"Wyatt."

I rotate on my heels and face Bonfire one last time as he clenches his fists, brilliant darkness building within them. I can feel the sweltering heat, but it creates no light. Instead, it devours it just as it burns.

"Yeah?"

Emmet Knox smiles, his lips spreading vast and joyful as he addresses me. Then, he strides forward toward the horde.

"Thanks for not giving up on me. But... all people have the same end. We all die. When the time comes, do not hesitate, my friend. Do not hesitate. I know what I am becoming. Not even I can hold it back forever."

And with his words, a grand blaze detonates from his feet, hurtling him in the air. I react instinctively, my chains lashing out to latch onto him. And unlike in the real world, his fire is unable to burn my Living Manacles.

It would appear my soul is far more robust than his.

I soar through the sky, attached to Bonfire nearly ten feet behind as he practically flies, not even having to turn into a pure flame. As we pass through the air, reaching above even the nearby small mountains, the Angels of the Mother Below react with complete hostility.

Over half a dozen Angels come for us, but Bonfire only speeds up, the flame growing even hotter. It shifts to an even more emphatic hue. As he does so, the pyro screams through the air for me.

"Hold 'em off me! I can get us there, lickety-split!"

I don't even have time to question the man's insane strategy as one is already upon me. This Angel has two leathery wings, each veined with asymmetric radiant silver and black, that allow it to be the first. Its claws, however, are what draw my full attention.

The chitin-like nails extend far beyond the claw as my chains lash out, deflecting one hit before its other hand grips onto a Living Manacle. And like another passenger, it rides along with us as the others attempt to catch up.

The high winds slash through my hair as I recognize this thing's threat. Here, in the mind, things work differently. If the soul is all that truly matters...

Staring at my hand, I force a creation into a shape. A large crossbow forms in only a second, and I rear the winch back with a tenth of the usual effort. The Angel continues to claw its way up my chains like that of a ladder, all the while striking at me.

I let it continue, aiming the Ballista as it does so. This thing must not know the power within this. But how could it not?

I—

A flash of motion appears by our side, and I react as swiftly as I can, bringing my Ballista to bear. An impact hits my conjured weapon, and I'm sent spinning, pulling Bonfire off course as he shouts in pain from the sudden jerk.

Meanwhile, my head shakes and swims as I recover, only to feel a hand sink into the bone and flesh of my ankle. Peering down with rumbling vision as my Ballista is cracked, hints of light seeping out, I find the leather-winged Angel digging into my flesh like I'm a mountain it's climbing.

Below, there are two more Angels sprinting over the valleys at incredible paces, necks turned up to stare at me. One holds rocks in its hand that I connect with the thing that impacted me at a velocity far exceeding bullet, while the other spews acidic spikes that sizzle through the air.

Flipping through the air as Bonfire rights us, the spittle passes by without harming anything, but this damned thing on me won't let go. A searing pain surges through me from its claws in my flesh, but I can't afford to be incapacitated. With each twist and turn, I engage in a mid-air struggle with the relentless assailant.

I breathe in deeply, feeling the surge of power fill me just as I imagined it would. The battles of the mind are so odd, and if I am to ever do this again, I must have Aniwye teach me more.

Regardless, I flood that power into my fist as I slam it against the leather-winged Angel, creating a faux Explosion. Its head swings back from the force as a shockwave of air nearly throws Bonfire off balance again.

In retaliation, the claws move from my ankles to my calves, reaching for my knees. Staring at this thing, I quickly realize it's like me. Tough as nails. It doesn't appear to have any evident Ether manipulation or bizarre powers, only speed and endurance.

Gritting my teeth, I repeat my previous act, hoping it will break through its defenses with a bit more oomph.

My focus, however, remains on protecting my friend. Utilizing my Living Manacles that bind us, I manipulate them with my mind, creating a barrier against the onslaught. It's difficult to control them as I do since I don't want them to simply defend me, but after just a few moments, they seem to learn on their own.

