Author's Preface
"So, do you know what this pendant is exactly?" Blue leaned back in his chair.
"I don't, and I don't know where it is. I would like to say your system will guide you to it when the time is right. But we both know that is bullshit."
"I've found dealing with these gods that nothing is easy. They are a pain in my ass."
"I've been saying the same thing for fifteen years." Titus stood and walked over, sitting in the chair next to Blue. He grabbed Blue's chair and spun him so they were facing each other. Both men sat looking at each other, their knees now touching. Titus looked Blue straight in the eyes without blinking. "What I am about to tell you stays between us. Do you understand?"
Blue became visibly nervous. "Sure."
"I'm being serious here, Blue."
"Okay, I promise."
Titus took a deep breath and stared at Blue for a moment. Blue could see the seriousness in his eyes. "Our president is nothing more than a puppet. I believe Grayson may also be a puppet, along with some of the other Association leaders and others within the government."
"What makes you think that?"
"The way the old president died and this current regime took control. I can't prove anything as of yet, but there are too many things that are convenient. My gut is telling me they are all just being strung along, though."
"By who though?"
"Who do you think?"
"Hatred, really?"
"Well, yeah. It makes even more sense now doesn't it?"
Blue shook his head. "I mean I guess."
"The way I see it, if I got this system and order from the gods around the same time you reincarnated. They knew you were their champion then. That means hatred also knew. So, yeah I believe he has control of more than we think."
"So what do we do?"
"We bide our time. You must find that pendant first and foremost. I will continue to investigate as much as I can. I have other stronghold leaders on my side who hold the same sentiments toward the government. When the time is right and we have proof, we will make our move."
"Okay, and until then, what do we do?"
"Do what you've been doing. Search for the pendant, build up your guild, and train your new recruits."
"You do know that when I find the pendant, I am going back to Murim, right?"
Titus sat back and brought a hand to his face. "I didn't, actually. May I ask why?"
"I am stuck right now. I have hit a wall that I cannot break through. Once I find this pendant, I will go back to Murim because I think that's where I'll be able to break through. At least, that is what Aaron and I believe."
"Makes sense. You were originally from there. Your power is tied to Murim." Titus sighed. "Well, before you go back, let me know. We can use the men you trained and sent through the gate as a way to communicate back and forth."
"What about Midnight?"
"I am at a loss about them as well. Every time we find a hideout we think they use, it's cleaned out by the time we arrive. I think this attack was just the beginning, though." Titus handed Blue a piece of paper. On it was a hand-drawn map of Columbus. Seventeen red circles with Xs appeared on various buildings. Five circles were still unsearched.
"That is where we believe they operate out of. That paper is enchanted. I have the original. As we search and gather more information, that paper will also update on your end. But Blue, whatever you do, do not go searching on your own."
Blue stared at the map and then back at Titus. "You know, all of this is a lot. I didn't ask to be this Champion or to be dragged into any of this political bullshit."
"I know it is, and it's too late to complain. You're in it whether you like it or not. You are going to become the beacon of light here on Earth and in Murim. The way the gods describe it, it won't stop there either. That is your path. If you try and deny it or play it off... innocent people will die. Including the ones you care about the most. You said it yourself, right?"
"Said what?"
"That you think these monsters are fallen civilizations. So, you can accept the circumstances we are in and your position within that, or sit back and watch our world become the monsters that invade other worlds, completely controlled by Hatred. The choice is yours."
Blue folded the map and put it in his pocket. He stood and pushed his chair in as he turned to Titus. "I really fucking hate you. But I am glad we are on the same team."
"Feeling's mutual. You must know now, though, I am not going to suddenly be easier on you."
"Yeah, I expected as much."
Titus smiled. "Good, because according to these gods, our existence is reliant on you. So I'm going to be on you like white on rice from now on."
"Looking forward to it." Blue stuck his hand out.
Titus stood and reached out. "I suppose I owe you one, huh?"
The two shook hands. Blue nodded and turned to head back toward Eclipse.
The next month in Columbus was spent repairing the hole in the wall near Dublin, cleaning up the streets of any monster corpses left behind, rebuilding homes for civilians, and doubling down on security around the city and the walls. Aaron and the Buckeye Guild spent three weeks rebuilding what they could from the wreckage of their guildhall. The Association did much of the same. Blue and Eclipse continued to train their new awakeners, and Blue sent more people through the gate into Murim. Blue, Darrien, and Yuki searched another gate in the wasteland for his pendant, but to no avail. During any free time, Blue would take Chris and Darrien, along with some new recruits from the guild, to search for clues about Midnight. The entire month led to no new developments about the group. It was as if, after the attack, Midnight had simply vanished or ceased all operations for the time being.
