(Tuesday. Date: 23-04-2463)

Climbing out of the cab, I stood in front of a branch of Peters and Holland bank. I yawned after cracking my stiff neck. The neutral ring was teeming with activity. People were generally freer in this part of the city, as it was actively monitored by both agencies of the G.A and the E.N.G. Though they were truthfully; more interested in what the other was doing, than any actual harassment of Humans and Awakened, by the Gifted. Most Gifted lived here as well, as it is the central hub for all gate-activity in New Eden.

A higher number of gateways frequented the outer rings, but in neutral they were higher ranked. Which also meant more of a threat level to the occupants living here. But with so many Gifted living here, I doubted anything serious would ever happen.

The bank was a building of complex spiralling window’s and a bronze coloured steel enforced framework that twisted like cords of steel only intersected by grav-lifts moving employees up and down. The building looked more like a shiny twisted metallic tree thunk, than anything.

“I guess it just matter’s whose inside,” I muttered, adjusting the concealment glasses I was wearing. I had bought them off the system store for a measly 100 credits. They would’ve likely been worth a fortune in a store like Farias, I was sure. I stifled another yawn and blinked my eyes rapidly.

I had worked out yesterday and today as well. Getting up at around 6:00am to do my exercises. My Fatigue baseline had only dropped by 1% since then. From that, I could only deduce that the rate of which it was decreasing would slow more so going forward. Which lead me to believe, that once my fatigue reached the very base limits it could go, my daily quest would become something else entirely.

I had never been unhealthy in terms of weight or diet, because those factors; for me at least, had never changed since I Awakened. Now with my new Gift, my body was changing so rapidly that it was both exciting and a little scary.

I was now sitting at a healthy Fatigue: 13% and I had only been Gifted for three days. Yet, it felt longer because Fellbait dungeon had seemed to have sucked the sense of time out of me since.

Walking through the entrance of Peters and Holland, a scan drone searching me and everyone else for potential threats, magical or otherwise. It scanned me twice and moved on, and I hid a smirk.

“No need to look as arrogant as you feel. Still in your shitty office suit after-all,” I chided myself quietly. I needed new clothes anyway as most of my thing’s other than hoodies and tracksuit bottom didn’t quite properly fit anymore. “Should go shopping tomorrow, bring Kayla with me and treat her to something nice. I’ll have to register for a license soon as well,” I said trailing off as I came to one of the many reception desks.

A human woman greeted me with a serviceable smile, somehow looking more robotic than the service droid next to her. “Hi, Rhys Trent here for a meeting about the Complex R. A-1; apartments in the outer ring,” I said by way of introduction and the woman nodded. “Of course, Mr. Trent. One moment please,” she replied smoothly.

Glancing about, I saw that the bank was packed tight in some areas with extra security everywhere. I itched to activate my Magical Sight but worried that their security bots and sensors would pick up my Mana signature. “I’m sorry, Mr. Trent. Do you know who you’re supposed to have your meeting with?” she asked me, a slight frown creasing her forehead.

“No, I really don’t. I have the letter with me that was sent as well, if that’ll help?” I said reaching into my breast pocket and retrieving the envelope. When I looked back up, envelope in hand I saw that the receptionist had stepped back from the counter and moved off to one side.

Staring at her, I couldn’t help but cock an eyebrow in annoyance, did she think I was going to pull a gun on her. Her polite mask came back as quickly as the frightened one vanished. Wiggling the envelope about, in a somehow placating manner. I placed it on the counter as the receptionist gave me a genuine apologetic smile. She then frowned at the glass phone in her hand.

“Ah, yes. Of- of course Sir. I’ll- I’ll send him right up,” she said, her expression ranging from concern to confusion. “I won’t be needing that after-all Mr. Trent. Peter’s and Holland will see you now,” she told me as a man came to my side; gesturing for me to follow him. The man moved as if he was on a treadmill, everything about him seemed exact. Precise. Programmed.

I had met with Peter’s and Holland several times before and both had come across as greedy men. Though neither were in no way near such an expansive waist line. No, the only lines they wanted and were willingly to expand were the lines of their pockets.

The grav-lift dinged, so lost in my thought’s that I hadn’t realised that we had stopped. Man-bot walked off without a word back to me, his prim and laser exact everything was starting to piss me off. He showed me to an unfamiliar office and opened the door waving me on. I gave him a nod of thanks which he didn’t return nor noticed. Prick.

Entering the room, I frowned slightly. It was like a window had an affair with a plant. Cause there were damn plant’s and windows everywhere, even on the floor, much to my chagrin. I was fine with height’s, when I wasn’t looking down at my potential splat and death. “Mr. Trent, please come in. Good to see you, and sorry to hear about your loss.”

I looked up and saw Peter Matterson and Michael Holland, sitting so close together you would’ve thought they were Siamese twins. Though that problem had been fixed a long time ago. The only Siamese twins out there these days, were those who wanted to stay connected.

I wasn’t sure which of them had greeted me, so I smiled falsely and bobbed my head; taking the only proffered seat across them. I had to hide a wince as I sat, the metal chair was like the epitome of an ice stake being rammed so far up my ass I felt it at my shoulders.

