THEOS

The fire crackled as the two blue-robed figures stared at each other.
Why are you doing this? Luke asked, carefully keeping his tone casual as he pocketed the batch of talismans Nel had left him. Leafing through the bunch, he separated a single protective talisman from the others, folding his fingers around it so that he could easily tear the perforated tab. Just in case.
Jax stayed silent. His sword and shaved head both shining in the orange glow of the campfire as he circled around Luke.
Its not me, is it? Like, we just met, and I really dont think I did anything to offend you Im pretty sure about that actually. Honestly, I thought we were getting along pretty well Luke continued.
Jax frowned, and kept circling him. Seemingly looking for an opening to attack with.
Why arent you saying anything? Luke asked, drawing his own sword from its sheath. If you insist on dying by my blade, can you at least do me the courtesy of telling me why I had to kill you.
Those are bold words. Jax finally said, his voice low and strained. He sniffled. A tear welled up in his eye and rolled down his cheek.
Are you crying?
Luke thought to himself.
No! He lifted his arm up and rubbed the tears off his face.
Seizing the opportunity while his opponent was distracted, Luke slipped into the First Stance. Closing the distance between them as fast as he could. Keeping a careful eye on his mana as he did, in case there was a sudden drain. It never came.
He realized, a single step away from his foe.
Jax was too slow to respond, and his intentions were clear as day in Lukes mind with the aid of the Technique. Luke snaked past his guard in a single smooth stride. Whacking him in the face with the flat of his blade, he struck his sword arm with an open palm. Belatedly realizing that Jax hadnt even tried to fight back.
Jaxs blade ripped free from his hand and sank into the earth near their feet. Luke, copying Yjarn, lunged forward and kneed him in the ribs with every ounce of strength he could muster. Jax stumbled back, wheezing for air, and clutched his sides. Luke hooked his shin across Jaxs ankle and sent him falling ass first onto the ground.
Luke frowned, his chest rising and falling and the tip of his sword pressed down on his opponent's neck.
.
Whats going on? Luke asked again.
Jax turned his head to the side, as tears streamed down his face.
Look. Youre kind of putting me in an awkward situation here. I dont know if I should kill you or give you something to wipe your tears with. He said, standing over his body uncertain as to what to do. Theres obviously something going on, so why dont you just tell me, and we can figure it out, yeah?
Jax started sobbing. Curling up into a fetal position he started rocking back and forth.
Is this because of your family? You were worried about them, werent you? Did something happen to them?
He still didnt speak.
Luke scratched the back of his head.
What really happened to Rex. Where did you send Nel?
...
Fucking hell man, will you say something? Listen, you rolling in the mud bawling your eyes out, isnt helpful. I need you to get your shit together and tell me what happened. Who took Rex? Why were you trying to pick a fight with me? Why did you give up so fast? I cant help you if I dont know what's happening. Luke pleaded. Feeling increasingly frustrated as everything he said fell on deaf ears.
Luke frowned as he tried to puzzle out the situation. A sinking feeling spread through his chest as he realized that they were in the middle of nowhere, while someone was nearby and hunting them. All the while he didnt know who or what they were, how to stop them, or even if he could. Only that a single encounter had seemingly sapped one of his companions of the desire to live.
He was tempted.
He hadnt expected to be embroiled in the mess he had been. He had wanted to kill some giants and rake in a large number of Status Points. Not get caught in the middle of a power struggle between two Hero-tier cultivators vying for a throne. No matter how nice one of the two had been to him.
Kreeee! The griffin clambered to its feet, and began pacing around the clearing. Stretching its wings to make itself look big, it hissed. Staring at the direction Nel had left in.
He went this way. A voice echoed out from the forest. Tensing, Luke grabbed Jaxs sword and chucked it far away. Before hiding behind a tree, leaving Jax alone in the middle of the camp.
A group of three bald men wandered into the clearing.
Is that a
It is. Dont do anything to provoke it. Griffins arent supposed to be violent. If we ignore it, it should ignore us. They must have used it to fly over the river. Said the leader, interrupting the other.
