“Are you sure you want to do this?” Andrew asked. It was Friday evening, and even though Nil had a busy Saturday, he took a taxi to the scrap yard. It had been a while since he got quality one-on-one time with his friend. There were far too many topics they couldn’t discuss while Katherine and Susan were around. “You’d still be slumming it in the Pits if not for Symbiotech. Are you sure you want to risk everything?”

“I know it's risky, but I have to do this,” Nil said, looking over Andrew’s shoulder as he tinkered with a pinky-sized aethertech device.

Bloody hell, he’s fantastic.

Andrew’s precise movements seemed well beyond those of an ordinary human. He used a stylus with a glowing tip and a cover of runes, drawing lines on the device and simultaneously typing. Long lines of symbols he didn’t recognize appeared on the aetherscreen before him. Nil suspected Andrew hadn’t beentu truthful or omitted much of what he’d been up to for the past eight or so years.

“You’re not even a bloody Summoned. How are you rune-scribing and programming simultaneously?”

“Practise. Don’t change the subject. How the hell are you going to manage if you lose their sponsorship? Do you have some secret investment trick you’re not sharing?”

“No. If I succeed at the qualifiers, bimonthly quests and two Arena bouts per month should be enough to get into a low-end ludus and pay the monthly fees.”

“It sounds like an incredible risk, though. Why not play along with whatever is going on for a bit longer?”

“Because I think Symbiotech is up to no good, and I don’t want to get dragged down by it.” Nil hesitated. He had an incomplete hypothesis in mind and didn’t know whether it made him sound paranoid. Even though Andrew occasionally poked fun at him, he knew he should trust his best friend and told him anyway. “What if Shina has the ability or tech to track Cursed Energy the same way I do? What if she visits the pits to scan for people like me and brings us in for testing to make dangerous tools and machines? The symbiote doesn’t feel like it, but it reminds me of the Cursed Pupae I saw on my second quest. I’m afraid they’re using me for something dangerous, and I’d rather not be a part of it. The thing with Aisha happened seven years ago, and it would be too much of a coincidence if this is somehow linked—”

“I know you want justice for her, but it can’t be,” Andrew interrupted. He ceased working and looked up at Nil. “Symbiotech is not even five years old, and it started as a medical device and healing product company. This isn’t meant to discourage you, Sunny-boi. But I don’t want you making a mistake, getting in legal trouble, or setting yourself back for blindly following this vendetta.”

“But don’t you think it's possible?” Nil asked. “I’m a nobody who only did two pit fights and lost the first. Why would Symbiotech want to sponsor me of all people? More importantly, why would she look for people to sponsor in the Pits unless Symbiotech has money involved in it? I’m not a lucky man and don’t even believe in luck. My technique is decent, but my ability isn’t flashy, and I’m not foolish enough to think I’m special. I’m almost sure Symbiotech has figured out that I have an unformed soul weapon full of cursed energy. I get regular urine samples and blood tests every time I visit. But extracting spinal fluid makes no fucking sense. Then when I take into account the kids in the building and the visage’s behavior, I’m almost sure there is something fucked up going on in the building.”

“Are you scared for your safety?”

Nil shook his head. “I’m scared of what they might be using me to create. I get it if you don’t want any part of this. It's a big risk.”

“Fine.” Andrew sighed. “I already told you that I was going to help you. We’re going to break a bunch of laws, and the girls will never find out. Susan might be willing to look the other way, but—”

“Why? You think you’re that good a lay?”

“That’s only a part of it.” Andrew laughed. “You saved her life, Sunny-boi. At first, I thought she was crushing on you, but now it's clear that Susan almost worships you for what you did. A civilian stepping up to a Summoned for someone he doesn’t know? She isn’t sure whether you’re stupid, brave, or just that amazing. I told her you’re a combo of all three, but she isn’t convinced.” He returned to his work, continuing to assemble the miniature espionage device. “As for Katie, there is no doubt she won’t tolerate this kind of stuff. She likes you but loves her job. If she finds out you’re breaking a bunch of laws while being a vigilante sleuth for the Nexus, she will turn you in.”

“I’m well aware of that, Andy,” Nil said. “I like her a lot, too, but solving this thing with Cursed Energy and ensuring what happened to Aisha doesn’t happen again—or more often—is my priority.”

“I understand. What about this Fatima woman? She’s your friend, right? Why not bring her into this?”

“I like Fatima, but I’m not sure if I trust her. She’s a great fighter and training partner, but there is something about her.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Something?” Andrew looked up from his work, brows furrowed. “What kind of something?”

“I can’t think of a nicer way to put it besides serial killer vibes,” Nil answered. “She doesn’t harm me and gets along with me because she needs me. Fatima’s ability is designed to dismember and kill. It almost feels like she doesn’t use them in such a fashion because she’s more worried about the consequences than how wrong it would be to do so.”

“That’s not concerning at all,” Andrew mumbled.

“Apparently, Shina found her in the pits, too. That’s another mark against Symbiotech. They’re not as concerned about their sponsored partner’s morality and attitude as they led me to believe. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fatima contains herself at Shina’s behest.”

