AA. 208

The couple wanted nothing more than to return to the ludus and rest. Unfortunately, a surprise awaited them when they exited the rewards room. They walked in on Shawn locked in a heated conversation with one of Layla’s pink clones. 

“So, everyone’s requests are approved except for mine?” Shawn asked, jaw clenched and brow furrowed. “And you expect me to just be okay with that? How is that even fair? It's bloody minor compared to Zora and Nil’s asks. For fuck’s sake, Layla, Lily is allowed into the forge, but Ateeq isn’t? I don’t get it.”

“I’m sorry, Shawn,” Layla said. “It’s nothing personal. They were okay with it until the higher-ups saw his performance in the Cleansing.” A screen hovered over her left shoulder, showing the Wilson Luduses Team fleeing a biomechanics hive. Lily was lagging behind the rest. Ateeq shot an arrow into Lily’s knee, disabling her and causing a structural collapse before fleeing. Lily was trapped and overwhelmed and surrendered. The scene looped. “He just isn’t the type of person we want working for the Nexus or accessing the Forge’s resources.”

“That could’ve been an accident!”

“Don’t play the fool, Shawn. You’re a smarter man than that. We value you, but not enough to expose ourselves to someone we can’t trust. The higher-ups have approved your secondary request, and you’ll get time on Ygg. It's already approved, and we just need to plan your transport to the grove. The druids are looking forward to hosting you, more so after your success with the spatial spell.” Layla sighed, looking past Shawn at Nil and Selia. “We understand that it's a complicated situation, and Ateeq might’ve been under duress. We won’t stand against you using resources to free him from his contract and will extend the same assistance we are providing to Lily. However, the Forge isn’t open to him after his behavior and attempt on Team Forge.”

“I get it.” Shawn sighed. He glanced at Zora and the rest of the team. A few pedestrians had paused and were blatantly eavesdropping. “These clips aren’t a fair example of who Ateeq is as a person. But. I understand how it seems. All I ask is the opportunity to prove it wrong. Let me take him on a few Nexus jobs, and you’ll see how reliable he can be.”

“Fine. But these will be jobs where it’s just you and him. They’ll be dangerous, the information will be limited, and danger levels high.”

“I can work with that.”

“Fine.” Layla sighed. “The higher-ups won’t be pleased, but I’ll make it work. Go ascend. You’re leaving on your face assignment in three days. Your visit to Ygg can come afterward.”

“Acceptable.” Shieldmaster Shawn nodded, and a brisk departure followed. Zora received swift congratulations before she also left.

“Congratulations!” Layla’s pink clone smiled. “Everyone is ecstatic with Team Forge’s performance. The investment has given excellent returns and more. Everyone can’t wait to finish purging Eternum and settle it.” She turned to Selia. “Your breaking of the wards was smart. Our people can already access the planet. The protections keeping Silver Realms and above out are gone.”

“The cannon fodder did a good job then.” Selia grinned.

“You know you're more than that,” Layla replied. “We expect great things from the Death Gauntlet Team, and you continue to deliver. Although, we need to find a better name for you now.” She smiled, focusing on Nil. “Emily and Sam's time on Ashe Fall has been approved. They'll both be in Onyx Dragon Academy together. The druids made a case for your sister, and it was ignored per your request.”

“Given the altercation with Shawn, I assume the request regarding Lily has been approved, too?” Nil asked.

Layla nodded. “She is young, and her behavior in the arena and on quests is exemplary. We like her attitude, and she seems dependable. You'll be expected to help pay off her debt to Wilson Luduses—a Silver Ascension Token, and five thousand Schema Credits should be manageable—we're also directly talking to them to ensure she doesn't have to serve the time stated in her contract. Negotiations are slow but going well. Expect her to move to the Forge in a few months.”

“No wonder Shawn was pissed.” Selia sighed. “I need to talk to him. None of this can be easy.”

“I understand, but my superiors are a lot less sympathetic than I am. Shawn is a good egg, and we don't want to lose him. So, I'm attempting a balancing act.”

“It can't be easy.” Nil sighed. “I swear all of this is so stupid. Shawn had my respect for being a level-headed companion, but his behavior in the last couple of sectors has me questioning his reliability.”

Selia frowned. “Does that mean you don't want to work with him for the Labyrinth?”

“Right now? No. I don't know if I can trust him, especially after he enclosed Iris in a barrier without discussing it. Giving him the benefit of the doubt is challenging right now. Besides, my gut tells me he won't want to work with me for a while. Let's not jump to any decisions yet. I know he is important to you, and I'm willing to give him some time.” Nil turned to Layla. “Why do I get the feeling that your presence here is more than just about our rewards and requests?”

“CIT is struggling with the symbiote,” Layla said. “It's getting desperate and has started taking civilians. We need you to get involved. Be bait.”

“What?!” Selia exclaimed. “I thought we can't let that happen. You saw what happened when the Glimmer took him—”

“I'm Silver Realm and have My Body Is My Domain now,” Nil interrupted. “It should be fine. Right?”

“I can't be sure,” Layla replied. “But we're running out of options. It needs to be put down before the matter gets dire. I'm sorry. You deserve a fair bit of rest for all you've done and accomplished, but it needs doing.”

