Despite what Archer[Quinn]'s note had said, the group decided that it might be best if they tried waiting for him for at least a little while. They headed to the location that they had been instructed to go to and up ahead they could see what could only be described as a grand mansion.
It was only a short way from the new school that had been built but was also out of sight, covered by a few of the main buildings. It made people who worked at the school wonder if it had always been there or if it had been built just for today's event.
Regardless, it had a grand finish. The mansion had two huge spiralling staircases that would lead up to the balcony on the second floor, which was large enough to fit a few hundred people. On the ground floor at the entrance there were pillars laced in a special glowing silver substance and even had the most beautiful of beast crystals wrapped around it.
The dozens of people walking past them were wearing much more glamorous clothing than any of the Cursed group, so much so that some of them started to get cold feet as they felt they didn't belong there.
Leading up to the mansion was a stone walkway and a wide red carpet had been laid out for the attendees. The arriving guests walked in on the red carpet while hundreds of camera and video drones were flying through the air, snapping the event.
The Cursed members knew that no one cared about them coming to this event, it was all about Archer[Quinn]. They also knew if the Cursed faction turned up without him, there would be questions.
"What a waste of beast crystals." Tony[Peter] said, looking disgusted at the ostentatious pillars.
"You have a point, we risk our lives fighting beasts so we can create better weapons, not so they can be used as decorations." Pestile[Wevil] added, looking at an obviously rich couple walk past. The woman had a timeless black dress on and on her ears she donned earrings with a beast crystal on each.
In a way, the rarer the beast crystal someone had showed how much power a certain family had. Powerful beast crystals would go for a lot of money mainly so they could be turned into weapons, but if someone could purchase them and use them as a fashion accessory, it would show the world how little an expensive beast crystal meant to them.
"I don't think we can wait much longer. Most people have arrived and if none of us enter, then it might be a problem." Joseph[Sam] suggested and reluctantly they all followed him walking along the red carpet.
While doing so, some of the other guests who were also walking started to stare at them. They could see they were trying to guess who they were, if it was anyone they recognized. However no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't figure it out.
"It must be some of the teachers that worked at the school or a captain of a squad." One of them whispered to another.
"They could be from the Cursed faction, not many people know what they look like." Another replied.
While making their way along the red carpet, they did spot two people they did recognise, Bunny[Bonny] and Void, the two reporters that they had met when facing the demon tier beast.
When Joseph[Sam] and the others walked through, Bunny[Bonny] recognised them immediately and gave them a smile, before placing a microphone in front of Joseph[Sam].
"Now we have approaching the door, finally some high ranking members from the Cursed faction. Please could you introduce yourselves to those watching at home and also tell us your role within the Cursed faction." Bunny[Bonny] asked in her best interview voice.
For the first time ever, while Joseph[Sam] stared into the lens of the camera, he froze. It was half because it was unexpected and half because the Cursed faction didn't really give out roles, everyone kind of just did what they wanted. On top of that, there were a lot of ears listening in.
"The leaders of the Cursed faction… where's the leader? I don't see the person named Archer[Quinn]?"
"He is meant to be here today right?"
"Of course, Christopher[Owen] and Drake[Oscar] are at this event too. This is meant to be a gathering of the Earth's strongest powers. The Cursed being one of the new powers should have arrived before everyone else to make an impression."
Listening to all these comments was making Joseph[Sam] stumble even more. That's when Rachael[Linda] decided to step in.
"This here is our trusted Vice leader of the Cursed faction. If Archer[Quinn] isn't present then we follow what he tells us to do. Then we have Tony[Peter], who is not only the Head General, but is in charge of our defences on the Cursed ship.
"Pestile[Wevil] and I work together in communications with the other factions. We work closely with Helen from the past Daisy faction who you might have already met before us. We try to make it so if any of the other factions have a problem they can talk to us. Finally, Lawson[Nat]e is in charge of our hand to hand combat division. As you can see, we have brought quite a few of our high ranking members here because we understand how important this event is." Rachael[Linda] answered proficiently.
