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Graves returned an irritated glare. “I could not be seen simply releasing them back into your custody. So, yes, I took advantage of the situation in order to spread Abolish thinner and isolate the Weasel. You may not appreciate being used like that, and I apologize for it, but please also understand that, here today, we have managed to finally eliminate one of the vilest men to ever walk the planet.”

“Isn’t that ever the Vanguardian’s plea?” said Gohvis. “Just ends justify all else, no?”

But actually, truth be told, Zeff was finding himself more in agreement with Graves now. While he harbored no love for the Vanguard currently, the fact remained that he had himself been a member of that organization for almost thirty years--and not for no reason, either. Deep down, he still very much agreed with the theoretical aim of the Vanguard, and he knew how overwhelmingly important it was to bring down that mass murdering psychopath over there.

The only sticking point was that Vanderberk wasn’t truly dead yet.

A point which Gohvis didn’t hesitate to pick up on. “Nevermind the fact that you did not actually succeed in eliminating your target and have therefore endangered these Rainlords for no reason, even by your own biased metrics.”

Graves squinted briefly, then smiled. “Things were so amicable between us a moment ago. I thought we might be able to get out of this without a fight, but you seem more intent on arguing than counteroffering. And on overplaying your hand, I’m afraid. Quite sloppy of you, old friend. A bit distracted, are we? Too much going on at once, even for you?”

Now Zeff was confused again. What was Graves talking about? Gohvis wasn’t answering, either.

Before any coherent answer could be discerned, the scene before him exploded into a frenzy, and Zeff found himself relying on Axiolis’ senses again in order to comprehend even part of what was suddenly happening.

Gohvis had moved. That much seemed clear, at least. He went for Vanderberk’s body, perhaps in an attempt to grab it or shield it--or punt it out of the current time zone, maybe.

But Graves had responded.

Light filled Zeff’s vision, and in his mind, he could sense great pillars of seemingly pure soul power shooting up out of the ground, one coming up from right below Vanderberk, caging him in and carrying him high up into the sky.