Death of a Demigod

In the woods near the Macht family's Elk Manor, on the northwestern outskirts of Backlund.

Insects, rats, and birds kept emerging from the mud, bushes, and behind tree trunks, swiftly approaching an ancient tree whose bark had been blasted off and whose trunk had been snapped. Most lost their abilities along the way, or had their spirit body threads stolen outright, dying in corners as their bodies twisted. But a few lucky ones always evaded the successive acts of "stealing," opened their mouths, large or small, and let out low bangs.

As the imitated sounds rang out like ventriloquism, air cannons fired one after another, slamming into the already overburdened trunk.

"Why!"

With a shrill, hysterical roar, the last few worms with transparent segments struggled out of the holes in the tree, twisting and writhing. Numerous three-dimensional patterns floated across their bodies, causing the "marionettes" that saw them to rapidly lose their abilities and their lives.

But there were only so many segmented worms, while the creatures nearby that could serve as marionettes were practically limitless!

Wave after wave of rats and worms continued to approach, unleashing simple yet immensely powerful air cannons. The overwhelming barrage forced the surviving translucent segmented worms to twist, deform, and vanish.

After several rounds of bombardment, this Marauder demigod, who had already lost control and split into numerous worms somewhat resembling Worms of Time, finally stopped moving. Only the rustle of leaves in the breeze remained in the woods.

A moment later, the tall Raphael emerged from behind a thick tree, rapier in hand, and cautiously approached the center of the almost flattened battlefield. One of his leather shoes had vanished, and his white sock had turned brown from stepping through the dirt. The gate to the Underworld stood open on his forehead, exuding