Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 8

"Oh, well then," Sage said, looking back at Paul. "I'll just do my check up later than."

"So, you haven't seen any deep lakes around, have you?" she then asked.

"Dear god," Tom replied, a bit faintly. He'd known Oliver to be a tough man, and the fragment of Shima in his mind had liked him.

"Since then Nathan's been looking for someone who was strong enough to take on the number two spot." Jacob said as they began to walk towards the centre of the village. "At the time Nathan wasn't at the level is now so Oliver was probably the strongest person here. Nathan's eclipsed that now."

Kira bit her lip, clenching her fists. "It feels like it's our fault...the mutated animals, people got stronger from the tournament a-and take advantage of others... If n-none of us had joined that stupid t-tournament, maybe we'd live in a b-better place," she mumbled.

"What about Eithne?" Tom asked keenly, wondering how strong his two contemporaries had gotten.

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"At the time, it seemed like joining the tournament was that better place to live in," Luke replied wistfully. "And as much as I have bad memories of that place, maybe it was."

"Same level as Oliver, maybe a little stronger." Elliot shrugged.

"Pretty sure he was the strongest at the tournament, even if it was because he was an adult," Tom mused as they walked.

"One of the strongest five people in the surrounding area." Carly noted.

"There had to be something in that tower that made us all want to go there. I mean, I-I'm afraid of people because of...and somehow I ended up there," Kira frowned, shuddering. She didn't like to think of the tournament, she still had the occasional nightmare about it.

"Uh...well I think there's some off that way," Paul said, waving a hand southward, "But I haven't had the chance to go everywhere just yet."

"The rest being?" Tom asked, curious to see how everyone was ranked according to Nathan's group.

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"Yeah, they're called food and shelter," Luke replied ruefully.

"Well...I was thinking of making a swimming pool near here," Sage said, "inbetween both villages."

"Can't you sense the others?" Elliot asked. "Nathan, Paul, Joey and you."

Kira sighed. "But...I-I can..." she trailed off. Food and shelter were easy accomplishments for her, even before the tournament.

"'Course I can sense people, but I don't have a sense where I fall, and I'm interested to see if I'm wrong on any," Tom explained.

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"Oh wait..." Luke replied bashfully. "I forgot you take care of them. Even though you do it for me now, sorry, my bad."

Kira smiled softly at Luke. "It's o-okay," she told him, her voice quiet. She didnt want to think about the tournament anymore.

"Hm...that'd be a good idea," Paul nodded.

"Alright then," Luke replied brightly, trying to fix what he'd done. He looked at his compass. "Well, my little hideout is that way, if you still want to take a look."

Sage nodded at Paul and then smiled. "A way for relaxing! Now...we just have to find a place to put it..."

"Why not make a hole then fill it with water?" Paul asked.

"Where did you think you fell?" Elliot asked as they came to a half at a patch of dirt with large metal squares next to it.

"Because then the water would get muddy," Sage said. "And also, there is quite a bit of people in both villages."

"I didn't know, simply put. I beat Nathan when you attacked the tower at the end of the tournament, but I haven't fought anyone tough since then," Tom replied.

Kira nodded, pushing herself to her feet. "You sure you feel okay enough?" she asked, glancing at Luke's leg.

"Fair enough." Elliot commented.

"This is where your house will be. Just use your ability and then I'll add the metal roof on." Jacob said calmly.