The duo had now reached a mist-covered mountain, so tall that the peak could not be seen. They disembark Morthol and begin their hunt for the sixth member of the Thirteen. As they walk up the mountain, Xayn trades a few words with Raxyas.

Xayn: A couple of considerations before we confront him, Raxyas.

Raxyas: What's on your mind?

Xayn: He is called the Vain. That is not by mere chance. I believe we can use his temperament to our advantage... We may be able to bait him into letting his own pride betray him. With any luck, he might spill some of the Thirteen's secrets...

Raxyas: And I assume you have some plan in mind to accomplish this...?

Xayn smiles.

Xayn: And indeed I do. Just follow my lead...

They carried on climbing the mountain. It seemed that, with every step they took, the mist grew thicker and thicker...

Raxyas: Xayn, something about this mist isn't quite right. The thicker it gets, the less adequately my attunement seems to work... I'm barely able to sense Zank's presence anymore. Do you reckon this is his doing?

Xayn: It is a strong possibility, yes. He must know we are coming... Morthol might be great for traversing the landscape of Mortmundus, but he isn't particularly... Inconspicuous.

Raxyas: Right... Let's hurry and damn him, then. The longer we stay in this mist, the more advantageous the situation grows in his favor.

They pick up the pace.

Raxyas: ... Any concrete idea where he might be?

Xayn: Not exactly, but if he lives up to his name, he will probably be standing at the peak of the mountain. Closer to the sky, where he can oversee all, like a ruler would oversee his kingdom...

Raxyas: Well this ruler might as well be blind, he can't oversee anything with a mist this thick...

As they approach the highest point of the mountain, thralls begin to emerge from the ground.

As they approach the highest point of the mountain, thralls begin to emerge from the ground [https://img.wattpad.com/a5107cef088ac1a1ea73354a5d589091e213ee05/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6a656c6f436c3162733637734e673d3d2d313139373436333537362e313732393031303330323330313433613636333539363631343238392e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Xayn: An ambush... Raxyas, destroy their vessels!

Raxyas quickly summons his weapon and relentlessly begins to swirl the whip around, shattering and slashing all thralls to dust. As he did, more and more thralls kept emerging.

Raxyas: This is madness! First the mist, and now a horde of husks... Zank shouldn't be able to do all this, it is beyond his abilities...!

Xayn: Their power must have grown since your absence, Raxyas. Just keep pushing onwards until we reach the top, if we take him down all of his thralls should return to dust.

They keep moving upwards, as waves and waves of enthralled vessels viciously attack them. Although no match for the redeemers, taking down such a great number of foes was taking quite a toll on them. At long last, they reach the top of the mountain, where some ruins laid on a flat piece of land. There seemed to be no mist here whatsoever.

Atop these ruins stood a silhouette, and with a gesture it sent all of the thralls back to the earth [https://img.wattpad.com/fae6847c87eebe1c630acd0d00fe75d1a13d5ccd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f726c376f6c7a61426f4b756a38673d3d2d313139373436333537362e313732393031353666396461383665313539393936313638353035372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Atop these ruins stood a silhouette, and with a gesture it sent all of the thralls back to the earth. It then leaped from the ruins onto the ground, creating a shockwave that the two redeemers felt, even standing at a great distance from the point of impact. It began walking towards them.

Xayn: Raxyas... Is that him?

Raxyas squints, gripping his whip tighter.

Raxyas: It is... My attunement returned as soon as the mist cleared. There's no doubt about it -- that's Zank.

Preparing for battle, Xayn plants his bow on the ground and starts aiming. Raxyas switches his weapon to its gladius form and takes a stand in front of Xayn. The two discuss tactics as the opponent approaches. Soon, the undead stops close enough that they can hear his voice. He bore a vessel larger than Raxyas and Xayn's, a testament to his power.

He bore a vessel larger than Raxyas and Xayn's, a testament to his power [https://img.wattpad.com/6b80219a619f7bf69b42f4e0d397297dc0b9ba90/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5263447a41352d434247467432773d3d2d313139373436333537362e313732393031393433613561653963383730313331303836343535332e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Zank: So, Raxyas... You come for me first. Should I be flattered?

The air suddenly got much heavier.

Raxyas: Hardly. It is mere chance that brought us here.

Zank: Chance? How very interesting you think that...

Zank grinned.

