Chapter 103: Friends

Chapter 103: Friends

As soon as Nimea left the room, Quinn crumpled to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Strands of ropey red energy curled off her back and neck, rising into the air and dissipating.

Chance stared at the hand on the ground, watching the blood pool at his feet and stain his shoes. He reached down for it, then paused. His fingers twitched and he squeezed his hand into a fist, retracting it.

Are you going to attack again? Chance asked softly.

Quinn let out a pained groan and writhed on the ground, trying to pick at something at her back. A thin sliver of metal pushed out from between her shoulder blades and clattered onto the ground. As soon as it came free, Quinn slumped forward.

No. I have no reason to fight you any further.

Nimea was forcing you to fight me, right?

Quinn didnt reply. She stared at the metal like she were looking into a mirror. Chance turned away from her, looking through the smoke to try to get a glimpse at Bella. He hadnt heard anything from either her or Ocie, so everything was still fine. It probably wouldnt be long before more cultivators arrived, though.

Then youve got two options, Chance said. Stay here or leave. If youve got any designs on the power that drew you here, I wont let you pass until my friend is finished cultivating.

Quinn looked up at Chance for the first time since Nimea had left. Youd let me stay?

It was pretty obvious that you werent fully in control of your actions. It would be wrong of me to hold you accountable for that, but Im not going to put my own team at risk either.

Quinn nodded. I understand. I I dont know what else I can do. Ill stay.Ñ00v€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

Chance inclined his head. He listened closely for a minute, trying to see if he could hear anyone else coming. All that reached his ears was the crackle of the fire surrounding Bella. He turned back, sitting down in front of it.

Several minutes passed. Quinn dragged herself over to the wall and sat with her back to it, staring at the ground with a blank, lost expression. Chance pulled a healing pill out of one of his vials and flicked it over to her.

Quinn caught it, looking up at him with a surprised expression.

What is this? Quinn asked suspiciously.

A healing pill.

Why?

Why not? Youre injured.

Were enemies.

We were enemies, Chance corrected. I dont hate the sword. You even tried to talk Nimea out of attacking me. What happened was her fault, not yours.

Quinn looked down at the pill in her hands. A bitter smile flickered across her face and she put it into her mouth, swallowing. She seemed mildly surprised to find that her wounds actually started to seal over a moment later.

Its wasted, Quinn said.

Kindness is never wasted.

Ill be dead soon anyway, Quinn said with a laugh. As soon as I leave the Ancient Realm, Ill return to our home sect. Nimea will have me killed if Im lucky. More likely, Ill end up being made into an example.

Chances lips pressed thin.

Perhaps letting her live wasnt the right move, but killing her felt I dont know. Wrong. Not because she deserved to live, but killing someone that much weaker than me felt like it would impact my Karma. Like it wasnt my place to deal with her.

Im sorry, Chance said. Maybe I shouldnt have let her live.

She was screaming your name when I killed her, Lin said.

Quinns face went white. For help?

No, no. She was cursing you, I believe, Linn replied, rubbing his chin with a blood-covered hand. Curious thing, to waste your final breaths in anger at another. Theyre the last traces you leave on this world. Spending them on someone else so selfless.

Quinn sent Chance a terrified glance. He didnt blame her.

I knew Lin was dangerous and insane, but this is way worse than what I thought it was. He seemed pretty normal when I met him the first time, and he was only slightly terrifying the second time around. What in the world happened?

Lin? Chance asked. He called on his Essence, directing it to his forehead and opening his third eye. Strands of Karma swam to life around Lin in such a thick web that it was difficult to make out one from the other.

Lin tilted his head to the side. Yes?

What happened at your dinner with Shae and Jade? Did it go well?

It was enjoyable, Lin said. Not nearly worth the favor you paid me, though. I thought I might pay it off some by taking care of this girl, but it seems I may have simply inconvenienced you even further.

Chance flicked through the strands of Karma, searching desperately for a familiar face. Almost as if the Karma detected his desire, the strands shifted and moved out of the way as one came forth.

At first, all Chance could see was red. As he studied it harder, more detail emerged. It was his room in the Dancing Cloud sect. Jade knelt beside Shae. The entire room was covered with blood, and Shaes arm had been ripped off at the shoulder.

Jades eyes were wide with terror and she was screaming something, but there was still some life left in Shaes eyes. Chance fought the bile that built up in his throat. It didnt seem like Shae was dead, and Jade appeared safe physically, at least.

Nobody died? Chance asked.

No, I promised not to kill anyone, Lin said with a gentle smile. I am a man of my word. The Shikari did attempt to leave a little early, so we had to have a slight discussion, but I left him with all the information he wanted to report back to his supervisors in Gleam.

A distant rumble shook the mansion again. Lin glanced up.

Youve got other cultivators in the area. Were you planning on sitting here for much longer? I would be curious to see how you find your way out of this one if you do. It would be interesting to see if you survive.

Do you happen to know what rank they are? Chance asked.

There are several. I noticed multiple Rank Fours and at least one Rank Five.

Chance chewed his lower lip. Even if Lee wasnt going to be a threat, cultivators of that strength were a massive problem. If they made it to Bella, there wasnt going to be much they could do.

I sense an opportunity, Lin observed. Perhaps you need some time. I deal in that sort, and I am eager to settle the scales between us.

Chances stomach clenched, but he nodded. My friend is trying to cultivate. Shes absorbing the Essence from the treasure that fell through the roof of the mansion.

Then I shall help. It is decided, Lin said, a smile stretching across his face. That will bring us both peace. Remain here. It will be difficult for me to notice you while I am working, and it would be unfortunate if something were to happen.

With that, Lin strode out of the room, only pausing to grab Nimeas head and take it with him. Once he left, Quinn let out a terrified breath.

I thought he was going to kill both of us. Ive changed my mind. I dont want to die anymore. Im finding a way out of here. Are you really allied with that monster?

Allied might not be the right term, Chance admitted, unease resting heavily on his shoulders. Im not sure getting his attention is such a good thing. I would follow his suggestion if I were you.

You think Im going to disobey someone like that? Quinn asked with a shudder. Ill be right over here, thank you. I just hope this doesnt take too long. If he doesnt pop my head like a grape, I want to get out of the Ancient Realm and never come back.

Chance couldnt help but agree with her.