Thanks to Dranafile and Rosa for taking the time to drop a review for this story! Thanks for sticking with me : )

Also, I thought I'd address a few questions raised in the reviews while I had the chance. This will be Tyson/Hilary/Kai triangle, but far more complex than the usual ones you see floating around the fandom. This isn't just a case of a girl liking another guy while being married to someone else, but we'll get to that later.

This is also a fantasy story, and it will take time for characters to get anywhere. I'm a big fan of the whole slow and steady pacing, and I don't want to rush things. I know you're all eager for a Bladebreaker reunion, but several things must happen first before that can happen! Good things come to those who wait ^_^

.

Chapter Seven: One Step Closer

Rei continued to follow Lee through the twisting paths of the forest undergrowth, his thoughts still focused on the teardrops. Lee hadn't seem too concerned about the name 'Valkov', but Rei found it difficult to push the name aside. Every couple of feet, he'd glance over his shoulder, as if someone were lurking in the shadows waiting to strike.

Sweat beads clung to his forehead. The air was thick and moist, and breathing was harder than it should have been. Every step took me effort than the last, but he continued moving through the woods, knowing showing any signs of weakness would lead to Lee thinking he was weak. He didn't need to give the older man a reason to doubt him further. Already he was convinced Rei was not suitable, and only tolerated his presence until he saw an opportunity to leave.

"Wait. Do you smell that?" Lee said, coming to an abrupt halt.

Rei stopped behind him. "What?"

"The stench of the dead." Lee turned his nose up and sniffed the air.

Rei did the same. At first, there was nothing, but moments later, he caught the scent of decomposition. A stench so strong, he lurched over and covered his mouth to prevent anything from coming back out. Keeping his nose covered, he straightened and looked around. There. In between some bushes. A human hand could be seen.

"Good god…" Lee murmured, his right hand pinching his nose.

Rei approached the body and grabbed the hand, pulling it from the bushes. A young woman with a hooked nose with hair as dark as the night itself, falling just beneath her shoulders. There were scars all over her body and face. "…What in the hells…" Her clothes were surprisingly undamaged, showing no signs of struggle.

"What was she doing all the way out here? An escaping slave?"

Rei shook his head. "No. Her clothes are intact. She was not attacked."

"Strangled then."

Again, Rei shook his head, gesturing to her neck. "No signs of bruising around her neck either."

"So, she was poisoned?"

"Hard to say. She's been out here rotting away for a few days at the least. Look at how pale she is, and the stench is so foul. I wonder why they hid here?" Rei dropped down to his knees, removing his hand from his nose., his body having become accustomed to the stench. His eyes moved downwards, noticing a strange silver ring on her left hand. "I don't like to steal from the dead, but I can bring peace to the people who gave you this ring." He reached down to her left hand and removed the ring then climbed to his knees once more.

Lee peered over his shoulder. "A silver ring."

Rei brought it close to his face and turned it around. A serpent biting its down tail. "An ouroboros," he murmured. "A symbol of the cycle of life and death."

"So, they're part of some weird cult, and they've adopted the serpent as their god."

Rei slipped the ring on his right hand. "Yeah. Seems that way."

"Perhaps it is her people that are responsible for hiding away the Driger Bow."

Rei glanced down at her again. "If only we had the tools to give her a proper burial."

"Not without any decent digging tools."

"I know," Rei said, his brows furrowed. "The best we can do is hide her in the bush here and hope no wild animal comes to find her, but the ravens undoubtedly will. Help me place her back in the bush." He grabbed her legs as Lee grabbed her arms. Together, they lifted her up slowly and moved her back into the bushes again. Gently, Rei placed the woman's arms over her chest in the shape of an 'x'.

"Something will find her you know. That stench cannot be hidden."

Rei nodded. "An unfortunate tragedy." He glanced down at the ring again, running his other hand across the bumpy scales. Not the most comfortable ring to wear, nor the prettiest, but there was something unique about it. Something worth keeping and learning more. A sharp prick in his right thumb caused him to wince. He withdrew his right hand and glanced down, examining his thumb, noticing a tiny spot of blood seeping through a small hole he could just make out.

"Seems like that ring doesn't want to be worn."

"Smooth in the inside, and rough on the outside," Rei observed. "I've never seen anything quite like it."

"Perhaps it was wearing that ring that caused her to die in the first place. Magic does exist in this world." Lee pulled aside and ventured back onto the main trail. "Better you than me though, but it's your life you are risking."

