Baron chuckled.
"Then the world will be saved and peace will spread... But seriously, kid, don't even think about it. Sure, this whole mess will be solved if that madman dies for good. However, a person who achieved third Mark isn't someone you can easily kill. Our family are descendents of a fallen Grick, so you might not have noticed it. Although, because of that we have no wings, coupled with the constant decline of our racial purity. My family's racial talent isn't that evident. But Boru is a Gamma now, the Mark didn't only increase his strength, his racial talent too! Killing him is almost as difficult as fighting a member of the Grick famed unit, Falcon. Do you understand lad?"
Fallen Gricks are members of their race who had their wings cut off as price of committing unforgivable crimes. Their descendents will have no wings too. However, Boru had claimed up to Gamma, the third Mark. Making him a third tier Warrior, one step away from being a full pledge Warrior and acquiring his own relic. And even as a Gamma, not only his strength was enhance, his racial talent and mind had improved too.
Depter had said the the first mark relate to physicality, while second ascend spirituality which is connected to racial talent. And the third are responsible for enhancing an individual mentality, making their awareness to perform better.
By now, Boru had all his individual aspects enhanced by the Mark. With the Warrior stage last step not far away from reach. If Boru ascends further, he'll become a Delta. It is said that the Gricks honorary unit, named Falcon have the most elite members. With Delta being the weakest members, lead by captain called Feathers. Any more than that was beyond Zyro's limited knowledge.
Despite Baron's earnest warning, once again, Zyro didn't listen. He said in a nonchalant tone.
"Let peace spread then."
The poor slave perked up.
"Are you listening to me?"
But heard no reply, as if what's decided are set in stone. Zyro will kill Boru, no matter his Mark level is. Sure, the Mine big Boss are far more powerful than an Alpha he once had difficulty dealing with. However, Zyro was no more an ordinary weakling who was forever forsaken by the Marks, a human devoid of extraordinary talents and potential for magic.
But he had no need of such things to gain power. After all, his human. A mortal race who turn their land nutrients to destructive weapons capable of destroying planets, and achieve greater heights and speed than those born with wings for flight.
In the past months, he transform the things around him to power. The venom of the Great Wall of Fog are in his hands, so as the knowledge of corruption. Others may find these things dangerous and avoid it, but Zyro sees it as an opportunity. This quality is what made humans so dangerous, their powerlessness only brought extreme hunger for strength.
If Aizra is Zyro's enemy, she'll do anything to not allow this young man to discover the wide world outside. Afraid that he might destroy it. However, she's just an artificial servant programed to serve him forever.
So, he doesn't fear Boru. Rather, he should fear him, a Markless being, instead.
They made their way out of the dark ruins in silence. Baron wasn't in the mood, and Zyro is not much of a speaker. Eventually, they arrive at the Mine deep area. Their surrounding was replaced
The two continue treading up for higher ground in the Mine, both were tired in the silence and darkness of this desolate area. However, midway, Zyro and Baron heard hasted footsteps echoing ahead.
Zyro halted, so did Baron. Finding it odd for strangers to venture this deep in the Mine. Usually, this place isn't visited by anyone under the purpose of regular mining. Unless they have different motives, no normal person would stride through this lightless caverns.
Zyro listened quietly for a little while, and muttered.
"There is two of them, it seems... They're running?"
Baron had a complicated expression at first, his brother brutal disastrous scheming and the unknown predicament arriving weighing down on him. In the end, he sighed before laughing.
"Hahaha, it seems it's our lucky day kid." He pointed at the burning torch. "I should probably extinguish this, right?. Who knows, they might just ran past us."
Normally, that's the right thing to do. In this lightless area of the Mine, so deep that no one bother putting illumination on. Their sole burning light are screaming for attention. However, it was too late.
In response, Zyro sighed.
"There's no need to put out the torch, they already see our light. Actually, it's better if you keep it on, we're probably facing a Vampire."
