When a small group stumbled into the forward base camp, bleeding and distressed, Marchus and Orion discovered that Hella had not been as thoroughly beaten as they thought. The volcanic was still out there, still attacking people, even those who were unarmed. The pair know what they must do.

They set out into the winding caverns, carefully avoiding lava flows and choking clouds of gas. Hella has retreated further into the bunker, deep into the ring, and it takes hours to track her down. She rests next to a lake of molten rock, seemingly unbothered by the extreme heat. The light given off by the lava highlights the wounds on her body, the dried blood, the burn marks, the scabbed-over gashes. Hella appears exhausted, but her eyes burn bright as ever, keenly watching the surrounding environment.

Orion and Marchus set up on a high rocky outcrop, far away from Hella but with a clear line of sight. Orion has brought her rifle and Marchus his binoculars. Though both are good shots, they prefer this arrangement, and neither needs to discuss their role. Orion settles on the hot stone, leaning in to the scope, while Marchus peers through the binoculars, ready to observe their target. Moments pass as the pair set to business.

"We've been spotted," Marchus speaks up suddenly.

Orion pulls her head back from the scope, observing the much smaller figure now charging toward them. Hella roars at them, but she is too distant for her words to carry. "Shoot," she comments drily.

"That's your job," Marchus quips. Orion gives him a disdainful look, then puts her eye back to the glass lens.

"Sometimes, I really do hate working with you."

"You like me, because I'm actually competent," is Marchus's quick reply.

She snorts. "Keep telling yourself that." A pause, then she fires. Marchus brings the binoculars up to his eyes.

"Miss."

"Yeah, I can tell from how she's still shouting insults," Orion growls, glaring at the rifle like it was the weapon's fault while she works the bolt.

"What's she saying, anyway?" Marchus asks, squinting at volcanic as she bounds closer, hardly slowed despite some of her wounds reopening.

Orion holds still for a moment, listening. "Sounds like she wants to track us down and kill us. You'd think a warrior culture would have more creative insults for killing people."

Marchus tilts his head. "Maybe she's just saving those for when she reaches us," he offers. Orion grunts, then leans in to line up another shot.

"You better not miss again," Marchus comments. "She's getting pretty close."

"Do you want to do this, then?" Orion snaps, pulling back to look at him.

Marchus eyes her. "Maybe. She did maim my daughter."

They swap places. Though his demeanor was calm, Orion knew Marchus was furious at Hella for what she'd done. He doesn't take long to aim, hardly needing Orion's help as spotter. He fires, the shot echoing off the stone walls.

Hella halts abruptly, wavering. Orion looks at her through the binoculars, but with all the wounds already on her body, some trailing fresh blood, she cannot tell if Marchus actually hit the volcanic. Either way, she seems to be reconsidering her hostility, an uncertain look clear on her face. Marchus's teeth are bared, and he takes aim again.

"Wait," Orion says, placing a hand on his shoulder. He glances at her, annoyed, but doesn't put his eye back to the scope. "Are you done?" Orion shouts down the rocky ledge, "We can keep this up all day, or you can leave our scouts alone!"

Hella glares up at them, but her expression suddenly softens, folding into one of resignation. "You're damned cowards, the lot of you," she shouts back. Marchus leans back in to the scope, and she quickly puts up a hand, adding, "You're cowards, but fine. I'll leave your people alone, if it means not being harried by you two again."

Marchus lets out a low, angry whistle, clearly wanting to fire, but Orion has not removed her hand from his shoulder. "We've beaten her," she reminds him. "And you know we can do so again." She turns back to Hella, speaking more loudly, "Alright. Leave our scouts in peace, or we'll be back to finish the job."

Hella snorts, but nods and turns to limp back to her spot by the molten lake, and Orion and Marchus begin to pack up for the return journey. Hopefully, it is the last time they see each other.