Exill spent the next two days spending most of the morning and afternoon in the Labyrinth, much to the growing concern of Luna and Envy. The Healer had barely the time to spare, as word spread of her miraculous ability to deliver babies that were long overdue. She could only look concernedly over dinners as Exill was slowly consumed by inner turmoil.
The impressions gained by the divination bones had become clearer with each passing day. Everything related to the duel resulted in his death, even if he immediately forfeited and abandoned the challenge.
‘But why do the bones predict my death even when I accept Luna’s loan?’ This last revelation was the most perplexing one.
The only ray of hope lay in fleeing Ark, but even there, the divination tools hinted of an insidious threat, whose glimpse caused cold shivers to run down his spine.
The duel was tomorrow and [Monk] was stuck at level 19 and he was unlikely to reach level 20 today. It was unwise to exert himself on the eve of competition.
There were two immediate options available to him. One was to accept Luna’s loan and render the competition moot, or the trump card he was reluctant to activate. His pride refused to even consider fleeing Ark in disgrace. Exill unlocked his bedroom door, greeting Luna who appeared equally tired these last few days. She looked up as he approached, forcing a smile on her lips.
“Will you be staying home today? You should rest, otherwise you’ll be too tired to fight tomorrow.”
Exill pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, feeling sluggish and demoralised from enduring visions of his death. “Yeah, I’ll be mostly resting today.” He sat silently for several more minutes, working up the courage to ask for help. However Luna beat him to the punch, as usual.
“Are you alright Exill?” She reached out to touch his forehead, measuring his temperature.
“Yeah… actually no. Remember when you proposed to loan me money to free Envy – is that offer still on the table?” He forced the reluctant words out of his mouth.
Luna’s eyes widened in surprise, then looked away while pinching her lips. “I-I’m sorry, after paying the inheritance tax, I…”
“It’s fine, forget I asked. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Exill made to stand up, but Luna quickly grabbed the edge of his sleeve.
“No! If you need it, I can take out a loan on the Clinic, we can go to the Moneylender’s right now.”
Exill bit his lower lip, touched that she would go to such lengths, but he shook his head to decline the offer. “Yeah, maybe… actually no. I just wanted to know if it was possible as a last resort, there are still a few things I can try in the meantime. You don’t know how much your offer means to me.” He squeezed her shoulder in gratitude then moved to the ladder leading to the attic.
Upstairs, he found Envy performing sit-ups and stood by until she finished her current set. He was captivated by the precision of her movements and generous athletic build – making the wait slightly bearable.
“How long until you are ready?”
“Ten minutes… aren’t you resting today?”
“I have to try one last thing. It might be dangerous, and I want you there with me.”
Envy nodded, hesitating slightly before turning her back to remove the sweat soaked tunic. She heard Exill climb back down the ladder.
The Vampire had given up hope that Exill would defeat Sir Eumol in the duel. It was impossible to conceal his fear and despair, spilling over their emotional connection while delving in the Labyrinth. Things had only grown worse when she stalked Exill to the gambling district. After ensuring he had returned home, she had slipped into the Moneylender’s office and interrogated the clerk, causing the grown man to piss himself in fright. What she had learnt didn’t bode well for their future.
She released a pent up sigh.
Envy didn’t know how she felt about all this. In a corner of her mind she always knew that it was too good to be true. She felt bitter… that her dream of freedom had been crushed. She hated Exill for both building and dismantling that hope, but his death was not something she desired, especially after the lengths he had gone to save her. She prepared her gear and went down to the lobby, exchanging a concerned glance with Luna.
Envy approached the Witchdoctor tying his laces near the door, and drew out a pale yellow parchment from her bag. She offered it up to him with both hands, as if it was the most precious thing to her in the world.
“I heard you could overwrite [notarized contracts] with another one… one written by a more experienced Notary. We can change the terms to where you no longer have to guarantee my freedom.”
Exill froze as he glanced up at Envy, gauging her sincerity. From the creased and worn state of the original contract – anyone could tell that she treasured it greatly. He wouldn’t be surprised if she checked it multiple times each night. Continuing to tie his laces, he murmured in a low voice: “I know you can overwrite contracts if both parties are willing… would you really do that for me?”
Envy nudged the blank contract closer to him, “Why wouldn’t I?.. Sir Eumol is handsome and rich, unlike you.” Despite the light-hearted delivery, her words stumbled slightly towards the end.
Exill laughed, a single bark that was a harsh guttural sound. He had foreseen his agonising death a countless times, and this last-minute offer that conveniently solved everything was like a big fucking joke. To be absolved of his foolish promise was enticing. It was salvation, a bright ray of light amidst despair. It was that long awaited opportunity to wash his hands of her, this beautiful psychopathic murderer who had made his life so difficult.
But why couldn’t he do it? Why didn’t he feel ecstatic from her words?
“Of all times, why... why now?” his eyes were pleading, begging her for a sane reason to accept the offer.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Envy shrugged tiredly and slumped beside him on the bench, eyes fixed on the seat opposite them.
“Remember you asked me what my dream was, what I really wanted?” She waited for his nod before continuing, “I told you I wanted all this to end… and although it isn’t the ending I wanted, in some ways, it is better than the one I deserve.”
He found himself stubbornly shaking his head, his whisper tinged with disbelief. “I remember as if yesterday, you were threatening to kill me unless I guaranteed you freedom. What changed? Why give up now?”
Envy wore an insufferable grin, but he could see from the vacant hollow in her eyes that she had abandoned all hope and given in to despair.
“Maybe… maybe I want to save you for a change.” she replied simply.
Exill was struck speechless.
He glanced at the fresh parchment held in her hands. The solution to his nightmares was tantalisingly close.
