Chapter 13

Gwyneth struggled to keep up with Diya. She wasn’t used to prolonged treks over uneven terrain, and the powerful attack spells had drained her considerably too. Diya didn’t let her slow down, though. He kept them on track using the FTF’s compass, and they continued their journey through the crags.

Fortunately, the pair didn’t get into much trouble with the local fauna. They stayed clear of any passages with spiderwebs, and the reptiles gave them a large berth. Most of them preferred sticking to the sunlight above the crags and avoiding the cooler shadows. Diya expected his bleeding shoulder to attract predators, but much to his relief, they got to continue in peace. Healer’s Cantae reduced the pain, but Gwyneth lacked the strength to put much power behind the light. Perhaps the creatures recognized them as a superior threat or had already feasted for the day and were busy digesting their meals. Either way, Diya had no reason to complain.

The day continued to get hotter, and before long, the pair had finished the peppermint tea. Only the water in the flask remained. Much to Diya’s delight, the Core kept the fluid cold, and little sips helped the pair cool down. Time would refill the container using the water in the atmosphere. However, the arid air suggested it would take a while.

Occasionally, Diya pressed his ear to the stone walls. He only picked out ambient sounds and no sign of pursuers. It didn’t reassure him, though. They had somehow concealed their presence from him earlier too. Fortunately, the group wasn’t particularly competent. Edgar had either not put up a hefty bounty, drawing the worst hunters, or they were a new party not used to working together. Their poor planning and cockiness had cost them. Diya hoped the defeat had humbled them enough to give up their pursuit.

“I need to slow down, Diya,” Gwyneth said, panting. They had not long scaled a hundred-foot rise, and she was soaked in sweat. “Let’s find a spot to rest.”

“Not yet,” Diya replied. “Those arseholes could still find us.”

“We’ve been through enough twists and turns for them to lose us. Besides, they found us because all the paths lead to the big pool—”

“I think there’s more to it.” Diya interrupted, pushing the pouch of the innkeeper’s snacks into her hand. “The pickaxe guy. If he can mold stone, I bet he can read it too. We didn’t see or hear the group until they let us.” After Gwyneth took a handful of the pomegranate and sultana treats, Diya helped himself to some too. “They might have been incompetent as a unit, but individually, the group had decent abilities. It’s worth noting the augmenter woman too. I bet she has a heightened sense of smell too. She could easily follow us through the tunnels.”

“So, what do you suggest?” Gwyneth asked in a crabby tone. “We can’t keep moving indefinitely, Diya. If they do catch up to us, I’d rather face them after a rest. In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve only upgraded my soul once. You might have the energy to push on, but I don’t. Facing them in my current state won’t just get me killed, but you too.”

“Fine.” Diya sighed, pulling away from the wall. “Let’s find a defendable position, though.”

The pair continued through the crags, using the tentacles to hasten their trek. Diya kept an eye on the fountain pen’s ink gauge. He still had the coat summoned to defend against surprise attacks but dispelled the gauntlet. The inkwell needed time to regenerate. He hadn’t gotten the opportunity to reabsorb the summoned nets. As a result, he had lost the ink for good. The reserves were a little more than a third now. If they got sucked into another fight, he’d have to make do with his summons and a spear. Using the seeking blades would be too risky. As a result, he wanted to put as much distance between them and their pursuers as possible. Hopefully, the next upgrade would give him a method of regenerating the ink at a higher rate.

“Do you think they’ll continue pursuing us with two members of the party down?” Gwyneth asked as they passed through a patch of uncovered stone.

“I don’t know,” Diya answered after taking a moment to adjust his trousers. The summoned coat had adjusted to the heat and kept Diya’s torso comfortable, but his lower half was soaked in sweat. His dislike for the seventh floor grew with every passing moment, and he couldn’t wait to get off it. “I’m pretty sure you killed one of them, and I may have crippled another. If they care about their comrades, they might return to the hub. On the other hand, we might have pissed them off enough to continue chasing us.”

“Perhaps they’ll leave one person behind to take care of the bramble woman,” she said. “It doesn’t matter, Diya. I need to rest.”

The pair carried onwards, keeping an eye out for a secure resting spot. Diya was sure that luck played a massive role in their escape and didn’t want to risk it a second time. Gwyneth’s red face and heavy breathing suggested she didn’t have it in her to fight, though, so he hunted for a spot with multiple escape routes.

