AA. 193

The only member of Team Forge that didn’t frustrate Zora was Shawn. He was the only one she could rely on to stick to a plan and not take stupid risks. The fact that the other two’s impulsiveness worked in their favor and won the group’s points only seemed to encourage them to continue taking wild risks.

I hate working with couples.

The Cleansing wasn’t a part of Zora’s plan. She only accepted the ticket quest because of the promised Silver Ascension Token at the end of it. If she succeeded at it, Zora would’ve taken the same path as Cara Sue. The promised rewards were great, but she valued moving on to the Silver Gauntlet more. Only one thing mattered to her: getting to Gold and making a good enough reputation for someone to sponsor her move to a Control World. Everything else was a means to an end. The last decade had only bred contempt and hate for her home world, and she couldn’t wait to leave.

The people of the Forge and her new companions were tolerable. Almost everyone else frustrated her. Zora recognized her own nihilism, but she’d seen the worst of people. The path the Wilsons, similar powerful entities, and the governments had selected didn’t give her any hope either. The rest of the team seemed idealistic, and she didn’t want to burst their little bubbles. Despite how much they frustrated her, Zora was growing to like them. Everyone on Team Forge had also progressed at a ridiculous rate and was slated to make it to the Silver Gauntlet in record time. Sticking to them was in her best interests if she wanted to achieve her goals as soon as possible.

“Where is Nil?” Zora asked when Selia arrived at the gate.

“Just behind me,” the younger woman replied, smiling sweetly. “He just wanted a moment to absorb all the Source released by the hive.”

“You two couldn’t help yourselves, could you?” The sweet smile annoyed Zora. It was just another instance of insubordination. It was clear that Selia and Nil had never quested in military orders or trained to infiltrate paramilitaries or a warlord’s forces. They had no respect or understanding of the chain of command. “No major injuries, I hope?”

“I’m fine. Nil suffered a few shallow cuts, but he already cauterized them. Meatball should have no trouble fixing him. Seriously, though. We didn’t plan this one. Things just happened, and we went with it. Everything worked out in the end, though.”

“I get why Zora is getting frustrated,” Shawn interjected. “Unnecessary risks.” He nodded to the left of the gate. A tall fort stood in the difference. “There is a bunch of movement in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if taking it out won us a point. Population seems high, so it would’ve taken us a bit, but it would’ve been fast.”

“I’m sorry,” Selia replied sheepishly. “We’re all worried about the biomechanics and know so little about them. I just thought that if we know how they click, we might have an easier time if one of the challenges forces us into it.”

“It’s alright.” Zora sighed. She scanned the rapidly darkening dead city. She caught sight of the gems on Nil’s gauntlets rapidly approaching. The crimson stones appeared brighter than usual. “I get why you did what you did. Just no more? Please. These next two sectors are bound to be far more dangerous. Even though we have almost nine hours of rest, we might get teleported somewhere where it's night. We need to stick together.”

“You don’t have to tell me again. That was scary, and Nil almost got seriously hurt. I’ve learned my mistake.”

Shawn pointed past Nil. “That’s a big group approaching. I bet it's the Scourge.”

“Can you tell how many of them are?” Zora asked.

“No. They’re too far away and moving too erratically.”

“If we finish the challenge quick enough, we should finish at the rest area way before them, even after the full rest period,” Selia said. “It might be in our best interests to set up a trap and take them out.”

“There are too many of them,” Shawn said. “I don’t think it's a good idea. It might be better to race through the sector and set a trap at the next gate. I don’t think the lead will matter much in the final stretches.”

“I never thought you’d shy away from a fight,” Selia teased, nudging Shawn. 

“I’m not shying away. We just need to win, and I’m thinking about the best way to do it. All of this will be for nothing if any of the three Scourge worlds make it to the top.”

Nil landed next to them, panting. Sweat soaked his hair, and he appeared worn. He flumped down on his back, eyes slightly red. The Ironroot Drakeling Popped out of his core, squeaked angrily, and smacked his leg a couple of times. Then she flashed green and bathed Nil in a faint Emerald glow. Zora recognized the Life Magic doing its work. If not for Meatball's existence and her ability, she would've protested their duo tactics far more.

“Three worlds. Six teams.” Selia sat down next to Nil as she spoke, stroking his hair. He flashed a tired smile. “We've taken out one. The Schema didn't send us a quest update, which means their world is still in the game. If we're lucky, another couple might've been taken out.”

“The other Nexus team doesn't have four people but eight,” Nil said, sounding out of breath. He sounded disconnected and worn out. “An entire planet is working together. I wouldn't be surprised if they've made more progress on that front than us. I'm the next two sectors we need to prioritize seeking out the Scourge teams and eliminating them.”

Zora removed a fruit cube from her pouch and tossed it at Nil. His spirit companion snatched it out of the air and ate it greedily. Her squeak sounded like a thank you.

