Chapter 299

Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland - 12:55 PM

I tore across the Irish skies, flying barely higher than the tallest building in my path. Coe’s frozen body followed behind me as I headed towards the giant pillar of ice. The air was already brisk, but the closer I got the more the temperature plummeted. It was worse than when I was around Aaron since, if he made it too cold, it likely would have hurt me and that was apparently off-limits.

My destination was Croke Park Stadium and I flew over the partially collapsed walls. The place had been destroyed long before the Star Spangled Shadow Invasion had started, and it had seen better days. I flew down to the field, which was utterly devoid of grass, and set Coe down. There, I struck Jamie's icy prison with my fist so hard that I felt it in my bones. I left no dent or mark on its surface.

“Why can’t I save both of them?” I demanded as I wiped the frost off of the pillar to see inside. The ice was completely clear, and Jamie was stuck in the middle, the Memory Orb still in her hand. Tony was with her as collateral damage. “How come the Miracle will only work on one and not both? There has to be some way for you to explain it so I can understand.”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

It's the ice. Essentially, it comes from the same kind of concept as Asi does and exists on a similar level. This is a Primordial Element, far above any others of its kind. It takes something extra to cut through, and even the personification of the first sword you have tucked away will likely take too long for your needs. Your stats are just... They're low, Ant.

As a World Boss, I can break it. It’s well within my capabilities to do so, but there are two different pieces and you only have one Miracle. Even if you shove one up against the other, the rules of the skill and the system will hold me back. Asking for both will hit you with the backlash effect that will absolutely demolish you, especially now that Heavenly Hero has been used up.

That said, you should save Jamie and Tony. It’s the right call from both a moral perspective and by the numbers, since they won't try to kill you after.

<<<>>>

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “That last part must have been hard for you to say.”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

I don’t like this any more than you do, love. It feels like someone tore out my heart.

<<<>>>

“I get you,” I replied, putting a hand on my chest.

After he started being active outside of his hometown, Coe always became Sara’s favorite player before she remembered me. Now he was not only dying, but it was because he had been betrayed by her evil counterpart. There was no way that didn’t sting.

If I were following the rules that I had set for myself about playing this like a number’s game, then that would have made this an easy choice. Sara was right about that. Two was greater than one, no matter how you looked at it. Jamie and Tony should have been the answer.

I didn’t look when I reached back and touched Coe’s statue. It didn’t get brought into my inventory when I tried to pull it in, so I knew that he was still alive in there. The Heart of America was a powerful regenerative artifact and probably the only thing that had kept him from dying so far. I didn’t need to completely free him, I just needed to make sure he died by my hand instead of Aaron’s. That was the win condition.

Deranged from the memories fed to him or not, Coe was such a driving force for good in this world that I had no doubt he had one of the highest count for people saved after myself. He was at least half of my contingency plan if I ever died suddenly, with the Dealer having several letters addressed to him that never saw the light of day. His only issue was that he had a slow start, and even then he ramped up fast once he got going.

The problem was that he had been led astray; Coe had been working with a Patron who was acting in bad faith. He tried so hard to kill me because he thought I was a psychotic tyrant, even if he needed to summon Aaron to make it stick here, and that kind of tenacity was what the world needed.

That said, I couldn’t let Jamie die, either. She was essential to the mission. As much as I thought that the Mills could replace her, and had even said as much when the Weapon Master brought up leaving, it wasn’t the same. Coe might have come by the hero business honestly, but Jamie was only here because I corrupted her from the side of "not actively crappy" to "kind of good most of the time."

I owed a huge debt to both of them, one that could only be paid through several lifetimes, but there was really only one path forward. Sol Ligatus needed Jamie Summers. That was nonnegotiable.

Not that I was going to give up on Coe. That was never on the table. I still wanted to save everyone.

The Staff of Raphael appeared from my inventory, and I held it between my clasped hands. I lowered my head in prayer.

“Esaraphelscion,” I whispered. “Perform unto this world a miracle. Please, destroy this stupidly tall pillar of Primordial Ice.”

<<<>>>

[[Skill]]

Miracle

Call upon your sponsor to create a miracle. What you ask must be something that your Patron is capable of doing according to lore and myths.

<<<>>>

The overcast sky parted as the heavens lit up with a blast of fire. Just like Sara’s initial appearance when I summoned her in the Vespae Hive, a pillar of flames descended from the sky. I watched as the ice melted against the Miracle. The roar of the fire filled my ears, drowning out all other sounds.

I took a few steps back as steam billowed out in every direction, but it didn’t hurt me. What should have been boiling hot instead felt warm, and I could smell the faint burning scent of Sara’s hair pervading the area. That did more to calm me than anything else so far, though.

