dwarven Prince. You think these are corpses from that war? Felix asked, ignoring his Hunger for the moment.
They must be.
There are at least three hundred of the lesser Dwarves, Laur pointed out. That many AdeptsNot even counting the Master Tier, I have never faced so many powerful foes.
Good thing Im not asking you to, Felix said. I got this. Alone.
Hey!
With Pit, Felix amended. His Companion trilled happily. Everyone stay back.
Oh good. I could use a nap, Evie said.
You sure? Beef asked. Those are a lot of monsters. And undead are kinda my thing.
Ill see if I can save some corpses for you, Felix said to the teen. How many more Bodies can you handle, Hallow?
The Homunculus on Beefs shoulder tilted her head. A few more, depending on their strength. Beef has grown quite strong. Soon we shall be legion once more.
Aw, thanks!
Are You Prepared, Challenger?
Y/N
Felix considered the blue box prompt, mentally checking over everything on his person. Pit summoned his dark ice armor over his barding, suddenly looking twice his normal size and three times as ferocious. He hovered his finger over the yes option.
Here they come, Harn muttered.
Felix looked up to find, not the undead, but dozens of other Risi tribes pouring across the golden plains toward them. They rode upon strange beasts and ice sleds, wrapped in wardings and sizzling curses and bristled with black iron weapons. There was even another Razorspine, bearing a separate tribe upon its back. In less than thirty seconds, they had surrounded their small party.
Are wefighting? that Half-Orc mage asked.
Naw, theyre waiting, looks like, Evie said.
It certainly seemed that way to Felix. Witches and Warriors glared at them all, but their Spirits surged with hate when they saw non-giants in their midst. This could go sideways real fast.
The Feldspear Witches marched up to Felix. Their leader, a woman with bright purple eyes, looked like she wanted to fight him, but her words belied her expression. Do not worry about the other tribes. And do not fret over the undead, either. The Feldspear Coven will aid you, Lord Autarch.
No. The Cold Rock Coven will. You are not required, Mother Vepar said. She and her Coven had scrambled after their rivals, and the two groups stared daggers at one another. With us, Lord Autarch, you are assured victory
No. Felix said. Both of you stay out of it.
You cannot
Felix held up a hand, and the Covens went silent. I could get used to that. You want me to prove I can do this? Then I will. He nodded at the other tribes, who were gathering into loose knots of bristling warriors. You keep an eye on them.
They would not interfere now. Not with a System challenge.
Good. Then your job is easy. He walked forward, away from the giants and his company. Pit trotted behind.
Are You Prepared, Challenger?
Y/N
Yes.
Do You Have A Retinue?
If So, Designate How Many.
Yeah. Just one.
Warning!
A Large Retinue Is Recommended.
Do You Wish To Proceed?
Felix rolled his eyes. If people could stop arguing with me for five minutes, thatd be great. Yes.
That bell tolled again, shaking through his chest and bones. The undead perked up and, as one, turned and faced Felix and Pit.
Alright, bud. Felix cracked his neck. Showtime.
