As we stood on the platforms, I looked back to Aiden and Beatrice who both seemed to have vastly different expressions than I would have expected. Aiden was worried, his eyes narrowed as I could practically hear the numbers of stuff he had brought with him running through his head. Beatrice on the other hand seemed tired and embarrassed, like she was waiting on another comment from someone to snap, the normally two glowing balls near her head now having turned into 3, the normal two seeming quiet and behind her, while the third bounced up and down in front of her face, most likely the source of annoyance. I however found a smile was stuck to my face that just would not go away as I found myself reading over the text once again from last nights message.
You have consumed part 2/2 of Elixer of Aetheric Harmonization(A)
Your Aetheric Expulsion Syndrome(B) has been cured
Your newfound harmony with Aether has deepened your world
Your Mutation capacity has increased by 100
I looked back to the top of my open system screen where for once, the neon green bar that represented my mutation was bright, vibrant, and filled to the top. This combined with the power that I learned my world will ability had, and that this enhanced it somehow made me all the more excited to try it out. So as the pillar rose and emerged from the ground, we were greeted by cheers. Across from us I saw 3 members of Ymer's party, two of which I recognized as Pip, the tiger beastkin who had tried to propose to me, and Jackson, the gunslinger speedster who had traveled with us for a time. However the third I had only seen for a moment. He stood tall, wearing an elegant black suit that did not fit the battlefield, a set of curling deer like antlers rose from the sides of his forehead as he stood, black gloved hands in his pockets. Trims of gold around his uniform made him stand out. As I stared my thoughts were cut off by the announcer rising up as below us a large squared off arena appeared with 4 divided groupings. Below us was a large grassy area with trees and even a small moat around a patch of land sloping down with ledges towards a central circular ruin. To the left was very fire themed, with lava flows and jagged rocks sticking out in harsh angles. To the right a patch made of sand with stacked old brick walls standing to form a small maze like structure. Across from it all was a series of jutting rock ledges and dirt platforms floating over a green, and maybe acidic liquid below.
"Lady's and Gentlemen, if I can have your attention while I explain the rules of the next round game called…. BANNER BREAKERS"
The audience seemed to surge with volume for a moment as I turned to the others for a moment hoping they knew what the game was, but they seemed just as confused so I turned back to the announcer who now stood with two flags held in each hand.
"Each team member will be assigned a flag of their teams color to be taken to one of the magic circles below."
We all glanced down where 3 magic circles pulsed in each area as everyone turned back to the announcer to finish his explanation.
"The rules are simple, plant your flag in a magic circle to begin amassing points, You get one point every 5 seconds for planting in your home field, two for planting in the fields to the left or right, and three for planting in the enemies home field. Your goal is to have the most points by the end of the 5 minute mark. However points can only be acquired by having no contesting flag in the circle. The game also ends in a loss if your whole team is unconscious."
The magic circles under us pulsed signaling we would be teleported soon as I turned to the others. Beatrice however cut me off before I could speak.
"We know the gist of it, I stick back and plant a flag for consistent points, Aiden uses his speed to plant one on the sides and you try to go for an enemy one."
Aiden and I blinked at her a bit surprised as She slapped her paw to her face and said.
"Sorry, new angel named Maribel, she can apparently read minds and Aiden's won't shut up about constant plans. Well that and-."
Aiden rushed over and put his hand around her snout to silence her as he chuckled awkwardly.
"Any objections to that plan?"
He asked as if trying to divert attention, though curiosity burned in me as I reminded myself to ask Beatrice about it later.
"N-None from me, let's do this."
I turned to face the other platform as the circle below us pulsed once, and then again before we were dissolved into sparks and reappeared inside the grassy arena corner. Across from us I could barely make out the 3 figures of our opponents as a small dome covered both teams as if to make us wait for a start timer. As I glanced over at Beatrice and Aiden I could see each had a small hovering flag no bigger than a foot tall floating over their backs with a purple color.
"R-Remember, don't use your Revolution core early on, you will burn yourself out too fast, you won't be faster than her, but she only has one flag, pick the other side and run."
"Contestants ready! 3"
I turned to Beatrice who had her mouth hovering over her flags shaft as she stood over the magic circle, waiting to deploy the flag.
"2"
I turned to Aiden who dropped to a sprinters pose, both of us exchanging a nod.
"1"
I took a moment to steel my breath as I felt for the already prepared poison resistance mutations I had put in place for when they shot me with the Seed of Betrayal poison.
The barrier dropped, and Aiden sprinted down the path at full speed, but Jackie was faster. Everyone burst from their platforms except for Beatrice who stayed back and planted her flag.
As I rushed forward, I saw Jackie Veer to the right as Aiden shot towards the left. From the other platform I saw Pip and the deer figure rushing towards the middle to meet me as I tensed myself ready for a confrontation. The three of us entered into the central area at the same time, all coming to a stop as I saw a flash of what must have been Jackie sprinting towards where Aiden was as I glanced to the scoreboard to see we were leading in points 9 - 4 with two flags planted. Over Pip and the other mans backs I saw their flags floating as they stared at me.
"What do you see in him?"
The question caught me by surprise as I looked up at Pip who seemed to be looking down slightly, like he couldn't meet my eyes. Behind him I saw the other man roll his eyes like he couldn't believe he had to deal with this, but he made no move to get past Pip.
"S-Seriously, are you still hung up on the fact I rejected you!? Last time we meet you actively tried to kill me and a close friend of mine."
"And you think he is a saint? how much do you know about him? think about it."
As Pip spoke there is a low whisper coming from behind him, most is unintelligible but there are a few words they can make out, and none of it is good.
"why doesn't his family remember him? I know my parents were bad, but there is no way you could forget about having a kid. did you know he's the reason you're all stuck playing this twisted game with us? if you don't believe me. you can ask him, what did he see when victor appeared. oh wait he wont tell you will he?"
I took a surprised step back as Pips tone changed as if he was not controlling himself, the familiar notification appeared and said
Your Soul Stirs
I took a moment to compose myself before in a surprisingly hateful hiss I said.
"You think I care? Where were you when I was desperately searching for a cure? He not only gave me medicine every day, but even cured my condition. So what if I get dragged into a bit of danger, it's a price worth it. Plus we both know your not Pip right now, who are you!"
From behind pip she could swear that a smile formed before quickly falling away in smoke
"I'm one of the few he refuses to talk about. to give you an idea I'm the one that's sick of the others bailing you out at every turn. god if it wasn't for us Aiden would have gotten you all killed hundreds of times over."
On the ground a smoke rises that forms figures reenacting the incident with the elven princess, but this time Aiden doesn't pause, Victor doesn't appear. Instead Jax shouts commands, and by the end they are all dead.
"What pip said is true though Aiden will be the reason you die. one day we won't bail you out, and at that point you are one bad roll away from dying. All of you are."
I was a bit taken aback as I felt a weird vibration in my chest that seemed to make my head throb as the smoke seemed to suddenly pull away, for a moment forming a figure that almost seemed to chuckle as they vanished. Pip shook himself as the figure behind Pip said.
"Welcome back, seems Misery decided to pay us a visit. Don't worry, we stalled her for long enough."
A sharp cold shot through me as my system messages burst into my face as if demanding my attention
Your Soul Stirs
Your Soul Stirs
Your Soul Quakes
Your nature as a *Redacted* has become more known
Party member Aiden has been struck by Seed of Betrayal Venom(B)
Party member Aiden has descended into a spiraling nightmare