Realizing that made me take another deep breath, trying to dispel my stress. We would either succeed or fail, but I wouldn't sit here and not at least try everything in my power.

The process lasted an agonizing few minutes. Eventually Jamie and Tony took deep, panting breaths as they thawed out. They weren't encased in ice, but they weren’t fine. Their hair was brittle and frizzy, their skin was blackened from frostbite, and they both collapsed onto the ground with wild eyes.

<<<>>>

[[Patron Quest Complete!]]

I’m sorry, Anthony. You made the right choice. I know how much this hurts you, but Jamie is required for your plans. Plus, she is much less likely to try and kill you.

I’m so sorry that this has happened.

Reward: 50,000 points.

<<<>>>

“It’s not over yet,” I muttered, my eyes focusing on the people we had just saved.

Two bottles full of tea appeared in my hand, and I sent one to each of them. They uncorked and went into the open mouths of the panting participants. Jamie recognized it immediately and started drinking. Tony seemed hesitant, but went along with it soon enough.

After a few seconds, their skin returned to normal and their heavy breathing subsided. The Weapon Master was first to try and stand, but her movements were lethargic.

“Summers!” I barked, using a tone that I knew would get a reaction out of her. Jamie jolted upright until she was standing at attention.

“Sir!” she replied, and I could tell she had to keep herself from snapping off a salute.

She blinked at her own response, but I didn’t give her any time to process. “I need you to prepare your fire breath. Extra spicy. As hot as you can make it. Use Alcoholic Accelerant and whatever other tricks you have up your sleeves.”

I was thankful when she didn't stop to ask questions and instead swiped open her menu. Jamie could sense my urgency. I turned towards the Lightning Pugilist.

“Tony, prepare to zap me with the strongest lightning attack you have for three seconds,” I told him, looking down at the prone man. “Once I’m ready, I'll let you know.”

“I appreciate the save and all, but—”

Locking eyes with him, I hit him with a glare that was effective without Tyrant's Will. “This is not a negotiation.”

The Lightning Pugilist swallowed. “I need Hé-no’s permission to use my most powerful move,” he said. Just as he was about to continue, his eyes scanned the area in front of him as if he were reading. The man slowly started getting up, nodding. “Okay, I can do that.”

I didn’t reply, instead turning towards Coe. Once again I tried to pull him into my inventory, and once again I failed. Good. I retrieved the newly improved Vespae mandible into my hand. It was made of shining silver with wool wrapped around the hilt.

“B̶r̸e̶a̷k̷ ̸Fr̶e̷e̷ F̷r̸o̶m̸ ̵T̸h̴e̵ ̶S̵h̷a̶c̸k̵l̸e̴s̴ ̸O̴f̷ ̶M̸a̴n̸,” I said, my voice changing as I spoke the words of power.

“Holy shit!” Tony swore.

It had been his first time seeing my Angelic form, and it occurred to me that he was probably out of Pittsburgh by the time the rumors of me slaying Greg would have made the rounds. Either way, it wasn’t what I needed to focus on right now.

Taking up a batting position, I swung at the Rubberbuilt’s frozen face.

<<<>>>

[[Equipped]]

Club of Corrosion

(+15 Strength, +10 Constitution, Effortless Attrition passive acquired, Smasher+ passive acquired)

[[Passive]]

Effortless Attrition

This weapon can cause any non-living material to begin corroding, decaying, or oxidizing upon contact and continues to do so for five seconds. The efficacy of this passive depends on the Strength of its wielder. Some materials may resist this effect, but few are immune to it.

[[Passive]]

Smasher+

When attacking an object or structure, deal 75% more damage.

You have learned the Smasher Passive. Increasing the bonus damage to 100%.

<<<>>>

Again and again I smashed it, attempting to break through. I had seen Effortless Attrition go through a vessel for a Patron in just a few swings. Even though the passive said that few things were immune to it, I was hoping that Primordial anything wasn’t one of them.

Twenty Warmind and Angel enhanced strikes later, and I hadn’t even formed a crack.

I was already really sick and tired of it.

“Damn it,” I swore.

Jamie was drinking from a jug, a pained look on her face. Whatever alcohol she was consuming apparently still burned even with whatever her Constitution was. She was taking my extra spicy comment to heart.

Replacing the Club of Corrosion for a pair of rusted loppers, I opened them up as wide as I could around Coe’s neck before taking a breath. If Effortless Attrition wouldn’t work then I didn’t have a lot of hope for this one, but I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try everything.

I attempted to remove the old man’s head from his shoulders.