A net-like shield forms around us in the air, absorbing the acid that flies for us and deflecting the speeding rocks just enough to prevent them from killing us. Again and again, we are slowed or driven off course, but Bonfire rights our path every time. His flames rapidly develop, increasing in temperature and force with every passing second.

Another Angel nears us, flapping its wings dangerously as I'm locked into close combat with this leathery one. Neither of us can truly damage the other. It can stab into my flesh, yes, but it can't go any deeper than that. My bones block it entirely as its internals do the same to me.

Dammit! If only Lily or Blodwyn were here!

The former removes my weakness of a lack of raw power while the latter can forcibly elevate all of my prowesses. Shaking my head, I shatter the Ballista against its head, reforming another one as I let it bite into my neck.

I can feel the Darklight seep into me from its jaws, yet I let it think it has won. Behind its back, I aim the crossbow formed from my soul and squeeze the trigger.

The air implodes as the bolt moves so fast that it cannot be hurt until it reaches its target.

One Angel falls from the sky before it ever even reaches me, the fluffy wings fast but not nearly fast enough to keep it alive against Earl's genius.

Nevertheless, the Darklight within my flesh proliferates like a plague, and I have to gather all my resolve to fight it back. Until I get back into my body, I can only hold them back. Rapturous isn't working here like it should.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

All it does here in Bonfire's mental world is hold back the flood.

I grab the leathery-winged Angel's head and press it against my neck, locking it in place with a dozen Living Manacles. Then, taking a split-second to focus on it away from Bonfire, I use the chains to tighten its own fetters.

The Angel slows and wastes away in strength in only a moment.

Glancing up, I realize we aren't all that far from the tear in the sky resembling a sutured reality. Around us, however, are more Angels. They are catching up as Bonfire is slowing down. He is tiring.

The looming rift becomes a beacon of hope as I call out to Bonfire.

"Faster! You need to go faster!"

Bonfire doesn't reply to me, but I can tell he is doing all he can. Pure infernos surge from his feet, the boots long gone even in this plane of existence. Gouts of infernal blaze echo from his hands, providing even further lift.

Moments pass as I continue to use the chains to hold off the Angels, but they quickly become too much for me, and I take a risk.

The Living Manacle that is tightly enclosed around Bonfire's leg pulses as I command it to lighten the man's fetters. I watch as his magenta chains recede slightly, loosening ever so barely.

And then, the world shudders.

In an instant, we traverse a thousand feet, then another thousand as we soar toward that rift. Bonfire stares down at me as the two of us get within just a few hundred feet of the shimmering thing. It, even from here, doesn't seem real.

It's like a floating stitch in the sky. Rivers of sickening essence flow out of it, contaminating my friend's mind. Darklight.

Bonfire reaches down and pulls the link that connects us. His physical strength is unbecoming of him as I slink beside him instantly, the Angel still upon me. But not far long.

Emmet Knox extends his hand, clasping his palm around the Angel's skull. I watch the thing struggle in fear, thrashing about as it slices open my skin, even in its weakened state. Then, the flame emerges, devouring the creature's head and turning it to ash after only a few seconds.

Cries come from below as one of the figures on the ground shouts to the sky, its voice reaching all the way up here.

"She is watching, Wyatt Graves. You are hard to see but not impossible through your companions. She always gets what she wants in the end. And She wants you so, so badly. A strong soul. That is all she has ever wanted."

I discount the man's words as idle rambling and listen to my friend instead as Bonfire grabs my shoulder. Ruffles my torn clothing from the bite with a slight chuckle.

"You best head back. I can handle this now. Thanks. Again."

"You sure?"

I twist my head, pressing for clarification. Bonfire has proven to me his might time and time again, but I don't want to lose him. It's not an underestimation... it's simply a caution.

"Yes. Now go. You have things to do in the waking world. I'll be a few minutes, I'm sure."

I nod and relinquish the pull of Ether for Insight, even as more Angels approach Bonfire. I choose to believe in the man. He hasn't ever let me down before.

