{"id":382,"date":"2021-11-16T13:20:36","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T18:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=382"},"modified":"2021-11-22T17:24:31","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T22:24:31","slug":"chapter-33","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-33\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 033: Not Dead Yet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 33:<\/strong> Not Dead Yet<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona sucked in more air and tried to stop her feet from shaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>It\u2019d totally super suck to trip right now!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door shut with a bang behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona jumped. \u201cEeep!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai wrapped a wing around her. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh gosh, I was so nervous!\u201d Purona leaned against Kasai. Her wing was surprisingly soft. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen that, but I\u2019ve heard stories.\u201d She dropped her voice to a whisper. \u201cWhen a Claal is challenged, it means a fight to the death, with the victor taking over the kinset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted. \u201cThat seems silly. What if the rest of the kinset doesn\u2019t like the new guy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona blinked at her. \u201cThen they\u2019ll, like, challenge the new guy, duh.\u201d <em>No one can be that stupid\u2014wait, they\u2019re aliens, remember? Their government is, like, probably super different.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, we\u2019re supposed to go check out that incident!\u201d Purona pulled her phone out of her pocket. There was a message from Rala. Purona skimmed through it. \u201cOkay, we\u2019re supposed to go to the gaming district. The police have cleared the area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll right, casino time!\u201d Tannin thrust his fist into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona twitched an ear. Tannin was so hard to figure out. <em>Also, what\u2019s a casino?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>I\u2019ll worry about that later. I need to get these guys over to the gaming district before Rala fires me!<\/em> Purona shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">One subway stop and a transfer later and they were at the gaming district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay, we\u2019re here.\u201d Purona ducked behind Kasai. \u201cUm, if more of those scary girls are here, uh, could you go first?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait.\u201d Tannin looked around and scrunched up his eyes. \u201cWhere\u2019s the casinos?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona blinked. \u201cWhat\u2019s a casino?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou know, where all the games are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona scratched behind an ear. There was an e-dance palace to the left, and a retro-arcade to the right, and a sign for a modern holo-game arcade arching over the street in front of them that couldn\u2019t be any brighter. Literally. They\u2019d tried a few cycles back, and had caused a blackout in that section of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere, there, and there.\u201d Purona pointed to each of the attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Tannin let the word draw out. \u201cTHAT kind of gaming. Sweet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He darted off to the right, and Onin grabbed him by the collar. \u201cWe have a job to do first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAww.\u201d Tannin\u2019s shoulders slumped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija patted him on the back. \u201cI\u2019ll play with you later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina thrust a finger in Saija\u2019s face. \u201cYou\u2019d better mean arcade games!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">One corner of Saija\u2019s mouth pulled up in a grin. \u201cOh? Why? Do you have plans for him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona\u2019s glance darted between the three of them. <em>Are they in some kind of relationship? Should I ask?<\/em> She felt her ears start to get hot. <em>Better not.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, cut it out you guys!\u201d Onin rolled his eyes. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a job to do here. Amaryllis or Kasai, could one of you please take point?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Amaryllis winked at Kasai and led the way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona had never seen the gaming district this empty. She occasionally visited the area on her days off, and it was usually crammed with people. <em>Oh, yeah. Rala\u2019s message said the police evacuated the area.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A shiver went down Purona\u2019s back and her tail puffed out a little. It was creepy around here with no people, and no noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnybody else getting a weird feeling, or is it just me?\u201d Saija asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai frowned, looked around, and fluttered her wings a little. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s just the lack of people, but\u2026\u201d She took Onin\u2019s hand and walked closer to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona shivered and made sure she stayed between Onin and Kasai, and Tannin and the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Wait, what\u2019s that?<\/em> Purona sniffed. There was a slight salty tang to the air. Or was she just imagining it? \u201cDoes anyone else smell that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone stopped to sniff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI got nothing.\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija shrugged. \u201cJust the normal city smells.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis and Kasai turned to face each other, and spoke at the same time. \u201cBlood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Something shuffled off to the left. Purona swiveled an ear in that direction. Sneakers on concrete. Purona slowly turned in that direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Dozens of white-haired, white-eyed women shuffled towards them.