AA. 185

An energy spring, warming fires, and bedding awaited the party in the caverns beyond the challenge. The gigantic space was sectioned off for multiple parties to share without getting in each other’s way. They all had individual sleeping areas, cooking spaces, toilets, and a bath. The party’s women were ecstatic when they found hot water. They wanted baths but resisted. Fights would only get harder, and they wanted to save the bulk of the resting period after the third gate.

Everyone rested, quenched their thirst, and ate the little cheesy meat cubes Nil had purchased. They were dry but went down just fine with some water and filled their stomachs. Zora’s meditation helped her alleviate the mental strain from rapidly casting high-power spells in quick succession. She also relied on it to recover energy. From what Nil understood, it differed vastly from cultivation, mostly affecting the non-physical attributes and the power seed. It was far more targeted and, therefore, potent but came at the cost of flexibility. Apparently, some Control Worlds had the means of blending the two forms of self-empowerment but closely protected the secrets. 

Nil had read that the druids used one such method and achieved immortality more consistently as a result. They closely held on to their secrets while the Weave hoped to expose said knowledge for the betterment of all. The conflict between the two sides confused Nil, but he didn’t give it much thought. Susan and Selia were on decent terms, and little else currently mattered. 

“We need to talk,” Selia said when they were alone. Shawn and Zora sat far away, discussing strategies and how to deal with future challenges without burning too much energy. “I wasn’t completely truthful with you about everything that happened on Ashe Falle.”

Nil frowned, hesitantly glancing at his companions. The Apocalypse Arena feed, apparently, cut off while they were in the resting area, giving the participants privacy. However, it didn’t feel like the right time for such a conversation.

“Are you sure you want to discuss this now?” Nil asked, stomach sinking. His brain jumped to the worst possible scenarios. “This doesn’t feel like the right time. Is it important?”

“Probably not,” she replied meekly. “But it’s eating me up inside.”

“Fine. Go on then.”

Please don’t tell me you had to seduce Edwin Miles.

“It's to do with the first time I visited you in the manor. I desperately wanted to see you and spend the night but was also using you for cover. My quest involved infiltrating Silverleaf Manor to find evidence against and getting in during the day is impossible. Getting into the buildings at night is even harder. I had to—”

“Is that it?” Nil interrupted, raising an eyebrow. Selia seemed serious and torn about the matter. So even though it was challenging, Nil kept his amusement hidden.  “I saw you loitering around the forge on the way to the market. Was I not supposed to know you were breaking into the mountain for a job? Master Seer and I guessed as much, but he didn’t care as long as Blind Dragon Manor was your target.”

“What?!” Selia exclaimed much too loud. “You knew all this time? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Nil shrugged. “You were working for the Weave, and we agreed that I wouldn’t ask about the details of your jobs. Things are finally fine with Susan and Andrew. I didn’t want to freak either of them out by discussing these things either.” He smiled. “Seriously. I didn’t realize it was supposed to be a secret matter. To be honest, I was also worried that the details might make things strange between us?”

“Why, what were you expecting?” Selia frowned, still seemingly shocked and confused.

“I know you had an agreement with the Weave regarding not doing seductions and stuff. But I was worried in case you had to—”

“Did you think I slept with Edwin Miles?”

“The logical side of me knows that you didn’t, and I trust you.” Nil looked away, struggling to make eye contact. “But this stuff comes with espionage and all clandestine operations. My insecure side might’ve planted some thoughts which I did my best to ignore and suppress.”

Selia sighed. She fell onto her back, and unfocused eyes stared at the cavern’s roof. “Do me a favor. The next time you have these kinds of concerns, just talk to me about them. I love you, and jeopardizing this thing between us is the last thing I want the Weave to do. There are some things I can reveal, but I promise you that I’m yours, and you’re mine. No job is worth risking that. Broodmother. Spiders. Spiderlinks. Maka Dee. All can go fuck themselves.

“I might be awkward, weird, lacking boundaries, but I know what it is to maintain a relationship’s integrity. You are my first priority. I don’t expect to be the same as you. Your family comes first, and I respect that immensely. But—” Selia stopped mid-sentence. She turned onto her side, propped up on an elbow. Her eyes glistened with dampness. “I wouldn’t do that to us. Fuck the Control Worlds. They’re not worth it.”

“I understand. I’m sorry for not being open about it. It just felt like a sensitive topic.”

“That doesn’t matter. No matter what it is, you can discuss it with me.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “That’s how I’d like our relationship to be. Is that clear?”

“Got it.”