A bloody tang in my mouth is the first thing I taste as I come to my body. The world spins and rotates in my vision as a figure stands a scarce few feet before me. I slowly recognize who it is from the unblurring image in my eyes.

A cane. Gray hair. Weathered face. Different colored eyes. Arched back. Belts of vials. A dozen metal snakes from his back.

Eli Weiss.

"It would appear you have come back to us, little Graves. I was wondering when you'd realize the futility of saving that boy. None can resist the Mother Below. It is... a miracle he has lived as long as he has."

My teeth grind as Blodwyn speaks to me, and feeling returns to my body as I gradually force my body to a stand.

"Bonfire went limp after. This one is strong. Be careful. He already broke Pautuhm. People are coming now, though. All human."

I nod to my companion as I inspect my surroundings before answering. Eli does always seem to prefer to talk than to draw blood. Searching around, it would appear Blodwyn delved deeper into the tunnel while I was unconscious. This tunnel, however, has many more paths than I thought.

Trembling impacts and emphatic shouts come from one path, while a silent beatdown comes from another. Lennon and Maddox are the former, while Virgil is the latter against the Trio.

"It is as you say. Bonfire is lost. But... you are why he lost so early."

I point the blame at Eli while hinting that my friend didn't make it. It would be far better if he didn't know just how resilient that flame is.

Eli nods with an aged wisdom. I can already tell he's buying time for something. Probably for Bonfire to wholly turn. Or for more of his plans to come to fruition. Two can play this game. I'll wait until my friend wakes up, and then we can take him together.

"It is a shame. The boy had so much potential. I often looked at buying his services, training him, and preparing him for the future. Too bad he had less ambition than a sniveling child. It stunted him too dearly. And whatever genius he had left was lost within those Wastes the instant the Mother Below touched him so closely. As for you... it would appear that your potential is even higher, and... you are resistant, if not immune to her meddling."

I realize Eli is hinting toward the Darklight being expelled from my body by Rapturous. Nodding, I let the time pass. I'm under no illusions that I can kill a man such as this by myself.

His not attacking me, however, is suspicious. I should figure out why.

"What can I say? I'm quite stubborn."

The Underground Tree chuckles softly, bobbing his head up and down as he moves his cane to the side.

"Indeed. You all are. Have you met your father yet, Wyatt?"

I shake my head back and forth, feeling my body knit itself back together with Blodwyn's aid. This man kicked our ass while I was gone. Bad. What is he waiting for? Those above? Hmm... maybe? If they're all human, though, I can only forsee them wanting to join me in killing Eli. That must not be it.

Weiss nods again, sagely and profoundly, as he turns around, walking down the hallway. He trails his cane behind him as the Coiling Steam collapses in on itself, the Lumen relaxing its danger.

"I thought so. Your family is so bizarre. Come. Follow me. I've spent many, many hours researching your family's past and your origins."

There's the bait. I'll have to be careful here. I remain close behind him as he moves. I don't let the man's words sway my resolve, but I do listen. I want to know where we come from, my father and I.

"And what did you find?"

Eli Weiss, the most informed man in the world, the most extraordinary mind of all of mankind, an inventor and schemer that makes even Earl seem like a child beginning to learn mathematics, smirks at me before turning a corner.

"Not a damned thing. The oldest record is of a man named Heartright Graves, the name given by the First himself. Where he came from, though, has no record. No mother. No father. Not even a birthday."

I squint closely in confusion as a sudden aura of mortality wilts heavily in the air. I am utterly torn away from my thoughts of my family as I take in the structure.

Before me, and beyond Eli, is a behemoth of a gate carved from enduring stone. I cannot help but gloss over the canvas of intricate designs; each line etched with the echoes of long-forgotten stories, long faded lives, and long-gone deaths. This entrance to the Underworld is unlike the other we had seen. It stands not as a foreboding portal adorned with skulls but rather as a tamed gate.

