A Moment of Peace (II)

We all got together and started talking about our past experiences, especially what concerns the beginning of the change on this planet.

"So we agree that the invaders appeared exactly on the day of the Apocalypse"

"Indeed. That night there was a light in the sky followed by a tremor. Since then, those creatures roam free on earth doing as they please"

"I see. In your city too, communications were cut off?"

"Sorry, my memories are still very hazy. It's probably due to the overuse of determination of my book. Likewise, I don't know how long I've been a Seeker, nor how I became one in the first place"

"Don't try too hard, it's okay"

"Ha, those are just excuses. If you don't want to tell about your past, just say so, there's no need to lie"

"Zeke! Don't be a pain with Corneria!"

"No one has the right to boss me around or tell me what to do"

"You should show a little more respect to your elders boy, that's a huge lack of delicacy on your part"

"Don't treat me like a kid, I'm already 20. I bet I'm older than you"

"My age is 22, so in terms of experience I possess more than you. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your mouth shut and let the adults have a conversation in peace"

"What did you say, woman!?"

"Now, calm down, both of you. Why don't you go ahead and tell your past now?"

"..."

"Zeke! Don't make me come and hit you!"

"All right girl! Whew, what you have to put up with"

"Well, not that I'm complaining" I replied.

If I have to put up with the few tantrums she has as long as she's by my side, I say it's a small price to pay.

"Anyway, I agree with what she said. Where I was at the time I also saw a glow and felt the ground move. In my case, I am Seeker about 5 years ago if I remember clearly. The reason and purpose of it is something I'll keep to myself"

"Ehhh~ why, tell, I want to know"

"I already told you no"

"Don't be a pain, we're among friends. Come on, tell me tell me~"

"Ah? At no time did I say I was your friend. Stop bothering me, kid"

"I'm not a kid!"

Maria went running to hit him.

"Ha, your miserable fists can't-"

But he didn't expect her punch to be reinforced by her blessing of the wind and hit right in the pit of his stomach, knocking all the air out of his lungs and sending him flying a few feet.

"You're a fool Zeke!"

"That's what you get for saying the forbidden word. If I were you, I'd be careful"

"...I'll keep that in mind for next time..." was heard from his body lying on the ground.

"Well, considering he's out of the game, we'll carry on with the conversation. Corneria, do you remember encountering another Spiritist before?"

"No. I may have, however, in my current memories I could not make such a claim"

"I see"

"On the other hand, in this tournament I had the opportunity to talk with the participants and get some detailed information about the Seekers. Would you like to hear it?"

"Sure, please"

"You already know that the rite necessary to obtain an Object is to find an area of distortion in our dimension that connects with that of a Holder, once there you must overcome a challenge imposed by its guardian, and upon completion you will be granted the artifact and the title of Seeker. Among the latter there are 2 beliefs, those who trust that by gathering them all together they will obtain unparalleled power, on the other hand there are those who think that some kind of cataclysm will take place"

"Right, that's exactly what we know"

"That is why it is more common to find people who think like the first alternative, blinded by the special abilities that the Objects are able to bestow. It is because of that greedy nature that these are travelers dedicated to searching for legends around the world, hoping that a simple rumor will lead them to one of these places. As they are constantly on the move, the chance of meeting 2 Seekers is quite low, if not impossible. Also, should one of them die, the artifacts they have collected will be returned to their Holders"

"Sounds quite complicated the task of gathering them"

"Indeed, it is not a simple thing. That's why there is so much mysticism attached to the one who is able to accomplish such a feat"

"That's why the idea of a tournament was so appealing" said Zeke who was close to us listening.

I didn't even notice when he had stood up.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Easy, you heard what this woman just explained, right? Meeting another wielder of these weapons is very rare, so it would be a tremendous ease that by surviving each round and coming out victorious, you could get a large number of them in one hit. Anyone would agree to participate"

"And it didn't cross your mind that it could be a trap?"

"Of course, do you think I'm stupid? Upon receiving the invitation, it didn't take me long to tear it into my pieces. It didn't cross my mind that shortly after that I would run into that other copycat bastard. It seems she realized my true intentions to impersonate a contestant and steal their prizes when they least expected it, and so I ended up locked up in that dimensional prison"

"I'd say you got what you deserved"

"That's it, that's it"

"Shut up already. I'm sure if I had been in the tournament, I would have beaten them all with my eyes closed. I even got a parting gift from that bitch, what better proof than that"

Saying that, Zeke manifested his shoulder pad with the cape over his left shoulder.

"Yes, I remember Corneria mentioning something like that before. About there being certain criteria where the Object instead of going back to his Holder, it transfers to the hands of his opponent"

"Exactly, I heard from the other participants that in rare cases that possibility is given. Anyway, one of the Objects that Rowen possessed allowed him to simulate that reaction"

"That's right, he had several in his possession, is that the reason why he was so strong?"

"Largely. However, we didn't witness his full potential"

"How is that? Was he holding back?"

"Don't get me wrong. It is true that he was a very difficult opponent to fight, and it is thanks to the fruit of our work together that gave us the opportunity to defeat him. However, what I am trying to say is that if he had been more experienced in the use of his artifacts, I doubt very much that we would still be alive"

"Ah? Are you implying that we couldn't have killed him? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You should be aware too, or am I wrong? That the situation was quite simple compared to the worst-case scenario"

"That..."

Zeke was silent. I think the same thing, I just didn't want to say it out loud.

"Mmm I don't understand what you mean. Asriel, can you explain?"

"Basically we make mention of the amount of weapons Rowen used against us when we faced him. Do you remember how many were Maria?"

"Huh? Lets see, his belt that allowed him to generate those nasty arms, his clothes that made him tough, and his staff for striking. That would be 3"

"Exactly. So, what was the number of spheres that appeared around him when he passed away?"

"... ah!"

It seems that she finally figured it out.

"Indeed" Corneria resumed the conversation. "He possessed many more Objects than we saw him use in our battle. If we discard half of them, assuming they're not suitable for combat, it's still a considerable number we're leaving out"

"..."

Unable to respond to that statement, we are left digesting the weight of those words.

"There is still more. The only name he revealed was the one on his belt, that can only mean 2 things. First, he was either not using the full potential of his staff, suit, monocle and hat, to name the ones I could see at a glance. Second, he had an advanced level of determination and such a understanding in his artifacts that he did not need to. We don't have the means to determine this, but I'd hazard a guess that option 1 was correct"

"Yes, me too"

I don't want to believe that there is a monster capable of controlling such an amount at once, that would make it an opponent that I doubt we could defeat as we are now.

"Asriel..."

Maria grabbed my arm with a worried look. No, there's no time for regrets, I must stand firm for the 2 of us.

"Don't worry, we'll get stronger. So much so that no one will defeat us, I promise you"

"... yes. If you say so, I know it will come true"