AA. 174

Objective: The Weave suspects Scourge forces have infiltrated a Seed World, closing in on ascension. They can’t intervene without evidence but have leads of something being afoot.

Assist the Weave inductee on her quest. Find evidence of Scourge presence or activity, Cursed Energy sources, and eliminate any agents or sabotage the Champions’ machinations.

Danger Level: Bronze 9

Rewards: 1000 Schema Credit, Favor of the Weave, Possible bonuses.

Nil had no choice but to accept. Much to everyone’s surprise, Selia invited Susan to join them and Susan surprised everyone by accepting. The invitation made sense, given the type of quest Susan usually undertook and her work with CIT. Skoll and Hati excelled at sniffing out targets. She also had an excellent investigative mind.

A preparation room awaited them. Nil hadn’t encountered a quest with one since his time in the Mortal Realm. It seemed the Weave invested in their agents and assets and wished them adequately prepared for the job. Nil would’ve preferred he and Selia stay home to prepare for the Cleansing, but they were still together, allowing the practising of duo tactics.

It felt like a worthwhile trade-off. If the Nexus higher-ups accepted his request, Emily and Nil would be reasonably set up for the future. He hoped seeing the greater multiverse and its powers would discourage Emily from pursuing an arena career. Nil wasn’t hopeful. His sister seemed determined to follow in his footsteps, but he told himself that she was young and there was hope of her convictions and desires changing. 

The chances of Sam going to Ashe Fall were considerably lower. Nil had no way of confirming whether his cousin genuinely sensed Qi or had convinced himself so. None of his energy channels had yet opened. Time on Ashe Fall had taught Nil that it was the stage after detection and necessary for starting cultivation. The power seeds given out by the Schema did the job forcefully. If things worked out, Sam would become Earth’s first true cultivator.

The benefits would be two-pronged. Nil wouldn’t have to worry as much about his family’s safety. Ascending realms without the Schema and arena construct’s notice would also mean missing out on joining Apocalypse Arena. Nil was sure that the youngest Roy’s fascination with the gauntlets would lead him down the path if the multiverse allowed. Even though Emily was only eighteen, he believed she was mature enough not to take stupid, unnecessary risks. However, Sam came across as the impulsive type who’d do just that. 

Everybody, including Shawn, agreed that the rewards were lacking and requested more. Layla noted all of their requests and promised to send them up the ladder and make a case for them. Selia wanted help finding any family that survived the cataclysm and a spell library for the Forge. Zora requested a year in a Control World to train, improve her mana circulation, and become an all-around better mage. Meanwhile, Shawn made his request in private, leaving the rest of the team in the dark.

Even though Andrew wasn’t heading into the Cleansing, he also submitted a request for compensation. The stress and overtime work that went into preparing Selia’s soul weapon and equipment for the team was a lot more than he imagined. The Forge had a new artificer and tinker. It wouldn’t be long before he needed to take turns or book time for equipment and workshop space. He made a request for personal equipment and space, as well as a tattoo expansion to transport more tools and materials. 

Only Susan had no requests. It seemed her compensation for CIT work was more than generous. Everyone else couldn't help but question why they were getting the short end of the stick. Nil theorized that the Nexus believed the Forge, its magic, and its facilities were compensation enough. In his opinion, it was what the team was owed for the risks they took with Symbiotech and Death Gauntlet. All parties' interests were aligned. Things weren't the same for the Cleansing. The top three spots came with incredible rewards, but most of the team were inexperienced compared to the competition and the Scourge, having ascended through the realms and gauntlets at lightning speed. They didn't have enough training and almost no team experience, especially with each other. Nil and Selia had worked together once before. Things weren't the same with Shawn and Zora.

Selia received more information regarding their destination and the quest than Nil and Susan and guided their preparations.

“I know things have been rough between us, but this is going too far,” Susan said, holding up the elegant gown, heeled shoes, and jewelry she'd been handed. “Flattery isn't going to change—”

“Why would I flatter you when I'm the one that deserves an apology?” Selia asked. Her tone wasn’t confrontational, but the words were blunt. “You're coming along not just because of your skillset but because I want this tension put to rest. Andrew and Nil are important to each other, and they can't spend time together in peace or without stress while we're not talking or tense around each other.

