Chapter 244: Nightsveil (4)


    <strong>244. Nightsveil Part 4</strong>


    <strong>Disimer: This chapter is written in an experimental style. Images will be provided alongside the chapter to show what is meant to be conveyed. For the best reading experience, you can download the pdf of the chapter here.</strong>


    <strong>I already know some of y''all are gonnain about the experimental style. If it''s too difficult for you to read, you can skip over it.</strong>


    Nightsveily in ruin. Hordes of terrible monsters ambled about its broken streets, carving the roads open with the blood and bodies of the citys inhabitants. There were tens of thousands maybe even hundreds of thousands of these creatures. A pack of Gatho Mammoths stormed through a ptial structure, felling its round towers and coating their fur with the gray of dust. Mindreapers zipped over the clouds just beneath the moonlight, like moths gathering around amp at the dead of night.


    Once, this city had been full of life. Now, it was just a shadow of its former self.


    There were a few stragglers some survivors. But theyd be dealt with soon enough. Belzu was methodical in his ughter, but not foolish or reckless. That was why he hovered over the temple, casting his gaze down at us from the heavens above.


    I saw his silhouette through the cracked stained ss windows. His morbidly corpulent figure yed behind the ornate decorations surrounding the crumbling walls of the Sanctuary of Fauna. He looked like a bug a wicked, giant bug with barbed legs poking out from his sides just beneath his invisible, pping wings.


    What was he doing? I wondered why he hadnt just attacked us why he hadnt just sent a thousand curses our way. But then I evaluated him. I saw how exhausted he looked. He was soaked in ck ooze. Demons blood. His own blood


    The siege of Nightsveil had taken its toll on the Primeval Demon. Despite his ostensible victory, he was still tired and injured from the fight. That was why he waited. For his army to converge. And for something else


    My eyes flickered, turning back to the Merrysters standing behind me. Saffron and Cinne stood over Crocus, protective. The Lady held up the ne


    Dont.


    Her brother stopped her. Saffron blinked.


    Why not? Father needs the Breastte


    And that is what that Demon wants. Look.


    They faced Belzu, and I saw his bulbous eyes narrow ever-so-slightly. He had with him an ornate sword a de that exuded luminescence brighter than the moon in the dark of the night.


    I wondered what that was about.


    I stepped forward, creating a Primordial Scythe. I waved it at him through the broken windows of the temple, shouting.


    <em>Hey, ugyl! Go away! Were just about to leave, alright?</em>


    He red at me with recognition in his eyes, and I gulped.


    Um, I take back what I said. You dont look <em>that </em>ugly. You kinda look tasty, actually.


    Belzu shook his head, descending like a slowet falling upon the world, bringing with him cmity.


    I shall take my leave from this city.


    His voice boomed and shook the temple. The Primeval Demons gaze bore into me through me. His gazended on the ne Saffron had been holding.


    Not until I have whats mine.


    Cinne snatched it from her hands, whispering quickly, and it shed, locking it from Belzus use. But that didnt ay the Primeval Demons approach. He brought one of his crooked arms up, pointing at us.


    Give it to me.


    Again, the world shook. When Belzu opened his mouth once more, a bright light apanied it, swallowing me whole.


    <em>G I V E T O M E M Y S A L V A T I O N.</em>


    They took the time to tether together


    what seemed sharp and splendor


    a whip of scorn and


    anger that struck me


    with no visible danger


    yet it aroused a ngor


    within my stoic demeanor


    for I found that what they abhorred


    was nothing more than just my core.


    And when I saw mypanions


    something shattered.


    My time in this mortal ne


    seem so fruitless without gain.


    But when I stood in the Netherworld, crying, balled, and curled. I saw a familiar face, amongst this deste ce. He smiled andughed cheerfully, as kind as he used to be. My first ever friend was there with me, following blindly and trusting me. And I believed I truly believed that wed


    forev


    er


    be


    t


    o


    g


    e


    t


    h


    e


    r


    .


    U


    n


    t


    i


    l


    t


    h


    e


    d


    r


    e


    a


    m


    S H A T T E R E D


    And


    then


    I


    was


    falling,


    turning,


    spinning,


    whipping


    from


    side


    to


    side.


    A


    crack


    sent


    me


    knocking


    back


    but


    I was on my feet again, this time in a world of white. A nk canvas, left unpainted. I nced around, frowning, only for a sudden w to tear through the empty sheet like it was paper and slice me on the leg.


    ck blood blotched the ground, inking this white world ck. Another cut sent a sputtering of scarlet out and splotching the sheet. I spun around, readying myself for the next attack. I tried to create a weapon any weapon. But my magic didnte to life. Not in this dead world of white.


    I screamed as I was sliced from every angle. My blood came in all colors blue, green, indigo, violet an iridescent painting that brought this canvas to life. Iy there, bent over and coughing as I tried to gather myself. But before I could even stand, the world was flipped over.


