In the next moment, a perfectly white ray of concentrated flame shot off her palm, connecting it to the terrible shape of the rising giant many kilometers away. Its arrival was instantaneous. Its passing burned the world itself, leaving a scar on it.
Even though it consisted of flame, it seemed like a ray of pure white light.
That light bit into the flesh of Condemnation, slicing it apart like a sharp blade. Terrible burns were left in its wake.
And just as Nephis was drowning in terrible agony…
The Cursed Tyrant convulsed, its mind pierced by unbearable pain.
An indescribable, deafening, harrowing sound shook the world. It was a sound that would drive a mundane person…, no, even an Awakened, a Master, a weaker Saint… mad from simply hearing it.
Condemnation was screaming.
«R-run!»
Nephis swayed, her radiance dimming. Her Transformation was dismissed, and she once again turned into a human. The white tunic she had been wearing was singed and burned, barely holding in place.
«Right… I should summon the rest of my armor…»
But she was momentarily dazed, paying the price for burning away a part of her soul.
Nephis had told the Lord of Shadows to run, but found herself unable to follow her own advice.
Before she could do anything, though, two strong arms grabbed her. Raising her unceremoniously, he dashed away without saying a word. The onyx surface of his armor was smooth and cool to the touch.
«Am… am I… being carried?»
She was stunned.
When had something like that ever happened to her?
«Grab a hold of yourself, princess!»
Despite the situation, his voice sounded as cold and arrogant as always. Maybe even a little colder than usual.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then summoned the rest of her armor.
By the time it weaved itself from sparks of light, the Lord of Shadows let go of her, and they ran toward the edge of the ruins together.
The echoes of the Cursed Tyrant's pained howi were still traveling across the Hollows when they escaped into the Jungle, leaving the forgotten city behind.
Just like that, their one-on-one expedition into the Hollows was over.
—— —— ——
A few hours later, Nephis was sitting on the steps of the Nameless Temple.
The world… was mercilessly stark, black and white, with no place left for feeling or compromise.
As it always happened after she overused her Aspect, her emotions were dampened and weak, almost gone. Her heart was cold.
Or maybe it was so impossibly scorching that it felt cold.
She was tired, but couldn't feel the tiredness.
One could not remember pain, but remembering having suffered pain was all too easy.
Raising a hand, she allowed a soft radiance to ignite under her skin and stared at it silently.
«It still hurts.»
Good. That was good. Nephis knew that she had not truly lost herself as long as she could still feel the pain, and fear it.
Sne signed.
It was time to return.
The Fire Keepers had already gathered in front of her, ready to depart. The three Sleepers were also there, looking around with awe and amazement. Even Tamar, the Legacy girl, was subdued by the solemn atmosphere of the dark temple.
The master of the temple, meanwhile, had not come to see them off. Only his Echo was watching.
The Lord of Shadows…
Such a mysterious man.
Nephis tilted her head a little, remembering how he behaved in the forgotten ruin. Not during the battle… but before it.
Surprisingly enough, the cold warrior seemed to have a lot of interest in history, almost like an explorer. That was a side of him she had not seen before.
Which was understandable, considering that they didn't know each other too well.
However…
At that moment, her indifferent eyes glinted slightly.
She thought back to their first meeting, when he challenged her to a duel.
The style he used once belonged to her family — naturally, Nephis had asked the Lord of Shadows who taught that style to him.
And what had he answered?
And what had he answered?
Her lips parted.
«…Nobody.»