“Can I have a few days for a body ascension? My attributes are at the necessary threshold, and I got the necessary token for the Cleansing reward.”

“Give us ten days,” Selia said. “I'll ascend to Silver and then do a body ascension as well. We have enough Schema Tokens to get my attributes where they need to be.”

“We suspect the symbiote is taking a person every couple of days,” Layla said. “It's mostly people in their early twenties and has also bagged a few Mortal and Iron Realm Summoned. Her last victim was Bronze. But I imagine things could get significantly worse if she takes control of you.” Layla pulled up a screen and swiped through a few menus. “Maybe not ten days. Just take however long you need for the ascensions. Then we need this done. Afterward, you can have a holiday, if you'd like. The Nexus is willing to send you and your companions to a choice of Control Worlds as a reward for all you accomplished. I can't begin to explain how big a deal reclaiming Eternum is for us. The Scourge must be seething.”

“We will take you up on the offer,” Selia said, snaking an arm around Nil. “A romantic getaway could be nice. I'm also okay with some training as long as we get to stay together.”

Layla chuckled. “Don't worry. You won't be separated again.”

“Cheers to the most terrifying couple I have had the pleasure to know!” Andrew raised a cup to Nil and Selia. “They didn't just make it to the Cleansing but are the first from Earth to have won it.”

“The real MVPs!” Sam yelled, drawing a laugh from everyone.

Everyone but Shawn had gathered in the cafeteria’s largest private dining room for a party. According to Udit, he had left the Forge several hours ago. The timeliness suggested it was within thirty minutes of returning from the backrooms. No one seemed to care, and Andrew shared his sentiments. Susan agreed with Selia that it was a delicate matter. No one else had to say anything on the matter. Instead, they focused on the events and rewards.

“You really want to give me a soul weapon seed?” Emily's eyes widened when Nil told her. “Really. But that's your reward!”

“It's not like I can add it to the Source Gauntlets and make them more powerful,” Nil replied, chuckling. “Money also means little to me right now. I'd rather it go toward ensuring your safety and success than some rich kid. Wilson Luduses and all the big and powerful invest in their families to ensure their safety and success. I'd like to do the same.”

“We also got a bunch of tomes that might help with your summons and give a few extra options,” Selia stated. “You have two years to catch up to us. Or at least get close. Then you'll be our support and healer in the Labyrinth.”

“Time on Ashe Fall should help,” Sam nodded. His giddiness from learning about the trip hadn't faded in the several hours since hearing the good news.

“I don't know about this,” Udit stated. He had expressed joy in Nil's success and safe return, but the rest left a sour expression on his face. “A year is a long time to be away, Nil. They're still minors. Emily is a Summoned and—”

“I'm going!” Sam exclaimed defiantly.

“You don't need to worry, Baba,” Nil said, placing a hand on his father's shoulder. “Ashe Fall is as close to a utopia as anyone can imagine, and it's far safer than our world. Onyx Dragon Mountain and especially Master Seer's manor are well protected. I trust the man with my life, and he'll take good care of Emmy and Sammy. Besides, it won't be a year for us, but three months fine, or take one for the journey there.”

“I understand, but I'm still not pleased.” Udit sighed. “I'd be a bad parent to stand in the way of such an incredible opportunity, though. So, I won't stand in the way. Just take care of Sammy, won't you, Em?”

“Of course, Baba.” Emily nodded. She appeared compliant, but Nil's Finesse-enhanced senses detected tensing in her brow and shoulders. She turned away from him. “I don't know what I want, Andy. Should I get a staff or armor?”

“Both have their merits,” Andrew replied. “Finish your Iron Ascension. Look at everything Nil and Selia got you. Then we can have a proper talk before you and Sammy leave. Given the range of materials Nil brought back, the options might as well be endless.”

The pair dove into an arcane jargon-filled conversation, which made little sense to Nil, and Susan pulled Udit into a conversation. Isabella, Zora, and Selia discussed the Cleansing, leaving Nil and Sam alone in their quarter.

“You excited?” Nil asked him.

Sam nodded, smiling from ear to ear.

“I'm sorry I didn't get anything for you—”

“The chance to go to a Control World and become a cultivator is enough.” Sam looked like he was about to explode out of his seat. “Thank you.”

“You didn't let me finish. I don't have anything you can't use right now. There is a lot I got for my Cleansing reward. There are lots of scrolls and technique manuals you could benefit from, but they all require an understanding of the fundamentals. Wa—Master Seer will help you with those. Once we find out where your talents lie, I could give you a few to work through, or we can delve into them together.”

“I'd like that very much,” Sam replied. “Thank you. Dada.”

It was the affectionate term for older brother in Bengali. Nil rarely heard it anymore. So, he responded with the appropriate term one would use for a younger male sibling.

“Of course, Bhai. I only want what's best for all of us.”

“When I get back, could you teach me how to do the tail thing? It looks—” Sam hesitantly glanced at Udit. The oldest Roy was locked in an intense conversation and seemed hyper-focused on it. “—fucking awesome.”

“Of course,” Nil chuckled, nudging his little cousin. “Mind the language, master the fundamentals, ascend then come back as a badass and the world’s first to ascend Realms without a power seed. Then, I’ll teach you whatever you want.”