[Book II Chapter 157] FILIA: Battle for the Dullrock

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  Filia jumped down onto the stone platform and cautiously surveyed her surroundings. On one side, giant ghastfire braziers lit an expansive neverwhere ruin as far as she could see. On the other, winds swept sand over the dunes into a dark giant twister in the distance. Above, giant electricity rings whirled in their eternal random pattern. There was no sign of life.

  “The transcendent altar is on the opposite side of these ruins.” Jake Thorn declared as the others joined her.

  “And I can confirm with certainty that our enemies are here.” Sarah added. “For now, there are three: the Laughing Man, Johanna Loubor, and Sekken.”

  “The area around them will be crawling with Sekken’s hounds.” Garreth observed. “Sneaking up to them will be impossible.”

  “What’s the plan?” Filia asked. All her attention had been focused on opening passageways through the Ether.

  “We grab the card and run.” Jake said, undoing Sana’s bindings. “With this girl’s help.”

  “We’re going to use her sublime vagary?” As a previous victim of Sana’s thefts, Filia didn’t fancy the idea. She also remembered Magaret’s dire warnings on the subject.

  “We’ll search her thoroughly once this is over.” Sarah said. “For now, her assistance is vital. All of Mount Gull is aligned against us. We must secure our objective and run.”

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  They crossed the ruins, dispatching several of Sekken’s red-eyed hounds on the way, until they reached a small pyramid. A giant armadillo sat on the altar at the top surrounded by three immortals.

  “I told you they’d come.” The Laughing Man sighed, looking down. “Although Garreth Black is an especially nasty surprise.”

  “What does it matter?” Johanna said smugly. “They’re too late anyway. We’re just about done.”

  “You won’t be finishing while we are here.” Jayden announced flatly.

  “Oh, really?” Johanna scoffed. “Do you have any notion what kind of reinforcements——”

  “That wasn’t blustering.” Jayden cut in. “I meant it literally.” The ninja fired off a gemstone stake at blinding speed, which the Laughing Man intercepted right before it pierced the dullrock.

  “Unsummon your pet immediately.” He snapped.

  “But…” Johanna stammered.

  “If they kill it, we’ll have to start all over.” The laughing man continued. “Moreover… I hate protecting living things. Problems are better solved by senseless violence.”

  “It’s time.” Jake whispered.

  “I want it now!” Sana cried out, a card appearing in her outstretched hand. She showed it to them. “Is this it?”

  “That’s a tidalscourge.” Filia answered, recognizing the ultra rare sukemon. “The one we want has picture of that armadillo on it.”

  Sana frowned. “It’s hard fishing for something I haven’t seen with my own eyes…”

  “Wait a second…” Johanna drew out a deck, flipping through the cards. Her face twisted with anger. “That’s mine!” She launched herself forward, her stormelk materializing under her. “You will return it to me.”

  Flying up to intercept her, Filia shouted, “Dark Blades!” A storm of swords interrupted the immortal’s charge.

  Noticing her black wings and scale, Johanna’s rage transformed into shock. “You fused with Oberon?”

  Taking this clash as a signal, Sekken raised his fist and called out, “’Rending Reality Itself’” Lightning shot into the darkness above, and a rift opened where he stood.

  “Keep trying to steal the card.” Jake ordered, drawing two wicked-looking short swords. “Everyone else, protect her until she has succeeded!”