"And what sort of mage would create a ring like this?"

"The mages from Qubo."

"We're a long way from Qubo."

"People like to travel, Rei."

Rei didn't reply. Lee had a point. People would travel any lengths of the world if it meant finding new land and more resources to take. The mages also had to know about the Driger Bow – surely, they were the ones who had hit it in the first place? They stepped out back onto the main trail and followed the winding dirt path through the forest before arriving at a clearing. The gentle sounds of rushing water reached his ears.

"A creek? Here?" Lee said.

"Our chance to wash ourselves and fill out water pouches." Rei led the way towards the sound of water, walking along another dirt path. "There. Ahead between the trees. Water." Drawn to the promise of cool water, he quickened his pace. Having been so distracted with their surroundings, he hadn't noticed how parched his throat had become. It was as dry as a desert.

He took a few steps towards the water, stepping over a few fallen twigs, the weight of his feet crushing them into smaller pieces. Another step and he felt the ground beneath him shake. An earthquake? No. "Did you feel that?" he said, glancing at Lee. "Stay back. Don't move."

Too late. Lee had already stepped onto the uneven ground. The earth opened, swallowing both himself and Lee.

.

Brooklyn approached the wooden gates of a tiny village known as Gerumont. As with many of the other villages around the region, this one was nothing spectacular. Houses were made of small huts with hay-thatched roofs, and the locals busied themselves by fishing in the nearby river to the north or chopping wood to the southern border of the wall. A normal village. A village no one would come to save if it came under attack.

But he was not yet at full power. It would take time to regain his strength. "And this is where legends are born," Brooklyn said aloud as he walked through the gates. This small village would be the first to join his new world. A better one. He would be their king.

A mountain of a man stood before him, dressed in silver chainmail, and armed with a large hammer that he carried over his shoulder. His dark features were concealed by a helmet. "Halt! Identify yourself!" the man bellowed.

Brooklyn smirked. "My name is Brooklyn."

The guard looked up and down. "You look a bit lost, citizen."

"I left my village in search of a new home." He hoped that sounded convincing. Preferring to avoid conflict, Brooklyn extended a hand towards the guard in a gesture of friendship. "My name is Brooklyn. I do not have much to offer you in terms of coin, but I'm not as helpless as I look. I may not look the part, but I am a priest."

The guard snorted, holding back a chuckle. "A priest?"

Brooklyn nodded. "You do not believe me. What is your name?"

"Moses, but many call me Crusher."

"I can see why. Who is your leader?"

"I am."

"Ah. Both a warrior and a king then. A deadly combination. Every good leader needs a priest at their side would you not agree?" Brooklyn looked up at the man, keeping his tone neutral. He was a large man and getting on his bad side would not bode well. Although he was certain he could defeat Crusher with his magic, he didn't need to risk turning the entire village against him immediately. "I can help."

Crusher removed his helmet, revealing strange white tattoos on the left side of this face. "Can you remove these markings, priest?"

Brooklyn had seen similar markings before. The marks of a man who had been sold to slavery. But he kept quiet. It was best for Crusher to speak of his pain rather than have Brooklyn bring it up for him. "Who did that to you?"

"My slavemaster, Francesco." The man's voice faltered, and his jaw tightened. "I killed him with my own bare hands after he raped my sister. I crushed his head. That is how I got my name, Crusher. It has been ten years to this day, but I bear the marks still of his cruelty."

Brooklyn believed him. He certainly looked like he could kill any man with his fists with ease. "I cannot remove those marks, I'm afraid. There is nothing in this world that can erase your suffering, but you should be proud of how far you've come. Do not view those markings of yours as something to be hated but bear them with pride. You defeated your master. How many other slaves can say the same thing?" He studied the man's features carefully, watching his expression, looking for any signs of the man might attack him. But nothing happened.

"What about nightmares? Can you give something to my sister to help her sleep at night?"

"That I can do."

"What do you need?"

"I do not need anything. All I need is to be with her… If you will allow me of course."

Crusher tilted his head to the left then to the right, as if weighing his options. He then nodded. "I will bring you to her, priest. But if you bring any harm to her, then I will crush you with my fists. Any sign of harm and you will be reunited with whatever god you serve in the afterlife." He stepped aside and gestured for Brooklyn to follow him.

Without speaking another word, Brooklyn followed Crusher through the village. A few of the locals stopped their work to watch him. Some of the children pointed their fingers, but warning looks from their mothers made them turn the other way. The people were dressed in simple leather cloths, and their skin dark from their time in the sun. The only shelter that could be found came from within their own homes. There was not a tree in sight within the village.

