The Wrong Side

Time was running out.

Ian did not hesitate in the slightest. He cast one last look at the rift woven from golden divine flames and purplish-red pus and blood, at the gradually blurring golden figure that was still struggling to maintain the rift after the Ghost Bride became "Lost," though the fluctuations of his divine power had clearly weakened and the writhing flesh around him was slowly beginning to envelop him.

That was the sun god Ra, burning away the last of his strength to grievously wound the enemy from within.

"May the sun guide your path."

Ra's voice spoke directly into Ian's mind.

"Then you take care of yourself first!" Raven let out a long cry and beat his wings toward the rapidly shrinking passage. Ian murmured inwardly, then turned into a streak of black light—Raven spread his wings and, with unwavering resolve, shot through the rift torn open by the sun god's power, into the battlefield of destruction!

Ian could feel Set-Apep mounting a frenzied counterattack, trying to mend the torn wound. Behind him, countless Lost Ghost Brides wandered within the paradox.

The evil god's furious roar shook the entire space.

The passage walls were covered in throbbing blood vessels and bundles of nerves, while viscous fluid dripped continuously. Ian flew at the very limit of his speed, evading wriggling fleshy tendrils and suddenly constricting tunnel walls.

A faint light shone ahead—the exit was right before him! Yet just as Raven was about to burst out of the passage, the entire tunnel contracted violently, as though the evil god's internal immune system had finally reacted. The walls of flesh crushed inward with overwhelming force, about to trap Ian completely within this tunnel of blood and flesh.

"No!" Ian squeezed out every last drop of magic, increasing his speed