Beastforged Bond

B4 Chapter 45

Raffael’s fire worried me the most. Sure, I did have Pyromantic Recovery, one of the newest traits Volix unlocked in recent months, but the trait wouldn’t render the Ruler of Fire’s greatest weapon useless. Some of his fire might be absorbed and converted into energy, jumpstarting Pyromantic Recovery, but really? It would only amp up my natural recovery–physically and in ether–a little, while the flames left behind would still burn me to death.We can weaken his fire with the Fire Aspect. Fight fire with fire.

Volix reassured me.

I filled up the Pond of Life~

Sapsie added right after. Her jovial nature had never been this untimely, but I couldn’t help thanking her. She was trying.

“I really hope you know what you’re doing.” I told Merlin.

The mind and soul had been tempered thoroughly, but that didn’t give me all that much confidence. I had also only managed to complete a single 5-Star–Guardian–Ether Gate. While it was the equivalent of four regular Gates, my physical strength was still only at the same level as a powerful Master. Maybe a little stronger, inching closer to the physical might of a Grandmaster, considering I had filled and linked nine Unblemished Gates to the weave. That was more than I’d initially planned, but the Essence-ether conversion had been good to me. So had the circulation system I expanded with every additional Blazing Gate linked to the weave.

I…was no longer weak.

You are not. You can manage. And you are not alone! Never forget that!

Aureus’ deep voice rumbled in my head.

We trained to kill. We are ready!

Nox hissed in excitement, more than ready to witness the supreme might of his upgraded Nullblade.

The Ferronox Mantis was one of the reasons I managed to retain some confidence. He’d acquired the Elemental Resistance trait, which would most definitely come in handy, and Nullblade had upgraded. Even if I was not physically strong enough to harm a Ruler, Nullblade would bridge the gap.

“I know what I’m doing.” Merlin smiled, but it looked forced no matter how I saw it. “Most of the time.”

“Most of the time?” I groaned. “Try to kill the Magma Dragon fast. Worst case, use your ace right away… I don’t think I can stall the Ruler for long.”

He shifted and glanced at me. “Don’t underestimate yourself too much. You will manage. Even if you don’t, you practiced Fortress, didn’t you? Just make sure he doesn’t break your mind or World. As long as you do that, Raffael won’t kill you. He’s too desperate to sever your link with Volix to risk killing you.”

I knew that much as well, but did that really make it better? The thought of torture did not exactly sound pleasant to me.

“I will use my ace. Don’t overthink. Just survive and don’t let Raffael get to the Elemental Phoenix.” Merlin patted my back before sending Dirk to the ground.

The Brown Dragon landed, sending tremors through my bones.

“Make sure you survive!” Chloe leaped into her brother’s arms, tears welling in her eyes.

Peter Zerog exchanged nods with Merlin before turning to me. “I never thought you would grow this strong. Honestly, my opinion of you wasn’t very good when we first met.” He pressed his lips together. “I was wrong. About you and your intentions. You are a good man, and an even better friend. Daniel and Lea can consider themselves lucky to have someone like you by their side.”

He moved closer, his hands landing heavily on my shoulders. “Make sure that they won’t have to mourn your loss. Stay by their sides and live happy lives…with less danger. Get rid of Raffael and return to a calmer and more peaceful life, okay?”

This text was taken from NovelFire. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I didn’t even get to answer when my parents reached me. I had no idea how they did it, but they mustered enough strength to yank Peter Zerog aside. Mom was the first to collapse into my arms. She sobbed bitterly, her worries as clear as day and night. Dad looked at me, torn.

“I don’t know if I should be happy about your growth or not. If it was a good thing I left the Bastion to find a Soulkin for you.” He couldn’t even meet my eyes. “Don’t die out there. Promise me that you won’t. Don’t get hurt either, or I will never be able to forgive myself.”

Dad looked like he had a lot more things to say, but Mom’s wails had him swallow all the words on his tongue.

