All warriors who train all the time would have almost been jealous of me if I hadn't stopped towards the rise of the Saphrop.
I had been practice for the whole night and stopped only when my legs gave way and I fell down on the ground, sweating. In the Headquarters, there was no way to the Saphrop rising as we were in a completely different location but I understood that it was day by consulting my watch. I exited the practice zone after a little while of rest. Walking into the hall, I saw the workers had started their job already.
There were assistants handling various different machines and the managers who were jotting down a bunch of calculations which were related to things I didn't know and did not want to get into. But this sight still seemed to bewilder me. It had been over a month since I had entered into this new life in the Headquarters but every time, things managed to astonish me. It was as if yesterday I had fallen down into this confusing world, unconscious and having no memory of how I ended up here. I remembered Rock Flames explaining me that this was supposed to be my new home.
I felt nostalgic. Not because it had been a month. But because I didn't have a high hope that I would survive to see this place again after a month. This would possibly be the last day I will ever be seeing the bewildering sight of my weird yet luxuriously comfortable new home.
Of course I wasn't crying. Though I didn't understand what the water particles on my eyes were…. Just then, someone tapped my back and I turned around. In front, I found Wade with his cup of coffee, his hair fussy as usual. It wouldn't be a day without a stinking Wade asking if he was stinking. "I haven't bathed yet. Do I smell?" He asked. Wade's way of words always used to confuse me. I wondered whether he was acting or was he really that stupid. I nodded and he stepped away from me. "Alright. I'll go have a bath now." He had his coffee quickly and rushed into his room. His habit to drink coffee before bathing was again befuddling to me.
I realized that I myself hadn't bathed yet. I had a shower and freshened up. Outside, Master Polwern and Adonis were waiting for me. "Master, good morning!" I greeted. He gave me his welcoming grin. Adonis smiled and without uttering another word, got back to work. That reminded me of the concentration and focus the man had. He would only do one thing at a time with full concentration. He was instructing some workers of his plans for weapons. He had a lot of rolled chart sheets in his hand and I guessed they were the model of various kinds of arms. Adonis had got into his duty very well.
"Where is Druk?" I raised this question and Wade told me that the creature was in the practice zone. I went into the room and saw the fascinated and passionate Druk. He was fighting with various machines and was currently fighting six warriors in the arena. "I chose some tough men for him. But he isn't a joke, Blaze!" Wade said, impressed by Druk's performance. "Hey Druk! Are you ready?" I shouted. He managed to hear my words in between his war yells and turned around. He raised his hands to signal the warriors to pause. "I'm ready when you are, kid. Get your bags packed with everything we may possibly need because I am not carrying one." Druk stated. It would be a humorous sight to watch Druk carrying a bag pack. I would rather prefer him without anything to carry.
Druk came out of the arena and we walked into the hall together. By that time, Master Polwern was awake along with his students. I entered my room and packed my bag for the essentials: a bottle of water, tiffin with something Wade had prepared for us, and… well that's it! I obviously forgot many necessary items just to get myself killed easier and quicker.
I came out holding my bag pack. Everyone looked at me with attention I had never gained before. "You shall succeed." Master Polwern cheered. Adonis stopped his work and came running. "Try not to get yourself killed, Blaze!" He advised. I smiled at him. That was all I could do. There was no certainty of my survival after this journey. Wade looked at me and reminded, "I am one call away from you, Blaze. If I even see a missed call, I shall order the army to march to the Abandoned Palace immediately. Do not worry." I nodded with confidence. It was relieving that even if I died, one call to Wade would inform him to start the war.
After a few minutes of discussion, Wade enquired, "We have an army of around thousand and a half warriors at this point including the workers of the DELTA Headquarters who have agreed to fight for Darknor. But is there any news of the Red One's army?" Wade's question reminded me of everything about the Red One. I shook my head saying, "They will not show up until I kill the third brother of King Jalaar. That was the deal. I am confident that I will be meeting him before entering the region of the Abandoned Palace. That is Inferno's sole purpose: to kill me before I reach the Palace. We'll see soon how things turn out. Until then, farewell!"
I said one final goodbye to everyone and walked on the platform where we would be teleported. Wade pressed a few buttons on the control board and the machine started functioning. It was like the typical teleporting machine you humans show in films. For once you showed something correct about us. Wade looked at me and smiled and the next moment I was in the eighteenth floor of Foster Plaza. Druk beside me, with his hands on his head, said, "I need to get used to that. It sends shivers down my spine every single time." (I noted that Druk too had a spine.)
I looked at the now risen Saphrop and announced, "I hope this is my final trip in this adventure. Let's get this chapter done already!"