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He’d barely made it out of the forest when he saw the trees running. His chest still ached in pain, but there was no time to cry about a cracked sternum—Marlowe focused his energy into his legs and shot across the treeline, unsheathing his blade at catching the crashing pines with the flat of his blade. The fact that when he called to Viera, Lathilos of all people was there to assist as well? It was damn funny. 

Marlowe followed through with Lathilos, pushing the trees back. Together the men showed incredible power. If they were on the same side, they would make a terrifying team. But they fought on opposite sides in this conflict, and their battles were always inevitable. 

“Delios is alive,” Marlowe panted, the sword hanging at his side for a moment. “I’m not like you and your friends. I’m no fan of killing. Not when I can help it.” 

Lathilos leaned his hammer on his shoulder, taking a light breath. “I’m not like my ‘friends’.” 

“I know.” Marlowe frowned, before lifting the blade in front of him. “You’re a man of honor. That’s why it hurts to see you wearing that white cloak.” 

“We all have our reasons.” He muttered underneath his breath, before looking to Marlowe. “Now prepare yourself.”

The two men raised their weapons, until Lathilos hesitated for a moment. “Stop.” He lowered his hammer, and Marlowe instinctively lowered his own sword.  He looked at the man quizzically, trying to understand the sudden change in character. “We’re done. Your group isn’t prepared to fight.”

“But know that we will be back soon enough. I’ll give you a few days while Delios is recuperating, but I know my orders. The girl is important.” 

“Wh-“Marlowe tried to come up with something. But words failed him. “Thank…you?” 

[b]“Isoltos! Pull back! We’re regrouping, Delios is injured!”[/b]

Marlowe kept his mouth closed, in fear that it would fall agape at the sudden change in plans. The two headed off, probably to collect Delios and to fall back to some safer locale. Marlowe’s sword fell to the ground, and he turned around. “Viera!” he suddenly ran to the woman. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine. Why did they retreat? They had the upper-hand.”

"Lathilos....wanted to show me that he still had honor."

"I see." She nodded as she picked herself up off the mud-littered marsh.

Marlowe turned towards the new woman, who’d been running from The Order all day. “Miss-“ he called to her. “Are you okay?” He looked around at the destruction that had been caused. Had it all been from her? “I think you’re safe for now. But they will come back.” He sighed. “They always come back.”