Chapter Nineteen: Observer

NINETEEN

“What’s your opinion, T?” Darren asked as they watched the independent, Roan, hammer away at the last guardian. The stolen hammer was a blur as the man flew at it, hitting with resounding blow after blow, chips of bone flying everywhere as it failed to guard its head.

“My name is, Taoya, not T. For the millionth time, Darren,” Taoya complained, but Darren knew he liked the abbreviation. He’d seen it after all. While not as flashy as Taoya’s ability, he preferred his own. In pure fighting power he was obviously outmatched, but Darren knew how to maximize his skillset.

“He’s trained, obviously. Heard him say it was old Bao who was his mentor. No idea who that is, but the other locals acted like he’d mentioned Headmaster Grady.” Darren scoffed at the idea and frowned as he thought over the name, old Bao.

“Doubt his mentor is a dumpling. Elder Thomas didn’t say anything about the local talent. They were beneath his notice,” Darren told Taoya.

“Thomas is an arrogant prick. And it’s not like we’re at the top of our classes as is. Even if he knew there was a dangerous tower climber training people, he might not have told you, “Taoya said. Darren had to agree as they watched Roan land the final blow, caving in the giant’s head.

“Do you think he knows he’s smiling like a maniac?” Darren asked as the target of their conversation turned to look at them. Roan carried himself like a man in complete control, his every movement precise and brutal. But his training couldn’t completely hide the sheer joy he was obviously experiencing fighting.

“Not at all,” Taoya said with a snort.

“Anyways. He’s good but we’re better. And he’s a loner. Every time he tries to talk to someone you can see him wincing and looking like he wants to sink into the ground. Unless there’s a floor where we NEED to kill each other, he’ll keep with us,” Darren said. He even believed it.

“Good. You know who he reminds me of? The Verdant kids,” Taoya said and Darren had to fight back a shiver at the memory of those days. Competitions that had seen the deaths of several high potential candidates.

“We know exactly where Kira is at all times. If he comes out of the Arctic we’ll all know it,” Darren reminded Taoya. Kira definitely wasn’t old Bao.

“Verdant has produced more than one tower climber. Could be one of them,” Taoya whispered as they watched Roan go to the side of the room and grab some bones, setting them down and starting to grind them away.

“Anyways, we don’t have to worry about Roan. We will have to take care of Nash though,” Taoya said and Darren agreed with a grunt.

“Dudes a shit head, but he’s got a few people with him. If we corner him and it comes to a fight, we might lose a few people. People we can’t afford to lose until we reconnect with everyone else,” Darren said.

“If there’s other saferooms. If there’s other survivors. If the dick doesn’t push the issue. Lots of ifs, Darren.”

“You think this layer killed Nikki? Or Tyler? What about Amir? You think anything we’ve seen could kill them?” Darren asked, trying not to scoff. Even Taoya’s ability paled in comparison to those monsters. It had been the work of years to get them to join in their pact.

“It’s a tower, Darren. The moment we underestimate it we’ll be dead.”

“I know that, but what have we seen here that’s not beatable? This level will kill the unprepared and the easily panicked.”

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“That compendium has hints in it. You need to read it. Should do it now while they finish clearing the alleyways.” Darren rubbed at his temples as he thought of the book that Taoya had bought with the association’s money.

“Don’t look at me like that. The coffins alone will recoup most of it. Ten coffins is two-fifty straight into the coffers,” Taoya said with a chuckle.

“That’s not how much the book cost.”