Chapter 127: Vex


    A cold morning greeted Chance and Be as they woke. Heavy gray clouds blocked out the sun and a howling gale upied their small camp, buffeting them as they exited their tent.


    Lin sat cross-legged before them, his hands braced against his knees and his face to the sky. He drew in a deep breath and let it out, rolling his neck before rising to his feet. It will not be long now. Our foes approach.


    How do you know? Chance asked.


    Bloodlust recognizes itself, and neither Vex nor Shae make any motion to hide theirs. I suspect that Vex could easily hide himself from me if he willed it, but Shae could not. I have already felt his blood. He approaches.


    Ill take your word for it. Chances bracelet slithered around his wrist, expanding into its urumi form. He followed Lins gaze, but there wasnt anything in the sky but clouds as far as he could tell. How long until they show up?


    Soon.


    Thats not very specific, Be said. Minutes? Hours? Seconds?


    Lin shrugged in response, finally pulling his eyes away from the sky to look down at the two of them. They will arrive when they do. Just wait. I will take Shae. Try to stall Vex for long enough for me toplete my battle.


    Is there really anything youd be able to do to Vex, even if we managed to fight him off for long enough for you to defeat Shae?


    Lin let out a deepugh. No, of course not. But I n to bring Shae with me on my trip to the afterlife. He will be my final sacrifice. It would be disappointing to go down without a proper fight.


    <em>Right. Forgot this guy was insane. </em>


    Well do what we can, Be said, her hand involuntarily moving to rest on the scroll that Rilu had given them.


    The two of them had spent a fair amount of time the previous night trying to figure out ways to get Vex to actually open it, but none of them held any promise. Vex was arrogant, but nothing about him screamedplete moron.


    Hed know something was up the moment Be tried to give him a gift, and hed also be able to see how much power was stored in it. There was no world hed just pull the scroll open purely out of curiosity.


    Rilus words still echoed through Chances head as he tried to piece them together. He could have sworn that he was missing something, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldnt find it. Be hadnt had any more luck.


    <em>Im just reaching for straws that arent there. Our best bet is that Yamish decides to get involved out of the blue. Im just not going to think too much about the likelihood of that happening  and the cost that were going to pay if it does. At that point, it might actually be better if we die. Im not sure what cost Yamish will see equal to killing Vex, but its definitely going to be bad. </em>


    Ah. Lin scratched at the back of his neck. They are here.


    Chance dragged Essence from his Gate and into his body, filling himself with power as he spun and looked around the clearing. Adrenaline thumped through his veins at an instants notice, readying him for the fight.


    Nobody was there.


    Where? Be asked urgently, looking as stressed as Chance felt.


    Lin burst intoughter and pped them both on the back, sending them staggering.


    Rx. Fearing death will not lessen its grip on you. March into the beyond as you lived, or your life will have been for waste. A good death is just as important as a good life.


    Chances eye twitched, but he couldnt stop himself from letting a small chuckle of his own. Part of that was probably due to all the Essence he was holding onto, but now was hardly the time to dwell.


    <em>I hate to admit it, but Lin might actually have a point. Being as stiff as a board isnt going to help anyone. </em>


    He heaved a sigh, drawing on his Essence to help himself rx. Chance touched Bes shoulder, sending some of his power into her. Her stance softened and she gave him an appreciative nod.


    Minutes ticked by. The unlikely alliance stood in the cold morning, listening to the wind and watching the clouds crawl across the sky.


    A ripple passed through the air across from their tent. It expanded, drawing outward like a maw of some ravenous beast, and Shae stepped out from within it. The Shikari held his twin swords at his sides, ready to strike.


    His long ck hair had been tied back behind his head, and his eyes smoldered with fury and determination. But, mixed in with the other emotions, was stress and worry  and the reason for it emerged from the portal a momentter.


    Vex stepped out behind Shae. The cultivators purple eyes bored into Be as the portal snapped shut behind them.


    I was wondering how long it would take you to show up, Lin said, stretching his arms out before him. I see youve brought a babysitter this time, Shae.


    Forgive my tardiness, Vex said, his lips curling into a sarcastic smile. I just couldnt help myself. I wanted to see my former student squirm for just a little longer. I <em>hate </em>ruining entertainment before its gotten a chance to properly get going.


    Its odd, Linn said. I feel the exact same way.


    Lin flickered, erupting in red energy and blurring into motion. Shaes swords shed up before him in an x pattern a moment before Lins fist mmed into them with a resounding ng. Blood-red Essence poured from Lins fist.