The others were quite surprised that Rachael[Linda] was able to give them all roles so easily, but now that they thought about it, she really did just describe what a lot of them did for the Cursed faction. Although Tony[Peter]'s position was a bit of a stretch, at one point he did protect the ship alone from several attacks.
"That's great to hear. A lot of people don't know about the Cursed faction since they managed to grow so quickly, but Drake[Oscar] has said that they helped greatly during the demon tier hunting expedition, and Christopher[Owen] has always spoken great things about your leader, Archer[Quinn] Geman[Talen]. I have to ask, will we be seeing him tonight? He hasn't made an appearance yet."
Finally, Joseph[Sam] was ready to speak.
"He said he will be here so he will definitely be here. If there is one thing the Cursed faction is good at, it's doing what they say they will do. He just has important matters to attend to." Joseph[Sam] said, while walking off and the others soon followed him.
With seemingly everyone having entered the large hall they could now rest for a little while. The announcement would be made later on and it was time for everyone to mingle and get to know each other, although it was harder for some. Christopher[Owen] stood next to Drake[Oscar] and there were many that were afraid to even get close to the two of them as they talked.
Meanwhile others were talking while looking their way. Bunny[Bonny] and Voiid continued to go around interviewing others, asking them questions about what accomplishments they had done and more.
When together the group were standing awkwardly to the side of the room. They clearly felt like the odd ones out as everyone seemed to know each other.
As for Lawson[Nat]e, he was looking at a certain person in particular. He was looking over in Helen's direction.
"Hey, you know that she likes Archer[Quinn], right? I don't want you to cause drama." Joseph[Sam] said as he spotted Lawson[Nat]e staring at her.
"No, I'm not looking at her, she brought her two sisters along to this event as well. Is it alright if I go over?" Lawson[Nat]e asked.
After that, there was meant to be an after party where there were no cameras.
"I think it's fine, but just be careful. Bunny[Bonny] and Void might come to interview you at any point and you need to be careful if you answer their questions. Everyone is out to ruin our reputation at the moment. Let's meet back in an hour." Joseph[Sam] suggested, but Lawson[Nat]e was already off before Joseph[Sam] had finished speaking.
Tony[Peter] was fine doing nothing, just leaning up against a pillar looking at everyone. Pestile[Wevil] and Rachael[Linda] were enjoying each other's company. They talked to each other a lot these days, while Joseph[Sam] had plucked up the courage to try and make a few connections.
It was important after all, unless the Cursed faction were planning to take over the world which wasn't Archer[Quinn]'s intention. Joseph[Sam] thought it would be nice to talk to the people they would be working with for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, he would keep an eye out for when Archer[Quinn] arrived, and when Ryo[Eno] did as well.
This left Arian[Fex] on his own, who had managed to spot Joseph[Sam]antha trying to grab some appetizers from the waiter's walking around, but there were people standing in her way.
A large man, who wasn't paying her any attention had blocked a special seafood dish she was just dying to try. Then suddenly, it started to float in the air, before it landed in her hand.
"Was that what you were trying to get?" Arian[Fex] asked with a warm smile.
When Joseph[Sam]antha turned to see who it was, she was quite startled.
'I knew I might run into him here, but I didn't expect him to come up to me like that.' She thought, as she started to panic.
"Oh thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for." She replied, and was now trying to make a quick exit from the awkward situation, but she could feel Arian[Fex]'s eyes not moving from her.
There was a reason Arian[Fex] had approached her and when the two made eye contact his eyes started to glow red.
"Do you remember what I asked, I said to make sure you didn't tell anyone about what I did back against the Oregon[Dalki]. Now tell me, did you keep our little secret?" Arian[Fex] asked.
"Now it's not very nice to speak to a lady like that, is it?" A voice said from behind Joseph[Sam]antha.
Seeing the man's red eyes reflect back at Arian[Fex], he straight away knew who this was.
"Francis[Richard] Ryo[Eno]…" Arian[Fex] replied back.
To be continued....
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