The Seekers Reunion (II)

"Well Corneria, I think I understand for the most part"

"I'm glad"

"Although I'm still left with a lot of questions. Would you mind clearing them up?"

"I've already answered quite a few of them"

"Good point, I'll take that as a yes. First, what are your intentions?"

"Win"

... this is actually going to be harder than I thought considering the way she is.

"Right. Let's move on, how many people are currently gathered?"

"You're the last participant we were expecting. With you we're 16"

16, huh? That's a perfect number to make a good amount of fights.

"You said you were waiting for me, is there anyone who knew I was coming here?"

"Yes"

"... could you explain a little bit more?"

"We were told that the sixteenth member would be arriving today. I left together with them to come and pick you up"

That means there is an Object with sensory abilities of some sort, or at least locating abilities.

"And how did you get here?"

"I was invited"

"Invited? Did you get a letter or something?"

"Yes"

"..."

How come I have to deal with this woman? Haaa, I have to be patient.

"You look confused"

"It's just that you left me the same. Please keep explaining"

"Okay. I and the rest of us received an invitation with directions on how to get here. It took time to get the 15 together, about a month for everyone to arrive. I don't know what other places the others are coming from, maybe even from around the world"

Around the world? Is there someone with the power to send invitations to different people when the world is in this state? I must assume that he is able to locate various people from other parts far away, perhaps that's how he knew I was coming.

"I understand, then-"

"Would you please shut up for a while!? I'm tired of hearing you ask such stupid questions. We came here to fight and that's it, the stronger will win and the weaker will die humiliated. Happy!?" shouted the big man with the briefcase on his back.

Maria had been standing silently beside me all this time listening to our conversation, although when she heard this guy she grabbed my hand tightly and clung to me.

"And you are?" I responded cynically somewhat angrily that he was interrupting us.

"You fucking runt. We were told we had to bring you in one piece, but you're getting on my nerves with all this talk!"

Just when I thought a confrontation was imminent Corneria stepped in between the two of us.

"Rick, don't be hard on him"

"Don't you dare stop me woman"

"You know the rules. No fighting before the tournament starts"

"If you get in my way I'll finish you off too!"

"... are you sure you want to try?"

At that moment the giant giant named Rick changed his expression to one of surprise.

I can't see her face, however I guess it must have been imposing enough since after looking away that man only made a complaint with his mouth.

"Well, I'll let them live a little longer. See you inside"

In this way he went ahead. The other guy followed him leaving the 3 of us alone.

"Are you okay Maria?"

"Y, yeah. I think so"

She certainly looks a little more relaxed, yet she was still holding on tightly to my hand.

"Sorry for the interruption" resumed the conversation Corneria. "Follow me, we're almost there"

"Sure. Let's go"

"...ok"

I preferred not to say more for the rest of the ride. Even though they don't seem to be comrades, if I do something to infuriate them and they join to face us we will have a disadvantage. If someone knew we were coming, then they may have an idea of our powers.

That Rick guy looks like a brute and that same thing is his strong point.

Corneria can apparently take care of him without any problems, which makes her a greater threat if she becomes an enemy.

Finally, the other man who was still with us was silent during all this time, I couldn't determine anything about him. He is undoubtedly the most mysterious.

I also don't know what kind of skills they may have, it would be best to go with the flow until I have enough information about it. I do not want to risk a fight without being sure of what we will face, I should not put Maria in danger.

Besides, if there really are so many people gathered there is a chance that there is someone who has answers to what we are looking for.