It detonated between the knight and Apophis mid-dive, dragging both of them in for a split second.
Apophis beat her wings hard and broke free of the pull.
The knight stabbed his sword into a gravity well to hold his position and cracks formed under his boots.
Ben shot through the aftermath like a spear.
His fist smashed into the knight's jaw.
At the same time, the knight's appendages stabbed toward Apophis's chest.
Both of them blocked, but only barely.
Ben spun, grabbed Apophis in mid-air, and slammed her into the knight.
Both enemies reeled, but neither of them fell.
The knight countered with a straight thrust and pierced Ben's side.
Blood exploded outward.
Apophis struck with a claw and ripped across Ben's back.
He screamed, but instead of retreating, he drew in their energy.
The moment the wounds connected, his appendages latched on.
Consume.
Aether and system-light poured into him again.
It was unstable and violent, but he drank it anyway.
His muscles bulged.
