Chương 68: A conspiracy

After they put some distance between themselves and the others, Bella stopped walking. They had reached the edge of the tents, her back half-turned to him, her attention drifting toward the horizon where the evening light was beginning to color the sky orange. Ethan watched her, her shoulders relaxed as she let out a sigh. Her short hair fell, just covering her neck, strands blowing in the slight breeze, revealing her side profile as she watched the horizon.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" she asked, turning back to face him. For a moment, he said nothing, letting the quiet sit between them as he considered how much to reveal and how much to keep to himself, because while he needed her, that didn't mean he trusted her, and those were two very different things, no matter how similar they might seem on the surface.

"I'm going to the second level soon," Ethan said.

"In fact, I want to be gone from here in under a week's time." Bella hummed softly, her expression unreadable but attentive.

"Aren't we all?" she replied, though there was a faint edge of curiosity beneath it. Ethan let out a quiet breath through his nose before continuing.

"When I get there, I'll be needing help with something," he said, his gaze steady as he met hers.

"Something that could benefit whoever helps me just as much as I'd benefit." Bella narrowed her eyes, but he could see the interest sparking despite herself.

"You're asking me?"

"I am. I think, despite how things ended, we worked well together," Ethan responded, though in truth, he mainly wanted her for her shadow realm ability and because he had high hopes she would become extremely powerful, just like in the last timeline. So he wanted to be on her good side. She studied him for a second longer, clearly expecting more, and when he stayed silent, a faint smirk pulled at her lips, equal parts amusement and acknowledgment.

"You're being awfully secretive. What is it we'll be doing?" she questioned. Ethan smiled.

"How much do you know about the second level?" The smirk lingered, though it softened into something more thoughtful as she considered him, her gaze drifting briefly past him toward the campfire where her team waited.

"I know enough. But I'm not buddy-buddy with any guilds like you are, so information is hard to come by. Why?" Ethan nodded before breaking down exactly what he needed from her and how it could benefit her. When he was finished, she had a pensive look on her face, weighing up his words.

"Now that is interesting. But there's just one thing… how do you know any of what you said will be true?"

"That's just a gamble you'll have to take," Ethan answered. Bella was quiet for a moment. She looked back to the others.

"Depends," she said after a moment.

"We're not heading up just yet." He raised a brow slightly.

"There's something I need to handle first," Bella went on, her tone making it clear that was all he was getting on that front, and Ethan didn't push. He didn't really care what she was up to on this level.

"After that, we're planning to test the mirage and move on. Too many people showing up—there's not enough to go around anymore." Ethan nodded slowly, the logic aligning with his own thoughts, though hearing her confirm it only reinforced how little time there was before this level was flipped upside down.

"So soon," he said, more statement than question.

"Soon enough."

"Good," Ethan said.

"Do you have a farscribe book?" Bella nodded.

"I'll have to get it from the tent. Why? Want my digits?"

"I do, actually."

"Oh, umm—""I'll need to get in contact with you when you reach the second level."

"Of course," Bella responded quickly. She moved to her tent before disappearing inside, giving Ethan time to take his pack off and pull his one free. When she returned, it was with a book in hand. Ethan held his out, offering it to her.

"Do you know how to link them?" he asked. The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Bella's eyes flicked down to the book, then back up to him, something unreadable passing through her expression before she reached out, taking his. She tore a page out of her book before placing it in his, and vice versa. Ethan felt the ambient mana respond and watched as the enchantments lit up, fusing the pages back in place and creating the magical link.

"I'm surprised you're trusting me enough to work together again," Bella said, handing Ethan his book back. Ethan met her gaze evenly.

"I'm trusting that you'll keep your word," he replied.

"Besides, I can do it alone. It'd just help if you were there." That seemed to satisfy her, or at least she didn't challenge it, slipping her book away as she gave a small nod.

"Fine. When you call, I'll try show up," she said.

"But if you don't hear from me, no need to wait."

"Sounds like a plan." The moment lingered for a second longer before Bella's posture shifted, the tension easing just slightly as she glanced back toward the camp, where faint movement suggested the others were still very much aware of their absence.

"You might as well stay," she said then, her tone more casual now.

"It's getting dark, and wandering out there with her"—she jerked her head slightly in Leah's direction without looking—"isn't exactly the smartest move." Ethan followed her glance briefly before looking back at her.