<<<>>>

[[Item]]

Walter’s Rusted Loppers

(+3 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +3 Constitution, Shear Through skill acquired)

[[Skill]]

Shear Through

When using Walter’s Rusted Loppers, you can activate Shear Through to cut through almost anything you can put between the blades, both organic and inorganic. After using this skill, you cannot use it again for 1 hour.

<<<>>>

Not only did it not work, but a part of one of the blades chipped off. I stared at it for a moment. This was the first time I had seen the loppers become damaged despite how absolutely covered in rust they were.

It went back into my inventory to be replaced with the Holy Rotary Saw. The roar of the power tool turned into a whine as I placed the spinning blade against the ice. Sparks flew as I pushed down. It didn’t dull, but there was no progress.

Next was the Holy Aquacutter. The water flew from the nozzle with enough force to take off limbs and cut through Devilish wool with ease, but it, too, didn’t do anything here.

With a growl of frustration, I retrieved the Club of Corrosion and slammed it against Coe’s head. I knew it wouldn’t work, but it was a cathartic strike.

“Primordial Ice is bullshit,” I spat before backing up, returning the weapon to my inventory. “Summers, you’re up. Tony, hit me.”

Jamie gagged slightly as she removed the jug from her lips, and the smell of what she was drinking hit me. It certainly didn’t have the scent of something that was safe to consume whether we were superhuman or not. Regardless of how terrible it must have been for her, the Weapon Master stepped up, took in a deep breath, and let it rip.

White, almost blue flames erupted from her mouth as she used her Dragon’s Breath. Unlike the time she used it during her fight with Jerry, this cone was small and concentrated. I knew she could keep it up for over forty seconds, though Alcoholic Accelerant would cut her time down by half.

“Exactly three seconds,” I reminded Tony. Giving him the signal, the Lightning Pugilist only hesitated a moment. He raised his hands into the air and brought them down in an arch, one on either side of him, and then thrust them at me.

While Tony did his little dance, I started Dragon’s Breath. Bodily Battery had a longer charge time than the attack did, but I could wait until afterwards to launch it. The moment he thrust his hands at me, I activated the lightning absorbing spell and pulled my clothes into my inventory.

A bolt of lightning as thick around as I was tall forced me to close my eyes or become blind. My hair stood on end as the ground around me charred, and the electricity played against my skin. I knew my clothes definitely wouldn't have survived this attack, and the moment it stopped I re-equipped everything. Everyone except the Patrons would have been too blinded to see me, anyway, and I didn’t care about that.

<<<>>>

[[Notice]]

Buff

Your Bodily Battery spell has absorbed 3,231 electric damage.

Your Strength and Dexterity stats have been increased by 129 points each for 323 seconds.

<<<>>>

Dragon’s Breath was an attack that was based on my stat total. I retrieved the Staff of Raphael in one hand and the Club of Corrosion in the other. A part of me really wanted to bring out Asi since that was the weapon with the highest stat spread, but I knew I already had to be in the 1,200s with the Bodily Battery buff.

Then I looked around and decided, fuck it. There didn’t seem to be any administrators around to physically observe me. I summoned Asi onto my back. The sword flew away from me with its Floating Blade passive that still allowed me to benefit from its stats. It went into the thick of Jamie’s flames, not wavering for a moment as it tried to cut through the ice.

At the same time, I opened my mouth. A beam of light so bright it put the lightning earlier to shame appeared from the back of my throat. It was as concentrated as I could make it, no larger than the width of my pinky, and it slammed directly into Coe’s forehead.

Asi struck repeatedly, spinning like a saw blade in an attempt to cut through the ice. Jamie’s flames burned up the entire area, and the winds became turbulent from the battle of hot and cold. My Dragon’s Breath, with the sole intent to pierce and kill, continued its assault on Coe’s head. Tony joined in and started punching bolts of lightning into existence even though his most powerful ability had been spent empowering me.

Jamie was the first to falter, falling to her knees as she eked out as much from her Dragon’s Breath as she could. She lasted thirty seconds, longer than I thought she would, before she started coughing. Her flames sputtered to a stop as the Weapon Master took in a deep breath.

Tony wasn’t far behind. He didn’t have nearly as much juice in the tank as we did and he took a step back when he was spent. There was nothing else he could do.

A migraine was starting to form as my Mental Points dwindled, and I felt more frustrated than I had in a long, long time. We had thrown Dragon’s fire at it, lightning blessed by a thunder spirit, even holy damage straight from what the system called an Angel of Death.

Asi had cut a thin line, but it was nowhere deep enough to reach Coe. It was going to take too long. Sara was right; my stats must have been too low.

