Magic danced and cried jubilantly at Suna’s fingertip, part of his essence seeped into the arrow, and more Mana was pushed into it. It demanded more and more. Suna tried to hold back this push of Mana, but like a vacuum, his mana drained further until only half remained. His ear seared as flame rose and fluttered like a lonely banner in the middle of the night.

  Darkness pushed away, and Suna winced, shielding his cheek from the rising heat.

  Suna opened his eyes and aimed at the Seeker Drow—the Seeker’s eyes widened, danger dawned on her. She broke away from her fight with James and began running. Desha screamed after her, and James tried to get his protégé to stop.

  His bowstring thrummed, flames blazed through the obsidian bow. Suna pushed back, and his body thudded from the immense recoil of it.

  He watched the arrow like it was a shooting star made of fire, streaking toward the Seeker’s backs, searing through the roof. It was fast, catching up to the Drow—the Flaming Arrow blitzed through the Kukri the Drow had thrown at it, and it was about to meet her other knife before the spell suddenly broke apart like a firework.

  Red Mana swirled around, and Ember splattered around the rooftop, coloring the night with motes of light. The Seeker spared Suna a glance before she tapped her foot and launched herself onto another roof.

  “Stop Desha!” James ordered, and his protégé halted dead in her tracks, her face stricken with grief, and she slowly walked to her sister's body, falling to her knees.

  James went to her to offer a hand of comfort. Suna had barely known Desha’s sister since she had not been willing to interact with him and Pito, but still, he would offer condolences later.

  “Suna!” Min called, and in her hand held a blue vial.

  “Thanks,” Suna said. They had plenty of Mana potions, since no one really used them but Slea.

  It looked like I would be joining her, too

  Suna realized that he should ask her a pointer about magic. There's no way that flaming arrow should have taken that much mana, literally half of his. He must’ve been using it wrong somehow.

  Deciding it wasn’t the time to think about that, Suna stepped to where James was. The one-horned Tiefling shrugged off his midnight cloak and covered the body of Esca. Blood pooled around the headless body, marring James’ cloak with red.

  “James,” Suna spoke softly. The Thiefmaster dipped his head up, looking at Suna with his emotionless face as always. It was like seeing a red rock, so unbending and coarse.

  “Let's talk,” James stated. He stood, motioning for Suna to follow him as the Tiefling made his way toward the corner of the roof.

  Suna hesitated. He gazed at Desha, who was trembling with grief, her body trying to fight back the tears.

  “Go, Suna,” Desha said, her voice shuddering. “Don’t keep the master waiting.”

  He glanced back at Min and Noa, who were unsure what to do. More Tieflings came, and they began to make their way toward Desha, offering small comfort to the Rune Bearer.

  “Looks like he only wants you,” Min said.

  “I will be right back,” Suna muttered. He walked toward James. The Tiefling also wore the same golden chainmail under his tunic like Suna did, and they clinked as wind chimed at both of them.

  The Thiemaster sat, with one leg dangling down. The heaviness within him was obvious.

  Suna stood beside him, not saying anything. James would need time to process his grief and lead again.

  After a silence that held for a minute, the Tiefling finally spoke.

  “Are you okay?” James asked.

  “I got the potion in time,” Suna replied. “James… This… not supposed to happen, is it?”

  “The plan had been working.” James paused again. Suna might as well have seen the reflection of the Tiefling's heavy heart as his head dropped, and he covered it with his hand. “The fourths and the fifth’s warriors, dying steadily. I’ve mapped everything, her movement, her quirk… And I had made sure, along with my closest aide, that only the fourth and fifth shall encounter her.”

  Suna crossed his arm, the situation of the Tiefling was heavy, to say the least. The fourth and fifth Tieflings had betrayed Suna and his group. Reki was not willing to forgive that, and Suna neither. But James forced them to do so—or, to pretend to do so at least. He promised them that he would slowly send the fourth and fifth’ Tiefling warriors to dangerous areas using his influence.

  And it had been working wonderfully. Until tonight, that is.

