Blood pours from the new cavity on Lewis’s chest, the man from behind him slowly pulls out his sword. Lewis's body now lacking balance slowly sunk to the bottom of the tube, his blood following him like the previous dead Flaxen.
Clide and Joshen noticing the absence of Lewis’s skill turned around, right in time to see Lewis’s now seemingly lifeless corpse sink into the bottom of the tube. Clide kept his composure but looked angry, while Joshens couldn’t handle the sudden death of his friend, lashed out, and went to charge at the newly appearing figure. Clide tried to yell at him to stop, but it was already too late, the four behind him, two equipped with claws, and two equipped with swords swung at him as he turned around.
In his state of discomposure he left himself exposed, his defenses were down, and the attacks came from four experienced individuals, while simultaneously having Ash enhancements strengthening their attacks. Needless to say, even Joshens couldn’t handle that well, luckily his tough scales allowed him to live but he could barely stand after that barrage of attacks.
Joshens forced himself to turn back around to face the enemy once more, while Clide donned his sword once more to face off against the man who stabbed Lewis. A one on one neither were injured but only a few moments ago Clide had not only used Ash to summon his armor and weapon but also used it to launch all those arrows, not to mention if he didn’t end this fast Joshens would get beaten behind him and he would have to deal with four from behind too.
Clide further enhanced his sword with his Ash, the enemy didn’t dally; he sprinted towards Clide, Clide readied himself for the clash. Time slowed for Clide as he prepared himself to go all out against the enemy in front of him, only a few seconds before they got close enough for the first strike.
Yet the enemy ran past Clide and kept going past Joshens, the rest of the enemies also turned around and started down the tunnel. Clide understood what happened, he could see Aton and Jasper in the distance rapidly making their way over, looks like the enemy didn’t want to fight with Aton added to the mix.
As soon as the enemy started their leave with the little strength Joshens had left he made his way to Lewis, he knew he couldn’t do anything but even if he could help Lewis in his final moments it would be worth it, or even if he could merely say goodbye. Clide instead went to Aton to report on the situation.
“One of them slipped through from your side, and stabbed Lewis from behind.” Clide didn’t look happy he walked right up to Aton, “You had one enemy between the two of you to deal with, we had five between the three of us and you couldn’t even get that right. What kind of leader are you?” Jasper stepped in.
“It’s my fault Aton did kill the enemy we were dealing with, but there was another one I didn’t sense with my skill, not to mention Aton had to protect me while fighting which made it harder on him.” Jasper lifted his hand “I even lost two fingers from the fight.” Clide looked at it with some understanding.
“I honestly understand your frustration but let’s look at Lewis, please.” Considering the situation Clide could hardly refuse, so they went over to Lewis meeting up with Joshens. Joshens had tears pouring from his eyes, not that anyone could notice since they were underwater.
Aton examined Lewis, the gills on his neck still pumping in and out air, he’s still alive for now. If Aton and Lewis swapped positions Lewis as the medic of the group would’ve known what to do to save the dying man, but Aton does not practice medicine or Ash skills specializing in healing. Neither did anyone else in the group. Aton got up.
“We have three injured, one severe. The enemy at least had some knowledge of our skills and were intelligent. Lewis has a severe injury but still lives, we need to get him to a doctor, and quickly. Clide you’ll support Joshens and I’ll get Lewis. Jasper, you have the most important job; keep an eye out for the enemy.” Everyone listened to Aton, including Clide. Jasper once again activated his ability he hadn’t fully recovered so blood once again seeped from his orifices. Clide gave Joshens his body for support, he looked like he would be okay a bit pale, and showing some signs of overuse in Ash, but okay. They would have to take a detour to get to a medic. Aton grabbed Lewis and they started moving down the tube, while they traveled Aton shared some of his thoughts.
“I think the enemy didn’t intend to necessarily finish that fight, from what I saw they had no intention in killing us all.” Joshens looked as if he wanted to speak, but the pain refrained him from doing so, so Clide spoke up instead.
“Are you so sure, I don’t think Lewis would think that way right now if he wasn’t unconsciously nearing his end,” Clide remarked. Joshens built up the strength to lightly hit him with his fist. It didn’t hurt of course but it had intention. Aton sighed, once Clide got an inch he took a mile he was making the mood worse and normally Joshens would counteract that but he didn’t even have the strength to speak right now. So Aton continued.
