As with after the last few dungeon battles, Peter felt some serious trepidation about going back upstairs. He almost felt like a kid going on stage to perform a solo, out in the spotlight all alone. Peter supposed it was his fault. At some point he had departed from his plan to remain somewhat conspicuous. It was the post battle rewards, and his ability to keep winning that had tempted him on. A lure so strong, he had pretty much done away with the hiding aces plan.
It was little comfort, when Peter climbed the stairs to the top floor to find the others already waiting for him. Gabriel and Gretchen seemingly shared the feeling of unease of what was to come. They just sat there nodding as Elyra smiled and gleamed. Gabriel nodded as Peter arrived.
“Any fallout yet?” Peter asked gingerly, looking at Gabriel.
Gabriel shook his head, but Elyra took the cue. “The elementals took out newt and the salamander, but could not close the curtains on Cobra. Seriously, they are just hiding in our shadow, knowing that we will be the focus next year during the integration.”
Gabriel and Gretchen both shot Peter a smile. At least it was not lost on them who was casting the longest shadow for the rookie division. One that not only the elementals, but they themselves also fell under. Gabriel was by all accounts a monster himself, having far surpassed the 7 S tier maximum that Helen had noted as the peak of graduating rookies, but during the battle it was not Gabriel who had carried out the main assault while committing resources to the other’s defenses. Sure Peter had also received help and some coverage, but it was clearly not at comparable levels to what he had provided. Elyra just stumbled on.
“So that means that only seven rookie cores are left… I wonder if we will get special rewards.” Elyra went on in her imaginings.
The others just listened intently. The recent rewards were not the only ones they would receive. At the year 10 congregation the rookie cores would receive reward packages based on things accomplished as rookies. It was not quite like what they got from winning battles. For one it was not based on the dungeon battles at all, so Peter was not guaranteed to get anymore than anyone else.
Really the only award he knew about was the ‘Most essence collected in the collection dungeon.’ Peter honestly did not hold out much hope for that one. Elyra had been clearly gunning for that one specifically among others, that she just happened to mention now although it was clear she was only mentioning ones that it would be far too late for the rest of the group to shoot to beat her out at this point. Peter inwardly sighed. It had been a while since he had lamented about not having a more helpful guide. If he had known about half of these conditions, perhaps… It brought about a feeling of nostalgia that was only broken by the approach of some older cores.
Elyra finally shut up as the three older cores arrived. Peter had expected this meeting at some point. These were the leaders of the intermediate concept core faction. It was said that the rookie division was a trial. One hundred cores were summoned and bumbled around figuring things out as they tried their hardest to be among the 50% to 30% that normally survived until the first integration.
The centennial division on the other hand was far more laid back for the cores with centuries stretching before the cores, and not much happening year to year… Well that was all once one had survived the integration into the top division and put on a few decades to develop making them harder nuts to crack. that more laid back demeanor was why Peter had never found it difficult to approach them. He did not have to worry about them sizing him up. They simply did not care. All of them had seen thousands of cores struggle before having their journeys’ ultimately cut short. By the time some rookie made it up to their division, it normally would still be beneath their notice, unlikely to prove a threat to them.
However, the intermediate division was a different ball game altogether. Rookie cores were thrown into the deep water to see if they could swim. It was the true threshing floor where the unworthy were separated from the worthy. It was actually abnormal for a year group to reach the centennial division with the number of survivors still being in the double digits. Factions still played a major role, but ultimately power trumped everything. The major factions would on occasion war and tear at each other, making it normal for a year group to only have one or two of the major factions represented in a year group by year 99.
The intermediate division was always the largest with normally at least 200 plus cores, although that may not be the case next year, since their year group was not adding much fresh blood to the mix. The total number would be dependent on today’s battles, of which there were sixteen. A bunch of intermediate cores were taking advantage of the fact that they could not be challenged to a battle next year. Reportedly, it would be the same in the centennial division. Regardless, as the biggest division, it was a bit shocking for there to only be five unaffiliated concept cores.
Peter guessed he should not be too surprised. After all there were only four in the entire centennial division, which spanned centuries worth of year groups. Still it was a bit disconcerting that they would double or more than double the current number depending on how things turned out. Before them stood only 3 cores, with the other two fighting for their very existence in today’s battles. However, these three cores were supposedly very strong, making them far less enticing options for other cores looking for an opportunity. Peter had not even seen one of them battle, but Emma and Fellette had talked about them some.
The leader, Nemesis (year 89) looked like he could belong to the demon faction although not one of the more grotesque looking core’s avatars. Instead he was a suave gray skinned man with well kept hair and formal wear. Only the two horns on the crown of his head and his skin color detracted from the handsome almost politician-like look.