Zank: You know, I think you'll find that since our last encounter, I have grown much, much stronger. Even two redeemers such as yourselves should be no match for me anymore...

Raxyas: Living up to your title, even after your humiliating defeat from last time. Impressive.

Xayn: Before we fight, we have some questions, Zank.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Raxyas: As if he could answer anything. He's a joke within the Thirteen, merely there to fill a position.

Xayn could tell Raxyas said this to purposefully spite their opponent.

Zank: SILENCE, RAXYAS!

The ground beneath them shook with Zank's shout. Then, everything went silent.

Zank: Still you mock me. I have not forgotten my defeat. How you ridiculed me throughout... But I knew this day would come. Today, you will feel that very pain. Today, I take what is mine.

Xayn: What is that supposed to mean, Zank?

Zank: Oh? And who is this, Raxyas? I sense his power, not much different from yours. And yet, his soul cannot compare to yours. It holds no secrets within... What is your name, friend of Raxyas?

Xayn: I am Xayn. What secrets do you mean?

Zank: I mean nothing. Ready your weapons!

Xayn: Zank, were you not sure of your victory? If our destruction is truly at hand, what makes you so afraid of saying too much?

Zank: I AM sure of my victory. Your existence ends here.

Raxyas: Leave it, Xayn. I know Zank, he's nothing more than a tool for the Thirteen. That's always been his role.

Xayn plays along with Raxyas.

Xayn: But Raxyas, surely that cannot be. Unquestionably, he seems much more powerful than you or I. He must surely hold a position of power within their group.

Zank: HA! Raxyas, how right your friend is! That the day would come where a redeemer acknowledges me as the more powerful being...

Xayn: Zank, I know that victory is not an option for us. But I also know you are a proud warrior, are you not?

Zank: Ah... Glory befalls the great! I am indeed. But rest assured, I will destroy you painlessly, friend of Raxyas.

Xayn: Then, could I ask that, as a great warrior, you honor my last request? Before you destroy me, will you at least let me be at peace by knowing what it is you are trying to take?

Zank pauses for a moment.

Raxyas: So much for the great warrior act. You're ridiculous Zank, how anyone cou-

Zank: SILENCE!

Once more, the ground shook.

Zank: You do not know me, Raxyas. As for Xayn, you are worthy of an honorable end. It would be unbefitting of an undead of my caliber to keep you from it. As such, I will grant you your peace. Raxyas' soul holds the key to elevating our power to greater heights. This is our time to capitalize on what has taken us so long to build... To have you crowned a hero and granted salvation, only for it all to be taken back...! The accuracy with which the events leading up to this moment have transpired is... Scary. You see-

Zank stops. He leans his head to the side, as if someone is talking to him. He answers something inaudible. Then, he looks at the duo and speaks again.

Zank: Enough talk. I believe what I told you is quite enough.

Xayn: I see. Thank you, Zank.

Zank: But of course. As a great warrior, it is my dut-

Raxyas: Lights out!

Raxyas interrupts Zank, rapidly summoning his weapon and striking it against the ground, creating a massive flash of lightning. Both Redeemers had averted their gaze to avoid being blinded, the same could not be said for Zank.

Raxyas: Not a bad plan. Worked out alright, Xayn.

Xayn: I'm afraid the toughest part is just beginning. Prepare yourself!

Xayn nocks three arrows on the bow and fires them at Zank. The arrows divide as they travel quickly through the air, forming a wall of death. Raxyas runs at Zank, preparing to engage right after the projectiles hit their mark.

Zank: DISGRACEFUL! To think that this is how you would treat your superiors. Forget your painless deaths, you will know only agony in your final moments...

Zank advanced rapidly towards Raxyas while summoning his weapon. The wall of arrows coming his way did not seem to faze him.

Xayn: Be careful Raxyas, we don't know what his weapon is like! It may have changed since last time!

Raxyas was preparing to dodge whatever attack Zank had planned. He knew that the last time he faced the sixth member the weapon of his soul was a rapier, so that's what he was counting on. Surely enough, on the right hand of Zank a rapier was summoned, which he used to effortlessly carve through the wall of arrows. Zank rapidly lunged forward to pierce Raxyas, but he was prepared and jumped backwards, effectively dodging the attack. What he did could not foresee was that in the left hand of his opponent a pistol would also materialize, a pistol that was now aimed straight as his very skull.

