Silas wasn't on an expedition, he was on an extraction, finding his lost sister in the Silent Meadows. It wasn't clear how that predicament could've transpired, but as of now, Jace was forced to help his squad in that mission.
Treading deeper through the pine forest, the webbing foliage above became a thick canopy of green, completely snuffing out the sunlight that was already setting.
In order of the line, it was Silas, Felix, Jace, then Leo. Figuring out the auburn boy's urgency to dart around at any second, placing him between their two reliable Climbers of cold-blooded murderers seemed fair.
It was just the uncomfortable glare that was piercing through the back of Jace's head, almost triggering (Instinct) if it didn't feel threatening enough. Of course that precedent was justified because anyone would have hated the bitter taste of defeat.
'Does he even know the Soul could heal any candid injury on its own? Wait, does that principle apply to body parts? I don't know, I never lost a damn ear!'
But Leo had kept his eyes on the auburn boy ever since he had temporarily joined their efforts in the extraction, waiting for their stowaway to slip once for an excuse to use lethal force. Maybe even the wrong words would promptly have his guts spilled by those dual swords.
Jace kept forward, following Felix as their walk continued in silence. There was a small chance, a fraction of a probability, he could actually escape alive. But in any normal perspective, three Climbers against one sounded too impractical to overcome.
Not if that lone Climber had a Curse that could double his Soul Points, of course. Though, within that one minute frame, would he really be able to fight his way out alive? The most plausible and optimistic outcome depicted Jace on the floor among three dissolving corpses, writhing in the drawback of his Curse, then later on being picked apart by a monster that happened to stumble on the scene.
Jace couldn't control nature nor the ways of the Tower. In every creature that exists, they would all react accordingly to sound. If a starving monster wished to satisfy its needs, loud sounds of pain and yells would be its main attraction.
He was facing defeat either way, no matter how much he desired to twist the situation. For two of the Climbers, Felix and Leo, he had somewhat of an understanding of their Soul. But remembering their fight earlier, Silas didn't reveal anything about his Skills.
His Soul was a total mystery to regard in the plans to escape.
Jace silently grimaced, glancing at their squad leader ahead. Studying his rapier, the elegant blade wasn't assumed to be handled with ferocity. Silas must have a great specialty in speed if he wielded such a nimble weapon.
Fighting against the unknown with an impending Curse was an obvious mixture for failure, especially when Jace would underestimate his enemies.
He couldn't take those risks when Leo had an advantage to overwhelm him in a singular duel. That last stunt to misdirect his blades was near suicidal, as admitting the inching maneuver had barely saved him if he didn't aim to daze his opponent.
Though, cutting off one of his ears was entirely an accident. Hilariously, apologizing to him never crossed Jace's mind.
Some time later, the four Climbers decided to have a respite in the tallest meadow, without the fear of prowling monsters in their surroundings.
Silas's shrewd eyes gazed over the horizon, deciding their next step in his mind. In a way, his appearance and demeanor had made him feel like a written hero compared to his members. It was a real wonder how the well-mannered boy became in charge of the lot.
Jace sat a little far behind him with the other two Climbers at his sides. Even if their leader had his back turned, any surprise attack would indubitably be futile as Felix possessed some Skill to have extreme awareness in the slightest irregular motion.
If the auburn boy would make any suspicious movement, a quick arrow would pierce through his body like the thick bark before.
Silas turned to the group, resting his wrist along the hilt of the rapier and said to them in a stoic tone:
"Night is coming, and I wish to complete our extraction before we return. That is why I have made you join us, Jace."
Jace raised his head, snapping away from more scenarios of which detailing how he would escape from them.
"And what exactly are you people extracting?"
Silas ignored his question, and resumed telling of their improvised plan.
"To hasten our progress, we must split into teams of two, covering more ground and locating our target. I know some of you will rebel against the idea but time is of the essence. The longer we take, the worse it becomes."
Leo gritted his teeth, sparing another glare at the auburn boy before snapping back:
"You want one of us to pair up with him? Look at my ear!"
The noble boy shook his head, preventing their conversation from straying into needless arguments.
