Han and the others were seated around the fire. It crackled, sending sparks into the air.
"So when are we going to sell it?" Ian asked, looking at Third Light while he poked at the fire with a stick.
Third Light scoffed, placing his chin in his open palm, "I don't think I'm gonna sell it."
His words echoed faintly and Rish's eyes flashed to him with a subtle glare that went unnoticed by all.
"I'll think I'll trade it instead." He added after a moment of silence. Smiling softly, he looked at Ash, "What do you think, Archer?"
Ash squinted his eyes but said nothing, "Oh me?" He feigned ignorance, "I don't know. You hunted it, it's your shard by hunter law."
Third Light hummed, pleased with Ash's answer.
"So we're all fine with me keeping it to trade for whatever I want later on?" He asked aloud, scanning everyone.
Han avoided looking up or paying much attention because he knew that he didn't have a say.
Any one of them could kill him with no consequences whatsoever, so it was better for everyone if he kept to himself as much as he could.
Hours streaked by and the members of the party fell asleep one by one until they were all unconscious. All except for Han.
This was one of his 'complementary' duties, keeping watch at night.
'Take a sip of eternity.
Does it taste like mortality…'
He sang in his mind, too afraid of attracting unwanted beastial attention.
Han's eyes drooped slightly and he jumped up with wide eyes. "I can't afford to sleep."
His eyes drifted to the others sleeping softly and envy burned within him.
Unlike them, if he slept and something attacked, he wouldn't be able to get away in time and he doubted that they'd try to fight for him.
He turned to the dead fire and watched the few wisps of smoke that still rose from the ash. The chirping crickets were the only sign he had that there was no close predator.
'Two more hunts. Just two more hunts.' He reminded himself as he walked around, trying to shake off his exhaustion.
Luckily, they had chosen that clearing after days of observation so he knew the chances of migratory beast encounters were rare.
"Better safe than sorry." He sighed, staring at the golden streaks of light brightening the sky.
Finally, it was day.
Han laid on the ground and closed his eyes, barely nodding off when he felt a strong hand clasp his shoulder.
"Aaahh!" He screamed and rolled away but stopped when he heard laughter.
Ian was doubled over, laughing with tears in his eyes, "You sure are a heavy sleeper. You should be up at the crack of dawn, not just lazing around all day." He managed amidst gasps for air.
He rubbed his throbbing head and furrowed his eyebrows. A headache.
Third Light stared into the distance and stood up. There was no trace of sleep or exhaustion on his face. He seemed…
'Majestic.'
"Onwards, I guess." Ian spoke after silence had spread within the group.
Han stood, wiped his body of dust with his blistered hands and picked up a few items that were on the ground.
He placed them into the brown leather bag that he always carried with him.
"We still have two more hunts to complete before rejoining society and selling the results of our bountiful hunts." Ash muttered as he walked to Han. He reached into his bag and brought out a map of the forest.
He scanned and studied it with a flat expression. "I suppose we go after the water-back crab not too far from here. About a kilometer north."
Rish gripped her knife, "Sure, that'll be fun and maybe we'll actually participate this time." The meaning behind her words didn't go over their heads.
"No, don't worry, you'll have your chance." Third Light smirked defiantly.
Ian nodded and started walking north. Third Light and Rish stared at each other for about an extra minute before following.
Ash muttered a light curse and kicked the ground, following.
Han stared at their backs disappearing into the forest, 'Will they even notice my absence?' He swallowed the lump in his throat.
The weight of the bag shifted slightly and reminded him of the reason they would realize his absence.
"Their donkey is absent." He stifled a curse and adjusted the bag, walking quickly behind them to catch up.
Ian placed his hand on the ground and a tremor rippled through it. Pebbles, stones and small rocks started to gather in front of them.
They piled on one other, forming layers. Beads of sweat ran down Han's face and he wiped it but he couldn't stop sweating.
The air around the rocks started to shake with intensity as some started to glow with the unmistakable red light of heat.
They melted and the molten rocks flowed with high viscosity amidst the rocks that remained cool.
Han was panting and pulled at the rim of shirt, ready to remove it when he spotted the others. Unlike him, they seemed rather unbothered by the heat.
In fact, they seemed to be cooler off than before. He swallowed the urge to rip off his shirt and stayed still, breath shaking.
More rocks gathered and piled up. They shifted and rolled until they made humanoid rocky statues.
The molten rocks shifted and started coursing through the statues, making complex tree-branch like passages. Some converged while others diverged.
Ian stood and staggered, his skin was impossibly pale. A small trail of blood ran down his nose and onto his sweat-licked skin.
He collapsed with a slightly thud to the ground and his eyes ran up and down his creations.
"Looks better than last time. Good." Third Light hummed and Rish scoffed.
Ash patted Ian's shoulder and nodded approvingly.
The hands on the statues twitched slightly and clenched. Clouds of steam rolled off them, covering the surroundings in sweltering heat.
They all moved their heads and the molten rocks flowing through them increased in luminosity.
Han stared at them with the same amazement as always, "Golems."