Chapter 113: Tension

Chapter 113: Tension

Are you all insane? Jie rasped as they sprinted. Were all going to

His words caught in his throat as he spotted Quinn standing beside Jade, a worried expression on her face. He skidded to a stop, stumbling and nearly tripping over his own feet. Quinn ran forward, grabbing Jie and pulling him into a tight hug.

Jie stiffened for a moment, then let his shoulders slump and returned the gesture. They only held it for a moment before Quinn stepped back, holding Jie at arms length.

Im sorry. I should have helped fight, but

You would have just gotten in the way, Bella said. I havent fought together with you before. It wasnt the time and this isnt either. We need to move. Is there somewhere safe we can hide? You can talk there.

Quinn looked to Jie. He paused for a moment, then gave them a sharp nod. Yes. Theres an abandoned house that I and some of the others use at night when we need to be left alone. Follow me.

Jie took off and the rest of them sprinted after them. They shot through the dark alleys, even as shouts started to rise up from the street as the Brackern Sects reinforcements arrived, only to find one of their sect elders dead on the street.

Chance could help but feel a little abashed about the entire performance. It was supposed to be a quick talk and a stealthy escape, not a giant fight that called the entire sect down on them. Still, he couldnt think of a single thing he would have changed. The two men hed killed had deserved it.

His words to Nimea floated through his mind as they ran. Chance had said that he didnt have the right to choose who lived and died, but then hed gone and killed one man with a surprise attack, then aided in killing a second.

It wasnt the first time hed thought about it, but the thoughts were growing more prominent with every fight he had. Self defense was one thing, but he was actively hunting people down now.

For an instant, Chance felt as if he could feel Yamishs gaze on his back.

I wonder if this is what happened to Yamish. He cultivates Balance, but maybe at one point, he was trying to cultivate Good Karma as well at the start. But thats not the same. He was actively working to keep balance with good and evil acts. Im doing the right thing.

or am I just deluded?

That thought didnt sit too well with Chance, but it didnt change the visions hed seen in Drayan and Earns Karma. No, there was no doubt in his mind that theyd deserved death. He was just the instrument the universe had chosen to deliver their Karma.

Something warmed deep within Chances chest, but he didnt have time to properly look at it while they were running. Hed take a look later, once they were safer. Relatively safer, at least.

Jie led them through alley after alley, weaving through them with the expert skill of a man who had made this particular trip hundreds of times before. The shouts of the guards soon faded into the distance as they traveled deep into the sect.

Their rushed pace slowed as the alleys started to erode and the age of the buildings increased significantly. Chance could practically feel the average cost of living drop as they continued on, stepping over molding food tossed into the alley days or weeks ago from the streets.

Even the streets outside of the shadows were less populous and darker. The glimpses Chance caught through the alleys showed run down shops and abandoned houses, their materials old and often starting to collapse.

Here, Jie said as they arrived at a crumbling two story building. The top floor had completely given away, and rubble littered the alleyway around them. He stepped through the door, which was already cracked open. Watch your head when you step in. Your foot too.

Quinn slipped inside and Chance followed after her. His foot slipped slightly as he ducked inside, saving him from smacking his forehead against a jutting rock, and he staggered over a hole in the ground.

The room was small, with a tiny old bed stuffed into the corner and a stairwell leading up to the second floor. The rest of it had been done in by fallen rubble, and even the stairwell led to nothing, as a big section of the wall had fallen right on top of it, blocking the path off.

Jie stared at Chance. I told you to be careful.

Chance and Bella exchanged a glance. They both still had the artifacts theyd taken out of the Ancient Realm, but they had absolutely no idea what they did yet. And, no matter what they were, Chance doubted they were going to sway the scales nearly enough to let a group of Rank Threes challenge the elders of a sect.

Nobody spoke for several seconds.

We might be a little bit outmatched, Jade admitted. But that doesnt mean we can stop. If we can pick them off one by one, then we have a chance.

Against a Rank Four, sure, Chance agreed. But a Rank Five? Or a Six? I dont know about that. Even if were using Wards to isolate them one by one, I dont think we can handle someone that much stronger than we are in a direct fight.

So this whole argument was for nothing? Jie asked.

No, Bella said with a shake of her head. Just because we cant challenge them directly doesnt mean we cant find a way to get people out of their grasp somehow.

Well, we arent doing anything today, Quinn said, chewing her lower lip. After breaking Jie out, the whole sect is going to be on guard.

As good a time as any to work on figuring out a plan, Bella agreed. Whats the likelihood that anyone finds us here?

Ive never seen anyone come here before, but Ive also never seen a sect elder get killed, Jie said. He shrugged. Ive got no idea, but theres absolutely no way were going to get out of the city right now. Were probably safer here than anywhere else.

Then I propose we take the rest of the day to recuperate, Bella said. I havent had proper sleep in a while, and I know Chance hasnt either. Id imagine its not much different for Quinn at that matter. Why dont we rest for the next few hours, then reconvene at night and see if anyones thought of something useful?

Nobody voiced any issue with that.

Im going to try to clear a little area upstairs, Bella said. Thatll make it less packed down here.

Ill guard the door. We can swap off, Jade offered.

Chance followed Bella up the stairs, stopping before the fallen section of wall. Bellas body rippled as her Essence activated and she dug her fingers into the stone, lifting it with a grunt. She pushed it back slowly, taking care not to make too much noise. Chance tried not to stare too hard when Bella literally lifted the stone off the ground with one hand, clearing the stairwell in one move.

She stepped out onto the top floor, carefully setting the stone to the side. Chance poked his head over her shoulder. The top floor even smaller than the bottom floor, as the majority of it had caved in. It was basically just a small nook with a roof and a stairwell.

Bella walked over to the corner and sat down against the wall. Chance flopped down beside her.

Well, Bella said, drawing the word out and keeping her voice low. That could have gone better.

Could have gone worse.

She let out a soft laugh. Always optimistic. I guess youre right.

Maybe we should take your own advice and just rest for a little, Chance suggested. We can figure out what well do about this later. I dont know about you, but Im exhausted.

Yeah, Bella muttered.

Neither of them spoke for a few moments. Bella shifted, leaning to rest her head on Chances shoulder. Chance froze, then let the tension seep out of his body and rested his own head against Bellas.

Of all the ways he could have imagined taking a break to get some rest, this certainly wasnt one hed complain about.