    Shae skipped back as Lin lunged for him again, his swords arcing out to sever the huge mans head. Lin twisted out of the way, then transferred the momentum of his dodge into a vicious backhand that caught Shae in the stomach and sent him hurtling dozens of feet back.


    Roaring a challenge, Lin sprinted after Shae. Vex didnt seem to care in the slightest about either Lin or Shae, though. He had eyes only for Be.


    I trust you knew this wasing, Vex said, stepping toward them. You didnt think you could actually escape, did you?


    Even if it isnt from me, youll get whatsing to you, Be spat. And Ive got more allies than you think.


    Allies? Vex snorted, ncing over to Chance. This child? Yamish has his eye on the boy, but not you. He will not interfere to save your life, Be. You are <em>mine.</em>


    Even with his Essence filling his body, Chance could barely keep himself from attacking. Everything about Vex grated against him, and his Essence was of the same mind. The man was pure Bad Karma, and the universe longed for his removal.


    Not just him. Bes fists clenched at her sides. She pulled the scroll that Rilu gave her. I got a gift from a powerful Karma cultivator. All I have to do is read this, and youll be gone. Ash in the wind.


    Chance grit his teeth. Standing still felt like agony. This was the best strategy the two of them had managed to scrouge up. Vex would never open the scroll if he knew what it did, but if he could wring just a little more despair out of Be by taking her own weapon and using it against her


    <em>Come on. Take the bait. </em>


    Vex arched an eyebrow. Cute. You think a pathetic little artifact like that is going to do anything against me, Be?


    It came from a Karma cultivator far more powerful than


    Vex burst intoughter. Yes, yes. I know of Rilu. I will admit that he is indeed more powerful than me, but he suffers from the very power that you boast about. He can do nothing to save you, Be.


    You want to find out? Bes voice was remarkably calm as she raised the scroll as if to open it. She matched Vexs gaze and bared her teeth. The universe hates you a lot, Vex. Youre an affront to its existence. Even Rilu isntpletely bound when ites to someone as vile as you. This is thest time Ill offer. Leave and never return, or Ill use this scroll and wipe you from the face of the universe.


    Vex crossed his arms before his chest and arched an eyebrow. I had nned to rip you apart piece by piece, but I think listening to the agony in your voice as this pathetic idea crumbles is far more exciting. Go ahead, Be. Use the scroll.


    A second passed. Bes hands tightened at the edges of the scroll. Chances heart clenched and he raised his urumi.


    Something wrong, Be? Vexs smile grew. Arent you going to use that Karmic Retribution scroll? Summon all the good Karma youve earned over the years to strike me down?


    Chances stomach plunged.


    <em>He knows what the scroll does?</em>


    H-how? Be stammered, taking a step back. Some of the confidence that had been steeling her posture sank into the ground.


    Did you really think I couldnt recognize an artifact like that? Vex shook his head in disappointment. You  and Rilu  are both fools. Even if I was stupid enough to actually unfurl the scroll, it wouldnt have anywhere near the strength to harm me. You have nothing, Be. Is this really the extent of your preparations? I had expected more, even from you.


    If you actually believed that, you wouldnt just be standing around. Be caught herself before she could take another step back and steeled her gaze. Youre bluffing, arent you?


    Vex disappeared.


    It wasnt the same as when Lin or Shae fought  then, Chance at least got a very vague sense of the battle. Even though he couldnt keep up with their speed, he could see what happened when their blowsnded.


    He never saw what Vex did, but Be let out a pained cry and flew back, mming into him. Chance dug his feet into the ground as he skidded across it, only managing to keep his bnce and grip on Be by sheer luck.


    Be doubled over, coughing blood onto the ground. Vex stood where shed been a moment before, a disgusted expression on his face.


    Be! Chances grip tightened on her shoulders. Are you


    Does it matter? Be asked, coughing again into her fist. The scroll  shed somehow managed to hold onto it  slipped from her fingers and fell to the grass.


    No, Vex said. It does not. This was disappointing, Im afraid. What a waste. Im going to have to go find a new student after this whole debacle. One that isnt as foolish as you were. What an utter bother.


    The wind howled. Vex walked toward them  moving at a speed that they could watch. He could have killed them both in an instant, but he chose not to, purely just to take in their expressions.


    Chances eyes darted around desperately. He called on his Essence, pulling on any luck that he could find, but nothing changed. It waspletely pointless.


    <em>Theres nothing we can do against him.</em>


    And, judging by the ted look on Vexs face, he knew it too.