Raxyas: ... SHIT!

Even though Raxyas is in Zank's crosshairs, he does not pull the trigger. It would seem his own body was not cooperating... Before he can fire the gun, a lightning-fast arrow hits it and breaks off the undead's arm, taking the weapon with it.

Zank: DAMN THIS... If only I had more control...

Zank's vessel twitched unnaturally, as if it was having spasms.

Zank: No matter, no matter... I'll still take you both on! You have not yet still the full extent of-

Raxyas: Lights out!

Raxyas takes advantage of Zank's state of disarray to flash him once more, giving him time to rejoin Xayn to quickly discuss strategies, as their opponent too planned his next move.

Xayn: Raxyas, you need to be more cautious! Had I not been there, that shot could have very well broken apart your skull from your body. Reattaching limbs is a process that consumes more time than we can spare right now, I'm afraid.

Raxyas: Right... But two weapons? I've never seen an undead with two weapons! This isn't right...

Xayn: He comes, Raxyas. Be ready.

Raxyas: Let's end this quickly.

Xayn nods.

Xayn: I shall be right above you.

Xayn leaps into the air as Raxyas sprints towards Zank. Not knowing what to expect, Zank decides to focus on Raxyas, as he is the immediate threat. Seeing how he was preparing to strike with his gladius, he readies his rapier so that he may puncture Raxyas' skull and rip it clean off his shoulders. After all, his rapier does have greater range. The time to strike comes, and as he lunges, Raxyas dodges by dropping to the ground and sliding with his feet towards one of Zank's legs. He slides into it, and while he did not manage to break it off, it did set the undead off balance. Xayn fires a massive arrow from his bow, the slowest and biggest arrow yet. Had he not lost his balance, Zank would have been able to dodge it surely. Though now, he had no chance of evading it. His life flashed before his eyes, as the arrow was millimeters away from his torso. And then... It froze in mid-air. It then dropped to the ground, disappearing almost instantly.

Raxyas: ... What?

Zank regains his balance and impales Raxyas' skull with his rapier. Then, with his pistol, he fires at his neck. The bullet completely severs it, separating the head from the torso. Zank laughs maniacally, as he points his rapier with Raxyas' disembodied head still impaled on it in Xayn's direction. At this point, Raxyas' soul had already been expelled from his vessel, due to the damage it had incurred.

Zank: And now... It's your turn!

Xayn tries to move but can't. His entire body is frozen and only his eyes can still move. They dart all over the battlefield, attempting to make sense of what is happening. Then, he sees something on top of the ruins. There is another figure, holding a book and a scepter. They are casting some spell... No doubt, they are responsible for invalidating Xayn's prior attack and for keeping him frozen in place.

Zank: You finally noticed him, huh...?

Zank was getting close to Xayn.

Zank: The mist, the thralls, and the ability to freeze objects and undead...

He points back at the ruins, as he keeps walking towards him.

Zank: You can thank him for all that.

It was hopeless. There was nothing Xayn could do to break the spell. Raxyas had already been defeated, and they had no cards up their sleeve that could save them from their predicament...

Zank: This is the end of the line, redeemer.

Zank held his pistol against Xayn's skull. Suddenly, the figure atop the ruins had disappeared. Xayn could move. In a desperate attempt, he moves his head away from the barrel of the pistol, but...

Zank: Too late.

... Zank's body did not betray him this time. He fired before Xayn could get away, punching a hole in his head and incapacitating his vessel. Shortly after, Xayn's soul, too, is expelled from his body.

Zank: You were right again...

Behind Zank, a large circular glyph appears, from which a portal begins to form. Zank' s helper comes through it. They are smiling.

Zank: Pharisee, Pharisee... This almost feels like cheating, you know.

Pharisee: Blame the universe for that... A proper universe should never allow for any kind of unfairness to take place, should it?

Zank un-summons his weapons.

Zank: Is that what you tell yourself so that you can sleep at night?

Pharisee lets out a short laugh.

Pharisee: The thought that every step we take brings us closer to returning to the world of the living is quite enough to grant me sound sleep, Zank...

He closes the portal behind him, and opens a new one.

Pharisee: You know what to do next. We'll meet again... In the end.

Zank: Can't wait. Take care, Pharisee...

Pharisee: Mm.

They say their goodbyes, and each go their own way...