Expanding the Alliance

Uravis, now determined to carry out his new mission said his farewells to Seraphina and Torvald after discussing their meeting point, then he walked back into the house, peeled off the mask from his face, and took a deep breath.

"From one mission to another," he uttered as he tossed the mask on the sofa, he strolled across to living room to the kitchen where he met Claire preparing another batch of food for him. "You are cooking again?"

"Yes I am," she answered, her gaze fixed on the pot of what he recognized, from the aroma, was chicken soup or sauce, "Sit and regain the energy you have lost, while we wait for Seraphina and Torvald."

"I'll be going to meet them, I can't risk anyone else finding where I live or know about you," he said and raised his head to see her frowning, "What?"

"You are treating me like I'm a kid," she pouted and turned down the heat of the stove, then she turned to him, "I am not as weak as you think, Uravis'. I was also a warrior before, who says I can't do that now?"

"Claire," Uravis called lowly, "It's not like I don't know you are strong. I just don't want to put you in danger," he admitted and crossed his arms to his chest, "Beside, I could always summon you when I want you around," he made emphasis of summon and winked at her.

Claire rolled her eyes and picked out two bowls, "You and my brother would have gotten along perfectly," she muttered lowly, hoping he wouldn't hear her but he did.

"There is another?"

"Yes, well I don't know where he is, he went missing the same day you arrived, But it's fine, he could do anything he wanted," she replied with a smile as she plated the sauce with the rice she made from earlier.

She pushed the plates towards him and threw a chopstick and spoon to him that he caught, "So, you haven't told me about your.....what was it?..Uhm, your life before this or in this case, what happened before you were brought here."

Uravis smiled and put a spoon full of rice into his mouth, he groaned at how good it tasted and swallowed before taking his gaze back to her, "I was a gamer, a popular one."

He paused to drink water and then sighed, "Gaming was everything I did and liked, It was like home away from home. The trills, the adrenaline that gets me pumped up during every match... well, until the global tournament that I was seconds away to wining."

"What happened?"

"Some stupid Deity summoned me to represent them in a game," he put another spoon in his mouth, "I was so close to being stinking rich and the best gamer for years and years to come. Just five seconds was all I needed to win, then some deity decided to mess that all up," he complained, now pouring out his feelings about what had happened when he first arrived.

"You should have been there Claire, I was the only one left, I had to win to bring the trophy back to my city, if only that lady gave me a day or two to finish everything, I won't be this upset about it," he exhaled and put another spoon of rice in his mouth.

Claire chuckled softly and patted his head, "There is a reason for everything, Uravis. If you were not here, who would have sent those bandits away from the village? who would have helped your teammates to get to this point? The core, the titles," she smiled and cupped his cheeks, "Fate brought you here and I am grateful to her for it. I got my brother back in a different body and personality."

"Yeah," he mumbled due to how she squished his face, "Well going back to my home would have to wait till I am done with everything here. Maybe fate would get me back home, and then I will receive a whole load of nagging."

"Well till then, I have you all to myself. Now eat up and get going, I want to watch people dancing in a a box," she exclaimed then he smiled.

"It's movies and a television but sure."

_____

Uravis sat atop of his scorpion, with his back against a tree while he scrolled through the map, on the glass slab Thorne had given him earlier.

From a distance he saw a cloud of dust drawing closer and what sounded like a stampede, he rose to his feet and switched to Drakonis, now noticing the energy he was using to switch.

It was like a flash of light, like how one gets shocked instantly from touching a metal surface without shoes on or with water on your hand.

As the dust settled and the movement ended, Uravis gazed down at the few numbers of men and women that stood behind Torvald and Seraphina.

"This is all we could get, there are ten of them. Five from my side and five from Seraphina's," Torvald said as he gestured at the people behind him. The looked very different, from being a pale white complexion to having a dark, almost grey skin color.

Uravis scanned though all of them, most had abilities while others used gadgets which was also effective. As he looked at all of them he began to remember his tem and everything they've been through together.

Now he was building another team, all under him, and it felt good.

"Good evening everyone," he started saying, his eyes focused on the faces of those that looks tough, "If most of you can remember, there was an appearance of the Void Serpent long ago and it was reported vanished or defeated. But now there is news that it is back and this time, stronger than before," he stated and watched them mummer among themselves.

"I gathered you all, to unite with me against the coming dangers because I cannot work alone....."

"Give orders and we will follow," They all echoed, shocking Uravis who thought he would have to convince them to joining, then his gaze went to Seraphina and Torvald, they had smiles on their faces as they gave him a thumbs up.

Everyone was with him.

"I will also call for more allies, but at this moment we split into groups. Our mission is to find answers and directions to lead us to the Void serpent and also acquire important relics. Given the state of the city, we have to work secretly and under no circumstances must anyone besides who is present here know about your mission. Understood?"

"Yes," they chorused adding more to Uravis' joy and pride.

"Torvald and Seraphina, you're with me. Everyone should be in three groups. Head east, west and south. I will keep in touch will all of you, and please be safe out there," he said finally, knowing he had to send people with family to far places for a mission he had no idea what the outcome would be.

But he was certain that just ten was not enough, "Although many of us may not return, I will take responsibility for anything that happens," he bowed and they nodded.

They trusted a total stranger, a stranger who could do anything to them without batting an eye.

That was not him, but he was amazed at how people in this world trusted anyone. In his own world, trusting a stranger was like laying naked in your living when there are burglars around and you happen to be a female.

With a triumphant smile and determined heart, they all grouped themselves, while Seraphina gave her orders to those she brought with her. Torvald on the other hand was busy giving out hugs and saying heartfelt speeches to say goodbye, something he found strange but everyone was different.

Uravis shrugged and flipped open his locket, "Claire, I'm coming home, could you help me pack up and maybe if it's possible, send a message to Arin or Ivie?"

"Yes, no problem."

He smiled and closed it back before putting it back in his pocket, then he dragged his gaze to the slab he placed on the scorpions back, still showing the map then he sighed.

"Another Journey, More thrills."