One night after training the remaining twenty civilians who still didn't have enough qi to enter the golden gate, Blue stood in Eve's office on the top floor of Eclipse.
"I am going to the gate tomorrow that is just outside of Dayton, at the Air Force base, but I am going alone."
"You can't. You cannot go alone. That is suicide."
Blue turned back to Eve, who sat in her chair with her fists clenched.
"It will be fine. The last gate we went to was underwhelming. It was a waste to have Darrien and Yuki along with me. Plus, Darrien has his ranker raid tomorrow. Everyone else is busy with their own things too."
"As much as I hate to ask, what about Yuki at least?"
"I asked her. She said she was busy with some things tomorrow."
"Then I'll go with you." Eve stood.
"Like hell you will. You're the guildmaster. If something happens, I need you here to take charge of the situation."
"Can't you ask Aaron or the Paladins?"
"Aaron has his own problems right now. And honestly, I don't know the Paladins well enough to let them in on my secrets."
"You're going to give me an aneurysm, Blue."
"You're starting to sound like a true guildmaster, Eve." Blue walked over and gave Eve a hug. "I promise nothing bad will happen, but I have to find this pendant. I've wasted enough time doing everything else. I can't put this off any longer."
"Fine, but if you die, I'll revive you and kill you myself."
Blue chuckled as he turned to leave. He stopped at her door and turned back. "How about we go grab a slice of pizza before I go tomorrow? Just you and me?"
Eve smiled. "I would like that."
As Blue turned, someone bumped into him. Blue looked down to see Cynthia.
"Blue, just the person I was looking for." She peeked her head around Blue to look at Eve. "Eve, come outside too. I want to show you two something."
Cynthia led them outside of the guildhall into the training area. She pulled out her bag and threw it on the ground. Metal fragments started to fly out of the bag toward Blue and Eve. Both of them flinched as the metal fragments stuck to their clothes. Thirty seconds later, Blue and Eve stood staring at Cynthia and each other. All three of them were now covered by mechanical suits that fit them perfectly. Blue jumped into the air and landed, did a somersault, and then a backflip.
"Holy shit, Cynthia. I have as much freedom in this as I do the battlesuit."
Eve summoned Rhyla and had her shoot a water bullet at Blue. It impacted Blue's back and sent him stumbling forward a few feet.
"Cynthia, that is amazing. It's like extra armor."
"What the hell, Eve! Did you just fucking use an ability on me?"
"What, you don't trust Cynthia?"
"Of course I do, but can we test it on a dummy first or something?"
"I just did."
Cynthia laughed and walked up to Blue and Eve. "I can equip the whole team with this. I plan to see if I can get Terrance to get all of this scrap enchanted to boost your abilities while you wear it and also have a shield that will block a certain amount of damage. Just wanted your opinions on it."
"My opinion is it's badass. How did you come up with this?"
"Well, after the Midnight attack, Darrien said something, and it got me thinking."
"What did he say?" Blue looked at Eve.
"He said we would've only gotten in your way. I don't want you to have to face things alone because we would be a burden. Now, with these, we won't be a burden." Cynthia waved her hand as the suits fell apart piece by piece and flew back into her bag.
Blue walked up to Cynthia and gave her a hug. "You guys are never burdens. None of this would've happened without each and every one of you."
"Thanks, Blue." Cynthia smiled and hugged him back.
"How many can you make?"
"Well, I can make them for our team for now. Although, if I can enchant the pieces, I'll need everyone's involvement so the pieces can be enchanted to you specifically. I'm also trying to find a way to make them coded to just you." Cynthia shrugged her shoulders as Blue stepped back. "It's a work in progress, and there's a lot I want to do with it."
"Well, take your time and don't rush it. I am sure whatever you do with it will be awesome!"
Blue looked at Eve. "I am going to go train for a bit. I'll see you tomorrow at noon at the pizza shop, okay?"
"Okay."
Eve watched Blue walk away. She put her arm around Cynthia as they walked back inside the guildhall, discussing how they could utilize the armor Cynthia had just come up with.
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