Now that I was closer, I saw that in fact both men had taken steps to actually looking almost like identical twins. Short blonde hair and thin faces pierced by sharp blue eyes. It was as if I was looking at a rendition of the Hitler’s perfect beings, the master race. One of the few historical documentaries still available from Old Earth. One moved and the other made an almost identical movement as they squirmed comfortably in their warm plush high-backed chairs.

~*~*~*~

Thirty minutes or so later, they finished. Sounding out all of the extra costs and permits and plans I should’ve paid for and how it irked them that I had been free to not fork out a fortune so that they could stuff it with the money pile of credit chips they hid under their mattresses, I smiled at the thought of them both sharing a bed, or more likely, bunkbeds.

Hearing enough of their drivel, I raised my hand and they looked at me questioningly. “Can I just ask … when exactly did Mr. Elman purchase Complex R. A-1?” I asked, one of the two, I really wasn’t quite sure who was who anymore. They began flipping through the pages of their piled notes and documents, which was odd. I hadn’t seen actual paper in such a long time. “Ah- he… Mr. Elman brought the complex 14 days after you were reassigned there 2 years ago,” the man said looking up at me.

“You see, that’s funny. I don’t believe myself, or my sister; who would’ve been underage by then had signed any sort of agreement to Mr. Robert Elman being our landlord. And it most certainly couldn’t be my mother who was comatose at the time as well. Tell you what. If you can present those signed documents to me and have them verified … by a warlock. I happily throw my money at you all day,” I said cheerily. I was bored of their rambling spiel already.

Glancing at my Kayla-loaned-watch I saw I had an hour left of my weekly break. I stood up and gave the men a nod as they spluttered at and after me. Though neither actually rose to follow me out. I was but another fish in the pond, there were always other’s they could catch after-all.

I moved outside into the midday sun as a car flew over but didn’t land, instead the doors slid back and deposited several dark duffle bags out the hovering car. I frowned as I watched the men jump out of the car and land beside the bags. They each wore different coloured snake masks and pulled a different assortment of weapons from the bags.

One even popped out a 4-foot spider bot, tap a series of commands into the holo-terminal on his wrist and the bot wound up a plasma round from one of the two mounted barrels attached to it. The fiery blue churning ball of death sailed past me and slammed into the entrance. That on impact exploded the double front doors to the bank inwards leaving a fizzing scorching outline on either wall of the entrance.

They had no identifiers or anything above their heads. Taking a gamble I shouted to catch their attention as they proceeded past me. “Hey,” one the five gunmen swung their sights on me. And disengaged the safety, with an audible click. It was a mean looking piece of weaponry. But I just raised my hands, a friendly smile plastering my face.

I didn’t feel threatened in the least.

“Peter’s and Holland are upstairs,” I said by explanation. “Not sure which floor. But look for one with a bunch of plants in it.” The gunman paused, and then nodded their head at me, turning to join the others.

“Ah, the injustices of banking,” I thought aloud, and when about making my way back to work.

I sat at my desk late that afternoon as the people around me gossiped about the bank robbery and eventual kidnapping of Peters and Holland. My phone dialled me an alert, reminding me of the impending Green gateway jaunt this evening. “Why the hell have they left it so late,” I wondered. I could’ve asked Matilda, but I wasn’t entirely sure she was calling the shots of her group anymore. Which meant it was likely Drake; the rich prissy princess rogue. “Not even gonna try. Maybe... maybe we lost too many people? I haven’t actually checked either.”

“Rhys!” came a shout from the side of the room. The authoritative tone could only mean one person was calling me up. My boss and the co-founder of Hunter Insurances. His partner ran the Loan company, the more lucrative side of the deal if you ask me. I stood up just in time to see his door close, sighing I walked past the pitying stare of my co-workers.

I wasn’t particularly great at my job. I filled quotas and other endless shitty goals to appease those in higher position’s than I. But I never tried to exceed those goals, to push forward. Because I, like everyone else working here knew we were trapped.

I knocked and waited; I took the time to button up my suit jacket. “Come in,” came a gruff mutter through the door. I moved within and stood a foot away from his polish wooden desk. He didn’t look at me, so I just stared at the bald shiny spot on the crown of his head. “You wanted to see me Jim,” I said, my tone flat and polite.

He didn’t reply, instead he kept tapping away at his terminal. I looked out through the window behind his bald pate and noticed something. The reflection in the glass showing me exactly what he looking at. Pictures of a pretty teenage blonde girl, possibly in her early twenties. She was in ridiculously skimpy clothing, and she looked nothing like Jim’s wife.

Who was stupidly beautiful.

Then a message appeared underneath, Jim smiled devilishly and tapped a reply. Then he looked at me, and I squirmed my vision away from the window. “Yes, were gonna be moving somethings around soon, expanding and filling more of the floors above. Ms. Simmons has put you forth for a potential re-examination. Apparently, she believes you have the merit to hold a higher position. Though your feedback tells a different tale,” he trailed off; leaning back in his chair and arching fingers before him as he gaged my reaction.

I was both grateful to Matilda and hurt, she was trying to help me, better me.