“Everything just seems weird, they had the advantage and instead of continuing the fight they left, they definitely knew at least some of our abilities. They inhibited my sight from the start, and aimed for Jasper's fingers right away.” Clide had already thought the same thing, the whole fight had been weird from the start. They obviously knew when their group entered the tunnel considering somebody came from behind them, they seemed to know how to deal with their skills fairly well, and they backed out after they dealt some damage.
“Alright Aton I get it somethings up, they knew our skills which alone confirms they had prepared this beforehand. My guess Maxwell or your old friend Kell. Who else would know this much about us, though I will admit Maxwell can only seem suspicious right now.” A small voice coming from behind Aton could barely be heard from Jasper.
“They knew about your abilities too Sir. Clide?” He meekly asked. Clide looked a bit too happy at the mention of Sir and his name right next to each other with no sarcasm.
“Jasper my boy, you're a bright one you know that?” Jasper looked at him confused.
“what” Jasper again meekly replied. Clide laughed at that.
“It's nothing, I guess I can’t know for sure they just seemed like they knew how to respond to our skills. They didn’t overextend into my arrows and normally stayed right outside of my most effective range. Maybe a coincidence, but they also weren’t super cautious of Joshens. Of course, it’s a four v one, but if Joshens had an Ash skill effective against multiple targets then they would’ve endangered themselves greatly. Obviously, Joshens doesn't, but they shouldn't have known that.” Jasper liked to learn anything he could so he signed Clide to continue with an energetic face.
“They also didn’t use many Ash applications or skills, they only used Ash to enhance defense here and there. They most likely knew about Lewis’s skill. In other words, they knew they would lose in an attrition fight between Ash so they conserved their Ash, which put them at a temporary disadvantage, but with their guy coming in from behind it's a pretty perfect strategy that would be nearly impossible without knowledge of our abilities. Got it now?”
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Jasper pondered for a moment and nodded his head in response. Aton seeing the pause spoke.
“It’s extremely odd that we haven’t seen any citizens here, it’s not good, but we can’t turn around otherwise Lewis will most likely die.” Jasper and Joshens both wanted to press on in hopes of saving Lewis. Clide hadn’t yet dispelled his Ash equipment other than his bow since they needed to move fast and the bow would slow him down. But he kept the rest of the equipment in preparation for an ambush, a bit straining, but he had great control over Ash so he could handle it.
His face darkened. Clide looked at his sword with disgust. He had faked his opinion aligning with the rest of them, so nobody had awaited a response, nor noticed his antics; they were too busy swimming, but he knew what he must do. He trails to the back of the group. He knows he must do it, nobody else has the guts to do it, he has to take the lead in this situation. Joshens looks at him with suspicion. Clide took a few moments to compose himself, one breath, two breaths, three breaths. Joshens will probably say something soon. He notes.
Clide activates his skill. Normally he wouldn’t be able to reactivate his skill as there would be nothing to summon, but he purposely dispelled his bow allowing him to reactivate the skill. A divine light covers him, everyone can’t help but look for a second, enough time for Clide. He drops Joshens, grabs the handle of his golden sword, since he already had the sword he didn’t have to wait for it to be summoned, and pulls it out of its sheath. And thrusts at Aton, he kept close enough to be able to do so right away.
Even while influenced by the skill Aton expertly goes to block the attack, but Aton, of course, wasn’t the target, the golden sword pierces Lewis once more, right through his trachea, blood shot out from the wound spraying Clides face. Everyone, even Clide couldn’t quite comprehend what happened right before their eyes, one second they were on their way to save Lewis and the next Clide had stabbed him through the neck. It didn’t take Aton long to move into action grabbing Clide by his neck, in a position ready to strangle the man.
“WHY!” Aton yelled at Clides face, already increasing the pressure on his neck, enough to hurt. Before Clide could speak he let out some dry coughs, the pressure already damaging his neck.
“I did what I had to. All I did was send off a corpse, you were planning to endanger everyone still with a chance to live on your team for someone who might as well be dead already. Now we can turn around without guilt. I am taking the burden of all the guilt so you don’t have to. Isn’t that what you should do as our leader? And now you're questioning me? Pathetic.” Aton had no response.
