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Glancing back quickly, I see Vol by Elizabeth's side, still coming to. It looks like I'll have to handle Civis on my own. Risus would just get in the way.

Apparently recovering from the shock of both of her comrades being killed, Civis takes a step forward. Her eyes land on me. Suddenly, almost unnaturally, her face lights up, a creepy, thin smile spreading on her lips.

A bluff? Possible, but unlikely. Not worth the risk of staying my blade.

I grip the godkiller tighter and let out a short breath. My head hurts.

This is it.

Civis raises her hand, a glowing symbol forming rapidly in the air before her. She's casting a spell? I thought Risus said she couldn't fight. If she could, why has she been staying back?

Bending my knees, I set off the ground, which cracks beneath my feet.

What spell is that? As the shapes come together, I find myself searching my memories for every spell I've ever seen. I can't remember ever seeing it cast, but something tells me that I've seen it somewhere before.

As I'm launched forward, I thrust the melted and blood-covered blade out in front of me. In a flash, I'm in front of Civis, but just as the sword is about to reach its target, two broad vines shoot out in front of her.

*Shunk* *Schplct*

Though I was aiming for her neck, cutting through the thick vines redirected the sword downwards, lodging the blade in her naked chest instead.

"Hgah!"

Civis splutters and groans as the sword pierces her torso, strange fluids splattering from the wound. Despite the godkiller lodged in her body, she isn't moving or fighting back. Startled, I look up at her face. Though her eyes reveal agonizing pain, a broad grin is spread across her face. A flash of green enters my vision.

Shit. I recognize the spell now. I only ever saw it once, years ago. It was in one of my - Stencil's - father's old magic books.

It's healing magic.

Pointless to use on gods, I'm sure.

But on someone with mana burns...

With a jerk, I try to dodge by leaping backwards. The soft glow follows me, engulfing my entire body. The sensation is warm and almost comforting. But that won't be the case for long.

Civis' crumbles to the ground, her manic grin the last thing I lay eyes upon. I clench my jaw hard and do my best not to yell out in pain.

*FWOOSH*

With a roar, the green glow is replaced with a harsh red, which fills my vision. My crispy, mana-burnt skin erupts into bright flames, fueled by my body and its mana.

Through the roaring of the flames, I hear a muffled yell and a scream of my name. The smell of burning flesh fills my nose and my lungs. I struggle to breathe, the fire and ash seeming to enter my nose and mouth.

My eyes burning and my chest heaving, I stumble in the direction of the yell.

I feel my body burning as I my legs shake, trying to hold me upright.

They fail.

I collapse.