The gaseous bowels of the Source hummed and cackled with power. Bursts of blindingly bright, unadulterated raw magic were being hurled everywhere. Red, destructive beams shot through the gas giant feasting on its matter, like worms in an apple. Green blasts, the energy of creation, exploded and pulled into existence new matter from the nothingness of space. So the incessant battling between the Carver and the Ripper continued, as it had done so for several days now.

The tireless, massive, and nigh-invincible entities continued to fight, the scene hardly different than it had been at the start. The two were truly locked in a stalemate now, and the weary Zadok was becoming increasingly less help to the Carver. It was now becoming a burden, shielding the tiny Anti-Keeper's physical form against the Source's environment, the radiation of its core, and the destructive magic that was everywhere. At last, the Carver decided to speak out, [i]"Zadok? Are you still conscious? You will not last long as conditions continue to worsen. You should retreat while there is still time. I must stay here. I will try to assist you in your escape."[/i]

The Carver soaked up the magical energy in the air like a sponge. Shock waves of pain rippled through its incorporeal body as the destructive magic that stained the Source crimson were allowed into the magical being. Still, the vast majority of the energy was neutral. The Carver's form broke down that energy as a living creature might digest food, and then converted it into the verdant energy of creation. Zadok would be reinvigorated as his ally channeled the green light into his body, renewing his energy and healing any wounds that he might have sustained. Then, the leftover energy of creation swirled around Zadok, creating a shield. Without such a buffer, traversing the Source's gut with all the heat, pressure, and winds would be suicidal.

The Carver's firm grip that suspended Zadok within began to fade away. When he was ready, the Anti-Keeper would now be capable of escaping from the inside of his ally. It would be wise to time his retreat well and move quickly, so as to not allow the Ripper a chance to intervene.

________________

Balon scoffed at the puny thing that walked beside him, carrying in tow the dead eels and runners like some sort of janitor. [b]"Lots of little things like you have tried to fight me, and lots of little bodies were devoured by maggots and withered away beneath the rains,"[/b] Balon hissed. [b]"If our master ever gives me the chance, I would gladly end you."[/b]

The giant looked away for a moment, visibly adjusting his hold on his massive spear. Even the slightest of movements from the giant forcibly jerked the water around this way and that. After a few more seconds, Balon suddenly jabbed his spear towards Enly'air with the speed of lightning. The spear's tip was about as wide as she was, and the thing would have been more likely to cut her in half than impale her. However, the spear's point stopped halfway to its target. Balon guffawed, hoping to have silenced the annoying human with that feigned attack. The inky veil over the girl's face would have hid any signs of terror, but he still suspected that he had nearly scared her to death.

After that, Balon slowly trudged through the black tunnels alongside Enly'air. Satisfied with himself, he made no more commotion. The going was painfully slow, as each of the giant's strides was equal to a half dozen of the construct's. As he walked, more and more chunks of metal fell off of his cracked armor. The suit was ruined beyond repair. [i]Bah, it's not as if I needed it anyways,[/i] he thought to himself. [i]My skin is thicker and stronger than the leather armor of humans, and no arrows can pierce deep enough to do anything save annoy me.[/i]