“You guys know I won’t be gone for long, right? There is really no need for… well, this,” Leo said, gesturing toward the small group gathered at the edge of the safe zone.

  “Don’t look at me, mate.” Frank put his hands up. “I just got here and didn’t even know you were going anywhere. Can’t speak for those three, though.”

  Lily huffed at that, crossing her arms. “What? Can’t I even see my brother off?”

  Leo conceded internally. Fair point. His gaze shifted to Malcolm, who stood silently beside his sister. Sure, they were allies—friends, even—but the man was a leader. Shouldn’t he have more pressing matters to attend to?

  As if hearing his thoughts, Malcolm sighed. “Lily dragged me here. I’ve learned it’s better not to resist.”

  Ah… Now, it all makes sense. He nodded and looked at the final person in the group. “Dylan? Not that I don’t appreciate you being here, but… why are you here?

  The mage simply shrugged. “No worries, lad. I was just curious when I heard you were going out again. Not much happening around here lately, so I figured I’d ask you myself.”

  Leo blinked at the older man, momentarily at a loss. Were people here really so bored already that he became their best source of entertainment? It seemed almost absurd, but with the Supercluster and Payne gone, Void Gates still sealed, and Nightmares mostly absent from London, maybe it wasn’t that surprising after all.

  I wonder how that feels? Not having to worry about anything but survival… He shook his head, focusing back on the group. “Anyway, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m just going on a short hunt up north. Nothing that exciting.”

  He shot Lily a pointed glare as she tried to mask a snort with a cough. Out of everyone here, only she knew about the godling hunt, and they agreed for it to stay that way for the time being. The others would just hear a story of how he was out to complete some odd jobs for Naz’Tor as thanks for his assistance.

  Was the secrecy necessary? Maybe not, but Leo didn’t see the point in telling anyone more until he had killed at least one godling. Besides, this was his fight, not theirs. They had enough to deal with—strengthening their group, ensuring its survival. Involving them in this mess just didn’t make any sense.

  “Oh well…. Have fun, lad.” Dylan patted Leo’s arm with a smile. “Stay safe out there, even if I don’t think anything on Earth can harm you anymore.”

  Leo returned the smile. “You’re probably right, but thanks anyway.”

  “I will leave you then,” the older man said. “Malcolm, can I have a minute of your time?”

  The Abyss Walker instantly jumped at the occasion to leave and led Dylan back into the safe zone. Lily rolled her eyes, watching the duo retreat, while Frank took this as an opportunity to speak up.

  “Does Tony know of this?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” Leo replied. “This doesn’t really involve anyone but me, and I won’t be gone for long.”

  Frank raised an eyebrow. “Void Gates?”

  “Easily can make it back before they open again.”

  The Fallen let out a sigh of relief. “Thank god. Not that I doubt our capabilities, but… yeah. Ya know what I mean, mate.”

  Leo chuckled. “That I do.” He looked up and grimaced, seeing the sun already high up in the sky. “It’s time for me. Take care, Frank, sis. See you soon.”

  Lily quickly pulled him into an awkward hug, but at least this time, she didn’t try to stop him from going. Maybe they were making some progress after all.

  Once they separated, Nyx turned into her smoke form and enveloped his body. Leo offered the duo a final nod and, in an explosion of lightning, shot into the sky.

  Next stop: Dinas Emrys.

  To absolutely no one’s surprise, they didn’t reach their destination in a single day. Maybe if Leo’s wings could carry him indefinitely, this would have been possible, but alas, they often had to travel on foot. Not that he or Nyx minded.

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  With plenty of time until they had to return, they took the opportunity to relax and observe more of the Void-twisted scenery. Nests, Tainted Wastelands, Nightmare Factories—they passed them all on the way and even destroyed some just for fun.

  As Dylan had said, nothing on Earth could harm him anymore. Most Voidlings simply ran the moment they saw him and Nyx, while some fell under his control without even having to use Takeover. It felt strange, commanding them just like that, without any link binding them to his will.

  Not that he complained. Power was power.

