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but he preferred to conserve their power for genuine threats。 Innotstead； he coolly dismissed the force of levitation lifting his body and alnotlowed himself to drop back down the shaft。 The fall would keep him away from the beast for long enough to cast a spell； and he didn't have to worry about hitting the ground。 In this reality； there was no ground。
The bejeweled and sigil…adorned Robes of the Archmage flapping around him； he snatched a vial of venom from his pocket； set it alight with a spurt of flame from his fingertip； and recited an incantation。 On the final syllable； he thrust his arm at the creature； and a glob of black； burning liquid erupted from his fingertips。
Propelled by magic； the blazing fluid hurtled straight up the shaft to splash against the descending predator。 The creature emitted a piercing buzz that was likely a cry of pain。 It floundered in the air； bouncing back and forth against the walls as it fell。 Its body sizzled and bubbled as the spattered acid ate into it； but it resumed diving in a controlled manner。
Gromph was mildly impressed。 A venom bolt would kill most creatures； certainly most of the petty vermin one encountered in the empty places between the worlds。
Manipulating an empty cocoon； he cast another spell。 The beast's body crumpled and folded into itself； and for a heartbeat； it was a helpnotlessly tumbling mouse…then it swelled and rippled back into its natural form。
All right； thought Gromph； then I'll cut you up。
He prepared to conjure a hail of blades； but at that moment； the creanotture accelerated。
Gromph had no idea the creature could descend any faster than it had hitherto； and he wasn't prepared for the sudden burst of speed。 The creature closed the distance between them in an instant； until it was hovering right in his face。
It had the melted or unfinished look mon to many such beings。 Rows of blank little eyes and a writhing proboscis sat off center in its bump of a head； only vaguely differentiated from its rubbery blob of a body。 The monster possessed no wings； but it was flying…the goddess only knew how。 Its legs were the most articulate part of it。 Ten thin； segnotmented members terminated in barbed hooks； which lashed at Gromph again and again and again。
As he expected； the frenzied scratching failed to harm him。 The ennotchantments woven into Gromph's piwafwi…not to mention a ring and an amulet…armored him at least as well as a suit of plate。 Still； it irked him that he had allowed the beast to get so close； and he felt more irritated still when he noticed that the creature's exertions were flinging tiny smoking droplets of his own conjured acid onto his person。
He growled a final spell and snatched hold of the malodorous predator； seizing handfuls of the blubber on its torso。 Instantly the magic began its work。 Strength and vitality flowed into him； and he cried out at the shocknoting pleasure of it。
He was drinking his adversary's very life； much as a vampire might have done。 The flying creature buzzed； thrashed； and became still。 It withered； cracked； and rotted in his grasp。 Finally； when he was certain he'd sucked out every vestige of life； he shoved it away。
Focusing his will； he arrested his fall and drifted upward again。 After a few minutes； he spied the opening at the top of the shaft。 He floated through； grabbed a convenient handrail； pulled himself over onto the floor of the workroom； then allowed his weight to return。 His vestments rustled as they settled around him。
The large circular chamber was in most respects a part of the tower of Sorcere…the school of wizardry over which the Archm