No morbid ornaments line the entrance, but the presence of death is unmistakable. The atmosphere, thick with solemnity, carries the weight of countless departed souls. Rather than the macabre symbols I'd expect since I've already been to a Gate Of Death, instruments of science and measurement line the walls beside the gate. They must come from Eli.

I glance at him as the candles around us ignite, providing a soft illumination to the scene. The light reminds me of what I was thinking.

"Then, if we have no origin, what do you know?"

Eli places his hands on his hips as he peers toward the Gate Of Death, evidently taking in the sight as well. Eli's countenance forces anger into my bones as he seems to care little about the current situation. The fervor only deepens as I recognize that this is probably a facade.

"This thing is always so enthralling to look at. Ah, what was I—right! Your family all have a Tomb, something missing from an average human. Also, you all have bodies more in line with beasts than any other race. Tougher than demons yet possessing the Ether saturation to advance at a blistering pace. You all share it. But the most peculiar thing... is that I've never seen a pregnant Graves in any of the history books."

I open my mouth to ask a question as a body shatters through a nearby wall, rolling a dozen times before coming to a stop not all that far from Eli and I. Peering closer, I recognize the garb and the scythe that came with him.

Virgil!

I dive toward my friend as I witness the light from his body fade, but as I do so, a force pulls at my leg. Twisting back, I discover Weiss smiling at me grimly.

"This is a war, Wyatt. I spoke to you simply to gauge your standing. I have now found it."

The cave we're in shifts rapidly in my vision as I slam against a wall, rocks falling alongside my impact. Coughing, I fall onto the ground as I notice the Trio saunter through the hole Virgil was put through.

None are unwounded, though. Virgil wasn't simply losing the fight. Timemi's armor is filled with punctures that almost look as though they have broken through, while blood laces her frame. Natos is missing his left hand and stumbles haphazardly. Anodra is the least injured, merely blundering after Timemi.

Gritting my teeth, I stand as I hear the Pygmy speak to the Underground Tree.

"We'll just watch this one, Weiss. No interruptions. Do your thing."

Through her visor, I can practically see the Pygmy beaming with a smile. Bitch.

Eli Weiss nods as he steps toward me, a syringe in his hand that he stabs into his own arm. The blue liquid sinks into his flesh before squirming its way along his veins.

"Sounds good. You're learning, Timemi. I see hints of your father in you. Opportunities abound; you must take them when you can."

This bastard! He's working with the other races!?

I dash toward the Virtue as he shifts his attention to Virgil, my friend holding a gash at his side as he struggles to stand, his legs weak and fragile after his Dzil. The cost of Shadowless is that all his Ether leaves him. Even the passive effects of his Sigil are gone. He becomes as weak as a typical human. Sure, his physical strength and skills are leagues above even the most accomplished Unsigiled, but it weakens him nonetheless.

And in a place like this? That's a death sentence. So, I need to buy him time as well to recover. That's all it comes down to, huh? Time?

Time for Virgil to get his Ether back.

Time for Tomas to show up.

Time for the Estates to backstab Eli.

Time for Lennon or Maddox to kill the other.

Bone grows onto my head as my heart accelerates, the pain forging the hard material quicker than ever before. And in synchronicity with Blodwyn, we both push our skills further than usual.

My heartbeat reaches over a thousand beats a minute, pumping blood like no other creature alive. The sheer speed heats up my body to what feels like a boiling point, only adding to the emotions I press into my heart.

The first step I take under Tsavuk, a combined Dzil between Blodwyn and me, shatters the marble floor, and I reappear in front of Weiss with a thundering shockwave.

The old man, however, expects me. All of his metallic arms catch the blade from my prosthetic while I notice a glowing pink in his eye as he focuses on the steel.

An Ail.

Eli brings his true arm up while the other holds onto his cane to tap the arm-blade looming before him. He smiles as if proud before opening his mouth.

"What a lad. But you are not enough, Graves. I used to spar with Marshall on a daily basis before he grew old. Everything he's taught you... heh... Let us see who arrives to save you."