81 Daring and Competent?
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The group of four stepped inside the empty elevator, a sullen silence hung in the air- Supposedly the Consensus news was far too much of a hassle. A faint light flickered as the elevator doors closed causing its floor to shake lightly and began descending.
Tevis leaned on the side and took in an long breath, the decision weighed on him as a Captain. He knew full well how taxing and dangerous their planned conquest was. However, the city was essentially a military structure, there was no threshold for disobedience.
"So? How're you planning to break it to your squads?"
He looked towards Sai and Eriana, Tevis knew it wouldn't be easy for them either. Their faces hung low as he waited for a response, his lips pressed together.
Sai glanced back at him, her eyes carried a dim gleam, the weight of the future was pressing her down-It wasn't a question one could answer easily. The sheer distress and hilarity of the situation made her chuckle.
"Tell them that they're marching into their own slaughter? You know, just like the speaker always says. Devotion inspires bravery, bravery inspires sacrifice, and sacrifice leads to death."
She scoffed, her devout faith in the city wavered after decades of service. There were many things left unsaid, Sai couldn't find the words to describe her frustration or bitterness. But, it was evident in her gaze.
Eriana subtly stole some glances at the huntress, her words had lead the warlock to question her own values. What exactly was the city after? What was their objective? Had this truly been the best outcome for their people?
For the next two minutes, the elevator was silent. The four guardians simply kept to themselves, searching for answers within their own psyche, or perhaps too glum to speak out.
They all felt their hearts sink into their chest, the expectation and dire need of victory caged and blinded their spirits. Of course, unbeknownst to them there was one present- Whose heart was beating wildly.
Inches above the four guardians, stuck to the ceiling like glue, Void desperately wedged his fingers into the miniscule edges of the elevator's ceiling, squeezing every ounce of grip he had to stay steady, yet at the same time, mustering his light to completely and entirely cloak his presence.
'Don't look up', Only one thought raged in his mind as Void shut his eyes, afraid to even blink or breathe.
Void clenched his teeth and kept pressing his shivering arms into the walls, if he let go for even an instant, he would fall. Feeling the uneasy silence, he peeked with one eye, as a bone chilling shiver ran down his spine.
Void's legs were hanging directly above Tevis's hood, almost grazing the tip of the fabric.
Wei broke the mold and spoke up, her voice alone swept away the sullen mood, "That aside, how's the young blood faring? Heard he did quite well on the hunt. You must be proud." She poked Tevis for an answer, not letting the hunter brood in silence.
"Ha? Well, knowing him, that scheming bastard probably roped the Ahamkara into his own plans somehow. Truth be told he never worried me, kid's got heart." Tevis chuckled.
"I'd bet on it, Lord Shaxx openly bragged about his Crucible record a few days back. He's got a good head on his shoulders." Sai nodded along, recalling Void's elimination count.
Tevis clicked his tongue and chortled, "Good head? Please. He's smart alright, but Void's got a special talent to f*ck around and find out. I can't count the number of times he's fallen in deep shit and somehow made it out alive."
"So he's daring and competent, you can't exactly complain. You've no idea how hard it is to manage a bunch of warlocks only holed up in their own twisted research." Eriana chimed in and rolled her eyes.
"Count your lucky stars, a daring hunter just means he's good at sniffing trouble. I've had to leash him several times. Just put him on house arrest so he can't stir some shit up while I'm busy. But knowing that sneaky dog? He's probably out doing something stupid."
Tevis dismayed as a faint smirk hung on his lips. While the conversation picked up, Void felt his hands go numb, evidently his grip was beginning to slip.
But as luck would have it, with the Traveler's grace, the elevator docked on the floor as the green light lit up, the doors slowly opened. Following Eriana's lead, the group paced towards the base, still engaged in banter.
Naturally, bit*hing about their subordinates was a skill developed through decades of hard work, hence there was no shortage of stories and anecdotes being thrown around as the group got too far out of earshot.
Void felt his palms shiver, the elevator doors closed as he finally let go, falling straight down as he smacked his head on the cold metal floor.
"Ah! I am never, ever letting you be on scout duty again." Void barked
Levi who was shellshocked and entirely silent due to the severity of the situation immediately flared up, "ME? I just saved you. Do you even realize how hard it is to keep watch on a group of people WELL VERSED in anti surveillance?"
Void shuffled and scrambled off the ground as he leaned on his back to catch a well needed breath, he lazily slid his hand to the terminal and selected the Courtyard.
Just as he relaxed his shoulders, a puddle of his shadow rippled and detached. A hand from within parsed through and weakly settled on the floor as Bandit dragged himself out, wearing a dogged and aggrieved frown on his face as he panted for breaths.
His lips parted, and Void could only make sense of two words as he blabbered.
".....Never.... again."
Remaining hidden for that long had consumed most of his energy, leaving him to fight off the repelling force shoving him out of the shadow.
The elevator smoothly flew upwards as the two hunters wiped the sweat from their brows. Not long after, the three rendezvoused in Void's room as Bandit finally presented the ring fragment.
Void nodded and took the relic as the two hunters bode farewell, leaving him alone to inspect his loot.
A system window appeared as Void placed the relic in his palms, a unique energy emanating from within its runic scriptures.
[Quest Completed: ]
[!Optional Quest: Obtain (Ring Of ?????) (1/1)]
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A/N: Aite guys hope you enjoyed.
