Chapter 333: No Matter the Cost
Levin closed his eyes and embraced his soul, letting mana run through the scarred muscles and veins of his body. The earth about his feet flowed like water, rising up around his body and condensing into gleaming armor. It emanated a powerful aura, that unique to Divine Artifacts. Was this the Earth Hero’s equivalent of the Staff of Fate?
Moving with strength I didn’t know I possessed, I gently lay Korra down and stood on trembling legs. My body was ravaged by the inquisitor’s magic, but I had rejuvenated nearly half of my mana. I wouldn’t die without a fight, not if there was still a chance of saving Korra, or Sari.
"Still intending to resist?" Levin frowned as I summoned my staff, and held out his own hand, conjuring up a giant mace. The head was spiked with cruel flanges and must have weighed more than I did, yet the most intimidating attribute was its aura. Another Divine Artifact. Just how many did the Earth God give him?
"Levin, you can still help me," I pled, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to do this to you, but I will if I have to. I can’t let Korra die."
"Do what to me? Even in this state, I could defend from multiple seventh-circle attacks. You’re just a slave, Xiviyah, you can’t even use attack magic. Even if you weren’t half-dead on your feet, what could you even do to me?"
"Please..."
Ignoring my plea, Levin began gathering mana in his mace and took a step forward, cracking the ground with his weight. Every fiber of his being was saturated with his mana, making him feel as solid as a fortress. The Earth Hero was meant to be a shield for the others, a stalwart, unshakable defense against anything a demon could throw at him. His absurdly powerful defense and resistance meant his offensive skills were lacking, but he was still a seventh-level hero. In my current state, there was nothing I could do in such a confrontation.
My shoulders sagged as I let out a long, forlorn sigh. "I’m sorry, Korra. I know he was your friend."
"What the hell are you going on about?" Levin muttered, then frowned and shook his head. "Whatever. Just die already!"