Chapter 755: Strength Renewed
Rash’alon’s blade slipped beneath his guard, scoring a shallow cut along his bicep. Luke hissed in pain and jumped back, waving his sword to get some space. A black curse wound around his arm, seeping into the cut. The skin turned ashen, his veins black like worms. Luke’s sword point wavered, his lips drawing in a thin line.
"You should have taken my offer," Rash’alon said, walking toward him with an unhurried gait. "You’re strong, but your understanding of curses barely scratches the surface. I’ve only used elementary techniques, and yet you’ve fallen this far. We both could have had what we wanted, and yet in this petty act of passion, you’ve done nothing but deny yourself power. Once I kill you, I’ll step over your corpse and claim the slave."
"I won’t lose to you," Luke snarled.
"You already have."
Rash’alon stopped and raised his hand. Luke’s hands flew to his chest, and he screamed, falling ot one knee as the corruption surged.
"You absorbed too much mana, didn’t you. Even if you survive this encounter, you’ll be dead. Your slave might be able to heal sunpurge, but corruption is beyond any mortal. I almost wish to lose here, just to see the pain and anguish in your face as she holds you close, sobbing. Helpless as she’s always been."
"No! Luke..." I cried, my voice lost in the tempest of mana swirling around them.
Rash’alon approached the fallen apostle, his sword raised. There was no time to think, no time to hesitate. I had nothing but vague recollections of the shadows of Tormod’s Gap, just enough to grab my mana and force it to the surface. Adaptive Resistance tried to hide, but I willed it to obey, shaping it just as I had done against Nithalee’s magic barrier. Golden light exploded from my skin, consuming the darkness in a small bubble around me. My soul grew hot from, strained by the friction generated by applying my ability so crudely.
"Luke!" I cried, stretching out my hand. "Nexus!"
Blazing ribbons of mana shot out of my hand, entangling his soul. He gasped, convulsing as they forcibly burrowed into his soul. The moment our souls linked, a searing spike of pain lanced through my mind. Ever since our souls entangled, they’d been dangerously vulnerable to each other. Brute forcing the link through the curse magic had been a step too far, and now I paid the price, clutching my head as memories, thoughts, and feelings forced their way into my mind.
I stiffened as Rash’alon’s aura focused on me, and I knew I’d drawn his attention. The pain was near blinding, competing with my tears to blur my vision, but I didn’t care. He had been standing above Luke, sword raised. I couldn’t let him kill him!