Ikem's eyes bored silently into the abyssal depths of the Aberrations stare, before grunting sharply.
Or at least he tried to.
His gaze flickered as he slowly realized that none of his body parts were in his control, founding the inability to use his vocal cords.
'Shit'
Hot sweat was quickly brewed from his forehead, as the griminess of the situation came to him in heavy torrents.
His entire body was in so much pain, more than Ikem ever thought he could handle.
Especially his head, he felt as though it would burst open at any second; amassing a gorey mesh of flesh.
It can't end like this. Could it?
He was pestered by the thoughts of a gruelling death. His mind unable to think of anything else.
Yet, as his agonizing moments dragged on, something caught his eye.
He seemed to be particularly gifted at reading the abnormality on any situation, and this happened to be one of those.
The Abomination latched on top of Ikem was trembling, wildly so too.
He felt it's chilling hands vibrating against his head.
It was a subtle action, and coupled with the fact that it's body comprised mostly of fog and mist, it was easy to dismiss.
But Ikem did not.
And as he searched more intently, he realized that the creature's eyes, once cold and evilly inviting, had faded to an ashy purple, each constricted pupil echoing a silent scream of pain and agony.
The Phantosia appeared to be hurt, and judging by the tremors and spasms, it's seriousness was not to be taken lightly.
Ikem's eyes widened.
Not physically though, he imagined them widen mentally as the implication if this discovery dawned on him.
'I have a chance' he decided firmly.
He tried moving, issuing out orders to his body, struggling at his best to obtain motion. But he did not.
Except for his right hand, his bones cracked as it rose, positioning itself strongly, without his consent.
Like in the situation against Morgen.
With a heavy thrust his fist clamped onto the Phantosia's head, his knuckles slamming fiercely onto it's temples.
And contrary to his expectations, his hands did not pass through it like it had done before, rather he had left an impactful dent on it's head.
The Aberration was sent flying as a result, tumbling eight meters away from Ikem.
A light of confusion and interest shone within Ikem's eyes.
His legs were the next to move; working jointly with his hands, they heaved him up to his feet, snapping him into an upright position.
Leaving him standing stiffly as he faced the Phantosia, like a human golem.
But this was enough for Ikem to watch it's pitiful state.
It writhed in agony on the rocky ground as purple lightning coiled around it's body like snakes, torturing it.
'What the heck?!'
The Phantosia did not have vocal cords due to it's body's composition, but if it did, Ikem guessed that it's screams would be enough to intimidate a banshee.
'What was a banshee?'
Ikem quickly shook his head off the unnecessary thoughts, trying to focus.
At this point, all the pain he felt from his body quietly vanished, just as soon as he had knocked the Phantosia off.
Almost like it was never there, he felt the control of his entire body slowly creeping back in.
' This is getting out of hand', he sighed, drawing his gaze along his body, whilst clenching and unclenching his fists.
'And unto unfamiliar territory'
He dragged his gaze up and stared at the hurting creature, his eyes flashing.
He was soon lost in the dance that was the Phantosia's pain, gazing upon it without reprieve.
He eyes seemed to grin, having a sparkle of their own
'Tis truly better to give than to receive'
There was a deep sense of contentment that he felt as he watched the Aberration thrash in pain.
It was absolving. Like he had done justice.
Suddenly a voice spoke inside his head, shaking him out of his reverie.
It was a cold, still voice. Familiar and yet strangely foreign at the same time.
The Chi.
Ikem was surprised, the Chi had not spoken to him ever since Eloth's Intrusion, no matter how hard he tried to establish contact.
And now here it was, with a pinch of something different too.
It appeared quite unassuming, but he picked up on it nevertheless.
The Chi's voice had gained a new monotonous edge, like a dreary echo, and it sounded quite unnerving to listen.
However it was it's words in particular that startled Ikem.
One word though.
'RUN!'
Ikem was taken aback, his feet sliding across stones and gravel as he subconsciously moved away.
"Why?" he questioned back, staring warily at the Phantosia.
'It is soon to implode, and will attract attention'
Ikem sucked in a cold breathe, the reply wasn't nearly enough and did not really explain anything about his situation, but he knew he had to listen.
Turning tails he ran with determination, inwardly thrilled at his survival.
But his face wore a grim look.
'Making out of here is a different thing'
Yet, just as soon as Ikem had moved five meters away, the world was instantly bathed in an ashy grey.
Turning the path forward, obscured and complex to make head of.
The explosion spread far, knocking up rocks and stones into the air in the process, and throwing Ikem a good measure away.
And the thing was, the explosion occured without any sound to accompany it.
Like a silent death note.
One without anyone actually dead, removing the Phantosia.
Only disheveled.
Ikem quickly picked himself up while throwing a suspecting look around. The Chi said the explosion would attract attention, and he was aware that the only type possible to find here was the ill kind.
He found a large boulder a few feet away, and without a peep he dashed towards it.
Crouching as he waited for any commotion seekers to appear.
Quite unfortunately for him, he didn't have to wait long.
As heavy footsteps drew to his location, from nowhere.
TAP! TAP!