Two days later, we flew above the town of Calan aboard Thayer’s flying golden ship. The past two days had been packed with training and preparation. Temur took his role as leader seriously, pushing us to train together from the mont the duel ended.
His first focus had been Cele.
"You lack hand-to-hand combat experience," he told her. "You rely too much on your fire. That’ll be dangerous in real fights."
After that, he made all of us explain our abilities to one another so that we will be able to know what to expect. Of course, a lot kept their trump card to themselves.
Then we trained in ways that would benefit everyone. Litha handled supplies, buying everything we needed and making sure we were fully prepared in whatever we might need, then we trained so more.
"We don’t have enough ti training as a team," Temur said to Thayer as we flew through the sky. "It might affect us in there."
"We’ll have to make do," Thayer replied. "The zone appeared too suddenly and the bidding was just as unexpected. Now let tell you the teams competing. First, the Governnt, the Iron Fist, the Blazing, the Walkers, and then you. The Gold."
"Wait," I said with a raised brow. "Your Guild is called The Gold?"
"Yes. It will be... once it’s approved." Thayer shrugged.
"Then why are we claiming a zone if you don’t even have a Guild yet?" Litha asked with skepticism.
"That’s not a problem. Individuals can own zones, which is why I’m here." Thayer continued. "It does create complications. So people will pretend to be freelance Awakeners when they’re actually working for individuals who want the zone."
Temur groaned. "So we don’t even know how many teams are really competing?"
"Exactly. Treat everyone as an enemy who’ll kill you the mont they see an opening. You should keep that in mind as it’s very important."
I rubbed my eyes. "If anyone can claim the zone, how do they tell whether it’s from a bidder or a freelancer? How will you differentiate the first person to say they claim it?"
"The zone regulator is keyed to , just like the others are keyed to their owners. That’s the verification," Thayer said. "Once you place it, only I can remove it. Others, especially the freelance aren’t allowed to bring zone regulators inside. After inspection, you’ll also be issued new spatial rings. You’ll see. Everything will also be explained to you."
"At least there’s that," Litha muttered.
I looked around the ship. I’d never even been on a normal one back ho, but this wasn’t anything like the ships I’d seen in the rare TV glimpses at work. The interior felt more like an expensive car. I’d been told flying ships ran on mana stones harvested from monster cores.
"The wastelands," Thayer said, pointing.
Below us stretched a desert without sand. The ship flew low enough for to see hardened ground and jagged rocky dunes.
No animals or monsters road the land, only the occasional bird daring to fly alongside us, and one flying monster that attacked before Tim slamd it into the ground with his power.
Other ships passed us in the sky, and as we went deeper into the wastelands, I began to see Awakeners moving in three different directions on foot.
Sothing clicked in my mind. "Your other teams, how are they getting to their zones?"
"They should already be there," Thayer said. "And look, we’ve arrived as well. That’s the Black Castle Zone."
The Black Castle Zone was a massive black-stone mansion rising from the wasteland like an angry monunt. The stone was too smooth and intact to be called a ruin. The only damage I could see was a partially collapsed roof.
Our ship descended slowly and landed beside several others, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
"Here we are," I said as my boots hit the ground. The air slled of sand and harsh sunlight. Temporary tal buildings surrounded the castle, each bearing a different Guild emblem. The most dominant one displayed the crest of the Tower Guards.
Those sa Tower Guards patrolled the area, their gazes sharp and unforgiving. Awakeners wandered between stalls selling quick als or stood in tense clusters.
"Mr. Thayer Argent," a woman in glasses called out as she approached the ship. She and Thayer shook hands.
He introduced us and explained that she was one of his secretaries.
"She’s been here for three days, securing space and smoothing out logistics."
Cole led us to our assigned tent, a tal structure bearing Argent’s golden flag. "All required paynts have been made..."
As she guided us through the camp, I did my best not to stare at the other Awakeners. I was surprised, and not, that many of them were adults. Still, every one of them was Iron-rank.
"...and this is your area," Cole finished. "From what I hear, you’ll be entering the zone tonight."
"Thank you, Cole," Thayer said. "Please arrange food for my team. This will be their last al before entry."
The inside of the tent was far larger than its exterior suggested. I imdiately suspected an artifact.
"Honestly," I muttered, "just how rich are you?"
Thayer leaned back on a couch and smiled. "Do you know how much wealth exists in the Tower? Climb higher, and you might begin to understand."
Litha snorted. "He’s so rich the universe acknowledged him and gave him a talent that runs on money."
"The literal definition of a golden spoon," Temur grunted as he examined the artwork lining the walls.
"You’ve got it wrong," Thayer replied casually. "I was born in this Dungeon Tower. It’s the Tower itself that acknowledges as its golden child."
"That’s why I stay close to your golden glow," Tim said with a smirk.
Cele rolled her eyes as the conversation dissolved into jokes about Thayer’s wealth. Later, Cole returned with food, and we ate while making our final preparations for the night.
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