Chapter 43 · You are at four!

He dug his boots into the shattered platform. "I know!"

"You are at four!"

"Then jump!"

"I am busy!"

The abomination's chest split open.

The core showed itself.

It was not a heart. It was a sphere of golden fire wrapped around a black spark. Lines of light pulsed through it, feeding the throne, the chains, and the creature's armor.

The black spark turned toward Raven.

The system screamed across his vision.

SOUL-SIPHON READY.

CONSUME PRIMORDIAL ASH?

YES / NO

He almost laughed.

"You have got terrible timing," he said.

Seraphina looked down at him from the creature's shoulder. "What are you talking about?"

"The thing inside it is talking to me."

"Do not listen."

"You don't even know what it said."

"I know anything that whispers from a corrupted core is a bad idea."

"That has never stopped you from doing anything."

The monster jerked its body.

Seraphina slipped.

Raven released the burning weapon and caught her by the ankle before she fell into the open chest cavity.

She swung hard against the creature's side. Her sword tore free from its mask.

"Do not let go!"

"I wasn't planning to."

"You were thinking about it.