  And so, it wasn’t until the next day that they arrived upon a weathered hillock dotted with dead trees. Leo had no idea how this place looked before the Outbreak, but now, nothing seemed alive here. Even the Void refused to claim this rocky emptiness for itself. All it managed were a few thin Vetilim veins here and there.

  It was as if Dinas Emrys was a blank spot on the map.

  “Must be the effect of the Divine Realm,” Leo muttered, glancing at his transmitter. According to the device, this was exactly the spot Naz’Tor wanted him to go. Now, he just had to use the dagger.

  Not yet.

  He turned to Nyx. “Go on, explore. I’m gonna finish the new skill, and then we can go in.”

  The feline nodded and jumped high, her wings already carrying her far away. ‘Let me know when you are done.’

  Will do.

  Alone again, Leo willed his cloak to transform into something akin to a pillow and used it as a seat. He breathed in and allowed his Essence to fill his body at the same time as bloodlust came out of its slumber.

  He had been working on chaining Reinforcement with Steel Body during the entire journey, and at this point, he had to be close—he felt it. Already, he perfected the method to keep both skills active at the same time, but they still felt a bit lacking—too weak.

  Come on, Leo grumbled, nudging his bloodlust forward. The records of both skills stirred within his soul—just like they always did—but this time, he pushed them together harder while flooding his body with more and more Essence.

  A roar—one not his own—echoed in his mind as something finally clicked, the flow of his Essence changing. Power flooded his body while a record—one, not two—settled back inside his soul. Bloodlust also retreated but remained on the surface, watching over its new creation.

  Congratulations! As a result of hard work, the following skills, Reinforcement and Steel Body, have combined into Bloodmail.

  There we go. Leo chuckled, releasing his hold on Essence. Now, let’s see just what you are.

  Bloodmail (Epic)

  Your blood is thicker than steel, your body is harder than stone. Your hunger for battle fuels your strength. Don’t let anything stand in your way.

  Effects:

  When active, you become at least thrice as durable and resistant to all damage. At the same time, your physical attributes become greatly enhanced. This ability can be pushed beyond its limit by sacrificing more Essence. Be warned this might lead to severe exhaustion. The efficiency of this skill improves with your Soul and Might.

  Nice. Nothing too special but much better overall. He smiled and dismissed the description. Nyx! I’m done. Come back.

  ‘Be there soon.’

  True to her word, the feline returned not even a minute later. Leo took it as a cue and fished Riftfang out of his soul. The dagger landed in his hand, and he allowed a bit of his Essence to seep into it.

  Golden sparks ignited along the blade, and, just as Naz’Tor had instructed, he slashed at the air. The fabric of reality tore before him, forming a crackling rift similar to the ones he had seen in the Void.

  He exchanged a look with Nyx, and together, they stepped into the darkness.

  The other side of the tear greeted them instantly, flooding their vision with thick mist. Leo flared his senses and activated Hunter’s Pulse just to check the surroundings.

  Nothing…

  There was nothing out there but mist and the crunch of rocky ground beneath their feet.

  “Stay close to me,” he muttered to Nyx as they slowly moved forward. This entire place felt creepy. I don’t like this.

  ‘Me neither.’

  Thankfully, the further they went, the more the mist retreated, revealing massive green trees. Amid the foliage, Leo spotted fragments of ancient structures—crumbled stone walls and shattered wooden roofs. Yet, those discoveries didn’t make him feel any better.

  Not when paired with those.

  Is this a scale? He thought, stepping around a massive snow-white plate. It was easily the size of his entire hand. Dragons?

  More of those scales littered their path, growing in frequency as they ventured deeper. Just as he thought he was growing accustomed to their presence, they stumbled upon something that stopped him cold.

  Bones.

  Or rather, an entire skeleton of a dragon that most likely wouldn’t even fit into a football stadium. Leo somehow found himself standing right in the middle of its ribcage. Even if he was twice as tall, he wouldn’t be able to reach the top of it without jumping.

  Just what the hell did I get myself into?

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