    <em>I the world spun back around. But</em>


    <em>found before I</em>


    <em>myself down could</em>


    <em>standing upside not</em>


    <em>on was see</em>


    <em>my I things</em>


    <em>side. Thenright.</em>


    <em>Then I was standing up straight once more.</em>


    .left things seeing actually was I ,it describe to had I If


    .normal to back return ever would things if wondered I .alright ,weird was it ,Well


    puno us d u


    tuB


    eerf nekorb d''I


    .erofeb ti morf


    dluoc I


    .niaga ti od


    I closed my eyes, shutting off most of my senses.


    It was difficult, trying to ignore the encroaching feeling of magic around.


    It smothered my entire being, trying to force its way into my body.


    It told me what to feel, what to hear, what to see, what to taste, and what to smell.


    But I fought back. I used what he couldnt intrude on. My perception of space.


    And I saw the reality of it all.


    <em></em>


    <em>Saffron, Cinne, and Harold kneeled at the altar as Crocus held up a rainbow-colored breastte that shimmered like the stained ss windows during the day. Belzu descended upon the temple, breaking the ceiling as colorful shards rained onto the marble floor. The Primeval Demon wore a twist smile on his face as he reached out with his wing hands and grabbed for the treasure </em>


    <em></em>


    <strong><em></em></strong>


    <strong><em>Stop!</em></strong>


    I broke free from the illusion, swinging at Belzu before he could bear the Breastte of Alexander. To be honest, I didnt even know why he wanted it. Just that it couldnt be good if he wanted it. [Intimidation] halted him in his tracks for a brief moment, long enough for me to swing at his chest with a [Radiant sh].


    He screamed and recoiled, knocked back from the attack. Bleeding and wounded. I snapped my fingers and yelled at Saffron and the others.


    [Recall Skill: Zealous Call].


    They broke free from the illusion in an instant. I growled at them as I prepared for Belzus fury to rain down on us.


    [Haste]. Hurry up and put on the breastte!


    I cast the spell on all of us as Belzu shook off the [Radiant sh]. His gaze snapped up at me, anger burning in his eyes.


    How dare you you mere Arch


    I dove backwards, splitting in two and grabbing everyone as Belzu exploded. Id touched him with [Demons Mark] when I shed his chest. The st took out the entire temple and more, but I was no longer there. We were already flying away, heading out of the city by the time the smoke cleared. Cinne blinked as he looked at what was holding him.


    W-what is this?


    My clone! Its a Skill of mine!


    I exined as we dove around buildings and structures. I carried Saffron and her father, while my other self held up Cinne and Harold. We flew side-by-side my clone was more than image of myself. She really did have all my Skills. She even kept up with me as I ascended up to the clouds to escape from Belzu.


    But behind, I saw the Primeval Demon rise from the ashes. From the smoke and the debris and the crater, he came, and his fury followed alongside him.


    I gritted my teeth. But before I could say anything, I saw his army gather before us. Mindreapers, Vurats, Crypt Horrors, Winged Fangs tens of thousands of them moved to bar our path. It was like someone had just created a new part for a river, and the water was rushing to fill that gap. All around us, monsters came. And I knew wed be caught. I sighed.


    Hey, um, Crocus, are you feeling better?


    The man groaned as he grabbed his head. He was wearing the Breastte of Alexander apparently it had worked and dispelled whatever curse that had been ced on him.


    I am fine. Rtively speaking, at least.


    Good. Can I have the breastte next?


    He blinked, looking at me with a frown.


    I-I


    A monster screeched in the distance probably a [Queen Howre] or some other kind of Ground Craver. Whatever protestations he was about to espouse was silenced and he quickly tugged at the straps. He removed the Breastte of Alexander, handing it to me. I happily epted it with a [Faux Limb].


    Thank you!


    I flew over to my clone as the monsters encroached on us. Belzu sped our way, and Saffron looked over at me, blinking.


    What are you doing, Salvos?


    I paused. Imanded my clone to create [Faux Limbs], and she did as she was told. I handed Saffron and Crocus over to my clone.


    You guys will be getting out of here, while I


    I turned to Belzu, raising the Breastte of Alexander. Her eyes widened.


    No


    Her voice came out, cracked and weak. She reached for me as I was about to fly off.


    You cant do that, Salvos. Dont be an idiot!


    I shook my head, speaking softly.


    It is the only way.


    <em>Dont do it!</em>


    I didnt face her as she continued. But I could feel the pain in her voice. She shouted at me.


    <em>I dont want you to die, either! I didnt ask you toe here to die for us. Dont sacrifice yourself for me, Salvos. Please. I cant possibly live knowing that I forced you to die for me. I I...</em>


    I hesitated. I looked over at Saffron as tears streamed down her face. She was incredibly torn up over this. Even her brother and father were surprised at her reaction.


    Then I cocked my head.


    Um, what are you talking about?


    Saffron froze. She looked at me, still with some tears in her eyes.


    I arent you going to face that Demon alone?


    Face that Demon alone? Are you stupid? Im not stupid! Ill die if I do that!


    I scoffed as I crossed my arms. Cinne narrowed his eyes, peering at me.


    Wait, then what are you doing?


    Isnt it obvious?


    I looked back at Belzu as he came a storm of wrath heading our way. I held up the Breastte of Alexander once more. Its bright and colorful metal glinted under the scintiting stars of the night.


    Im giving him what he wants.