Face So Familiar

"Please follow me."

After only a short wait the man in the suit appeared. With a quick exchange of pleasantries he swiftly lead them to their desired location.

He beckoned towards an inauspicious door, "They are right inside."

Wrock lead the way an entered through the door. Inside was what seemed like a break room, casual seats which were occupied by various people. Silence spread as they watched the newcomers.

A particular outgoing man walked up, "So someone new joins! Which team are you?"

"Six Lights, a pleasure to meet you."

A casual murmur formed. The outgoing man raised his eyebrows, "The unstoppable train! You look awfully familiar to a certain celebrity."

Wrock chuckled, "I get that a lot."

A burly man who was estimated to be above two meters tall walked up to Akiol, "Hmm? Your arm broken? How are you going to fight with that?"

Akiol initiated friendly banter, "Who says I need it to fight?"

"Haha! I'm not interested in those who can't fight to their full extent."

"Oh? But you'll need a handicap to last longer than a few seconds."

A small staring contest occurred before the burly man laughed heartily, "Full of fighting spirit! Good! I look forward to our match, if we have one that is!"

"Likewise."

The party mingled with the other teams. There was confidence, but all without a hint of arrogance. They viewed each other as equals for now, those who were superior would be shown soon.

So far there was two other teams in the room. Final Terminus and Hallowed Week.

Final Terminus was more serious than the other. As Tilia chatted with a member she noticed them trying to obtain little bits of info from questions that seemed harmless. Tilia noticed these easily and gave a solid answer without giving away anything. Their casual looks made it seem like they were there for fun.

Hallowed Week was also serious, but far more sociable. Instead of using the meetup as an excuse to scout enemy teams, they instead opted to make friends and allies. Or at least make a favorable impression.

Members of Final Terminus were the most interested in Six Lights. After all Six Lights was widely considered the Dark Horse. With a name that appeared once in the announcements, followed by a battle against a few hundred. Made them shrouded with mystery, then months later they were part of the final selection for the professional tournament?!

Their expectations were not completely met upon meeting them. Six Lights was more relaxed, as if everything was trivial. Their attempts at obtaining info were easily dodged, as if never existing.

So despite everything they were still mysterious, but not dislikable.

Then a few minutes later a new set of faces walked in. They held an aura of a no-nonsense type. Upon entering they immediately scanned the room, eyes lingering on each person for only a second. As if they were assessing their opponents.

Their eyes hovered on Akiol a second longer, mainly to look at his cast. A flicker of pity and contempt rose in their eyes only to die quickly.

As Akiol returned the favor and assessed the new faces his gaze suddenly stuck to someone in particular. He felt his heart stop.

Yielya noticed his glaring stare and followed it. Upon landing on the victim of such a stare she furrowed her brow.

It was a beauty for sure, a female with a stern look. However Yielya knew Akiol wasn't the type to stare because of looks. So she scrutinized them more carefully.

The target seemed to have noticed the stares and turned. Yet the way she turned made memories flash in Yielya's mind. It was then it hit her why Akiol was reacting the way he did.

Akiol averted his gaze and stood, "My apologies, we will have to cut this short."

Without another word he quickly left the room, Yielya following shortly after.

Akiol leaned against the wall and held a hand to his chest. He was shaking slightly, his breathing irregular. As several thoughts appeared in his head he attempted to shake them away.

It was impossible, it had to be.

Years of experience, facing battles barely imaginable. He danced with death more than once. Yet this one person shook him more than any of those battles. Yielya tapped his shoulder, startling him. Yes, he was startled. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that his surroundings were ignored. The rest of the party shortly followed, upon seeing Akiol's figure concern spread. They hadn't seen him like that before.

Wrock ask Yielya, "Everything okay?"

Yielya only shook her head. Akiol made a few breaths to steady himself, his normal look returning.

He quickly apologized, "I didn't mean for you to see that. I'm sorry."