She was taking pity on me. And that crushed me all the same.

Pity, pity was what I felt briefly as Khrum’ tried fixed it’s jaw. I felt pity, and disgust for the stupid brute of an animal. “But I’ve decline her suggestion. In fact after revaluating your time here,” Jim continued. His round face greasy and shining in the light reflecting through the window. “I’ve concluded that you can hold another position. A position in postal has opened up, and I’ve put your name in for the raffle,” he smiled evilly at me.

And I realised at that moment that I honestly didn’t need to work anymore. So I smiled back at him, to him it must’ve looked forced. Like I was trapped and needing the work, no matter how shitty and tiring it was. Postal wasn’t bad, but it was dangerous. A job where your responsible for giving a notice to debtors, that they were late.

A lot of the time the Post-boys just don’t come back. Other companies and businesses have delivery bots and droids, like the postal droid who gave me the letter from the bank.

Jim nodded understandingly at me, yet smugly, “Ms. Simmons will be troubled that she couldn’t fuck her friend up my ladder. So you’ll slide down a rung till I say otherwise,” he hissed at me.

Yet I just kept smiling, in fact it widened upon hearing his closing statement. “Well Jim, your in luck. because I’m quitting as of now. I need the pay you own for this months work and my holiday pay. Then I’ll be having a stunning conversation with your wife,” I said stunning him and myself. But I was feeling positively blasé about all this.

Turning around I walked outside his office, his door left open. “Oh and Jim, the Blonde your messaging and creeping on, it’s disgusting. Fuck ya later,” I called back to him, hearing his sudden curse of panic.

Chasing after me, his pace much slower than my determined walk. He stopped and shouted, calling for me to come back. Everyone here knew he was a cheating prick. I was just the only one who’d actually confronted him about it. Now it was out in the open. Moving to the empty grav-lift I stepped within just as the doors chimed shut. One smooth ride later and I was at the ground floor.

Kasey, the Awakened receptionist gave me a smile, “going home so soon Rhys?” she asked me.

“Nooo. Just- quit. Enjoy your life Kasey,” I said with a small wave, moving outside. I stretched in the dimming light. Feeling free and unconcerned, our debt and banks problems had been temporarily fixed. What with the robbery and kidnapping. I no longer had a shitty job, and now I could focus on just myself and Kayla. Bringing out my phone, I slid up the plastic screen and dialled Kayla.

A few second went by, “Rhys?” someone said my name. I turned and found Matilda behind me, Drake on her arm. My eyes skidded across them blanking them from my thoughts and vision. “Uhhh Brother?” Came Kayla’s voice.

“Hey Kay, want to grab some lunch?” there was a pause, then.

“Sure … but aren’t you at work?”

“Nah, I just quit; I want to spoil my little sister.”

There was another, more extended pause this time.

“Okay Rhys, I’ll get dress and wait for you.”

“See you in a bit.”

“Just Quit?” said Matilda. I started down the steps in front of H.I and moved to one of the several taxi cabs park there. “Rhys! Where are you-” Matilda said shouting after me. “Ignore him Tilda, let’s go inside.” Came Drake imperiously smug tone.

I wanted to crushed his spine beneath my boot. But I had been acting rash a lot today. And I was worried that I may actually just do that. “No. It’s just,” Matilda started to say but then I was within the taxi and off to take my sister shopping.

~*~*~*~

“Alright, spill it,” Kayla said in an imperious tone. It was an hour later. We were in the neutral ring, and Kayla and I were at a restaurant. One of those outdoor café/bar/restaurants thing’s, I wasn’t quite sure of they had a name. We were sitting at a table on the roof, and I was enjoying the first beer, I’d had in the last two years. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but I felt particularly relaxed right now. My sister on the other hand was a nervous wreck.

We’d just finishing eating. I’d ordered the house sandwich, which was a mess of cheese, burger, bacon, onions and egg in a bagel bun. Kayla the ever-starving student ordered: steak, chips, onion rings, mushrooms and a side of salad. All of it, fresh meat. A pricey affair, but one most deserving. “Rhys!’ she hissed at me; staring her hot chocolate. It had a stupidly complex name, that sounded like all of its ingredients made up into a word. Her tone was warning though, so I spilled.

“I’ll show instead,” I placated, raising a hand as I laughed. “We’ll go shopping after this, clothes and maybe even start looking at a car, I can drive, just never been able to afford one.”

“What are you-” she began but I slid my phone across the table. My bank account on display, Credits: 377,536. Kayla’s eyes grew round and watery, then she her brows pinched in worry. “Rhys how did you--”

“It’s all 100% legitimate,” I interrupted her, “I would tell you. I just don’t think I can yet.” She nodded slowly as tears ran down her cheeks. “I promised Mom I would look out for you,” I told her gently, “and this money. This money is just the start; soon we can start looking for a new place. Help set up funds for you, so that you can study to your hearts content. We’ll buy you a new camera, a proper one you don’t have borrow or rent from your friends. Then we’ll live more freely than we have been.” I finished and Kayla just stared at me in shock.

