Ranvir breathed slowly as he attempted to unravel the maze developing in his mind. He was currently hiding in a crevice just wide enough for him to sit down as he waited for a patrol to pass onto the platform.

Amalia had picked it out for him during her scouting trip. It was pretty isolated from the other platforms, almost guaranteeing that people would have to take a swim to get here.

Ranvir had seen Amalia in the water, and he’d hardly call it swimming. That felt like calling a hawk’s dive walking. She moved with a fluidity and speed that was unmatched. A group of four soldiers, even with stats and power-items—Ranvir was excited to finally see one of these up close—would not make it to this platform easily. Not even Ranvir had arrived without swimming. Maybe he could’ve jumped it since he wore no armor.

The platform’s isolation was also what made it a perfect ambush spot. The mercenary didn’t relish getting wet to get out to it, which meant it was a race to see who could keep the most distance without direct disobedience. Amalia had said he had five minutes after the mana started flying, which should be more than enough.

Five minutes was an eternity in combat.

Again, Ranvir’s mind returned to the moments before he’d left. Something had been off about Alexis. He wasn’t sure what Amalia had said to the boy, but Ranvir was certain something had been different about him.

He shook his head, running an idle finger over the scabbed flesh of his forearm. The healing salve, one of the few items they had with true restorative properties, had healed most of the damage. He would definitely scar, but it wouldn’t be so noticeable that people might point to it as weakness.

The salve was meant for burn wounds, but the tub was almost out. Ranvir flexed his hand, feeling only a slight twinge of pain go through it. It didn’t disturb the tumultuous havoc of his mind. Yellows and oranges blaring, that he was preparing for combat. A yellow-green curious creature sneaking through the chaos, as well as a black dripping creature, dread sloughing off it in toxic waves.

He could’ve really used the hammer right about now. It had been brand new, too. Ranvir shook his head, tensing at the sound of splashing water. Careful to make sure he didn’t jostle any stones, he got to his feet. Listening to the mercenaries as they got closer, he heard as they heaved themselves onto land.

From a purely ambush perspective, this would be the best time to attack the group. Unfortunately, this was also where they were most exposed. If any of the other patrols had enough range on their Abilities, or even weapons, then he would dodge those as well.

He rested a hand on the stone wall next to him, a muscle in his forearm twitching repeatedly. He breathed slowly and deliberately, Perception sharpening his ears.

Outside the crevice was a small canyon cut into the pillar that provided enough cover to fight without risking getting attacked by outside forces. The channel was narrow enough that Ranvir could almost reach each wall when stretching his arms out.

Eventually, the people got to their feet and got moving again.

“Have you seen Phineus’ throat?” A brusque voice asked.

“Not this again,” a woman replied. “Can’t you just leave it alone?”

“I’m just asking. He doesn’t have to answer if he doesn’t want to.”

Ranvir reached within himself, getting his mind into Amanaris-space and gently tickling the core awake.

“Here’s a plan,” this voice was older and authoritative. “Why don’t you up the wall there and make sure they aren’t hiding up there?”

“Why you gotta punish me?” Brusque asked. “I’m just the messenger. I didn’t cut the man’s throat myself.”

They were getting really close.

“Now, if you please.”

“Fine.”

Their footsteps were right outside the crevice, Ranvir realized, and Brusque was had turned in his direction. Sandstorm Rage activated, roaring to life inside Ranvir. Sand mana flooded his limbs and Ranvir stepped out just as Brusque exhaled sharply.

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Coming around the corner, Ranvir arrived just in time to catch the scout by his ankle.

“Wha—“

Ranvir whipped him into the ground. Either the stone or Brusque’s spin let out a snarling crack as he impacted to the stunned silence of the group. Brusque’s back arched and he let out a howl. Ranvir stepped around the writhing man, delivering a full frontal kick into the woman’s chest.

Unlike the rest of the mercenaries, she didn’t carry a weapon. Ranvir wasn’t sure what that would’ve meant for him, but he was sure he didn’t care to find out. She crumbled on impact with the stone, just as the two remaining men split up.

An older man, with a full blond beard, charged forwards a war cry tearing out of his throat. Ranvir winced as the sound shook the walls of the canyon, causing pebbles to quiver on the floor. He caught the barest hint of the other fighter pulling out a bow and shooting a glowing arrow into the sky before Shouter bowled him over.

The shield clipped Ranvir’s chin and slammed into his chest. Crashing into the stone, he barely stifled a coughing fit before rolling away from the twin glowing arrows headed his way.

