Thursday, March 28, 2024

Page 3549

He wanted greatly to stay and show the beast what for, but he knew better. The battle that had taken place back at his workshop had illustrated that point for him.

It had not gone in his favor, to say the least. In fact, it had only gotten worse and worse as things drew out.

First, there was Rasalased’s supposed sister hassling him via the new tattoos. Then there was the blasted dog, hunting him down incessantly. Then there was Germal, to boot--that mind flaying bastard.

And to top it off?

Damian Lofar had showed up, too. That one, Morgunov had actually been quite pleased about.

At first.

He’d been hoping that Damian might’ve somehow been alive all these years, but clearly, the lad had not been harboring similar feelings for his beloved mentor. The first thing the old boy had done was free Parson Miles. Along with the other captive Vanguardians.

And that was really when things began to go south. Iceheart and all those angry little generals joining the fight, even in their debilitated states, was not something that Morgunov had a good time dealing with.

Or had he?

No, that was wrong. He’d been having fun, hadn’t he? A thrilling encounter with his life truly at risk for the first time in countless years.

Nibas had loved it.

Rgh. Morgunov shook his head as he ran. Tricks and confusion. Right now, he needed to focus. Maintain the link to the Roberts. Their numbers had been severely culled by now, but they were still one of the best remaining cards up his sleeve. How many could he sense? Twenty-three? Twenty-four.

Rough. Hopefully, more survived elsewhere, out of range.

He knew he’d have to be sneaky with them. The Vanguardians had grown wise enough to avoid them rather than fight, which was annoying, but it was the dog that was the biggest threat to his poor Roberts. That son of a bitch could just shrug off their attacks and bite through their tempered metal hulls as if they were made of meat.

In that respect, it was actually a good thing that the wolf was so obsessed with hunting him down. It meant that Morgunov didn’t have to go out of his way in order to keep the animal’s attention. He could more easily focus on having the Roberts harass the softer targets with guerrilla tactics.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Page 3548

Aha. He remembered.

Oh boy, did he remember!

There was an ancient workshop at the heart of this cave system. A workshop that had once belonged to one of the greatest integrators to ever live.

Karugetti the Wise.

In fact, as far as historically revered geniuses were concerned, it was just him and Skapa at the top.

Nibas dreamt of being in that same category, one day. Standing tall, shoulder to shoulder with those giants.

And to think that he’d stumbled upon one of their workshops. Granted, it hadn’t exactly been in the best condition, but still. There’d been a massive crater in it where he suspected that a Fusion Forge once resided. He wanted to put a new one there, both to honor Karugetti and to see if, perhaps, he might be able to discover something interesting about that particular location. A man of Karugetti’s stature probably hadn’t chosen the site of his Fusion Forge randomly. Maybe there was something special about it.

Hmm.

So why hadn’t he ever gotten around to doing that, then? Nibas paused to think. The weird dragon man was saying something again, but Nibas wasn’t listening.

There’d definitely been a reason. He wouldn’t have abandoned such an incredible place without cause, surely.

On second thought, maybe he would have. He was kind of an air-headed guy sometimes, wasn’t he? Easily distracted with new and exciting projects. Too true, sadly. Too true.

No, but there had to have been a reason--

The shaking ground brought him back to reality, and he sensed the attack coming from above.

Tch! Interrupting his important thinking time!

The wolf’s mouth barreled through the cave ceiling, coated in black and as massive as a whale’s. Ready to devour him whole.

Morgunov jumped up and clobbered the beast with a right hook.

The wolf’s teeth nicked his shoulder before it was sent flying into the far wall.

Morgunov landed with a heavy thud on both feet, cracking the ground below him as he flexed his gloved right hand, feeling the power and pain surging through it. That glove was the third generation of the Demon’s Grip, and it had the ability to not just increase the muscle strength of his arm, but also the weight of his entire body, starting from the hand.

At its full strength, which was what he’d just used, that punch should’ve had enough force behind it to obliterate the wolf’s entire body like a popped balloon, but he could already sense the damn dog getting back up again.

Morgunov scowled.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Page 3547 -- CCXCV.

Oh?’ said Garovel. ‘Saw something else?

Before Hector could respond, however, his phone went off. He dematerialized some of his leg armor in order to fish it out of his pants and saw that it was Ms. Rogers calling. He answered it.

<“Lord, there is pressing news from Vantalay. The Rainlords would like to talk to you. Would you mind returning to--?”>

A rustling noise arrived, and then someone else was speaking.

<“We’ve received a very strange offer, Lord Goffe.”> That was Joana Cortes from the sound of it. <“And we would like your opinion.”>


Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Five: ‘An archdemon’s pursuit...’
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)

Nibas clutched his head again, squinting hard as the unwelcome thoughts returned, setting his vision aflame and burning the inside of his skull. Confusion was trying to grip him again. He could feel it. Powerful and tempting. Ancient and inviting.

But he had anger on his side. He would not bend. He still remembered. He still had his walls. Still had himself.

“Morgunov,” came that familiar double-voice on his left. “Don’t forget. Use me as your anchor. The sound of my voice. Hold onto it. Don’t forget.”

Nibas was getting annoyed with him, too. “Stop reminding me. I remember just fine.”

“No, you don’t. You have to trust me, right now.”

“Why should I? You’re not even real! You’re just an illusion, like all the others!”

“Yes, but I’m not your illusion. I’m my own. And I’ve come to help you. Remember? You were in a bad spot until I bailed you out.”

“I was having fun!”

“You were being killed.”

“Which was fun!”

The voice sighed.

Nibas was still having trouble placing it. So familiar. Agh. “What’s your name?”

“Gohvis. Remember.”

“Ah! Gohvis! You came to help me?! No wonder I think you’re an illusion! The real Gohvis would never do that!”

“You of all people should know that there is no such thing as ‘never.’”

“Oho! True enough, I suppose!”

“Circumstances are too complicated, at the moment. Just keep listening to my voice. Trust that I am your ally here. You can still make it through this.”

Nibas shook his head. Yes. Strangely enough, he knew the voice spoke true. They’d had this conversation before, hadn’t they?

How troubling.

Where was he again? A large cave, quite clearly. He strained to recall further details.

Ah, yes. Not just any cave. It was one of his caves. A labyrinthine network that he’d carved out decades ago. No. Centuries? Yes, centuries.

Ehehe. Finally getting to use it, eh? Nice, nice.

Now where had he been going?