Chapter 147: A Crippled Sigilist
The Wailing Marshlands stretched before them, a vast expanse of twisting black trees, rotting waters, and unnatural mist. The air reeked of sulfur and death, thick with demonic miasma that made even breathing feel unnatural.
Kael exhaled sharply, gripping his aching chest.
The Celestial Sigil's backlash had hit harder than expected. His mana circuits were still raw, and every movement sent sharp waves of pain through his body.
He had endured worse.
But this time, he wasn't at full strength.
Raithon, of course, noticed immediately.
"Pathetic," Raithon sneered, his golden high elf eyes narrowing. "I knew humans were fragile, but this is embarrassing."
Kael gritted his teeth. "I'm fine."
Raithon let out a sharp, elegant scoff. "No, you're dying slowly. There's a difference."
Ilyra shot Raithon a glare. "You don't have to be an ass about it."
Raithon smirked. "Oh, but I do. If he collapses mid-fight, who do you think has to clean up his mess?"
Saria snorted. "You? Fight for someone else? That's funny."
Raithon clicked his tongue in disgust. "Don't compare me to your kind, shadow crawler. I don't waste my strength protecting the weak."
Thalric's hand twitched toward his blade.
Kael sighed, already regretting this conversation.
"Enough," Kael muttered. "We have a job to do."
Raithon rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. Marching into a demon-infested swamp with an injured human, a leech, and two filthy under-elves. What a glorious strategy."
Vasaria grinned, flashing her fangs. "Keep talking, highborn. Maybe I'll have a taste of you next."
Raithon's lip curled in pure revulsion.
"Disgusting."
Inside the Marshlands
The group moved cautiously through the twisting swamp, the ground slick with decay. Shadows flickered unnaturally, stretching toward them, moving when they shouldn't.
Kael could feel the magic in the air.
A deep, resonating pulse—
Then—
A massive black stone pillar loomed ahead, covered in glowing abyssal runes.
The next Abyss Gate.
A circle of greater demons chanted before it, their clawed hands raised, pouring power into the gate.
Raithon smirked. "Well, at least these beasts are doing something useful. Dying will be their greatest achievement."
Saria rolled her eyes. "Do you ever stop talking?"
Raithon smirked. "Why would I, when you all make it so entertaining?"
Kael inhaled slowly, forcing his body to steady.
"We stop the gate. That's the priority."
Raithon's smile sharpened. "And here I thought you'd finally realized how pointless this is."
His golden eyes gleamed with arcane light as he drew his sword.
"Fine. Let's clean up this filth."