28 Trump

Riku narrowed his eyes in thought as he thought of their next move. Knowing that they were currently dead last changed things. He wanted them to hang back to see how the rest of the competition fought, but being last mean that the lead they had to catch up to once they were ready would be far harder than he wanted. They had to balance their position if they wanted to have a bit of slack for when they finally decided to play for the win.

"We make our way back to where we were in a roundabout manner. Nyx will have to navigate us for that," Riku began. "All the while, we monitor the fighting based on the plume of smoke they're giving off. If they move ever so slightly, we change course accordingly."

"That's something, I guess," Shizu blinked. "I really don't want to fight though."

"And if all goes well, we won't," he reassured her. "We'll probably have to fight a few lions to get to where we want to be, but they're inconsequential compared to fighting a fellow Champion. I'll also explain a few things about how my powers work so that we can properly work together as a unit."

/O-Oh, I might have something to tell you as well, Riku./

The former assassin raised a brow at Nyx's words inside his head. If she decided to talk to him telepathically like this, it probably meant that it was important enough to hide it even from Shizu. His fellow Champion had already proven herself trustworthy, but he supposed that it involved his power somehow.

/We can talk about it later during a lull in the conversation,/ he replied. /For now, just keep it to yourself./

Nyx gave him a knowing nod, telling him that she got his message before turning his gaze back to Shizu. She didn't seem to notice anything, but it was always important to be sure.

"Alright. I... might have a few other questions about you too after that, if that's alright with you," Shizu meekly added. "You don't have to answer, of course."

"If it's within reason, I'll give you my answers," he nodded. "For now, let's get moving."

With their plans now set, Riku took to leading them once more as they began to retrace their steps. Slowly and steadily, he did his best to keep an eye on the plume while listening to Nyx's occasional warning about an enemy in the vicinity. It was a far slower pace than what they had before, but it was by far safer than what they were doing earlier. It also gave them some downtime as they kept quiet on some parts, allowing him and his goddess to have the talk the latter wanted.

/Right. What did you want to talk about, Nyx?/ he asked her while they were currently crouched down to avoid a lurking pack of lions.

/Oh, I was going to tell you more about your abilities,/ Nyx explained. /Namely, your [Trump] ability./

His eyes widened ever so slightly at the news. While he let his instincts carry him through the real world, his thoughts were running wild at the implication of her words. The name of such an ability alone meant that it was his last resort if things ever came down to it. Would it be powerful? Something that could get them out of a bad situation?

/When I gave you the [Boons of Chaos], I had no control over what it gives you in terms of power,/ Nyx began, her words tinged with a hint of apprehension for some reason. /The fact that it ended up being a [Chaotic System] meant that everything you can get is random, but it at least gave you a chance to choose which Boon you got./

Riku inwardly winced at such a reminder. He knew that his goddess had no idea what he was giving him, but to think that even the very concept of his power came randomly was both a blessing and a curse to know. A blessing because it meant that Nyx truly had his best intentions despite her actions, and a curse because he now knew that his goddess truly had no idea what she was doing when she gave him a power.

He supposed that he should thank his luck for giving him something that was actually strong enough on its own to carry him through.

/But back on the concept of [Trumps], every Champion should have one based on what they have as a power,/ Nyx continued, their real bodies currently hiding behind a pillar as they got closer to their destination. /Shizu should have one too, but I know for a fact that Tyche would forbid her from telling you what it is./

/And I'm assuming that you'll do the same,/ Riku mentally nodded. /So, what exactly is my [Trump] then?/

This time, Nyx actually started sweating in front of her as she obviously pretended to not be paying attention to their mental conversation. /Your [Trump] is... well.../

Riku sighed. /Let me guess... Is it random again?/

/Yeah.... Your [Trump] is called a [Chaotic Reroll]. You can activate it once per Depth, and it will give you a random power that will last until you move Depths,/ the goddess explained. /I can at least guarantee that every power it gives you will be useful, however./

/The same as with what I have now then, only it's temporary,/ the former assassin noted. /Anything else?/

/Well, that's it, I think,/ she hummed. /That's all what I gave you. The rest will be given to you by your power./

Nodding, Riku blinked as his full attention was returned back to the real world. Looking out, they were very close to the fighting now, with shockwaves moving right past them with every explosion that rang from the source of the scuffle.

"We're close enough, I think," he noted as he turned to look at Shizu and Nyx. "We'll have to be really careful from here on out."