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Germal just laughed.

Which only incensed Morgunov further.

But there was no point in voicing it. He hated losing control of his emotions like that and was already regretting it.

No. He was just going to follow through with his promises. And await the day when this smug creature was finally laid low. How thoroughly satisfying that was going to be.

“You’ve fallen silent again,” observed the Liar. “Has our game come to an abrupt end? If so, then ‘tis a shame. Strange as it may sound, I would say that you have indeed answered to my satisfaction. Kehehe. And so it is now your turn, my friend.”

What a piece of shit. In this moment, Morgunov was not sure he had ever hated anyone so much. Anyone--or anything, even.

A disturbance arrived, however, causing sudden havoc with Morgunov’s perception of this empty headspace that they were both trapped in. What in the world was that?

“Ah!” came a new voice. “There you both are! Finally!”

Who was that? Morgunov needed a second to--

“Master?” said Germal.

And Morgunov realized. “Gohvis? How did you find us?”

The Monster of the East ignored both their queries. “What are you two idiots doing? Having a nice chat in some kind of liminal space? How cozy. Meanwhile, I’m trying to prevent a feldeath of darkness from atomizing the pair of you.”

“Oh, the fight’s still going?” said Morgunov. “We thought time was simply moving differently for us in here.”

“It is,” said Gohvis. “I can sense the time dilation. But multiple minutes have still transpired for me outside. Do you realize how long that feels, right now?”

“Ah.”

“Oh.”

“Have you at least managed to talk through your disagreements?” said Gohvis. “This entire fight is pointless. We are all on the same side.”

“If you actually believe that,” said Morgunov, “then Germal’s fooled you even more thoroughly than I thought.”

“Master, please stop interfering. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

“I hate you both so much.”


Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Seven: ‘How Fire perceives Steel...’
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Warrenhold sure was feeling different, lately. And not just because of the restoration efforts, Roman felt. There was something more. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Something to do with Hector.

This place. What exactly was it transforming into, he wondered? A place of safety? Refuge for all who needed it? Or an indomitable fortress? A headquarters from which an empire would be built?

Could all of those things be possible simultaneously?

Voreese seemed to think so.