Ezra stood trembling, and Vincent couldn’t help but sympathize. Knowing full well that he would be doing the same in Ezra’s position. In fact, he’d be trembling himself – at this very moment – if he had a body with which to do so. But that particular action didn’t appear to be something a soul was capable of. Is that what Ezra was right now, a soul? He wasn’t exactly sure, but the idea felt right for some reason.

Vincent’s instinct was to do something to help Ezra, but he’d already been through this before. There was nothing he could do in his current state. There were many advantages to being free from his physical form, but with it, came significant drawbacks as well. He didn’t have any way to affect the physical world for one. He would simply pass through it. This was invaluable for traveling great distances very quickly or observing interesting things without impediment, but in a situation like this, he felt utterly useless. Deep down, he knew that all efforts to intervene would be fruitless. Even though he and Ezra were separated by different dimensions of reality, the danger and immediacy of the situation was every bit as tense for Vincent as it was for Ezra.

His very life hinged on this moment, and how present events played out. And he was every bit as invested in the final outcome as well. Vincent was greatly perturbed at being forced to watch helplessly as Ezra risked his own life in an effort to save a sorry wretch like him. He focused again on Ezra, working to see the layers of reality and catch a glimpse of his friend’s inner world again.

Ezra’s mind was at work, as it always was. Furiously calculating different scenarios and options for how he might miraculously escape this impossible situation. Vincent knew, even without his newfound abilities, that the cards were stacked against them.

He didn’t need some special form of sight to figure that out, though it did help with the details. Vincent could sense Ezra’s anxiety and desperation to get back to the tomb. He knew that Ezra was extremely reluctant to surrender after giving his all in rescuing his companion.

Somehow, Ezra had always found a way, no matter how impossible the situation. And a part of him was determined to do it again. Knowing Ezra’s unique gift: Quick Under Pressure. He had faith in his ability. And the last thing he wanted to do was cast doubt. What he’d witnessed earlier was simply amazing, but even Ezra was doubting his ability to survive this encounter with Wexler, and Vincent couldn’t blame him in the slightest.

Looking at Wexler, Vincent had a hard time gathering any useful information. He knew Ezra was a level ten prospector, but he couldn’t even see what level Wexler was. Instead, when Vincent tried to see past the surface of physical existence into the deeper layers of reality regarding Wexler, he was met with mystery. John Wexler | lvl ??? Stats??? Class??? Hero Class??? He couldn’t read anything. He did know that Wexler was powerful and that he was Elite. Other than that, he couldn’t see any information that might be useful.

Wexler was undoubtedly a very hard man to read. But from what little information he did manage to glean, he knew that if Wexler wanted to kill Ezra, there was nothing stopping him. Nothing except maybe the promise of a greater reward for taking him in alive, which Vincent wasn’t sure would be the case. The only other options were slim to say the least, most likely a desperate stretch. But there was still a slight possibility that Wexler would spare Ezra out of mercy or more likely, take his time in toying with Ezra.

He didn’t have a lot of hope for the former, but there was a realistic possibility for the latter. Best case scenario the contract would stay his hand, but either of these last two options: mercy or sadism; could work in their favor.

Having run through possible strategies in his mind and coming up short, Ezra was left with little hope. But wait… Vincent could sense that there was one other option. He could tell that Ezra didn’t place a lot of stock in this new alternative, but he was desperate, and there was a possibility for it to work, however slim the chance might be.

He was going to try negotiating. We’ll see how this goes… Vincent had to admit that he was more than a little pessimistic, but he could sense that Ezra knew something he didn’t. He had a glimpse into Wexler’s character. There was something about Wexler that made Ezra believe that he was different than Callais and that maybe he would listen to reason.

Vincent was thoroughly intrigued. Because when he looked at Wexler, all he saw was stone cold death on a horse. He seemed immovable, and indifferent. Like a force of nature that acted purely as it was designed. Without any emotion or personal judgment on the nature of its actions.