His card type was in the same realm as Gabriel’s and was heavily dependent on combinations. The type actually allowed him to counter specific unit types quite well. Combine nemesis with fire and you would wind up with something with fire resistance, a water based unit, or an endless amount of other possibilities that were the “nemesis” to fire. Apparently, the guy had been hounded like Holy when he first integrated since his card type was a roundabout way to exploit vulnerabilities, but Nemesis had been able to fight to a draw despite being set against a core two decades older than himself. In the following years he had repeated the feat, while slowly growing his strength year to year. Eventually, like any other concept core able to push their way forward in the upper divisions, he just became too powerful to be challenged casually, a perfect example of what Peter hoped to do.
The other two concept cores present were both female. The older one, Annalie (Doll, year 59), looked human enough, but she had tattoos where a puppet might normally have multiple moveable pieces. The girl had likely struggled to maintain her humanity while being morphed into her type. She still had geisha white skin and dark eyeliner making her look a bit goth which actually matched her demeanor, but the look was a bit ruined by the tattoos. The most notable were the lines on the side of her chin where a puppet like a nutcracker would have a lower jaw that could move up and down.
Technically, her card type was more closely aligned with the golem faction, but it also had an element of controlling others, which is apparently the way she tended to. Regardless, based on his personal experience, Peter could not blame her for electing to side with the concept cores. The two golem types in the intermediate division were likely just as analytic as Clockwork and his bunch in the centennial division.
The other woman was Wing (year 29). She was tied for being the youngest unaffiliated core in the intermediate division, with the other year 29 core currently participating in a battle. Wing looked like a normal human. She simply wore some feathers in her auburn hair. Other than that the only oddity was the warpaint she had on her face. Something she had obviously added herself rather than been forced on her. Perhaps it was to make her soft features look more intimidating. Her card type was far more simple than the other two. It could add wings, or it could augment things that could already fly.
It was Nemesis that spoke first. “That was quite something,” he said with a warm smile. “I cannot imagine what waves you guys will make in a few years.”
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“Quite something, indeed,” Wing echoed, although her expression was more of one of disdain. “You guys likely will not last that long,” she said dismissively.
“Haha, don’t mind her,” Nemesis laughed. “She just wishes that she could do something as impressive as what you guys just did. Taking on and wiping out more than double your number. I haven’t ever seen anything like that in all my years.”
Wing looked away with a scowl and crossed her arms. “Hardly, I would never want to go out in a blaze of glory… I would rather be the one standing victorious at the end.”
“I think it was admirable,” Annalee said abruptly. “I will have to add you all to my collection.”
There was a bit of an awkward pause before Nemesis cut back in. “She does that,” Nemesis said, dismissively, not bothering to explain.
Peter could not help but to feel curious about it, however. What did she mean by adding them to her collection? The vibe Peter got was a haunted house of dolls. Creepy… but Peter could not focus on it, as Nemesis pushed on.
“Anyways, the reason we dropped by is to invite the four of you to join our group. We might not seem like a big group, but we can offer some sanctuary to prevent the older cores from running completely wild.”
“You’re going to need it,” Wing said, cutting off Nemesis who gave her a withering glare. Wing just matched his gaze with a smug expression, almost daring him to argue the fact. Instead Nemesis just turned back toward them.
“We’re also supposed to invite you to the concept get together with Miss Guinevere and the 3 F concept cores. I know it’s your first one, but all the factions have a get together during the tutorial battles every 10 years, as we scout out the next generation of rookies,” Nemesis concluded.
The four of them looked at one another, shrugging and nodding in response. “We would be glad to join up with you,” Peter finally said.
“Perfect…” Nemesis said, clapping his hands. “Why don’t you guys go ahead and relocate to our table. You will also be able to set your marker this year. Unless you want to avoid passing by the centennial area, you never have to go to the bottom floor again if you don’t want to.”
It was more of a directive than a casual comment. It was one of those unspoken rules, that the four of them had already gleaned from other cores. Once you were in the intermediate division you were above the bottom floor. No longer would they spawn there at the beginning of every congregation. Crossing over to the other side of the cavern hall was more rare, and was only done by judiciously crossing well behind the millennial section. The only older core that Peter had seen travel across the lower floor was Abyss, something the black listed core did frequently to perhaps buy some time away from prying eyes. Still Abyss was already blacklisted, he was well past the point of trying to keep up public appearances. Instead, he moved around a bunch making himself available. It made Peter wonder how many other cores traded with the guy.
The four of them followed the older cores behind the millennial section to the other side of the top floor. It would take some getting used to, but this would be the norm from now on since both the intermediate and centennial concept groups were over here. It was a shame, but he likely would not see Emma or Fellette as often. He doubted that he would want to make the trip super often. Since it meant crossing through all the major factions. Forget the millennials, Peter’s movements became a bit robotic as he stared straight ahead as he moved through the insect faction’s midst.
They had already passed through the reptiles, undead, and still had the demons left to go. However it was clear that the insects were the most agitated by their presence. The other major factions likely still wanted them dead, but they did not seem to take things as personally.