Selia swiveled around and rested her head on his lap. She tucked her face into his shirt and just lay there until the others were ready to move on. The pair dusted themselves off, kissed, and prepared for whatever lay ahead. It was an uncomfortable topic, and Nil was glad for the peace of mind. At the same time, he felt horrible about his doubts hurting Selia. She seemed to understand, but that didn’t ease his conscience. The woman was an excellent partner. It felt wrong to make comparisons, but Selia seemed to understand him better than any partner he had before, including Aisha. The old relationship had many hurdles, and the pair ignored the matters instead of discussing them. It resulted in many silent barriers and all the things that remained unsaid haunted Nil for years after Aisha’s death.

The second party to complete the gate challenge arrived just as the four of them were preparing to leave. They wore long coats or clocks, and hoods hid their faces. Nil didn’t need a direct look to know that they were Scourge Champions. Energy Instinct came alive with the familiar noxious feeling. Energy from a Cursed One was significantly easier to block out and ignore, but things got more challenging as it intertwined with other forces. Detection also increased in difficulty.

The enemy team appeared drained and injured. Nil hoped that meant they wouldn’t follow him and his friends out to the next section straight away. It would slow them down but also score Team Forge an easy point. In the end, the Scourge Champions stayed behind to lick their wounds and catch their breath. 

“Did we just get teleported?” Nil asked when they entered the next section. The topography and weather took a sharp turn. A rainforest, sweltering heat, and suffocating humidity replaced the frigid crags. 

“We did,” Shawn said. The druids had taught him about spatial manipulation and creation, but Nil didn’t see much evidence of it in his fighting style. “We covered a fair bit of ground just now. It makes sense if you think about it. The Wells of Power and Void activity can’t all focus on one area. They must be spread all over the planet.”

Zora nodded. “The sectors enclose the most activity-heavy areas. Wells of Power attract Cursed Ones in the same way it does the Void. The quest says there are five on the planet. Right?”

“Five that have been corrupted by the Void,” Selia corrected. “It's a high-value world, so there might be more. I wouldn't be surprised if more have formed like with the scuttler hive.”

“Okay.” Zora clapped her hands. “Same game plan as before. Forward to go ahead and scan. We follow and—”

“No,” Nil interrupted. “You and Shawn go on without us. Selia and I are going to set up a chain trap.”

Selia nodded. “We might be able to cripple them, maybe take out a couple and then run.”

“Are you sure you want to do that alone?” Shawn frowned, exchanging a concerned look with Zora. “We can stay behind and do it together.”

“That might be best,” the team’s mage said. “The Scourge is no easy foe.”

“They’re injured and tired, and I’d like us to maintain our lead,” Nil insisted. Selia took his hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “We’re crazy fast and we significantly out-sped everyone in the last sector. If you keep moving, our score will inevitably go up, and we might injure the Scourge team enough to knock them out of the fight.”

“The objective isn’t to take them out, just maintain our advantage,” Selia added. “If things prove to our advantage, we might take out a couple. If not, Nil and I will run. It's likely we’re the fastest in the Cleansing.”

“As a duo, maybe.” Zora looked into the difference thoughtfully. “Ten-Ton Lucy is faster, but her team will slow her down. There might be others who are faster.” She nodded. “Fine. Shawn and I won’t go too far. Point us toward the closest notable energy signature and we’ll make our way toward it.”

“That way, if you two get in trouble, we can turn around,” Shawn said. “No risks. Alright?”

The team’s slower members didn’t appear happy but sped off in the direction Nil highlighted. Meanwhile, he hid and kept an eye out for wildlife and changes around the gate. He detected several moving energy signatures around, but none moved toward them. It wouldn’t surprise him if enchantments and wards kept them at bay. Nil guessed the arena construct disliked the idea of people fighting around the exit gates or setting up ambushes around them. Team Forge didn’t care. Reaching the top three and eliminating the Forge took priority.

Sunmetal chains crisscrossed around the blind spots surrounding the exit. Nil also created a few rocky barricades around the cavern exit, hiding them better or creating paths the Scourge would have no choice but to follow. They didn’t have a lot of time, but he also rigged a few collapses. If the following challengers got frustrated and tried to break through, there was a chance falling rocks would injure the teams or eliminate a member or two.

“Are you ready?” Selia whispered, joining him in his hiding spot. They avoided using the communication badges.

Nil nodded. “Hit hard and fast. Take out the team if possible. Run if we fail.”

“Shawn and Zora won’t be happy about this.”

“We’re better equipped and faster. They won’t mind once the points roll in. I’d much rather have them moving ahead now instead of playing catch up.”

“They’ll have to deal. I love Shawn, but he needs to keep Zora moving. Their energy demands are much too high. Let's conserve their energy for the next zone. Then we can have a proper rest.”

The gate glowed, and the hard light receded. 

“Get in position,” Nil said.

“Silent but deadly,” Selia whispered, chuckling as she sank into the floor.