Like a fire that consumed everything in its path. Not because flame was inherently evil or destructive, but because that was in its nature. Fires simply had to consume in order to exist. When there was no longer sufficient material to consume, a fire ceased to exist.

This is what seemed to drive Wexler. The moment he stopped pursuing, the moment he stopped hunting, the moment he failed to fulfill his design, he would cease to exist. And they had unwittingly stepped in the path of this relentless force.

And yet, Ezra dared to stand his ground. A part of Vincent was frustrated by Ezra. Just let it go. Save yourself and get out of here. Don’t push your luck. These were all thoughts that Vincent experienced simultaneously. But another part of him wanted Ezra to save him. Of course he wanted to live, but he hated watching Ezra put himself in such incredible danger for his sake.

He sensed Wexler’s reluctance and skepticism. Vincent thought, to his surprise, that perhaps there may even be a tiny part of the hunter, that actually wanted to help Ezra. But Wexler was far too wise to fall for any sentimental ruse. Vincent sensed a long history behind these inklings. He didn’t want to admit it, but if there was any truth to what he sensed, Wexler had good reasons for his actions.

He couldn’t help but admire Ezra’s character and he could even appreciate Wexler’s dilemma. But that didn’t stop him from wanting nothing to do with the man. Just go away and leave us in peace. If he could just find a way to go back into his body and return to camp where they could get him on the mend, they could sort this mess out later.

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But that would be too simple. Wouldn’t it? Ezra was trying to find a way to get to Vincent, and somehow convince Wexler to take him with them, but Wexler wasn’t having any of it. The hunter was convinced that Vincent was dead and that was that. And Vincent had to admit, he wasn’t exactly wrong.

Though he knew he wasn’t technically dead yet. Not completely. He was… in between. Which meant that there was still a chance if Ezra could find some way to convince Wexler.

Both men were invested in their own personal battles, and each man was stubborn and willful to their last breath. Which left them impossibly at odds with one another. Each man stood his ground and made his case. Ezra tried to appeal to loss and dignity, and Wexler appealed to professionalism and duty. As an embodiment of the law, it was his solemn duty to uphold justice.

Vincent attempted to enter his body again and failed. It seemed almost as if there were some kind of invisible forcefield preventing him from reentry and he had the distinct feeling that something was blocking his efforts.

Ezra continued to press Wexler and the hunter showed restraint, but Vincent could sense that his patience was running dangerously thin. If Ezra pushed any harder, Vincent knew it would cost him. The tension was different on this side. Sometimes when things got out of hand in mortal life, people would experience situations when they were certain that the tension was almost palpable. But if Vincent had thought that he had experienced volatile situations or emotions before, they paled in comparison to what he felt now.

The intensity of emotions was nearly indescribable. He experienced them almost like a storm. The whirl of thoughts and feeling permeated his being and penetrated his thoughts. The tension was overwhelming. So great was the pressure, that felt as if he were about to snap. To his relief, Ezra finally relented. And the tension slowly faded.

Vincent knew he couldn’t breathe on this side of reality, but the release of tension almost seemed as if the air had cleared, and he was now able to breath freely. The stormed calmed to a degree and Vincent took solace in knowing that Ezra was now inching away from mortal danger.

Vincent’s relief didn’t last long. He felt the sudden sharp increase in danger again as Ezra’s mind raced with new foolhardy thoughts. Ezra was using Quick Under Pressure again, and he was about to make the riskiest move of his life. Vincent found himself in a heightened state of focus at the immense threat, which increased his spiritual sight. He could see the divine calculations and knew that the saving roll would fail.

Ezra was going to get himself killed. He was no match for Wexler and the hunter had reached the threshold of his restraint. He would kill Ezra more out of reflex than anything. Vincent tensed, waiting for the death blow to fall. When suddenly, something combined with Ezra’s skill, igniting him with a sudden burst of energy.