Crusher led him past a few more houses towards another house with a double-thatched roof. There were a few berry bushes at the front near the door. Crusher pushed the door open and Brooklyn followed him inside. There, to the left in adjoining room, was a bed with a young woman lying on it. The sheets were brought up to her chin.

Crusher laid down his hammer to his left then leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. "My sister, Monica. She's eighteen now. All I want for her is to have a night where her mind is not interrupted by demons. If you can cure her mind, then I will allow you to stay here, priest. Prove to me you are what you say you are, and you will have my loyalty."

Brooklyn approached the bed and kneeled before the girl. She was clutching onto the sheets, her dark eyes widening at the sight of him. He reached a hand towards her. She flinched away. "I'm not going to hurt you," Brooklyn said, keeping his tone steady. "I can help you. Allow me to. Hold my hand."

"He is a priest, Monica."

His words seemed to bring her some comfort. She slowly pulled a hand away from the sheet and extended it towards him. "You will not hurt me?" she said in a tone barely above a whisper.

Brooklyn took her smaller hand and clasped it gently, his eyes never leaving her face. "No, I won't." Glancing over his shoulder, he looked at Crusher and said, "She needs some water. She looks parched."

The man hesitated. "I can't leave Monica alone."

"Nothing will happen, I promise. I am unarmed and nothing but a priest."

"I will be quick." He retreated and returned to the kitchen area. There was probably some water stored somewhere in the back room.

Now that the man was gone, Brooklyn looked to Monica again, releasing her hand. "Do not fear. This will be quick. All you need to do is drink and your nightmares will stop." He stretched out his left arm with his wrist facing up then cut into the skin with a fingernail, deep enough to draw blood. He then brought his wrist towards her mouth. "All you need is a drop."

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "No…"

"You must if you want to live a normal life free of these horrors that plague your mind."

She clamped her jaw shut. "No," she repeated, her tone unsteady.

"Your brother will die if you don't. You don't want that to happen, do you? Be strong for him. For your family." That seemed to work. The tension in her jaw eased, and she slowly opened her mouth, but squeezed her eyes. Brooklyn took that as an invitation and pressed his wrist against her mouth, feeling her tongue lick the wound. "You've done the right thing." He stroked her head with his other hand, then withdrew his arm as he heard Crusher's footsteps returning.

"How is she?"

"Better. Give the water to her." He climbed to his feet and stepped aside, keeping his gaze fixated on Monica's face.

Crusher helped his sister sit up on the bed, wrapping an arm around her waist to support her. With his other hand, he pressed the water against her lips, encouraging her to drink. "How do you feel?"

Monica took a sip of water. "Better."

"I told you I was a priest. She will sleep better now."

Crusher glanced up at him. "You perform miracles. You are blessed by the gods."

"You could say that." He folded his arms over his chest. "We can make this world a better place, Crusher. Starting here in this village."

Satisfied that Monica could support herself, Crusher climbed to his feet. "What do you desire?"

"Your allegiance." He unfolded his arms and walked over to the window, sticking his head outside to check to see if anyone was passing by. His view was clear. People seemed too afraid to venture too close to Crusher's house which was understandable considering his title. "Information. You need to tell me everything you know. I want to know about the Hiwataris and the city of Madari. Then I will tell you what I desire." He turned away from the window to face Crusher once more.

Crusher nodded. "What is so important about the Hiwataris?"

"The Hiwataris are not the rightful rulers of this world. That throne does not belong to them."

"They have occupied the throne for the past century."

"All built upon lies and secrets." Brooklyn walked towards him. "They are not fit to be kings."

With furrowed eyebrows, Crusher said, "He is the emperor of us all. Conspiring against him will grant you death."

He walked towards the door then stopped, his hand resting on the handle. "I do not fear something I have conquered. I am death itself. Now please, walk with me. Tell me all you know." He pushed open the door and stepped outside, the edges of his mouth curving upwards into a smirk.

.

They plummeted to the ground, their bodies smashing against the hard surface. Rei protected his face by throwing his hands before him. He groaned and winced, sharp pain spreading throughout his body like wildfire, but his concerns were quickly replaced by an ear-splitting cry from the caverns of Lee's chest. Turning his head, he noticed Lee was clutching his right leg, his face scrunched up in pain.

"Lee!" Rei called out.