“You don’t need to worry about them, as much,” Wing said dismissively once they were well clear of the insects. “You guys took out 9 insect cores, but the rookie division is when they are at their weakest. That won’t always be the case. In the centennial division they become quite terrifying.” Nemesis nodded.
That was not a surprise to Peter based on their recent battle or what he had witnessed. Even the intermediate insect core fights had been less than impressive compared to their peers, although at his level he could still not disregard them. After all, Weevil only had 3 decades on him and had been able to make items that allowed standard units to cross over the dimensional boundary. The centennial insect battles on the other hand had been truly frightening.
“It’s the undead you have to worry about,” Annalie added, as they made it to the the table that would serve as their new home for the foreseeable future. They gingerly picked out their seats. Elyra pointedly grabbed a seat that would allow her to look out over the whole room. Peter just chose the lesser chair pointing him at the wall. It was not like his staff could not monitor things for him even if he was not looking in a specific direction. No one would be able to sneak up on him.
Nemesis added to Wing’s claim. “The undead have been the strongest faction since I was a rookie. The demon faction is a close second, well as far as the factions that throw their weight around. Void’s followers and the elemental millennial’s inner circle are all frightening.”
“However,” Wing cut him off. “Don’t think you can look down on anyone, even the insect cores. There are standouts even among the other factions. Drake, scorpion, scourge… Plus there is Black hole, Void’s disciple, and three cores of the elemental inner ring. Black hole won’t bother you, but the elementals… I’ll just say you do not want to mess with them.”
Nemesis leaned in over the circular table more conspiratorially. “Of all the millennials, the three most temperamental are the funnel web spider, Fire, and Dragon. It’s pretty easy to not get on Dragon’s bad side, but the other two…”
Wing picked it up. “Both have cores they deem untouchable. Unfortunately for the four of you, you already took out a spider… Spider’s, scorpions, centipedes… Their leader honestly cherishes them all other than the very insects they get their very faction name from. I guess you could say they are a bit cult-like in that respect. Even the actual insects will hold it against you…”
Elyra awkwardly burst out laughing. Peter could not blame her, he had found it amusing when Void had said as much, but it was not good timing based on the seriousness of the their current situation. The older concept cores were trying to be helpful, and she had kind of ruined the mood. Wing looked clearly annoyed, although after a few moments bother Nemesis and her smirked as well. Apparently, many cores found the idea hilarious, not that it would be wise to voice the idea around the insect faction.
Oooooooo Peter mouthed, as it finally occurred to him. He had always thought that Weevil had attacked him because the core saw an opportune chance to wipe out a weak rookie dungeon. He had of course known that him beating Agatha was a part of it, but he had always seen it as more of an opportunistic hit or factional pride thing. Instead however it looked like he had just taken out core the whole faction looked up to. A disconcerting thought. If beating Agatha had made the weevil core that angry, how angry would eliminating her make them?
“The fire elemental always keeps 5 to 8 cores as members of his little inner circle. The rest are little better off than you or I. They will have to survive by their own merit, although Fire will step in if he feels other elementals are being unfairly targeted year after year, so they are not completely like us,” Nemesis continued.
“And if we were to piss off one of the chosen few,” Elyra asked with a mischievous smile.
“Don’t you dare,” Wing said, giving her a sharp look. “Here I thought it was that guy we needed to worry about,” she added, indicating Peter.
“He will blacklist you if you do not belong to one of the other major factions. Even if you do, you would have to be one of the other millennial’s ‘golden boys' to get off scott free… Not that the elementals would challenge you if you were,” Nemesis said, giving them each a stern look. “Both Moon Elf and Elm were blacklisted for beating one of those heaven’s chosen when challenged.”
“What!!!” Elyra exclaimed. “What if one of them challenges me?”
“Block the challenge, take a year off, offer up a core, but whatever you do, don’t eliminate or humiliate them,” Nemesis said with a dead serious expression.
“You got to be kidding me!” Elyra said, slumping backwards in defeat. “:They get to challenge whomever they want and are guaranteed a victory….”
“They can’t take it too far, or the other major factions would step in,” Wing stated.
“Correct, they only get away with it because they keep it to a minimum,” Nemesis agreed.
Peter thought back. He had seen two elementals in Fire’s inner circle fight. Air (39) had been the first intermediate core to face off against Holy. Two years later, Frost (29) had also attacked Holy. Both times, Holy had gone all out since his very survival was on the line. The third intermediate elemental was water (79), but water had not fought over the last 9 years. That being said, there was no telling how many challenges were blocked or settled through other means.
Still Peter had to agree with Elyra, it was utterly ridiculous and unfair. He had no clue what he would do if he were to be challenged by one of them. He was not ready to be blacklisted, but he also felt unwilling to just give in to it. He would have to just take it a step at a time and see. It was just one more thing to worry about as he looked forward to the next phase of his existence.
Year 10 Congregation rewards: add ideas to one of these four areas, and vote for which ones you like
