"I know you're at your limit too," Adrian said.

Haris chuckled and continued running. He had formulated a plan. When Adrian was exhausted, he would turn the tables and kill him. He also intended to bring Adrian's head back to Blade's Reach. After all the losses they had suffered, Haris felt compelled to justify himself to the elders, villagers, and chief.

Adrian was waiting for Haris to exhaust his energy as well. Unfortunately, fate often defied one's desires. Both of their wishes were about to be thwarted.

Unknown to them, the magma pool at the end of the passage suddenly trembled, and a surge of scorching heat erupted from it with unimaginable speed and intensity. The blistering heat rushed through the passage, reaching Adrian and Haris within seconds. Neither of them could do anything and were blown away by the heat wave.

After a while, they found themselves expelled from the passage and into the sky outside. As they both adjusted to the brightness, Adrian seized the opportuni