It took no more than fifteen minutes for the group to finish preparing, each one sporting equipment that complimented their powers. Tella had a light, slim fit, black cloth suit on, rugged pants, boots, and long sleeve black shirt covered with leather in vital areas. She carried a short sword on one hip and two daggers in her boots, a small crossbow folded and stored in a holster on the small of her back. She barely made any noise as she moved, and she seemed as if she was always alert, ears twitching and eyes darting. Her and Estel had become fast friends, teasing each other as they led the boys.
Estel was not so quiet when she moved, but she didn’t have to be. She was the Vanguard, and her armor was for taking hits not sneaking around. Her smile was as bright as her armor and her laugh was soothing to hear in the hallways as they walked, Dorian really enjoyed hearing it echoing over their footsteps. Gray started to whistle an old song his dad hummed when he worked, and Jenson was talking to Dorian about tactics. Jenson had the ability to create small force shields as well, just not as efficiently as Dorian or as strong. Dorian had been teaching him when to use them and how to be most effective with their placement.
Gray, being the only one not conversing with someone spoke, he said it loud enough to interrupt the other four. “There it is.” They walked out of a thick ballistic gate, blades folded into the front that would swing out if monsters escaped the tower again. It was bright outside in a general sense, probably close to midday. The Tower blocked the sun from a direct line of sight to the team, so they didn’t have to squint long; just blink a few times to acclimate. The titanic Tower loomed, outlined by the sun it looked like destiny manifest and Dorian felt a rush of excitement as he stared at it. It was as tall as their future was bright, he looked around at his friends and saw all of them with the same excited grin as they stared at the Tower in awe.
They had seen the Tower, of course, you couldn’t miss it even if you tried. But up close? This close? It was even more mind-boggling. It was so huge it took your breath away. As they got closer to the Tower they walked past the forward defenses. Powerful positions, dug in with huge guns pointed toward the entrance, easily built as well as easily abandoned – they were pillbox bunkers without a back so the occupants could just run out if need be.
They dotted the area in front of the Tower keeping from each other’s line of fire to create a kill zone. It cemented in the fact that they were going into a very dangerous place, even if it was only the first couple of floors. Dorian finally looked forward and saw Instructor Telliman standing outside next to Director Kentwood, then he groaned as he recognized the ludicrous grin of the third person there. Alder Glassus.
“Kentwood will keep him in line, don’t worry, bud.” Gray slapped Dorian’s back playfully.
“Yeah, great. I still hate being near that guy, he just gives me bad vibes. Like he’s plotting something… not a good something”. They got close enough to the three that their conversation would be heard so they stopped talking and just walked up quietly as a group until they were in front of the three adults.
They looked at the kids, taking in their equipment with a few approving nods. “First, let me introduce you to the Instructor going with you. He’s a third-year student, he’s been up to Floor 12 so far, very good for someone his age. Do <u>not</u> rely on him to fight for you”. His tone was serious, putting emphasis on the last part especially.
“He will be observing you and taking out threats he deems too strong for you to fight. Rictor, come here and meet the group”. A tall hunched over student, who couldn’t be older than twenty-five years old walked away from the group of guards he was talking to with a wave. He was wearing bracers that extended to his fingertips, there were little pockets in the fingertips to slide his fingers in like palm-less gloves.
He walked slow and fast all at the same time, his strides were long, so it looked as if he was walking slow but he moved a great distance with each step. When he got there and stopped walking he just eyed the students critically. “Looks like a good composition…” he mumbled “they look greener than you told me, Glassus”.
“Professor Glassus.” Instructor Telliman corrected Rictor’s lack of respect for his instructor.
“Yes, yes, but I trust you with watching them and protecting them. You’re one of my favorites, Rictor”. Glassus didn’t even notice the reprimand.
“Yeah… only the first three floors, right? Should be fine.” He spoke slowly and deliberately; he looked tired though, unbothered and bored.
“Yes, my boy, only the first three. Do you have the recording de-, I mean are you all packed”?
“Recording what?? Glassus we said NO recordings, you know that.” Kentwood stepped up behind the man and loomed, his breath ruffling his hair.
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“Oh, I must’ve given it to him by accident, may I have it back, Rictor”.
Rictor showed more life than Dorian had seen him make since he walked over, he grinned, amused at Glassus’ mood change. He handed over a small telescope looking item and then handed it to Kentwood when he reached out his hand faster than Alder. “Come with me, Rictor.” It was a command, not a request. When they got far enough Kentwood spoke to the third year; low so they wouldn’t be heard.
“I know you’re one of Alder’s favorites, but if you break any of the rules we set for this run, do anything to deliberately put any of these kids into more danger than necessary, there will be severe consequences”. The next words he infused with a bit of his mana, so they vibrated in Rictor’s ears, “am I clear, boy”?