Lee continued to scream, his face turning a deep shade of red, sweat beads mixed with salty tears. All Rei could do was look on helplessly – could anything provide him comfort? Would Lee even accept his help? Rei climbed to his feet and arched his neck up, looking for something to pull them out. But nothing. No rope. No ladders. Nothing to grab onto. The ledge was too high to reach as well. Were they stuck down here?

He turned back to Lee again. Tears were spilling down his cheeks, his face still contorting from agony. "I'm going to get you out, Lee. We're going to get out of here. I promise." But how? There was nothing to grab onto, and even if there was, how would he get Lee out? He couldn't climb and carry the man on his back at the same time. Lee was too weak to hold on. Leaving him behind wasn't an option though. He looked up again. "Is there anybody out there?"

A foolish risk perhaps, but Lee's screams would've caught someone's interest.

"Did you hear that boys? We have some live prey!"

A voice, and not one Rei recognized. Hopefully, someone friendly, but in these parts, it was best not to trust anyone. He grabbed his bow and loaded it with two arrows pointing it upwards, his fingers resting on the string. Three faces peered down from the ledge.

"Well, look what we have here boys! Some foolish adventurers who think they can reach the other side of the rainbow," a male with bright red hair announced, a smirk crossing his lips. Rei spotted a bow on his back. His companions, two burly men carrying silver longswords, snickered. All three were dressed in thick fur armour suggesting they had come from the cold north.

A male with shoulder-length grey hair turned the red-headed boy. "What do you think they are doing out here, Tala? And what do you think we should do with them?"

"They look well-equipped, Tala. We should loot their corpses."

Tala pulled out his bow and loaded it with an arrow. He pointed it at Lee. "I would suggest lowering your weapon unless you want your friend to take an arrow to the knee. I'm not going to miss such an easy target."

Rei tightened his jaw, keeping his bow held high. "You'll be dead before you even get the chance."

"You kill me, and you'll never get out of that hole. Your friend will also die. Is it worth it?"

Holding back a hiss, Rei lowered his bow. Tala was right. Killing him would only make his situation worse. "He needs help. I'll give you whatever you want. Just help him."

Lee drew in a sharp breath. His cries had stopped. Now he just looked pale and weak. "…Rei…" he murmured.

"I'm getting you help," Rei said in a low voice. "We have to work with them."

"…I'd rather die than… than befriend bandits…"

"Throw down some rope. Spencer, you'll stay up here and hoist us up. Bryan. You're coming down with me, and you will go down first," Tala ordered.

"But what if he fights back?"

"He'll be shot dead if he tries anything. Now shut up and climb down the rope."

Spencer walked away from his view then returned a few moments later with some thick coarse rope. He threw it down into the hole whilst Tala kept the bow raised and ready, an arrow still pointed at Lee.

Rei tightened his jaw. Tala wasn't stupid. He knew he had the power here. Even if Rei could land one of his arrows, he'd still be outnumbered and stuck down in the pit. These bandits were his and Lee's only chance of survival. Sometimes you had to work with your enemy to survive the elder had always said. He put his bow on the ground.

Bryan climbed down the rope, and Tala followed once he was convinced it was safe. "Heh. You're less impressive looking now that we're on equal ground," Bryan said, bringing his face up close, his hot breath washing over Rei's face. "We should just kill them both, Tala. Rob their corpses and bring the loot back home. Garland would be impressed. Maybe he'd promote us to a higher rank."

Rei held his ground. "Who is Garland?"

"The commander of the prison," Tala answered, taking a step towards Rei. He looked him up and down, his gaze lingering on Rei's ring hand. "That's a nice ring you have there."

"You can have it if you want. Just help me get my friend the aid he needs."

Tala reached a hand forward and grabbed Rei's arm. He glanced down at the ring. "… It cannot be…"

"It's just a ring," Rei replied, withdrawing his hand. "Just who are you people?"

"Tala. We're wasting time. Let's just kill him and his friend!" Bryan growled.

Tala's eyes were still fixed on Rei's ring hand. "We need to bring him to Garland." He released Rei's hand and took a few steps back.

A change in behaviour. It didn't go unnoticed. Testing the waters, Rei raised his ring hand and held it before him, as if it were a barrier. To him it was just a ring he had taken off the corpse, but to Tala it was something else. The boy's bright blue eyes widened, and his face muscles tensed. His shoulders had become withdrawn and he backed away as if Rei were something to be feared.

"But why?"

"He wears the ring, Bryan. The ring of the serpent."

