Those That Oppose Us

I feel the refreshing sea breeze on my face like it's the last time. The black robes flail limply around where my left arm used to be.

Tayde is especially nice this time of year. It's a shame we aren't sticking around to see it. Today, the greater gods will begin their gathering. Today, I will be free.

Over the past few days, we've done all the planning we can.

We'll see if it's enough.

---

Before we even reach the foot of the stairs, three figures appear in front of us. An attempt at an ambush, I suppose. Our assessment seems to have been right, though. Only the three of them are here.

"Equeralyvun!"

As expected, Vol is quickly regulated to a supporting role. His magic is effectively useless against the Cyrene. The most he can do is use his barriers to block prevent Civis' vines from ensnaring Elizabeth and I.

*CRACK*

A bolt of lightning blasts the spot where I stood a moment ago.

We are at the foot of a staircase, which seems to rise into the sky. It appeared here in the celestial realm early this morning. According to Risus, the greater gods hold their meeting at the very top of the staircase, but he was unable tell me anything more about it.

"No lesser god has ever dared to interrupt their meeting," he had said, "Nobody even knows exactly why they hold it."

*Screee*

A high-pitched scream snaps me back to reality as one of Vilos' fiery blades is blocked by Elizabeth, a little ways over. Vilos jumps back, her feathery hair flowing around her. Her sharp, birdlike eyes snap over to me.

*Slam*

One of Civis' vines, aimed directly at me, smashes against an invisible wall. Vol is handling his part well.

*SCRAAW*

A split-second later, Vilos shoots toward me, her two blades missing swing after swing as I barely manage to dodge out of the way.

*CRACK*

Sensing another bolt of lightning, cast by the flying Finir, I spring to the side. With a loud crash, the bright light envelops Vilos' body. A second later, she jumps out of the lightning after me, her ragged clothes sizzling. Ultimately, though, it seems to have done no damage to her.

I guess they really can't hurt each other without a godkiller weapon.

I should give one of my own spells a proper try. The fireball? No, bad idea. I doubt these robes are fireproof and I don't want myself exposed to the light here.

In the blink of an eye, Vilos is in front of me.

"Ailomolliex!"

Agilely, I leap to the side, just as Vilos' two blades slam down beside me. I let out a heavy breath. Every attack is a near miss yet there's not a scratch on the enemy? This is starting to feel like the Demon Lord all over again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Risus grabbing hold of Finir and wrestling him to the ground. Risus can't really fight, but it looks like Finir is in the same boat. With Finir temporarily out of the race, we don't have to worry about the lightning anymore.

"Argh!"

I hear Vol's shout from behind me and look to see one of Civis' tendrils wrapping itself around his body. I'm about to go help when a sword slices through the air, splitting the vine in two. The tendril stops moving and Elizabeth stands up. Vol stumbles to his feet and catches my eye.

"Seb, watch out!!"

I spin back around just in time to see a bright red blade flying directly at my face. I try to dodge backwards, but the burning sword catches my robes and nicks me in the arm.

"Hgh"

I leap away, creating as much distance as I can while batting the flames, spreading like a wildfire across my clothes. I feel the heat on my already crispy skin and tear off my burning sleeve, tossing it away.

Instantly, I feel the warmth of the golden light on my skin and around my wound. I've bought myself more time, but it can't be long before the light begins to hurt me. We have no choice but to end this quickly.

"Suleiynert!"

A long, thin spike of stone shoots up from the ground, directly beneath Vilos.

*Snap*

As it strikes her body, the pillar of solid rock breaks into pieces, leaving not even a scratch. I had held out hope that my magic might affect them, but I'm not surprised to see just how useless it is. If gods can't harm each other with their magic, why should I be able to. No, we need the sword.

Luckily, I have friends for that.

As Vilos flies at me, an exhilerated expression on her face, I sense the pounding of footsteps behind me. Nimbly, I duck to the side.

*Shing*

A dull, half-broken blade comes swinging by my face - *cruflrchk* - and lodges itself in Vilos' jaw, carving her head in two. She buckles and falls to the ground as liquid spills from her split skull.

*RCRAAA*

Civis lets out a scream of rage, causing the ground to tremble. A thick vine smashes into Elizabeth's body, throwing her into the air until she lands on the hard ground between Vol and I.

Big mistake.

I barely notice Vol running toward Elizabeth as I turn back to Vilos. Using my leg, I push the corpse over. Blank, shocked eyes stare back at me. I reach down with my right arm and grip the hilt of Elizabeth's sword, pulling on it. It's stuck.

I plant my food firmly on the bloody head. With a slimy noise, I pull out the melted sword from its place.

*Shuhck*

The still-extended vine flops onto the ground, split in two.

"V-Vilos?!"

Finir stands frozen in shock, staring at Vilos' battered corpse, having temporarily freed himself from Risus' grasp.

*Frooosh* *Crack*

Finir should have paid more attention. He's nothing once grounded.

I remove the melted blade from his throat.

*Splatter*

Two down. One left.

My head is starting to ache, but there's no need for concern. Civis is a god of life. She's not made for battle. Even her vines should be no problem now that we can focus our full attention on them.

I lock eyes with Civis and she takes an involuntary step back.

To think that a god would one day fear me.