“Yeah,” Rictor gulped. Oliver eyed him, he cleared his throat, “Yes, Sir.” He quickly corrected. Kentwood stood straight and then tilted his head toward the group as a dismissal. Telliman stood silent with a frown the entire time, staring at the group, sizing them up. She spun on her foot and stomped over to the Director.
“Damnit, Kentwood, I don’t like this. Alder is up to something”.
“He’s always up to something.” Oliver sucked his teeth, “he wouldn’t kill them, he wants to study them too much… well Dorian he wants to study and if he killed off any of his friends that would make things extremely… difficult for him”. Stella stared at him for a few more seconds, incredulous, then stomped over to Dorian and his friends.
She beckoned them to step off to the side with her as Rictor spoke quietly with Alder. “Watch out for anything… weird in there. I don’t know what so don’t ask, but I don’t and will never trust that scheming little man”. She lowered her voice even further, “look, Kentwood and I don’t like this, at all, we didn’t want this to happen for at least another year, but the committee.” Her frustration with the ladder was plain. “Anyway, if you see something that’s too much, get a weird feeling, see something you shouldn’t… run. Leave Rictor behind, he can handle himself, trust me the guy is one of Glassus’ favorite little pets. Worry about your team, get each other out, work together”.
“I know what you can do, you’ll be fine in the first three floors, normally you would be.” She recanted then continued. “The recording device can’t be the only thing he is planning and it’s his little puppet running the show in there…”.
“You’re really not making us feel better…” Gray blurted out and the others snorted and stifled laughs. Stella lifted an amused eyebrow.
“No, no I guess I’m not. Look just keep your eyes out, yeah?” she made each one acknowledge her before letting them leave.
“No, it’s already in there, you should be able to find it easily.” Glassus whispered to his student.
“The Director, though, he-“ Rictor started to protest. Glassus waved a hand to dismiss the concern before Rictor finished.
“We have the committee on our side, my boy, we’re nigh untouchable!” his whisper grew louder before he looked around conspiratorially and lowered it again. “just make sure they don’t die… Dorian most importantly but try and keep them all alive. Accidents do happen, as they say”.
Rictor scrunched up his face, “you didn’t say anything about this being dangerous enough to kill them, Alder.” Rictor’s face showed his hesitation clearly.
“Accidents, Rictor, accidents. I don’t plan on anyone dying, I’ve seen them fight I know they can handle it. What if someone stumbles, you never know what will happen in combat. Besides, you have the control stone, correct”?
Rictor, looking mollified, pulled his collar to the side to show a chain hanging there. “Good man!” Alder said, this time loudly enough to let others hear. “Have a good run then, Rictor, keep the kids safe, keep an eye for fascinating things!” he took a deep breath and smiled wide. “Well, Dorian, good luck in there, I can’t wait to hear all about it… I wonder, Oliver what if I went instead of Ric-“.
“No”.
“Right! Well, Rictor, take charge, lead your… charges… forward”! Rictor looked at Alder flatly then turned and waved to indicate they needed to follow him. He didn’t say a word or turn to see if they followed, just walked.
“I know you have a rare Focus, Dori, but that guy is REALLY obsessed with you” Jenson said.
“Yeah…” Dorian responded, clearly distracted.
“The guy’s a freak!” Gray said with a laugh.
“He’s nice, just… excitable.” Tella defended him, he did help her quite a bit. She didn’t get the kind of attention Dorian did, though, and could see how it would get, well, annoying.
“Grab a tracking pin.” Rictor said, interrupting them without caring, picking up a black tower shaped pin, tossing it up and down in his hand. “Put them on, leave them in your pocket, I don’t care, just DON’T lose them or leave them anywhere. I can find you if you wear these, if you don’t, good luck getting back on your own.
“Your locator, Ric.” The man at the table handed Rictor a flat, palm-sized, device which he put in a pocket on his pants.
“Thanks, Justin.” He turned back to the group and spoke to them. “When you get inside don’t move at first, take up defensive positions and wait for me to scout the area, understood”? assorted confirmations followed and Rictor nodded, turning to face the Tower gates. He nodded at two guards and walked toward the Gates, putting his hands up to open them, they were huge, but it looked surprisingly easy to open.
“Weapons out,” he spoke as he looked over his shoulder at them, making a weird grinning expression before stepping into the white light behind the gates.
“Well, this is it then.” Gray said taking a step forward only to be stopped by Estel.
“I’m the Van, mister, you can get behind me.” Gray smiled and took a step back. “Everyone ready?” Estel asked, still smiling her brilliant smile. Assorted calls of ready from the group caused Estel to turn, pull her sword and level her shield. She filled her lungs with air then shot it out quickly in preparation, fortifying her nerves.
They pulled their weapons and waited for Estel to step into the white light. One by one they stepped in, Tella went second, then Jenson. Gray and Dorian looked at each other, grinned, nodded and stepped inside at almost the same time.