Chapter 138: Complete
The Lich King’s puppet body, a construct of ancient bone and even more ancient arrogance, crumbled into a fine, black dust that was scattered by a nonexistent wind. The blue fire in its sockets winked out, and the spire was silent.
On the far side of the chasm, Mela stared, her swarm of needles clattering to the stone bridge as her concentration broke completely. Serian stood with her sword still glowing, her chest heaving, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and absolute terror.
Nox stood on the platform where the throne had been, the black, chitinous armor flowing back under his skin, leaving him looking like himself again, only much, much more tired. The massive hole in the bridge was a stark reminder of the ridiculous, impossible plan that had somehow worked.
’Shit,’ Nox thought, a wave of profound exhaustion hitting him like a physical blow. ’That took a lot out of me. Like, everything.’
He swayed on his feet and collapsed to one knee. The world was tilting, and his new, super-efficient system was flashing low-power warnings all over his vision.
"Nox!"
Serian was at his side in an instant, her elven speed carrying her across the remaining section of the bridge. She didn’t hesitate this time, her hands grabbing his shoulders to steady him. "Are you alright? What happened to you?"
"I’m fine," he grunted, though his body was screaming that this was a lie. "Just... ran out of juice."
Mela finally unfroze and cautiously made her way across the bridge. She looked from the exhausted human to the gaping chasm, then back to the human. "You are the most reckless, suicidal, and infuriating person I have ever met."
There was no heat in her words. It was just a statement of fact, delivered with a tone of pure, grudging awe.
"But your plan worked."
"Told you it was a good plan," Nox managed, a weak grin on his face.