Chapter 127: Good Intentions

Chapter 127: Good Intentions

Chapter 127 - Good Intentions

The team of disruptors had already left the outpost to set fire to the prearranged locations. All the Republics attention would be on them to prevent the fire from spreading, running them around town chasing ghosts.

All the while the true threat came from the sea. No one would expect a pirate raid in the archipelago. Why would they when it never happened before? In a few hours, panic and blood would paint the streets of Sylspring.

Dammit. Im so stupid.

Flynn punched the tree for the third time, one of the few left in the clearing among the buildings. The pain in his hand did little to distract him from the guilt racking his insides. No one told him what the documents he copied were for. His mother just told him to steal them, and he did. He had thought himself so smart.

Because of him any chance the sentries would detect pirates arrival was eliminated. By the time they noticed the ships it would be too late to muster a proper defense.

They were supposed to fight the Republic that killed his father, not create more orphans.

He threw another punch, splitting his knuckles.

Damn fucking idiot! Cant even do one thing right.

What the hell are you doing now? Tridel's mocking voice reached him. You might have convinced your mother that your little friend can be useful, but shell soon see reason.

Turning around, the smug sneer of the hunter welcomed him. Flynn hid his desire to put a dagger in his back behind a smirk of his own. Bitter they didnt take you either?

Tridels face stiffened. They need someone to keep an eye on things. Someone they trust.

Yeah, and you were the only person they could do without, his voice dripped with derision.

The hunter stepped closer with a menacing expression. Dont think your mommy can protect you forever. The cause comes before everything.

Tridel was so close he could smell his pungent breath. Flynn stood his ground, looking on with a bored expression. After a few seconds of intense staring, the man begrudgingly went back to his patrols.

Only then did Flynn allow himself to show his hatred to the only person he despised more than himself.

It was too late to stop the raid, but if it wasnt for Tridel he would have succeeded in his one good action. Kai and his family would have been safe from the mayhem.

I couldnt even do that.

He had tried to warn him after he found out the true plan, but only made things worse.

He knocked another piece of bark off the tree, staring numbly at his bleeding fist. Even if he only told them a fraction of his friend's capabilities, that would be enough to see his value for the cause. It was the only way he had to keep him alive.

Kai would be forced to work for the Voice of the Ancestors, but hed be alive. If Flynn was confident in something, it was in the little fiends ability to get himself what he wanted.

At least hell be safer here than in town tonight.

The outpost was deserted except for a handful of new recruits who were supposed to keep tabs on things. Tridel was the only true threat and he had disappeared beyond the treeline.

Inside a city, he might have had a chance to slip away, but deep into the Veeryd jungle, the hunter would have the field advantage. Despite how he despised him, Flynn knew Tridel would have no trouble spotting him if he tried to leave.

Never good enough.

More blood spilled on the tree.

Slipping in the shadows, Flynn made his way to the storage room. His mother told him Kai was fine, but he needed to see for himself.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

After learning to avoid the enforcers, dodging the few guards left in the outpost was childs play. He took out a lockpick from his sleeve and easily forced open the first door without a sound.

The storage area was clear. With no windows to worry about, he made easy work of the second lock and closed it behind him.

He immediately spotted the unconscious form, lying in a corner of the small room. Tightly bound hands and feet in two layers of rope, a blindfold hid most of his face, but he would recognize him anywhere. Flynn hurried to ensure he was still breathing and let out a sigh of relief.

It was so strange to see him like that, wrong. To see him without his usual unreadable gray eyes, observing each person as if they were a mystery to solve.

The nape of his neck was tinged in red where Tridel hit him unconscious. Flynn clenched his fists.

Youre not the only one who keeps his threats.

Despite being three years younger and a head shorter than him, Flynn had never thought of Kai as such. One glance from him was enough to discourage any person from thinking of him as a child. And if that wasnt enough, Flynn clearly remembered the dozen bruises he got when he challenged him, high on the thrill of his new profession.

Fragile had never been a word that passed through his head when he looked at him.

Im so sorry. I just wanted to help, but I fucked up again.

Tears rolled down his face and he couldnt stop himself from rambling apologies and curses no one would hear. Because he was too much of a coward to speak them to his face.

