As Madawc spoke, his body began to crack and crumble. Having lost his physical fighting form, he manifested as a pure spirit before them. Harming an Archangel demanded a price. But for Madawc, the price was nothing. What was the dissolution of a body? He was already dead.
However, he still felt a trace of regret. This outcome was the worst of his contingencies. If Bul-Kathos had let him into the Soulstone, and if his soul could have endured until Kanai's essence arrived, Kanai's consciousness might have been saved. He would have only suffered some spiritual damage.
If Johanna had joined him in attacking Baal while Tyrael was stunned, the fight would be over. It might have felt anti-climactic, but victory was victory. No battle-hungry ancestor would have blamed him for ending the tragedy early. This was a war none of them wanted to remember.
Now, the pressure on Bul-Kathos had lessened. Unfortunately, Madawc didn't know about Vorusk's sacrifice. He thought Vorusk could help Bul-Kathos with the succession just like before. But Bul-Kathos wouldn't wake Vorusk's soul until he was certain he could finish everything. Once he did, the timer on Vorusk's disappearance would start.
But for now, it was enough. Tyrael's stolen power had rekindled Rorschach's will. Bul-Kathos could take up the mantle of the Immortal King the moment it was required. It was the best possible result.
While Talic continued to swing Remorseless, wiping demons from existence, a cacophony of sound erupted from the central plaza. The battle between Cassius and Orek was nearing its end.
It was a battle to decide the will of the Great Bear Tribe—a battle to bid farewell to High Elder Kanai.
"Orek! The dead are meant to protect the living!"
Cassius's meticulously braided beard was gripped firmly in Orek's hand. The skin of his jaw was being pulled taut, sending waves of sharp pain through him. Even so, he had activated Ignore Pain, ensuring his will wouldn't waver for a second.
"Then what have you protected?!"
Orek wrenched Cassius toward him and, after he finished roaring, bit down hard on Cassius's nose. The arm holding the Blade of the God of War had been shattered by Cassius's fists, so he resorted to this brutal method of attack.
"I protected our dignity!" Cassius screamed.
The hand holding Remorseless had already fallen to the ground, staining the earth red. His other intact hand coiled and struck Orek heavily in the gut. With a crack, Cassius's fist slid up from Orek's abdomen and slammed into his jaw.
Both were decimated. Cassius had lost an arm to the God of War's blade; Orek had had his entire ribcage shattered by Cassius's fist.
"The past represents a steady forward march, Cassius! Experience means avoiding mistakes! Innovation only leads to new problems!"
Orek remained standing, though he let go of his bite, spitting Cassius's nose onto the ground. His once-white teeth were now drenched in blood, making him look horrifying.
"Pah! But remaining stagnant means eventual extinction! Your 'experience' only leads to your end!"
Without a nose, Cassius's voice sounded nasal and strange. The one-armed warrior took a few steps forward to stand before Orek. He raised his remaining arm, coiling his body like a high-tension spring.
"Do you even know how to revere experience? Do you know what it brings? It is the most precious treasure, bought with countless lives and rivers of blood!"
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