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Michael's Manor, 3:20 pm EST

Tymon grinned internally, once again, proud of Alissia's growth. He and Za'Fia stood by the shadow they intended to use to travel. The others had just vanished along with Michael, yet not even 2 seconds later, Michael had returned alone.

"He's back already," Za'Fia commented, squinting skyward.

Tymon looked up. He couldn't see Michael but could sense him floating thousands of feet above his manor, gathering energy.

He assumed Michael intended to monitor everyone's status from there. Looking at the thin strand of light flailing on his right shoulder, Tymon realized it wouldn't help him at all since Michael's healing didn't affect him.

Tymon focused some of his energy onto his left index finger and severed the string. He then concentrated on sensing Avarice. Surprisingly, Avarice wasn't trying to hide his presence in the slightest. On the contrary, it was almost like he was inviting Tymon over.

"Think it's a trap?" Za'Fia asked, having sensed him as well.

"Doesn't matter," he responded as he stepped into the shadow. They exited the other side of the shadow path into Avarice's lab in the Chihuahuan Desert. The lab seemed to be grounded this time.

Across from them sat Avarice on his throne and Verin standing at its feet. When she saw them, she started toward them.

Tymon did the same. He kept his gaze fixed on Avarice as he moved toward him. He didn't bother suppressing his power, letting it ooze from him as he gathered power and began to transform slowly.

Verin hesitated, but knowing her, Tymon knew she'd regain her composure soon enough and try to get in his way. Without averting his gaze, he spoke.

"Za'Fia, I need you to take Verin somewhere else." Tymon didn't want any interference in his fight.

Verin clenched her fists in defiance.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You think you can stand against Avarice just because you're a little stronger now?"

She manifested a violet ring around Tymon as she tried to crush him by increasing the gravity, but Tymon casually placed a layer of energy that outlined his body in protection, remaining unfazed as he continued to walk towards Avarice with a cold, steady look in his eyes.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

His skin darkened as it spurred a thin layer of grey fur, his nails began to extend into claws, the whites in his eyes darkened into night black, and his eyes took on a wolfish yellow color.

Tymon stalked past Verin, not acknowledging her in the slightest. When she steeled her resolve, he sensed her rush in front of him and tried to lunge at him, but he released a wave of terror that froze her in her tracks.

"Don't get in my way again," he warned her as he gradually turned his full attention to her. He stared her down intensely as he overwhelmed her with terror.

Verin grunted in defiance, still clenching her fists, but she was smart enough to remain in place. Seeing her reluctance to press on, Tymon redirected his focus to Avarice and moved past her.

"Aghhhhh!!" Verin wailed in frustration as she turned back to Tymon and charged, but Za'Fia appeared and caught her by the throat.

"That's enough," she said before throwing Verin through the metal wall to his left.

Tymon stopped a few feet before Avarice's throne. He sensed Za'Fia approach the massive hole in the wall that let in a coolish breeze from outside.

Before she exited, he felt her stop.

"I'll keep her busy...be careful."

Tymon was silent for a second before responding.

"Thanks," he said without turning as she darted through the hole.

With Za'Fia and Verin gone, Tymon refocused his mind on dealing with Avarice. They were quiet for a while, Tymon glaring up at Avarice and Avarice peering down at him.

"Now, it's just you and me," Tymon said, breaking the silence.

"Now, it's just you and me," Avarice reaffirmed casually. "Your energy's still as unsettling as ever. It makes my hairs tingle."

Avarice crossed his legs and rested his head on a fist as his arm was propped up on one of the armrests on the throne.

"I must thank you," he said, glancing at the hole. "I'd been trying to find a way to get rid of her. Truth be told, if Za'Fia were to kill her, she'd be doing me a favor."

"What, you two no longer agree on how to take over the world?" Tymon asked as he quickly scanned the room for any signs of traps.

Avarice laughed, his voice carrying through the large room.

"I've got a new ambition these days."

"And what's that?" Tymon inquired, expecting Avarice to decline to answer.

"Once I've reduced everything to ash and you're the only one among your friends that remains, I'll gladly enlighten you. The look on your face is bound to be priceless."

Avarice looked down at Tymon curiously.

"The way you got here...teleportation of some sort? Didn't know you had that one. Must be how you escaped unnoticed all those years ago."

Tymon didn't reply as Avarice went on...

"And this new power you possess...I'm surprised at how much stronger you've become in such a short amount of time. Still, it won't be enough," he mocked. "It took me thousands of years of feeding off humans' dull greed before amassing the power I have today. Especially considering the plateau point."

Tymon clenched his jaw.

Avarice laughed, "You've hit it, haven't you? That point when feeding from humans is no longer as potent as it once was."

"Enough talking," Tymon said coldly.

"Hmph. No need to be impatient; I'm not going anywhere," Avarice said as he rose from his throne.

He started walking down the pedestal steps.

"Can't you see how meaningless this is? Why go through the trouble? You confront me with only a fraction of my power, yet I can't kill you—at least not permanently—and you certainly can't kill me....What's the point? Frankly, I'd rather watch my children fight."

Avarice now stood not two feet before Tymon, grinning as he looked ever-so-slightly down at him, his eyes glowing amber.