Right. Is that him? One of them pointed a spear at Jax. Why is he just lying on the ground?
Hes the one boss. The needle pointed straight at him.
Hmm. You're Jax right? Alexanders son if Im not mistaken. Your father was a good man, shame what happened to him. He wasnt stupid though. So I have to ask, did you really think you could get away? The leader asked, crouching down in front of him. Where are your friends?
You already took him. Jax said, glaring at him.
Lets not lie kid. Do you think we dont know what goes on in the Capital?
If you knew what was happening in the capital, you wouldnt have come here. Jax answered cryptically.
Hmm. Is that so? The leader paled and stood up urgently. They might have a warrior with them. Send a message back to camp, we need reinforcements. He barked orders, as he pulled his sword out of his sheath, and rested it on Jax's neck. Heres the deal, kid. You tell me why you left the Capital, and Ill let you live. You can even come back to the clan. How does that sound? You had a little sister right?
Im not going to tell you anything.
Thats not true. You should know as well as I do that your mind will break. Why not save us the hassle, and yourself the pain, and tell me what I want to know. Besides, what has Cyzicus done for you, huh! Whats he done for us? We won his war, and how does he treat us? Leaving us a barren strip of
A flash of light emanated from deep within the foliage and a shockwave traveled through the air moments later. Seconds after that, Nel burst into the clearing. Rex, unconscious and drenched in blood, slung over her shoulder.
Luke sighed in relief.
She took one look at Jax lying on the ground and at the others standing around him, her ring flashed, a spear appeared in her hand, and the next second it pierced through Jaxs head.
Run! The leader screamed. It was pointless. Her ring flashed three more times in quick succession, and a spear impaled itself through each of their hearts. Killing them before they could take even a single step outside of the clearing.
We need to go. Now. She said coldly. Seemingly staring straight at him.
Luke stepped out from behind the tree. Nervous sweat poured down the side of his face as he looked at Jaxs corpse.
We dont have time to dawdle. One of them released a flare. If we stay here, well be overrun.
Uh right. Luke said nervously, watching her gently set Rex on her steed. She walked forward and ripped her spear free from Jaxs skull and the three corpses, and waved her hand.
Everything in the whole clearing packed itself up, and returned to her ring.
Lukes eyes darted between Jaxs corpse, Rexs body, and Nel, before he nodded.
Sheathing his sword, he climbed on to her griffin, and then they were in the air moments later.
What happened? Luke asked again.
Traitors. She said, her voice seething with barely restrained anger. Traitors happened. Turning Rex over, she forcibly opened his mouth and poured a bright blue liquid down his throat.
I see. Is he going to be okay?
Yes. She said, her ring pulsed, and a bow appeared in her hand. She handed it, and a quiver full of arrows to Luke. They shouldnt be able to keep up, but if you see anything, she stressed, kill it.
I will.
She nodded in satisfaction.
Luke hesitated. Who are we running from?
Were not running, but Clan Skyscar Jaxs family. They came here with the Rebel, but when it became clear that their leader would lose, they turned their backs on her. It seems like they decided to get back into her good graces by betraying us. She sighed. Jax was unlikely to have even known about it, but his clan is in possession of a blood compass. They used that to lay an ambush.
A what?
Its what it sounds like, an artifact that points you to your descendants. Theyre rare, not even Grandfather has one, but they allow you to keep track of all the members of your bloodline.
Luke frowned. You couldnt have let him live? Killing him like that, when he meant us no harm it
She shook her head. No. He died the moment his clan decided to throw their lot in with the Rebel. If he came with us, they would know exactly where we are, and if we left him, they would know where we were going She glared at Luke. He wasnt hiding with you. Dont pretend that it wasnt you who put him on the ground, and that you wouldnt have killed him as well.
Luke sighed. After you left, he drew his blade. He made me think that he was going to attack me, but when I attacked, he didnt even attempt to fight back.
Nel frowned. It seems he was loyal then, but the second his clan turned traitor, his fate was decided. Its unfortunate, but
Yeah. Luke ran his hand through his hair. No choice. I get it.
How far are we from the Cyclops?
Two days.