Zeke let himself fall down, uncaring of the rough stone floor scraping his back. He just lay there and stared at the sky through the opening in the ceiling.
His breath was rough, and his body ached all over. From the stinging of his lungs to the open wounds across his back, not a single speck of skin was uninjured. Nevertheless, he was smiling broader than he had in a long ti.
On top of his physical ailnts, his Core was wholly depleted, and fine cracks had ford across its surface. This was the first ti he had exhausted his it so thoroughly. Unlike with his Blood Affinity, he was far more limited when casting Space or Mind Magic. This just went to show how miraculous a perfect Affinity truly was. He never had to worry about running out of Mana when casting Blood Spells. The limiting factor had always been the amount of blood he had.
After Zeke got his breath under control, he sat up. His gaze found Vulcanos, lying on the ground next to him. The Chiroi had his arms and legs stretched wide and stared at the sky with a vacant look. It was unclear what he was thinking about if anything.
On his other side was Gravitas. She was leaning against a boulder, imrsed in her own thoughts. Zeke didnt begrudge them their silence. After what they had just gone through, a mont of quiet was the least he could give them.
However, a mont would have to suffice. After all, they would need to be out of the Danger Zone before sunset. He wasnt sure how far the Elentals would chase them.
Zeke laid back down, closing his eyes.
Thank you, he said into the quietness of his mind.
The Dragon scoffed. Whatever. You worry about yourself, whelp.
What do you an?
Zekes eyes snapped open. Sobody had just entered his sphere of awareness.
UP! he yelled.
Vulcanos and Gravitas staggered to their feet. They quickly followed his gaze and found a group of five approaching their position quietly. The newcors froze. It was obvious that they had been trying to sneak up on them. Clearly, they didnt have any good intentions. Not that their motives had been in question in the first place.
Zeke recognized them instantly. The group's core consisted of Jaihar Firebrand and his two guards, whom he had t at the Veergati. In addition, the young man had brought two more guards Zeke couldnt place right away. However, they were both Chiroi, and not the weak kind either.
The young Firebrand had a cordial expression on his face as he straightened his bent back and started to walk casually. Now that they were discovered, there was no point hiding anymore. He didnt seem at all embarrassed or even dismayed upon being discovered. This was not a good sign.
Jaihar, Zeke said with a neutral expression. What are you doing here?
What do you think?
Zeke wasnt in the mood for gas. I think you are here to kill .
Jaihar grinned wolfishly but refrained from answering. Instead, he swept his gaze over Zekes group before clapping.
That was quite the performance youve put on, Blood Dragon, he praised in a tone that could almost pass as sincere. When I saw all of you coming out of that mine in such a state, I just had to co over to congratulate you.
Zeke clenched his fist so hard his knuckles turned whitethis bastard. He could not have arrived at a worse ti. Zeke was practically useless at the mont, and the Dragon was also out of commission. He would have to rely on Gravitas and Vulcanos to protect him.
However, would that really be enough? Jaihar had clearly known beforehand about their presence, and it didnt seem to bother him in the slightest.
Glancing sideways at his allies, it was clear that the Chiroi were also ill at ease. They each stared at one of the two fighters Jaihar had brought. It seed they were already acquainted. This was an ominous sign.
Who are your friends? Zeke asked.
Jaihar grinned. He didnt seem to be in a hurry. He was looking at Zeke with the eyes of a cat toying with a mouse. Ohh? Those two? I wonder
Zeke had no intention of playing along. Instead, he established a ntal connection with his teammates. They would be able to answer his questions far more accurately anyway. However, the mont the Spellform snapped into place, it felt like a burning stake was driven into his chest. Under the assault of the searing pain, all he could do was keep himself from crying out.
Fortunately, Jaihar didnt seem to have noticed his loss of composure. He was still droning on about the Firebrand school and their connections, but Zeke wasnt paying attention. He took a deep breath and spoke to his group ntally.
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Who are those two?
To their credit, neither of the two reacted outwardly. It seed they had sowhat gotten used to this thod of communication, as the answer ca imdiately. Old rivals, Gravitas said. It appears this brat knew exactly who would accompany you, master.
Zeke grimaced. This was the worst-case scenario. Furthermore, he didnt like the broader implications any better.
Can you win?
Undoubtedly, she replied without hesitation. They arent on my level, and Vulcanos would also win his fight, even in his current state. However, that hardly matters, does it?
Zeke silently agreed. It was no wonder Jaihar was so confident. He clearly didnt bring his own Chiroi in hopes of defeating Gravitas and Vulcanos. No, they were rely here to stall them while he dealt with Zeke the weakest link. The mont he died, the others would automatically cease to be a problem.
Dammit. How many tis would he be a burden today?
Master Gravitas said after a while. You should take the bottles and run.
Their eyes t briefly, allowing him to glimpse the determination she had carved into her heart. It was an expression he had seen not too long ago on the face of another. His chest ached even more. But this ti, it wasnt from the overstimulation of his Core.