Of course, morals could be argued, but at the same time, Clide spoke the truth. He almost galloped them headfirst into a wall of spears. Lewis probably wouldn’t have made it even if they didn’t run into enemies, sending him off could be considered more humane than trying to save him at that point. Aton slowly released Clide’s neck, Clide instinctively rubbed the spots where Aton had squeezed.
“You make a good point, now the burden is on your shoulders. I hope you can carry it.” Aton slowly spoke out, he looked at Joshens and Jasper.
“I’m sorry for that unsightly display, I’ll be helping you now Joshens.” Joshens looked beyond frustrated. He had experienced the death of comrades before, but he couldn't stomach his own ally killing them. His injuries were the only reason he didn’t attack Clide right after the murder, but the explanation calmed him down enough to at least listen to Aton, for now. Jasper had a similar reaction rage, but also horror. He couldn’t believe one of the men he looked up to, a friend had stabbed his other friend and comrade. He and Lewis formed a close bond in the short time they knew each other, they were both support classes so they fought shoulder-to-shoulder a few times. And practiced, in the same way, many times.
Yet he knew he knew he couldn’t do anything even in Clide’s current state, Jasper wouldn’t be able to beat him in his best condition. Jasper had always known his weakness especially compared to Clide or Aton, but he never knew it could feel this terrible. His frustration made his internal bleeding act up even more and the blood flowed faster than before, he had to calm down, he didn’t want to burden the group further by having to deactivate his ability, but the pains in his body yelled at him to stop channeling Ash.
They had turned around as Clide had predicted, while Joshens and Jasper were injured they didn’t need immediate medical attention, so they could take a long way, the Law precinct would have their own doctors and medicine, but they didn’t know if the Law had orchestrated this. Even if it wasn’t Maxwell, somebody with a vendetta, ambition or any number of things could’ve gone behind Maxwell’s back to take out one of his greatest allies. So basically that option could be catastrophic.
Luckily they didn’t even need to go into the Laws district to go around, they had passed an offshoot on the way over that would take them to another district, a water housing district. That should connect to a residential district that would have the doctor they needed, and then they could finally try to get to Molloy Drop. Though Aton feared his group's stability after what Clide had pulled, he might have to kick him out of his team, but losing two members before he even started the expedition would be a huge blow and would make him look weak to his rivals.
The group had reached the offshoot; it had the same bubble design as the one they used to enter the tube. Aton peered over the side to peek into the other side, two guards were at the bubble, guarding the district below. The tubes were placed high up to not interfere with the industry below. The two had Restoration uniforms on. Restoration could be considered another big faction in Bathysphere and highly respected. They were responsible for about ninety percent of repairs done in Bathysphere. Their military might wasn’t quite on par with the Law or the Abyss leaders, but their economic might outdid either of the factions and politically wasn’t too far behind either.
“What are they doing here? Jasper check if their Ash users.” Aton whispered. Jasper obliged, his head banging from the excessive use of Ash his internal bleeding would get deadly soon.
“They're not sir.” Aton pondered for a moment.
“Then considering our options it should be okay let’s go.” The group made their way through the bubble. The two guards noticed them and turned around. They looked slightly afraid.
“He-hehe, don’t mind us, we were actually jus-just on our way out.” Aton and Clide both gave them a frightful stare, and they scurried off.
“The hell.” Clide couldn't help but left out, they were all confused as to why the Restoration faction had guarded the tube. It's an explanation as to why they didn’t see anyone else during their time there, but the tube didn’t need repair so the only explanation would be they were either the employers or the employees of whoever they had fought back there. However that led to issues, if they were the employers, why would such an unrelated faction get involved with some random Abyss leader business? However, if they were the employees they would need some serious incentive, and there's few with enough money or treasure to get the Restoration faction to move.
Maxwell and his Law faction, Welsh and his Abyss leader allies, the Van Drebels named after their leader and a faction who used to own the city before the Abyss leaders took control. Those would be the only factions with the capability to get the Restoration faction to move. They also had to account for the fact that whoever those guys were had known a lot of their skills, anyone would try to keep their skills under wraps as much as they could, so not any layman would know about their skills. Welsh and Maxwell would know best, particularly Welsh since they have fought together in the Abyss before, but maybe it got around somehow?
Either way, it's bad news for them to be on the bad side of somebody that powerful. Aton and his team could be considered powerful, but he definitely couldn’t take on one of those factions, let alone if two of them were working together.