Chapter 7 Part 2 of 7 (Patreon)

Roska looked up from the mission packet with a bitter expression.

"My team and I only just got back from our last mission and your sending us out again?"

Niemm shrugged.

"You know how it is, even though we are starting two new Special teams, to bring us up to six, there are always more jobs than people."

"And you need someone who knows Erik and Rugrat to contain them, through words or strength." She groaned.

"You know how they are."

"Yeah I know, I also get it, they saved Alva, again and paid a price, losing half of their cultivation. They can't level up, can't cultivate and they're restricted in everything they can do. Doesn't mean that they have changed."

"Yeah, they just want to be treated with respect, to be left to do what they want. Everyone is scared that they're going to get hurt, they're going to hurt themselves more trying to prove that they're fine."

"And that's the real reason that they want to go to the Violet Sky Realm-they want people to stop looking at their limits, at what they can't do, or what they've lost and be recognized for who they are." Roska leafed through the pages.

"Still, that said, they are much weaker than they were before and they're trying to prove themselves to everyone. Ego can get a person killed."

"And who better to bring them down than the Special team leader that they helped to train, has seen grown up and has the strength to put both their asses down on the training mat?"

"Niemm,"

"I know Roska, you see them like older brothers, and I get that you might feel bad about ordering them around and the rest of it. Your mission is to protect them, from others and from themselves. I'm not telling you to hold them back, but support them. They do something that you know will be risky, its your job to stop them. Doesn't mean you have to straight up deny them, or patronize them. Give it to them straight. Hopefully this can be the thing that brings them back to us, that they don't see everyone trying to help as coddling them."

"They're trying to act like nothing is different, you hear about the incident with the Sha riders?"

"Yeah I did. Another part of your mission, you have to make sure that others don't figure out that Erik and Rugrat have had their cultivations seriously affected. Everyone has heard how strong they are, they're a deterrent to others. If we can keep up that facade then it is one more reason for people to not attack us."

"This keeps on getting more complicated at each turn."

"Everything should be fine, this is the first time that the Sha are going into the Violet Sky Realm. They have never been there before, but they have gathered a lot of information. They shouldn't be moving too aggressively. Check out some peripheral sites, increase the size of their dungeon cores and then come back. They'll be running protection, basically just there to make Erik and Rugrat look good, let them sort their shit out and protect them. If something does go wrong, I don't care if you have to lock them up I need you to promise that you will not let your feelings get in the way of your mission."

Roska drew herself up in her seat.

"Don't worry sir, even if I have to lock them up and bring them back in a beast Storage crate and they hate me forever I'll make sure that they're safe."

"Good to hear it," Niemm rapped his knuckles on the counter and stood.

Roska rose with him and shook his hand.

"Good luck Major."

"Thank you sir."

Niemm made for the door.

"Also, sir I heard that there were some that made it through the trial? Did they?"

"Egbert reported that they failed the trial, while George passed through it. It looks like they can pass the trial if they answer a question. We have had some members of the Special teams return, but others have disappeared. They have gone onto the ninth realm and are completing their mission to gain information. The trial doesn't sound like it would last more than a day. The ones that returned have a new quest. It looks like going to the eighth unlocks it. Oh, one thing, Egbert will also be joining you as support."

"Understood,"

Niemm nodded and left the room.

Roska sighed holding the back of her head and stretching her neck.

Great, running security on two stubborn hurt idiots who act like nothing is wrong. She felt a rising ache in her neck.

"If I was in their position I don't know if I'd do anything differently. Remind me to never become a hero or a public figure."

***

“I’m having a case of the deja-vu’s,” Erik grumbled as he came out the front door, looking at the convoy that had been arrayed.

“Thankfully it is a bit smaller than last time,” Rugrat said.

George came out of the house, he stretched and yawned, transforming into his beast form as he landed next to Rugrat and nudged him.

Rugrat paused for a half-second- frowns and scratched George’s neck.

I guess at the end of the day, he still is a Fire Wolf and Rugrat has helped to raise him from a puppy to a demi-human.

Erik shook his head, and greeted Roska who was sitting on her mount.

"Morning!" She raised a hand.

"Breakfast for the road!" Momma Rodriguez said.

Special team one, were halfway out of their saddles as Roska coughed, causing a few red cheeks to appear.

"Might as well fill up," Erik smiled.

Roska sighed and shook her head, sliding down from her mount.

"So, what's the plan?" Erik moved closer as Rugrat walked up, George went to go hangout with the panthers.

"Totem to Purkesh, Sha compound, they have things laid out for us there, then head to transition point. Guess we find out what they'll be up to on the way. They haven't shared what their objectives will be in the sub-realm."

"Sub-realm, we have any more information on where this place is really?" Rugrat asked.

Wind washed over them as Egbert landed and walked over.

"Sorry was just getting a top up and some reading material for the trip. So, sub-realms. Usually they are areas that are far away from normal civilization that are hard to reach, some are deep underground or underwater. Others are in lands with powerful elemental effects. Usually there are teleportation systems that will allow groups to enter at certain times for a certain length before they close again. The majority of sub-realms,"

"Anything particularly interesting about this one?"

"It might have been a way station between realms. Mana lights illuminate the realm, but there are stars that can be seen in the sky and no sun. Also there is no dungeon core in the realm, so the elements has only increased with time, while the mana is very low. High element areas where they interact can create treacherous areas. This realm has many such dangerous areas. Extended stays in the realm could lead to elemental poisoning." Egbert took out a bottle of pills and tossed them to Erik and another to Rugrat.

"These pills will make sure that you don't succumb to such poisoning."

"What about you and your dungeon core?" Erik asked.

"Well, the elements are so heavy, it's a perfect place to grow dungeon cores."

"And the real reason why he's coming comes out," Rugrat smirked.

Egbert raised his arms as if flexing and turned as if doing the pharoh dance.

"Welcome to the gun show," Roska laughed as Davos gave her a breakfast burrito. "Thank you Momma R!" She held up the burrito as the rest of the Special team were munching their breakfast and moving back to the convoy.

"Hope you have a safe trip, look after my boys!" She smiled.

Erik looked away, seeing the shadow in her eyes that had been there since he and Rugrat had come out of the cultivation pods.

"See you later Momma, look after yourself!" Rugrat waved.

"Bye!" Erik pushed a smile on his face and they boarded the carriage.

They waved as the Special team pulled away from the house.

Erik didn't miss the tears in Momma R's eyes just before they passed out of sight.