  Suna was under no delusion that James did it purely because of the humans. This was just convenient so he could ascend to the main leader of the Tieflings.

  “She—The Seeker Drow–has grown strong, very strong. Back then, she always ran at the first sight of me; now she would beat me in a duel. Such an improvement of strength is beyond my expectation, and the price was Esca’s life.” James massaged his head. “We’re running out of time, Suna. The undead have been restless; I’ve received reports of three sightings in one day. Three. And the council politic, I’ve tried to keep you humans out of it, but we’re fracturing. That is why I resort to this underhanded...the fourth and fifth so intent to imprison you humans. The first and second had conflicted that I’m not fully aware of… We need a proof of concept for the Tiefling, a proof we can unite. And I’m afraid, my hand forced.”

  “We’re going for the contingency plan then?” Suna asked. Sweat trailed down his neck in cold slither. He went and sat down beside the Tiefling. Suna didn’t think he could stand for this. This had been going on for far longer than before Suna and the others had arrived; their arrival had set things in motion.

  “Yes, we will, tonight,” James said, his voice a tad bit louder—a promise of resoluteness that was dampened by what their plan truly was. “Esca’s burial will be the perfect excuse.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “James…” Suna started. “You shouldn’t do that. What would Desha think? We can—”

  “Desha needs to accept it; it's a price to pay for being a leader–something she will have to learn. It makes no difference,” James cut him off. “It will not make it any less heavy. Or do you think so?”

  “No,” Suna said, with a small breath. “No, it wouldn’t.”

  “Then we will do it, in a couple of hours perhaps—A Rune Bearers’ death needs to be honored, and attending the burial is mandatory. May I have a request, Suna? To you and the humans?”

  “What is it?” Suna asked. He had a guess of what it was.

  “Unless it’s necessary, then don’t interfere; this shall be my burden and my close aides’.”

  –

  Suna leaned against a house wall, focusing on the coarse texture against his back—hoping it would quench any hesitation that had been building inside of him. He watched as the Tiefling of the third faction lowered Esca’s body through the well. It was clear the Tiefling was used to this; the precision of their securing her body was fast and perfect, and in just five minutes her body was lowered.

  They began to descend one by one as the Tiefling crowd thinned—Min and Noa joined him. Both of them looked lost in the heavy silence dominating the air. James had gone down to arrange the funeral.

  Desha insisted that she should have had the honor to be the last down—It’s a Tiefling tradition, the last descender will have the important task of guarding everyone back.

  So Desha, the female Tiefling, stood just beside Suna. She stoutly guards the small pass leading to where they were.

  “Suna,” Noa called. “I will wait inside this house,” Noa pointed to the house behind him.

  “You’re coming, Noa,” Suna stated.

  “I don’t think that's a good idea, Suna,” Min said, tilting her head. Noa also shot him a questioning look.

  “You remember what I just told you, right?” Noa asked.

  “I did, that is why you’re coming, James' request.”

  —

  Noa descended the rope, and he hated this. He dangled inside overwhelming darkness while the odor of sewer climbed to his nose as he slowly descended. His palm was hot. Noa needed to stop every five seconds to let them rest and avoid damaging them again in the searing heat as he descended.

  He clutches tight, heart drumming in his ears.

  Suna and Min had already descended; the torchlight far below showed their figure waiting for him as they wordlessly looked up.

  Gods, how are they so fast?

  “You got this!” Min shouted up.

  “Heartbreak made you unable to let go of the rope?” Suna asked, way too loudly for his liking.

  His cheek reddened, around the Tiefling sere still everywhere–scouring around, rearranging their runes and weapons.

  Whatever happened between him and Slea had nothing to do with romance.

  Looking back, it was still a stupid thing to do. A foolish action that one does without a good reason, but she was the only one who seemed intent on not abandoning him back then, well, that was not true. Suna was willing to let him come with them, too. How could he even consider it? Leaving Suna and the others who had repeatedly saved him.

  At least now, he might be descending to his death. The fourth and the fifth hated him, as they still thoughtt he killed their member. Technically, all of the humans did, but they had made peace, and because of Noa’s stupid plan, that peace was fracturing.

