A mass of muscles and shaggy hair stood before Hood. Every second lost meant that Danor ran further away. The injured Hood split into three. Their paths converged, twisted and turned to confuse the large man.

A tattooed fist hit Hood in the stomach. Spit flew out of Hood’s mouth into his mask. His copies dissipated. The punch carried him metres away. Rolling the floor, Hood pushed himself up. A large hand surprised him by grabbing around Hood’s neck.

“It will be over soon, strong one.” The barbarian said as Hood's life was squeezed out. Hood cut at the barbarian’s arm to be held back by a thumb and finger. Heilong does not budge. Hood let go of his prized weapon to create a copy, each in a hand. The barbarian released the assassin before his arm was sliced off. Hood landed and picked up the real Heilong. His guard was up against the unexpectedly fast slave.

Hood used Aura sense.

No Aura.

What the hell…?

Look at the chest, Hood.

A diamond-shaped rune had been pierced into the sternum of the big man.

“Magon, that’s your name right.”

“Why ask if you know already? And I don't need to know the name of the dead.”

“Do you want to be free? Like the other we saved.”

The Large muscle-bound man was silent.

“The rune in your chest, I can unlock it.”

The atmosphere around the brute changed. He balled his fist.

“Is that your last plea before you enter the other realm? Your last words, a lie to save yourself?”

“All the slaves we saved, the servants we liberated. Do you think we didn't have a plan on how to free them from their true shackles?”

Magon was quiet for a moment.

He kneeled on the sand and presented his chest to Hood. “If it is a lie, I can always grab you and twist your neck.”

Hood nodded and limped to him.

Since when you have been able to unlock slave runes?

Never. Door locks and safes are the best I have ever done.

Hood groaned as he placed his hand on the metal rune. He bared his aura and tuned.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

“Bring more food, and bedding, please! Where are the fucking doctors? You can’t make Bob do all the work.” Gove directed the racket in the old Bones headquarters that Marina and Drac subjugated. The slaves were brought here to rest and be fed in a fortified place. The few city guard units not holding the refugees back from entering, were fighting outside of the premises against the Watch. They came to get the slaves they thought was theirs. Gove pushed through the busy hallways, talking to squad leaders, morning the lost, encouraging the unwell. “Where are the fucking runemasters!?” A hand pulled on his shirt.

“Excuse me, girl, I have somewhere I need-”

Dark hair on pale skin with a wide smile he had seen many times in the past. The girl he missed, hugged him tight. He returned the warm hug with tears in his eyes. “Jane, oh my Jane. I am so sorry.”

“Drac was right, we are needed”. The two women ran toward the city guards from behind. With an Aura-infused step, Maki leapt between several men. Makis swung her rapier swiftly, dicing enemies. Bodies fell to pieces. Marina let loose a fury of punches, firing fireballs at Teneo launchers. She flared her aura once more to summon a tornado of flame. It travelled across the guard's battle line decimating everything in its path. Marina kneeled on the ground breathless. Maki stood by her side to protect her.

Bob sat in the infirmary, bloody, tired and with his hand on his greatsword. The rush of battle still flowed through him. He calmed himself with a quiet hymn to his God. A bandaged soldier approached the gentle giant.

“Cleric, sir!” They saluted him with posture strict.

He gave them a small salute back.

It's been a long time since I have been called that.

Bob looked at his hand. Amber light glowed. He has a lot to spare. That presence was beyond anything priest he had seen. As if a god walked on earth to him a hand.

An injured soldier limped past Bob.

Bob put the useless thought away. People are hurt and by Marina's order, they will be helped.

Hood felt the rune’s energy. He saw how it rooted itself into Magon's essence. A simple slave rune that caused its wearer pain, it was not.

Hood, I’ll hold the aura back then you cut.

While straining with the Aura, Hood agreed. They swapped roles The two work together to cut the rune aura safely. With tendrils of aura from his hand, Hood and Drac work through the device. They narrowly avoid any connection to Magon’s soul. An energy builds up in the rune.

Must be a safeguard!

Whoever made this wanted the big bastard enslaved or dead. Hold it Drac. Almost Done!

The roots were cut, and Hood held onto the Diamond rune.

“This is gonna hurt bad, big man.”

Hood pulled. Blood spurts on the sand. The Barbarian staggers. Drac ignited a flame on his finger to cauterize the wound.

Magon held Hood’d arm before it could reach him. He stood, holding a dangling assassin. The hole in his chest healed itself.

What the…

The giant put Hood down gently, his arm was released from Magon’s grasp.

“You did not lie. Run after your target.” The barbarian lifted his left hand to create a purple portal. Before he walked in Magon said, “I will not forget this.” and the purple portal, he disappeared from the dark pit.

Heh, what are our lives…

Without a second thought rush to the passage that Danor left through.

Wait, Hood!

We can’t waste any more time!

The priest! Why would he be here?!

Hood stopped in his run. And turned to the left. An Older man of grey and black wavy hair gave the hood a shrewd smile.

“Finally! It's my turn now.”