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ddenly stronger； pungent enough to make his scarlet eyes water and sting his nose。 Gromph looked up。 At first he saw nothing； but then he discerned a vague ovoid shape in the darkness。
The Archmage wondered how the beast had gotten inside the shaft。 Nothing ever had before。 Had it torn a hole in the wall； oozed through like a ghost； or done something stranger still？ Perhaps…
It plummeted at him； putting an end to his speculations。
Gromph could have effortlessly blasted the creature with one of his wands； 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