B2 Chapter 7: In Desperate Times

B2 Chapter 7: In Desperate Times

The Rebel glared at them. Her single remaining eye darted between the chariot ensconced within a golden bubble, and the duo riding the griffin, while she clutched the stump of her arm with her hand. For a second, her storage ring flashed, and a bandage wrapped itself around her wound. Heracles, savagely upped the frequency of his attacks.

Unease spread through the battle field, as they desperately tried to assess how the battle would now play out. With Nels arrival having broken the stalemate they had found themselves in, none of them quite knew what to make of it.

This could either be really good, or really bad. Luke thought to himself, as he sent out another attack.

On one hand, her griffins speed was bound to be a massive advantage, one she had already proven by taking the Rebels arm. Which was the most substantial damage they had done to her since the start of the fight, discounting Heracles taking her eye hours ago.

On the other hand, while Nel no doubt had some means to protect herself, he wondered if they would be enough to stave off someone an entire tier higher. The only reason they themselves had hung on for as long as they had, was because of Heracless deep pockets. Without his nigh endless talismans, she would simply lack the ability to withstand sustained serious attacks from her, and try as he might, Luke couldnt see an easy way for them to give some to her.

Everything he could think of, risked interference from their opponent, but leaving her potentially vulnerable was also a no go. He had no doubt in his mind that neither Lukeus nor Heracles would stand by and let the Rebel so much as lay a hand on her. Even if it meant that they would die.

Not that Nel seemed worried about her safety.

Hey Heracles. She yelled, waving excitedly to the Son of Zeus. Its nice to see you again.

Luke resisted the urge to palm his forehead as the man in question blushed, and settled for shaking his head. Funneling a half-point of mana to his sword, he sent another arc of energy racing towards their enemy. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

His own sword-light, as he had come to call it, traveled substantially slower than Heracless arrows, allowing her to dodge them with little effort.

On occasion though, he had been able to sneak an attack by her, albeit with a lot less frequently than the elder warrior, and almost always when she risked a more major injury from one of Heracless attacks.

Her griffin circling a mile above them, Nel adopted a stern expression, her gaze locking on to the other two riders on the chariot. Lukeus, Luke Are you two insane? You two were literally mortals days ago, and now youre trying to kill a Hero, and one that almost killed Grandfather? She admonished them. Do you have any sense, or any idea how much stronger she is than you? She pointed to Tyrisa. Luke I can understand, hes never sparred with grandpa, but you? You should know better than this, Lukeus. She admonished him. Somehow managing to project her voice clearly through the air.

I need to learn how to do that.

Nel He started to explain, only to give up when he saw her glare.

Dont Nel me! Do you know how worried mom is?

Can we talk about this later

Luke listened to their argument with half an ear, and stared contemplatively at their target, activating another protective talisman while he waited for an opening.

For a brief moment, his eyes met Tyrisas, and he couldnt help but be taken aback.

The Rebel, in spite of her terrible appearance, looked a mixture of angry, embarrassed, and for the first time since the battle began scared.

Luke thought he knew why, and like a shark, he smelled blood in the water.

It was already ridiculous that they, as mere warriors, had lasted as long as they had in this fight, and now two of them turned out to be freshly advanced rookies, which already added insult to injury.

They had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of Hero-tier talismans, that she had still not been able to deplete, and instead had been accruing countless small injuries as the battle wore on.

Now, a new arrival had joined, with a powerful steed and it had already taken her arm.

She started this battle, likely thinking of us as a minor nuisance that she needed to take care of, while she rode off into the sunset and licked her wounds for another day. Instead, weve dragged this out for hours, and shes down an eye and an arm. So shes probably desperate to end it.

I dont see us running out of talismans anytime soon, and I bet at this point, neither does she. I dont know if they have an equivalent to the sunk cost fallacy here, but if shes really as old as she is, shell be considering cutting her chances and running.

Fucking hell, the way this battle is going, pretty soon shell be a eyeless, limbless torso. If I were her would have run after an hour. This battle might as well be pointless to her.

She barely looks older than twelve. Whats Nel doing bringing her here? He thought angrily. All of Clan Skyscar will know where we are.

This is Eva. Eva of Clan Skyscar. Shes Jaxs sister.

Eva seemed to shrink into herself, as Luke gulped heavily. He already knew, had known since she yelled for Jax upon her arrival, but having it confirmed just made it all too real. Forgotten guilt and suppressed trauma formed a lead ball of anxiety in his stomach, as his ears roared with the blood rushing into them.

Im sorry about your brother I Luke started to say, only for a spear to appear in Nels hand. She wacked him lightly in the head with it.

Jax was my fault. Nel said. I killed him. She said resolutely. A look of regret crossed her face as the little girl shied away from her. Only I bear that responsibility. You need not be guilty, Luke.

I

Agnella told me what happened. Eva said suddenly. Her fists clenching and unclenching. She told me you tried to help him, that you could have killed him but you didnt. Not even when he attacked you.

Luke looked away from her. Yeah, but I left him on the ground. I could have hidden him, and those guys were mortals. I could have fought them instead of hiding myself. Maybe then He stopped himself from thinking about what ifs. At the end of the day, Jax had been slain after Nel killed the last of the attackers.

He knew that, but some part of him still couldnt help but feel responsible for his death. It was him telling her about the Rebel that had led them to joining Nel on her journey to Sophia.

Right. Lukeus suddenly clapped his hands. How's the old man? He asked Nel.

Unconscious. His wounds were heavy, and he over drew his mana. Clite said he wont wake for another few days.

But hes fine, right? Luke asked.

Yes. Hell make a full recovery. Nel nodded, and Luke sighed in relief.

Thats wonderful news. Its a shame that we will be unable to offer him the Rebels head when he wakes, but knowing that he is well, that is a prize of its own. Heracles said, awkwardly. Was Jason able to power your teleportation altars with the ships core?

He was, and we were fortunate that no Hero or Warrior-tier giants attacked in the meantime.

Thats good. Luke nodded, as he looked at the pair of them on the griffin. Something didnt feel right.

How did they even find us? I mean, yeah were not too far from the capital, and weve been dropping really big bombs for a really long time, but still. Sylcra is big, and I dont think we were moving in a straight line the whole time.

And why did she bring a kid with her. I get that shes Jaxs sister, but if anything, that makes it even worse.

How did you find us? Luke asked suddenly.

Immediately Nel shifted uncomfortably on her steed.

Nel didnt find you. Eva said. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a fist sized glass orb. A single red needle, pointing in towards the forest within it.

Dont tell me

Is that a blood compass? Luke said his mouth suddenly feeling dry.

Heracles suddenly slapped him on his back, a wide grin stretched across his face, You didnt find us did you, you found the Rebel. He said, immediately connecting the dots.

Were returning to the Capital. Nel said, glaring at Eva. Put that away.

Eva just glared at her in response, and held it higher for them to see.

Nel. Tyrisa was unconscious when she fell through the portal If we can get there fast enough Luke tried to convince her. Leaving her to figure out what he meant.