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Dozens of footsteps echoed across the concrete. Amaryllis spun on her heel to face the sound. A large number of half-dead looking Nekotian women shuffled around the corner. Another noise behind her. More were coming from the other side, and behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBack to back!\u201d Onin yelled. He generated four servitors, which took up sentry positions above the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin pulled rubber chickens from his pocket. \u201cHow do we handle this? Can we help them, or is there no saving them kinda like with the Natas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDarned if I know.\u201d Saija shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina swung her guitar off her back and strummed a low repetitive tune. Kasai spread her wings and held her hands out in front of her. Purona slid into the middle of the circle. Her ears were flat back, and she was rubbing her hands together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis squeezed over next to Purona. \u201cDo you know how to use any weapons?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cY-yes.\u201d Purona nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve been taking lessons at the blaster range. I was supposed to get my certificate, like, next week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell. Time to get serious.\u201d Amaryllis lifted her hand above her head, palm outward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Is it ready yet?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Not yet.<\/em> Ryogin-sa\u2014no, Ryogin, her husband, sounded frustrated. <em>You\u2019ll have to use the old one.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cArtifice\u2014full uplink.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Blue mathematical symbols swirled into existence, opening an Artifice portal. The bottom of her shakujo started to emerge from the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFlerk, they\u2019ve got knives!\u201d Cerina shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI can hold them off for a bit.\u201d Kasai held out her hands to either side and the air shimmered as a telekinetic force-field surrounded them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPurona!\u201d Onin whirled to face her. \u201cThis is a bit more than we expected. Can you confirm if Claal-Deka wants us to bring them all in alive? With this many of them, that might not be possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona nodded and tapped away at her phone. The mob pressed against the telekinetic field and stabbed at it with their knives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis frowned up at the Artifice portal. It was taking forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, Saija?\u201d Tannin tapped on the force-field with a rubber chicken. \u201cCan you portal me out there? I can hold them off for a while without killing anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija raised an eyebrow. \u201cCan you hold that many off, though?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, yeah!\u201d Tannin pulled a handful of black fabric out of his pockets. \u201cI almost forgot!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis smiled. What looked like black sweatpants and shirt was actually the carbon nano-fiber suit she and Ryogin had made for him a few months back. He pulled it on over his jeans and t-shirt, and gave Saija a thumbs up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A purple portal swirled open underneath Tannin. He fell through it, and a moment later another portal opened above the crowd and dropped him in the middle of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis\u2019 staff was finally done. It dropped out of the Artifice portal. She grabbed it, twirled it around, and held it parallel to the ground. She opened another Artifice portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai cried out. The telekinetic field wavered and collapsed. A dozen or so crazed Nekotians rushed toward Amaryllis. She reached into the portal, pulled out a blaster, and tossed it straight up high into the air. Amaryllis swung her staff around to point at the crazed Nekotians. The closest was only about a foot away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIce wave!\u201d Amaryllis shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A blue ball of ice formed at the tip of her shakujo. It swelled to the size of a bus and undulated outward, throwing crazed Nekotians out and away from her and the others. Amaryllis looked up, reached out, and caught the blaster she had thrown earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis spun the blaster around and presented it hilt-first to Purona. \u201cDo you know how to use this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona\u2019s ears were flat back on her skull. Her tail was bushed out to twice it\u2019s normal size, and pressed tightly to the back of her legs. Her hands shook when she took the blaster, however she checked the settings, flipped off the safety, and gripped the hit with her finger alongside the barrel next to the trigger guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A knife whizzed past Amaryllis\u2019 face. She ducked and swung the point of her staff between her and the assailant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMulti-class: cryo-sleep!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden dropped into a crouch when the force-field dropped. She swept the legs out from under the first possessed Nekotian who attacked her. Well, \u2018possessed\u2019 might not be the right word, but she\u2019d worry about that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Her hands started to tingle, and the next Nekotian she hit flew up and over the heads of several of the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf I could control this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">There wasn\u2019t time to finish the thought. A dozen more enemies rushed her. Aiden swung out with her hands, deflecting knives and attempting to hit the Nekotians in one of the arteries in the side of their necks. There were too many. For every one she took out, two or more new ones rushed at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cKasai!\u201d Onin\u2019s voice rang out behind Aiden. \u201cElevator, please!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden shot up into the air on an invisible platform. The possessed Nekotians below started to pile on top of each other to get to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, that bought us some time, but what do we do now?