"I don't care about the damn ring! I'll give it to you. Just please – all I care about is helping my friend." He lowered his arms then dropped to the ground, placing his arms beneath Lee. He then carefully rose to his feet, uttering a grunt at the extra weight of his friend. "Lee. You need to hold onto the rope. Can you do that?"

"His strength and hope are fading," Tala noted.

"Because you created this trap," Rei retorted.

Tala shrugged. "Where's the fun in shooting our prey dead immediately?" He then dropped to his knees and examined Lee's injured leg. Reaching out a hand, Tala ran his hand along Lee's leg, ignoring the gasps of pain. A bit of bone was poking out in an unnatural angle. "Your friend landed poorly. He's broken his leg. Now, we don't have the resources to help him here in the wild, and I don't know if he'll survive the journey back. It's a long ride to the north. I say you should kill him. Cut your losses."

Rei shook his head. "No. I'm not leaving him."

"He's going to die, boy."

"Then you'll have to kill me too," Rei hissed through clenched teeth.

Tala looked him and down then frowned. "You're too valuable to lose. Bryan. Help him to his feet and tie him up with the rope. Spencer can lift him up and then we need to return to the horses." He glanced down at the ring again. "That ring chooses its master otherwise I would take it from your body, but the ring needs a living master."

"Of course, Tala."

Bryan picked up Lee eliciting a sharp cry of pain from the boy then carried him over towards the thick rope, wrapping it beneath Lee's arms. A painful way to be lifted from the ground, but what other choice did they have? Lee was too weak to hold onto the rope. Lee screamed again as Spencer hoisted him up with the rope.

He was pulled over the edge, and the rope was removed from his arms. Lee's cries filled the silent air, sending a chill racing down rei's spine. His nightmares would be filled with the cries of a man he had failed to protect. If Lee were to die… What would Mariah think of him? An image of her face appeared in her head, but he forced it aside. He couldn't bear to break her heart again.

"The ring chooses its master?"

"Garland will tell you all about it. Let's just get out of here and hope your friend doesn't die."

Rather than push the matter farther, Rei grabbed onto the rope and hoisted himself up. He clambered over the ledge and hurried over to Lee again, dropping onto his knees at the man's side. "Lee. Stay with me," he said, placing a hand on Lee's shoulder as if to provide comfort. "We're going to get through this. You'll get the help you need."

Lee rolled over onto his stomach. "…It's a trap, Rei… Don't be so blind…"

"I'm not leaving you. We may not always see eye to eye on things, but I call you my brother even if we do not share the same parents. I will never abandon you. You have to stay with me." He clasped Lee's hand firmly. "I won't let you die, Lee."

Lee drew in a sharp breath. "…I can't walk, Rei. My leg…"

"…Will get fixed. We're going to ride to the north."

"…Just kill me. End my suffering."

Rei shook his head. "I'm not ending your life when you still have much to give."

"…We both know how this will end, Rei…" Lee lifted his head and glanced down at his leg. "I cannot move my leg… The bone has fractured… Why must you make me suffer so?" With surprising strength, he tightened his grip on Rei's hand.

"Because you can be saved."

"Put him out of his misery," Bryan said. "Or this fool will spend the entire trip complaining."

Clenching his teeth, Rei spat, "You do not get to decide his fate."

"Settle down, Bryan. We will take his friend with us. If he dies on the way so be it. But we must depart now before night falls. We do not want to be out here in forest when the sun dips below the horizon." He looked around then up at the trees. "It becomes an entirely new world. Lowering his gaze back to ground level, Tala gestured forward.

Rei helped Lee to his feet, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. The boy hissed in pain, trying to lift his broken leg, the bone poking through the skin clearly. He couldn't imagine the torment the boy was in. "I wish I could take your pain away, but all I can do is bring you someplace safe." Taking cautious steps, Rei helped Lee across the leaf-littered ground in the same direction Tala had taken.

How would he reclaim the Driger Bow now?

.

And progress is being made! Will Lee survive the trip? What is so special about Rei's new ring? Will anything bad happen to Monica? Find out in the next few chapters! In the next chapter, we look at Tyson and Kai's meeting, some Robert stuff, and Max's journey. See you then! As always, reviews are much appreciated!

I'm going to try and get an update every fortnight (usually my Sunday time). I don't write on weekends usually so this will give me five days for actual writing, and five days for editing and finishing stuff off if needed. So hopefully, I can stick to a schedule and be consistent!

.

.

*also need to replace Carlos as a victim in Mariam torture chapter*