Wait! My ring!

What?

My ring, the one I had when that guy ambushed me.

Flynn paused. It was a weird request, but if this was a ploy of some kind, he couldnt imagine what the advantage would be. He slipped a hand in his pocket and took out a roughly crafted silver ring. Nothing exceptional but worth a pretty penny just for the material.

Tridel had snatched every mesar, but he managed to swipe the ring, thinking it might hold some sentimental value.

Im sorry I couldnt save your satchel too. You were carrying quite a lot.

Kai immediately lit up, Yeah, thats the one. It was my dads last gift. Can I have it back?

They might take it away if they find it on you.

Please, Ill keep it hidden, Kai begged.

Okay, you can keep it for now, Flynn placed the ring in his hand. Ill go get you something to eat.

~~~

Kai waited till the door closed. Flynns steps hardly made any sound, but he was reasonably sure that he had left.

In his state, he could have been beaten up by a toddler. And time was a luxury he couldnt afford. It wouldnt be long before the boy would be back and Kai couldnt be sure how he would react.

Even if Flynn genuinely wanted to help, he couldnt take the chance. The road to hell was paved with good intentions.

I cant trust him.I need to leave right now.

His family needed him and who knew what that crazy witch would convince him to do if she had more time.

Kai focused on the ring in his hand. While Elijah might consider a piece of silver worthless, it wasnt the same for inhabitants of the archipelago.

Thank the spirits Flynn got his hands on it before someone tried to melt it.

He could barely feel the silver band he was holding, the rope that bound his wrists had made his fingers numb and unresponsive. Without Mana Manipulation he couldnt access the spatial closet. He needed just a speck of mana to connect, but true to Flynns words, none of his skills worked. The fog in his brain made it seem a hopeless task.

His mind felt like mush and his thoughts were painfully sluggish. If he couldnt think straight, how was he supposed to fight his way out?

Dammit, focus. Virya always said skills just help you hone an ability that is already there. I can do this.

After more than four years of hard training, he could easily perceive the mana within him without any skill. The drug clouding his thoughts made things harder, but it was something he had done countless times before. Kai willed the mana to connect to the ring with the force of desperation.

The spatial closet flashed in his mind. His sword clattered to the ground beside him before the connection broke. Gathering what strength he had remaining, he wiggled closer to the blade. Elijah always stressed the importance of keeping the steel sharp.

Glory to the almighty butler! I swear Ill always follow your advice.

The fibers of the rope gave way to the honed edge with barely any effort. With a final swipe, his hands were free. It wasnt time to celebrate yet. He had to fight with his hands to grasp the handle and to free his legs.

After being forced still for hours, he couldnt stand, but it didnt matter. He had everything he needed in the palm of his hand. His teachers might have left him, but they had given him all the knowledge and tools he needed.

Focusing on the ring on his finger, Kai took out Doras casket of polished cherry wood. Its delicate network of enchantments would preserve any alchemical creation for years before losing any efficacy.

He opened the lid, grinning at the rows of shining vials. He had wanted to keep them for emergencies since they were far beyond anything he could brew himself.

If this doesnt qualify as an emergency, I dont know what will.

His fingers browsed through the labels and stopped on a vial containing a pearlescent liquid: Kais Nullifier. A yellow-grade antidote that would sell for one gold, maybe more.

He would need to study the composition of the drug they fed him to brew a proper antidote. But none of that mattered in front of the creation of a master alchemist with more than a century of experience. That was exactly why Dora created this.

A sip should be enough.

He grabbed the vial with both hands, still trembling, and brought it to his parched lips. Like molten fire, the liquid streamed down his throat, blazing and growing in power by the second.

The burning vaguely reminded him of his race enhancements. Kai welcomed each wave of pain. The cleansing fire swept through every inch of his body incinerating the toxin, proving itself more than worthy of its silly name.

His body was still battered by the treatment received. Nothing a sip of Kais Second Wind couldnt solve. The green tonic had a much gentler effect, but it was no less effective. A healing drizzle restored his bruised body. In minutes, he was as fresh as if he had just got out of bed.

Kai stood up straight, firmly wielding his sword.

Those crazy bastards are going to pay.