"It is okay."
Gordon moved away from Jessica's two 'have' friends. Let them do their thing he was fine going it alone. In fact with the Starfire Alliance and his system he felt confident that he could keep to himself. It would be better not to pull anyone else into his web of conspiracy that he had already gotten himself into.
It was better to focus on the present. He really didn't know how much longer he would be allowed to live. Seriously he turned to enjoy whatever time he had left.
Through the clawed out rents in the walls he could tell when the final rays of the sun went down and only twilight was left. Damages three hundred years ago these claw marks were majestic from their size alone and Gordon wondered how closely the claws of Jessica's newly contracted behemoths would fit.
It was no use speculating and he turned his attention to the arena below. Only a few seats weren't filled and Gordon saw that there was little outward concern from anybody below for those who had not made it here. Hopefully they had just been late and were not terribly injured or dead.
Instead of a speech starting like Gordon expected a dinner was served.
Tables were set up on the stage and a feast was served. The people in the stands walked down and formed lines. After watching for a few minutes Gordon was about to get up to go get in line.
Yet on his way out he bumped into Jessica coming in.
"Oh, sorry."
He said calmly and quickly moved so as not to be knocked over. From past experience he knew that running into Jessica was like running into a brick wall. Only because of her enhanced stats, there were other attributes about Jessica that would have softened his fall, she was a hard one to surprise or cause to trip.
"Where are you going silly?"
She asked laughing at his antics.
"Just going to go eat some food."
He said non-chalantly.
"Don't bother, they are bringing some platters for us."
Sure enough, behind Jessica there were three servers who wheeled in a serving table. Bringing enough food for ten people Gordon was shocked.
Jessica, Oneko, and Gloria each took a plate and while sampling the food began gushing over Ren. Talking, playing with, and teasing Ren while eating the girls proceeded to fawn all over the new earth elemental of Renier Mountain.
Sighing Gordon decided not to join them. There was quite a selection of different meats as well as cooked vegetables. Along with bread there were so many ways to mix and match flavors that Gordon began again to appreciate the curated meal that Angelica had prepared.
This time there was a ton of food for each dish instead of just a mouthful and if he wanted to he could literally gorge himself full on just one dish. This was a different experience from what Angelica provided. And he found himself missing Angelica's food briefly even as he realized that he was incredibly hungry. Being a beast master required more calories than a standard normal human.
Not wanting to make even more a fool of himself Gordon stayed quiet while Jessica and her high class friends laughed and talked with Ren.
After about an hour an elder of the Philos family announced that the swearing in ceremony would commence, but that everyone could continue eating as they would take people in batches. Servers moved the serving tables to the sides of the ring while big industrial sized machines were raised from below the rink itself. Evidently the floor of the platform was false and it could be opened at will. The elder stood up in the center of the machines with some kind of sound system began to call up groups of invitees at the rate of six at a time.
Contrary to the spirit of a ceremony each of the invitees was being given a thorough scan. This was the purpose of the industrial machines. If they passed the scan then they were fed an insect, probably the insect that the Starfire Alliance had talked about. The one that would monitor and keep people compliant. And only after these two safety checks were the invitees offered the chance to swear their allegiance to the Philos family. Finally those that swore an oath had an option to receive a gift as they left the circle. Interesting enough not everyone that swore an oath opted to receive a gift. Which was weird to Gordon, but he didn't understand these kinds of high society events either.
It didn't take long for Jessica's three invitees to be called and Gordon went down to the stage. There were six people waiting in line ahead of him when they first arrived. Ostensibly the scan was pretty easy. All Gordon would have to do was walk through an archway connected to a large machine. Swallowing the insect was a matter of a few moments. And the actual swearing in was really short as well. There was nothing Gordon had to actively do besides say the oath. Everything else was really was simple.
With trepidation he felt his heart rate increase, though. Knowing that he would have to betray this family at some point in the future made him want to walk away. But he looked up at Jessica's box and without being able to see her knew that she was totally supporting him in this action. Jessica knew what he was facing and had admitted that she herself was part of some organization called the rebellion.
Suspecting that the Philos family was more than a little involved in this rebellion group Gordon closed his eyes and calmed his breathing. It wasn't possible for Jessica to be so cool and easy with his involvement in the Starfire Alliance unless there was more going on with the Philos family than was seen from the outside.
When it was his turn he approached the barrier between him and the inner ring. As he did he sensed a warm current from the system space and realized that Renier's token was reacting. However, he was too distracted in the moment and pushed his curiosity aside so that he could be fully present for whatever was about to happen.
There was not a single beep or flash of light as entered the arena's central ring and then stepped through the arch. The security officer nodded when Gordon walked forward motioning him on towards the next station.
Another attendant offered him a slimy wiggling little worm that he then had to swallow live without chewing. Blood gushed and he had to spit out some it to keep from chocking. Thick and red the blood was washed away by a waiting cleaning bot as the worm tore into the back of his throat and then healed its way up. He could fill it migrating up to the base of his brain stem. The Philos guards watching attentively. They could probably see its actions as it struggled making the back of his neck bulge.