“Behest?” Andrew rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me your dead past member rubbed off on you. Save the fancy words for when you’re on a quest.”

It took Andrew just over an hour to finish building the device. Once Nil received instructions on how to use it and got bored of watching his friend work, he retreated to the canopy of arcade games outside. He doubted they’d help his Finesse break through to the Iron Realm, but it didn’t hurt to try to push closer to the goal.

Nil noticed a notable improvement since the last time he had spent time on the games. Golden Aegis had special equipment for polishing Finesse, but they weren’t nearly as fun as the over-tuned arcade machines. He hoped to find more time for the special training areas after qualifiers. Layla said raising the attribute would become easier as he continued to pump Spark. Through Sheer Grit would ensure it. Nil believed her, but the lack of quantifiable improvement frustrated him.

It was just after ten o’clock at night when Nil returned to the ludus. He had already indulged in kebabs, salad, and Turkish flatbreads with Andrew and didn’t bother heading to the cafeteria. He was almost in his room when Fatima sighted him and waved him to the floor kitchen. It was a large space with a stove, oven, fridge, and a large dining area with two tables. She sat with none other than Elisha, their top candidate for the qualifiers team.

“Nil!” Fatima exclaimed. “I was just telling Elisha how amazing she was in Capture The Flag.”

“And I was telling Fatima to stop blowing smoke up my butt,” Elisha added, rolling her eyes. “I barely got three spells off before getting knocked out of the match.”

“You were amazing, though,” Nil said. “I’ve watched the playbacks half a dozen times. You almost took out the archer and the summoner from halfway across the city. If the regenerator didn’t flank you, you would’ve never fallen into the barrier-makers trap.” He lowered his volume as he continued. “I’d put the blame on Mobi for running off alone and not acting as your rear guard and on Viktor for better planning.”

Elisha’s eyes narrowed. Nil had won the team’s respect by taking two people out of the fight alone, but he doubted they’d tolerate a newcomer critiquing individuals experienced at the combat games. It felt unsportsmanlike, but Nil needed to play all the cards at his disposal to get to the final five and qualify for Apocalypse Arena. “How would you have planned it?” She asked.

“I would’ve employed turtle tactics. There would have been no assault team. Everyone but Fatima and I would have focused on defending the flag. Lily is an excellent defender. Viktor’s lightning is powerful but is more potent at area control and disabling people than putting them down. You and Anya could’ve focused on long-range takedowns, leaving Mobi to act as an element of chaos on the battlefield. He could’ve even hidden halfway to the pyramid and then jumped the enemy assault team from the rear after they initiated their attack.

“Meanwhile, Fatima and I wouldn’t have prioritized fighting. She is faster than anyone on either team. We can both be fairly stealthy when we want to employ such tactics. I would’ve feinted for the flag and initiated a fight, letting her grab the flag and sprint away. Maybe I’d get knocked out of the game as a result, but I bet the enemy team would’ve lost far more people.” Nil shrugged. “I know I’m inexperienced, but someone with amazing long-range artillery spells like you should’ve never left the flag. You’re an amazing attacker and might excel at moving silently but lack mobility and defense.”

“So you don’t think it's completely Mobi or my fault?” Elisha asked.

Nil shook his head. “I think if you were to follow us, we’d know how to use you right.”

“We’d move fast, with me taking the lead as the scout and assassin,” Fatima said. “You’d follow, appearing to move alone and take down groups after I eliminated their strongest attacker. Nil would bring up the rear, ensuring no one touched you. The chaos is bound to attract opportunists. They’ll want to eliminate surviving and tired fighters after a skirmish. Nil can take care of most of them and keep them busy, giving you enough time to turn your magic on them.”

“That’s not half bad an idea.” Elisha hesitantly glanced between the pair. “Why does it sound like the two of you rehearsed and prepared this speech?”

“Because we want you, and discussed and planned our battle-royale strategy at length,” Nil said. “You’ve seen the playbacks, I’m sure. Viktor might be experienced, but there is a reason he hasn’t made it into the Iron Gauntlet yet. We’re just better fighters, so don’t let our egos get the best of us or get rattled easily. Your best bet at victory is with us.”

“I’ll think it over,” Elisa replied, rising from her seat. “I appreciate the compliment and confidence, and I know Viktor has his issues. However, I’ve worked with Lily and him far more than I have with either of you. Sure, you two are good, but I’m not sure if I can trust you.” The woman’s eyes lingered on Fatima as she spoke of trust. “There’s also the matter of Viktor and my relationship. He’s not approached me yet, but I intend to speak to him first and find out why. If things don’t work out, maybe I’ll join you then.”

Nil and Fatima sat silently, watching Elisha walk away. Once she turned a corner and they heard her room door close, the latter spoke. “I told you she would say no.”

“She didn’t say no.”

“It's worse. She left us hanging and made us her backup. As if we’re going to hang around waiting for her.”

“So? Xiang, then?”

Fatima nodded. “We should’ve focused on her from the start. It's possible Viktor hasn’t recruited his girlfriend yet because he’s holding out for her.”