Dammit!
Gravitas and Vulcanos could win against their old rivals in a one-on-one fight. But he doubted that was true for a five versus two scenario. Even though the young Firebrand and his two Mage companions were much weaker, they were still Grand Mages. They would do substantial damage when hiding behind the others.
Zeke couldnt deceive himself. If he left now, it would be a death sentence for the two. But what would his presence change? Wouldnt they die even faster with him here? Shouldnt he choose the path with the best chance of survival?
Enough, a voice said in his mind. The Dragon sounded much more annoyed than usual. Aside from that, there was a note of solemness in his tone that Zeke had never heard before. What are you panicking for, you worthless fleshbag? Just when I thought you werent completely useless, you lose your head like this?
I dont know what to do, Zeke admitted.
Stop lying to yourself, the Dragon scoffed. You know exactly what you are supposed to do. The only reason you cant see it is because of the fear clouding your eyes.
Zekes thoughts ground to a halt. He was completely frozen. What was that supposed to an? Wasnt he doing everything he could to make the best choice?
He pressed his eyes shut and took a deep, shuddering breath. Then, he opened them slowly.
The first thing that ca into view was the five figures standing across from him. Jaihar and his guards had cruel grins on their faces. anwhile, the two Chiroi carried expressions of schadenfreude. It seed they had no problem getting rid of their old rivals through underhanded ans.
Then, his gaze found his allies.
To his left stood Vulcanos. Despite his injuries, his back was straight, and his head held high. He appeared fearless in the face of their enemies, looking down on them with a gaze that could lt steel.
To his right stood Gravitas. Not much of her face could be seen, thanks to her veil. Nonetheless, everything of importance could be learned from the fire in her gaze. She seed even more firey than the literal vulcano to his left, ready to explode at a monts notice.
Unconsciously, Zekes lips curved upward. What had he been thinking about just now? Running away? Him? The disciple of Maximilian von Hohenheim? Even if he escaped, he would probably die of sha right after.
His back straightened, and Zeke rose to his full height. His change did not go unnoticed by their opponents. Even Jaihar fell silent and eyed him with a bit of caution. It seed his relaxed deanor unnerved them.
Bastard, the young man said. Do you think you can escape?
No, Zeke said, causing Gravitas to flinch. and neither do I intend to.
Then what the hell are you smiling for?
Smiling Zeke repeated absentmindedly, touching his own face. It seed he had only just now noticed the expression he was wearing. Upon tracing the edges of his mouth with his fingers, his smile only widened further. This is rather good.
Master Gravitas called out, but Zeke raised his hand to stop her.
Dont, he said in a gentle but firm tone. There is no chance I will leave you two behind to save myself.
Gravitas mouth snapped shut, her eyes wide. Vulcanos also looked at him for a long, drawn-out mont.
Zeke chuckled. It kind of hurts that you look so shocked. I must not be a very reliable person in your eyes.
That is not
Its fine, he said. I wish I had the chance to make up for that, but, alas, that doesnt seem to be in the cards for . He swept his gaze over the three Grand Mages, who t his eyes with a bit of apprehension.
I asked what you were smiling for! Jaihar yelled, far more agitated than earlier. The change in Zeke was clearly making him nervous.
Zeke ignored him for a second ti and instead tilted his head to look at the sky. What a beautiful day it was.
You know he said after a while. My ntor used to say sothing quite interesting. He told that the true caliber of a man revealed itself only once. Care to guess when that is?
What nonsense are you on about?
A man shows his worth when he is staring death in the face. While lesser n might cry and beg, a man with the heart of a warrior Zeke didnt finish his explanation but instead smiled broadly.
He heard the Dragon chuckle in his mind. Not bad, it said. You would have made for a fine Dragon.
Zeke remained silent for a mont. It has been an honor.
Just when he thought it wouldnt say anything, the Dragon spoke for a final ti. My na is KhaiZhar, youngest child of the Dragon King. If there is an afterlife, lets et again on the other side.
Zeke nodded. There was nothing left to say between them. Instead, he focused on his other allies.
It is quite a sha how things have turned out, Zeke lanted. I would have liked to conquer the world with you two by my side.
Vulcanos glanced at him, a grin erging on his own face. I would have liked that as well.
Gravitas remained silent, but her gaze said more than words ever could.
Zeke patted each of their shoulders as he sent them a final ssage. I will hold on for as long as I can. Do with that ti what you will.
Neither of them replied, but from the fire in their eyes, it wasnt hard to guess what they would be doing.
Zeke raised his head and looked down at his three opponents in a display of unbridled arrogance. His expression was devoid of fear, and his eyes seed to be mocking them instead. Judging by their body language, it seed as if he was the one holding their lives in his palm instead of the other way around.
Without giving them even a mont to gather their thoughts, Zeke charged.
GLORY OR DEATH! he roared from the bottom of his lungs.
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