And then it was done and the insect was quiescent.
Taking the oath was a short affair, nothing to it. And when another elder having witnessed the swearing in smiled shook his hand and picked up a box from the last table.
"Welcome and here is a gift for you, for becoming part of our family."
With a few words of welcome and a gift Gordon was now officially a member of the Philos family.
Still a little affected by the insect squirming around his brain stem Gordon was no longer hungry nor did he want to open the gift. Instead he went back up to Jessica's box where Ren had waited with Jessica and watched as both Gloria and Oneko came back green faced, too.
"Don't worry. It is completely safe."
Jessica reassured them and then started throwing precious metals to Ren. This was a new game that Jessica must have devised while everyone else was gone. The little glutton, Ren, was more than happy to swallow down whatever treats came her way. At Jessica, Gloria, and Oneko's prompting Ren began to do tricks. Just simple things like spinning around, diving from a fixed point, doing a flip, or combinations of these simple ideas. It started to get ridiculous really fast.
Scandalized Gordon smirked. He couldn't believe that they were training the elemental spirit of Mount Renier in such a frivolous and pointless manner!
"Ahem, Ahem."
Gently Gordon tried to get Jessica's attention, but even after he caught her eye she stuck out her tongue and then continued to encourage Ren even more. She even called one of the servers to bring in more precious metals when her own stock pile ran out. Gordon didn't know how she could be so rich that she had spare ores and precious metal laying around in her space ring.
Sighing he just went back to watching what was going on down in the ring for the swearing-in ceremony that was actually more like a forced labor camp vibe.
As he watched he began to see a shift in the security detail as most of the guards who had been acting as muscle to impress the kids were called out of the arena.
Some five minutes later the tech in charge of the swearing-in event looked like he received a message. Gordon couldn't see any phone or headset, nor was there a human messenger, but the woman in charge suddenly looked down and to the side. Then she paused for a moment and when she looked up she motioned to her assistants.
Thereafter they started calling down three times as many invitees. And instead of taking their time they started popping insects into kids mouths left and right. Finally groups of invitees were sworn in instead of doing it more solemnly one at a time.
"I think something is happening."
He said quietly.
Jessica went glassy eyed as she communicated somehow internally.
"Yes, there is a beast tide attacking the ruins!"
Jumping up Jessica threw the rest of the metals to Ren who giggling dived on the bounty trying to absorb all the delicious food in one go.
"What are they saying?"
Gloria asked anxiously. Gordon thought she was a little too anxious for a simple beast tide. He had seen the Philos family's strength and knew that a beast tide couldn't even make a dent in their power. The battleship sized hover craft looked like it was capable of handling a few diamond level beasts all by itself.
But Jessica froze and refusing to meet Gloria's eyes. Turning away, Jessica prioritized continuing to communicate mentally with someone.
Oneko put a hand on Gloria's shoulder.
"It is okay. We knew this type of thing would happen. If we survive, this will only be the first time. There will be many more tests."
Seeing the seriousness that Gloria and Oneko were approaching whatever was happening, Gordon tried to communicate himself, but only with his system.
'Can you get a read on the level of strength of this beast tide?'
He hadn't ever gotten much from his system, but he knew it was capable of scanning the environment.
[^@$%( ... three diamond ^$ beasts ... (*&(&@#]
Cold fear grasped his heart as he realized what this meant. The apocalypse system was jamming his upgrade system again. This beast tide was controlled and it was coming for him.
Or at least that was what he had to assume. But it was a little confusing. The upgrade system had told him that the apocalypse system would always attack in a sneaky manner never with too many resources for fear that it would boost the upgrade system's strength too much.
However, now an entire beast tide was coming his way.
'My system is seriously messed up!'
However, the upgrade system took this opportunity to correct Gordon's misunderstanding.
[No, with the Philos family here, the Apocalypse system has gaged the combat strength correctly. With the Philos family's might the current beast tide will be easily handled.]
'Uh?'
His system was suddenly up and running, able to communicate without any symbols. This was too much.
[Perhaps you are surprised that I am fully functioning? Don't be. While the apocalypse system's presence in this world is unprecedented, during this beast tide I should be able to function normally. The apocalypse system will be distracted and busy. You just need to be prepared for a sneak attack. The Philos family will be able to handle everything else.]
But Jessica stood up and faced her friends with head bowed and hands to her sides already half bowing.
"I am sorry, the Philos family has given the retreat order. We are pulling out taking only the residents and merchants. I have been commanded to withdraw to another one of our secret bases."
"I knew it!"
Gloria said stamping her foot.
"Don't tell me. The elders are going to set this as our first task. Something about delaying the beast tide right? Give you guys enough time to get the residents out? What is it the trial?"
Going on Gloria said a few things.
"You're right, okay. Just stay safe. I have to go."
Even while she talked several security guards were pulling her out of the box.