  He gripped the rope tightly. Why was he so foolish? This can’t keep going… Especially with this… new world? Gods and ashes, it's strange to even think about. And he had a breakdown about rugby of all things…

  Why couldn’t he just be brave? Like Suna, and even Reki, who insisted they take on the Drows. And Min, too, who had been spending her time eagerly learning and hunting. Each of them leaving him, maybe that was his move to escape with Slea came from.

  Noa looked down, and the [Archer] was talking to Min, and both of them shared a chuckle. In a way, he wanted to be like him. Noa still vividly remembered how Suna and he were the only two to capitalize on the Runes.

  Noa had all the advantage over him, yet here he was, with Suna doubling his level already.

  He was impressive, to the point it was strange. Suna, without a doubt the one who assimilated to this new world first before any of them. He took down a Drow tower by himself, twice. Noa had thought Suna was not human, but something that was sent by the system—it was a ridiculous thought, but what kind of freak was able to just waltz into the threat of arrows?

  Which was why, just earlier, when Suna clearly kept a secret from Noa and Min… it sent a jolt of fear down his spine.

  He wanted to run so badly. But if he did, he got the feeling that there would be no coming back.

  “Human?” A voice spoke above of him.

  Noa flinched, and his body lost control, clenching the rope tighter. He let out a huge breath and looked up to see something round. Noa diverted his eyes and coughed awkwardly.

  “Sorry”

  “You’re too slow,” The female Tiefling—Desha, said.

  He began descending, and his palm burned with incredible pain. Ten minutes passed, and he finally touched the ground. Shadow engulfed him--passing him, Desha jumped down beside him, landing gracefully. Without a word, she began walking.

  “Suna, I shall see you for the funeral,” Desha said.

  Suna nodded, and there it was. Something behind those amber eyes, flickering, and a tint of regret marred the [Archer]’s face. “Of course, Desha, I will see you there.”

  The Tiefling jogged forward, leaving the three humans behind as she followed her brethren.

  Min gazed at Suna, her eyes studying him. She had already guessed something was off, just like Noa did, but in Min's case, she was not afraid to question it openly.

  “So, now that we’re alone…” Min spoke in a low voice.

  Suna scratched his hair and turned—Spinning on one leg to face Noa. He grinned. “Seriously, Noa, staring at her butt?”

  Noa guffawed, despite the obvious misdirection the [Archer]’s attempted. Before he could defend himself. Suna clapped him on his shoulder, sending a loud clasp through the cave.

  Noa winced, his shoulder screaming in pain. He contorted his features, but did not show that he was hurt. Suna was smiling, and this clap on the shoulder was playful. But it bloody hurt! His strength must’ve been quite high.

  The [Archer] stopped clapping his shoulder and leaned with one hand on his shoulder. “Seriously, though, you were lucky she did not pierce your eye. Pito had tried to flirt with her and almost lost his life a couple of times.”

  “R—Really?”

  Suna shrugged and nodded. “Yes, it's as they say, it's better to admire a flower rather than attempt to pluck it.” He had never heard that before, but that sounded like a motto for a single guy.

  “And you’d better not dodge my question, young man.” Min smiled, and her eyes bored at Suna. She hooked her arm around Suna’s neck, and now all three of them were in an awkward position. If one of them jumped, then all three would fall.

  “I’m not dodging anything.”

  “You did”

  “Yes, you did.”

  Both Min and Noa said.

  “No,” Suna said, his lips twisted in a thin line. “I rather just explain it in one go. Let's go get Pito, Reki, and Slea,” he finished and clapped both Min and Noa on their shoulders.

  Noa groaned, and Min did too as both of them were pushed, stumbling forward.

  “Suna!” Min complained.

  “Ah, sorry,” the [Archer] shrugged. He began walking ahead, just expecting both of them to follow him. His obsidian bow looked as intimidating as ever. How did he even suppose to draw that thing? The string length is quite something… And the golden chain escaped his bluish cloak, clinking and causing an echo with each step.

  Noa had expected a jab about him and Slea, but none came. And that scared him.