That shield struck with the force Ranvir would’ve expected from animals the size of a building, like the elephants he’d seen on Belnavir. And it was already swinging for him again. Stepping around the round shield’s arc, Ranvir found the man’s fist waiting for his face. Again.

Staggering back, Ranvir tasted blood on his tongue and the man was still coming, his archer still shooting. Perception finished shifting, Ranvir’s head clearing like a courtyard emptying at the strike of a bell. This time, he ducked low under the man’s charge. Shouter gasped as he was thrown over Ranvir’s shoulder.

Ranvir was already turning, bare foot coming down like hammer on anvil. The impact crunched and Ranvir turned away, kicking off the splinters from the shield that couldn’t penetrate his feet.

The lady was getting up, and a hissing green liquid gathered around her right hand.

“Not enough,” Latresekt cursed.

Ranvir frowned. He couldn’t have reached her, but a quick barrage should put her far enough off-balance— Shouter tackled him into the wall, the impact all the harder for Ranvir’s recently divided draw. Gasping, Ranvir barely grasped onto his shoulder as both archer and lady let loose.

Ranvir turned to defense. He was too late, of course. The space his skin occupied started hardening and his Barrage faded as Rage re-affirmed its hold. The arrow sizzled with heat as it slid into his side. Acid spilled over his neck and shoulder, Ranvir jerking his head out of the way at the last second.

Crying out in pain and fear, all other emotions muting and graying out, Ranvir hammered elbows into Shouter’s ribs. The man was unrelenting. Either these power-items helped his defensive stats significantly, or he’d devoted more than the usual point into durability.

“Stop holding back, or you’ll get us both killed!” Latresekt yelled, slamming his enormous fist into tether-space.

Ranvir grunted, shifting Rage towards offensive. The arrow in his side had been guttering, but suddenly grew hotter as Ranvir’s adjusted his Ability. Finally, his elbows seemed to make the man weaken his grip.

Another arrow came flying, but Ranvir had gotten enough ground to dodge out of the way. He kneed the man just before Acid-thrower reared back her hand. “Now!” she cried. Shouter opened his mouth, the mana building in his throat again.

Ranvir, Lady Acid, Shouter moved at the same time. Which meant they were all a moment too late. Latresekt moved first.

Latresekt touched his Veil. The Discipline opened, and the space jerked closed. Tether-space hitched as a wave of power hit the lines with tidal-force. Everyone was going to notice that.

Ranvir’s knee, aimed at the man’s chest, ripped upwards. Ranvir’s hips jerked, straining with pain as he was thrown ten feet into the air by his own knee-strike. Shouter’s torso exploded in fragments of metal, bone, and gore.

Ranvir landed on the ground on his back, red rain pattering onto his face.

His eyebrows twitched and jerked, his throat trying to swallow as he attempted to figure out what had happened. There was some movement and actions, but he wasn’t sure what.

His hips and groin were warm and wet, almost felt like he’d pee’d himself. He reached up to wipe his hand, shocked by the sticky blood on his fingers. Slowly, he sat up; the movement sending a twinge of pain through his hip and spine. His knee was throbbing as well. Looking down, Ranvir saw the pants leg had been blown off around the knee.

He looked around. Acid-thrower was sitting against the wall with a vacant stare on her face. Ranvir blinked a few times, as he noticed the spots of red on her vest. Torn and wrenched metal shrapnel had struck her.

“Are you dead?” He asked, cocking his head. Then he noticed the legs in front of him. The man, Shouter, was missing from halfway up his stomach. It looked like someone had hit with a catapult.

Ranvir spat the foul taste from his mouth as he got up. He jostled the arrow in his side on the way, and groaned dizzily before reaching to feel at it. He hadn’t been entirely too late. The head hadn’t fully gotten in. Ranvir pulled the head out and dropped it on the floor.

“What did you do, Latresekt?” Ranvir whispered, stumbling down the canyon. He had to get away. He just couldn’t be there anymore.

“I did what you couldn’t do. He needed to die, Ranvir. They all came to kill you, and you were being soft with them. This isn’t kids’ play,” the creature was ragged on its outline. Ranvir felt like he should be curious about it. The creature had seemed capable of touching his Discipline before entering his tether-space, but now it left it ragged?

He couldn’t muster up any curiosity, though.

“You killed him.”

“I saved our lives.”

“But…”

“Enough. You need to get back.”