Revival: Of Cethore ✔

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Stasis Heat

"Alright, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

The burly fighter folded his arms over his chest and looked around to his comrades. They were standing by the table where he sat, each one glaring at him. He chuckled as the silence continued.

"Alright, the hard way it is, then," he stated, leaning forward. "Every hand in."

They obeyed, each putting in a closed fist. Kalique bumped into Grace, and she pushed him away.

"On three, " he continued, his gaze drifting among the four of them. "One, two, three!"

They threw out their hands, each with different rune signs. Lance drew a deep breath, staring at the signs.

"This is stupid," Kalique complained. "When's the last time that Grace or Fetus went out to get it?"

The short woman poked his shoulder, saying, "This wouldn't have happened if you didn't choose a senack."

"Alright, alright!" He shrugged her off, taking a step back. "I will go get the food."

It was only after he turned around to walk to a vendor stall that they sat down.

"Man, these people are tough!" Grace complained. "I thought from the first round that they would pretty much all be amateur, but I just had to take out a seasoned marksman."

Mirabella averted her gaze, "I know, I was there."

"Don't underestimate them. Mages come from far away for this tournament. There may be a lot of... inexperienced fighters, but be on guard for those who know what they're doing," Fetus mentioned.

Grace adjusted her position, pulling her legs onto the chair. "Yeah, and those mages that approached us, too. I've been seeing others with their mage mark all over the place. It might be a problem."

"You don't know for sure that it is them," Mirabella noted. "We only saw that mark on one of them. She could have gotten it from someone nearby, same as everyone else."

"Yeah, but a dragon marked Decipher in Sheca? It's rare, to say..."

Lance zoned out of the conversation, gazing around the plaza instead. It was a quiet area, all things considered, with a few houses and some kind of museum. There were no lavish decorations, just a sole lunette on the window of a house.

Despite the location's distance from the tournament, Lance had wanted to get away to the solum cove. Yet, as usual, he was followed.

I should have brought my sketchbook. Could've tried capturing some spells. he thought, lost in boketto.

He noticed it becoming quiet, most likely from Mirabella ignoring Grace. She tapped her fingers against the table as they awaited Kalique's return.

A knot formed in Lance's throat when he saw the scarred man approaching carrying their food, a burly figure right behind him.

Why would you bring him here when we are avoiding him?

As if sensing Lance's irritation, Kalique shook his head slightly. Next to him, Fetus stood to his feet to greet his guild master.

"Faux, we did not expect you here. You seem to enjoy the festivities more than the quiet," he remarked.

The man chuckled, folding his hands behind his back. "I do, but I wanted to check in on your progress, as any good leader should."

You wouldn't even know what that is.

"We're doing well in our matches. You did train us for this."