“Run away if something goes wrong. Your father and I will make it out of here somehow. As long as you survive, so will we.” Mom pulled me into a tight embrace. She trembled, violently so, yet she held firmly onto me.

I could feel that she wanted me to run away even before the battle started, but Mom knew me well enough not to say that out loud. She also lied… They wouldn’t make it out of here alive if I were to run. The Seekers would find them sooner or later. Not because the Seekers were that good, but because my parents needed the Bastion’s safety. They would not survive alone in the wilderness.

“Why can’t we fight with them?” Daniel asked the group. “We can help. Even if we–…”

“You will die.” Scott said in a neutral tone. His voice sounded detached and distant, and his eyes glowed in a bright, milky-white hue. The horn jutting from his forehead was larger than before, and it shimmered golden for the first time.

“So will Lea or anyone else stupid enough to fight the Ruler of Fire.” He added in the very same tone before turning to Merlin and me. “You should not fight. Death is looming over you. Both of you.”

Goosebumps spread all over my body as his words echoed in my ears.

“I know.” Merlin nodded. “Raffael’s death is looming over us. He will die, and so will his Magma Dragon.”

He let out a low growl. “After all the atrocities they had done, they have to die. We can no longer wait. Not if we want to stop Raffael’s party from regaining full control of the Bastions and the Council.”

“I didn’t mention it earlier, but it has to be said.” Merlin glanced at me, suddenly looking worn-out. “Raffael and his people have been systematically rallying forces. Not to protect mankind, but to push them toward yet another Grand War. Not much is known about the last Grand War, but what we know is shocking enough; it is the very reason we have to live so secluded in the Bastions. Because we lost the last Grand War–pathetically. We barely survived, and that also only so that we could turn into livestock. We…”

He shook his head, but I could guess where this was going. The Grand War was connected to the Spirits and how they’d turned humans into livestock to consume our Worlds and worse.

We lost to the Spirits and the races fighting on their side. And Raffael was trying to rewrite history and fight the Spirits again? Clash with them to show the Outsiders and Spirits that we were strong enough?

He risks breaking the Pact.

Volix chirped agitatedly.

Those Rulers really plan to send your race into an early grave. Do they not realize what it means once the Pact is truly absolved?

Clearly they did not. Nor did I, for that matter. But I could make some well-educated guesses. My time in the Netherkin’s ruins was demonstration enough. So was Thyria’s power and hatred toward humans.

It didn’t even have to be a Spirit. If a Spirit’s Voice or someone of equal power was as angry at mankind as the World Tree had been, then mankind was dead as soon as the Pact was broken.

It’s already on the verge of breaking. One more mishap, no matter how small, and the Pact will be no more. Fighting a few Rulers will be the last of your worries if that happens.

Volix clarified.

That was unacceptable. It was simply not something they could afford to do.

“You do have to fight. I know.” Scott nodded toward Merlin. “Raffael Torch has to die today. I understand that now. If he does not, humans of the Bastions won’t have a place to call home any longer. All of mankind will suffer greatly if the Ruler of Fire survives yet another day.”

“Then the matter is settled.” Merlin clasped his hands right as a mighty roar tore through the air. “I think we chatted long enough.”

He planted a kiss on Chloe Zerog’s cheek and nodded sternly at Peter Zerog. “You need to travel further. There should be some agents nearby. Ignore them and let them do their work. They’ll stop anyone from interfering in our fight.”

I didn’t know that the Agency would play a part in this fight, but I nodded slowly, embraced my friends and family, and turned to the massive frame that closed in on our location.

The Magma Dragon was on its way, and on its back was none other than Raffael Torch.

Seeing their life sources made me shudder uncontrollably, yet seeing the distortion of his life source near the arm stump made me smile.

The Elemental Phoenix’s sister got him real good, severing his arm and all, and I could only hope that it would help me survive a little longer.