It detonated between the knight and Apophis mid-dive, dragging both of them in for a split second. Apophis beat her wings hard, breaking the pull. The knight stabbed into a gravity well to hold position, cracks forming under his boots.
Ben shot through the aftermath like a spear. His fist struck the knight's jaw. appendages stabbed toward Apophis's chest. Both blocked, but barely.
He spun, grabbed Apophis mid-air, and slammed her into the knight. Both enemies reeled. But they didn't fall.
The knight countered with a thrust, piercing Ben's side. Blood exploded outward.
Apophis struck with a claw, ripping across Ben's back. He screamed, but instead of pulling away, he drew in their energy. The moment the wounds connected, his appendages latched on.
Consume.
Aether and system-light poured into him again. It was unstable, violent, but he drank it anyway. His muscles bulged. His skin cracked, black veins crawling up his neck.