The volume of their steps implied the unknown guess distance. By now, it's safe to assume they are already dangerously close. Yet, he hasn't seen a spark of light, except utter darkness ahead. The only ones who can navigate without light are Vampires.
Both were aware that they have no choice but to brace themselves of what's to come.
Baron grew somber as he stared at the darkness before him, hearing sounds of mysterious tapping getting louder.
"I guess this is it. It's been nice meeting you, lad... Anyway, care to share your name now before our passing?"
He never told his name to Baron since they met despite the elderly slave asking. Zyro had his reasons, first of all, the time they spent together was mere hours. And most importantly, Zyro didn't trust Baron enough to inform him of his name. He was not over exaggerating the value of his name, it was just that talkative people like Baron often had loss mouths. His name can easily spill. If the name of the black-haired young man spread far and wide due to his notorious deeds. Zyro's name would be abandoned, forcing him to use another. Which is displeasing for him.
However, that doesn't matter anymore.
Seeing the vague silhouette of the running figures, Zyro eyes glimmed with recognitions. His lips curved into a grin, letting out one word.
"Sure."
His approval alone is enough to give Baron a spark of joy. But the answer came elsewhere, startling his old heart.
"Zyro? Wait, it really is you! Thank goodness your alive."
Pert a little bit childish voice resounded from the dark, followed by his face entering the range of light. Scarlet's stunning visage came to light shortly after, the hem of her cloak fluttering as she moved. The two slowed down, her gaze fixed on Zyro for a brief moment. She smiles awkwardly, with mixed nervousness and urgency.
"Thank goodness you're safe. But there's no time to waste! Run!"
As soon as she finished, Pert and Scarlet continued sprinting past them without stopping.
Zyro was momentarily confused, but followed after them shortly after.
Left standing alone holding a torch in hand, Baron was still digesting what just happened. Not knowing what to do, he blinked a couple of times, before hearing a noisy echo of a marching army, like rolling thunders exerting an ominous melody of approaching doom to those who block them!
Even a senile man would choose to run, he abandoned all hesitation and chased fort with all his might. Shouting.
"Lads, would you be so kind as to wait for this poor old hag! I'm serious, don't leave me here!"
Although he referred to himself as an poor old man, his running speed was not inferior to the three youths ahead. It didn't take long for his frail looking build to bring him by their side.
Zyro suspected Baron to be an Alpha, or perhaps even a Beta. If not, he wouldn't catch up this fast.
Disregarding it all, Zyro glances at Scarlet.
"Mind telling me what happened?"
She replied evenly.
"The assassins tracked us, I don't know how specifically. But they managed to find the exact way we took."
Pert quickly added.
"They even discovered my tunnel entrance, I could swear I have disguised it perfectly. The assassin might be using some sort of sorcery."
'That's odd.'
It is strange, indeed. Zyro participated in erasing their tracks, he even laid out misdirections. So his certain that their original trail can't be traced easily, yet the enemy found their tracks accurately. Logically, they would suspect an enemy spy was hidden among them. However, the ground consisted of mere three people. Scarlet, as the assassins target were out of the question, while Pert was by her side all this time. Leaving Zyro as the prime suspect.
But he can't be, if he were on the enemy side all along. Zyro would have not kill four assassins, and instead participated in eliminating Scarlet. Which will be the end of her.
This reason is what support their trust to each other. That's why it can't be the work of a spy.
'Sorcery, huh.'
Super natural things, including Magic and Marks do exist in this world. It's safe to assume the Vampires possess mystical ways of tracking them, something that goes beyond physical logic.
If that's the case... This run of theirs was just a futile struggle against the inevitable.
A hundred assassins were after them, all coming from above as they pursue them down. Unfortunately, these deep caverns aren't endless.
Everyone had tense looks on their face, even Baron, who accidentally got dragged in their mess understand the graveness of the situation. Especially knowing what awaits them in the end - a dead end.
Eventually, Zyro sighed and slowed down, soon coming to a stop.
'Then there's no point running anymore.'