Borderlines slash down at Sotero's feet, and as he's jumping back, a hail of energy beams follows the attack. He's not wasting breath on shouting defiance anymore; they're trying to kill him, and that's more than enough reason to fight back. He bolts, running along the edge of the crater, and lava fountains vigorously in his wake, red-hot rock spattering towards the bird, the two women, the white-robed shinki, everyone who's after him.

His leaps are as light and airy as any god's, covering far more distance than a child's legs should be able to, but he's still a child, and he's not running all that fast.