“You know,” she said, her cracking slightly as she spoke. “You’ve changed so much over these past few days that I worry. I... I know there is more, you haven’t told me about what happened at moms funeral.” She hissed the last word quietly and I nodded in confirmation.

“When I can, I will tell you Kay,” I said honestly.

“I know you will Rhys,” Kayla sighed, “…she doesn’t pity you by the way. She just doesn’t know how to help you.” I know she meant Matilda, and I breathed out a heavy sigh. There is almost always something conflicting when it came to Matilda. I had liked her a lot, but even when we were together, she would always try to fix little things about me. Or set thing’s in motion that I would benefit from. But to me, they were falsehood’s I couldn’t accept, and she never understood why.

I had wanted something of my own creation. She got something greater, a Gift. Then she stripped herself away from me, inch, by slow inch. “Well maybe she should come to understand that I’m doing quite fine on my own,” I replied sourly. Kayla nodded, seeing was believing after all. “Now hurry up and finished your drink, we’ve shopping to do and I’m feeling mighty generous. I may even buy you something,” I said smiling and downed the last few dregs of my beer.

Kayla clapped happily like an excited little girl, “I’m already done. Come on let’s go,” she chirped at me, practically jumping to her feet. A few dreadful hours later, we crawled back home exhausted. We--I’d—probably spent around 30-40thousands credits on clothing, and a glass-skin television. A new phone for myself. A wrist one similar to Kayla’s. I had also bought several suits and comfy clothing to lounge around in.

Kayla, I seemed to have decked out in a small storage of clothing and other various items. All for her own personal amusement, because I had never seen her be so petulant and greedy, like a spoiled child when I refused her. I was now sitting at a sum of, Credits: 331,300. I dumped my stuff in my room and stretched, popping my neck and back.

I moved to Kayla’s room, knocking on her door. “Trying on my clothes,” she shouted through the door.

‘It’s alright, just saying that it’s time for me to head out. The Green-gate and all.” Something fell to ground, “Shit,” Kayla cursed, her feet stomping in a rush. Then the door swung open quickly, and Kayla peered up at me.

When did this happened, I suddenly realised. I was much taller than her now, nearing around 6’2.

“Your still doing that?” She asked, concern laden her voice heavily.

“Yes,” I replied simply. She stared at me, seeing my conviction and nodded fractionally to herself as if affirming something she had already known. Then she hugged me, her arms tight and almost pleading. “Don’t get yourself hurt or killed for that matter. I need my brother...” her voice broke. And I hugged just as tightly, if not more so in return.

But I didn’t have the words to pry her worry from her. So I settled for no words at all.

“I need my brother ‘s money after-all. How else am I going to buy all the new stuff that comes out. Just wait till Holly see the thing’s I have, she’ll be so jealous,” Kayla muffled into my arms. I knew she was trying to lighten the mood, and I was thankful for it.

I laughed lightly at her words, “so vain my Sister, so vain.” She whacked my arm and headed back into her room. Not bothering to close her door. I went back to my own room and changed into a plain black t-shirt, a zip-up grey hoodie, skinny jogging bottoms and a pair of trainers.

My armour was always on, just magically concealed even to me. I tested out the hand phasing capability of my gauntlet by taking out items from the fridge and sitting up breakfast that morning. Then I stepped outside in the downpour of rain and charcoal coloured skies.

It felt like an omen of bad tidings.

I shrugged and made my way over to the taxi we had pulled in on, and I climbed in with a, “Thanks for waiting, Milton road please.”

We were off.

“Ah... Here he is, our little baggage boy,” Drake said, his greeting conveying enough of an introduction that everyone else, either ignored, scrawled or snarled at me. I didn’t mind, not one bit. I looked around and noticed quite a few new faces. Only Matilda, Melody and Drake were here from the previous group.

I didn’t count. I wasn’t gifted after-all, at least to them, I wasn’t. Then I saw a familiar face and my expression soured. The shop keeper from Farias Sightless Eyes. I hadn’t actually gotten her name and hadn’t planned to. “Damn stalker,” I muttered. She turned to look directly at me and gave me an amused smile at my expression. Then she blinked several times as if she was staring at a stranger.

The glasses, I thought. She gave me a subtle gestured, a light touch to the bridge of her nose. A question. I sighed and gave her a small nod confirming. She wore a jet-black dress that was lacy at the arms, and just short of being a mini dress. Knee-high black suede boots hugged her lean legs. Beneath the veil of her dress I caught a glimpse of black fishnet stockings riding high up her thighs. Her eyes were dark and smoky, and I saw that here ears had a few piercing’s in each. Her lips stained black in a soft pout.

My dick gave an involuntary twitch at the sight of her, she looked forebodingly sexy as hell. She also held no discernible weapons I could see. “Wonder where she keeping the glass dagger then?” I mumbled to myself, my mind wondering.

“Shut-up,” a large man growled, he was decked in plate and leather armour and bumped my shoulder. He had a giant hourglass shield with white fur around the edges, it seemed horribly impractical. He also carried a massive war-axe as well. Joshua Gilbert. Warrior.

Hoping to train and become a Tank-Knight or a Paladin is my guess, I thought. “No problem Gilly, I’ll be quiet.”