There was a quick response about how it was okay. They were all concerned.

Yielya looked at Akiol, "Is it time?"

Akiol looked up to the ceiling, "Keeping it away isn't going to be any better."

Yielya nodded, "Let's go back to the VIP room, there's something we need to tell you all."

The rest of the party exchanged looks, but nodded and followed along.

The door clicked shut and the party sat on the couch. Anxious about the seriousness of the situation.

Akiol looked up to the ceiling, "So. . . as you know everyone here except Yielya is my second party."

Everyone nodded, they were told this a while ago. So Akiol continued, "I never told you what happened to the first…"

-<>-

A cheerful face popped into Akiol's view, "What's with the long face?"

Akiol smiled upon seeing her, "It might be nothing, but something feels off about this."

"It's some bandits hidden away at a cave right? There shouldn't be anything too bad. We'll be careful just in case though!"

"Thanks Ava."

Ava smiled brightly and skipped off. Her pink hair bouncing along. Akiol stood up and followed her.

A campfire crackled as it illuminated three others. Yielya raised an eyebrow at Akiol and Ava, but said nothing.

A tanned and muscular man was resting next to the fire, tending to their equipment. Shiny thick armor lay out on a stretch of leather. A shield lay in their hands, their scrutinizing gaze inspecting its every nook and cranny.

Akiol kneeled next to him, "Thorough as always Ginan."

"I must treat my equipment well if it is to protect me."

Akiol nodded and pulled out his sword, "Got a spare whetstone?"

"You should really get your own."

Yet Ginan handed over a whetstone and Akiol began sharpening the edges of his sword. The sound soothing next to the crackling flame.

"You should join them Ava." A man who leaned against a tree spoke, a book in their hands.

It was their Mage, always dedicated to studying magic.

Ava responded, "I should, but it's kinda nice to watch from here."

"Then at least make sure you're all set."

"Mm!"

. . .

The morning sun gave rays of warmth onto those in its light. The five walked up a rocky path, eyes set on a cave.

Ava adjusted her grip on her sword, "Up ahead right?"

Yielya nodded, "A group of twenty bandits, could get dangerous if you get careless."

Remembering Akiol's words she nodded, "I'll be careful."

The cave was strangely unguarded, raising their suspicions. Creeping closer they entered the cave, eyes adjusting.

It was quiet and not a single soul was to be found. Ava suddenly felt a terrible feeling.

They stumbled across a fallen body. Yielya inspected it and shook her head, "Dead, shot through the heart with some spell. Eruo, check this out for me."

Eruo kneeled next to the wound and focused. As he was immersed into his work a voice called out.

"This is a lot worse than we expected."

The other joined the voice, it was Ginan who scouted ahead. As they caught up they were quickly assaulted by the stench of blood.

The bandits were all dead. Yielya quietly assessed their wounds and frowned, "Same wound. Eruo, update on that spell?"

Eruo shook his head, "It's weird, give me a bit."

The rest scouted the cave, finding the stolen goods they had been searching for. Ginan inspected them, "It's all here, did someone beat us to it? If so why did they leave the goods here?"

Akiol shrugged, "Maybe they weren't here for the request, but rather stumbled upon it?"

Ava suddenly turned her head, "Do you guys see that?"

They followed her gaze but saw nothing. Ginan shook his head, "Nothing, what are you seeing?"

"It's glowing?"

She moved closer to investigate, her curiosity outgrowing the sense of danger she felt.

Eruo inspected the mana of the wound, it seemed familiar. . .

His eyes widened, "Not good! Everyone get out of here! This is the work of a Necromage!"

Wooohm~

A wave of deathly mana covered the cave. Sending shivers down the spines of them, except for Akiol.

Ava took a shaky step back, "A- A Lich!"

A skeleton figure burst into laughter, "These idiots walked into my lair! I need some subjects anyway! You'll be excellent additions!"