Vincent couldn’t see the source of the power, but he was struck by a blinding flash of light and the words of an ability flashed across his mind in a split second. Ability: Divine Intervention (Source unknown): Saves the target from destruction and combines with target abilities to greatly enhance effectiveness. This surge of divine power can also unlock previously inaccessible abilities within the target.

This burst of holy power saved Ezra’s life, and in that moment, Vincent saw that Ezra’s innate abilities, combined with this divine surge, unlocked a new power within him.

New ability Unlocked: Feign Surrender (Requires Level 12): Allows the user to perform a feint with their weapon, reducing threat by 90%, increasing hit chance by 40% for 5 seconds and increasing critical strike chance by 50% for the next attack.

Ezra feigned surrender and at the last moment, spun around and attacked the hunter. With his threat level down, it took Wexler a split second to reengage, and he would have killed Ezra, but the divine power that had reduced the hunter’s threat, also boosted his resilience. His reflexes told him to aim for the head, but with Divine Intervention active he was barely able to maintain enough restraint, to fire at Ezra’s weapon hand and perform Disarm instead of a Kill Shot.

Ability: Disarm (Hero Talent): Fires at the enemy’s weapon hand. Applying a crippling effect and disarming the target.

Ability: Kill Shot: (Hero Talent): With a successful roll for targets of 50% health or less or targets of inferior level - fires a lethal shot that instantly kills the target.

Being vastly out leveled and up against an elite target, Ezra’s attack was less effective than it would have been against a more evenly matched opponent. His attack did hit, and it was a critical strike, but with Wexler’s stats, skills, level, rolls, and other variables, it did minimal overall damage.

Vincent winced as the bullet blew through Ezra’s hand and Ezra collapsed, screaming in pain. He was amazed at what had just transpired and the ordeal had left him with lingering questions. The most pressing question being: what happened? How did Ezra survive, where did the divine power come from and how did Ezra pull that move off?

The ability required level twelve, but Vincent had checked his stats only moments before and he could have sworn that Ezra was level ten. He checked again and was amazed to find that Ezra was indeed level twelve. Two levels! In a single stroke, he had gained multiple levels, unlocked a new ability, and successfully evaded death.

Vincent was stunned that Ezra was still alive. Though he was still quite concerned with the damage that had been afflicted upon his friend. He hoped it wouldn’t cause Ezra to be permanently crippled or result in a slow, agonizing, death like he had experienced.

Upon inspecting Ezra, it appeared as if he would pull through. However, Vincent’s relief was quickly replaced by new anxiety, as Buster reached a frenzied level of threat toward Wexler. He was on the verge of full out attack, but Ezra was able to soothe him enough to prevent disaster.

Ability: Soothe Target: (learned skill) Soothes friendly target, reducing threat by up to 50% for 10 seconds.

It took a while for the ability to take effect, but soon, Buster had calmed down enough for the threat of attack to subside. Once Wexler was satisfied that it was safe to approach, he inspected Ezra’s wound and gathered supplies to treat it. Ezra took the opportunity to imbibe a fair bit of whiskey to dull the pain before cleaning the wound and bandaging it.

Vincent knew firsthand how excruciating a wound like that could be, and the memory of it, caused him to wince. He once again counted himself lucky to be free of pain. Despite the overwhelming experience of his excruciating wound, Ezra’s thoughts returned to helping Vincet.

Vincent was baffled to see him still attempting to negotiate. Even now, when crippled, in pain, and very likely to stoke the ire of a man that could kill him instantly, he fought to save his friend. Vincent felt a newfound surge of respect, love, and admiration for the man he considered to be a brother. Regardless of blood.

Vincent made one last effort to return to his body. Maybe he could call out and then they would be able to carry him back, but he stopped short. A few feet from his pale remains. He was at a loss.

Though he had made a valiant effort, Ezra’s attempts were not enough. And ultimately, he was forced to mount up and ride away.