“How did you-”

“Hush-hush, the show has just begun.” Drake, finishing his prep talk looked to Matilda. Her armour looked dented but clean. Her long sword swept off her back. Then she and Drake stepped through first followed by everyone else afterwards. Most of everyone here except the few from before were low to high E-rank’s. As per usual, I was the last one to step through as the group split into different teams of 4. Usually the G.A and E.N.G only allowed a certain number of people to enter a gateway. As the more that did enter, the more likely a high rank monster came about. There’s even been documented cases, where a higher amount of gifted enter a gateway, likelier for the gateway to change. None who entered knowing this had happened.

The entirety of this group split to about 3 groups of 4. Plus the odd one: Me, made us 13. The limit was usually 10 and the minimum 7. I adjusted the packs of on my shoulders. I couldn’t see Howard the wizard anywhere and that worried me. “So, you’re the baggage carrier?” a sweat voice drifted up to my ears as I stared at dark tunnels ahead. I blinked twice and looked down to my left to see the shop keeper standing there. “And your stalking me...” I started and glanced at her identifier: Amara Farias Ayala. Blood Witch. I hid my smile. “Tell me, what’s it like being a Blood Witch, Amara?” I asked annoyed at being called out by someone who just wanted to provoke a response from me.

Her face slackened at my words and her hands closed into fists, a slight red tinge outlining them, then it stopped. And she spun away from me. Stomping off to join a group. Which happened to be, Drake, Melody and Matilda. “Is the man building a harem,” I said and scoffed in laughter. Amara sped on, as if my laughter was aimed at her. I didn’t mean to be harsh with her, but I was tired of taking everyone’s shit and saying thank you afterwards.

Melody greeted her with a concerned smile, and they exchanged a few words. Then Melody glanced my way as I sat on a rock waiting for everyone to get their asses in gear. I gave the cleric a smile and shrugged. Melody shook her disapproval. And I oddly felt chastised by that simple gesture. She had tried to save me when I was bleeding out after-all.

“Alright everyone let’s move, since our last wizard didn’t make it. We’ve brought on a witch. We’re hoping she can translate the passages better and we can finally move on to close this gate. Gather up and follow me,” Drake commanded. Like usual I stayed behind and then brought up the rear.

I whistled a tone quietly as we moved through the cavern. Ahead I could hear fighting and the barking sound of wolves. I saw the men and women in front of me shiver in part excitement and fear. Then I heard it a soft patting sound underlining the shout’s of battle ahead. Turning around I looked back into the darkness behind me, a slow smile curling my lips. “New recruits,” I shouted at the men and women near me suddenly, and they spun about in fear. I moved off to one side and gestured at the encroaching darkness behind. “We’ve got company,” then three red furred wolves broke out from the shadow.

Snapping and clawing at the E-rank’s.

The wolves were nasty massive thing’s. Sharp metal teeth and claws gnashing, snarling, scraping. One came through the shadows for me. Almost unseen. But I had activated Magical Sight and was awarded a modicum of night vision. I could also see the Mana within the beasts pulsing with the drum of their heart beat. When I locked eyes with the wolf and It immediately bent low whimpering in terror and then scuffled backwards fleeing with a yelp.

Bresac Re’dere Wolf. I blinked, turning my attention back over to the new recruits as I stood off to side. None were dead so far which was a good sign. But a few did have minor wounds. Yet none of the Re’dere Wolves had any sort of injury ailing them.

“Jason draw the left; Maggie summon some magic on that fucker when Jase has him distracted but stay behind me. Steward see about popping a bolt or two into the right one to keep it at a distance,” Joshua Gilbert shouted at his team.

They moved to obey but were hesitant to do so. They were new to danger. Everything for them was piss and fear. I wanted to help simply because I could see Josh and this group of recruits going far if they hone themselves. For starter why was Steward their archer, using a crossbow? Yes, they’re great for stopping power, but between quarrels is a moment you don’t want to be caught unaware. Jason sped left in the narrow tunnel moving further towards me, trying to catch the left wolf’s attention.

It glanced at Jason, saw me instead, then danced back with a snarl on it’s face. I stared at the wolf as Jason came to stand feet from me his shortsword quivering in his hand, as he danced nervously from foot to foot. Finally realising that the wolf wasn’t going to follow. “Josh, it’s not following.” Jason shouted over to the tank.

“Damn it,” was all the reply I heard. Then the three closed in on the tank and mage. The mage woman, Maggie, tried desperately to channel her magic through her chant, but her shaky voice and constant stopping kept her from being useful. Steward on the other hand actually managed to nail the right-side wolf in its back thigh.

But that attack was like a signal and the wolves rushed forward all at once; the right only slower than the others. Steward tried to load another bolt, but his fumbling hands kept catching and misplacing the quarrel. Joshua roared a challenge and battered into the oncoming tide of red fur as they converged. I crouch down and sat on my heels, elbows resting on knees and chin in hand.

Maggie ducked away with a frightful scream as a snapping barking face emerged to the side of Josh’s shield.

Steward retreated a few steps and I thought he would run, but he didn’t and with a nervous glance between his friends and wolves he tried again to laboriously load another bolt.

