Still, once the Sages and Heralds had enough freedom to join Malice’s fight, the battle would shift back in their direction.
Then the sky flashed again.
Another wave of dream aura and madra pulsed through the air, and Lindon realized with horror that the Silent King was using its technique to control the minds of the masses once again. It hadn’t been long. If it could use that ability so often, then it was only a matter of time before it owned everyone.
No.
Lindon tried to Consume the technique as it washed over him, but it was like trying to get a handful of wind. This time, though, he didn’t even hear whispers.
Dross materialized just to lick his lips curiously, like he was identifying a taste. [I’m getting used to the flavor.]
More Remnants gained halos, and so did more sacred artists. Including some of the ones he had just saved.
The life Herald was taken over now, and he saw the Winter Sage shuddering. Charity put a hand on her, and a silver flash from inside Min Shuei’s soul cleansed the technique.
Dark blades erupted from behind them while green vines struck at their lifelines.
Lindon couldn’t make it in time, and he wasn’t ready to transport himself. There was only one thing he could do fast enough to help.
Bars of Blackflame pierced through both techniques, buying the Sages enough time to start the battle on their terms.
The world slowed again as Lindon surveyed the battlefield. Malice clashed with the techniques of the Silent King and his horde, but she was being dragged all over the terrain for miles. She had torn holes in his army, but there were always more. Even when she almost struck the King himself, he would bend the technique aside.
He can keep taking over their minds, Lindon thought.
[It’s true.]
But he can’t take over ours.
[Together, our will is indomitable.]
The longer this lasted, the more would die. Had the Silent King really managed to attack his family? What about Yerin? Orthos?
We can’t keep freeing people. We have to help Malice.
Dross laughed maniacally.
[Into the shadows we go,] Dross whispered.
Lindon kindled the Burning Cloak and dashed off. Toward the Dreadgod.
16
On the deck of Redmoon Hall, under the light of the sinking moon, dozens of white crowns hovered over unconscious Emissaries.
And one half-dead Herald.
The pale Sage turned to Redmoon. “Kill him!” he shouted.
Which was too slow for Yerin, as she had already launched a Rippling Sword at his body. A pink hand split in half as it tried to stop her technique, but the Redmoon Herald’s flesh regenerated almost immediately.
Though the Blood Sage was only a moment behind.
Animated birds of blood madra screamed as they tore at Redmoon, and crimson aura pulled every ounce of blood in the Herald’s body toward the outside. He was trying to rip Redmoon to pieces.
The Herald resisted, but Yerin was already in the air, swinging Netherclaw down on his head.
Until a Blood Shadow flew at her from the side and she had to twist to block it on her sword.
This Shadow covered a weapon, a huge blocky hammer that reminded her of Ziel’s. It had only been thrown by an Overlord, but he had put his all into the attack, and there was a weight to it he wouldn’t have been able to create on his own.
The will of the Silent King, she was sure.
Yerin flew from the impact but spun to retaliate…until she saw Little Blue under assault from several crown-controlled cultists.
Yerin struck her blade with the Endless Sword technique.
Their weapons exploded with sword aura. Several Emissaries staggered away from Blue, bleeding. The spirit ran frantically, shaking in fear. She held up one hand as though to ward them off, and Yerin’s heart squeezed. She activated the Moonlight Bridge to appear over Little Blue.
As she did, Little Blue Forged a giant Empty Palm, bigger than the spirit’s entire body.
The technique slammed into the midsection of a charging Emissary. He fell to his knees, having lost control of his madra, and his Blood Shadow shivered like it was in the middle of a lightning strike. Even the Silent King’s crown over his head shook.
He was an Underlord.
“Eyes sharp, Blue!” Yerin shouted. “Keep your sword out!”
Little Blue cowered behind her ankle.
Another explosion of blood madra and overwhelming will signified a clash between the Blood Sage and Redmoon. Bodies were shoved away from them by sheer force, and the Sage’s white hair blew in one direction while the Herald loomed over him with pink hair fluttering in the breeze.
“I should never have allowed you to remain,” Red Faith shouted. “You are a cancer, and today I will cut you out.”