“You're right,” Zora said, stifling a chuckle. She was glad when Selia fed him and ensured the drakeling didn't steal the snack. “I don't think ambushing a team of eight is the way, though. Shawn's idea of waiting at or around the beacon is better. We can take care of the enemy there or wait around the entrance of sector five since there will be fewer opponents.”

“I concede,” Nil said, smiling at Zora. “You're the leader, and we promise to follow your guidance going forward. We took things too far in this sector, acting on our own and going against your orders. It won't be the same going forward. Ensuring the Scourge worlds don't win will be our primary objective. The quests take priority.”

There was no hint of sarcasm or jest in Nil's words. He sounded genuine. The lack of ‘boss’ or any other unnecessary addition suggested that he meant it. Meanwhile, Selia watched him with an eyebrow raised. She almost seemed disappointed by the change in Nil's attitude. Zora kneeled next to him. 

“The quests shouldn't be our priority. Given how far we've come, getting in the top three takes priority. Let's just ensure no Scourge worlds get past us. Freeing Wells of Power from the Void is a secondary objective. ” 

“It shouldn’t be,” Nil said. “If they're all like the ritual or the hives, sorting out the Void should be a breeze. I think we might be unnecessarily concerned about the lights, too. Everyone might be avoiding them, and points are probably waiting within.”

“That's a ridiculous idea.” Zora frowned, shaking her head. “Your family and I will get our year on the Control World, regardless of how well we do. It was the condition for taking part in the Cleansing. Our positions don’t matter. However, rewards for getting anywhere in the top five will blow the standard quest rewards out of the water. Taking out the Scourge is something we have to do. The case isn’t the same for the Void anomalies and Wells of Power. The main impact points that need resolving and freeing are involved in the gate challenges.”

“I suppose the Control Worlds can take care of the rest when they come through to claim the Cleansed planet.” 

Selia did not challenge or protest the suggestion, which came as a surprise. She usually sided with whatever Nil wanted to do. He didn’t look perturbed or annoyed. Instead, the team’s striker put on the friendly smile most seemed to mistake for charm. 

You’d think a man over thirty would’ve outgrown that.

“Can I pick the challenge this time?” Nil asked, hopping onto his feet. His recovery time felt ridiculous. The burned skin flaked off him, and pale, new patches replaced it. “We’ll decide together, of course. I just want a chance to interact with the console.”

Selia shrugged. Her eyes followed Nil closely. Shawn only nodded. 

“I don’t see why not,” Zora said, stepping out of the way.

“Thank you.” Nil stretched as he stood. His right leg seemed to wobble, but he caught himself and rejected Selia’s assistance. He pressed his hands against the hard light console and frowned. “Damn. I was hoping they’d let me peek at the other two teams and see if they’re of the Scourge. No such luck.”

“What are the options?” Shawn asked. “Maybe we could take on the Cursed One and ensure they can’t recover a buttload of energy.”

Nil shook his head. “Not an option. We can either fight the next team that gets here, take on a full mech-hive, or close another rift.” He glanced at Selia. “I get the feeling that it won’t be as quick and easy as the one we just sorted out.”

“What do you want to do?”

“If Shawn has it in him to deal with another Void anomaly, I think that’s the way to go,” Nil answered.

“I have no problem with it, but can you manage?” Shawn frowned. “You’re wobbly, Nil. You need rest. Cultivating energy isn’t doing it anymore. I’ll need to focus all of my efforts on the spell. Holding back whatever monstrosities come through will be on you alone.”

“I can do it,” Nil replied. He helped himself to a glazed, multi-colored fruit cube. “We’ll get plenty of rest afterward.” He smiled, taking Selia’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I promise.”

Selia didn’t appear convinced but nodded. She seemed withdrawn. Unsure. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“A proper meal will have to wait until I’ve had some rest. Don’t be alarmed if I’m comatose for most of the next eight hours.”

Zora preferred Nil when he took things seriously, but it also felt strange and uncharacteristic. Thus far, he had been the one who kept things light and kept the stress at bay. Seeing him so worn out and mentally exhausted was concerning. 

The challenge wasn’t too different from the last. The hard-light gate teleported the group to a plateau full of scuttlers and mutated people. A giant tear in the sky stood behind them, and more struggled against the failing dimensional barrier, trying to break in. Shawn sped to it on his barrier disk and started his work immediately. He had no choice but to surround himself with a protective layer since the enemy had ranged attackers. Spells and projectiles flew at him.

Sniping them took priority, and Zora got on the task straight away, relying on Selia to watch her back. Chain obstacles prevented the enemy from swarming them. The phase shifter occasionally disappeared to take out particularly threatening targets.

Meanwhile, Nil dove into the frey-looking manic. His eyes often darted at Shawn. He and Meatball also seemed significantly better coordinated. They moved as one with minimal coordination. He seemed better. Faster. More focused. Something had changed in Team Forge’s striker as he moved without any wasted movements or mistakes.