I stared in disbelief. We were far below the power curve compared to a World Boss, but this was ridiculous. Our efforts should have amounted to something at least. We barely even marked it. I grit my teeth, going through the options in my head.

There were extra Synthesis Pages in my inventory thanks to the Mills, and I thought about those. If the Primordial Ice was simply powerful because of its origins, then what about something older? The Reaper's Black Flame Aura mixed with Dragon’s Breath would likely give me a straight up Death Beam. It wouldn’t be holy anymore, but it could work.

Or maybe I could synthesize it with Break Free or Dark Sacrifice and gain a proper Angel of Death form. Not one that’s attached to Sara, but—

“A form attached to Sara,” I said out loud, my eyes opening wide.

Running forward, I set my soulfire hair against the statue. It was a staple of all Angels because its name wasn’t just for show and it had gotten longer as I grew more powerful.

These flames coming out of my head were a part of my literal soul. Sara had told me that interesting fact about Angels back when I tried to play with her hair. It had led to an adorably bashful moment, but it was going to come in handy now.

Because the flames she used in the Miracle smelled just like her, and my power was derivative of hers. It stood to reason that I, too, could eventually melt through.

A drop of condensation dripped onto my head and I pulled back, vindicated. I could melt it and, together with Asi, it might be enough to free Coe.

“We can still save him,” I muttered. I turned to Jamie and Tony as quickly as I could. This process would probably take too long if I did it naturally, but I had the tools to expedite it. “How long does Coe have? Can either of your Patrons tell?”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

Anthony, I know what you’re planning. You can’t do that, it's too dangerous.

<<<>>>

“Like hell I can’t,” I responded, looking towards the sky. “This is Coe Valen we’re talking about. Crazy or not, if he dies here, the world immediately becomes a worse place by default.”

“Hé-no can’t fully tell, but it looks like the dude in there is hanging on by a thread,” Tony said, gesturing towards the ice.

“Athena’s saying the same thing,” Jamie added.

“Thanks, and congrats,” I told her before looking back at Coe. “Looks like I won’t have time to burn through the ice naturally, which means drastic measures.”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

Ant, don’t do this. Your soul might be mostly healed from being sheared, but cutting off a part of it is going to be debilitating, even for you. I have no idea what kind of side effects you’re going to suffer from. It’s too dangerous.

<<<>>>

“I already know the risks and I'll survive the pain,” I said, snapping away the message.

<<<>>>

[[Patron Quest: Don’t Do It!]]

Anthony, your solution is going to make things worse! It won’t just be pain.

Objective: Stay in one piece until the end of the event.

Reward: 60,000 points.

<<<>>>

“Deny quest,” I said, taking a step forward.

<<<>>>

[[Patron Quest: Really Don’t Do It!]]

Anthony, I’m serious! You're not informed on this like you usually are.

Objective: Leave your soulfire alone.

Reward: 80,000 points.

<<<>>>

“Deny quest,” I repeated.

Asi flew back towards me. The blade was covered in frost, but otherwise unharmed.

<<<>>>

[[Patron Quest: Stop!]]

Please, Ant, stop! I’m begging you, don’t do this! It's going to mess up the biggest plan I had for you.

Objective: Don’t slice your soul apart.

Reward: 100,000 points, a photo album full of pictures of Esaraphelscion.

<<<>>>

“Deny…” I started before running my hand through my hair. It crackled as the flames spread through my fingers.

I paused. Sara was on my side. Always had been, and always would be. I knew I had been on a reckless streak lately, saying that I'd do better but only taking a few reasonable steps forward, so I took a moment. This was Coe and I knew that I had a weakness for him; he was one of my oldest companions without being one of the people who joined me on the Angel Express.

That was no excuse, and my wife deserved better.

"I want the truth," I said, clenching my fists. "If I do this, can your plan be salvaged before the Patron’s Ball?”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

I don’t want to answer that.

<<<>>>

That was telling. “Is the only reason you’re telling me not to do it because you don’t want me to sacrifice yet another piece of myself, even considering the circumstances?”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

I don’t want to answer that.

<<<>>>

I released a breath of air. “Tell me that saving my biggest contingency, especially now that he remembers, isn’t worth what I’m about to do and I’ll take a step back. Promise. I think I can get away with this, especially if the plan can be salvaged. It’s not even my first time, honestly, and I’m not doing it all willy-nilly.”

<<<>>>

[[Patron Message]]

Don’t stand there and try to tell me you’ve mutilated your own Angelic soul, Ant.

