Future of the Cohort

Echo found a table with 4 other people playing in it, and didn't hesitate to bet almost half of his soul shards immediately. The game they are playing is created through Aiko's aspect, it grants inanimate objects HP and stats and can be used to battle each other, it is kind of like a strategic game with a 4 or 5 people usually playing it.

 On game table there flags drawn on the five corners, each representing a team that is playing. with one central flag that others need to get to before anyone else only one player can win each round of the game. The players are given each 5 cards to start, each card represents a certain action. If they want to move forward from their base or attack another, there were also means of defending.

 If one person attacks another base, with no card set on defending it then the one who invades and captured it will be given plus two cards every turn. One must throw a card to where they want to attack, and what kind of attack they want to do, and each attack has its own set of attributes and other buffs, every attack the player being attacked has a chance to defend himself, or choose to attack back. Lastly, the central flag has an HP one must consider if they want to capture it against other teams. You have to make sure the central flag's HP is depleted on your turn or the one next to you might steal it if you don't have enough fire power.

 The first round of the game is where players usually set up a defensive card to protect their bases, incase a person attacks right the very next turn.

 'This is some good cards.' Echo lamented and looked at his enemy's face and see their reaction, and looked back at his cards.

 After the first round he was so confident he can win this, he proceeded to attack other bases first to gain some buff and additional cards every turn.

 But that back fired on him in turn other players started to eye him dangerously, due to his aggressive style of playing. That was Echo bets nearly half of his soul shards, but he lost it just as quickly, when two people attacked his base, causing him to lose two defensive cards in the process, but since he spent most of his attack cards on attack another base, he cant retaliate, his loss was guaranteed since he was vulnerable to other players. 

'You bastards, teaming up on me.' Echo thought angrily.

 He played it cool to bluff his enemies into thinking it was a waste to attack him that he has enough defensive card to defend himself but they weren't fooled and immediate bombarded his base with attacks. In turn he lost the game miserably.

—

Echo looked forlorn as he stood up from his table and went towards the bar of the gambling den, He was so confident he can win this time, but it seems like the past Echo's curse was still there.

 'It was all good cards at the start, but I got reckless and became arrogant.' Echo scratched the back of his head as he drank from his bottle of alcohol made by the other utility aspects under Gunlaug. 

Echo's thoughts were interrupted, when he heard Aiko's voice. 

"Seems like the great Echo is back on his streak." 

Echo turned just to see Aiko grin and crossed arms as she eyes him. 

"Don't talk to me." Echo said bitterly and drank more of the alcohol. 

"C'mon this isn't the first time you lost, I'm sure you can lose some more in the future." 

"That came out wrong, I was trying to motivate you." 

Echo turn to her and looked at her for a moment before saying.

 "I don't need it." His tone became passive and motioned Aiko to come closer. 

"I've got a gossip." Echo whispered.

 "What is it?" Aiko's face lit up hearing it, it looks like she was ready for some drama. Echo continued: 

"I will have a plan on getting out of this place, and I want you and old Stev to join me." Echo said to Aiko on a straight face. 

Out of all the people in the Bright Castle, there were only two people the old Echo trusts the most, it was this girl and Stev the merchant of memories inside the Castle. And they prove to be loyal too, from what Echo can observe on his memories form their behavior, though the new Echo haven't met Stev yet. He decided to trust his pats judgement. 

Aiko's face became solemn when hearing it and asked. 

"What do you mean? You mean leaving the castle? I can't live on the outskirts nor can Stev, both our aspect aren't up for battle." Aiko said hesitatingly and uncurled her arms. 

"I'm not talking about the castle, you dont need to leave it. I'm talking about the nightmare." Echo looked at Aiko's eyes intensely and said it with confidence. 

Aiko's face became strangely complicated but there was a hint of interest in them. 

"How so? No one is strong enough to defeat what was on the spire defending the gate, you'll need an army, and if you want one Gunlaug still wouldn't allow it."

 Echo looked at the bottle of liquor in his hand, and said: 

"I found a sleeper, who has a True Name, and spent 2 months on the labyrinth. She just got here but was confident enough to say she doesn't care about Gunlaug. I decided to bet on her, and for that she needs people like us, you and Stev might be useless to some but not to me, your managerial skills and Stev's knack for memories can be used to a much better cause, than staying here on the castle just to rot, on Gunlaug's ideals." Echo said somberly and drank the bottle empty and continued.

"So what do you think, will you join me?" Echo said extending his hand towards Aiko.