After what felt like an agonising eternity, he shook his head and offered a false compromise.
“Hold on to it… for now. Let me try this one last thing for you. It might be dangerous, but it is our best chance at victory.”
Before they left the Clinic, he dropped a plain envelope on the counter. If everything turned out well, he would be back in thirty minutes and retrieve it. If things didn’t work out... well, the letter would be the least of his worries. They walked to the Labyrinth, the air slightly chill despite the bright morning sun. Exill checked over Envy’s armour then delved into the inky black portal.
Unlike the previous times they had trained there, he did not take point and instead summoned his Card, finger hovering over the [Chronomancer] job. It was the only choice really, [Haste] was the singular skill that could balance the playing field against the deadly Knight. He suspected that the Labyrinth was a pocket dimension and would be insulated from the lightning effects of the World’s tribulation.
Job Chronomancer Unlock Rejection +10 Description Unique - Tier II Active Skill [Haste] Manipulate temporal energies at the expense of your vitality and mana. Drain efficiency scales with your level
He really didn’t want to do this. Each time his rejection had risen - something terrible had happened, but he didn’t see an alternative.
Exill had yet to confirm his action, but the Vampire could sense the budding tension between them and shivered as her breath condensed in the air. The World appeared to hold its breath, on the tumultuous edge of a precipice.
Would you like to obtain [Chronomancer]? [Yes - Rejection +10] [No]
Exill confirmed the selection.
[The World has noticed your transgression. Rejection: 40/100]
Nothing happened.
Exill was about to rejoice when a vague rumbling could be felt beneath them. His eyes widened in realization and turned away towards the exit, glimpsing Envy faltering behind him.
“Run!” he channelled mana into the command.
The ground beneath them shifted like a sinkhole before collapsing down, throwing them into a cavernous compound in a roar of tumbling rocks. They coughed amidst the rising dust and unsteadily clambered to their feet.
The duo were greeted by two malevolent eyes that emerged from the looming shadows, revealing a hulking beast on four legs, three metres tall with two horns protruding from its forehead. Its face was covered in folds of black skin and drool pooled down its snarling jaw, muscles rippling under the surface of its shoulders. It was a Behemoth, found only in the lowest levels of a Labyrinth.
Exill swore as he stumbled to his feet. He recognised the Behemoth from the field guide and knew he was no match. Glancing back, he saw the exit portal atop a slope of rubble, nearly within reach.
In that brief moment that his head was turned, the Behemoth struck. Exill was knocked back as Envy took his place, facing the beast alone. She tried to dodge while deflecting the swipe, but its’ claws sheared through the buckler, tearing both it and her arm to shreds. Undaunted by the blow, she raised her shortsword high and lunged at the Behemoth’s right eye, blinding it. She was rewarded with a backhand slap that sent her flying into the cavern wall, limp.
All this happened in three seconds.
Exill regained his balance and absorbed the situation. The lithe monstrosity was turning to finish Envy off. There was no time to think.
Activating Chronomancer’s [Haste], he felt both his vitality and mana drain at an alarming rate. Charging forward with spear held up high, he finally activated Ranger’s [Steady Hand] to keep his aim true. Spearman’s [Weak Point] had failed to activate, perhaps due to the difference in the opponent’s strength, but it didn’t matter because the Field Guide only spoke of a single weakness.
[Haste] failed him moments before it hit, draining him of mana and a quarter of his health… but it was enough. The spear tip plunged deep into the Behemoth’s eye socket in a plume of gore and viscera.
The enraged Behemoth lashed out, a stray claw breaking his rib and knocking Exill to the floor. It started to pound the ground as it writhed in pain.
Exill backed away on his elbows, panicking to avoid getting hit. However, the giant’s palm connected with the ground at that inopportune moment, crushing both his legs to paste. He desperately clawed his torso up the slope, leaving a trail of flesh. The exit was just an arm’s reach away. Struggling to catch his breath, he coughed, spitting blood.
‘This is too hard.’
The first and last Witchdoctor thought, as his head turned limply to the side. Through his tear-filled gaze he could see Envy laying prone on the floor, bits of leather scrap armour embedded in her flesh.
‘What is the point.’
His heart was heavy from the unrealized loss. Even if he survived, the duel was tomorrow.
Even if he won, he wouldn’t be able to pay Diallo’s loan.
He was crippled, without weapons, and a partner.
His hubris had cost both their lives, and his mind was consumed with regrets as he faced his second death.
***
Exill was rudely awoken by a strong hand tugging at his shoulder. He tried to order her to leave but only bloody foam escaped his lips. Envy frantically pulled her partner up the slope, leaving a trail of blood. The Behemoth had regained control and was sniffing around, searching for its prey. There wasn’t much time.
With a last spurt of herculean effort she pulled them through the portal, collapsing on the other side. She screamed hoarsely, both in desperate need and pain. Envy could sense Exill’s regret slipping away over their mental connection.
“Help! Healer, Help!”
----------------------------------------
EPILOGUE
Feeling unease at the way the slave had exchanged looks with her, Luna climbed down the stairs to wish Exill goodbye. However, the reception room was empty, they had already left.
The Healer pressed her palm against the front door with a leaden sigh. She was about to climb up the stairs when the envelope on the counter caught her eye. Unfolding it, her eyes quickly scanned the contents, her heart rising to her throat.
It was the last decree and testament of Exill of Lindtree, as witnessed by Healer Perg of Ark. The document was painfully short, it simply left all his worldly possessions to his dearest friend Luna, granddaughter of Savta.
She ran out of the house in the direction of the Labyrinth, her slippers falling on the wayside. There was no time to spare.