\u201d Cerina still strummed her guitar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI got a message back from Rala!\u201d Purona waved her phone in the air. \u201cIt\u2019s not just here, there are hordes heading out of the evacuated area as well. Also\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona scrolled through her phone, and her face paled. \u201cAlayis says she found an onicranium-based nano device embedded in the spines of the ones you brought in. She\u2019s not sure if she can save them. Claal-Deka has authorized deadly force if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMwahahahaha!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone turned at the sound of maniacal laughter coming from a rooftop behind them. Arjuketa sat cross-legged on the edge of the roof of one of the buildings across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo you like my new puppets?\u201d She uncrossed her legs. \u201cThese ones are permanent though. You won\u2019t be able to stop them with just a little bump on the head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWant?\u201d Arjuketa held a hand to her chest. \u201cAww. Are you trying to negotiate?\u201d Her voice took on a hard edge. \u201cWe want to kill you. Pesky lower life forms, daring to challenge the Natas. If you can\u2019t accept your status, then die. Now, how about fighting each other?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina strummed louder on her guitar. \u201cNot today, bi\u2014\u201d Her phone rang. Cerina ignored it. \u201cI\u2019m ready for you, this time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Arjuketa frowned and leaned over the edge of the building. \u201cWell, this isn\u2019t fair. They can\u2019t kill you from down there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Arjuketa held out her hand, palm down, facing the street below. Nothing appeared to have happened, but Aiden shivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat was that?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina made a face. \u201cNothing good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWeeeeeee!\u201d Tanin soared past, clinging to the back of one of the possessed Natas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh great.\u201d Saija jumped out of the way of one of them. \u201cThey can fly now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBye!\u201d Aiden looked over just in time to see Arjuketa drop into a black portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho here can\u2019t fly?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI can\u2019t!\u201d Purona\u2019s eyes were squeezed shut, and she clung to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMe either!\u201d Tannin\u2019s voice came from above them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden looked up. Tannin fell down toward them, an unconscious Nekotian next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. \u201cMight as well head back to ground. Kasai, Amaryllis, stay up here.\u201d He turned to Kasai. \u201cIf you would, please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden\u2019s stomach felt slightly queasy as they dropped back to the street. It was like being in a glass elevator. When they reached the street, hordes of possessed Nekotians swarmed them again. Her hand started tingling again, and she was able to punch them away from her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMust be something of you still in there,\u201d Aiden muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShanay used energy blasts.\u201d Amaryllis\u2019 voice floated down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden looked up. Amaryllis hovered above her, riding side-saddle on her staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAny idea how that worked?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis shrugged. \u201cIf you let me copy it later, I\u2019d be able to tell you. Most gifts are triggered by concentration or emotion or such, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Worth a try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden made a fist with her right hand and concentrated on it. \u201cStupid flerking host! Work with me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden closed her eyes and put all her frustration, all her desire to partner with the host, and all her hate for the Natas into a punch. The smell of ozone filled the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden opened her eyes. Her entire arm was glowing yellow, and there was a hole the size of a subway car in the closest building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDang!\u201d Purona gaped at the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden blinked. Did she really do that? Another fist swung at her. Fight now, think later. Aiden\u2019s arm continued to glow, and she was able to incapacitate foes with one blow. She wasn\u2019t able to reproduce that energy beam, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The wave of possessed Nekotians was never ending. Aiden grunted. Her hand was starting to ache. She shook her hand in an attempt to try to relive the cramp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWooo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden spun around at the sound of Tannin\u2019s voice\u2014and did a double-take. He was crowdsurfing. Wait, that wasn\u2019t quite right. He was riding on his back across the tops of dozens of possessed Nekotians. But they were stabbing him, not carrying him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden blinked. \u201cMust be his gift, and the suit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWeird when he does that, isn\u2019t it?\u201d A portal opened on the ground next to Aiden, and Saija popped up out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, yeah.\u201d Aiden blinked. <em>This group of Gesarans is weird.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A possessed Nekotian jumped at Saija. She yawned and waved her hand. A portal opened in front of her, and the attacking Nekotian fell threw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Wait. Aiden looked around. Tannin was further down the street. She glanced at the surrounding building in between fending off more attackers. They\u2019d been forced several blocks from their starting area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Aiden spun around, searching for Onin. \u201cThey\u2019re forcing us to the center of the city!