Jason who was in front of me stood frozen. Watching as his friend fought off being mauled to death. I saw the wounded red wolf limping towards steward, who seemed more worried for Joshua and Maggie than himself. Now your chance Jason. Flank the wounded now, you and steward. Take him out, then onto the next pelt. As if hearing my thoughts. Jason sprang into motion. His movement’s loud and obvious as he thumped forward. One of the two wolves attacking Joshua shield spun as Jason past by. It tried to take a snap at him as he ran, but a shield bash from behind sent the beast on to its side whimpering.

I heard a loud feminine grunt and look to my right and further up the tunnel to see Matilda ram her great sword through the stomach of lunging wolf, lift it into the air and then kick if of her blade. Her dark imperial purple braid swung about her as she scanned for more foes.

Jason tackled into the side of the injured wolf. His sword thrashing down like a wooden stick. I was sure that the majority of his hits were made with the flat of his blade. But some made it through and as he backed off from the growling wolf. Just as a quarrel slammed into the side of it’s head, killing it on impact. Jason panted, his body shaking frantically, while Steward cheered his success jabbing his crossbow into the air.

Then a grunting shout of pain from Joshua snapped the two back to focus. Joshua had managed to fend off the two beast’s attacks. But he could only do so much as Maggie had curled in on herself. Her terror getting the better of her. Josh’s boot brushed Maggie’s head and he glanced down distracted by as he gave ground.

The distraction however was enough for his shield to waver too far left and a claw swiped out to gouge the meat from of his right upper thigh. The leather pants doing nothing to protect him. Steward and Jason rushed to their friends protection, but they were too late as Matilda bounded past Joshua and Maggie to sever the legs from the left wolf. Her movement fast and swift even in her knight armour. Then she twisted up and over the falling wolf to slam her sword down into the lower back of the wolf who’d swiped at Joshua. The sword parted the beast easily, the strength and drive powering it through and then back to where Matilda sheathed it, on her back.

Joshua cried out and collapsed to the floor, his team members swarming him. Maggie bursting into tears and apologises. Then Melody was there, chants going, golden light sigil’s splaying forth to cover his leg. The magical formation was a latticework of octagons within rings, the strange magical wording written within flaring to life as she channelled mana through her prayer.

I stood from my crouch and when to the far wolf corpse, the one who’d been double teamed. I got to the busy task of cutting out the Mana crystals, knowing that no one other than myself got or even collected gold of the corpses I looted the +15G and Metallurgy teeth X4, Metallurgy Claws X16. And I did the same to the other three.

I caught snippets of conversation between Joshua and his team, with Matilda and Melody. So I was surprised when Joshua came over and thanked me as I worked meticulously to carve out the Mana crystals. “Uh- Thank you. Without your warning, I fear it would have been far worse an encounter than it was.”

I rubbed the blood off my hands with a cloth I kept handy, as I popped the two small grey mana crystals into the pack. I shrugged my shoulder’s, “no problem Gilly. Try not to die just yet. I fear this gateway are far larger than we realised, and they’ll be plenty more fight’s to come,” I said and gave him a nod returning to my work.

“Yes. I believe Rhys is right. A fair warning to adhere to on all gateways. Not everything is as it seems. Gateways have been known to change, to increase in rank and change even after gifted have gone through. Now go catch up with the rest, Melody and I will be along in a moment.” The group nodded their heads gave us a wave and jogged up the tunnel. I sighed softly knowing what was coming. I swept the bangs of my dark brown hair out of my face.

“I need a damn haircut,” I sighed. Silvery plated boots came into view just on the other side of the stinking corpse. “So, gonna tell me just what in the fucking hell’s you were thinking?” Matilda hissed angrily at me. I cocked my head to the side on purpose, a confused expression plastering my face as I looked up at her scowling features.

“What? You mean warning the recruits, I just did-” but her growl warned me off. I stood and stretched looking down at her slightly. I saw a look of surprised pass her face when I stood taller than her. “Honestly. Because I don’t need that place. In fact, I don’t need this one either,” I said and shrugged. As if that answer would please them. Nope not at all. Matilda rubbed her temples in frustration, but Melody stepped in, ever the soother this one.

“I think what Tilly is trying to get across is why did you quit your job? If you don’t need the credit, why were you working there to start with. And why throw away the help she was offering you? Please Rhys, answers these. I would like to know as well.”

I sighed and looked up the path, Amara was leisurely making her way down towards us. “I quit because Jim is a disgusting prick. I quit because I don’t need yours or anyone’s help. I don’t need or want your handouts. I don’t because- and I know your gonna ask. ‘But I put forward that request and Jim assured me he’d manage it.’ He decline the suggestion Tilda. Said I was to be demoted to Postal for trying to fuck. My way. Up his ladder,” I paused for breath. I hadn’t realised my voice had grown louder.

I saw the hurt plastering their expression at my words. “I was trying to help-” Matilda started, her voice hoarse with emotion.