As they continued through the crags, Diya mentally thanked Baba. It wasn’t just the second upgrade that was helping him. Baba’s merciless training played a major role in Diya’s stamina and willpower. Edgar and Victoria would’ve given up already. Even though Lawrence hadn’t trained under Baba for long—he spent his extra time on side jobs to support his siblings, the young man displayed tremendous resolve. He’d most likely carry on until his heart gave out.

Diya’s chest ached as his thoughts paused on Alexander. He was one of Baba’s best students. The lordling’s skills with sabers, thrusting swords, and spears far surpassed Diya’s. What he lacked in climbing skills, he’d make up for in breathing technique and sheer determination. Diya missed him dearly. While growing up, Neer had been a near-mythical figure to Diya. He was the big brother, after all. Alexander felt more like an equal and sibling.

The pair were about to descend back into the natural passageways traveling between the cracks when Gwyneth spotted a flat expanse of rock shaded by two titanic outcroppings. It was open on both sides and gave a view of the North, where they were heading, and the oasis they had left behind to the South. Gwyneth’s body almost gave up once it knew the rest stop was within reach, and Diya had to support her for the last leg. She collapsed onto her bottom and stripped off her cloak. After a moment’s hesitation, she untucked her blouse and unbuttoned it.

Diya didn’t bother looking away from Gwyneth’s almost bare torso. Instead, he switched the campsite card into his deck and summoned it. A tent big enough for three grew out of it with a stone ring and wood for a fire. He found pots and pans and a latrine bucket behind the tent, too. Since the pair couldn’t risk using any of it, they hid everything under a spare tarp. Fortunately, the tent blended into the surrounding rock and barely fluttered in the soft breeze. When they retired into the tent, Diya’s eyes once again wandered to Gwyneth.

When she met his eye, a tired smirk spread across her lips. “Flattering,” she remarked. “It feels good to know you can’t take your eyes off me even when I’m a hot, sweaty mess.” Her eyes narrowed as the words registered. Then Gwyneth burst out laughing. “I hope that’s enough to show you how tired I am.”

“Not really,” Diya replied, sitting down next to her. “Intentional or not, you love your innuendos.”

Even though the shaded patch was cool, heat radiated off the stone baking in the light. The sun had just crossed its apex but wasn’t low enough to heat the little patch yet. After taking long sips from the Core-enhanced flask, the pair indulged in lunch. Gwyneth shoveled food into her mouth before laying down for a short nap. Diya didn’t plan on giving her long. They needed to get out of the crags before darkness fell. He regularly peeked out of the tent and pressed an ear against the stone.

“No pursuers,” he commented. “Yet.”

According to the guidebook, the most dangerous beasts around the crags were mostly nocturnal. Meanwhile, the worms got sluggish after sunset and would burrow deep underground to rest in safety. The monstrous buzzards that feasted on their young would return their nests too. Smaller prey animals and predators would leave their burrows to find food then, but Diya didn’t worry about them much. He was confident in his ability to fight ground-bound foes.

A couple of hours passed as Diya watched the path behind them, expecting to see their pursuers burst out of the rock or appear from an invisible crevasse. He smelled smoke instead. When he turned around, Diya spotted black plumes rising from not far north of them. Gwyneth was still fast asleep, so he left her behind and crawled to the elevations edge to investigate. His jaw dropped at the sight. Diya rushed back to his companion and shook her awake.

“Please.” Gwyneth moaned, batting his hand away. “I know I have a desirable body, Diya, but I’m too tired.”

“I need your eyes!” He exclaimed.

“What is it?” Gwyneth asked, jumping into an upright position. Her hand jumped to the Slimeskin spear by her side.

Diya pointed at the thick black smoke in the distance. “There’s a settlement there!” Gwyneth groaned as Diya helped her onto her feet. They crawled closer for a better look. “I can’t see the flames,” Diya said, realizing a moment too late that he still had his looking glass. “Please tell me those are not FTF colors that are burning.”

Gwyneth summoned her spirit and set it to a soft glow. Her eyes shimmered as she squinted, focusing on the distant object. “It’s not,” she replied. “Those are De Lawney colors, and there are bodies everywhere.” Gwyneth pointed at a bulge in the sand near a collapsed fence. “That’s a worm carcass, I think. Looking at the equipment, I’m going to guess they were monopolizing some beasts or resources around a gate and dug too deep.”

“That means there might be an unattended gate there!” Diya exclaimed. “The De Lawneys are either dead or will have fled the fire.”

“So, if we clear a path through the burning remains, we could use the gate and not travel another couple of days.”

“Exactly! Then you can get proper rest in a hub, and we can lose these bastards.”

“I’d like to rest a bit longer, but you’re right.” Gwyneth sighed. “It’s our best shot.”