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI know! Time to get serious, then.\u201d Onin sounded reluctant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden didn\u2019t blame him. These Nekotians were innocent victims, too. As of yet, they hadn\u2019t found a way to save them, and if they were allowed to get past the evacuated area, a lot more innocent people would die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOptions?\u201d Onin shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think I can freeze some of them.\u201d Amaryllis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai swooped down next to Amaryllis. \u201cCan you get enough of them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis frowned. \u201cNo. Wait, buy me some time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai nodded, and another telekinetic force-field shoved the possessed Nekotians away in a ten foot radius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis landed next to Aiden. \u201cI think I have a way to stop them, but I\u2019d need you to share your gift with me for it to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Aiden blinked. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell\u2014\u201d Amaryllis bit her lip. \u201cI have a theory that your gift at least partially amplifies your power. If that\u2019s true, I can amplify my ice gift and I might be able to freeze all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden frowned and drummed her fingers on her thigh. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of \u2018ifs\u2019 in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Amaryllis sighed and looked at the ground. \u201cThe only other option I can come up with is for Kasai and I to open up with dragonfire and vaporize all of them.\u201d She shuddered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden frowned. \u201cThat might cause an interplanetary incident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis nodded. \u201cAs well as being excessively cruel to those Nekotians, who are also victims of the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll right.\u201d Aiden squared her shoulders. \u201cWhat do I do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis held out her staff. \u201cHold my staff and freely share your gift. Sometimes it helps to say something to that effect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, okay.\u201d Aiden grabbed Amaryllis\u2019 staff with her right hand. \u201cI share my gift with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">I f<em>eel ridiculous. Can s<\/em>he really even copy gifts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden yawned. She didn\u2019t feel anything, but she was a tad tired just now. \u201cDid it work?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOooo!\u201d Amaryllis shivered in pleasure. <em>Such power.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis let Aiden\u2019s gift flow over her body. Nope, no extra power, but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOne way to find out.\u201d Amaryllis lowered her shakujo and pointed it at the crowd of crazed Nekotians. \u201cMulti-class: cryo-sleep to the third power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A blast of white powdery snow the size of a train rushed out of the end of Amaryllis staff and enveloped half the crowd of crazed Nekotians. The snow settled down, and about one third of the enemy was frozen solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe proof of concept works.\u201d Amaryllis frowned at the end of her staff. Smoke\u2014or was it water vapor\u2014curled up from the tip. \u201cI think I can freeze all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin nodded. \u201cSaija, get the rest of us out of here. We don\u2019t want to accidentally get in the way of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait!\u201d Kasai flew over to Onin. \u201cI\u2019m going to stay behind. I can stay in the air above her, and knock down any of them that try to fly away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin pulled Kasai into a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, hurry it up, I can\u2019t keep this portal open all day!\u201d Saija yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGotta go.\u201d Onin pulled away from Kasai, then paused, still holding her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He glanced to the portal, frowned, then looked back to Kasai and leaned in to kiss her cheek. He blushed and ran through the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis smiled. Those two were so cute together. It made her think of Ryogin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>You can talk to me any time, you know.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>I know.<\/em> Amaryllis felt her own face flush with heat. <em>Made me think of other things we can do when I\u2019m done here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Then you\u2019d better hurry.<\/em> Ryogin\u2019s mental voice had a smile to its tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cRight.\u201d Amaryllis twirled her staff around and rose up into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai still stood on the ground, face red as a beet, staring at the spot where Onin had walked through the portal. On the one hand, Amaryllis knew how her friend felt. On the other, they had a job to do. Amaryllis formed a snowball and chucked it at Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey! What?\u201d Kasai flew up and hovered next to Amaryllis. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCircle around above me and force any stragglers back to ground, please.\u201d Amaryllis frowned. \u201cMight be better if you were in your dragon form.