“I. Don’t. Need. Your. Pity. Stop trying to help me Matilda, and just see me for who I am for once and not what I am,” I said roughly hissing the words thrown my clenched teeth. “But that’s all I’ll ever be to you and everyone else, something to pity and carry shit around,” I exhaled a deep shaky breath, my hand flexing. My gift at the tip of my fingers. Do I show them? Do I end this fucking parade? One last strike-- god I hate myself sometimes.

“Go back to Drake, Tilda. Go join him up there where you can look down and pity those beneath yo-” I went to continue, but my head suddenly snapped to the left as a fist connected with it. -5Hp.

“Damn it! What the hell is your face made of,” Amara cried out through the pain in her hand.

“Let me see,” Melody cooed at the Blood Witch. “You’ve broken your wrist, you silly idiot.”

“I’m not the idiot, ask mister Martyr over there about his eyes,” Amara argued back at the Cleric.

“His eyes?” Melody asked questioningly. I cracked my neck in an attempt to rain in my anger. But all that left me with was feelings of regret. I turned away from them to hide my shame at how I acted and picked up the double pack’s. I caught a glimpse of Matilda’s hand reaching hesitantly, to stop me, but I moved on. I knew she did after-all. “Amara. What do mean his eyes?” Melody repeated.

“Nope. Not telling you. He should tell you himself not me uh-uh. He scares me too much. I only punched him to snapped him out of his self-imposed alienation shit.”

I cut into the Bresac Re’dere Wolf. Uncaring of the internal organs that spilled out as I located the mana crystals with my Magical Sight. “So that Blondie up there can work his charms on Purple there.”

I watched her out the corner of my eye. Her hands gesturing about to and throw. “His charms?” Melody asked bemused.

“Yes,” Amara hissed at cleric, her head bobbing rapidly. “He’s been working a charm through Purples necklace for quite some time now from what I saw.” I stood up straight and gave her my full attention. I saw Matilda staring at the Blood Witch in confusion. Her hand coming up to her chest. “A necklace?” Matilda asked her voice coarse.

Again, Amara bobbed her head, “can you tell how long it’s been active for? This charm…” Melody asked, and Amara nodded at her. Then peered at Matilda her eyes squinting, as did I the same. I saw the bright blue mass of Mana within her body and amongst all the strand of blue there was a pink. A single strand, festering there like a parasite.

I curled my hands till they almost became claws at my side. Then I felt an odd sensation, like pressure building across my brow. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but one that felt right. So, I pinched my brows together in concentration and focus on the pink strand of mana. “Can you destroy the charm, without breaking the necklace?” Matilda asked and Melody nodded at her friends words. “Yes, I can...” Amara trailed off. With instinctual flick of hand as the strand pulsed, I disintegrated it.

The pressure fled me all at once and I breath a sigh. “Oh! Wait It was destroyed. The charm that is, someone...” I heard Matilda and Melody breath out heavily, their expression angry and disgusted the same. Amara on the other hand, trailed her head through the air following something unseen and brought her focus right towards me. As the other women went about arguing softly, I placed a finger to my lips for Amara. She swallowed dryly and nodded her fearful gaze at me.

I stepped back till was I swallowed by the shadows and there I let loose with Incite. My boiling anger and rage. The disgust. In the distance tunnels of the caves, wolves and other bestial monsters cried out as my bloodlust spread forth and confounded them, bathed them in a taste of the true terror I was to unleash upon Drake. “Where’s Rhys?” I heard Matilda say. I stepped out of the shadows as Amara pointed my way. Her look of fright mixed with something I didn’t understand. Something akin to arousal within her striking features.

Awfully crazy that one. Her personality is so different than the last time I had met her. Maybe it’s the outfit? I knew a few people who would change their personality to fit clothing they wore, like switching out different masks for contrasting roles. Matilda looked at me, her hand high on her sternum. “Did you know?” she asked me. Her lips tasting the words and not liking them one bit.

I shook my head, “no. I had no idea. Uh- I suspected something though.”

“Oh, please feel free to share,” her tone affable, yet riddled in sarcasm.

I ignored it, “you acted- strange- around him,” I began unsure how to describe the look she held for the man. “It was like love, but more. Like worship,” I went to carry on, but she snorted at me. I felt my annoyance rise and I clamped down on my anger. “Forget it,” I said and started off for the tunnel. “The woman I knew wouldn’t sell out her group for some stranger, letting them call the shots. And she most certainly wouldn’t leave tackling the gateway till the very last minute.”

I moved as her voice trailed after me, “but that’s just it, isn’t it,” she said softly. “You knew me, just not anymore.”

She was right of course, and it was bitter pill to swallow. I still wanted her in my life, but the woman I had pined for, isn’t there anymore. Someone else had awakened in her place. That got me thinking. Was I the same? I placed my hand over my left side, felt the steady drum of my heart as the beats washed against my palm. Scars as well from that dreadful day, were no more.

They say that only one in five Awaken from gate-ways appearances. Those that do, die and are reborn. All the better for it. Regardless of the suffering they’ll come back to. Reds like me were rare. My own mother was in process of awakening when a crumbling bathroom tile among the ruins left by the Red gate. Fell and smashed into her temple. From there she was in limbo. Dead and yet undying. The process of the Awakening constantly trying to manage some fragment of healing while enhancing the body. But it was all too little.

