The Runic Artist Chapter 17: Chapter 335 - A Tapestry or a Web

Read chapter 17 of The Runic Artist by Ellake on NovelPedia.

Chapter 335 - A Tapestry or a Web Across the vast expanse of space and in another universe, Ankh’aris sensed the changes occurring on Deep Blue. But Luci wasn’t threatened, as she wasn’t even on Deep Blue, and he’d made his agreement with Kali’Terra. His Disciples would be tested again and he had faith in them and their Paths. This would be a learning experience for both of them and, from their trials and tribulations, they would grow. And if not, well, all Paths could be cut short, their futures destroyed. Instead, he focused on the spacecraft before him that was attempting to flee. It was far, far too late for that. The occupants must have recognised it too as they dived towards a nearby planet. The planet was coated in ice with an ocean beneath it, devoid of life. Ankh’aris smiled as he flew through space in pursuit. His ex-Disciple was trying to stack the board. Ankh’aris was more than willing to let him try since the Destruction of Hope tasted so sweet. Ban’Jin launched himself down onto the icy surface like a streak of black and red. The enchanted engines of the spaceship flaring brightly as it flew away, leaving the Calikex True Divine alone like a speck of dirt on a clean white sheet. Ankh’aris debated swatting the spaceship out of the sky but restrained himself. Insects didn’t deserve death simply for existing. Let them scurry and flee. Instead, he tucked his wings and crashed into the ice sheet like a falling meteor, the cracks stretching for miles. Standing up proudly, he walked across the uneven surfaces of icebergs like they were perfectly placed stones before setting himself within a hundred metres of Ban’Jin. “It has been a long time, Ban’Jin,” greeted Ankh, his very words destroying the snow-filled winds that blew across the barren, white plains of ice. “It has, Master. I would say it is nice to see you, but…” replied Ban’Jin. The Calikex was striated in red with black skin like the rest of his people. If his reds were a bit darker and his blacks a bit deeper, well, he had walked a long way on his Path. “That is all?” asked Ankh. “After so long? After you betrayed your people, after you betrayed me? I had half-expected you to beg for forgiveness and mercy. But then, you were always filled with unearned pride. Is that why you did it?” Ban’Jin sighed like a man facing down certain death, glancing up at the dark clouds above. “I could say it was for power, but I have lived long enough to see that it was indeed pride. I was never your favourite, or one of your favoured. Simply tolerated because I had some measure of your own Path. Was that why you preferred Cal’Puk? Because she, like you, walked a Pure Path?” “Cal’Puk was my favourite because she didn’t lie to herself. Didn’t pretend to be something she was not. You were always like that. Slippery, like the water of your Path. Trying to slide into every crack and shape yourself to be what you thought others wanted. Still, that explains why you betrayed me. But not your people. You were one of their Champions, and the greatest architect of their downfall. It’s been so long and they still haven’t recovered from what they lost that day. You didn’t just take their treasures, you took the ability to defend themselves effectively.” “You could’ve helped them. They had other Champions…” “Who your new friends killed,” interrupted Ankh. “Even so, you, the all-powerful Ankh’aris’kol’deravian. The Calamity, the Pillar of Destruction, Death’s Shadow. You could help them! Don’t put your failings on me, Master!” “I have helped them, within what my Path is capable of. But you know what I am. You have named it. I am Destruction. I cannot create new Paths for them, only destroy those that lead to ruin. And now, I am come to destroy my greatest mistake.” Ban’Jin finally sneered, showing his defiance. “Come then, Master, and let me show you how far I have come.” The ocean beneath roiled with darkness as Liquid Death soared through the ice, swirling around Ankh’aris like a net made of