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh\u2014\u201d Kasai twirled her hair around her finger. \u201cI, uh, don\u2019t exactly know how to do that. I\u2019ve tried a few times since we fought that dragon, but I\u2014I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Amaryllis sighed. <em>Figures, when she needs it the most\u2026<\/em> \u201cNever mind, then. Do your best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d Kasai pumped her wings and rose above Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis took a deep breath. This should work, but she\u2019d have to tap the Dragonfire gift that Kasai had shared with her to get enough energy to freeze all the crazed Nekotians. She bit her bottom lip. Also, she\u2019d have to re-do all her macros to use the power amplification gift. Time for that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis pointed the tip of her shakujo at the ground. \u201cMulti-class: Dragonfire, restore, ice\u2014to the ninth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">White tendrils of swirling snow formed just in front of the tip of her shakujo. The arms of snow grew in size, and spun faster and faster until the blur of swirling snow was larger than a house. Amaryllis\u2019 arms started to shake. Even using Dragonfire to power most of this wasn\u2019t enough. Her own energy reserves were depleting quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The swirling snow and ice storm filled the entire block now. Wind whipped Amaryllis\u2019 dress around her legs, and her hair into her face. The storm doubled in speed, then hurtled down to the street below. Ice, snow, and wind blocked out everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">In a few moments the wind ceased and the snow fell to the ground. Amaryllis drifted to the ground and sucked in air. It\u2019d been a while since she\u2019d overdone it like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Kasai landed next to Amaryllis and put a hand on her shoulder, steadying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Amaryllis leaned against Kasai. \u201cI\u2019m out of energy, though. Nothing a good snack won\u2019t fix.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Let\u2019s see, did I get them all?<\/em> Amaryllis glanced around. The horde of crazed Nekotians was frozen solid. <em>Looks like all of them\u2014wait\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, where\u2019d Arjuketa go?\u201d Amaryllis asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Kasai shaded her eyes with her hand and looked around. She frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t see her anywhere. Last place I remember seeing her was on that rooftop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Amaryllis yawned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai arched an eyebrow. \u201cAre you going to be okay if I do a quick recon flight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis nodded. \u201cI\u2019m fine. Just tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai bit her lip, sighed, then jumped up into the air, her wings stirring up some loose snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis yawned again, then pulled out her phone to send a quick message to Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>If you need a ride, let the others know. Are you sure you\u2019re okay?<\/em> Ryogin\u2019s tone sounded worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Ugh! You too? I\u2019m fine, I just need a snack!<\/em> Amaryllis rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>If it wears you out <\/em><em>this<\/em><em> much, is this gift safe to use?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Should be fine. <\/em>Amaryllis stumbled over to the nearest building and sat down with her back against the wall. <em>I just need to make a more detailed power-boost macro. Maybe Dragonfire, boost Dragonfire, then turbo-charge whatever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>You\u2019ll need a new staff, too.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh?\u201d Amaryllis glanced at her shakujo, and did a double-take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The top half of the wooden staff was splintered, and the main ring was blown in half. Each half was twisted around in an uneven spiral. Some of the smaller rings were missing entirely, and the remaining ones were warped and melted into what was left of the main ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDid the blast do that to your staff?\u201d Amaryllis looked up at the sound of Kasai\u2019s voice. Kasai settled to the ground. \u201cI didn\u2019t see Arjuketa anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis groaned. \u201cProbably fled back through a portal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">As soon as Amaryllis said \u2018portal\u2019, a purple one formed on the ground in front of them and Saija popped up in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTaxi\u2019s here!\u201d Saija glanced at Amaryllis\u2019 shakujo. \u201cHoly sh\u2014\u201d She glanced at Kasai and clapped a hand over her mouth. \u201cUh, I mean, um, what happened to your staff?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCatastrophic failure due to excessive power load.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh?\u201d Saija blinked and turned to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shrugged. \u201cBig bada-boom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis struggled to her feet and fought off another yawn. \u201cAnyway, could you drop me off at the <em>Potato<\/em> before you take Kasai back to the hotel, please?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy the\u2026\u201d Saija jerked up straight. \u201cOh. That\u2019s where Ryogin is.\u201d She grinned, winked, and elbowed Amaryllis in the ribs. \u201cMore than one way to recover, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, I\u2026\u201d Amaryllis slumped her shoulders and focused on a clump of snow at her feet. <em>Well, she\u2019s not wrong. Wait, I\u2019m married! What am I embarrassed about? Still none of her business, though.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, let\u2019s go!\u201d Saija\u2019s face was red, and she avoided eye contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis furrowed her brow. Perhaps the lack of social awareness came from growing up possessed by a Natas? Amaryllis unsuccessfully fought off another yawn. <em>Worry about that later.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A portal opened in the wall. Amaryllis waved, and stepped through.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-32\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"378\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-34\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"392\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 33: Not Dead Yet Purona sucked in more air and tried to stop her feet from shaking. It\u2019d totally super suck to trip right&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-382","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=382"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":395,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382\/revisions\/395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}