Глава 14

In the blink of an eye, they find themselves on top of—

Look out—

A devastating beam of witchcraft streaks across the sky, sending destructive energy through anything it touches.

The airship is reacting fast! It was ready for us!

Just as the beam is about to annihilate its target, Silvery incantations float up, pulling at the great wave of witchcraft.

'All Arts shall follow only the path I assign.'

The destructive energy is deflected, passing through the gaps of the Feranmut's skeleton, leaving behind only a deep scorch mark on bleached bones.

The energy begins to dissipate, the main battery's salvo coming to an end.

The array in the airship has greatly amplified the power of revenant witchcraft. We can't take another hit.

We must close the distance before they fire again.

Countless witchcraft drones and bloodied Witchlings take flight.

They rush toward the skeleton.

They sure shot first without asking questions! And here I thought this pile of bones was precious to them?

Does Theresis plan to vaporize us with it?

A little further, W! Lifebone can't link up with the airship at this distance!

Taking too much fire to make a smooth approach!

We'll have to do it the fun way!

Take this!

A loud boom, and a loud wail.

The massive skeleton smashes into the airship's armor.

Blue and purple nerve bundles stretch out, clinging to anything they touch, winding themselves around the airship. Fragile bone plates shatter and fall from the sky, disappearing amongst the branches and vines.

The revenant roars, raging at the shackles, the audacity, and the impudence.

Every Sarkaz heard the cry of the revenant in their hearts, before they ever set foot on the airship's deck.

Who do you think you are trying to stop?

The revenant never wavers!

Got it! We have the airship!

Start drifting, W.;Take the airship with us.

I don't take orders from you! I know what to do!

Your turn, Bonesy! Move it—

Hey! Why aren't you moving?

Hello? Anybody home?

The Feranmut's skeleton is badly damaged. Its soul seems to have wandered off again—

Now?!

It's the skeleton that's getting dragged away!

What do we do, Doctor?

Boarding action.;We'll take the airship ourselves.

Wow, your tactics really are getting bold? I'm nearly impressed.

Amiya, Kal'tsit, you know the revenant better than anyone else.

I'm ready.

W, your bombs will work even better behind enemy lines.

As if I didn't know.

Logos, protect Lifebone.

I can prevent any enemy from approaching it for thirty minutes.

You'll need to come with us to the airship, Doctor.

I will.

...No hesitation or questions.

It's not the time for those.

Stow the small talk. Made up your minds? Let's go!

We'll slide over this bunch of nerves, bunny. Don't let those Witchlings hit you!

I'll intercept any stray projectiles.

Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit, we'll clear a place to land.

Be careful.

Mon3tr.

(Joyful braying)

Hang on, Doctor.

There are some things that only you can control. You may be our last hope in this darkest hour.

Just as you used to be.

Mon3tr grabs you and leaps down. The feeling of weightlessness makes you uneasy, and the raging winds force your eyelids shut.

In the distance, you can hear Logos's incantations, W's laughing, and the explosions from Sarkaz drones being shot down.

You feel your weight return as someone grabs your hand.

Doctor.

We're here.

Looks like an old friend has come calling.

This ship is a revenant, right? Looks like it doesn't like people standing on its head.

Strange shadows seep out from the metal walls, filling every corner of the deck in an instant.

The slight tremors in their movement echo the breath of the revenant.

The revenant's work.

It's expecting us. It won't let us stop it so easily.

We'll just pummel it until it stops.

This time, I brought bombs more than enough.