Chapter 130: Chaos and Flames

Chapter 130: Chaos and Flames

Chapter 130 Chaos and Flames

With people frantically running around, no one paid attention to two more kids. The wind had spread dark smoke clouds over the farmland, the last dying embers were put out by teams of farmers.

The humid climate of the archipelago must have stopped the fire from going out of control. Some were even cheering, unaware these were only a simple distraction. The true danger was about to crash on Sylspring from the sea.

Kais lungs burned on the acrid smoke that rose out of the fields, but he continued to push on, spurred by the urgency. Flynn had recovered from the initial shock and followed behind him with labored breaths, barely keeping up.

Empower leaned on the brink of what was sustainable. His body hung on thanks to the tonics he had downed on the way.

One or two minutes wont make a difference if Im forced to crawl by the time I reach the streets, or if I break my neck.

The sun had sunk beyond the jungle. Covered by the smoke, only thin rays of moonlight managed to reach the ground. Without Mana Sense to guide him, Kai would have already fallen into an irrigation ditch or tripped in a pothole. On that front, Flynn was faring better than him, thanks to a higher Perception.

They were little more than two-thirds to the gate when a bright blaze from the docks banished the shadows for a few instants, lighting the horizon in red.

The feeble hope the rebels plan had failed was squashed.

Theyre going to be fine.

No enforcer manned the booth at the western gate, but his rush was forced to stop by the flood of panicked people streaming in the opposite direction. Cries and screams, children clutching tightly to their parents. A crowd of locals reversed in the farmland looking for safety.

Shit!The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

Kai considered pushing his way through the crowd of adults before discarding the thought. Apart from the risk of getting trampled, hed lose too much time.

It was illegal to move in or out of Sylspring any other way, but no one was going to care enough to stop him right now. The wooden wall reached eight meters in height, and two below groundhed tested it with a pulse of Earth mana weeks ago.

This way, Kai chose a nearby section of the palisade. Taking a run-up, he leaped at the wall, Empower surging through his legs.

The first step brought him halfway up. He manipulated his mana how he learned from Steady Runner years ago. His foot found a momentary grip on the palisade, allowing him to take a second and third step. Just enough to reach the short wall walkway where enforcers sometimes patrolled.

The ability was too awkward to use in battle without the help of the skill. Luckily Elijah had insisted he kept practicing it anyway.

Flynn looked up, heaving for breath. A clear question on his face. Looking into his spatial closet, Kai took out a rope, secured one extremity to the wall, and threw the other at his companion.

It was more of a thick twine than a proper rope and its length ended well before it reached the ground. Flynn eyed it skeptically for a moment, before grabbing it to climb his way up. He jammed his knife into the wall when the rope snapped a meter from the top.

Kai hoisted him up. Flynn was covered in sweat, looking about to collapse, too exhausted to even curse.

You, okay?

The boy gave a weak nod, staying uncharacteristically silent. Turning to look for a way down, they were both stunned in place.

Under the moonlight, the streets near the gates were overflowing with people trying to run to safety. Further up, plumes of smoke rose from scorched buildings all over the outskirts. But it was the scene near the sea that sent a shiver down his back.

Bright flashes of fire highlighted the figures of three huge ships with dark sails moored at the dock. The scarce light wasnt enough to make everything out, but Kai glimpsed the faint figures of people fighting.

Focus on what you can do.

If the raid could threaten the Republic forces, it was far beyond the scope of his abilities.

Drink this. Kai offered Flynn one of his energizing tonics. We need to go.

Thankfully the boy didnt freeze at the grim spectacle and downed the potion without a question. They headed down toward a step ladder back into the streets. Away from the main avenues, the buildings were eerily empty. Those who hadnt run had shut the doors and windows of their houses.

They are going to be fine.

Accompanied by screams, cries and sudden flashes of light, the duo hurried toward the town center, sporadically meeting people running in the opposite direction. When the painted white door stood before them, the cold clank of metal was closer than ever.

Mana Sense caught the presence of some signature inside, lifting the worry that threatened to crush him.

Mom, its me! Kai banged the door with his fist.

It took less than a second for the door to be thrown open. His mother pulled him into a tight hug. Where have you been? I was so worried.

Moui stood in the doorway carefully watching the streets. An ax firmly in one hand and a bow on his back. Kea's head popped out behind his uncle, wielding a knife.

