Chapter 40

  “And this is the Keeper’s Tower,” Guy said as he motioned the entryway of a large building. The Mun Center was flanked on both sides by a total of four extremely large buildings. One of the buildings, according to Guy, was used for research purposes. Another handled all the administrative aspects of managing and running the city. The third was a mixture of entertainment and shopping, while the fourth, was dedicated solely to the Keeper.

  “Does he really need a tower all his own?” I asked, looking at the massive structure. It didn’t have any major differences from the other buildings, all seeming quite uniform actually, as if the city planners had opted for a more, visually pleasing and conforming design for the buildings. Still, I found it hard to believe this massive building was needed for the Keeper to do his job.

  “Keepers are unique to each city. They are granted a large building beside the Mun Center, due to their importance to not only the population, but also, the very world. Given Keepers are required obstacles for Tamer’s to grow their gauntlets, and there are only nine Keepers total… they’re kind of a big deal.” Guy offered with a grin. “Which also means, well,” he motioned as we stepped inside “it’s kind of run like a business.” The entryway looked deceptively like a waiting room. Complete with a wrap around counter at the back end, where a receptionist sat. All around, there were chairs in the otherwise empty room.

  “You’ve got to be shitting me,” I grumbled as I walked towards the receptionist desk. Did I have to make a freaking appointment, to battle the Keeper? I’d been spoiled by video games. It was foolish to think I could just waltz in and battle the Keeper.

  The receptionist, a young man in his twenties, looked up and smiled kindly at me as I approached. He was dressed like a movie theater attendant, if I was being honest.

  “Good afternoon,” he said, flashing a mouth full of brilliantly white teeth. I’ll give him points for good oral hygiene. His green eyes looked me over appraisingly, scanning up and down till he noted my gauntlet, “I’m assuming you are here to challenge the Keeper?”

  No shit sherlock.

  “I am,” I said, trying to hold back my sarcasm. “Is there really any other reason why I’d be here?” Okay, I didn’t hold back the sarcasm all that well.

  The man looked from me, to Guy, surprise on his face. “Well,” he looked around, as if he couldn’t believe he was answering this question. Or maybe he just didn’t know how to respond to me, “I mean,” he shrugged, “on a normal day, it’s pretty common for people to come and watch the battles.” Then he looked once more at me, “and, I mean, today is a pretty important battle… so,” he looked at Guy, “I figured you two might be here to watch today’s highlight battle. It’s, uh, kind of why the lobby is empty.”

  Guy took that moment to step up to the counter beside me, twirling his moustache with a finger, his eyes sparkling with interest. “There’s a highlight battle today,” he paused, “hmmmm, I don’t recall it being listed when I left.”

  “It just got scheduled yesterday,” the receptionist said, his voice filled with excitement, “apparently it was a rush request. A Tier 8 Challenger, at that.”

  “A Tier 8 Challenger?” Guy’s voice was filled with intrigue, “we haven’t had one of those here in a while.”

  “Right?” The receptionist was vibrating with so much excitement he nearly fell out of his seat, “people rarely are brave enough to take on Julius for their Tier 7 or higher challenges, so imagine our surprise when the challenger appeared.”

  I looked at Guy. I understood… most of the conversation, but there were a few bits I needed filled in. “Why don’t people challenge Julius for the higher Tiers?” I asked, “and… is it really that big of a deal?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The receptionist shot me a disbelieving look, “have you been living under a rock?” He scoffed, “Julius is arguably the strongest of the Nine Keepers. He’s the only Keeper with an Ultra Rare Amplifier.”

  If I’d been drinking water, it would have just been spit all over the receptionist’s face. “He has an Ultra Rare Amplifier?” I looked at Guy. Hadn’t he told me it took a ridiculous amount of time to not only hatch, but level up and empower Amplifiers as they got stronger?

  “He does,” Guy answered, as the receptionist continued to look over me like he couldn’t quite figure out what I was. “And it’s why most Tamers avoid him if they are working to Tier up their Gauntlets for Tier 7 and up. Julius is the strongest, and oldest Keeper. His father was the Keeper before him, and delayed his own retirement to grant Julius extra time to make himself as strong as possible, before becoming confined to the Keepers Tower, as is his fate.”

  Another bit of information I feel like needed explaining. I raised an eyebrow at Guy, who let out a heavy sigh, before he turned to the receptionist.

  “Is the battle starting soon?” Guy asked, ignoring my look.

  “In about thirty minutes,” the receptionist said, “we started allowing people back early, since the event has drawn a massive crowd.”

  “Alright, and after the battle,” Guy asked, leaning towards the receptionist, “will my friend be able to squeeze in her own Tier match today? It should be a quick one, I promise, since it’s just a battle for her to climb to Tier 1.”

  The receptionist looked at Guy, and then looked down at the crystal guy was presenting towards him. An obvious bribe. Wait… was bribery a thing here? Or was this just how business was done? Was what I was witnessing okay?

  “I am sure Julius will be able to handle her battle, perhaps an hour after the match concludes?” He smiled and looked at me, “we can get your information registered for the battle, and ensure your gauntlet is linked to the Tower’s System for when it is your turn to battle. That way, so long as you stay within the building, you’ll receive the battle prompt when it is your time.”

  “Uh, that works,” I said, looking at Guy, who motioned towards the counter, where an obvious space for a hand to be placed, palm down, waited. It was like a hand scanner of sorts… and feeling a tad bit sheepish, I placed my palm on it. The now familiar warmth rushed through me, before I saw the telltale words of the world appearing in my vision.

  Confirm Intent to Challenge Keeper Julius to a Gauntlet Ascension battle.

  Parameters- Ranking Battle for Tier 1 Gauntlet

  Challenger- Taylor

  Accept Y/N?

  I mentally selected yes, and felt my hand tingle again. A new message flashed through my vision.

  Challenge accepted. Please remain within the Tower until your battle has concluded. Good luck, Tamer Taylor.

  With the messages done, I removed my hand.

  “Anything else?” I asked the receptionist.

  “Nope, you’re all set for your challenge,” he looked at me, and then Guy, “now though, if you wish to watch the current upcoming battle, you can purchase your ticket here if you’d like, and then go through either door for concessions. The Tower is already active, as I mentioned, so you may want to hurry if you want to secure a good seat.”

  “I have to pay to watch this?” I asked before I could stop myself. “How much?”

  Again, the receptionist looked at me like I’d said the dumbest thing in the world.

  “Is she…” he trailed off, before looking at Guy, and then back at me, “are you a Traveler?”

  “That’s not really the type of thing you should go around asking people,” Guy cut in, “I’ll cover the cost of entry for myself and Taylor here,” he placed his hand on the pad, and a moment later two crystals appeared on the counter. He picked them up, and handed me one. “Come on Taylor,” then, as he began heading to one of the doors on the right side of the receptionist desk, “we’ve got a very exciting battle to watch, and I’m sure you know I’ll be loathe to miss it.”

  And with that, and the receptionists’ question left in the air, I followed after Guy. Guy knew I was a Traveler. The cultists had figured it out about me too. And yet, for some reason, Guy had just acted like me being a Traveler was not something the receptionist should know. Why, was what I really wanted to ask. But, my confusion kept the words from coming out of my mouth. That, and the fact that while I hated that I’d have to wait for my own battle against Julius, I was more than a little excited to see just what a top-level battle was going to look like. What would a battle between Julius, the strongest Keeper, and someone with a Tier 7 Gauntlet look like? I could hardly wait.