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The force of Dozer’s grip halted against Koh’s body. For he, too, was immovable now. And with the advantage in size, as well, Koh smothered the emperor with shadow and muscle, ghostflame and teeth. Until, finally, he was able to chomp down. Devoured whole. Ettol’s cocoon included.

He felt Dozer still resisting. Thrashing. But it didn’t matter. Within Koh’s body, the Dark Domain was at its strongest. The enhancing effects for him. And the sapping effects for his enemies.

There was one final step. Ettol’s reaper. Or rather, “Germal’s.” The reaper named Nerovoy.

Having spent so much time with Ettol, Koh knew the trick. Nerovoy had been imprisoned far away on the continent of Qenghis. The one that appeared before people was an illusion, a projection of Ettol to avoid questions.

But Koh couldn’t ignore Nerovoy, either. The reaper was inextricably linked to the Child’s incarnation. If he didn’t devour the reaper, too, then Ettol could theoretically still be revived in this realm. And that could not be allowed.

So he had to summon Nerovoy here. With his power, it was a trivial task. The connection between reaper and servant was a bridge across spacetime. Across the Veil itself, even. With the Darklight at his disposal, Koh pulled Nerovoy to him, already devoured right alongside Ettol.

And then it was done. They passed through the Veilgate within his stomach. Ettol and Dozer both. Their physical bodies disintegrated, separated from their souls as they departed from this world altogether.

Returning them to Chaos was not the solution, though. Not yet, at least. While any Child remained in this realm, new bridges could be easily built.

No, it was better to send them to Niebweiz, the Heavenly Prison. At least until the Hunt was complete. However long it might take.

A great sense of satisfaction consumed the Beast of Ardora. A long-held objective, reached at last. His most elusive of prey. Finally eaten.

Tremendous.

And there was yet more to be done, still. The rage of the Hunt wanted to quiet down, but he knew there was another target nearby deserving of its attention.

The empress. Her connection to Makirë was his next closest lead. Devouring her would likely prove very informative.

Kallmakk’s shadow boiled with anticipation as Koh began to move again.

No break was necessary. No rest needed. As ever, the Prime Hunt would continue.


Chapter Three Hundred Eleven: ‘Abiding champions, be mindful...’
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Hector hadn’t felt this powerless in quite some time. Even as he soared through the sky in his flying armor, trying his damnedest to help as much as possible, it was clear to him that this was a problem far beyond his ability to solve. Certainly not by himself, at least.