"Leah can take care of herself. She's not the same woman she was at the gorge."

"I can see that," Bella said, a slight smile spreading across her face as she watched Leah scrunch her nose up at something Jace had said.

"One night," Ethan said after a moment. He had wanted to hunt some more, but the sun was on its way down now. Soon they would have to set up camp anyway, so they may as well use Bella's. Bella's lips curled faintly at that, something knowing in the expression.

"One night," she echoed before turning back toward the camp, leaving him to follow. Ethan walked behind her, watching as the other twin—the one yet to speak—began lighting the fire. When he returned, he could feel Leah watching him, her expression a mix of questions and something else.

"You're back just in time," Jace said.

"Leah was just about to tell us what happened between the Valkyries and the Broken Dawns." Ethan side-eyed Jace.

"There's not much to tell. The Valkyries are now subordinates to the Broken Dawns. That's about it." Roy twisted away from Bella and looked at Ethan.

"Why would they do that? Don't they know as soon as they reach the second level, the Valkyries won't stand for it?"

"I think it will all work out. They have a shared enemy after all," Ethan responded.

"It seems everyone is after the same group," Bella chimed in.

"Is that what you're doing out here? Following a lead on them?" Ethan asked. Jace, who had just finished gesturing to his brother, snorted.

"We aren't after them." Ethan watched as the other twin waved his hand. A rip appeared in the air. Leah jumped up, her hand going to her dagger. Ethan grabbed her arm.

"Relax," The twin reached into the crack and started pulling out items. Ethan watched him with greed in his eyes. The man had a storage skill—one Ethan was familiar with. It was one you could pick up as a magic swordsman, the very one Ethan would likely be able to purchase if he wanted. Though he knew it wasn't really an option—not when you could get an item that would do the same thing. The only drawback, of course, was the fact you could lose it. Leah looked down at him, so he eased her nerves.

"It's just a storage skill. It's not dangerous to us." She watched it in wonder as he finished removing what looked like some kind of meat.

"Right. Sorry about that."

"No worries," Jace said.

"Bell had the same reaction."

"I told you not to call me that."

"How much can you store?" Ethan asked, unable to help himself. The man looked up at him before shrugging.

"Jacob doesn't talk," Jace cut in.

"But even if he did, I'm not sure he'd fill you in on that. I'm sure you understand." Ethan looked back to Jace as he picked up the meat and started preparing it. Truth be told, he had thought it strange that Jacob hadn't said a word, but he assumed he was just one of those ultra-quiet types.

"Yeah, that's fair." He looked back at Leah.

"Are you alright? I was thinking we could stay here the night. Save us setting up somewhere else. We can set out in the morning. But if you don't want to, we can leave." Leah cast a glance at Bella. Ethan knew she was a little afraid of her. She had confessed it to him when they had just reunited. So he understood he was putting her in a spot. Though he would leave right now if she wanted. She let out a sigh and nodded.

"I'm fine with that. As long as Jace here is cooking enough meat?"

"There's always enough meat."

"What does that even mean?" Jace shrugged.

"Seriously though. We have heaps of meat." Ethan ignored them, looking over to where Bella was talking with Roy. They had distanced themselves slightly. If he really wanted to, he could focus on their conversation, but that would be an invasion of privacy. Ethan would never. Oh who was he kidding. Even if he didn't really care about what they were doing out here, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

"We're close, Bella. Keeping them here could fuck everything up," Roy said in a hushed whisper.

"Relax. It's just for a night, then they will be on their way. We will track her. Don't worry," Bella answered. She looked back at the group. Ethan quickly looked away, hoping he hadn't been caught.

"And be careful," she continued.

"He may not look it, but Ethan is strong. Maybe even stronger than me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means don't piss him off. I understand you're worried and want to find her, but like you said—we're this close." She gestured with her hands.

"Just relax and everything will work out."

"E—Ethan," Jace called. Ethan looked back at him, a smile on his face. Now that was interesting. And totally worth it. He kind of wanted to know why they were out here now.

"Sorry, what was that? I was zoned out." He replied.

"Oh yeah, happens to me all the time. I was saying, how old are you anyway?" Ethan tried not to roll his eyes. He really did. But this was becoming far too common. If this kept up, he'd just wear his helm indefinitely. He paused. Wait… that was actually a pretty good idea. Hell, it was a great idea. It would solve his number one issue. Why hadn't he thought of that sooner?