That the was reason I’d had my burn scars. Possibly the reason I was so weak for an awakened.

I was healing as I was dying to be reborn anew.

I came to a stop at the outer fringe of the groups. Dropped my packs off by a wall and sat down. I heard the heavy plated feet of Matilda cresting the ascending tunnel and saw her immediately search out Drake. Was there still some lingering affect I couldn’t see? That whatever charm Drake had placed on her was no longer needed. That It was done. I didn’t know and that pissed me off all the more for it. I looked to my hands in the fiery torch light. Sconces bearing torch fire had been placed on spiked tipped poles around the group. How had I done it? What exactly had I done? Questions but no answers.

Utterly useless when you’re the one that’s meant to know.

Melody came up and placed a hand Matilda’s shoulder, guiding her off to one side. Then Amara rose, her green eyes predatory in the fire light. Glinting in hidden amusement, or hunger. Did Blood Witches feed on blood? I didn’t know and didn’t really have the nerve to ask.

They had been culled for a reason, that I remember.

She saw me then, her hand on hips as she surveyed me up and down where I sat. I gave her nod, her lips curling in a minute smile. Then she wiggled the fingers of the broken hand at me in a wave. Mended and healed.

“Hey,” came a nervous voice off to my right. I willed my eyes away from the enchanting Blood Witch and focused them on Jason. The warrior stood a few metres away from me.

The rest of his companions, including Joshua gave me grim yet respectful nods. As if seeing their first fight, had made them part of a club called grim fates. I’ll keep that name to myself, I thought sagely. “Hey back,” I said in greeting. Jason stepped forward some more, squirmed about nervously and looking unsure. I checked a sigh and gestured to the ground around me, “Sit down. You look like your about to piss yourself,” he and his friends gave a short laugh, some of the tension leaving them. “So, what can do for you?” I asked, crossing my legs and rubbing at my knees.

This time it was Maggie who spoke, her dark blue hair curled into a bun, her bright light blue eyes framed by the shadows of her glasses. The fire dancing the freckle on her face. She moved the satchel bag on her hip as she got comfortable, legs folding beneath her. She, like most mages, wore light and easy to move clothing, which meant fuck all protection. “We’ve been thinking … You’ve been through a lot of gateways, right?” she asked, her voice a little nasally, from crying I imagine.

I nodded and she continued. “You saw how we did- it was a...” she trailed off.

“Disaster,” I suggestion bluntly. Everyone winced at my words, but Joshua nodded in agreement.

“It was,” he said, his tone soft and sorry. It was an apology to his friends and to himself.

“So, what do you need from me?” I asked trying to bring them back to the subject at hand, other than their morose feelings.

“Do you have any advice? Any problems we need to fix, to iron out our faults in our teamwork,” asked Steward and I eyed them speculatively. Honestly. Today seemed to be a day of hard truths for all of us. So, I went about telling them what I saw, gave them suggestions about changing their equipment to something that would suit the team better instead of their own needs. How their plan had been a good one, but it didn’t account for mistakes and hinged too much pressure on everything going exactly the way they planned it. Then I turned to Maggie, “do you know what a lot of start up mages and the like used to do when they started out?” I asked her and she shook her head. “listen to music, keep something on repeat, that has a similar rhythm to a quick magical chant you can use.”

She blinked at me, “they actually do that?”

I nodded, “yes. Better yet, now that you’ll be earning through gateways and such. Try to find equipment you can enhance with spells, a few words and a pop of magic. A staff you can pay to have rune laced. Something long-term. The cost will be significant compared to the price of a simply wooden staff, but it’s hardly anything in comparison you what you could have when combined together.”

They were hooked to my words, like I was some the guru of sage wisdom on how not to die. “But you should already know these thing’s, has the group lead not talked to you?” I asked them, they all shook their head unison. “I... I tried to speak to Drake. To ask for advice, but he just told me that this was the way it was for newly Gifted. We either die in this gateway, or we die in another.”

I laughed humourlessly at that. I had seen countless people die tackling gateways, to the point that I was mildly blunted to the effects of grief. Though to lose, and almost-lose your friends, well that would force any man or woman to pause and re-evaluate their lives. “Well your in luck,” I said give a hands a quick clap together. The sound making them flinched at the loudness, I watched as several people look our way. I leaned in to them, “Drake isn’t the leader. Matilda the purple-haired knight. She the actual leader of the original team, prince Prick is just an insufferable twat that always get’s what he wants.” My voice came heated, almost a growl. “Go to Matilda with what I suggested and see if she agrees or has anything to add,” I said waving for them to shoo off. “Thanks. Uh- Rhys was it?” Joshua asked. I gave him a small nod, as the rest waved at me.

A few breath’s later they were crowding Matilda, who looked pleased and shocked that they came to her. Melody standing by looked up from Josh’s group discussion with Matilda, the cleric looked my way and saw me watching. Then she bent down and said something to Matilda who paused in what she was saying. Then gave a fraction of a nod. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Gifted women were an attractive pain in my arse. Strong and versatile but more prone to outburst’s of intense emotions. Or was that all women? A question better left for Annaleigh maybe.

This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]