"You want your reward, you will have it, only when you listen to my demands. I cannot spend any more hours wandering around inside this Floor without results. If you wish to prolong that, then I would rather dispatch you now."
Leo retracted his anger momentarily.
"I'm saying if one of us is alone with that nut-case, it's going to be trouble. Do you think someone like him will just follow your rules because you asked him to? Look at my ear!"
Silas drew his elegant rapier and appointed the split teams.
"Felix can go with him, and you will partake alongside me, that way you wouldn't have to cry about your other ear. Does that sound fair?"
Leo glared at the auburn boy again, then jumped from the grass.
"Yeah, we'll see."
***
Jace had found himself in the pine forest again, but without the peering sun through the foliage, the setting was anything unlike before. The bark of trees became dark columns with barely any light from the canopy. With a slight breeze of wind occasionally breaking the silence between him and the conniving boy, he wondered if his thoughts were louder.
'I could just kill him and then I'm free from this whole ordeal. I strongly doubt this bastard can fight.'
Knowing Felix's prowess in precision and agility, he was most likely lackluster in the department of strength. If the two of them were to clash, would the adamantium sword completely shatter through the steel of his dagger? After that, would he even be able to handle another attack totally unarmed?
The more scenarios Jace pictured in his mind, the conniving boy spoke, his voice amused by the awkward silence.
"If you kill me, what then? Silas is the one holding the Port Crystals. You'll be stranded in this Floor without our help."
Jace found his adamantium sword alluding to the decision of ending his enemy in the dark, pine forest. They were already away from any hearing ears so hiding the evidence wasn't necessary. But he hated to admit the conniving boy was right.
If he killed Felix here, where would he possibly go? He would still be stuck in Silent Meadow without any clear direction. Finding another squad of Climbers was like striking gold, hoping they would be more forgiving compared to the current ones holding him captive.
He twirled the blade in his hands, reflecting some of the moonlight and asked:
"How are you so calm? Aren't you scared of me?"
Felix placed his hands in the back of his jet-black tousled hair and walked studiously.
"Because we happen to have a common goal. You want to find your way back into a Safeworld and so do I, which means we have to find the nobleman's sister before he kills all of us."
Jace studied the conniving boy for a few seconds.
"Are you mercenary?"
Felix shook his head.
"I'm a friend, and I wish to be yours, as well."
Jace scoffed, lowering his head under a leaning log.
"You tried to kill me, force me into your stupid problems, and now you want me to be comfortable? Do you seriously think I'm that stupid?"
Felix gestured his hands around in a overly sarcastic frown.
"Well, I'm not the one stranded here, am I? I'm not the Climber who chose to go on expeditions without a Port Crystal, am I?"
The auburn boy swung his adamantium sword just inches away from Felix's neck, abruptly stopping his obnoxious stride.
Felix leaned back with a wide grin.
"You wouldn't."
Jace pressed the blade further.
"Maybe there's a reason I went on an expedition alone. Do you seriously think I care if I have to spend another week stranded on this Floor? You're more useful dead than you are alive to me."
Felix stooped under the sword, continuing his stride again.
"I know you don't mean that, come on, who are you really fooling here?"
Instead of bickering against each other, the two Climbers had to turn their attention to more present matters. To find a missing girl in the middle of a dark forest that could have expanded to whoever knows how long. Fortunately, Felix revealed he possessed a set of Skills that guaranteed their safe passage.
A Skill to track prints left by other creatures and another to sense whoever steps in his imaginary circle of awareness, helping them avoid unnecessary encounters. Jace wasn't sure how the conniving boy could tell another Climber his Soul so casually when they were barely at even terms.
Following behind him, Jace only became more wary.
'What are they planning? Or…what is he planning?'
Felix's squad had only seen the auburn boy as a stowaway, an extra help of hands for their extraction. If he wouldn't oblige, then they would simply dispatch him into the Void.
But Felix sounded like he had other ideas for him. His tone of voice didn't match his other squad members, rather he wanted to befriend Jace.
Some time later, they suddenly stopped. Jace glanced over at Felix's reaction as he scanned the ground, bouncing his eyes between invisible lines. He had caught a trace of another being.