Ill explain later, we need to leave town immediately! Kai grabbed her arm to lead the way when he stopped abruptly. That wasnt right.

He couldnt find any sign of Ele.

Mana Sense scanned the house, unable to find a fourth signature. Wheres Ele?

We thought she would be with you. She went to bring you dinner at the lab when you didnt come back in time. The panic in her voice rose with each word, eyes wildly searching behind him.

The streets were empty except for Flynn who stood aside to give them some space.

The door had been ripped off the hinges and lay broken off the side. Jomei lay with an arrow in the shoulder and a deep slash through the chest. His spear with a bloody tip was broken beside him.

A scream ripped the air. Three mana presences shone inside the building.

~~~

The guard raised his baton to block. Jab activated Crushing Strike, his saber doubled its momentum and speed, breaking the defense. A couple more strikes and the inexperienced guard fell like the others who had crossed his path.

Caught unprepared, these idiots didnt even carry proper weapons for the most part. They were just begging to be robbed. Only now a few groups tried to mount a proper resistance, but Jab let the other vanguard deal with them.

The woman hiding behind the guard stared with an empty gaze grasping at the body of another dead man. Her face was covered in snot and tears, disgusting. Jab finished her with a single strike.

He clicked his tongue in distaste. The ones who gave up were so boring. He looted the corpses, keeping an eye that another pirate didnt try to sneak up on him.

With all the free money waiting to be plundered, no one bothered. He got away with a handful of coppers. The woman fetched better, her purse was fat with silver. She wore fancy silks and a pretty necklace of gold and pearls.

Jab had to admit he had been skeptical when Mad Jon proposed the idea to their captain. Everyone knew the Shallow Sea was only good for trash and cowards that preferred misery to risking their lives on a stronger opponent.

Who would have ever thought such a juicy catch hid here?

What was the name of this port again?

He shook his head, who cared anyway? Looking for an untouched target, Jab found a shop that was still intact. He easily broke down the door with a kick.

This one sold paintings, and not even something interesting. Just boring landscapes and self-portraits of no value. Worse yet, there wasnt anyone hiding inside.

Jab tore the canvas off the wall looking for a stash or safe. Nothing.

Such shit luck, he spit on the floor, clicking his tongue. He set fire to the paintings with an oil lamp and left. The owners would learn not to hide their money so well.

Looking around, he chose his next mark with more care. A corner shop that sold herbs.

That might contain something decent.

Thats mine, get lost, Jab glared at another pirate. Not anyone he recognized, probably a newbie. With a look at his bloody saber, the little shit ran away.

The door took the first kick with only a little creaking, three more before it gave way. It was all worth it as he took a look inside. Apart from the weeds, rows of shiny potions lined the shelves.

Yes, this is more like it.

Jab was about to step inside when that fucking newbie brat came running at him.

Do you want to try me?

His saber was ready to strike, but the man continued to run past him without so much as glancing in his direction.

What in the three hells?

A gust of cold wind made him shiver, the fleeing man suddenly stopped his rush. Head, torso and legs fell to the ground with a wet flop still carried by his momentum.

Jab turned around to look for the mage responsible. With spellcasters, the secret was rushing them. Without time, all he had to do wa

A towering man marched down the street, a two-handed longsword in one hand. The silver hawk stood out on his uniform.

Something wasnt right. The swordsman continued to walk with an unhurried pace. His cold blue eyes didnt even seem to register him.

Without thinking twice Jab turned in the opposite direction and ran faster than he ever had in his life. His saber clattering, abandoned on the ground.

What the hell was someone like that doing here? The vanguard and the first mate should have kept anyone like that busy.

A group of three raiders exited an alley laughing among themselves. One-hand Bili was with them. The gods must favor him.

Jab dashed towards them, hoping they might buy him enough time to get back to the ship. That was someone for the captains to deal with.

Where the fuck are you running, Jab? Bili shouted after him. Got something good?

Glancing over his shoulder, the three finally noticed the swordsman, raising their guard.

Perfect. With a bit of luck, theyll just

Before Jab could finish the thought, all three heads were rolling on the ground. Jab hadn't even seen that monster move his longsword. Those steel eyes didnt glance at the bodies.

Jab fell to his knees begging, Please, I

A fourth head joined the pile.

Zerith continued to march ahead.