<<<>>>

“Angelic? No,” I admitted with a shake of my head. “But you know about the hard times I went through, and the things I did when I thought there was no other way. I’ve run through the risks in my head. This is within acceptable limits. We’ll still be able to do what needs to be done, and in the accelerated time frame. But, I’m still offering. Tell me there’s no chance of this working out and I will take a step back. As much as it hurts and goes against every fiber of my being, I will step back.”

I nervously waited for Sara’s reply. There was a part of me that knew I was being stubborn and more than a little stupid. An even bigger part of me knew that this could work, however, and that if Aaron wanted Coe dead then he needed to be kept alive.

Yes, a part of it was that I wanted a victory over the motherfucker. I could admit that. It didn’t change anything.

It became obvious that Sara wasn’t going to answer, which I took as there was something I could do to save Coe and still keep on this path of ending the system early. That was all the confirmation I needed.

“Deny quest,” I said one last time.

Jamie grabbed my arm, and I glared at her. “I don’t know what’s going on, but think about what you’re doing.”

“I’ve already thought it through,” I said firmly.

“Athena is telling me how crazy this guy is,” she replied, and I scowled. “Take a moment to calm down. Is he worth whatever you’re about to do?”

There was no hesitation in my answer. “Yes.”

“Even if all he does is try to kill you?”

“Yes.”

The Weapon Master stared into my eyes, trying to read my face. I reached up and tapped on her forehead to establish a Mental Link. She didn’t flinch, but after a few moments of feeling me out she sighed and took a step back. Jamie didn’t say anything as she gestured for me to go ahead.

I wasted no time. Reaching up, I grabbed my hair. It felt strange, like I was trying to pull something ethereal out of my body. I had to suppress a shiver. Asi hesitated when I mentally gave it the order, like it knew what was about to happen, but complied with my demands. From the moment it touched my soulfire hair, I knew that Sara had been right.

The pain was blinding. It felt like my body was being ripped apart in several different directions at once, but far, far worse. I only knew that because I had experienced it a few times in the past. My vision darkened to nothing, and I was close to blacking out.

A large clump of flaming hair came free with my hand. Something inside of me tore, making the feeling rushing through me even worse, but I was on a mission. I had a goal. There was no stopping me now, and I at least had the presence of mind to turn off Break Free so I wouldn’t use any more resources on it.

Stumbling as things got worse outside of my buffed up Angel form, I pulled out the one thing that could turn any spark into a flamethrower. It hadn’t seen any use since Pittsburgh, but it was the only thing that could enact my plan.

<<<>>>

[[Item]]

Endless Smoker

This item spouts a steady column of never-ending smoke. Various materials can be put inside the Endless Smoker, and the item will use that to produce smoke instead.

<<<>>>

Putting the soulfire hair into the Endless Smoker, I closed the lid. I stumbled again, nearly falling over this time. Jamie ducked under my arm and caught me before I could fall. I couldn’t see or hear her, but she was still clear in my awareness aura. She was sticking by me, and I appreciated the hell out of her.

A gout of pure flames, as warm as a summer day, erupted from the Endless Smoker. It started melting from the heat and I could tell that the item was going to be slag by the end of this. The fire was too potent. I tried to raise my arm to point it at Coe.

My body rebelled against me. The mere act caused the pain to renew, and I grit my teeth. Jamie realized what was wrong and lifted my arm. The Endless Smoker, now pointing in the right direction, showered the ice with fire. Steam hissed and rose, just like it had before, and what should have been a mirthful laugh instead caused me to wheeze as my lungs decided they no longer wanted to work properly.

Still, pain was pain. I repeated this mantra in my head, hoping that it would work long enough to see me through this. The Endless Smoker’s spout was almost completely gone and the whole thing was melting, but it was working as intended.

My soulfire hair, the closest thing we could get to what I assumed was Sara’s version of Primordial Fire as Aaron’s opposite, was doing the job.

The Endless Smoker exploded in my hand, causing shrapnel to pierce through my glove and palm. It was barely a blip on my pain radar at this point. Asi moved, spinning in a tight circle before slamming into the melted ice where Coe’s head would be. I sucked in a breath, paying close attention to what was about to happen.

Asi stalled against the ice.

I grit my teeth as if that would help.

Then, it cut through.

The blade sliced downwards until it was caught on the ground under the ice before returning to my good hand. I sent it back to my inventory, knowing that it had already been out for too long. My awareness started to blur as I saw the skill book appear before me.

Fuck you, Arontalscion. I won’t let you win, not this time.

I released a sigh of relief and tried to laugh, but couldn’t. Jamie’s mouth was moving, but I still had no idea what she was saying.

“Hey,” I said softly, and she closed her mouth. “ Take care of me, will y…”

Slumping forward, the pain finally rendered me unconscious, though I was certainly victorious.