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Victory was in sight. You just knew it. Varnae wasn't much of a looker before, but the creature that stood before you now could only be described as pitiful. And ugly. And decrepit.
There were a lot of words that came to mind, but only one of them was relevant to this battle in particular. Varnae was slowing down. You were beating him back, but this was all too easy. For a supposed Vampire Lord more ancient than even Dracula himself, you imagined this fight being a lot more epic. But this?
Was Varnae holding back against you? Was there some trick here that you haven't picked up on yet?
As your mind raced, you started to mutter a prayer to Khonshu.
“Dear Father…Oh, Great Protector…” you began. “Grant me the wisdom to see through deceit. Dear Khonshu…guard your faithful against the petty tricks employed by those that lurk in the shadows. Shield my mind from the influence of those that would oppose you.”
“Protect her, Lord Khonshu…” Mercy echoed in reverence.
Varnae rubbed at his eyes, but you couldn't tell whether they had recovered from your repeated use of the Fox-flash.
You raised both swords, and Varnae flexed his claws. You thought you saw resolve in those beady red eyes of his, but you couldn't say for certain.
Feeling a little rushed, you decided to be a bit more personal with your patron god.
“Hey, Khonshu. Me again.” you whispered, ignoring a hiss from Mercy. “Is there any chance that I can get a little extra this time? Seeing as the world is at stake and all.”
You let out a light chuckle, and Varnae's ears twitched once more. You didn’t care if he heard you or not.
“Maybe a beam of moonlight that can burn vampires, or something?”
“Moonlight does not burn!” Mercy argued. “It is a symbol of guidance and healing!
“Dear Child…I am afraid that there is little moonlight to be utilized h-” Khonshu began, before cutting off abruptly.
“Hello? Khonshu!?” you whispered worriedly. “Oh no. Don’t tell me I'm losing signal again.”
“No…there is something here. It is perhaps…unorthodox, however…”
Your patron god let out a thoughtful hum, and your worries only deepened.
“Fear not, my daughter.” Khonshu reassured you. “We have everything we need here. I see it now.”
From anyone else, that might not have sounded terribly convincing. But coming from your patron god…
“Got it.” you replied, giving up on the thought of any explanation for what he was about to do.
It was at that very moment that Varnae lunged for you. You stepped in, feinted with your silver sword, and allowed Varnae to rip it from your grasp. Before he could fully realize what was going on, you gripped the Atlantean sword with both hands, turned it so that its edge faced skyward, and pulled up!
Your blade cleaved through his slender fingers with ease. They, along with his rings, fell to the ground. None of them seemed to be doing anything suspicious, so you left them alone and pressed on.
(Cont)
