I stretched my arm, walking out of the small room, going straight for the captain's office.
Apparently, the captain wantedAscendantsto me personally.
I didn't mind it too much. The man probably wanted to thank him for saving the battleship as well as everyone aboard it, probably.
Along the path, I shook a dozen hands, people thanking me for taking them out of the fight, and then taking them away from the creature entirely later.
I didn't mind it, even if it was slowly annoying me, it was quite repetitive.
***
Two figures sat in a dimly lit office, the water inside a glass swaying left to right from the harsh waves.
Neither man nor teenager spoke for a few long moments, until finally, the man did.
"It is nice to see you in good health, Apex."
Apex didn't speak, only nodded.
"Any lingering injuries that should be addressed?"
The man continued.
Apex only shook his head.
There was a long pause, something almost like tension creeping into the air itself.
The clock ticked and ticked, the water continued to sway.
And the two figures stayed quiet, until.
"You will be posted at the docs once we arrive, to protect the ships. As you are quite suitable."
The words were like a thunderbolt inside Apex's ears.
He raised his head, looking right at the man without truly seeing him.
"I assumed I would be sent to retrieve people from dangerous areas."
He paused for but a moment, then continued.
"That is why I came here."
Not honest, not entirely false.
But a great strategy to play on the captain's morals.
There was a long almost sad sigh from the man.
"I would agree, but alas. The higher-ups think it would be good to have such a powerful ability to protect the people's escapes if needed."
Apex nodded, it sounded decent. Even if he barely managed to hold back a scowl from the ability rather than the person's comment.
Not to mention what the man really meant was the escape options for "more important people", not everyone.
The boy wasn't as foolish as to believe there could ever be enough ships docked and ready to carry the millions upon millions of people in Antarctica.
It would take months upon months of continuous sailing back and forth to evacuate everyone. Not to mention the creatures along the way.
The man faked a cough, bringing Apex's attention back to him.
"With your station cleared up, there is another matter to bring up. I would like to personally, as well as on the behalf of a few other Ascended, invite you to join the government forces. More precisely, our squad."
The man looked at Apex expectantly, as if searching for the usual awe and happiness on the boy's face.
Yet he saw nothing but a blank face.
Apex's thoughts whirled, how would he get out of this? Rejecting would surely be suspicious and would garner further inquiry from the higher-ups.
"Thanks for the offer, but I would like to know every necessary" He heavily emphasized the "necessary" part.
"Detail for such a thing before I make my judgment."
He finally ended, his white, pupilless eyes staring at the captain.
A sweat drop ran down the captain's neck.
'Is this kid serious? Even other Ascended would jump in joy at such an opportunity! '
He shouted inwardly, but outside he barely showed an emotion.
Instead, he gave a charming smile to the boy.
"Well, for now it would be enough to know that you are interested. Then we could negotiate for the details, besides the necessary things of course."
Apex nodded slowly,
"What kind of things?"
The man paused, then sighed, a chuckle escaping him.
He opened a desk drawer, taking out four clipped-together sheets.
Apex raised a brow at that, 'People still use paper for such things?' He mused internally.
The documents were placed right in front of Apex, who quickly picked them up.
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN
was stamped in giant letters on the first line, strangely there was nothing else. As if it were printed knowing it wouldn't be outdated or relevant any time soon.
Apex read each line, marking each line he was intrigued about with a pen once he got permission.
This also informed him that this rulebook was most likely individual.
Apex continued reading and reading, trying to find a single claw in it, any manipulation, any setup. Yet there was nothing.
From what he could tell, this was a perfectly normal document, a usual job application.
Besides the few extra rules about memories, echoes, and aspect usages.
And of course, the highest paying job without talking about the two great clans.
It was quite tempting. Alas, Apex was already rich enough, some might say too rich for a nearly fifteen-year-old.
Apex slowly placed the documents down after fifteen minutes of reading, his expression changing.
"Sorry, but I don't have any interest. Thank you for the opportunity."
Apex stood up, already turning away to leave.
"I see. But perhaps you would still like to join my squad? Unofficially of course. We are all Ascended, and you would still be paid."
He suggested, peeking Apex's interest.
"Would we still be at the docs?"
"Yes, we would be."
"And the pay?"
"The same as being an official member."
Apex paused, making it look like he was really thinking about it, before muttering a low, "Thanks, but I'll pass" and leaving.
***
I climbed back into my amazingly soft yet a bit small bed, cuddling with the thick blanket.
For now, I would rest, rest while I could.
At least, in this realm.
It didn't take long for the spell to transfer my mind into the dream realm, my future home.
Mirage was already present, awaiting me like a personal guard.
For a moment I imagined Fenrir by the side of Mirage, the two imposing creatures flanking me.
It would be glorious.
But alas, the time for imagination had run out. And the time for slaughter had come.
***
Six brightly glowing stars levitated high above the clouds. Vibrating in place as if trying to escape an invisible hold.
Each moment that passed, they moved more and more.
Finally, the hold vanished. And so did the stars.
Only six brilliantly glowing purplish trails left remaining, following their trajectory.
The next moment, they met the ground in a wide circle.
Wind cut through the unstable structures with ease.
Sound peaked enough to silence your own thoughts.
And the light would have claimed eyesight if anyone were to look at it.
As quickly as they came, the winds, sounds, and light vanished.
Only a gigantic crater remains, a hundred or so meters in each direction.
[You have slain an Awakened Monster...]
[You have slain an Awakened Monster...]
[You have slain an Awakened Monster...]
[You have slain an Awakened Demon...]
[You have slain a Fallen Monster..]
The notifications went on and on, all for a single individual.
Apex.
The boy decided to make use of his apparently separate soul essence reserves between the realms.
And thought he might as well clear out the city.
Of buildings of course, the creatures were just a side effect, a beneficial one.
Now with another hundred Nightmare fragments gained. And enough space to start working on a district if he so pleased, he turned back to Mirage, slowly climbing onto his back, before shooting off together into the dimly lit sky.
***
Apex slowly walked off the ship, carrying an extra bag with him, gifts. From the people he had helped.
He felt proud and embarrassed, but he accepted them nonetheless.
There were foods and other such basics.
His heart warmed at the memory of the people smiling at him, a few with tears in the corners of their eyes.
A smile grew on the boy's face as he slowly took out the communicator from his pocket.
A few taps later, he was in his contacts, already messaging the gloomy shadow.
[Apex]: Send the picture whenever you can. Make sure Morgan isn't close to the area either.
He waited a second, three dots appearing with Sunny's face right beside them, signaling that he was texting back.
[Sunny]: twenty minutes or so.
Apex sighed, putting the communicator back into his pocket.
Perhaps he should explore the area around for a bit.
Thanks for reading!