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Truth be told, Morgunov had options, still. It might not have seemed like it, and he might not have even wanted to acknowledge it himself, but it was true. Pan-rozum, which he and Bool were currently in, always allowed for plenty of flexibility.

He just hated resorting to it. For a couple different reasons, really. The first being that it gave more power over to Bool. Whenever they merged these days, Morgunov’s consciousness dominated Bool’s to the point that he no longer felt any different when compared to his normal self. So he was able to enjoy some nice, passive bonuses without having to deal with yet another meddlesome voice in his head.

But the more proactive benefits of pan-rozum--such as tapping into materialization, for instance--required the reaper to put in some real work. Which meant Morgunov had to give up some control.

Quite unpleasant.

Another reason he hated it was because it just felt somewhat... cheap. Lame. Unrelated to his genius or hard work.

When it came to fighting, he always wanted to win because of his inventions, his mastery over integration, or with sheer martial prowess.

But ultimately, that was his hubris talking. Something that had, perhaps, grown a bit out of control over the last century or two.

Here and now, he was again being reminded of his own limitations. Of how, when the chips were down, he would do whatever it took. Ego be damned.

For the briefest instant, Rachman’s face flashed through his mind. That smiling, self-satisfied face from right before Morgunov struck the final blow.

It was never going to stop haunting him, was it?

Morgunov split his body apart in order to avoid the next beam at the last possible second.

A most difficult technique. It required the simultaneous use of integration, transfiguration, and materialization.

For transfigurers in pan-rozum, they could turn their body into their element and manipulate it freely by merely adding materialization. Becoming beings of gas or liquid. But for integration users, the same trick required an extra step in the beginning. Fusing the body with the surrounding gaseous elements. Then he could access transfiguration as an extension of his integration ability, which was always going to be his most comfortable, instinctual power.

From there, he could turn his body into air and split it apart, then bring it back together with materialization and finally fuse it all again with integration in order to make himself whole.