“For the sake of the mission, you're a highborn trying to learn the family business,” Selia continued, passing Nil an outfit similar to what she wore. White shirt, black tailored trousers, a waistcoat, woolen jacket, bowler hat, and polished leather boots. “We're your valets-slash-bodyguards. You have what it takes to sell a nobleman born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The dogs can function independently while you keep up the act. Meanwhile, Nil and I need to go unnoticed and ignored. You'll draw attention while we blend in.”

Nil didn't like Selia's masterfully veiled insults but was amazed by the nonchalance with which she struck. It was casual and measured. He needed to diffuse the situation but didn't want to tell off his girlfriend or Susan, who was dear to him and had saved his life on multiple occasions.

“Got it. Susan uses her incredible charm to keep people distracted while commanding the dogs, while we blend in and do the dirty work.” Nil’s words were met with an eye roll from both women. They appeared to see through his attempts and were sure both disliked that he refused to openly take a side. Selia claimed to understand, but he didn't want to lose Susan and, as a result, Andrew because of the growing rift. “I think this quest is a good idea. We outsiders can see how the Weave operate and what they do.”

Nil wore the trousers given by Master Seer’s students under his clothes. The fabric was light; it had padding around the groin, which gave security akin to underwear, and they fit under most other garments. Nil’s clothes were inevitably destroyed during the Hunt, but the trousers survived. The pant legs had suffered damage but gradually repaired themselves, while the upper half of the trousers proved durable enough to withstand significant punishment. Everyone had an equipment allowance, but he only took medical supplies and rations for the team.

Meanwhile, Selia prioritized money and documents. The Weave had arranged several bits of pieces for the team to fake a variety of identities and enter spaces normal Summoned would need to rely on force to enter. She also picked out a map and tiny temporary tattoos that used atmospheric magic to do a communicator’s job. Everybody applied it behind the ear, and initial tests were successful.

Only Susan required equipment for the job. Andrew had constructed a magic rifle and two firearms for the job. The best of them, created on Ashe Fall, were too powerful for their world. The Nexus didn’t allow a good deal of the materials on Earth either. Andrew had also constructed pieces for her to carry while out on CIT business, but they weren’t as effective. 

The trio packaged and hid the weapons well in their luggage. Walking around with them in the open would blow the trio’s cover. A noblewoman rarely fought her own battles, after all. It was her valet’s job. Since Susan was the most vulnerable of the group, they also had her wear an enchanted slip under their clothing. The women put their differences aside and picked out a few other magical accessories. All contained defensive spells that could potentially save her if things got dire. The danger level was on the higher end of jobs Susan usually took on.

The Nexus and Weave had arranged for the trio to be dropped off on a ship pulling into the alien city’s port. The vessel’s captain acted as the summoner, and the crew already appeared on the job. None of them spoke about it and treated the trio with the deference one would a noblewoman and her servants. 

“Welcome to New Eden,” Selia said as the city came into view. “Quick and clean. We find the Scourge. Screw up their day in whatever way we can and then leave.”

“Your objective doesn’t order assassination, does it?” Susan asked. “It's too late to ask, but I will make it a point to avoid such quests.”

“No.” Selia shared her Schema interface. It listed the same quest but with more details regarding locations and contacts. The Weave had also sent her passwords to use to make herself known to people serving as the Weave’s eyes and years on the planet. “If there are Scourge Champions or local agents assisting in their operations, we’ll take them out, of course. It doesn’t matter if they’re an important ruler, someone’s father, or an important figure’s daughter. Anyone threatening the stability of a soon-to-be Control World and jeopardizing the security of billions must die.”

“Did you tell yourself the same when helping with Miles’s assassination?”

“If you’re asking whether I needed to convince myself of anything, I did not. I saw the evidence, understood what was at stake, and did what was necessary. Hopefully, you’ll see the same here and get over whatever prejudice the druids instilled in you. They isolate themselves too much in their groves to see or understand the truth.”

“Regardless of what happens, it's vital we all have a talk before the Cleansing,” Ni said, failing to conceal his frustration. The veiled jibes and general tone had long pushed him past the point of frustration. “This thing between you is unsustainable. You don’t have to like each other or be friends; you just have to put an end to this tense coldness. Fake it if you have to. Andrew and I are too important to each other for this nonsense to get in the way. Neither of us is going to let a squabble between the women we love ruin our friendship. Either we resolve this, or you figure out a way to get along with each other for our sake.”