abel [https://imgur.com/gfZpXk6.png]

After the initial roar of shock had ran through the building and discussions began in earnest, Abel found himself being ushered up the stairs and into a room on one of the top floors of the apartment building. Unlike many of the other rooms he had seen, it had a lush carpet that sank beneath his feet and a number of well-made furnishings.

It was clear that after his victory in the arena event, he had been deemed a notable asset and now he was invited to assist in planning. Two long wooden tables were pushed together in the middle of the room with plenty of mismatched chairs sitting around them, many already filled.

Daryl, who had led him most of the way, now pointed to one of the chairs, signaling for him to take a seat. He did and as he Checked those around him, he quickly learned that he was both the youngest and the one with the least Karma.

When the seats were nearly full, the man next to him, broad-shouldered and well-muscled, patted a hand on his shoulder and gave him a hint of a smile. “Relax, Champ. We’re just discussing how to coordinate everyone. You’ll get used to it.”

Abel gave a small nod.

“Another one,” Daryl said aloud a minute later from one end of the table, cutting off the din of discussion. “It hasn’t been a full week and it’s happening again. But, this time there is also good news. What Sky Sight said about the food was true: just before the voice began, the stores of food in the basement were replenished. This is excellent news for the longevity of both our group and everyone else within the city. Not only did the food return, it returned exactly where we wanted it, not in the stores where we originally had to cart it from.

“There hasn’t been enough time to assess the exact amount, but with our current rationing, the initial report is that the stocked food could last nearly two full weeks.”

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Several men around the table let out sounds of relief.

Daryl rubbed his hands across the gray stubble atop his head. “Just like that, our most dire problem has been dealt with in an instant. But with it came a brand new problem. Another event, except this time it’s completely unavoidable. There’s a good chance this could bring a coordinated attack on this building, so we’re going to need to be on guard, starting tonight. Chad, get Bev and Kyle to start weeding through the rooms again. We need capable Commands.”

One of the men nodded his understanding.

“We’re not going to be able to just sit around, unfortunately. We’ll form small groups, so as not to bring too much attention to ourselves, four or five people per group. I’ll have someone map out some routes. We want to be far enough away that we can find more of these spheres but close enough that backup will be possible. We’ll form a network of groups and do passes throughout the surrounding areas. As you’re all aware, we’ve been attempting to find a way to travel deeper into the city, and this could be the perfect opportunity. While everyone else is busy with this operation, Sharon and I will head deeper into the areas which are reported as dangerous.”

“Why? That’s madness, what is the point?” One man asked, shaking his head.

“If there is a more secure location, we need to find it. There were thousands of people living within this city and many of the tallest buildings to the south have been locked and sealed since this all began. If we can find one that’s empty, we could make a true headquarters and try to get this city under control.”

“But why now, why not wait until we have time to form a reasonable force?”

“Time,” Daryl repeated, “I’m not sure we’ll ever be given enough time to do anything of importance. I’m beginning to think this city will be an endless game and we need to act sooner than later. And with others searching desperately for spheres, there is a chance that, if we avoid them, we’ll be ignored, which may not happen again.”

The man wasn’t satisfied with the answer, but he had nothing more to say.

“We’ve all seen Abel’s Special Command,” Daryl said, turning all eyes in the room towards him. “This event will deal out another. And the winner will be someone else, as this ‘Heroic Hunt’, as it was referred to, will involve Commands. I would say this hunt favors the person with the most Commands in the city. And that is a terrifying prospect, as it would only add to her power.”

The men around the table muttered to one another and as they did, he heard one word being spoken over and over. And each time he heard the word, more pieces began to slot together in his head and his face drained of color.

Zero.